A Recommendation and Some Random Thoughts

    First of all, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year.  I hope that 2015 brings much happiness and joy to all of you who read the blog.  I have several reviews planned for the upcoming months.
    I also have some new series planned for the Weekend Sermon.  After we conclude our series about kings, I think that I will begin a series of messages on I Peter.  I also would like to do a series of messages on the parables of Jesus.  I may do a series on another of the Minor Prophets, possibly Micah or Amos.  It is all dependent on the leading of the Lord.
     2014 was an interesting year for me to say the least.  At the beginning of the year, I was sick and on the verge of homelessness.  Writing work was scarce, and I could not find another job.  In February,  the Lord provided a job, and I worked at that job until November.  That job helped me get back on my feet a little bit.  Thankfully, although the old job is sadly over, Jesus has provided a new job starting in mid-January.  Writing also has picked up nicely over the course of the year.
     It is my goal in 2015 to sell the house and pay off the debts that I have.  If there is any money left, I will save it to help finance my ministry I want to start.  I hope to sell much of what I own, and then work a couple of years or so at the new job.  This will give me the funds to finance a mission trip or a larger ministry whichever way Jesus leads.
     In matters spiritual, 2014 had its ups and downs.  I am still looking for a good church to attend on a regular basis.  Much effort will be put into this in 2015.  I don't believe that I made the most of all of the witnessing opportunities at my old job.  I feel badly about this.  I have definitely remedied this at the part-time job I have now, and I will endeavor to be a much more faithful witness at my new job.  I will strive to continue to spread the message of the love of Jesus on this blog.
     I had great fun writing the blog in 2014.  I really enjoyed doing the Weekend Sermon series on the miracles of Jesus, and I am currently enjoying the series on kings.  We also did a series on Hebrews.  We had a lot of good books to review this year as well.  Sometime in 2015, I will have a post on my animal book of the year.
     Now on to the recommendation.   Last week, I saw a fantastic DVD called "Lost Land of the Tiger".  This was a National Geographic video that focused on the search for tigers in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan.  Dr. Alan Rabinowitz of Panthera led a group of scientists as they sought out tigers.  The scientists used camera traps and visual observation to locate tigers.  They even used a specially trained Labrador retriever to sniff out tiger poop.  I won't tell you what they discovered.  You will have to look at the DVD to find that out.  I highly recommend this DVD.
     Once again, Happy New Year to all.  May God bless you.  Thanks for reading the blog in 2014.
     
   

Verse of the Week

Luke 15:7 -- "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."

Weekend Sermon -- New Year

    Welcome to this week's edition of the Weekend Sermon.  I hope that everyone had a merry Christmas.
     I had a nice Christmas.  We had a nice holiday party at work.  I spent Christmas day with my brother, my sister-in-law, my nephew and his wife.  We had a good time.  As I have mentioned already this week,  I received a really nice Christmas present due to the fact that I was offered a great job with good benefits.  That job starts in mid-January. Thanks be to God.
      As you go to prayer this week, let us all pray for peace on earth.  I was thinking a lot about this this week.  Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and He call all of us to be peacemakers.  There is so much war and violence in this world.  Let us pray for peace in Syria, Iraq, Ukraine, Afghanistan and Libya.  Wherever else in this world where there is violence and turmoil, Lord, let there be peace.
    Today's sermon may seem somewhat disjointed.  Please bear with me as I have some things to say that may not seem related, but I will attempt to draw it all together.  I hope.
     As I approach each new year, one passage of Scripture that is important to me is found in Philippians 3:13-14.  In this passage Paul states, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:  but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
     This verse is important to me each new year because it reminds me to forget about the bad things that may have happened in the year before.  As many of you know, 2014 held good and bad things for me.  During this year, I reached one of the lowest points in my life.  The year started out with me in desperate financial shape and on the verge of homelessness.  Thankfully, I got a job, and I thought that things were looking up.  Unfortunately, that job didn't turn out to be what I expected it to be or what I was told it was going to be.
     Over the course of the year, events transpired at that job that hurt me a great deal. I don't think that I can express how badly I felt about all that happened.  People that I thought were my friends turned out to be nothing close to that.
     Thankfully, I found a small job to keep me going until I found something else that was better.  Praise be to God that He has provided for me with a new job.  Also, writing has really picked up, and I have had quite a bit of work lately.
     As the new year approaches, it is time to lay aside the hurts of 2014.  The past is past, and it is now time to go into 2015 with the hope of new possibilities.  I feel that it is important to try to forget the hurts of the past for two reasons.  For one thing, people can be very mean and do things that hurt you.  When this happens, I remember what Joseph said to his brothers in Egypt.  They meant what happened to Joseph for evil, but God meant it for good.
     Joseph had a bad time of it.  His brothers sold him into slavery, and then he was falsely accused of a crime and thrown in prison.  But, God meant it for good.  Joseph rose to become the savior of the nation of Egypt and his family.
     This year, people wanted bad things to happen to me.  They wanted me to lose my job.  Things looked bleak.  People meant it for evil.  However, out of that bad situation, the Lord Jesus brought good things.  I found my love of writing again, and I am back working hard at it.  I also have a much better job with better pay and benefits coming.
     You may have faced something very negative and hurtful in 2014.  I hope that you will try to put it behind you and move ahead to new and better things in 2015.  It is not easy.  Believe me I know.  However, I know that if we ask the Lord Jesus to help us and guide us, He will assist us by the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome and get the victory.
     Hebrews 12:15 is an important verse to keep in mind when dealing with hurts from the past.  This verse talks about not letting a root of bitterness spring up in our hearts lest we become defiled by it.  The past is the past.  Letting the past hurts just keep churning through our hearts and minds just hurts us not the people who hurt us.  It's best to let it go, and focus on Jesus.
     I've had a lot of hurts and pain in my life caused by people.  It hasn't always been easy.  But as I have looked back over the course of my life, I have come to see that the Lord has brought good things from the bad.  He had watched over me and caused all things to work towards His will for my life.
     Along with me, let us all try to leave the bad of 2014 behind and trust in the goodness of the Lord as we move into 2015.
     Now, the new year is also a time to reflect on what we want to do in the coming year.  We have left the bad behind in 2014, so what are we going to do in 2015 that is positive and good for the service of the Lord.
     One thing that I have resolved to do is to work harder at sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with those that I know.  I want to be a witness to those that I know that Jesus saves.  Right now, there is a man at work who has become a good friend in a short period of time.  I am trying to share with him about Jesus.  It is my goal that before I leave this job and move to my new one that I can really tell him about the love of Jesus.
     In 2015, I also want to move ahead with my plan to serve the Lord by getting all of my debts behind me and getting into full-time ministry.  This will take some time, but I can make significant steps toward that goal in 2015.
    I also want to work more with the environmental and animal causes that I hold so dear.  I am passionate about saving endangered species, and I want to work more in that regard as I did in the past.
    These are just my ideas that I believe the Lord has placed upon my heart.  I hope that you will ask Jesus what He wants you to do for Him in 2015.
     Whatever we do in 2015, serving Jesus should be the goal.  Jesus said that it doesn't profit a man to gain the whole world if he loses his own soul.  He also told us to lay up treasure in Heaven and not treasure on earth.  These are important sayings to keep in mind as we move into 2015.
     Finally, Hebrews 12:1-2 are verses that I like to think about as the new year approaches.  This passage states, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
     Let us keep running the race in 2015.  Put aside the bad and the hurts with the help of Jesus.  Lay aside anything that is holding you back from serving the Lord.  Look to Jesus.
     I said when I started that I had a lot of different things to say, but it all comes down to one thing.  Wherever the new year takes us.  Wherever life takes us.  Let us keep are focus on Jesus.  Serving the Lord Jesus is the greatest thing that any person can do in this life.  If we keep our focus on Him, we cannot go wrong.  Jesus will guide us.  He will be with us, and He will show us the way as long as we keep our eyes fixed on Him.
     If you have never asked Jesus to be the Savior and Lord of your life, the best thing that you could do to start 2015 off right is to come to Jesus.  Jesus said that whosoever will may come.  He said that whoever would come to Him, He would not cast out.  You can repent of your sins and seek forgiveness and salvation from Jesus today.  Make Him the Lord of your life, and He will lead you in the path that will take you to an eternal home.
     Next week, I will post the verse on Monday.  Hopefully, I can get a review in on Wednesday.  I will post a new sermon on Saturday.  Next week, we will continue our series on kings.  May God bless you all.  Amen.
     
