Satan's Garage Sale!

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you at the proper time., casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you, be of sober spirit, be on the alert, your adversary, the devil; prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (I Peter 5:6-7)

Hey Gang: It was advertised that the devil was going to have a garage sale and sell all his devices of evil. On the day of the sale, the devices were placed for public inspection, each marked with its sale price. There was a whole barn full of evil devices - hatred, envy, jealousy, lying, doubt, to name a few. But there was one special tool that was laying by itself that was priced very high.

"What is the name of that tool and why is so costly?" one of the purchasers asked. “O, this is discouragement, my most effective tool”. It is more useful than all the others put together. With it I can pry open a person’s heart and lead them down the Prim-Rose Path.

The devil’s price for discouragement was so high it never sold. It’s still his major tool, and uses it on God’s people today. How about you? Discouraged? I have learned in my tenure on this earth that discouragement is key; like me getting up grumpy in the morning, I have a choice to make, remain grumpy and miserable or I can choose to tell Satan take a hike”.

The Psalmist wrote “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me”. Jesus' promise to us this morning “I will never leave you or forsake you”. And that, my brothers and sisters in Christ, you can take to the bank!

Blessings

Gramps

Are You Nervous?

"Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm on MY holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. Surely it is near" (Joel 2:1)

Hey Gang: How would you feel if the world governments demanded that Uncle Sam give Texas back to Mexico? Alaska back to Russia? The western states back to the Indians? And half of Washington to England? In a speech this past week, our President informed the Prime Minister of Israel and the Israeli people that they should be willing to return to the 1967 borders.

I would suggest that the outcry could be heard around the world, and yet many expect Israel to crawl into their shells and submit to the will of the world. It is interesting to note that President Obama is not the first president to demand such action. Pres. George G. W. Bush, Pres. William Clinton and George W. Bush also made similar demands.

In 2007 William Koenig, president of Koenig International News. wrote a book titled "Eye to Eye" that tracked catastrophic events with time lines and it is interesting to note that during the tenures of these Presidents the United States experienced no less than fifty-seven catastrophic events shortly after such demands were made.

In the past several months we have experienced catastrophic, earth shattering climatic conditions that have resulted in tremendous loss of lives and loss of property. This past week we had horrendous, never before seen tornadoes that devastated huge areas resulting in multitudes of people that lost all of their material things.

Today as I write this the Mississippi River is washing houses and farm lands down the river. Last month it was out of control fires that devastated many thousands of acres of Texas land.

In Joel 3:2 we read a warning given by God to anyone who would tamper with Abrahamic Covenant lands that were given to Abraham and his seed, “I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. Then I will enter into judgment with them there on behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; And they have divided up My land.”

Soooo, my young friends, Keep your eyes on Jerusalem and remember to follow the instructions given by the Psalmist “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem”.

Blessing

Gramps

"Hey check Me out. My ways are higher than yours." God!

“When you enter the land I am going to give you, the land itself must observe a Sabbath to the Lord. For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops” (Leviticus 25:2-3)

Hey Gang: I wonder how many people go off their rockers worrying about the debt they have accumulated. It does not seem to bother our president or most of the congress, folks that we elect with the understanding they will use common sense and keep our nation on solid footing. I mean, what’s a trillion dollars here and a trillion dollars there?

Our Sunday School lesson this week was focused on Sabbath. Did you know that God gave His creation a perfect plan for peace and joy and contentment even when dealing with finances. It was titled “God’s perfect Plan For Your Economy.

The criteria for implementation is very simple, accrue no debt that you cannot pay off in seven years. Can you imagine the outcry across our nation if they suddenly passed a law saying liens, car loans, college debt and such is to be forgiven by the lender at the end of seven years? I would suggest there would be rebellion in the streets.

I believe God had the commandment, "that you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself” in mind when He set up the rules of Sabbath and Jubilee.

But the power point in this study goes far deeper than finances, it shows God’s plan of salvation parallels and shadows the Sabbath year ordinance. Both deal with liberating the poor either physically or spiritually or both and freeing him from slavery and bondage, and above all, forgiveness for all.

Sooo, my young friends, when you think that a credit card gives you the opportunity to live beyond your means, remember you will reap what you sow and one day the grim reaper will show up at your door.

Blessings

Gramps

Have You Moved Any Mountains Lately?

