12/26/23 THE STATE IS UNDER ORDERS

12/26/23 THE STATE IS UNDER ORDERS

This is controversial and uncomfortable, but it is very current. I hope you read it. This is not a copy from someone else. 

Make no mistake, God has appointed Government (the State) to protect the law abiding and oppressed and to punish criminals and violent aggressors. God has given the sword of steel to Government (the State}.
Make no mistake, Christians are not God's instruments of violence and physical judgment (according to the New Testament). God has given the Sword of the Spirit to believers.
But just as individuals will be judged according to their faith and submission to God, so also will Governments, Nations, Leaders. God holds each one accountable for their own choices and actions. When men refuse to faithfully submit to Christ and do the will of God, they are opting into the judgment of God.

The believers (the true Church, not a denominational or national organization) are in the world, but we are not of the world.
God uses the world, Government (the State), carnal means to accomplish His will.
This does not mean that God ordains for believers to be instruments of carnal violence. 

READ THE NEW TESTAMENT.
*God does not command Christians to be violent, to take up the sword of steel against other humans, even for self defense or other people, including Christ.
*God does not commend Christians for being violent, for taking up the sword of steel against other humans, even for self defense or other people, including Christ.
*God condemns Christians for being violent, for taking up the sword of steel against other humans, even for self defense or other people, including Christ.
*God commands Christians to not be physically violent and He commands Christians to not retaliate and He commands Christians to not harm our enemies or His enemies.
*God commands Christians to do good to our enemies and to pray for those who abuse us and to love our enemies.
*God does not command Christians to oppose Government (the State), or law or justice, or the State's protection of the law abiding.
*God commands Christians to submit to legitimate Government rule (State rule), which does not oppose New Testament responsibilities of Christians, and to obey the Government (the State), except when it requires disobedience to God.
*God commands Christians to render to Caesar that which is Caesars. This is not a blank check, which allows politics to do evil (murdering the innocent, oppressing the weak, persecuting Christians).
*God commends believers who submit to the law of love, who love their enemies, who are willing to suffer and lose all for their faith , who follow the Prince of Peace, who follow in the steps of Jesus (and do no violence), who do not war according to the flesh, who do not wield the sword of steel.

Being a Christian is a proactive stance for right and against sin.
Being Christian is not a passive submission to a wicked world.
Being Christian is contrary to religious and irreligious societies.

Violent civil action is part of political, social, religious resistance, but it is not part of New Testament salvation.
Don't be surprised at racial or political violence.

When you see "Christians" being violent, you are seeing a fake Christianity.
When you see Christian armies, killing other armies, you are seeing a lie.
Christians do not oppose Government (the State) for doing what God appoints government to do.

Christians recognize the right of Government (the State) to protect and to punish according to God's rule.
Christians do not allow society to recruit them for violent actions.

Lawlessness may come in opposition to legitimate authority, but...
Lawlessness also comes in the guise of Government.

All authority is required to submit to God and whenever an authority opposes the rule of God, that "authority" is in anarchy and should not be followed in their anarchy.
Do not follow popular Christianity, modernized Christianity, Reformed Christianity, sinning Christianity, Western Christianity.
Follow Jesus and New Testament revelation.
Personally pursue and practice New Testament Christianity.
Love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, and love your neighbor as you love yourself, and love your enemy, and love with a perfect love, even as your heavenly Father loves with perfect love.

Biblical Christians do not oppose the will of God. Christians follow Christ, regardless how difficult the way man be.

We should follow legitimate authority.
We should not follow "authority" that advocates personal disobedience to the revealed will of God in the New Testament.

As I said, READ THE BOOK.
I have noticed that most people who promote a Constantinian, Papal or Reformed view of violence in Christianity, have other areas of their own personal beliefs and life which are in conflict with other Biblical truths. Don't be swayed by popularity or supposed authority, if their position is not in agreement with the New Testament.

God requires that we love and obey Him more than we love our self, our family, our community, our nation, our politics, our lives, our wealth, our health. Do not allow your love for partisanship, love for State, love for race, love for power, love for family, love for personal rights and liberties, love for country, love for force, love for ease come before your love and obedience to God.

There are pastors who actually agree with the non-violent (not to be confused with the Pacifist) view, but they do not teach it or promote it because it is not popular.

