Saturday, November 30, 2013
People still need to hear about the simple meaning of Calvary's Cross.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Giving Thanks Oughta Be An All-year Thang. Expressing Gratitude Has Never Ever Been A Time-Waster For Anyone!
It certainly does. The Israelites way back in the day offered pure worship to the only God existing through a series of five different offerings: 1.) The burnt offering, 2.) The grain offering, 3.) The peace offering, 4.) The sin offering, and 5.) The trespass offering.
The meaning of the burnt offering was the full consecration of one's self or person to God, and the grain offering was all about the dedication level of one's service as unto God.
The peace offering is my very favorite of em all; it's the celebration of true salvation. Like our Thanksgiving holiday, the people gathered together to rejoice and share a meal with fellowship. They brought a portion of it as a sacrifice, and a portion of it went to the priest. The rest of it they took with them home, they cooked it up, and then had friends and family members over to their homes to thank the Lord for what He had done for them.
"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever" (Psalm 107:1 niv).
"O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods" (Psalm 95:1-6).
"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations" (Psalm 100 kjv).
Listen, the greatest thing among other good things that we have to be thankful for is Jesus Christ and all that He said and what He did for us in shedding His blood on the Cross at Calvary ..for our sins. All of history is His story and pivots on that great Event. We've all blown it here, but God came here to pay for all that and we just need to sincerely repent and receive Him by faith. We do this here, and right now is a really good time to get right.. before we get left.
"A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues." ~ Cicero
"We would worry less if we praised more. Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction." ~ Harry Ironside
"Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many--not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some." ~ Charles Dickens
Saturday, November 23, 2013
In the middle of the press, stress, and mess.. you can either worry or worship. You can either tremble and tribulate or give thanks to God who always triumphs. Hey, go with the later cuz it's always time for Thanksgiving and Jesus is so worthy!
It's just kind of interesting to watch..it's very interesting to me how our western uber-commercialized culture has pretty much been hijacked now. Halloween and Christmas (top money makers) have now become so big and seemed to have shoved all the other holidays aside. Think about it, some of our less celebrated holidays really aren't bad.
What are the people of our culture starting to do ..with consumers in mind...more and more these days? They are starting to open up their stores really, Really REALY EARLY ..now on Thanksgiving Day. It's for us.
Christian, please don't lose sight of God during the holidays.. especially at Thanksgiving time. At this time when we are hearing Peace, Peace, when our economy is still in the trashcan, and when Israel (our closest Ally) stands to defend itself all alone...at this time when Iran, who doesn't even see them as even humans that need to live, keeps on building their nuclear weapons, let's still give thanks to a peace-loving God even ahead of giving thanks to all those other persons that really deserve to hear "thanks from you." He deserves it and your worship far more!
Hey, if you like your Salvation you can keep your Salvation. PERIOD. Sure you can! Wait Kurt, you're just talking cryptically and political now and that's not allowed! Not so much, I am for all no matter the label - listen to my heart. I'm talking about how easy it is for any of us to become gullible or disillusioned and then disappointed, or even lose hope. Don't lose or missplace your hope - real hope is to be had. We have a living Hope that we can be so thankful for! Families have so much stress now, some I know of have already opted out perminently. Don't do that. Have the right God and your eyes glued on Him. You know that both sides here (conservative Repubs or left leaning Dems - God loves and is for all people - He wants us to obey and be blessed) or any side in any nation politically and in other arenas can and already have repeatedly been let down hard, but we can give thanks during this season or in any season because our God never will. He will never ever lie to us even when people and leaders from different persuasions keep doing that. We've each got to place our full trust in the trustworthy One - in the Lord, and not in any flawed man. I thank you Lord for not deceiving us even one time, or leading us astray one time. Period. You are so faithful. Please touch and minister to the one reading this - please provide for them. Let them not be afraid or ashamed for You are so able and greater than all the rest. Help us each to learn from this situation we face and not be foolish, uninformed or gulible to the hurt of others! In Jesus' Name. Thanks. Amen.
And let me ask you this question? Would your close friends say that you look like you've missed a whole lot of meals or like you've been out shivering in the cold a long time? My point? Because of God's mercies we are not consumed. We all still have a lot to be thankful for no matter where we live. God is with us, He loves us, He hears our prayers, His timing is perfect, and He has a good plan for His kids ..regardless of what their leader's choices or circumstances have been.. in spite of what others have said or done.
