I was reminded tonight that things are going to have to fall in place for Jesus to return. I'm not a huge fan of our president, and I will not vote for him. I get tired of seeing people turn on Jesus and His followers. I get tired of seeing Christians not pray before they vote and look at the bigger issues that we have. Dems or Republicans will never get America back on the right track, because our nation has for all tense and purposes turned our backs on God. When a nation does that the Lord's judgment will fall on that nation. "If my people, which are called by my name," describes a certain people. Who is His people. We can all, as Christians understand that He is talking to the Jews, but a Christian is a circumsized Jew, of the heart. "My people, which are called by my name," indicates that a child of God is His people..
We should look at the rest of 2 Chronicles 7:14, where first says we should "humble ourselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways;" We need to put our pride to the side and pray and seek God's face in repentance of our wicked ways. Today's people, who claim the name of Jesus, are not the same people I remember for 25 years ago. Today we have people who claim the name of Jesus, but their lifestyles, and compromises speak much louder. We justify the way we live instead of seeing our ways as wicked.
If America really wants to return to even part of her earlier glory, we've got to repent and change our ways. It starts in our churches. We need to get back to what Paul said. He reminded the church at Corinth to be separate, the church at Thessalonica to even 'abstain from the appearance of evil'. We make it seem hard to say no to sin, but in truth, if we are really saved, we have the power to so no to sin, by the blood of Jesus.
We are reminded in this same passage that that if we do the first part of being humble why we pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways, He will hear from heaven, and will forgive our sin, and will heal their land."
The only way we can return to where we want to be is take the steps God laid out for Israel, and apply those steps to America, starting with every child of God. Let's make an effort to get right!
Thursday, September 06, 2012
Sunday, April 03, 2011
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
A Short Life is Equal to a Dash
I can remember a time when Sunday was a day for two things. First, it was a day of going to church and then coming home with family and really making it a family day. Unfortunately, there is not much of that going on in today's world. We are told that in the end times that ther would be a great falling away, and by George, the Bible is right again.
Just about all churches would be full on Sunday mornings and when preachers preached past noon there wasn't anything said. When we got home, my grandmother would have already cooked for Sunday on Saturday. We usually had chicken fired steak, potatoes and other vegetables and pickled peaches for starters. For desert it was banana or chocolate pudding or pies of different styles. What happened to those days?!?!?!
I was a young kid back then, and now all my grandparents, and both parents are gone. Even though some of those memories were a long time ago, they seem like it was just yesterday to me. James tells us, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." (James 4:14). He points our some great things in this on verse.
First, we all have this habit of telling people that we will do something tomorrow or we have plans for tomorrow. I have tried to always tell people, Lord willing I'll do it tomorrow, but I've not always been successful at it. We do not know what is going to happen in the next minute, much less tomorrow. Are you ready if tomorrow never comes?
Second, James asked a good question; "What is your life?" I realize he answered a a portion of that in this scripture, but let's look at it in full. I challenge you to look at your life and ask yourself, "what is my life all about?" When you die, people will look at your tombstone and see the date you were born and the date your life ended on earth. I think we would agree that those are two very important dates. However, the dash stands for what your life stood for. What will the dash say about you??? How will you be remembered? Will you be remembered as a person who loved Jesus and tried to serve Him, or will it be remembered for all the earthly things you did? So, what does your life stand for now?
Third, James reminds us that life is very short even when we die at an old age. I will soon be 50, if the Lord allows me to live that long. I realize there are those who are older than me will say, ' you're still a kid.' I laugh when I tell those that are younger than me the same thing. However, I can remember things that happened to me as a kid better than I can remember things I did yesterday. they still seem so real to me. I remember talking to a young lady who was only 16, wishing she was 18. she was in the youth group at Cedar Creek MBC, where I pastored and she was wishing her life away, lol. I was 43 then and I simply told her to enjoy her youth. I asked her, 'how long do you think it took me to get fro 18 to 43? I know it took only 25 years, but is seemed like it only took 5 or so. Life is fast and everything we do today is really important. A vapour is something that appears for just a second and then disappears into nothing.
Life on earth is short, but we must remember that we can choose to live forever. We must choose Christ. We must accept the truth of "how Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried and rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" 91 Cor. 15:3-4). Life is truly very short; so we must choose to do good and abstain from evil. We al nee to choose life over death. We need to remember that we are in control of our destiny and we need to wonder what people will remember about us when we leave this earth. My challenge to you is to seek Christ, live life for Him, and know that He is the only way to eternal life.
Just about all churches would be full on Sunday mornings and when preachers preached past noon there wasn't anything said. When we got home, my grandmother would have already cooked for Sunday on Saturday. We usually had chicken fired steak, potatoes and other vegetables and pickled peaches for starters. For desert it was banana or chocolate pudding or pies of different styles. What happened to those days?!?!?!
I was a young kid back then, and now all my grandparents, and both parents are gone. Even though some of those memories were a long time ago, they seem like it was just yesterday to me. James tells us, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." (James 4:14). He points our some great things in this on verse.
First, we all have this habit of telling people that we will do something tomorrow or we have plans for tomorrow. I have tried to always tell people, Lord willing I'll do it tomorrow, but I've not always been successful at it. We do not know what is going to happen in the next minute, much less tomorrow. Are you ready if tomorrow never comes?
Second, James asked a good question; "What is your life?" I realize he answered a a portion of that in this scripture, but let's look at it in full. I challenge you to look at your life and ask yourself, "what is my life all about?" When you die, people will look at your tombstone and see the date you were born and the date your life ended on earth. I think we would agree that those are two very important dates. However, the dash stands for what your life stood for. What will the dash say about you??? How will you be remembered? Will you be remembered as a person who loved Jesus and tried to serve Him, or will it be remembered for all the earthly things you did? So, what does your life stand for now?
