Hello. I am posting the Sermon today because with tomorrow being New Year's Day, the library where I do the blog posts is closed. I forgot about this last week. Thankfully, next week we will be on a regular schedule.
I had a nice Christmas holiday. I went out for dinner with my brother and his family. We had a nice time. I also got to spend some time with a friend of mine on Christmas Day. I hope that all of you had a happy Christmas.
New Year's Day is not one of my favorite holidays. I have the day off work which is nice. I may go to the movies just to have something to do. I do want to wish all of you a very Happy New Year.
This last year on the blog has been very exciting for me. I thank the Lord that He gave me the opportunity to spread His message another year on the blog. We went through some interesting series together, and I look forward to sharing more messages with you in 2016.
I thank you all for your prayers on my behalf this last year. Starting the new job and making it through 2015 was easier knowing you were praying for me.
During 2015, we prayed for many needs around the world. One of the things we prayed for was an end to the Ebola outbreak. Yesterday, I heard on NPR that there are now no cases of Ebola being reported. Thank God for this answer to prayer.
This week, please continue to pray for peace in this troubled world. Pray for peace in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Burundi and South Sudan. Pray of the refugees seeking safety.
Let us also pray that the message of Jesus will reach around the world. Let us pray for the nations of Mongolia, China, Taiwan and Algeria.
In keeping with the holiday season and starting a brand new year, I wanted to bring a message today about two characters in the life of Jesus that often go unnoticed. These two people are Simeon and Anna.
When it was time for the baby Jesus to be circumcised, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem. As a firstborn son, Jesus was consecrated to the Lord. Mary and Joseph also made a sacrifice of two pigeons. This shows that Jesus was not born to a rich family. This was the offering to be given by those who could not afford to offer a sheep.
While in the Temple, Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus encountered a man named Simeon. Simeon was a righteous man. It had been revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. When Simeon saw Jesus, he knew that the Messiah was in his presence. Simeon's faithfulness had been rewarded. Simeon took Jesus in his arms and gave praise to the Lord.
Before the Holy Family left the Temple, they encountered a prophetess named Anna. She was eighty-four years old. She had been married for seven years when she was a young woman. After her husband died, she devoted herself to fasting and prayer in the Temple. When she saw Jesus, she gave thanks to God and told everyone that Jesus was the one who would bring redemption to Israel.
What strikes me about Simeon and Anna was that their lives were marked by faithfulness to the Lord. They had both lived many years, and throughout all those years, they believed in the promises of God, and they did not stray from their faith in the Lord.
Simeon and Anna are examples to us to always remain faithful to the Lord Jesus. I know that I often find it hard to keep going in the face of hardship. Sometimes it is difficult to keep doing the things that I believe God has called me to do.
The New Year is a time when each of us can renew our commitment to serve the Lord with all that we have. It is a time to stop and look back at the previous year. We can see what we have done right and where we need improvement. We can seek to lay aside the sin and cultivate that which is good.
The New Year is a time to commit ourselves to loving Jesus with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. It is time to commit to obeying all that Jesus has commanded us to do.
With the examples of Simeon and Anna in our hearts, let us strive to be faithful to the Lord throughout all of our days. We know that Jesus will be with us and guide us in all that we do in 2016.
I just wanted to spend a few moments discussing some of what I have planned for the Weekend Sermon in 2016. If the Lord is willing, and I am still going, I have several different sermon series worked out for the upcoming year. There are four series that I definitely want to do. I want to do a series on the Apostle's Creed, the Ten Commandments, a verse by verse study of II Peter and series on the hard to understand teachings of Jesus. I have other sermons worked up, but I am not sure when I want to do those.
The first series that I want to do for 2016 is a series on the Apostle's Creed. However, before I do that, I want to bring a message next week about what I am calling the first creed of the church. I believe that the Apostle's Creed series will be very beneficial as it will help us to delve into some important doctrinal truths regarding the Holy Trinity.
Thank you all once again for reading the blog in 2015. May God bless each and every one of you. Remember, on Monday, we will begin our Bible memorization for the verses for the week. May you experience the love of Jesus in your heart this week. Amen.
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Book Review -- "From Stray Dog to World War I Hero"
Last week, I revealed my picks for the best dog and cat book of the year. Today, we start a new year of reviews with a book that I enjoyed very much. "From Stray Dog to World War I Hero" written by Grant Hayter-Menzies tells the story of a dog named Rags who became a hero dog and mascot of the U.S. First Division forces during the first world war.
Rags began his life on the streets of Paris. He probably would have remained a stray if he hadn't meet a U.S soldier named Donovan. Donovan trained Rags as a messenger dog. Rags also became very proficient at finding broken signal cables. During the course of the conflict, Rags would also locate wounded soldiers, and he warned the soldiers of oncoming artillery barrages.
During one battle, both Rags and Donovan were severely wounded. Orders were given that Rags and Donovan were not to be separated, and they eventually came to the United States. However, Rags had to be smuggled back into the country because the authorities on the medical ship didn't want a dog on board.
After the war, Rags also served in important ways. He was a celebrity dog across the United States.
This is a well-written book that tells the story of great dog and the men with whom he served. There is also a lot of good information in the book about life in post World War I America. I highly recommend this book.
Rags began his life on the streets of Paris. He probably would have remained a stray if he hadn't meet a U.S soldier named Donovan. Donovan trained Rags as a messenger dog. Rags also became very proficient at finding broken signal cables. During the course of the conflict, Rags would also locate wounded soldiers, and he warned the soldiers of oncoming artillery barrages.
During one battle, both Rags and Donovan were severely wounded. Orders were given that Rags and Donovan were not to be separated, and they eventually came to the United States. However, Rags had to be smuggled back into the country because the authorities on the medical ship didn't want a dog on board.
After the war, Rags also served in important ways. He was a celebrity dog across the United States.
This is a well-written book that tells the story of great dog and the men with whom he served. There is also a lot of good information in the book about life in post World War I America. I highly recommend this book.
Monday, December 28, 2015
Verses For the Week -- The Plan for 2016
As those of you who have read the blog for any amount of time know, I post verses on the blog each Monday. These are intended to inspire people and to help make the week a little better.
Starting next week, I want to do a little something different with the verses. Bible memorization has always been an important part of my life. I started to memorize Scripture verses when I was in grade school. We had contests to see who could memorize the most verses.
What I want to do in 2016 is post two verses each week for memorization. These will be verses that are important for a variety of different reasons. If we are diligent, at the end of 2016, we will have over 100 verses memorized.
Today's verse is just a verse to inspire. You can start down the path of memorization with it if you wish.
Psalm 119:105 -- "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
Starting next week, I want to do a little something different with the verses. Bible memorization has always been an important part of my life. I started to memorize Scripture verses when I was in grade school. We had contests to see who could memorize the most verses.
What I want to do in 2016 is post two verses each week for memorization. These will be verses that are important for a variety of different reasons. If we are diligent, at the end of 2016, we will have over 100 verses memorized.
Today's verse is just a verse to inspire. You can start down the path of memorization with it if you wish.
Psalm 119:105 -- "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Sermon -- "He Is Coming"
Welcome to the sermon for this week. Since the library is closed for some days around the holidays, I am posting the sermon today. I just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas with lots of joy.
So far, I have had a good holiday season. I went out for a meal with my brother and his family, and we all had a very good time. I am looking forward to a much needed day off on Christmas Day.
In prayer this week, please remember to pray for peace in this world. Pray for peace in Syria, Burundi, South Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan and all of the other places in this world that are experiencing warfare. Let us also pray for those who are fleeing from war. Pray that all of their needs will be met.
Also, let us continue to pray for the spread of the message of the love of Jesus around the world. Pray that the gospel might reach Japan, Morocco, Tunisia and Israel.
Today, I would like to focus on the two advents of the Lord Jesus Christ. During this time of year, we who are Christians celebrate the fact that Jesus came to us in the form of a lowly infant born in a manger.
We rejoice in the fact that God came to be with us. Jesus came to live among us. He came to provide us with a perfect example of how to live in this world. He also came to teach us and give us instruction in how to be a true follower of God.
However, that is not all Jesus came to do. He came to be the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. Jesus came to die on the cross to set us free from our sins. This is good news for all people all over the world throughout all time.
Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross. He took our place and our punishment on the cross. But Jesus didn't stay in the grave. On the third day, He rose again defeating death and the grave.
Now, Jesus is seated at the right of the Father Almighty making intercession for all of those who have put their faith and trust in Him. He is our Great High Priest.
This is all a result of the incarnation, the first Advent of the Lord Jesus. Because Jesus came to us on Christmas Day, we have a Savior, an example, a redeemer and a friend.
The first time that Jesus came to this earth, He came in a humble way. He was born as a baby to two poor peasants from Nazareth. Jesus was despised and rejected of men. He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. The first time that He came, Jesus was rejected by most of the people. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.
However, the Bible makes it very clear that Jesus is coming again. When Jesus ascended up into heaven, the disciples were told that Jesus would return. The Bible says that every eye will see Him when He comes again.
When Jesus makes His Second Advent, He will not be coming as a lowly babe born in a manger. He will be coming as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will come with power and great glory. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
At His Second Advent, Jesus will make all things new. The world will know complete peace, harmony and tranquility. There will be no more sin and suffering. The lion will lay down with the lamb. Nation will no longer rise against nation. Every person will sit under their own vine, and no one will make them afraid. All will be well under the rule and reign of King Jesus. Come quickly Lord.
During this Christmas season we are so thankful that Jesus came to be with us and save us. Let us also look forward to that day when Jesus will come again.
Next week, we will back on a regular schedule. I will post the verses on Monday, and I will tell you about a plan that I have with the verses for the upcoming year. On Wednesday, I may post a review or something else. I haven't decided yet. The sermon will be on Friday next week. Merry Christmas to all. Amen.
So far, I have had a good holiday season. I went out for a meal with my brother and his family, and we all had a very good time. I am looking forward to a much needed day off on Christmas Day.
In prayer this week, please remember to pray for peace in this world. Pray for peace in Syria, Burundi, South Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan and all of the other places in this world that are experiencing warfare. Let us also pray for those who are fleeing from war. Pray that all of their needs will be met.
Also, let us continue to pray for the spread of the message of the love of Jesus around the world. Pray that the gospel might reach Japan, Morocco, Tunisia and Israel.
Today, I would like to focus on the two advents of the Lord Jesus Christ. During this time of year, we who are Christians celebrate the fact that Jesus came to us in the form of a lowly infant born in a manger.
We rejoice in the fact that God came to be with us. Jesus came to live among us. He came to provide us with a perfect example of how to live in this world. He also came to teach us and give us instruction in how to be a true follower of God.
However, that is not all Jesus came to do. He came to be the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. Jesus came to die on the cross to set us free from our sins. This is good news for all people all over the world throughout all time.
Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross. He took our place and our punishment on the cross. But Jesus didn't stay in the grave. On the third day, He rose again defeating death and the grave.
Now, Jesus is seated at the right of the Father Almighty making intercession for all of those who have put their faith and trust in Him. He is our Great High Priest.
This is all a result of the incarnation, the first Advent of the Lord Jesus. Because Jesus came to us on Christmas Day, we have a Savior, an example, a redeemer and a friend.
The first time that Jesus came to this earth, He came in a humble way. He was born as a baby to two poor peasants from Nazareth. Jesus was despised and rejected of men. He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. The first time that He came, Jesus was rejected by most of the people. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.
However, the Bible makes it very clear that Jesus is coming again. When Jesus ascended up into heaven, the disciples were told that Jesus would return. The Bible says that every eye will see Him when He comes again.
When Jesus makes His Second Advent, He will not be coming as a lowly babe born in a manger. He will be coming as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will come with power and great glory. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
At His Second Advent, Jesus will make all things new. The world will know complete peace, harmony and tranquility. There will be no more sin and suffering. The lion will lay down with the lamb. Nation will no longer rise against nation. Every person will sit under their own vine, and no one will make them afraid. All will be well under the rule and reign of King Jesus. Come quickly Lord.
During this Christmas season we are so thankful that Jesus came to be with us and save us. Let us also look forward to that day when Jesus will come again.
Next week, we will back on a regular schedule. I will post the verses on Monday, and I will tell you about a plan that I have with the verses for the upcoming year. On Wednesday, I may post a review or something else. I haven't decided yet. The sermon will be on Friday next week. Merry Christmas to all. Amen.
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Christmas Memories
As I said last week, I am not going to be doing a book review this week. Instead, I would just like to tell you about a few of my cherished Christmas Eve and Christmas memories.
The best Christmas memory I have from when I was a young boy didn't start out that well. When I was young, I had extremely poor health. Just before Christmas, I had been sick with a terrible bout of pneumonia. The doctor's weren't even sure that I was going to make it to Christmas.
That Christmas, the gift I wanted more than anything else was a Stretch Monster. This was a type of action-figure that was filled with some type of solution that allowed it to stretch far out and then return to normal size. They were very hard to find, and I kind of doubted that my folks would be able to get one.
That year, my health improved just before Christmas Day. Waiting for me under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning was a Stretch Monster. I kept that thing for 25 years. Eventually, it fell apart.
My best Christmas memories in more recent years involved my friend Toby. I remember one Christmas Eve that was very fun. The two of us were together by ourselves because my parents had gone to a Christmas party with my Dad's children from his first marriage.
For Christmas that year, I received a telescope that I'd wanted for a long time. On Christmas Eve, I decided to assemble the telescope and go out for an observation session. I'd loved astronomy for a long time, and I studied astronomy in college for a little while.
As always, Toby had to be a part of whatever I was doing. While I was trying to assemble the telescope and the mount, Toby kept crawling in and out of the boxes and pushing the packing materials all over the living room floor.
I finally got the scope set up, and Toby and I went out to observe. It was a clear and beautiful Christmas Eve night. We stayed out for hours looking at the stars filled with awe and wonder at the creative power of the Lord.
The last Christmas Eve that I spent with Toby was extra special. Toby had been diagnosed with liver cancer the previous May. He had surgery, but the oncologist had not expected him to live more than six weeks. Toby was still going during Thanksgiving, but when December rolled around, he wasn't feeling well at all.
I thought that the cancer was finally taking its toll, but Toby had a very bad lung infection. It took about three full weeks of treatment, but by the grace of God, Toby pulled through. Since he had been so sick, I chose to stay with him during Christmas Eve.
I love listening to the BBC on radio, and they often have religious broadcasts on. I tuned in on Christmas Eve because I knew that they were going to have a broadcast from a large cathedral in England.
It was a beautiful service. During the message, the dean of the cathedral spoke about remembering those who are important to you at Christmas time. He invited everyone to lay their hand on someone they love and repeat a Christmas prayer of thankfulness. I placed my hand on my friend Toby and thanked Jesus that Toby and I could spend another holiday season together.
