Where Is God?

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD ... From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind ... [and] considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength...But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine." - Psalm 33:12-19 (NIV). 




I recall having read in a college newspaper about a student who painted in big white letters right across the side of a garbage truck, "Where is God?" Perhaps he was thinking at some level, why does God allow garbage to happen?


It's an age-old question, as old as Job and as fresh as today: "Where is God when tragedy strikes ... when a loved one dies and the heart is torn with grief ... when innocent children are kidnapped, sexually abused, and murdered? And where was he on September 11, 2001? And again, when terrorist bombs blasted in many areas? Or when a sniper in the Washington, D.C. area was shooting and killing innocent people at random?"


I don't want to sound callous by any means but we are asking the wrong question because God is where he always was and always is. The Apostle Paul said it best, in that God "is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.'" See Acts 17:24, 26-28.


So the question needs to be, "Where is man?"


Our problem lies in the fact that we as nations have left God—or are fast leaving him. As God's Word, the Bible, says, "Blessed is that nation whose God is the Lord." - Psalm 33:12. And what of those nations whose God is not the Lord? Perhaps history can best answer that question.


But the great tragedy is, as Friedrich Hegel said, "The only thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history."

Strength out of Weakness

"But he [God] said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV). 


I read a few years ago the story of a 10-year-old boy who decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.


The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training, the master had taught him only one move.


"Sensei," the boy finally said, "shouldn't I be learning more moves?"


"This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," the sensei replied. Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.


Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened. "No," the sensei insisted, "let him continue."


Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion.


On the way home, the boy and the sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind: "Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?"


"You won for two reasons," the sensei answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm."


"The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength."


Hmmm ... very interesting. When it comes to life, for some folk their biggest strength becomes their biggest weakness. For example, as Jesus said about the wealthy man, "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." - Matthew 19:24 (NIV). The eye of the needle was referring to a door in the wall of the city (as it was commonly called) which was too small for a camel to go through, meaning that it was impossible for a person who trusts in his riches—or his fame, personality, power or position—to get into God's heaven.


On the other hand, when we acknowledge our weaknesses and know that we need to depend on God for guidance, wisdom, discernment, and deliverance from temptation—this can become our greatest strength.

Authenticity

"When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, 'Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.'" - John 1:47 (NIV). 


"There's a story about a woman finding herself alone in an elevator with the famous and very handsome Robert Redford. As the elevator moved up the floors, the woman, like many of us might, found herself uncontrollably staring at the movie star. Finally, in her excitement and nervousness, she blurted out: 'Are you the real Robert Redford?' To which Redford responded, 'Only when I'm alone.'"


I think that if I were an actor—especially one as successful as Robert Redford—I might find it very difficult to be the real me when I am not acting a part and may all too readily forget who the real me is.


Even without being an actor, I find that one of the most difficult things in life is to be honest with myself. It's hard enough to know and admit what my true feelings are, let alone my motives! And it's all too easy to act out any part to avoid facing the real me. I may act the part of a super-nice (saccharine sweet) fellow to avoid facing my unresolved anger...or super-brave to hide my hidden fears...or gruff and macho to hide my insecurity and so on.


However, it's only as I get real and courageously honest with myself and God that he can help me to grow and become the person he wants me to be. The same goes for getting close to people. Only to the degree that I am open, honest, and real can I relate intimately with those I love. And, unfortunately, the more I hide my true self the more I will live with others together alone apart—a very lonely and unfulfilling existence.

Thanksgiving

"It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your loving kindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night." - Psalm 92:1-2, (NKJV). 

"Today upon a bus, I saw a lovely young girl with golden hair; I envied her—she seemed so happy, and how I wished I were so fair; When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle; she had one foot and wore a crutch, but as she passed, a smile. Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two feet—the world is mine.


"And when I stopped to buy some sweets, the lad who served me had such charm; he seemed to radiate good cheer, his manner was so kind and warm; I said, 'It's nice to deal with you, such courtesy I seldom find'; he turned and said, 'Oh, thank you sir.' And then I saw that he was blind. Oh, God, forgive me when I whine, I have two eyes, the world is mine.