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Isaiah 55:9 & Hebrews 11:6)

Hey gang, Is that not a neat model for our prayers. When we pray we should always remember that prayer, for the Christian, is not just going to a private or communal ‘wailing wall’ where we somehow can unburden our souls and move on.

Prayer is so much more. It is not merely talking to God about our problems, Prayer is an agent of change. As we pray we engage in a powerful battle in the heavenly realms. And as we persist in our prayers God’s word promises victory! Father sometimes changes the circumstances, but prayer always changes me. James gave us the good news that ”The prayers of a righteous man avails much.” (5:16).

We sometimes feel that God has not answered our prayers but keep in mind the answer may be totally different than we anticipated or requested and we miss it. I have found in my walk with the Lord, what He felt was best for me was not always what I thought was best for me.

Years ago there was a very popular television program titled “Father Knows Best”. We know that is not always so with our earthly fathers, but we do know “For our heavenly Fathers ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts than my thoughts”. (Isaiah 55:9)

Soooo, when you pray, focus on the One you are praying to and also keep in mind the basis of our prayer is faith. It is the prayer of faith that will move the mountains.

Blessings

Gramps

What Is Your Candle Power This Morning?

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” (Matt. 5:13-14).

Hey Gang: Yesterday you were salt that reflects your relationship with Father God. Today you are that light that reflects your love for Abba Father. The two are essential ingredients in your “go into all the world” and preach or "witness the Gospel" 'tool bag'. Salt is your foundation and light is your witness to the world.

It may well be said that the greatest compliment ever paid to a Christian is, “you are salt” or “called the light of the world”. Jesus said “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” When He taught His followers to be the “light of the world” He was saying to them to be “Like Him”. In his letter to the Ephesians. Paul wrote, “Be imitators of God.”

When Jesus used this phrase it was familiar to the Jews. They often referred to Jerusalem as “a light to the Gentiles,” and a famous Rabbi was often called “a lamp of Israel”. But they were also adamant that no man kindles his own light. Without being connected to God’s power supply, our light will be like a hot ember that is taken from the fire and laid aside – it soon fades and dies.

The radiance that shines from the Christian comes from the presence of Christ within the Christian’s heart and that requires ongoing maintenance in God’s tutoring program.

Soooooo, comrades in Christ, how is the intensity of your light this morning? Are you depending on your human power pack or are you plugged into God’s unlimited power supply?

Blessing

Gramps

Have You Checked Your Salt Shaker Lately?

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to the thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “ (Matthew 5:13)

Hey Gang: In His teachings on the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had just completed His teaching on the Beatitudes. He had just challenged his disciples to “rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great”. Notice He did not say, your reward on earth will be great.

He then went on and told his inner most circle, the twelve apostles, “You are the salt of the earth”. In my trips to the Holy Land one of the great fringe benefits that God has blessed me with is a better understanding of His Word. What did Jesus mean when He said, you are the salt of the earth.

Salt was a very important commodity in Jesus day. The Greeks called it divine. It was often used as payment for services rendered. But in this case it had a different meaning. The houses were very small with only one window. To build an oven inside would have driven the occupants out due to the heat.

They built their ovens between the house and roadway. The oven was an adobe like domed hut. On the floor of the hut they placed a layer of salt to reflect the heat up so as to bake their bread. After several baking the salt would begin to lose its reflective power and it was removed and replaced by a new layer of salt. The old was thrown into the roadway.

The lesson Jesus taught that day had a far deeper meaning than the idiosyncrasies of salt. It was that we are to be a reflection of Jesus Christ in all we say and do.

Soooo, my dear friends, each time you pick up the salt shaker remember that you are a reflector, a reflector of God’s gift to you, His Son Jesus Christ.

Blessings

Gramps

GIVING THANKS IS A PRIVILEGE!

“Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord. Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father” (Ephesians 5:20).

Hey Gang: Giving thanks was as much a part of Paul’ life as breathing. Note in the morning Scripture that he covers all the bases, first speaking; by “speaking to your friends and neighbors in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,” and by “singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,” and finally but not least, “always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19-20).

Let’s face it troops, there are times when we just do not feel like giving thanks. Our country is besieged with tornadoes, wild fires, tremendous storms that raises the rivers over their banks and many have seen their houses float down those swollen rivers. Paul knew there would be times when we did not feel like giving thanks.