By the way, in spite of what the oncologist said, Toby lived for 13 months after his surgery. It was one of the best years of my life.
I hope that all of you who read this blog have some great Christmas memories. I hope that this Christmas season is filled with peace and joy for you all. Give God all the glory this Christmas for the gift of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.
P.S. Tomorrow, I will be posting the sermon for Christmas since the library will be closed for several days with the Christmas holiday.
The best Christmas memory I have from when I was a young boy didn't start out that well. When I was young, I had extremely poor health. Just before Christmas, I had been sick with a terrible bout of pneumonia. The doctor's weren't even sure that I was going to make it to Christmas.
That Christmas, the gift I wanted more than anything else was a Stretch Monster. This was a type of action-figure that was filled with some type of solution that allowed it to stretch far out and then return to normal size. They were very hard to find, and I kind of doubted that my folks would be able to get one.
That year, my health improved just before Christmas Day. Waiting for me under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning was a Stretch Monster. I kept that thing for 25 years. Eventually, it fell apart.
My best Christmas memories in more recent years involved my friend Toby. I remember one Christmas Eve that was very fun. The two of us were together by ourselves because my parents had gone to a Christmas party with my Dad's children from his first marriage.
For Christmas that year, I received a telescope that I'd wanted for a long time. On Christmas Eve, I decided to assemble the telescope and go out for an observation session. I'd loved astronomy for a long time, and I studied astronomy in college for a little while.
As always, Toby had to be a part of whatever I was doing. While I was trying to assemble the telescope and the mount, Toby kept crawling in and out of the boxes and pushing the packing materials all over the living room floor.
I finally got the scope set up, and Toby and I went out to observe. It was a clear and beautiful Christmas Eve night. We stayed out for hours looking at the stars filled with awe and wonder at the creative power of the Lord.
The last Christmas Eve that I spent with Toby was extra special. Toby had been diagnosed with liver cancer the previous May. He had surgery, but the oncologist had not expected him to live more than six weeks. Toby was still going during Thanksgiving, but when December rolled around, he wasn't feeling well at all.
I thought that the cancer was finally taking its toll, but Toby had a very bad lung infection. It took about three full weeks of treatment, but by the grace of God, Toby pulled through. Since he had been so sick, I chose to stay with him during Christmas Eve.
I love listening to the BBC on radio, and they often have religious broadcasts on. I tuned in on Christmas Eve because I knew that they were going to have a broadcast from a large cathedral in England.
It was a beautiful service. During the message, the dean of the cathedral spoke about remembering those who are important to you at Christmas time. He invited everyone to lay their hand on someone they love and repeat a Christmas prayer of thankfulness. I placed my hand on my friend Toby and thanked Jesus that Toby and I could spend another holiday season together.
By the way, in spite of what the oncologist said, Toby lived for 13 months after his surgery. It was one of the best years of my life.
I hope that all of you who read this blog have some great Christmas memories. I hope that this Christmas season is filled with peace and joy for you all. Give God all the glory this Christmas for the gift of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.
P.S. Tomorrow, I will be posting the sermon for Christmas since the library will be closed for several days with the Christmas holiday.
Monday, December 21, 2015
Verses For the Week -- Verses For Christmas
Isaiah 9:6 -- "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
2 Corinthians 9:15 -- "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"
Luke 2: 10-11 -- " Don't be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people. Today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah; the Lord."
2 Corinthians 9:15 -- "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"
Luke 2: 10-11 -- " Don't be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people. Today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah; the Lord."
Friday, December 18, 2015
Weekend Sermon -- "God With Us"
It is good to be with you once again during this Advent season. I hope that all of you are having a wonderful time during this holiday season.
Things seem to be going pretty well at work, and for this I am thankful to the Lord. I received a good performance review yesterday, so I am happy about that. I am also thankful to the Lord that I have been feeling pretty good lately.
In prayer this week, please pray for those who feel lonely and depressed during the holiday season. During this time of joy and gladness, some people don't feel very happy. Let us pray that these folks will feel the presence of Jesus in their lives in a special way in the days to come.
Let us continue to be in prayer for peace in this troubled world. The situation in Burundi is not going well. I just heard this morning that U.N. peacekeepers might have to be sent in to keep the country from deteriorating into further violence. Pray for peace. Also, continue to be in prayer for peace in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and South Sudan.
During this Christmas season, let us pray that the message of Jesus will reach all around the world. Pray especially that the Gospel might reach Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sudan.
For the past weeks, we have been in a series of message concerning the Advent season. Today, we will continue with that series by looking at a familiar passage of Scripture.
When the angel Gabriel announced the coming of Jesus to Mary, Mary expressed her willingness to be used by the Lord to bring about the Lord's will in the world. However, when Mary became pregnant, this would have caused quite a problem. Mary was betrothed to Joseph, and Joseph was not the father of Mary's baby.
The Bible says in Matthew 1:19 that Joseph had decided to break off his betrothal to Mary as a result of her pregnancy. However, this is not what God had in mind. He wanted Joseph to be the man who would help to bring up Jesus in this world.
One night, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. The angel told Joseph to take Mary as his wife because, "that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit." This is exactly what Joseph did. He was faithful in his obedience to the Lord.
Matthew 1 verses 22-23 state that all of these events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ took place in order to fulfill what had been foretold by the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah said that a virgin would conceive and give birth to a son. His name would be Immanuel which means God with us.
I would like us to just think about what the phrase "God with us" means. How is God with us in Jesus?
First of all, God sent His Son the Lord Jesus into the world to redeem the world from sin. John 3:16 is the clearest statement of this. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Jesus was literally God come into this world in human form in order to redeem this world from darkness and sin.
To me, this is a concept that is difficult to grasp. The God of all creation left the glories of Heaven to come in the form of a helpless infant. He loved us so much that He identified with us in our humanity. He came to live a holy and sinless life so that He could be the one to bear our sins. He came to show us how to live and how to have a right relationship with the Heavenly Father. God is truly with us in the person of Jesus Christ.
I also think that God is with us in the person of Jesus is a personal sense. I know that Jesus is with me in all of the struggles that I have faced in life. I've had some hard times in the last few years. However, I was able to make it through those rough times because Jesus was with me in the midst of the hardship. He was there to provide comfort and strength even in the darkest moments. Without Him, I would never have made it through.
Jesus is with all of us. He wants each and every person on this planet to put their trust in Him and seek His help, comfort and guidance. Jesus will be with you in the good times and the bad times if you will call out to Him and ask Him to aid and help you.
God with us in Jesus Christ also means that there is hope for this world. The world is really messed up right now. I think that there is no question about that. There are wars in many nations. Many people are trapped in poverty. No country in this world is free from trouble. However, in the midst of all of these problems, there is hope in Jesus.
If the people and the nations of the world would trust in Jesus and obey those things that He has revealed, the world would know peace and goodness. God with us in Jesus Christ lived and taught all that is good and right. If the peoples of this world would look to Jesus, what a difference it would make. Jesus taught the way of compassion and peace.
Because Jesus lived and walked among us, there is hope that people everywhere will turn to Him and follow the path that He has set before us.
God came to be with us in Jesus Christ. I am so thankful that He did. I am so glad that someone told me about Jesus when I was just a small boy. Since that time when I invited Jesus into my life as Savior and Lord, Jesus has lived in my heart guiding me and leading me.
This same Jesus wants to have a relationship with you. God in Christ wants to be your Savior, Friend and Lord. He invites each and every person to put their faith and trust in Him. Jesus invites you to repent of your sins and receive His forgiveness. He invites you to follow wherever He would lead.
When you know Jesus as Lord of your life, you will truly understand the fact that God is with us. You will know that God is with you everyday of this life and into eternity.
Next week, we will conclude our series of Advent messages. Please note, the sermon will appear on Christmas Eve this coming week since the library where I post the sermons is closed on Christmas Day. Next Wednesday, there will not be a review. Instead, I will post a few of my Christmas recollections of special times. I will post the verses as usual on Monday. May God bless you all. Amen.
Things seem to be going pretty well at work, and for this I am thankful to the Lord. I received a good performance review yesterday, so I am happy about that. I am also thankful to the Lord that I have been feeling pretty good lately.
In prayer this week, please pray for those who feel lonely and depressed during the holiday season. During this time of joy and gladness, some people don't feel very happy. Let us pray that these folks will feel the presence of Jesus in their lives in a special way in the days to come.
Let us continue to be in prayer for peace in this troubled world. The situation in Burundi is not going well. I just heard this morning that U.N. peacekeepers might have to be sent in to keep the country from deteriorating into further violence. Pray for peace. Also, continue to be in prayer for peace in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and South Sudan.
During this Christmas season, let us pray that the message of Jesus will reach all around the world. Pray especially that the Gospel might reach Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sudan.
For the past weeks, we have been in a series of message concerning the Advent season. Today, we will continue with that series by looking at a familiar passage of Scripture.
When the angel Gabriel announced the coming of Jesus to Mary, Mary expressed her willingness to be used by the Lord to bring about the Lord's will in the world. However, when Mary became pregnant, this would have caused quite a problem. Mary was betrothed to Joseph, and Joseph was not the father of Mary's baby.
The Bible says in Matthew 1:19 that Joseph had decided to break off his betrothal to Mary as a result of her pregnancy. However, this is not what God had in mind. He wanted Joseph to be the man who would help to bring up Jesus in this world.
One night, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. The angel told Joseph to take Mary as his wife because, "that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit." This is exactly what Joseph did. He was faithful in his obedience to the Lord.
Matthew 1 verses 22-23 state that all of these events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ took place in order to fulfill what had been foretold by the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah said that a virgin would conceive and give birth to a son. His name would be Immanuel which means God with us.
I would like us to just think about what the phrase "God with us" means. How is God with us in Jesus?
First of all, God sent His Son the Lord Jesus into the world to redeem the world from sin. John 3:16 is the clearest statement of this. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Jesus was literally God come into this world in human form in order to redeem this world from darkness and sin.
To me, this is a concept that is difficult to grasp. The God of all creation left the glories of Heaven to come in the form of a helpless infant. He loved us so much that He identified with us in our humanity. He came to live a holy and sinless life so that He could be the one to bear our sins. He came to show us how to live and how to have a right relationship with the Heavenly Father. God is truly with us in the person of Jesus Christ.
I also think that God is with us in the person of Jesus is a personal sense. I know that Jesus is with me in all of the struggles that I have faced in life. I've had some hard times in the last few years. However, I was able to make it through those rough times because Jesus was with me in the midst of the hardship. He was there to provide comfort and strength even in the darkest moments. Without Him, I would never have made it through.
Jesus is with all of us. He wants each and every person on this planet to put their trust in Him and seek His help, comfort and guidance. Jesus will be with you in the good times and the bad times if you will call out to Him and ask Him to aid and help you.
God with us in Jesus Christ also means that there is hope for this world. The world is really messed up right now. I think that there is no question about that. There are wars in many nations. Many people are trapped in poverty. No country in this world is free from trouble. However, in the midst of all of these problems, there is hope in Jesus.
If the people and the nations of the world would trust in Jesus and obey those things that He has revealed, the world would know peace and goodness. God with us in Jesus Christ lived and taught all that is good and right. If the peoples of this world would look to Jesus, what a difference it would make. Jesus taught the way of compassion and peace.
Because Jesus lived and walked among us, there is hope that people everywhere will turn to Him and follow the path that He has set before us.
God came to be with us in Jesus Christ. I am so thankful that He did. I am so glad that someone told me about Jesus when I was just a small boy. Since that time when I invited Jesus into my life as Savior and Lord, Jesus has lived in my heart guiding me and leading me.
This same Jesus wants to have a relationship with you. God in Christ wants to be your Savior, Friend and Lord. He invites each and every person to put their faith and trust in Him. Jesus invites you to repent of your sins and receive His forgiveness. He invites you to follow wherever He would lead.
When you know Jesus as Lord of your life, you will truly understand the fact that God is with us. You will know that God is with you everyday of this life and into eternity.
Next week, we will conclude our series of Advent messages. Please note, the sermon will appear on Christmas Eve this coming week since the library where I post the sermons is closed on Christmas Day. Next Wednesday, there will not be a review. Instead, I will post a few of my Christmas recollections of special times. I will post the verses as usual on Monday. May God bless you all. Amen.
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Dog and Cat Book of the Year
Those of you who have read the blog for awhile know that at the end of each year, I usually recommend the best dog and cat book that I have read in the previous year. I have reviewed several books in each category this year, and today I will reveal my selections for the best dog and cat book of the year.
My choice for best dog book of the year was a pretty easy decision. "Judy" written by Damien Lewis is my dog book of the year selection. This is a tremendous story of courage and loyalty. Judy was the only dog who was an official prisoner of war during World War II. She gave encouragement to the men who were forced to build a railroad for the Japanese. The prisoners rallied around Judy and kept her fed and kept her safe. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
My choice for best cat book of the year was a much harder decision. I have read some really good cat books this year. My pick for best cat book of the year goes to "A Gift From Bob" written by James Bowen. All of the books about James and Bob are good, and this book tells the wonderful story of how Bob the cat made Christmas meaningful for a man that had fallen on hard times. If you have not read this book, it is a good time to read this wonderful Christmas story.
There were many good books to read this year. In the year to come, I will continue to post reviews of good dog books, cat books, animal books and other books from time to time. I look forward to good reading in the year ahead.
My choice for best dog book of the year was a pretty easy decision. "Judy" written by Damien Lewis is my dog book of the year selection. This is a tremendous story of courage and loyalty. Judy was the only dog who was an official prisoner of war during World War II. She gave encouragement to the men who were forced to build a railroad for the Japanese. The prisoners rallied around Judy and kept her fed and kept her safe. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
My choice for best cat book of the year was a much harder decision. I have read some really good cat books this year. My pick for best cat book of the year goes to "A Gift From Bob" written by James Bowen. All of the books about James and Bob are good, and this book tells the wonderful story of how Bob the cat made Christmas meaningful for a man that had fallen on hard times. If you have not read this book, it is a good time to read this wonderful Christmas story.
There were many good books to read this year. In the year to come, I will continue to post reviews of good dog books, cat books, animal books and other books from time to time. I look forward to good reading in the year ahead.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Verses For the Week -- Words From Jesus
Luke 18:7-8 -- "Will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly."
Luke 12:35-36 -- "Be dressed and ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him."
John 7:37-38 -- "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them."
Luke 12:35-36 -- "Be dressed and ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him."
John 7:37-38 -- "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them."
Friday, December 11, 2015
Weekend Sermon -- "Covenants Fulfilled"
Welcome to this Advent season edition of the Weekend Sermon. It is good to be with you today, and I hope that everyone is enjoying the holiday season so far.
I finally got all of my Christmas cards out, and I have completed my holiday shopping. At my place of work, they are having many activities for the holiday season, so that has been interesting. I would ask that you keep me in your prayers about the work situation. I would like to find a new job as soon as possible.
