Man Is In For A Huge Surprise!

Jerusalem Today's picture is a bird's eye view of the city of Jerusalem. It reminds us of Matthew 16:21; "From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day"  "Behold these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him!  But the thunder of His power who can understand" (Psalm 79:11). Hey Gang:  Have you taken a moment or two lately to look around and see how vast and wondrously-made is this universe that God provided for us?  Scientists tell us they do not have a clue how big the universe really is.  I have been privileged to stand at the foot of the great Teton Mountains, and experience the magnificence of Old Faithful when it erupts and sends forth its awesome display of power.  Wow! Words are so inadequate to describe these creations of our God. A bird just flew by my window.  I wonder where he is going.  Does he have a daily planner built into his computer bank that programs his every move?   The Word tells me God knows every creature personally.  Is that not awesome?  And is it not reassuring? I watched a documentary on the awesome power of God as demonstrated by nature.  We, humans, like to think we have the intellect to build great powerful devices.  The rockets that sent the orbiters into space are indeed awesome, but many launches were cancelled because God's weather conditions were not just right. The news is filled with rhetoric coming from Iran and other Muslim nations that they now have enough power to annihilate the Little Satan (Israel) and the big Satan (the United States).  Iran claims that they will soon have the materials to build six atomic bombs. In their warped minds they believe they will have sufficient power to spit in God's eye and blow away the "apple of His eye". Ezekiel paints a different picture.   "He wrote "You will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers, so you will be My people, and I will be your God."  (36:28). Yes, we live in that time described by the prophet Haggai, "Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land.  I will shake all the nations" (2:6).        But, don't sweat it, our God says, "Be strong and courageous, Do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you.  He will not fail you or forsake you." (Deut. 31:6).  And that you can take to the bank! Soooo, keep in mind, God Word is clear, the only security is in Him.  All else will fade.   What say you gang, where is your trust this morning?  "To trust and obey for there is no other way". Blessings,    Gramps PS Beginning With the Introduction Sunday Dec 1, We will redo a special Christmas Series that we did in 2012. So there will probably be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

A Fowl Experience! (reprint from 2014)

"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (I Peter 5:8)

Hey Gang:  As you all know from previous morning messages, I spent the first six year of my life way back in the Pennsylvania mountains.  It was said  that we lived so far back in the sticks even the hoot owls carried knapsacks.  I must admit I do not recall much from those days but I do remember an incident that scared the living hebegebies out of me.  Anyone out there know how to spell hebegebies?

Thanksgiving was just around the corner and dad had left the old Tom turkey out of the pen to roam and pick up a few extra pounds for the dinner table.   Well, Tom Turkey did not like me and tended to nip at me when our paths crossed.  That day he decided the nipping time was over and it was time to move to the all out attack mode. 

Fortunately dad came around the corner about the same time that Tom hit me and I hit the ground. Dad picked up a pick-handle and abruptly separated Tom’s head from his body.  I must admit I have had a deep respect for Tom turkeys ever since.

Now, how in the world does a Tom turkey attack fit into the morning message mode?  I am not sure I would compare a Tom Turkey to Satan, but in this case their modus operandi were similar.  He is always on the prowl, seeking those who do not have their armor in place, so that he can "devour".  Satan is a chronic picker, continually firing darts into those areas of our lives when we tend to put our guard down. 

And then one day he turns all of his minions loose and fires his best shot.  I do not find Scriptures that tell me God used a pick-handle to drive Satan from us, but I have found many Scriptures that tell us that God will never forsake us or allow us to be tempted beyond that which we can endure.

Peter went on and gave us the good news: "Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.  After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you" (vs. 8-9).  

Soooo, my young buckaroos, there is probably not much chance you will be attacked by a Tom turkey today, and, be advised, pick-handles do not work on the evil ones.  James 4:7-8 is our pick-handle "Submit therefore to God, Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you". 

Oh, incidentally, I still do not like turkey!

Blessings,

Gramps

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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”. So, I thought maybe God was trying to send me a message and I began to research “feet” in the Bible. I 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; 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. So, 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, Who announces peace and brings good news of happiness. Who announces salvation and says to Zion “Your God reigns!’ (Isaiah 52:7).

.

Blessings,

Gramps

Thanks To ALL Our Veterans

My good friend and fellow Veteran  wrote the following commemoration for Veterans in our local newspaper and, with his permission have copied it verbatim here.

We didn't take a knee, we didn't flee, we raised our right hands and pledged to defend our country against all enemies both foreign and domestic.

