National Day of Prayer

I Thessalonians 5:17
"Pray without ceasing."

We are way beyond moral decline; it seems that we don't even bat an eye at the depraved & degenerate actions of men & women around this Nation, whether on tv, the internet or the newspaper. Our economy has been under turmoil as a result of dangerous liberal ideas that place us at the mercy of the money-lenders (Prov. 22:7). The United States military is hamstrung by politicians & diplomats whose idea of compromise reeks of spinelessness. As a Nation, we can't even support Israel in the Middle East conflict. And then there's the ever-increasing assaults against our religious liberty and the Constitution. Finally, there are the thousands of unborn children who are murdered because of the blood-thirsty, godless feminist movement whose de facto headquarters are found in places such as Planned Parenthood.

In times like these, we need a Saviour. In times like these we need the Holy Bible. We need Jesus Christ to return to public & civic life in America. It begins with us Christians. It begins with prayer. And continues with prayer.

Dear, Christian, please continue to pray and beg God for mercy. Stand in the gap and pray without ceasing. Especially pray for the unborn. Pray for the Lord to open the eyes of the women who are making decisions to kill their babies, that they repent from their decision. Also pray for the men and others who are pushing these women to make a decision that they'll have to live with the rest of their lives.

The video below presents incredible in utero images of the miracle of life. No one but no one can deny that life begins at conception. You literally have to look the other way, intellectually speaking, to consider this child "tissue" or a "fetus". The video was made in 2011 or thereabouts and was shown as part of the Sanctity of Life week.

How can you be more involved? Here's How!

It's the End of the World (And I Feel Fine)

Matthew 24:36

"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."

When I come across articles like the one I'm about to post and when I hear the water cooler talk about the end of the world, I am not taken aback by the ignorance of the statements made. What makes the entire conversation cock my head is the attitude about the end of the world. It's not concern or worry or fear. The most prevalent attitude associated with the end-of-the-world talk is apathy. People seem not to care about the ending.

You would think that if people were really worried or scared that they would begin their preparations to get their affairs in order. Alas, people don't believe what they hear or read. And those who do tend to wait anxiously but do nothing to prepare leading up to that dreaded day.

Sigh. What's a Christian to do?

Here's the article, which I edited and shortened for brevity's sake. If you want to read the entire thing, click here: One in 7 Think the World Is Going to End This Year.

A woman raises her arms to receive energy from the sun at the Mayan pyramid El Castillo (The Castle), in Chichen Itza, in the southern state of Yucatan, Mexico March 21, 2009.

Credit: Reuters/Argely Salazar

(Reuters) - - Nearly 15 percent of people worldwide believe the world will end during their lifetime and 10 percent think the Mayan calendar could signify it will happen in 2012, according to a new poll. The end of the Mayan calendar, which spans about 5,125 years, on December 21, 2012 has sparked interpretations and suggestions that it marks the end of the world.

"Whether they think it will come to an end through the hands of God, or a natural disaster or a political event, whatever the reason, one in seven thinks the end of the world is coming," said Keren Gottfried, research manager at Ipsos Global Public Affairs which conducted the poll for Reuters.

Responses to the international poll of 16,262 people in more than 20 countries varied widely.

• Only six percent of French residents believe in an impending Armageddon in their lifetime,
• Twenty-two percent in Turkey and the United States believe it's all going to go down soon.
• Only seven percent in Belgium and eight percent in Great Britain feared an end to the world during their lives.
• About one in 10 people globally also said they were experiencing fear or anxiety about the impending end of the world in 2012. The greatest numbers were in Russia and Poland; the fewest in Great Britain.

Gottfried also said that people with lower education or household income levels, as well as those under 35 years old, were more likely to believe in an apocalypse during their lifetime or in 2012, or have anxiety over the prospect.

(Reporting by Chris Michaud; editing by Patricia Reaney)

Dear Reader, the last sentence would be quite hilarious if the subject matter weren't so serious. It's not a question of education, erudition, income or any other factor. The fact of the matter is that people are blinded by the world thanks to Satan, who is the god of this world. Look here -

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."   II Corinthians 4:4

Spiritual blindness is a terrible thing. To be in the dark about spiritual matters leads only in one direction - to hell (Matt. 7:13-14). Don't you know, Sir, that in order to see the kingdom of God you must be born again? Jesus Christ said so in John 3. Read the entire chapter and see for yourself that the Lord makes it clear how you can see everything happening in the world from His perspective.