Third, James reminds us that life is very short even when we die at an old age. I will soon be 50, if the Lord allows me to live that long. I realize there are those who are older than me will say, ' you're still a kid.' I laugh when I tell those that are younger than me the same thing. However, I can remember things that happened to me as a kid better than I can remember things I did yesterday. they still seem so real to me. I remember talking to a young lady who was only 16, wishing she was 18. she was in the youth group at Cedar Creek MBC, where I pastored and she was wishing her life away, lol. I was 43 then and I simply told her to enjoy her youth. I asked her, 'how long do you think it took me to get fro 18 to 43? I know it took only 25 years, but is seemed like it only took 5 or so. Life is fast and everything we do today is really important. A vapour is something that appears for just a second and then disappears into nothing.
Life on earth is short, but we must remember that we can choose to live forever. We must choose Christ. We must accept the truth of "how Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried and rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" 91 Cor. 15:3-4). Life is truly very short; so we must choose to do good and abstain from evil. We al nee to choose life over death. We need to remember that we are in control of our destiny and we need to wonder what people will remember about us when we leave this earth. My challenge to you is to seek Christ, live life for Him, and know that He is the only way to eternal life.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Thought of the Day - The Pot of Sin Stew
Why Are We Bothered With Troubles?
The Pot of Sin Stew
2 Timothy 3:1 – 7
At noon, on Wednesday, April 10, 1912, the crowd on the dock was tremendous. Family members and friends of 2201 people, which including the employees themselves, that were going on a trip of a lifetime were waving and cheering. It may have very well been a brisk day in South Hampton, England, as all the people looked upon the ship, which was deemed unsinkable by many. False security was built up to people about this ship. A group of reporters gathered at the New York office of White Star Line and questioned the company’s Vice President, Philip Franklin, when he showed up for work, and he reassured everyone with the following statement. “There is no danger that the Titanic will sink. The boat is unsinkable and nothing but inconvenience will be suffered by the passengers.” Even one of the White Star Employees, who was about to launch out on this trip said, “Not even God Himself can sink this ship.” The fact is there were not many people, including the captain and the ship’s engineers believed that God could sink it either. Four days later, the bright stars were shining down on a wide open sea. It was reportedly 33 degrees, on that cold Sunday night of April 14, 1912, as many of the passengers, who had enjoyed a meal and went on to the dancing, and wining and dining, that usually goes on with these trips. Of course, at 11:00 p.m., many of the people had no doubt gone to bed, to be refreshed the next morning. There had been many warnings about icebergs in this area. “Full steam ahead,” the captain said, “We are making great time.” It is said that they were ahead of schedule on this trip. However, at 11:40 p.m. the ship came to an abrupt stop when it encountered an iceberg that doomed this unsinkable ship. By 2:20 a.m. on Monday, April 15, the ship was sunk and 1,517 people including men, women, and children were all gone.
In the passage of 2 Timothy 3:2, Paul writes, “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy…” We have established that perilous times will come because of men loving themselves, and because of men’s love for money. However, Paul covers two things that go hand in hand after that. So, in this pot of death stew we are cooking we add boasting and pride. We see that “In the last days, men will be boasters and proud.” Pride has always been a downfall for man. The pride happened when Lucifer told God that he was going to ascend his throne above the Lord’s. He, in fact, had 1/3 of all the angels supporting him. He was cast to the earth, where he controls the lost and makes war with God’s children. Pride got the best of the captain of the Titanic. He thought the ship was unsinkable and invincible. Even though he may not have said it his actions showed it. He found out that his pride ended up costing 1,516 more lives. It wasn’t just his life lost.
America has the same kind of problem today. We are full of pride and boast about the accomplishments that we make. Pride will be the downfall of America. It already is. Many people who call Jesus their Savior have the same pride. We have become complacent in our nation and in our lives. We believe we are invincible too. Pride separates man from God. He cannot work in a person’s life the way HE wants too, when a man is proud. This nation has had many great tragedies happen to it in it’s 200 plus years. Many hurricanes, tornadoes, and natural phenomenons have happened and many lives have been lost. However, we stay with the way we are and the way we live. Pearl Harbor and the twin towers were wake up calls from God, but we return to our sinful ways. I can remember when the nation prayed after 9/11, but less than 2 months we went back to life as we love it. God was, again, put to the side.
Solomon tells us, in Proverbs 6:16 – 19, “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto HIM: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Does it surprise you that the seven things start off with pride? I know many people who believe in a Godly pride, but we need to understand that God will not have that which HE hates. There is no such thing. Pride has been the downfall of man since Adam. Adam had to test the Lord, so he could know as much as God. Guess what? He still doesn’t know as much as God and we don’t either.
Humility draws God to us. I am reminded of what the Lord told Solomon when he finished the house of the Lord. Solomon had prayed and dedicated the house of the Lord to the Lord. The Lord said, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land,” (2Chronicles 7:14). This applies to all the Christians who have truly accepted Christ as Savior. The Lord specifically addresses this to HIS people. Christians are the ones who are really called by HIS Name. The instructions HE hands out here can only be done with humility. We are instructed to be humble before we pray.
Just like the Titanic, we feel our nation, our lives, and everything about us are pretty much invincible. We believe we are unsinkable. With that attitude, we will find our fate. Humility never hurts, and pride kills. The pot of stew is cooking good now. Can you smell what we are cooking in America? Loving ourselves and money more than God; boasting about it and being proud. This things by themselves lead to destruction.
