Babble On, Babylon!

II Timothy 2:16
"But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness."

Sometimes I just can't help myself when I come across articles like the one I'm about to post for your reading pleasure. It reminded me of Scripture that refers to men and their vain babblings. Here's a good look at what takes place when men of "higher education" get together to discuss the fine points of Christianity (of course, I say this tongue in cheek, no pun intended). My focus is on the panel's discussion on the Lord's Prayer and not on the merits of the litigation. Hopefully, you'll understand why I posted this sterling example of journalism. Vive le bon mot!

Is the Lord's Prayer a Christian Prayer?

In Mullin v. Sussex County, Delaware, a U.S. District Court must answer whether the Lord's Prayer is sectarian. Four residents sued the county council for opening meetings with the prayer. The county says it's not Christian "because no Christian tradition existed" when Jesus prayed it. The judge called the case difficult "because there is no reference to Jesus or Allah."

Observers weigh in on whether the Lord's Prayer is a Christian prayer.

"The Lord's Prayer is the Christian prayer. It comes up more than any other text in Christian liturgies since the first century. And its context in Matthew and Luke gives explicitly Christian meanings to terms such as Father and kingdom."

Here's what the expert panel had to say:

Simon Kistemaker, New Testament professor, Reformed Theological Seminary

"It is a Christian prayer. Jesus was certainly influenced [my emphasis] by certain Jewish models of prayer, but he gave it to his disciples specifically. So it's a direct inheritance for us as Christians."

Here, the good professor stated that Christ was influenced, which slyly implies that Jesus was man only, being under the influence of the Middle Eastern culture of His day, rather than being the chief Actor in human culture & destiny (Col. 1:6). Looking at Mr. Kistemaker's alma mater, it makes one wonder what kind of "reformation" his school underwent?

J. Brent Walker, executive director, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty

"You could consider it a prayer for multiple religions, because Jesus is considered to be a rabbi or a great teacher by many of the world's religions. It was not originally delivered as a Christian prayer; it was simply a teacher teaching his disciples a good way to pray."

A prayer for multiple religions? Not a Christian prayer? Jesus simply a teacher (I Jn. 2:4, 19, 22; I Jn. 4:3)? And, Mr. Walker's a Baptist! A Baptist said this! This is a good time as any to kneel and pray for this man!

Clayton Schmit, professor, Fuller Theological Seminary

"The prayer in and of itself does not explicitly espouse the precepts of Christianity. It recognizes God, but does not proselytize a particular religion."

Here's another live one: The prayer does not explicitly espouse Christian precepts (II Tim. 1:13; 3:16; 4:3). Wow! Ladies and gentlemen, take a good look at what the apostasy looks like. If anyone reading this post is from Fuller Theological Seminary, I'd sure like to hear from you 'cause I've got a few questions for you.

 

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Listen, folks, the Word of God is infallible. By reading the comments of these men, it should behoove you to take the Bible seriously, take God at His word and obey Him at all costs. Put no confidence in what men say, including me. That's why I put Scriptural references in my posts, so that you can read for yourself what God's word says. By the way, there's a new feature in this blog. By clicking on the unquoted Scripture, you will be taken to the annotated blog for the actual Bible verses. Or click here to get to the main page: The Annotated WON

So, compare Scripture to Scripture and study it precept upon precept (Isa. 28:9-10). And, no matter what, keep trusting Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth and the life (Jn. 14:6).

A final quote from D. L. Moody, who said, "God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves." Avoid the vain babblers at all costs!

I Choose to Trust God's Word!

The entire discussion can be read at Is the Lord's Prayer A Christian Prayer?

Giving Your Love Away

Matthew 22:39

"And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

Our Savior’s teaching, while it is practical, is also always evangelical. He calls believers away from being content with the mere decencies of life and the routine of outward religion, and challenges them to seek after the highest degree of holiness—indeed, after that excellence of character which only His Grace can give. Loving our neighbor is not a condition of salvation, but as a fruit of it. Thus, we give our love away in service.

Jesus’ instruction is also new because it raises the standard. Loving others as ourselves means following the pattern He set for us, and putting the needs of others above our own. That is, loving ALL others, not just friends & family, but everyone. Talk about taking it to a new level of Christian living!

