The Lost Mandate of Heaven, Part 1C [Ideas Series, #3]

Matthew 9:12-13

"But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

There is a good deal of trouble among people about what repentance really is. If you ask people what it is, they will tell you "It is feeling sorry." If you ask a man if he repents, he will tell you, "Oh, yes; I generally feel sorry for my sins." That is not repentance. It is something more than feeling sorry.

The word repentance is an old world word. It is a Biblical word. It is a word that has many connotations, most of them bad from a world's point of view. Let's take a closer look -

The Oxford English Dictionary defines repentance as "feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one’s wrongdoing or sin."

However, according to God's Word sincere regret or remorse is not sufficient. Strong's Dictionary has a more explicit and accurate meaning.

The Greek word for repentance is Metanoia and it means, "a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done."

In plain English, repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of action, which is powered by the Holy Spirit (Jn.15:1-5). Otherwise, the change in action would be works oriented. Again, repentance is turning right about and forsaking sin.

Consider these Biblical references in your Bible devotions:

1. Repentance was preached by John the Baptist, Matthew 3:1-10
2. Repentance was preached by Jesus Christ, Matthew 4:17, 9:13, 11:20-21; Luke 13:25, 15:7, 24:46-48
3. Repentance was preached by Christ’s Disciples, Mark 6:12
4. Repentance was preached by Peter, Acts 2:38, 3:19, 5:31, 8:22-23
5. Repentance was preached by Paul, Acts 17:30, 20:20-21, 26:20

Christ’s goal in dealing with men was not merely to lead them in a sinner’s prayer, but to bring them to repentance and genuine salvation. He described salvation in terms of coming to repentance.

I will add that repentance is not only a New Testament principle. It goes back to the Old Testament as well. Did not God show His displeasure at the children of Israel in the wilderness because of their stiff-necked ways? If you doubt or wonder, take the time to read the Book of Exodus, chapters 32 and 33.

Isaiah 55:7 says, "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

That is what it is. If a man doesn't turn from his sin he won't be accepted of God, and if righteousness don't produce a turning about - a turning from bad to good - it isn't true righteousness.

Look at King Saul, and see the difference between him and King David. David fell as low as Saul and a good deal lower - he fell from a higher pinnacle, but what was the difference between the two? David turned back to God and confessed his sin and got forgiven (Ps. 51). But look at King Saul. There was no repentance there.

For further study on repentance, consider these other Biblical personalities:

1. Peter and Judas

2. Esau and Jacob

3. Rich, Young Ruler and the Eunuch

4. Esther and Vashti

The Scriptural idea of genuine repentance is used extensively and makes prominent the idea of a radical change in one's attitude toward sin and God. It implies a conscious, moral separation, and a personal decision to forsake sin and to enter into fellowship with God. It is employed extensively with reference to man's turning away from sin to righteousness (Deuteronomy 4:30; Nehemiah 1:9; Psalms 7:12; Jeremiah 3:14).

The term signifies "to have another mind," to change the opinion or purpose with regard to sin. It is equivalent to the Old Testament word "turn." Thus, it is employed by John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles (Matthew 3:2; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38).

Well, Friend, do you have another mind? Do you have the notion to quit living in sin and turning to Jesus?

Why not do it today? Lord, I Need to Repent.

Sources: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia; Oxford English Dictionary; Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

A Cosmic Accident Waiting to Happen

Acts 17:24-25
"God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;"

Today our young people in public school and in colleges are taught that they are but the product of blind chance & luck without God having planned them.

Psalm 139:14-15 indicates, "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth."

They are taught that they are but an accident of nature, the result of undirected natural forces coming together, that they are alive for but a while and then, upon death, will break down into basic elements and will no longer be.

According to the ungodly, there is no God. But, we know what they are; they are fools (Ps. 14:1). In this mental schema, nobody cares for them or loves them; there is no future existence and no meaning or purpose to life. Life is bleak, short and chaotic.

With this outlook on life is it any wonder that today there is an epidemic of depression and emotional issues among young people? Or again, is it any wonder that crime and anti-social behavior is so prevalent? After all, if I am here but for a few years, why shouldn’t I get what I want, when I want it? The attitude - which is found also in antiquites (I Cor. 15:32-33) - is of the world and not of God. What they have been told to believe, directly affects how they think and behave and, of course, because they assume it to be true they don’t check out what science really reveals.

I wish I had the time to delineate how science reveals, and not rejects, God's hand in nature and creation. I wish you had the time, Reader, to read about it, too. But, we're always on the go and short on time. Alas, comfort yourselves in knowing & believing that we are not on this earth by luck. This is no cosmic casino we're living in. We are here by design, God's design.