The Pot of Sin Stew
2 Timothy 3:1 – 7
At noon, on Wednesday, April 10, 1912, the crowd on the dock was tremendous. Family members and friends of 2201 people, which including the employees themselves, that were going on a trip of a lifetime were waving and cheering. It may have very well been a brisk day in South Hampton, England, as all the people looked upon the ship, which was deemed unsinkable by many. False security was built up to people about this ship. A group of reporters gathered at the New York office of White Star Line and questioned the company’s Vice President, Philip Franklin, when he showed up for work, and he reassured everyone with the following statement. “There is no danger that the Titanic will sink. The boat is unsinkable and nothing but inconvenience will be suffered by the passengers.” Even one of the White Star Employees, who was about to launch out on this trip said, “Not even God Himself can sink this ship.” The fact is there were not many people, including the captain and the ship’s engineers believed that God could sink it either. Four days later, the bright stars were shining down on a wide open sea. It was reportedly 33 degrees, on that cold Sunday night of April 14, 1912, as many of the passengers, who had enjoyed a meal and went on to the dancing, and wining and dining, that usually goes on with these trips. Of course, at 11:00 p.m., many of the people had no doubt gone to bed, to be refreshed the next morning. There had been many warnings about icebergs in this area. “Full steam ahead,” the captain said, “We are making great time.” It is said that they were ahead of schedule on this trip. However, at 11:40 p.m. the ship came to an abrupt stop when it encountered an iceberg that doomed this unsinkable ship. By 2:20 a.m. on Monday, April 15, the ship was sunk and 1,517 people including men, women, and children were all gone.
In the passage of 2 Timothy 3:2, Paul writes, “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy…” We have established that perilous times will come because of men loving themselves, and because of men’s love for money. However, Paul covers two things that go hand in hand after that. So, in this pot of death stew we are cooking we add boasting and pride. We see that “In the last days, men will be boasters and proud.” Pride has always been a downfall for man. The pride happened when Lucifer told God that he was going to ascend his throne above the Lord’s. He, in fact, had 1/3 of all the angels supporting him. He was cast to the earth, where he controls the lost and makes war with God’s children. Pride got the best of the captain of the Titanic. He thought the ship was unsinkable and invincible. Even though he may not have said it his actions showed it. He found out that his pride ended up costing 1,516 more lives. It wasn’t just his life lost.
America has the same kind of problem today. We are full of pride and boast about the accomplishments that we make. Pride will be the downfall of America. It already is. Many people who call Jesus their Savior have the same pride. We have become complacent in our nation and in our lives. We believe we are invincible too. Pride separates man from God. He cannot work in a person’s life the way HE wants too, when a man is proud. This nation has had many great tragedies happen to it in it’s 200 plus years. Many hurricanes, tornadoes, and natural phenomenons have happened and many lives have been lost. However, we stay with the way we are and the way we live. Pearl Harbor and the twin towers were wake up calls from God, but we return to our sinful ways. I can remember when the nation prayed after 9/11, but less than 2 months we went back to life as we love it. God was, again, put to the side.
Solomon tells us, in Proverbs 6:16 – 19, “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto HIM: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Does it surprise you that the seven things start off with pride? I know many people who believe in a Godly pride, but we need to understand that God will not have that which HE hates. There is no such thing. Pride has been the downfall of man since Adam. Adam had to test the Lord, so he could know as much as God. Guess what? He still doesn’t know as much as God and we don’t either.
Humility draws God to us. I am reminded of what the Lord told Solomon when he finished the house of the Lord. Solomon had prayed and dedicated the house of the Lord to the Lord. The Lord said, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land,” (2Chronicles 7:14). This applies to all the Christians who have truly accepted Christ as Savior. The Lord specifically addresses this to HIS people. Christians are the ones who are really called by HIS Name. The instructions HE hands out here can only be done with humility. We are instructed to be humble before we pray.
Just like the Titanic, we feel our nation, our lives, and everything about us are pretty much invincible. We believe we are unsinkable. With that attitude, we will find our fate. Humility never hurts, and pride kills. The pot of stew is cooking good now. Can you smell what we are cooking in America? Loving ourselves and money more than God; boasting about it and being proud. This things by themselves lead to destruction.
Thought of the Day - A Pot of Deadly Stew
Why Are We Bothered With Troubles? (3)
A Pot of Deadly Stew
2 Timothy 3:1 – 7
As I watched some of the news today it became even more apparent that we, as a nation, are falling fast into the pot. The pot I’m referring to is found in 2 Kings 4:40, where Elisha came into Gigal where there was a famine in the land. He told them to boil up a pot of herbs, wild vine, and wild gourds. As these sons of prophets were eating it they cried out, “O thou man of God, there is death in the pot.” Many might say, ‘well that pot brought forth death.’ So are the sins, which are mentioned in this passage of 2 Timothy. James said, “and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death,” James 1:15. Paul very carefully shows us that the perilous times are a stew of many things, which equal to a huge pot of SIN. The word ‘for’ can be translated as ‘because’ in verse two. There should have possibly been a semicolon or comma after the word ‘come’ in verse 1. The pot that these people were eating out of in 2 Kings was causing a serious perilous time. However, Elisha had the answer, just as Christ has the answer for this pot we are building up in America and the whole world.
We’ve covered the men who shall be lovers of their own selves. Verse 2 says, “For (because) men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,” and then the list continues. There is an old song about keeping up with Jones’. In the lyrics it reads, “we have a four car garage, and we’re still adding on”. Now, I know most of who will read this knows the song. But, this particular sentence describes most Americans today. We want to keep up with the Jones’. I know one set of Jones’ who will probably read this and think, ‘well it won’t take much to keep up with us.’ The point is if the Smiths build a 250,000 dollar home, we want it. However, we want to out do them, and build a 260,000 dollar home, and add a pool. The definition of coveting is, wanting something so bad that you will make every effort to get it. The actual word in the Greek for the word ‘covetous’ is philarguros, means fond of money. Uh oh, you mean that this particular verse means that men will become fond of money too? Look at what has happened in America alone! Remember what happened to Wall Street? How executives come out with millions of dollars and retired people who had money saved lost most, if not all, their savings? Does the word, ‘recession’ mean anything?