   
   

Merry Christmas

     Since the library will be closed tomorrow, I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas today.  This Christmas, I have really felt a feeling of great awe and wonder when I think of the fact that the God who created the universe came to us in the form of an infant on Christmas morning.  What love Jesus has for us that He would do this.  Thank you Jesus for your love.  Happy Birthday to you Jesus.  May your name be praised forever and ever.  Glory be unto your name.

Thank You Lord

     Today I want to publicly give thanks to the Lord Jesus for allowing me to get a good job.  Yesterday, a major company in the city where I live offered me a good job with a good salary.  This will allow me to move forward with my plan to sell the house, pay off the debts and get enough to start a larger ministry or go to the overseas mission field.  Thank you Jesus.  May Your name be praised.
     I would also like to thank all of you who have prayed for so long on my behalf that the job situation might turn around.  Thanks for reading the blog.  Thanks for praying for me.  May the blessings of the Lord Jesus be upon you.

Verses For the Week

Isaiah 9:6-- "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:  and the government shall be upon his shoulder:  and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 7:14-- " Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

Luke 1:31-33-- "Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus.  He shall be great, and shall be called the son of the Highest:  and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David.  And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end."

Thoughts On a Sunday Afternoon

      I am not very good with the computer, but I finally put a picture of my friend Toby up here on the blog.  He is engaged in one of his favorite activities which was eating chicken.  If I get more comfortable with doing this, I will put up some more pictures in the future.

     I really miss this old guy.  Life would be so much better if he was around, but I am thankful to Jesus every day that He let me know Toby for the time we were together.

Weekend Sermon-- Christmas

     Hello, and welcome again to another edition of the Weekend Sermon.  I can't believe that it is almost Christmas already.  Sometimes, it seems as if the days just fly by.  I hope that all of you are having a wonderful holiday season.
     This week, my friend's wife received a job offer.  This is an answer to prayer.  Thanks be to God.  I am still working on my writing.  I received another writing job this week, and I am still working at my other job, although I don't like it very well at all.  Please pray that I can find a good job while I am in the process of getting my house and possessions sold.  I am on target to start a bigger ministry if I can get things sold off and the back debt paid.  It's hard, but I am trying.
     In your prayer time this week, continue to pray about the Ebola situation in Africa.  In the last report I heard from Doctor's Without Borders, the rate of disease is much less in Liberia, but things still look bleak in Sierra Leone.  Let us pray for peace this week in Syria, Afghanistan, Libya and Iraq.
     During the last few weeks, we have been in a series of messages on some of the kings of Israel and Judah in the Bible.  For the next two weeks, we will be taking a break from this series.
     Today, I would like to talk about Christmas.  Specifically, I would like to just list some of those who were around the manger on that first Christmas night and just give you a few thoughts that I have on each of them.

Mary
     Mary was the most blessed woman who has every lived.  She was chosen by God to be the mother of His Son.  What a privilege and responsibility.  In all likelihood, Mary was a very young woman when she gave birth to Jesus.  She would have faced ridicule from those around her.  I am sure that she was castigated for being pregnant before she and Joseph were married.  In spite of this, Mary accepted the duty and privilege of being the mother of the Messiah.  When she realized that she would give birth to the Messiah, Mary spoke one of the great passages recorded in all of Scripture.  It is known as the Magnificat and is recorded in Luke 1:46-55.

Here it is in its entirety:

     "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.  For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden:  for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.  For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.   And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.  He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.  He hast put down the mighty for their seats, and exalted them of low degree.  He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.  He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; as he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and his seed forever."

     God didn't choose rich and powerful people to raise the Lord Jesus.  He chose peasant people who were humble and righteous.  Humanity looks on outward appearance.  God looks on the heart.

Joseph
     Sometimes, I think that Joseph is overlooked in the whole Christmas story.  He was expecting to get married, have a family and live an ordinary and peaceful life.  Instead, he finds out that his fiance is pregnant, and the child she is carrying is the Son of God.  The Bible says that Joseph was a righteous man.  He was also an obedient man.  He willingly and without question did everything that God asked him to do.  He took good care of Mary, Jesus and the rest of his family.  To me, he is the example of a righteous man who followed God in spite of what it may have cost him in regard to his expectations.

Shepherds
     These are some interesting characters.  Here they are in the fields when the host of Heaven appear giving them the announcement of the birth of Jesus.  They were astonished and filled with great joy at the same time.  What is so significant about the shepherds is the fact that they were the ones with whom God first chose to share the good news of the birth of His Son.  In that day, shepherds were viewed as outcasts and were looked down upon.  People thought that they smelled bad, and most people in polite society didn't want to have anything to do with them.  That's not how God felt.  The Lord is no respecter of persons.  He loves everyone.  When Jesus entered His public ministry, He would have a care and concern for those that society and the religious establishment looked down upon.  Jesus associated with tax collectors, sinners, lepers and the sick.

The Animals
     Since Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a manger, it stands to reason that there were animals present at the first Christmas.  I like to think that the animals in the stable rejoiced at the birth of Jesus.  Because Jesus had come into the world, their misery would one day be over too.  The Bible says that all of creation groans in travail waiting for the day when deliverance comes.  That will be the day when Jesus comes in His Second Advent.

Jesus
     Christmas is about the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity.  The Son became a man so that He might bear the sins of the world and provide redemption and reconciliation for humanity and the entire cosmos.  When I think about the Second Person of the Holy Trinity coming as a helpless infant, it truly overwhelms my mind.  What a miracle!  What humility.  What love.  Just to think that Jesus would be willing to do this for me is beyond my comprehension.  Jesus came as baby.  He would go on to live a perfect, holy and sinless life.  He would teach and provide us with a perfect example.  Jesus would go to the cross and take upon Himself the sins of the world.  Then, He would rise again on the third day conquering death, hell and the grave.  We talk on Christmas of the first Advent.  Jesus came into the world to bring a message of love and hope.  One day, and I hope that it is very soon, Jesus Christ will come again.  This time, He will not come as a baby in a manger. When Jesus Christ the Messiah comes again, He will come in power and great glory.  When Jesus came the first time, His coming was attended by Mary, Joseph, shepherds and farm animals.  When Jesus Christ comes again, all of the hosts of Heaven will come with Him.  Every eye will see Him and every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

     During this Christmas season, I urge you to reflect upon your personal relationship with Jesus.  Do you know Him as Savior and Lord?  Have you repented of your sins?  Have you believed in your heart that Jesus died for you and rose again?  Have you invited Jesus to be the Lord of your life?  If not, you can do so today.  Pray and ask for forgiveness.  Ask Jesus to save you and be your Lord.  Wouldn't that be a great birthday present to give to the one who humbled Himself and became obedient unto death so that the world might be redeemed?

    Next week, I will post the verse on Monday.  I will try to post a review on Wednesday, but I am not sure about the library hours on Christmas Eve.  The Weekend Sermon will appear next Saturday.  May all of you have a Merry Christmas.  Amen.

Recommendation -- An Interesting Nature Film

     Usually, I do a review of an animal book or a religious book for the Wednesday post.  Today, I would like to recommend a very interesting film I have just watched.  Nature on PBS is one of my very favorite programs.  Right now on their website, http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/, there is an episode in its entirety called "Invasion of the Killer Whales."  This program details the effects of global climate change on the ice in the Arctic region.  It also gives great information about the predatory behavior of Orcas.  The visuals are stunning.  I hope many of you will watch this program.  There are several other full episodes available on the Nature website as well.

Verse For the Week Luke 8:16

Luke 8:16 -- "No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth is with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed: but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light."

Thoughts on a Sunday Afternoon.

