Today I am once again reviewing more than one book. I have two cat books to share with you that are both excellent but for different reasons.
The first book is called, "The Good, The Bad and the Furry: Life With the World's Most Melancholy Cat" written by Tom Cox. Tom lives in Norfolk, England with a cast of cats who each have their own unique personality. In the pages of this book, the reader will meet Janet, who is actually a male cat, Ralph, the swearing Shipley, and a sad cat named The Bear. Other cats also make an appearance.
This book is hilarious. I really needed a good, humorous read when I found this book. The author is a great writer, and the stories in the book flow well. I don't know of anyone who won't like The Bear once they read about him. I hope with all of my heart that this cat makes it to his upcoming twentieth birthday and to many birthdays in the years to come.
Tom Cox has written two other books about his cats called, "Under the Paw" and "Talk to the Tail." These two books are not published in America, but I am attempting to locate them through Inter-library loan. Cox has another book about his cats scheduled for publication this October. I am looking forward to it.
Now for one of the best cat books I have ever read. "The Story of Fester Cat: How One Remarkable Cat Changed Two Men's Lives" is a great story about love and friendship. Author Paul Magrs and his partner Jeremy are living and working in the Levenshulme area of Manchester. They begin to notice a bedraggled cat coming into their garden. Eventually, they take the cat into their care, and the cat needed much care. The cat had infected gums with only one and one-half teeth left. His body was full of scabs, and he was in poor condition. Over time, the cat was nursed back to health, and Paul and Jeremy named him Fester.
"The Story of Fester" is written as if Fester is telling the story, and the narration in Fester's voice works very well. In the the book, much of the lives of Fester, Paul, Jeremy and the relationship they have is brought to light. The book is about sharing life together. It's about sharing the ups and downs of relationship, career and family. It's about the importance of the everyday things in life that should be cherished as special times. The book is about how six years in a person's life can be a time of goodness and happiness made possible by a cat who just decided to walk in the backdoor one day.
I recommend this book for the writing and for the story of friendship that it shares.
Both of these books brought me a lot of joy while I was reading them. I hope that you will enjoy them as much as I did.
P.S. -- Next week, I have a dog book that I want to review, and the week after that, I will review two dog books. After reviewing all of these cat books recently, I don't want all of the dog people to feel that I have abandoned you.
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Monday, April 27, 2015
Verses For the Week
Jeremiah 23:4-6 -- "And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking , saith the Lord. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper; and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS"
Matthew 7:13-14 -- "Enter ye in the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
Jude 21 "Keep youselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."
Matthew 7:13-14 -- "Enter ye in the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
Jude 21 "Keep youselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Weekend Sermon -- I Peter 3:8-14
Welcome to the Weekend Sermon. I hope that this day finds you all well. Thank you for your prayers. The storms were not bad in my area. However, some of the folks just west of me had some pretty bad hail. I feel bad that anyone had to have problems from the storms. Let us all pray for those experiencing storm damage that they might soon recover.
As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I have some important financial decisions to make in the next few days. Please pray that I will be able to make the right decisions. Also, please pray that I will be able to keep going in my job. I received my quarterly review, and everything went well. I thank the Lord for this.
Let us continue to pray for peace in this troubled world. Pray for peace in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Libya and other troubled areas of this world. Let us not forget to pray for those still effected by Ebola in Sierra Leone.
In last week's message, we continued in our series on the book of I Peter. We went through some rather controversial sections of the epistle. Today, we will continue to make our way through this important and informative work.
I Peter 3:8-9 states, "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing."
In these two verses, Peter is asking his readers to live out in their lives the teachings of Jesus in the Golden Rule. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we should be filled with love and compassion for one another. The Bible says that one of the ways that people knew who the early Christians were is that the believers had great love for one another.
When we were studying in the book of Acts a few months ago, we saw that the early Christians shared all things in common. When any person in the church had a need, the other members of the church worked together to meet the need of the brothers and sisters.
If people today could see Christians caring about each other and helping each other in love, I believe that more people would be drawn to the church and the message of the Savior's love. Sadly, many people only see the feuding and meanness in the church, and they are repelled and they do not see the real Jesus in the face of His followers.
In general, those of us who are followers of the Lord Jesus should do all that we can as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to do as much good in the world as we possibly can. We should be a blessing to society by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and standing up against injustice and oppression.
When others criticize us or do wrong against us, our response should be to seek to do as much good for them as we possibly can. We should be a blessing to this world and to those within it.
In verses 10 and 11, Peter gives a prescription for seeing good days in this life. He urges his readers to be people who control their speech.
Our words have the power to do great damage to other people. There is an old rhyme that goes, "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." This is so untrue. The nasty things that people say to us can stay in our minds for years bringing up pain and hurt. When we know how much we have been damaged by the evil words of others, let us be the people who speak words that heal not words that hurt.
Rabbi Joseph Telushkin has written an excellent book entitled, "Words that Hurt, Words That Heal" which gives a fine discussion on the power of words.
We all need to be careful of the words we speak. Words have great power. We can use our tongues to speak encouragement, blessing and healing, or we can use our tongue to spread bitterness, lies and hurt.
It is especially important to watch our speech around our children. When we speak negatively to our children, it can have devastating consequences later in their lives. If we continually criticize them, it can cause them to become discouraged.
Let each of us always strive to be those who speak words of hope and encouragement. Let our words be loving words patterned after what we know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ would say.
Peter goes on to urge us to be people who seek peace. Jesus stated in the Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are the peacemakers". It troubles me greatly that so many Christians promote and speak well of the violence that is in our culture and in our world. today.
In my country, many of the most vocal supporters of guns are evangelical Christians. I just can't imagine Jesus having a God and guns rally at His local synagogue.
One of the catalysts that caused me to make the final break from the fundamentalist churches of my youth had to do with the issue of peace. When the first Gulf War was about to take place, the fundamentalist church my family was attending would not even pray for peace. I could not understand this at all. At that point, I broke with my family on church attendance, and went to a church where they prayed for peace in the world and where they stood up for reconciliation and against injustice in society.
Christians must be peacemakers. We should promote peaceful relationships in our families, with our friends, and in our neighborhoods. On a national and international level, we should be at the forefront of promoting and working for peace among people and nations.
Why should we do those things that Peter mentions? The Lord is watching us. One day, Jesus will come again, and we will have to give an account of how we lived for Him in this world. Let it be our desire to live for Him that we may hear Jesus say to us, "Well done thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord."
Next week, I will post the verses on Monday and a review of an animal book on Wednesday. The Weekend Sermon will be posted on Saturday, and we will continue our study in I Peter. May God bless you all. Amen.
As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I have some important financial decisions to make in the next few days. Please pray that I will be able to make the right decisions. Also, please pray that I will be able to keep going in my job. I received my quarterly review, and everything went well. I thank the Lord for this.
Let us continue to pray for peace in this troubled world. Pray for peace in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Libya and other troubled areas of this world. Let us not forget to pray for those still effected by Ebola in Sierra Leone.
In last week's message, we continued in our series on the book of I Peter. We went through some rather controversial sections of the epistle. Today, we will continue to make our way through this important and informative work.
I Peter 3:8-9 states, "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing."
In these two verses, Peter is asking his readers to live out in their lives the teachings of Jesus in the Golden Rule. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we should be filled with love and compassion for one another. The Bible says that one of the ways that people knew who the early Christians were is that the believers had great love for one another.
When we were studying in the book of Acts a few months ago, we saw that the early Christians shared all things in common. When any person in the church had a need, the other members of the church worked together to meet the need of the brothers and sisters.
If people today could see Christians caring about each other and helping each other in love, I believe that more people would be drawn to the church and the message of the Savior's love. Sadly, many people only see the feuding and meanness in the church, and they are repelled and they do not see the real Jesus in the face of His followers.
In general, those of us who are followers of the Lord Jesus should do all that we can as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to do as much good in the world as we possibly can. We should be a blessing to society by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and standing up against injustice and oppression.
When others criticize us or do wrong against us, our response should be to seek to do as much good for them as we possibly can. We should be a blessing to this world and to those within it.
In verses 10 and 11, Peter gives a prescription for seeing good days in this life. He urges his readers to be people who control their speech.
Our words have the power to do great damage to other people. There is an old rhyme that goes, "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." This is so untrue. The nasty things that people say to us can stay in our minds for years bringing up pain and hurt. When we know how much we have been damaged by the evil words of others, let us be the people who speak words that heal not words that hurt.
