Weekend Sermon -- I Peter 4:1-11

     Welcome to this week's edition of the Weekend Sermon.  If you read my post from yesterday, you know that I was very concerned about the weather and its damage to my home.  I want to report that all is doing well so far, and I am thankful to the Lord for this.
     Work continues to be a challenge.  We are changing supervisors this week, so this is just something else at this job to create more stress.  I am very seriously considering looking for another job as this job is actually beginning to harm my health due to the continued high stress level.  Please pray for me in this regard.
     During prayer this week, let us all pray for those who are experiencing hardship due to natural disasters.  I am thinking of the people in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Nepal and Vanuatu in particular.  Let us also continue to pray for peace especially in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.  Wherever you may know of conflict and trouble in the world, pray for the peace of the Lord and the love of Jesus to reach that particular area.
     Last week, we went back a little ways in I Peter and studied a passage that we had skipped over.  Today we will pick back up in chapter 4 and continue to examine what the Lord is teaching us in this important work.
     The first portion of chapter 4 speaks about the suffering of Jesus and urges those of us who are His followers to cease from sin by suffering in the flesh as Jesus did.  What does this mean?  I believe that there are at least two meanings to these verses.
     Suffering often helps us to lead lives of holiness because suffering can help to draw us closer to the Lord.  As I have said before, I don't believe that God is in Heaven just thinking up ways to make people have bad things happen in their lives.  Suffering and heartache are part of living in this fallen world.  When we experience pain and suffering in life, we can use these times to rely more fully on the Lord Jesus to help us and sustain by His abiding presence.
     As a person draws closer to Jesus, he will grow in His love for Jesus.  As we grow in our love for Jesus, we will want to do those things that please the Lord.  We will want to obey His commandments and follow His teachings.  We will not want to participate in those activities that bring sadness to the heart of Jesus.
     Breaking off from sinful practices that beset us may also cause us a time of suffering, but the result is joy in the Lord.  Peter speaks about lust, drunkenness, reveling and idolatry.  Breaking off from a sinful past can be hard.  Those who are plagued by addiction to drugs and alcohol will have great difficulty in overcoming these addictions.  With the help of the Lord, these problems can be defeated, and people can experience a new life in Christ.  The suffering of overcoming sin, leads us into victory and peace with the Lord Jesus.
     In chapter 4 verse 5, Peter mentions the important fact that everyone who has ever lived will have to give an account of themselves to the Lord.  Those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus will one day be judged according to what they have done for the Lord while on this earth.  This is not a judgment that will determine our eternal destiny.  We are saved by the grace of the Lord not by our works of righteousness.  However, Jesus said that we would receive rewards in Heaven based upon our service to Him on earth.
     Some who are followers of the Lord have very little of eternal value to show for their time upon this planet.  When they stand before the Lord and their works are judged, little will remain.  Others have done great service for the Master.  They will receive many crowns to cast at the Savior's feet, and great will be their reward in Heaven.
     I believe that it should be believers desire to do as much as they can in this life to serve the Lord Jesus and accumulate treasure in Heaven that will last when all of this world's treasure is passing away.
     There is so much work for the Lord that needs to be done on this earth.  As Jesus said, the fields are white unto harvest, but the laborers are few.  Many people need to hear the message of the love of Jesus.  Many need for us to reach out a hand of compassion and help them to make it through the hard times in this life.
     Those who have not placed their faith in Jesus will also face a judgment.  The Bible says that one day those who have rejected Jesus will stand before the Great White Throne in judgment.  Those whose names are not found in the Lamb's Book of Life will go into eternal judgment forever separated from the love of the Lord.
     In verses 7 through 11, Peter urges his readers to be fervent in their ministry for the Lord.  He urges us to watch and to pray for the Lord Jesus could return at any moment.  Prayer is vital in the Christian life.  We need to be in daily communication with the Lord praising Him, interceding on behalf of others, and bringing our own needs before the Lord.
     Believers must show love for one another and help each other whenever it is possible.
     Peter also urges us to use the gifts that God has given us to help and encourage one another.  Whatever gift the Lord has given to you, use it to serve the church.  Use your gifts and talents to help make this world a better place.  Use your gifts and talents to help others.
     Whatever it is that we do in this life, everything we do should be glorifying to Jesus.  That is our mission in life. We are to bring honor and glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
     If you have never turned to Jesus for salvation, I hope that you will consider Christ today.  Please, do not find yourself one day in eternity standing before the Lord in judgment not having His blood to cover your sins.  You do not have to face eternal separation from God.  Jesus has provided the way of salvation.  Repent of your sins and ask Jesus to be the Lord and Savior of your life today.
     On Monday, I will post the verses for the week.  On Wednesday, I will post a book review.  On Saturday, we will continue with our series in I Peter.  May the Lord bless you all.  Amen.