     Last night, I was thinking some more about the fact that everything that I have comes from the gracious hand of the Lord Jesus.  Sometimes, I really get depressed thinking about my finances and some other things.  I often feel that life hasn't gone the way that I wanted it to at all.  However, I believe that the Lord showed me something different last night and early this morning.
     Because of God's goodness and graciousness, I can truly say upon reflection that God has allowed me to accomplish what I set out to do in life.  It just has happened, in some instances, differently than I expected.  I'll give you some examples.
     One of my dreams as a young boy was to have a great dog.  My parents raised collies and pugs and took them to dog shows.  This may seem strange to people that haven't been in the dog show world, but I always wanted a dog that placed in group.  My Mom had a collie that actually won a best in show, but I didn't have a group placer of my own.  I didn't show collies or pugs.  I had a Rottweiler and two Dobermans.
     Besides having a group placing dog, what I really wanted was what I call a lifetime dog.  This is a dog like my Dad's dog Quincy I told you about a few weeks ago.  I wanted a special dog that was a once in a lifetime friend.
     By the grace of the Lord Jesus, I received both of these dreams in one package.  My friend Toby who the Lord gave me to be my friend was not just my lifetime dog, he had actually won second place once in the Herding Group.  The Lord gave me the desire of my heart in this case.  Only the Lord could have brought the two of us together.  If you would like to read more about my friend Toby, I posted all of the chapters of my book about him here on the blog about a year ago.
     Another dream that I had was to be able to be involved in music.  I wanted to play an instrument and be in a choir.  I am grateful to the Lord for allowing me to do both.  I was able to learn the trumpet and tin whistle.  The Lord allowed me to play the trumpet in church and to play the classical, jazz and worship music that I love.  I was also able to sing in the choir in two churches.  Jesus also allowed me to sing in the choir while I was in college.
     I have been very depressed over the last several days about how, in my opinion, I failed to follow Jesus' call in my life to be a minister of the Gospel.  At a young age, I felt called to be a minister of the love of Jesus.  Due to a vast variety of circumstances, I never entered the ordained ministry.  Yet, I should add.  This has really hurt me of late.  But the Lord Jesus spoke to my heart this morning and revealed to me that He is not displeased with how I have tried to serve Him.  Not in an audible voice, but in my spirit, the Lord spoke to me concerning the fact that I have been able to minster for Him in several ways.  He allowed me to do extensive evangelism ministry in the church.  Through my writing, I have been able to reach people around the world.  And, I hope that I am reaching people here on this blog.  I am trying to be a God minister of the love of Jesus through the sermons and other writings.
     Also, the Lord has allowed my dreams to come true in writing.  When I first started writing, I didn't think that it would go very far.  I have accomplished more with the Lord's help than I ever thought that I would.  By allowing me to be a writer, the Lord also provided the means so that I could be around the house to take care of my parents when they had such serious health issues and needed around the clock assistance.
     So, I guess my life hasn't been that bad.  My finances are terrible.  That hasn't changed, but I feel that the Lord is working even now to help me out of this wilderness of life.
     I am not sure what the future holds for sure, but right now, I believe that Jesus is calling me to take a bold step.  I will see if it is the Lord or just my own mind as the process unfolds.  To get out of debt and become a missionary, I feel that the Lord is leading me to sell my house and pay off what I owe.  I will also try to sell most of my possessions except for my pictures and my dog mementos and personal items that have special meaning.  Hopefully, this will provide the money to pay off what I owe and give me enough to start either an inner-city ministry, a larger Internet ministry or let me be a missionary overseas for at least a period of one or two years.  I am really serious about this, and I hope that you all will pray for me over the next two to three months as I attempt to execute this plan with the Lord's help.
     In the meantime, I will continue working my new job and try to find some extra work.  I will continue my writing projects and I will keep writing on the blog.  With the Lord's aid, I will attempt to hold depression at bay and keep going.
     

Weekend Sermon -- Uzziah -- 2 Chronicles 26

     Welcome to this week's edition of the Weekend Sermon.  I am glad to be with you today, and I hope that this day finds you all doing well.
     I talked to my uncle on the phone this afternoon.  He is suffering from severe arthritis in the back.  Would you all please pray that my uncle Richard will feel better shortly.  Also in your prayers, thank the Lord that my friend's wife had a good job interview this morning.
     I am thankful to the Lord for my job at the research company.  I also want to thank the Lord that I picked up a couple of new writing clients this week.  I am still looking for more work, so I would ask you to continue to pray about this.  I might discuss some more of my thoughts on all of this tomorrow.
     Last week, we examined the life of Solomon.  Solomon had so much going for him, but he let it all slip away and turned away from the True and Living God to worship idols.
     In today's message, I want to focus on another king who started out well, but in the end, he had great difficulties.
     Uzziah became the king of Judah when he was just 16 years old.  He would rule over Judah for more than 50 years.  The Bible says that Uzziah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord.  2 Chronicles 26:5 states, "And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God:  and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper."
     Uzziah was a strong king and successful military leader.  With the Lord's help, Uzziah won victories over the Philistines and the Arabians.  The Ammonites were also subject to him.  Uzziah believed in military preparedness, and he took several steps to strengthen the nation's defenses and to provide for the armed forces.
     The Bible also records that Uzziah was very interested in husbandry.  He had a large number of cattle and built several wells to meet his flocks needs.  He also hired many vine dressers to care for his many plants.
     So far, so good.  Uzziah seems to have been a really great leader and a devoted follower of God.  However, like what happens with so many people, pride got the better of Uzziah.  2 Chronicles 26:16 states, "But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction:  for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense."
     When Uzziah went into the temple to burn incense, Azariah the priest stopped him.  He told the king that only Levites were allowed to minister in the temple.
      Uzziah became very anger at this news.  He took an incense censor in his hand, and as soon as he did it, the Lord smote Uzziah with leprosy.  Uzziah was thrown out of the temple.  He also could no longer act as king.  Uzziah's son Jotham served as co-regent until he became king in his own right upon his father's death.  Uzziah was not even allowed to be buried with the other kings because he was a leper.
      So, what was so terrible about what Uzziah did.  First of all, there had to be more to it than the king trying to act as a priest.  During the Maccabean period, several of the Hasmonean kings acted as High Priest.  They, however, were members of the tribe of Levi.  Only the tribe of Levi was designated by God to serve in the temple.  Part of Uzziah's sin was that as a member of the tribe of Judah, Uzziah was trying to go against the commands of God.  In other words, Uzziah thought that he was so important that God's commandments didn't apply to him.
     Also, I think that it is possible that Uzziah was beginning to fall into the trap that so many rulers in that time fell into.  They became so puffed up with their own importance that the felt as if they were gods themselves.
     What can we as 21st century followers of Jesus learn from all of this.  We need to learn the danger of pride and arrogance.  The Bible tells us in Romans 12:3 that no one should think more highly of themselves than they ought to think.  All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
     What we all need to remember is that everything that we have has been given to us by the grace of the Lord.  Every good and perfect gift comes from above says the book of James.  We are nothing in and of ourselves.  All of our strength and ability comes from the hand of God Almighty.
     Just because we find ourselves in a favorable circumstance in life, that is no reason to look down on others or to make the claim that we got to where we are in life as the result of our own effort.  We should not think that we are better than someone else because we have more money, a higher position or are more successful according to the standards of this sinful world.
     There is an old saying that states, "There but for the grace of God go I."  Without God's grace upon my life, I know that I would be nowhere.  God has graciously allowed me to have a job, food, good parents and my friend Toby.  Everything good I have ever had has come from the Lord Jesus.
     The Bible clearly gives us the way to avoid being proud.  It presents us with the example of the Lord Jesus Himself.  Philippians 2:1-11 tells us that we should follow the example of humility given by Jesus.  Jesus was God.  However, He took upon Himself human flesh at the Incarnation.  He suffered and died on a cross bearing the sins of humanity.  He did not have to do this.  He humbled Himself and did it.
     Jesus is our example.  If we look to Him, we will know how to have a humble heart of service, and we will not be lifted up with pride as Uzziah was.
     There is another lesson we can learn from Uzziah.  It is that we should respect the power, majesty and holiness of God.  It is interesting to note that Isaiah the great prophet saw the throne room of Heaven in the same year that Uzziah died of leprosy.  Isaiah 6:1 states, "In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple."  This chapter goes on to detail the majesty of God.  When Isaiah saw the Lord he said, "Woe is me, for I am undone."
     The majesty and power of an earthly king was nothing compared with the glory of the Lord revealed to the prophet Isaiah.
     We must always remember that God is holy, and He will not share His glory with another.  We are mere humans.  It is incumbent upon us to obey the Lord and not become so prideful that we think that we know more than God does.
      The Lord is more majestic than any world leader.  The leaders and the powerful and the rich people of this world think that they are important and superior.  They try to exercise their power over others through physical and economic exploitation.  They are nothing in the sight of God.
     One day, all of those who think they are powerful and important will bow before the mighty hand of God.  When the Lord Jesus returns, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  I am looking forward to that day with great expectation.
     Next week, I will post a verse on Monday and a review on Wednesday.  The Weekend Sermon next week will have a Christmas theme.  May God bless you.  Amen.