Rabbi Joseph Telushkin has written an excellent book entitled, "Words that Hurt, Words That Heal" which gives a fine discussion on the power of words.
We all need to be careful of the words we speak. Words have great power. We can use our tongues to speak encouragement, blessing and healing, or we can use our tongue to spread bitterness, lies and hurt.
It is especially important to watch our speech around our children. When we speak negatively to our children, it can have devastating consequences later in their lives. If we continually criticize them, it can cause them to become discouraged.
Let each of us always strive to be those who speak words of hope and encouragement. Let our words be loving words patterned after what we know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ would say.
Peter goes on to urge us to be people who seek peace. Jesus stated in the Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are the peacemakers". It troubles me greatly that so many Christians promote and speak well of the violence that is in our culture and in our world. today.
In my country, many of the most vocal supporters of guns are evangelical Christians. I just can't imagine Jesus having a God and guns rally at His local synagogue.
One of the catalysts that caused me to make the final break from the fundamentalist churches of my youth had to do with the issue of peace. When the first Gulf War was about to take place, the fundamentalist church my family was attending would not even pray for peace. I could not understand this at all. At that point, I broke with my family on church attendance, and went to a church where they prayed for peace in the world and where they stood up for reconciliation and against injustice in society.
Christians must be peacemakers. We should promote peaceful relationships in our families, with our friends, and in our neighborhoods. On a national and international level, we should be at the forefront of promoting and working for peace among people and nations.
Why should we do those things that Peter mentions? The Lord is watching us. One day, Jesus will come again, and we will have to give an account of how we lived for Him in this world. Let it be our desire to live for Him that we may hear Jesus say to us, "Well done thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord."
Next week, I will post the verses on Monday and a review of an animal book on Wednesday. The Weekend Sermon will be posted on Saturday, and we will continue our study in I Peter. May God bless you all. Amen.
Friday, April 24, 2015
Some Various Thoughts
As most of you who read this blog regularly know, I am very frightened of severe weather. They are predicting bad weather in my part of the world tonight. Please pray that these bad storms do not materialize. Thank you.
On another prayer note, I have been thinking a lot about the terrible persecution that many Christians are facing at this time. Please continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing difficult times in Africa, the Middle East and in parts of Asia. May the message of the love of Jesus reach many in these parts of the world.
In the next two or three weeks, I have to make some major decisions. I still have some financial problems to settle, and I need the Lord's wisdom on how to address these matters. Please pray for me about these matters.
Over the past few weeks we've had a few different discussions about why bad things happen in the world and why there is suffering. I've mentioned some books that have been meaningful to me. I just wanted to clarify that I do not think that anyone has a full understanding of this matter. There are some matters of faith that are a mystery. There is no possible way that we can comprehend it. I believe that in life we have to have faith that Jesus will be with us and that He will help us through life. We need to cast our cares on Him and keep our focus on Him. No matter what happens, those of us who are in Christ will be with Him where He is someday.
I hope that everyone has a good day. I will post the sermon tomorrow.
On another prayer note, I have been thinking a lot about the terrible persecution that many Christians are facing at this time. Please continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing difficult times in Africa, the Middle East and in parts of Asia. May the message of the love of Jesus reach many in these parts of the world.
In the next two or three weeks, I have to make some major decisions. I still have some financial problems to settle, and I need the Lord's wisdom on how to address these matters. Please pray for me about these matters.
Over the past few weeks we've had a few different discussions about why bad things happen in the world and why there is suffering. I've mentioned some books that have been meaningful to me. I just wanted to clarify that I do not think that anyone has a full understanding of this matter. There are some matters of faith that are a mystery. There is no possible way that we can comprehend it. I believe that in life we have to have faith that Jesus will be with us and that He will help us through life. We need to cast our cares on Him and keep our focus on Him. No matter what happens, those of us who are in Christ will be with Him where He is someday.
I hope that everyone has a good day. I will post the sermon tomorrow.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Three Book Reviews
Today, I would like to review three books. One is a religious book, and two are animal books. The first book that I would like to discuss is "Hearing Jesus Speak Into You Sorrow" written by Nancy Guthrie. Let me start out by saying that this is a very well-written book that deals with the way the author dealt with her grief when she lost two of her babies to the same genetic disease. No one should have to face what this woman and her family had to go through.
The author delivers some very good chapters dealing with the way that Jesus has experienced sorrows such as ours. Because of this, Jesus is able to help us in our trials and afflictions. The best chapter is the first chapter entitled, "Hear Jesus Saying, I Too Have Known Overwhelming Sorrow."
I feel bad saying this, but I have to be honest, while there is much good in this book, and the author is a good writer, the underlying theological framework of the book is one with which I do not agree. There is a growing trend in evangelicalism to return to a Calvinistic outlook that makes God responsible for all that happens in the world. God has a plan that somehow involves tragedy coming into our lives. I don't believe that God has to work out His plan by taking someone's life or causing some type of natural disaster.
For a good discussion on these matters, I would once again recommend the book "Why?" written by Adam Hamilton. For a completely different perspective on why there is suffering in the world, a view I also disagree with but it is interesting nonetheless, is the viewpoint Rabbi Harold Kushner expresses in several of his books. His view is known as finite godism.
Now, for two books that I recommend without reservation. Valmik Thapar's "Land of the Tiger" is an awesome book that introduces the reader to the wildlife of India. This book is a must read for tiger lovers, but it also gives a great deal of information about other species.
Another great tiger book is "Tigers of the Snow" written by Peter Matthiessen. This book tells about the efforts to study and preserve the Siberian tiger. These are the largest tigers on the planet. A good population of these cats are clinging to existence in the Russian far east. Matthiessen, who is a brilliant writer, does fine work in this book. Matthiessen's other classic of the natural world in "The Snow Leopard." I would recommend this book as well.
The author delivers some very good chapters dealing with the way that Jesus has experienced sorrows such as ours. Because of this, Jesus is able to help us in our trials and afflictions. The best chapter is the first chapter entitled, "Hear Jesus Saying, I Too Have Known Overwhelming Sorrow."
I feel bad saying this, but I have to be honest, while there is much good in this book, and the author is a good writer, the underlying theological framework of the book is one with which I do not agree. There is a growing trend in evangelicalism to return to a Calvinistic outlook that makes God responsible for all that happens in the world. God has a plan that somehow involves tragedy coming into our lives. I don't believe that God has to work out His plan by taking someone's life or causing some type of natural disaster.
For a good discussion on these matters, I would once again recommend the book "Why?" written by Adam Hamilton. For a completely different perspective on why there is suffering in the world, a view I also disagree with but it is interesting nonetheless, is the viewpoint Rabbi Harold Kushner expresses in several of his books. His view is known as finite godism.
Now, for two books that I recommend without reservation. Valmik Thapar's "Land of the Tiger" is an awesome book that introduces the reader to the wildlife of India. This book is a must read for tiger lovers, but it also gives a great deal of information about other species.
Another great tiger book is "Tigers of the Snow" written by Peter Matthiessen. This book tells about the efforts to study and preserve the Siberian tiger. These are the largest tigers on the planet. A good population of these cats are clinging to existence in the Russian far east. Matthiessen, who is a brilliant writer, does fine work in this book. Matthiessen's other classic of the natural world in "The Snow Leopard." I would recommend this book as well.
Monday, April 20, 2015
Verses For The Week
Micah 7:7 -- "Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me."
Revelation 3:21 -- "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."
John 13: 14-15 -- "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life."
P.S. -- Thank you for your prayers on behalf of my neighbor. He is back home and doing well. Thanks be to the Lord Jesus.
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Weekend Sermon -- I Peter 2:13 - 3:7
Hello, and welcome to this week's edition of the Weekend Sermon. I am thankful to the Lord Jesus for the opportunity to post this message, and I am thankful to the Lord for each person who takes the time to read this blog.
This week, I had two important meetings at work, and to my surprise, they went much better than I expected. As I had mentioned previously, this job is very difficult, and I haven't been enjoying it too much. On Thursday, I had a meeting with the leader of the entire division. He was very encouraging, and we had a great meeting. On Friday, I had a meeting with my direct supervisor for a quarterly performance review. He told me that I was doing great, and to keep up the good work. I am grateful to the Lord for His help at my job, and I am grateful for the prayers of all of my blog readers. I would ask that you please continue to pray for me as it relates to work and my ongoing health issues.
In your prayer time this week, please continue to pray for my neighbor who is still in the rehab center. Also, pray for peace in the troubled areas of the world. Let us especially pray for peace in Yemen, Libya, Ukraine and Syria.