Friday Thoughts

     I just have a couple of things that I want to post about today.  First of all, I want to thank the Lord for allowing me to be able to get my financial situation in better order.  Things were very bleak for a long time, but progress is definitely being made.  I also want to thank the Lord for allowing me to write on this blog every week, and I want to thank Him for the fact that many people from around the world have read the sermons I post here.
     I am still having trouble with my old house, and I would like to ask everyone to pray about a bad situation I am experiencing.  My house has a bad foundation that I tried to get fixed to little avail.  When it rains heavily, the water gets under the house and floods my garage.  Last week with all of the rain we have had here in the Midwest, the garage and crawlspace got some water in them.  It wasn't horrible, but its not good either.  Please pray that with all of the rain forecast for today that I won't have a problem.  I don't really know what to do at this point.  I can't get time off from work to monitor the water all day. If the water gets up into the house, I won't have a place to live.  If I lose my job, I will be in a real mess, so I have to go in and just pray that all will be OK when I get home tonight.
     My problem is nothing compared to what is happening with the people in Oklahoma and Texas.  Please pray that these folks will be able to recover and make it through.
     I often wonder why everything has to be so hard all of the time.  I often get depressed at times like these, and I have struggled with depression for many years.  This goes back to my early teen years.  One reason that I developed such a good friendship with Toby was that when he came, I felt most of my depression lift away, and I was very happy for over a decade while he was with me.  When he passed away, I was in my late 20s.  I had another dog for three years whose name was Colm.  He died of leukemia when he was three, and my depression came back with a vengeance.  I haven't had another dog since then.
     When my Mom was sick and we were taking care of her, I felt like that I was doing something important, and I didn't really experience a deep depression.  However, when my folks both passed away, I went into a deep depression.
      Over the last few months, my depression has lifted, and I really feel like I was doing much better.  I feel very depressed again, however.  All of these problems with the house and a job that is hard to go to and not feeling well are getting me down again.
     I am not sharing these things to make anyone feel sorry for me.  I would just ask that you please pray for me.  It is only with the Lord Jesus' help that I have made to where I am today.  By trusting in Him and relying on Him, I have made it to this point.
     Serving the Lord helps me to not be terribly depressed.  Writing on this blog really helps me.  I love doing the sermons and the book reviews.  I have also had the privilege to serve the Lord through my writing and through music.
     I guess what I am saying is that life feels hard again right now, and I ask for your prayers.  Just when things start looking up, bad things start again.  This cycle is getting tiresome.
     Enough about that.
     In the weeks to come, Lord willing, I have some ideas for the blog.  After we finish the series in I Peter, I think that I want to spend a lot of time studying themes in the Gospel of John.  I would like to do a series on the signs of Jesus' divinity in John, and I would like to do a series on the "I am" statements of Jesus in John.
     Not too many people read the posts for the verses of the week, so I am considering posting something else on Mondays.  I think that the verses are important though, so I will have to think about this for awhile. Maybe I will post a verse and an inspirational quotation.
     I pray everyday for those who read this blog, and I thank you for your prayers and support.  May God bless you all.  Amen.
   

Book Review -- Charles: The Story of a Friendship

     Today I am posting a review about a very good cat book I just finished reading.  The book is "Charles: The Story of a Friendship" written by Michael Joseph.  The author of this book was one of the major players in the British book publishing industry.
     This book tells the story of the author's friendship with a Siamese cat named Charles.  Nothing momentous happens in the book, it is just the author relating to his readers the everyday relationship he had with his cat and how the two of them grew as friends over the years together.
     When Mr. Joseph first brought Charles to live with him, Siamese cats were rare in Britain.  One funny story in the book deals with a man that Joseph knows trying to figure out what kind of animal Charles is.
     One section of the book deals with the years during the beginning of World War II.  Michael Joseph was called into military service as an officer.  He decided to take Charles with him, and the pair spent a couple of years together in the army until Joseph was granted a medical discharge.
     In addition to the nice story about a man and his favorite cat, I enjoyed reading about life in England before the start of World War II.  I also enjoyed the author's writing style.  He has what some now consider an "old-fashioned" style of writing, but it is a style I have always liked to read.
     This book contains absolutely no objectionable material, and it is perfectly suited for all ages.
     On a side note, Michael Joseph is the publishing house that gave my favorite author James Herriot his break. The rest is publishing history.

