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This site was last updated 02/08/12

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

1^st.Timothy 4:7,8 NIV

We are pilgrims, living in an earthly (temporary) environment but headed toward our heavenly (permanent) home. Some things with which we have to do are for this life only and other things are for the life to come.

We are cautioned not to place too much emphasis on the things that are for this life only. Paul draws a comparison between physical exercise and spiritual exercise. He infers that physical is good but spiritual exercise is essential.

Physical exercise programs are very popular in our country now. You can buy books, cassettes and videos on exercise programs. I am in favor of that! I want to keep this body as healthy as possible for as long as I am to live in it and I have followed a schedule for walking for many years.

Everyone should try for a strong healthy body but remember that it is a temporary arrangement. Arnold Schwarzenegger will die in his time just like everyone else.

A strong physical body is great but it is one of those things that “you can’t take with you”.

Paul said to place the greater emphasis on godliness because it is profitable for this life and the life to come. In fact, it is essential for the life to come because there will be no ungodliness in heaven.

Godliness means “God-likeness.” Men and women were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) but that image became very badly tarnished. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we are born into the family and once again bear an image. It is a start but needs development so we must enlist in the Holy Spirit’s training program in godliness.(text above) It is a lifetime assignment but it promotes a better, safer and happier life here and leads to life everlasting over there.

The Olympic contestants train all of their life for the opportunity to win a medal but they are not all winners. There are no losers in God’s program however! If you “train yourself to be godly” (the Holy Spirit does the training but we must choose to enlist in the program) you are guaranteed to be a winner.

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

1^st.Kings 19:4

Discouragement is a serious malady! It is one of the Devil’s most effective tools! It causes God’s people to make “on the spur of the moment” decisions that are wrong.

The story above is of Elijah, considered the greatest of Old Testament prophets, becoming so discouraged that he asked God to let him die. It was one of those “at the moment” decisions. Actually, did Elijah really want to die? Queen Jezebel was quite willing to accommodate him in that matter but Elijah was making no appointments. He was sitting under a tree in the wilderness as far away from Jezebel as he could get. His first thought was that he would be better off dead but as often happens to us, he had a second thought that was a better one. Verse 5 tells us that he lay down under the tree and went to sleep. Elijah may have been the originator of that common but wise suggestion, “better sleep on it.”

Anyway, it worked for Elijah. He awakened and found a meal prepared for him (verse 6) and that helped even more. It is not often that “room service’ is provided for people spending the night under a tree in the desert but God is not limited and I do believe that He enjoys surprising us on occasion.

After all He is the God who fed a million + people in the wilderness and gave them shoes that lasted for forty years (Deuteronomy 29:5). Our son’s shoes never begin to last that long although there were times when I wished that they would have lasted a little longer.

Well, at least one lesson we can learn from the above Scripture is that hasty judgment is usually faulty judgment. It is made before we have all the story. Remember the lesson that the Apostles learned; their judgments made on the first and second day after the burial of Jesus had to be drastically changed when the third day dawned.

No matter how discouraging things may appear to be we must remember that God has a “Third Day’ planned for us so it may be wise to “sleep on it” before we make a decision.

“…so everything will live where the river goes.”

Ezekiel 47:9

Read Ezekiel 47:1-12

When I was a child we lived on the banks of a river! It was not a pretty river! It was called the “Muddy Missouri” and that describes it very well.

Ezekiel, in the vision, saw a beautiful river which is described in ch.47. It started as being ankle deep but soon was deep enough to swim in and too wide to cross over. It was a life giving river, “everything will live where the river goes.” Ezekiel’s river is a type of the “water of life” of the New Testament! Jesus said, “He who believes in Me , as the Scripture said, From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.” (John7:38) “ So everything will live where the Gospel goes.” I can say this because the Gospel of Jesus Christ is about life and living! It is not about hate and killing! It is “Good News” about abundant living not “bad news” about suicide dying!

It is a great river of life that was set in motion by Jesus’ death and resurrection and cannot be crossed over,(it for whosoever will) neither can it be dammed up or dried up.

Ezekiel’s river brought life everywhere it went but also it had trees growing along it’s banks on both sides. (v.12) The trees never withered and their fruit never failed and they were there for the health and healing of the people.

The Psalmist said, the man or woman of God, “shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:3)

Wherever the Gospel River goes, life becomes better for all, for the trees that spring up along it’s banks,(men and women of God) are a healing and life giving influence. We can say to others as Moses said to Hobab, “…come thou with us, and we will do thee good:” (Numbers 10:29)

Critics can object, deny, file lawsuits etc. etc. until they run out of breath but the Gospel is the only hope for the world for where it is accepted it will always, “do thee good.”

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

2^nd.Timothy 4:6,7

When Paul wrote the above words he was at a point in this life when he had a lot more to look back at than he had to look ahead to. It is a place that everyone reading this article shall arrive at in God’s time.

We are there now! My wife, Carol, and I, have served in Gospel ministry for more than fifty years. The end is not yet! We shall continue to share the love of Jesus until we breathe our last breath but, obviously, most of our years of service are behind us.

We shall all finish our course! That is already decided! Will we have fought a good fight? That is largely up to us.

I believe that the emphasis above is more on what we are becoming than on what we are achieving. In our present generation God has raised up a number of gifted men and women who are accomplishing great things for Him. PTL! Most of us, however, are common folk and the results of our labor are not so obvious. The results are in God’s hands; the dedication is our choice! We must be faithful where He placed us, doing what He gave us to do.

Israel’s ancient enemy Amalek, attacked them at a place called Rephidim. Joshua led the army into battle and won the victory but the outcome of the battle depended upon Moses standing upon the mountain and holding up the rod of God.

Moses arms grew weary but God had two of His “background servants” there to hold up the weary Moses’ arms until the battle was won. (Exodus 17)

Maybe you are more of an “arm holder” than you are an army general. Don’t despair! Your faithfulness may turn the tide of battle.

There is an old Gospel song that teaches good theology. “Brighten the corner where you are.” When God places us in a corner let us make it the brightest corner that others have ever seen.

Gideon and his three hundred men won a great victory against overwhelming odds. Every man was “in his place” not quarreling over whom was going to be in charge.(Judges 7:7)

Someone said, “A chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link”. You may be an unknown soldier but you don’t have to be a weak link!

Thou, O king, sawest and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass. His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces...and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

Daniel 2:31-35

(Read Daniel 2:31-45)

We are now living, I believe, in the final days of a dispensation. For several years there have been men and organizations promoting a world community concept. The question now is, “Who is going to be in control?”

Will it be (1) Islam terrorists with their “Worship Allah or else!” government? Will it be (2) The European Union nations with their “no God” philosophy? Will it be (3) The United Nations with their conglomeration of religion and beliefs? Will it be “none of the above?” It will be “none of the above.”

The final and permanent world empire is called “ A Stone cut out without hands”

As is recorded in Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had a dream of a great image of a man. Daniel explained that the dream referred to a succession of world empires that would culminate with a world empire that would last forever.

It is described as a “stone cut out without hands” meaning that the final empire is originated and established by God. The nations are identified. Beginning with Babylon, then Persia, then Greece and then Rome. The feet of iron & clay, I believe, represents the world of today, with the various nations and forces striving for control.

They will attempt to settle their disagreements at Armageddon and be “broken in pieces together, and become like the chaff of the summer threshing floors: and the wind carries them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone ( the kingdom of Jesus the Cornerstone) that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.” (v.35)

Its going to happen! “...the dream is certain and the interpretation thereof sure.” (v.45) God didn’t give us an exact day by day schedule of events but He told us to watch developments and we would know when the time was drawing near.

Pilate therefore entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the king of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?”

John 18:33,34

Relying on second-hand information in any matter is not wise but depending on second-hand information concerning our eternal destiny is a much more serious mistake than just being unwise.

We must be able to say, as Paul said, “...for I know whom I have believed, And am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2^nd.timothy 1:12)

Jesus stopped at a well in Samaria and while there He revealed Himself as the long awaited Messiah to a woman at the well. Overjoyed, the woman rushed back into the village to share the good news with others. Many of the men of the city came out to see Jesus and hear Him teach. Later they said to the woman “...Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard Him ourselves, and know that He is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” (John 4:42)

Jesus said, “Not everyone who saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven:” (Matthew 7:21)

Acts 19:13-17 records the story of seven sons of a chief priest named Sceva. They witnessed some miraculous things accomplished by Paul in the name of Jesus and thinking that they had the procedure all figured out they approached a poor demon possessed man and commanded the demons to come out of him in the name of “Jesus whom Paul preaches.” The results were disastrous for them.

Hearing about Jesus is the best news that we can receive but I can’t preach, with confidence, a Jesus that I have only heard about and you can’t rely on a Jesus that you have only heard about. We must be able to say, as the men of Samaria that we have had a personal encounter with Jesus ourselves.