The bleak message of atheism allows a society to slide into further corrupted thinking; it is a gateway to socialism, communism, Nazi-ism, genocide, euthanasia, abortion, gay marriage, and on and on and on. All sorts of deviant lifestyles are promoted under the banner of godlessness.

Listen up, many atheists express a strong hatred of God. If you're an atheist reading this post, can I ask you something? How can you strongly hate Someone you don’t believe in? How can you stamp your feet and shout down those who believe in the true & living God? Mr. Atheist, you might ask, "Since when do I stamp my feet and shout?" Well, sir, in a manner of speaking, this happens every time when nativity scenes are displayed during Christmas or when a cross is erected as a monument or when a person opens up a meeting, sporting event or other gathering in the name of Jesus. Oh, my Mr. Atheist! By then, you are hissing at the Christians with threats of lawsuits and removal of sign or semblance of our faith unless we sit down and shut up!

The reality is that many atheists have their own personal agenda and bias for not believing in God and it has nothing to do with scientific research at all. They are angry at God or at their parents or both for some let down. However, God doesn't want the atheists to perish (John 3:16; II Pet. 3:9). Whether or not atheists believe it, God loves them, too!

Don't be fooled by scientific claims that the world came to be through a long series of accidents, coincidences and sheer luck. Christian, it takes more faith to believe in man's belief system than to trust in God Almighty's promises. This is what Isaiah 1:18 invites you to consider -

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

As the influence of Christians wanes - not because the Gospel is impotent - it wanes because the world has blinded those who refuse to believe in God (II Cor. 4:3-6). Think about this way: God doesn't believe in atheists, either. One day, there'll be a pay day for the unbelieving (Rom. 6:23; Rev. 20:11-15).

Don't be one of them. Don't take a chance with eternity, and settle your account now and see that God good and merciful! I Want Mercy, Jesus! 

Years I spent in vanity and pride,
Caring not my Lord was crucified,
Knowing not it was for me He died
On Calvary.

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

By God's Word at last my sin I learned;
Then I trembled at the law I'd spurned,
Till my guilty soul imploring turned
To Calvary.

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

When I Die, Tear My Stillhouse Down

II Corinthians 5:1

"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

A still house is a make-shift shack tucked and hid somewhere out of sight and scent, where a combination of corn mash, sugar & water are used to distill the ingredients to make a backwood concoction called moonshine, white lightning or mountain dew (No, not the sodie pop). The manufacture was illicit; its distribution was illicit; and the monetary gain was illicit.

The copper (or metal) kettle is as infamous as those moonshiners you see in any old picture. In those same photographs you'll also notice oak barrels. In them was the whiskey where it mixed with charcoal and other sundries like oak chips, apples, honey or Dr. Pepper to give the hard liquor a distinct flavor.

The reason I write about the still house (which, by the way, is a American Southern thing) is that it is an apt metaphor for the sinner's body. In this ramshackle abode dwell all sorts of sinful elements, poisonous compounds. Yet, the body is only part of the equation; sin is a nature and we all have it.

David said in Psalm 51:5, "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me."

In Psalm 58:3, he adds, "The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies."

And, the main source in which sin springs forth is found in Jeremiah 17:9, which states, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Indeed, who can know it but God.

We have no else to blame for our choices but ourselves as a consequence of God's indictment of our nature. And, because there's no hope for any of us, in this life or the next, for absolution from our sinful state and sorry affairs we choose - when faced with this simple truth - to ignore the problem or do something about it.

When people ignore their problem about what to do about their sinful state, they turn to alcohol, drugs, gambling or any other sort of vice. Honestly, it doesn't even have to be something illicit. Anyone or anything that turns your heart away from God is considered an idol. And God made it very clear that He was to be worshipped before anything or anyone else (Exo. 20:3). By the way, the reason people run around doing all sorts

Truly, the only way through the problem of your sinful nature is Jesus Christ. God sent Him to the world to die for your sins (John 3:16) so that, by believing in Him, you would be forgiven and enter into a relationship with God through His Son (I John 1:3; 4:15).

Finally, when that body of sin dies you get a new body. Consider these verses:

1. Romans 6:6 - "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."

2. Philippians 3:20-21 - "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."

3. II Corinthians 5:1 - "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

Here's a few more you all can look up: II Cor. 5:4; 6:16-18. Eph. 4:22-32; Col. 3:9-25.

The only catch is that, in order to have the Holy Spirit indwell within you (Rom. 8:11), you must be born again (Jn. 3:1-7). Ultimately, when you die that ol' body of sin can be put to rest and you will receive a glorious abode. Yes,, we groan in this makeshift stillhouse, but when I'll die, this ol' stillhouse will be torn down. Hallelujah!

