Oswald Chambers

While reading a daily devotional written by Oswald Chambers I was struck by one paragraph that really jumped out at me and I am going to share that paragraph with you.

"The important consistency in a saint is not to a principle but to a divine life. It is the divine life that continually makes more and more discoveries about the divine mind. It is easier to become an excessive fanatic than it is to be consistently faithful, because God causes an amazing humbling of our religious conceit when we are faithful to Him."

I really pray that we all will see the very deep meaning to this article as it pertains to our lives as Christians. To be consistently faithful is much more than a "ritual" it is Jesus deep in our soul. Fred

I BELIEVE?

Webster’s dictionary defines "believe" as, ‘to accept something as true, genuine, or real.‘

When I switch a light switch I believe that the light will go on. When I turn my ignition key I believe my car will start. There are many of these everyday occurrences in our lives. When we do something we believe there will be a response.

Because I believe that the light will go on does not necessarily mean that I know all the machinations that take place to make that happen unless off course I have been schooled in electrical science. Some times we can learn a little about why things happen just by reading the guide book and then our belief becomes a little stronger in the subject that we are looking into.

I think you know where I am going with this. Why do you believe in God? First we have to realize that God exists. Then we have to read and study His Word to understand Him. Then the Holy Spirit will reveal through the Bible, prayer and sometimes other believers that God is ‘true, genuine, or real.’

When we say, "I believe" do we really believe? Fred

CHRIST’S MASS!

Though from the Roman Catholic Church, Christians of all backgrounds should be aware of the last word ‘mass’ or as is written now as ‘mas.’ From the original Latin, ‘dismissal or mission.’

What is our mission during these hectic days when the secular world has taken over Christmas? Christ’s mission was to die for our forgiveness. It is our mission to spread the word of Jesus’ GIFT to the world, to those around us. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s help in your busy life because you have a mission. Christmas originated as a compound meaning "Christ's Mass". It is derived from the Middle EnglishChristemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038. "Cristes" is from Greek Χριστός Christos and "mæsse" is from Latin missa (the holy mass). missa (dismissal), a word used in the concluding formula of Mass in Latin: "Ite, missa est" ("Go; it is the dismissal"). "In antiquity, missa simply meant 'dismissal'. In Christian usage, however, it gradually took on a deeper meaning. The word 'dismissal' has come to imply a 'mission'. These few words succinctly express the missionary nature of the Church" (Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum caritatis, 51) Fred

MY THANKSGIVING! 

  I was born into a Lutheran family and confirmed at age 12. Confirmation to me was the same as graduation from Sunday School and church. From that point on I just attended church on holidays until I was married and then a little more often because I wanted my children to know about God. Most Sundays we didn't make it because I had a hangover from the night before. The first 10 years of my married life was spent in a bottle. A minimum of a 6 pack every night before I went to bed. I was miserable!
  One day while preparing the soil for a new lawn for a client on my second job, I was invited to a church service at the East Northport Gospel Church on a Sunday night. I was told by someone at work that "those people are crazy," which of course wet my curiosity even more. I went. A visiting Evangelist* was speaking on the Second Coming of Christ. I sat in the last row next to the door in case I had to get out quick! After all these people were "crazy!"
  Sure enough he was preaching on something that I had never heard before, the Second Coming, so I took notes. At one point he yelled, real loud, that tonight could be the night that Jesus returned! As he yelled this and pounded the pulpit there were a clap of thunder and a bolt of lightning outside that just about sent me under the pew! I wasn't nervous, I was scared silly!!
  I went home and told my wife that my co-worker was right, they are crazy. Then we looked over my notes and much to my surprise everything the Evangelist said was in the Bible. So I started attending on Sunday nights. God revealed some amazing things to me and one day shortly there-after, on April 23, 1966, while home alone I did something I had never done before. I knelt down at my bed and asked God to take over my life. I also asked Him to hold off on the speaking in tongues because I didn't really know much about that yet. God in His infinite wisdom came into my heart to such a point that I thought I was going to burst! And burst I did, for one solid hour I worshiped Him in a language that I had not learned and when I finished I knew that I had said all there was to say. Thank God He didn't honor the second part of my original prayer to hold off on speaking in tongues! From that day until today I have served Him and He has never let me down. That day He Saved my soul and took away my need for cigarettes and alcohol, and He made me into a new person. I was truly Born Again! Now I am overjoyed to be known as one of those "crazy people."
  It doesn't matter what we are born into as long as our second birth is into Jesus Christ!
*The Evangelist was Rev. David Allen Lewis. 

Is Halloween Harmless?

"For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?" [2 Corinthians 6:14, 15]

   Christians must realize that to play around with things of the occult is very dangerous. People have said to me, ‘Come on what is wrong with looking into astrology charts or reading my horoscope once in a while?’ Or watching fortune tellers and mystics on television or heaven forbid, see one in person? You may question what any of this has to do with Halloween?    We are in a battle with the forces of the devil everyday as Scripture assures us. The “dark side” which is celebrated on Halloween is all part of the occult. Many things started as Christian celebrations many years ago and as they became secularized the meaning changed. Something like our present day Christmas and Easter. Satan comes as an angel of light but like the sheep in wolves clothing all he is trying to do is “Lure” you closer to him. “Harmless” games have the power to bring us into the devil’s realm. Weggie Board, Dungeons & Dragons etc. There are two spirit worlds out there. One is The Holy Spirit of God and the other is Satan’s world of demons. Whose world do you think is involved in Halloween? Fred

Procrastinating to Hell!

 

   The dictionary describes – procrastinate as postponing or putting of till a future time a certain thing in your life that must be done or finished.

   We all do that because we always think we will have the time to eventually get to whatever it is, yard work, painting, wash the car etc. The problem is many things that we procrastinate about never seem to get done and we do not consider them a big deal because they can wait. Some are more important then others such as buying a card or gift for birthdays or anniversaries’ or paying a bill before the lights are turned off.

   Have you ever heard someone say in a joking way, ‘’I have plenty of time to get right with God” or “I will make peace when I know I am dying.” The Bible says that, “Today is the day of Salvation.” We get to make our decision to be Saved but we do not know when our physical life will end.    Do not ‘procrastinate’ give your life to God by accepting what Jesus did for us on the cross of Calvary today! Fred

MY THANKSGIVING!

I was born into a Lutheran family and confirmed at age 12. Confirmation to me was the same as graduation from Sunday School and church. From that point on I just attended church on holidays until I was married and then a little more often because I wanted my children to know about God. Most Sundays we didn't make it because I had a hangover from the night before. The first 10 years of my married life was spent in a bottle. A minimum of a 6 pack every night before I went to bed. I was miserable! One day while preparing the soil for a new lawn for a client on my second job, I was invited to a church service at the East Northport Gospel Church on a Sunday night. I was told by someone at work that "those people are crazy," which of course wet my curiosity even more. I went. A visiting Evangelist* was speaking on the Second Coming of Christ. I sat in the last row next to the door in case I had to get out quick! After all these people were "crazy!" Sure enough he was preaching on something that I had never heard before, the Second Coming, so I took notes. At one point he yelled, real loud, that tonight could be the night that Jesus returned! As he yelled this and pounded the pulpit there were a clap of thunder and a bolt of lightning outside that just about sent me under the pew! I wasn't nervous, I was scared silly!! I went home and told my wife that my co-worker was right, they are crazy. Then we looked over my notes and much to my surprise everything the Evangelist said was in the Bible. So I started attending on Sunday nights. God revealed some amazing things to me and one day shortly there-after, on April 23, 1966, while home alone I did something I had never done before. I knelt down at my bed and asked God to take over my life. I also asked Him to hold off on the speaking in tongues because I didn't really know much about that yet. God in His infinite wisdom came into my heart to such a point that I thought I was going to burst! And burst I did, for one solid hour I worshiped Him in a language that I had not learned and when I finished I knew that I had said all there was to say. Thank God He didn't honor the second part of my original prayer to hold off on speaking in tongues! From that day until today I have served Him and He has never let me down. That day He Saved my soul and took away my need for cigarettes and alcohol, and He made me into a new person. I was truly Born Again! Now I am overjoyed to be known as one of those "crazy people." It doesn't matter what we are born into as long as our second birth is into Jesus Christ! *The Evangelist was Rev. David Allen Lewis.

WATCH THE YEAST!

Recently I was astounded by the teachings of a so called Christian leader and I remembered this article that I wrote a while ago. If you have read it before please read it again! Do not be fooled by false teachers.

In Matthew 16 Jesus speaks of the "yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducee's." He goes on to explain that the "yeast" is their "wrong teaching."

When it comes to God's Word I am a stickler for intellectual honesty. We as Christians have to rely on the Bible for all of our direction. Many denominations have so many man made rules that they have imposed on the people and many of these 'Christians' only know what their denomination believe and they don't realize that many are not in the Bible. Ask yourself, "Where does our Christian faith come from?" Of course it is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ but what are you following? The Bible is the only authority with-in Christianity that we should turn too. Man made rules that are not in the Bible can be dangerous. They can keep our thoughts on "Churchianity" and not on Christ.

Some denominations are right on target with proper teaching but many others are way off base. They teach religious authority and not Scriptural authority. They teach things that are not in the Bible but because they have a forum people believe what they say as Gospel truth. After all, "Isn't he a great man of God?" Not if he or she is not teaching what the Bible says.

The whole point of this article is to get you to think about where you are concerning Scripture and to point you in the right direction as far as God's teachings are concerned.

An article in the Jerusalem Post newspaper a few years ago told the story of a man watching a scribe hand print the Scriptures for a Torah scroll. The man commented on the precision with which the scribe had to write the letters. The scribe explained, "The letters are like 'black fire' but the spaces in between the letters are like 'white fire' because some men read between the lines and make the black letters mean something different. Beware the ‘white fire!' Beware the yeast of the false teacher!

WHO CARES!

A few years ago I received a letter from a book publisher in Texas suggesting that I put together a compilation of all my "FRED"S VIEW" articles for possible publication. The publisher had read the newsletter at a friend’s home. Fred

My first reaction was "WOW!" Then the Holy Spirit got my attention and reminded me that it all sounds good but who really cares what Fred’s view is! Of course He was right.

Anyone can write down their views on anything but shouldn’t we as Christians be more concerned with God’s view of things rather then man’s view? I am not putting down anyone’s viewpoint; I hope all of you have viewpoints on the important things in life. As Christians our viewpoint MUST line up with God’s teachings from scripture or it does not matter.

Pray that God will lead me in the writing of this column, may it always be in tune with God’s view. I write to inspire you to look further into any topic that might touch you but only the Holy Spirit can do that.

DIVINE HEALING

At the age of nine I had a tumor removed from behind my right ear. It was pressing on my brain but had not attached itself to the brain, yet. From that day until this I have never gone a day without a headache. I was prayed for many times but like Paul's thorn in the flesh I have not been healed.

When our daughter, Laurie, was 4 years old she started walking with a limp and dragged her leg while walking. This progressed into both legs and before long she couldn't walk at all. Our family doctor called in two doctors from Presbyterian Hospital in New York City to examine her. Polio! At that time we were told to take her home and keep her comfortable. We set up a cot in our living room because her bedroom was upstairs. She was put in traction each night to relieve the pain in her legs. I suggested to my wife that maybe we should kneel down next to her and pray for God to help her. This was before we knew the Lord as our personal Savior. We felt silly! Uncomfortable, after all we weren't familiar with the praying life.

The next morning was Saturday and I stayed in bed because it was my day off. We heard our son playing in the living room and I yelled at him to be careful around his sister and not to get her too excited. He said he was playing with Laurie so we got up to see. Laurie was chasing her brother around the room just as if nothing had happened! God healed her! The doctors who diagnosed her a few weeks earlier confirmed this and were amazed.

Why did God answer our prayer for our daughter and not mine for my headaches? I haven't got a clue but I know He heals and I also know He is Sovereign and that He is God! He told us to trust Him, Psalm 37:3. I do. Do you? Even when we don't get the answer that we want? Yet, God holds the answer and He loves us. That should be enough! Fred

A BAR OF SOAP?

 

   Have you ever noticed the many different kinds of wrappings on the many brands of soap? Through it all Ivory (99/100% pure) seems to say the same over the years. Some others are green, red or a combination of colors which are intended to attract the eye of shoppers.

   Stop a minute an think of this scenario. We get in our car to go to the supermarket, usually push a cart that has a very wobbly or stuck wheel, pick up our groceries, including our favorite soap. Then there is usually a line at the cash register but we finally are checked out. Back into the car to drive home. Carry the bags into the house and put everything in it’s place.

   Except the soap. Why, because the wrapping is so nice you do not want to open it. Now consider this, was that the reason that that bar of soap was made? Of course not. Soap is made to be applied to our bodies to keep us clean. To admire the wrapping is to get us to buy it but not to apply the soap to ourselves is not to receive the benefit intended by the manufacturer

   Unwrapped your Bible lately? Fred.

     

No Easter = No Christianity!                    

 

   Do you realize that we as Christians have the only religion that claims that our God overcame death? Many of the world’s religions can show you where their leaders and prophets are buried but Christians can only show an empty tomb.

   How do we know that God, incarnate in Jesus Christ, rose from the dead thereby conquering death? First of course is the Bible passages about the people who saw Him alive after the Crucifixion, see 1Corinthians 15.

   Secondly, if this claim is made in the Bible and it was not true, where are the writings of the time to refute what Paul and others are telling us about His Resurrection? There aren’t any! 

   “But now is Christ rose from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1Corinthians 15: 20-23.   Thirdly, through faith I and millions of others KNOW it is true! Fred

ABORTION is WRONG!

The reason abortion is wrong is because it is taking the life of the unborn child who has committed no wrong.  In other words, the child is not being put to death for a sin that it has committed.  It is simply being put to death to make someone else's life more convenient. It is God who gives life and takes it away. There is an exception though where God makes allowance for capital punishment.  "For it [governing authorities] is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil," (Rom. 13:4).  This latter condition is, of course, carried out under due process of law and is reserved for those who "practice evil," i.e., murderers, rapists, kidnappers, etc.
     The unborn do not fall under this category deserving capital punishment.  They are simply unborn, human lives.  When people have abortions they are taking into their own hands the taking life that is not permitted by God.
     Whether or not aborted babies go to heaven is not the issue because the end does not justify the means.  God is the taker of life, not man. Fred

WHAT’S THAT AMOS?

Every human being is hypercritical in some way. Don’t disagree, think about it. If not religiously some other way in our lives it is there.

While reading the Old Testament prophet Amos I came to be more aware of how much God hates this in our spiritual lives. Read this and see what God tells you.

God speaking to Israel and us through Amos 5:21-24. “I hate your show and pretence- your hierocracy of ‘honoring’ me with your religious feasts and solemn assemblies. I will not accept your burnt offerings and thank offerings of peace. Away with your hymns of praise-they are mere noise to my ears. I will not listen to your music, no matter how lovely it is. I want to see a mighty flood of justice-a torrent of doing good.” (Living Bible) Looks like some heartfelt action may be required. Fred

WHAT’S NEW?

 

  Whenever someone asks me that question I usually answer with, “Do you have four hours?” I realize that when we ask this question of anyone we are not expecting a lengthy litany of their family problems or a montage of children’s photos we are hoping for a brief “OK” or “Doing fine.” Now that we have entered into a New Year we will have many more chances to see and experience new things in our life, both good and bad.

   We usually make resolutions to try to change some things in our life but of course we break these resolutions within the first few weeks of the New Year. Hey, at least we tried! I have resolved not to make resolutions because I always feel bad afterward when I can not keep them.

   This year will mark the 45th year of a resolution that I made in 1966. Thank God I have been able to keep that one with God’s help. I gave my life to Jesus Christ on April 23, 1966 and He has kept me through many new experiences ever since.

   Why not make 2011 the year you make only one resolution or better yet a stronger commitment to our Lord and then enjoy watching God work in your life, even in the hard times? Fred

What’s it all about?

Merry Christmas! Santa Claus, Christmas tree, presents, Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer, Jingle Bells, Christmas Lights, seeing friends, overworked credit cards etc. etc..

Do not get lost in the above! It is all fun and ok but remember none of these things has to do with Jesus whose birth is the reason for the day. Take time out to love our Savior and our Father God for what was provided for us through His birth, death and resurrection. Consider His gift to us! Fred

Is it all‘MAKE-BELIEVE?’      As a child we can all remember how importantthe Tooth Fairy was to us. I remember trying to get a lose tooth to departbefore it was ready because I wanted the nickel to buy more candy so otherteeth could be sold to the Tooth Fairy. Mom found out and I was discouragedfrom my tooth extractions for money scheme when she told me that the ToothFairy was, well her.


   Then there was the Easter Bunny who wouldonly show up if I went to bed and fell asleep fast. Around eight years old Iwas asked to help color the eggs that the Bunny would bring. Why did we have toprovide the eggs? Again, Mom told me the whole story about the Easter Bunny notbeing real but I had to swear not to tell my little brother. 

  Christmas! Santa would come to mygrandparent’s farm house every Christmas Eve where my family and all my auntsand uncles and cousins would be gathered at 7pm to await his arrival. Aftersinging carols and getting excited about the coming arrival of Santa we wouldsteel glances out the windows to try to be first to spot him, when all of a suddenwe would hear the sleigh bells and there would be Santa looking in the windowand waving to us. Talk about excitement! Grandpa had an older German man whobarely spoke English play Santa each year. We could not understand a word butwho cared, he had bags of gifts! Being the oldest grandchild I was first tofind out that our Santa was a fraud. Another disappointment! 