"Then, when walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue; he stood and watched the others play, it seemed he knew not what to do; I stopped a moment, then I said, 'Why don't you join the others, dear?' He looked ahead without a word, and then I knew he could not hear. Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two ears, the world is mine.
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
<!--[endif]-->

"With feet to take me where I'd go; with eyes to see the sunsets glow, with ears to hear what I would know. I am blessed indeed. The world is mine; oh, God, forgive me when I whine."

As many readers will realize, today in many more countries celebrating Thanksgiving Day...a day when friends and family all across this land will join together in a great day of feasting, but I cannot help but wonder how many of us will be truly thankful—I mean truly thankful to God for the abundant blessings he has given to those of us who live in free countries.

The Best Policy

"You may be sure that your sin will find you out." - Numbers 32:23 (NIV). 


Coming home from work, a woman stopped at the corner deli to buy a chicken for supper. The butcher reached into a barrel grabbed the last chicken he had, flung it on the scales behind the counter, and told the woman its weight. She thought for a moment. "I really need a bit more chicken than that," she said. "Do you have any larger ones?"


Without a word, the butcher put the chicken back into the barrel, groped around as though finding another, pulled the same chicken out, and placed it on the scales. "This chicken weighs one pound more," he announced. The woman pondered her options and then said, "Okay. I'll take them both."2 Don't you just love it?


Honesty is still the best policy—and we can be sure of this, our sins/lies will find us out—even if it is eventually!

12 Names of our God

The 12 Names of our God:
1)"ELOHIM" My Creator...
2)"JEHOVAH" My Lord God...
3)"EL-SHADDAI" My Supplier...
4)"ADONAI" My Master...
5)"JEHOVAH JIREH" My Provider...
6)"JEHOVAH ROPHE" My Healer..
7)"JEHOVAH NISSI" My Banner...
8)"JEHOVAH MIKKADESH"My Sanctifier...
9)"JEHOVAH TSIDKENU" My Righteousness..
10)"JEHOVAH SHALOM"My Peace...
11)"JEHOVAH ROHI" My Shepherd...
12)"JEHOVAH SHAMMAH" My Abiding Peace...

How Are You Treating God?

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. - John 10:10.


As parents, we love to see our children happy. We try our best to give them 'the best' we can. Sometimes, this means a sacrifice. We may give them something we want them to have and give up something we really need. We love our children and want to supply them with the best of clothes, education, and other things that we can afford.


Parents understand the thoughts behind giving your best. But, children haven't been there before, and sometimes don't really appreciate what a parent is trying to do. In fact, a child may be given exactly what he or she has asked for, and still not appreciate it. I've seen children get a gift for their birthday that they have yearned for, but, when they have it in their possession, it doesn't mean that much anymore. They just put it aside and use something else they already have. That's the way it is with clothes with teenagers, too. Buy them nice clothes, and they will hang them in the back of the closet and never touch them. Buy them t-shirts or baggy jeans, and they will wear them everywhere, if you let them. As parents, this lack of appreciation bothers us.


Can you imagine how God must feel? He gave us Jesus, whose blood was shed for all our sins. Yet, we trample over His Word, as if to say, 'that's not a Word for today.'


We sit around belly-aching, saying "we're having a tough time", "I don't know why this is happening", "Guess that's my lot in life", etc. Remember those words? God isn't in those words. When we speak the Word, we are honoring God.  But, when we speak doubt and unbelief, we are hurting God as as our children hurt us when they show no appreciation of the gifts we give them.


God tells us He would have 'Christ dwell in our hearts in faith'. [Ephesians 3:17] But, when words of unbelief and doubt flow from our mouth, that isn't faith. We should have the Word within us, speaking it in faith. And, when the devil puts those thoughts in our mind, we should be  ready to counteract those thoughts with the WORD, which is Truth! [John 17:17]


Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: - 1 Peter 5:8.

All We Desire Is Not Of God

"Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. - Romans 13:5, (NIV). 

One day when I was very young, I ventured off by myself to the dime store. I looked over all the things that took my eye, and with no money to buy, I looked at an eraser that I wanted to have. No one was looking, and I reached out, took the eraser, and put it into my pocket.

Off I went to school. There I took out the eraser and placed it on my desk. I thought about using it, but something inside me said "No." I struggled all afternoon until school was over. Back I went to the dime store, eraser in my hot, clammy, little hand. I reached the place where I had taken it, looked around, and, when I thought no one was looking, I put it back.

