Tag Archives: Salvation

Be Prepared!

Posted on by under Christian Living

Matthew 24     Louis Pasteur once said, “Chance favors the prepared mind.”  We know that whatever we are doing, things generally go better if we are prepared.  Imagine needing brain surgery, and the person who is to perform the operation has been awake for the last 48 hours and has just graduated from high school.  They are not prepared for what is about to occur, and we should have great hesitation in submitting to their surgery.

     It is vitally important that we are prepared for what is to come when this life is over.  Jesus says much regarding our need for preparation in Matthew 24-25. First, He tells His disciples of the signs that will accompany the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 (Mat. 24:4-35).  They will need to heed the signs and get out before the Roman army seals them in to destroy the city. Second, He tells them of the dangers of making no preparation for His second coming (Mat. 24:36-44).  People will be going about their daily lives as they had before the flood. “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Mat. 24:37).

     Third, He tells of the danger of delaying their preparation (Mat. 24:45-51).  Like the evil servant who is doing wrong, thinking he has plenty of time before his master returns, they will be caught unaware because they have delayed their preparation for His return. Fourth, He tells of the danger of partial preparation (Mat. 25:1-13).  Here the five foolish virgins did not bring any oil with them to keep their lamps from going out.  They were not fully prepared, and they were locked out of the wedding as a result. Fifth, He shows both proper and improper preparation in the parable of the talents (Mat. 25:14-30). Lastly, Jesus shows what the results of our preparation will be (Mat. 25:31-46).

     Jesus has much to say about the subject of preparation in these two chapters.  There is an eternal consequence to our preparation for that world to come.  We need to be prepared.  We cannot delay, because we do not know when He is returning (Mat. 24:36, 42, 44).  Our preparation needs to be complete and proper.  Only then can we have that reward with Him in heaven.

The Paths of the Sea

Posted on by under Christian Evidences
Matthew_Fontaine_Maury-wmm6

   Matthew Fontaine Maury

     Have you ever taken a canoe trip?  Perhaps you were put into the river at one point and were later picked up at another point downstream.  If you want to take a leisurely trip, you do not even have to paddle other than to steer the canoe away from rocks or the bank.  The current of the water will carry you along to your destination.  If you have ever dropped anything out of your canoe, then you know how hard it can be to row against the current to go back upriver to retrieve it!

     Matthew Fontaine Maury is credited with the discovery of ocean currents, which make shipping and travel upon the seas much more efficient than they would otherwise be.  By using the paths of the sea, shipping vessels can use less energy and travel faster than they would if they had to struggle against the current.  Just how did Maury discover these paths?  How is it that he became known as the “Pathfinder of the Seas?”

     Matthew Maury was a member of the United States Navy in the mid 1800’s.  The story is told of how he was bed ridden with illness, and thus had one of his children read to him from the Psalms of the Old Testament.  As he listened to the eighth Psalm, he was intrigued by the phrase “paths of the sea.”  He was determined that if God’s word mentioned paths in the sea, then they must be there.  Thus it was because of the Scriptures that Maury went in search of ocean currents.

     In looking at the Psalm we find these words written about man, “You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen — Even the beasts of the field, The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas” (Psalm 8:6-8 NKJV).  Just how is it that a shepherd, who became the King of Israel, could know about ocean currents?  David never sailed the high seas.  Yet David writes of the paths of the sea almost 3,000 years before man made this scientific discovery.

     This is yet further proof of the inspiration of the scriptures.  This shows us that the only way David could have had this information so long ago, was that God revealed it to him.  Maury heard the phrase “paths of the seas,” he believed God’s word to be true, and he went out and discovered what God’s word already knew was there.  Perhaps you would like to know more about other scientific knowledge that has been revealed in God’s word long before man discovered it.  If so, come and see what God’s word has to say about this and many other subjects!

Are You Thirsty?

Posted on by under Christian Living, Current Events

Miyuki Sierra Nevada     Just this week rescue workers were able to locate and air lift a missing hiker from the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California.  Miyuki Harwood was separated from her hiking group, apparently fell and shattered one leg, and had been missing for nine days before being found.  Her story of survival is an amazing testament to her resilience and desire to survive.

     After she broke her leg, Miyuki was without food or water and alone.  In order to survive, she had to crawl for several miles in order to find a water source in the form of a stream.  She had a bottle with her and a water filter to make the water palatable.  It took two days for her to crawl through the wilderness in a remote and rocky locale to get to the water that saved her life.  However, she was willing to do what it took to get to that water to satisfy her thirst.