Thing about it in these terms, which Christ taught through the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) -

1. THE WORLD IS FULL OF AFFLICTION. This story is just one among thousands of modern stories that you chance upon, glance or gloss over as you scan the newswpaper, news websites or on television. These are unfortunate occurrences. The happen on short jaunts to the grocery store or on long treks. Life can be lost on the road. We are never secure from trouble—it meets us around the family hearth, walks into our work place and follows us on the road. Again, the daily news attest to this reality.

In the case of the assault victim in the parable, the thieves confronted him and demanded his money, and that when he made some little resistance they wounded him, stripped him and left him half dead. How could he be blamed? It was to him a pure misfortune. Believe me, there is a great deal of sorrow in the world. Some of it is caused by our own doings; other instances, it arrives just because it is part & parcel of living.

The man in the parable was quite helpless. He could do nothing for himself. There he lay dying. Those huge, gaping wounds must've been draining his life away as he bled from his injuries. He probably couldn't even groan, let alone speak, to call out for help. He couldn't even dress his own wounds, much less arise and seek shelter. He was bleeding to death among the pitiless rocks on the descent to Jericho and his was left there for the buzzards and crows to feed upon unless some one came to his help.

But who, pray tell?

2. THERE ARE MANY WHO NEVER RELIEVE AFFLICTION. Our Savior tells us of two, who at least,who passed by on the other side and I suppose He might have prolonged the parable so as to have mentioned 2 dozen or more souls who just walked on by if Christ had chosen to do so.

Note that 2 religious men - a priest & a Levite - pass by the suffering man on the opposite side of the road. Notice that these two men were on the same road going in the same general direction. If the  one couldn't offer aid then certainly 2 could've rendered assistance. Think about that for a minute, Reader! When you're not able to help someone in need, look around because there might be a fellow believer passing by who can help make the difference.

Friend, to know to do good and not do it is a sin (James 4:17). What a tragedy of eternal proportions! Here you have an opportunity to glorify God and instead you become a turtle, tuck your holy head inside your shell and walk on by, doing nothing. Can I ask you something, Reader? Do you even bother to pray for these lost souls? Do you even do that?

We are to relieve real distress irrespective of creed, as the Samaritan did. Let this thought settle in your mind for a little bit. The Samaritan, whom the Jews considered dogs, crossed the invisible line of cultural differences and help the Jew.

Wait!  How do I know that the poor victim was a Jew. In verse 30, he's referenced as traveling from Jerusalem (where the Holy Temple was) to Jericho (probably home). The priest and Levite also both traveled down from that same route. However, the Samaritan journeyed. You see, the Samaritans did not worship in Jerusalem. They were nature lovers, so to speak, and erected altars out in the mountain sides. Even Christ told the woman at the well that the Samaritans did not know what they worshipped (John 4:5-26)

Thus, the Jews were great haters of the Samaritans and, no doubt, this Samaritan might have thought, “If I were in that man’s shoes and he in mine, he would not help me. He would pass me by and say, ‘It is a Samaritan dog, let him be accursed and die like a dog.’” The Jews were accustomed to curse the Samaritans, but it did not occur to the good man to remember what the Jew would have said. He saw him bleeding and he bound up his wounds.

Our Savior has not given us, for a golden rule, “Do unto others as others do to you,” but “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” The Samaritan went by that rule in spirit and though he knew of the enmity in the Jewish mind, he felt that he should help, that he can help and that he must help. What motivated him to do such a thing? There must've been something that moved his heart to show compassion on another human being. And so, he went straight away to his relief.

Listen, Believer, the poorest of the poor can help the poor. Even those who feel distress, themselves, may manifest a generous Christian spirit and give of themselves what little they have. Because a little bit in your hands is more than sufficient in the hands of the Almighty God. Do so as you have the opportunity.

Read the last part of verse 34, "...and took care of him."

Admire that little sentence, because in it you see what little he had, he gave. Once he had taken care of the poor soul then he sought the inn keeper to "take care of him.” What you do yourself, you may exhort other people to do.

3. WE HAVE A HIGHER EXAMPLE - JESUS CHRIST. Jesus saw our own sin-racked bodies and the condition of our heart (Jer. 17:9) and had compassion on us. God gave us His Son so that whoever believes on Him will not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

I had asked earlier who, pray tell, will help?

Reader, it's you. It has to be you. You cannot wait another day. Reach out, Believer, to a dark and dying world. Someone needs to hear about Jesus Christ today.

