Month: April 2022

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We are there.

I’m not the easiest person to buy a present for, just ask my daughters.
Anything I might want is more than likely out of their budget or they are unsure if I can use something they do think up.
For instance, what would I want for my birthday next month?
I wouldn’t mind a whole house generator, a screened-in front porch, or a vertical pellet smoker.
But those are things I can and will eventually get myself.
My gift cannot compare to what Herodias wanted.
When is the last time you read the account of the death of John the baptist?

Matt 14:6-11
But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.
So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.”
And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.

A human head is not on any gift list I can dream up.
This shows you the depravity of people.
Although, as a moral person, I cannot imagine cutting of the head of an enemy, you and I know there are those in this world that will do it.
And it is not improving.
As it was in the days of Noah, when the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (Gen 6:5), the same behavior will happen before the return of Christ.
We are there!

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Believe the report

Rom 10:16-17 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Several years ago, I met a pastor from Nepal.
He told about the revival happening in his country and the great distances people would travel to hear the Gospel message.
He also told of a group of people that brought a dead man.
He was dead for four days.
At the revival meeting, they prayed over him and he came back to life.
That’s totally unbelievable.
“Lord, who has believed our report?”
If you believe healing a death is impossible then your doubt makes it impossible.
Just because you and I have not witnessed a resurrection does not mean it cannot happen.
Believing begins by faith, not by sight.
I have never seen God, the crucifixion of Jesus, or His resurrection but I believe by faith.
I might add, I have never been to Nepal but I believe it exists.
It is high time the church begins to believe God can and does the unbelievable.
It’s time to start believing the report.

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By the fruit

Luke 6:44 For every tree is known by its own fruit.

In our yard is a tree.
It’s actually two trees that seem to come from one trunk.
One is a flowering pear and the other is a fruiting pear.
Both bloom within a week of each other.
Both have fruit, although the flowering fruit never gets larger than your thumbnail.
The flowering pear has more blossoms and is more beautiful than the other.
In the fall, its leaves turn a vibrant red.
The trunk and bark seem in better shape and appearance than the other.
But it does not have fruit like the real one.
There is nothing to gain and eat from it.
Don’t be fooled by flowery words and looks.
It is the fruit of a person that matters.
You will know them by their fruit.
And you are known by your fruit.