     Are we equally prepared to do what it takes to fill our thirst?  Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6, NKJV).  Do we thirst for righteousness?  Are we doing what we can to learn the right way and then to do that?  If we do not have God in our lives or we do not have His word in our hearts, do we feel empty and thirsty?

     The Bible says that we are to be like newborn babes desiring “the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2).  Miyuki’s thirst for her physical life caused her to crawl through dangerous and difficult surroundings to find water.  Our thirst for our spiritual lives should led us to do what is necessary to find the truth and obey the word of God.  Jesus said that “whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).  Are you thirsty for that water?  Are you desiring eternal life?  If so, come and see what God’s word has to say about that living water of life!

Return to Me

Posted on by under Doctrine

1280px-Minnesota_soldier_returns_home     We often rejoice in seeing loved ones return to one another after time away.  Perhaps there was some conflict or estrangement that kept them apart.  Perhaps some grudge that had to be overcome for them to be together again.  Maybe it is the return home of those who have been involved in military duty overseas.  Whatever the reason, there is joy in witnessing their reunion again after being apart.

     We should have the same joy in seeing those who have been estranged from the Lord being reunited to Him.  Often times those who have wandered away from God may feel that they cannot overcome their sinful desires, or that perhaps, God will not forgive them of their transgressions.  Neither of those are the case, however.  God through the writing of Paul makes it abundantly clear that they can be washed clean of their sins if they will repent and return (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

     Many times God was angry with Israel for not obeying His commands.  They refused to remove the inhabitants of Canaan and to destroy their idols, and instead served those foreign gods, offering their children as sacrifices (Psalm 106:34-39).  Therefore, they were given into the hands of their enemies and they were oppressed (Psalm 106:40-42).  Yet each time they cried out to the Lord for deliverance, each time they returned to the Lord, He heard the cries of His people and delivered them out of danger (Psalm 106:43-45).  God delivered them because He wants to be merciful.  If you have wandered away, God also wants to show you mercy and forgiveness.

     In order to get God’s mercy, we need to return to Him.  God promised Israel in times past, “but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name” (Nehemiah 1:9, NKJV).  God makes the same promise to us also.  He does not want any to perish, but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).  Jesus said that when we return, there is much rejoicing.  “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7).

     God wants us to return to Him.  He wants us to be with Him for eternity.  He does not want any to be lost.  If you are willing to repent, He is faithful to forgive (1 John 1:9).  If you have wandered astray, won’t you return to Him now?

Ask, Seek, and Knock

Posted on by under Christian Living

knocker-164072_640     Imagine that you have a friend who comes knocking on your door at midnight tonight looking for three loaves of bread in order to feed his guests.  How would you react?  Would you direct them to the nearest Walmart?  Jesus said, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’?” (Luke 11:5b-7 NKJV).  Even though the two people are friends, Jesus points out that the one will not get out of bed to help the other because of their friendship, but because of persistence (Luke 11:8).

     In looking at the context of the passage, it is quickly observed that Jesus is teaching them about prayer (Luke 11:1-4; 9-10).  Therefore, when we look at the story of persistence, what we should get out of that is our need to be persistent in our prayers to God.  Oftentimes we may feel that we are bothering God, or that we have already prayed about a certain issue and so we do not persist.  But if we are praying for God’s will to be done, we should persist.

     Notice that Jesus tells His disciples, “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Luke 11:9-10).  Did you notice the first letter in each of the three things Jesus told them to do?  They are to ask (A), seek (S), and knock (K).  In other words, they are to continue to ASK God for what they need.  As followers of Jesus, we are to be persistent in our prayer life and keep asking, seeking, and knocking!  If you are seeking God, we would be happy to help.  Come and see what God has done for us!

I Beg Your Pardon

Posted on by under Doctrine

     Richard Nixon is credited with once saying that if the President did it, it was not illegal.  However, after months of investigative journalism, congressional hearings, subpoenas, and contemplation of impeachment, he found out otherwise.  Nixon eventually resigned as President.  The only thing that kept him from suffering the same legal consequences as his cohorts, was a presidential pardon by his successor.

     This bit of history shows us that no one is above the law.  Without a pardon from above, we will all suffer the consequences of our actions.  We know that all have sin in their life.  The Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 NKJV).  Furthermore, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a).  Our natural state, without that pardon or forgiveness from above, is to be dead in our sins and in a lost condition.

