Thu, Nov 29th - 11:08PM

2 Peter 3:3-15

 3 Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires.

4 They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.”

 5 They deliberately forget that God made the heavens by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water.

6 Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood.

7 And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.

 8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.

 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.

 11 Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live,

12 looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames.

 13 But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.

 14 And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.

 15 And remember, the Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him (New Living Translation)

Well we know we have scoffers in the world.  I was scanning thru the TV tonight and Cathy Griffin was on TV again making jokes about Jesus in front of a huge audience that was clapping at her insults.  I was thinking about this very subject today as I was looking thru a news magazine and realizing how bias they are against Christians.  In the liberal media we are often portrayed as uneducated, out of touch haters of progress.  Then I started to think back to when I was young.  We have always had unbelievers but I don't remember the church really being so openly attacked like it is today in the media.  Who caught the story of Tony Blair saying he couldn't announce he was a Christian while Prime Minister of the U.K. out of fear of being made fun of.  The atmosphere is slowly turning against Christanity but we know that is going to happen before the end.  The end is coming I aint going to set here and say I have the answers to when but we know it is coming but God is mericful God.  I truly believe he wants to give every person a chance for repentance but we also know that God is going to judge mankind for its sins.  Just as in the days of Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah  He will wont be patient forever as mankind continues its slide into rebellion and moral decline.

Tue, Nov 27th - 11:47PM

2 Peter 1:3-9

3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

 5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge,

6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness,

7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.( New Living Translation)

  It is God's will for us to grow as Christians.  That includes studying God's word.  It is a Christian duty to grow as Christians and know the word of God and including the things mentioned above, moral excellence, knowledge, self control, patient endurance, godliness, brotherly affection and love for everyone.  For it says the more we grow the more productive we are.  Remember the parable of the fig tree and what happens to the tree that doesn't produce fruit.  I don't think God had a plan for bench warmers in the grand scheme of things.  And honestly if you have a real desire for God in your life you will have a desire to learn the word of God and learn everything you can about God.  Why are people so easily swayed by false teaching because they don't know God's word for themselves.  It just takes a little bit each day and within a few months you would have read the whole Bible but don't just read it, study it, learn it.

Mon, Nov 26th - 9:32PM

1 Peter 4:14-16

14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.

15 For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or as a meddler in other men’s matters.

16 But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter.

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.  Why?  Think of my Mike Huckabee now that he is showing up in the polls people are taking shots at him.  When he wasn't, nobody cared, nobody much paid attention to him because they didn't consider him a threat.  If people are taking shots at you for being a Christian then thank God.  It because they see the spirit of God in you and are intimated because you shine a light on their sinful ways.  We are a light unto the world.  A light that exposes others evil ways and that scares them.

Sun, Nov 25th - 9:04PM

1 Peter 3:15,16

15: But give honour to Christ in your hearts as your Lord; and be ready at any time when you are questioned about the hope which is in you, to give an answer in the fear of the Lord and without pride;
16: Being conscious that you have done no wrong; so that those who say evil things about your good way of life as Christians may be put to shame

We know as Christians we are going to have people who question why we believe and attack our believes but Christ has warned we will suffer prusecution as Christians but as long as we live honorable lives they are the ones who are going to be put to shame. 

Sat, Nov 24th - 10:19AM

1 Peter 2:15

1 Peter 2:15 It is God's will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.

Christanity will always have enemies, we have had enemies since Christ walked the Earth.  But we shouldn't give our enemies a foothold.  Someone is always watching you rather you realize it or not.  If they see you slip up they will use it to justify their sinful behavior.  We are going to slip up every once in while, we are human and make mistakes but just always be mindful of, that the enemy is always watching for occasion to use against us.  Remember the only Bible some people will every read is us and how we live our lives.

Fri, Nov 23rd - 11:23AM

Psalm 119:33-40

33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end.

34 Give me understanding, and I will keep your law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.

35 Direct me in the path of your commandments, For I delight in them.

36 Turn my heart toward your statutes, Not toward selfish gain.

37 Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways.

38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, That you may be feared.