So, let’s read this scripture how it means to this point; “Because men will be lovers of their own selves, and be in love with money.” I know that is not KJV, but that is what it means. This particular part reminds me of a young man coming to Jesus and asking Him a very important question. The accounting is shown in Matthew 19:16 – 24; Mark 10:17 – 23: Luke 18:18 – 25. He asked Jesus, “What good thing can I do, that I may have eternal life?” This man was rich! He had all he needed and could usually buy anything he wanted. Guess what?!?! He could not buy eternal life! Jesus asked him, “Why do you call me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” He told Jesus that he had kept the commandments from his youth. He said, “Now that I’ve done this, what do I lack?” Jesus said, (Layman terms) “Okay, well if you want to be perfect sell all you have, give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven: and come follow me.” Now, let’s look at the contrast here. Jesus told the disciples, “Follow Me,” and they dropped their lively hoods and followed Jesus. Today, there is not anyone, in America, who would truly give up everything to follow Jesus. This rich young ruler would not give up his money, because it was more than he thought he had to do. He actually thought he could buy his way to heaven. His riches were so important to him, that if he lost them he would have been like many people who lost the money in Wall Street in the great depression. He would have killed himself. He was used to a lavish lifestyle that he didn’t want to give up for anyone.
Jesus went on to tell the disciples, “It is easier for the camel to enter the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God,” (vs.24). Most people today are not this rich, but there are a whole bunch of us that are not willing to give up anything for Christ. The pot of sin, as I call it, has started with money. I guess that is why Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” It doesn’t say that money is the root of all evil. It’s says the love of money is the root of all evil. Everything in this old world revolves around money! Nothing is free! Salvation was not free either. Jesus paid for it with HIS life.
This description of perilous times that Paul is talking about has been happening for a while. We are lovers of our own selves; we do love money. The reason we love money is because it empowers us to do what we want. It’s all about self. Some even do what they can to make more and more and more of it. A rich person is never satisfied, if they have not allowed God to lead them with their money. They are always looking for ways to make their money grow. It becomes a god or idol in their lives. That’s why Jesus said, in Matthew 6:24, “No man can serve to masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Mammon actually means money.
The perilous times show that man has lost focus upon the Lord. Our priorities are in the wrong place and, in our minds God is only there when we think we need Him. Truth is HE is always there. We just choose to ignore Him, and since Jesus is the Prince of Peace, there are usually only perilous times in our lives. To have peace in our lives and nation, we must first allow Jesus to be the Prince of Peace in our lives. Many saved people have lost that focus and need to return to Him. Lost people will never have peace in their lives without Him.
A Pot of Deadly Stew
2 Timothy 3:1 – 7
As I watched some of the news today it became even more apparent that we, as a nation, are falling fast into the pot. The pot I’m referring to is found in 2 Kings 4:40, where Elisha came into Gigal where there was a famine in the land. He told them to boil up a pot of herbs, wild vine, and wild gourds. As these sons of prophets were eating it they cried out, “O thou man of God, there is death in the pot.” Many might say, ‘well that pot brought forth death.’ So are the sins, which are mentioned in this passage of 2 Timothy. James said, “and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death,” James 1:15. Paul very carefully shows us that the perilous times are a stew of many things, which equal to a huge pot of SIN. The word ‘for’ can be translated as ‘because’ in verse two. There should have possibly been a semicolon or comma after the word ‘come’ in verse 1. The pot that these people were eating out of in 2 Kings was causing a serious perilous time. However, Elisha had the answer, just as Christ has the answer for this pot we are building up in America and the whole world.
We’ve covered the men who shall be lovers of their own selves. Verse 2 says, “For (because) men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,” and then the list continues. There is an old song about keeping up with Jones’. In the lyrics it reads, “we have a four car garage, and we’re still adding on”. Now, I know most of who will read this knows the song. But, this particular sentence describes most Americans today. We want to keep up with the Jones’. I know one set of Jones’ who will probably read this and think, ‘well it won’t take much to keep up with us.’ The point is if the Smiths build a 250,000 dollar home, we want it. However, we want to out do them, and build a 260,000 dollar home, and add a pool. The definition of coveting is, wanting something so bad that you will make every effort to get it. The actual word in the Greek for the word ‘covetous’ is philarguros, means fond of money. Uh oh, you mean that this particular verse means that men will become fond of money too? Look at what has happened in America alone! Remember what happened to Wall Street? How executives come out with millions of dollars and retired people who had money saved lost most, if not all, their savings? Does the word, ‘recession’ mean anything?
So, let’s read this scripture how it means to this point; “Because men will be lovers of their own selves, and be in love with money.” I know that is not KJV, but that is what it means. This particular part reminds me of a young man coming to Jesus and asking Him a very important question. The accounting is shown in Matthew 19:16 – 24; Mark 10:17 – 23: Luke 18:18 – 25. He asked Jesus, “What good thing can I do, that I may have eternal life?” This man was rich! He had all he needed and could usually buy anything he wanted. Guess what?!?! He could not buy eternal life! Jesus asked him, “Why do you call me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” He told Jesus that he had kept the commandments from his youth. He said, “Now that I’ve done this, what do I lack?” Jesus said, (Layman terms) “Okay, well if you want to be perfect sell all you have, give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven: and come follow me.” Now, let’s look at the contrast here. Jesus told the disciples, “Follow Me,” and they dropped their lively hoods and followed Jesus. Today, there is not anyone, in America, who would truly give up everything to follow Jesus. This rich young ruler would not give up his money, because it was more than he thought he had to do. He actually thought he could buy his way to heaven. His riches were so important to him, that if he lost them he would have been like many people who lost the money in Wall Street in the great depression. He would have killed himself. He was used to a lavish lifestyle that he didn’t want to give up for anyone.