Book Recommendation

     I am sorry that I was not able to post the review yesterday.  I had to take my car into the mechanic, and I was running very late.  I am here today, so here goes.
     The book that I would like to recommend today is entitled "War Dogs" written by Rebecca Frankel.  Frankel writes a weekly blog entitled "War Dog of the Week" for Foreign Policy Online.  In this new book, Ms. Frankel provides readers with a wealth of information about the history of war dogs in the United States military.  Much of the book deals with how dogs are currently being used in Iraq and Afghanistan to detect IEDs and other types of explosives.  By using dogs in these areas of conflict, countless lives have been saved.
     One of the most interesting topics in the book is about whether or not dogs have the capacity to love.  Surprisingly, many of the handlers told Ms. Frankel that they didn't believe that their dogs loved them.  They described the relationship more as a partnership.  The reader will see, however, the handler's actions with their dogs, and vice versa, demonstrates a loving relationship.
     I found this book to be very well-written and interesting as are the writer's weekly columns for Foreign Policy.

Verse For the Week

Mark 3:35 -- "For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother."

Thoughts On A Sunday Afternoon

     I heard an excellent message on the radio this morning that I would like to recommend.  Charles Stanley had a sermon about the importance of believing in the virgin birth of Jesus.  You can listen to it on his In Touch website if you wish.

Weekend Sermon -- Solomon

     I am here posting another edition of the Weekend Sermon.  I thank the Lord Jesus for this opportunity to share His word each week.  It is my hope and prayer that each of you has had a wonderful week.
     My new job has been going well.  I give thanks to the Lord for His provision in this area of my life.  I also want to thank the Lord that I have been getting quite a few writing jobs recently.
     In your prayers this week, please continue to pray about the Ebola situation in Africa.  Also, pray that the Syrian refugee crisis will be resolved.  I heard on NPR this week that the aid agencies are having great difficulty providing food for all of the people who need help.  Pray for the Philippines as well.  I heard on the news this morning that that nation may be hit by a large storm.  I know that there are some people from the Philippines who read the blog.  I am praying for your safety.   Pray for peace is Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.
     For the last several weeks, we have been in a series of messages about some of the kings of Israel and Judah.  Last week, we studied the life of Jehoshaphat.  He was one of the better kings.  He really tried to do his best for his people, and he tried to serve the Lord.  He wasn't perfect, but no one is perfect expect Jesus Himself.
     Today, we turn our attention to a king that I just don't understand at all.  Here is a man who had everything in the world going for him.  He was highly favored by God, but he ended his life in a mess.  The king we will study today is Solomon.
     Let me state right away that some of the things I will say about Solomon will be controversial.  Many theologians will disagree with my negative assessment of him.  I will strive to provide Scriptural support for my arguments.
     Solomon was the son of David and Bathsheba.  If you recall, David committed adultery with Bathsheba and then conspired to have Bathsheba's husband killed.  David and Bathsheba's first child did not live very long.  Solomon was their second child.  When David died, Solomon became king after a short dispute with one of his brothers as to who was the rightful king.
     Solomon started off very well.  Shortly after assuming the throne, God appeared to Solomon in a dream as recorded in I Kings chapter 3.  God asked Solomon what he would desire from the Lord.  Instead of asking for wealth and power, Solomon asked for wisdom in order to rule justly and wisely.  Solomon's wisdom is evident in the book of Kings and the book of Proverbs which he penned the majority of.
     David had wanted to build a temple for the Lord while he was king.  However, since David had been in so many wars and conflicts, God did not let him build the temple.  The duty to build a temple for the Lord was given to Solomon.  Several chapters in I Kings are devoted to a description of the temple and its construction.  After the temple was completed, Solomon brought the Ark of the Covenant into the temple and prayed the prayer of dedication.
     After the prayer, God once again appeared to Solomon.  In I Kings 9, God said that He would honor and bless Solomon and his descendants as long as Solomon walked in the ways of God and did not turn to false gods.
    In spite of the fact that God appeared to him twice, and in spite of all of the blessings that God bestowed upon him, Solomon turned on God.  This is what I just don't understand about the man.
    At some point in his life, Solomon became very pessimistic.  This is clearly evident from the book of Ecclesiastes.   Some scholars do not believe that Solomon wrote this book, but I believe that it is highly likely.
    Many Evangelical scholars have a different take on Ecclesiastes than I do.  We can get into that in another message.  For now just let me say that I believe that much of Ecclesiastes expresses a view that is not in keeping with what we will see revealed by Jesus.  Remember, Jesus is the interpretive framework of Scripture.  Jesus is the Word.  Jesus did not express an attitude about life as does Solomon in Ecclesiastes.
    The Bible tells us in I Kings 11 what happened to Solomon.  Contrary to what God had commanded, Solomon married many women from the surrounding nations.  The Bible records that he had 700 wives and 300 concubines.  I Kings 11 beginning with verse 4 states, "For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods:  and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.  For Solomon went after Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.  And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father.  Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem and for Molech the abomination of the children of Ammon.  And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burned incense and sacrificed unto their gods.  And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him to him twice."
     So, what was the end of Solomon.  God said that the majority of the kingdom would be taken from him.  This happened when Jeroboam led a rebellion against Solomon's son.  The ten northern tribes followed Jeroboam with only two tribes following Rehoboam.
     Now for the controversy.  Was Solomon lost?  Did he forfeit his salvation because he turned from the Lord?  Many Evangelical scholars will say no.  I am going to say that I cannot judge a person's salvation.  I will say this.  Jesus was very clear in His teaching that if someone turns away from following the truth, that person is lost.  You cannot serve God and mammon, Jesus said.  You cannot serve God and idols.  Many Evangelicals believe in a doctrine of absolute eternal security.  I have stated in the past that I believe that Scripture teaches that apostasy is possible.  While I do not believe as some Arminian scholars believe that you can sin your salvation away, I do believe that you can make a conscience decision to stop following Jesus.   This is reflected by Peter's teaching in 2 Peter 2:17-22.
      Solomon also is a great example of another teaching of Jesus.  Jesus stated that if someone does not hate father, mother, family and even their own life they are not worthy of Him.  Solomon cared more about pleasing his many wives than he cared about following God.
     I really have a hard time understanding Solomon.  He had God reveal Himself twice to him.  God gave him wisdom, wealth, peace and power.  And Solomon didn't care.  He turned on God anyway.  I just don't get it.
     So, what can we learn from all of this.  What I learn is that we must remain diligent in our walk with the Lord.  If someone who had all of this can fall away, any of us are vulnerable.  The only way that I know to stay on the straight and narrow path of following Jesus is to daily commit to following Him.  To me, being a Christian is a daily acknowledgment that I will this day follow the Lord.  It is a daily commitment.
     Staying faithful to the Lord requires a daily commitment to obedience to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  Staying faithful also requires staying in communion with Jesus.  We do this through prayer, meditation and through focusing on the teachings of our Lord.  It requires great diligence as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to remain on course as we keep our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of  our faith.
     I also learn from Solomon that I cannot place anything or anyone above my relationship with Jesus Christ.  Solomon placed his wives above his relationship with the Lord God.  Scripture tells us the consequences.  Anything on anyone that we place above Jesus is our idol.  Jesus demands our total allegiance.  He demands to be first.  We may suffer great loss, and we may have to sacrifice much in order to faithful to Jesus.  Jesus demands and deserves no less.
    You may be in a situation similar to Solomon.  You may find yourself drifting away from a right relationship with the Lord.  That can be changed today.  Confess your sin, and ask Jesus to forgive you.  Then, commit yourself to following the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
     Next week, I will post the verse of Monday and a review on Wednesday.  I will post the sermon on Saturday.  May God bless you.  Amen.

Upcoming Reviews

     I am currently in the process of reading several good books about dogs and some religious books as well.  In the upcoming weeks, look for reviews of "War Dogs" by Rebecca Frankel, "Bespotted" a book about dalmatians, and an interesting devotional Bible on the market.

Verses For the Week

Mark 9:35 -- "And He sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all."

Luke 4:40 -- "Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them, and healed them."

Luke 7:22 -- " Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached."