Once you're saved, you'll be able to see world events with His point of view through a daily diet of Bible study. And these so called chicken littles who cry, 'The sky is falling!' will not cause you to pace fretfully to and fro like a chicken with its head cut off.

Ponder this truth, Reader: Sooner or later, all unrepentant sinners will be mourners. They shall see Christ whom they have pierced, and, though they laugh now, shall mourn and weep in endless horror and despair. They shall gnash their, but to no avail. It will have been too, too late. Hebrews 9:27 sums up the warning starkly: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"

Don't be one of the chicken littles. They don't know what they're clucking about. I will tell you another truth: The world will end, but not like they tell it, but according to God's word.

Settle the matter with God now. Today is the day of salvation. Read further here: The Plan of Salvation

Marvelous message we bring;
Glorious carol we sing,
Wonderful word of the King:
Jesus is coming again!

Coming again, coming again!
Maybe morning, maybe noon,
Maybe evening and Maybe soon!
Coming again, coming again!
O what a wonderful day it will be—
Jesus is coming again!

The Omen of the Christian Parasite

I Corinthian 12:25-26

"That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it."

There's a saying that goes something like this: “Don’t shoot a coyote in the summer."

Its meaning is quite clear. That even though it's dead, its carcass is still alive with movement because of the ticks that cover it from head to tail. And reproduce they will because of an available host and a warm environment in which to carry out its propagation. Can you imagine that, Reader? A dead varmint with ticks crawling all over the body, looking for places to suck out the last remaining source of nutrients from the blood?

These parasites survive by sucking just enough nutrition out of their hosts to flourish and procreate, yet not killing the source of all their free meals. Consider this phenomenon as nature's welfare program (Ah, but that's another sermon in itself!).

This is a good object lesson for us, how sin will suck the life out of you & me. Plus, you often can’t see the parasites of sin without the mirror of God’s Word (Heb. 4:12).

What I want to focus on today is the Christian parasite. I know, it's almost an oxymoron, the words being quite opposite in meaning. That is to say, the Christian should be a giving person; so, to say that he or she is a parasite - one who feeds off others - is a striking contrast. Instead of giving, the Christian is taking.

Read verse 7 of the same chapter of I Corinthians: "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal."

Thus, if you're a born again Christian, you have been given a gift, which is, in part, the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, prophecy (which means preaching God's word and not looking into the future), and so forth (vv. 8-10).

To what purpose do these gifts pertain? Read verse seven again and you'll see that the gifts are intended not just for private edification, but for the good of the church. In turn, the community benefits from a church that is obedient to God's word and in harmony with one another in labor (I Corinthians 14:26).

For further demonstration of this thought of edification, look at these verses -

1. Built up for work: "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:"   Eph. 4:12

2. Built up with knowledge: "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;"   Eph. 4:14

3. Built up by love: "From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."   Eph. 4:16

Let me put it to you this way, Christian: By being in the church and not being involved in a ministry (because - as you have read - you've been given a gift), you are taking instead of giving, much like a parasite. Don't you see that parasites don't give, but suck the life out of those around him or her?

By the way:

* Giving money to TBN is not a ministry.

* Sponsoring a child from a 3rd world country, although admirable, is not a ministry.

* Emailing chain letters that promise blessings if you send them to 10 people is not a ministry.

* Copying & pasting devotionals you chance upon the internet and then emailing them to family  and friends whom you believe need to read them is not a ministry.

* Studying the Bible at home and not sharing God's wonderful treasure with others is not a ministry; indeed, it is a SIN ! Read James 4:17 for further conviction.

You will be judged at the Bema Seat of Christ (II Cor. 5:10) for your Christian service, or lack thereof. To delineate this thought further, consider I Cor. 3:12-15,

"Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."

In verses 8-9 of I Corinthians 3, Paul gives the context of this judgment: It is based on man laboring with God, who shall give each man his own reward according to his own labour.

Dear Christian, do you really want to remain uninvolved and have this charged to your account? Truly, you shall reap what you sow, my friend (Gal. 6:7)!

So, stop sitting on your blessed assurance and get involved in your church. Duty calls for it and grace allows for it!

Before you can serve, you must be saved! How Can I Be Saved?

There is joy in serving Jesus
As I journey on my way
Joy that fills my heart with praises
Every hour and every day

There is joy, joy, joy in serving Jesus
Joy that throbs within my heart
Every moment, every hour
As I draw upon His power
There is joy, joy, joy that never shall depart

There is joy in serving Jesus
Joy amid the darkest night
For I've learned the wondrous secret
And I'm walking in the light

There is joy, joy, joy in serving Jesus
Joy that throbs within my heart
Every moment, every hour
As I draw upon His power
There is joy, joy, joy that never shall depart

The Scions of Belial

II Samuel 23:6

"But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:"

The etymology of the word belial is uncertain, but is most commonly translated from the Hebrew as "lacking worth". Other translations include "worthless" and "yokeless". The latter translation suggests being unrestrained. In short, worthless and wicked.