Yes, I got away with it, but my conscience bothered me to no end. Because I had stolen it, putting it back didn't make it any better. The original sin was still there.

What possessed me to do such a thing? I knew better, and I knew that, if I were caught, I would have been punished. Still I did it, and, to this very day, I have never forgotten. Growing with God, and maturing in Him, I discovered that all we desire is not of God, but some of our desires result from the temptation of evil.

We can thank God for giving us a conscience, a set of rules by which to live, and, by His grace, forgiveness for what we have done.


If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.- 1 John 1:9.


For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. - Titus 2:11-12 (NIV).

Who is a Christian??

1. One who is in the World and not of it
2. Is Protected and has overcome evil one
3. Sanctified by Truth - His Word
4. Loves the hating World
5. One who is sent to Transform the World.

Obstacle Illusions

"He [Jesus] replied, '...I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'" - Matthew 17:20 (NIV). 


Grant Frazier said, "Life is full of obstacle illusions." He's right.


Instead of seeing obstacles as opportunities to grow, negative people see them as obstacle illusions. They see them as mountains too high to climb and use them as excuses to hang on to if they don't want to act responsibly and grow up and therein become stronger, healthier persons.


It's all in their attitude of mind—their negative thinking—and they allow their problems to have a crippling effect in their life. They are faith-less!


On the other hand, positive people are faith-full. They see every obstacle, not only as a challenging mountain to climb and conquer, but as an opportunity to grow and become stronger, better, healthier persons. When faced with an obstacle (as another has suggested), they don't tell God how big their problems are. They tell their problems how big their God is!


Neither do they allow past failures to defeat or depress them. And when the devil comes to remind them of their failures, they remind him of his future! Thus ends their discussion with the devil!

Pardoned

"But God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
- Paul in Romans 5:8.




The story is told about a young man who received a ticket for a speeding violation. As he stood before the judge, the judge found himself in a dilemma because he knew the young man didn't have any money to pay the fine and he didn't want to send him to jail.


However, the judge had to fine the young man $150, which was the accepted amount for this traffic violation. Immediately the judge handed down the sentence, he stepped away from the bench, took off his robes, went to the defendant and paid the fine for him.


The young man was his own son whom he loved.


That's what God's Son, Jesus Christ, did for us on the cross of Calvary. God's justice required death as the automatic judgment upon our sin. However, because he loved us, the Son of God laid aside his "judge's robes," stepped out of the "ivory palaces" of heaven, came to earth and identified with us as a man, and died on the cross in our place to save us from our sins.


Because of this, God offers each of us a free pardon with forgiveness for all our sins and gives us his gift of eternal life. Jesus, the Son of God, paid the "fine/penalty" for us with his life. All we need to do is confess our sinfulness and accept his gift of salvation—the greatest gift known to man.


"He paid a debt he didn't owe to free us from a price we couldn't pay."

Refuge

“Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah.”
-Psalm 61:1-4

You are not alone and you are not going unnoticed. You have a safe place to tuck into for shelter, protection, comfort and assurance. Don’t forget you have the ultimate refuge Who knows every detail of your life. Be willing to stop seeking control of your situations, and run to Him when everything around you seems unsteady.

Lord Kill the Spider!!

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of

the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV). 

Last Sunday our pastor told an interesting story and, had it not been serious, it would have been funny. He told about a fellow in a support group who for months on end kept praying about a personal problem but never did anything about it. Week after week he would pray with seemingly great conviction, "Oh God, clean the cobwebs out of my life...clean the cobwebs out of my life!"

Finally, in utter frustration the leader of the group broke into the man's prayer and prayed rather boisterously, "Oh God, KILL THE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ SPIDER!"

I can identify with this leader in that I, too, know of people who have been confessing the same sin and/or problem for years, asking God for deliverance but never doing anything about it. True, God feeds the sparrows but as the old saying goes, he doesn't throw the food into their nests.

If we are struggling with a besetting sin or bad habit, what can we do about it? Certainly pray and ask God for deliverance but also pray that he will show us the root cause of our problem because, more often than not, our repetitive failures are the fruit of a deeper root. God not only wants to deliver us from habitual sins but also free us from the deeper root cause. Also, we need to ask God to lead us to the help we need to overcome whether it be an AA Group, some other kind of recovery group, a counselor, a pastor or whatever help we need.