Lord, I Want A New Body and A New Hope!

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

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 2 Visitors

Romans 7:18-19

"For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do."

Two visitors came to see me, both at the same time,
Both were trying to win control of my body, heart, and mind

One was dressed quite plainly, one dressed fit to kill,
I couldn’t see the battle they were waging for my will.

One promised to give fame, friends and riches beyond compare,
Anything I wanted, it seemed, and while I was standing there,

He showed me how life could be, for a little while at least,
I couldn’t see beneath the clothes, to recognize the beast.

The other told of hard times, of sacrifice and pain,
Ridicule and persecution, nothing much to gain,

But there was something deep in this visitor’s eyes
That made me feel to choose Him would somehow be wise.

I guess you'll know the outcome by the way my life reflects,
The one I picked, the path I chose, the one that He directs.

So, did I choose so poorly, I wonder as I sing.
But one day I shall see Him, as He truly is:

The awesome King of kings!

compliments of Beth Fisher

When I think of the 2 visitors, I know that they are not one-time callers. They are not only cold-callers, that is, showing up without warning. No, these two can sometimes be spotted long before they reach your front door. In either event, they are opportunistic. These two are determined to influence my thinking, my attitude, my choices and my priorties every day. Not one day passes that they don't come a-knocking.

Here's the thing: As a Christian, the turmoil isn't external; it's internal, between the old man and the new man. In Romans 7:22-25, Paul's line of reasoning points to the crux of the internal struggle -

"For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."

Indeed, it's humbling to man - the so-called master of his own destiny - to be under the influence of evil passions. And yet, it is what it is. Just look at today's headlines in Any City, USA. You shall find man in all his glorious wickedness in full display. Scan the international news pages and you'll come upon the same bad news. If there is one headline that could sum up all of man's efforts and endeavors in this world, it would be this: Man Sinned Again!

Sin is degrading on man, a stain. It brings him down into the dust. What kind of man thinks he's the master of his destiny and yet be not in control of his sinful propensities and indulgences? A self-delusional one, that's what kind. God said, "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one...For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Rom. 3:10-12, 23)

To the Christian, the mind is overwhelmed with wretchedness, and instinctively sighs for relief. He asks himself: Can keeping the Law help me? Can any man rescue me? Can any innate strength of conscience or of reason mitigate this miserable state of mind? In vain all these are tried, and the Christian then calmly and thankfully acquiesces in the consolations of the Good Book, realizing and understanding and concluding that aid can be obtained only through Jesus Christ.

Yet, there are those who continue to struggle in the flesh with that which cannot be overcome in the flesh. What frustrating misery to live by a code and yet fall short on a daily, nay, hourly, basis. The body is the seat of the fleshly desires; the heart, the control center where decisions are made (Jer. 17:9). The love of the world appertains to the Devil (I Jn. 2:16) - lust of the flesh & eyes and pride of life. But, the decisions come from the heart, dear Reader.

Sin makes us guilty of death. Being unable to free ourselves from it (even in our very best state), we cry out until there aren't anymore tears, just sheer exhaustion, and look for help and deliverance out of ourselves. And that's the rub: We cannot deliver ourselves from ourselves. You might as well be trying to crawl out of your own skin. So, we must cry to the Lord Jesus Christ to deliver us Himself.

Thus, the man, finding there is no help in himself, begins almost unknowingly to pray, Who shall deliver me? That is a question and petition altogether wrapped in desperation. He then seeks and looks for deliverance, until God in Christ appears to answer his question: "Be of good cheer, because I have overcome the world." (Jn. 16:33).

Matthew 11:28-29 states, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."

Isn't it time you surrendered your struggles to Jesus Christ? You know you've tried everything else. Speaking with friends. Reading self-help books and philosophical treatises. Scanning the world wide web. Looking for answers that aren't there. Stop living with one foot in the world and one in God's grace. Please, Reader, give Jesus Christ a chance to prove that He indeed is the Prince of peace.

C'mon! What's holding you back? Jesus Christ, My Rest and My Peace

’Tis the grandest theme, let the tidings roll,
To the guilty heart, to the sinful soul;
Look to God in faith, He will make thee whole,
“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.

Your Own Personal Gethsemane

Matthew 26:36

"Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder."

The word Gethsemane is Greek in orgin; in Hebrew, gat shemanim. It's an ancient oil press; that's the meaning of the name. And a garden bears its name. You could even say that the milling stone that was used to press the oil out of the olives was the Gethsemane Stone. The garden was located on the Mount of Olives across the Kidron Valley from Jerusalem. It is here that Jesus prayed on the night before His death.

