Religion & Spirituality

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Troubled at the saying

I study the Bible a lot – every day I have my nose in it. And I know there are times I can get teach and preach and get over the heads of those listening.

This is especially true of new things – things the listeners have not studied or heard before.

I try to explain everything but sometimes it just takes time to sink in.

The same thing happened to Mary.

And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Luke 1:28-30

Mary was troubled at his saying.
Why? Because it was new to her.

She lived in a society that followed the Law of Moses. It was a society where the religious leaders would emphasize that she wasn’t good enough and because her family wasn’t rich, they weren’t considered to be blessed.

Now an angel tells her she is highly favored and she has found favor with God.

The angel told her of grace, something she just didn’t understand. Grace and following the Law had little in common. Then again, they have everything in common. But there I go again – getting in deep.

Mary is not alone when it comes to not understanding grace. There are many people that don’t. I can’t swear that I fully comprehend it but I fully accept it.

I know I am saved by God’s grace.

There are many things in God’s word that are difficult to understand. Like grace, they need to be accepted and allowed to accomplish their purpose in you.

Abba, Your grace is more than sufficient for me. I love Your grace. Thank You for giving it to me through my Savior, Jesus. YES&AMEN

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Chestnuts and sleigh bells?

Christmas songs are on the radio. We’re playing more and more on KSWP, where I work.

I call them Christmas songs but they have absolutely nothing to do with any Christmas that I have ever experienced.

The classic Nat King Cole song with chestnuts roasting on an open fire and folks dressed up like Eskimo’s.
Not in Texas!

The classic Bing Crosby song about a white Christmas where tree tops glisten and children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow.
I did have snow earlier this year. In fact, there were three different snows all within two weeks of each other but none earlier than January 24th.
I don’t ever remember a white Christmas.
I’ve never heard sleigh bells. I’m not sure there’s a sleigh in the state of Texas.

Though songs like these are reminiscent of Christmas, I truly doubt they are appropriate for California or Florida either.

But there is one part of Christmas that is good no matter where you live.

She brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

That’s Christmas!

Go ahead and sing Jingle Bells and Deck the Halls; sing about French hens and mom kissing Santa Claus – but Christ is what Christmas is all about.

Abba, I enjoy all the songs and decorations of Christmas. But I rejoice in the Christ of Christmas. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Preceding others!

Everyone knows the name of Billy Graham. But do you know Mordecai Ham?
He is the evangelist that was preaching when Billy came forward and accepted Jesus as Savior.

Everybody has someone that precedes them – that paves the way for them. Billy Graham, DL Moody, Tony Evans, or Chuck Swindoll all had someone that paved the way before them and help lead them to Christ.

Even Jesus had someone go before Him.

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Mal 4:5

That was fulfilled in the person of John the Baptist.

John’s father, Zacharias was told,

He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Luke 1:17

Today you will go before someone. Will you pave the way to the Lord for them? Will you show the way?

Think about that before you act or say something today. You may be just the person to lead the next Billy Graham to Christ.

Abba, use me to point the way for others. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Christmas Every Day!

Was Jesus born on December 25th. Anything is possible but it’s hardly likely. It really doesn’t matter because Jesus should be celebrated every day!

It’s a shame that so many don’t recognize that and only think of the Savior on Easter or at Christmas.
He is not recognized as the Lord of all!

Not long after His birth something wonderful happened.

Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Luke 2:22-24

He was taken to the Temple. Now remember He is only about 6 weeks old or so.
While at the Temple a man named Simeon and a elderly widow named Anna recognized this Baby as the Messiah.

Both spoke and prophesied over Him,

And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Luke 2:33

It is a shame that more did not recognize Him as Messiah at that time.
It is a shame that more do not recognize Him as Savior and Messiah today!

Those two in the Temple that day, weren’t around to celebrate the birth of Jesus at the manger. They won’t be around to celebrate with the Wise Men. But they did celebrated Jesus forty days after His birth.