  Conformation! Yea! I was graduating fromchurch and Sunday School. After the party I was waiting to be told by myparents that this was all very nice and that my new blue surge suit lookedgreat but now I could forget about God because that was made up too. That didnot happen. Mom and Dad talked about God whenever I would ask a question and Inoticed my Dad read the Bible on occasion. Maybe this one was real? 

  I have been a Born Again Christian for 45years and I have found that the Bible and our God is very real! Are you stillwondering about God? Get into His Word and explore the treasures He has for younot only in this life but in the next, eternal life. Accept His Word asabsolute truth and He will open your understanding to a point that you willbarely be able to contain His love for you. No disappointment this time! Fred

WHY HALLOWEEN?
   History traces Halloween back to the ancient religion of the Celtics in Ireland. The Celtic people were very conscious of the spiritual world and had their own ideas of how they could gain access to it - such as by helping their over 300 gods to defeat their enemies in battle, or by imitating the gods in showing cleverness and cunning.
   Their two main feasts were Beltane at the beginning of summer (May 1), and Samhain (pronounced Sah-ween) at the end of summer (Nov. 1). They believed Samhain was a time when the division between the two worlds became very thin, when hostile supernatural forces were active and ghosts and spirits were free to wander as they wished.

"During this interval the normal order of the universe is suspended, the barriers between the natural and the supernatural are temporarily removed, the side lies open and all divine beings and the spirits of the dead move freely among men and interfere sometimes violently, in their affairs"
(Celtic Mythology, p. 127).

   The Celtic priests who carried out the rituals in the open air were called Druids, members of pagan orders in Britain, Ireland and Gaul, who generally performed their rituals by offering sacrifices, usually of crops and animals, but sometimes of humans, in order to placate the gods; ensuring that the sun would return after the winter; and frightening away evil spirits.    When Christianity spread to parts of Europe, instead of trying to abolish these pagan customs, people tried to introduce ideas which reflected a more Christian world-view. Halloween has since become a confusing mixture of traditions and practices from pagan cultures and Christian tradition.    Can we borrow pagan customs and superstitions of ancient peoples and "Christianize" them?

   As believers, we are called to "Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. [1 Thessalonians 5:21-22] Who can deny that virtually all of the symbols of Halloween are evil? Witches, monsters, ogres, vampires, ghosts, ghouls, goblins, devils and demons all portray evil. Christians are to "... have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." [Ephesians 5:11]    Is Halloween just another innocent holiday that doesn't harm anyone? Is it really just childish fun? Vandalism and wanton disregard for the property of others is common on Halloween night. Even normally well-behaved children are driven by unseen forces to destructive behavior. Police officials everywhere report a great increase in such activities on Halloween. Worse yet are the horrifying accounts of poisoned candy and fruits booby-trapped with razor blades and needles. Such threats are so real that many hospitals offer free X-rays of Halloween treats in order to prevent children from being harmed. Who but Satan could inspire such monstrous actions? Should the church be compromised by accommodating itself to the culture? "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." [Romans 12:2] "For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?" [2 Corinthians 6:14, 15]    When America and the world celebrates the Festival of Samhain and the powers of darkness by masquerading as evil creatures or decorating our homes, schools, businesses and churches with occult symbols, Satanic power is glorified. http://www.jeremiahproject.com/culture/halloween.html    Christians must realize that to play around with things of the occult is very dangerous. People have said to me, ‘Come on what is wrong with looking into astrology charts or reading my horoscope once in a while?’ Or watching fortune tellers and mystics on television or heaven forbid, see one in person? You may question what any of this has to do with Halloween?    We are in a battle with the forces of the devil everyday as Scripture assures us. The “dark side” which is celebrated on Halloween is all part of the occult. Many things started as Christian celebrations many years ago and as they became secularized the meaning changed. Something like our present day Christmas and Easter. Satan comes as an angel of light but like the sheep in wolves clothing all he is trying to do is “Lure” you closer to him. “Harmless” games have the power to bring us into the devil’s realm. Weggie Board, Dungeons & Dragons etc. There are two spirit worlds out there. One is The Holy Spirit of God and the other is Satan’s world of demons. Whose world do you think is involved in Halloween?    

ABOLISH or FULFIL?

Many times we think of our Salvation as being the forgiveness of our sins before God the Father, which of course it is but we are promised other things also because of Jesus’ final Sacrifice for us.
A few months ago while attending a local Bible study the question about our being under the law was brought up. We alluded to Jesus words in Matthew 5:17 – 18. “Think not that I come to destroy (abolish) the law, or the prophets: I come not to destroy, but to FULFIL. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”
Jesus fulfilled the law for all who accept what He did for us on Calvary. Those who do not accept His sacrifice are still under the law. I love the Book of Galatians because it can explain this “fulfillment of the law” much better then I ever could. Galatians 2: 16 says, “Knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by the faith OF Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we may be justified by the faith OF Christ, and not by works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
Stop working toward heaven thinking you are making points with God by your works! We are not under the law we are under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead us in love to do, think and say the things that correspond with God’s Word. We do this out of love not the fear that we have not done enough to get to heaven. If we think that we can do anymore then accept Jesus and live the life as written in the Bible then we are saying that Jesus death was not enough to get us to heaven! I call this JESUS-PLUS! No plus is needed! Fred

EDUCATIONAL!  
 
   Yes,I have changed the masthead to include the word, “EDUCATIONAL.” The entireobject of this newsletter is to stimulate thought. The reasons for thediversity of articles covering many topics is so that someone reading anyarticle would feel compelled to search further for answers on whatever topichappens to appeal to them at the time. In other words to expand our knowledge aboutthe things that touch on our faith. 
   As I have indicated before I am a PentecostalChristian but heaven will not just include Pentecostal believers. We may weardifferent names but the only one that really counts is that we have acceptedJesus Christ as our personal Savior. That means to love Him for what He hasdone for us by blotting out our sins in the eyes of the Father and to learn asmuch as we can from God’s Love Letter (BIBLE) during the years we have left onthis earth. 
   When I was Saved in April 1966 I asked a longtime pastor about his knowledge of Scripture. Rev. Karl Steffens was in theministry at that time for over 50 years and had helped to start numerouschurches in his life. Here I was still finding books in the Bible through thetable of contents and he could just about quote from memory any part ofScripture that you could mention. He then told me that to this day he finds newtruths every time he opened the Bible and he was truly excited to tell me that.He added that he is just scratching the surface of Scripture and can not waituntil the next time he opens that great book!    That comment was and is a little humbling tome but now after 44 years I understand Rev. Karl Steffens a lot better. Fred

–                                                                   Pedestal?

 

   Who do you place on a pedestal in your life? Maybe it is a sports figure or singer. Possibly a teacher, politician or even a pastor. Guess what? Every one of them will eventually do or say something to upset you. How many of us, both Catholic and Protestant have been disappointed by a Priest, Rabbi or Pastor. What about the Jim Baker and Jimmy Swaggart who back a few years ago were caught in compromising situations? Let’s not be too quick to condemn the Catholic Church for some of their Priest’s moral failings when we all have human beings who have betrayed their trust as far as being a servant of God is concerned.

   I often wonder how many new believers have been completely turned away from the things of God because of some of these scandals. Shouldn’t our faith be strong enough in God and what He has provided for us through Jesus Christ that we won’t stumble over someone that falls? God didn’t change the fallen one did! Pray for those who have gone wrong and let us all be careful whom we place on a pedestal in our lives.

SUNDAY FACE?

 

  God has been stirring my heart concerning how we and I in particular appear to those around us as far as our profession of faith in Jesus Christ. Of course I’m not necessarily referring to our looks as much as our appearance, actions, attitude and our conversation.

   As a Born Again believer for almost 45 years I can look back on many times I wish I could have handled something differently. In other words I may not have come across to others as being very Christ like. Another problem that we as Christians have to be aware of is that we are supposed to be consistent in our walk with the Lord but sometimes our humanity gets in the way of that too. As a Christian for a long time we also have learned the right words and actions when we are among other believers. We can fool them but what about God who knows our every motive for what we do?   I could go on for pages but by now I think you have gotten the point. When we catch ourselves falling down in our faith ask the Holy Spirit to become real in our lives so that we can resemble Jesus through the personality that God has given us and not bring dishonor on His name. Fred

 

No Resurrection?

As a child sitting in church one Easter Sunday I will never forget when the pastor got up to start his sermon he shocked us all when he started with, "I’m sorry to report that this will be our last service because we are closing our doors for ever. It has been brought to my attention that the Resurrection of Christ did not happen so we are all wasting our time here this morning and if you would like to leave you may. But…." Beginning at "But" he proceeded to tell us what history and the Bible said about the Resurrection.

It is true that we should not waste our time if Jesus did not arise from the dead. We would just be another one of the world religions vying for attention to our cause. Did you realize that Christianity is the only ‘world religion’ whose Savior defeated death? Do you realize he was seen by more then 500 people who were there and saw Him after His Resurrection?

Ancient Jewish historian Josephus mentions Jesus: "About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he was one who wrought surprising feats and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks. He was the Messiah. When Pilate, upon hearing him accused by men of the highest standing among us, had condemned him to be crucified, those who had in the first place come to love him did not give up their affection for him. On the third day he appeared to them restored to life, for the prophets of God had prophesied these and countless other marvelous things about him. And the tribe of the Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared (Jewish Antiquities XVIII. 3. 3 [63-64]).

Many other writings outside of the Bible from early historians exist and I would suggest that everyone follow up on these writings. Tactus, Pliny the Younger etc.. I would recommend anything written by F.F. Bruce concerning the way the Bible was formed and also for insight into the historic Jesus.

Haven’t you ever wondered why the people who deny the Resurrection seem to have come many hundreds of years after the event took place? I can not seem to find any writings from the time, especially from those who witnessed it, denying that Jesus rose from the dead! Of course it happened and deep in our hearts we know it did! Praise the Lord! Fred

Ash Wednesday

 

 The Church left only a few records in the first millennium of Church history. Thomas Talley, an expert on the history of the liturgical year, says that the first clearly datable liturgy for Ash Wednesday that provides for sprinkling ashes is in the Romano-Germanic pontifical of 960.

 

  At the beginning of the 11th century, Abbot Aelfric notes that it was customary for all the faithful to take part in a ceremony on the Wednesday before Lent that included the imposition of ashes. Near the end of that century, Pope Urban II called for the general use of ashes on that day. Only later did this day come to be called Ash Wednesday.

  At first, clerics and men had ashes sprinkled on their heads, while women had the sign of the cross made with ashes on their foreheads. Eventually, of course, the ritual used with women came to be used for men as well.

  In the 12th century the rule developed that the ashes were to be created by burning palm branches from the previous Palm Sunday. Many parishes today invite parishioners to bring such palms to church before Lent begins and have a ritual burning of the palms after Mass.

  This is not in the Bible so Protestants, except for some Orthodox groups, so they do not celebrate this day. As I have said, if it is not in the Scriptures then I can’t accept it. A great study is to see how we got our Bible and how it has been proven true over the years.  fred

Determined!                                                                                                                                                                   

While reading the first chapter of Daniel the Holy Spirit revealed some truths to me. Daniel and his friends were far away from their home in a country and a culture that they didn't know or understand. They were believers of the one true God and they were surrounded by pagan gods. But in chapter 1 we are told that they "determined in their hearts" to follow Jehovah God no matter what happened. I wonder whether we can understand how difficult this must have been for these teenagers to do with absolutely no one to back them up. But you know what? They did it! With God's help they did it God's way!

O.K., do we have the same God or not? I believe He is waiting for us to get up off our tired butts (sorry, can I say that?) and start responding to that still small voice that many of us have heard but have ignored for so long. If everyone of us would "determine in our hearts" to do something for God through any ministry open to us through our local church, our Pastors would be encouraged and others would be told about our precious Lord. I am talking to myself as well as all of you. What can I do to bring others to the knowledge of Jesus Christ? You and I can teach, sing, lead boys and girls, organize and pray. Every one of us should have at least one job in our local church. At least one! We have to "determine in our hearts" whether we will be spectators and let someone else do it or will we step forward and volunteer for just an hour or so a week. Can you "determine" to do something for God who has done so much for us? Fred

LOVE?                                                                                                                                                              

Valentine’s Day! Baa, humbug! Oh, wrong holiday. I don’t mean to be down on the celebration of February 14th after all that was the day I proposed to my wife but does anyone really know the meaning of love today? Divorce rates are very high mainly because marriage is entered into many times with the idea that if it doesn’t work out we will just break-up and find someone else. No commitment.

I realize that there are many aspects of the word love such as in marriage, mother or dad and child or even a sport. As Christians it certainly is not bad to have any of these feelings of love but what about the commitment we make to our God? Can those around you see your love for our Savior as easily as they can see our love for family, sports etc.?

Just read two verses in John 14:23-24 and try to understand the love that Jesus Himself talked about in these verses. Fred

What is the best resolution I can make this year?                                                                       

Make a resolution with God for this New Year even if you are already Born Again resolve to get to know Him even better! Fred 

I poured out my heart to God about the terrible mistakes I had made in my marriage and how I wasn’t even sure He was real. I told Him how sorry I was for the mess I was creating and asked Him to help. I suddenly became so overwhelmed with a peace and a God consciousness I thought I would burst! At that point I asked God to forgive me and to come and help me through life but I also remembered hearing from a friend about something called the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in an unknown language. I asked Him to spare me that experience because I was afraid. About one hour later after praying in tongues and in English I got up trembling and realized that everything that I could have ever said to God was said in the past hour. God let me know that all would be well and He has never let me down. My sweetheart was with me for 49 years of marriage and then went to be with our Lord. Troubles in life, of course but He was always with us.

My wife left the house with our three small children to go shopping. Once again she was angry with me because I had too much to drink the night before. This happened a lot and it seemed like all we did was constantly argue in front of our babies. Our marriage needed fixing but I did not know what to do. I arose from bed feeling very sorry for myself and probably very guilty about the night before. I felt the impulse to do something I had never done before and that was to kneel next to my bed and tell God, if He was really there, that I needed help. Of course I checked to make sure no one was at home because I did not want to be embarrassed.

But I do remember a resolution I made on April 23, 1966 that I have kept and it changed my life. That was the day I met God and as I write this it as though it happened yesterday. I can still get emotional and have "goose bumps" broken out on my arms whenever I realize that day and moment.

Can you remember what last years resolutions were? Probably not. I have been through so many in my lifetime and just about all of them were broken within the month of January.

                                                                                                                                                                                

WHICH ONE IS   MINE?                                                                                                                                                                     

As the celebration of Christ’s birth approaches I wonder how many times the question in my title will be asked all around the world? I’m sure it will resonate in millions of homes on Christmas morning. It is exciting to wake up on Christmas day and run to the Christmas tree to see what special gifts were left for us, especially if there are children in the household.                                                                                           

Stop! Now you are waiting for the other shoe to drop and for me to go into a "Bah Humbug" rant! Not so! I have great memories of many Christmas mornings with my Grandparents, parents and my own children which now includes a beautiful little Great-Granddaughter. My parents were always there with the story of Jesus’ birthday and what it really meant to us as Christians. Christmas is a happy time for millions of people. My wife and I always stressed the true meaning to our children and we looked at the gift giving as a celebration of our Savior’s birth.

Let us never forget that Jesus Christ is the biggest and best gift ever given to mankind from God the Father! Stress this to your family and friends. Do not "X" Christ out of Christmas. Fred

Where is your Bible?

 

  Recently while visiting a friend I was shown a beautiful Bible which had been in their family for many generations. The cover was very thick and was festooned with many beautiful designs in maroon and gold. My friend is a faithful follower of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and I could tell that this particular Bible meant a great deal to his family, after all it was passed down for several generations and had the family history of births, deaths, marriages etc..

  After I left their home I got to wondering how many of the people I know have an old family Bible around the house? I wondered also whether many of them would know where any Bible was in their home.

  I have visited people who had a Bible laying on a coffee table or mantle as part of the décor or at least had one in their bookcase. I also realize that some will place a small New Testament in their desk or briefcase and take it to work.

  I would like to make an analogy between the Bible and a bar of soap. When you purchase a bar of soap the wrapping is usually very colorful or has a special design to make it appealing to the eye. When you arrive back home with your bar of soap you will usually place it in a cabinet where it will take up space until you need it and I am sure you will remember where that bar of soap is stored. Isn’t it really true that we can not enjoy that bar of soap fully unless we remove the wrapper and run the water as we apply the soap to our hands? It looked great in the store and you new what it contained because you probably use the same soap (99 100% pure) since you were a child and for sure you knew where you could find it when you needed it.

  Where is your Bible? Is it gathering dust in some corner or do you open it when things seem to be going a little rough in you life? Just like that bar of soap it may look nice but it can’t do its job unless it is unwrapped and applied. It was made for a purpose and so was your Bible! You have to open the wrapper it to experience its full potential.

  Where is your Bible? I pray it is not only easy to locate physically but that it can be found in your heart. Fred    

MOTIVE!

 

   Webster’s dictionary explains the word ‘motive’ as “That which incites to action.” I’m sure everyone can relate to how they have something to do and the process they follow to get it done. Something’s are fun because our ‘motive’ is to enjoy the project at hand. But most of the time we approach a job or responsibility with a grudging spirit. We do it only because it has to be done and it is expected that we will do it.

   I like the ‘fun’ jobs with the easy to fulfill motives. I’m sure you all can relate to that! I now want to look at our ‘motives’ from a Biblical perspective. Proverbs 21:2 from the Living Bible says, “We can justify our every deed BUT God looks at the motives.”

   I have been a Christian for many years (43) and I have tackled many positions in my church such as Youth Pastor, Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon, treasurer etc. and each time I took on a new position I had to ask myself, WHY? Was this new position to make me look better in the eyes of the people around me or make me proud when other would mention what I do in my church? In other words was I doing it for the recognition or to bring Glory to my Lord?