Possessing the Book is the first necessary step but becoming acquainted with the Author must follow if the good news is to benefit us.

Pilate heard from the accusers that Jesus was a criminal worthy of execution and he heard from his wife that Jesus was a good man but he never went on to really find out for himself.

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Acts 4:13

Jesus is the Great Life Changer! No other figure in history has changed so many lives, for the better, as Jesus Christ. It is, depending on the individual, often a very radical change, but always a change.

When the temple officials called Peter and John in for questioning, they discovered, to their great surprise, that these men were not the poor, unlearned fishermen whom they expected to be completed cowed and intimidated by the judges. When “they saw the boldness of Peter & John” they blamed the change on Jesus. They had that right!

The testimony is always the same! Jesus changed my life! The list is very long! From Saul of Tarsus to Augustine to Luther to Wesley to Billy Sunday to Charles Colson to George Bush; the testimony is the same. “Jesus Christ changed my life!”

There is no doubt that men’s lives need to be changed! Just listen to the evening news! The problem is that men don’t want to change. They want to go to that place called heaven but they want God to relax the requirements. That won’t happen!

Jesus said, “I am the way...” to heaven. (John 14:6) He said, “I will come again to take you to be with me.” (John 14:3) He didn’t discriminate in His invitation. He used the words “whosoever will” (Revelation 22:17) which will allow anyone in who chooses to come.

However, He didn’t lower the admission requirements for any privileged class. All must possess the same credentials! It is called being, “born again” (John 3:3) There is no substitute. Nothing short of being “born again” will effect the necessary change that qualifies us to become a citizen of heaven.

There are not many doors to heaven. There is one door and all must enter by that door. Jesus said “I am the door:” (John 10:9)

Right now the door is open and the invitation also is open. One day it will be closed. Reservations must be made before the departure date. Once we are on the way we cannot change course.

“I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2^nd.Corinthians 6:2 NIV)

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Revelation 22:16

Jesus is called the “Morning Star!” The appearance of the morning star ushers in the dawn of a new day and terminates the night. When Jesus came the, long awaited, new day of hope dawned and the old night of despair ended.

When the “Morning Star” comes into a life it is the dawn of a new day. That is why it is written, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2^nd.Corinthians 5:17)

The enemy doesn’t want that to happen and he doesn’t want people to know that it can happen. He has always attempted to prevent the ‘good news’ from being shared and he has increased his efforts in these final days.

He has managed to enlist the assistance judges, lawyers, politicians and various organizations, all members of the “Don’t Mention Jesus Club”.

The charter group called Peter and John into court and commanded them not to “speak at all or teach in the name of Jesus.” (Acts 4:18) The Apostles answer was that it was a matter of obeying them or obeying God. (vvs 19,20) The Apostles obeyed God!

Our choice is the same! The enemy can talk of “constitutional violation” “political correctness” “separation of church and state” adinfinitum but we have our mandate. “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

Jesus said it! Do we obey Jesus or the ACLU?

There is a story about Elijah the prophet in 1^st.Kings 19. It was unconstitutional in those days (according the constitution of queen Jezebel) to worship the Lord God Jehovah. Elijah took his stand for God but was discouraged because he thought that he stood alone. Actually there were 7,000 worshippers of God but they were the original “silent majority”.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the only hope, in an otherwise pretty hopeless world situation. There are a lot of us who believe that and it is not the time to be silent about it.

Jesus said, “What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light; and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.”(Matthew 10:27)

That sounds like Jesus means for us to stand up and be counted.

“O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.”

Jeremiah 10:23

Jeremiah insists that men, without God’s guidance, will never develop a safe and a secure society.

That which brought the above Scripture to mind was a news item that I read a few says ago. It was at a meeting of the City council of Tampa City, Florida. Someone had asked a Mr. Michael Harvey, a member of the Florida Atheistic Association, to give the invocation. Mr. Harvey began by saying that they should be depending on history, science and logic for direction and not be praying to invisible men in the sky.

History is pretty conclusive evidence that men do need to be praying to the invisible God for direction. There are many in positions of influence and authority in world affairs who agree with Mr. Harvey, but then there were men of that opinion in the days of Noah also.

Some ridicule the very idea of people praying for guidance to the God of Heaven. Some time back I heard on a newscast that at a United Nations meeting it was mentioned that the American President, George Bush, prayed for God’s guidance before making decisions. The comment of the U.N. member was “bizarre.”

All men will pray, make no mistake about that! (Philippians 2:10,11) but for some it will be too late

The rich man of Luke 16:19-31 thought prayer was a little ‘bizarre’ when he was in health and everything was leaning his way but one minute after moving on he was praying for help, but no help was available then.

Since I do not know what tomorrow will bring I like to seek direction from the One who makes all of my tomorrows.

The problem in depending on the logic of men to solve the problem is that what is logical to one man is illogical to another. A reason why legislation gets bogged down in our congress.

It is much wiser to seek logic from the Maker of all logic and never go wrong.

Sooner or later God will interfere in the plans and activities of men. Ask Nebuchadnezzar! (Daniel 4:30,31) Ask Beltshazzar! (Daniel 5:4-6) Ask Herod Agrippa! (Acts 12:21-23)

Evidently there are many who do not learn the lesson of history.

or ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

1^st.Peter 2:9

In the verse above Peter begins by informing us that we are a chosen generation (people NIV) Becoming a believer does involve some choosing. The Scripture tells us that Jesus chose us first. “He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world...”(Ephesians 1:4) but at some point in time we must choose Him. “Choose you this day whom you will serve...”(Joshua 24:15)

Jesus’ choice to love us and provide redemption for us involved Him in a number of things. It meant that Jesus Christ, the omnipotent One from all eternity must assume, for a short time, a human body with the limitations, privations and discomforts that are associated with humanity. It meant that He chose to enter a world where He was not welcome! (John 1:10,11) He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not”>

It meant that He brought a message that was not received by most! “Who hath believed our report and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?” (Isaiah 53:1) It meant that He chose to be humiliated, beaten, nailed to a cross and to die for the “great love wherewith He loved us”.(Ephesians 2:4)

When we respond to that love and choose to love and serve Him we become involved. We become a part of the family of God and Peter has a few more descriptive words for us. “a royal priesthood” Wonderful! “a holy nation” Sounds great! “a peculiar people” Not quite so flattering!

I know that the word ‘peculiar’ (KJ) means ‘redeemed’ but non-believers often consider us to be peculiar in the literal sense of the word. God’s people have, in the eyes of the world, done some peculiar things on occasion.

Take Noah for an example. He built a large boat in a valley where there was no water! He preached a message of righteousness that no one wanted to hear! He predicted a flood to people who had never heard of rain and who would not believe. However! The rain did come! The flood happened and Noah’s boat, which the world had rejected and no doubt, laughed at, was the only place of safety.

What is the “thought” of all this? “Choose Jesus Christ and follow Him!” Peculiar or not it is the only safe way.

A man called John was sent by God as a witness to the light, so that all who heard his testimony might believe the light. This man was not himself the light: he was sent simply as a witness to that light. That was the true light, which shines upon every man, which was now coming into the world.

John 1:6-9

Later, Jesus spoke to the people again and said, “I am the light of the world. The man who follows Me will never walk in the dark but will live his life in the light.”

John 8:12

Scripture from J. B. Phillips N. T.

Jesus announced that He was the “Light of the world” and John declared that He was the “true light.” Everything about Jesus reflects light!

When Jesus was born the midnight sky was filled with a holy light as angels announced His birth. When Jesus died, the midday sun refused to shine and a great darkness covered the land. A greater darkness was ruling in the hearts of those who had rejected the light and arranged for His death.

Jesus promised that those who follow Him will not walk in darkness but live their lives in the light. The contrary side of that promise is that those who reject the light are walking in spiritual darkness.

That statement will bring howls of indignation from the “I’m okay! You’re okay! We are all going to the same place!” people but Jesus said it. I’m just quoting Him.

The Scripture above reads that the “light shines upon every man” I take that to mean it shines upon every man with out distinction. No person is excluded because of race or position. It does not shine upon every man without exception simply because some peoples have refused the light and will not allow it to shine on them. They prefer (and they have the privilege of choice) to walk in darkness or follow a false light that is really no light at all. (Galatians 1:6,7) “I am amazed that you have so quickly transferred your allegiance from Him who called you by the grace of Christ to another “gospel”! Not that there is another gospel, but there are men who are upsetting your faith with a travesty of the gospel of Christ.”

The devil seldom denies the word but he is a master at twisting the meaning of it. I have not heard one of his agents, since Madelyn Murray O’Hare, claim that Jesus never existed but there are multitudes who claim that He isn’t really needed.

There are many ‘substitutes’ for many products, on the market now, but don’t even consider a ‘substitute’ for the “true light”.

Can any of you, however much he worries, make himself even a few inches taller?”