Last week, we resumed our study in the book of I Peter. Today, we will continue in I Peter, and we will be studying a controversial section of this book. Every time I post something slightly controversial, I see the blog readership dip. Then readership builds back up, and another controversial passage comes up. These things are in God's word, so I must deal with them in the best manner that I know how.
I Peter 2:13-17 deals with submission to the governing authorities. Peter was writing to a group of people who were facing persecution. The Roman authorities were always on the lookout for any group that might be a threat to their power. If they felt that this new group of Christ followers was teaching some sort of rebellion against the government, they would bring persecution against the church. Peter is urging his readers to obey the law, so that the governing authorities would not have an excuse to persecute followers of Jesus.
Unfortunately, this passage has been used by some to say that Christians should not be involved in protest movements or in civil disobedience. I know that during the civil rights movement of the 1960s, many church leaders criticized Martin Luther King because they said that he was violating this passage of Scripture.
As far as I am concerned, nothing could be farther from the truth. The Bible should never be used to justify governmental oppression. We are to obey the law. However, when the law is unjust, we as believers in Jesus have an obligation to stand for justice, peace and goodness. As Peter himself said in the book of Acts, "It is better to obey God rather than men." This is especially true for those of us who live in democratic countries.
In I Peter 2:18-25, Peter addresses the issue of slaves and masters. In the Roman world, there were millions of slaves. Rome feared a slave revolt as occurred with Spartacus. If the Christian community were perceived to have these revolutionary tendencies, persecution would increase. For this reason, Peter urged slaves to obey their masters.
There is no way to get around the fact that the Bible does not really speak against slavery. It was a major part of the culture in Biblical times. However, I believe that God gives progressive revelation. Enlightened people now realize that slavery is an abomination. The practice cannot be justified. It is just wrong. I believe that if they were writing today, men like Paul and Peter would see the truth of this. Sometimes, it is hard to escape the ideas of the culture in which you live. Throughout history, God raised up voices against this abhorrent practice. William Wilberforce was a great man who stood against slavery in Britain. I urge you to watch the film "Amazing Grace" to learn of his struggles against slavery. Sadly, there are pockets of slavery that still exist in the world. The church should do all that it can to work against this terrible injustice.
Some pastors try to use this passage in I Peter about slave and master relationships to draw a parallel to employer-employee relationships. To this I say, your boss is not your master. Workers are not slaves. In too many places around the world today, workers are treated abysmally. There is no justification for substandard wages or workplace conditions. Employers should do what is right, and not practice economic exploitation. The people of God should speak out against corporate greed, corruption and exploitation. No big businessman who doesn't pay his workers a living wage should feel comfortable in the pew when the pastor brings the message on Sunday morning.
Now, I will really step into the controversy. This whole idea of wives being in subjection to their husbands is a minefield. First of all, I want to state up front that I am not married and I have never been married. I have no intention of getting married. I can only speak as I feel Jesus leads me on this subject.
Once again, I believe that Peter is writing about a specific situation. The church is facing persecution, and he doesn't want to give the powers that be an excuse for persecution. Many women were coming to the faith. Women in Peter's day were virtually powerless. If they came to Jesus and it looked as if they were in some way rebelling against male domination, it might led to persecution of Christians for going against the norms of society. Therefore, Peter urges wives to be submissive to there husbands and in this way attempt to led them to Jesus.
I do not believe in any way shape or form that Peter is advocating male domination. The reason I believe this is because Peter walked with Jesus who did more than anyone else in His time to elevate the status of women.
Jesus first of all spoke to women and taught them which was not done by other teachers of His time. Jesus entrusted the first annunciation of His resurrection to a woman. Mary Magdalene was the first one to proclaim the Gospel of the resurrection.
We have to look at how men and women relate to one another in today's society. Husbands and wives should love one another and work to make a good relationship and a good home. They should come to mutual decisions on family matters and not have one spouse trying to dictate to the other.
Women are not second-class citizens, and they should not be treated as such in the church. For too long, the church has been male dominated. I remember in the fundamentalist church of my youth that women were not allowed to do anything. They could not be pastors or teach men. They were not even allowed to be Sunday School teachers for boys over the age of twelve. No women were supposed to work outside of the home.
This type of attitude has to stop. Women should be allowed to teach in church and be pastors because Jesus entrusted His message to women and did not discriminate against them. There is even good evidence that there was a woman apostle named Junia. Paul even mentions deaconesses. Priscilla was involved in the ministry along with her husband.
Well, I've dealt with these three issues to some degree. To recap, I believe that Peter was trying to instruct his readers in this section on how to avoid persecution by the Roman authorities. We should follow the law as long as it does not force us to violate a direct command of the Lord. We must speak out against injustice and wrong. Husbands and wives should love and respect each other. The church and society should be more respectful of women and value the contributions that they can make.
I hope that if you disagree with what I wrote here today, that you will at least consider my viewpoint. I know that some will be offended by my ideas that women should be allowed to be pastors in the church. All I ask is that you think about it in the light of the actions of Jesus.
Next week, I will post the verses on Monday. On Wednesday, I will post a review. On Saturday, we will continue with our study of I Peter. May God bless you all. Amen.
This week, I had two important meetings at work, and to my surprise, they went much better than I expected. As I had mentioned previously, this job is very difficult, and I haven't been enjoying it too much. On Thursday, I had a meeting with the leader of the entire division. He was very encouraging, and we had a great meeting. On Friday, I had a meeting with my direct supervisor for a quarterly performance review. He told me that I was doing great, and to keep up the good work. I am grateful to the Lord for His help at my job, and I am grateful for the prayers of all of my blog readers. I would ask that you please continue to pray for me as it relates to work and my ongoing health issues.
In your prayer time this week, please continue to pray for my neighbor who is still in the rehab center. Also, pray for peace in the troubled areas of the world. Let us especially pray for peace in Yemen, Libya, Ukraine and Syria.
Last week, we resumed our study in the book of I Peter. Today, we will continue in I Peter, and we will be studying a controversial section of this book. Every time I post something slightly controversial, I see the blog readership dip. Then readership builds back up, and another controversial passage comes up. These things are in God's word, so I must deal with them in the best manner that I know how.
I Peter 2:13-17 deals with submission to the governing authorities. Peter was writing to a group of people who were facing persecution. The Roman authorities were always on the lookout for any group that might be a threat to their power. If they felt that this new group of Christ followers was teaching some sort of rebellion against the government, they would bring persecution against the church. Peter is urging his readers to obey the law, so that the governing authorities would not have an excuse to persecute followers of Jesus.
Unfortunately, this passage has been used by some to say that Christians should not be involved in protest movements or in civil disobedience. I know that during the civil rights movement of the 1960s, many church leaders criticized Martin Luther King because they said that he was violating this passage of Scripture.
As far as I am concerned, nothing could be farther from the truth. The Bible should never be used to justify governmental oppression. We are to obey the law. However, when the law is unjust, we as believers in Jesus have an obligation to stand for justice, peace and goodness. As Peter himself said in the book of Acts, "It is better to obey God rather than men." This is especially true for those of us who live in democratic countries.
In I Peter 2:18-25, Peter addresses the issue of slaves and masters. In the Roman world, there were millions of slaves. Rome feared a slave revolt as occurred with Spartacus. If the Christian community were perceived to have these revolutionary tendencies, persecution would increase. For this reason, Peter urged slaves to obey their masters.
There is no way to get around the fact that the Bible does not really speak against slavery. It was a major part of the culture in Biblical times. However, I believe that God gives progressive revelation. Enlightened people now realize that slavery is an abomination. The practice cannot be justified. It is just wrong. I believe that if they were writing today, men like Paul and Peter would see the truth of this. Sometimes, it is hard to escape the ideas of the culture in which you live. Throughout history, God raised up voices against this abhorrent practice. William Wilberforce was a great man who stood against slavery in Britain. I urge you to watch the film "Amazing Grace" to learn of his struggles against slavery. Sadly, there are pockets of slavery that still exist in the world. The church should do all that it can to work against this terrible injustice.
Some pastors try to use this passage in I Peter about slave and master relationships to draw a parallel to employer-employee relationships. To this I say, your boss is not your master. Workers are not slaves. In too many places around the world today, workers are treated abysmally. There is no justification for substandard wages or workplace conditions. Employers should do what is right, and not practice economic exploitation. The people of God should speak out against corporate greed, corruption and exploitation. No big businessman who doesn't pay his workers a living wage should feel comfortable in the pew when the pastor brings the message on Sunday morning.