Weekend Sermon -- Jehoshaphat

     Welcome once again to another edition of the Weekend Sermon.   I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day with family and friends.  I went out to dinner with my brother and his wife. 
     My new job is going well.  I am still looking for more work, so please continue to pray for me.  In your prayer time this week, please pray for those who are unemployed and looking for work.  In spite of what the statistics may show, there are still many people without jobs.  Also, continue to pray about the Ebola situation in Africa.  Pray for peace in this troubled world.
     In last week's message, we looked at four kings who had one thing in common.  Each of these men had an encounter with the power of God, yet they would not turn from their wickedness and serve the True and Living God and Him only.  Whatever their various reasons, these individuals turned to idols in spite of knowing the truth.  So many people do the same thing today.  It is a very hard thing for me to understand.
     Today, we are going to look at a king who was the complete opposite of the four men we looked at last week.  In fact, the king we will look at today is one of the very best rulers in the history of the land of Israel. 
     Jehoshaphat was the son of another king we looked at named Asa.  When Asa died, Jehoshaphat assumed the throne.  Jeshoshaphat began his reign well.  He rejected the worship of false gods, and he placed his trust in the Living God. 
     Jeshoshaphat was committed to the law of God.  In order to teach his people what God required of them, Jehoshaphat sent Levites throughout the kingdom to instruct people in the ways of the Lord.  Jehoshaphat was a strong king, and he was very wealthy.
    Then, Jehoshaphat started to go in the wrong direction.  Jehoshaphat made an alliance with the evil king Ahab.  They decided to go to war against the Syrians.  Before the battle, Jehoshaphat did try to inquire of the Lord what should be done.  The prophet Micaiah was brought before Ahab and Jehoshaphat. (We studied more about Micaiah a few sermons ago).  Micaiah prophesied against Ahab, and Ahab had him throne into prison.  Jehoshaphat did not come to the aid of the prophet of God, and he did not heed his warnings.  Unless the Lord had intervened, Jehoshaphat like Ahab would have been killed.
    When Jehoshaphat returned to Judah, the prophet Jehu confronted him.  In 2 Chronicles 19: 2-3 we have Jehu's words that say, "Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord?  Therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord.  Nevertheless, there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God."
     After this, Jehoshaphat set about improving his kindgom.  He appointed fair judges to rule rightly and fairly over the people.
     Jehoshaphat learned from his mistakes.  When the kingdoms of Ammon and Moab came against him, Jehoshaphat sought the Lord this time.  2 Chronicles 20 contains the prayer of Jehoshaphat for aid.  The Ammonites and Moabites were defeated.
    In all, Jehoshaphat reigned for 25 years.  He was a good king.  Up to this point, he was the best ruler of God's people since David. As we will see as we continue our study of the kings, he was probably the third or fourth best ruler of Israel or Judah.
     So, what do we learn from Jehoshaphat.  The first thing that strikes me about Jehoshaphat is his dedication to serving the Lord.  He made a decision to follow God early on in his life, and he never wavered from that.  He is one of the few kings who did not turn at some point to false gods.  Even Solomon would turn from God at the end of his life, but Jehoshaphat remained faithful along with David, Hezekiah and Josiah.
     Jehoshaphat did have a bump in his spiritual journey.  It is one that affects many Christians.  Jehoshaphat got into trouble when he joined with an evil person.  Many Christians today do not practice the separation from the forces of this world as they should.  I know businessmen for instance who will go into deals with those who do not honor the things of God, and they think nothing of it.  In the end, this can only end in trouble for the Christian.  The Bible says, "What fellowship has light with darkness."  The Apostle Paul also said for the Christian to not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. 
     Those who are not followers of Jesus Christ have a fundamentally different outlook on life and a different worldview than Christians do (or should have).  Often, close association in business or personal relationships with worldy individuals leads to Christians falling into sin or compromising with the values of this world and casting aside the principles taught by Jesus.
      Look at what happened to Jehoshaphat when he compromised with Ahab.  Jehoshaphat stood aside while God's spokesman was abused.  He did not heed what God's prophet said.  As the Scriptures say, "Bad company corrupts good morals."  As we will see next week, the same thing happened to Solomon.
     The follower of Jesus should stand firm in following the commandments and teachings of Jesus.  He is our example.  It may cost us some material gain and some friendships, but faithfully following Jesus is well worth it.
     Jehoshaphat did learn from his mistakes.  When confronted about his sin, Jehoshaphat turned in the other direction.
     I would also like to point out another good point about Jehoshaphat's reign.  He believed in social justice.  He appointed judges who would not be respecters of persons in regard to wealth or power.  He believed in equality under the law of the Lord.  Rulers today should follow this example.  Leaders should promote the values of equality and fairness.  They should make sure that the poor are taken care of, and that their people's needs are met.  They should be leaders of the 100 percent not the top 1 percent.
     Finally, we see that Jehoshaphat prayed and sought the Lord when he needed help.  We must be people of prayer.  We should follow Jehoshaphat's example of prayer and pray for all of our needs.  We should not follow the example of Jeshoshaphat's father Asa who did not seek the Lord in his distress.
     Next week, we will look into the life of Solomon.  This is a man who I do not understand at all.  We will see what we can learn from his life.  I will post a verse on Monday.  There may be a review on Wednesday.  The sermon will appear on Friday or Saturday.  May God bless you.  Amen.
    

A Review and Recommendation

     Today, I want to recommend some books and videos that are my favorites.  As some of you may know, my very favorite author is James Herriot.  I like to re-read his books from time to time, and they are just as good or better each time.  Herriot wrote six books in all.  All Creatures Great and Small is the first book.  The next books are: All Things Bright and Beautiful, All Things Wise and Wonderful, The Lord God Made Them All, Every Living Thing and James Herriot's Yorkshire.  In addition to these books, several anthologies of Herriot's writings are available.  Some of these include the excellent James Herriot's Dog Stories as well as books with animal stories and cat stories.  I think that anyone would really enjoy these books.  They are extremely well-written. 

    Another good book is the book entitled The Real James Herriot written by Herriot's son.  It tells about many things in Herriot's life not mentioned in the other books.

    I would also recommend to you the British television series All Creatures Great and Small based on the Herriot books.  There are seven seasons of this series available as well as two or three special episodes.  The books are the best, but the tv series is excellent as well.

    There have been several veterinarians who have attempted to follow in Herriot's footsteps and write about their lives.  Most of these attempts aren't anywhere close to Herriot.  One man whose books are very good though is Alexander Cameron.  Cameron was a veterinarian for ten years before he became a minister in the Church of Scotland.  His two books are Vet in the Vestry and Poultry in the Pulpit.  I would recommend these books as well.  He wrote another book about his days in the ministry, but I've not been able to find a copy here in the United States.

Verse For the Week

John 4:23-24 -- " But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth:  For the Father seeketh such to worship Him.  God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth."

Thoughts On A Sunday Afternoon -- Thanksgiving

     I am here again in the library on a Sunday afternoon, and I have some things that I would like to share.  This Thursday is Thanksgiving Day here in the United States.  It has always been my favorite holiday.  It is a time of food, fun and family.  Today, I would just like to write about what my family used to do on Thanksgiving, and then write a little bit about what I have to be thankful for this year.
     One of the best parts of Thanksgiving for me was the great meals that my Mom used to fix.  She was the best cook around, as far as I was concerned.  We never had to worry about a dried out turkey when Mom was cooking.  She fixed great turkeys.  My Mom's stuffing was tremendously good, and she also fixed us mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberries, green beans and rolls.  She also made us a couple of pumpkin pies.  All of this food was delicious.
     On Thanksgiving afternoon my Mom, Dad, Toby and I would have a great feast.  My Dad and I would eat so much we couldn't hold any more.  Toby always got a Thanksgiving feast too.  He loved turkey, so my Mom and I always made sure he received his portion.  He was kind of different from many dogs.  He liked green beans about as well as anything, so Mom gave him some green beans too.  He would eat those before he ate the turkey.  Dad always made sure Toby got a biscuit or two.
     After the meal, we would watch the football games and try to sleep off the big meal.  We always offered to help Mom with the cleaning up, but she would never accept any help.
     Usually on Thanksgiving it was just the immediate family, but my Grandma did get to spend three or four Thanksgivings with us.  She was the ultimate pie maker.  My Mom was a great cook, but Grandma made the best pies.  One Thanksgiving she made pumpkin, apple and lemon meringue pies.  They were great.
     When my Mom had her stroke, Thanksgivings weren't the big affair they had been.  Cooking was now up to me.  I couldn't put out the feast like my Mom did, but I always tried to keep the family going while I took care of the folks.  I would usually just fix a small turkey breast, a little stove top stuffing, some mashed potatoes and some green beans.  It was nice that we were all still together.
     The last few Thanksgivings I've spent with my half-brother and his family.  He usually takes us out to a restaurant.
     This Thanksgiving, I'm not sure what I am going to do.  I hope that everyone who reads this blog has a very happy Thanksgiving Day with family and friends.