Matthew 6:27 J.B.Phillips N.T.

God has established some absolutes in this life and left some variables! We are told to do what we can about those things over which we have a choice or some influence but not to worry about absolutes that have been decided for us.

We can, with self-control and careful eating habits, have some influence on our circumference but the Scripture above tells us that our height has been decided and worry will not change that.

On a much more serious note it has been decided that we shall, one day, leave this life and go to a permanent residence. We have no choice about leaving, that is one of God’s absolutes. We can choose which road we will take on the way out.

I have the following poem pinned to the wall alongside my computer monitor.

“Life is a book of volumes three, The Past—The Present—and the Yet to be:

The first is written and laid away, The Second we are writing day by day;

The next and last of the volumes Three—Is locked from sight—God holds the Key.”

The first volume, our past life, has been written and we cannot change that. It has become a absolute!

The third volume, the Future, is locked from our sight but, we shall face God! That is an Absolute and cannot be avoided.

However the second volume, the Present, is ours and the record is ours to write. What we do with the Present will determine what our Future will be like so the “Now” is our day of opportunity.

Past mistakes and wrong actions cannot be changed but they can be forgiven.

This is our goal! Call it a New Year’s Resolution if you prefer. That we live each day that when our Future becomes our Present we may hear Jesus say; Matt 25:21-22

“Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.”

Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

Isaiah 28:16

These are strange words for most twenty first century ears considering that the order of the day is to ‘make haste’.

We have highways with no speed limits (not that most people would notice anyway). We have ‘Quick Stop Stores’ with instant foods for those who are in a perpetual hurry and cell phones so people can talk on the run.

I guess ‘hurrying’ is not a new practice. Evangelist D. L. Moody, preaching a sermon about 1860, remarked, “It is getting to where our young men all think that they must have a new buggy and a fast horse.”

You have probably seen the plaque that some businesses have displayed that reads, “The hurrier I go the behinder I get”

I don’t believe that we should take the above Scripture to mean that, as Christians, we do not feel the urgency of the work. I believe that it has to do more with the effectiveness of our efforts rather than the rapidity. As believers in the Lord we take time to prepare for His work.

Isaiah 40:31 reads, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.” We shall run when running is required but we shall also wait on the Lord to renew our strength else we just ‘run down’.

In 2nd.Samuel chapter 18 you can read of the young man Ahimaaz. He ran fast but he didn’t wait the get a message.

Waiting on the Lord is not wasted time! Paul spoke of this in 1st.Corinthians 9:26, “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly: so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:”

Paul waited on the Lord so that when he ran, he had a message to deliver and when he fought he hit the target.

At this point in time, physically speaking, I still walk a lot, but seldom run. Spiritually, I do feel the urgency of the time but I have learned the necessity of waiting on the Lord so I can run and run well.

“And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one...”

Hebrews 11:15,16 NAS

As Christians, we have started on a journey! We are going to a better country! Unlike many immigrants who arrive in America and expect America to provide for all of the customs, practices and general way of life in the country that they were coming from, the pilgrims above have been changed to adapt to life in the new country. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2^nd.Corinthians 5:17)

The pilgrims were not forced to start their journey; they chose to do so. They could have stayed in the old country.

We who believe in Jesus Christ as Saviour are destined for life in a country that is new. I am not sure how far I can carry my analogy here, but here are some thoughts, When God completed the creation of the earth He saw “that it was very good.” (Genesis 1:21) The world was good and life in the world was good. The people that God placed on earth polluted the earth and corrupted the quality of life.

The people were the problem! That is why people must be changed to enter the new country. In their present state, given a little time, people can and do pollute and corrupt nearly anything.

John saw the new earth! (Revelation 21:1) Let me share a paraphrase of (2^nd.Peter 3:13) by Bishop Lightfoot. “What we wait for and expect is (not the judgment) but a new kind of starry heavens (different and wonderful) and a new kind of earth (different and strangely wonderful) in which righteousness dwells.”

There is much mystery about life in eternity. God has saved some surprises for us. The new earth will have all of the good,(with improvements) and none of the bad. We will be there because we have been changed but some things in life on earth are not considered for change, they are just left behind. There is no need or place in the future life for “death, sorrow and crying: (Revelation 21:4)

The tests, trials and temptations will all stay in the past never to appear in that new country. Sickness and suffering are left behind.

The good things of life, like, love, mercy, compassion, kindness etc. will be there but greatly amplified.

There is no reason for looking back. Everything good is ahead.

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Matthew 16:26

The questions posed above are about priorities! They are about seeing things in the light of eternity. Jesus offers us a choice; Subscribe to the “I don’t need God” philosophy of the world and live this life accordingly or “Seek first the kingdom of God...” and keep the world in the proper perspective.

Jesus is saying that the profit and loss of such a decision must be considered. God made a good world and it offers opportunity for affluence and the enjoyments that accompany it. If those things are acquired, however, at the expense of our spiritual well-being, then the loss far exceeds the profit and in the end would not be worth the price paid.

The salvation of the soul should be, the top priority of every life. Salvation is free, to us, but it is not automatic. There is some choosing to be done.

Israel of old had the impression that salvation came to them automatically but Joshua corrected their thinking on that, “...choose you this day whom you will serve;” (Joshua 24:15)

We have all made our share of wrong choices in our lifetime but we cannot afford to be in error in this matter. Jesus said< “I am the way and the truth and the life: no man cometh to the Father but by Me.” (John 14:6) Peter said, “Neither is there salvation in any other : for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Don’t listen to the present day devil’s propaganda about many ways, all leading to the same place. Be safe; stay with the Bible way and make your decision now!

It is the intention of the enemy that men would delay their choosing until the time for a choice is past. We may not have time to do all of the things that we wish to do in this life so we must establish priorities. Seeing to the salvation of our soul should be at the top of the list.

When we come down to the end other things will fade away and only the destiny of our soul will be important.

“...behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2^nd.Corinthians 6:2)

For your selves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

2^nd. Thessalonians 5:2

(Jesus speaking) “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.”

Revelation 3:3

Jesus is coming back! The Gospels promise that He will return! Jesus’ parables teach that He will return! The Epistles describe His return! The last book of the Bible in the last two verses of the last chapter, assures that he will return! Jesus, the God who cannot lie, (Hebrews 6:18) promised to return!

The above Scriptures have to do with the day of His return. It is one of those “like unto” sayings of Jesus. The ‘day’ of His return is uncertain;(to us) There is no uncertainty about the fact of His return.

Jesus is not likened unto a thief! It is His unannounced return that is like the coming of a thief.

The thief does not telephone ahead and announce the time of his coming. In the teaching of Jesus (Matthew 24:43-51) He reminds us that if the goodman of the house had known the exact time of the thief’s arrival he would have been prepared.

Like the thief, Jesus has not announced the time of His return; Unlike the thief Jesus has announced that He will come. We are to be prepared at all times.

Unlike the thief, Jesus is coming to take only that which belongs to Him!

People are curious and would like to know the “day and the hour”. His coming has been scheduled but God has chosen not to reveal the schedule to men. Some well meaning people have set dates for His return and have been proven wrong and given reason for the unbelievers to scoff a little more. This, however, does not change God’s intents and promises for His plans are not affected by the mistakes of men.

Although we do not know “when” there is no excuse for not believing that He “will”.

I have studied prophecy for over fifty years and I am firmly convinced that everything is in place and Jesus could come at anytime. Someone might say, “Pastor Bill! Fifty years is a long time to be watching for something that has still not come to pass.” True! But fifty years, as God reckons time, (2^ND.Peter 3:8) is barely one hour.

Whenever He comes, I am determined that he shall find me expecting Him.

Gen 1:1-2

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

NKJV

A couple years ago my friend Bob Bauman sent me DVDs of the creation story. The instructor after explaining some things that were done to make it possible for life as we know it to exist, he said; “It all happened as if they knew we were coming!”

That’s a thought that merits our full attention. God knew that we were coming because He planned to place us here.

It causes me wonder why the Great Creator God, Who can speak into existence anything He chooses to would give so much attention to mankind who has failed Him so miserably.

This is the way I see it!

1 John 4:8-9

“ For God is love.” And He wanted a created being that would love Him back.

NKJV

God created Planets, stars and galaxies by the millions and more but they don’t love Him back and I would think that, if God can be disappointed, and Jesus was at times disappointed, then a great disappointment to God is that not all men, for whom He had prepared all things, love Him back. A little girl was playing when suddenly she threw her doll down and walked away. Her mother said, “Don’t you love your doll anymore?” The child replied, “I love my doll but she doesn’t love me back!”

To love someone who does not love you back would be disappointing. In my lifetime I have only loved one girl and thanks be to the Good Lord she loved me back and still does.

Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment of all was and He answered; Mark 12:30

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.'

NKJV

Most of us, for various reasons, will never accomplish great things for God that will make headlines but this one thing we can all do.