His key to being an over-comer, “Do this unto the Father”. Dire circumstances shatter our spirits. There are times when my hearts cry has been “Lord, do you really expect me to sing and make melody when I hurt so badly.

But even in those times when we ask, “why Lord?” God does not turn His back on us – we are still His children, the sheep of His pasture. Paul’s words were penned for such times when our heart is so focused on our difficulties that our faith begins to waiver. It is at that time when Paul says “GIVE THANK ALWAYS’.

Sooooo, my young friends, when it seems the sky is falling and you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders, stop, take a deep breath, look around at the beauty that surrounds you and Give Thanks to the Lord.

Blessings

Gramps

They Were There!

“There were also some women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Solome.” (Mark 15:40)

In the development of the Village we were especially blessed to meet many wonderful people. Many of them were grandmas that kind of adopted this young couple that were up to their armpits in alligators.

One, who was very special was Granny Bliss. She once said that she gets up in the morning and the first thing she does it read the obituary column to see if her name is in it. If not she goes about her day with as much gusto as she can muster but she also was quick to confess a lot of her get up and go had got up and went!

My grandma once told me that some people are commissioned by the Lord to do the works of the Lord and some folks were commissioned to provide the prayer covering for the works. There were many days when taking time in my prayer closet was not possible, but I knew the grandma’s “were there” in their prayer closets.

In the story of the cross we find the women “were there”. They “were there” at the trials, the beatings, the road to the cross, the crucifixion, the burial and the victorious trip to the empty tomb.

When I married the bride-of-my-youth we were unequally yoked together for I was a Laodicean believer – neither hot nor cold. But the prayers of my wife, my mother, my mother-in- law and my grandmother soon changed that. They “were there” in my times of need.

Soooo, my young colleagues, keep in mind that someone is praying for you today. How do I know? Because I pray for all who receive this message each morning. I pray you are praying for the writer of these epistles, for you see, we are all one in Christ and Christ is one with the Father, and one day we will be united for eternity at the Marriage Feast of the Lamb. Woooooooow! !!

Blessings

Gramps

Has Your Fire Begun To Fizzle?

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Heb. 10:23-25).

Hey gang: I heard a neat story that has banged around inside my head for years. It seems one day a man, who had been a pillar of the church, burned out on his many responsibilities in the church and decided he could worship his God in his own way in his own home without the hassles and pressures.

After his absence for several weeks, the pastor went to visit him. As he and the pastor sat in front of the blazing fireplace, without saying a word, the pastor took the fireplace tongs and removed one of the blazing coals and laid it aside away from the fire. As they sat there in silence the coal began to lose its intensity and soon went out completely.

The pastor then got up and left without a word being exchanged. The man was back in church on the following Sunday.

I believe the message of that story goes much deeper than church attendance. The writer of Hebrews wrote that we need to stimulate and encourage one another to love and good deeds so that our fire remains hot and our witness strong.

Soooo, my young comma ceros, Keep in mind when you drive from the parking lot of the church, or out your driveway, you are entering the mission field. Be careful out there – Satan will do all in his power to extinguish your coals.

Blessing

Gramps

Get Your Own Dirt!

“I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.”

(Psalm 139:14)

Hey gang: I happened to click on an article title ‘Immortality Engineered By Man’ with the following humanistic view of what is to come.

A recent Time Magazine article is titled, "2045: The Year Man Becomes Immortal." It doesn't refer to a transformation to spirit life, but a transformation called "singularity." That's when computers become hyper-intelligent and either solve aging, or actually merge with man to transform man into a ‘cyborg’ or ‘android being’.

What do you think? Is it just a matter of time before we have robot’s that act and appear to be human? And will it just take the right circuitry with the high capacity electronics and the most sophisticated software with billions of lines of code to achieve immortality? In other words will the human heart be replaced by a series of batteries?

And now to the world of reality: Genesis tells us God made us in His own image but He made us out of the dust of the ground. He said that we are dust and to dust we shall return. We also know from our studies in the Word that only God is Spirit and He alone has immortality (1 Tim. 6:16).

A couple intellectual humanists approached God and said, “We no longer need You, we can now create life.” God said, “Show me”. The humanist reached down and picked up a hand full of dirt, to which God replied, “Get your own dirt”.