And then we need to do something about finding that help. As we do our part, God will do his, but he won't do for us what we can and are able to do for ourselves. For us to do less is an avoidance of personal responsibility.

God So Loved

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life." - John 3:16 (NASB).




In a tribe of Indians, or so the story goes, someone was stealing chickens. The Chief declared that, if caught, the offender would receive 10 lashes.


When the stealing continued, he raised it to 20 lashes. Still the chickens methodically disappeared. In anger the Chief raised the sentence to 100 lashes.


The thief was finally caught, but the Chief faced a terrible dilemma. The thief was his mother! When the day of penalty came, the whole tribe gathered. Would the Chief's love override his justice? The crowd gasped when he ordered his mother to be tied to the whipping post.


The Chief removed his shirt, revealing his powerful stature, and took the whip in hand. But instead of raising it to strike the first blow, he handed it to a strong, young brave standing at his side. Slowly the Chief walked over to his mother and wrapped his massive arms around her in an engulfing embrace. Then he ordered the brave to give him the 100 lashes.


That's what JESUS did for you and me when he came to earth clothed in an external garment of human flesh some 2000 years ago, which is commemorated as "Christmas." In love he became our substitute and died in our place to pay the penalty for all our sins. He overcame our inability to save ourselves by paying the price for our sins. His death bridged the gulf between God and man and made it possible for us to be reconciled to God and to be restored to fellowship with him through faith in Christ and in his atoning death for us. 

Criticize by Creating

When God called Moses to deliver the ancient Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, "Moses answered, 'What if they [the Israelites] do not believe me or listen to me and say, "The LORD did not appear to you"?' Then the LORD said to him, 'What is that in your hand?' 'A staff,' he replied. The LORD said, 'Throw it on the ground.' Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it."- Exodus 4:1-2 (NIV).

This was to confirm to Moses that God was the miracle worker and Moses was only God's agent.


On one occasion, I believe it was to the evangelist Dwight Moody, a woman said, "Mr. Moody, I don't like the way you do your evangelism." 


To which Moody replied, "I don't particularly like the way I do it either. How do you do it?"


The lady replied, "I don't do it."


"Well I like the way I'm doing it better than the way you're not doing it," Moody answered.


Moody's answer may have been somewhat blunt but he made a good point. In more youthful days I was invited to a planning session for the college-age youth group in the church I was attending at the time. They asked for my opinion about what I felt was not working and how their program could be improved. I said, "I don't feel I have a right to criticize if I am not willing to do something about it." So guess what? I was made the new program director!


It's very easy for all of us (including myself) to sit back and criticize our group, church, politicians, leaders, etc., etc., and not do anything about it. 


The great Artist Michelangelo had a great answer. He said, Criticize by Creating." True, most of us will never be a Michelangelo and none of us can do everything—but every one of us can do something no matter how small to help the world we live in become a better place in which to live.


And none of us will ever be called to do what God called Moses to do. But in essence God says to every one of us: "What is that in your hand?" That is, "What ability do you have?" Whatever it is, God wants and expects us to use it to serve him—and we serve him by serving others.

The Inner Eye

"The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: "God, I thank you that I am not like other men -- robbers, evildoers, adulterers -- or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get." - Luke 18:11-12 (NIV).

As Christians in today's society, we must develop a strong sensitivity to the creed of a Pharisee. Do we exhibit those traits in our lifestyle? Most of us, at some time or other, have viewed the world around us from the perspective that what is wrong is usually someone else's fault.

The very act of shifting responsibility to others gives us a subjective means of affirming ourselves as better than others. It is difficult to avoid taking comfort in finding someone who is "worse" than we are. How often have we followed the reasoning that we seek mercy for ourselves and justice for others?

Our eyes are trained to look outward, but they do not look inward. In the practice of looking outward we can easily develop the habit of seeing what is wrong. We always seem to find something to focus on. Because we are sinners, our inner eyes are weak and rarely exercised. It is our outlook that dominates our thinking. Jesus' words in Mark 7:9 point out that we, like the Pharisees, can develop "a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe our own traditions" (ways). We tend to interpret, reinterpret, or reduce the Bible's wisdom to a list of do's and don'ts, that some can do and others don't care about.