We can love God with all our heart

“O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.”

Jeremiah 10:23

Jeremiah insists that men, without God’s guidance, will never develop a safe and a secure society.

All men will pray, make no mistake about that! (Philippians 2:10,11) but for some it will be too late

Since I do not know what tomorrow will bring I like to seek direction from the One who makes all of my tomorrows.

The problem in depending on the logic of men to solve the problem is that what is logical to one man is illogical to another. A reason why legislation gets bogged down in our congress.

It is much wiser to seek logic from the Maker of all logic and never go wrong.

Sooner or later God will interfere in the plans and activities of men. Ask Nebuchadnezzar! (Daniel 4:30,31) Ask Beltshazzar! (Daniel 5:4-6) Ask Herod Agrippa! (Acts 12:21-23)

Evidently there are many who do not learn the lesson of history.

But the path of the just is as a shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Proverbs 4:18

God separated the light from the darkness and established two paths by which men travel. We are given a choice of traveling the narrow path that leads upwards to eternal light or the broad path that lead downward to eternal darkness.

The ‘just’, those “justified by faith” (Romans 5:1) in Jesus as the Savior of all who will believe are traveling the upward way that leads to that place where there is no darkness. (Revelation 22:5). Those who have rejected Jesus as Savior are on the downward way that leads to that place where there is no light. (Matthew 22:13 – Jude 13)

The above Scripture assures us that the upward path grows brighter every day. It seems logical that, as we are journeying toward that city of light that the closer we get to that place, the brighter the way will become.

It also seems logical that those who are journeying on the downward way to a place of darkness and blackness will discover that the closer they get to that place the darker the way will become.

I have been close to that border, the doctor’s prognosis at that time being, “inoperable colon cancer and six weeks to live.” I didn’t feel that I was “On Jordan’s stormy banks” and about to “cross the chilly waters” as some song writers have written. Heaven seemed close at that time.

Let me give you an example. A man named Hobbs, 1679, walked the downward path and approached the end. His last words were, “I am about to take a leap into the dark.” Another man named Gibbon, 1794, traveling the same path spoke his last words, “All is dark and doubtful”

Evangelist D. L. Moody, who traveled the upward path came to the end and his last words were, “Earth is receding; heaven is opening; God is calling. I am in the gates. I see the children.” (two grandchildren who had died the year before.)

Jesus suffered the darkness of death that we who believe in Him might walk in the light and go to live in the eternal light when our journey is complete.

Now is the time to choose the way we will travel.

To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me that we may be like?

Isaiah 46:5

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be forever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

Isaiah 51:6

Nothing can be compared to the God of the Bible! We have only to look at the evidence of His existence! There is no way of explaining or accounting for, the origin of everything that exists except that that there is something which had no origin and always existed.

The existence of all creatures and creation depends on the existence of the Creator who had no beginning and whose continuance has no dependency.

The fact of God is a great mystery but the evidence of His existence is manifest. The Psalmist wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night shewth knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.” (Psalm 19:1-3)

All created things shall pass away “wax old like a garment and vanish like smoke”, but God shall never pass away. It is an astounding thought that Almighty God, by His power, holds the universe together (Colossians 1:17) and that He can, by a word, disengage the mechanism of the universe and sweep away all worlds, stars and planets until He only would remain.

Some things will pass away for which we shall not mourn for John wrote of that eternal dwelling place prepared for believers of the Lord Jesus, “ and there shall be not more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21”4)

I believe that we can all agree that we would like to live without the presence of the things listed just above and we can. We can go to that city, “built by the eternal God” (Hebrews 11:10) , “the dwelling place of the eternal God” (Revelation 21:3) and therefore can never pass away.

Now is the time to make reservations. You must talk to the Son about it. “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1^st.John 5:12)

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:10,11

“…And thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:21

It will soon be Christmas! It is the day that we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! It is the greatest day in the year to Christians everywhere. It is true that men have capitalized and commercialized the season but it is still the birthday of Christ to those who believe. I know that some Christians doubt that December 25 is the exact and correct date of Jesus’ birth. It doesn’t matter! We don’t celebrate a date; we celebrate a fact! The fact is that the Son of God came to the earth as a baby boy and all the denials and unbelief cannot change that fact. It is a part of history.

Jesus came and the world has never been the same! At His dedication, Simeon, the priest, prophesied, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against.” (Luke 2:34) Jesus Himself said that no one can be neutral concerning Him, “He that is not with Me is against Me…” (Matthew 12:30) He said, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John3:36)

That Jesus came is a well documented fact and that He claimed to be the way to God is another recorded fact. It is also a well documented fact that a belief in Jesus and an acceptance of Him as their Savior has made very definite and very permanent changes in the lives of millions. The world became a better place because Jesus came.

We are told now that recognizing Jesus in civil matters or on municipal property is a promotion of religion by government and unconstitutional. Considering the complex and dangerous situations in our present world, I think that the government could use a lot of that kind of religion.

Whether He is welcome or not, accepted or not, recognized or not and honored or not; JESUS CAME! THAT IS A FACT! Many of us recognize that fact, and we welcome, accept, recognize and honor Him and we will celebrate the fact of His coming and His presence, with great joy on December 25

2 Tim 1:8-11

“…God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, “

NKJV

Immortality is a mind-stretching word. It means to last for ever and ever. Since mankind first appeared they have had a hope of immortality. The Scripture above tell us that Jesus came to bring immortality. He said, John 11:26

“And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die...”

We believers are now celebrating the birth of that One who came to bring immortality and strange as it seems there are those who object to that and make efforts to stop any public proclamation of it.

The Gospel is the only dependable source of information of life in the immortal realm. There are books by individuals who claim that visions of heaven have been revealed to them. Are they authentic? Perhaps! But Paul had such a vision and was not allowed to reveal what he saw.

There is some description of the after life to be found in Revelation 21, 22 and that is enough to thrill our souls.

There are descriptions of life after death to be found in most other religions and beliefs but they all carry some of the oppressions and distresses of life here into life up there.

The Pharaoh’s slaves down here will still be Pharaoh slaves over there etc.

Not so with the Gospel!

“It matters not who or what you are,
All men can behold “The Christmas Star” –
For the Star that shone is shining still
In the hearts of men of peace and good will,
It offers the answer to every man’s need,
Regardless of color or race or creed.”

Helen Steiner Rice

The Gospel assures us that there is such a place and more importantly, tells us how to make that place our home.

The matter at hand is to make sure we go there.

John 3:36

He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

NKJV

The unbelieving element can remove Jesus from public display but they cannot remove Him from the way of entry into that life of immortality.

So when they continued asking Him, He lifted up Himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

Read John 8:1-11

Jesus aggravated His critics by exposing their own sin and hypocrisy when they wanted Him to pick on someone else. But human nature is more inclined to shift the blame than to admit to their faults.

Throwing stones was the first thing that Adam learned after the fall! “It was that woman that you gave me, Lord!” (Genesis ch.3)

It is election year and the “stone throwing” season is open. The candidates have their professional stone throwers, called ‘campaign managers’ now, and, of course, the media is good at the practice also. If we believed all of the campaign rhetoric we would also believe that no one is qualified to hold public office.

Stone throwing is a dangerous practice for the Christian! Men can go to hell blaming others but that’s not a happy thought! There is a better way! There is a verse of an old spiritual, (I think I have it right), “It’s not the deacon, not the preacher, but me, O Lord; That’s standing in the need of prayer!”

God helps those who recognize that they need help.

A Pharisee and a Publican went into the temple to pray. The Pharisee prayed “God, I thank thee that I am not like other men!” I don’t know how good he was but he didn’t get any better for praying that prayer. The Publican prayed, “God be merciful to me a sinner!” He left the temple a whole lot better for having prayed that prayer. (Luke 18:10-14)

Paul wrote, “For I say...to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think...” (Romans 12:3) You have probably heard of the man of whom it was said, “If I could buy him for what he is really worth and sell him for what he thinks he is worth, I could make a good profit.”

God takes a dim view of pride. Our goodness is ‘Christ in us’!

We are valuable to God. We are so valuable that he designed the cross to redeem us, but we are only useful to God when we realize our weakness and frailty and cry “God be merciful to me and help me.” We can do anything God asks of us but only “through Christ who strengtheneth us.” (Philippians 4:13)

“I often find that I have the will to do good, but not the power. That is, I don’t accomplish the good I set out to do, and the evil I don’t really want to do I find that I am always doing.”

Romans 7:18,19

All Scripture from J. B. Phillips N.T.

We have a record of Paul’s personal experience but it also describes a struggle that is common to mankind. No man desired to be obedient to the law more than Paul but no one recognized their inability to do so, more than Paul did.