Seek, then, to be true followers of your Lord by practical deeds of kindness and if you have been backward in your thinking about whom to approach, draw a needful reproach from the Master. Don't with-hold blessings from those who are different from you. Take the initiative by praying for grace to cross the racial, ethnic, cultural, political, socio-economic, etc. barriers. The biggest gap of all - the sin chasm which Christ bridged for you at Calvary - has been closed. So, these other gaps are nothing in comparison for the Lord.

The goal in loving is not to evoke the response you want from another person, but to do what the Lord commands you do. Your willingness to love must never depend upon another person’s ability to give love back to you.

Your challenge as a Christian is to love others even if they don’t love you back. So, you are never without someone to love. Reciprocity is not required for this kind of love. The only thing that is required is your willingness, your desire, and your commitment to open up and give others the love of Christ that dwells in you.

There's someone out there right now as you read this post who needs to know that somebody loves them unconditionally. Christ loves you that way. I'm sure that brings a comfort to your heart, doesn't it? Isn't it time you took that next step of faith to reach out to someone who needs that same comfort? Yes, it's time.

Finally, if you're not saved, Friend, you are missing out on the greatest love known to human kind. Make that decision today and know that Jesus Christ loves you. The proof is at the Cross!

Jesus Paid It All For Me Because He Loves Me!

Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give my self away
’Tis all that I can do.

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

The Only Source of True Love

Matthew 22:37-38

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment."

Yesterday's post dealt with loving the Lord with all you've got, which is a paraphrase of the Greatest Commandment that Jesus taught (vv. 37-38). As a follow up, I'd like to add these final thoughts. The first and great commandment is so, because of its -

1. Antiquity, being as old as the world, and engraven originally on our very nature; indeed from before the inception of time (Rev. 1:8; 4:8;11:17; 22:13).

2. Dignity, as directly and immediately referring to God and God alone (Deut. 6:4-5).

3. Excellence, being the commandment of the new covenant (Matt. 26:28), and the very spirit of the Divine adoption (Eph. 1:5; Rom. 8:15).

4. Justice, because it alone renders to God His due, prefers Him before all things, and secures to Him His proper rank in relation to them (Matt. 6:33; Prov. 3:9).

5. Sufficiency, being in itself capable of making men holy in this life, and happy in the other (Rom. 8:28-29; II Cor. 5:17).

6. Fruitfulness, because it is the root of all commandments, and the fulfilling of the law (Jn. 15:1-10).

7. Virtue and efficacy, because by this alone God reigns in the heart of man, and man is united to God (II Cor. 3:3).

8. Extent, leaving nothing to the creature, which it does not refer to the Creator (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5).

9. Necessity, being absolutely indispensable (Col. 1:13-17).

10. Duration, being ever to be continued on earth, and never to be discontinued in heaven (Rev. 21:1-6).

The love this world needs and the love you need is found in Christ and Christ alone. Don't walk away from the only source of true love - Jesus Christ. He's calling you, Reader. Answer today!

Jesus, I Want to Know What True Love Is!



The 10 observations of the Great Command courtesy Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Loving God With All You've Got

Matthew 22:36-38

"Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment."

Jesus answered not a disciple who was seeking a deeper truth about understanding what God required of people, but responded to a lawyer who set a trap to tempt Christ. This is the crux of the matter and the kernel of truth: One must love God unreservedly and entirely with the heart, which is the seat of the understanding; the soul, which is the center of will and personality; and, the might, which represents the strength of all the vital corporal powers, both mental & physical. Thus, God wants us to love Him with all that we've got in us (Deut. 6:4-5).

Consider these expressions:

"That was a half hearted effort" means lacking spirit or interest.

"His heart's not in it" means uninterested in something.

A divided heart has torn loyalties. It is pulled in many directions. The Lord wants all of your heart and not most of it, some of it, 89% of it, or a majority of it. He desires ALL of it. The whole stream of our affections, strength, understanding and will must run toward Him.

But, why?

The answer is quite simple: Because that's how God loves us (John 3:16;Rom. 5:8; I John 4:9). He doesn't do anything half way. God does all things well (Mark 7:37).

Here's a secret, of sorts, if you want to know what happens when you love God with all that you've got:

1. By loving God through Jesus Christ, both will come to dwell inside of you through the Holy Spirit (John 14:21, 23; 15:26).