Things can really get bad..even worse than they have been.. even in your nation (whichever one it is), but why should we forget the Lord who still blesses us and nations..daily? You know how easy it is for money-grubbing false teachers that want to say things to get you to better dig down deep to send them your love offerings. Help us be different, Lord! Make is so we never want to be like that, cuz only You know what's ahead for us. We know one thing for sure, Bible prophecy will be fulfilled ..as it has accurately been happening thus far. In fact, I think this is what we are seeing happen before our very eyes even lately. Are you ready for all that, or do you still need to get ready now? Please don't put it off.
Now, if the Lord ceases to be good ..anywhere.. then I suppose you can cease to give thanks. But since that will never happen, and since He has been good to you in the past, and since Scripture is commanding you and me to give thanks always.. let's not stop thanking, and praising, and all-out worshipping Him.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
They are feelin' bored while cyber-loiterering, but we can engage them in love.
Got some questions. Does anyone know the current count dealing with the approximate number of websites out there in cyberspace (..or how to find it since no company or human is in charge of the www)? Does anyone know how many new sites are created each new day? From some basic observations in doing my own cyber-loitering lately, it would seem like people really want to be heard today (Hey, who wants to be ignored, right?), They hunger for information and to learn. Some people feel a need for attention; others feel bored ..or lonely. Some are wanting to generate more income during these financially volatile and perplexing times as we all watch the Stock Market aggressively roller coaster like never before. Yes, many are looking for new prospects, sales leads and customers to keep their doors open.
It seems like many strongly desire to get their message out there.. of saving the environment, or their message of some kind of faith, or of a company's new widget, product, and unique vision or promise of what they each can do for you. They want to send the message out far and wide ..fast—they want to influence people into action or hopefully ..positively help the hurting in different ways.
Some might feel the need to simply "create" and others want to "go on record" with what they really believe in. Yup, "go on the record" with the hard cold facts just like Greta Van Susteran at Fox Newstries to do. Some parents I know want to go long-term on the record ..for maybe their offspring's or grand kid's sake ...in case the next generation might want to go check it out later and be helped.
Many relatives simply want to stay in touch with their family members and close friends who now live far away. There are so many relocating for employment these days, and that is hard to adapt to with all the goodbyes and rending of close relationships.
In spite of all the dangers out there on the web, I do praise God for it being there, and for all the other tools that are now available to Christians for building up His Church and relationships with.
It appears that there are literally tens of millions of decent and worthless voices now—coming from both the darkness of the night and from the bright light of day (two unseen worlds are colliding in a fierce battle for the minds and souls of individuals worldwide)—yes, even out there on the Internet these days. They are clamoring, striving, and calling out to you to come join them asap! But our real desire is that they would all join Him asap, before it is literally too late!
With all the Blogs, popular Digg articles, business and social networks and micro-messaging services like Twitter, instant messaging services, email, wikis, forums …and dozens of other new technologies that I certainly haven't yet heard much about... we all (Christian, Buddhist, Mormon, Jewish, Muslim folk etc) now have an unprecedented ability to communicate and to be heard. So, are we just going to sit around on our blessed assurance and say nothing? Why let the cults beat us to their minds?
Personally, I want to know the Lord and understand His absolute unchanging truth so much better . I don't pray for, fast, study the Bible, or witness to people as much as my flesh wants me to make people think that I do. I have a ways to go, but Christ is helping me die to the lesser things. I also want to better understand the needs of others coming from all different backgrounds.
But with all those million of voices crying out daily (many of which really have nothin' to say ..that will help anyone), think about it, they are scrapping, scratching, and clamoring for your full attention ..even if it's just for a minute or two.
They are looking for your friendship, for love, for readership (and I too have given in as of late on Blogger… even though I thought I would never make the plunge. I joined in with that vast Blogisphereuniverse of thought-mixing …sorry if I've ever overwhelmed you, but I'm still trying to get the hang of this thing).
But there are some decent tools that Jesus wants us Christians using in fishing for souls as we keep the main thing the main thing—closely knowing and following Him, the Chief Fisher of men. I really can't tell you what tools He would have you use, but He can.
Nets are for casting and for fishing, not decorating and for dust. Bait is for luring and attracting not for munching on as an afternoon snack. Hooks are for lowering and for setting, not for weapons in fighting other fishermen! Sinners are for loving and for winning, not for you to reform or control. You are for Christ in His enterprise and not for yourself or dead religion! —kVs
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...the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me. —Acts 26:17,18
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Mass crusades, to which I have committed my life, will never finish the job, but the one to one will.