In the Garden, Jesus struggled, knowing His impending crucifixion meant separation from His Father. At no other time in the Gospels do we see the Son of God more brokenhearted than in these last few hours of freedom before He is seized by the Temple guards. In fact, Christ was at the point of physical exhaustion in the Garden of Gethsemane. He cried out until His sweat became like drops of blood in the agony at Gethsemane.

Try to imagine the great, immense pressure on the Christ. The weight of the world's sins would soon be consummated at Calvary. And the worst part of Calvary (ie, Golgotha) is that Jesus knew what would happen there; He'd be separated from God.

In anguish, Jesus would cry out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matt. 27:46). As the full weight of humanity’s sin fell upon Christ, the Father withdrew His presence, since He does not remain in the presence of sin. Jesus had never known a moment of separation from the Father, until that very moment when Jesus took on our sin. That rejection was agony for Jesus.

Jesus was willing to be forsaken by God in order that we could be accepted by Him. Talk about the Passion! Who else could loves us to the point separation from the Father and dying a horrific death? No one but the Son of God!

But in Gethsemane, the Son did not plead for release from the pain; instead, He prayed three times that the Father’s will be done.

Have you ever prayed with a brokenness for His will to be done in your life? Giving up your desires and willful ways brings turmoil and pressure to resist because the flesh is at war with the Spirit (Gal. 5:17). But, whatever besetting sin is causing a break in your walk with Christ, take it to Him in prayer.

If we follow Jesus’ example and release ourselves to God’s will, then inner turmoil is calmed by a sense of peaceful contentment. External circumstances may be unchanged, they may even worsen, but in our inward Gethsemane, we have a peace that surpasses all understanding because a loving Father gives it to us (Phil 4:7).

Jesus promised in John 16:33, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Jesus left the garden a prisoner, but at the same time He walked out triumpant because He had submitted to His Father's will.

What about you, Reader? Have you experienced you own personal Gethsemane lately?

I'd like to know more about Jesus: The Plan of Salvation

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

Christ Alone Is the Way

Ephesians 2:8-9
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Henry Gregory Adams was born of Roman Catholic parents in Saskatchewan, Canada and brought up strictly in that faith. Read his testimony here about how he found the Lord Jesus Christ:

"From early youth I was trying to be good, yet falling progressively into sin. With the rest of the crowd I was heading into perdition. I was told that by becoming a monk and priest I could avoid sin and be more certain of my salvation. Because I was sincerely seeking salvation, I entered the Basilian Order of Monks, received the long black robe and an adopted monastic name of "Saint Hilarion the Great" and made my vows. Among the studies for the priesthood, we had three textbooks on the Bible but not the Bible.

"I was eager to serve the Lord Jesus Christ! By leading a monastic life I thought I was doing just that. I performed all my monastic duties to the last rule. I whipped myself every Wednesday and Friday evening till my back bled; in penance I often kissed the floor; often I ate my meager meal kneeling down on the floor or completely deprived myself of food. I did many forms of penance for I was truly seeking salvation. I was taught that I could eventually merit heaven. I did not know that the word of God says, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

"After I was ordained as a priest I served five parishes in the Alberta area. I said Mass every day, heard confession, recited the rosary to Mary, had devotions to many saints and performed my penances more fervently than ever. Yet these did not satisfy my weary soul. I was heading into even deeper distress of soul than when I was a boy.

"I became acquainted with the Roman Catholic version of the Bible and in it were striking verses that contradicted my very belief and practices. God's Book said one thing, my Church another. Who was right? The Roman Church or God? I eventually believed God's word.

"The monastic life and the sacraments prescribed by the Roman Catholic Church did not help me to come to know Christ personally (John 14:6) and find salvation. After twelve and half years I escaped from the monastery, a lost sinner, without peace in my soul. I realized that man-made sacraments of my Church and my good works were in vain for salvation.

"Soon afterwards I believed that Christ died for me because I could not save my soul, and I trusted Him alone for my salvation. When I repented of my sins and received Him into my heart, believing that on the cross He paid the complete penalty for my condemnation, I knew that my sins were not only forgiven but forgotten and that I was justified before God."

Henry Gregory Adams' testimony excerpted from "Far From Rome, Near to God" (Richard Bennett and Martin Buckingham)

Reader, if you're thinking religion can save you then you are wrong. I too was raised as a Roman Catholic and knew when to kneel, stand, and sit during Mass. On Saturdays, we stood in line along with our friends and their families as we gave our confessions to the priest. As a kid, I was always amazed that the priest knew the exact number of "Our Fathers", "Hail Marys" and "Apostles' Creeds" I should pray for my sins. I thought that maybe they had charts like those found in a math book. Or a Catholic calculator. But, Catholicism left me empty in spite of - or because of- all the rituals.