It should not be of any surprise to all of us for the lack of respect for our flag, or to the borders that we swore to defend. We are now denied the ability to protect ourselves from the mass invitations from those crossing our unprotected borders. We also see those who were elected to govern over us, failing to abide with that same oath that Veterans gave, with many giving their lives.

It really shouldn't come as a surprise, really, Jesus came to earth to save us, how was He treated? Because of jealousy, they brought forth false witnesses, they held trials in the early morning hours before others would be made aware.

Finding nothing to convict Him with, they fabricated and twisted the truth so they could sentence Him to death. During this process He was bound, openly slapped, assaulted physically, spit upon, then beaten beyond human recognition. Openly crucifying Him upon the cross, He fulfilled God's purpose, supplying us with a chance at salvation and forgiveness- offered even to those who took His life.

As Veterans, we have given of our time, some giving their lives to defend this country and our rights to freedom. Now watching, as those we swore to protect striping away those rights along with the ability to protect ourselves, even to the point of making it okay to kill our police officers.

As Veterans, we have served alongside of others of different races and creeds, joining together as United States Military Forces. Standing together we have defeated enemies both here and abroad.

On November 11th we will be given the opportunity to honor our Veterans. On that day we should at least take a moment to remember those sacrifices. This would be a great time to again recite the "Pledge of Allegiance" remembering that we are, “One nation under God.” Amen!

Let us as Veterans and fellow American, stand together, restoring honor, respect, and obedience- again, giving God His place in our schools, state buildings, our government, families, and our personal lives. Only then can we expect this Nation to again rise up with the power of our loving God!

Our Nation was founded on Godly principles, as was His covenant with the Israelites. They, also at times, would drift away from God. Repentance would restore them, as it will with us.

 Joshua 1:5-9; God's promises: "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses, My servant, commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Thank You God and thank you, Veterans! Pastor Ron

God Bless you all!

Gramps

A Poke Through Jello.... Continued

Tel Aviv shoreline Today's picture is of the beach in Tel Aviv. It reminds us of God's promise to Israel in Numbers 34:6; "As for the western border, you shall have the Great Sea, that is, its coastline; this shall be your west border "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness, For His name sake" (Psa. 23:1-3). Hey Gang:  Earlier, I shared a tiny bit about the advent to the ‘faster-than-sound age’.  A very important point that I neglected to share was that when the first jet, the Lockheed P-80 prototype was delivered to be flight tested, Chuck Yeager, a mechanic, had a deep desire to be its pilot but he lacked the credentials to be chosen.   But Someone had His eye on this young person. On the day the test pilots were chosen, Chuck was on the list!  The Colonel, who set the standards for those he would trust in the cockpit of this new level of aircraft,  had his eyes on this young mechanic.    When the Bell X-15 came on-line and needed a specially equipped person to handle the controls in this speeding bullet, the Colonel had only one name on his list - Church Yeager. Now, I tell you this to make a point.  Sometimes we think we are just a part of the scenery and do just enough to keep the boss off our back.  That is not God's way.  Chuck was a very special kind of guy who gave one hundred percent every day and had a compulsion to be better at everything he did -every day.  He did not do it to gain attention- for he was but a maintenance man in a very hi-tech business.  Let me make Chuck's story a wee bit personal.  As I have mentioned before, in my growing up years I was, to put it bluntly, a mess.  If there was a person who would qualify for the "least likely to succeed" award, there would have been no question who would get it.  I was totally and completed convinced I would never amount to a hill of beans. so I settled into a pattern - everyplace I went and every place I worked I did the very best job I could do.  I learned very early, if I was willing to do what others were not willing to do with quality, I would at least have a feeling of value and worth in my own efforts- even if it did not move me up in the opinion polls of this world. But like Chuck, I, too, had Someone who was watching my every move, even though I did not have a clue, He (Abba Father) was directing my every step.  I believe many times we grieve the Holy Spirit when we try and do things in our own strength and fail to take advantage of what God wants to do through us. Soooo. those of you who are beginning your climb up the ladder of life, keep in mind, "My God will supply your every need" - if you submit to His leading, He will equip you for the task He calls you to do!  There was a movie, years ago titled "God Is My Co-Pilot".  In God's sight, that is not good enough - He demands that He be your PILOT! Blessings,   Gramps

A Poke Through Jello

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix our hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

(I Peter 1:13).

Hey Gang:  From the time my brother Del was old enough to see iron birds flying in the skies, he knew he would one day be a pilot.  This he accomplished, at the end of WWII, after being discharged from the Marine Corp. Since he was my hero I, too, had a desire to become a sky jockey but that was not God's plan.  I contracted a mysterious heart murmur that lasted the duration of that physical.