2. Because you're indwelt by the Spirit, you have been set free from sin (John 8:32; Rom. 8:2).

3. There is liberty as a result of the Holy Spirit's indwelling! (II Cor. 3:17)

And it's only a secret because people choose not to know God's word. It's not like He's intentionally hiding His truth from us; on the contrary, we're running from it and by extension from Him, which regretably leaves us loveless; that is, incapable of loving and being loved.

If you're like that lawyer who's looking for a legal loophole then, Friend, you're going about life the wrong way. If, on the other hand, you are sincerely desiring to find a deeper truth, then look no further than this commandment to understand, worship and know God as He is: God IS love.

Read the Scriptures, follow the logic of God's love and trust in His truth. It is important for you to understand who you are (i.e., a sinner) in light of who God is (i.e., holy) and marvel at the wonder of His great mercy at Calvary.

Make no mistake, you are saved by the grace of God and NOTHING ELSE (Rom. 3:28; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8-9).

So, if you choose to love God through Jesus Christ with all that you've got then these promises that Christ made to His disciples are the same promises you can take hold of today IF you accept Him as your Lord & Saviour.

Otherwise, you won't possess the joy of the Christ's Spirit inside of you, especially during the dark trials and valleys you're going to encounter in this life. Faith in Christ, dear Reader, and nothing else is the victory (I John 5:4)!

I Need A Victory Today!

To him that overcomes the foe,
White raiment shall be giv’n.
Before the angels he shall know
His name confessed in Heav’n.
Then onward from the hill of light,
Our hearts with love aflame,
We’ll vanquish all the hosts of night,
In Jesus’ conqu’ring Name.

Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory!
O glorious victory, that overcomes the world.

The Loquacious Fools

Psalm 14:1

"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good."

The word fool stems from the Latin, which means bellows, bag. In other words, a bag of air that fans the flames. Quite a portrait! Biblically speaking, a fool refers to a person lacking in judgment or prudence in matters of God (Prov. 26:7; Isa. 32:6).


George Bernard Shaw, the essayist and playwright, said this about atheists, "Nobody talks so constantly about God as those who insist that there is no God."

People who don't believe in God work overtime to prove and demonstrate to others that God doesn't exist. It's like this: If they can convince others that God isn't real and gather as many people to concur with their atheistic belief then the strength in numbers proves that God is non-existent, as if by taking a vote disannuls God's existence.

Consider this anecdote: An atheist told a Christian, "If there is a God, may he prove himself by striking me dead right now."

Nothing happened.

"You see," he concluded. "There is no God."

The Christian replied, "You've only proved that He is a merciful God."

And so it is, that many believe that inaction by God demonstrates His non-existence. Not so, it's just that His ways are not our ways (Isa. 55:8-9) and that He doesn't any one to perish (II Pet. 3:9).

Another argument is that a loving God cannot exist in the presence of evil, thereby automatically disproving the existence of God. However, that is a wrong line of reasoning. After all, the knowledge of good and evil was present in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:8-17). But, hold on to that thought.

Instead, let's look at a list of infamous people who are considered evil:

1. Adolph Hitler - The dictator of Nazi Germany and approved the Final Solution, which meant the wholesale slaughter of & extermination of 6 million Jews.

2. Adolph Eichmann - He played his part in the Nazi extermination of Jews during World War II. He is quoted as saying, "The death of five million Jews on my conscience gives me extraordinary satisfaction."

3. Pol Pot - He was the Khmer political leader whose totalitarian regime (1975-79) imposed severe hardships on the people of Cambodia. His radical communist government forced the mass evacuations of cities, killed or displaced millions of people, and left a legacy of disease and starvation. Under his leadership, his government caused the deaths of at least one million people from forced labor, starvation, disease, torture, or execution.

4. Mao Tse-tung - His government killed somewhere between 20 and 67 million (estimates vary) of his countrymen, including the elderly and intellectuals.

5. Idi Amin - He was the military officer and president (1971-79) of Uganda. Amin also took tribalism, a long- standing problem in Uganda, to its extreme by allegedly ordering the persecution of Acholi, Lango, and other tribes. Reports indicate torture and murder of 100,000 to 300,000 Ugandans during Amin's presidency. In 1972, he began to expel Asians from Uganda. God, he said, had directed him to do this. Over the years, Ugandans would disappear in the thousands, their mutilated bodies washing up on the shores of Lake Victoria. Amin would boast of being a "reluctant" cannibal - human flesh, he said, was too salty. He once ordered that the decapitation of political prisoners be broadcast on TV, specifying that the victims "must wear white to make it easy to see the blood". One of Amin's guards, Abraham Sule, said: "[Amin] put his bayonet in the pot containing human blood and licked the stuff as it ran down the bayonet. Amin told us: 'When you lick the blood of your victim, you will not see nightmares.' He then did it."