   No one can really know what is in someone’s heart or mind which means that anyone who has ever known me can not know for sure if Fred was for real or did he just like the attention. God help me! Read Proverbs 21:2 again! I could have been the biggest faker going BUT God says even though we can play games and fool others, He knows what prompts us to do what we do. He knows my ‘motive.’ Did we pray about what we are going to do or did we use a selfish human motive and ask what is in it for me? Prepare your heart for the Lord’s work and the only thank you that you look for is from the Lord Himself. Ask yourself, “Why do I what to do that?” Fred

  

THANKS? For WHAT?

    Most people don't take the time to look at their lives and contemplate how blessed they are. We are to busy. All that most of us see in our lives is work, sleep, and more work! Not much to be happy about. How shallow we are!
   I'm not about to make a list of things to be thankful for because the list would go on and on. All I want to do is inspire a few of you to stop and "smell the roses." Remember who has made a way for us through this troubled world and has provided a way out for us when we leave here. At least be thankful for what Jesus did for YOU!
   I like to tell people how when I get up in the morning the first thing I do is look in the mirror to see if I'm still here and then I get dressed and continue the day. I'm thankful when I see that guy in the mirror but the day I don't see him I will be thankful also because that means I will be with my Lord! Safe in the arms of Jesus!
   For now we should be content no matter what our situation is in this life. Read Philippians 4:11-13. Give thanks in spite of what is happening around you! Fred

HALLOWEEN?                                                                                                                                              

 Is Halloween just another innocent holiday that doesn't harm anyone? Is it really just childish fun? Vandalism and wanton disregard for the property of others is common on Halloween night. Even normally well-behaved children are driven by unseen forces to destructive behavior. Police officials everywhere report a great increase in such activities on Halloween. Worse yet are the horrifying accounts of poisoned candy and fruits booby-trapped with razor blades and needles. Such threats are so real that many hospitals offer free X-rays of Halloween treats in order to prevent children from being harmed. Who but Satan could inspire such monstrous actions?

Christians must realize that to play around with things of the occult is very dangerous. People have said to me, ‘Come on what is wrong with looking into astrology charts or reading my horoscope once in a while?’ Or watching fortune tellers and mystics on television or heaven forbid, see one in person? You may question what any of this has to do with Halloween?

We are in a battle with the forces of the devil everyday as Scripture assures us. The "dark side" which is celebrated on Halloween is all part of the occult. Many things started as Christian celebrations many years ago and as they became secularized the meaning changed. Something like our present day Christmas and Easter. Satan comes as an angel of light but like the sheep in wolves clothing all he is trying to do is "Lure" you closer to him. "Harmless" games have the power to bring us into the devil’s realm. Weggie Board, Dungeons & Dragons etc. There are two spirit worlds out there. One is The Holy Spirit of God and the other is Satan’s world of demons. Whose world do you think is involved in Halloween?

As believers, we are called to "Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. [1 Thessalonians 5:21-22] Who can deny that virtually all of the symbols of Halloween are evil? Witches, monsters, ogres, vampires, ghosts, ghouls, goblins, devils and demons all portray evil. Christians are to "... have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." [Ephesians 5:11] Can we borrow pagan customs and superstitions of ancient peoples and "Christianize" them? Fred

GOD’S PSYCHOLOGIST?

 

   Many times I have found my self psychoanalyzing God. Of course I would never say ‘O.K God, would you please lie on that couch for me, I have to ask some questions to try to figure out what makes you tick.’ But what I have done, and I’m sure some of you can relate, is get perplexed about something that is going on in my life or the life of others and before going to the Word I will start asking a lot of “why” questions.

  All of the answers that God wants us to have are in His Word. Key word here is “wants.” Many of the answers to things of life are not there for us and we question God.

  This is where faith comes in. Do you really believe and trust your heavenly Father? Do you know the Lord beyond head knowledge? Is He a true intimate friend whom you can talk to at anytime and any place? Trust Him for the answers even when you do not see them. We receive this faith by fully trusting God even when we don’t understand. Remember, He is God, He is Sovereign and He has the last word. Our job is to know Him and fully trust Him so that when something comes our way that we do not understand we can lean on Him with our faith.

  President Abraham Lincoln said, “Take this entire book (Bible) upon reason that you can, and the balance on faith, and you will live and die a happier man.” This was his answer to a friend who questioned the possibility that he would become a skeptic about the things of God after the heavy losses in the Civil War.

  Faith sometimes means that we do not understand something but we know the ONE who does!  Fred   

Pray? Just words? 

   As a youngster growing up in the church of my parents I was always impressed with the adults when they could say the Lord’s Prayer without reading it. My goal was to learn it as fast as I could so I could be the same as the adults and also to show off in front of my cousins and younger brother.

   After Confirmation I knew it as well as the adults and I could also quote from memory the teachings and prayers of Martin Luther. I had made the big time and always swelled my chest when I got to say these prayers with the adults.

   As I got older and drifted away from the church I would notice on the rare occasions when I would attend that many people were doing what I did during the Lord’s Prayer. They were looking around at each other, of course very discretely or were looking out the widow as they recited the prayer. One person was actually reading the church bulletin and saying all the right words! This started me to think about all the hours I had studied to learn the Lord’s Prayer, Apostles Creed and many other prayers written by Martin Luther. Do not these words have a meaning?  So once again I started searching these prayers and then I realized that Martin Luther’s prayers had real meaning to him but some were over my head. The Lord’s Prayer was a model pray given to us by Jesus to show us the important things we should include in our prayers. The Apostles Creed was written by the early church fathers to teach us what the fundamentals of our faith should be.

   OK, now what. Should I forget those nice written prayers that I said as a child and which still crept into my prayers once in a while as an adult? “Now I lay me down to sleep..” just wasn’t cutting it anymore. After reading God’s love letter to us (Bible) I came to realize that I can talk to Him as myself. As though I was having a chat with a friend. He knows my heart and my personality so why try to fool Him with words that I do not usually use?

   Words are very important no matter whom we are speaking with. Should’t the words we speak to our Heavenly Father truly reflect our inner most thoughts and feelings? I know that after my Born Again experience my eyes were opened to the correct way of praying and with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit I can pray in my Heavenly language also and know a closeness of God in a way that I never could have experienced before. Pray?                                                                                                                                                         

Give up on him? 

 
   Back in the 70’s I was involved with many kids in the Youth Group and Sunday School. Recently the Lord impressed on me the name of a young man who seemed to always make the wrong decisions. At age 12 he was involved in drugs and cutting school. He lived with his older brother and younger sister in their elderly grandmother’s home. The parents had abandoned them and had left them with this sweet old lady to care for them.

  It was a Sunday afternoon when I received a call from Grandma saying that she had found a plastic packet of what she thought was marijuana in the 12 year old’s sock drawer. I drove around all Sunday afternoon looking for a friend who was a detective to see what exactly was in the packet. It was marijuana. Then the confrontation and of course the denial.

  This incident and a few others prompted Grandma to ask for my help in getting him placed in a foster home. I met with school counselors and Social Services over the course of a few weeks. He was placed in a good Christian home far away from his friends and other bad influences. He continued on a downward trend and eventually ended up in jail.

  Because of my involvement my family was harassed by the older brother for having his brother taken away. I would receive phone calls at 2am telling me that my house was going to blow up before morning or that my two little daughters would be beaten and raped. The older brother ended up in jail also for many years. I have lost track but when I think of them I pray for their safety and Salvation.

   Should we give up on them? What’s the use? They aren’t worth the trouble! I wonder how many times God could have answered “yes” to those questions when He looked at the mess I had made of things? He loves you and me in spite of ourselves! He even made a way out for me – JESUS!

  Never give up on anyone. God loves them to much. As long as there is breath in a body there is hope! Thank you Lord for not giving up on me! 

 

 

 "MY JESUS!" 

 
  Sister Elizabeth Wilson was an elderly Jamaican lady who attended the same church that my family attended. She never missed church until the day that she went home to be with the Lord. She was a nanny and housekeeper for a family on Long Island, N.Y. She once told me that she had not done much in this life by worldly standards, only a housekeeper. But Sister Wilson was a giant among many believers because she lived her faith every day. She was an example of what it was like to be a Christian who would read God's Word every waking moment. Whenever she mentioned the Lord she would always refer to Him as "My Jesus" because she knew Him not only as her Lord and Savior but also as husband and friend. Do you know the Lord well enough to refer to Him as "My Jesus?" Shouldn't  we?                                                   

WATERED DOWN CHRISTIANITY

 

Do we "water down" our faith? Sometimes, but we just do it so that we won't offend someone, usually a friend or relative. Our words mean something so be very careful. Example: I was told recently by a 'Christian' person that they don't care what religion their children follow when they grow up as long as they believe something. Dangerous stuff!
Every cult and false religion believes in something! God' Word (Bible) tells us over and over that Jesus died for our sins and that He is the only way to heaven. John 3:16-17 is a good example. If we can believe in anything then Jesus died for nothing! His sacrifice was for nothing because according to this philosophy there are other ways to be saved from eternal punishment (eternity without God). By making this statement we say that Jesus was a lair and the Bible is not true! We can not just believe in anything without denying the God of the Bible.
Let's stop trying to be "politically correct" and start being "Scripturally Correct". 

 

 
Ever Feel Guilty?

 

    When my wife went to be with the Lord in 2004 I was approached by a well meaning friend who asked me whether after all those years together (49) I thought about things from our past that I felt guilty about. I could not answer right away because the thought of guilt never crossed my mind.

   As I pondered this question in the days after the funeral I realized that there was a time when I would have looked back at my mistakes and felt quilt on many an occasion but for many years it never crossed my mind because when I came to the Lord in April 1966 and was Born Again as a new creation of God the Holy Spirit opened my mind to not look back on my old self because that was under the Blood of Jesus. If I brought it up then I would say that the Blood of Christ didn’t do the whole job! Now I was free from my past and able to receive forgiveness for any future mistakes. All we have to do to receive this forgiveness is repent of our sin and ask God through His Son Jesus Christ to forgive us and He will. Of course our heart must be right with the Lord for this to happen otherwise we are just fooling ourselves because the sin we have repented of will return to torment us.

   Always remember God knows our hearts and our motives. He knows when we really mean something and when we are just being “religious.” 

 

 Is Halloween Harmless?

"For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?" [2 Corinthians 6:14, 15]

   Christians must realize that to play around with things of the occult is very dangerous. People have said to me, ‘Come on what is wrong with looking into astrology charts or reading my horoscope once in a while?’ Or watching fortune tellers and mystics on television or heaven forbid, see one in person? You may question what any of this has to do with Halloween?

   We are in a battle with the forces of the devil everyday as Scripture assures us. The “dark side” which is celebrated on Halloween is all part of the occult. Many things started as Christian celebrations many years ago and as they became secularized the meaning changed. Something like our present day Christmas and Easter. Satan comes as an angel of light but like the sheep in wolves clothing all he is trying to do is “Lure” you closer to him. “Harmless” games have the power to bring us into the devil’s realm. Weggie Board, Dungeons & Dragons etc. There are two spirit worlds out there. One is The Holy Spirit of God and the other is Satan’s world of demons. Whose world do you think is involved in Halloween? 

 

 HEAD KNOWLEDGE 

   I recently had a conversation with someone who made the claim that they knew the Bible as well as anyone. They know what the Lord requires of us in our religious life because they had heard it from their parents who were very "religious."
   This person also never goes to church or associates with a Christian fellowship of any kind. They are basing their relationship with God on their association with "religious parents." This reminds me of the old saying that "just because you live in a garage does not make you a car." Kind of guilt by association! Sorry, it does not work that way! To be a true Christian is not to be "religious" or to be the child of a Christian. You can know the Bible frontward and backward but still not be a Christian. All you will have is "head knowledge."
   Don't you know that even the devil knows what the scriptures say? Does that make him a Christian? Of course not!
   To be a Christian we must have a RELATIONSHIP" with God! Not religion! Relationship! We have to know Him as Lord and Savior and then His Word (the Bible) will become the living Word for us. Our minds will be opened by the Holy Spirit to understand what God the Father is saying to us. Head knowledge is good but it takes "Heart Knowledge" to discern the things of God!

 

 
USE IT OR LOSE IT! 

    While speaking to an adult Sunday school class I used an analogy taken from the many commercials we see on TV and in the newspapers. Everyone is told that they MUST have a certain product or their life will not be very good. For instance, Ivory soap. It is 99/100% pure. Whatever that means. My grandmother used to make her own soap from animal fat and lye which doesn’t seem to pure to me! And besides being pure this soap would float. That was good because my grandmother’s soap didn’t float and after a day on the farm that bath water turned several different colors and it could be difficult to find the soap. OK, pure and it floats, what else is good about it? It is white, I guess to show how pure it is? The package is a distinctive blue and white in color which is appealing.

   Now the question arises, “How can I benefit from this great soap? First I have to purchase it, then I have to wait until shower or bath time to unwrap it and then I have to apply the soap to my body. All of these steps are needed to realize whether this product is as good as it says.

   Let’s apply these steps to our Bible. Looks real good on that table, I know it says some great things and has some incredible stories in it. I also seem to recall someone saying that it changed their life.

   Isn’t that enough of an advertisement? When will you open it and apply it to your mind and body to experience the joy of the Lord in His own words?

 

 SAME GOD? 

   Recently someone commented to me that all religions have the same God. Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and so forth. What a terrible mistake we make when we nod our heads in agreement because we don't want to sound like we are 'exclusive' about our Christianity. We ARE exclusive about Christianity! If there are other ways to Heaven and to have a relationship with the true God, then our Jesus died for nothing! Why bother with the Crucifixion if we can be saved another way?
   Did my God (Christian) write the vile things about my religion that is found in the Koran? Or is He responsible for the Bagdavita (Hindu) that says we are reincarnated over and over until we get it right? This will sound arrogant and pompous to some but here goes, our God (Christian & Jewish) is the only true God! If you believe differently then you do not know your Bible! It is OK to be liberal in some things in life but not God's Word. If our God is relegated to the status of  of being the same god as all these other religions then our Bible is a pack of lies! He would be contradictory!
   Please, don't make this mistake. Study Scripture and you will see that either our God is 'true' or it is all a sham. Many Christians say "same God" without thinking. Do not be one of them. 

 

 What "Phase" are you in? 

   Recently while reading a newspaper I came across an article that mentioned a Rock music group from years ago named, Kansas. The article alluded to the groups 'Born Again Christian phase.'
  I remember when I was Saved in 1966 many of my co-workers and friends said that I was just going through a 'phase' in my life. "Just give it time and he (me) will get over it."
  This does happen to many people who explore becoming a Christian. A phase! They are really excited about their new found faith until "real life" shows up! Then instead of drawing on the power of God to help them they push their new found faith experience into the background and try to "do life" in their own strength. When that does not work they blame God. They feel that this new life is not what they thought it was. So they either forget about this "phase" of their life or relegate it to a nice experience in their past but lets not get crazy about it. Carnal Christianity!
  Evidently that is what happened with the Rock group Kansas. Christianity was "OK" for a while but it became too complicated when the "faith" stuff had to be used and besides who has time for praying and reading the Bible? Also people expected you to live differently and that just wasn't worth it.
  What "phase" of Christianity are you living? Is it real in your life? Do you have that all important relationship with Jesus Christ or do you just have religion? 

 

 
MONEY PLEASE! 

   Many years ago a TV evangelist by the name of Frederick Ikerenkoetter came on the scene. He went by the name, Reverend Ike. I believe he is still around as a preacher in New York City. He made no bones about asking for money. One of his phrases while taking an offering was, "Lets have a silent offering, and change (coins) make me nervous in the service." In other words, paper money only!
There have always been "hucksters" in the world and TV has shown us many. St. Paul warned about those who preach "money sermons." Prosperity preachers have a whole industry going. Send us your money and God will bless you! Wrong! God will bless you when you draw close to Him and do what He asks of you. These preachers want you to get close to them! They 'prey' on those who are Bible ignorant.
Don't be fooled by their charming ways, investigate and pray before you send money to anyone. Your local church should receive your tithe and a good solid Bible based ministry should receive any extra gifts you wish to give. God has in trusted us with money, let's all be good stewards! 

 

THE BIBLE & FORTUNE TELLERS 

   The Bible specifically warns against these practices: "Let no one be found among you  who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritualist or consults the dead. Anyone who does this is detestable to  the Lord, and because of these detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 18: 10-13.
   "Divination is the practice of seeking to foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge by occult or supernatural means" (Webster). 

 

 
SUMMERTIME 

    Have you taken the time to notice how the world seemed to come alive after the winter months when everything was in hibernation? The threes, flowers, and the birds are all newly alive. The Bible tells us that we can know that there is a God just by looking around at the things of nature. His creation is awesome!
   I recently read some articles on a Buddhist and a Hindu web site. How many of you know that they believe that God is in everything? Plants, rocks, animals etc. They express worship to all of these things, kind of like the people of the world who worship the sun, moon, trees, etc.
   Why would they overlook the Creator and worship the creation? As I mentioned in the beginning of this article that we can know that there is a God just by looking around us. (Romans 1) These things are from the hand of God BUT they are not God!
   "Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man - and birds and four footed animals and creeping things." (Romans 1:22-23)
   I wonder, as Christians, if we sometimes worship the creation instead of the Creator? Have you ever put the pleasure of the outdoors before the one who created it all? We claim that we are not pagans so shouldn't we put the worship of our Creator God first, especially on  our day of worship? Maybe the above verse could include the beach, boating and fishing. Who comes first in our lives the creation or the Creator?