39 Take away my disgrace that I dread, For your ordinances are good.

40 Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteoussness.

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Tue, Nov 20th - 9:50PM

James 4:1-3

1 Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don’t they come from your pleasures that war in your members?

 2 You lust, and don’t have. You kill, covet, and can’t obtain. You fight and make war. You don’t have, because you don’t ask.

 3 You ask, and don’t receive, because you ask amiss, so that you may spend it for your pleasures.

There is a movement in the Christian community that teaches we are God's children and his is our father so God wants us to be happy and have whatever we ask for and if we have enough faith he will give it to us.  It is true we are God's children but to say God  will give us whatever we ask for is greedy especially with so many people in the world without even the basics. The Bible teaches over and over again about greed, living humbly and being happy with what we have.  Sure we should ask God for our needs but to ask to be rich is greed.  I am a father and I love my children very much and want them to be happy but I know better than just give them whatever they ask for.  First they ask for a lot of things they really don't need, second I want them to appreciate what they do have and they know if they don't behave and do good in school than I aint going to reward them for their behavior.  And now we have some of these megachurches being investigated for possible fraud while the world is watching.  I aint saying they are guilty but it all gives ammo to our critics to use against.  Jesus should be the example always and Jesus the son of God lived a humble life while here on Earth and so should we.

Mon, Nov 19th - 11:35PM

Proverbs 28:2

Proverbs 28:2 When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easy, but wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.

I don't think we are completely rotten yet but our nation is creeping that way.  Just watch TV sometime and you can see it heading that way.

Sun, Nov 18th - 9:34PM

James 1:19,20

19 So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;

20 for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God.

Boy don't most of us have this one backwards, we are often slow to hear, fast to speak and quick to get angry.  I have mentioned before that I had my own anger issues to work thru.  I have been known to have a temper.  But I happy to say I have been doing a good job keeping it under control.  Life is to short to always be angry and we often make fools of ourselves by getting angry.  And we are all guilty of at times being to quick to speak. 

I am doing online college classes and one of the classes I am doing is Public Speaking.  One thing I found interesting in the course is that most people when listening to a speech and that includes sermons only hear about 50% of the speech.  Often because people allow themselves to be distracted.  The mind begins to wonder to other things as the speech goes along.  Another interesting thing is that the next day most people can only remember about 10% of what was said.

Sat, Nov 17th - 11:56PM

James 1:13-15

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God can’t be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.

14 But each one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.

15 Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death.

We allow ourselves to be tempted when we take our eyes off of the Lord and focus on the things of the world.  We all have our weaknesses.  Being a man, like most men I am tempted by fleshly desires but I realize I am only tempted when I find myself looking at something or someone that I shouldn't.  When I stay focused on the Lord and my wife these desires don't come up.  For some people it could be greed or substance abuse or anger issues.  But if you ever watch an athletic sprinter, they focus on the finish line, the goal, they never look back or to the side they keep their eyes on the goal because looking anywhere else distracts them and slows them down.  That is how we need to live our lives, our eyes on the goal never looking back or to the side but focused on the prize.

Fri, Nov 16th - 4:23PM

Hebrews 13:2

2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.

It easy to show love and compassion to family and friends but what about strangers?  I am naturally a very shy and quiet person and some people when they first met me thought I was being rude because I am so quiet.  But I always try to be friendly toward people.  Sometimes the best witness of Christ we can be is the people we come into contact on a daily basis.  Do we have a friendly and loving attitude that allows people to see God's love at work in us?  Or do we have a bitter and unfriendly attitude?  An attitude that is going to make people question what Christian love really is?  For if you study the Bible Christ often sat down with all kinds of people.  People that were considered sinners and people that didn't believe in him but on most occasions he won them over by showing them love and compassion.