6. Joseph Stalin - During the quarter of a century preceding his death in 1953, the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin probably exercised greater political power than any other figure in history. In the 1930s, by his orders, millions of peasants were either killed or permitted to starve to death. Stalin brought about the deaths of more than 20 million of his own people while holding the Soviet Union in an iron grip for 29 years. Stalin succeeded his hero Lenin in 1924. From then on, he induced widespread famines to enforce farm collectives, and eliminated perceived enemies through massive purges.

Perhaps, Reader, you knew some of this historical information. Maybe you didn't. But, let me ask you this: Are you evil just because you know about the evil that these men and their governments committed? Does this knowledge make you evil? If you're honest, your answer is, No.

And yet, people try to pin this logic & judgment against God. He knows about evil because God is all knowing; yet, that knowledge doesn't make Him evil. Thus, at the Garden, He knew about these things, but it does implicate Him in the evil doings of others.

Neither you nor I are off the hook, though, when it comes to being evil. If anything, we are evil simply because God says so. In Romans 3:10, He states, "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" And, in Romans 3:23, there's further insight about our nature, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"

Don't be fooled by the arguments that God doesn't exist because of the presence of evil. It's all useless, worthless chatter that others use to confuse you in order to get you to agree with them. If you read the Bible through, from Genesis to Revelation, you will understand how sin was introduced into this world and how it is resolved at Calvary (John 3:16; Gal. 3:13; I Jn. 1:7). You will also realize that Jesus Christ is coming back to settle all acounts (Rev. 19:11-16).

Psalm 14:2-3 makes this conclusion about man: "The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one."

Don't be a fool. Get right with God while there's still time to repent and place your trust in God's word.

The evangelist got it right when he said in Hebrews 2:3, "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;"

Don't neglect your great salvation! Get right with God, now! I Want to Get Right With God Right Now.

For Jesus shed His precious blood
rich blessings to bestow;
plunge now into the crimson flood
that washes bright as snow.

Only trust Him, only trust Him,
only trust Him now.
He will save you, He will save you,
He will save you now.

Yes, Jesus is the truth the way
that leads you into rest;
believe in Him without delay,
and you are fully blest.

Only trust Him, only trust Him,
only trust Him now.
He will save you, He will save you,
He will save you now.

List of Evil Persons courtesy of The Scales of Good & Evil by Cliff Pickover

The Sweetest Possession

II Corintians 6:16

"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."

What a sweet title: “My people!”

What a cheering revelation: “Their God!”

How much of meaning is couched in those two words, “My people!” Here is speciality. The whole world is God's; the heaven, even the heaven of heavens is the Lord's, and he reigneth among the children of men; but of those whom he hath chosen, whom he hath purchased to himself, he saith what he saith not of others—“My people.”

To wit, Deuteronomy 10:14 states, "Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord's thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is."

In this word there is the idea of proprietorship. In a special manner the “Lord’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.” All the nations upon earth are his; the whole world is in his power; yet are his people, his chosen, more especially his possession; for he has done more for them than others; he has bought them with his blood (Heb. 9:22, 28); he has brought them nigh to himself; he has set his great heart upon them; he has loved them with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3; Jn. 3:16), a love which many waters cannot quench, and which the revolutions of time shall never suffice in the least degree to diminish.

Dear friends, can you, by faith, see yourselves in that number? Can you look up to heaven and say, “My Lord and my God: mine by that sweet relationship which entitles me to call thee Father; mine by that hallowed fellowship which I delight to hold with thee when thou art pleased to manifest thyself unto me as thou dost not unto the world?” Canst thou read the Holy Book, and find there the indentures of thy salvation? Canst thou read thy title writ in precious blood? Canst thou, by humble faith, lay hold of Jesus’ garments, and say, “My Christ”? If thou canst, then God saith of thee, and of others like thee, “My people;” for, if God be your God, and Christ your Christ, the Lord has a special, peculiar favour to you; you are the object of his choice, accepted in his beloved Son.

And, if God be for you who then, Reader, can be against you (Rom. 8:31)?