 

 MRS. LOT 

    It was 1988 when I started to see something happening with-in myself that disturbed me. Everyone has "off days" or what others call "down days" but mine were getting closer together and finally I found myself in a depression that lasted almost two years. Here I was a Born Again Christian since 1966 and I was depressed.
   How does that happen? I lived a Christian life and I had counseled people for depression and here I was in that situation. I came to realize  that I didn't want to listen to any advice as a matter of fact I didn't even want to listen to anyone about anything. Depression locks us up and we try to close out the world because we are ashamed or just don't care. I was ashamed! A Christian worker in my church and a graduate of Bible School, what would people think!
  I had allowed Satan to sneak in because of some big changes in my family’s life and I began looking back at what I should have done or could have done to make things turn out better. I took my eyes off my Lord and stared at my situation. I tried to solve the issue without including God in my plans. In other words, and we all do it, 'That's OK Lord I'll take care of this one.' It doesn't work! When I came to a realization of what I had done the Lord opened my eyes and over night the depression was gone. God forgave me and picked me back up and I was the old Fred again. A little wiser Fred!
  Mrs. Lot looked back while leaving Sodom and Gomorrah after she was told not to. I think of her whenever I put salt on my food! Dear Christian friend when you are faced with something that discourages you look to the Lord and do not try to solve it yourself. Also let go because whatever the reason for your predicament you can't go back and do it again. It is done. Now work with God to work it out. Most importantly DO NOT LOOK BACK!

 
RELIGIOUS WORK ETHIC? 

   The number of people in the world who believe they can "work" their way to heaven amazes me! Even with-in Christianity many think that if they do just one more good thing they will be closer to heaven.
   Why do we complicate things so much? We can never do enough or work hard enough to win a place in heaven. If we could then Jesus wasted His time dying on the cross. That would mean that there is more then one way to be saved. The Bible tells us that there is only one way to be saved and that is by accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. Accepting Christ is the only way to heaven! (John 3:36)
   So where do works come in? James 2:17, "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." What kind of works are these? These come from a deep understanding of what God did for us through Jesus and we express our love for Him in our actions. These come from a deep love for God. Not out of duty! If you truly love someone you want to do nice things for them to show them that you love them. Your works toward God are to show your love for what He has provided for you.
   Don't get into the mindset of many, 'If I do this God will love me.' He can't love you anymore then He already does! Your works must come from a heart that is so full of love for Him that it overflows to those around you in your actions, works and words. If your works are motivated by anything else, they are worthless! God looks at our hearts so our motives for doing anything must be pure. If your works for Him are a chore, it's time for an attitude check! Ask yourself, 'Why am I doing this?' It has to be out of love for Him or don't bother. Don't be a phony!! 

 

 ONLY WORDS! 

 
  We use them all the time! Words! But do they mean anything? We are coming up to a national election and a lot of words have been used and I'm sure millions more will come forth before November. Promises, which no one will keep, but still many are enraptured by the politicians making these promises. I admit, I am.
  We use many words everyday and I think that if we could review them we would gladly delete many of them. Careless words, foul words, angry words, hurtful words etc. etc..  Do we really mean everything that we say? I think we are in trouble! Shouldn't we be more careful with the things that we say?
  The book of James tells us how bad and how good our tongue (words) can be. Our tongue is called a "rudder" that guides our ship. It can be sweet as honey or start an horrible fire in someone’s life.
   St.Frances of Assisi said that we should witness to others and if we have to, use words. Only if we have to! Do people see our witness in our lives and then we mess it up by opening our mouths?
   Two ears, one mouth. Let's listen more and talk less. 

 
THANKS? For WHAT? 

    Most people don't take the time to look at their lives and contemplate how blessed they are. We are to busy. All that most of us see in our lives is work, sleep, and more work! Not much to be happy about. How shallow we are!
   I'm not about to make a list of things to be thankful foe because the list would go on and on. All I want to do is inspire a few of you to stop and "smell the roses." Remember who has made a way for us through this troubled world and has provided a way out for us when we leave here. At least be thankful for what Jesus did for YOU!
   I like to tell people how when I get up in the morning the first thing I do is look in the mirror to see if I'm still here and then I get dressed and continue the day. I'm thankful when I see that guy in the mirror but the day I don't see him I will be thankful also because that means I will be with my Lord! Safe in the arms of Jesus!
   For now we should be content no matter what our situation is in this life. Read Philippians 4:11-13. Give thanks in spite of what is happening around you! 

 
DIVINE HEALING 

 
  At the age of nine I had a tumor removed from behind my right ear. It was pressing on my brain but had not attached itself to the brain, yet. From that day until this I have never gone a day without a headache. I was prayed for many times but like Paul's thorn in the flesh I have not been healed.
  When our daughter, Laurie, was 4 years old she started walking with a limp and dragged her leg while walking. This progressed into both legs and before long she couldn't walk at all. Our family doctor called in two doctors from Presbyterian Hospital in New York City to examine her. Polio! At that time we were told to take her home and keep her comfortable. We set up a cot in our living room because her bedroom was upstairs. She was put in traction each night to relieve the pain in her legs. I suggested to my wife that maybe we should kneel down next to her and pray for God to help her. This was before we knew the Lord as our personal Savior. We felt silly! Uncomfortable, after all we weren't familiar with the praying life.
  The next morning was Saturday and I stayed in bed because it was my day off. We heard our son playing in the living room and I yelled at him to be careful around his sister and not to get her too excited. He said he was playing with Laurie so we got up to see. Laurie was chasing her brother around the room just as if nothing had happened! God healed her! The doctors who diagnosed her a few weeks earlier confirmed this and were amazed.
  Why did God answer our prayer for our daughter and not mine for my headaches? I haven't got a clue but I know He heals and I also know He is Sovereign and that He is God! He told us to trust Him, Psalm 37:3. I do. Do you? Even when we don't get the answer that we want? Yet, God holds the answer and He loves us. That should be enough!

 

 GET REAL CHRISTIANITY? 

    Recently while out shopping I passed a church with every kind of Christmas decoration imaginable on display. Some merchant made out very well and the lighting company will reap large benefits for the electric that will be used.
   Then I noticed three signs. The first gave the name of the church and service schedules for the coming Christmas services.  It also had the weekly saying posted, "Keep Christ in Christmas." I really liked that because I certainly agree.
   The second sign, which was nailed into the ground although, it was professionally made and certainly did draw the attention of those who passed by. It was an advertisement for "Breakfast with Santa" at the church on December 23, which happens to be a Sunday (Lord's Day).
   The third sign which is always up for passersby to see said, "Bingo - Thursday Nights 7:30pm" in the church basement of course.
   Don't you see something wrong with this scenario? What in the world are they saying? Keep Christ in Christmas by having breakfast with Santa and you may want to stop in for a game of Bingo for the holidays! Don't they realize that non-Christians are laughing at them? How can we be serious about our faith and then "wink" at the world with signs like that. Are we supposed to proclaim our beliefs and when we finish apologize for it so no one will be angry with us?
   If you belong to a church that speaks from both sides of its mouth perhaps you had better pray about finding a real Gospel preaching church and not one that is affiliated with the world. Christmas is about Jesus not blow-up Santa's, Rudolph, or decorations. Lets' get REAL! 

 

THANKS? For WHAT? 

 
   Most people don't take the time to look at their lives and contemplate how blessed they are. We are to busy. All that most of us see in our lives is work, sleep, and more work! Not much to be happy about. How shallow we are!
   I'm not about to make a list of things to be thankful foe because the list would go on and on. All I want to do is inspire a few of you to stop and "smell the roses." Remember who has made a way for us through this troubled world and has provided a way out for us when we leave here. At least be thankful for what Jesus did for YOU!
   I like to tell people how when I get up in the morning the first thing I do is look in the mirror to see if I'm still here and then I get dressed and continue the day. I'm thankful when I see that guy in the mirror but the day I don't see him I will be thankful also because that means I will be with my Lord! Safe in the arms of Jesus!
   For now we should be content no matter what our situation is in this life. Read Philippians 4:11-13. Give thanks in spite of what is happening around you! 

 

 
WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME? 

 
  While studying the sixth chapter of John's Gospel I was struck with the attitude of the people who were following Jesus around the countryside. They witnessed some miracles.

First miracle, Jesus feeds 5,000 men plus women and children with a few loaves and fishes.

Second miracle, Jesus walks on water.

He equates the Manna God sent to Israel in the wilderness to Himself as the "True" bread of life sent by God to the earth. He displays in both miracles His ability to control the laws of nature, which only God Himself can do by just calling it into existence. He tells them that He is the only One who can save them if they believe in Him.

Their reaction is "show us a sign." HELLO! Is anyone at home? Walking on water and having 12 baskets of food left over from a few fish and bread loaves! What's that, chopped liver? How could they be so blind? Jesus was aware that they didn't get it when He told them that they were only interested in the food and a "What's in it for me?" attitude.

Do we get it? We have hindsight on our side. We know who He is, most of the crowd didn't. But do we have the same attitude? Do I go to church or even work in the church so that people will notice me? Or, do I do I love Him so much that I can't stay away from the place where I can fellowship, worship and learn more about the Bread of Life, Jesus?

Am I waiting for a sign even though I have seen many signs in my life that only He can send? He is God! Let's treat Him that way! 

 

 
MAGICIANS & PSYCHICS 

 
  While on vacation in Branson, Mo. with my family we went to see a magic show. When I became a Christian 44 years ago my friends would have said, 'Fred has become a backslider!' I'm sure that some of you reading this may be a bit uncomfortable about my seeing a magic show because Christians are supposed to stay away from that kind of activity. Please, hear me out!
  I know that there is a demon world that is very real. As a matter of fact Jesus spoke more about the things of Hell then He did about Heaven. We are warned not to even get close to the demon world. As you have read in some of my articles over the years, a Christian can not be demon possessed! We can not have Jesus in our hearts and a demon in some back room of our heart! Read the articles that have been printed but most of all read your Bible!
  Back to the magic show. The magicians name is Kirby Van Birch and he and his wife are Christians. Born Again Christians. They draw thousands to their theater in Branson because they have a world class act. White tigers and all! The final act of the show has Kirby sitting on the edge of the stage cutting up a rope and restoring it back together again and all the while he is telling how Jesus Christ restored his life and made him whole again when he gave his life to Christ, completely. He goes on to tell everyone that nothing he does is "magic" or "psychic" controlled. He reminds us that everything he does is "slight of hand and illusion."
   Story moral - Know what you are watching and make NO room for the things of the devil!

 

 

 TAKE A STAND - EVEN IF IT HURTS! 

 
   This is not to be looked at as a political statement because I am using President George W. Bush as an example. What ever your political persuasion is we as Christians should admire the fact that President Bush took a stand for Jesus Christ when he was running for office. He went on national television and said that Rev. Billy Graham had led him to the Lord and that he was Born Again. He almost committed political suicide with this admission, but he stood by his belief.
   Many Born Again believers make mistakes as our President has and will, but both he and we know who to go to when that happens.
   Many times over the years while in different situations with people of mixed religious beliefs or no beliefs at all, I have held back when the Lord gave me the opportunity to bring Him into the conversation. I asked myself if it was out of fear of what people might think of me or was it because of a lack of faith in what I profess?
   Lets ask the Holy Spirit to help us with this our part of our Christianity. When you are right about something does it matter what people think of you? A Born Again believer KNOWS he is right without a doubt so he stands up for his beliefs and will bring the Good News of the Bible into other peoples lives. 

 

WORTHLESS!

 

  I had a teenager say to me once that she was "worthless." This was a young lady who was a member of my Youth Group and who had accepted Christ just a few years before. She not only loved the Lord but she led a consistent Christian life but she had confused the terms, "worthless and unworthy."
  Of course we as Christians know that we are unworthy of God's love toward us but Jesus made us righteous in God's eyes. Because Jesus loved us so much He willingly died for each one of us as individuals. In spite of our un-worthy status God looks at our sin and all He can see is the precious Blood of Jesus covering us.
  A Christian should never be associated with the word, "worthless." We may fail at times to be the kind of Christian we should be but Jesus knows and understands our frailties. Next time you feel like you are worthless stop and think how much your soul cost Jesus. Think about that sacrifice at Calvary. That's how much you are worth!

 

HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW? 

 
   In a recent book "Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know - and Doesn't" by Stephen Prothero, who is the chair of the Religion department at Boston University the author claims that although the United States is arguably the most religious nation in the developed world, it is also the most religiously ignorant.
   A few of the statistics he mentions are as follows:
1. Only  half of those polled could name one of the  four Gospels.
2. Only one in three knew who delivered The Sermon on the Mount.
3. Less then half of those asked knew the name of the first book of the Bible.
4. Close to 75% believe the Bible teaches that "God helps those who help themselves." (Benjamin Franklin said it.)
  The main objective of this website and bitspieces.eponym.com is to educate Christians to look into various topics so they will be knowledgeable when discussing their faith with unbelievers. Of course I can not stress how important your personal Bible study and private prayer time is. A true believer will love to read and study God's Word not just give it one hour a week! As professing  Christians we will never know everything about our faith until we enter God's presence but we should at least know why we believe what we do.
   A relationship with the Lord Jesus must be foremost in our lives and we obtain that relationship by getting to know Him better through the Scripture! 

 

 “DO NOT GO BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN.” 

    1 Corinthians 4:6 “Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollo’s for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, do not go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over against another.”

   Paul gave this warning to the believers at Corinth because they were having all sorts of problems including false teachings among themselves. Here we are 2000 years later and many of the Christians still need this warning.

   The Bible was given to us to be used as a guide for our lives. The Holy Spirit breathed these Words from God into the pens of many men over 1500 years and they have stood the test of time. The Bible MUST be the focal point of every person who claims to be a Christian. Without a proper guide we can not build or put together anything properly. True Christianity must be built upon the Scriptures or where do we get our authority? Many of our denominations have come up with “quaint” teachings such as, baptism by sprinkling, Lent, All Saint’s day, infant baptism, Holy Days, etc., all of which have no Biblical foundation.

   We have people following so called “Great men of God” who do great miracles and give tremendous prophecies without first “testing the spirits” (1John 4:1) and comparing what is said and done with the Scriptures. Remember there is a “deceiver” out there named Satan who is trying to trick us into believing extra biblical or false teachings.

   Someone recently told me that they weren’t attending church anymore because it was boring but that they had found some TV preachers who were exciting. Dangerous stuff! What about the “assembling of ourselves together” (Hebrews 10:25)? Will the “exciting“ things these preachers say and do stand the test of Scripture? Is your church “boring” because you are a spectator and not involved? Are you “bored” because you’re Bible reading and private prayer time has fallen into “non-use?”  Be careful, “Do not go beyond what is written.”

 

WORSHIP CREATION? 

 
  Have you noticed how the world seems to be waking up as spring approaches? Trees, flowers, grass, the birds, etc. The Bible tells us in Romans that we can know that there is a God just by looking at the world around us. His creation is so awesome!
  I recently was reading some articles on Buddhist and Hindu web sites. How many of you know that they believe that God is in everything? Plants, rock etc. They express worship to these objects. Kind of like the peoples of the world who worship the sun, moon and stars.
  Why would they overlook the creator and worship the creation? As I said in the beginning the Bible tells us that we can know God by looking around us at His creation. These things are from the hand of God, they are not God!
  "Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the Glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man - and birds and four footed animals and creeping things." Romans 1:22-23.
  I wonder if we as Christians sometimes worship the creation instead of the Creator? Have you ever put the pleasure of the outdoors before the One who created it? We claim not to be pagans but shouldn't our worship of God come every day but especially on Sunday? Maybe the above verse should include the beach, boating and fishing. Who comes first in our lives?

 

 
UGLY IS FOREVER! 

 
  Many times the word "ugly" is used to refer to an outward appearance but I recently heard someone refer to something that a person said as being "ugly."
  There is a worldly term that says, "Beauty fades but ugly, is forever." Not a very nice saying but for the sake of what I feel the Lord has placed on my heart for this column it kind of fits quite well.
  Have you ever noticed how people tend to remember your words, especially when they aren't very nice? They seem to never forget when and what you said for a very long time. You may be one of the nicest persons in the world but the one thing that will be remembered most about you will be those "ugly" words you spoke.
  We as Christians have to maintain a good witness for Jesus Christ not only by our actions but with our words. We can't draw people to the Lord with a bad mouth! James 1:26 says, "Anyone who says he is a Christian but doesn't control his sharp tongue is just fooling himself, and his religion isn't worth much." (Living Bible)
  Have we taken the beauty of our God and made it appear "ugly" to those around us? 

 

 
WATCH THE YEAST! 

 
  In Matthew 16 Jesus speaks of the "yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducee's." He goes on to explain that the "yeast" is their "wrong teaching."
  When it comes to God's Word I am a stickler for intellectual honesty. We as Christians have to rely on the Bible for all of our direction. Many denominations have so many man made rules that they have imposed on the people and many of these 'Christians' only know what their denomination believe and they don't realize that many are not in the Bible. Ask yourself, "Where does our Christian faith come from?" Of course it is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ but what are you following? The Bible is the only authority with-in Christianity that we should turn too. Man made rules that are not in the Bible can be dangerous. They can keep our thoughts on "Churchianity" and not on Christ. Some denominations are right on target with proper teaching but many others are way off base. They teach religious authority and not Scriptural authority. They teach things that are not in the Bible but because they have a forum people believe what they say as Gospel truth. After all, "Isn't he a great man of God?" Not if he or she is not teaching what the Bible says.
  The whole point of this article is to get you to think about where you are concerning Scripture and to point you in the right direction as far as God's teachings are concerned.
  An article in the Jerusalem Post newspaper a few years ago told the story of a man watching a scribe hand print the Scriptures for a Torah scroll. The man commented on the precision with which the scribe had to write the letters. The scribe explained, "The letters are like 'black fire' but the spaces in between the letters are like 'white fire' because some men read between the lines and make the black letters mean something different.      Beware the ’white fire!' Beware the yeast of the false teacher! 

