Culture Shift?

How many times do events happen before they become a part of the culture? These rioters around the country don't seem to realize that they are building a culture of destruction that will condemn their race for generations to come. All thru history when a group of people establish this type of culture the surrounding peoples have wiped them out. I hope they wake up and see the error of their actions before it's too late. Even if they don't go to jail they will "reap what they sow". That my friend is how the story will end.

S.O.A.P.

4-29-2015           Luke 1:1-4

S.       1Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, 2Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; 3It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, 4That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

O.      Luke greets Theophilus and explains his reason for this letter.

A.      It is good to explain our reasons for serving the Lord. By this method we can spread our faith and keep the standards high. In sharing our testimony we also will find common ground, and even error, that can be addressed. We are all in this fight together.

P.       Father; Grant me courage to speak of your wonderful works. Direct me to the ones that I should speak to today and fill my heart with your words. Amen. 

4-30-2015      Luke 1:5-13

S.       5There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.6And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.7And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.8And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,9According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.10And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.11And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.12And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.13But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

O.      An angel comes to announce the birth of John to Zacharias.

A.      One thing about the birth of John the Baptist was medically impossible: Zacharias and Elizabeth were too old to have children. This was set aside because of faith and faithfulness. When faith and faithfulness are put together anything can happen. I know that I have been faithful, always. I just need more faith……and……”faith comes by hearing, and, hearing comes by the Word of God”.

     P.       Father; Increase my faith, teach me faith and help me speak your Word IN FAITH! Amen. 

Shedding innocent blood

God hate's seven things. If he hates these so will I. He will need to teach me how to react to these seven things because I am sure I don't know how. The third thing listed is the shedding of innocent blood. Rockets and bombs flying into peoples homes and killing children would cover this. Bullets from gang fights, drunks driving, are just as bad. Dear Lord, teach us how to live in peace and love. 

S.O.A.P.

4-20-2015      Romans 15:17-21

S.       17I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.18For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,19Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.20Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:21But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

O.      Paul shares Jesus from Jerusalem to Illyricum to the Gentiles.

A.      I must share Jesus, not doctrine, not religion, not tradition, not church. Jesus is my message.

P.       Father; I invite you into my life. Come in and reside and transform me into the image of Christ. Amen.

Redefining God???

With all the terrible things going on in this world today a person could get pretty scared. I hear about fear on a daily basis. Fear of Isis, fear of our president and his christian hating ways, fear of the health care laws, fear of guns, fear of environmental changes, fear, fear, fear!
The thing that alarms me the most: People redefining God. I see people chasing sin, embracing sin one minute and the next they are talking faith and love of God. Pure and contaminated do not flow from the same source. How do these people live with the imbalance, the contradiction?  Easy......just redefine God. God is removed as the creator, the sovereign judge and perfect and then redefined into some sort of heavenly bell-hop filling orders for any and all who speak his name in a positive manner. 
Awake or perish for when the blind lead, the ditch becomes your home.


S.O.A.P.

2-17-2015      Romans 7:22-25

S.       22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

O.      The battle with sin as fought with the mind (under the law) is always lost.

A.      Paul paints a very dim picture of spiritual life when lived under law. He is building up a contrast to describe how the law was incomplete and needed to be improved. I will remember my past as a reminder of where I came from. I came out from under the law and into the Power of Grace.

P.       Father; I know that my flesh is weak and that without your help I will fail. Fill me with the power of your Grace, the guidance of your Holy Spirit and the joy of holy fellowship. Amen.

The Thief

The thief comes to kill, steal and destroy. The thief is busy around the world. Murder in the name of God by the hundreds. Rape and humiliation and total disregard for women. The destroying of civility between peoples. These are the daily news stories, not Old Testament references. How long will God hold back his wrath? How long until he puts an end to this barbaric, animal-like insanity? This God they serve is not the God of the Bible. These deluded, blind and deceived people are pawns of satan, the thief. satan has always wanted to be god and now he has many whom he has deceived but what is their reward for following him; hate, destruction, murder and a doomed soul. I pray for these poor souls that their eyes will be opened. As Jesus was hanging on the cross he said; "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do". I pray; Father; forgive.

S.O.A.P.

1-12-2015      Romans 3:9-18

S.       9 What then? Are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

O.      The character of sinful men who do not respect God or anyone else.

A.      I want my legacy to be completely the opposite of the one described here. I want my respect of God and love for my fellow man to shine bright well after I am dead and buried. I love God and I want my actions to prove it.

P.       Father; may I be your hand of mercy, extended to every person I contact today. Help me show love to all, even the wicked. Amen.   

Trouble Makers

Stop that! My grandchild must think that is his name. Every few seconds....stop that....stop that....poor child stays in trouble. I wish God would yell at us some time. We seem to go about our way as if nothing matters, doing just what we want to do even when we know it's wrong. Why are we so stubborn? 

9-13-2014      Mark 1:35

S.       35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

O.      Jesus, a praying man.

A.      I shall be a praying man.

P.       Father; Jesus walked on this earth as a man to be my example. His life was filled with prayer and supplication. Hear my prayer today Father God and help me to be like Jesus. Forgive my sin, fill me with your Spirit, heal my body and cleanse my mind of all unclean thoughts. Amen.