Now, I will really step into the controversy. This whole idea of wives being in subjection to their husbands is a minefield. First of all, I want to state up front that I am not married and I have never been married. I have no intention of getting married. I can only speak as I feel Jesus leads me on this subject.
Once again, I believe that Peter is writing about a specific situation. The church is facing persecution, and he doesn't want to give the powers that be an excuse for persecution. Many women were coming to the faith. Women in Peter's day were virtually powerless. If they came to Jesus and it looked as if they were in some way rebelling against male domination, it might led to persecution of Christians for going against the norms of society. Therefore, Peter urges wives to be submissive to there husbands and in this way attempt to led them to Jesus.
I do not believe in any way shape or form that Peter is advocating male domination. The reason I believe this is because Peter walked with Jesus who did more than anyone else in His time to elevate the status of women.
Jesus first of all spoke to women and taught them which was not done by other teachers of His time. Jesus entrusted the first annunciation of His resurrection to a woman. Mary Magdalene was the first one to proclaim the Gospel of the resurrection.
We have to look at how men and women relate to one another in today's society. Husbands and wives should love one another and work to make a good relationship and a good home. They should come to mutual decisions on family matters and not have one spouse trying to dictate to the other.
Women are not second-class citizens, and they should not be treated as such in the church. For too long, the church has been male dominated. I remember in the fundamentalist church of my youth that women were not allowed to do anything. They could not be pastors or teach men. They were not even allowed to be Sunday School teachers for boys over the age of twelve. No women were supposed to work outside of the home.
This type of attitude has to stop. Women should be allowed to teach in church and be pastors because Jesus entrusted His message to women and did not discriminate against them. There is even good evidence that there was a woman apostle named Junia. Paul even mentions deaconesses. Priscilla was involved in the ministry along with her husband.
Well, I've dealt with these three issues to some degree. To recap, I believe that Peter was trying to instruct his readers in this section on how to avoid persecution by the Roman authorities. We should follow the law as long as it does not force us to violate a direct command of the Lord. We must speak out against injustice and wrong. Husbands and wives should love and respect each other. The church and society should be more respectful of women and value the contributions that they can make.
I hope that if you disagree with what I wrote here today, that you will at least consider my viewpoint. I know that some will be offended by my ideas that women should be allowed to be pastors in the church. All I ask is that you think about it in the light of the actions of Jesus.
Next week, I will post the verses on Monday. On Wednesday, I will post a review. On Saturday, we will continue with our study of I Peter. May God bless you all. Amen.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Book Review -- A Good Cat Book
At the library where I go to to work on the computer, they have a small, used bookstore in the lobby, I have found some really good books there in the past. This past week, I purchased a small book entitled "A Cat's Life" written by Dee Ready.
This little book is a wonderful book about the life of a cat owned by the author. Their relationship spanned 17 years. During the course of their time together, Dee and Dulcy the cat moved from New Hampshire to Minnesota. Dee and Dulcy had some up and downs in their relationship when it involved a new cat coming into the household, but the pair shared a deep love for each other that is very evident in the author's account.
One of the nicest features of the book is the artwork depicting Dulcy. These drawings are very well done and add a nice touch to the overall story.
This isn't a book filled with adventure and travel like the books by Peter Gethers nor is it written in the same style as the cat trilogy by Cleveland Amory. However, "A Cat's Life" is a well written book that allows the reader to share the relationship between Dee and Dulcy and reflect upon the importance of a special animal to help one through life.
P.S.-- For those who like cat books, the Cleveland Amory and Peter Gethers books I mentioned are very good. "Pawprints in the Moonlight" is another excellent cat book that I have mentioned in the past. Also, I have been re-reading "The Cat That God Sent" which is also a cat book that I highly recommend as well.
This little book is a wonderful book about the life of a cat owned by the author. Their relationship spanned 17 years. During the course of their time together, Dee and Dulcy the cat moved from New Hampshire to Minnesota. Dee and Dulcy had some up and downs in their relationship when it involved a new cat coming into the household, but the pair shared a deep love for each other that is very evident in the author's account.
One of the nicest features of the book is the artwork depicting Dulcy. These drawings are very well done and add a nice touch to the overall story.
This isn't a book filled with adventure and travel like the books by Peter Gethers nor is it written in the same style as the cat trilogy by Cleveland Amory. However, "A Cat's Life" is a well written book that allows the reader to share the relationship between Dee and Dulcy and reflect upon the importance of a special animal to help one through life.
P.S.-- For those who like cat books, the Cleveland Amory and Peter Gethers books I mentioned are very good. "Pawprints in the Moonlight" is another excellent cat book that I have mentioned in the past. Also, I have been re-reading "The Cat That God Sent" which is also a cat book that I highly recommend as well.
Monday, April 13, 2015
Verses For the Week
Proverbs 12:10 -- "A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel."
2 John 6 -- "And this is love, that we walk after his commandment. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it."
Mark 9:35b -- "If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all."
2 John 6 -- "And this is love, that we walk after his commandment. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it."
Mark 9:35b -- "If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all."
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Weekend Sermon -- I Peter 2:9-12
Welcome to this week's edition of the Weekend Sermon. This is the best part of my week, and I am so grateful to the Lord Jesus for allowing me to share His word with you each and every week. It is my hope and prayer that all of you are doing well this day.
Thank you for your prayers on my behalf this last week. Each day at work is difficult. I know that I can only make it with your prayers and the help of the Lord. I know that I am working towards a goal, so that puts my work life in perspective. I know that my real work is writing and proclaiming the message of the Gospel.
In your prayers this week, please remember the Christians in the Middle East who are suffering through a time of great persecution. Christians are facing persecution in other areas as well including Africa and North Korea. Let us pray that is spite of persecution, the church would thrive, and many people will come to faith in Christ.
Let us continue to pray for peace in the world. Let us all pray for those in this world who are facing sickness and hardship. May all of us as believers in Jesus work to help the hurting.
For the last two weeks, we have been focusing our attention on the events of Holy Week. This week, we will return to our ongoing study of I Peter. When we were last studying in I Peter, we learned that Jesus was the cornerstone of a spiritual house. Jesus was rejected while He was here on earth. However, Jesus' sacrifice was acceptable to the Father. Jesus rose again from the dead. He is the chief cornerstone. He is precious to those of us who have called upon His name for salvation, but He is a rock of stumbling and offense to those who refuse to come to Him as Savior and Lord.
Today, we will focus on what we have been called to in Christ. In I Peter 2:9 it states, "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
Let's look at this passage phrase by phrase. We are a chosen generation. Those who have come to faith in Jesus have been chosen by God. We saw a few messages ago that we are elect according to the foreknowledge of God. We have been chosen by God to be followers of Jesus Christ His Son. This is not an occasion for pride or boasting. We are saved by grace apart from works. We did not choose Jesus. We are chosen by Him. It it only through the grace and mercy of the Lord that we have been saved from sin, shame and degradation. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. Only the finished work of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection from the grave can save us.
Since we have been chosen by the Lord, we have been called to be a royal priesthood. A priest was a representative of the Lord. The priest interceded on behalf of others. The Bible states that Jesus is our great High Priest interceding on our behalf at the right hand of God the Father. One of our jobs as followers of Jesus is to intercede on behalf of others that they might come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are called on a mission by the Lord to do His work in this world by bringing others to the Lord.
The New King James which I used today says that God has called us to be, "His own special people, " I like the way that the old King James states it that, "we are a peculiar people." The idea behind this is that we are to be different from the world in which we live. Those who name the name of Jesus are to be distinct.
In the Old Testament, the Lord gave rules and regulations for the people of Israel to follow that would make them distinct and separate from those people that lived around them. They were set apart to be a light to the nations.
This is the same principle in place for the follower of Jesus. We are to follow the teachings and the commandments of our Lord. Living according to the Kingdom principles of Jesus will cause us to be set apart from those who are living according the the values of this sinful world system. When Christians are living and acting in the same manner as everyone else in society, this is a problem.
I believe that in the Western world why it is so difficult to bring people to Jesus is because those who name the name of Jesus are often just like the world. People without Christ can't see any reason to change and follow Jesus.
We need to be in the world but not of the world. We need to follow the path of Jesus so that others might see our good works and glorify the Father in Heaven.