     Now, this Thanksgiving I have a lot to be thankful for.  First of all, I am thankful to the Lord Jesus for being my Lord and Savior.  Without Him, my life would be absolutely meaningless.  I want to thank Jesus for being with me every step of the way this year.  He is my rock and my salvation.
I am also thankful for this blog and for those of you who read it.  I am so happy each week when I view the blog statistics and see that people from many nations are reading what I write here.  It is very humbling.
     When I started this blog, it was my hope that the Lord would use it in some way to reach people with the message of His love.  I pray that it has done this in your life.
     I am also thankful for my jobs that the Lord has provided.  I am still looking for more work, but the Lord has provided me with an income.
     I also would like to express my thanks for being able to be a writer.  The Lord has blessed my writing, and I am getting things published again.  Writing is my great joy, and I am glad that the Lord Jesus has allowed me to use writing to serve Him in some way.
    I am thankful for my friend who lives across the street.  We have been friends for many years, and he has helped me in innumerable ways this year.  May God's blessings be upon him and his family.
    Finally, I want to thank the Lord Jesus for the time I had on this earth with my Mom, Dad and Toby.  We had many wonderful years together.  I miss them every day, but I know that they are safe with Jesus in Heaven right now.  I am thankful that because Jesus is the Resurrection and Life, one day we will all be reunited again.

Once again, Happy Thanksgiving, and may God bless you.

Weekend Sermon -- Four Kings

     Welcome to this week's edition of the Weekend Sermon.  It is so good to be with you again this week.  I pray that all of you are blessed and doing well.
     I want to thank you all for your prayers.  Things have been going well at my new job, and writing is doing fairly well.  I hope to get another job soon.  Please continue to pray about this.
     This week, please keep praying about the situation with the Ebola virus in Africa.  I heard today that there are now cases in the nation of Mali.  Pray that the spread of the this disease will stop, and pray for those who are sick that they might fully recover.  Also, continue to pray for peace in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq.
     Last week, we began a series of messages about some of the kings who reigned over Israel and Judah.  We looked last week at Asa who started off well, but in the end, he did not place his full trust in the Lord.
     In this week's message, I want us to look at four kings who all have something in common, and see what their lives can teach us today.
     The first king I want to focus on is a man named Jeroboam.  Jeroboam became king of ten tribes of Israel when he led a rebellion against Solomon's son Rehoboam.  I Kings 11 records why Jeroboam was allowed to become king. 
     As Solomon grew older, he actually turned away from God.  Solomon built temples for the gods of his many wives, and his heart was led astray.  Because of this, God took the kingdom from Solomon's descendants.  God told the prophet Ahijah to tell Jeroboam that God was giving part of the kingdom to him. 
     Jeroboam did not follow the ways of the Lord.  He instituted the worship of golden calves in the kingdom of Israel.  Because of this, God told Ahijah the prophet to tell Jeroboam that Jeroboam's descendants would not reign over the nation.
     The second king I would like to focus on is Ahab.  Ahab was probably the most wicked man to rule over any part of Israel.  He and his wife Jezebeel caused the people to serve the god Baal.  They tried to eliminate totally the worship to the true and living God. 
     Ahab was confronted in his treachery by the prophet Elijah.  Elijah told Ahab that a great drought was coming, and that is exactly what happened.  Later, Elijah would have an epic encounter with the prophets of the false god.
     Ahab clearly saw the power of the true God.  In fact, Ahab seems to acknowledge the existance of the God Elijah served.  However, Ahab chose to reject Elijah's God and follow false gods.
     The third king that I will mention is Jehu.  God raised up Jehu to be king in order to eliminate the worship of Baal from the nation of Israel.  Jehu rebelled against Ahab's son and killed Jezebeel and all of Ahab's descendents.  Jehu would also destroy Baal worship in its entirety.  However, Jehu would not worship the God of the Bible.  Instead, Jehu reinstituted the worship of the golden calves begun by Jeroboam.
     Finally, we come to a king named Jehoash.  When the great prophet Elisha was sick, Jehoash rushed to Elisha's side and recognized the greatness of the prophet.  Jehoash even asked Elisha to help him defeat an enemy.  Elisha told the king that the king would have some victories against his enemies.  All transpired as Elisha predicted, but in spite of this, Jehoash did not turn his heart to the Lord.  He continued in his idolatry.
     So, what was it that these four kings had in common?  They all received a word from the Lord and saw the demonstration of the power of God, yet they refused to follow the True and Living God.  They rejected God, and they continued in their sin and idolatry.
    What does this have to teach us today.  First of all, this same thing happens today.  God has given all of humanity the revelation of Himself in creation, yet the majority of the human race continues to deny God and follow the gods of their own imagination or no deity at all. 
    The Father has fully revealed Himself in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, yet people everywhere deny Him and turn their backs on Him.  Jesus rose from the dead, something I believe is beyond refute, but the vast majority of humanity remains unconvinced.  They see the greatness of God, and follow the devices and desires of their own hearts.
     Jesus said that it would be this way.  It was this way in His own day.  The people of Jesus' day saw Him perform countless miracles.  However, they would say, "Crucify Him.  We will not have this man to rule over us."  The cry, "We will not have this man to rule over us" continues today. 
    Jesus said in His story about the rich man and Lazarus that people would not believe even if one came back from the dead.  And this statement has been borne out.  Jesus has risen and is alive, but people will not yield to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
    This isn't just true in the pagan world.  Christians are sometimes guilty of acting the same way that the four kings acted.  We know the truth.  We can clearly read the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount and His other discourses.  We know what Jesus expects of us His followers.  However, we deny the words of Jesus or their relevance to us, and we do what we want to do in the way we want to do it.
    The four kings described in our message today did not end well.  Those who deny the power of God and true revelation of Jesus Christ will not inherit the forgiveness and eternal life that that Lord offers. 
    If you have heard the preaching of the Word of the Lord, do not turn your back on it.  Sin is blinding you to what is right, but the power of the Holy Spirit is at work in your heart to bring you to salvation.  Trust in the Lord Jesus today, and don't be like those who have heard the truth but will not yield to it.
    If you are a follower of Jesus, follow Him completely.  You know the truth.  Don't turn your back on it.  Obey the commandments and teachings of the Lord, and put your trust totally in Him.
     Next week, we will look at the life of another king, and try to learn from his life.  I will post the verse on Monday.  I will probably have a review on Wednesday.  Next Saturday, I will post another sermon.  In the United States, Thursday is Thanksgiving Day.  I want to wish all of you a happy Thanksgiving.  On that day, think of all the Jesus has done for you, and give Him thanks.  Amen.

Verse For the Week

Micah 6:8 -- "He hath shown thee o man what is good:  and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God."

Thoughts on a Sunday Afternoon

     I am here again on a Sunday afternoon posting.  I don't know if I will do this on a regular basis, but I've found that in the last few weeks I've had some things that I wanted to say.  Last week, I posted about the dog that my Dad loved more than he loved any other dog.  Quincy meant the world to my Dad.
     I've been thinking lately about what Toby and I would be doing if he were still living.  I know that my life would be different than it is now if he were still on this earth.  If Toby would have still been living when my folks passed away, I know that the two of us would have just taken off and traveled around the country.  I also know that I wouldn't be as nervous and worried about the daily occurences of life like I am now.  I was never afraid when he was around because I knew I had a friend.
      There is one thing I wanted to do and didn't do that I really regret.  When I was a younger man, I graduated from a Bible college approved by the church my family went to.  After graduation, I was going to join the missions organization operated by the church's pastor.  This missions group sent pastors to churches in rural areas of the U.S. where the people might not be able to support a pastor on their own.   However, the church my family was in didn't really care much for my views of the Bible or politics especially.  The church would not approve me for ministry because I was a member of the Democratic Party and I was not married.  I kid you not.  These were the reasons.
     What does this have to do about Toby you might be asking?  Well, it was always my dream for the two of us to go out to a church and live in the parsonage together.  It would be like two good friends off on an adventure.  This didn't happen.  I left right-wing churches after this, and I didn't really get back on track for the ministry for several years.
    I wish that I would have just gone and started a church in the inner city somewhere were no one else wanted to go.  I would have taken Toby with me, and I believe that I could have had a good ministry.  I got side-tracked from what I believe God wanted me to do.
     Eventually, after going back to school and studying history and philosophy, I started working as writer.  I am very thankful that the Lord allowed me to use my writing as a means of ministering the Gospel.
     One of my first publications as a writer was a sermon in a magazine with a worldwide distribution.  I have since been published in this particular magazine several times.  I am also grateful that the Lord has used me to minister on this blog.  I have ministered in a different way than I thought I would.
     Toby was still alive when I started writing.  While I worked on writing at the computer in my room, Toby would lay down at the end of the bed and wait for me to get done for the day.  He always wanted to be where I was.  He kept a constant eye on me.
     I remember that I was so excited when I got my publication in the religious magazine that I let out a shout.  Toby started barking and running around the room.
     So, in a way, I guess Toby was with me as I began my ministry.  It just wasn't the way I thought it would be.
     Lately, I've been thinking about my life and how it has gone so far.  I've had some writing success.  I've been able to minister through writing.  I've had over seventy poems published along with short stories and essays.  I've done quite a bit of travel writing and writing for business clients.  That's nice.
    I've just finished a job working as a postmaster relief officer with the United States Postal Service.  That job was a real headache.  Now I am working as a scheduler in an office.
    I'm not getting any younger, and I've come to realize that my life is not what I want it to be and it's not what I planned it to be.  While the Lord has given me opportunities to serve Him, I know that He called me at an early point in my life to do more for Him.  I feel that I've let Jesus down, my parents down, Toby down and myself down.  I want to do something about it.
    I can't go into all of the details right now, but I am planning with the Lord's help to go into the ministry in the way He called me when I was a younger man.  It will involve selling most all of my possessions, selling my house, and getting out of debt.  It won't be an easy undertaking, but I really feel like it is something that I have to do.  My life won't be what it is supposed to be unless I do it.
    I would ask that those of you who read the blog would please pray for me that I can do what Jesus is calling me to do.  I want to start a church in an under-served part of the U.S. or I want to be a self-funded missionary in a nation with few Christians.
    Since Toby is in Heaven now, I won't have a corgi to travel with me.  I am confident that he will be with me in spirit.
    I will write more on this in the days to come.

