If It Hadn't Been For Love

Psalm 23:1
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."

Death by a thousand little cuts. That's what the liberals, progressives, communists, socialists, pagans, atheists, agnostics and children of Belial are doing to our great Nation. It's no longer "One Nation Under God", but "Many gods Under One Nation". The little cuts are not mortal wounds, but they are serious in that the intended purpose of these injuries is to bring down a mighty Christian power, one cut at a time.

Name one major contribution of communism, progressivism, etc. (aside from moral decay & genocide) and you'll see that these "philosophies" are nothing but cancerous, leprous, & repugnant, void of humanity and decency.

The primary tactic used by these groups is compromise—to force us to slowly compromise away our values, our heritage, our life, and our God until they cease to exist. They are patient, make every cut they can get away with, and absolutely demonize those who refuse to compromise, accusing them of intolerance and extremism. Like I said, death by a thousand little cuts.

So, I got to thinking about what life would be like without Christ. Since the Shepherd's Psalm (#23) tells us believers how we won't lack with Him as our Shepherd, I thought I'd invert the logic and show what we would have in place without Him as our Shepherd.

1. DANGEROUS TOIL

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:" (v. 2a)

Rather than repose or resting safely in green pastures, we'd be in harm's way as we toiled in thorns and thistles. Look at Genesis 3:16-19 -

"Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."

2. STRIFE
"...[H]e leadeth me beside the still waters." (v. 2b)

Instead of being led to the still waters of peace, we would be mired in the stagnant & stormy waters of life. Think of how refreshing brackish waters are to quenching your thirst. Habakkuk 1:3 states, "Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention."

3. EXHAUSTION & BROKENNESS
"He restoreth my soul:" (v. 3a)

A tormented soul is what compels a person to therapy, drug use, promiscuity, risky behavior and suicide. Only God can restore the broken soul. There is no other Healer, but Jesus Christ. Thus, a soul without the Great Physician can only grope towards self-destruction. Even God wearies of man's rejection: "Thou hast forsaken me, saith the Lord, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting."  (Jer. 15:6)

4. CONDEMNATION
"...[H]e leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." (v. 3b)

Here's another reason why people self-mutilate, self-injure and self-destruct: people need forgiveness. Condemnation is what leads souls to the grave. I Corinthians 6:9 describes clearly the fate of those who reject Jesus - "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."

5. FEAR
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:" (v. 4a)

What a picture! Walking through Death Valley alone. In times like these, you feel forsaken and forgotten. It's a terrible time to be alone and lonely. Yes, the heathen will be laughed at by God. Listen up, you scoffers! "He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure."  Ps. 2:4-5

6. VULNERABILITY & DISCONSOLATION
"...[F]or thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."  (v. 4b)

In the darkest of dark hours and deepest valleys, there is no one to provide solace & comfort. You feel open to attack from every side and you sense nothing but hopelessness. Isaiah 48:22 states, "There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked."

7. FAMINE & POVERTY
"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:" (v. 5a)

In the midst of turmoil & crises, you are assailed and have no resources to address these mounting problems. You go through life discouraged and angry.

Going against God means you face serious consequences, according to Job 27:13-23,

¹³This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty.
¹⁴ If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread.

¹⁵ Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep.

¹⁶ Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay;

¹⁷ He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, and the innocent shall divide the silver.

¹⁸ He buildeth his house as a moth, and as a booth that the keeper maketh.

¹⁹ The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he is not.

²⁰ Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night.

²¹ The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place.

²² For God shall cast upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand.

²³ Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place.

8. SCARCITY
"...[T]hou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." (v. 5b)

You lead life running on empty and are joyless, bitter and sarcastic. If you can't be happy then you make  everyone around you unhappy as well. Proverbs 24:34 indicates, "So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man."

9. PUNISHMENT & ABOMINATION
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:" (v. 6a)

The wrath of God abides on us because of our wicked waywardness. Every step of the way there's nothing but the foreboding sense that God's justice is just around the corner. In Job 18:12, it says, "His strength shall be hungerbitten, and destruction shall be ready at his side."

10. ETERNAL DAMNATION
"...[A]nd I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." (v.6b)

Friend, you are destined, because of your choice to reject Christ, to spend eternity in the lake of fire. There is no entrance for a sin-stained soul to enter into the holy and glorious presence of God. You'll be left out in the dark where there will be gnashing of teeth (Mt. 13:41-42).

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Thus, as the image in the left hand corner indicates, if you're not a sheep then that makes you a goat, my friend. In very telling detail, the Lord states the fate of the goat in Matt. 25:31-34, 41, 46 -

³¹ When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

³² And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

³³ And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

³⁴ Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
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⁴¹ Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
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⁴⁶ And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Reader, the lake of fire is prepared for Satan and his demons. Not you or me. But, you must accept that you're a sinner in need of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as your Saviour (Rom. 10:9-10). There is no other way to heaven. Good works will not do it (Eph. 2:8-9). Only the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.

You see, if it hadn't been for love, we'd be hell bound, too (Rom. 5:8). If it hadn't been for God's great love and mercy, we'd be in the mire of life without any hope of escape. Thank God that He sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross for you and me (Jn. 3:16). What a mighty love!