He is meant to be celebrated each and every day!

Abba, every day I see the Savior in all the things around me. Christmas and all that comes with it, reminds me of the Savior, but then I choose to be reminded! In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Christmas Crowds

I don’t like Christmas shopping. There are way too many people in the same store at the same time, trying to buy the same things.

When I have to go shopping I entertain myself by watching other shoppers.

Some are oblivious to the world around them. They’ll block the aisle without any thought to the other people that need to get by them.

There are mom’s with kids and it’s a juggling act to keep them all under control.

The comparison shopper stands around the same area and looks at different varieties of the basic same product.

Some others, like me, are happy to just sit down and wait while watching others go by.

Some areas of the stores or mall are so crowded that I just avoided it.

All of this reminds me of another crowd.

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

Bethlehem was crowded when Joseph and Mary arrived and were “shopping” for a place to stay. The streets were crowded. The doorways were crowded. The restaurants were crowded. There were people everywhere.

And there were so many that no rooms were available for the night.

The innkeeper did his best to offer the couple some type of shelter.

I doubt the stable was very comfortable but it did shield them from the elements and gave a place for the King of kings to humbly be brought into the world.

So next time you are in the crowd’s, think of the crowded town of Bethlehem where the Savior was born.

Next time you’re out in the crowd’s, remind yourself that Jesus came and died for all of them.

Abba, everyone I meet today needs you as Savior; whether it’s a crowd of a hundred or just one person. I want to be the light to shine the way to You. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Thanks Giving It Up

What would you willingly give up for another person?

I know some people that have given a kidney or bone marrow to help someone. But my question leans more towards what lifestyle would you give up to help someone.

Would you give up drinking and never touch another drop if it would rid your mom of Alzheimer’s?

Could you give up bacon or seafood if you knew it would cure a child you know of leukemia?

What about church? Would you never miss another service if it made grandma well again?

What are you willing to give up for your children or spouse to insure they are happy and safe?

The things you say you would give up are the things that Jesus did give up!
He never got drunk, never committed adultery, and never ate bacon or seafood. He did not lie, steal, murder, or back talk His parents.
He was never jealous or envious. He did not cuss or take God’s name in vain. He never missed the opportunity to worship God with others in a synagogue or Temple.

And He did this all for YOU!
Then He did something else!

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor 5:21

Jesus took upon Himself the sinful things you weren’t willing to give up so you could be made whole.
So you could be made perfect.
So you could have a more abundant life!
So you could have eternal life with Him in heaven someday!

Paul testifies of the things he was willing to give up after he accepted Jesus as his Savior.

I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; Phil 3:8-9

Abba, on this Thanksgiving Day I am reminded of what I am most thankful for – that you gave up the opportunity to sin so that I can live. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Write and Protest – but Pray!

The apostle Paul lived in pagan times. The ruling government was Rome. The emperor often thought of himself as a god.

Idol worship was prevalent. And it wasn’t long before Jews were exiled from Rome and Christian’s were persecuted.

It was the worst of times.

And yet the Apostle wrote this to the church at Rome;

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Rom 13:1-3

I try not to get political in the pulpit or on social media. For me, politics will never save anyone. You cannot legislate morality or salvation.

Do I agree with everything the President does? I have never agreed with everything any president has done and I’ve been voting since 1976.

Even president’s that made a claim of being Christian did things I did not agree with.

The Bible makes it clear the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

I believe we often get what we deserve. Sometimes we get a good, decent, God-fearing ruler and sometimes we get a disgrace.
Most of the time we get someone who will just go with the status-quo of the Washington political scene.

Should you vote? Yes!
Should you protest wrongs done by governing officials? Absolutely!
Should you continually bad mouth, rundown, and curse governing officials? Absolutely not!
You curse that which God has ordained.

So what should your response be to a president that does what is wrong, immoral, or unconstitutional?
Voice your protest if you wish too – you have that right in the USA!

