This is an introduction to Jesus, the Bible and the meaning of some of the verses of the Bible. I have some thoughts which are not attached to particular Bible verses, but the foundation for these thoughts comes from the Bible. I believe that what I have presented is scriptural. Why do we come to Jesus? It is not for the good life! You will be tested and there will be suffering. We know through our conscience and knowledge of ourselves and of the scripture, that we are full of sin, and that Jesus is the only way to deal with sin. He can take our sin and forgive us of our sin. He can show us how to live our lives. God doesn't send people to hell. People trample over the cross, the Bible, and everything they have ever heard from preachers to get into hell. How do you relate to others during everyday life? Live by the Golden Rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" - John 14:6 -------------------------------------- The Plan of Salvation found in Romans 1.Acknowledge your sinfulness Romans 3:23 'For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God' 2.Recognize sin's penalty and the remedy Romans 6:23 'for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life' 3.God makes a way to him Romans 5:8 'But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us' 4.Confess, believe and receive Romans 10:9 'That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved' Romans 10:13 'For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved' --------------------------------------- from Philemon ...if you fail to forgive people.... 1. you imprison people to their past 2. you keep the pain alive 3. it feeds bitterness and anger 4. it robs us of joy if you think of not forgiving someone, remember how many people you are indebted to as a result of living your life ----------------------------------------- The church is akin to the survivors' circle after the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. If you leave the group, if your faith falls, you may not survive, as the sharks are out there. God said he would not forsake us. --------------------------------------- A footwashing church is a SERVING church Philippians 2:1-4 existing features 1)an encouraging church which has people standing together 2)a speaking church which gives advice 3)a sharing church 4)a church whose members have affection for each other the results which come from a footwashing church 1)joy runs over, people feel loved, people want to return to church, they see each otehr the same, having the same mind 2)there is no selfishness and people don't expect compliments 3)others are honored 4)the church looks to the interests of others --------------------------------------- some words at Christmas time 'there was no room at the inn' when it was time for Jesus' birth. He was born and placed in a manger. Do you have room for Him in your heart, or will you place Him into your manger? He came to be your Savior, you know. And you ask, 'what am I being saved from?' Well, Jesus came to save you from Hell. Jesus came to save you from a life of fear. Jesus came to save you from living a life without true purpose. Jesus came to show you the love of God. and a little reflection on Mary, Jesus' mother Luke 1:30 'for thou hast found favor with God.' Luke 2:7 'And she brought forth her firstborn son' et peperit filium suum primogenitum et pannis eum involvit et reclinavit eum in praesepio quia non erat eis locus in diversorio I am the last one who would want detract from the importance of Jesus being born to a virgin. Mary's position of favor though doesn't signify that she was given a special place in God's order of things in heaven. John 14:6 'Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.' This verse does not say that Mary, or any other person, shall help you to the Father. --------------------------------------------------- Why was Jesus not accepted during his time of living on earth? Jesus came to His creation and his own people did not accept him. John 1:11 Noah preached for 120 years and received no converts. What are the connections between the above statements? Hebrews 3:12 There is a deceit and trickery in Sin. The religious foes of Jesus misunderstood him because of the hardness of their hearts. The people of Noah's time had their hearts hardened thru sin. Mark 3:20-35 Jesus' friends and family misunderstood him because of their ignorance. Jesus' final words. Luke 23:46 ...Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit:" and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. In giving His spirit, He presents to His father, the summation of all He has been in life. In placing Himself in his Father's hands, he comes to all that He offers, through both open, giving hands. Jesus does these actions with perfect contentment and through total faith. As he expands in John 10:26-30, ...shall never perish Jesus cried with a loud voice, not a whimper, as he actively gave up his spirit, and then He was at peace. ......................... Some words for Fathers' Day Fathers are not bunglers. They are to be the role models for their children. Show approval when your children do right. Have a balance between exclamations of approval and disapproval. Continue to learn as you grow older and share what you learn. Malachi 2:10 Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers? Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives 1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Revelation 22 Paradise(a Persian garden), or you might want to use another name ver 1 The river denotes pleasure and prosperity. Its coming from the throne of God indicates that a right relationship with God must exist (out of the throne of God and of the Lamb) ver 2 the tree has manner of fruits - there will be variety in paradise the fruit will be continually renewed - there will be abundance healing - eating the fruit will keep you healthy ver 4 you shall see his[Jesus'] face. remember God's face and Moses ver 5 there is no night - no sleep - no tiredness light shall be available all the time [the Word is the light under my feet] Revelation 20 ver. 1-4 this covers the binding of Satan ver. 7 Satan is unbound after being bound for 1000 years ver. 8 Satan is allowed to deceive the world Revelation 21 ver. 1 the new earth will not have a sea.(conclusion, the water will not be needed, at least not in a large volume) also: Isaiah 65:17 "I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. ver. 2 John saw the holy city. Why a city? a city is used because the organizational concepts, living arrangements, and relationships of a city will be present Revelation 19 ver. 1 Alleluia- Praise the Lord, for who he is and what he has done. Salvation belongs to God; it is a gift, he gives. We don't receive it by works. Titus3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us ver. 11 the one who judges and makes war comes from heaven on a white horse ver. 12 he has no name known to man ver. 13 his vesture is dipped in blood; he is the Word of God ver. 16 he is KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS ver. 20 the beast and the false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire Jonah God called Jonah to go to talk to the people of Nineveh. Jonah was a Hebrew. The people of Nineveh were not Hebrew. Therefore, this is an instance in the Old Testament where God wanted to talk to people who were not of the Chosen and who He wanted to save. Jonah, a Hebrew, did not want to do God's bidding and teach repentance to non-Hebrews. The men in the boat who were also non-Hebrew, offered a sacrifice to God and asked for his understanding. In the end the people of Nineveh repented of their evil ways and God spared them at that time. Was this to be the mission of Jews, to bring God's ways to non- Jews? And was Jonah's reluctance a reflection of the nature of Jews in general? A thought about those who don't believe If you are a Christian, and wonder about the atheists and agnostics of the world, read Romans 1:16-32 Many see the wonders God has made, that God is manifest in them, and that the invisible things of Him are clearly seen in the creations of the world and that his eternal power is understood through the things that are made. Those who choose to ignore their own eyes are without excuse. They know God is in things, but they do not give glory to God, neither are they thankful to God. They become absorbed in their own vanity and the power of their imagination. Their foolishness allows their hearts to become hardened. These people have moved glory to their own images, in the [new] image of man they try to present today, and through the [new] image they give to God's living creatures. These people change the truth of God into a lie, and worship the creature more than the Creator. You can read for yourself how man and woman make unnatural use of their bodies and that they know the judgement they will receive. A Mother's Day Message Jesus, stop working on that wood and come in to eat. You'd work on that wood[cross] all day, if your Father asked you. Samuel 1 Hannah is a humble person and says of herself that she is not the most important. She is not putting herself down, but is seeing herself in relationship to God. A humble person takes time to pray to God. Hannah was persistent in her prayer, year after year, possibly for 10 years, as her husband mentions she could have 10 sons. ----------------------------------- Thoughts on Christianity There are two parts of a person, physical and spiritual. Both parts must be fed, or emptiness results. If you are empty, you will know and you will want to fill the emptiness. Those in the dark search for light. There are those who do not want to know and who will use diversion, and will point out seeming contradictions, but will not be willing to study the Word of God, or ask for guidance through prayer. We live by faith. We have faith that food will nourish our bodies, that there will be air to breathe, and that we have a spirit that will be looked after. There are three aspects of morality which a religion must deal with and Christianity deals with all three. 1. There must be fair play and harmony between individuals 2. There must be harmony within the individual 3. There must be a purpose for man, which is God's will What does God require of you? Micah 6:8 ...to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God. The Lord's Great Promise John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. This is why Christianity exists! God wants a personal involvement with us. In the beginning, God talked with Adam. God later walked with Enoch. God gave man laws to live by. This is also where the Jews have their legalistic outlook. God gave man judges. God gave man kings. God gave man prophets. Lastly, God gave man Jesus. A person must realize that there is a universal moral law which can be broken by humans. The breaking of this law results in sin. After this realization, one can repent and ask for forgiveness. Satan intends to rob you of God's blessing by wrong teaching, temptation,etc. Read your Bible yourself and pray for understanding. God is the provider. He provides all that you need to survive. You must provide your part, which is labor and spiritual involvement to enjoy what God gives to you. A covenant relationship exists inwhich we give Glory to God and He provides for our happiness. Nothing is impossible when God is in it. Matthew 19:26 but Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, WITH MEN THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE; BUT WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. Wonder where you stand after you have been saved and then sinned? Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (God saves you to the uttermost, you are saved to the max, completely eternally.) Jude 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. (God is able to keep you from falling. The Devil doesn't make you sin, it is the intent of your heart. You are responsible for your actions.) Darkness. David refered to a natural darkness when he said he was born of the darkness of his mother's womb. This is the curse of sin from Adam's time. Romans 1:24-26 refers to a judicial Darkness where God gives a person over to the sin of their choosing where they no longer even recognize their depraved ways. Light. Thank God that He is Light and that we do not have to be in darkness. Read 1 John 1. ........... John the Baptist The Old Testament tells us of the coming of Jesus and of preceding events. Isaiah 40:3 tells us: one cries in the wilderness, preparing the way of the Lord, making a way in the desert for our God. Malachi 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple... then in the account of John the Baptist in the Gospel of John John 1:23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. and in the Gospel of Luke Luke 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. John the Baptist was in the wilderness. Why the wilderness? Look to the Old Testament again. Jeremiah 2:2 Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown. Why did the Hebrews leave Egypt? Because God was not in Egypt. Where did God take the Hebrews? Into the wilderness, where He would guide them and spend time with them. Why not stay in Egypt? The distractions there were too great, for one thing. A point Jesus was making towards the end of his ministry. Mar 3:6 The high priests made rules about things which were not Biblical. What were the Pharises doing traveling around Galilee on the Sabbath, following Jesus? How does their own travel relate to rules they had made about limited travel on the Sabbath? The Pharises were breaking their own rules! However, God is a loving god and I believe that He allows for certain laws to be broken depending upon the circumstances. David was allowed to eat food from the synagogue which was intended for the priests. This was to take care of David's real hunger. God did not harm David for those actions. On the Cross John 20:30 Jesus cried out, "It is finished." This was a cry of victory. It was the fulfillment of scripture prophecy. It was the placement of all believers' sins on the cross. It was the completion of the way for man to reach God. ........... The Rejection of Israel Mark 12;1-12 presents a parable of a man who established a vineyard and also necessary accompanying features. The man then removed himself from that location for a period of time with the implied understanding that he would return at some time to receive his due. When the time to return was approaching, the man sent servants in his place to tell the vineyard users that he was returning and was expecting his due. His servants were hurt and/or killed. At last the man determined that he would send his son, as he would be respected. His son was killed also and was thrown out of the vineyard. This parable also outlines what happened with the House of Israel, the vineyard. Israel did not produce good fruit(the payment to the owner of the vineyard), did not respect the prophets(the servants were hurt and/ or killed), and killed Jesus(did not recognize Him because of their blindness from sin- He was the Son of God, did not respect Him-heed Him, killed Him-crucified him, and threw him out of the vineyard-did not accept him as from the Jews and separated themselves from Him.) Mark 12:10 the builders rejected the stone and it became the cornerstone;in Psalms 118 the stone was rejected and became the head. Israel was told they rejected the stone and that the stone became the head, the corner, of a new building. This is the rejection, the new building, which does not include Israel in it. On Tithes and Offerings We are not under the Law of the Old Testament any longer. The ancient Hebrews were required to give one-tenth plus other offerings as they came due. This policy was because ancient Israel was a theocracy. 1 Corinthians 16:1-3 Every Sunday, you should look at how you have prospered, plan your finances and set aside your offering. This is to also teach personal discipline and to have you to focus. The end of the second verse, "that there be no gatherings when I come." refers to Paul saying that matters were done in private and away from his presence so that people did not feel coerced to give. II Corinthians 9:7 God knows your heart when you give offerings. .............. Selected Bible Verses
Don't have a Bible handy? Use this link to a searchable Bible Blue Letter Bible Need a Bible in a different language? Use this link Bible Gateway John Wycliffe Translators More radical in its interpretation of events The Cutting Edgecan be a bit straining