Thu, Nov 15th - 9:27PM

Hebrews 12:14

14: Pursue peace with all, and holiness, without which no one shall see the Lord:

We know that one of the hardest things to do is get along with all people.  There is some people we just aint going to see eye to eye with but it doesn't have to be nasty.  I along with a lot of people are probarly pretty tired of all the poltical bickering back and forth on TV.  There was a time when people could be on different sides of issue and still be civil towards each other but that has seem to change.  Mud slinging and name calling has become the norm in politics.  Each side has supporters that does the really big dirty work for them.  And there are plenty of groups out there trying to attack Christian groups and Christian leaders.  We should always defend our faith but not sink to their level.  We know they are not going to prevail because they are not going to prevail against God.  I know it is hard but we should pray for them and still show them love and we can defend our beliefs in a civil matter that brings glory to God.

Tue, Nov 13th - 9:16PM

Hebrews 11:24-26

 24: By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,
 25: choosing rather to share ill treatment with God's people, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time;
 26: accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

It has always amazed me how some people can so easily throw everything they have worked for.  Look at these celebreties that keep getting in trouble, they have everything but they just can't grow up and live the party life behind.  It has always amazed me how men will throw their families away over a few minutes of pleasure with a strange woman.  My job requires me to spend a lot of time on the road and the guys I work with are always trying to get me to go out to the clubs with them when we are on the road.  I don't, these guys don't go just to have a few drinks, they go to pick up women.  They think everything is going to be ok, that their wives will never find out.  Well if they keep doing it their wives will catch them eventually, it has happen before.  But I talk to these guys and I ask them is it really worth risking everything for a few minutes of pleasure.  I am sorry ladies but I have never met a woman yet worth my soul, my family, and everything I have work for.  But like a lot of people these guys live in the moment not thinking about the long time effects of their actions.

Mon, Nov 12th - 10:46PM

Hebrews 11:3

Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

By faith we understand the world was created by God.  That is why the academic world cannot believe in creation, they don't understand faith.  There is nothing in their scientific books that will explain faith to them.  So what have they done?  They have came up with their own theories to explain the creation of the world involving the big bang theory and evolution which to me sounds like a fairy tale more than a theory.  I just can't believe life began thru a series of accidents.  Life is just to complicated for that.  To me everything from DNA to birth shows the hand of God.  How two people can come together to create another human is amazing.  How the body can go thru tremendous injuries and heal itself is amazing.  How this world continues on thru all the abuse mankind has put it thru.  A world created with all the resoures mankind needs to survive.  All this to me shows a complicated plan for life created by the almighty hand of God.

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Sun, Nov 11th - 10:48PM

Hebrews 10:9,10

 24: Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works,
 25: not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching.

I have known some people who will argue that they don't need to go to church to be Christian, that they find church boring and they don't get along with other Christians.  Well they might need to take a hard look at theirselves if they don't enjoy going to church to worship and fellowshipping with other Christians.  We go to church to worship God, to hear the word of God and I don't care how well you know the Bible we can always learn something and we go to church to encourage and motivate one another to stay strong in the faith.  I don't think God ever had a plan for lone wolf Christians.

Fri, Nov 9th - 11:39AM

Psalm 107:1,2

Psalm 107:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.  His faithful love endures forever.

2.  Has the Lord redemmed you?  Then speak out.  Tell others he has redemmed you from your enemies.

This is something I have been thinking about all morning, speaking out for the Lord.  How effective of a witness for the Lord am I?  When people meet me do they see the Lord in me.  And how to reach out to unbelievers?  I have this blog but most people who read this blog are all ready believers.  And do I have the courage to speak out for the Lord in the workplace and in public?

Thu, Nov 8th - 10:29PM

Proverbs 27:10

10 Don’t forsake your friend and your father’s friend. Don’t go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster: Better is a neighbor who is near than a distant brother.

Wed, Nov 7th - 9:14PM

Proverbs 27:9

9: Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; So does earnest counsel from a man's friend.

I am just posting some of my favorite Proverbs, they are not directed toward anybody as some people have asked.

Tue, Nov 6th - 9:44PM

Proverbs 27:4

Mon, Nov 5th - 9:23PM

Proverbs 27:3

Proverbs 27:3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but the resentment caused by a fool is even heavier.

I love the Proverbs.  Even though they were written many centuries ago they still aplly to everyday life today.

Sun, Nov 4th - 9:27PM

Shaming someone?