Each of us must become humble enough to ask God to teach us to look into our own hearts. It is not something that comes naturally. Inner sight requires the exercise of the daily spiritual discipline of confession,  humility, and prayer. Unless we seek guidance and direction from God regularly and faithfully, we will be our own blind guides.

Listen to Your Heart

"When you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent." - Psalm 4:4 (NIV). 


Melody Beattie in her book, The Language of Letting Go, emphasizes the importance of contemplating what is on your mind first thing when you wake up in the morning. What is it in that half-asleep, half-awake place? Are you troubled about something? Is there some responsibility you have neglected that is bothering you? Is it a goal you've been planning on starting but keep putting off? Is it an unhealthy relationship you are in and you know you need to get out of it? Is it a destructive habit or sin that you feel convicted about?


What is on your mind at this time is coming from your inner self, your unconscious mind, or it may be coming from God's Spirit. It may be revealing a truth you need to deal with. Listen to that inner voice—the voice of your heart—and do what you know you need to do about that issue that is troubling or challenging you. Don't put it off. Take care of it each day.


We're not talking about compulsive obsessive behavior but learning to discern the voice of one's inner self and that of the leading of God's Spirit.

Mountaintop Experiences

"Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the LORD showed him the whole land [the Promised Land]...." - Deuteronomy 34:1, (NIV). 


On April 3, 1968, on the eve of his assassination, Martin Luther King delivered his last sermon at Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee. His closing remarks were: "Well, I don't know what will happen now; we've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life—longevity has its place.


But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over, and I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. So I'm happy tonight; I'm not worried about anything; I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."


Dr. King certainly had a mountaintop experience. Many years before, Moses also had a mountaintop experience. God showed him the land he was promising to the nation of Israel and commissioned Joshua to "arise, go, and possess" this Promised Land. Was it easy to do this? No, not at all. Following Martin Luther King's mountaintop experience it was left to his followers to "arise, go, and possess" the promised land that Dr. King saw. Has it been easy for them? No, not at all.


Jesus had a mountaintop experience too. It was at Calvary where he, seeing the whole world lost in sin, gave his life as a sacrifice for all. After his resurrection, he gave his followers a vision/dream too— actually a commission. It was, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere." - Mark 16:15, (NLT). Now it's up to us to "arise, go, and possess" the vision God has for the world ... reaching people with the gospel message—one person at a time! Will it be easy? No, not at all. However, knowing this is God's vision and his will, with his help there will always be a way to
fulfill it.

Christian Worldview

"In the beginning God." - Genesis 1:1.




We hear quite a bit these days about the worldview people have. Simply put, one's worldview is the way we view the world in which we live. It serves as a road map for one's life—the guide for  the way we live and orchestrate our life. It has to do with one's belief system about the world in which we live.


A Christian worldview is based on reality—on truth—on truth as it is revealed and/or confirmed in God's Word, the Bible, which is the only viable source of truth that can realistically answer the four questions one's worldview takes into account. These questions are as follows:


"Where did I come from?
Why is the world in such a mess?
Is there a way to fix it?
Is there a purpose for my life?"


First, where did I come from? The Christian believes that we came from God; that in the beginning he created all—including you and me. Because of this we are  accountable to him and are morally responsible for all our actions.


Second, why is the world in such a mess? We believe that this is because of sin and evil which was introduced into the world by Satan the devil, a fallen angel, who wanted to dethrone God and become God himself. "I will become as the Most High," he said. Consequently he was dismissed from God's Heaven. - See Isaiah 14:12.


Tragically, because mankind chose to disobey God's directions and follow Satan's, sin entered the entire human race. Because sin cannot exist and sinners cannot survive in the presence of a holy and just God, any more than a moth can survive in a flame, our sin has destined us to eternal separation from a just and holy God in the place the Bible calls hell—the place prepared for the devil and other fallen angels known as demons.


Third, is there an answer to mankind's dilemma—a way to fix our problem?  Fortunately for mankind there is. As the Bible says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son [Jesus Christ], that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16 (NIV).


In other words, because God's justice required that the just judgment for all sin is death; that is, eternal separation from God the author of all love and life, God gave his only son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place to pay the just penalty for all our sin. Because of Christ's sacrifice God now offers to all who will accept it a free pardon and the gift of eternal life with God in Heaven forever. Based on the Word of God, Jesus Christ is God's only provision for mankind's sin, and the only way into God's Heaven. - See John 14:6.