In prayer this week, please pray for those who are feeling depressed and down during this holiday season. I know from first hand experience that the holidays can be a difficult time. I am glad that during this Thanksgiving that I was able to go out to dinner with my brother and his family. I was getting kind of down too.
There are many other things to pray about this week. I heard this morning that Burundi is on the brink of a civil war. Let us pray for peace there and pray for peace in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. There are so many countries where there is warfare that it is hard to remember all of them. During this time when we celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace, let us pray for peace around the world.
We have been praying for nations around the world where there aren't that many Christians. Let us pray this week for Taiwan, Japan, Bahrain and Turkey.
I want to say thank you to the Lord for an answer to prayer. We have been praying about the Ebola crisis in Africa for sometime. I heard a report on the radio a couple of days ago that there haven't been any new cases in quite sometime. This is something to be very thankful for.
In today's message, we continue with our series of messages centering around the Advent season. In last week's message, we discussed why Jesus came to this earth in the first place. In this week's sermon, I want to focus on how Jesus' birth fulfilled two of the covenants God made with two men in the Old Testament.
The whole idea of covenant is important in the Bible. Our Bible is divided into the Old and New Testament or the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. In addition to these larger covenants, God made a covenant with people in the Bible. He made them promises that He was bound to keep. One of the first covenants was the covenant God made with Noah. God promised that He would not flood the earth again as He had in Noah's time.
God made two other covenants with those in the Old Testament that were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The first of these is known as the Abrahamic Covenant. In Genesis 12:1-3, God called Abraham out of Ur. God told Abraham that He would bless him and make from him a great nation. God said that all the nations of the world would be blessed through Abraham.
The story of the Old Testament reveals to us how God was faithful to keep His promise to Abraham. In spite of the fact that the Israelites often turned away from God, God was faithful to them. He kept them as a nation, and He kept His message of truth alive through them.
Then, on that first Christmas Day, the Abrahamic Covenant received its ultimate fulfillment. Jesus, a descendant of Abraham was born in Bethlehem. Because Jesus came to this earth, all of the nations of the world have been blessed just as God said in Genesis 12.
Because of Jesus' life, death and resurrection, people from all over the world have been freed from sin and have come into a right relationship with the God of all creation. The final fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant will occur at the Second Advent when Jesus reigns. All the nations of the world will known peace, goodness and prosperity because Jesus is on the throne.
God also made another important covenant with someone that had its fulfillment in Jesus. The Bible says that David was a man after God's own heart. Unlike many of the other kings mentioned in the Bible, David never turned his back on the Lord and worshiped idols. David was far from perfect. He actually did some pretty horrendous things. However, David always repented and asked the Lord to forgive him.
II Chronicles 6:16 records the promise that God made with David. God told David that he would always have a successor to sit on the throne of Israel. On Christmas Day, this promise received its ultimate fulfillment. The Bible tells us that Jesus was born in the line of David. He was a literal descendant of David.
While He was here on this earth, Jesus did not establish a physical kingdom. His kingdom was established in the hearts and minds of all those who believed in Him and made Him the sovereign Lord of their lives. However, the Davidic Covenant will have a complete fulfillment when the Second Advent comes.
When Jesus returns to this earth to rule and reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus will sit on the throne of David as ruler of all the nations. God's promise to David is completely fulfilled in Jesus.
When I study the way the God honors His word and keeps His covenants, it thrills my heart. I know that I can take God at His word. I can trust what Jesus, who is God come in the flesh, tells me. Jesus promised that He would give eternal life to all who would call upon His name and believe in Him as Savior and Lord.
Jesus said that He has gone to prepare a place for us who are His followers. If we trust in Him, Jesus has promised that we will be with Him forever and forever.
Jesus also promised that He is the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Jesus though he were dead, yet shall he live. Whoever believes in Jesus will never die. Jesus said that those who die in the faith will be with Him for all eternity.
I can believe these things because I have seen it clearly revealed in Scripture that God keeps His word. He kept His word to Noah and Abraham and David. He will keep His word to us.
The Bible says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Since Jesus was trustworthy when He was on earth, we can trust each and everything that He has revealed to us in His word.
I hope that during this Christmas season that you will reflect on the ways that God has kept His promises. Think of the ways that God has kept His promises to you.
Next week, I will post the verses on Monday. On Wednesday, I will reveal my picks for the best dog and cat books of 2015. On Friday, we will continue with our series of Advent messages. May God bless you all . Amen.
P.S. -- I would like to ask you all to pray for a writer that I know. His good cat was savaged by a dog and is in a bad way. Please pray for this man's pet that she will fully recover. Thank you.
I finally got all of my Christmas cards out, and I have completed my holiday shopping. At my place of work, they are having many activities for the holiday season, so that has been interesting. I would ask that you keep me in your prayers about the work situation. I would like to find a new job as soon as possible.
In prayer this week, please pray for those who are feeling depressed and down during this holiday season. I know from first hand experience that the holidays can be a difficult time. I am glad that during this Thanksgiving that I was able to go out to dinner with my brother and his family. I was getting kind of down too.
There are many other things to pray about this week. I heard this morning that Burundi is on the brink of a civil war. Let us pray for peace there and pray for peace in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. There are so many countries where there is warfare that it is hard to remember all of them. During this time when we celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace, let us pray for peace around the world.
We have been praying for nations around the world where there aren't that many Christians. Let us pray this week for Taiwan, Japan, Bahrain and Turkey.
I want to say thank you to the Lord for an answer to prayer. We have been praying about the Ebola crisis in Africa for sometime. I heard a report on the radio a couple of days ago that there haven't been any new cases in quite sometime. This is something to be very thankful for.
In today's message, we continue with our series of messages centering around the Advent season. In last week's message, we discussed why Jesus came to this earth in the first place. In this week's sermon, I want to focus on how Jesus' birth fulfilled two of the covenants God made with two men in the Old Testament.
The whole idea of covenant is important in the Bible. Our Bible is divided into the Old and New Testament or the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. In addition to these larger covenants, God made a covenant with people in the Bible. He made them promises that He was bound to keep. One of the first covenants was the covenant God made with Noah. God promised that He would not flood the earth again as He had in Noah's time.
God made two other covenants with those in the Old Testament that were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The first of these is known as the Abrahamic Covenant. In Genesis 12:1-3, God called Abraham out of Ur. God told Abraham that He would bless him and make from him a great nation. God said that all the nations of the world would be blessed through Abraham.
The story of the Old Testament reveals to us how God was faithful to keep His promise to Abraham. In spite of the fact that the Israelites often turned away from God, God was faithful to them. He kept them as a nation, and He kept His message of truth alive through them.
Then, on that first Christmas Day, the Abrahamic Covenant received its ultimate fulfillment. Jesus, a descendant of Abraham was born in Bethlehem. Because Jesus came to this earth, all of the nations of the world have been blessed just as God said in Genesis 12.
Because of Jesus' life, death and resurrection, people from all over the world have been freed from sin and have come into a right relationship with the God of all creation. The final fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant will occur at the Second Advent when Jesus reigns. All the nations of the world will known peace, goodness and prosperity because Jesus is on the throne.
God also made another important covenant with someone that had its fulfillment in Jesus. The Bible says that David was a man after God's own heart. Unlike many of the other kings mentioned in the Bible, David never turned his back on the Lord and worshiped idols. David was far from perfect. He actually did some pretty horrendous things. However, David always repented and asked the Lord to forgive him.
II Chronicles 6:16 records the promise that God made with David. God told David that he would always have a successor to sit on the throne of Israel. On Christmas Day, this promise received its ultimate fulfillment. The Bible tells us that Jesus was born in the line of David. He was a literal descendant of David.
While He was here on this earth, Jesus did not establish a physical kingdom. His kingdom was established in the hearts and minds of all those who believed in Him and made Him the sovereign Lord of their lives. However, the Davidic Covenant will have a complete fulfillment when the Second Advent comes.
When Jesus returns to this earth to rule and reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus will sit on the throne of David as ruler of all the nations. God's promise to David is completely fulfilled in Jesus.
When I study the way the God honors His word and keeps His covenants, it thrills my heart. I know that I can take God at His word. I can trust what Jesus, who is God come in the flesh, tells me. Jesus promised that He would give eternal life to all who would call upon His name and believe in Him as Savior and Lord.
Jesus said that He has gone to prepare a place for us who are His followers. If we trust in Him, Jesus has promised that we will be with Him forever and forever.
Jesus also promised that He is the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Jesus though he were dead, yet shall he live. Whoever believes in Jesus will never die. Jesus said that those who die in the faith will be with Him for all eternity.
I can believe these things because I have seen it clearly revealed in Scripture that God keeps His word. He kept His word to Noah and Abraham and David. He will keep His word to us.
The Bible says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Since Jesus was trustworthy when He was on earth, we can trust each and everything that He has revealed to us in His word.
I hope that during this Christmas season that you will reflect on the ways that God has kept His promises. Think of the ways that God has kept His promises to you.
Next week, I will post the verses on Monday. On Wednesday, I will reveal my picks for the best dog and cat books of 2015. On Friday, we will continue with our series of Advent messages. May God bless you all . Amen.
P.S. -- I would like to ask you all to pray for a writer that I know. His good cat was savaged by a dog and is in a bad way. Please pray for this man's pet that she will fully recover. Thank you.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Book Review -- "Great Soul of Siberia"
Several weeks ago I recommended a great program to watch called "Siberian Tiger Quest". That program, which appeared on Nature on PBS, tells the story of Sooyong Park's study of the Siberian Tiger. The camera work in this film is stunning.
Sooyong Park has now written a book called "Great Soul of Siberia" about his work with the Siberian tigers in Russia. This book adds a great deal more information than what is available in the PBS film.
In this book, Park explains the way in which his research is conducted. Half of the year is spent mapping out the areas where the Siberian tigers are active. The second half of the year is spent in small bunkers where Park waits for days on end for the tigers to appear so that he can capture them on film.
The book is very well-written. When Park describes the time three tigers were attempting to enter his bunker, the reader will feel all of the emotions Park was experiencing at that moment.
Like all books written about critically endangered species, this book contains its moments of tragedy. However, it is also a book of hope for the future of these magnificent animals.
One other interesting aspect of this book that I want to mention is that Park also gives a lot of information about the people who live in Siberian tiger country. This makes for a well-rounded and informative work.
Next week, I will reveal my picks for the best dog book and the best cat book that I have read in 2015.
Sooyong Park has now written a book called "Great Soul of Siberia" about his work with the Siberian tigers in Russia. This book adds a great deal more information than what is available in the PBS film.
In this book, Park explains the way in which his research is conducted. Half of the year is spent mapping out the areas where the Siberian tigers are active. The second half of the year is spent in small bunkers where Park waits for days on end for the tigers to appear so that he can capture them on film.
The book is very well-written. When Park describes the time three tigers were attempting to enter his bunker, the reader will feel all of the emotions Park was experiencing at that moment.
Like all books written about critically endangered species, this book contains its moments of tragedy. However, it is also a book of hope for the future of these magnificent animals.
One other interesting aspect of this book that I want to mention is that Park also gives a lot of information about the people who live in Siberian tiger country. This makes for a well-rounded and informative work.
Next week, I will reveal my picks for the best dog book and the best cat book that I have read in 2015.
Monday, December 7, 2015
Verses For the Week -- Some Favorite Verses
John 10:14-15 -- "I am the Good Shepherd, I know my sheep and my sheep know me. Just as the Father knows me and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep."
Philippians 2:10-11 -- "At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father."
James 1:27 -- "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
Revelation 1:17-18 -- "Do not be afraid, I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One. I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and hades.
Philippians 2:10-11 -- "At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father."
James 1:27 -- "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
Revelation 1:17-18 -- "Do not be afraid, I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One. I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and hades.
Friday, December 4, 2015
Weekend Sermon -- "Why Jesus Came"
Hello, I am glad to be with you once again to post the Weekend Sermon. Thank you for joining me again this week. It is my prayer that all of you are doing well.
Winter was definitely here in my part of the world this last week. We had a small ice storm, but the roads didn't get bad. Thank the Lord for that. I am just about finished with the rough draft of the book I am working on. All is still on target for a release sometime in the middle of 2016.
In prayer this week, please pray for the families touched by the tragic events in California this week. Pray for an end to the violence, war and terrorism that plagues our world. Pray that many will come to know the Prince of Peace for He is the only one who can bring true peace. Please pray for peace in Syria, South Sudan and Iraq this week.
We have been praying for the last several weeks that the message of Jesus might reach nations where there are not many Christians. With this in mind, let us pray for Jordan, Nepal, Comoros and Qatar.
This is the beginning of the Advent season. It is the time that we celebrate the fact that Jesus Christ came to this earth. As we go into this Christmas season, resolve in your hearts to keep Jesus at the center of your holiday celebrations. It seems to me more and more every year that Jesus is being crowded out of His own birthday celebration. Let us never lose sight of what Christmas is really all about.
As we start our series of Advent messages for this year, I want to focus on the topic this week of why Jesus came to this earth in the first place. As believers in orthodox Christian doctrine, we believe that Jesus is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. Before He came to this earth, Jesus lived in the unity of the Trinity with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Philippians 2:6-8 gives us a clear picture of Jesus before and after His incarnation. These verses state, "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient unto death --- even death on a cross!"
So, why did Jesus leave the glories of Heaven and take up human flesh. Why did He come to this earth to suffer and die on the cross?
Our sin and need for redemption and forgiveness is what brought Jesus to this earth. When God created man, He created him in a perfect environment. There was no sin in the world. God placed Adam and Eve in the garden. All that God asked of them is that they would not eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Humanity in its rebellion, disobeyed the commandment of the Lord. Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden.
Because of Adam's sin, a sin nature has passed down to all human beings. There is none righteous the Bible says. Romans 5:12 makes the situation quite clear. It says, "Wherefore as by one man, sin entered into the world and death passed upon all men for all have sinned."
The sinful state of humanity brought separation between God and the human race. Because of sin, death and destruction permeated the entire universe. Because of sin, God in His holiness and justice had every right to pass judgment on this world.
However, I John 4:16 tells us that "God is love." Because of His great love for us, God wanted to bring us back to Him. He wanted to redeem us and free us from sin and death. So, immediately when humanity fell into sin, God announced the first promise to the human race that a redeemer was on the way.
Genesis 3:15 states, "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." One day, a savior would be born who would bring redemption to the human race.
Throughout the Old Testament, the Lord was working to bring about His plan of redemption. There are many prophecies in the Old Testament that point to the coming of the Messiah. One of these is a favorite verse recited during the Christmas season. Isaiah 9:6 says, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. And he shall be called wonderful, counselor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace."
Hundreds of years went by from the first promise of the Messiah in Genesis 3:15 until the birth of the Savior in Bethlehem. But as Galatians 4:4 tells us, "But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son."