It was a fruitless effort until Paul met Jesus Christ and found the help that he needed to do the good that he wanted to do. He could then say, “I am ready for anything through the strength of the One who lives within me.” (Philippians 4:13)

The law shows what is right but does not provide the help to do what is right.

Someone wrote the following rhyme;

To run and work, the law commands;

Yet gives me neither feet nor hands.

But better news, the Gospel brings;

It bids me fly, and gives me wings.

Trusting in Christ does not guarantee that we shall not be tempted and sometimes stumble but it provides help to resist the temptations and grace to pick us up when we fall and it keeps us on the upward path. Paul also wrote, “Not that I claim to have achieved all this, not to have reached perfection already. But I keep going on, trying to grasp that purpose for which Christ grasped me. My brothers, I do not consider myself to have grasped it fully even now. But I do concentrate on this: I forget all that lies behind me and with hands outstretched to whatever lies ahead I go straight for the goal.” (Philippians 3:12-14)

The gospel provides forgiveness for the past, help for the present and confidence and hope for the future.

Philippians 4:13 in the King James Version read, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” I take that to mean that faith in Christ will enable us to overcome any and all obstacles that the enemy puts before us and also enable us to accomplish any task that God asks of us.

When we accept Jesus Christ as Savior it puts us in the family and starts us on the path, then, through Christ, we receive help to walk the walk.

Christmas Greetings

MAY GOD GRANT YOU ALL

A BLESSED CHRISTMAS

AND

A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR

In the Love of Christ

Pastor Bill & Carol Cummins

FOR UNTO YOU IS BORN THIS DAY IN THE CITY OF DAVID A SAVIOUR, WHICH IS CHRIST THE LORD

Luke 2:1

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

The above is a very precious promise and I take it to have a spiritual meaning., at least for most of us. Caleb was a man of great faith but also a man of exceptional physical stamina. He said “...I am this day fourscore and five years old. And I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me...” (Joshua 14:10,11) ( He was forty then)

I must admit that I can’t stay with Caleb there. I am eighty six and I am not as strong physically as I was at forty. I still walk a lot but I haven’t run for quite a while.

Spiritually I am stronger than I have ever been. I can still “mount up with wings of the eagle” where I can see things more from God’s viewpoint. I believe that with each year that we walk with the Lord we grow stronger.

The promise above has, what we could call, a ‘cause’ and ‘effect’ clause in it. We are, first to ‘wait’ then to ‘run’. Generally speaking, the ‘effect’ is desirable but the ‘cause’ is not so popular. We live in the fastest generation in history and most people are in a perpetual hurry. Even in the spiritual realm people like things to move fast.

The Scripture is positive that we must first “wait upon the Lord” before we attempt to run. We may run for a limited time without first waiting but we shall soon run down. Jesus spent entire nights in prayer and communion with the Father and it would be quite foolish for us to think that we do not need to do likewise.

We also need the higher view that the waiting provides. We have many eagles in Wyoming where we live. In their search for food they mount up to great heights and get the broad view. Long ago the writer of Proverbs said, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18)

God’s plan and provision for us that we first “wait” then we “mount up” and get the proper vision, then we can “run and not grow weary” and not of least importance is that the vision will give the needed direction to our running.

Christmas Thoughts

Luke 2:11-14

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

KJV

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men

And in despair I bowed my head;
‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said;
‘For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!’

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
‘God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!’

From the poem Christmas Bells

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Christmas time is here again and many people will celebrate in places where there is little peace but much hate and violence.

We who know the Lord have peace in our hearts but we all long for a time when there will be peace on earth.

It’s promised; Mic 4:3

They shall beat their swords into plowshares,

And their spears into pruning hooks;

Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,

Neither shall they learn war anymore.

NKJV

It hasn’t come yet so we must celebrate another Christmas in a world of much violence.

The wise men from the East came bringing gifts to the Christ Child so what can we give to God? He once said, Ps 50:12

12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.

KJV

There was something that God didn’t have so the Christ Child grew to manhood on earth where He suffered and died on a cross to purchase it.

God wants the love and devotion of men such as He once had in the Garden.

Men had, by disobedience, separated themselves from that loving relationship with their Maker but the cross has opened a door back.

The only gift that we can give to God that He doesn’t already have is ourselves. We can believe in Jesus, accept Him as our Savior and walk in love and obedience with God.

We can make that choice and live our lives with Christmas in our heart regardless of what the unbelieving world does.

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

Matthew 7:24,25

Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.

And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land..

Isaiah 32:2

Storms are a part of life in this world and they will not go away. The question is how to survive the inevitable storms and Scripture gives us the answer. God has not promised to eliminate all storms but he has promised to see us through.

Almost everyone has faced their storms and some have left us their testimony for our encouragement.

Dottie Rambo wrote of the trying times when she sings, “When I need a shelter, when I need a friend I go to the rock of my salvation.”

Songwriter Mosie Lister wrote “Keep me safe ‘til the storm passes by. Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand. Keep me safe ‘til the storm passes by.”

In the above Scripture Jesus is the King that shall reign in righteousness and Jesus is the man, the only man, who is a hiding place and a covert from the storm.

I don’t take the hiding place and the covert to be a promised protection from the storms but rather a promise of protection in the storms. According to the words of Jesus above, the winds will blow and the storm will beat upon us but we shall not fall because we are built upon a rock.

The secret of survival is in knowing where our security lies. Jesus Christ is our only guaranteed security that will see us safely through all of the storms of life and finally deliver us to that place “of an unclouded sky”.

We are living in a time, it seems, of coming storms and we need a “hiding place” a “covert” a “good foundation” and an “anchor” and Jesus Christ is all of those.

Let your attitude to life be that of Christ Jesus himself. For he, who had always been God by nature, did not cling to his privileges as God’s equal, but stripped himself of every advantage by consenting to be a slave by nature and being born a man. And plainly seen as a human being, he humbled himself by living a life of utter obedience, to the point of death...That is why God has now lifted him to the heights, and given him a name beyond all names, so that at the name of Jesus “every knee shall bow”, whether in heaven or earth or under the earth. And that is why, ”every tongue shall confess” that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11 J. B. Phillips N. T.

There is a worship chorus with the words, “Jesus! Jesus! There’s something about that Name.” The above Scripture tells that the name “Jesus” is “beyond all names.”

Jesus came to us from that ‘great eternal unknown’ and the angel who was privileged to announce His birth to Joseph also instructed him to “call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20,21)

It was not the first time that He visited the earth that He made! He once appeared to a man named Manoah and his wife to announce the birth of a son. Manoah asked His name and He replied, “Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?” (the marginal reference is “incomprehensible”) (Judges 13:18)

John saw Jesus coming on a great white horse and he wrote, “and He has a name written upon Him which no one knows except Himself.” (Revelation 19:12)

Jesus came to earth to reconcile us mortals to God and He took a mortal body that we mortals might look upon Him and not be consumed.(Exodus 33:20) He took a mortal name that we mortals might call Him by name.

It was not the first or the last time that a man was named Jesus but when the Son of God took that name He lifted it far above and beyond all names. It is a name loved by the believers, hated by the devils and feared by unbelievers.

It is name to be worshipped! More songs have been written about Jesus than any other name. It is a name, the very sound, which, lends itself to worship. Try writing a worship chorus with the name Jehoshaphat or Rehoboam.

Believe it or disbelieve it; Like it or dislike it. The time will come when every knee will bow at the mention of the name of Jesus.

Luke 2:13-14

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

14 "Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

NKJV

And in a flash there appeared with the angel a vast host of the armies of heaven, praising God, saying, Glory to God in the highest Heaven! Peace on earth among men of good will!

J. B. Phillips New Testament

Jesus Christ is called the “Prince of Peace.” Isa 9:6 He came to bring peace on earth but there has been very little peace on earth since He came.

Why!!

The New King James Version above gives us the promise “And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

Dr. Phillips points out the other side of the picture.” Peace on earth among men of good will.”

God has always been of a good will toward mankind or there would have been no announcement of a Savior born. All men have not been of good will toward God and they cannot receive the promise of peace on earth. Men of good will toward God can and do receive the peace of God in their hearts while living on a world that rejects the Prince of Peace.

Heb 4:1

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

KJV

If men have no peace in their hearts it is not because God has withdrawn the promise it is that men, through unbelief and rejection have come short.

There will be no peace on earth while many of the inhabitants reject the Prince of Peace so we must be satisfied with a peace of heart while in a troubled world.

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

KJV

Some day, in God’s time, there shall be peace on all the earth.

Hab 2:14

For the earth will be filled

With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,

As the waters cover the sea.

Mic 4:3

They shall beat their swords into plowshares,

And their spears into pruning hooks;

Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,

Neither shall they learn war anymore.

Though we live in a world that leans toward unbelief and violence we can believe the words of the angels, accept the Savior and the peace of heart that He brings, and enjoy our life in Him.