The Biblical view is hated by the supposed Doves and the supposed Hawks of society. Bible Christians will be hated by all men.

It is better to obey God than to obey men.

12/26/23 FROM A COMMON CORRUPTION

12/26/23 FROM A COMMON CORRUPTION

Martha and I watched a movie, "Alone, Yet Not Alone." It is a good movie. I am not sure of the religious leanings of the production company (Enthuse Entertainment), but it did not have vulgar language or sexual content. It was based on early American history and presented basic Christian principles (though from a Reformed position, which is understandable considering the setting).

One of the Delaware Indians recounted his religious beliefs to one of his white female captives. According to this presentation, there was a strong similarity between the Delaware Tribal view of the origin and nature of good, which is very similar to the LDS (Mormon) view. They both believe that a good god and a bad god participated in creation, and those two gods are active in the ongoing tension between good and evil in the world today. The Mormon's identify the good god with their misinterpretation of Jesus and the evil god is their view of Lucifer (the supposed brother of their good god, Jesus, as LDS teaches), and both of the imagined good gods are seeking to rule over this world and mankind, at least according to this account).

Of course, the time period for the events of the movie were in the late 1700s and Mormonism did not begin until 1824, which makes it impossible that the Delaware Tribes were influenced by the LDS. However, if the idea is accurate, then we see that there is a connection between the pagan beliefs of the Delaware Indians and the Doctrines of the LDS. This connection would be related to the pagan beliefs of Eternal Dualism. I did look for the possibility of an LDS connection to the movie production team, but did not find any proof.

The pagan gods of history and the pagan gods of recent religious development all spring from same pagan pool of religious and spiritual corruption. This includes ancient Astrology (not to be confused with Astronomy) of the Babylonians, the Persians, the Egyptians, the Hindus, the Chinese and Japanese and other far eastern religions, as well as the mythologies of Rome, Greece, Scandinavia, South America and North America. The worship of man-made gods goes hand in hand with moral decay in those pagan lands.
Romans 1:18-32
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

12/25/23 THE BIRTH OF THE SAVIOR

12/25/23 THE BIRTH OF THE SAVIOR

If you celebrate the birth of Christ, it only follows that you believe the word of God, right?

Therefore you believe Jesus came to save His people (whosoever believes in Christ as Savior and Lord) from their sins (from the penalty, pollution and power of sin), and you believe that as a Christian you can love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength (you can be perfect in love, as God is perfect in love). If not, then just be honest and celebrate Santamas.

But if you really celebrate His birth, then walk in His steps, walk in His Spirit, walk in His light, walk in His truth, walk in newness of life, walk in the power of His resurrection because this is the true meaning of His birth.
Merry Christmas.

12/24/23 LAST MINUTE GIFTING

12/24/23 LAST MINUTE GIFTING

I am not one of those people who has my Christmas shopping done by the Fourth of July.

Okay, those who know me, know I am pitiful at shopping and gifting. I heard it was a good idea to get Martha something from Kay Jeweler. I looked all over the store and could not find the section with toasters, waffle makers or garden supplies. I finally found a vacuum cleaner, but it was a used one in a closet, which must have been returned. I don't see how a store like that stays open.

Anyway, back to LAST MINUTE SHOPPING. Sometimes we can't find what we want, sometimes they don't have what we want and sometimes we don't know what we want. So off we go, hoping to find that something special, just waiting for us on the shelf. And WOW, sometimes we find it and it really turned out to be a great gift.

Here is something you can give to a loved one for Christmas. (I will tell you, this is going to be very hard to find, but the good thing is, you can return it and get a better one later).

Find a faithful, loving, Scriptural local body of believer, attend its services, be available to help others, support its ministry. Don't look for recognition. Seek to serve.

Actually, finding a place of worship and ministry is like an orphan finding a loving family. The real gift is in the Gift. God wants you to love Him, worship Him, serve Him. He always has. God also wants you to find a place of truth, love, nurturing. God wants you to give yourself to Him and He will give you everything you need for life and godliness. God wants you to bring your family into the best possible spiritual family you can find.
Don't just grab a "church" off the shelf.

Find the one God has chosen for you and your family. It will be the one that loves you, in spite of yourself but will help you become the person God wants you to be.