We learned in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” And we also learn that this gift of eternal life, or real immortality, will happen, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye”.

Soooo, God’s created folks of flesh and blood and soul, keep in mind that Jesus said to the thief on the cross, “Today you shall be with me in paradise”. What joy there is in knowing that one day soon we shall all stand and worship our Lord together with all the saints who preceded us. And, Oh, by the way, I can guarantee there will be no android’s or such there.

Blessings

Gramps

This Little Piggy Went ......!

“How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace and brings good news of happiness. Who announces salvation, And says to Zion “Your God reigns!’ (Isaiah 52:7).

Hey gang: How’s your feet? Now in a circle of ten people, nine would say, that is a pretty stupid question. I probably would have, too, five years ago but I have been having some problems with my feet lately that kind of keeps them in my thoughts.

Last week I stubbed my pinkie which immediately sent electronic waves to my brain and an immediate “ouch” came forth from the recesses of my dome of intellect. Wow, for such a little thing, it certainly sent shock waves to my brain. And at the point of our pain, how many know that God does some strange things to turn adversity into an object lesson.

I opened a magazine and you will never guess what the very first article was about – “feet”. That same night I was watching the news and an advertisement came on and you guessed it, about “feet”. Soooo, I thought maybe God was trying to send me a message and I began to research “feet” in the Bible and was absolutely amazed at all that the Bible has to say about feet.

The first thing I learned was “feet” are an object of humility. The greatest single act of humility, in my humble opinion, in the Bible was at the Last Supper when Jesus laid aside his garments and washed the feet of the disciples. Wow, can you imagine that. The King of Glory washing the feet of the disciples. I have also been studying the phrase “In Christ” that appears over two hundred times in the New Testament.

Although I am barely into the study, I have noticed that many references to being “in Christ” are centered on our being humble before the Lord. In essence being what Paul referred to himself as a “Bondservant of the Lord”.

While serving as an interim pastor at a church that honored the Lord’s Words I experienced “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:12-15). It was my first experience of washing a brother's feet and it was one of those mountain top experiences.

The Bible is filled with many wonderful stories that center on these lowest extremities of our body that grovels in the dirt throughout their lifetime. Soooo, young folks, the next time you do not believe your feet are beautiful, remember “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of Him who brings good news.”

Blessing

Gramps

Have You Checked Your Springs Lately?

“Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” (Col 3:1).

Hey Gang: I have been having a terrible time with my tractor. The gas feed would not feed and how many out there know that if your gas feed does not feed you are in big trouble. I wiggled this and pushed on that. I even got the compressor out and blew on the lines and carb with the same results – blah!

So I did as any good male homosapien does after they exhaust all of their options, I yelled “help” and an angel of mercy showed up on my door step. In less than six seconds he pointed to a tiny spring that is attached to the gas feed and said, “The spring that is supposed to spring is not springing any more – you need a new spring.” So, I heeded his advice and purchased anew spring and the Allis Chalmers D 14 is purring like a kitten.

The point, the tractor, with its mega number of parts, was worthless without that tiny spring. Now what does that have to do with the morning message? I have learned to appreciate the little words of the Bible, what I call ‘trigger words’ to great truths. Did you know there are 1506 ifs in the Bible and 1980 therefores? No, I did not count them. Strong’s did that for me.

While still chaplain at the Village two of the messages that I taught to every class of young folks that went through the program was what I titled “The Irrevocable Laws o f God or The Seed Planting Parable in Living Color” and “Paul’s Change Process”.

In Colossians three, he laid out a very clear four step process for change. First we must die to self and be hidden in Christ; second, we must put off all of those things that grieve the Holy Spirit; third, we must fill the vacuum caused by the “put offs” with ”put ons”, the attributes of God; and last but not least, “let” God have total control of our lives. Notice each is an act of the will decision!

But Paul knew that to make a principle work it required a prerequisite action plan to put it into practice. In verse one of Colossians three he uses two trigger words to start the engine “therefore, and if”. It works only when you have “If, therefore, you have been raised up with Christ and keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of the God.”

Sooooo, my young friends, as you dig into the Word today, don’t skip over those little words. They are the spice that adds flavor to the pudding.

Blessings

Gramps

Did You Know That God Wants To Give You A Blessing Today?