But, I never lost my interest in airplanes and enjoyed seeing the development of the Jet Age.  As an air traffic controller, I was very aware of idiosyncrasies of the entry into the Jet Age,and the phenomena of the sound barrier. Some Said it Could Never Be Done!  

One of the very special heroes of my adolescent years was Chuck Yeager, the test- pilot in the development of faster-than-sound age.  I was especially drawn to the tremendous advances that Chuck experienced in his piloting of the Bell X-1, experimental airplane.  It is a phenomenal story of perseverance - in spite of the hazards of test flying an airplane that was designed after a 50-caliber bullet- since bullets traveled faster than the speed of sound.   

In 1947, eight powered-flights were made in the X-1 each providing new data and new obstacles.  The major problem was, as they approached the sound barrier, they experienced increased turbulence in the aircraft.  On the eighth flight a change was made in the control mechanism, controlling the aircraft with the horizontal stabilizer instead of the elevator, to correct the angle of attack.

The X-1 was carried to the launch altitude in the belly of a B-29. In flight eight, after the drop from the B-29, Yeager hit the go button and fired three rocket engines; in a matter of seconds he surpassed all previously speed records!  Once again, at mach .94, the plane began to rattle.  He made the adjustment with the horizontal stabilizer trim-switch and then ignited the fourth rocket.  

Poof! The X-1 sliced through the supersonic barrier on a sheet of glass.  A "Poke through Jell-o" was how Yeager described the historic event. 

As I have traversed my tenure on this earth, I can relate to Chuck's experience.  I know only too well what it means to hit severe turbulence, as I approach the victories that God has for me.  We used to say, "We knew what was coming next at the Village because God tested it in our own family!"  But, we also learned that when the turbulence really got tough, the key to being an overcomer was to fire the fourth rocket - Holy Spirit, Jesus in us.

So, let me share one more piece of news about the sound barrier.  As the aircraft approached, moving from subsonic to supersonic, a halo engulfed the aircraft. It is both mysterious and beautiful.  It is in a sense, resistance to release.  Having a tough time today, do you want a halo moment?  Then flick the fourth switch and look for God’s halo around you.

Blessings,

Gramps

A Piece of Advice From Daniel

Today's picture is of the green hills of the Golan Heights, moving up to Mount Hermon in the background. It reminds us of Psalm 133: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, coming down upon the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon coming down upon the mountains of Zion;   

 “All this calamity has come on us; yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our iniquity and giving attention to Your truth.” Daniel 9:13

Hey Gang:  If there was ever a time in the history of our nation when we need a Daniel to come forth, it is now.  What made Daniel so special in God’s eyes? God Made Daniel his oracle because Daniel never let up in prayer.  “While I was speaking in prayer…he informed me…and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give you skill and understanding” (9:21-22).  How we need a leader with skill and understanding today.

Daniel made a declaration of war that he would not leave God's presence until he discerned what God was doing. Daniel did not care what price he must pay.  Does that sound like a challenge for you and me?

Something else happened to Daniel: he was brought to the end of his fleshly speaking.  God said, “I have sanctified your tongue.”  Now, I am going to speak through you!  Wow, would that not be awesome?  The Psalmist wrote, “I, the Lord, am your God, Open your mouth wide and I will fill it” (Psa. 81:10).  “Jesus said, “Do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say.”  (Matt10:19).

Daniel had a deep sorrow over the condition of his people and the moral decline of the nation.   It was at the time when Daniel was receiving visions from the Lord and was spared from the Lion’s den.  It is sad to say, I see a similar scene in God’s house today; Ministers and churches have closed their ears to prophetic warnings.

Let me share with you a prophetic message that David Wilkerson, the author of The Cross and the Switchblade received from the Lord a short time before his death in an automobile accident.

“While in prayer, I was impressed by the Holy Spirit with an extraordinary vision.  God has been at work in the heavenlies on a covert operation.  He’s raising up an army within an army, searching his regular troops to form an elite unit of volunteers.  This special force is made up of warriors he can touch and stir to do battle with the enemy.  We see a picture of this in Scripture, with Saul’s special militia.  The Bible tells us, “There went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched” (I Sam 10:26).

Soooo, good buddies, yes, God is shaking everything that can be shaken but Jesus made it clear that when all these things happen, look up, your redemption draws near.  Hey, folks are you looking up this morning? or are you locked into the woes of the past? You do know there is nothing you can do about the past, don't you?  That is why God says, when I forgive you I forget your trespasses.  Try it.  It may make the sunshine brighter.

  

Blessings, 

Gramp's  
PS This was written probably 2011