When in sorrow Read John 14 When men fail you Read Psalm 27 When you have sinned Read Psalm 51 When you worry Read Matthew 6:19-36 When you are in danger Read Psalm 91 If you have the blues Read Psalm 34 When God seems far away Read Psalm 139 If you are discouraged read Isaiah 40 If you are lonely or fearful Read Psalm 23 If you feel down and out Read Romans 8:39 When you want courage for your task Read Joshua 1 When the world seems bigger than God Read Psalm 90 When leaving home fo rlabor or traavel Read Matthew 11:25-30 If you get bitter or critical Read 1st Corinthians 13 If thinking of investments and returns Read Mark 10:17-31 For a great invitation - a great opportunity Read Isaiah 55 Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father...that thy days may be long -------------------------------------------------------- Galatians 5:22 22: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23: meekness, temperance The love of those without God for each other is an emotional reaction. The power of the Spirit permits a Godly response. Rev. 9:20 Punishment does not yield a change unless it is done in the atmosphere of love. Blessed are they who mourn - God, through the Holy Spirit, gives us the capacity to feel the pain caused by our sin. Luke 22:21-38 the First Lord's Supper There was talk of betrayal and of who was greatest;to be great, you must serve. Jesus said, "I serve you and I have been given a kingdom." Jesus was giving the apostles high places in his kingdom. Jesus told them they would be tempted by Satan, but that he had prayed for them, so they would be strong in their faith. In ancient times, the sword was a mark of an outcast. Jesus told his followers that they were going to be outcasts, so to make their way in the world, they would need to be prepared. "It is enough." meant that enough time had been spent talking about these things and now it was time to move on. ............................................ 3 elements of Genesis 3 Satan works by developing doubt, denial and delusion in people. That is how he worked with Eve. That is how people fall into cults or false teachings. Additionally in II Cor 11:1-12 Because Christians are so tolerant, we have accepted falseness in our midst. -------------------------------------------------------- Verses to keep in mind when reading the book "The Bible Code" by Michael Drosnin. 2 Peter 1:3 Daniel 12:4,9 Isaiah 46:9-10 Colassians 1:27 1 Corinthians 15:51 John 18:20 Deuteronomy 29:29 Matthew 28:20 1 Cor. 15:1-4 John 12:48 Psalm 1 2 Timothy 3;14-17 Acts 17:21 John 15:14 ------------------------------------------------ Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father...that thy days may be long ---------------------------------------- Bible Prophecy-- Israel is the Key Genesis 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed Genesis 12:7 And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, unto thy seed will I give this land Genesis 16:11 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael: because the Lord hath heard thy affliction Genesis 16:12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren Genesis 17:19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac; and I will establish my covenant with him fo r an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him Genesis 17:20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee; Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and willmultiply him exceedingly; twelve princes hall he beget, and i will make him a great nation Genesis 17:21 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year Romans 4:19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb Genesis 25:23 And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from they bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other peole; and the elder shall serve the younger Genesis 15:18 In the same day teh Lord made a covenant with Abramm saying, Unto thy seed have I agiven this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates Isaiah 43:5 Fear not; for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east and gather thee from the west; Isaiah 43:6 I wil say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth _____________________________________________________________________ meekness - one definition - enduring injury with patience and without resentment. see story of David where he could have killed after verbal assault, but didn't ultimate example - Jesus could have called on his father to remove him from the cross and stop his suffering, but instead, asked his father to forgive those who were killing him *************************************************************************** for the End Age I John 19 "They went out from us, but they were not of us" these people had been inside the Church, but weren't believers and left fellowship I John 22 "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist" I John 23 "Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father" I Timothy 1-4 "that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hpocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving." ***************************************************************************** Items from Revelation Seals and Horses White Horse - false peace Red Horse - world-wide war Black Horse - famine pestilence, death the many killed as martyrs the great terror when men will be scared to death 7th Seal - when this is opened, there is 1/2 hour of silence in heaven, then the 7 angels who stand before God will be given 7 trumpets. When the 6th angel sounds the trumpet, 4 angels bound at the Euphrates will be let loose. These angels are evil heads of countries of that area of the world. The army of 200 million horsemen( men or demons, we don't know for sure) will kill 1/3 of mankind alive