Part of our calling as followers of Jesus is to proclaim His praise. He has called us from darkness into light. We saw when we studied I John the importance of the concept of light and darkness. Jesus is the light of the world. When we respond to His light we are transported from the land of darkness to the realm of His marvelous light. For this, we should constantly praise the Lord.
Just think about where you would be in your life if it wasn't for Jesus. I know that I could not make it through the day without the presence of Jesus by my side. He is everything to me. Everything that is good in my life has come because of Jesus. For this I give Him all the thanks and all of the praise.
I hope that you have a heart filled with praise and thanksgiving for all that Jesus has done for you. He is the Lamb of Glory worthy of all our praise and adoration.
Verses 10 and 11 of chapter 2 reiterate some of what I have already mentioned. Since we are saved by the grace and mercy of the Lord, we should abstain from earthly lusts. We are strangers and pilgrims on this earth. As a peculiar people, this world is not our home. We are seeking that city whose builder and maker is God. This is the New Jerusalem coming down our of Heaven like a bride adorned for her husband. While we sojourn through this sinful world, let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus who is the author and the perfecter of our faith. Let us do His will, follow His path, and seek to bring others into His Kingdom of love.
Next week, I will post the verses on Monday. I will be reviewing a cat book on Wednesday. We will be looking into a controversial section of I Peter for the Weekend Sermon on Saturday. May God bless you all. Amen.
Thank you for your prayers on my behalf this last week. Each day at work is difficult. I know that I can only make it with your prayers and the help of the Lord. I know that I am working towards a goal, so that puts my work life in perspective. I know that my real work is writing and proclaiming the message of the Gospel.
In your prayers this week, please remember the Christians in the Middle East who are suffering through a time of great persecution. Christians are facing persecution in other areas as well including Africa and North Korea. Let us pray that is spite of persecution, the church would thrive, and many people will come to faith in Christ.
Let us continue to pray for peace in the world. Let us all pray for those in this world who are facing sickness and hardship. May all of us as believers in Jesus work to help the hurting.
For the last two weeks, we have been focusing our attention on the events of Holy Week. This week, we will return to our ongoing study of I Peter. When we were last studying in I Peter, we learned that Jesus was the cornerstone of a spiritual house. Jesus was rejected while He was here on earth. However, Jesus' sacrifice was acceptable to the Father. Jesus rose again from the dead. He is the chief cornerstone. He is precious to those of us who have called upon His name for salvation, but He is a rock of stumbling and offense to those who refuse to come to Him as Savior and Lord.
Today, we will focus on what we have been called to in Christ. In I Peter 2:9 it states, "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
Let's look at this passage phrase by phrase. We are a chosen generation. Those who have come to faith in Jesus have been chosen by God. We saw a few messages ago that we are elect according to the foreknowledge of God. We have been chosen by God to be followers of Jesus Christ His Son. This is not an occasion for pride or boasting. We are saved by grace apart from works. We did not choose Jesus. We are chosen by Him. It it only through the grace and mercy of the Lord that we have been saved from sin, shame and degradation. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. Only the finished work of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection from the grave can save us.
Since we have been chosen by the Lord, we have been called to be a royal priesthood. A priest was a representative of the Lord. The priest interceded on behalf of others. The Bible states that Jesus is our great High Priest interceding on our behalf at the right hand of God the Father. One of our jobs as followers of Jesus is to intercede on behalf of others that they might come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are called on a mission by the Lord to do His work in this world by bringing others to the Lord.
The New King James which I used today says that God has called us to be, "His own special people, " I like the way that the old King James states it that, "we are a peculiar people." The idea behind this is that we are to be different from the world in which we live. Those who name the name of Jesus are to be distinct.
In the Old Testament, the Lord gave rules and regulations for the people of Israel to follow that would make them distinct and separate from those people that lived around them. They were set apart to be a light to the nations.
This is the same principle in place for the follower of Jesus. We are to follow the teachings and the commandments of our Lord. Living according to the Kingdom principles of Jesus will cause us to be set apart from those who are living according the the values of this sinful world system. When Christians are living and acting in the same manner as everyone else in society, this is a problem.
I believe that in the Western world why it is so difficult to bring people to Jesus is because those who name the name of Jesus are often just like the world. People without Christ can't see any reason to change and follow Jesus.
We need to be in the world but not of the world. We need to follow the path of Jesus so that others might see our good works and glorify the Father in Heaven.
Part of our calling as followers of Jesus is to proclaim His praise. He has called us from darkness into light. We saw when we studied I John the importance of the concept of light and darkness. Jesus is the light of the world. When we respond to His light we are transported from the land of darkness to the realm of His marvelous light. For this, we should constantly praise the Lord.
Just think about where you would be in your life if it wasn't for Jesus. I know that I could not make it through the day without the presence of Jesus by my side. He is everything to me. Everything that is good in my life has come because of Jesus. For this I give Him all the thanks and all of the praise.
I hope that you have a heart filled with praise and thanksgiving for all that Jesus has done for you. He is the Lamb of Glory worthy of all our praise and adoration.
Verses 10 and 11 of chapter 2 reiterate some of what I have already mentioned. Since we are saved by the grace and mercy of the Lord, we should abstain from earthly lusts. We are strangers and pilgrims on this earth. As a peculiar people, this world is not our home. We are seeking that city whose builder and maker is God. This is the New Jerusalem coming down our of Heaven like a bride adorned for her husband. While we sojourn through this sinful world, let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus who is the author and the perfecter of our faith. Let us do His will, follow His path, and seek to bring others into His Kingdom of love.
Next week, I will post the verses on Monday. I will be reviewing a cat book on Wednesday. We will be looking into a controversial section of I Peter for the Weekend Sermon on Saturday. May God bless you all. Amen.
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Update
I just wanted to thank the Lord that the storms that were predicted for my area did not materialize. Thank you to those who prayed about this matter.
I found out yesterday that a friend of mine has a terrible liver disease. Please pray for her recovery and for the strength that she needs to keep going to work each day.
I found out yesterday that a friend of mine has a terrible liver disease. Please pray for her recovery and for the strength that she needs to keep going to work each day.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
A Book Review, A Recommendation and Some Various Thoughts
For today's review, I just wanted to remember a great book I first read years ago that meant a lot to me. The book is entitled "Blind Courage" and the author is Bill Irwin. I thought about this book again for two different reasons this past week.
The first time the I heard the story of Bill Irwin and his guide dog Orient was when they appeared as guests on the Hour of Power with Robert Schuller. Robert Schuller passed away this last week, and it brought back memories of many of the guests I saw on his program over the years. Bill Irwin was one of my favorite. I looked up Bill Irwin's website this week, and I learned that he too had passed away earlier this year.
"Blind Courage" tells the story of how Bill Irwin and his seeing eye dog Orient walked the entire distance of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. It is an amazing story of courage. As Bill said in the book, "God led Orient, and Orient led me." Dog lovers and adventure story lovers will definitely want to read this book.
I would also like to recommend that those who read the blog go over to the Nature on PBS website when you get the chance. They have several excellent full-length videos available that are really well done. There are video's about elephants, tigers, leopards, wolverines, and a host of other animals available for free viewing.
Finally, I would like to ask that those who read the blog would pray that the terrible weather that is forecast for my area would not happen today. First of all, I don't want people to get hurt and their property damaged. Also, on a personal note, I can't take too much more going on right now. Today is a hard day for many many reasons. I have the day off from work today, and I am already nervous about having to go back to work tomorrow. Please pray for me. Thank you.
I said finally in the last paragraph, but I do want to mention one other thing. The series on I Peter will resume this week for the Weekend Sermon. The readership on the blog was way down the last two weeks, so I hope that folks will return as our series in I Peter starts back up again. I would be more than happy to respond to anyone who has question or comments about the blog. If the messages I have posted on the blog have been of benefit to people, I would like to know that too. Thank you to those who have read the blog these past four years. I hope that it has done some good.
The first time the I heard the story of Bill Irwin and his guide dog Orient was when they appeared as guests on the Hour of Power with Robert Schuller. Robert Schuller passed away this last week, and it brought back memories of many of the guests I saw on his program over the years. Bill Irwin was one of my favorite. I looked up Bill Irwin's website this week, and I learned that he too had passed away earlier this year.
"Blind Courage" tells the story of how Bill Irwin and his seeing eye dog Orient walked the entire distance of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. It is an amazing story of courage. As Bill said in the book, "God led Orient, and Orient led me." Dog lovers and adventure story lovers will definitely want to read this book.