Verses For the Week

     I am sorry that I did not get the verses posted yesterday.  It was Memorial Day here in the United States, and the library where I have computer access was closed.  Here are the verses one day late.


Zechariah 14:20 -- "In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses: HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD, and the pots in the Lord's house shall be like the bowls before the altar."

Luke 17:33 -- "Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it."

Luke 11:13 -- "If ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"

Weekend Sermon -- I Peter 2:21-25 and 4:1-3

     Welcome to this week's edition of the Weekend Sermon.  I am so happy to be able to be back again with you all this week.  I hope that everyone is having a very good week.
     Everything is going fairly well at work.  I'm still having a lot of stress at work, and the job is very difficult, but I am making it through with prayer and the Lord's help.
     In your prayers this week, I would ask that you please pray for the people of Vanuatu and Nepal.  Vanuatu is still in recovery mode from a devastating typhoon, and Nepal still needs aid after two earthquakes.  Let us also continue to pray for an end to Ebola cases in West Africa.  Let us all continue to pray for peace in Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Ukraine and Afghanistan.
     This weekend, the weather is supposed to be very bad where I live.  The soil is so saturated that we can't take in more rain, yet it is supposed to rain over five inches this weekend.  I am worried about my house flooding.  Please pray that it won't be too bad.  Thank you.
     Last week, we took a one week break from our continuing study in I Peter.  Today, we will resume our study in this interesting epistle.
     A few weeks ago, I took a large section of I Peter that dealt with submission to government, masters and husbands in one big chunk.  I did not focus at that time on one section of chapter two that I want to deal with in conjunction with I Peter chapter 4.  These passages speak about the sufferings of Jesus and how they are relevant to us.
     I Peter 2:21-23 speaks about the way in which Jesus responded to suffering.  Jesus faced immense suffering in His life.  I am not just speaking here about what Jesus suffered on the cross. We will focus on that more in a moment.  Jesus suffered greatly throughout His entire life.
    Just think about it for a minute.  There is nothing in the Bible that states that Jesus in His divinity did not remember the glory He shared with the Father in Heaven. I believe that Jesus was acutely aware throughout His earthly life of the great sacrifice that He was making on our behalf by taking upon Himself human flesh and leaving Heaven to dwell on this earth.  In my mind, that had to be a type of suffering.
     Jesus also suffered in His humanity while on earth.  Jesus was rejected by those who were the closest to Him.  Those in His hometown didn't want to have anything to do with Him, and at one point, the members of His own family were opposed to Him.  This type of rejection causes great suffering.
    Later in His ministry, the large crowds that followed Him would abandon Him when He said that they needed to eat His flesh and drink His blood.
     And now let us think of the suffering that Jesus endured on the cross.  First of all, Jesus suffered the agony associated with crucifixion.  He would have undergone incredible physical pain.  I can't even comprehend it.
     More than this, Jesus suffered great agony on the cross because while He was on the cross, Jesus bore all of our sins in His body as it states in I Peter 2:24.  All of God's wrath for sin was poured out on Jesus while He was bearing our sins on Calvary's tree.  Jesus took upon Himself the punishment for sins that we who are sinners justly and rightly deserved.
    I think that it is quite clear that Jesus clearly understood and understands what it means to suffer  in body and spirit.  However, Jesus who was completely without sin always responded correctly in the midst of suffering.  Because of this Jesus is our great example when we too face suffering just as He is our perfect example to follow in every aspect of our lives.
     When Jesus was reviled and threatened and when He suffered, He did not respond in kind.  Jesus committed all of His suffering into the hands of the Father in Heaven.  And we should do the same.
     All of us will experience suffering in one degree or another in this earthly existence.  Suffering is unavoidable.  In the midst of our suffering, it is easy to become discouraged and feel as if we have been abandoned by God.  When others cause us pain, it is often our desire to retaliate.  However, this is not the example of Jesus.
    In following Jesus in the midst of suffering, we must forgive just as Jesus asked the Father to forgive those who were crucifying Him.  We must place our lives in the hands of the Lord believing that ultimately all of our suffering and hardship will be redeemed by the hand of God and used to make our lives what the Lord wants them to be.
    So, why did Jesus endure all of this suffering.  He did it so that we might be redeemed.  He did it so that we might be healed of the sickness of sin.
    We were like sheep that had gone astray and had wandered from the fold of God.  Jesus, who is the Good Shepherd, came to seek and to save that which was lost.  He came to find the wandering sheep and bring them back safely into the fold of the Lord.
     If you are still wandering away from the Lord, run to the arms of Jesus who is the Good Shepherd.  Ask Him to save you and bring you back into the fold.
     Next week, we will delve more deeply into the idea of how suffering can benefit us in this life.  We will look into chapter four and study the idea of how suffering in the flesh can help us to lead lives of holiness.
     On Monday, I will post the verses.  I plan to have a book review on Wednesday.  May God bless you.  Amen.