It wasn't until I understood that I was a sinner and that I had sinned against God that I truly comprehended in my heart why Christ had to die for my sins. You see, it's not until you personalize Calvary and that you acknowledge that your transgressions and sins put Jesus up on the cross, it's not until then that you open your heart to Jesus and ask Him to be your personal Saviour and Lord.

I hope you undestand this basic truth: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and He died on the cross for your sins (John 3:16). Why? Because He loves you (Rom. 5:8)! Don't delay the decision any further. Surrender to Him today and experience love and newness like you've never known before. Follow Him here: The Plan of Salvation

Happy day, happy day,
when Jesus washed my sins away!
He taught me how to watch and pray,
and live rejoicing every day.
Happy day, happy day,
when Jesus washed my sins away!

Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet

Proverbs 27:7
"The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet."

When I read this chapter on Sunday morning, this verse jumped out at me. And, the first thing I thought about was drug addictions.

You see, people who use drugs fall under 2 general categories: those who are bored and those who are in pain.

As to the first group, people who are satisfied with life (ie, referring to the full souls of verse 7a) and all its offerings tend not to have a place for Jesus Christ. Their attitude is, "I don't need religion." Sadly, they're missing the point. What they need and don't have is a relationship with Jesus Christ. Thus, they go through life getting their fill and loathing the goodness of God's word, which is referred to as being sweeter than honey in Psalm 119:103. On a full stomach of worldliness, they hate something as simple and sweet as honey. As a consequence of their self-satisfaction, these people become bored (Proverbs 27:20). And, idleness leads to selfishness (Eze. 16:49). It's in that boredom that people start experimenting with drugs.

On the other hand, the 2nd group of people are hungry. They're starving and will eat anything, even if it's bitter. These people are in obvious pain and will go to any lengths to fill their hunger. You see, they are in pain (physical, emotional, etc.) and need to dull their ache and misery. And, if the bitter thing is what fills the hungry soul then so be it.

A telling and stark account is found in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. You see both conditions in the young man. Consider these verses:

1. "And [Christ] said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living."  Luke 15:11-13

Here we read that the young man lived it up, whooped it up and raised Cain (pardon the pun) until he ran out of funds, as it were. With his inheritance, he lived the fine life, became satisfied and delved into an ungodly lifestyle. Why? Because his soul was full!

2. "And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him."  Luke 15:15-16.

Now we find our fine young man is lacking basic resources and is so very much hungry that even the the corn husks intended for the pigs looked delicious to him. You see, friend, even the bitter things are sweet to the hungered soul!

Reader, are you struggling with some addiction today? Be free of it once and for all by surrendering and submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. He will set you free (John 8:32). You won't hunger or thirst for things of this world.

Look at what Scripture promises:

John 6:35"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."

Rev. 7:16-17
"They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

Friend, isn't it about time for you to turn your hungry soul over to the Lord Jesus Christ for nourishment? Aren't you yet dissatisfied with life and its offerings? If so, now's the time to look to Jesus for your true satisfaction. You've been reading post after post in this blog and have heard the Good News time and again. The day is far spent and tomorrow is not promised.

Please settle this matter now. Don't leave this website without first getting right with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. Here's how: The Plan of Salvation

Falling Feels Like Flying (For A Little While)

Psalm 55:6

"No one regards what is before his feet; we all gaze at the stars."

— Quintus Ennius

"Don't let the fear of falling keep you from knowing the joy of flight."

— Lane Wallace

The quotes above extol flight by men whose ideas extended from the antiquities to the 20th Century. Anyone who has flown on an airplane can totally relate to the sensation, thrill and fear of flying.

Just thinking about what it takes to make an airplane to fly, is mind boggling. In order to get up off the ground, there is a tug of war between the opposing forces of thrust versus drag, lift versus weight.  Thrust is what proples the plane forward, usually by the engine, which is used to create alot of air. Drag is what happens to the plane when it is propelled forward; the wind runs counter to the plane, creating resistance. As a consequence of thrust & drag, there's another conflict at play: gravity hold on to the airplane while the rush of air over the wings creates areas of pressure over and under the wings. The bottom line is that the lift under wings overcomes the pressure over the wings. To understand the principle of lift in action, imagine going outside on a very windy day and sticking your hand out the window of a moving car; your arm will be lifted up a little. You've just experienced lift (information courtesy of howstuffworks.com)

Why all the talk of flight?