I would also like to recommend that those who read the blog go over to the Nature on PBS website when you get the chance. They have several excellent full-length videos available that are really well done. There are video's about elephants, tigers, leopards, wolverines, and a host of other animals available for free viewing.
Finally, I would like to ask that those who read the blog would pray that the terrible weather that is forecast for my area would not happen today. First of all, I don't want people to get hurt and their property damaged. Also, on a personal note, I can't take too much more going on right now. Today is a hard day for many many reasons. I have the day off from work today, and I am already nervous about having to go back to work tomorrow. Please pray for me. Thank you.
I said finally in the last paragraph, but I do want to mention one other thing. The series on I Peter will resume this week for the Weekend Sermon. The readership on the blog was way down the last two weeks, so I hope that folks will return as our series in I Peter starts back up again. I would be more than happy to respond to anyone who has question or comments about the blog. If the messages I have posted on the blog have been of benefit to people, I would like to know that too. Thank you to those who have read the blog these past four years. I hope that it has done some good.
Monday, April 6, 2015
Verses For the Week From I Corinthians
I Corinthians 15:3-4 -- "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and the he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures."
I Corinthians 15:55-57 -- "O death where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? the sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
I Corinthians 1:18 -- "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it it the power of God."
I Corinthians 15:55-57 -- "O death where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? the sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
I Corinthians 1:18 -- "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it it the power of God."
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Easter Sunday-- Christ Is Risen
Welcome to the Weekend Sermon for Easter weekend. I hope that everyone has a wonderful resurrection Sunday praising the risen Lord Jesus. Thank you for reading the blog this week. My prayers are always with you.
I hope that everyone had a chance to read some of the posts for Holy Week the last few days. When I realize all that Jesus experienced during this week, I am overwhelmed by His great love for me. He was willing to endure the cross for the sake of His love for us. Praise be unto His name.
During your prayer time in the upcoming week, please be in prayer for those Christians around the world who are suffering great persecution. I heard a church official from Baghdad on the radio this morning discussing the persecution of Christians in Iraq and Syria. Please pray for an end to persecution, and thank the Lord daily if you live in an area of the world where Christians are free to worship the Lord without fear of persecution.
Please continue to pray this week for peace in the troubled areas of the world. Also, continue to pray about the Ebola situation. I heard that the disease is still causing much trouble in Sierra Leone.
I would ask that you continue to pray for me. I am well on my way to getting the house ready for sale. I plan to sell things out of the house this Summer. My job is very difficult, and I do not enjoy going to work each day. Please pray that the Lord will give me the strength to keep going. I am grateful to the Lord for this job, it is just hard to go to work when the clients cuss you out everyday and people are extremely rude and mean. It starts to wear you down.
Last week, we took a break from our series in I Peter to focus on Palm Sunday. Today we focus on the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter morning.
I have been reflecting this week on the feelings of Jesus' followers just before that first Easter morning. We look at the events of Holy Week from an entirely different perspective than the one available to Jesus' first followers. We know what happened. They didn't no what was going to happen. The Bible is clear that Jesus' followers did not understand when Jesus told them that He would rise again from the dead. When they saw what happened on Good Friday, they thought that that was it. All of their hopes were placed on Jesus. They thought that they were following the one who would free Israel. This feeling is clearly expressed by the two men that the Risen Lord encountered on the road to Emmaus. Now He was dead, and I imagine that they were filled with sorrow and a deep sense of failure.
Just try to imagine the feeling of exhilaration that Jesus' followers felt when they saw Jesus alive. Their hearts must have been overflowing. Mary Magdalene when she spoke with Jesus was so moved with joy that she held on to Jesus and wouldn't let Him go until Jesus told her to stop clinging to Him. The one who had delivered her was alive again.
This same Easter joy that filled the hearts of Jesus' first followers should fill our hearts too on this Easter Sunday. Jesus is alive. He is seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven where He is our advocate with the Father always making intercession for us as the great High Priest touched with the feeling of our infirmities.
We can have Easter joy in our hearts because of what Easter means. Because Jesus rose again from the dead, the power of sin, death, hell and the grave is completely and totally defeated. Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross. On the cross He paid the penalty for sin that we could not pay. On the cross, Jesus took care of the problem of sin. By His resurrection, Jesus defeated the consequences of sin. Sin brought death. The Bible says in the book of Romans that "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Because Jesus rose from the dead, death is nothing to fear for those who put their faith and trust in Jesus. I don't have very good health. I've had problems with fluid in my lungs the last few mornings. But I know that I do not have to fear death because of what Jesus has accomplished for me through His death and resurrection. I put my faith and trust in Jesus when I was a boy in Sunday School. I know that when I die, I will immediately go to be with Jesus in the place that He has prepared for me. This fills my heart with great joy because I know that being with Jesus forever is what waits for me. I have a hopeful future.
Easter also fills the heart with joy because if we know someone who was in Christ, we will never truly be parted from that individual. My parents, as well as other friends and family members, have passed away in the last few years. These individuals were all followers of the Lord Jesus. Because Jesus is the resurrection and the life, my family and friends are with Jesus right now. One day, I will be reunited with them, and we will enjoy fellowship with one another in Jesus' presence forever and forever.
One other thing that fills my heart with Easter joy is the fact that one day, those who are in Christ will receive a glorified body like unto Jesus' glorified body. The Bible speaks about this in the great chapter on the resurrection in I Corinthians 15. I urge everyone to read this important chapter this week if at all possible.
When Jesus rose again, He had an identifiable body. His disciples recognized who He was. However, Jesus had a glorified body. He could pass right through a locked door. He could appear one moment and be gone the next as we read about in the account of the two men on the road to Emmaus.
The Bible makes is quite clear, that when we go to be with Jesus, we will receive a glorified body on the day when Jesus comes again and the resurrection of the dead occurs. Our new glorified bodies will no longer get sick or experience pain and hurt. I look forward to this, and I know many others who are trapped in bodies that don't work right look forward to this too. This is possible because Jesus conquered death and rose again on Easter morning.
Easter is a time of great joy. Let your heart be filled with Easter gladness because Jesus is alive and Jesus loves us.
If you do not have the Easter joy in your heart, turn to the Lord in repentance and faith. Believe that Jesus died for you and that He rose again. Ask Him to be your Savior and Lord.
Christian, make sure to thank the Lord today for saving you from sin and for conquering death, hell and the grave through His glorious resurrection.
Next week, we will return to a more regular schedule here on the blog. I will post the verses on Monday. I am pretty sure that I will have a review on Wednesday. For the Weekend Sermon, we will return to our series on I Peter. Happy Easter to all. Amen.
I hope that everyone had a chance to read some of the posts for Holy Week the last few days. When I realize all that Jesus experienced during this week, I am overwhelmed by His great love for me. He was willing to endure the cross for the sake of His love for us. Praise be unto His name.
During your prayer time in the upcoming week, please be in prayer for those Christians around the world who are suffering great persecution. I heard a church official from Baghdad on the radio this morning discussing the persecution of Christians in Iraq and Syria. Please pray for an end to persecution, and thank the Lord daily if you live in an area of the world where Christians are free to worship the Lord without fear of persecution.
Please continue to pray this week for peace in the troubled areas of the world. Also, continue to pray about the Ebola situation. I heard that the disease is still causing much trouble in Sierra Leone.
I would ask that you continue to pray for me. I am well on my way to getting the house ready for sale. I plan to sell things out of the house this Summer. My job is very difficult, and I do not enjoy going to work each day. Please pray that the Lord will give me the strength to keep going. I am grateful to the Lord for this job, it is just hard to go to work when the clients cuss you out everyday and people are extremely rude and mean. It starts to wear you down.
Last week, we took a break from our series in I Peter to focus on Palm Sunday. Today we focus on the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter morning.
I have been reflecting this week on the feelings of Jesus' followers just before that first Easter morning. We look at the events of Holy Week from an entirely different perspective than the one available to Jesus' first followers. We know what happened. They didn't no what was going to happen. The Bible is clear that Jesus' followers did not understand when Jesus told them that He would rise again from the dead. When they saw what happened on Good Friday, they thought that that was it. All of their hopes were placed on Jesus. They thought that they were following the one who would free Israel. This feeling is clearly expressed by the two men that the Risen Lord encountered on the road to Emmaus. Now He was dead, and I imagine that they were filled with sorrow and a deep sense of failure.
Just try to imagine the feeling of exhilaration that Jesus' followers felt when they saw Jesus alive. Their hearts must have been overflowing. Mary Magdalene when she spoke with Jesus was so moved with joy that she held on to Jesus and wouldn't let Him go until Jesus told her to stop clinging to Him. The one who had delivered her was alive again.