Jesus came on Christmas day to bring about redemption for a world that was lost. He came to live a perfect, holy and sinless life so that we would know the way that we ought to live. Jesus came to bring light into the darkness of the world. He came to bring hope.
Jesus came to die on the cross so that He could bear our sins in His body. He was the Lamb of God come to take away the sin of the world. By His death and resurrection, Jesus came to free us from the curse of Adam's sin. As I Corinthians 15:22 tells us, "In Adam all die, but in Christ shall all be made alive."
Jesus came to free us from sin and the consequences of sin. He came to offer life and light to all who believe.
Jesus has provided all of us with the free gift of salvation and redemption. Now we must decided whether or not we will accept Jesus' offer of salvation. We must decided whether or not we will repent of our sins and turn to Jesus for forgiveness. We must decided whether we will let Jesus be the Lord of our lives.
Today is the day of salvation. If you have never done so, I pray that you will turn to Jesus today.
Next week, we will have another message in our Advent series. I will post the verses on Monday and a review on Wednesday. May God bless you all. Amen.
Winter was definitely here in my part of the world this last week. We had a small ice storm, but the roads didn't get bad. Thank the Lord for that. I am just about finished with the rough draft of the book I am working on. All is still on target for a release sometime in the middle of 2016.
In prayer this week, please pray for the families touched by the tragic events in California this week. Pray for an end to the violence, war and terrorism that plagues our world. Pray that many will come to know the Prince of Peace for He is the only one who can bring true peace. Please pray for peace in Syria, South Sudan and Iraq this week.
We have been praying for the last several weeks that the message of Jesus might reach nations where there are not many Christians. With this in mind, let us pray for Jordan, Nepal, Comoros and Qatar.
This is the beginning of the Advent season. It is the time that we celebrate the fact that Jesus Christ came to this earth. As we go into this Christmas season, resolve in your hearts to keep Jesus at the center of your holiday celebrations. It seems to me more and more every year that Jesus is being crowded out of His own birthday celebration. Let us never lose sight of what Christmas is really all about.
As we start our series of Advent messages for this year, I want to focus on the topic this week of why Jesus came to this earth in the first place. As believers in orthodox Christian doctrine, we believe that Jesus is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. Before He came to this earth, Jesus lived in the unity of the Trinity with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Philippians 2:6-8 gives us a clear picture of Jesus before and after His incarnation. These verses state, "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient unto death --- even death on a cross!"
So, why did Jesus leave the glories of Heaven and take up human flesh. Why did He come to this earth to suffer and die on the cross?
Our sin and need for redemption and forgiveness is what brought Jesus to this earth. When God created man, He created him in a perfect environment. There was no sin in the world. God placed Adam and Eve in the garden. All that God asked of them is that they would not eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Humanity in its rebellion, disobeyed the commandment of the Lord. Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden.
Because of Adam's sin, a sin nature has passed down to all human beings. There is none righteous the Bible says. Romans 5:12 makes the situation quite clear. It says, "Wherefore as by one man, sin entered into the world and death passed upon all men for all have sinned."
The sinful state of humanity brought separation between God and the human race. Because of sin, death and destruction permeated the entire universe. Because of sin, God in His holiness and justice had every right to pass judgment on this world.
However, I John 4:16 tells us that "God is love." Because of His great love for us, God wanted to bring us back to Him. He wanted to redeem us and free us from sin and death. So, immediately when humanity fell into sin, God announced the first promise to the human race that a redeemer was on the way.
Genesis 3:15 states, "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." One day, a savior would be born who would bring redemption to the human race.
Throughout the Old Testament, the Lord was working to bring about His plan of redemption. There are many prophecies in the Old Testament that point to the coming of the Messiah. One of these is a favorite verse recited during the Christmas season. Isaiah 9:6 says, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. And he shall be called wonderful, counselor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace."
Hundreds of years went by from the first promise of the Messiah in Genesis 3:15 until the birth of the Savior in Bethlehem. But as Galatians 4:4 tells us, "But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son."
Jesus came on Christmas day to bring about redemption for a world that was lost. He came to live a perfect, holy and sinless life so that we would know the way that we ought to live. Jesus came to bring light into the darkness of the world. He came to bring hope.
Jesus came to die on the cross so that He could bear our sins in His body. He was the Lamb of God come to take away the sin of the world. By His death and resurrection, Jesus came to free us from the curse of Adam's sin. As I Corinthians 15:22 tells us, "In Adam all die, but in Christ shall all be made alive."
Jesus came to free us from sin and the consequences of sin. He came to offer life and light to all who believe.
Jesus has provided all of us with the free gift of salvation and redemption. Now we must decided whether or not we will accept Jesus' offer of salvation. We must decided whether or not we will repent of our sins and turn to Jesus for forgiveness. We must decided whether we will let Jesus be the Lord of our lives.
Today is the day of salvation. If you have never done so, I pray that you will turn to Jesus today.
Next week, we will have another message in our Advent series. I will post the verses on Monday and a review on Wednesday. May God bless you all. Amen.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Book Review -- The Tale of Rescue
The book I'm reviewing this week is entitled "The Tale of Rescue" written by Michael J. Rosen. This is a book aimed at younger readers, but I think that people of all ages would enjoy it. The color illustrations in this book are especially well done.
"The Tale of Rescue" is the story of a cattle dog who is on a mission. The cattle dog works on a farm and performs her duties remarkably. One evening, only she hears the calls of a family crying for help. This family has been stranded by a blizzard as they were hiking in the forest. It is up to one brave and resourceful cattle dog to rescue this family. The cattle dog goes all out to complete her vital mission.
I found this book to be well-written and paced out nicely. The ending was very good, and I would recommend this book for readers of all ages.
"The Tale of Rescue" is the story of a cattle dog who is on a mission. The cattle dog works on a farm and performs her duties remarkably. One evening, only she hears the calls of a family crying for help. This family has been stranded by a blizzard as they were hiking in the forest. It is up to one brave and resourceful cattle dog to rescue this family. The cattle dog goes all out to complete her vital mission.
I found this book to be well-written and paced out nicely. The ending was very good, and I would recommend this book for readers of all ages.
Monday, November 30, 2015
Verses For the Week -- Verses From Hebrews
Hebrews 1:1-2 -- "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe."
Hebrews 12:1-2 -- "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 13:8 -- "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Weekend Sermon -- Give Thanks
Welcome to the Weekend Sermon. I am posting the sermon one day later than usual because the library where I have computer access was closed on Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday. I wasn't too sure I was going to be able to post the sermon today. We are having terrible weather here where I live. On Thanksgiving day, we had the most rainfall in the area's recorded history for that day. Now, we are having freezing rain. The trees are all full of ice, but the temperature is right at 32 degrees, so the roads are OK for now. I have to go to work and drive a long way in this mess, so please pray that I will make it up and down the road safely.
I want to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. I hope you had a good day with your friends and family.
In prayer this week, let's continue to pray for those who are recovering from injuries in Paris. Let us also pray that there are no more terrorist attacks. Continue to pray for peace in Syria and Iraq. Pray for the spread of the message of Jesus in Iran, Pakistan, Turkey and Vietnam.
For our sermon this week, I just wanted to focus on the theme of giving thanks for what we have. I also want to share some of the things in my life that I feel especially thankful for.
One of the great chapters on thanksgiving found in the Bible is Psalm 136. In this Psalm, the writer records all of the great things that God did for the people of Israel. Each verse is punctuated by the phrase, "His love endures forever." I urge you to read this entire Psalm this Thanksgiving weekend.
Over the past several days, I have been looking back on my life and thinking about some of the things that I have to be especially thankful for. I have a somewhat pessimistic personality, and I have suffered from depression on and off since I was a teenager. I know that it helps me to fight depression to think about the good things in life. With that in mind, please bear with me as I just reflect on what I wish to thank the Lord Jesus for over the course of my life.
When I was a boy, my Mom and Dad were involved in taking collies to dog shows. I have loved dogs from an early age. One of my dreams was to have a dog who was extra special and wonderful. Some people call these lifetime dogs. They only come along once in a lifetime.
In 1985, the Lord Jesus gave me my dog of a lifetime. He gave me Toby my forever friend. Jesus knew that we needed each other, and He brought the two of us together. I spent the best 11 and a half years of my life with that dog.
I am truly grateful to the Lord for bringing him into my life. Toby helped me to overcome depression at a very difficult time in my life. He helped me to understand unconditional love.
Thank you Jesus for my friend Toby.
Another thing that has been of immense importance in my life is jazz music. I enjoy many different kinds of music, but jazz is my true love. I thank the Lord for allowing me to hear my first jazz record when I was 16 years old. I heard Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond and I feel in love with jazz.
Many nights when I felt discouraged and let down by the world, I either have put on a jazz CD or turned on the local public radio station that plays jazz all night, and I feel the weight of the world lift away a little. I really don't know what my life would look like without trumpets, saxophones and a host of other instruments playing every night in my room.
Thank you Jesus for jazz and allowing me to learn to play the trumpet so I can play a little jazz of my own.
In high school, my favorite class was literature. I love books, and I love reading. I love reading all kinds of things. One of my great dreams was to be a published writer. After I graduated from Bible college and then regular college, I started submitting some of my writing for publication. The Lord has blessed my writing far above anything that I ever imagined.
When I first started writing poems each morning, with Toby right by my desk as always, I never dreamed that I would have over 75 poems published in literary journals. I also never thought that the Lord would use my writing as the primary means by which I have fulfilled His call on my life to spread the message of His love.
By the grace of the Lord, I have been able to write several articles and devotional pieces that have been translated into other languages and reached around the world. I am so thankful to the Lord for allowing this dream to come true and for using it for His honor and glory.
In that regard, I am so thankful for the opportunity to share what the Lord means to me on this blog. I pray each day for all of you who read it, and I pray that the Lord will use it to bring others to know how great He truly is.
Thank you Jesus for allowing me to be a writer.
None of the good things in my life would have been possible without a relationship with Jesus Christ. That is the one thing in my life for which I am the most grateful. My parents took me to church and Sunday school when I was just a little boy. They also sacrificed greatly so that I could attend a Christian school.
I heard about Jesus all of my life. He has been the center of my life since I accepted Him as my Savior and Lord as a boy. Without Jesus in my life, I would not be here today. He is my rock and my salvation.
I join with the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:15 when he says, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift." That gift is His Son the Lord Jesus Christ who loved us and gave Himself for us.
I hope that during this thanksgiving time that you will take a few moments to reflect back on your life and consider what truly wonderful things the Lord Jesus has given you. We have so much to be thankful for. We have many special things to be thankful for. We have Jesus to be most thankful for.
Next week, I hope to be back on regular schedule with the postings. I hope to post the verses on Monday weather permitting. The review will appear on Wednesday, and I will post the sermon on Friday. May God bless each and every one of you. Amen.
I want to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. I hope you had a good day with your friends and family.
In prayer this week, let's continue to pray for those who are recovering from injuries in Paris. Let us also pray that there are no more terrorist attacks. Continue to pray for peace in Syria and Iraq. Pray for the spread of the message of Jesus in Iran, Pakistan, Turkey and Vietnam.
For our sermon this week, I just wanted to focus on the theme of giving thanks for what we have. I also want to share some of the things in my life that I feel especially thankful for.
One of the great chapters on thanksgiving found in the Bible is Psalm 136. In this Psalm, the writer records all of the great things that God did for the people of Israel. Each verse is punctuated by the phrase, "His love endures forever." I urge you to read this entire Psalm this Thanksgiving weekend.
Over the past several days, I have been looking back on my life and thinking about some of the things that I have to be especially thankful for. I have a somewhat pessimistic personality, and I have suffered from depression on and off since I was a teenager. I know that it helps me to fight depression to think about the good things in life. With that in mind, please bear with me as I just reflect on what I wish to thank the Lord Jesus for over the course of my life.
When I was a boy, my Mom and Dad were involved in taking collies to dog shows. I have loved dogs from an early age. One of my dreams was to have a dog who was extra special and wonderful. Some people call these lifetime dogs. They only come along once in a lifetime.
In 1985, the Lord Jesus gave me my dog of a lifetime. He gave me Toby my forever friend. Jesus knew that we needed each other, and He brought the two of us together. I spent the best 11 and a half years of my life with that dog.
I am truly grateful to the Lord for bringing him into my life. Toby helped me to overcome depression at a very difficult time in my life. He helped me to understand unconditional love.
Thank you Jesus for my friend Toby.
Another thing that has been of immense importance in my life is jazz music. I enjoy many different kinds of music, but jazz is my true love. I thank the Lord for allowing me to hear my first jazz record when I was 16 years old. I heard Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond and I feel in love with jazz.
Many nights when I felt discouraged and let down by the world, I either have put on a jazz CD or turned on the local public radio station that plays jazz all night, and I feel the weight of the world lift away a little. I really don't know what my life would look like without trumpets, saxophones and a host of other instruments playing every night in my room.
Thank you Jesus for jazz and allowing me to learn to play the trumpet so I can play a little jazz of my own.
In high school, my favorite class was literature. I love books, and I love reading. I love reading all kinds of things. One of my great dreams was to be a published writer. After I graduated from Bible college and then regular college, I started submitting some of my writing for publication. The Lord has blessed my writing far above anything that I ever imagined.
When I first started writing poems each morning, with Toby right by my desk as always, I never dreamed that I would have over 75 poems published in literary journals. I also never thought that the Lord would use my writing as the primary means by which I have fulfilled His call on my life to spread the message of His love.
By the grace of the Lord, I have been able to write several articles and devotional pieces that have been translated into other languages and reached around the world. I am so thankful to the Lord for allowing this dream to come true and for using it for His honor and glory.
In that regard, I am so thankful for the opportunity to share what the Lord means to me on this blog. I pray each day for all of you who read it, and I pray that the Lord will use it to bring others to know how great He truly is.
Thank you Jesus for allowing me to be a writer.
None of the good things in my life would have been possible without a relationship with Jesus Christ. That is the one thing in my life for which I am the most grateful. My parents took me to church and Sunday school when I was just a little boy. They also sacrificed greatly so that I could attend a Christian school.
I heard about Jesus all of my life. He has been the center of my life since I accepted Him as my Savior and Lord as a boy. Without Jesus in my life, I would not be here today. He is my rock and my salvation.
I join with the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:15 when he says, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift." That gift is His Son the Lord Jesus Christ who loved us and gave Himself for us.
I hope that during this thanksgiving time that you will take a few moments to reflect back on your life and consider what truly wonderful things the Lord Jesus has given you. We have so much to be thankful for. We have many special things to be thankful for. We have Jesus to be most thankful for.
Next week, I hope to be back on regular schedule with the postings. I hope to post the verses on Monday weather permitting. The review will appear on Wednesday, and I will post the sermon on Friday. May God bless each and every one of you. Amen.