I once wrote President Carter a letter over something he said which I thought was inappropriate for a born-again Christian. Did I rebuke him? Yes, in a pleasant way for his reclamation.

It’s okay to write, protest, and even rebuke.
But pray for the president!
Pray for the Congress and Senate.
Pray for the Justice’s.

Pray! It does change things!

Abba, I pray for President Obama today. Though I may never talk to him, I pray that someone that is Spirit-filled will be able to speak with him and his family about You. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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The Election

Yesterday was Election Day.

My polling place happens to be my church. Linda and I always go vote right before the polls close so I can lock up the church.

Yesterday I was the last person to vote – #104. There are around 350 voters in this precinct and I was number 104.

Evidently voters did not see this as an important election. Let it be a presidential year and many more will turn out to vote.

Give diligence to make your calling and election sure. 2 Peter 1:10

The church I was raised in was a small country church. One thing I remember is there were 168 on the church roll but only about 40 or 50 ever came to church, that is, unless it was Mother’s Day or Homecoming.

It seems the elect of God are like the electorate of the country – only show up at self-determined important times.

I also remember that if there was some dissension over the pastor and it was time for a business meeting, that people I had not seen in church for years would show up for the vote.

I do not believe any of this is pleasing to the Lord.

He gave us the fellowship of His church so we could grow in faith and knowledge.
He gave us His word so we could read and learn more about Him.
He gave us each other to encourage and be encouraged; to pray with and pray for, and for accountability.

The American voter should show more concern about the election of government officials in the country.
Likewise, God’s people should be more diligent to show their calling and election by being more involved in church, Bible study, and fellowship.

Abba, I vote for church. I choose fellowship and Bible study. I elect to follow Jesus. YES&AMEN

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A Message of Death – A Message of LIFE

“Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name?” Acts 5:28

Sinful living and false religions all have a major problem with the word of God – it won’t go away and it won’t be silenced.

Those that commit sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these are determined to end any message that would call their lifestyle sinful.

Of course any government official that lives contrary to the scripture will take offense when a pastor takes to the pulpit with the word of God and preaches against such sin.

The Islamic world has made a remedy for them that dare preach Jesus – death. In countries with high populations of Muslims, they are the majority and with the approval of their governing officials, they can imprison, try, and kill “infidels” that preach the Gospel of Jesus.

High populations of other religions can do the same.

What is unique about pure Christianity is it preaches life, not death! Of course in the message there is the condemnation and death of all that sin,

For the wages of sin is death! Rom 6:23

But the same message is tempered with

the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 6:23

It is not a message of purely condemnation of a lifestyle or belief – it is THE MESSAGE OF SALVATION!

Abba, Your name is life. Your way is life. Though the world may choose death, I choose to tell them about Life. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Do Not Preach Jesus!

You may have seen the news on what the city government of Houston is doing.

Some local pastors have been issued subpoena’s to turn over certain sermons about homosexuality and may mention Houston’s openly gay mayor. Of course it is the buzz on Facebook and Twitter.

Houston area pastor’s and minister’s across the state are telling the government has absolutely no reason to bully congregations who are speaking out about what they believe. It’s none of the government’s business.

It seems this started with a new bill that has been introduced that will, among other things, allow men who identify as women to use the restrooms of their choice – and vice versa.

Of course the church would be against that. What person in their right mind wouldn’t be?

But silencing opponents that preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Word of God is not a new thing. It happened in the early days of the church when Peter and John preached in the name of Jesus. In that case the religious leaders caught the apostles,

and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. Acts 4:18

But it was too late! The message had been given and

many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. Acts 4:4

That’s the fear of government officials, kings, presidents, senators, congressmen, mayors, despots, tyrants, and dictators – loosing their power and ruling ability to a Higher Power!

They fear the preaching of the Word of God. It convicts of sin and presents the only redemption available to mankind.

Peter said it best.

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

The name of JESUS!

Abba, in Jesus’ name, give the pastor’s and minister’s the boldness to speak Your word! YES&AMEN