This same Easter joy that filled the hearts of Jesus' first followers should fill our hearts too on this Easter Sunday. Jesus is alive. He is seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven where He is our advocate with the Father always making intercession for us as the great High Priest touched with the feeling of our infirmities.
We can have Easter joy in our hearts because of what Easter means. Because Jesus rose again from the dead, the power of sin, death, hell and the grave is completely and totally defeated. Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross. On the cross He paid the penalty for sin that we could not pay. On the cross, Jesus took care of the problem of sin. By His resurrection, Jesus defeated the consequences of sin. Sin brought death. The Bible says in the book of Romans that "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Because Jesus rose from the dead, death is nothing to fear for those who put their faith and trust in Jesus. I don't have very good health. I've had problems with fluid in my lungs the last few mornings. But I know that I do not have to fear death because of what Jesus has accomplished for me through His death and resurrection. I put my faith and trust in Jesus when I was a boy in Sunday School. I know that when I die, I will immediately go to be with Jesus in the place that He has prepared for me. This fills my heart with great joy because I know that being with Jesus forever is what waits for me. I have a hopeful future.
Easter also fills the heart with joy because if we know someone who was in Christ, we will never truly be parted from that individual. My parents, as well as other friends and family members, have passed away in the last few years. These individuals were all followers of the Lord Jesus. Because Jesus is the resurrection and the life, my family and friends are with Jesus right now. One day, I will be reunited with them, and we will enjoy fellowship with one another in Jesus' presence forever and forever.
One other thing that fills my heart with Easter joy is the fact that one day, those who are in Christ will receive a glorified body like unto Jesus' glorified body. The Bible speaks about this in the great chapter on the resurrection in I Corinthians 15. I urge everyone to read this important chapter this week if at all possible.
When Jesus rose again, He had an identifiable body. His disciples recognized who He was. However, Jesus had a glorified body. He could pass right through a locked door. He could appear one moment and be gone the next as we read about in the account of the two men on the road to Emmaus.
The Bible makes is quite clear, that when we go to be with Jesus, we will receive a glorified body on the day when Jesus comes again and the resurrection of the dead occurs. Our new glorified bodies will no longer get sick or experience pain and hurt. I look forward to this, and I know many others who are trapped in bodies that don't work right look forward to this too. This is possible because Jesus conquered death and rose again on Easter morning.
Easter is a time of great joy. Let your heart be filled with Easter gladness because Jesus is alive and Jesus loves us.
If you do not have the Easter joy in your heart, turn to the Lord in repentance and faith. Believe that Jesus died for you and that He rose again. Ask Him to be your Savior and Lord.
Christian, make sure to thank the Lord today for saving you from sin and for conquering death, hell and the grave through His glorious resurrection.
Next week, we will return to a more regular schedule here on the blog. I will post the verses on Monday. I am pretty sure that I will have a review on Wednesday. For the Weekend Sermon, we will return to our series on I Peter. Happy Easter to all. Amen.
Friday, April 3, 2015
Good Friday
Good Friday is the day when Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross of Calvary in order to bring salvation to a lost and dying world. 2 Corinthians 5:21 states it this way, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
On the cross, Jesus bore all of our sin in His body. Matthew 27:45 says that while Jesus was on the cross, there was darkness over all of the land for a period of three hours. At the end of that three hour period, Jesus cried out with a loud voice saying, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?" I believe that it was during this three hour period that Jesus took the sin of the world upon Himself causing Him to suffer as no other man has ever suffered.
Good Friday is a humbling time for me. My sin caused Jesus to sacrifice Himself in order to save me from the punishment that I so justly deserved. Jesus loved me so much that He was willing to give His life for me. I am thankful to the Lord Jesus for loving me and caring about me. I am thankful to Jesus for dying for me and saving my soul from sin.
One thing that I reflect on on Good Friday is the fact that Jesus had the power to stop everything that was happening to Him. He could have said enough with the pain and humiliation, called on the angels of Heaven to deliver Him and been done with this sinful planet. However, Jesus' great love for humanity and all that He had created held Him on the cross. He endured the pain and humiliation because of His great love.
Jesus died on the cross to save you from your sin. He invites you to turn to Him in repentance and faith and accept Him as Savior and Lord.
P.S.-- Good Friday is a day of great memories with my Dad. My Dad and I used to go to the community Good Friday service every year. My Mom was working, so she didn't go, but I would be off from college and my Dad and I would go to the services. One year in particular was very memorable. We went to the big Presbyterian church in town with the beautiful stained glass windows. The organ music was awesome and the choir sang "Where You There When They Crucified My Lord" which is one of my Dad's favorite songs. The sermon was delivered by the American Baptist pastor, and it was the best Good Friday message I have ever heard. I am thankful that because of the love of Jesus, my Dad is in Heaven today with the Lord. Thanks be to God.
On the cross, Jesus bore all of our sin in His body. Matthew 27:45 says that while Jesus was on the cross, there was darkness over all of the land for a period of three hours. At the end of that three hour period, Jesus cried out with a loud voice saying, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?" I believe that it was during this three hour period that Jesus took the sin of the world upon Himself causing Him to suffer as no other man has ever suffered.
Good Friday is a humbling time for me. My sin caused Jesus to sacrifice Himself in order to save me from the punishment that I so justly deserved. Jesus loved me so much that He was willing to give His life for me. I am thankful to the Lord Jesus for loving me and caring about me. I am thankful to Jesus for dying for me and saving my soul from sin.
One thing that I reflect on on Good Friday is the fact that Jesus had the power to stop everything that was happening to Him. He could have said enough with the pain and humiliation, called on the angels of Heaven to deliver Him and been done with this sinful planet. However, Jesus' great love for humanity and all that He had created held Him on the cross. He endured the pain and humiliation because of His great love.
Jesus died on the cross to save you from your sin. He invites you to turn to Him in repentance and faith and accept Him as Savior and Lord.
P.S.-- Good Friday is a day of great memories with my Dad. My Dad and I used to go to the community Good Friday service every year. My Mom was working, so she didn't go, but I would be off from college and my Dad and I would go to the services. One year in particular was very memorable. We went to the big Presbyterian church in town with the beautiful stained glass windows. The organ music was awesome and the choir sang "Where You There When They Crucified My Lord" which is one of my Dad's favorite songs. The sermon was delivered by the American Baptist pastor, and it was the best Good Friday message I have ever heard. I am thankful that because of the love of Jesus, my Dad is in Heaven today with the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Praying In the Garden
Today, we continue our Holy Week emphasis focusing on Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. After Jesus taught His disciples and shared the Passover with them in the Upper Room, He went to pray to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus left eight of His disciples at the garden entrance and took Peter, James and John with Him into the Garden to pray. Jesus asked them to watch and wait with Him.
Jesus went a little farther into the garden and prayed, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt."
Jesus then went back to the three disciples only to find them asleep. Jesus said to Peter, "Could you not watch with me one hour?"
The Lord then went back to prayer. He was in such agony that He sweat drops of blood. He would return to His followers again only to find them once more asleep.
As I reflect on Jesus praying on this night there are a few things that impress themselves upon my mind. First of all, I believe that the account of Jesus in the garden is one of the most vivid expressions of Jesus' humanity found in the Gospels. In His humanity, Jesus did not want to endure the agony and humiliation of crucifixion. In His humanity, Jesus wished to be spared from this if possible. However, Jesus was totally committed to doing the will of the Father. Jesus said, "Not my will but thine be done."
Jesus understands what it is to suffer and to feel alone, betrayed and abandoned. Whenever I am going through a difficult time, I know that Jesus felt the same way that I feel. He understands what I am going through completely, and He is there to bring comfort and the healing awareness of His presence.
Like Jesus, my attitude should be one of complete abandonment to the will of the Lord. Oftentimes I don't understand the path that the Lord is leading me own. Sometimes I feel called to do what I wouldn't choose to do on my own. However, it is my duty to follow the Lord wherever He leads. I must do His will and not my will.
Finally, in this account I think of Jesus' response to His disciples when He asked, "Could you not tarry one hour?" This phrase motivates me to want to spend time in prayer and communion with Jesus. I must make the time each day to be in His presence seeking His guidance and counsel.
Today, there is a beautiful church built on the site where Jesus was praying. I urge to check on the Internet for pictures of this wonderful looking church.