Book Review

     I am currently in the process of finishing up several good books that I am reading including a good dog book and a couple of religious books.  In the coming weeks, I will post reviews of the these books.

     Today, I just want to give a few recommendations of some books that I read several years ago, but I do not believe that I have mentioned them here on the blog.

     "My Life in Dog Years" by Gary Paulsen is the story of the important dogs that helped to shape this very famous author's life.  Paulsen tells the reader about the dogs who made a difference for him.  One of these dogs was a big Labrador that didn't belong to Paulsen, but he was important to the young Paulsen anyway.  The tales of Paulsen's border collie are great.  

     Gary Paulsen has written another excellent book called "Winter Dance" about his effort to compete in the Iditarod sled dog race.

     "Vet in the Vestry" and "Poultry in the Pulpit" are both written by the Reverend Alexander Cameron.  For over a decade, Cameron worked as a veterinary surgeon in Scotland.  Later in life, he went to seminary and became a Church of Scotland minister.  In these books, the author recounts stories of his time as a veterinarian and stories from his time as a minister.  Both books are very well done, and I highly recommend both of these books.

     "Most of My Patients are Under the Bed" is written by Dr. Louis Camuti.  Dr. Camuti was a veterinarian specializing in the treatment of cats.  His practice involved making house calls to his patients.  In this entertaining work, Dr. Camuti recounts the antics of his feline patients and their owners.

Verses for the Week

Matthew 6:20-21 -- "Buy lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

John 8:31-32 -- "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Psalm 82:8 -- "Arise, O God, judge the earth:  for thou shalt inherit the nations."