Jesus went on to tell the disciples, “It is easier for the camel to enter the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God,” (vs.24). Most people today are not this rich, but there are a whole bunch of us that are not willing to give up anything for Christ. The pot of sin, as I call it, has started with money. I guess that is why Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” It doesn’t say that money is the root of all evil. It’s says the love of money is the root of all evil. Everything in this old world revolves around money! Nothing is free! Salvation was not free either. Jesus paid for it with HIS life.
This description of perilous times that Paul is talking about has been happening for a while. We are lovers of our own selves; we do love money. The reason we love money is because it empowers us to do what we want. It’s all about self. Some even do what they can to make more and more and more of it. A rich person is never satisfied, if they have not allowed God to lead them with their money. They are always looking for ways to make their money grow. It becomes a god or idol in their lives. That’s why Jesus said, in Matthew 6:24, “No man can serve to masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Mammon actually means money.
The perilous times show that man has lost focus upon the Lord. Our priorities are in the wrong place and, in our minds God is only there when we think we need Him. Truth is HE is always there. We just choose to ignore Him, and since Jesus is the Prince of Peace, there are usually only perilous times in our lives. To have peace in our lives and nation, we must first allow Jesus to be the Prince of Peace in our lives. Many saved people have lost that focus and need to return to Him. Lost people will never have peace in their lives without Him.
Friday, August 07, 2009
Thought of the Day - Life in the Fast Lane (2)
Why Are We Bothered With Troubles (2)
Life in the Fast Lane
I Timothy 3:1 – 7
Paul has addressed the perilous (dangerous) times that we will endure in the last days. We know that as dangerous as our country has become in work, play, and just everyday living that we have become safety conscious. We know that many dangers can be avoided if we change our ways. As we read this particular passage, we could probably agree that many of the things Paul outlines from verse 2 through 7 are contributing issues to dangerous times in our lives. Verse 2 of this passage starts off, “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,” and of course the list goes on.
There are a lot of things to cover in this passage, but I want us to look at the first statement. “For men shall be lovers of their own selves.” I would like to say that there is no time in history that is more tied to this scripture than it is now. However, you can find it throughout God’s Word where many men have been about self. The phrase, “lovers of their own selves,” means that people will be about doing things that they want to do and not necessarily concerned about others or what others might think, much less God. Becky occasionally has told me, when in a conversation about something, “Not every thing is about you.” Sometimes we need to realize it is not about us. Most people are really selfish. We have to have the best of everything and can’t be satisfied with what we have. I know I have to fight myself when I see something that I really want. If I don’t, I usually get it anyway. Selfishness goes deeper than that though. We see people in need, and ignore them. If we give them something we think we should be honored by other men, or at least seen by others. We have this attitude of, “Did you see what I did?” If someone donates something to the church or to people, or to an organization, even our churches make plaques. And if they don’t, we want to know why.
I am reminded of the prayers of two men. Jesus told some people, which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others, a parable about these two men in Luke 18:9 – 13. He said, “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. Then Jesus laid it on the line when He said, “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” This is what Paul is talking about in this passage. There are two types of people. One chooses to look down his nose at people and uplift himself. The other has humility, and is willing to depend on God for salvation and later, other things. I would almost bet that the Publican, when forgiven, even helped others. We can see the humility in this man’s prayer. He acknowledged that he was worthless. This Pharisee fits the category in a lot of the ways Paul was telling Timothy about. You don’t see humility in his prayer; do you? Ask yourself this question; what category do you fit in?
Many people have been saved, but their thoughts and their ways are as the Pharisee. They think their religion has brought their relationship closer to God, but their attitude and self love has separated them from the relationship that they need from God. For the ones who have the attitude of the Publican, they see themselves as using a phrase that I hear Dave Ramsey say. He says, “I am blessed; more than I deserve.” We all are blessed. However, to see the true blessings of God, we must not love ourselves more than we love HIM. What does that mean? It means we must first be willing to do as the disciples did when Jesus told them to “Follow ME.” They gave up what they loved about themselves to really follow HIM. All people, this great nation, and the whole world need to see that it really isn’t about us; and it shouldn’t be. It’s all about the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ.
So, what part of the statement fits you? Do you love self more than God? A simple test will answer that for you. Are you really serving God, or are you doing just what you want too? You say, “I go to church.” That’s not the question; there are many people who go to church, but their relationship with the Lord is not strong, because they don’t allow HIM to be first in their lives. Another might say, ‘Well I don’t like to go to church, or I don’t like that preacher or some of those people, etc., and that is why I’m not going to church. Is that being all about self, or is it putting God first? Another question, Will that excuse be suitable to Jesus? If many would tell the truth, there are more of us who put self before the Lord many times. There are perilous times in the wicked old world, and there are perilous times in many peoples hearts. Loving our own self is a contributor to the perilous times that Paul talks about, and in our hearts. Because, when we put self before God, then there really is no real peace. In the movie, “Air Force One,” Harrison Ford is playing the part of the President. When addressing at crowd, at a dinner, he said, “It’s not the absence of war that brings peace. Real peace comes with the presence of Justice.” Jesus is the only one that can bring real peace to our lives and to this world. Let him calm the wars in your life; get out of HIS way by denying self.