—Billy Graham
Don't be all wimpy and embarrassed to fish for souls quoting Bible verses ..I mean when the timing is right! God's Word is so beautiful, but too many emergent Christians falsely believe this is beyond pious and goes into ugly religiosity. Hey, your own words and opinions won't change lives and neither will mine. While some Christians get all caught up in "charismania" (and I don't mean authentic charisma here)--you know what I'm talking about. They get all distracted and hyper-focused on signs, wonders, dreams, quaking, jerking, gold dust etc ..and again, I'm not against real miracles at all.. you and I want to keep our priorities in order! Remember, there is zero spiritual growth for anyone apart from the Word of God! Lock you eyes on the Word of God and brag on Him more than anything!
It's very late in the day if you will, and we must utilize every tool at our disposal to get the Gospel message out.
Bloggers, Twitter-ers, social net-workers etc; I double dog dare you to spend some time with your face in the Bible and your knees in the high low carpet. Breakaway from your desktop or laptop puter, steal away from the groups pulling on you. Go get alone with your best Friend daily, with your first-love, and pray for those you befriended on that fios-friendly Mac or PC. Never stoop to worship your puter, games, Xbox no, no; but get your physical person and your family to a healthy Bible teaching church each week and then use your gifts there as well.
At home, I dare you to boldly inspire individuals, to fish for people, to equip them by lovingly pouring into their lives through sowing good seeds of Bible-loyal thought. God can make you a fisher of all kinds of people worldwide ..one-on-one, and one-on-more-than-one.. in your own neighborhood, in school, at home.. while Texting, while Superpoking and promptly responding to unbelievers in Facebook. Be there for them. Some will want your prayers regarding all that is bugging them.
Why not? Evangelistic fishing is edifying and takes more guts--it's far more thrilling than fighting in all Halo, Xbox and WoW (World of Warcraft) games put together. So draw in the fishing line for a catch ..if you will. God can use you! Close the deal with your relatives and friends in those chat rooms when you can. Believe for them to get hooked on the spot ..by Christ. They don't call it the "net" for nothin'!
Shouldn't life's experiential skill acquisition etc be in more than just the cyber-arena? Do you still get out there and live life where the people are livin' it? You know that isolation is bad for you, but real life can also pass you right on by in a sense ..while you're too busy "socializing" online. #PeopleRMoreImportantThanTools #applyselfcontrol
Heard it said that in this day of tech and networking if you wait 'til you "need it" to start building some #social equity.. it's already too late. Privacy, appropriate margin, relational space, and tranparency are all good. Life-balance, wisely impacting, positively influencing others ..are so excellent. Shouldn't real life happen both outside and inside your cyber-situation? Sure, and perhaps we can take the later with..into the former and the former into the later? #etiquette
"It's ironic that the best and worst thing about #socialmedia are the same thing — the fact that we are always connected." ~ R. Zuckerberg
See 4|42luke, 5|16luke, and 1|35mark
Sunday, November 17, 2013
If I really push for what I want..I might get it, but what if it's bad for me? "And He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul." Ps. 106:15
Right now I'm thinkin' about how easy it is for any of us to get movin' uber-quickly through life with all its cyber-noise, polished Madison Ave ad campaigns, and loud audio dash visual distractions flyin' at us. If we let it distract us and go after all that the world wants us to go after, then we would literally leave our souls behind.
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isa. 40:31 "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." Psalm 27:14 "Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it." Ps. 37:34 "Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee." Proverbs 20:22
Facin' somethin' semi or not so semi big?
He is greater than all, His timing is perfect, and He has a strong reserve already ready for you. "As thy weeks," "as thy months," "as thy years," and "as thy decades," so shall God's strength be when you call out to Him. So keep seeking him, and keep calling out to God through Christ. He loves you so much and wants us rejoicing. Just appropriate what you need through prayer and biblical faith in Jesus.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
"For I am a stranger with You, a sojourner, as all my fathers were." —Psalm 39:12
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Ever once loved ..and then really felt it when you so quickly lost?
"keep your eyes wide open before the wedding and then your eyes half shut after the wedding." ~ ben franklin
He alone is sovereign, when you are not.
His divine providence is so there even when it seems like it's gone on a long vacation.
He's very much alive. with you. risen. our caring Savior and Redeemer.
He's our Deliverer, the master Builder, our true Comforter.
and... we have the privilege to run the Race that He sets out before us.
i'm running in it to win. join me.
"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable." ~ C.S. Lewis
always remember that...Jesus reigns without rival. He alone is our rest.