 

 No judgment for Christians? 

 
  Many Christians think that they will avoid judgment for what they do. Not so! Yes, because you have repented and are "Born Again" and saved by the Precious Blood of Jesus we will not be sent to eternal punishment in hell, but we will be judged!
  Read the following with me, "You will be judged on whether or not you are doing what Christ wants you to do. So watch what you do and what you think; for there will be no mercy to those who have shown no mercy. But if you have been merciful, then God's mercy toward you will win out over His judgment towards you." James 2:12-13. (Living Bible)
  How do we treat others? Do we look down on them because they are poor, of a different race or religion, or just act or look different? Do we show mercy to the handicapped or do we avoid them because we are uncomfortable?
  As a teenager I went out with a group of friends and during our time together one day we saw a Mother with an obviously retarded teenage son. The girl I was with made a joke about it and she said it so loud that the Mom and her son heard her. They cried. She laughed. A few years later this girl married and her first child was born, retarded. We reap what we sow!
  The verse above says to "watch what you do or think." It seems to me that watching what we do is a lot easier then watching what we think. When a bad thought comes in why not use the words of Jesus when He said to Peter, "Get thee behind me Satan." Chase the thought away by thinking of the One who is watching! 

 

 
Analyze? 

 
  It seems that half the people I know are seeing "analysts." Truthfully I don't have a problem with that as long as they are being helped. I do believe that a Christian should see an a person in the field of psychology who is also a Christian.
   The word "analyze" can be a problem to some Christians. I have a dear friend who is an computer engineer. It is his job to analyze things to death! He said that when he first became a Christian he found some things difficult to understand because he would analyze them over and over. But when he came to realize that the Holy Spirit could replace "analyzing" with "faith" and could bring out truths from God's Word that our carnal minds can't fathom.
   Stop and think about all of our Christian brothers and sisters all over the world. Each one who has accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior is Born Again! From the richest to the poorest and all nationalities, colors and languages are promised heaven because of what Jesus did for us! No one will be there because they analyzed God. Many will be there who can't read or write! Our intellect has nothing to do with it! I guess it is good to be smart but God is looking at the size of our faith not the size of our intelligence.
   Over the years I have read and studied many of the great theologians. Many were just simple, humble men and women but others thought they were God's gift to Theology. They had "analyzed" everything about God and came up with thousands of words to explain something a naked native in the back jungles of Africa could understand in just a few words. God's love for man expressed through Jesus Christ!
   Some things in life have to be analyzed but who are we to be God's psychologist? Don't get bogged down with questions about God. Bring your questions to Him and as the Bible says the Holy Spirit will lead you into all truth.

 

 
SPRINKLING, POURING, OR IMMERSION? 

 
  "Infant Baptism" is not Bible Baptism! Bible Baptism requires immersion. The original Greek for baptize means, "baptism, consisting of the processes of immersion, submersion and emergence." (Vine's Expository Dictionary of N.T. Words.) There are other Greek words for: sprinkling (raino) and pouring (cheno.)
  Bible baptism requires "faith" and "repentance." See Acts 8:35-38; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:28 for just a few examples of many. Infants are incapable of belief and repentance!
  There is not one case of "infant baptism" in the New Testament! Only those who believe and have repented may be baptized! Babies are not lost or in need of Salvation until they reach the age of accountability where they become guilty for their sins, and are in need of Salvation. They are "safe" (not saved), for they were never lost! A reasoned decision must be made to be baptized by a person who has been Born Again and they realize that water baptism is the next important step after Salvation because Jesus required it. Baptism does not Save you. The Born Again experience Saves you and water baptism is the next thing we should do. The thief on the cross accepted Jesus before he died but didn't have time to be baptized before he died but Jesus said that day he would be in Paradise! Because of his acceptance of Jesus as Savior! If he had lived he should have been baptized!
  If you were baptized as an infant, as I was, most likely you were not actually baptized by immersion, but were simply "sprinkled." Even if immersed as an infant it was not "Bible Baptism," which requires faith and repentance. Thus you are still in need of obeying the Lord!

 

 

 FREDERICK LIMBACH 1935 - 20??

     I’m sure I have your attention now! While visiting my wife’s final resting place on this earth I noticed something that I’m sure very few of us ever see when we look at a tomb stone. Of course we see the name and date of birth and the date of death but what about the most important thing in that line? The “dash” between the birth date and the day of death.

  That “dash” denotes the life lived between birth and death. I look at my wife’s tombstone and when I see the “dash” I know what her beautiful life was all about. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, friend etc.. The “dash on her stone stands for many great things that made up her life. When the rest of the stone is carved, after I join my beloved in the arms of Jesus, I hope someone will look at that “dash” and remember something about me that left a mark for good in someone’s life. Will they remember my faults or will they remember that I really tried to do it right but still made mistakes, which my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ washed away because of my love for Him.

  What will your “dash” say to those around you? 

 

 

 Is Your Letter Being Read?

  Many years ago I heard the Bible referred to as "God's Love letter to mankind." I really love that description. The Bible contains all that is needed for us to conduct our lives the way that God wants us too. It also tells us how much we are loved. Did you ever stop to think that God in His Sovereignty didn't have to do anything for us? He created everything around us in the world and gave us dominion over all of it! He created us with free will, not as puppets, so we could choose to live our lives however we chose. He created things that are both good or bad for us, but He let's us choose.

  God doesn't lead us around by the nose and make us do anything yet when things go wrong in our lives the world blames God! Free will is a pretty powerful thing. The world speaks about being free but do they really understand freedom? They want freedom without responsibility. We live in a world of "victims." It is always someone else's fault when we mess things up.

  God gives us a freedom that the world doesn't understand. He gives us the right to choose how we are going to live. First He gives us instructions on what we should do to attain perfect peace and a wider understanding of what makes for a better life by accepting what Jesus did at Calvary. Then He gives us instructions on how to avoid the pitfalls and mistakes, which we are free to chose. All of this instruction is contained in His "Love Letter" to us, the Bible. Are you checking out His instructions? You may not be reading His letter to you but if you claim to be a Christian you can be assured that someone is reading the "letter" called your "life." Does your letter bring Glory to God or disgrace?

  "Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father." Matthew 5:16

 

 

 GOD'S CURSE? 

   As many of you know I have always included articles about "False Teachers" in the monthly newsletter. God has impressed on me the need for the true Gospel and not the gospel of man. I mean by that some of the nonsense going on in some Pentecostal and Charismatic circles.
  Pentecostals have always been open to "false" moves attributed to God because we have a freedom in worship that mainline denominations don't have and therefore anyone with a personal motive can demonstrate things of the flesh and attribute them to God. Over the past few years I have been reading about and have attended some meetings where this is quite evident. So called "Holy laughter," animal noises, and people claiming to be "drunk" in the Spirit. One preacher actually calls himself "the Holy Ghost bartender!"
  We have preachers telling us that if we only had more faith we could be rich like them and drive very expensive automobiles. Fred Price spoke one Sunday about his cars and possessions to show the poor what they could "have" only if they had more faith. Didn't Jesus say that the poor will always be with us? A strong faith is not about money but about a relationship!
  I have seen enough in my 41 years as a Born Again Pentecostal believer that I would never limit God but to attribute some some of this "extra Biblical stuff" to God is bordering on blasphemy of the Holy Spirit! Let us also be aware that He is a gentleman and would not have us make fools of ourselves. Don't fall for what anyone says. Make sure that you test everything in the light of the Bible and do not read into the Scripture something that is not there.
  "Let God's curse fall on anyone, including myself, who preaches any other message then the one we told you about. Even if an angel comes from Heaven and preaches any other message, let him be forever cursed. I will say it again: If anyone preaches any other Gospel then the one you welcomed, let God's CURSE fall on that person." Galatians1:8-9.                                                                      

 

 

 

 

WHY GET EXCITED?

 

  "O.K. it's Easter. Just another chance to spend money on the kids. It seems like a waste of time to me." Have you ever heard those words from a friend or relative? Easter has become another commercialized day, like Christmas.
  The early Christian church compromised with the pagans to celebrate the Resurrection to coincide with the pagan worship of the goddess of fertility so that the pagan community would accept them.
  Do we as Christians realize how important Easter is? Do you realize that without the Resurrection we would be very foolish to be spending time in church at all? Christianity would have no meaning if Jesus isn't, right now, alive! Why not check out 1Corinthians 15? We are promised eternal life because of "Resurrection Sunday!"  (Easter)
  Are we compromising our beliefs by coloring eggs and hiding baskets? I don't think so as long as we are stressing the true meaning of Easter not only to our children but to  everyone we know. Christianity is the only religion in the world whose leader was resurrected and is alive today!  We can show an empty tomb! There are no accounts that say that Jesus didn't rise and show Himself to hundreds of people by anyone who lived at the time of the Resurrection! There are accounts outside of the Bible that say it did happen!
  Let's not compromise our Lord! Catch the true meaning and make a new commitment to do all you can to work for the Lord while we still can. HE'S ALIVE!!!

 

 

 NO RESURRECTION? 

 
  When I was 12 years old and had just been "Confirmed" into the Lutheran Church, I remember going to church with my whole family on Easter Sunday and hearing the Pastor announce that he had just heard that the Resurrection did not take place and we should stop wasting our time and go home. Of course this statement was to get our attention so he could preach the truth of the Resurrection. I don't remember all that he said but I have always remembered his opening words. Twelve years old and a little confused!
  Do you realize that without the Resurrection we don't have Christianity? We would be the same as the many hundreds of "religions" in the world. We could take people to the graves of our founders just like the Buddhists, Mormons and all the others do. We could talk about the example our founder set for us and how his great words helped us to guide our lives. He was really a good and great man but here's his grave and now we can move on because it's all over.
  Buddha, Confucius, Mohammed, etc...DEAD! Come see my Jesus grave but guess what it's EMPTY!
  My Jesus didn't just show me how to live but He showed me a way to never die and proved the fact that He was God in human form (John 1.) He showed Himself to hundreds after His Resurrection. Do you know that there are writings of people outside of the Bible that confirm His Resurrection? Did you know that there are not any writings from people who lived at the time that dispute His Resurrection?
  Read and re-read 1 Corinthians 15!! OUR GOD LIVES!!                        

 

 
INCENTIVE 

 
  I worked for the Postal Service for 30 years before retiring. I received 5 weeks vacation and 13 days sick leave a year.
  Now I work for a company that doesn't give sick days but they do pay an "incentive" every month to those who do not miss any of their runs. I haven't missed 13 days in 14 years of driving a school bus! I drag myself to work where in the past I would call in sick if I had a hangnail. Why? Incentive! When we get something for nothing we find it easier to use. But when the effort is on our part, the prize is more meaningful. In my case, I go to work sick to receive that promise of a bigger check at the end of the month.
  What is the "incentive" to go to church every week? Or heaven forbid, attend prayer meetings and Bible study during the week? Do we ask ourselves, "What's in it for me?" If we ask that question maybe we should evaluate our priorities!  Church and Bible studies are what a Christian should look forward to with excitement every time the church door is open. Hebrews 10:25 tells us "not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together." Every time we enter a church or open our Bible at home we are about to encounter the things of God! Isn't that "incentive" enough? Shouldn't we be dragging ourselves to church even when we aren't feeling too great? Of course I'm not saying you should go if what you have is transmittable but what about those "hangnail" moments?
  Our "incentive" should be our love for the things of God and for what He has provided for us through His Son Jesus!
  The Bible tells us that "where our treasure is, our heart is there also." Where is your treasure?                                                                                                                                                         

FAIRY TALES? 

 
  While discussing the Bible with some friends at work I was struck by a comment that one of them made. A gentleman remarked that he had been a Christian for many years but he considered many of the Old Testament stories to be "Fairy Tales" which were told to make a point about God to the reader.
  I was taken back by that comment because I believe the Scripture to be the literal words of God given through men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to tell us what He wanted us to know.
  I asked those around me whether they considered Jesus to be the Savior? Everyone replied, "Of course He was and Jesus is the foundation of our faith." Then I startled them by asking if they thought that Jesus would lie? "Of course not!" came back a startled reply.
  I then pointed out that while Jesus was on this earth He mentioned the Old Testament several times as being God's Words. He even mentioned the story of Jonah as a fact! (Matthew 12:38-41)
  Let us all as Christians realize that Holy Scripture is the basis for our faith. God revealed to us through these writings what we needed to get closer to Him and that He provided Himself in the life of Jesus Christ to bring Salvation to mankind.
  There is no other book like the Bible. It has proved itself through people's lives, history, archaeology, science etc.. To deny any part of the Bible is to deny God's honesty. If you take the time needed to study this book from every angle, history, archaeology, science and most of all by enlisting the help of the Holy Spirit, you will understand that Jesus didn't lie!

 

 

 

IS JESUS THE ONLY WAY? 

 
  In this day of "political correctness" we are surrounded by people who are afraid to tell the truth because it may offend someone. We have to talk about God in a whisper at work or in our schools. We wouldn't want to offend someone who is not a Christian. We tend to go along to get along. I remember the inter-faith services that were held after 9/11. Many "Christians" commented on how wonderful these services were. I'm sorry but they were far from wonderful! Why would a Christian take part in a service where he has to pay respect to a different God? Let's face reality, the Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, etc., do not worship the same God as the Christians. They are false religions with evil forms of worship that only Satan could have instilled in their leaders hearts! Anything to keep them away from the one true God of the Bible!
  Read John 3 as a start. Jesus made it quite clear that He is the only way to the Father. There are many Scriptures where Jesus tells us that He is the only way. Did He lie?
  Every time we agree with someone when they say, "It doesn't matter what you believe as long as you believe in something," we are saying, Jesus lied!
  Now some of you are saying that you would never call Jesus a liar. What are we doing when we agree with anyone that there are other ways to get to heaven? Jesus said that He was the "one way." HIM!
  Isn't it time that we Christians took a stand for our faith and stop cozying up to false religions because it is "politically correct?" Some will call me narrow minded, fanatical, etc. but Scripture backs me up! If there is another way to heaven then my Jesus died for nothing. Why did He bother if we can get there another way? Let's be bold in our witness and unafraid to say, "It says it in the Bible and I believe it. If that makes us "politically incorrect" then so be it!"
  Let's start believing what Jesus said and not what the world says. Jesus is the only way to heaven and a relationship with God the Father and all other religions are false!

 

 

 AMERICAN TERRORISM 

 
  I agree with our government's war on terrorism but I find it a little hypocritical that some people that agree with me about our government's actions also believe in abortion.
  Since abortion became legal in our country over 45 million babies have been murdered. Yes, I know that some would disagree with me for calling the "fetus" a baby. Can you please explain to me what that politically correct "blob" or "tissue" is going to eventually become? Will that "blob" become a frog or a dog? Of course I'm being a little ridiculous but I'm trying to see why some people can't believe the fetus is human being.
  Remember seeing the gruesome pictures of Hitler's camps with human bodies piled up awaiting burial or cremation? I recently saw the contents of a waste basket in an abortion clinic. It contained little arms and legs, all in pieces. Of course there are proponents of abortion who only see that waste basket as only parts of a fetus or just tissue. A "blob." It reminded me of Hitler! What has happened to our once great country that this is allowed and we are to believe that this is not a potential child?
  God tells us in the Bible that He knew us in our mother's womb (Psalm 139.) When will we wake up and realize that abortion is terrorism as much as the World Trade Towers disaster was terrorism. In both cases innocent people die! Abortion is murder of the innocents!

 

 

"IF MY PEOPLE..."

   While reading 2 Chronicles 7:14, I wondered if God looks at me and includes "me" in the "MY" of that verse? Look at what He expects from His people in the rest of the verse. "Who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray and seek MY face, and turn from their wicked ways, THEN I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

   Do we want the last part of that verse without doing the first part?

 

 

CHARACTER or CHARACTER? 

 
  This past January we celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday. I took the time to read his speech at the Lincoln Memorial many years ago and one line jumped out at me. 'I pray that someday a man will be judged by the content of his character and not by the color of his skin...' What a beautiful comment. But let's look at the word, "character" for a moment. The dictionary says it can mean, "distinctive qualities of a person or things" or a "peculiar person." Now I know that the Bible says that believers are "peculiar people" but in that reference it means to be different then the people of the world. The dictionary meaning is to be "strange" or "eccentric."
  I wonder which category we fit into. Do we have "distinctive qualities" that set us apart as being a little special, as belonging to God, or are we just plain "strange?"
  Many years ago I heard the following. If you were taken to court and were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Do we shine forth with the "character" of the Lord or are we looked at as just being a "character?"
  God help us to have His character and not be a character!

 

 

BORED! 

 
  The dictionary explains, "bored" as 'a person or thing that wearies.'
  My grandchildren use the term a lot! Especially the teenagers. They always claim to have nothing to do. Of course their parents can suggest a long list of things that they could do so as not to be "bored." The list is usually put aside in short order as being no good or boring!
  We as adults find our times of boredom also. I guess it is only natural. But one type of boredom concerns me when I hear someone express, 'Church is boring!' I wonder why? Is it the music? Maybe the preacher? Could it be them? Do we go to church with the right attitude? Did we submit ourselves into the Lord's hands at that time? Did we pray for the pastor before the service? Pray, not that the sermon is short but that the Holy Spirit will inspire him.
  Church can be a very boring place if God is not there. Also if we are not there, mentally, we make it boring. Try getting yourself into the right frame of mind, with God's help before you leave home. The Holy Spirit is never boring! That hour or so can be edifying if we let God work!
  Let's examine ourselves and not blame other things for our 'boredom.'