12/24/23 CHRISTMAS IS FOR EVERYONE

12/24/23 CHRISTMAS IS FOR EVERYONE

I brought a message recently, addressing the idea that Christmas is for...
Children...
Parents...
Families...
Singles...
The Abandoned and Forsaken...
Everyone.
I focused on each group.

But it doesn't get any more basic than saying Christmas is for families. After all, everyone has been part of a family, to one extent or the other.
God is Family. He is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

He created male and female, husband and wife, with a command to multiply and replenish the earth.

But from the beginning the enemy of God has been trying to ruin family.
In spite of man's sin, God provided a Healer, a Savior for broken families and broken lives.

Throughout history, the family has been under attack. Today, the family is still under attack. The devil wants to come between man and God and between man and man. The devil wants to corrupt the idea of manhood, womanhood, family and unity through faith.

Many a person is hoping that this will be the Christmas that brings reconciliation and restoration to their broken family.

I wish each of you a Merry Christmas and the gift of a loving, healed restored family.

12/24/23 SETTING AND FOLLOWING THE STANDARD

12/24/23 SETTING AND FOLLOWING THE STANDARD

Resisting (REJECTING) God's rule is sin. If a person does not turn from this sin, it ultimately becomes unforgivable (as does all sin).

God deals with, and rules over His people directly and indirectly.
His direct interaction is from the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit and the Holy Bible;
His indirect interaction is through Christian proxies (Bible believing, Christ following, Spirit indwelt believers) and
Divinely appointed authorities (husband, father, mother, pastor/teacher, legitimate government).
Whoever resists Divine authority is resisting God.

This is a major reason people abandon their loving, Christian families and Bible centered churches; they don't want to come under authority.

My ministry includes reconciliation for the sinner and equipping the saints, by cleansing, purifying, perfecting, instructing them for life and godliness.

Most people want reconciliation but very few want compete transformation and conformity to the will and likeness of Christ.

It is true that we cannot make others do what they should do, but God's word and His ministers are given for the perfecting of the saints in victorious living. There is no victory in disregarding, disrespecting and disobeying God's rule.

People do not want to be told to turn from drugs (drinking, smoking), corruptions (pornography, gambling, perversion, uncleanness), self worshiping (pride, earthly pursuits, worldly fame, prejudice, deceit, jealousy, envy, gossip, anger, hatred, all carnality).

A major problem with a parent resisting, rebelling and rejecting the rule of God is the fact that they pass their sinful attitude and actions to their children.

I have watched through the years as disgruntled adults have picked up their idolatrous beliefs and behavior (like the prodigal) and ran off to a pigsty, dragging their children from light to darkness, holiness to worldliness and eventually into a life of sin. They take their children to a place that does not address the sins of the parents and they follow the parent rather than following the way of righteousness.
Fathers want to hold on to their carnal desires, self serving and self preservationist views, and mothers want to hold on to their resistance to the leadership and authority of the husband, and the church. They go off to their own private trough, where they can raise and train their children in a life of self orientation, self satisfaction and self aggrandizement.

It is wrong for the husband to abuse or worship his wife.

It is wrong for the wife to see herself above the rule of her husband, or under the foot of an ogre. She needs to see herself as a woman, a wife a mother and part of a faithful body of believers.
People need the authority of God in their lives, for their present and for their posterity.

12/23/23 CHECK OUT THE MESSAGE

12/23/23 CHECK OUT THE MESSAGE

I keep throwing the same bottle out, with the same message in it. The chance of this message in this virtual bottle being seen by the person or persons I want to reach is greater throwing one into the ocean, but it appears the probability of it actually reaching someones heart is almost nil.
I have come to realize through the years that there a lot of folks like myself: waiting. and watching the horizon for the return of a loved one. Knowing that the return is a short step, but someones anger, pride, love of this world makes the return impossible.

Maybe you have a loved one that you have tried to reach, but to no avail. Time is fleeting, opportunities are waning. Doors have been closed, lines have been cut, but still, you hope. I know how it is. So I send out this bottle with a message. Maybe someone will see it and respond.
Please read my original post with the photo. 

I WROTE THIS IN 2012. I am "sending" it again, with tears in my eyes and hope in my heart. I love you.

10/06/12 MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE...
A message in a bottle is a note, placed in a sealed bottle and thrown overboard, in hope that someone will find the message. This is an internet message in a bottle.
Message...
I love you.
I miss you.
I want the best for you.
I want to hear from you.
Love,
Signed... (you know who I am).