Weekend Sermon -- Luke 12:15

     Welcome to this week's edition of the Weekend Sermon.  I am glad to be able to post this sermon, and I pray that it will be a blessing to you all this week.
     This week has been going pretty well at work.  We have been very busy, so it makes the time seem like it goes by faster.  Please continue to pray that all will go well on the job.
     I would also ask you to please pray about the weather in my part of the world as well.  Once again, bad storms are forecast.  Please pray that these do not develop.  Storms scare me.  I freely admit that.  I think I learned this fear from my Mom.  She was always worried about tornadoes.
     In prayer this week, let us continue to pray for peace in the many troubled areas of the world.  Pray for peace in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Ukraine and Afghanistan.  Let us continue to pray for the situation in Nepal.
     Last week, we continued in our series of messages on I Peter finishing chapter 3.  Today, we will take a one week break from that series, and we will resume with I Peter next week.
     Today, I would like to talk about two different standards of success according to Jesus.  There is a standard of success according to the values of this world's system, and there is a standard of success according to the teachings of Jesus.
     One day as Jesus was preaching, a man requested that Jesus tell this man's brother to divide the family inheritance with him.  Jesus said, "Who made me an arbitrator over you?"  Jesus wasn't going to involve Himself in something like that.
     Jesus went on to say, "One's life does not consist in the abundance of things that He possesses."  To illustrate His point, Jesus told the parable of a rich man who was foolish.  This rich man had such an abundant harvest one year that his barns could not contain his bounty.  He decided to tear down his old barns and build bigger barns in order to store all of his grain.  This man then said that he would eat, drink and be merry.
     Jesus said that this man was a fool.  That same night, the man's soul was required of him.
     This world and the majority of people in it have a standard of what makes a successful life.  According to most people, the standard of success is the same standard the rich man in this parable had.  If a person is able to make a lot of money and acquire a large amount of possessions, this world views that person as a success.  Often, another worldly standard of success is fame.  If a person can become well known in their profession, this world's system will classify that individual as a successful person.
     However, this is not the standard of success according to the Bible and the teachings of Jesus.  According to Jesus, wealth is not the barometer of success.  Jesus made it quite clear in His teachings that an individual may be extremely wealthy, but if that person is not rich toward God. that person's life really has not amounted to very much.
     Let's delve into this a little bit deeper.  Jesus stated in the Sermon on the Mount that His followers cannot serve both God and money.  He went on to say that we should lay up treasure in Heaven where moth and rust do not corrupt and where thieves do not break in and steal.  In other words, all of this world's wealth and possessions are passing away.  They are of no eternal value.  Only the treasure that is laid up in Heaven will remain.
     Jesus also spoke on this theme in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus.  The rich man had it all, but when he died, he found himself in torment.  Lazarus was a homeless man who was sick and destitute.  However, when he died, Lazarus received his reward in Paradise.
     In the time in which Jesus lived, the religious authorities and people in society at large viewed wealth as success.  Jesus turned all of these values upside down.  Jesus said that those who followed Him and did His will were really successful because these people had an eternal perspective.
     A successful life in the eyes of the Lord is a life devoted to following the values of Jesus.  We lay up treasure in Heaven when we spread the message of the Gospel.  We lay up treasure in heaven when we feed the hungry, visit the sick and cloth the naked.  We lay up treasure in Heaven when we act like Jesus in this world.
     Many people have the riches and the accolades of this world system.  As far as eternity is concerned, all of this is worthless because it is temporal.  The goal of life and a successful life is one that when life is over we stand in the presence of Jesus and hear Him say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant."
      One day, we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and give an account of what we have done with our lives.  Many are producing in their lives what the Bible refers to as wood, hay and stubble.  When these works are tried by fire, nothing will remain.  We should lay up gold, silver and precious stones.  These are the works of righteousness that when they are tried by fire, they will remain for all eternity.
     I hope that you are not trying to be successful based on the standard of this world system.  I hope that you are striving to be successful according to what Jesus said true success really is.
     In my own life, I went through a period seeking success in the way of the world.  I thought that if I could become a famous author and make a lot of money that that would make me a success.  It is striving after nothing.
    I found out in the Great Recession how fleeting this world's wealth is.  I lost almost everything I owned.
    What I have decided to do in life is to try to follow the Lord Jesus and focus on what I can do for Him.  That is the reason I started this blog.  I wanted to devote my writing and my work to serve Him like I know He called me to do when I was a boy.  It is my hope to expand in ministry and try to reach more people.  With the Lord's help, I will keep trying.
    Devote yourself to the service of the Lord.  Seek after His ways.  Try to be a success in the eyes of Jesus.  That is what is truly important in life.  This life is about serving Jesus so that we might be with Jesus and enjoy Heaven with Him for all of eternity.
     Next week, I will post the verses on Monday.  I hope to have a review on Wednesday, but I am not certain about this.  We will continue our study in I Peter next week,  May God bless you.  Amen.

Book Review -- Dog Book

     The book I would like to review today is called "The Great Grisby" and this book's author is Mikita Brottman.  In this book, the author writes about the dog and owner bond through the centuries.  Some of the famous people and their dogs that the author discusses are Sigmund Freud, Prince Albert, Thomas Hardy and Alexander the Great.  Interspersed with these stories of famous dog and owner pairs are the author's stories of the bond she shared with her French bulldog, Grisby.
     This is a rare thing for me, but I didn't have strong feelings for this book one way or the other.  If I was rating on a five star scale, this book would be a two or a two and one half.
     Reading about the famous people and their dogs was interesting, but I have read better books on this subject.  One book that I would recommend is "The Pawprints of History" by Stanley Coren. His book goes into greater detail, and the writing is better.
     People who like French bulldogs will enjoy this book due to the many nice stories about Grisby.  This was my favorite part of the book.
     

Verses For the Week

Ezekiel 34:11 -- "As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day."

Matthew 10:38 -- "And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me."