Sin is pretty much like the sensation of flight, appealing to all of the senses. It's addicting. And, for a season it feels good, even when you know that what you're doing is wrong. The heart indulges in sin because that's its natural state (Jer. 17:9; Rom. 3:10). There's nothing we can do about it because sin comes from our sin nature. To wit, Rom. 7:5 indicates -

"For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death."

Thus, there's no way out of this free fall called sin. Not even works can save you; it's not a parachute by any means. Ephesians 2:8-9 state, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

The moral of this story is falling feels like flying until you go SPLAT! You cannot fight against sin in the flesh. Turn your life over to Jesus Christ and He will set you free from sin. I'll tell you how in a minute.

Reader, think on these things that are honest, true and of good report:

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles", Isa. 40:31

"And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. "  Ps. 55:6

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." I Thess. 4:16-18

In a while, dear Believer, and you shall catch a flight. A one way ticket to glory! It's not too late for you, Unbeliever, to do the same.

All you have to do is ask Jesus Christ, the Son of God, into your life. Here's how: The Plan of Salvation

May the Lord bless you today!

If I Were the Devil

II Corinthians 11:15

"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."

Make no mistake. Satan is not some pitch-fork wielding, hoof-footed, prong-horned, red-skinned Medieval boogeyman. He's the real deal, but so is God. Believers do not have to worry about that ol' devil. Certainly, Christians need to be on the look for him (I Pt. 5:8); have the full armor of God on (Eph. 6:11-18); keep God's word through obedience (Ps. 119:11; James 1:22-25) and, be watching and praying (Matt. 26:41).

Below you'll see an interesting article written by Paul Harvey about how things would look like under the guise of Satan. Pretty accurate, huh? Interestingly, Mr. Harvey wrote this piece back in 1999, almost 13 years ago. Things have only worsened since then. The only thing he left out was this tidbit by Charles Pierre Baudelaire: "The devil’s best trick is to persuade you that he doesn’t exist.”

Don't say I never warned you about the Devil's wiles!


"If I Were the Devil"
By Paul Harvey

I would gain control of the most powerful nation in the world;

I would delude their minds into thinking that they had come from man's
effort, instead of God's blessings;

I would promote an attitude of loving things and using people, instead of
the other way around;

I would dupe entire states into relying on gambling for their state revenue;

I would convince people that character is not an issue when it comes to
leadership;

I would make it legal to take the life of unborn babies;

I would make it socially acceptable to take one's own life, and invent
machines to make it convenient;

I would cheapen human life as much as possible so that life of animals are
valued more than human beings;

I would take God out of the schools, where even the mention of His name was
grounds for a lawsuit;

I would come up with drugs that sedate the mind and target the young, and I
would get sports heroes to advertise them;

I would get control of the media, so that every night I could pollute the
minds of every family member for my agenda;

I would attack then family, the backbone of any nation. I would make
divorce acceptable and easy, even fashionable. If the family crumbles, so
does the nation;

I would compel people to express their most depraved fantasies on canvas and
movies screens, and I would call it art;

I would convince the world that people are born homosexuals, and that their
lifestyles should be accepted and marveled;

I would convince the people that right and wrong are determined by a few who
call themselves authorities and refer to their agendas as politically
correct;

I would persuade people that the church is irrelevant and out of date, the
Bible is for the naive:

I would dull the minds of Christians, and make them believe that prayer is
not important, and that faithfulness and obedience are optional;

I GUESS I WOULD LEAVE THINGS PRETTY MUCH THE WAY THEY ARE!

From Gabbatha to Golgotha: The Awful Sentence at The Pavement

John 19:13

I became interested in the passage in John 19:13 after watching the movie, The Gospel of John (Buena Vista Home Entertainment/Disney, 2005). In the movie scene, Pontius Pilate is in the courtyard sitting in the judgment seat as Jesus is brought out to him and the angry crowd. It is here that Christ was sentenced as Pilate had already made his politically expeditious judgment in the inner chambers of his palace.

Gabbatha is an Aramaic word that means elevated, or platform. In the Hebrew, it was also called "Pavement," where the judgment-seat (or bema) was placed, from which Pilate delivered our Lord to death. It was a place paved with a mosaic of colored stones and stood on an eminence, so that the judge sitting on his throne might be seen and heard by a considerable number of people. The modern-day bema is the judge’s bench, which is typically elevated and located at the head of the courtroom.

Interestingly, for hundreds of years, scholars used the “myth” of Gabbatha to reject John’s record of Jesus and the trial by Pilate, because there was no historical record of a court called Gabbatha or “The Pavement” in Jerusalem. However, famous archaeologist William Albright revealed that this place was in fact the court of the Tower of Antonia, which was destroyed by the Romans in 66-70 AD. It was left buried when Jerusalem was rebuilt in the time of Hadrian, but it was uncovered during excavations there [William Albright, The Archaeology of Palestine, Penguin Books, 1960].