Fourth, is there a purpose for my life? "Man's chief end [purpose] is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever." We glorify God, first by building a deeper understanding of and a stronger relationship with Jesus Christ, and then by living a morally upright life, in loving God and worshipping God, by loving our neighbors as ourselves, and by our service to God. And we serve God by using our God-given natural and spiritual gifts to serve others. The important thing is:  do you know what your specific God-given life purpose is?

Be Prepared

"Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer" - (Proverbs 30:25, NIV).


Sometimes the seemingly simple things in life can teach us some of the most important lessons. Take ants, for example. Even though their "brain" (central ganglion or nerve) is less than one-tenth the size of a pinhead, ants live in highly organized social colonies. Some collect food, others build the nest and keep it clean, and some look after the queen ants. Nurse ants clean and feed the larvae. Soldier ants guard and protect the food-collecting ants. No wonder the Bible says, "Go to the ant ... consider her ways and be wise" (Proverbs 6:6).


Among other lessons, the ants "who store up their food in the summer" teach us the importance of being prepared ahead of time for whatever might come our way.  The Chinese proverb, "Dig your well before you're thirsty" makes the same point. Children need to be prepared for life, teenagers and young adults need to be prepared for entering the work force, and for taking care of themselves. Those who are planning to be married should prepare ahead for it; unfortunately, too many don't. And all adults need to prepare ahead for retirement and old age.


And most important of all, we need to be prepared for life after life when we will meet our Maker face to face. As God's Word says, "Prepare to meet your God," - Amos 4:12, and as Jesus taught about his return to earth, "Be ready; for when you least expect it, I will come."Matthew 24:44. How tragic beyond all measure for those who aren't prepared for life after death.

The Ant and the Feather

"Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!" - Proverbs 6:6 (NIV).


"One morning, I wasted nearly an hour watching a tiny ant carry a huge feather across my back terrace. Several times it was confronted by obstacles in its path and after a momentary pause it would make the necessary detour.


"At one point the ant had to negotiate a crack in the concrete about 10mm wide. After brief contemplation the ant laid the feather over the crack, walked across it and picked up the feather on the other side then continued on its way.


"I was fascinated by the ingenuity of this ant—one of God's smallest creatures. Here was a minute insect, lacking in size yet equipped with a brain to reason, explore, discover and overcome."


Can you imagine God telling us to learn from an ant? So what can we learn? Ants are determined, they are not afraid to work to achieve their goals, they work as a team, they think through and work to overcome the challenges thrown in their pathway, and they never give up. But most of all they teach us about the marvels of God's creation.

God of the Ordinary

"Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?"  - John 4:29 (NIV). 

The culture of Jesus' day was vastly different from ours except, perhaps, for cultural prejudice. On one occasion when Jesus wanted to reach a Samaritan village with his message of salvation, he stopped by a well and made friends with a Samaritan woman. This definitely was not kosher for a Jew because the Jews looked down their noses at Samaritans and had no dealings with them.

Not so Jesus. After asking this woman for a drink of water and some small talk he directed the conversation to spiritual matters. Not only was this woman a Samaritan but one who had led a very colorful life and Jesus knew exactly what type of person she was. She was a social outcast, which was obvious by the fact that she was drawing water from the well in the middle of the day. All the other women from the village did so in the cool of the evening.

Jesus said to the lady, "Go and get your husband and come back with him." "I don't have a husband," she replied. "I know," Jesus said, "you've already had five and the man you are now with is not your husband!"

That would be quite a reputation even today, let alone in that society. 

And yet, this was the woman that Jesus chose to be the messenger to carry the gospel to her village—which she did—and the people there came to see and hear Jesus for themselves. How many of us would treat such a woman this way?

Jesus, who upheld impeccable moral standards and high ideals regarding marriage, wasn't shocked by this woman's lifestyle. He saw beyond the externals and looked at her heart. Here was a woman who needed salvation and was willing to admit it.

 

Neither is God shocked with you or me when we are willing to admit our needs, sins and faults and bring them to him for his forgiveness—and when we acknowledge our brokenness and come to him for his healing and deliverance.

What Is Sin?

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." 
- Romans 6:23 (NIV).


What is sin and why does God hate it?