Life in the Fast Lane
I Timothy 3:1 – 7
Paul has addressed the perilous (dangerous) times that we will endure in the last days. We know that as dangerous as our country has become in work, play, and just everyday living that we have become safety conscious. We know that many dangers can be avoided if we change our ways. As we read this particular passage, we could probably agree that many of the things Paul outlines from verse 2 through 7 are contributing issues to dangerous times in our lives. Verse 2 of this passage starts off, “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,” and of course the list goes on.
There are a lot of things to cover in this passage, but I want us to look at the first statement. “For men shall be lovers of their own selves.” I would like to say that there is no time in history that is more tied to this scripture than it is now. However, you can find it throughout God’s Word where many men have been about self. The phrase, “lovers of their own selves,” means that people will be about doing things that they want to do and not necessarily concerned about others or what others might think, much less God. Becky occasionally has told me, when in a conversation about something, “Not every thing is about you.” Sometimes we need to realize it is not about us. Most people are really selfish. We have to have the best of everything and can’t be satisfied with what we have. I know I have to fight myself when I see something that I really want. If I don’t, I usually get it anyway. Selfishness goes deeper than that though. We see people in need, and ignore them. If we give them something we think we should be honored by other men, or at least seen by others. We have this attitude of, “Did you see what I did?” If someone donates something to the church or to people, or to an organization, even our churches make plaques. And if they don’t, we want to know why.
I am reminded of the prayers of two men. Jesus told some people, which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others, a parable about these two men in Luke 18:9 – 13. He said, “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. Then Jesus laid it on the line when He said, “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” This is what Paul is talking about in this passage. There are two types of people. One chooses to look down his nose at people and uplift himself. The other has humility, and is willing to depend on God for salvation and later, other things. I would almost bet that the Publican, when forgiven, even helped others. We can see the humility in this man’s prayer. He acknowledged that he was worthless. This Pharisee fits the category in a lot of the ways Paul was telling Timothy about. You don’t see humility in his prayer; do you? Ask yourself this question; what category do you fit in?
Many people have been saved, but their thoughts and their ways are as the Pharisee. They think their religion has brought their relationship closer to God, but their attitude and self love has separated them from the relationship that they need from God. For the ones who have the attitude of the Publican, they see themselves as using a phrase that I hear Dave Ramsey say. He says, “I am blessed; more than I deserve.” We all are blessed. However, to see the true blessings of God, we must not love ourselves more than we love HIM. What does that mean? It means we must first be willing to do as the disciples did when Jesus told them to “Follow ME.” They gave up what they loved about themselves to really follow HIM. All people, this great nation, and the whole world need to see that it really isn’t about us; and it shouldn’t be. It’s all about the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ.
So, what part of the statement fits you? Do you love self more than God? A simple test will answer that for you. Are you really serving God, or are you doing just what you want too? You say, “I go to church.” That’s not the question; there are many people who go to church, but their relationship with the Lord is not strong, because they don’t allow HIM to be first in their lives. Another might say, ‘Well I don’t like to go to church, or I don’t like that preacher or some of those people, etc., and that is why I’m not going to church. Is that being all about self, or is it putting God first? Another question, Will that excuse be suitable to Jesus? If many would tell the truth, there are more of us who put self before the Lord many times. There are perilous times in the wicked old world, and there are perilous times in many peoples hearts. Loving our own self is a contributor to the perilous times that Paul talks about, and in our hearts. Because, when we put self before God, then there really is no real peace. In the movie, “Air Force One,” Harrison Ford is playing the part of the President. When addressing at crowd, at a dinner, he said, “It’s not the absence of war that brings peace. Real peace comes with the presence of Justice.” Jesus is the only one that can bring real peace to our lives and to this world. Let him calm the wars in your life; get out of HIS way by denying self.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Thought of the Day - Life in the Fast Lane
Why Are We Bothered With Troubles? (1)
Life in the Fast Lane
2 Timothy 3:1 – 7
I’m not one that listens to the radio in my truck a whole lot. Unless there is a good football game on, news I want to hear, etc. I love to hear preaching and Christian music too. However, my wife would vouch that most of the time I don’t even listen to the radio in the truck. However, today I was listening to our local radio, and as soon as the program was over there was a country song that came on that I listened to the lyrics on. I really don’t know what the name of it is, since I very seldom listen to that type of music, and I couldn’t tell you who the artist is that sings it. But, if I had to guess at the title of the song, it would be, “That’s life.”
In that song there is a story of a wife calling her husband’s best friend for help. She told him that he had gone off the deep end and she needed help. He finds his friend, who was at a bar, and he begins talking about how he was struggling, not getting enough hours at the job to pay the bills, how he had a wife with three kids that were depending on him and also may have another one on the way. He was feeling really sorry for himself and his friend told him, “That’s life.” The song was so true for a world that is going in the wrong direction today.
This once great nation is in despair! Everyone wants to point fingers at someone else. Our politicians don’t want to acknowledge that they were the main culprit in our nation being in a huge bind. They are too proud to say, “You know, we just flat messed up.” On top of this, there is nobody who is safe any longer in this county, must less the world. Paul told Timothy this would happen in the last days. 1st Timothy 3:1 – 7 outlines, to me, a whole lot of what is going on in our nation today. Of course the whole world is experiencing these problems. Paul said, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” We are in a very dangerous world! People kill people for almost anything today. Our nation is in trouble because we have our own agenda and, most of the time, it doesn’t fit the way God leads us or wants us to go. Solomon put it simple in Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” David added a verse in Psalm 118:8, “It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man”. So if they were combined in the verse you could say, There is a way which seemeth right unto man, but it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. However, this world chooses, more often than not, to put more confidence in man and less trust in the Lord. This combination in itself is the beginning of perilous times and troubles. The Lord simply calls it SIN.