Settle this matter today! Settle it with Jesus. And you shall surely see that He is the Good Shepherd!

Jesus, Please Be My Shepherd!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne!

The Word That Never Fails

Revelation 22:18-19

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

From a news article in Fox News website, there is mention of Thomas Jefferson's view on the Bible. In it, there is reference that Thomas Jefferson, who worked to ensure protections of religious liberty, created his own version of the Holy Bible. He played editor to the portions of the Bible that he didn't agree with, in particular the miraculous and divine. Therefore, there's no mention of the Resurrection.

Jefferson should've read in I Corinthians 15:16-19 -

"For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."

Without the atoning work and resurrection of Jesus Christ, then we are just living among the masses with just another philosophy to compare to many other philosophies. That would truly be a most miserable life, indeed!

The news report states, "Jefferson was very much a product of thinking of the time, known as the Enlightenment...And so he was unwilling to accept anything that couldn't be proved on the basis of evidence. So he was determined to remove what he felt couldn't be substantiated."

Here's a new flash for Jefferson and for those who think like him: Jesus Christ is risen! His body wasn't found in the tomb because He achieved what He said He would do; that is, to rise from the dead. That's proof enough there.

Click here for the entire article: The Gospel According to Jefferson

Another individual who carried his agenda to the fullest extent was Adolf Hitler. He had a racist hatred against the Jews, which had no boundaries. In his war against the Jews Hitler instructed a group of German theologians to rewrite the Bible.

The German newspaper, Bilt Zeitung has revealed that in 1939 a group of Protestant theologians, loyal to the Nazi regime, established an institution for the "cleansing of Judaism from Christianity."

The institution's official purpose was to cleanse the Protestant church of all ceremonies with non-Aryan influences, and to compile alternative scriptures derived from the Nazi ideology and spirit of the church. The church staff worked incessantly, conducting comprehensive surveys and publishing a large number of documents that imbued Christianity with Nazi commentary.

One of these publications, the German Book of Faith, included the rewriting of the 10 commandments in the spirit of Nazi ethics, and also added two more commandments:

Hitler's 12 commandments:

1. Honour God and believe in him wholeheartedly
2. Seek out the peace of God
3. Avoid all hypocrisy
4. Holy is your health and life
5. Holy is your wellbeing and honour
6. Holy is your truth and fidelity
7. Honour your father and mother - your children are your aid and your example
8. Keep the blood pure and your honour holy
9. Maintain and multiply the heritage of your forefathers
10. Be ready to help and forgive
11. Honour your Fuhrer and master
12. Joyously serve the people with work and sacrifice.

Any mention of Hebrew words such as Hallelujah & Jehovah were carefully deleted from the book. The name of David's City, Jerusalem, was removed as well. More here: How Hitler Twisted the Bible To Kill the Jews.

It is said that Hitler embraced Darwinian philosophy, which dovetailed neatly with his belief that the weak and inferior races should be exterminated. This wayward, demonic thinking put him at loggerheads with the Christian gospel, which says that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, gladly leaves the 99 sheep in the pen to go and find the lost one (Lk. 15:4-7). Author Ray Comort, in his book Hitler, God and the Bible In, concludes that Hitler’s abuse of theology dismantled the moral fiber of a nation.

Now there is an ex-constitutional professor who left academia to serve in public life and is, from what I've heard, chief executive officer of the most powerful nation on earth. I've also read that this CEO has twisted God's word around to justify his poisonous policies.

Mr. Obama and his ilk say that the Bible is off-limits when it addresses the subject of homosexuality, homosexual marriage, abortion, or any issue liberals favor but the Bible condemns.  Yet, when it comes to wealth distribution then it's quite alright to quote the Good Book. The only problem is that when President Barack Hussein Obama quoted from the Bible, he both took his quotation out of context and got it wrong.

Consider the misquote Mr. Obama commented on from Luke 12:48: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

Here's the Scriptural context:

"And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."   Luke 12:47-48

Aside from the fact that Jesus was discussing requirements from God, not the government, he was actually teaching His disciples that they were stewards of God’s blessings. Their requirement was to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. It’s the crux of Christianity that Obama seems to miss. Jesus came because we are sinners; He died for our sins so that we wouldn't have to die in our sins. We could never fulfill any of God's requirements. Thus, God, not government, does the demanding.

A better illustration of care would be the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-35), but that wouldn't work for Obama because the Samaritan used his own money.

Now, I'm not saying that Mr. Obama is like Mr. Hitler or Mr. Jefferson. However, these 3 men have one thing in common: They distorted God's word to suit their world view. And, what I am saying - quite explicitly - is that men (or, women for that matter) who toy with and twist the Word of God to justify their political or racist beliefs are in danger of hellfire. And the people who follow these types of people blindly and willingly are going down a dangerous and fatal road (Matt. 7:13).

In conclustion, the American Constitution's First Amendment guarantees millions of Christians the right this weekend to boldly celebrate their faith's holiest day of the year, Resurrection Sunday, when Scriptures say Jesus rose from the dead. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is foundational to Christianity. Liberty is foundational for any free nation. Underpinning faith and freedom is truth.