Explanation
I was actually saying that the MESSAGE is from me, but I wear various hats. I am a husband, a father, a grandfather, an in-law, uncle, cousin, nephew, pastor, friend. So, the message was for someone who would call me by one of those titles.

The message is open, but the relationship is private. This virtual MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE was directed to someone I love, someone I miss, someone I want to hear from.

They may or may not realize it is them, but that is the way it goes with messages in bottles. Sometimes they are discovered and sometimes they just drift in the currents of life or wash up on a deserted island.

My MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE is impersonal, in that it does not say anything specific, or implicate a certain person. It is really very general.... except for the person who finds it washed up on their beach. Hopefully they will hear the depth of concern and respond.

Maybe a "MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE" is not a bad way to send out our love to people. You may say, "Why not just tell them?" Well, we do tell them, but for various reasons, they don't always get the message. Just like a message in a bottle, it is like a desperate, maybe final, attempt to reach someone.

12/22/23 HE WILL FILL YOU

12/22/23 HE WILL FILL YOU

Dig deeply.
Drink deeply.
Live deeply.

People have as much of God as they want.
This is why they have as little of Him as they do.

Matthew 5:6
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Consider these verses...
Psalms 42:1-2
1 ... As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
Psalms 84:2
2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
Psalms 107:8-9
8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
John 4:14
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
God gives the believer everything necessary for life and godliness.

If you lack the presence, the power, the purity of the Holy Spirit that you want and need in you life, it is because you either have not asked, or you have not asked in faith, or you have wanted Hm in your life for the wrong reasons.

12/20/23 UNDERSTAND THE INTEGRITY OF THE BIBLE

12/20/23 UNDERSTAND THE INTEGRITY OF THE BIBLE

What should be our reason for believing doctrines in the Bible?

Our belief should not be based on what we want to believe or disbelieve.
Our belief should not be based on what is popularly believed.
Our belief should not be based on human argumentation.
Our belief should be based on what the Bible says, and what it says consistently with itself, and what is consistent with the nature of the God of the Bible.

It should be based on what the words say and what they mean in the passages.
It should be based on the language of the Bible.
It should be based on the historical and cultural records of the day in which it was written.
It should be based on the immediate context as well as the broader context of the Bible.

Simply stated, we should base our beliefs on the Bible, based on what God said, rather than what men say that God said and it should be based on what God meant rather than what men say God meant, which means we need to know the word, understand the word and have a right relationship with God.

Our faith and faithfulness concerning the Bible should be based on pleasing God rather than pleasing personal preferences, or pleasing a system of beliefs, or pleasing a popular view of the Bible.

The Bible is not an accumulation of worldly wisdom or moral precepts or religious observations.
The Bible is God's word, given to us in order to reveal the true and living God and show us the steps in being reconciled with Him.
It is God's message and it is not left up to any private or corporate interpretation.
It is what God intended for it to be and it is to be understood in the way God intended us to understand it.

The Bible is God's revelation.
God taught it to His messengers.
God has preserved it.
God communicates His word to His people by His Spirit.

Since the Bible is a spiritual revelation from the Spirit of God, we must seek God with the whole heart, mind and strength.

If a teaching does not agree with the basic message of the Holy Bible...
If the teaching does not agree with the nature of the God of the Bible...
If the teaching does not lead us to walk in loving, faithful obedience to Christ...
Then the the teaching is not the teaching of the Bible.

12/20/23 DO NOT BE DECEIVED

12/20/23 DO NOT BE DECEIVED

Deliverance from sin and sinning is the miraculous work of God's salvation.
Deliverance from sin and sinning is the reason the Father sent the Son.
Deliverance from sin and sinning is the reason Jesus came, lived, died and rose again.
Deliverance from sin and sinning is the reason Jesus sent His Holy Spirit.
Deliverance from sin and sinning is the reason God gave us His word.

Living in righteousness is not self salvation, or self adoration or self promotion, anymore than being washed in the blood of Christ is self oriented.
Living in sin is self serving and self honoring at the expense of the great God Who has given us everything needed for life and godliness.

As God's word points out, Jesus gave Himself to redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto Himself a distinctive people, zealous of good works; God cleanses our hands and purifies our hearts; we are not only alive to God, but we are dead to sin.