 

 

 

WAIT! 

 
  "Wait - to stay in expectation; to continue in patience;" so says the dictionary. I say, "I really, really don't like to wait! Not for anything! How many hours have I waited in a doctor's office for someone in my family or for myself to be treated? Or waiting in lines for anything! Sometimes it feels like I have spent half my life waiting for something.
   So what happened when I became a Christian? A very nice lady, a true saint of God tells me that I have to "wait on the Lord."
   I think to myself, 'Oh no, more waiting. Is God that busy that He has to make me wait?' Of course I'm joking, but do we truly 'wait on the Lord?' He's always ready to listen. He is always ready to speak to us. But we aren't always ready to listen to Him. In a way, God has to wait for us, until we come to that place were we put aside our agenda and ideas and make room for His answer to be heard and understood. Once again I'm standing in line, in front of myself! Confused? Read it again. We get in our own way sometimes and we can't hear God speak to us!
   We have to clear the clutter of our lives out of the way so we can get deep in the Spirit so we can hear His guiding words. Do you ever do that?

 

 
CONFUSED RALPH! 

 
   Ralph was a nice guy. We worked together for 28 years. He had been a paratrooper in the Korean War. As far as I know he is living in Florida, retired. I was thinking about him and how we used to laugh about his views on religion. You see, Ralph was born a Roman Catholic but would listen to anyone when it came to "God talk." I even asked him if he believed in reincarnation and he said that he thought it was possible. When I asked him if he thought that Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, etc. where right in their beliefs his answer stunned me. He said, "Who am I to say that anyone is wrong when it comes to God? I believe all of them that way I have all my bases covered." Oppps! That is classic confusion! I showed him where the Bible says that Jesus is the only way to God and His heaven (John14:6). But he just didn't want to see it that way. He felt that there are many paths to heaven and that is why we have so many religions in the world. This is a great lie sent from the pit of Hell to get well meaning people off the track to the truth.
   I pray that Ralph and all the other "Ralph's" out there would just get to know their Bible! What do the "Ralph's" of the world do with a verse like John 3:36. "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe in the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides in him." What about all the other Scriptures that show us that there is only one way? Maybe they don't really mean it??

 

 
FRED'S VIEW?? 

 
   Recently while praying for direction for what to write God pointed something out to me that I have to share with you. He asked me why I call this column "FRED'S CHRISTIAN VIEW?" That kind of caught me by surprise! Well, I reasoned, because I try to look at different things and comment on them from my point of view. Not a bad answer, right? Wrong! God then asked me if I thought that my view, opinion or take on a subject impressed Him? He reminded me that we as Christians can not have a view that is contrary to His view. In other words, our view on anything really doesn't count for anything unless it lines up with His view. We have to line up our ideas and viewpoints with His Word, the Bible.
   I was recently criticized for an article I wrote sometime ago. I was led to tell the aggrieved party that I am willing to retract anything I write if it can be proved to me that it doesn't stand the test of Scripture. It did. I guess I'm asking you to keep me humble by pointing out when I am wrong, but please back it up with Scripture.
   I know that some who will read this article will think "Who is this nut, who hears from God!" Let me clarify. When we as Christians say we have heard from God it is because we felt the prompting in our spirit and know it is God. No flashing lights or voice of thunder, just a still small voice inside of us. Again, not a human sound, just a prompting by the Holy Spirit. I would suggest that you go to your Concordance and see where the "voice" of God can be found.
  May our "view" always backed by the Scriptures!

 

 

 SOCIAL CLUBS?

  I recently heard a TV evangelist make the statement that most churches today are nothing more than “Social Clubs.” He stated that many Christians choose their place of worship based on how many activities are going on at any particular church. His complaint about this was that if the Gospel was preached the way it is supposed to be preached, the full Gospel, then people would come even if the meeting was held each week in a tent.

  I believe that some of his points are valid. In my experience I have found people more concerned about what was happening on Sunday nights, Family nights, Youth activities and special events then they were with what a church actually teaches. The most important aspect of a church is, ‘What Do They Teach?’ As Christians we should be very careful when choosing a church. There are many ‘False Teachers’ out there and because that particular church has a large following or great activities you can open yourself to false doctrine. Many times a church is chosen because the Pastor is a really nice guy and a great speaker. Be careful! Of course we want to have a Pastor that we enjoy and who has these attributes but lets not forget about the cult leaders of the past, David Korasch, Jim Jones and many others. They drew people to them by there personalities and then tricked them into believing the most outrageous teachings which had nothing to do with Christianity.

 

RESOLUTIONS? 

 
   Every New Year many people make resolutions. These may be to stop smoking, lose weight, be a better spouse etc.
   Of course by mid-January we have usually failed. Why is that? Because we do not focus on our commitment to really follow through. When I stopped smoking and drinking alcohol in 1966 I had just surrendered my life to God. Because I had found God it was easier to stop these bad habits. I want you to know that I was tempted to do both on several occasions but the Lord placed a thought in my mind that said, "Who is in charge, Me or the alcohol or tobacco?" I made a resolution to give up these habits and only with God's help did I succeed. I was too week but I had His strength to help me.
   It all comes down to our making a commitment and remembering to ask God's help. We have to remind ourselves that we make the decision but God helps to keep us focused. Why not "Resolve"  to make a commitment to God this year and then stand back and watch Him work in your life!

 

 
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxmas! 

 
   Slightly exaggerated? Not really. Look around, where is Jesus? Although Jesus is the light of the world what do "icicle" shaped lights or blinking colored lights have to do with anything?
   I think some people are aware of the fact that first "Christmas" was not on December 25th and was not celebrated in the first years of the new Christian Church. It only came to be celebrated on that date when church officials of the time, around 400 A.D., decided to set aside a day to commemorate Jesus' birth so they picked a day that was already celebrated in the pagan world, December 25th. This day was already set aside for the worship of the "SUNX" god and it was decided that the Christian "SON" God should that same day to show the pagan world the true God. An early compromise, one of many still to come. A brief search of the Internet or library will give speculation to the fact that the true date is not really known but that the December date can't be correct because it doesn't coincide with details found in Scripture.
   You see, as soon as man, in this case the early organized church got involved, man's ideas started creeping in. The same is happening today. Man's ideas have given us Christmas trees, Santa, Christmas cards, etc.. All of this detracts from what really happened on the day of Christ's birth. God Himself came to earth that day in human form to live among us and to die as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Jesus came to shed His Blood to cover my sins before the eyes of God the Father and the Father, because of His Son's sacrifice says to you and I, "I forgive you!"
   How great and awesome is that! So let's put aside all of the distractions of the season and let us focus on the real reason for the season, "JESUS." It really doesn't matter when His birthday is. What does matter is that He had a birthday, which ushered in the age of Grace.
   Enjoy the season but love the reason!

 

 

WHY IS JESUS THE ONLY WAY?

  I’m afraid that within some Christian circles today the Bible has been so diluted that many Christian people believe that there are other ways, including Jesus, to be saved. This is troubling because the book that Christianity is built around, the Bible, is being twisted to say things that are not there. The Bible was written by people who were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write what God wanted to reveal to us. (2 Timothy 3: 16)

  The Muslim Koran teaches that Jesus was a prophet, not God in the flesh. It also makes the following claims;   those who are not Muslims will go to hell (2:24; 3:12). The Koran also teaches that those whose good deeds exceed their bad will obtain paradise (3:135; 7:8-9; 21:47).

   In Mormonism, Jesus is a creation, the product of relations between god and his goddess wife who used to be people from another world (Mormon Doctrine by Bruce McConkie, pp. 192, 321, 516, 589). 

  Jehovah Witnesses say Jesus was Michael the archangel who became a man, (The Watchtower, May 15, 1963, p. 307; The New World, 284); Jesus was only a perfect man, not God in flesh, (Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, pp. 306); Jesus did not rise from the dead in his physical body, (Awake! July 22, 1973, p. 4).                                             

  Seven Day Adventist’s believe; our sins will ultimately be placed on Satan - The Great Controversy, p. 422, 485. They also believe;

1.       Jesus is Michael the Archangel.

2.       Worship must be done on Saturday (the Sabbath).

3.       On October 22, 1844 Jesus entered the second and last phase of his atoning work.

4.       Investigative Judgment - the fate of all people will be decided based upon this event in the future.

5.       The dead do not exist anymore -- soul sleep.

6.       The wicked are annihilated.

7.       Ellen G. White, the "founder" of Seventh Day Advent-ism, was a messenger from God gifted with the spirit of prophecy.

8.       There is a sanctuary in heaven where Jesus carries out his mediators work.

 

  This all sounds really off the wall to many Christians but I’m afraid that some Christians are believing things that are just as ‘off the wall’ as far as what the Bible teaches. I had a believer say to me that they were a good person who tried to live the 10 commandments so they were sure they would go to heaven. This next statement may sound strange but stick with me. Good people don’t go to heaven, only saved people do. Thanks to Rev. Bill Kirk for that! Try to see in this statement the word ‘good’ encompasses a belief that if a person works hard at doing good works he is assured a place in heaven. This gives to the person the credit for earning a place in heaven. We are saved by God’s Grace and nothing we do on our own. The book of James says that faith without works is dead. Faith in Jesus for what He did for us must come before the works which are then motivated by our love for what God has provided for us. We can’t work our way to heaven! Peace with God and heaven was a very expensive gift from God Himself.

  Salvation is not just a way to heaven. Remember that we are all sinners who need cleansing and that cleansing can only occur through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. To say that our being good or our good works is what saves us is totally against the teachings of Scripture. Both of these things are commendable and should be in a believer’s life. But the key to Salvation and therefore heaven is Jesus Christ, only!  See John 3: 16-18, which is quoting Jesus. Also Acts 4:12 states that there is no Salvation in any other, only Jesus! Did Jesus and Luke lie?

  If we believe Salvation and heaven can be obtained any other way we are taking away from what Christ did for us on Calvary. He didn’t have to suffer, bleed and die if there are other ways to be saved. As Christians we accept what God told us through His Holy Spirit, let’s not change what He has given to us just because it seems intolerant to other beliefs. It is God’s Word don’t twist it!  Why is Jesus the only way? Because the Scripture says He is!

MERRY SANTAMAS & HAPPY COMPROMISE!!

   Every Christmas, I and I'm sure many of you, struggle with the commercialism surrounding our Lord's birthday. The question is what can we do about it? We can't change society over night but we can change our little part of the world by the things we do and say during the days leading up to the December 25th celebration set aside to honor Jesus' birthday.                                                                                                I still remember growing up in a home where as a child my cousins and my brother with all of our parents would gather at Grandma and Grandpa's home on Christmas Eve. We would all sit around the kitchen table and sing Christmas Carols and wait for Santa to come knocking on the windows until we let him in to distribute the gifts, which we had all been so good for, for such a long time. Of course Grandpa had to have a German Santa, whom no one could quite understand, but who really cared, he had the presents! This was always great fun for everyone. Grandpa, although he wasn't a churchgoer, always made sure that everyone attended the midnight service at the Lutheran Church. He always reminded us that Jesus birthday was central to what we did.                                                                 With my own children we always started Christmas morning with a Happy Birthday Jesus song. I don't think we have to keep Santa at arm's length but we do have to get our priorities right when it comes to the true meaning of Christmas. Santa was supposedly a good man, who gave gifts to the poor, but Jesus was not only a good man, He was God Almighty born as a baby with a gift to the world that can't be bought. A gift of eternal life for all who believe, and it's free for the asking and accepting!                                                                                               Why don't we take back Christmas this year? Let’s proclaim the true meaning to anyone the Lord puts in our path. Let's start with our families and bring the joy of what this day means to us as "Born Again" believers. Let's take the Santa out of "Santamas" and pit Christ-mas back in!                                                                                                Last week I received a comment about the article "Merry Plastic Xmas" claiming that the "X" in Xmas was from the Greek word for Christ. This is true but how many of you knew that and how about your families? How many of them know that? My point was that we are speaking English so why put further confusion on the day we celebrate Christ's birthday by referring to it with a Greek word which to many of us is just an "X"?

MERRY PLASTIC X-MAS!

  Would someone please tell me how we ended up with "XMAS" anyhow? Do we really have to cross out Christ? And maybe, while you are explaining that to me, please ponder the following. Plastic Santa, plastic snowmen, plastic reindeer, blinking lights, Christmas trees, happy holiday cards, Christmas parties to get drunk, toys, toys, and more toys, debt, silver bells, jingle bells, elves, assembling gifts until 2am, dreadful ties, etc., etc.. Do you see my point?

  What in the world do any of these things have to do with the greatest gift ever given to mankind, Jesus? How do any of these things bring Glory to God? Can you find any of the above in Scripture? I don't remember the visitors to Bethlehem bringing things made of plastic or its equivalent. The gifts they brought were meant to bring Glory to God for His gift of a Savior! The new born King!

  We as Christians have allowed the world to steal a very important day from us and in the eyes of our secular world "Christmas" is just another pagan holiday. An excuse to get drunk and go into debt for things that will be gathering dust in a few short weeks.

  I'm not trying to boycott Christmas. I just think that we should do our best to let people know what the day really means. As the saying goes, "Jesus is the reason for the season." Explain the "Best Gift" to your children and family. Set an example before others of what it means to be a "BORN AGAIN" Christian. God became flesh to save us from hell! (John 1:14) Think about that for a minute! GOD BECAME FLESH!!

  Send cards with the true meaning of Christmas, not Santa. He wasn't even there! Put up a manger scene and leave Santa and the snowmen in the basement. Take a stand to bring Christ back into Christmas!

  Enjoy the reason for the season, Jesus! Don't be guilty of putting an "X" through His NAME! 

 

 

 IN ALL THINGS GIVE THANKS

  On November 25, my birthday and also Thanksgiving, my wife of 49 years went to be with the Lord. We had a great last day together with our family. She passed that evening in her sleep.                                                People have mentioned to me at times that Thanksgiving must be hard for me. Of course I miss my sweetheart so very much but I thank God that I know where she is without a shadow of a doubt!                                   I think about the life I left behind when I was saved in 1966 and I thank God that she and I knew Him at her death. My former reaction would have been to jump into a bottle and get drunk but now, although sad, I know that the best is yet to come because of what Jesus did for us. He also gives us peace at times like these.                                           I am thankful on this Thanksgiving for having had the kind of wife that my Joan was. A good Mother, Grandmother and wife who loved the Lord. I'm thankful for the family she gave to me and the love and closeness I enjoy with them.                                                                                   Even in earthly tragedies we can find things to be thankful for. God is Good! Acknowledge that fact in your life and be blessed!

 

 

What does the Bible say about Halloween?

 
  Nothing! But it does speak concerning witches, the occult, and paganism. The Bible definitely speaks negatively about these things and condemns not only the practice but also the people involved in it.

  “You shall not let a witch live.” Exodus 22:18. “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD…”       (Deut. 18:10-12)

  

 

 
LOVE EVERYONE? OOH!

   "This is My Commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." John 15:12. Jesus said that. I don't know about you but I find some people a little hard to love! I even have trouble "liking" them a little.

   Did you know that there are different kinds of love? You can regard someone with affection or have a love as a passion between the sexes. We love our spouses differently then we love our children or our parents. The love of sports, food or entertainment is also a different kind of love.

   Have you ever really considered God's love for us? When was the last time you loved someone after they had done something to hurt you? God does that everyday! John 3:16 tells us, again in Jesus' words, that He loved the whole world and everyone in it. He actually loved us before we even knew who He was. Can we understand that kind of love? I can't. But thank God He does or we would all be toast! I'm sure He doesn't like it when we neglect Him or even go against His wishes for us but we are told that He still loves us!

   Even though we can't fully understand God's love maybe we could practice it by faith and really try to care for everyone. The only way to get a glimpse of how to achieve this is to read His love letter to us, the Scriptures. Maybe we don't love enough because we don't read His Word.

   Remember, God loves the real you, not the one everyone else can see. He loves you so much that He sent His Son to be a sacrifice for our sins! Love Him and others in return, no matter how much you don't "like" them. Jesus died for them also!

   "But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you..." Matthew 5:44

 

 

 
TEENS

   For many years, at a much younger age, I worked with the youth of my church as a teacher as youth leader. I came to love and pray for many teens over the years and still hear from some of them 30 years later. We had some great times and some sad times too.

   I witnessed 5 teens that went into full time ministry and others who attended Christian colleges. I also lived through seeing two suicides and one murder of these dear teenagers.

   I had been saved about one year when the Holy Spirit informed me that I was to form a youth group in our church. I was 31 years old and had 3 small children at home. I sure hoped the Lord knew what He was doing! I began with one 15 year old girl who lived one town over from us in Kings Park, N.Y. Every Friday night I would pick her up for a youth meeting and once a month we went to a Youth Rally in other churches. She was it for almost one year. Than another girl started coming out for a while. By the second year we had eight. God honored my commitment and eventually we averaged over twenty and at times many more. Why keep going after one year with only one girl? Because God said to keep going!

   If you have a Youth Leader in your church hold them up in prayer. Be encouraging to them and be there when they need help with whatever life sends their way. The life of our teens depends on what kind of an example we set for them. Of course they will make mistakes, didn't you? Be there for them! 2 Timothy 3:15.

PENTECOSTAL? 