Someone has argued if God is the creator of all things then he must have created sin. Actually, sin, as another has suggested is not a "created" thing at all. It is an action on our part or a failure to act as we know we ought to act or behave. God created people but he didn't create sin or sinners. Sinners are people who have chosen to go their own way rather than God's way. It's the same with evil. It is the evil actions of people who have chosen to do evil things that make them evil.


In the Bible there are three facets to sin. First has to do with breaking God's laws that are found in his Word, the Bible. Second applies to rebelling against God and going one's own sinful way. And third has to do with falling short of God's standard of perfection; that is, being less than whole and all that God envisioned for us to be. The latter also includes sins of omission—not doing what we know we should do—as well as sins of commission.


And why does God hate sin so vehemently? Because it destroys those whom God loves—us. It causes us to be spiritually dead, and separates us from the God who created and loves us, and dooms us to a lost eternity in the place the Bible calls hell—whatever and wherever that may be.


While sin totally destroys those whom God loves, his mercy and love have provided a way of escape from sin's destructive consequences for all who put their trust in him and become a true Christ follower or Christian. 

10 Commandments

The 10 Commandments from the Lord :

1 ) Are we worshiping any other Gods/ Spirits/Saints and offer them praises and pray to them rather than our creator Father,the Son and the Holy Spirit?
2 ) Are we bowing before any idols thinking as that is the image of God or giving more importance to any of the worldly pleasures before seeking God and not giving Him first place in your heart ????
3 ) Are we misusing God's name, making promise in the name of the Lord which is disgusting in His eyes ?
4 ) How do we spend the Sunday, the day meant to rest and thank God ?
5 ) Are we honoring our parents ?
6 ) Murdering does not only mean murdering anyone literally, but hurting them by our tongues. Are we doing it ?
7 ) Are we practicing anything related to adultery knowingly/unknowingly, willingly/unwillingly ?
8 ) Have we stoled any of the properties of our neighbor's ?
9 ) Did we lie today to anyone ?. no matter the size of the lie big or small ?
10 ) Have we coveted any of our neighbor's properties at any instance ?????

LETS THINK AND REPENT TO OUR CREATOR!!!.. Our Lord never ignores His people who comes to His presence asking His forgiveness!!!! :) God bless you!!!

The 10 commandments given by our Lord written by His finger!!!.. How seriously do we follow it ?... we take much effort to follow the rules of this world.. then what about the rules given by our Master ?

"Rebuilding the Temple"

Read Ezra 6 -- 7

Highlights:

The flesh, the devil, and the world hindered the rebuilding of the Temple, but God overruled (Ezra 6:1-15). Joyously, the Passover was celebrated (6:22)! Then came Ezra, a scribe and priest (7:6). Ezra was well-favored. Learn why (7:10).

The rebuilding of the Temple had been left unfinished for many years, but once the Word and authority of God were recognized, they began to build the House of God . . . and with them were the prophets of God helping them(Ezra 5:2). What caused this revival? Their circumstances had not changed, and they faced the same intense opposition and determination by the enemy to cause the work to cease. But this time, they were strengthened by the power of the Word of God, and the enemy could not cause them to cease (comp. 4:4-5,23 and 5:3-5).

The elders . . . builded, and they prospered (overcame the opposition of the enemy) through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah . . . And they builded, and finished it (the Temple), according to the Commandment of the God of Israel (6:14).

The work of God can be sustained and strengthened only through obedience to His Word — the foundation of our Christian lives — the one power that Satan cannot overcome.

Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments (7:10). He made a thorough investigation in the right place — the Holy Scriptures. Ezra decided to not only read the Law of the Lord, but also to do it. This divine order still rests upon the people of God today — not only to read but to accept and obey the Truth. Then, if any man will do His (the Lord's) will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God (John 7:17).

Gospel Truth becomes our strength only as we receive it into our hearts by faith and give practical expression to it. To illustrate, if we have an untimely death in our family, do we blame God or do we believe His Word that states: All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose(Rom. 8:28)? Whoso looketh into the perfect Law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed (James 1:25).

Due to neglect and consequent disobedience of the Word of God, many Christians make little or no spiritual progress.Desire the sincere milk of the Word (the plain and simple truth of the Bible), that ye may grow thereby (I Pet. 2:2).

Thought for Today:

Obedience is charateristic of faith.