This is a comment left on one my last blog.  Never once did I say we should shame someone.  I said they should be ashamed of theirselves and I stand by that statement if you do nothing to grow as a Christian you are not following God's will for your life.  I am not frustrated at all I was just pointing out a trend I see quiet often and as Christian and I did not condemn or judge.  As Christians we have an obligation to instruct others on how to live a Christian life.

Below is the comment left on my blog.

I'd rather try to encourage, dear brother, one on one, involved where I can be, than to shame them. There are times for Godly Sorrow, but I find that shaming people too much might make them avoid you, and hide from you. Then how can they confess anything to you?

Your message is right. Your frustration, however, yeilds a bitter fruit. I simply advise caution.

Christ could have come to condemn and judge, and indeed, one day His return will be for that very purpose. He did, like you, point out their weaknesses. He did not need to be harsh beyond that. Often, He followed what he showed them to be wrong (many times they already knew) with gentle and direct advise.

Be like the Shepherd.

Blessings,

Mel
2007-11-04 08:09:03   Posted by Mel ()
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Sun, Nov 4th - 9:08PM

Proverbs 27:1

1 Don’t boast about tomorrow; For you don’t know what a day may bring forth.

You have probably heard it said before if you want to make God laugh tell him your plans.  God cares about our hope and dreams and plans but we must always remember that God also has a plan for our lives and we must be faithful and patient to let God work thru us.  Our first priority must always be to do God's will.

Sat, Nov 3rd - 10:52PM

Hebrews 5:12-14

12 For when by reason of the time you ought to be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food.

 13 For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby.

14 But solid food is for those who are full grown, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.

As Christians we are expected to grow spiritually just as we did physically.  I attend church with people that have been Christians for many years but they are the same place spiritually as they were years ago because they never study the word of God and the only time they crack up their Bibles is during the sermon on Suday mornings.  If you have been a Christian for many years and have not read the Bible you should be ashamed of yourself.

Fri, Nov 2nd - 10:18PM

Proverbs 26:27

Proverbs 26:27  If you set a trap for others, you will get caught in it yourself.  If you roll a boulder down on others, it will crush you instead.

I believe in the old saying " what goes around comes around".  If you are the type of person that is always backstabbing, spreading rumors, always trying to get back at someone, then you have no right to complain when you recieve the same treatment and just because someone did it first to you is no excuse to act the same.  Instead we should show them type of people love and forgiveness.  If they continue in their ways then stay away from them, don't let them drag you down to their level.

Thu, Nov 1st - 9:04PM

Psalm 104:1-23

1 Bless the Lord, my soul. O Lord, my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty.

2 He covers himself with light as with a garment. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain.

3 He lays the beams of his chambers in the waters. He makes the clouds his chariot. He walks on the wings of the wind.

4 He makes his messengers winds; His servants flames of fire.

5 He laid the foundations of the earth, That it should not be moved forever.

6 You covered it with the deep as with a cloak. The waters stood above the mountains.

7 At your rebuke they fled. At the voice of your thunder they hurried away.

8 The mountains rose, The valleys sank down, To the place which you had assigned to them.

9 You have set a boundary that they may not pass over; That they don’t turn again to cover the earth.

10 He sends forth springs into the valleys. They run among the mountains.

11 They give drink to every animal of the field. The wild donkeys quench their thirst.

12 The birds of the sky nest by them. They sing among the branches.

13 He waters the mountains from his chambers. The earth is filled with the fruit of your works.

14 He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And plants for man to cultivate, That he may bring forth food out of the earth:

15 Wine that makes glad the heart of man, Oil to make his face to shine, And bread that strengthens man’s heart.

16 O Lord trees are well watered, The cedars of Lebanon, which he has planted;

17 Where the birds make their nests. The stork makes its home in the fir trees.

18 The high mountains are for the wild goats. The rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers.

19 He appointed the moon for seasons. The sun knows when to set.

20 You make darkness, and it is night, In which all the animals of the forest prowl.

21 The young lions roar after their prey, And seek their food from God.

22 The sun rises, and they steal away, And lay down in their dens.

23 Man goes forth to his work, To his labor until the evening.