Readers, I urge you to read your Bibles daily. Keep & guard God's truth in your hearts (Prov. 4:23). God's word is not extreme, only men's lies and Satan's lies are. Trust only in Jesus Christ!

If you want to place your trust in Jesus, here's how: In the Beginning Was the Word and the Word Was God

Holy Bible, book Divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine;
Mine to tell me whence I came;
Mine to teach me what I am.

Mine to chide me when I rove;
Mine to shew a Saviour’s love;
Mine art thou to guide my feet;
Mine to judge, condemn, acquit.

Mine to comfort in distress;
If the Holy Spirit bless;
Mine to shew, by living faith,
Man can triumph over death.

Mine to tell of joys to come,
And the rebel sinner’s doom;
Holy Bible, book Divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine.

- James Burton, Sr.

When You're Let Down, Look Up

Romans 8:28

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

I think about the disciples who Christ said would be offended and scattered. In Matthew 26:31-31, it reads, "Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee."

True to form, the disciples did flee (v. 56) when the Temple guards showed up to arrest Jesus. Likewise, afterwards they hid in fear from the Jews (John 20:19).

So, I got to thinking about what these men must've been going through - scared, cloistered and cramped in that room thousands of years ago, peeking through the window and door when they heard sudden noises. Were there recriminations and rebukes? Or was there regret and sorrow? Do you think, Reader, that maybe some of these men felt disappointment with the way things turned out?

I couldn't tell you if it was Peter who felt disappointed. After all, he had denied Jesus 3 times, even after knowing and confessing that He was the Christ (Matt. 16:16); his tears of bitterness suggest otherwise. I couldn't reason with you about Thomas's mental state, considering that he was given to doubt. No, I couldn't even begin to speculate if Matthew, aka, Levi, was taking into account everything that led up to his Master's death, replaying every word, gesture and action in his head as if he were reckoning the matter in terms gains and losses. But, if there was one who felt disappointment, it might have been John, the one the Bible refers to as the one Christ loved (John 13:23 ; 19:26; 21:7). He who loves deepest, hurts most.

They disciples had heard Jesus predict His death and resurrection many times. Nevertheless, they were so intent on ignoring Him that no one even ventured to ask questions about why He kept bringing up the morbid topic.

Here are a few examples of the disciples’ incomprehension:

1. “Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?” (Matthew 16:9)

2. “And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?” (Mark 4:13)

3. “But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.” (Mark 9:32)

4. “And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.” (Luke 2:50)

5. “And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.” (Luke 18:34).

6. “They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.” (John 16:18)

7. “For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.” (John 20:9)

I’ve experienced enough disillusionment, disappointment, depression and despair to last many life times. And, I'm sure you have as well.

What's it like to divorce? Face bankruptcy? Lose a baby to a miscarriage? Have an abortion? Put away a goal before it's accomplished, like college or vocational school? For a loved one to die, especially without a profession of faith in Jesus Christ? To relocate because of a foreclosure, job loss or because one's spouse was offered a job elsewhere? To live in a war torn country in which seeing death is a daily routine? To not have food for your children to eat? To witness a person eaten away by cancer or anorexia or drug use? To have failing health? To not be on speaking terms with your family?

These are just a few things that can be discouraging. You see, heart sickness isn’t cured by time alone; it can only be dulled by time or drugs. Countless people have felt defeated and let down by disappointing situations.

But our response can make all the difference. Frustrations can be either an opportunity for spiritual growth or a destructive blow. A right response to disappointment begins with resisting the natural tendency toward bitterness.

These disappointments bring us to an honest place in our relationship with God. If we're willing to allow ourselves to speak to Him about our disappointments and then accepting that God knows what is best for us then it deepens our walk with the Lord. Indeed, Christ set the example when He taught his disciples how to pray (Matt. 6:7-13) and when alone in Gethsemane Jesus yielded to the will of His Father, knowing that He does all things well.

Keep your focus on God and in His book. His higher purpose in your life will be revealed through His holy Word. Don't dwell too long on the hurts and harms of life; they're part of living. When they come - and be sure, they will come - surrender them to the Lord. He will work it all out for you. The Lord will give you beauty for ashes. Just trust Him.

God turned Calvary into victory. There's nothing God can't do, if you let Him.

And remember, no matter how deep your hurt goes, Jesus Christ will go even deeper to shepherd you through setbacks and sorrows while growing your faith. Read Psalm 23 in its entirety.

When John leaned into Christ's bosom, I imagine that it really must've been comforting, knowing that Jesus was the Lord, the Prince of peace. How poignant! Remember, Christ was about to step into His final hours on earth. I wonder if He was just as comforted by having John lean on His bosom?

But, one day in the sweet by and by, He shall wipe away all of our tears as promised in Rev. 21:4,

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

I'd like to think that on that Great Day, I too will be leaning into the Lord's bosom as He wipes every single tear away, once and for all. What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see!

If you're missing peace, it's because you don't have Jesus in your life. Invite Him in now and see what you've been missing! I Want A Peace That Surpasses All Understanding!

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on His everlasting arms.