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Book Review -- A Good Poetry Book
First of all, I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Today, I would like to recommend a good poetry book that I have just finished. This book is entitled "Felicity" written by the poet Mary Oliver. Mary Oliver is one of my favorite contemporary poets. Her poetry is very accessible. This particular volume is divided into three sections called, "Journey," "Love," and "Felicity".
Most of the poems in the book are one page long. My two favorite poems in this volume are "I Wake Close to Morning" and "Nothing is Too Small Not to be Wondered About."
Besides this volume, I would recommend all of the poetry books available from Mary Oliver.
P.S. Just a reminder, the sermon will not appear until Saturday this week. This also depends on the weather, as freezing rain is anticipated from Friday through Sunday.
Today, I would like to recommend a good poetry book that I have just finished. This book is entitled "Felicity" written by the poet Mary Oliver. Mary Oliver is one of my favorite contemporary poets. Her poetry is very accessible. This particular volume is divided into three sections called, "Journey," "Love," and "Felicity".
Most of the poems in the book are one page long. My two favorite poems in this volume are "I Wake Close to Morning" and "Nothing is Too Small Not to be Wondered About."
Besides this volume, I would recommend all of the poetry books available from Mary Oliver.
P.S. Just a reminder, the sermon will not appear until Saturday this week. This also depends on the weather, as freezing rain is anticipated from Friday through Sunday.
Monday, November 23, 2015
Verses For the Week -- Verses From John
John 1:9-12 -- "The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not receive him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
John 1:16 -- "Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given."
John 15:9 -- "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now, remain in my love."
John 1:16 -- "Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given."
John 15:9 -- "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now, remain in my love."
Friday, November 20, 2015
Weekend Sermon -- "A Repeated Sign"
Welcome to a new edition of the Weekend Sermon. Thank you for reading the blog. It is my prayer that all of you are doing well.
This week I have been feeling quite a bit better. Thank you for all of your prayers. I also got some good news about my roof damage due to the wind storm. It is not going to cost me as much to fix as I thought. I am very happy about this.
In prayer this week, let us focus our prayers on France and those still recovering from the tragedy that occurred there. Let us all pray for an end to terrorism around the world. I am so tired of all the violence and warfare in this world. Lord, let there be peace. Please come back soon so that all may be well on this troubled earth.
For the last several weeks, we have been concentrating on the book of John and the way in which John presents the deity of Jesus Christ. Last week, we looked at the ultimate sign in the book of John which is the bodily resurrection of Jesus from the grave.
In today's message, I want to focus on John 21. In this chapter, we see Jesus performing a miracle at the end of His ministry that He also performed near the beginning of His ministry.
John 21 finds the disciples not quite knowing what to do. Jesus has already appeared to them since His resurrection. Peter, Thomas, John, Nathaniel, James and two other disciples decided to go fishing on the Sea of Galilee. They fished all night, but they were not able to catch anything.
As the Sun was just coming up, Jesus appeared along the shore. He told the disciples to throw the nets on the other side. When the disciples did this, they had such a large haul, they could hardly drag in the nets.
At this time, John realized that Jesus was the one who had commanded them to throw in the net on the other side. Peter jumped into the water and swam to meet Jesus on the shore.
John and the other disciples were able to recognize Jesus in this miracle, because this had happened to them before. Luke 5 records a day when Jesus asked Peter to put down his nets again for a catch. Peter said that they had fished all night and caught nothing, but since Jesus asked him to do it, Peter put the nets back into the water. The nets were filled to the point of breaking. Peter left his nets and worshiped Jesus. At this point, Jesus asked Peter, James and John to follow Him and become fishers of men.
I find these two accounts so interesting and full of meaning. When Jesus performed this miracle the first time, it was His initial call to some of His disciples to join Him on His path of ministry. He was calling them to be His disciples. In the second occurrence in John, the disciples feel somewhat discouraged even though they had seen Jesus.
All of the disciples except John had abandoned Jesus during His time of trial. In fact, Peter even denied that he knew Jesus. I'm sure that they all felt that they had let Jesus down.
Jesus was there to pick up the pieces in His friend's lives. By performing this same miracle, Jesus was in essence calling His disciples to serve Him again. He was saying to them that He wanted them to follow Him and spread His messages. It was like a renewed call to service. It was a call that the disciples responded to positively.
Jesus knew that His friend Peter needed a little extra help. Peter had denied Jesus three times. Jesus would ask Peter three times if Peter loved Him. Peter responded that he did each time. Jesus called Peter to feed His sheep. Peter took up that call, and he became the leader of the early church.
What does this repeated sign have to teach us today? For me this sign demonstrates that Jesus is always ready to forgive me when I fail to do what He wants me to do. All of us sin and go astray. However, Jesus is always ready to forgive and offer us a second chance to begin again and follow Him and what He has called us to do.
Jesus knows that we are weak. He knows that we are just human beings trying to do the best that we can. He cares about us, and He will forgive us and help us.
All of us have betrayed the Lord by our actions at sometime or another. Jesus wants to forgive. He gives us the opportunity to serve Him again and make a difference.
Look at the disciples. They certainly had their ups and downs. However, these men changed the entire world. They spread the message of Jesus' love across the world. They kept their eyes on Jesus. They knew that Jesus was there friend and that He cared about them. Knowing this, they were willing to give up their lives in His service.
This message will wrap up our series in the Gospel of John. Next week, I will have a message on the theme of thanksgiving. On that note, the library where I go to post the sermon will be closed next Friday. I will be posting the sermon on Saturday next week. I will post the verses on Monday and a review on Wednesday.
During the month of December, I will be posting sermons with an Advent theme. After the first of the year, I will be starting a new series of messages. I have several different series worked up, but I am not sure which one I want to start the new year with yet. I will have more to say about his later. I am also going to do something different with the verses I post on Monday next year as well. More on this later. Thank you all for reading the blog. May God bless you all, and may there be peace on earth. Amen.
This week I have been feeling quite a bit better. Thank you for all of your prayers. I also got some good news about my roof damage due to the wind storm. It is not going to cost me as much to fix as I thought. I am very happy about this.
In prayer this week, let us focus our prayers on France and those still recovering from the tragedy that occurred there. Let us all pray for an end to terrorism around the world. I am so tired of all the violence and warfare in this world. Lord, let there be peace. Please come back soon so that all may be well on this troubled earth.
For the last several weeks, we have been concentrating on the book of John and the way in which John presents the deity of Jesus Christ. Last week, we looked at the ultimate sign in the book of John which is the bodily resurrection of Jesus from the grave.
In today's message, I want to focus on John 21. In this chapter, we see Jesus performing a miracle at the end of His ministry that He also performed near the beginning of His ministry.
John 21 finds the disciples not quite knowing what to do. Jesus has already appeared to them since His resurrection. Peter, Thomas, John, Nathaniel, James and two other disciples decided to go fishing on the Sea of Galilee. They fished all night, but they were not able to catch anything.
As the Sun was just coming up, Jesus appeared along the shore. He told the disciples to throw the nets on the other side. When the disciples did this, they had such a large haul, they could hardly drag in the nets.
At this time, John realized that Jesus was the one who had commanded them to throw in the net on the other side. Peter jumped into the water and swam to meet Jesus on the shore.
John and the other disciples were able to recognize Jesus in this miracle, because this had happened to them before. Luke 5 records a day when Jesus asked Peter to put down his nets again for a catch. Peter said that they had fished all night and caught nothing, but since Jesus asked him to do it, Peter put the nets back into the water. The nets were filled to the point of breaking. Peter left his nets and worshiped Jesus. At this point, Jesus asked Peter, James and John to follow Him and become fishers of men.
I find these two accounts so interesting and full of meaning. When Jesus performed this miracle the first time, it was His initial call to some of His disciples to join Him on His path of ministry. He was calling them to be His disciples. In the second occurrence in John, the disciples feel somewhat discouraged even though they had seen Jesus.
All of the disciples except John had abandoned Jesus during His time of trial. In fact, Peter even denied that he knew Jesus. I'm sure that they all felt that they had let Jesus down.
Jesus was there to pick up the pieces in His friend's lives. By performing this same miracle, Jesus was in essence calling His disciples to serve Him again. He was saying to them that He wanted them to follow Him and spread His messages. It was like a renewed call to service. It was a call that the disciples responded to positively.
Jesus knew that His friend Peter needed a little extra help. Peter had denied Jesus three times. Jesus would ask Peter three times if Peter loved Him. Peter responded that he did each time. Jesus called Peter to feed His sheep. Peter took up that call, and he became the leader of the early church.
What does this repeated sign have to teach us today? For me this sign demonstrates that Jesus is always ready to forgive me when I fail to do what He wants me to do. All of us sin and go astray. However, Jesus is always ready to forgive and offer us a second chance to begin again and follow Him and what He has called us to do.
Jesus knows that we are weak. He knows that we are just human beings trying to do the best that we can. He cares about us, and He will forgive us and help us.
All of us have betrayed the Lord by our actions at sometime or another. Jesus wants to forgive. He gives us the opportunity to serve Him again and make a difference.
Look at the disciples. They certainly had their ups and downs. However, these men changed the entire world. They spread the message of Jesus' love across the world. They kept their eyes on Jesus. They knew that Jesus was there friend and that He cared about them. Knowing this, they were willing to give up their lives in His service.
This message will wrap up our series in the Gospel of John. Next week, I will have a message on the theme of thanksgiving. On that note, the library where I go to post the sermon will be closed next Friday. I will be posting the sermon on Saturday next week. I will post the verses on Monday and a review on Wednesday.
During the month of December, I will be posting sermons with an Advent theme. After the first of the year, I will be starting a new series of messages. I have several different series worked up, but I am not sure which one I want to start the new year with yet. I will have more to say about his later. I am also going to do something different with the verses I post on Monday next year as well. More on this later. Thank you all for reading the blog. May God bless you all, and may there be peace on earth. Amen.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Book Review -- "Buster"
The book that I am reviewing today was not what I expected, but it turned out to be a really good book nonetheless. "Buster The Military Dog Who Saved a Thousand Lives" is written by Will Barrow and Isabel George. The book recounts the time RAF Police Sergeant Will Barrow spent on deployment with Buster his military dog.
Buster already had experience as a military dog working in Bosnia before he and Will Barrow teamed up. The pair ended up working in Afghanistan with the mission of finding weapons, bombs and IEDs. Later, Will and Buster would also work in Iraq just before the British mission ended in that country.
While Buster was a great military working dog who found weapons and helped to keep the British soldiers safe, Buster proved to be invaluable in another very important way. Buster helped to keep the morale of the troops up. He provided comfort and encouragement to all those he came in contact with.
Sergeant Barrow credits Buster with helping him make it through the tough times in Afghanistan. The overall theme of the book can be summed up with Will's statement, "Everything was better when he was around."
There are some very interesting episodes in this book. I found the descriptions of how a military dog searches for weapons quite interesting. Sergeant Barrow also gives us good insight into Buster's personality. Buster didn't like to do vehicle searches. He would only do 14 vehicle searches, and then he wouldn't do anymore until he had a break. Buster thought that this type of work was boring.
I would recommend this book to those who like to read about the dog and human bond and to those who like to read about working dogs.
Buster already had experience as a military dog working in Bosnia before he and Will Barrow teamed up. The pair ended up working in Afghanistan with the mission of finding weapons, bombs and IEDs. Later, Will and Buster would also work in Iraq just before the British mission ended in that country.
While Buster was a great military working dog who found weapons and helped to keep the British soldiers safe, Buster proved to be invaluable in another very important way. Buster helped to keep the morale of the troops up. He provided comfort and encouragement to all those he came in contact with.
Sergeant Barrow credits Buster with helping him make it through the tough times in Afghanistan. The overall theme of the book can be summed up with Will's statement, "Everything was better when he was around."
There are some very interesting episodes in this book. I found the descriptions of how a military dog searches for weapons quite interesting. Sergeant Barrow also gives us good insight into Buster's personality. Buster didn't like to do vehicle searches. He would only do 14 vehicle searches, and then he wouldn't do anymore until he had a break. Buster thought that this type of work was boring.
I would recommend this book to those who like to read about the dog and human bond and to those who like to read about working dogs.
Monday, November 16, 2015
Verses For the Week -- Verses From Psalms
Psalm 46:1-3 -- "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."
Psalm 23:1-4 -- "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley. I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
Psalm 57:1 -- "Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed."
Psalm 23:1-4 -- "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley. I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
Psalm 57:1 -- "Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed."
Saturday, November 14, 2015
A Call For Prayer
The terrible tragedy in Paris yesterday has left me extremely sad this morning. Let us all pray for the people of France. Let us pray for the victims of this violence and that those who are injured may recovery. Let us pray for an end to violence, terrorism and war.
Friday, November 13, 2015
Weekend Sermon -- The Ultimate Sign
Today is another great day to be able to post the Weekend Sermon. Thank you for taking the time to read this week's sermon. I hope that all of you are having a wonderful day.
My week has been crazy to say the least. We had a really bad windstorm, and I had a little bit of roof damage. I think I have it fixed, so I am thankful for that. Things could have been much worse. I would ask that you please pray for me regarding my health. I had to go to the doctor on Wednesday because I was extremely sick. I had to have a breathing treatment and I am now on five prescriptions to help with my lungs and joint pain. Please pray that I will feel better soon. Thank you.
Let us all pray for an end to the violence that is all around us in this world. I heard a report on the radio this week that the homicide rate in some of the cities in my country is on the rise. Let us pray that people will be able to get along and not harm one another. Let us also continue to pray for peace in Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.
As we pray for missions this week, pray for the nations of Sierra Leone, Gambia, Iran and Tajikistan. Pray that the message of the Gospel will reach these nations.
For the last several weeks, we have been in a series of messages on how the Gospel of John demonstrates the divine nature of Jesus Christ. This is presented in the "I Am" statements in the Gospel and through seven sign miracles recorded by John.
Today, I want to talk about the ultimate sign of who Jesus is that John presents so eloquently. This sign is the resurrection of Jesus from the grave.
As we have seen from our studies in John, Jesus went about doing good and healing all manner of sick people and freeing those who were possessed by evil spirits. Jesus preached a message of love, acceptance and forgiveness. He said that He was sent from the Father so that whoever would believe in the Son might receive salvation.
All throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus was opposed by the religious leaders of His day. They did not agree with His message of love and forgiveness. They preached a message of exclusion. They were self-righteous, and they despised Jesus who was the Holy One sent from the Father. They constantly tried to trap Jesus and discredit Him.
Finally, the religious authorities seized upon their opportunity to attempt to do away with Jesus and His message. Jesus was arrested and tried before the High Priest, and Jesus was eventually brought before Pontius Pilate the Roman governor.