Luke 10:62 -- "No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

Weekend Sermon-- I Peter 3:18-22

     I made it through my first day back at work after my vacation.  Thank you for your prayers on my behalf.  I am glad to be able to post the Weekend Sermon this morning.  This is something I really love to do.
     They are still calling for some very bad storms with heavy rain in my area this weekend.  Please continue to pray that these bad storms will not materialize.  Once again, I thank you for your prayers.  I want you all to know that you are in my prayers daily.
     In prayer this week, let us continue to pray for the situation in Nepal.  Let us pray that that nation will recover.  My cousin was a missionary in Nepal for a short-time before she was married and joined her husband on the mission field in the Congo.  There are very few Christians in Nepal.  Let us pray for the love of Jesus to reach this land.
     There is something we can be very thankful to the Lord for.  This morning, I heard a report on NPR that Liberia is now completely free of the Ebola virus.  The report said that there are only a handful of cases in Guinea and Sierra Leone.  Thank you Lord for the good news in Liberia.  Let us continue to pray for Guinea and Sierra Leone.
     Last week, we continued our series of messages in I Peter.  Today, we will finish up with chapter 3.
     We saw last time that Jesus suffered and died for us on the cross.  He who knew no sin became sin for us.  As Peter states it, Jesus died, "the just for the unjust."  Although Jesus died,  He was quickened by the Spirit, and Jesus rose bodily from the grave.  He is alive forevermore the victor over sin, death and hell.
     Now, in verse 19-20, we move into what is a very controversial passage of Scripture.  It states, "By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is eight souls were saved by water."
    These two verses are used as the basis for a number of doctrines.  Let's try to figure out what this all means.  First of all, these two verses are used as Scriptural support for the statement in the Apostle's Creed that Jesus descended to Hell.  I believe that we are on safe ground in using these verses for this belief for two reasons.  First of all, it says that Jesus by the Spirit went and preached to the spirits in prison.  I believe that this clearly refers to hell.  Also, the Apostle's Creed is a very ancient creed expressing the beliefs of the early church.
     Now, let me say this.  There is a belief that says that Jesus went and suffered in hell.  There is no Biblical warrant for this especially using this passage.  Jesus proclaimed His victory over the forces of hell; He did not suffer in hell.
     Who are these spirits in prison.  There are a few different views concerning this.  Some believe that these are angels who had relations with women in Genesis 6 causing God to destroy the earth through the flood.  I find this view incorrect because I think that Genesis 6 is clear that the sons of God are those who followed the Lord and the sons of men were those who did not.
     Another view holds that these spirits in prison were the souls of the people who lived in Noah's time.  This view holds that Jesus went and preached to these people and gave them a second chance to repent and believe in Him.  This view needs some more exploration.
     In the Christian faith, there is a great deal of debate about what happens to those who have never had a chance to hear the Gospel.  Some believe that those who have never heard, will be given a second chance after death.  This passage is used as a justification for that belief.
     While I think that it might be possible that those who have never heard the message of Jesus will be given a second chance, there is no clear statement of this in the Bible.  The Bible says that today is the day of salvation and after death comes the judgment.
     I do not know what the Lord will do in regard to those who have never had an opportunity to hear about Jesus.  I do know this, those who have had a chance to hear and have rejected Jesus will face the judgment.  I also know that Jesus is the judge, and He will do what is right concerning all things.  He is gracious and merciful, and He will do only what is good.
    One other view about Jesus preaching to these spirits in prison is that this is a reference to the spirit of Jesus speaking through Noah before the flood.
     My own personal view of this passage is that after the crucifixion, just before He rose on the third day, Jesus appeared in hell to demonstrate His triumph over all of the forces of evil.  The forces of evil had tried to keep Him in the grave.  Jesus was demonstrating that He was the victor.
     Peter then goes on to speak about how that in the days of Noah, as the spirit preached through Noah, eight people were saved in the ark through water.  This picture of the ark and water is a representation of baptism in the church.
     Here we find ourselves in another controversial passage.  Some use this passage to state that baptism is essential for salvation, or that the act of baptism bestows salvation.  I don't think that this is what this passage is teaching at all.  I think that what Peter is saying is that just as Noah and the ark are a picture of the salvation provided by the Lord, baptism is a picture of salvation for us.
     Baptism is a picture of being buried with Christ in His death, and being born again to newness of life through Christ's resurrection.  When a person is immersed in the water, it signifies death to sin.  The water represents cleansing from sin.  When the person comes up out of the water, it signifies the washing away of sin and newness of life in the Lord Jesus.
     When a person is baptized, it is an outward sign of an inward work.  It is the first act of obedience in the Christian life.  It is a public profession to the world that one is leaving the old way of sin and pledging one's allegiance to Jesus Christ.
     Now, let me say this.  Baptism does not save a person, but I don't believe that there are unbaptized Christians.  Let me explain.  If a person says that they have trusted in Christ for salvation, yet they are not willing to follow the Lord in baptism, this act of disobedience demonstrates a lack of a meaningful profession of faith.  In a sense, this is just what James was speaking about when he said, "Faith without works is dead."
     If a person has true faith in the risen Lord, that person will want to follow the Lord's commandments, and they will follow the Lord in baptism.
     Verse 22 states that Jesus has, "gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject to Him."
     Jesus is our High Priest and Advocate with the Father right now.  Jesus is ruling in Heaven.  One day, He will come again, and He will rule and reign in righteousness upon the earth.  He will be King of Kings and Lord of Lords of the universe.
     The salvation offered by the Lord Jesus is available to all who will believe right now.  Jesus invites you to turn to Him in repentance and faith and accept Him as the Lord of your life.  Today is the day of salvation.  Do not wait to make Jesus the Lord of your life.
     Next week, I will post the verses on Monday, and I will have a review of a dog book on Wednesday.  Next week, we will take a one week break from our series in I Peter, and I will post a message on a different subject.  May God bless you, Amen.

