The Law

There is a LAW of God called "sowing and reaping". This law is very simple: plant wheat and wheat will grow, plant corn and corn will grow, plant hate and hate will grow, plant love and love will grow. This law is the same for every person and every household and every nation. Evil and wickedness have been planted far too long in America and these are the days of harvest. God offers a comfort to endure the harvest but we can't avoid our consequences of folly. We need a "year of Jubilee"to start over. This must start in our heart, my heart and yours, one person at a time, then we can stand together and become the Americans our forefathers envisioned. Plant the crop you desire to harvest..........because you will harvest!

8-27-2015      Luke 9:57-62

S.       57And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 59And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

O.      Following Jesus requires a total commitment.

A.      I am glad that God has patience with me as I unhook from my worldly ways. My attitudes and attachments are my battle field. There is hope and faith to win in these most difficult areas.

P.       Father; give me divine guidance as I move closer and closer into your desired will for my 

        life. Increase my wisdom as I renew my commitment to you. Amen.

Offending God!

If prayer should be removed from school because if "offends"then so should teaching revisionist history, political geography, Evolution, health, science, English because all these "offend"many. Spinelessness is a symptom of a backslider. Jesus said "if you deny me before men, I will deny you before my father", so stop worry about offending man and stop offending God!

9-11-2015      Luke 9:3-5

S.       3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

O.      Disciples are told to judge each place they minister in and leave a sign as to that judgement.

A.      Christians are the judges of this world. We must learn God’s standards and apply them. We must not be silent.

    P.       Father; grant me wisdom, teach me mercy and direct my heart as I share my judgement with             this wicked evil world. Amen.   

A Blind President

Praying for our president has been so difficult lately. He seems to hate Christianity and favor any religion that kills and mistreats us. But, pray for him I will. I know that he will reap ALL the things he is sowing and for that I pity him. I wonder how much differently he would act if it were one of his daughters being raped or tormented as a sex slave by a Isis soldier. Probably just give the soldier a job and social security benefits that american ta payers are paying for? Blind leaders fill the history books. Pray. Pray. Pray.

S.O.A.P.

2-20-2015      Romans 8:5-9

S.       5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.

O.      Flesh equals sin while Spirit equals life and peace.

A.      I must stay filled with the spirit and follow after the things of holiness. The Spirit will only dwell in a clean temple.

    P.       Father; expand my trust and faith. Help me to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and follow his               leading that I may please you. Amen. 

Christ-Like --- WOW --- Novel Idea!

When will Christians stop acting like satan? We need to start over on this Holy Road and remember the way Jesus lived and how he treated people. Pray for our enemy, heap coals of fire (love) on their heads and do them no harm. Christian......Christ-like......NOT; devouring, selfish, mean, etc. etc.

9-23-2014      Mark 3:1-3

S.       1 And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.3 And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.

O.      People are watching Jesus and looking for some fault or sin (Judging Him).

A.      I will also watch Jesus, not to Judge him, but to learn his ways, his love and his personality.

P.       Father; open my eyes that I may see and understand the ways and ministry of Jesus. Help me to become more like him every day. Amen.

9-24-2014      Mark 3:4-5

S.       4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

O.      Jesus asks: when is it right to do good deeds? He is angry over the un-caring attitude of this group. Then Jesus heals a man with a withered hand.

A.      I must never become hard-hearted or legalistic when it comes to the blessings of God. I should desire blessings and miracles for those around me regardless of the traditions of this world.

P.       Father; create in me a heart of compassion for hurting people and guide that heart by your Spirit rather than by my feeble mind. I submit myself to do your will. Amen.    

Back in Court

7-4-2014         Acts 18:12-17

S.       12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.14 And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:15 But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.16 And he drave them from the judgment seat.17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

O.      This legal complaint is thrown out of court and backfires on the Jews.

A.      Christians are to serve God and trust him, even when it might bring us into a courtroom. In ages past many Christians gave their lives as martyrs to stay true to God. These things (in a form) may come to pass again. I must keep myself “unspotted” from the world. My testimony must be true.