Here's something I want you to consider about this group of people who claim to have the interest of the American people at heart. From various news sources, the report is that the Occupy Wall Street (aka, "Occupiers" or OWS) group is planning to disrupt commerce, trade and other civic functions on May 1st. Please read ahead:

"On Tuesday, May 1, the Occupy movement will attempt to bring 125 U.S. cities to a standstill in commemoration of International Workers Day. The Occupy Wall Street movement is orchestrating what its supporters hope will be a nationwide general strike with students, workers and everyone who is an employee skipping work. May Day protests may disrupt the morning commute in major U.S. cities Tuesday as labor, immigration and Occupy activists rally support on the international workers' holiday. Demonstrations, strikes and acts of civil disobedience are being planned around the country, including the most visible organizing effort by anti-Wall Street groups since Occupy encampments came down in the fall."

"[OWS] is just as anti-capitalist as ever and, according to pollster Doug Scheon, has only become more radical since protests shut down in December. More importantly, a significant percentage of Occupiers admit to having used violence in their past protests and remain open to doing so again."

The OWS crowd does not have anything in common with the true majority in this nation. They are a select minority, fringe element whose thinking, philosophy and actions are outside of mainstream America. And yet, the mainstream media is taking this group seriously.

Well, the OWS cartel owe much of their attitude to their Biblical counter-parts: the children of Belial. As stated earlier in the post, belial means worthless and wicked. Their hearts were hardened and unrepentant. Because they openly served other gods (rather than the true, living God) & did not care what others thought about them, God declared that they would be thrust away.

In Matthew 13:41-42, Christ stated -

"The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth."

The reference to thorns is that the OWS people resemble those prickly, thorny plants which are twisted together, whose spikey points are in every direction, and which are so sharp and strong that they cannot be touched or approached without danger. And so, this is also true of wicked men in general, that cast off the yoke of the Lord, and have become unprofitable,

But, this applies as well to wicked governors in particular, who, instead of being helpful, are harmful to a commonwealth; and instead of protecting their interests via rule of law, they inflict pain and trouble, and grieve the people. These types of leaders need to be deposed from government by peaceful means. At least in America, the ballot box is still the forum in which these ungodly, divisive men are removed.

Finally, be mindful that even though these people behave like Belial, we need to pray for their salvation and continue to reach out to them even though they have an antipathy towards Christians. Please pray for God's will to be done. Read your Bible, obey God's word and seek to lead the lost to Christ. Pray for our nation and the world. What we all need is not Government or Occupiers to rule our lives, but the Saviour, Jesus Christ to guide us and keep us.

Remember Ezekiel 2:6, "And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house."

Continue to do good (Rom. 12:21) and leave the consequences to the Lord. God bless you and God bless America!

Click here for blessings from God: The Plan of Salvation.

A Lie Straight from the Mouth of Hell

Jude 4

"For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ."

If you went to the average university campus today, and asked students if they know a verse of Scripture, most would say that they do. If you had asked 10 or 15 years ago, most would have quoted John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Everybody knew that verse then.

But today, most would reply with, “Judge not that you be not judged.”  [Matt. 7:1] The whole focus has changed. Ten or 15 years ago the focus was on the truth of God’s love. But today, surveys reveal that practically everyone is convinced that there is no absolute truth. So the emphasis has switched from truth to tolerance.

And that leaves us free to do anything we want without worrying about what God teaches. Beware of these vain teachings. Do not mingle the holy with the profane. Keep to God's Word, obey it and live. Or, cherry pick God's truth that fits your convenient lifestyle and suffer the consequences (Revelation 22:18-19).

              

Choose God and reject the world: Click Here If You Choose God.

Courtesy Rich Atchley

SHIPWRECKED!

Acts 27:10

"And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives."

Paul, as a prisoner, was on his way to Rome when the storm struck out at sea. Though tossed about by the great waves and strong gusts, Paul held a confidence in God. He even shared his faith with the ship's crew who were his jailors & fellow prisoners. An abiding faith in the true & living God will always give us the faith to share with others as Paul did on that tempestuous day.