So, when Pilate had sat down in the judgment seat, in the place that is called the pavement, the decision had been made. All that was necessary was to make it official. It may have been the seat of judgment, but it was not the seat of justice. It may have seemed expedient to hand down the sentence but it was certainly not the seat of equity. There is often no justice and equity in the judgments of men.

And bearing His cross, Jesus went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew, Golgotha. The skull has been a symbol of death. This spot was outside of the gates of the city on the side of a hill, which has the appearance of a skull. It was a sad but needful reality: Had not Christ been rejected of men, we would have been forever rejected of God. So, Jesus was delivered into the hands of wicked and unreasonable men and nailed to the cross as the necessary Sacrifice to reconcile men to God.

Consider the cross from five viewpoints:

1. From the viewpoint of God, the cross was the propitiation for sin. There the full holiness and justice of God was satisfied. Now God can forgive man’s sin without violating His justice.

2. From the viewpoint of Jesus, it was an act of obedience unto the will of the Father. Becoming a sin offering and giving Himself as a sacrifice for man's sin.

3. From the standpoint of the believer, it was substitution. He was there in my place, dying the death that I deserved.

4. From the standpoint of Satan, it was a "victory" as he bruised the seed of the woman, but it also became his ultimate defeat as through Christ's death, He destroyed him that had power over death.

5. As far as the world is concerned, it was an unjust, brutal murder.

Christ’s death means life, eternal life for you (John 3:16)! Gabbatha, the Stone Pavement, is a Place of Decision. It is a place mentioned in the Bible where Pontius Pilate judged Jesus. Gabbatha is where the question was first asked and it is the the one Question we must all ask ourselves, "What will I do with this Jesus, called the Christ?"

Just One Commandment

Genesis 2:16-17

The Garden of Eden is described as created the Garden specifically for Adam, the first man, whom God had formed (Genesis 2 and 3). The Garden of Eden was perfect. It offered both beauty and sustenance, being home to every tree "that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, "and a source of freshwater from the river to drink. As for man, God "put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. " (Genesis 2:15)

Genesis 2:16-17 states that the Lord God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

Now comes along the wily serpent and logically trips up Eve by twisting words around and asking, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" From that point forward, it is all downhill for humanity.

And with a single act, both are tossed into darkness. It was just one Commandment: Do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve had their pick of trees: grapefruit, apple, peach, mango, lemon, coconut, you name it. Instead, they chose to go to the tree of forbidden fruit. Isn’t that just like human nature: self-willed and prideful.

By obeying just one Commandment, man could have had eternal life in the garden of earthly delights. Think about it: Just one Commandment!

Just to get an idea of what Adam and Eve were going to be missing out on, Ezekiel 28:13 gives further detail of the garden: “You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared.” Talk about the model of ideal loveliness. Talk about the marvelous light arrayed through these precious gems and jewels, bedazzling and brilliant!

As a race, humans have not fared any better because of our sinful nature. We have remained in darkness. Indeed, our heart is dark. Consider the state of world affairs to get a taste of how low and ugly our nature really is.

So, by the time the Lord summoned Moses in Exodus 19:3, God wanted to take the Israelites into a close and peculiar relation to Himself. This blessed Sinai Covenant was granted out of God's own free grace. The conditions God made on the people were that they must obey His voice and keep His covenant, which are the Ten Commandments. They are the Divine Standard:

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.

2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or likeness of heavenly or earthly things to bow down to them.

3. Thou shalt not take the name of Jehovah thy God in vain.

4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.

5. Honor thy father and mother.

6. Thou shalt not kill.

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

8. Thou shalt not steal.

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness.

10. Thou shalt not covet.

The purpose of the Law was not so that the Israelites could use it as an instrument to make them righteous, but to show what righteousness is. Once the Law is violated, it can only condemn us. And that’s the problem. If we couldn’t keep just one Commandment, how then can we hope to keep ten?

Enter Jesus Christ.

His advent brought forth a new covenant, which was sealed with His holy blood when Christ was crucified on the cross for our sins. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man (i.e., Adam), how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! (Rom 5:15)

So, the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law (Galatians 3:24-25).

For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ (Rom 5:17). It is written: "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam (i.e., Christ), a life-giving spirit” (1 Cor. 15:45).

The only Mediator is Jesus Christ; (1 Tim. 2:5); For there is one God and one mediator between God and men. That man is Christ Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life! No one approaches the Father except by Him! Won’t you come to Him and accept Him as Lord and Savior? He is ready to receive you!