     But thanks be to God that forgiveness is available!  We need to be willing to confess our sins rather than trying to cover them up (1 John 1:9).  We need to be willing to repent of those things that are contrary to God’s word (Luke 13:3; 2 Corinthians 7:10).  Having godly sorrow will lead us to a change of mind, a change of direction, which is what repentance is really about.  It is more than just being sorry that we were caught with our hand in the proverbial cookie jar.

     We need to seek out God’s pardon and forgiveness, because none of us is perfect.  We must throw ourselves on His mercy in order to have that eternal life we so desire.  We must be willing to change our lifestyle, to do our best to go our way and sin no more.  God offers us a pardon from our sins.  Are you willing to do your part to receive that forgiveness?

Show Me the Evidence!

Posted on by under Christian Evidences

Show-me-the-evidence     When it comes to matters of faith these days, it seems that many have determined that they are just going to believe in something whether there is any evidence for it or not.  For instance, I could state that I believe that the world was created by the one eyed spaghetti monster, and that is who I am going to worship.  When pressed for evidence of said creature, I could state that we just need to have faith and evidence is not necessary.  It may be pointed out that belief without proof/evidence is irrational.  It does not make logical sense to believe in a spaghetti monster without evidence.

     Our faith and belief in God, who is not visible, must then be based upon the evidence that is visible.  This is biblical faith. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1, NKJV emphasis added).  There is evidence of God in the creation. “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1).  The fact that there is a cosmos proves that there has to be a God.  Because there is something now, there must have been something before.  We cannot get something from nothing.  Something must then be eternal, but we know that matter is not eternal.  Thus it had to come from somewhere.  The design we see in the universe also shows us that there has to be a designer.  Systems as complex as the human body could not have come about by chance.  Those who place their faith in random chance and evolution have the same problem as those who believe in the spaghetti monster.  The evidence does not support their claim.

     Imagine that you are on trial for your life.  Now imagine that I am on the jury that will decide your fate.  How would you want for me to proceed?  Should I say that I think you are guilty because that is how I feel?  Should I say that you are innocent because you have an innocent looking face?  How about if I base my judgment in your case on the evidence?  Looking at the evidence takes all of the emotion out of the issue.  Looking at the evidence will help us to achieve a logical, rational, and correct viewpoint.  This is how God wants us to proceed!  That is why He invites us to come and reason together (Isaiah 1:18).  Faith and reason are not enemies; they are joined hand in hand.  Our faith must be based upon reason!

     The evidence of God is all around us.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened (Romans 1:18-21).

The power and wrath of God has been revealed.  Those who are unrighteous wish to suppress the truth.  They do not want for there to be a God, so they ignore the evidence.  The evidence is manifested within their own bodies.  God has shown us the evidence, and true science indicates how complex the human body is (skeletal system, digestive system, nervous system, cardiovascular system).  Each part of our body receives just what it needs when it needs it.  If we were to look upon a manufacturing system with such complexity, we would certainly conclude that it did not happen by chance.  Since the creation of the world, the workings and power of God have been clearly seen.  So then, if we choose to ignore the evidence, God says we are without excuse.  We cannot claim that we did not know.  Ignorance is not an excuse.

     Let us not run from evidence, reason, and science.  All of these prove to us that there is a God.  All of these indicate to us that there has to be a God.  Since there is a God, how should we react?  (Deuteronomy 6:5; Joshua 22:5; Mark 12:30; John 14:15).  Because there is a Creator, we should seek Him out and find out what it is that He wants for us to do (Matthew 7:21ff).  The answers are in His word.  Let us continue to dig for the evidence, which will show us that our faith is true and not based on irrationality.  Let us then show that evidence to those who are around us!

The Truth is Black and White

Posted on by under Culture, Doctrine

Picture1     Rachel Dolezal is not black.  She was born to two white parents, but later bronzed her skin and changed her hairstyle.  After claiming to be black, she was made a local leader in the NAACP.  Recently, her parents have spoken out to say that Rachel is not black.  Rachel responded by saying, “Nothing about being white describes who I am. So, you know, what’s the word for it? The closest thing that I can come to is if you’re black or white, I’m black. . . I’m more black than white. On a level of values, lived experience currently. In this moment, that’s the answer. That’s the accurate answer from my truth” (http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/rachel-dolezal-says-theres-no-biological-proof-of-who-her-parents-are/ar-AAbI12V?ocid=ansnewsap11).