Consider 3 points in this chapter of Acts:

Point #1: God was the Source of his faith. After all, Paul knew that God was the Creator of the universe. So, what were waves to Him that set the tide in motion? He was keenly aware that God parted the Red Sea and the Jordan River. To be sure, he also knew that Christ stilled the tempest out on the Galilean Sea (Mark 4:35-39). Indeed, Paul penned these very words in I Corinthians 2:9-10, "But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;" Thus, Paul believed God and trusted in Him. Do you trust Him, Reader?

Point #2: God was the Source of revelation. Paul had a basis for his faith which was determined not by a whimsical fantasy of hope, but by the hard facts and accounts which were found in God's Holy Word. He confessed it before the pagans: "...[F]or I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me." (v. 25) God's word is a more sure word of testimony than anything else, and a more sure word of prophecy (II Pet. 1:19). God's word doesn't change from age to age. It's not possible to trust God without trusting His word. Friend, are you trusting what God has revealed in the Holy Bible?

Point #3: God was the Source of his salvation. Paul stood firm on what God had told him; that is, that their lives would be spared (v.22). There is no salvation in any other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved except by the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 4:10-12). Paul stood on God's promises even when the howling storms of doubt and fear assailed because he most certainly knew that by the living Word of God he would  prevail.

I Peter 1:25 states, "But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you."

And, Luke 21:33 promises. "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."

Reader, you are standing on sinking sand if you're not standing on God's Word. If you're putting your trust in anything or anyone else but Jesus Christ, you are like that foolish man who built his house on sand (Matt. 7:26-27).

Please consider this illustration:

There was a man who became shipwrecked on a deserted island years ago. He managed to build himself a hut to live in and with it stored the possessions he was able to salvage from his boat after it was wrecked.

He would watch every day for some sign of a ship or airplane passing by. He prayed to God for help. Some days he would get discouraged and wonder if he would ever get off that island, but still he prayed.

One day he was on the other end of the island and noticed some smoke coming from the direction of his hut. He ran as fast as he could back to the hut and then he realized that his fears had come true. His hut and all his belongings were destroyed by a fire. All that was left was the smoke and rubble of it all.

He asked God why did this have to happen. He did not understand.

Later that day a ship appeared on the horizon and soon landed on the island and rescued him. They told him that they were plotting a distinct course and noticed smoke off in the distance and thought the smoke was a signal for help.

It was a sign for much needed help and it was a sign from God that He was still in control and He would not forsake His beloved child even if there was a doubt or not.

Let's look at how Paul's ill-fated sea voyage turned out. The ship ran aground and was broken in half with the violence of the waves. They jumped out and swam out into the sea to get to land. Some reached the shore on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

As God had promised.

Out of the storms and travails of this life we can build a stronger faith and hope on the One who shed His blood for us on Calvary. Through the greatest storm in Christ's life, He conquered death. We, too, can have victory, and beauty for ashes. God will work out all things for your good if you love Him (Rom. 8:28).

Have you put your complete trust in the Lord Jesus Christ? Click Here


’Tis the grandest theme through the ages rung;
’Tis the grandest theme for a mortal tongue;
’Tis the grandest theme that the world e’er sung,
“Our God is able to deliver thee.”

He is able to deliver thee,
He is able to deliver thee;
Though by sin oppressed, go to Him for rest;
“Our God is able to deliver thee.”

Jesus Calms the Storm (Lego Animation)

Mark 4:37-39

"And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."

Please enjoy a father-son production of the story from the Gospel of Mark. The award winning short film was produced using stop animation and Legos.

The Barber

Isaiah 55:6
"Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:"


A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed.

As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists."

"Why do you say that?" asked the customer.

"Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things."

The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument.

The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt.

The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not exist."

"How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!"

"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."

"Ah, but barbers DO exist!", answered the barber. "What happens, is, people do not come to me."

"Exactly!" - affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! What happens, is, people don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."



If you're waiting for God to hit you over the head with a thunderbolt, it's not going to happen. If you're waiting for a "special revelation" intended just for you, don't hold your breath. If you're seeking the revelation of God, all you have to do is read the Holy Bible.

Don't go through life missing out on the knowledge of God when it is right before you: God's Holy Word.

The mockers and unbelievers ask for a sign that proves God's existence. To these kind of people, Jesus has the answer:

"Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."      Matt. 12:38-40

Thus, the proof is that Christ is risen. If that isn't enough friend, then truly you are lost and blinded by the world (II Corinthians 4:3-4).

Turn now and repent before it's too late! Open My Eyes and Turn Me From Darkness to Light.

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.


Story courtesy Marlen Hardy