I read an article this morning about the dollar bill. You may have seen in on Facebook too. What I found more interesting were the comments; one in particular.
“In God We Trust” and “one Nation Under God” were signed into law in the 1950’s. Continue reading
Something that many people believe or wonder about is a second chance for salvation in heaven. I don’t believe the Bible supports this point of view and there is scripture to back this up.
I’ll start with this, Continue reading
For the dark places of the earth are full of the haunts of cruelty. Ps 74:20
I don’t know why I had become this way but I just had no desire for church camp this year. Continue reading
The word of God still does what it should do.
It is written,
For the word of God is living and powerful, Continue reading
You are surrounded by messages every day; messages through the form of texting, Facebook, and Twitter. A message is left on the refrigerator to do the dishes or clean up your room. Continue reading
Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Acts 16:29-30
Nearly every nativity scene contains three wise men. Though this story is not included in any other Gospel other than Matthew and follows immediately after the birth of the Christ.
It is unlikely that the Wise men showed up at the birth since the star was over a house and Jesus is called a young Child.
One thing for sure,
And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matt 2:11
Of course, gifts are given at Christmas and justified by this story. More than that, the gifts are evidence of God’s provision.
The little family will be traveling to Egypt to escape the tyranny of King Herod, who orders the killing of all male children two-years old and under.
A trip to Egypt could not have been cheap; plus the time spent living there. Like you, they may have had some money to live day to day but a sudden trip is an extra expense. The gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh could have been used to finance such a trip and stay.
God provides!
I have many stories of Him providing for us and I am not alone. I have heard many stories of providential provision.
I like to give gifts. I love to make someone happy with a small gift. But if I pray earnestly before getting a gift for someone, I would find myself getting a gift of provision by being led by the Holy Spirit.
Abba, Your gift of Salvation through the Babe of the manger is the best ever. YES&AMEN
It’s Black Friday and I know there are scores of people standing in line and fighting the crowds around the nation for a good deal on a gift.
We did it yesterday evening after the turkey was eaten and while the Dallas Cowboys were losing. We decided to go down and get a new TV so we could better watch the Cowboys lose! 😉
Linda and I stood in line for an hour talking to other shoppers. We were about a hundred in line according to one of the store managers that was doing a head count.
And the line kept on growing with around 300 by the time it was over.
Our line was for just one size TV. There were lines for many other things around the store.
I don’t know why this is called Black Friday when the stores make so much green!
But I’ll give you another deal – a Red Deal. And you don’t have to stand in line.
Even better – it’s FREE.
It’s salvation.
If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7
I’ve noticed that this line is never crowded, though it should be.
There is no fighting to get a hold of it.
There are no tickets handed out.
And according to the verse, it’s well lit and you can still have fellowship with those around you.
You won’t find this deal in the sale paper because salvation is FREE and you don’t have to wait for it.
It can be yours now!
If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Rom 10:9-10
Abba, I have had many things over the years that have broke, been repaired, or I returned. Salvation is not one of them. Thank you for this free gift given to all, in Jesus name, YES&AMEN
Sunday was a great day at Crossroads. I was honored to baptize a 73 year old man.
I’ve known Bobby for years, as he is Brock’s dad – Brock being my brother-in-law. Brock had been actively talking to his dad about salvation and often asked us at church to pray for him.
Last Wednesday, Brock’s mom passed away.
This devastated the family.
When another son, Brent, began talking with his dad about things, Bobby realized that he would never see Betty again, not here and not in eternity. With that thought came the reason why he would not see her – he was a sinner that had never given his heart to Jesus.
That changed last Saturday night when he asked Jesus for forgiveness and invited Him into his heart.
It is written,
if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Rom 10:9-10
I am witness and testify that Bobby did exactly that! He confessed with his mouth and told me that he meant every word he prayed – he believed in his heart. He further made a public profession of his faith by being baptized.
It was a glorious day and a great reminder that GOD STILL SAVES!
Abba, I am blessed that Bobby gave his heart to You. I am thankful for the change I see in his family because of his decision. And I pray that his salvation will affect many others that need Jesus as Savior. YES&AMEN
Last time I said that your love for another person will excuse their sin. They can be living an abomination but because you love them, you will overlook what they do.
Let me shed some light on this in a different way by using a familiar verse.
You are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. Rom 2:1
You often think of judging when someone points out the sins of another in a condemning tone.
But what happens when you overlook the sin of another person. You are judging that there is no severity in their sin. You will let them live without the knowledge that sin is punishable by the Great Judge.
To not inform someone about the danger of sin is to condemn them in their sin.
Ezekiel was given this charge by the Lord God:
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. Ezek 3:17-19
I will admit that I am guilty of overlooking the sin of someone I love. But in doing so I may be condemning us both.
We need to be a watchman and just shout the warning. That’s all God requires from me and you.
Abba, You love me so much that You told me my sin would be punished by death. Then You provided a way for me to live through Your Son. Thank You. Give me wisdom in giving the warning and the way! In Jesus name, YES&AMEN
Morning Thought with Pastor Tim 