Putting Away Our Ornaments

Exodus 33:1-7


Sam Harris wrote an Op-Ed piece entitled, “Faith Won’t Heal Our Divided World” in the Washington Post web site (for further details go directly to http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/sam_harris/) on November 14, 2006. He is “a graduate in philosophy from Stanford University, has studied both Eastern and Western religious traditions, and is now completing a doctorate in neuroscience. He makes regular appearances on television and radio to discuss the danger that religion now poses to modern societies.” So ,it is not a stretch of the imagination that Mr. Harris finds no use for religion or God. Despite the admonishment of Matthew 7:6, I entered the debate and posted my views on his piece. Here are some of the reactions and responses posted on the web page:

“[The] divide between faiths is propagated by the systematic brain washing of our children who are too young to understand the impact of the belief systems that are relentlessly pounded into their heads.”

“When persons of faith judge others and try to impose their belief systems on others (they do not seem to be able to resist), all we get is intolerance, wars and death.”

“Perhaps we need a new GOD. Clearly the old one isn't doing the job.”

“I wonder sometimes if all religious groups aren’t from their so-called Hell, trying to destroy what few sane people (Atheists) there are on earth.”

“Why not just do away with the concept of evangelism in religion, and let individuals find their own ways to resolve their fear of the unknown?”

“What is even scarier (and in my opinion, insane) is that this scenario of nuclear destruction actually plays into Christian prophecy of the second coming of Christ, WHICH WILL BE WELCOMED!!!”

“[S]top using the phrase ‘It's a miracle’ which is so clueless. If somebody escapes tragedy then it's a matter of luck, being in the right place at the right time just as where you are born is simply random.”


Pastor Skip Hietzig said that pride is the national religion of Hell. It’s pride that the sinner proudly glories in. Wicked people will not seek after God; that is, they will not call upon Him. They live without prayer without God. They have many thoughts, many objects and devices, but don’t bother to think of the Lord. There is no submission to His will. The cause of this is, of course, pride.

In Exodus 33:1-7, the Hebrews had forsaken God, forgotten about their covenant with Him, had fashioned a golden calf and had not obeyed God’s Word. C’mon, now! After witnessing the miracle of deliverance of the Red Sea, after receiving the manna and water, after being given quail to eat, this is how they thanked God? No wonder He called them a stiff-necked people. It’s a miracle in itself that He just didn’t smite them on the spot! But that speaks of God’s incredible grace and mercy. And the reason they were stiff-necked was because they were lovers of themselves rather than of God; they were sinful and they were proud. As a consequence, God refused to go with the people up to Canaan. Upon hearing this, the people were grieved and took their ornaments and jewelry off. By their stripping off their ornaments, the Lord discerned the first symptoms of contrition. The people were ashamed and sorrowful for their behavior. Des-pite their knowledge of God, they acted against Him. What good would these objets d’art do? Nothing. The removal of the tent of the meeting place was moved outside their camp, too. Now, that their communion with God had been removed, they realized the implications of moving forward without God.

So, where does that leave us in the 21st Century? Humanists and their kind believe that there can be peace without Jesus Christ, but the truth of the matter is that there can be no peace without Him. This belief and ideology stem, in part, from the Hellenistic time. The Greco-Roman influence in philosophy and science, among other things. You can say they were pre-Missouri types: Their attitude was “Show me.” They prided themselves in their knowledge. And therein lies the problem. Human knowledge can only take you so far.

You see, when you make an absolute statement, such as “There is no God”, absolute proof is required. The declaration "There is no God" is what is known as an absolute statement. For an absolute statement to be true, you must have absolute knowledge. Is it possible that there is knowledge you haven't yet come across to prove that God does indeed exist? If you are truly reasonable, you will have to say, "Having the limited knowledge that I have at present, I believe that there is no God." In other words, you don't know if God exists, so you are not an "atheist". Instead, you are what is commonly known as an "agnostic." You are like a man who looks at a building, and doesn't know if there was a builder. You are the proverbial fence-sitter who doesn’t mind the discomfort of indecision.

Since neither side can empirically prove or disprove the existence of God, it comes down to faith. For those who require the necessary evidence, I have one simple message: Don’t worry, on the Day of Judgment, you will have all the necessary proof that God is real. In fact, every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Unfortunately, by then it will too late to repent. That’s why it’s very important to trust in the Lord NOW rather than later. God doesn't want you to go to Hell. Please, forget your philosophical arguments, repent and put your trust in Jesus and be saved from God's wrath. Make Psalm 51 your prayer (include the name Jesus in your prayers), then read your Bible daily and always obey what you read. So, please put away your pride, that hollow orna-ment of man, and repent. Come to Christ and have eternal life. Believe it and you shall have it.