Paul gets into the many things that are key factors of these perilous times. I hope to look at these points a little closer as I study them out. We, as Christians, and as a nation need to get back to the basics of life. These basics start off in one simple direction. That is why the Lord told us what He did in 2 Chronicles 7:14. The Lord said, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” The whole world needs to focus on God’s will. He is the answer to solving troubles and problems. If we follow these simple directions, we will go a long way in solving troubles and problems.
Life in the Fast Lane
2 Timothy 3:1 – 7
I’m not one that listens to the radio in my truck a whole lot. Unless there is a good football game on, news I want to hear, etc. I love to hear preaching and Christian music too. However, my wife would vouch that most of the time I don’t even listen to the radio in the truck. However, today I was listening to our local radio, and as soon as the program was over there was a country song that came on that I listened to the lyrics on. I really don’t know what the name of it is, since I very seldom listen to that type of music, and I couldn’t tell you who the artist is that sings it. But, if I had to guess at the title of the song, it would be, “That’s life.”
In that song there is a story of a wife calling her husband’s best friend for help. She told him that he had gone off the deep end and she needed help. He finds his friend, who was at a bar, and he begins talking about how he was struggling, not getting enough hours at the job to pay the bills, how he had a wife with three kids that were depending on him and also may have another one on the way. He was feeling really sorry for himself and his friend told him, “That’s life.” The song was so true for a world that is going in the wrong direction today.
This once great nation is in despair! Everyone wants to point fingers at someone else. Our politicians don’t want to acknowledge that they were the main culprit in our nation being in a huge bind. They are too proud to say, “You know, we just flat messed up.” On top of this, there is nobody who is safe any longer in this county, must less the world. Paul told Timothy this would happen in the last days. 1st Timothy 3:1 – 7 outlines, to me, a whole lot of what is going on in our nation today. Of course the whole world is experiencing these problems. Paul said, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” We are in a very dangerous world! People kill people for almost anything today. Our nation is in trouble because we have our own agenda and, most of the time, it doesn’t fit the way God leads us or wants us to go. Solomon put it simple in Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” David added a verse in Psalm 118:8, “It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man”. So if they were combined in the verse you could say, There is a way which seemeth right unto man, but it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. However, this world chooses, more often than not, to put more confidence in man and less trust in the Lord. This combination in itself is the beginning of perilous times and troubles. The Lord simply calls it SIN.
Paul gets into the many things that are key factors of these perilous times. I hope to look at these points a little closer as I study them out. We, as Christians, and as a nation need to get back to the basics of life. These basics start off in one simple direction. That is why the Lord told us what He did in 2 Chronicles 7:14. The Lord said, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” The whole world needs to focus on God’s will. He is the answer to solving troubles and problems. If we follow these simple directions, we will go a long way in solving troubles and problems.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Thought of the Day - Preaching the Gospel God's Way
Preaching the Gospel God’s Way
Not Bowing to Man’s Way
Galatians 1: 9 – 11
I’ve gotten accustom to listening to a radio station that promotes God’s Word to be taught and preached. Some of these men have great messages and others are more like lecturers. They give long speeches and put you to sleep at the same time. The apostle Paul was not a man who lectured people. He told it plan and simple, and if you didn’t like it, then tough.
In Galatians 1, we find that Paul said it as plan as it gets in verse 11, when he wrote, “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.” What a great statement! Today we are in a world in which men who are called to preach have to meet three criteria’s. First they must meet men’s approval. We know that this is not the way it should be, because God calls the man and when that man is man enough to answer that calling, God is the one that qualifies him. No person has the right to tell a man if he is qualified to preach or pastor; only God does. Second, the pastor or preacher must have at least a master’s degree, but a doctor’s degree qualifies him more. Resumes for pastoring are ridiculous. A man who is called by God to preach is not looking for a job, but for a church to lead as he follows Christ. Most churches can’t even pay a pastor a salary that allows him to concentrate on the church by itself. He usually has to get a secular job, and be available all the time. Third, and this is the most ridiculous and heart breaking thing of them all; he can’t follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance and preach. It must only be a 15 – 20 minute message and you better not go after 12:00 p.m. The pastor better preach a message to make me feel good, because that is what we need.