Weekend Sermon -- Asa -- 2 Chronicles 14-16

    Welcome to another edition of the Weekend Sermon.  Thank you to all of you who read this blog.  It means a lot to me.
     This has been quite a week.  Many of you have been praying about my employment situation.  This Thursday, I lost my job.  There was a union dispute, and my position was scheduled for elimination.  There were other reasons why I left the job, but that was the primary reason.  Thankfully, I found another job, and I am able to work as many hours as I was before.  Also, I've been getting some writing jobs lately.  Hopefully, that will pick up.  I still want to get another job, so please keep praying that the Lord will provide in this area.
     This week, let us all continue to pray about the Ebola situation in Africa.  Pray that all will be well in this ongoing problem.  Continue to pray for peace in Syria and Iraq.
     We haven't done a series of messages for the Weekend Sermon in while, and I am going to remedy that situation this week.  Starting this week, and continuing to the weekend before Christmas, I will be posting a series of messages focusing on some of the kings who ruled Israel and Judah.  I will focus on what the Bible says about these interesting individuals, and we will examine what we can learn from their lives that will help up live lives that are pleasing to the Lord Jesus.
     Today, I want to focus on what we can learn from the life of Asa.  Asa was king of  the Southern Kingdom of Judah.  If you recall, after the death of Solomon, Israel divided into two separate kingdoms.  The northern ten tribes followed Jeroboam, and they were know as the Kingdom of Israel.  The two southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin followed Solomon's son Rehoboam.  They were know as the Kingdom of Judah.
     Solomon's son Rehoboam was a terrible ruler as was Solomon's grandson Abijah.  They followed after idols, and they did not worship the true and living God.  It took Solomon's great grandson Asa to get things back on track.
     When Asa came to power, he removed all of the idols from Judah.  He ordered the people to stop following false gods and to follow the law given by God in the Torah.  Asa was so zealous to follow the Lord that he even removed his mother from being queen because she set up an idol in a grove.
     Asa also sought the Lord when he was faced with invasion.  Asa prayed and sought the Lord's help, and the Lord delivered Asa and his people from the hands of the Ethiopians.
     From the way Asa's rule began, things looked promising.  However, Asa didn't stay on the right course.  In the latter part of his reign, Asa was facing war with Israel.  Instead of seeking the Lord, Asa made an alliance with the Syrians.  Asa was confronted about this by the prophet Hanani, and Asa threw him into prison.  At this time, the Bible says that Asa began to oppress his people.
     In the last year's of Asa's life, he had a disease of the feet.  Instead of asking the Lord to help him, Asa only consulted with his physicians.
     So, what can we learn from the life of Asa.  First of all, we can learn from Asa's example of following the Lord.  In spite of his family, Asa didn't worship idols, he turned to the Lord and had the people do the same.  No matter what your spiritual background might be, you can change and turn your life over to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
     My Dad was not raised in a Christian home.  He had no spiritual upbringing whatsoever.  However, at the age of 40 my Dad gave his life to Jesus, and Jesus totally transformed my Dad's life.       Asa early in his life also favored serving the Lord above all else.  We see this in the action that Asa took in removing his mother from being queen.  Doing right came above family connections.  This is similar to what Jesus was talking about when He said that if someone wasn't willing to hate father, mother, and even their own life they were not worthy of Him.  Following Jesus should be our top priority.  Jesus must be our Lord, and our allegiance should belong to Him.  Jesus is Lord.  Our nation, family, friends nor our own desires are Lord.  Following Jesus as Lord means following Him above all else.  Our first loyalty belongs to Him.
     Asa is also a good example of drifting away from serving the Lord.  Later in his life, Asa went his own way.  He stopped asking the Lord for help.  We must not fall into this pattern of behavior.  No matter what problem we might be facing, the best option is to take it to the Lord in prayer before doing anything else.  Prayer should not be a last resort.  It should be our first action.
    When Asa was sick, he sought the physicians and not God.  There is nothing wrong with going to the doctor.  However, we should seek the Lord.  Ultimately, Jesus is the only one with the power to work on our behalf.
    We must be diligent in our walk with Jesus lest we follow Asa's course.  We need to stay in prayer.  We must not neglect our study of the Word,  And, we must faithfully obey the commandments and teachings of the Lord Jesus.  If we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we will not stray from the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life.
     Next week, I will post the verse on Monday.  I will try to post a review.  The sermon will appear next weekend.  May God bless you all.  Amen.
   

Verse For the Week

John 4:24 -- "God is a Spirit:  and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth."

Thoughts On a Sunday Afternoon

     I have been thinking a lot the last couple of days about some of the dogs that my Dad liked a lot.  He was a big dog lover like I am.  So was my Mom. 
     My Dad definitely loved Toby, but Toby was my friend exclusively for the most part.  Those who have read this blog for awhile know how much my friend Toby meant to me.
     My Dad had a dog he cared about like I cared about Toby.  My Dad's dog was named Quincy.  Quincy was about eight or nine years old when my Dad got him.  My Dad was in his late teens, and he was working on a farm.  The farmer owned Quincy at that time, but Quincy took an instant liking to my Dad.  In the evenings and on the weekends, Quincy and my Dad went hunting and fishing together.  During the days, Quincy helped on the farm. My Dad said that he was the best herding and ranch dog that he had ever seen.
     When my Dad was read to leave the farm at the end of the season, the farmer gave Quincy to my Dad.  They continued their hunting excursions.  My Dad said that Quincy could track better than a Coon Hound even though Quincy was a collie/shepherd mix.  Quincy would help my Dad work a herd of hundreds of sheep for the next two years.
      In 1951, my Dad was drafted for the Korean War.  Quincy stayed with my Dad's brother.  The dog passed away shortly after my Dad left.  Dad talked about Quincy a lot.  They were special friends.
     My Dad had one dog while I knew him that was very special to him.  I had a rottweiler named Abraham, but it became quickly evident that Abraham wanted to spend time with my Dad more than he wanted to spend time with me.  One of the very few times I saw my Dad cry was when Abraham passed away. 
     My Dad's last dog was an Akita/rottweiler mix named Evie-Anna.  She was a huge dog that weighed 130 pounds.  Dad liked to buy special treats for her and take her for walks.  When my Dad passed away, Evie-Anna couldn't understand where her friend was.  When I went out to give her her food and water, she would always look past me towards the house to see if Dad was coming.  Evie lived a long life.  She was over 14 years old which is a very long life for a dog as big as she was.
    