Pilate could find no fault with Jesus, and he wanted to release Jesus. However, the people who had cried "Hosanna" on Palm Sunday shouted "Crucify him. We have no king but Caesar," on Good Friday.
Jesus died an excruciating and painful death on the cross. While He was on the cross Jesus bore our sins in His body. He became the propitiation for our sins. He was the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world. After saying, "It is finished," Jesus died.
At this point, the authorities thought that they had won the victory over Jesus and His teachings. Jesus was dead, buried, and His body was under guard in a tomb sealed with Pilate's seal.
On the third day, early on Sunday morning, something miraculous took place. When the women came to the tomb they discovered that Jesus was no longer dead but He was alive again. He had been raised from the dead just as He said.
The resurrection was the ultimate sign of who Jesus is. When Jesus rose from the dead it was the vindication of all that Jesus taught. It was the sign showing us that the message of love and forgiveness and the Sermon on the Mount taught by Jesus was the right way and the right message. The resurrection was the sign that the Father was well pleased with the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. It was the sign that the work of redemption was complete. Jesus had died for our sins, and then He conquered the consequences of sin by rising again defeating death, hell and the grave.
No greater sign of who Jesus is and that His message is true can be given than the ultimate sign of the resurrection. It is a powerful sign of majesty and glory.
I have had a great time sharing these messages with you about who Jesus is over the past several weeks. However, what would give me true joy is to know that someone who has never placed their trust in Jesus has come to know Him through these message.
Maybe you have been struggling with who Jesus is. John has given us the words and miracles of Jesus to demonstrate that God has come to us in Jesus to show us His love and forgiveness. He has given the ultimate sign of the resurrection.
Now it is up to you. Will you place your faith and trust in the Risen Lord? Jesus said the whosoever will may come. Jesus invites you to come to Him today.
Next week, I would like to just finish up our study in John with a message I am calling "The Repeated Sign". I hope you will join me next week. I will post the verses on Monday, and there will be a review on Wednesday. May God bless you all.
My week has been crazy to say the least. We had a really bad windstorm, and I had a little bit of roof damage. I think I have it fixed, so I am thankful for that. Things could have been much worse. I would ask that you please pray for me regarding my health. I had to go to the doctor on Wednesday because I was extremely sick. I had to have a breathing treatment and I am now on five prescriptions to help with my lungs and joint pain. Please pray that I will feel better soon. Thank you.
Let us all pray for an end to the violence that is all around us in this world. I heard a report on the radio this week that the homicide rate in some of the cities in my country is on the rise. Let us pray that people will be able to get along and not harm one another. Let us also continue to pray for peace in Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.
As we pray for missions this week, pray for the nations of Sierra Leone, Gambia, Iran and Tajikistan. Pray that the message of the Gospel will reach these nations.
For the last several weeks, we have been in a series of messages on how the Gospel of John demonstrates the divine nature of Jesus Christ. This is presented in the "I Am" statements in the Gospel and through seven sign miracles recorded by John.
Today, I want to talk about the ultimate sign of who Jesus is that John presents so eloquently. This sign is the resurrection of Jesus from the grave.
As we have seen from our studies in John, Jesus went about doing good and healing all manner of sick people and freeing those who were possessed by evil spirits. Jesus preached a message of love, acceptance and forgiveness. He said that He was sent from the Father so that whoever would believe in the Son might receive salvation.
All throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus was opposed by the religious leaders of His day. They did not agree with His message of love and forgiveness. They preached a message of exclusion. They were self-righteous, and they despised Jesus who was the Holy One sent from the Father. They constantly tried to trap Jesus and discredit Him.
Finally, the religious authorities seized upon their opportunity to attempt to do away with Jesus and His message. Jesus was arrested and tried before the High Priest, and Jesus was eventually brought before Pontius Pilate the Roman governor.
Pilate could find no fault with Jesus, and he wanted to release Jesus. However, the people who had cried "Hosanna" on Palm Sunday shouted "Crucify him. We have no king but Caesar," on Good Friday.
Jesus died an excruciating and painful death on the cross. While He was on the cross Jesus bore our sins in His body. He became the propitiation for our sins. He was the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world. After saying, "It is finished," Jesus died.
At this point, the authorities thought that they had won the victory over Jesus and His teachings. Jesus was dead, buried, and His body was under guard in a tomb sealed with Pilate's seal.
On the third day, early on Sunday morning, something miraculous took place. When the women came to the tomb they discovered that Jesus was no longer dead but He was alive again. He had been raised from the dead just as He said.
The resurrection was the ultimate sign of who Jesus is. When Jesus rose from the dead it was the vindication of all that Jesus taught. It was the sign showing us that the message of love and forgiveness and the Sermon on the Mount taught by Jesus was the right way and the right message. The resurrection was the sign that the Father was well pleased with the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. It was the sign that the work of redemption was complete. Jesus had died for our sins, and then He conquered the consequences of sin by rising again defeating death, hell and the grave.
No greater sign of who Jesus is and that His message is true can be given than the ultimate sign of the resurrection. It is a powerful sign of majesty and glory.
I have had a great time sharing these messages with you about who Jesus is over the past several weeks. However, what would give me true joy is to know that someone who has never placed their trust in Jesus has come to know Him through these message.
Maybe you have been struggling with who Jesus is. John has given us the words and miracles of Jesus to demonstrate that God has come to us in Jesus to show us His love and forgiveness. He has given the ultimate sign of the resurrection.
Now it is up to you. Will you place your faith and trust in the Risen Lord? Jesus said the whosoever will may come. Jesus invites you to come to Him today.
Next week, I would like to just finish up our study in John with a message I am calling "The Repeated Sign". I hope you will join me next week. I will post the verses on Monday, and there will be a review on Wednesday. May God bless you all.
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Book Review -- "The Red Collar"
As I said last week, I would not be able to post the book review until today, but I have a good book to post about. Today's book is a novel written by the French author Jean Christophe Rufin. Mr. Rufin is an award winning writer as well as one of the co-founders of Doctors Without Borders.
In "The Red Collar" there are three main human characters and a dog. When the novel opens, a former war hero is being held prisoner for a crime which is unknown. Outside the prison, the man's dog howls and barks almost continually. A judge has arrived in order to figure out why the prisoner has committed the unknown crime.
During the course of his investigation, the judge will discover a woman who has her own secrets and who can shed light on what may have motivated the prisoner to commit the crime that is under investigation. All the while, the dog keeps barking. However, the judge develops a relationship with and growing admiration for the loyalty of the dog.
I greatly enjoyed this novel. I found it to be very well-written and paced. What I liked was that the author didn't reveal the crime the prisoner committed until well into the novel. It keeps you guessing. Also, I think the book has a great ending. I hope to read some of the other novels this author has written in the future.
When I can read a novel like this, it makes me remember why I became a writer in the first place and why I love writing so much.
In "The Red Collar" there are three main human characters and a dog. When the novel opens, a former war hero is being held prisoner for a crime which is unknown. Outside the prison, the man's dog howls and barks almost continually. A judge has arrived in order to figure out why the prisoner has committed the unknown crime.
During the course of his investigation, the judge will discover a woman who has her own secrets and who can shed light on what may have motivated the prisoner to commit the crime that is under investigation. All the while, the dog keeps barking. However, the judge develops a relationship with and growing admiration for the loyalty of the dog.
I greatly enjoyed this novel. I found it to be very well-written and paced. What I liked was that the author didn't reveal the crime the prisoner committed until well into the novel. It keeps you guessing. Also, I think the book has a great ending. I hope to read some of the other novels this author has written in the future.
When I can read a novel like this, it makes me remember why I became a writer in the first place and why I love writing so much.
Monday, November 9, 2015
Verses For the Week -- Verses From Ephesians
Ephesians 1:7 -- "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us. "
Ephesians 2:8-10 -- "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith --- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift from God --- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 5:1-2 -- "Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
Ephesians 2:8-10 -- "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith --- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift from God --- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 5:1-2 -- "Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
Friday, November 6, 2015
Weekend Sermon -- John 11:1-44
Welcome to the Weekend Sermon. It is good to be with you all again this week to post the sermon. I hope that everyone is doing well today.
I am thankful to the Lord that we missed out on the bad storms last night. It is unusual in my area to get severe weather in November, but there were warnings all around me last night. Thank the Lord, everyone was safe.
I am currently working on some new ideas for the blog starting next year, Please pray that the Lord will show me what He wants me to teach on the blog in the weeks and months to come.
In prayer this week, let us continue to pray for those who are picking up the pieces after the earthquakes and hurricanes in various places. Let us also continue to pray for peace in this violent and troubled world. Pray for an end to terrorism and violence in the streets. Also, let us continue to pray for peace in Syria and South Sudan.
We have been praying for nations around the world were there are not many Christians as a percentage of the population. This week remember India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia in prayer.
For the past few weeks, we have been studying the way the divinity of Jesus is presented in the Gospel of John. We looked at the "I Am" statements of Jesus, and now we are looking at the sign miracles in John. Today we examine the resurrection of Lazarus.
Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha were among Jesus' best friends while He was here on this earth. Jesus often ate at their home in the city of Bethany.
One day, word came to Jesus that Lazarus was very sick. Jesus could have gone immediately and healed his friend. However, Jesus waited until Lazarus had been dead for four days before He came to Mary and Martha. They were still in great grief, and they told Jesus that if He had been there, their brother would not have died.
Jesus felt great sorrow at the death of His friend, and He wept. Jesus then told them to role away the stone from Lazarus' grave, Jesus spoke with the Father, and then He called out, "Lazarus, come forth!" To everyone's amazement, Lazarus came out of the grave still wrapped in the grave clothes. Jesus commanded them to "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
This is one of my favorite passages in all of the Bible. It contains my favorite verse in all of Scripture where Jesus declares Himself to be the resurrection and the life. Let us explore what we can learn from this passage, and then let us examine how this passage reveals the divine nature of Jesus.
One thing that really strikes me in this passage is that it not only reveals the divinity of Jesus Christ, it also reveals that Jesus was truly human as well. While Jesus was on this earth, He had real friendships with people. We clearly see in this passage that Jesus cared deeply for Lazarus and his sisters. Jesus also had three close friends among His disciples. Jesus three closest disciples were Peter, James and John. I think it is fairly clear from Scripture that John was Jesus' closest friend. Jesus entrusted the care of His mother to His friend John.
One of the aspects of our relationship with Jesus that is so important to me is the fact that Jesus has invited us to be His friends. Jesus said in John 15:15, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends."
This is a tremendous comfort to me to know that Jesus is my friend. He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. As my friend, I can go to Jesus with all of my cares and concerns. He listens to me and provides me with the awareness of His presence that helps me to make it through the difficult times in life. He is always there strengthening me and encouraging me to serve Him and do the best that I can in life.
This passage also reveals to me that Jesus really cares. He was deeply sorrowful that His friend Lazarus had died. In the same way, Jesus cares about us. The Bible says that Jesus is our great High Priest who is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. He has been tempted in all manner as we have been, yet He is without sin. He understands our pain, trouble and our weaknesses, and He stands with us and encourages us in each step we take on the path that has been laid our before us.
The fact of Jesus' weeping in this passage is something that I have thought a lot about. First of all, I am without doubt that Jesus wept over the fact that His good friend has died. However, I think that Jesus was weeping for two other reasons. I think that Jesus wept because He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus had to come back from Heaven to this earth and face everything on earth all over again. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, but I believe that Jesus knew that He wasn't doing Lazarus any favors. I also think that Jesus wept because the people that He was closest too still didn't understand who He was and what He came to do. They did not really believe that He could bring Lazarus back to life.
I think that there are many things in the world and in the church that Jesus weeps over today. But that is a message for another time in the near future.
So, how does this miracle demonstrate the divinity of Jesus. It does so in three ways. First of all,, Jesus raised a dead man and brought him back to life. Only God has the power to bring someone back to life. However, the four day time period that Lazarus was dead is important in this account. There was a belief in Jesus' day that after a person died, their spirit lingered near the body for three days until that spirit went to Heaven. Jesus waited beyond the three days to clearly show that all power belonged to Him in Heaven and on earth. As God, Jesus could do whatsoever He wished to do. He had all power.
Finally, this passage demonstrates the divine power of Jesus because on the last day, Jesus will be the one who raises those who believe in Him to newness of life. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Him will live even though they die.
One day, Jesus will come again in power and great glory. Those who have believed in Him will be raised to a resurrection of life to be with Jesus in a glorified body forever and forever. Those who denied Jesus as Lord will be raised to a resurrection of destruction where they will be separated from the divine Savior Jesus Christ for all eternity.
I say to you today, if you have never turned to Jesus for salvation, turn your life over to Him today. He is the resurrection and the life. All power belongs to Jesus. Let Him be your friend now and throughout all of eternity.
Next week, I will post a message about what is the ultimate sign of who Jesus is. On Monday, I will post the verses. Next Wednesday is a holiday in the United States and the library where I post the blog is closed. Therefore, the review will be delayed until Thursday. May God bless you all. Amen.
I am thankful to the Lord that we missed out on the bad storms last night. It is unusual in my area to get severe weather in November, but there were warnings all around me last night. Thank the Lord, everyone was safe.
I am currently working on some new ideas for the blog starting next year, Please pray that the Lord will show me what He wants me to teach on the blog in the weeks and months to come.
In prayer this week, let us continue to pray for those who are picking up the pieces after the earthquakes and hurricanes in various places. Let us also continue to pray for peace in this violent and troubled world. Pray for an end to terrorism and violence in the streets. Also, let us continue to pray for peace in Syria and South Sudan.
We have been praying for nations around the world were there are not many Christians as a percentage of the population. This week remember India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia in prayer.
For the past few weeks, we have been studying the way the divinity of Jesus is presented in the Gospel of John. We looked at the "I Am" statements of Jesus, and now we are looking at the sign miracles in John. Today we examine the resurrection of Lazarus.
Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha were among Jesus' best friends while He was here on this earth. Jesus often ate at their home in the city of Bethany.
One day, word came to Jesus that Lazarus was very sick. Jesus could have gone immediately and healed his friend. However, Jesus waited until Lazarus had been dead for four days before He came to Mary and Martha. They were still in great grief, and they told Jesus that if He had been there, their brother would not have died.
Jesus felt great sorrow at the death of His friend, and He wept. Jesus then told them to role away the stone from Lazarus' grave, Jesus spoke with the Father, and then He called out, "Lazarus, come forth!" To everyone's amazement, Lazarus came out of the grave still wrapped in the grave clothes. Jesus commanded them to "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
This is one of my favorite passages in all of the Bible. It contains my favorite verse in all of Scripture where Jesus declares Himself to be the resurrection and the life. Let us explore what we can learn from this passage, and then let us examine how this passage reveals the divine nature of Jesus.