“For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

1^st.Corinthians 2:2

The Mel Gibson film, “The Passion of Christ” has brought the story of the cross to the attention of the world. The fact of the cross cannot be brought into question but the reason has always been disputed. According to an article in Time Magazine the reason for the crucifixion is being debated and discussed by interview, talk show etc. all over the world now.

There is much about the cross that we do not and cannot understand. It had to happen! The benefits to those who accept the cross as God’s provision for men’s salvation are undeniable. We don’t understand how it works but we know that it does work

It was C. S. Lewis who wrote, “We are told that Christ was killed for us, that His death has washed out our sins, and that by dying He disabled death itself. Any theories we build up as to how Christ’s death did all of this are, in my view, quite secondary.”

I agree with Mr. Lewis! Trying to explain the cross is both futile and unnecessary but as to it’s effectiveness, we are not in doubt.

John Bunyan, author of “Pilgrim’s Progress” wrote, “I was made to see, again and again, that God and my soul were friends by His blood; yea, I saw that the justice of God and my sinful soul could embrace and kiss each other, through His blood. This was a good day to me; I hope I shall never forget it.”

Hebrews 12:28 reads, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved...”By the power of the cross, God is building a kingdom which cannot fail, in contrast to the long history of failed attempts, by men, to build lasting empires by their own strength.

The words of the old hymn state it wonderfully well, “In the cross of Christ I glory, Tow’ring o’er the wrecks of time.”

The kingdom being built by the Cross of Christ has been savagely and consistently attacked by the enemy and his accomplices but it still stands and it will stand. The many empires built by the very ones who rejected the Cross are but “wrecks of time.”

Time is the eventual destroyer of all built and created things in this world but at the cross, even time is rendered powerless. The cross will stand and all who place their trust in the cross shall stand also.

2 Cor 12:3-4

3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

KJV

Paul, who I believe was speaking of himself here, was caught up in to paradise and he never revealed what he saw and heard.

Bible scholars have been very curious about it ever since.

We are all curious of course and the Book of Revelation does give us some descriptions of life after this life. It speaks of a beautiful city of gold (Rev. 21:16-18) and also of a beautiful new earth. (Rev.1:1) Right now we are to believe in and serve the Lord Jesus Christ who has promised to see us safely there when our time to leave here arrives so wherever God places us we shall be supremely happy.

Probably I have said this before, I have been writing these devotions for nearly ten years, I was born in a farmhouse and raised on a farm; I have been a country preacher for more than forty years including seven years on Kodiak Island, Alaska. As the old song goes, “He knows just what I need” but speaking from my finite mind, eternal life in the new, breathtakingly beautiful earth appeals more to me that life in the city of gold.

That’s as it may be! Right now I am concentrating on my journey to that place and doing my best to encourage other Pilgrims along the way.

During our 40+ years of pastoring I worked as a carpenter to support the family, usually had a building project on the church that I worked at, made the church calls etc. and conducted the weekly services. It always seemed that I never had as much time as I wanted to read study and pray.

Now I am retired from those demands and I have time. I have time for my writing and publishing through the internet and have never been happier in His work.

I will be 87 years of age next month and I am anxious to see what Paul could not reveal but Honestly, I hope that the Lord has in His plan to keep Carol and I here a little longer that e may continue with the work that we are in.

Isa 55:8-9

For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord.

9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts.

NKJV

Luke 2:10-12

"Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

NKJV

Things hadn’t been going well for the Israelites under the Roman oppression and they were praying that the Messiah would come and deliver them. What they (many of them) had in mind was a warrior Messiah that would conscript an army and with His supernatural powers would drive the Romans out.

When God sent a baby and angels announced that He was the promised Savior, many were not happy.

In His time God will use His supernatural power to purge the earth then there will be “peace on earth”.

The world we live in now does not have peace on earth; it is a time of “wars and rumors of war”.

Our country was attacked 70 years ago and I gave 3 ½ years of my life serving in the South Pacific and I would do so again, but I long for that promised time when “we ain’t gonna study war no more” as the old song says.

There are people in today’s world who love violence and bloodshed. We call them terrorists although some government spokesmen have advised us that they should be called “Freedom Fighters”. It has not been fully explained just what kind of freedom it is that they want.

It is the Babe of Bethlehem Who is the final solution. The violence must be taken out of men before it can be taken out of the world.

We must accept and serve the Savior, receive peace in our heart then when “peace on earth” comes we shall be ready to become a part of it.

Mic 4:3

They shall beat their swords into plowshares,

And their spears into pruning hooks;

Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,

Neither shall they learn war anymore.

NKJV

When will it happen? I can’t tell you that, but it will.

Gal 1:6-8

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

NKJV

Beware of substitutes! There is no “new and improved” Gospel; however those who believe and receive the Gospel do become “new and improved” products.

2 Cor 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

NKJV

Plans and procedures manufactured by men can always stand improvement so from time to time they can say we have a “new and improved” product.

Not so with the Gospel! God designed and authored it and He got it right the first time.

Even during the lifetime of the inspired writers of the gospel the enemy was at work to substitute false perverted gospels to lead men away from the truth that saves our souls.

Although a very severe penalty is proclaimed upon those who attempt such things, the enemy is still at work.

There were several pseudo gospels that appeared and were rejected by the early church but some still insist on digging them up and quoting them as being authoritative.

There were some who predicted, and hoped, that the Dead Sea Scrolls would contradict the gospels but when they were translated the hoped for contradictions did not appear. In more recent times we have heard of the De Vinci Code publication that received some media attention for a short time and some still refer to what they call the Gospel of Judas, although I don’t believe that Judas’ tract record qualifies him to write an authoritative gospel.

They come and go! Wise men will put their faith in that which will not fade away and the one that works.

The things I have spoken unto you, “That in Me ye might have peace” “In the world ye shall have tribulation”.

John 16:33

I once read the following words on a church bulletin board, “Even people who are on the level have their ups and downs,” Jesus promised it; experience sustains it so we can expect it. Life in this world will have it’s troubles and it’s joys and most Christians that I know have a little of both.

If you have had a bad week and experienced trouble, rejoice, you already have ½ of the promise and the other half will be forthcoming.

Our happiness and well-being is determined by the half of the promise that influences us the most.

Paul knew something about trouble and trial (read 2^nd.Corinthians 11:23,28) and he wrote, “...let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” (Colossians 3:15) Either the “peace of God” or “the trials of life” will rule our hearts. It is when the tribulations begin to rule that we really get into trouble but it doesn’t have to be that way.

It is one of the blessings of the Gospel that God will keep us steady and focused during the hard times.

Horatio Spafford was a businessman in Chicago, and a friend of D. L. Moody. In 1873 he planned a trip to Europe with his wife and four young daughters. At the last minute he was unable to leave due to business matters and his wife and daughters boarded the French steamer, called the S. S. Ville de Havre. They collided with another ship off the coast of Newfoundland and sank. Mrs. Spafford was rescued but the four young daughters were all lost.

Later on Mr. Spafford wrote the words that are now a hymn. The first verse reads, “When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.”

If we are accustomed to trusting God and walking with Him on a daily basis all during the good times then it will easier for us to trust Him and receive His promised peace during the hard times. It is very likely that those who neglect God when all is going well will panic when trouble comes.

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:

But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night: but it shall come to, that at evening time it shall be light.”

Zechariah 14:6,7

I know that the 14th. Chapter of Zechariah obviously has reference to some battles for possession of Jerusalem, probably some to take place in the not too far distant future. Verses 6,7, however, and the parallel to the Christian life that they suggest, intrigue me.

There are those periods in the Christian life when things become a bit hazy. It is a time when “the light shall not be clear or dark” (v.6) Those times when it is not so dark that we cannot see at all but not light enough for us to see clearly. Of course we are to walk by faith and not by sight, but being human we kinda wonder just how things are going to turn out.

Jesus told us what to expect in this life! “...In the world ye shall have tribulation...” (John 16:33) That means that not everything is always going to go as smoothly as we would prefer. There will be troubled waters and bumpy roads to travel. There will be trials of which we wonder where and when they will end.

There is a precious promise in the 7th verse of Zechariah 14 that can be applied to your Christian walk and mine. “...at evening time it shall be light.” We have our times in life when the way is not clear, but our destination is assured and the closer we get to home the brighter the way becomes.

What a contrast to the expectations of those who deny God, reject the Gospel and arrive at the evening time of their day. To quote on outspoken unbeliever of several years ago, “I am about to take a leap in the dark.”

There will be no darkness in our evening time of life. We will leave the darkness of this world behind and enter into that place where it is always light. It will be the full realization of the promise of 1st.John 2:8 “...the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.”

Those who reject Jesus Christ the “True Light...”(John 1:9) will go to a place of eternal night. Those who accept Jesus Christ are destined to go where there is no night (Rev.22:5)

Now the next day, that followed the day of preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day. Lest his disciples come by night and steal him away...”