P.S.-- Just before I wrote today's post, I learned that Robert Schuller passed away. I know that in later life he experienced many financial and family problems eventually going into bankruptcy. However, at one time, he was very popular with a large television ministry. Robert Schuller's messages helped me to make it through my periods of depression many times in my younger days. Whenever I would listen to him preach I would come away knowing that Jesus loved me and that brighter days were ahead. I loved listening to the Crystal Cathedral choir open each service with the words of "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee." There were some really great guests on the program each week too. The first time a knew about Joni Earickson Tada was on the Hour of Power. Bill Irwin with his guide dog Orient was another great program. The Christmas programs were really wonderful. I want to express my condolences to the Schuller family, and thank Robert Schuller for helping me many times win over depression.
Jesus went a little farther into the garden and prayed, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt."
Jesus then went back to the three disciples only to find them asleep. Jesus said to Peter, "Could you not watch with me one hour?"
The Lord then went back to prayer. He was in such agony that He sweat drops of blood. He would return to His followers again only to find them once more asleep.
As I reflect on Jesus praying on this night there are a few things that impress themselves upon my mind. First of all, I believe that the account of Jesus in the garden is one of the most vivid expressions of Jesus' humanity found in the Gospels. In His humanity, Jesus did not want to endure the agony and humiliation of crucifixion. In His humanity, Jesus wished to be spared from this if possible. However, Jesus was totally committed to doing the will of the Father. Jesus said, "Not my will but thine be done."
Jesus understands what it is to suffer and to feel alone, betrayed and abandoned. Whenever I am going through a difficult time, I know that Jesus felt the same way that I feel. He understands what I am going through completely, and He is there to bring comfort and the healing awareness of His presence.
Like Jesus, my attitude should be one of complete abandonment to the will of the Lord. Oftentimes I don't understand the path that the Lord is leading me own. Sometimes I feel called to do what I wouldn't choose to do on my own. However, it is my duty to follow the Lord wherever He leads. I must do His will and not my will.
Finally, in this account I think of Jesus' response to His disciples when He asked, "Could you not tarry one hour?" This phrase motivates me to want to spend time in prayer and communion with Jesus. I must make the time each day to be in His presence seeking His guidance and counsel.
Today, there is a beautiful church built on the site where Jesus was praying. I urge to check on the Internet for pictures of this wonderful looking church.
P.S.-- Just before I wrote today's post, I learned that Robert Schuller passed away. I know that in later life he experienced many financial and family problems eventually going into bankruptcy. However, at one time, he was very popular with a large television ministry. Robert Schuller's messages helped me to make it through my periods of depression many times in my younger days. Whenever I would listen to him preach I would come away knowing that Jesus loved me and that brighter days were ahead. I loved listening to the Crystal Cathedral choir open each service with the words of "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee." There were some really great guests on the program each week too. The first time a knew about Joni Earickson Tada was on the Hour of Power. Bill Irwin with his guide dog Orient was another great program. The Christmas programs were really wonderful. I want to express my condolences to the Schuller family, and thank Robert Schuller for helping me many times win over depression.
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
I Go To Prepare A Place For You.
During this Holy Week time, I want to reflect on the events in Jesus' life leading up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday. On the night that He was betrayed by Judas Iscariot, Jesus met with His disciples in the Upper Room to partake of the Passover meal. At this time, Jesus also taught His disciples many things. These teachings are found in John chapters 13 through 16, and they are known as the Upper Room Discourse. A few years ago, I did a series of messages here on the blog about Jesus' teachings in the Upper Room.
Today, I want to focus on Jesus statement in John 14:1-4 which states, "Let not your hearts be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself: that where I am, there ye may be also. And wither I go, ye know the way."
Jesus loves us, and He wants those who follow Him as Lord to be with Him where He is for all eternity. Jesus has prepared a place in Heaven for all those who have put their faith and trust in Him and in His finished work on the cross and in His resurrection.
Those who are in Christ Jesus need not fear death. The follower of Jesus who dies will immediately go to be in His presence in Heaven and will forever be with the Lord. When Jesus comes again to rule and reign in righteousness, those who are His followers will be with Him on this renovated earth.
This gives me great comfort and the ability to face the hardship of each day. I know that no matter what happens, when this life and its troubles are over, I will be with Jesus forever. There will be no more pain, crying, sickness or heartache. All will be well forever in the presence of the risen Lord.
This statement of Jesus' also give me comfort because I know that those whom I have loved who have left this earth are with Jesus. I am grateful to the Lord Jesus for the fact that all of the family members and close friends whom I have loved on this earth were followers of Jesus. I know that my Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, and my Uncle Allan are in Heaven with Jesus right now because Jesus has prepared a place for them. I also believe that my friend Toby is Heaven too. One day, we will all be reunited and spend eternity together with the Lord Jesus. This is all possible because Jesus bore our sins on the cross of Calvary. He took our sins, and He imputed to us His righteousness. Because Jesus conquered death through His resurrection, all who are in Christ Jesus shall rise again.
Jesus states clearly in this passage of Scripture that He will return someday. It doesn't take much research to see that the world in which we live in is growing more and more vile and immoral with each passing day. Those things that were once clearly regarded as evil are being proclaimed as normal and right. Disease is rampant around the world, and suffering seems to be increasing. Wars and rumors of wars span the globe.
Jesus said that it would be this way before He returned. No man knows the day or the hour when the Lord will return, but I believe that Jesus could come again at any moment. What a great day that will be when Jesus returns in power and great glory. Every eye shall see Him and acknowledge that He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
When Jesus returns He will judge the living and the dead. Those who have put their faith and trust in Him will be with Him forever and forever. Those who have rejected the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus will be condemned forever.
Are ready to meet the Lord Jesus if He were to come today? I trust that you are. If you are unsure, you can trust in Jesus for salvation right now. Confess your sins and ask Jesus to forgive you. Believe that Jesus rose again from the dead. Invite Jesus to be the Lord of your life and commit to follow Him and His ways.
May God be with you today. I will post again tomorrow. Amen.
Today, I want to focus on Jesus statement in John 14:1-4 which states, "Let not your hearts be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself: that where I am, there ye may be also. And wither I go, ye know the way."
Jesus loves us, and He wants those who follow Him as Lord to be with Him where He is for all eternity. Jesus has prepared a place in Heaven for all those who have put their faith and trust in Him and in His finished work on the cross and in His resurrection.
Those who are in Christ Jesus need not fear death. The follower of Jesus who dies will immediately go to be in His presence in Heaven and will forever be with the Lord. When Jesus comes again to rule and reign in righteousness, those who are His followers will be with Him on this renovated earth.
This gives me great comfort and the ability to face the hardship of each day. I know that no matter what happens, when this life and its troubles are over, I will be with Jesus forever. There will be no more pain, crying, sickness or heartache. All will be well forever in the presence of the risen Lord.
This statement of Jesus' also give me comfort because I know that those whom I have loved who have left this earth are with Jesus. I am grateful to the Lord Jesus for the fact that all of the family members and close friends whom I have loved on this earth were followers of Jesus. I know that my Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, and my Uncle Allan are in Heaven with Jesus right now because Jesus has prepared a place for them. I also believe that my friend Toby is Heaven too. One day, we will all be reunited and spend eternity together with the Lord Jesus. This is all possible because Jesus bore our sins on the cross of Calvary. He took our sins, and He imputed to us His righteousness. Because Jesus conquered death through His resurrection, all who are in Christ Jesus shall rise again.
Jesus states clearly in this passage of Scripture that He will return someday. It doesn't take much research to see that the world in which we live in is growing more and more vile and immoral with each passing day. Those things that were once clearly regarded as evil are being proclaimed as normal and right. Disease is rampant around the world, and suffering seems to be increasing. Wars and rumors of wars span the globe.
Jesus said that it would be this way before He returned. No man knows the day or the hour when the Lord will return, but I believe that Jesus could come again at any moment. What a great day that will be when Jesus returns in power and great glory. Every eye shall see Him and acknowledge that He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
When Jesus returns He will judge the living and the dead. Those who have put their faith and trust in Him will be with Him forever and forever. Those who have rejected the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus will be condemned forever.
Are ready to meet the Lord Jesus if He were to come today? I trust that you are. If you are unsure, you can trust in Jesus for salvation right now. Confess your sins and ask Jesus to forgive you. Believe that Jesus rose again from the dead. Invite Jesus to be the Lord of your life and commit to follow Him and His ways.
May God be with you today. I will post again tomorrow. Amen.
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