     Notice that she says “in this moment” she is black, as if we are able to change our heritage over the course of time.  I can get a suntan, grow dreadlocks, and start to speak with an accent (Hey, mon, don’t ya know it), but that will not make me Jamaican.  The truth is not something that is subject to change over time.  Jesus prayed that God would sanctify or set His people apart by the truth, which is God’s word (John 17:17).  The Bible tells us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NKJV).  We are not to add to or take from God’s word (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32).  Jesus said His words would endure forever (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31).

     Rachel believes that her answers are according to “her truth,” but truth is not relative.  I cannot have one truth that is different from your truth.  I can have an opinion that is different than yours, but there is only one truth.  If I were to say that the lights are on and you were to say that the lights are off, both of those statements cannot be true at the same time.  The truth does not depend on our environment or our situation in life.  Water is wet.  Jesus is Lord.  There is just one God.  These things are true whether we believe and accept them or not.  The truth is not gray.  The truth is black and white.

     “Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth” (Psalm 119:142). “You are near, O Lord, And all Your commandments are truth” (Psalm 119:151). “The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever” (Psalm 119:160).  God’s word could not be clearer on this subject.  Yet, there are those who will still ask the question that was on Pilate’s lips as Jesus stood before him, “What is truth?” (John 18:38).  If you want to know more about the truth, read God’s word.  If you want to find eternal life, you must believe it to be true (Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6).  If we can help you on your journey, come and see what the Lord has done for us!

The Downward Spiral

Posted on by under Culture

Trump Clinton Lies     The cycle is beginning again.  As we prepare to be barraged by political ads and debate after debate, political candidates are preparing for their run for the White House in 2016.  What we will likely hear the most is how all of the other candidates are not qualified to be that right person to lead the nation.  Unfortunately, the negative ads are what seem to give candidates the most bang for their advertising buck.

     In tearing one another down, many will take the opportunity to distort or misrepresent the record of their opponents.  Is this the way it should be?  Should we be okay with this turn of events?  Jesus said, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12 NKJV).  When politicians lie, distort, or misrepresent the deeds of their political opponents, are they treating them in the same way that they in turn wish to be treated?  Hardly!

     We should not try to lift ourselves up by tearing others down.  Why not instead stand upon our own work and our own actions?  Someday, we will be judged by the things that we have done while in our bodies, whether good or bad (Ecclesiastes 12:14).  Yet, voters tend to reward those who tell the grandest stories when it comes to making their opponents disreputable, and thus the cycle continues.

     In addition to tearing each other down, many politicians will promise anything they think will help them to get elected.  However, this is mostly just a game.  Those politicians have no intention of fulfilling their promises.  We voters have no expectation that they will keep their promises either.  Why not just do what the Bible says and allow our yes to be yes and our no to be no (James 5:12)?  Would that not be a better way?

     Just think of how it would be if each candidate was honest; if each candidate stood upon the merits of their own work rather than tearing others down; if each candidate only promised those things that they actually intended to do once they get into office.  Just think if we did things God’s way instead of our way.  Solomon wrote, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12).  By comparison, God’s way leads to eternal life (Proverbs 19:23).  Let us choose that way instead!

Failure To Warn

Posted on by under Current Events

Sound the Alarm   Recently a story was in the news that the German government may have had a warning about commercial airlines flying over Ukraine and Russia, prior to an airliner being shot down in that region. If proved to be true, it would mean that the Germans did not sound the alarm and warn others of impending doom. Many become upset when they hear news such as this, and rightfully so. We do not tend to think much of others when they know of potential disaster, but refuse to warn others.

   God’s word has something to say about this principle as well. God instructed His prophet Ezekiel,

Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul (Ezekiel 3:17-19 NKJV).

Ezekiel was God’s watchman. He was to point out wickedness when he saw it. He was to warn others of their impending doom. If he did not give the warning, then he would be held responsible by God.

   Today, we no longer have prophets, but we do have the completed word of God that we can read and study and use as our standard. When we see things that are morally wrong according to that standard, we have an obligation and a duty to point those things out to others in order to give them fair warning. If we do not give the warning, God will hold us responsible. It is not an easy thing to tell others that they are wrong. For most it is a no win situation.

    However, it is not by our own rules or desires that we are to call someone’s actions wicked. We are to make the comparison and issue the warning in accordance with God’s holy standard, the Bible. Therefore, let us be good students of His word and continue to sound the alarm and show others the way God would have them go.