at that time. Rev.9:20 Incredible punishment does not yield a change in men. An atmosphere of greed and ungodliness still exists. Change will not occur outside of an atmosphere of love. Revelation 12 ver.1 A symbol for Israel (as she brings forth Jesus in vers. 5) ver.3 The dragon - is red - indicating viciousness, the color of blood a complete wisdom (of evil, 7 heads); great power (10 horns) ver.5 The man child - Jesus ver.7 Satan loses his access to heaven ( at the start of the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation) ver.9 Satan is cast down to earth Revelation 13 ver.1 A beast with 7 heads(the perfection of wickedness) and ten horns(controlled territories) ver.2 The beast is composed of the qualities of others: the leopard has speed and intellect [connection to Greece?] the bear is a fierce animal [connection to Persia?] the lion has the power to control [connection to Babylon]; these put together yield a cunning political leader ver.3 A false resurrection takes place and the world accepts it as real ver.7 power over all [possible physical control through the economy] ver.11 Another beast of the same kind [demonic] appears: a religious leader, a wolf in sheep's clothing "like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon" ver.14 There will be counterfeit miracles and those seeing these will be asked to make an image for presentation to the people ver.16 A mark will be given to those accepting of the beast and his actions [will this be connected to the electronic transfer of funds?] ver.18 The number is that of a man Revelation 16 ver.1 These judgements will affect the whole world ver.2 Those who accepted the mark of the beast to live, will live in agony ver.3 All life in the sea will die ver.4 All fresh water will be contaminated ver.5-6 Those who have sowed [unrighteously], will reap ver.9 Men will be sorched by a hotter sun and will not repent ver.10 The kingdom of the beast will become full of darkness[chaos] ver.12 The Euphrates will be dried up(note:Turkey has a dam(s) on the river now) ver.17 The last wrath fro Gos is poured into the air[for all who are left to see ?] ver.18 There is an earthquake greater than any since man has been on the face of the earth ver.20 The whole face of the earth changes ver.21 Enormous hail stones will rain on the earth and the remaining men will still blaspheme God [these men can't repent as they all have the mark of the beast] Revelation 17 This chapter is involved with the fall of the world religion [that of man, that which is false] The church of God will have been removed from Earth already. ver. 5 the title of the false religion 'MYSTERY,BABYLON' is not a place but refers to the false religious system 'MOTHER OF HARLOTS' prostitution and idolatry have long gone together Verses to keep in mind Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Matthew 12:48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? Revelation 18 ver. 3 The earth with an abundance of [me] people, drunk with immorality and riches from the earth ver. 4 We are called to come out of idolatrous Babylon. ver. 11 The merchants mourn because they can't sell anymore [they don't mourn because of their sins] ver. 12-13 these are the riches they obtained ver. 14 this is why Lot's wife looked back[it was her nature] all is taken away ver. 15 These merchants were made rich by her[the world Babylon religion] ver. 19 All the riches will be lost in one hour ver. 22-23 In hell it will be dark, there will be no music, no work[to achieve self-value], and no personal relationships Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." The Holy Spirit gives us the capacity to feel the pain caused by our sin. No more hills, no more waiting to see what is around the corner, no more shadows of life, but real life, that is what Jesus has for us now. We only have to accept his grace. Footnote: And when all this is said and you've done all you believe you can do(outside of faith), and you still don't know where you are, then ask yourself, if you're NOT your brother's keeper, then what is your purpose in life? Ask Jesus, he knows. Consider the statement 'once saved, always saved' vs. 'if saved, always saved.' Amos 5:21-24 Comment: People focus so much on things on the earth, that they don't put time into making themselves heavenly focused. People don't care about the things to be found in heaven. People, even many Christians, don't want to put a lot of effort into serving and learning, to take the time to look at the rewards waiting in heaven. Don't get caught up in the drudgery of this earth. Earth is not "home." We are just passing through. ?Mark 12:13-17 Jesus was a Galilean and did not have to pay the poll tax which was required of people of Judea. Jesus could have excluded himself from the questioning and the answering. Render unto Ceasar that which is Ceasar's and unto God that which is God's. Paraphrased, could be taken as, if you benefit from the state, then you have a debt to the state. also check: Romans 13;1-7, 1 Timothy 2:1-3, Titus 3;1-2, 1 peter 2;13-17 Micah 5:2 A ruler shall come from Bethlehem, one of old, one of many goings. When you teach don't be legalistic. If the Bible doesn't actually say something, then 'you' many be reading it into the verses being examined. Allow grace where needed on differences of opinion. International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention God Said No Stories Devotions
JUDGE ME BY THE FOOTPRINTS I LEAVE BEHIND
A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after
having fought in Vietnam. He called his parents from San Francisco.