One thing that really strikes me in this passage is that it not only reveals the divinity of Jesus Christ, it also reveals that Jesus was truly human as well. While Jesus was on this earth, He had real friendships with people. We clearly see in this passage that Jesus cared deeply for Lazarus and his sisters. Jesus also had three close friends among His disciples. Jesus three closest disciples were Peter, James and John. I think it is fairly clear from Scripture that John was Jesus' closest friend. Jesus entrusted the care of His mother to His friend John.
One of the aspects of our relationship with Jesus that is so important to me is the fact that Jesus has invited us to be His friends. Jesus said in John 15:15, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends."
This is a tremendous comfort to me to know that Jesus is my friend. He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. As my friend, I can go to Jesus with all of my cares and concerns. He listens to me and provides me with the awareness of His presence that helps me to make it through the difficult times in life. He is always there strengthening me and encouraging me to serve Him and do the best that I can in life.
This passage also reveals to me that Jesus really cares. He was deeply sorrowful that His friend Lazarus had died. In the same way, Jesus cares about us. The Bible says that Jesus is our great High Priest who is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. He has been tempted in all manner as we have been, yet He is without sin. He understands our pain, trouble and our weaknesses, and He stands with us and encourages us in each step we take on the path that has been laid our before us.
The fact of Jesus' weeping in this passage is something that I have thought a lot about. First of all, I am without doubt that Jesus wept over the fact that His good friend has died. However, I think that Jesus was weeping for two other reasons. I think that Jesus wept because He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus had to come back from Heaven to this earth and face everything on earth all over again. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, but I believe that Jesus knew that He wasn't doing Lazarus any favors. I also think that Jesus wept because the people that He was closest too still didn't understand who He was and what He came to do. They did not really believe that He could bring Lazarus back to life.
I think that there are many things in the world and in the church that Jesus weeps over today. But that is a message for another time in the near future.
So, how does this miracle demonstrate the divinity of Jesus. It does so in three ways. First of all,, Jesus raised a dead man and brought him back to life. Only God has the power to bring someone back to life. However, the four day time period that Lazarus was dead is important in this account. There was a belief in Jesus' day that after a person died, their spirit lingered near the body for three days until that spirit went to Heaven. Jesus waited beyond the three days to clearly show that all power belonged to Him in Heaven and on earth. As God, Jesus could do whatsoever He wished to do. He had all power.
Finally, this passage demonstrates the divine power of Jesus because on the last day, Jesus will be the one who raises those who believe in Him to newness of life. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Him will live even though they die.
One day, Jesus will come again in power and great glory. Those who have believed in Him will be raised to a resurrection of life to be with Jesus in a glorified body forever and forever. Those who denied Jesus as Lord will be raised to a resurrection of destruction where they will be separated from the divine Savior Jesus Christ for all eternity.
I say to you today, if you have never turned to Jesus for salvation, turn your life over to Him today. He is the resurrection and the life. All power belongs to Jesus. Let Him be your friend now and throughout all of eternity.
Next week, I will post a message about what is the ultimate sign of who Jesus is. On Monday, I will post the verses. Next Wednesday is a holiday in the United States and the library where I post the blog is closed. Therefore, the review will be delayed until Thursday. May God bless you all. Amen.
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Book Review -- 2 History Books and A Cat Book
Today I would like to recommend two history books that I have enjoyed reading and a cat book that I like a lot that I may have mentioned here on the blog before, but I can't remember if I did or not.
The first history book that I would like to recommend in called, "Hermits" written by Peter France. In this book, the author explores those who have lived a solitary existence for a variety a reasons. There is good material in this book about the early monastic movements.
The second book that I am recommending is entitled, "The Lives of the Popes" written by Richard McBrien. I have found this to be an excellent historical resource over the years. All the popes through Benedict XVI have biographies in this book. I believe that the author's treatment of the popes of the Middle Ages is very well done and interesting.
Finally, I have been reading once again a cat book that I really enjoy. "All of My Patients Are Under the Bed" is written by a famous cat veterinarian named Louis Camuti. Dr. Camuti was the first veterinarian in the United States to limit his practice to cats only. This great book details how Dr. Camuti began practicing veterinary medicine and how he developed his unique cat practice. There are some humorous and touching stories in the pages of this volume.
The first history book that I would like to recommend in called, "Hermits" written by Peter France. In this book, the author explores those who have lived a solitary existence for a variety a reasons. There is good material in this book about the early monastic movements.
The second book that I am recommending is entitled, "The Lives of the Popes" written by Richard McBrien. I have found this to be an excellent historical resource over the years. All the popes through Benedict XVI have biographies in this book. I believe that the author's treatment of the popes of the Middle Ages is very well done and interesting.
Finally, I have been reading once again a cat book that I really enjoy. "All of My Patients Are Under the Bed" is written by a famous cat veterinarian named Louis Camuti. Dr. Camuti was the first veterinarian in the United States to limit his practice to cats only. This great book details how Dr. Camuti began practicing veterinary medicine and how he developed his unique cat practice. There are some humorous and touching stories in the pages of this volume.
Monday, November 2, 2015
Verses For the Week -- Verses From Jude
Jude 17-25 -- "But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires. These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear --- hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy -- to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages now and forevermore! Amen.
Friday, October 30, 2015
Weekend Sermon -- John 9:1-41
It is good to be with you again today for another edition of the Weekend Sermon. I hope that this day finds you well.
This week has been very busy. I am doing a lot of work around the house with the hope of trying to put the house up for sale again. I didn't have much luck last time, but I will try to get things fixed up a little and see about selling it this spring. It is still my intention to try to get up enough money to start a larger ministry. My job and writing have gone well so far this week.
There is so much going on in the world right now, and there is a lot to pray for. Please pray for those affected by the hurricane in Mexico and those affected by the earthquake in Afghanistan. Let us also continue to pray for peace. I heard a report on the war in South Sudan on NPR this morning that made me sick. Please pray for peace in this very troubled country.
Let us continue to pray for those areas of the world where there are few Christians. Let us pray for the message of Jesus to reach more people in Madagascar, Somalia, Bahrain and Indonesia.
For the last several messages, we have been in a series on the way that the divinity of Jesus is presented in the book of John. We first examined the "I Am" statements of Jesus, and now we are examining the sign miracles presented in John. Today we focus on Jesus' healing of the man born blind.
One day as Jesus and His disciples were walking along, they came upon a man born blind. The disciples wanted to know if the man sinning or his parent's sins caused him to be born blind. Jesus said that that didn't have anything to do with the situation.
Jesus spit on the ground and made some mud. He put the mud on the man's eyes and told to him to go and wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man followed the word of the Lord, and his sight was restored.
When the Pharisees saw that this man was healed, they were angry because he was healed on the Sabbath. They asked the man who had healed him. The man did not know. The Pharisees then accused Jesus of healing by demonic powers. The healed man disagreed, and he was thrown out.
Later, Jesus found the man and asked him, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" The man said he did not know who that was. Jesus then revealed to the man who He was, and the blind man worshiped the Lord Jesus.
There is a lot to learn from this healing miracle. First, let's look at what this miracle has to teach us, and then let us look at how it is a sign of the divinity of Jesus.
The first thing that I want to point out is the idea of sin being responsible for sickness. The prevailing idea in Jesus' day was that if you were sick or disabled it was because either you were a sinner or your parents had sinned. That is the basis of the disciples' question.
Jesus makes it quite clear in this passage that that type of thinking is wrong. He said that it wasn't the man's sin or his parent's sin that had caused his condition.
We live in a fallen world. Sickness and other bad things happen to people. Sickness is not the punishment placed on a child because of parent's sin. And, if you are sick with some disease it is not because you have some kind of unconfessed sin in your life.
There is a teaching going around that says that if you have enough faith and you don't sin you will have perfect health and prosperity. This is not the teaching of the Scripture. This is not the teaching of Jesus.
One of the reasons that so many of the sick and the outcasts responded to Jesus is because He did not condemn and reject them as the religious leaders of the day did. He cared about people and He helped them.
When I was a boy, I was very sick because of a congenital immune disorder. I grew up in a church that thought that if you were sick it was because of some sin in your life. I knew that this wasn't true, but this kind of attitude expressed to me all the time caused a lot of depression. I am so glad that when I was older, I discovered who Jesus really is.
The second thing that I want to focus on is the attitude of the blind man's parents. When the blind man was brought before the religious leaders, they also brought the man's parents as well to testify if the man was really born blind. The parents said that their son was of age, he could speak for himself.
This is a nasty and horrible way to act. These parents left there son to beg and then they wouldn't help him out in a difficult situation because they were afraid.
What this teaches me is that even when those who are supposed to love us and care about us reject us, Jesus does not. He loves us and stands by us no matter what. He will never leave us and He will never forsake us. When the man had been cast out and was alone, Jesus came and found him, and Jesus showed love, mercy and compassion to him.
One other thing that I want to focus on from this miracle account is the fact that the blind man obeyed the Lord and gave Jesus the glory. When Jesus told the man to wash in the pool, the blind man did it. He was obedient to the voice of the Lord. After he was healed and he found out who Jesus was, he worshiped Jesus as his Savior and Lord.
This is an example for us today. We should obey what the Lord commands us to do. Whatever good thing comes into our lives, we should thank the Lord and give Him all the honor, glory and praise.
Now, how does this miracle demonstrate the divine nature of Jesus. Jesus created something out of nothing which is something only God can do. The account emphasizes the fact that this man was born blind. It also says that Jesus spit on the dust, and then He placed the mud in the man's eyes.
I think the clear implication is that this man was born without eyes. Jesus took the dust of the earth as in the original creation of man and made the man knew eyes with which to see. This is the reason the people and the religious leaders were so astonished. Jesus had healed other blind people. But this healing was different, It was more than those others. It was much more miraculous.
As great as this miracle was, the greatest miracle is when we come to Jesus and He gives sight to our eyes that were once blinded by sin. Jesus forgives us and allows us to see with the eyes of faith. Just like the blind man, we see Jesus for who He really is, and we worship Him as Savior and Lord.
Next week, we will continue in our series on the signs of John. I will post the verses on Monday, and I hope to post the review on Wednesday. May God bless you all. Amen.
This week has been very busy. I am doing a lot of work around the house with the hope of trying to put the house up for sale again. I didn't have much luck last time, but I will try to get things fixed up a little and see about selling it this spring. It is still my intention to try to get up enough money to start a larger ministry. My job and writing have gone well so far this week.
There is so much going on in the world right now, and there is a lot to pray for. Please pray for those affected by the hurricane in Mexico and those affected by the earthquake in Afghanistan. Let us also continue to pray for peace. I heard a report on the war in South Sudan on NPR this morning that made me sick. Please pray for peace in this very troubled country.
Let us continue to pray for those areas of the world where there are few Christians. Let us pray for the message of Jesus to reach more people in Madagascar, Somalia, Bahrain and Indonesia.
For the last several messages, we have been in a series on the way that the divinity of Jesus is presented in the book of John. We first examined the "I Am" statements of Jesus, and now we are examining the sign miracles presented in John. Today we focus on Jesus' healing of the man born blind.
One day as Jesus and His disciples were walking along, they came upon a man born blind. The disciples wanted to know if the man sinning or his parent's sins caused him to be born blind. Jesus said that that didn't have anything to do with the situation.
Jesus spit on the ground and made some mud. He put the mud on the man's eyes and told to him to go and wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man followed the word of the Lord, and his sight was restored.
When the Pharisees saw that this man was healed, they were angry because he was healed on the Sabbath. They asked the man who had healed him. The man did not know. The Pharisees then accused Jesus of healing by demonic powers. The healed man disagreed, and he was thrown out.
Later, Jesus found the man and asked him, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" The man said he did not know who that was. Jesus then revealed to the man who He was, and the blind man worshiped the Lord Jesus.
There is a lot to learn from this healing miracle. First, let's look at what this miracle has to teach us, and then let us look at how it is a sign of the divinity of Jesus.
The first thing that I want to point out is the idea of sin being responsible for sickness. The prevailing idea in Jesus' day was that if you were sick or disabled it was because either you were a sinner or your parents had sinned. That is the basis of the disciples' question.
Jesus makes it quite clear in this passage that that type of thinking is wrong. He said that it wasn't the man's sin or his parent's sin that had caused his condition.
We live in a fallen world. Sickness and other bad things happen to people. Sickness is not the punishment placed on a child because of parent's sin. And, if you are sick with some disease it is not because you have some kind of unconfessed sin in your life.
There is a teaching going around that says that if you have enough faith and you don't sin you will have perfect health and prosperity. This is not the teaching of the Scripture. This is not the teaching of Jesus.
One of the reasons that so many of the sick and the outcasts responded to Jesus is because He did not condemn and reject them as the religious leaders of the day did. He cared about people and He helped them.
When I was a boy, I was very sick because of a congenital immune disorder. I grew up in a church that thought that if you were sick it was because of some sin in your life. I knew that this wasn't true, but this kind of attitude expressed to me all the time caused a lot of depression. I am so glad that when I was older, I discovered who Jesus really is.
The second thing that I want to focus on is the attitude of the blind man's parents. When the blind man was brought before the religious leaders, they also brought the man's parents as well to testify if the man was really born blind. The parents said that their son was of age, he could speak for himself.
This is a nasty and horrible way to act. These parents left there son to beg and then they wouldn't help him out in a difficult situation because they were afraid.
What this teaches me is that even when those who are supposed to love us and care about us reject us, Jesus does not. He loves us and stands by us no matter what. He will never leave us and He will never forsake us. When the man had been cast out and was alone, Jesus came and found him, and Jesus showed love, mercy and compassion to him.
One other thing that I want to focus on from this miracle account is the fact that the blind man obeyed the Lord and gave Jesus the glory. When Jesus told the man to wash in the pool, the blind man did it. He was obedient to the voice of the Lord. After he was healed and he found out who Jesus was, he worshiped Jesus as his Savior and Lord.
This is an example for us today. We should obey what the Lord commands us to do. Whatever good thing comes into our lives, we should thank the Lord and give Him all the honor, glory and praise.
Now, how does this miracle demonstrate the divine nature of Jesus. Jesus created something out of nothing which is something only God can do. The account emphasizes the fact that this man was born blind. It also says that Jesus spit on the dust, and then He placed the mud in the man's eyes.
I think the clear implication is that this man was born without eyes. Jesus took the dust of the earth as in the original creation of man and made the man knew eyes with which to see. This is the reason the people and the religious leaders were so astonished. Jesus had healed other blind people. But this healing was different, It was more than those others. It was much more miraculous.
As great as this miracle was, the greatest miracle is when we come to Jesus and He gives sight to our eyes that were once blinded by sin. Jesus forgives us and allows us to see with the eyes of faith. Just like the blind man, we see Jesus for who He really is, and we worship Him as Savior and Lord.
Next week, we will continue in our series on the signs of John. I will post the verses on Monday, and I hope to post the review on Wednesday. May God bless you all. Amen.