 
 As a child growing up in a Lutheran home my only contact with "Pentecostals" was through TV. I remember making fun of some of the outfits they wore and the way some of the TV evangelists talked. To me, and I guess, to any Lutheran, or for that matter any non-Pentecostal, these were very strange people. One preacher would sit on a throne and wore a crown as he would ask the people to give a silent offering because "the sound of change in the offering plate made him nervous!" Hilarious! Others would touch people and the person would get all excited and jump around on stage and claim healing of all kinds of sicknesses and personal problems. I thought they were delusional!                                                                                              Years later while working on my Dad's farm we saw a big black car stop on the street and a man in a black suit got out and walked across a dusty field toward us. He greeted us and then asked the most unusual question we had ever heard. "Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?" Enter Pentecostals. Our first response was, "We go to the Lutheran church." Not the answer he was looking for. He then proceeded to explain the plan of Salvation to us and then he left.                                                                                                                                      We made jokes and laughed about our unusual visitor. But I never forgot his words and a few years later in 1966 I gave my heart to the Lord through the ministry of that man's son. Rev. James Steffens' Dad, Rev. Karl Steffens, took the time to get his black suit dirty and to be laughed at by a bunch of dirty farmers, and I am the result of his obedience to the Holy Spirit. Both of my parents came to the Lord through the Steffen's ministry a few years later.                                                                                        I learned many years after my TV evangelist days that a true Pentecostal is just someone who believes the Bible and lets the Holy Spirit guide their life. It's not a "religion," it's a relationship!                                       We still have our twisted teachers with us. Strange things are proclaimed to be of God but do they stand the test of Scripture? Remember, if its in the Bible, believe it. If not, don't read between the lines!                                                                                                                        The very first Christians were Pentecostal in the true sense of the word. Check out the book of acts and you won't find a Lutheran among them! Of course I have to add that there will be Lutherans, Baptists etc.who are "Born Again" in heaven.               Why not look at the true Pentecostals in the Bible and not the fake Pentecostals on TV. These fakers have to answer for their perverse teachings so don't be fooled!

 

 

 IS THE DEVIL REAL?

Jesus spoke of the Devil many times and even had a 40-day conversation with him in the wilderness. Jesus cast evil spirits out of people. The Devil placed them there to begin with. Jesus followers had trouble with evil spirits and even they were given the authority to cast them out of people, in Jesus Name.

In Bible school many years ago I heard an eye witness account about a demon. A girl was put away in a mental institution because she claimed that a demon had come into her. She claimed that the demons would bite her while she slept, so the doctors said that she was crazy. An A/G pastor on Staten Island visited her to pray for her and the attendants told him that she had bitten herself during the night and that he should expect a "story." He prayed for her to get healed and told her that he would return the next day when perhaps she wouldn't be so distraught. He questioned the demon activity. The next day as he had promised he returned. She was more terrified then before. She told him that the demons had returned during the night and had bitten her again. He looked at her wounds on her arms and legs and told her that he would ask his congregation to pray for her. His prayer was to ask his congregation to pray that she would stop biting herself. She turned to him with pleading eyes and said, "Pastor, I'm not crazy, I'm possessed, look here!" She raised her hair from the back of her neck and there on the back of her neck were bite marks! He returned with the elders of his church and they cast out the demons in Jesus Name. The girl was released after some tests and she went on to lead a productive and normal life serving the Lord in her church.

C.S. Lewis in his book "Mere Christianity" said, "I am trying here to prevent anyone saying a really foolish thing some people say about Jesus; 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I can't accept His claim to be God.' That is one thing we must not say. A man who said the things that Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher, He would be a lunatic - on the level of a man who claimed to be a pouched egg - or else He would be the Devil of Hell. You make your choice. Either the man, Christ Jesus was, and is, the Son of God or else He was a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up as a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come up with patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left the door open to us. He did not intend to."

Jesus said the Devil is real. What are we supposed to do with that?

 

 

 TRICK OR TROUBLE?

  Halloween! I was 16 years old. A long time ago Artie, Ray, Donnie and I had just finished a couple of 6 packs. It was the night to have fun.

  There was a really smart girl at school who kind of kept to herself and no one really knew her, except that she was quite a bit brighter then most of our friends. This will become evident as this story unfolds. Ray had a car. Our trick for that night was to go to her house, tie a rope around a bicycle that she kept under her front porch and after we rang the bell and the door opened we would take off in Ray's car, with the other end of the rope tied to the bumper. What a great trick! No on would get hurt and we would leave the bike on the side of the road just down the street. The best laid plans!! I forget who rang the bell but I know that I was on the porch at the time. We heard someone coming and we ran so that we could follow the car and untie the rope from the bike after everyone was scared too death as it came flying out from under the house. Great plan, bad results! The door opened, I'm in the bushes, Ray takes off, the bike comes flying out but it hooks onto the porch. Porch leg collapses! Oops! Her father runs out and catches us! Not good!

  Halloween! I was 30 years old. A long time ago. I don't know where those guys are but I had just given my heart to the Lord in April of that year and suddenly Halloween had a new meaning to me. God showed me in the Bible that the devil is real. All the things from my past Halloween's come to mind. I must have made the devil proud with the things I used to do! I'm sorry Lord, I didn't know that I was doing the devils work with these pranks.

  Halloween! I'm old now. I still don't know where these guys are but I've been Saved for 44 years and I love my Jesus today more than when I first got to know Him. He has forgiven me for those pranks and many other mistakes in my life. The Bible says to "give no place to the devil." What do we say or do during the week that make Satan smile? Halloween, we know is his day but what about the subtle ways he tricks us everyday? He is out to get us! Watch out! Focus on the things of God and when we have to command the devil to leave us alone we can do so with God's authority.

OVERCOMER

Diane was 11 years old when the accident happened that totally changed her life. That was in 1977. She was a typical schoolgirl crossing the street from the library when a schoolteacher whose brakes had failed, hit her, and sent her many feet into the air. Those first on the scene thought that she had to be dead. After many months in a coma, with her Mom literally living at the hospital, she awoke to a whole new world. She had to have help with everything and her Mom and Dad got her the best doctors available. She couldn't walk and was told that she may never walk again. But against all odds and with pure determination she did walk within a few months.

Diane had to learn her motor skills over again as well as speaking, reading and dressing herself. Despite all of her injuries, head trauma, broken bones and many operations she was determined to get through this bad situation. Eventually as she got a little older she was able to get a drivers license and a job. She even found herself an apartment and has lived on her own ever since. She trusted God to help her and wouldn't take no for an answer. She is a living example of someone who would not give up or give in to self-pity.

The Old Testament tells of Daniel and his friends in captivity and how they "determined in their hearts" to follow God. Diane "determined in her heart" to overcome her injuries with the help of God and her family and friends.

Have you "determined in your heart" to overcome that situation in your life? Diane Sternberg did it and so can you. Become an over comer today with God's help!

 

 

 PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

While working in the Northport Post Office in the early 70s I had a Postmaster who would talk to me on occasion about his personal life, although he informed me that he was an atheist, he wondered about my view of things as a christian.

On one occasion he was little down about his brother, who was known as a local playboy, who was going through a divorce. His sixth divorce! When he finished relating the story to me he remarked, "I sure wish my brother could find a women who isn't a loser." In other words his brother was not at fault for any of these divorces. It was always the wife's fault.

Recently a few people made the headlines with lawsuits against fast food restaurants. They claimed that they were overweight because of the type of food served at these restaurants and they wanted to be compensated for gaining so much weight! Unbelievable!

We live in a society of "victims." It is always someone else's fault when things go wrong in their lives. Whatever happened to personal responsibility? Yes, there are times when we are victims of someone else's irresponsibility and we can point a finger at others, but every time something happens to us?

God's Word has a few verses to ponder on this subject. "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of flesh reap corruption, but he who sows of the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." Galatians 6: 7-8.

Don't be deceived! As Christians we are "Victors" not "Victims!" 

 

 

 HOW HIGH DO YOU JUMP?

Pentecostal people are known to get a little emotional during worship and praise. This is good. The Bible says we should. As a matter of fact I don't know how you can reach out and touch God's presence, and not experience emotion! Of course Pentecostal worship leaves the door open to abuse. Some people are exhibitionists and need attention. Kind of like the Pharisees who made a show of their prayer life so everyone would see them as super spiritual. They have to answer to God for their actions someday. But God also touches some people in such a way that they have to get happy. God deals with us according to our own personalities. If no outward show of emotion is seen we may not be aware of the inward experience a person is having but God does! Praise God for those experiences! We should be careful about judging someone’s actions in church. Allow God to sort the fakers out. It's between them and God. Some will use the gift of Discernment and will know that if what happened is of God or if it is of the flesh.

Pastor James Steffens Sr. once told us in response to a question about "emotionalism" that "he didn't care how high a person jumped as long as they walked straight when they came down." In other words, get emotional about God but walk a true Christian walk outside the church. Great teaching!

 

 

 THE HOLY SPIRIT TOLD ME!

In my many years as a Christian I have heard these words, and used them many times. Lately, I have noticed more and more people are saying this. Of course God does speak to us through His Word, the Bible, in prayer and through other people as a confirmation of something we have been praying about. He speaks to us in a still small voice and by the prompting of the Holy spirit. Many times He speaks to us when we least expect it. We all need to hear God's voice, even if it is not audible to those around us. This is all possible only if we stay tuned in to Him through His Word and prayer.

Recently I read in a Christian magazine about a Pastor of one of the Mega-churches out west who claims that the Holy Spirit spoke to him and told him that he should divorce his wife of many years and marry someone else. He did divorce his wife and remarried and after the honeymoon many in his huge church welcomed he and his 'bride' back home with a standing ovation. Do you really think that God would go against his own Word, the Bible, and tell someone to do that?

This is an extreme example of what I felt was the Holy Spirit was teaching me about the miss-use of saying, 'the Holy Spirit told me.' We have to be sure that our own agenda or ideas are not put forward with the use of these words. We have to KNOW that God has spoken to us before we attribute something to Him. Doesn't the Bible tell us to be careful of attributing things of Satan to God? Couldn't we be in danger of committing the unpardonable sin? Matthew 12:31-32 says, "And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come."

Please, listen to His prompting and do as He says. Please, make sure it is the Holy Spirit and not you! Let's not be flippant with the words, "The Holy Spirit told me!"

 

 

 ARE YOU DOING GOD A FAVOR?

Does anyone realize how hard I work all week? How early I have to get out of bed everyday? Does anyone even care that I go continuously all day every day? I've got a family to care for and a job to go to everyday and I'm beat! Fix this, take care of that, drive someone somewhere, and pick something up at the store. I don't even have time for myself anymore.

Then I go to church on Sunday morning and hear about all the different jobs that have to be done there. What do you want from my life? You are lucky that I'm here at all!

Really? Are you expecting someone to say "Thank you" for taking time out from your busy schedule to sit in HIS house for a couple of hours? I don't think so! Sometimes we don't say the words but we act like we are doing God a favor by just showing up. Don't you think that those who attend church every time the door is open and are involved in the church ministries have a life also? Isn't it really a matter of priorities? Maybe God wants you to rearrange your priorities so that the things of God won't be such a bother. What is really important in our lives, we make room for and everything else becomes a bother. Maybe God wants us to stop blaming others for our lack of interest in His Church. Perhaps we should look at what He has provided for us through Jesus Christ and realize that we only go through this life once and it is up to us what we are going to do with it. As the old poem goes, 'Only one life will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.'

Don't do God any favors; He knows what is in your heart!

 
WHO'S BIBLE? 

 
  A recent book and movie called the DiVinci Code made some statements that were totally untrue but attempted to pass them off as truth. The average unbeliever would go away with the impression that what they had just seen or read was the way it really is. As a matter of fact a survey in France and Canada showed that as many as 40% of the audience for the movie went away with the notion that everything that was said was in fact “the Gospel truth.”

  One statement dealt with the way the books of the Bible were gathered together. The book and movie said that the Emperor Constantine called a council in Nicaea of the church Bishops in 325ad to put into place the books of the Bible. The fact is that Constantine made an opening statement to the council urging them to come to a decision as to the unity of the church at that time. The council produced the Nicene Creed which listed the beliefs of the Christian Church. Constantine never told anyone what books to include because the Christian Church had been using the letters handed down from the Apostles for many years before Constantine was born and the Old Testament was already in place thousands of years before Constantine. The books of the New Testament were only accepted if they were known to have been written by the Apostles and people close to them who actually lived at the time of Jesus life on this earth. Many other so called “Gospels” such as the Gospel of Mary, The Gospel of Philip, Gospel of Thomas were rejected in many cases because they weren’t written until a couple of hundred years after Jesus’ death and Resurrection. This is a great study and every Christian should look into where we received our Bible from. I suggest a very good book by F.F.Bruce, Carl F.H. Henry, J. I. Packer and R. K. Harrison and edited by Philip Wesley Comfort called “The Origin of the Bible.” Of course there are many other fine books on this subject but it takes a little time and effort to do a study on this subject but it is well worth the time and effort.

  The Jehovah Witnesses have a Bible they call, “The New World Translation which is fraught with errors and some of the new so called translations are not trustworthy because they try to be “politically correct” and not offend the feminists and other groups by changing the wording to be non-gender specific. These translations only water down what God, by the Holy Spirit originally inspired the writers to write and therefore is not an accurate rendering of the original intent.

  We as Christians must rely on the Bible as our foundation of written directions and the bases of our faith. Many Christian denominations today have brought in man made ideas over the years and in time people believe that these are part of the Bible. Not so! As an extreme example, a church in the south many years ago decided that men had to wear a necktie to church or they couldn’t attend. Of course this caused a split in the church and the no necktie wearers started their own church on the other side of town. I’m sorry but neckties are not specified in Scripture. Neither is any other form of Water Baptism but complete immersion or the reading of prayers etc. to be found in the Bible. These and many other things have been made part of our churches beliefs without regard to what the Bible says about it. I had a Pastor a few years back who would say, if the Bible is silent on a subject then we should also be silent. I agree.

  Why are extra Biblical things brought into Christianity? I’m sure there are many reasons but I think the main reason is ignorance of the Bible. We as Christians just don’t read or study what the Word of God says. We allow others, supposedly in leadership positions to interpret Scripture for us. We are lazy! Remember, Jim Jones?

  We need the Holy Spirit to help us understand what Scripture is saying. Always ask for His help before opening the Bible or we could miss-interpret what we read. An article in the “JERUSALEM POST” a few years ago caught my attention. A man was watching a scribe hand writing a new Torah for a Synagogue. He noticed how slowly and precise the scribe was approaching his work. He asked the scribe why he was so meticulous while writing each letter. He was told that if one little dot is placed in the wrong place that he has to throw out the entire page and start over. The scribe went on to tell the observer that Scripture was like fire. The “black” fire were the words and the white fire was the spaces in-between the words. Those “white” spaces held the potential for the reader to read between the lines and corrupt the true meaning. I’m afraid that many Christians today who are too busy or too lazy are reading between the lines of Scripture and putting words there that don’t belong.

  My Pastor, Gary Zarlingo, has a saying, ‘If we don’t read our Bible we will write our own.” Again I agree. “Study to show yourself approved…” 2 Timothy 2:15

 OUTWARD CHANGE, BUT WHAT IS UNDER THE HOOD

This is another true story (confession) from my past. I tell it to make a point and to show how much God forgives.

There were four of us. Saturday night, 17 years old and nothing to do. We were sitting around the garage of Beckman's Florist, in East Northport, N.Y., discussing the fact that our friend Ed was at his girlfriend's home for the evening watching TV. He was supposed to be with us. Ed had a 1949 Mercury automobile that had been customized and looked real sharp. For this he was popular at school. One of us brought up the fact that it was very "cool" but had a very bad paint job. Oh, Oh!

Why don't we do our friend a favor and surprise him with a new paint job while he is occupied with his girlfriend. I think it was Donnie M. who jump-started the car after we pushed it half way down the street. We figured that we had about two hours to paint it and put it back before it would be missed. Bad calculation! Artie B. had a gallon of "Robin's Egg Blue" house paint in his Dad's shop. Certainly that would be better then that drab black that covered the car originally.

I think we were about one hour into the "beautification project" when the door flew open and here comes Ed! Red in the face, screaming and carrying a tire iron. What followed wasn't pretty so I'll leave that to your imagination.

After a few weeks Ed accepted his "new" car color and drove around town looking very proud. After all he had the only known "Robin's Egg Blue" custom car on Long Island. But of course the house paint wasn't the best and after a while it began to peel and show the bad paint we had covered. To put it nicely it looked worse then it did before the beautification process.

As Christians we put on a new "coat of paint" when we accept Christ into our lives. The Bible says that we become a new creation. In the place of a coat of paint we are covered by our Lord's precious Blood. When the Holy Spirit brought this story to my recollection He asked me if my covering was temporary. Did I only look "new" or was the change He brought to my life genuine enough to last a lifetime? Have we sometimes allowed that not so nice undercoat show through? Let us ponder that old wreak we were before we accepted His gift of Salvation. Outwardly our appearance may still look the same but He changes our hearts and our attitudes.

Are you a real Christian whose life has changed? If not ask Him and believe He will change you! John 3:16

 

 
WHAT IS YOUR HABIT?

Someone once said to me that they weren't in the "habit" of doing a certain thing. I always thought of a habit as something like smoking, drinking or cursing. In other words I associated "habit" with something bad. Then I heard someone else refer to the fact that they were in the "habit" of going to church whenever the doors were open. The little dim light in my head went on and I realized that there are good habits also!

What is your "habit" as far as church attendance is concerned? If Jesus came back on a Sunday morning would he find you in church or in bed? Sunday night watching "60 Minutes?"  How about Bible Study? What is your "habit" when the church is open?

Is it your "habit" to complain about what is going on at your church but you only attend on rare occasions? Isn't that kind of like a person who is very opinionated about politics, but doesn't vote?

Your presence is needed to encourage and lift up others and to gain from the fellowship of like minded believers. The service that you miss may be the one the Holy Spirit revealed something just for your situation at the time. What have you missed? God placed you in your church for a reason, why not support that church by showing an interest in its services? Think about that the next time you decide to make it a "habit" to stay home.