Matthew 27:62-64

What was it that really motivated these religious leaders to make an early morning visit, on the Sabbath and a Passover festival no less, to the Governor’s palace, with their request.

Did they actually think that the frightened disciples would attempt to steal the body of Jesus and if they were successful, could they present a dead body to Israel as the promised Saviour of men?

If Jesus were the Son of God in human form as He claimed, did they really think that a Roman seal and a few soldiers could prevent His resurrection?

In spite of their words to the contrary, they were not completely convinced that He was not all that He claimed to be. They were concerned that he would really rise from the dead as He claimed that He would, and they didn’t want that to happen.

It was not their unbelief that caused them to demand the death of Jesus, it was their rejection of Him. In the face of all of the evidence to support His claims, they still rejected Him and such rejection does strange things to men’s ability to reason and think clearly.

Their unbelief was not based on a lack of evidence it was a definite decision on their part to not believe even in the face of sufficient evidence. The Father of the demon possessed child, (Mark 9:17-24) being an honest man, cried out to Jesus, “Lord, I believe; Help Thou mine unbelief.” But the group described above and their posterity, cry, “I don’t believe! I am offended if anything interferes with my unbelief.”

Jesus said, “Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me.” (Luke 7:23)

“Offended” is a word that is often used in the present day legal objections to the Christian faith. “I am an unbeliever and the reference to God, and in particular, to Jesus, offends me.” Does it really? Does it offend or frighten? Does the mention of Jesus cause men concern about the direction they have chosen to travel?

Like the religionists, of old, it is not unbelief it is rejection. In their mind they know that the story of Jesus may very well be true and they don’t want to hear it.

Like those who stoned Stephen (Acts 7:57) they have “stopped their ears” but their refusal to hear will not make the facts go away.

Jesus died; it is a fact; He arose! And that also is a fact: He is coming again! That is another fact. There is not enough unbelief in the world to change those facts.

“For I am the Lord, I change not;”

Malachi 3:6

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.”

Isaiah 40:8

We must have something to anchor our lives and our hopes to that will not change, shift position or close up shop. In the above Scripture verse God is saying to us, “You can count on Me!”

There are a lot of people and promises in our world that we dare not count on, but we can, with full and complete assurance, “Count on God.”

We can, with confidence, believe that the immutable God (Hebrews 6:17) of eternity past is the same God of the present and will be the immutable God of eternity future. Our lives, are regulated, largely, by clocks and calendars so we tend to think of God existing in a past, present and future when, actually, God exists in an eternal present.

When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, (Exodus 3) and Moses asked His name, God replied, “I Am”. A literal meaning is “I Am what I always was and I Am what I always will be.”

God does not change and neither does His word! There are some things that men can improve on but God’s word is not one of them. I read a religious news item about some “scholars” who are updating and revising the Bible. If men wrote the book then one man’s ideas are as good as the other but if God wrote the Book, and He did, then let no man change it. (Revelation 22:18,19)

Our Unchanging God makes no mistakes! He got it right the first time. The only “New, improved product” are those who believe the word, accept the plan and become New Creatures in Christ” (2^nd.Corinthians 5:17)

Our eternal salvation is far too important a matter for us to rely on some authority that changes with the political climate and according to public practice. The Book can’t be changed to fit men’s fancy, men must change to match the Book.

The problem with mankind has remained unchanged so the solution to the problem cannot be changed. Trying to interpret the Book to approve men’s conduct is no solution.

It was Evangelist Billy Sunday who, when advised by a pulpit committee, to adjust his message because he was “Rubbing the cat’s fir the wrong way!” replied, “Let the cat turn around!”

And He said unto them, “He that ears to hear, let him hear.”

Mark 4:9

“And the common people heard Him gladly.”

Mark 12:37

Jesus was, without doubt, the most amazing man who ever visited the earth and He did the most extraordinary things. He healed the terminally ill with a touch of His hand and a word of His mouth. He fed thousands with a small boy’s lunch and walked on the water as easily as we might walk across our living room floor.

People marveled at His mighty works until one man cried out what they were all thinking, “Since the world begin no one has done such things.” (John 9:32)

Above all things Jesus wanted to be heard. The Father set the precedent when He spoke on the Mount of Transfiguration, saying “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him.” (Matthew 17:5)

Jesus spoke to the church of the ages in Revelation chapters 2,3 and concluded each message with the words, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

This suggests that many people who listen to Jesus have a hearing disability. The Roman representatives were there, listening for anything that could be construed as a threat to Roman authority. There were religious leaders there listening for anything that would pose a threat to their authority and there were those there listening only to satisfy their curiosity for the moment before continuing on in their own way of thinking and living.

There were some there, called the “common people,” who really wanted to hear from God and they heard him gladly.

Jesus is now speaking in the same “still, small voice” that Elijah heard, (1^st.Kings 19:12) and those “with an ear to hear”, do hear, and join the great company of “common people.” who “hear gladly.”

Jesus will be heard! One day He will speak with His voice of thunder (Psalm 104:7) and those whose ears will not hear now, because of unbelief and prejudice, will hear, in that day.

The “still, small voice” speaks of salvation, communion and fellowship with our Creator but the “voice of thunder”, when it sounds, speaks of judgment.

One way or the other, the world will hear.

1 Thess 4:16-17

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

NKJV

Amos 4:11-12

“…yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.

12 Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.

KJV

The above tells us of a time when men shall meet God!

The Scripture in 1 Thess. Tells of a coming time when all those who have loved God and believed and obeyed His word will meet Him.

A line from and old song reads “
“There’s gonna be a meeting in the air in the sweet bye and bye.”

It will be a joyous occasion! We shall look upon the face of that One who loved us so much that He suffered the indescribable agonies of the cross for our sin that we may never again be separated from Him.

I don’t like to enter a sour note in the picture but Amos warns of another meeting with God in store for men.

It would not be an “I’m pleased to meet you” type meeting. Amos was warning people who were deliberately disobeying God and refusing His calls to repent.

Isa 65:12

“When I called, you did not answer;

When I spoke, you did not hear,”

NKJV

All mankind will, some day, meet God; We have no choice! We do have a choice as which meeting we shall be present at.

Can we know we are on safe ground?

The song writer said it well.

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent word! What more can He say than to you He hath said. To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled.

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

It is of the Lord’s mercy that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:21-23

Where would we be without the faithfulness of God? Our hope in God is the most important factor in our existence and if it should fail, we would have nothing. But, as the Scripture above reminds us, “His compassions fail not.”

The song writer wrote it beautifully, “Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father, There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be”

How distressing our life would be if the promise of heaven were as uncertain as the prospects of earth. If we were to live our life in service for him and at the last moment God would change His mind and cancel our reservation for heaven?

“Let not your heart be troubled” That is not going to happen!

If you are looking for a safe investment, the promises of God are the end of your search. There are some things that even God cannot do! The above Scripture tells us that His compassions cannot fail. If men separate themselves from His mercy, it is their choice not God’s.

Paul wrote, “If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself.” (2^nd.Timothy 2:13)

There are those who “believe not’ and they are making themselves heard on earth from time to time. They are, no doubt, heard in heaven also but it isn’t likely that the angels are worried and we need not be. All of the unbelief of unbelieving men has absolutely no effect on the promises of God; It only affects the unbeliever!

Should you or I, in a moment of despair, forget His promise, God cannot and will not forget. Isaiah wrote, “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will not I forget thee.” (Isaiah 49:15)

If there is any ‘forgetting’ in our relationship with God it is of our doing.

King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, said, “Blessed be the Lord, that has given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.” (1^st.Kings 8:56)

Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God

Even the mystery which hath been hid from the ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints.

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you the hope of glory:

Colossians 1:25-27

People have sometimes asked me, “Pastor Bill, what is your favorite Scripture?” Like most of you I have a lot of favorite Scriptures and choosing one would be a tough choice. Colossians 1:12-29 however, would be in the top ten.

It tells us about our hope of eternal life. Men have always had a hope of eternal life but not always a good hope.

The ancient philosopher, Socrates, as he lay on his death bed was asked by one of his disciples, “Socrates, When a man dies will he live again.” Socrates replied, “I don’t know! I hope so!”

Socrates hope had a decided element of doubt in it but the hope of the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, referred to in the above Scripture, contains no doubt at all. The hope as it is used in the Scripture above reflects a confidence.

Many people share Socrates type of hope, but the Bible offers a much better hope.

It is written, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and He enters our life, faith comes in and doubt leaves. The “I don’t know! I hope so!” of Socrates is replaced by the “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able...” of Paul. (2^nd.Timothy 1”12)

Any hope of eternal life that does not include Jesus is a false hope. Jesus only knows the way and is the way.

If you don’t care where you are going, any old road will do but if you have a particular destination in mind you had best choose the road that leads to that place.

Accepting Jesus as your Savior guarantees your direction of travel.