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Book Review -- Black Cat Crossing
Today I am reviewing a book entitled "Black Cat Crossing" written by Kay Finch. This is the first book in a new mystery series.
This book started off with a very interesting premise. The main character whose name is Sabrina is an aspiring mystery writer who has moved in to help her aunt run a guest cottage business. The locals are upset because a black cat that is supposed to bring bad luck has been spotted.
About this time, Sabrina's cousin arrives trying to get his hands on the family fortune. The next night, the cousin is found dead by the river. Sabrina is the one who finds the body as she is led to it by the mysterious black cat.
Over the course of the book, Sabrina takes in this black cat keeping him safe from the local residents who are trying to trap him. She names the cat Hitchcock. Hitchcock has a way of showing up at unexpected times to lead Sabrina to clues in solving the mystery of her cousin's death.
I really enjoyed this book, and I thought the characters were great. However, the ending of the book ruined the book as far as I am concerned. I won't give away the ending, but to me, it just seems to come out of nowhere.
Because of the ending, I am not recommending this book. The series may improve. When the next book is released, I'll try to check it out and see if I like that book any better than this first one.
This book started off with a very interesting premise. The main character whose name is Sabrina is an aspiring mystery writer who has moved in to help her aunt run a guest cottage business. The locals are upset because a black cat that is supposed to bring bad luck has been spotted.
About this time, Sabrina's cousin arrives trying to get his hands on the family fortune. The next night, the cousin is found dead by the river. Sabrina is the one who finds the body as she is led to it by the mysterious black cat.
Over the course of the book, Sabrina takes in this black cat keeping him safe from the local residents who are trying to trap him. She names the cat Hitchcock. Hitchcock has a way of showing up at unexpected times to lead Sabrina to clues in solving the mystery of her cousin's death.
I really enjoyed this book, and I thought the characters were great. However, the ending of the book ruined the book as far as I am concerned. I won't give away the ending, but to me, it just seems to come out of nowhere.
Because of the ending, I am not recommending this book. The series may improve. When the next book is released, I'll try to check it out and see if I like that book any better than this first one.
Monday, October 26, 2015
Verses For the Week -- Verses From I John
I John 2:3-6 -- "We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, I know him, but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did."
I John 3:7 -- "Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous., just as he is righteous."
I John 5:12 -- "Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."
I John 3:7 -- "Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous., just as he is righteous."
I John 5:12 -- "Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."
Friday, October 23, 2015
Weekend Sermon -- John 6:16-24
Welcome to this new edition of the Weekend Sermon. I am so glad to be able to post the sermon today, and I hope that this day finds all of you doing well.
I just want to begin by thanking the Lord for all that He has done for me this week. I am feeling pretty well, and things are going pretty good at work. I am thankful for the fact that I was able to get some additional writing work this week, and the book that I am working on is progressing nicely.
In prayer this week, let us pray for those who are in the path of the terrible hurricane that is near Mexico. I heard that this is one of the strongest hurricanes meteorologists have ever recorded. Let us pray for the safety of all who are threatened by this storm. Let us also continue to pray for peace in the world and pray for those who have been displaced by the conflicts around the world.
We have been praying over the weeks for those nations where there are not that many Christians. Let us pray this week that the message of Jesus will reach Cambodia, Laos, Sudan and Mauritania.
Today in the sermon, we are continuing with our series of messages on the signs in the Gospel of John that point to the divinity of Jesus Christ. In our message last week, we examined the account of the feeding of the 5,000. This is such an important miracle that it is recorded in all four Gospels. It was a turning point in the earthly ministry of Jesus. As we saw last week, many stopped following Jesus after the teaching Jesus gave after performing this great and awesome miracle.
Right after Jesus performed the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000, The disciples went down to the Sea of Galilee and set sail for the city of Capernaum. Jesus did not go with the disciples. Jesus had withdrawn by Himself up into the mountains to pray and have some solitary time.
When the disciples were about half way across the sea, darkness had overtaken them, and a strong wind began to blow making the waves treacherous. About this time, the disciples saw a figure walking on the water in the distance. They were greatly afraid and thought that they were seeing a ghost. At this point Jesus said, "It is I, don't be afraid."
This account does not record this, but another Gospel says that when Peter saw that it was Jesus, Peter asked to come out to Jesus on the water. Peter stepped out and started walking on the water too. However, at some point, Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, and Peter sank. Of course, Jesus rescued His friend.
When Jesus entered the boat, the wind and waves settled, What is most stunning about this miracle in my view is that when Jesus got in the boat, the boat immediately transported to the shore. It went three miles instantly.
This miraculous account has a lot to teach us about life and the divine nature of Jesus. First, let us look at the lessons we can apply to our lives today. One thing that really strikes me is the metaphor of the storm and how Jesus brings peace. This same idea occurs in another account when Jesus stilled the storm. This time, Jesus was in the boat with the disciples. A great storm churned the sea, and the disciples thought all was lost. All the while Jesus was sleeping. The disciples came and woke Him saying don't you care that we are about to drown. Well, of course Jesus cared about their predicament. He rebuked the storm saying, "Peace, be still." All was well.
The life we live on planet earth is filled with rough times. All of us have or will face very difficult times. These are the storms that disturb our existence. Unfortunately, some people have more than their fair share of storms.
In these rough patches of life, we must turn to Jesus as the one who calms the raging storm. He is the only one who has the power to make a difference in our lives.
When we are facing financial difficulties, poor health or broken relationships, Jesus says to us, "Be not Afraid". Jesus is right there with us in all of the hard times of life. I know this from first hand experience. As I've said here on the blog many times, If I didn't have Jesus in my life, I would not be able to exist. Knowing that He is with me has kept me going through sorrow and times of deep depression. When I have been in great fear over circumstances in the present and when I have been worried about the future, I can hear the voice of Jesus say, "Be not Afraid."
The reason that we do not have to fear is that Jesus is the one who is in our hearts and He is the one who holds our future. One minister whose sermons I like to listen to puts it this way, he says that with Jesus the worst thing is never the last thing. What he means is that when our life is in Christ, no matter what problem we face, we have the assurance that we will one day be with Jesus for all of eternity in His land where there will be no more sorrow or mourning and all will be at at peace.
One other lesson that we can learn from this account is that in all of all storms in life, when need to keep our eyes on Jesus. As it says in Hebrews chapter 12, we need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus who is the author and perfecter of our faith.
Peter was actually walking on the water and defying the storm as long as his eyes stayed on Jesus and not the storm. As soon as Peter's focus left Jesus, Peter was in trouble. This tells me that in order to make it through life, Jesus needs to be at the center of my life. He needs to be the focus of all that I do. To me this means that I pray and commune with Jesus throughout the day. I read about Him and His teachings in the Bible, and I meditate on His goodness and love.
Part of keeping Jesus at the center of my life also means putting into practice His teachings and commandments. It means asking what would Jesus do in each circumstance of my life.
If we look to Jesus for the answers, He will see us through. The answers to life's problems do not rest in worldly ideas and philosophies. The answer to all of life is Jesus.
Let me also point out one other thing. When Peter did take His eyes off of Jesus, Jesus didn't just let him drown. Peter cried out to the Lord, and the Lord lifted him out of the waves. Jesus does not give up on us when we make a mistake or commit a sin. He is always there to help us and forgive us when we call upon His name. He is our friend, and He always wants to help us and come to our aid.
Now, how does this sign demonstrate the divine nature of Jesus. It does so in two ways. First of all, Jesus demonstrates His complete control over the natural world. Jesus was able to stop a storm by willing it to be so. Also, Jesus defied all the laws of nature by walking on the water. Only God come in the flesh can have that kind of awesome power.
Also, Jesus by His miraculous power transported a ship with twelve men in it half way across the Sea of Galilee in an instant. This is not the work of a mere man.
When we look at Jesus, we see His compassion, goodness. love and power. Jesus is amazing and wonderful. I am so glad that He is my Savior, Lord, guide and friend. I hope that you will consider turning to Jesus if you have not made Him the Lord of your life.
Next week, we will continue our series in the signs from John. I will post the verses on Monday and the review on Wednesday. May God bless you all, Amen.
PS -- Lord, please keep those in the path of the hurricane safe. Amen.
I just want to begin by thanking the Lord for all that He has done for me this week. I am feeling pretty well, and things are going pretty good at work. I am thankful for the fact that I was able to get some additional writing work this week, and the book that I am working on is progressing nicely.
In prayer this week, let us pray for those who are in the path of the terrible hurricane that is near Mexico. I heard that this is one of the strongest hurricanes meteorologists have ever recorded. Let us pray for the safety of all who are threatened by this storm. Let us also continue to pray for peace in the world and pray for those who have been displaced by the conflicts around the world.
We have been praying over the weeks for those nations where there are not that many Christians. Let us pray this week that the message of Jesus will reach Cambodia, Laos, Sudan and Mauritania.
Today in the sermon, we are continuing with our series of messages on the signs in the Gospel of John that point to the divinity of Jesus Christ. In our message last week, we examined the account of the feeding of the 5,000. This is such an important miracle that it is recorded in all four Gospels. It was a turning point in the earthly ministry of Jesus. As we saw last week, many stopped following Jesus after the teaching Jesus gave after performing this great and awesome miracle.
Right after Jesus performed the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000, The disciples went down to the Sea of Galilee and set sail for the city of Capernaum. Jesus did not go with the disciples. Jesus had withdrawn by Himself up into the mountains to pray and have some solitary time.
When the disciples were about half way across the sea, darkness had overtaken them, and a strong wind began to blow making the waves treacherous. About this time, the disciples saw a figure walking on the water in the distance. They were greatly afraid and thought that they were seeing a ghost. At this point Jesus said, "It is I, don't be afraid."
This account does not record this, but another Gospel says that when Peter saw that it was Jesus, Peter asked to come out to Jesus on the water. Peter stepped out and started walking on the water too. However, at some point, Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, and Peter sank. Of course, Jesus rescued His friend.
When Jesus entered the boat, the wind and waves settled, What is most stunning about this miracle in my view is that when Jesus got in the boat, the boat immediately transported to the shore. It went three miles instantly.
This miraculous account has a lot to teach us about life and the divine nature of Jesus. First, let us look at the lessons we can apply to our lives today. One thing that really strikes me is the metaphor of the storm and how Jesus brings peace. This same idea occurs in another account when Jesus stilled the storm. This time, Jesus was in the boat with the disciples. A great storm churned the sea, and the disciples thought all was lost. All the while Jesus was sleeping. The disciples came and woke Him saying don't you care that we are about to drown. Well, of course Jesus cared about their predicament. He rebuked the storm saying, "Peace, be still." All was well.
The life we live on planet earth is filled with rough times. All of us have or will face very difficult times. These are the storms that disturb our existence. Unfortunately, some people have more than their fair share of storms.
In these rough patches of life, we must turn to Jesus as the one who calms the raging storm. He is the only one who has the power to make a difference in our lives.
When we are facing financial difficulties, poor health or broken relationships, Jesus says to us, "Be not Afraid". Jesus is right there with us in all of the hard times of life. I know this from first hand experience. As I've said here on the blog many times, If I didn't have Jesus in my life, I would not be able to exist. Knowing that He is with me has kept me going through sorrow and times of deep depression. When I have been in great fear over circumstances in the present and when I have been worried about the future, I can hear the voice of Jesus say, "Be not Afraid."
The reason that we do not have to fear is that Jesus is the one who is in our hearts and He is the one who holds our future. One minister whose sermons I like to listen to puts it this way, he says that with Jesus the worst thing is never the last thing. What he means is that when our life is in Christ, no matter what problem we face, we have the assurance that we will one day be with Jesus for all of eternity in His land where there will be no more sorrow or mourning and all will be at at peace.
One other lesson that we can learn from this account is that in all of all storms in life, when need to keep our eyes on Jesus. As it says in Hebrews chapter 12, we need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus who is the author and perfecter of our faith.
Peter was actually walking on the water and defying the storm as long as his eyes stayed on Jesus and not the storm. As soon as Peter's focus left Jesus, Peter was in trouble. This tells me that in order to make it through life, Jesus needs to be at the center of my life. He needs to be the focus of all that I do. To me this means that I pray and commune with Jesus throughout the day. I read about Him and His teachings in the Bible, and I meditate on His goodness and love.
Part of keeping Jesus at the center of my life also means putting into practice His teachings and commandments. It means asking what would Jesus do in each circumstance of my life.
If we look to Jesus for the answers, He will see us through. The answers to life's problems do not rest in worldly ideas and philosophies. The answer to all of life is Jesus.
Let me also point out one other thing. When Peter did take His eyes off of Jesus, Jesus didn't just let him drown. Peter cried out to the Lord, and the Lord lifted him out of the waves. Jesus does not give up on us when we make a mistake or commit a sin. He is always there to help us and forgive us when we call upon His name. He is our friend, and He always wants to help us and come to our aid.
Now, how does this sign demonstrate the divine nature of Jesus. It does so in two ways. First of all, Jesus demonstrates His complete control over the natural world. Jesus was able to stop a storm by willing it to be so. Also, Jesus defied all the laws of nature by walking on the water. Only God come in the flesh can have that kind of awesome power.
Also, Jesus by His miraculous power transported a ship with twelve men in it half way across the Sea of Galilee in an instant. This is not the work of a mere man.
When we look at Jesus, we see His compassion, goodness. love and power. Jesus is amazing and wonderful. I am so glad that He is my Savior, Lord, guide and friend. I hope that you will consider turning to Jesus if you have not made Him the Lord of your life.
Next week, we will continue our series in the signs from John. I will post the verses on Monday and the review on Wednesday. May God bless you all, Amen.
PS -- Lord, please keep those in the path of the hurricane safe. Amen.
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Book Review -- Bible Study Books
Today for the weekly review, I would like to review two bible study book series. I really enjoy doing Bible studies on different books and topics. If a person is really going to know the Bible, it is essential that he do more than just listen to the sermon on Sunday morning. Truly knowing and understanding God's Word requires diligent study on a personal level.
Bible study books are a good way to help learn what the Bible teaches. A new Bible study series that I have recently come across is entitled "Wesley Bible Studies." This is a series where one or more books of the Bible is dealt with in 13 different lessons. The particular volume that I worked on was on Matthew's Gospel.
Each lesson has a commentary section, and then there are questions for the student to answer at the end of each lesson.
I thought the volume on Matthew was pretty good, but I did not think that this particular volume was very in depth. I was disappointed that only portions of Matthew were dealt with and not the book as a whole. I would recommend this series, but not for in depth Bible study.
A Bible study series that I would recommend wholeheartedly is the LifeGuide series published by IVP. This particular series contains volumes on individual books of the Bible as well as studies arranged on particular themes. The study I did on the Sermon on the Mount was very good.
I hope that you will find a good Bible study to help you as you attempt to learn more about God and His Word.
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