All these things - and more - has the Creator of the universe afforded and lavished on you, IF you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord & Saviour. Otherwise, you are at a lamentable loss, not just for now, but for all of eternity. Don't throw away the sweetest possession of all as if it were trash.

Don't discard the great salvation that the Lord Jesus purchased for you at Calvary! I Want Jesus As My Own!

Now I've giv'n to Jesus everything,
Now I gladly own Him as my King,
Now my raptured soul can only sing
Of Calvary.

Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty,
At Calvary.

Oh, the love that drew salvation's plan!
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span
At Calvary!

Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty,
At Calvary.

from C. H. Spurgeon's Morning Devotion

The Excusers & The Accuser

Luke 14:16-20

"Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:  And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come."

No sooner does anyone begin to preach the Gospel than men and women begin “to make excuses.” It is an old, old story. There is not an unsaved person here but has got some excuse. If I were to go to each of you and ask why you do not accept God’s invitation to the Gospel feast - after reading post after post about the majesty of His love and the miracle of His mercy - you would have an excuse ready on the end of your tongue; and if you had not one ready, the devil would be there to help you to make one. And if the excuse could be answered he is ready to make new ones. He has had six thousand years’ experience, and he is very good at it; he can give you as many as you want.

Do you know the origin of excuses? You will find it away back in Eden. Read all about it in Genesis 3.

When Adam had sinned, he tried to excuse himself. “The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.” Not only did Adam blame the woman, but he also had the chutzpah to try and lay the blame on God. Talk about biting the Hand that feeds you!

And, little ol' Eve tried to lay it on the serpent; and down to the present time, men and women, with one consent, begin to make excuses.

Finally, the old serpent has no one to blame, so he accuses. He accuses the elect (that is, the believers) all day and night (Rev. 12:10).

Here's the thing: On that Great Day, YOU - and no one else - will stand before God and give an account for your life (Rom 14:12). At the Great White Throne, the unsaved will stand before the Righteous Judge (Rev. 20:11-15)  and face the wrath appointed to the unbelievers (John 3:36).

Where will you stand on that Day, Reader? As one of the saved? Or, on the precipice of eternal damnation?

The choice is yours to make today. On that Great Day, there will be no excuses. None.

So, Friend, what's holding you back? After all, you're being invited to a Feast of all feasts! The admission has been paid already. All you have to do is RSVP.

Read what Jesus Christ did for you at Calvary: I Want to Get Right With God Today!

Oh, for the wonderful love He has promised—
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon—
Pardon for you and for me!

Come home! come home!
Ye who are weary, come home!
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!

Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing—
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, death-beds are coming—
Coming for you and for me!

Come home! come home!
Ye who are weary, come home!
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani Sees His Family [UPDATE]

II Timothy 2:15

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani spent his 35th birthday in prison in Iran, illegally detained and facing execution for his faith. American Center for Law & Justice [ACLJ] sources in Iran have confirmed that Pastor Youcef was allowed to see his entire family on his birthday. This was a rare family reunion in the jail where he has been held for more than two and a half years since he was arrested for questioning the Muslim indoctrination of his children and later charged and convicted of apostasy.

He was also able to visit with his local Iranian attorneys, an especially rare and important meeting as he faces impending execution for his faith. One of the biggest obstacles in fighting for Pastor Youcef’s freedom is the limited access that this illegally imprisoned pastor, who essentially sits on death row, has with his attorneys.

The ACLJ’s Tweet for Youcef campaign in both English and Portuguese continues to grow with daily tweets about the Christian pastor. The ACLJ is continuing to work aggressively with national and international leaders in the fight to save Pastor Youcef’s life. Please continue to pray for his release. Sources for the ACLJ in Iran have confirmed  that Pastor Youcef was still alive as of April 17, 2012.

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani never practiced the Muslim faith and converted to Christianity at age 19, becoming a pastor later. But the courts say that since his mother and father were practicing Muslims, he must recant his Christian faith or die. So far, in three court appearances, he has refused to do so – risking execution at any moment.

According to a court report, the judges told him to repent.

Youcef replied, “Repent, What should I return to? To the blasphemy that I had before my faith in Christ?”

The judges answered, “To the religion of your ancestors, Islam.”

To which Yousef replied, “I cannot.”

The Iranian Supreme Court often acts quickly in administering the death penalty. Continue to pray for Pastor Youcef!

Courtesy of American Center for Law & Justice, Newsmax, Reuters