"Mom and Dad, I'm coming home, but I've got a favor to ask. I have
a friend I'd like to bring with me."
"Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him."
There's something you should know," the son continued. "He was
hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mine and lost
an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come
live with us."
"I'm sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to
live."
"No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us."
"Son," said the father, "you don't know what you're asking. Someone
with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us. We have our own
lives to live, and we can't let something like this interfere with our
lives. I think you should just come home and forget about this guy.
He'll find a way to live on his own."
At that point, the son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing
more from him. A few days later, however, they received a call from
the San Francisco police. Their son had died after falling from a
building, they were told. The police believed it was suicide. The
grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco and were taken to the
city morgue to identify the body of their son. They recognized him,
but to their horror they also discovered something they didn't know,
their son had only one arm and one leg.
The parents in this story are like many of us. We find it easy to
love those who are good-looking or fun to have around, but we don't
like people who inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable. We
would rather stay away from people who aren't as healthy, beautiful,
or smart as we are.
Thankfully, there's someone who won't treat us that way. Someone who
loves us with an unconditional love that welcomes us into the forever
family, regardless of how messed up we are. Tonight, before you tuck
yourself in for the night, say a little prayer that God will give you
the strength you need to accept people as they are, and to help us all
be more understanding of those who are different from us!!!
There's a miracle called Friendship that dwells in the heart. You
don't know how it happens or when it gets started. But you know the
special lift. It always brings and you realize that Friendship Is
God's most precious gift! Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They
make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they
share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to
us. Show your friends today how much you care.
Subject: Fw: The Living Bible
His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He is brilliant. Kind of esoteric and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college. Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students, but are not sure how to go about it. One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat. The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything. Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit and, when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet. (Although perfectly acceptable behavior at a college fellowship, trust me, this had never happened in this church before!) By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick. About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill. Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do. How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor? It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy. The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do. And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone. Everyone chokes up with emotion. When the minister gains control, he says, "What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget. Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read.
"The Table Cloth"> > > > The brand new pastor and his wife, newly assigned to their first ministry, to reopen a church in urban Brooklyn, arrived in early October excited about their opportunities.When they saw their church, it was very run down and needed much work. They set a goal to have everything done in time to have their first service onChristmas Eve. They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls, painting,etc., and, on Dec. 18, were ahead of schedule and just about finished. On Dec 19 a terrible tempest -- a driving rainstorm, hit the area and lasted for two days. On the 21st, the pastor went over to the church. His heart sunkwhen he saw that the roof had leaked, causing a large area of plaster about 6 feet by 8 feettofall off the front wall of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit, beginning about head high.The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor, and not knowing what else to do but postpone the Christmas Eveservice, headed home. On the way he noticed that a local business was having a flea market type sale for charity so he stopped in. One of the items was a beautiful, handmade, ivory colored,crochet tablecloth with exquisite work, fine colors and a cross embroidered right in the center. It was just the rightsize to cover up the hole in the front wall. He bought it and headed back to the church. By this time it had started to snow. An older woman running from the opposite direction was trying to catch the bus. She missed it. The pastor invited her to wait in the warm church for the next bus 45 minutes later.She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor while he got aladder, hangers, etc. to put up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry. The pastor could hardly believe howbeautiful it looked and it covered up the entire problem area. Then he noticed the woman walking down the center aisle. Herface was like a sheet. "Pastor," she asked, "Where did you get that tablecloth?" The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check the lower right corner to see if the initials "EBG" were crocheted