Make your decisions about victory over sin and sinning, based on what God says in His word.

Don't make your decisions based on your own experience.
Don't make your decisions based on another person's experiences.

If God does not provide, command, enable believers with victory over all sin at all times, then how much sin does He save us from?
How much sin does He allow?
How many sins does it take to separate from God?
If you break one of God's commands, how many commands have you broken?

Should a murderer expect to give up most murder after he gets saved?
Should a wife beater only beat his wife occasionally after he gets saved.
Should a philandering husband or wife be mostly faithful to their marriage or completely faithful after salvation?
Should a thief only steal from rich people after he gets saved?
Should a pedophile only violate a few children after he gets saved?
Should a liar only be expected to tell the truth most of the time after he gets saved?

Is God's command to not sin, unclear?
Is God's atonement not sufficient to cleanse from all sin?
Is God's power not able to deliver from temptation?
Is God's will not to conform us to the image of His Son?
Is God's leading unable to lead us, "not into temptation" or is it unable to, "deliver us from the evil one?"
Is God lying when He says that His children do not walk in darkness, when He says that they do not sin?
Is God in error when He says that those who love Him will keep His commandments, and when He says, love is the fulfilling of the law?
Is God mistaken when He say that the person who commits sin is of the devil?
Is God wrong when He says that those who do righteousness are righteous, even as God is righteous?

There is a very evil belief being promoted by a multitude of popular false prophets today, which says God saves us from the penalty of sin, in this life, but not from sin, its pollution, its power, its domain, its deception or from the life of sin and sinning. You may come up with that false belief by listening to errant teachers and misinterpreted Scriptures, but you won't find it clearly taught in the Holy Bible. A salvation that does not save from sin and sinning is not salvation. A savior that does not save from sin and sinning is not a Savior.

We live in a day of woke and broke Christianity. If Satan cannot get people to reject and resist true salvation though one of his schemes, he will resort to other tactics. Don't fall for his lies.

12/20/23 BEWARE THE IMITATIONS

12/20/23 BEWARE THE IMITATIONS

I don't care how anyone "shows" you Scripture, which seems to require, allow or supposedly cover unrepented sin...
if they are saying you cannot be delivered from the penalty, the power and the pollution of sin in this present evil world;
if they are saying that you cannot be cleansed from all sin in this present evil world;
if they are saying you cannot resist temptation;
if they are saying you cannot walk in the Spirit, walk in the light, walk in truth, walk in obedience to God;
if they are saying you cannot be pure, even as Christ is pure;
if they are saying you cannot be perfect in love, as our Heavenly Father is perfect in love;
if they are saying you cannot keep God's commandments and you cannot do that which is pleasing in God's sight;
if they are saying God does not cause us to always triumph in Christ;
if they are saying that you cannot overcome the world, overcome evil with good, overcome the pollutions of the world, overcome the wicked one, overcome evil spirits;
if they are saying that you cannot be more than a conqueror through Christ;
if they are saying that Jesus does not save us to the uttermost in this present evil world...
then they are not only not telling you the whole truth, they are robbing you of the whole truth.

Read the Holy Bible without blinders; follow the Spirit's leading without reservation; die to self, the world, sin; cast off the Old Man. If you are "trusting" in God to save you, without you trusting God to deliver, cleans, empower, guide you into all truth, then you are trusting in a false savior, a false gospel and a false spirit.

I am inviting you to walk in the liberty of the Spirit filled life.
God sets us free from sin.
It is not a work's salvation, it is a salvation that works.

12/20/23 BEING THERE FOR ONE ANOTHER

12/20/23 BEING THERE FOR ONE ANOTHER

I have a reason for this post, beyond it being a personal update.

I have enjoyed good health for about ten months. For a few months prior to that I went through some major health issues, which required hospitalization, continued therapy, medication and help from fellow church folks, without which Martha and I would have been even further burdened. Martha (as always) has managed my care, my medication, my diet, my environment and has been my constant encourager, making my health and well being flourish. In spite of my physical ailments last year, I have enjoyed some of the best health I have had for many years. Not that I have received my glorified body, but my breathing and mobility has been nothing short of miraculous.