P.       Father; on this day of freedom give me boldness to declare to anyone and everyone how you have made me free from sin through the death and resurrection of Jesus. The cross is my “Statue of Liberty” and if I should be brought into a courtroom for my faith give me the words of faith that will declare your Grace, Mercy and Love for fallen humanity. Amen.    

Politics before God

5-25-2014      Acts 12: 18-20

S.       18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.20 And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.

O.      Herod kills the guards that were on duty when Peter was set free by an angel. The local politicians start maneuvering to get back into a good standing with Herod.

A.      Sinful man will go to great lengths to avoid admitting that a “supernatural” event has taken place. Politicians will always look out for themselves and try to attach to the current leaders in power. I will attach myself to God…..in every situation…..even when I am un-popular and scorned.

P.       Father; I seek a right standing before you. Wash away all my sin, fill me with your spirit and lead me in each step I take. Amen.

Public Opposition

5-22-2014      Acts 12:1-4

S.       1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.2  he killed James the brother of John with the sword.3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

O.      Herod kills James and puts Peter in prison. The church is under great persecution.

A.      Herod was bowing to the desires of the Jews….his public…. trying to gain political favor. I must remember to seek God’s favor rather than that of man.

P.       Father; I seek your favor, your instruction and your will. Should I find dis-favor with man and this dis-favor lead to prison or death I ask for strength and courage! I want to remain faithful and true to you Lord. I commit my weakness to you in faith that you will abide with me through anything. Amen.

Who Are You?

Why do we claim to be something we are not? A cow is always a cow and a horse is always a horse. We humans seem to want to be anything other than what we are. The Bible says "as a man thinks in his heart, so is he." 

We must have some mixed up hearts. One day we are kind and loving and the next day harsh and cruel. Some days we claim to be Christian and of holy stock; and the next we look, act, and sound like Satan himself. 

I came to a branch in the road one day and needed to make a choice (act of free will). Would I go to the right or to the left? One way was familiar and easy to see the way ahead. That path was just like the path I had been on all my life. I knew what to expect and was drawn that way.....the easy path. The other choice was completely foreign, unknown and unclear. As I stood still contemplating my options I was unaware that another traveler had stepped up beside me. My gaze was so transfixed on the two paths that I was alone in my own world of thought. When touched by my fellow traveler I jumped and expelled a small shriek, part fear and part joy. Fear because I thought I was alone, and joy because I suddenly wasn't. 

"Hello my friend", He said. "Are you lost?" 

"No, said I, "I am just evaluating my options. As you can see these two paths are very different, and why do you call me friend, we have never met?"

He said, "I see all men as my friend and when I greet you in this way I am declaring my hope to be your friend." 

Good practice, we all need more friends. I may just start doing that myself, you get what you give, you know? 

"By the way", I asked, "have you traveled this way before? I can't seem to decide which path to take." 

"Yes," said He, "many times I have been to this place and made new friends and watched them as they went. Which path is best? That depends on who you are." 

"Who I am?" I ask.  "I am a man of strength, courage, self-determination and able to do anything I set my mind to... that's who I am." 

"If that were true you would have never stopped to consider that second path." 

As these words came from His lips, I was already second guessing my self-evaluation just spoken. 

"Do you really know who you are?" He softly asked. 

"Sure, everybody knows who they are, don't they?" 

"No."  

His one word reply was painful to consider so I thought to change the subject of our discourse. 

"Why is one path so clear and the other the opposite?" I asked. 

He smiled and said, "The clear path is the path you were born on and you know it as well as you know anything because you built that path with your choices." 

"I did a good job in building such a clear and easy road, don't you think?" I said.  "That kind of road should reflect the kind of man I am and show others the proper path." 

"Do you want to know who you really are?" He asked.  "Look back and see where you came from." 

As I looked back the path was crooked, pot-marked, and full of trash. All my sin was exposed and the damage could be seen by all. I thought that I was a good man but the evidence said otherwise. 

"That can't be my path!" I said. 

"Yes, it is," said my new friend. "You have lived a life of sin and done much damage to yourself and others. "

"Why then is the path ahead so clear and easy?" I asked. 

"Because you think that you are something that you are not!"

 A cow is always a cow and a horse is always a horse.  

  

My wife Nancy and I early in my ministry.