Weekend Sermon

     I am happy to be with you this week for another edition of the Weekend Sermon.  I pray that all of you are doing well this day.
     This has been quite a week.  I have things to be thankful for.  I start a new job next week, and I may have another part-time job lined up.  The Lord has also blessed me this week allowing me to get articles to write.  It has been a stressful week as well.  Times are tough at my current job.  I have one week to go there.  Please pray that I will make it through.
     In your prayer time this week, please keep praying for an end to the Ebola outbreak.  Also, continue to pray for peace in troubled areas of the world including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Ukraine, Iraq and Syria.  One day, the Prince of Peace will return, and all will be made new.
     Over the past few weeks, I've experienced what have been some of the hardest times I've had to deal with since my parents passed away.  Much of this had to do with people who I thought were my friends turning against me.  They weren't what I thought they were.  I have to say that this really hurts, and it is very hard to deal with.
     This got me thinking recently about people in the Bible who had people that they trusted turn against them.  How did they feel?   What did they learn from their experience?  Let's spend a little time today looking at some of these instances in the Bible.
     First of all, let me say that I believe that everyone of us has at some time in our lives had the experience of having someone we thought that we could trust let us down, betray us or turn on us.  It isn't pleasant, as I am sure you know.
     The first person that comes to mind in this regard is Joseph.  Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers.  His own family members turned against him and did something really terrible to him.  Joseph was a survivor.  He made the best of a bad situation, and he rose by God's grace to the second highest position in the land of Egypt.
     Eventually, Joseph had the chance to get his revenge against his brothers.  However, Joseph forgave his brothers for the terrible thing they had done to him.  I'm not sure I could have done that if I was in Joseph's situation.
     The Bible says that, "Man meant it for evil, but God meant it for good" in reference to Joseph.  Even when something hurtful happens to us, Jesus can bring something out of it for our spiritual benefit.  We just might not see it right away.
     Samson was another man who was betrayed in the Bible.  He got himself in his own mess however.  Samson is a good example of not associating with the wrong people.  If Samson would have done what God told him to do, he would have been a lot better off.
     Hosea did do what God told him to do, and Hosea was betrayed by his wife Gomer.  She left her husband, and took up with other men.  This was a metaphor for the way the people of Israel had treated God.  Just as a wife leaves her husband for another lover, so too had the people of Israel left the true and living God for the worship of false gods.  God was deeply hurt by the actions of His people. 
     Hosea went and found Gomer and brought her back home.  In the same way, God came in search of sinners to bring the lost sheep back into the fold.
     David experienced terrible betrayal in his life.  He had a betrayal that in many ways seems to me to be the worst of all.  David's own son tried to overthrow him in a rebellion.  David actually had to flee.  Eventually, David's forces prevailed over Absalom, and Absalom was killed against the king's wishes.  Even though Absalom had done a terrible thing to him, David was deeply distressed at his son's death.  David said, "Absalom my son, would that I had died instead of thee."
     In Psalm 55,  David gives poetic expression to a time he experienced betrayal.  I love David's words in verse 6 were he says, "Oh that I had wings like a dove for then would I fly away and be at rest."  How often in the past few weeks I have felt like that.  I would love to just escape from all of the hurtfulness in this world and be with Jesus. 
     Now, for our greatest example in all things.  Jesus faced the ultimate in betrayal.  Jesus never did anything wrong, yet people hated Him.  In the end, one of His own close followers would turn Him in to the authorities so that He would be killed.
     Probably even more hurtful to Jesus were the actions of Peter.  Peter denied three times that he even knew Jesus.  Peter later felt so bad about this that he wept bitterly.
     How did Jesus act when He was betrayed or when people turned against Him.  Jesus forgave them.  Jesus even forgave the people that nailed Him to the cross.  I know that as a follower of Jesus Christ I am supposed to be a person who forgives.  I am trying to do that right now.  It's hard.  I am far from perfect.
     I often think of the ways that I've disappointed Jesus in my life.  It's happened many times.  Every time, He has forgiven me.  Jesus loves us even when we turn our backs on Him.  Just think about this.  The Christian religion has been around for over 2,000 years.  However, over 70 percent of the people in the world reject the message of Jesus.  Jesus loves them anyway.  It's hard to be a person of love like Jesus.  It should be my goal.  I will strive to do better with the help of the Holy Spirit.
    What lessons can we learn when we have faced betrayal by those we thought were our friends.  First of all, try to find the good that can come out of it.  Joseph is the example here.  Jesus is too, of course.  What seems so hurtful now may be the catalyst for something great the Lord wants to do in our lives.  Trusting in the goodness of Jesus is important in these times.  Joseph rose from slavery to be the second highest official in Egypt.  Jesus faced Calvary, but Easter Sunday was the ultimate victory.
     Another thing to learn is to be a person who is steadfast.  We should not be the kind of people who hurt others and turn away from them.  We must follow the example of Jesus in all things.
     Don't let the hurt of betrayal get you down.  I'm probably not the right person to be saying this right now.  But I am trying.  Trust in the Lord Jesus.  Also, realize that not everyone in the world will let you down.  I knew that I could always count on my Dad.  No matter what mess I got myself into, my Dad would always help me out.  He was always on my side.
     When we face hurt and betrayal at the hands of those we thought were our friends, we need to look to Jesus.  Jesus will never let you down.  He will never turn His back on us.  The Bible says that Jesus is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.  Your Mother, Father, brothers, sisters, husband, wife, children and friends may turn on you, but Jesus never will.  Trust in Him.  Serve Him.  Love Him.
     There are three verses about this theme that I would like to leave you with today.  Psalm 27:10, "When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up."  Isaiah 49:15, "Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet I will not forget thee."  Matthew 28:20, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
     Next week,  I will be very busy.  I will post when I can, but the sermon will be on Friday or Saturday.  May God bless you.  Amen.

Book Review

     As most of you who read this blog know, I like animal books.  I especially like books about dogs.  The book I am reviewing today is called, "A Dog's History of the World'  written by Laura Hobgood-Oster.  I reviewed another one of her books here on the blog in the past.  Ms. Hobgood-Oster is a professor of religion at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.
     This was an interesting book.  The author details the way that humans and dogs developed together.  According to the author, it is possible that dog's have been companions with humans for over 25,000 years.  The chapter on dogs and religion is especially good. 
     I would recommend this book for those who want to know more about how the human and dog relationship developed.  Most dog lovers will enjoy this book.

Verse For the Week

Philippians 2:5-11 -- "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus:  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:  That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Thoughts On A Sunday Afternoon

     It's a windy Sunday afternoon where I live.  It is a nice day.  This morning, I spent quite a bit of time thinking about what the world considers success and what the Lord considers success.  In the eyes of this world, a successful person is someone who makes a lot of money, has a good career or is famous.  In general, the world does not take into account what the Lord considers success.
     In this world's thinking, many of the great characters of Scripture would be considered unsuccessful.  Most of the Old Testament prophets had little money.  They were despised and rejected by this world.  God's Word says that this world was not worthy of them.
     Take into consideration Lazarus who I wrote about last week.  He was homeless and sick.  He ended up in life being licked by street dogs.  However, he went to Heaven, and he is being rewarded eternally for his faithfulness to the Lord.  He was considered a success in the eyes of Jesus.
      Let's look at the example of Jesus Himself.  Jesus certainly wasn't wealthy.  When the religious leaders asked Him about paying taxes to Caesar,  Jesus had to ask for a coin.  He didn't have one of His own.  Something similar happened when Jesus and Peter had to pay the temple tax.  In order to get the tax money, Peter went fishing and the fish he pulled out of the lake had a coin in its mouth that was just enough to pay the tax for Peter and Jesus.
     Jesus didn't have a big house.  Jesus said, "Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."
     Jesus was rejected by most in this world, and He was crucified.  The people said, "Crucify him.  We will not have this man to rule over us."
     However, that wasn't the end of the story.  The Father raised Jesus from the dead.  Jesus was the ultimate success.  He sealed our redemption.  He is the Risen King of King and Lord of Lords.  One day, He will rule and reign in righteousness upon this earth, and His kingdom will have no end.
     Jesus said while He was ministering on earth, "That which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God,"(Luke 16:15).  What God considers success and what people consider success are often very different things.
     In my life, I haven't been what many would consider to be highly successful.  I had some money, but I lost most of it during the great recession.  I am a writer, and I love writing, but I am far from famous.  I just have a regular old job.  Things like this used to bother me, but lately, I haven't been as worried about all of this.  What I try to concern myself with is whether or not my life is pleasing to God.  Am I building up treasure in Heaven where moth and rust don't corrupt and where thieves do not break in and steal.  My prayer is that I am considered a success in the eyes of Jesus.  That is what really matters.
     I think being a success in the eyes of Jesus means that you are someone who strives to obey Jesus' commandments and teachings no matter the consequences.  Being a success in the eyes of Jesus means following Jesus wherever He might lead.
     One preacher I heard a few days ago said it very well.  He said that some people get an A on earth but they have an F in Heaven.  It's better to have an F on earth and an A in Heaven.  Pleasing the Lord Jesus is what life is really all about.  May God bless you.