Recently, with the regional spread of various "bugs," I have contracted something that has slowed me down considerably. Even Martha (who never gets sick) has been touched by this recent outbreak.

Actually, my whole family (at least locally) and my parishioners have gone through more and varied health problems this past year than we have typically faced through the years. From my communications with other folks, I don't think this is unusual in these days.

The Bible tells us that not all physical ailments are related to a person's spiritual condition. As we see in the life of Job, sometimes the righteous suffer and in fact, physical trial can be the avenue through which God receives glory and sends His blessing.

This life is full of testing and trial.
It is not whether we will be tested, but rather, how we will respond to God's testing. Sometimes our testing is God's reaching out to us, when we don't respond to His kindness. The Bible teaches us that God wants to draw people to Himself through His love, kindness, blessings, but if we refuse to submit to Him, He will use troubles and trials to drive us to repentance.

Hardship or suffering can cause some people to become reflective, compassionate. It is too bad that God has to use the bad stuff in life to get the attention of some folks. What makes it really sad is that most of the time, the people who turn to God and godliness during times of difficulty often return to their old attitudes and actions once their circumstances change. They are "fair weather followers."

I have always found it better to be drawn by God's expressed goodness than driven by God's displeasure.
Through sicknesses it becomes evident, "when one part hurts, the whole body hurts." When the foot hurts, the whole body suffers. When the breathing is difficult, the whole system is oppressed. When the heart, the vision, the digestion is impaired the whole life is impacted. Even the seemingly minor issues of health can cripple an entire life.

This is why we should work toward good health at an early age. Once you get older, your health recovery is no longer the same.
This is why we should pay attention to the messages sent by our body, through symptoms, discomfort, weaknesses.
This is why we should be getting good input from others concerning diet, exercise, habits, lifestyle.
This is why it is good to realize that we are a psycho-physical totality.
When one part hurts, the rest of our self suffers as well.
This is why we should take action early, when we realize a physical problem.

It is better to avoid the problem, when we can, than to solve the problem.
It is better to correct the problem than to ignore the problem.

I know that what I am saying is common sense advice, and I hope it will be an encouragement for someone who is facing health problems.

BUT THAT WAS NOT MY MAIN INTENT.

The principles of a healthy and sound body, which I have addressed in this post also apply to our own spiritual health as well as our corporate "body life."

God has deliberately placed us in a family setting. (Sadly, some families are more toxic than curative). God also places believers in a local family of believers (a local church), which can and should afford the help, encouragement, instruction and support necessary for health (spiritual, relational and personal), growth and success in the Christian life.
It is true that folks can live with bad habits, poor diet, sedentary, self pleasing lifestyles, but that does not mean it is will pay off ultimately and it does not mean that the individual has no responsibility or accountability for living a selfish life. The selfish person is robbing self, family, friends, God and the work God wants them to do. This is especially true concerning our spiritual lives.

We "get away" with a lot for a while, but ultimately we either receive the Divine windfall or we reap the whirlwind.

I have taken my "job," as a husband, father, pastor seriously.
Colossians 1:27-29
27 ...Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

My heart breaks whenever anyone refuses to submit to God's word. God's word is not a suggestion, it is His revelation.
It is not simply a good way, it is the only way.
It is not just better life, it is life.
God's will is purity of heart, unity of mind, singleness of purpose.

Holiness is not a "rules and regulation form of life", holiness is loving God with the whole heart and loving our neighbor as we love ourselves.
Holiness is love and love is the fulfilling of the law.
Love is the more excellent way.
This is what God desires for our families.
This is what God desires for His family.

When one part hurts, the whole body hurts.
When one part is broken, the whole body struggles and limps.

We sometimes see a person in terrible physical condition, but they are high on drugs, thinking they are strong and healthy.
We sometimes see folks in terrible spiritual condition, but they are high on self praise, self love, busyness, religious activity, erroneously thinking they are spiritually strong and healthy.

Most of us have seen loved ones who chose to live an unhealthy lifestyle, but they refused to heed warnings or accept counsel. We watch as the "train wreck" is taking place before our very eyes. This is true whether it is physical health, relational health, mental health, emotional health or spiritual health.

As I pointed out at the beginning; our health changes. We need help in dealing with our challenges. Though we cannot always heal or solve physical maladies, we can always be victorious over spiritual trial. It requires personal commitment to sound principles and a right relationship with the rest of your body.