Hey Gang: I have made a brilliant observation in my mature years – there are different levels of blessings!. Now I know a blessing, is a blessing, is a blessing, and what I am not saying is we should not be humbled and thankful for each and every blessing that God chooses to pass our way.

I have learned that the blessings which have made a lasting impact on my life are not the bangles and beads variety, nor the opportunity to climb the corporate ladder, and certainly not the things that God has provided me with in the area of material things.

Notice Peter’s words, “You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an under-standing way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. To sum it up, all

of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:7-9).

Why give blessings? So that you will receive blessings in return. God gives all blessings, some we recognize and other tend to pass us by not realizing how they will change our lives. I never realized how a trip to watch a football game at Ferris State College would change my life forever – it was there I met the pearl- of- great price that would later become the-bride-of-my youth.

Sooooo, my dear friends, when you put your threads on this morning and head out the door, remember you are entering the mission field and be very careful for God just might send someone across your path that has a deep hunger in their soul and you may be the only Bible they will see.

Blessings

Gramps

Are You A New Creature This Morning?

“To do your will, O my God, is my desire; Your law is within my heart,” (Psalms 40:8)

One senses as they read Psalms 40 that David had come to the realization that only God sustains his servants. Can you visualize David with-out stretched arms in worship and praise before the Lord saying “He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.” James said “consider it all joy when you are going through the valley”.

It is at these times when we learn that God is our sustainer. Notice in verse one, (40:1) Isaiah gives us the key to relationship with the Lord, “I waited patiently for the Lord.” We want, what we want, when we want it, but often God’s timing is not our forte.

As I look back on my more productive days, I remember times when I ask God for things that I later understood would have been detrimental to me.

Peter referred to those who were committed to be ‘living sacrifices’ for the Lord as ‘living stones’. “You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ,” (I Peter 2:5).

It means we must die to self and put God first in all we do and say. John wrote “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies it remains by itself alone, but if it dies it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to eternal life.” (John 12:24-25).

Most recognize the familiar words of Paul in his letter to the Corinthians “Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things are passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

So dear people: Keep in mind, a ‘living sacrifice’ is to have the same commitment Isaiah had when God was looking for someone to stand in the gap, “Here am I Lord, send me.” That is a scary commitment to those who lack the faith to trust that all things will be better under God’s control than when we lean “ON OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING!”

Blessings

Gramps

Have You Done Any Fishing Lately?

“Behold, I am going to send for many fishermen,” declares the Lord, “and they will fish for them; and afterwards I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them from every mountain and every hill and from the clefts of the rocks” (Jer. 16:16)

Hey Gang: One of the very high points in our volunteer services was our tenure with the Ebenezer Fund in North Carolina. The focus of this ministry is to assist the “olim” (meaning Jews in the “diaspora” (meaning places other than Israel) who are seeking to make “aliya (meaning return to the Land of their heritage).

One of the very special memories I recall was of an elderly woman who was found in a remote village in Siberia. She was poor in health and investing the needed dollars to transport her to Kiev and then placing her in one of the limited slots on the ship to Haifi was not considered a good usage of the limited funds that were available.

But, there was something about this dear lady that superseded all of that good reasoning. She had a radiance about her that melted the hearts of the folks who choose those who would go or wait for the next available ship.

Witnessing to the olim was forbidden, for if a person was converted in route, the Israeli government would not permit them to enter the Land of their Heritage but the olim knew the hearts of the workers were committed to Jesus as their Lord and many would say “We know who you are and we are learning about your Jesus through your witness.”

Although there were very few verbal commitments on those voyages to “The Land” there were many heart commitments. God called her home several days after her arrival in Haifi, A waste of money! Only if money is your idol. She died in the land that she loved with a passion all of her life.

Sooo, my young friends, be advised, you do not have to go to Siberia to witness to a lost child of God, you could very well run into one today.

Blessings

Gramps

REAPING !!!!!

5/5/11

Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul, but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell”.

The long nightmare is over. Osama bin Laden has been brought to justice, killed in Pakistan by U.S. Navy Seals after a decade-long hunt. Justice has been served. But let's be clear: bin Laden is not now in Paradise with 72 virgins and eternal peace, joy and happiness.  I have very strong feelings that when he stood before Father God he did not scream “Long live Allah”.