intoit there. They were. These were the initials of the woman, and she had madethis tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria. The woman could hardly believe it as the pastor told how he hadjust gotten the tablecloth. The womanexplained that before the war she and her husband were well-to-do people in Austria. When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave. Her husband was going to follow her the next week. She was captured, sent to prison and never sawher husband or her home again. The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth; but she made thepastor keep it for the church. The pastor insisted on driving her home, that was the least he could do. She lived onthe other side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn for the day fora housecleaning job. What a wonderful service they had on Christmas Eve. The church was almost full. The music and the spirit were great. At the end of the service, the pastor and his wife greeted everyone atthe door and many said that they would return. One older man, whom the pastor recognized from theneighborhood, continued to sit in one of the pews and stare, and the pastor wondered why he wasn't leaving. The man asked him wherehegot the tablecloth on the front wall because it was identical to one that his wife had made years ago when they lived in Austria before the warand how could there be two tablecloths so much alike? He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he forced his wife to flee for her safety, and he was supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and put in a concentration camp. He never saw his wife or his home again for all the 35 years in between. The pastor asked him if he would allow him to take him for a little ride. They drove to Staten Island and to the same house where the pastor had taken the woman three days earlier. He helped the man climb the three flights of stairs to the woman's apartment, knocked on the door and he saw the greatest Christmas reunion he could ever imagine. >> > > > > > True Story -- submitted by Pastor Rob Reid> > ******************************* Many ancient religions lacked prophets who could provide thoughtful change. Many ancient religions also lacked authoritative documents which could serve as foundations. These religions developed spontaneously from the minds of their practitioners. ................ Are You Suited Up, Soldier? · I am a soldier in the army of the living God. · The Lord Jesus Christ is my commanding officer. The Holy Bible is my code of conduct. · Faith, prayer, and the Word are my weapons of warfare. · I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity and tested by fire. I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity. · I will either retire in this army at the rapture or die in this army; but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out. · I am faithful, reliable, capable and dependable. If my God needs me, I am there. · If He needs me in the Sunday school, to teach the children, work with the youth, help adults or just sit and learn, He can use me because I am there! · I am a soldier. I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up or pepped up. · I am a soldier. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, > > entice me, or lure me. · I am a soldier. I am not a wimp. I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His kingdom! · No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy or give me handouts. · I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to. · I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around · I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit. When Jesus called me into this army, I had nothing. If I end up with nothing, I will still come out ahead. · I will win. My God has, and will continue to, supply all of my needs. · I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ. · Devils cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me. Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me. Governments cannot silence me and hell cannot handle me. · I am a soldier in the army, and I’m marching, claiming victory. I will not give up. I will not turn around. I am a soldier, marching heaven bound. · Here I stand! Will you stand with me ...................... 121005 Christians to “sanitize” one of their holiest days beyond recognition. This year, we’re finally witnessing a long-overdue backlash. But what an “odd” backlash it is, said Adam Cohen in The New York Times. The save-Christmas movement is not troubled in the least by the commercialization of Christmas; as long as stores and malls hawk video games, ugly ties, and billions of dollars of other merchandise at “Christmas” (not “Holiday”) sales, they’re content. These efforts are particularly “perverse” because at our country’s founding, the Protestant establishment frowned on Christmas. Puritan, Episcopal, Baptist, and other Protestant church leaders discouraged any maj or celebration on Dec. 25, associating the day with pagan observances of the winter solstice, drunkenness, and Saturnalia. Christmas gradually became popular only after Clement Clarke Moore’s 1822 poem, “A Visit From St. Nicholas,” turned Santa Claus into the symbol of Christmas and the day into a celebration of children and gift giving. The Christmas that Jerry Falwell and the Christian Right is promoting-with its “smack-down attitude toward nonbelievers”-is something entirely new. It “fits with their campaign to make America more like a theocracy.” This is a comment lifted from a magazine. But then, in our Bible, does Jesus tell us to celebrate Christmas or Easter, for that matter? What does Jesus say? The speaking from Jesus which comes to mind is "do this in remembrance of me." You should then have in your mind Jesus with his Disciples at the Last Supper.
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