12/19/23 A MOST MEMORABLE CHRISTMAS

12/19/23 A MOST MEMORABLE CHRISTMAS

I have mentioned this before...

But first let me set the stage.
I like old movies. Sometimes I even enjoy musicals. And, yes, I watch some Hallmark Movies and some Hallmark Christmas movies. I like stories with meaning and happy endings.

I realize that there is seldom a theatrical production about Christmas that actually addresses the true meaning of Christmas. Mostly the focus is on family, children, love, restoration, overcoming obstacles and the triumph of the human spirit in the face of tragedy, and all without Jesus. But what do you expect from the unregenerate?

Now, to the reason for this post...
I have mentioned this before. One of my favorite Christmas memories happened about nineteen years ago.
I was pastor in Tennessee at the time. I also was serving as Chaplain in the Transport for Christ Ministry (a 24/7 ministry to OTR truckers, located in truck stops across the country). I served two to three days a week at one of the busiest truck stops in the nation. There was an OTR trailer converted into a Chapel. Usually I would go into Knoxville on Thursday and return home for services on Sunday, however, I would rearrange my schedule to relieve fellow ministers, when there was a holiday (such as Christmas). I ministered to the truck stop workers, the travelers, the transients and of course to the truck drivers. I would hand out tracks, counsel, teach, answer questions, witness and evangelize.

It was a wonderful ministry. I had some wonderful co-workers, a great truck stop staff, met some really fine people, and some really needy people as well. We gave material assistance as well as spiritual ministry.

The Chapel had a small sleeping quarters and a larger meeting room. I have always been quick to wake up and when someone would come into the Chapel in the wee hours of the morning I would get up and minister to them.

One Christmas Eve I was on duty. My wife Martha and our daughter Joanna (who was single and still living at home) went with me. We visited with some of the truck stop staff, shared with some of the truckers and then we went to the truck stop restaurant for supper. Joanna had her guitar, so Martha, Joanna and I went table to table singing Christmas songs to the Christmas travelers, taking requests and wishing them a Merry Christmas. You could see the joy and appreciation on their faces. It really was a Hallmark moment. It was special beyond words.

Sadly while we were there, one of the truck stop personnel approached some folks at a table. The message they brought was heart breaking. A loved one had just had an automobile accident. (I believe their loved one was killed). I went over and talked with them and had prayer.

I have often prayed that our presence that night helped those folks look to Christ.

Sometimes Hallmark moments come and go. The only real hope for a good ending to a story is when people are surrendered to Jesus.

I know there will be many this season who are a million miles away from loved ones, even if they just live around the corner.

See, the reason for the season is reconciliation and living a life of love.

Without the essentials of salvation, it is just an empty, hopeless time of a passing celebration. The true meaning of Christmas is not the tinsel and paper or parties and packages. It is the presence of Jesus in a surrendered life.

People can be just around the corner, but still be millions of miles away. But in Christ, there is no separation. There is love, there is continuity, there is peace on earth and good will to men.

There is no Christmas without Christ. He must be at the center of our celebration, but more importantly He must be at the center of our relationships and of our own life.

12/19/23 DASH CAM

12/19/23 DASH CAM

A quick Dash Cam message. I hope it blesses you.

12/19/23 I NEED HIM ALL THE TIME

12/19/23 I NEED HIM ALL THE TIME

You do know the chorus, "It's me, it's me oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer... Not my brother nor my sister, but it's me oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer."

Realizing this truth can close the door on so many problems and open the door to so many blessings and opportunities. In fact, if we don't realize this truth we open the door to problems and shut the door to blessings and opportunities.
I think of the song, "I need Thee every hour..." and I add, every minute, every second, every millisecond (one thousandth of a second), every microsecond (one millionth of a second), every nanosecond (one billionth of a second), every zeptosecond (one trillionth of a billionth of a second) and beyond and forever. A zeptosecond is one trillionth of a billionth of a second. (Think about it. Break a second of time into one billion parts, then take one of those billionth parts and divide it into a trillion parts). We need Him, yes we need Him. He is life. It is by Him that all things consist. He upholds, maintains gives existence to all things.

When we realize how much we need Him, we will be less inclined to look for the fault and flaws in other people.
I need Him.
I need His life.
I need His support.
And, I need Him all the time.