When Jesus comes in the mystery of eternal life is solved! Christ in you gives you a “hope of glory” that is a good, confidant hope.

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; That ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

1^st.John 5:13

There are many things in life that we cannot know or predict. Even the Bible tells us that we, as Believers, must walk by faith. There is one thing so vitally important that we dare not be in doubt. We must know, beyond all doubt, where we are going when we leave this life. The Bible assures us that we can know that! It is the promise of the above Scripture.

A certain man died, both he and his wife being strong believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. A few weeks later another person met the widow and offered condolences, saying, “I’m so sorry to hear that you lost your husband!” The lady replied, “Thank you for your concern but I didn’t lose my husband. I know exactly where he is!

Facing the fact of the death of someone we love is an experience common to all mankind. What an immeasurable comfort to be able to say at such a time, “I did not lose him or her! I know exactly where they are!”

We have heard it said, “Our dear brother left the land of the living this morning at such a time.” For the believer in the Lord Jesus , it is proper to say, “Our dear brother left the land of the dying this morning and has departed for the land of the living.”

Death to the Christian should not be portrayed as the ‘Death Angel” wearing a long black robe, carrying a scythe and knocking on the door. It is the angel of light calling and saying “It’s time to come home now.” When the Christian leaves this world they are not being terminated, they are being promoted.

We have the infallible, unfailing guarantee of Jesus Himself in the matter. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life.” (John 3:36) It is a matter of taking God at His word. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior your destination is secured. When you leave here your loved ones can say, with assurance, “I have not lost him or her, I know exactly where they are!”

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:

But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night: but it shall come to, that at evening time it shall be light.”

Zechariah 14:6,7

I know that the 14^th. Chapter of Zechariah obviously has reference to some battles for possession of Jerusalem, probably some to take place in the not too far distant future. Verses 6,7, however, and the parallel to the Christian life that they suggest, intrigue me.

There is a precious promise in the 7^th verse of Zechariah 14 that can be applied to your Christian walk and mine. “...at evening time it shall be light.” We have our times in life when the way is not clear, but our destination is assured and the closer we get to home the brighter the way becomes.

There will be no darkness in our evening time of life. We will leave the darkness of this world behind and enter into that place where it is always light. It will be the full realization of the promise of 1^st.John 2:8 “...the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.”

Those who reject Jesus Christ the “True Light...”(John 1:9) will go to a place of eternal night. Those who accept Jesus Christ are destined to go where there is no night (Rev.22:5)

THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS

Luke 17:15-17

15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.

17 So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine ?

Scripture from NKJV

Jesus had cleansed ten hopelessly afflicted lepers. Nine went out rejoicing in their blessing and one came back to thank Jesus.

That ratio is pretty accurate for too many people.

A day of thanksgiving was established in 1621 by Governor Bradford of Plymouth Colony.

It was a day set aside for thanksgiving to God for His blessings on the people. The people of that day must have approved of his action for he was re-elected 30 times.

It was declared a National Holiday (for the same reason) in 1863 By President Lincoln.

This is Thanksgiving Day again and many will be enjoying their blessings but neglect to thank the Giver of blessings.

We still celebrate the day but now, many have yielded, once again, to the “loud voices” (Luke 23:23) of a, (the Name offends me) minority and the day is celebrated but the reason will not be mentioned, Like Christmas and Easter the day will be celebrated but, the One who is the reason for the celebration will be ignored. The blessings will be accepted but the provider will not be acknowledged.

An aggravation, to me, is to hear people say, “Have a happy turkey day!” It is a special day for giving thanks to “Ye Almighty God” not “turkey day”. Hearing someone call Thanksgiving turkey day affects me somewhat like hearing someone scrape their fingernail across the blackboard. But like the nine lepers, much of the world will accept God’s blessings but give God no credit or thanks.

As someone once said, “We walk to a different drumbeat!” The Psalmist had it right. Ps 100:4 “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”

The Pilgrims enjoyed a meal together in thanksgiving to God for the provisions and I suppose it is likely that they cooked a turkey, but the reason they braved the voyage across the Atlantic in those tiny sailing ships, to an unknown land was for the privilege and the blessing to worship God openly.

Not everyone in today's world can worship God openly and we who can should never cease to thank God for the privilege.

And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Then said the chief priests and the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am the King of the Jews.

Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

John 19:19,21,22

When Pilate said, “What I have written I have written.” He meant that it was on the record to stay. He wrote those words, mostly to antagonize the religious leaders and having accomplished that, he was not about to rewrite it.

Pilate wrote some other things that went on the record and they are there to stay. Pilate said. “...for I find no fault in Him.” (John 19:6) and that went on the record. Pilate, taking full responsibility, (John 19:10) gave the order for Jesus to be crucified. (John 19:16) That went on the record and since the order was carried out immediately, it is on the record to stay.

Those two statements cannot be reconciled. His first statement, “I find no fault in Him” condemns Pilate for issuing the order to crucify Him. What he said and what he did does not read well on his record.

Pilate claimed to have the power to release Jesus, “...knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?” ( v.10) Theoretically he did have the power to release Jesus. He was the Roman governor of the province and as judge he could have rejected the demands of the religious leaders.

Actually, Pilate did not have power to release Jesus. Pilate was a political opportunist and his political ambitions dictated his decisions. Being right or wrong was not an issue with Pilate; it was the possible effect on his political career that would determine any ruling that he made.

He had pronounced Jesus “not guilty” but it was the threat of the religious leaders to bring charges of disloyalty to Caesar against him (v.12) that influenced him in sending Jesus to the cross.

Pilate and Jesus faced one another at a judgment bar and they will face one another again at another judgment but their positions will be reversed.(John 5:22) and Pilate will give account for that which he has written.

What we have written cannot be undone either but we can ask for forgiveness and by the mercy of God the record of it can be removed and by His grace we can learn to write better.

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying E’li, E’li, la’ma sa-bach-tha-ni? That is to say My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?

Matthew 27:46

No finite mind can grasp the full import of Jesus cry from the cross! There was some sense of desertion but it was not a question of relationship. Martin Luther, after reading the above words of Jesus, sat deep in thought for some time then finally exclaimed, “God, forsaking God! How could that be?”

Luther was right, of course. God could not forsake God! The Father did not disown or forsake the Son! Not for a moment! That is an impossibility!

Jesus death on the cross was something that he had to do alone. He died forsaken that we who accept Him as our Savior shall not die forsaken, for He said, “...I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Our salvation was not purchased on an “Easy Payment Plan” that we see advertised. The payment that Jesus made, for our debt, was brutal and terrible beyond imagination. Isaiah prophesied of the crucifixion, saying, “...His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and His form marred beyond human likeness.” (Isaiah 52:14 NIV) but Isaiah also writes, “...yet He did not open His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7)

I do not take the above words to mean that Jesus did not cry out in agony but rather that He did not, through all of the physical torture, question the necessity of it. Some sense of being completely abandoned, that Jesus experienced during the three hours of darkness, caused even the Son of God to cry, ”WHY?”

Jesus was then experiencing whatever it was that he saw in the “cup” while in the Garden that caused Him to cry out “O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39)

We too, look at the cross and ask, “Why”! Why would the Great Creator, The Lord of Glory” The One over whom death has no power, consent to die such an agonizing death? The answer to our “Why” also staggers the imagination. It is called “The Love of God.” “For God so loved the world that he gave His Son...” (John 3:16) He died for a world that has forsaken God, that the world (those who will believe) should not have to die forsaken by God. That by His death a door to life is opened to us. He experienced the three hours of darkness (Matthew 27:46) that we might go to that place where it never grows dark. (Revelation 22:5)

Eph 2:4-5

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

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God is rich in many things! For example; Ps 50:10

10 For every beast of the forest is Mine,

And the cattle on a thousand hills.

And

Ps 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness,

The world and those who dwell therein.

But that which is of most interest to us is the claim that He is rich in mercy for without God’s mercy our future would be very desolate indeed.

There are many rich people in today’s world and many more who are striving to become rich. If I were to conduct an opinion poll and ask people what they want to be rich in, I doubt that ‘mercy’ would be very close to the top of the list.

But our only hope for a good life to come is based upon God’s mercy of whom it is written; 2 Chron 7:3

"For He is good,

For His mercy endures forever.

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During WWII a couple named Rosenberg, were tried as Russian spies and sentenced to death. Their attorney said to the judge ”What my clients ask for is justice!” The judge replied, “This court has given you what you ask for, justice! What you really need is mercy. But that is something this court has no right to give. Justice must be satisfied!

We too are condemned by our inability to keep the law perfectly (James 2:10

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.)

So what will happen to us at God’s great judgment? God’s mercy to the rescue! Because of God’s mercy, In which He is rich, justice is satisfied at Calvary and mercy can be and is, offered to all who will confess and believe.

Demanding justice is not the smartest thing to do. Mercy is what we really need!