Okay, so I may have gone overboard a little, but that is what many of the churches seem to be doing now. Let’s give lectures on books that pastors, preacher or some so called Christian author wrote and not use the Bible. I often wondered what the apostles would do in this horrible world today. They would not fit into the mold of the churches in this world whatsoever. Can you even imagine what Paul would have said if the church at Corinth told him, “You preach too harsh, we want to feel good about ourselves! I am reminded of the time he was preaching and a man came to listen. He sat in the window and fell out of it and died. The amazing thing was Paul continued to preach. After he finished, he then attended to the man. What a heartless man, huh? Where was his heart? He was totally sold out to Jesus! Just like we need to be
The preaching of the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, I Corinthians 1:18. It is foolish to those who choose not to listen to it. Unfortunately there are many who claim to be saved that do not want to listen to the Word preached. It’s a waste of their time. There is a preacher I know, who was pastoring a church, and the deacons wanted him to prepare two sermons for Sunday morning. They wanted to look at them and if one of them was too harsh, they wanted him to preach the other. They wanted to dictate what he preached instead of God leading him in what to preach. The reason they had given this pastor was that visitors were being offended and that they wanted the church to grow. We need to remember, before a church can grow in number, it must first grow spiritually. Some of the spiritually strongest churches are small in number. The man did the right thing and resigned the church when he was told to do that, and he should have! God calls men to preach not men. Paul said, “I’m not preaching what you necessarily want to hear, but what God leads me to.” He went on to say in verse 10, “If I try to please men, in preaching, then I shouldn’t call myself a servant of Jesus Christ.” Of course, that’s in layman’s terms. If a man tells people he is called to preach you can measure that by what he preaches and how he preaches it. Many of the pulpits have been filled with men, and now women, who God did not call to preach, and their motives are totally wrong. John tells us, in 1 John 4:1, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
America is in turmoil because many people have made the wrong decisions when voting for our elected government officials. These people have their own agendas to fulfill. Our churches are in a bigger turmoil because we have our own agendas we want fulfilled in a church. Some leaders of churches are the cause of the problem. If we want America to get back on the right track, pastors need to preach the gospel God called them too. Churches need to adhere to God’s Word and quit changing it to fit their lives instead of changing their lives to fit God’s Word. God’s way is the only way! That’s why Jesus said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU;’ Notice it didn’t say whatsoever man commanded you? We have to hold on to what we are taught from God’s Word. Pastors, preachers, deacons, evangelists and other Christians need to follow God’s direction and do what Paul encouraged Timothy to do in 2 Tim 4:2, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” There is a world out there that needs to know the truth of God’s Word and not some watered down version of it. It’s time for Christian people to get back to the basics of teaching and preaching the Word of God like God intended for it to be. Thank God for pastors and preachers who are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and preach it boldly. Thank YOU Lord, for YOUR WORD that we may study it and grow thereby.
Not Bowing to Man’s Way
Galatians 1: 9 – 11
I’ve gotten accustom to listening to a radio station that promotes God’s Word to be taught and preached. Some of these men have great messages and others are more like lecturers. They give long speeches and put you to sleep at the same time. The apostle Paul was not a man who lectured people. He told it plan and simple, and if you didn’t like it, then tough.
In Galatians 1, we find that Paul said it as plan as it gets in verse 11, when he wrote, “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.” What a great statement! Today we are in a world in which men who are called to preach have to meet three criteria’s. First they must meet men’s approval. We know that this is not the way it should be, because God calls the man and when that man is man enough to answer that calling, God is the one that qualifies him. No person has the right to tell a man if he is qualified to preach or pastor; only God does. Second, the pastor or preacher must have at least a master’s degree, but a doctor’s degree qualifies him more. Resumes for pastoring are ridiculous. A man who is called by God to preach is not looking for a job, but for a church to lead as he follows Christ. Most churches can’t even pay a pastor a salary that allows him to concentrate on the church by itself. He usually has to get a secular job, and be available all the time. Third, and this is the most ridiculous and heart breaking thing of them all; he can’t follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance and preach. It must only be a 15 – 20 minute message and you better not go after 12:00 p.m. The pastor better preach a message to make me feel good, because that is what we need.
Okay, so I may have gone overboard a little, but that is what many of the churches seem to be doing now. Let’s give lectures on books that pastors, preacher or some so called Christian author wrote and not use the Bible. I often wondered what the apostles would do in this horrible world today. They would not fit into the mold of the churches in this world whatsoever. Can you even imagine what Paul would have said if the church at Corinth told him, “You preach too harsh, we want to feel good about ourselves! I am reminded of the time he was preaching and a man came to listen. He sat in the window and fell out of it and died. The amazing thing was Paul continued to preach. After he finished, he then attended to the man. What a heartless man, huh? Where was his heart? He was totally sold out to Jesus! Just like we need to be
The preaching of the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, I Corinthians 1:18. It is foolish to those who choose not to listen to it. Unfortunately there are many who claim to be saved that do not want to listen to the Word preached. It’s a waste of their time. There is a preacher I know, who was pastoring a church, and the deacons wanted him to prepare two sermons for Sunday morning. They wanted to look at them and if one of them was too harsh, they wanted him to preach the other. They wanted to dictate what he preached instead of God leading him in what to preach. The reason they had given this pastor was that visitors were being offended and that they wanted the church to grow. We need to remember, before a church can grow in number, it must first grow spiritually. Some of the spiritually strongest churches are small in number. The man did the right thing and resigned the church when he was told to do that, and he should have! God calls men to preach not men. Paul said, “I’m not preaching what you necessarily want to hear, but what God leads me to.” He went on to say in verse 10, “If I try to please men, in preaching, then I shouldn’t call myself a servant of Jesus Christ.” Of course, that’s in layman’s terms. If a man tells people he is called to preach you can measure that by what he preaches and how he preaches it. Many of the pulpits have been filled with men, and now women, who God did not call to preach, and their motives are totally wrong. John tells us, in 1 John 4:1, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
America is in turmoil because many people have made the wrong decisions when voting for our elected government officials. These people have their own agendas to fulfill. Our churches are in a bigger turmoil because we have our own agendas we want fulfilled in a church. Some leaders of churches are the cause of the problem. If we want America to get back on the right track, pastors need to preach the gospel God called them too. Churches need to adhere to God’s Word and quit changing it to fit their lives instead of changing their lives to fit God’s Word. God’s way is the only way! That’s why Jesus said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU;’ Notice it didn’t say whatsoever man commanded you? We have to hold on to what we are taught from God’s Word. Pastors, preachers, deacons, evangelists and other Christians need to follow God’s direction and do what Paul encouraged Timothy to do in 2 Tim 4:2, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” There is a world out there that needs to know the truth of God’s Word and not some watered down version of it. It’s time for Christian people to get back to the basics of teaching and preaching the Word of God like God intended for it to be. Thank God for pastors and preachers who are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and preach it boldly. Thank YOU Lord, for YOUR WORD that we may study it and grow thereby.
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