Bin Laden was a fanatical Radical Sunni Muslim, straight out of the pits of hell.  He hated the Lord Jesus Christ. He hated and cursed and killed Christians and Jews and others; recruited, trained and deployed thousands of others Muslims to murder Christians, Jews and others; and pursued a life of sheer evil defiance against the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Unless he truly and sincerely repented at the last possible moment and received Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior -- unlikely given the speed of the raid -- he is now burning in the fires of Hell. 

Bin Laden was deeply religious and deeply sincere, I have no doubt. But he was sincerely wrong, and the Bible teaches there is a consequence to defying the One True God. 

Hell is not a topic much discussed in our world today, even by many Christians. Growing numbers of pastors choose not to teach what the Bible says about Hell.

Yes, it is difficult to conceive of such a place of eternal torment -- indeed, no one wants to think about it but to deny it is folly indeed.  its reality is exactly what the Bible teaches. Indeed, since Jesus was God incarnate, all-seeing, all-knowing, and all-loving, He knew all too well the reality of Hell. He came to Earth to pay the penalty for our sins and to rescue all who would follow Him from having to spend their eternity there.

In fact, Jesus taught more about Hell than He did about heaven. Why? Because He loved all people so much that He wanted to save them from eternal damnation. He wants all to understand the choice of rejecting the Messiah. And He wanted to give each of us a way of escape, if only we would say yes by faith. 

Jesus provided the way out of the wilderness – “walk ye in it”.

Blessings

Gramps

The Lord Giveth and Blessed Is The Rock

5/4/11

“Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”    (Mark 9:5)

 This morning this verse seemed to stick out in bold and grabbed my attention.  It brought back memories of one of our visits to the Mount of Transfiguration referred to in our morning Scripture.  

I have often heard Peter referred to as the disciple with “foot and mouth” disease because he seemed to be the one who had something to say and often it was the wrong thing for that particular moment.  There is no question Peter was overwhelmed, and  just plain out of words.  Mark tells us he was “terrified” and when terrified we often blabber incoherently.  

But the more I thought of this particular utterance from Peter I wondered if he was not placing Moses and Elijah on the same level as Jesus.  And the more I thought of it the more I wondered if one of the great blasphemies of today is that we tend to put things of the world on the same level or even on a higher level than Jesus in importance.       

Two of the great blasphemies of our day are “there are more than one road to God” and “forgiveness gives us a license to do anything we want” and it is all covered by the blood of Christ.  And to put that in the words of a Hillbilly, “that is a bunch of “BUNK”.  Do you think that these blasphemies that are growing in intensity each day have become the tabernacles of today that have led so many astray?

Sooo, my young friends, before you put your Bible away for the day, note Mark’s words in verse seven. I sense God wanted to set the record straight.  There is no question that Moses and Elijah were very special in the Father’s eyes but, He was quick to remind them and us that  “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him.”     

Blessings,

Gramps

How Good It Is To See The Son And The Sun!

5/3/11

In one of Jesus many discussions with the Religious leaders a Sadducee ask Him, “Teacher, what is the great commandment in the Law?”    (Matthew 22:6)

Have you ever been to a funeral where the preacher got up and said “the deceased was a rascal of the ninth degree.  He was a drunkard, a carouser, a wife beater, etc. etc. etc.  Many years ago, while stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi one of our non-com’s was killed in an automobile accident.   It was one of those funerals I had to check and see if the person being eulogized was one and the same as the person in the coffin.

Somewhere along the way, I heard someone say we should live our lives in such a way they could put good epitaphs on our tombstone.  In case you do not know what an epitaph is, it is a statement commemorating a deceased person.  In years past they were often written on the persons tombstone.       

In Uniontown, Pennsylvania, one gravestone tells the story of an accident, "Here lies the body of Jonathan Blake, stepped on the gas instead of the brake."  One of my favorite is “Here lies an Atheist, all dressed up and no place to go.”

As per usual the lawyer’s question was a trap.  If they could get Jesus to choose one of the 613 commands given in the Old Testament Law they could accuse Him of dealing irreverently with the Word of God.

Soooo, troops, remember we are dealing with the father of lies.  In these days when he is roaring around our world trying to gain as many recruits as he can before an angel of the Lord arrives with his chain – BEWARE.

Blessings

Gramps