What is your "HABIT?"

 

 

I'M STRANGE!

While in Bible School in the 60's our class was given an assignment by my Child Psychology teacher to write a paper on the meaning of the word "sane." At the time I was the oldest in the class. I was 30 years old and had a wife and three children at home. Everyone else was straight out of high school, including my teacher (college), who was single. Since the paper had to be fewer then 500 words I figured that I could come in way under that requirement. So in my explanation of the word, sane, I wrote just one word, "ME." Needless to say I failed that test but I was allowed to take it over again at a later date. The teacher wrote on my paper, "strange."

The word "strange" seems to have followed me for many years! Just recently someone told me that I have a "strange” sense of humor. I think my wife used that term about my humor a few times also. I'm not sure that I like the idea of being thought of as strange because the word connotes someone who is out of the ordinary. Not normal. But then again that goes back to that Bible School paper, what's normal or sane?

The Bible tells us that we are "a peculiar people" or "special people" depending on what translation you use. (Titus 2:14) I think that kind of "peculiar" is something to be happy about! When the unsaved people in the world look at us they remark, sometimes not verbally, that we are different then the rest of society, I guess, peculiar.

Let's be proud of the title. It means that you must be doing right in God's eyes and what other eyes really count for anything?

 

 

 DONALD ???

This column could have been called, "DONALD'S VIEW." That is the name that my Mother had picked out for me. When I was born we stayed in the hospital with our Mom for up to 12 days (1935). No technology like today. Since I was the first Grandchild and being a boy my Grandfather wasn't too happy with 'Donald.' As the story goes my Grandfather, who was my idol through my young life, took me to be baptized a few days before we were to go home, without my Mother's knowledge. His name was Fred. You figure it out. Not a happy Mother but because she loved my Dad and wouldn't cause any family problems, she said nothing. She called me Fred, but I wonder if she ever wanted to, just once, call me Donald. Since my birth I think that I have been called just about every other name but Donald, but that's another column.

Jesus had His personal name. His official name was "Messiah" in Hebrew and "Christ" in Greek. Both mean the same thing, "Anointed; the One Anointed" of God to redeem and rule the world. The Bible refers to Him by many names, Savior, Redeemer, Wonderful Counselor, the Word of God, etc.. A recent article in "ISRAEL TODAY" magazine said that there are over 100 names for Jesus in the Scriptures. We know that His enemies referred to Him by many derogatory names, even that of Satan.

I was wondering what name I should refer to Him as? My Lord and Savior. My Healer. My Comfort and Peace. When unbelievers look at us do they see Jesus lifted up or is my life giving Him a bad name before the world? Are we calling Him by the wrong name? Is He really, Savior and Lord? Jesus can't be just your Savior, HE MUST also be the Lord of your life! Don't call Him Donald when His real name is "LORD."

 

 

 UNPOLITICALLY CORRECT

A few years ago I sent a letter to the editor of "Suffolk Life" newspaper. You would think that I was the mad bomber or terrorist by the reaction that I received.

Before I excerpt some of what I wrote I want to give you an idea of why I wrote the letter in the first place. I have always been a little disturbed by the "politically correct" way that things have to be said so as not to hurt someone’s feelings. We as Christians have become targets because of our beliefs, so now see what my frustration wrote in that letter.

Dear Mr. Willmott, Is it me or is something wrong with this picture? We have a President (Clinton) with questionable character traits and the people who voted for him tell me that character doesn't matter. Since when? Doesn't character guide our decisions? I remember when Dr. Martin Luther King said in a really great speech, "Don't judge a man by the color of his skin but by the content of his character." He meant all men!

Now to show a few "be causes" to show my dilemma. Because I don't believe in affirmative action I'm called a racist, even though I have four Grandchildren of mixed race. My reasoning seems to fall on deaf ears of those who see "color" involved. I don't!

Because I believe in traditional marriage and I'm against abortion, I am said to be intolerant of other people's "feelings." What about my feelings? Where is your tolerance? My Christian back round and teachings tell me abortion is wrong and traditional marriage is right and any knowledgeable Christian or Jew knows that our Scriptures say so. What do we do, throw out what we don't like, as some liberal mainline denominations have done, and keep the rest.

Either Scripture is true or it is a lie! I believe it is true. Tolerate that!

 

 

 WHY DID YOU DO THAT?

  As a child growing up I must have heard this question a million times, as I'm sure many of you did also. After putting on a dumber then usual face I would always answer the same thing, "I don't know." Which proceeded to send my parents up the wall. It's funny how my children seemed to have inherited the same answer and the same dumb look!

Have you ever looked back and tried to analyze this question? Why do we do anything? Usually we do the things that will benefit us personally the most. Nothing really wrong with that as long as no one is going to suffer because of our actions.

Motive has always been a big thing with me. I figure that we can put on any kind of an act before our family and friends and most times we will get away with it. We can project any kind of image we want to those we come in contact with depending on our motive. What do we want to achieve by our actions? When it comes to God, He not only observes our actions but He also knows why I have chosen to do those actions. In other words, God knows my true motive. Am I doing what I'm doing so people will look at me as a spiritual person or a really good person? What's my motive? God knows! Why do I go to church, Sunday School, and prayer meetings? Is it because my motive is to learn more about the one I love or to look good to others? God knows!

If our motives have been wrong, our precious Lord will forgive us but we have to ask for that forgiveness and mean it! God knows! We should search our motives today and start to do things out of love, not selfishness.

 

 

 
WINK? WIMP? WHAT?

I heard a speaker once who used these words several times while speaking to the congregation. The Holy Spirit really got a hold on me during his message and I would like to see if anyone can relate to what I feel God said to me that Sunday morning.

Let's look at the word "wink" first. Of course we all know that a wink is a "knowing blink of the eye." A kind of a secret between the one winking and the one who has been winked at. But have you ever thought of a "wink" without any physical participation? Every time we are in a worldly situation, such as a group of friends or fellow workers and bad language or a dirty joke is used and all we do is smile and keep quiet. We don't register a complaint. We just winked!

When we miss the chance to be in church or prayer meeting our friends who know that we are Christians get the feeling that we have winked at them because we are more committed to the things of this world then we are to the Lord we talk about every once in a while. We just winked!

Do you remember the look on your child's face when you told them that Santa and the Easter Bunny were not real? I wonder if anyone is waiting for us to, "This God stuff isn't real, didn't you see me wink?"

I guess the word "wimp" should be self explanatory when it relates to Christianity. Let's pose a few questions. We all have different answers depending on individual situations in our lives. Just be honest with yourself, as I have tried to be honest with myself. Do you get uncomfortable when a conversation turns to God? Have you ever talked to anyone about your relationship to God? Have you ever asked someone to watch his or her language? When did you last invite someone to church? Have you ever defended your Christianity? I'm sure all of you could add many more but I think you understand where I'm coming from. I also wonder if a "wimp" would be someone with plenty of ideas about how their church should be run but refuse to do what God told us to do before we make any decisions, PRAY! I believe that we are wimps when we don't do battle with the devil in prayer.

The last word is "what." What are we going to do about "winks" and "wimps?" It is time to decide "what" we are projecting to our family and friends! Is what we have real or not? Are we wasting our time or are we going to get it right this time? God is willing, are you? (2Chronicles 7:14; Mark 8:38.)

THANKS - GIVING

It's nice to have someone recognize you for a job well done. "Thank you," seems to be scarce these days. Having been a worker in the church for a long time in various ministries, I have heard an occasional "thank you," but the Lord showed me that I should not look for a thank you from man while working for Him. He showed me that if I get up-set with people for not noticing what I was involved in, then I was involved for the wrong reasons. Whom are we doing it for? I think that if we need a pat on the back or recognition from people for our "jobs" in the church, maybe it would be better if we didn't take on a ministry.

I feel the Lord is prompting me to tell you of a very unusual "thank you."

Back in the 1970s while I was the Youth Leader at the East Northport Gospel Church I was told about an up-coming "drug party" that was going to be held at a young couple's home in Northport on a Saturday night. I called a police officer I knew in Northport and filled him in. The next Saturday they raided the house and arrested the couple and a few teens.

After a few years had passed and I had forgotten about this incident I attended a men's ministry meeting in our church to hear a young man give his testimony. He and his wife were attending our church with their two children for the past couple of years since they both accepted the Lord.

As his story unfolded I realized that he and his wife were the couple I had turned in to the police a few years before! When he finished speaking I went up to him and told him that I was the one responsible for their arrest. He hugged me and started to cry and then said, "thank you" for changing his life by stopping him before he and his wife killed themselves and perhaps some of the teens too. They went on to start a ministry in up-state New York for teens that have run away from home.

I took that "thank you" as from the Lord. Of course I appreciated the young man's words but I knew that day that I had followed God's will and here was the “thank you” years later.

What is our motive for what we do? Is it unto the Lord or unto ourselves? The only thank you I want to hear is from His mouth, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."  

 

 

 TALK! TALK! TALK!

  I've been saved for more then 40 years. I've heard a lot of talk from Christians concerning the teachings of Jesus. As a matter of fact I have spoken many of these words myself.

  Over the years I've heard messages from the Lord, from several Pastors and others alluding to the "words" we all have heard repeated so many times in our lives. It seems to me that God wants us too, not necessarily to stop studying His Words, but perhaps to start doing what He has revealed to us through study and reading. I don't know about you but I have never been accused of being overly bright, but I think I can grasp some of what is going on around me. After hearing these many messages from the Lord I'm reminded of the many times I've said to my children, 'How many times do I have to repeat myself?' I wonder whether God ever shouts this question to us. One message I heard was, 'You know it, now do it!' Thank you Lord for being patient with me. I've already admitted to not being too bright but at least I don't seem to be alone!

  Isn't it time we got serious about the words we have heard and claim to believe? I don't want my talk to be louder then my walk! Each of us have to examine our own "walk." Do we "talk" a good faith and not walk it? You see, I can fool those around me because I have been around long enough to know the right things to say. There is just one major problem with this. God knows me better then you do. He knows when we are being "phony." We can't "talk" anything past Him!

  We have to ask ourselves, "Is my talk louder then my walk?", and if so what am I going to do about it? Am I going to be available for jobs in my church, attend more Bible studies and church so I will have the answers when approached by "unbelievers?" Am I willing to give from what God has given to me, meaning my time, talents, and yes, money? I can remember when I was a new believer I thought $2.00 a week was a big deal to put into the offering plate. Not realizing that the expenses of operating a church building such as heating, electric, water, insurance, cleaning, general up-keep, plus the salaries of the church staff etc.. But I sure talked it up to my friends and family about how beautiful "my" church was. Little did they know that I was "nickel and dimeing" the place to death. And what was I doing to make our outreaches work? Well, I showed up didn't I? What more did they want?

  Lets get real and just "do it!" Stop talking so loudly and start walking LOUD! St. Francis of Assisi said, "Always witness and if you have too, use words!" Don't stop talking but pay attention to your walk.

 

 

 WHAT? ME DIE?

I can't imagine what must have gone through the minds of the people in the World Trade Center while that terrible evil was going on around them. Do you ever think of death? I do. I'm comforted with the fact that my Jesus made a way for me to face death without fear. How many of you reading this article right now have made preparations for eternity? In other words what do have planned for after you die? I'm sure that no one in the Trade Center buildings or the Pentagon went to work that morning expecting the evil that awaited them. None of us have a guarantee that we will see tom morrow, but we still make plans. My wife went to bed on Thanksgiving Day over one year ago, after a great day with our family and she slipped into eternity in her sleep. She had not expected that, but I know she was ready.

Jesus said, "No one will get to heaven except by Him." Read the third chapter of John. Isn't it time to make a plan for what comes after this life? Where will you spend eternity? Learn from the poor unsuspecting souls at the Trade Center, Washington, D.C., and Penn.

You can know beyond a shadow of a doubt where you will be after death. If you are not sure how to get that assurance call a Pastor or a Christian friend. Don't wait any longer, do it now before it's to late.

 

 

 WHY DON'T I KNOW THAT?

Do you ever watch quiz shows on TV and feel good when a Bible category comes up? You probably say to yourself, 'I should know most of these' and then you really get shot down when you realize that you don't know any of the answers.

Maybe you have been a little lax in your Bible reading so you mark it up to being busy. Bible reading is important but most of our answers come from Bible study. Now that's another story. You say that you barely have time to read a verse or two during a busy day so how do you fit in Bible "study?"

No one will ever know everything in the Bible but God tells us in 1Timothy, "to study to show ourselves approved.' We don't only need to know the Bible for TV quizzes or to impress our family while watching TV. We are told to be ready to answer those around us when they have a question about God and His Word. The Bible tells us to be ready at all times to give an account of our beliefs.

Why not get up a little earlier on Sunday morning and if your children attend Sunday School, go with them! Be an example! No children? Go alone and see what God has for you!

How many times have we sat home on Sunday or Wednesday evenings to watch some mindless show on TV when we could have spent that hour or so in Bible Study at the church? If we don't set aside the time to study the Bible, it just won't get done!

Our Pastors are here to teach. They spend many hours a week preparing lessons for us. Can't we at least determine to be there to look into God's Word for a few hours a week? Remember the old saying, "Only one life will soon be past, only what is done for Christ will last." Isn't it time to do it right?

 

 

 IS "CRITICISM" A SPIRITUAL GIFT

The other day I was reading about the gifts that God through the Holy Spirit gives us for His Glory and the Holy Spirit reminded me of a situation in my church about 25 years ago which had to do with a discussion we were having concerning the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. As a Pentecostal believer I believe that these gifts are for us today as much as they were for the early church and everyone in our discussion group that night were in agreement that we are to make full use of any gift that God gives to us. I was leaving this study feeling that I had learned a lot.

Then a "situation" arrived. I was putting on my coat when one of the ladies from our group came to me to tell me that God had given her a special gift that we had not mentioned in our study. I guess I wasn't ready for a new revelation but ready or not I asked this saint what her special gift was. Have you ever been sorry you asked someone to explain something? This was one of those times! I was informed that her special gift from God was the gift of a "critical spirit." She was convinced that God wanted her to be "critical" of anything she perceived to be wrong with the church or other member's lives. I asked her for Scripture to back up this gift. Instead I was met with a rebuke for critically questioning her "gift." I really wasn't critical, just dumbfounded!

Does anyone really believe that we need a critical spirit in our churches? Of course there are things wrong in our churches and in people's lives. People do get us upset at times but I wonder what would happen if we kept our mouths shut to each other and opened them to the Lord instead? He has the answers to our criticisms without us causing divisions among our brothers and sisters. God wants unity, Satan wants division and dissention. Who are we serving?

 

 

 DETERMINED

While reading the first chapter of Daniel the Holy Spirit revealed some truths to me. Daniel and his friends were far away from their home in a country and a culture that they didn't know or understand. They were believers of the one true God and they were surrounded by pagan gods. But in chapter 1 we are told that they "determined in their hearts" to follow Jehovah God no matter what happened. I wonder whether we can understand how difficult this must have been for these teenagers to do with absolutely no one to back them up. But you know what? They did it! With God's help they did it God's way!

O.K., do we have the same God or not? I believe He is waiting for us to get up off our tired butts (sorry, can I say that?) and start responding to that still small voice that many of us have heard but have ignored for so long. If everyone of us would "determine in our hearts" to do something for God through any ministry open to us through our local church, our Pastors would be encouraged and others would be told about our precious Lord. I am talking to myself as well as all of you. What can I do to bring others to the knowledge of Jesus Christ? You and I can teach, sing, lead boys and girls, organize and pray. Every one of us should have at least one job in our local church. At least one! We have to "determine in our hearts" whether we will be spectators and let someone else do it or will we step forward and volunteer for just an hour or so a week. Can you "determine" to do something for God who has done so much for us?

 

 YEAH! SURE!

I was surfing the internet the other day and came across a quiz. It said that if you took the 10 question quiz you would see what kind of a Christian you are. At the end of the quiz you would be scored on your Christianity from "try again" to "saint." I took the easy quiz for beginners. Well, I'm happy to inform you that this writer will henceforth be known as "Saint Fred!" I cheated! Anyone that has been a Christian for any length of time would know the answers immediately. I cheated by taking the easy test.

When I realized this I felt the Holy Spirit nudging me and asking 'What else I was cheating at to appear Christ like?' Don't we Christians just know the right things to say and do but our hearts are not always in it? We have to ask ourselves if we are just going through the motions or is our heart really in it? I find that my heart can only be right when I keep up the proper dialogue with my Heavenly Father. I can't forget to pray, search His Word and be in His house of worship every week and expect to live a Christian life. How about you? Taken any tests lately?

 

 
ASHAMED?

Have you ever been ashamed of yourself? Probably not. Well, I have to admit to some real "doozies" in my life. Of course I'm not going to list them here. After all I had to endure them when they happened, so why go through that again? I have to admit that I was going to put the dictionary definition in this article but it doesn't quite grasp what I have experienced in times of shame. I think you know what I mean and if not you have something to look forward to.

Have you ever been uncomfortable in a group when someone brings up the subject of God? Have you ever held back telling someone about the Lord because you were afraid of the reaction you may get? Has God ever blessed you during a church service or during a prayer and kept it to yourself? Remember the times God answered your prayer or you were touched by a sermon or another person's testimony, but you keep it to yourself? I wonder if this could be classified as "being ashamed?" Jesus said in Mark 8:38, "Whosoever.. therefore shall be ashamed of Me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when he comes in the Glory of His Father with His Holy angels." Matthew Henry in his commentary said this about this verse.. 'Those that are ashamed of Christ in this world where He is despised, He will be ashamed of in the world where He is eternally adored.'

Let's not be ashamed of our Lord, let's be a bold witness and watch God work in our lives and our fellowships!