Prayer Request

     I would like to ask those of you who read the blog to pray for me today.  I have been on vacation for the last week, and I am going back to work today.  I am nervous about going back to work.  This job makes me very nervous.  Please pray that I will do a good job.  Also, we are having a lot of rain, and I am worried about my house flooding.  Please pray that this does not happen.  Thank you.  I will post the Weekend Sermon tomorrow.

Thank You Lord

     Today is the birthday of my friend Toby.  I miss him everyday, but I especially miss him on special days like this.  I want to thank the Lord Jesus for allowing me to have so many good years with Toby.  I know that we will be together again someday.
     Toby loved chicken, so on his birthday, we always made sure that he received a nice portion of chicken.  As far as he was concerned, that was the best birthday present that he could possibly receive.
     I was just thinking yesterday about all of the people that the Lord has used the story of Toby to reach.  I've posted the book about Toby here on the blog, and people from all over the world read it.  I also was able to publish a Christmas story about Toby and a story about him in an anthology of dog stories.  I've had the privilege to write several devotional pieces for The Upper Room.  One of these pieces featured Toby.  This particular piece was translated into several different languages including Hungarian, Estonian, Korean, Swedish and Cantonese.  It went on to be republished in a Christian magazine in Singapore.
     I just think that it is amazing how the Lord can use the relationship that I had with Toby to reach people around the world.  Once again, thank you Lord.  Happy birthday my friend.

Book Review -- Two Dog Books

     Today, I am reviewing two books by the same author.  "Together" written by Tom Sullivan is the story of Brendan and Nelson.  Brendan has lost his sight as the result of an accident.  He doesn't think that his life has meaning anymore.  That's when Nelson enters the picture.  Nelson is a black Labrador who becomes Brendan's seeing-eye dog.  This book explores how these two build a relationship together.
     The second book entitled "Alive Day" is also by Tom Sullivan and it once again features the characters Brendan and Nelson.  In this book, Brendan is working as a counselor with the assistance of his dog Nelson.  Part of their job is to help a veteran who was injured in the war.
     Both of these books are nice stories about man and dog working together.  They tell how animals can make a major difference in the lives of many people.
     The author of these books has himself been blind for many years and uses a guide dog.  He is the author of books about blindness, and he is the former president of the Morris Animal Foundation.

Verses For the Week

Micah 6:8 -- "He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of  thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with they God?"

Mark 10:15 -- "Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein."

Hebrews 11:3 -- "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made by things which do appear."

Weekend Sermon -- I Peter 3:15-18

     It is good to be back for another edition of the Weekend Sermon.  It is my hope that all of you are doing very well.
     This past week went very well at work.  Thank you all for your prayers on my behalf.  This week, I am on vacation, and I am glad for a period of rest and relaxation.
     There is much to be in prayer over this week.  Please pray for the people of Nepal as they are recovering from the devastating effects of the earthquake.  Let us pray for the necessary aid to reach these people.  Let us also pray for peace in the world.  War and strife is all over.  Let us pray for peace in Syria, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Congo and wherever else there is strife and conflict.  Continue to pray for an end to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.  Also, please pray for an end to the avian flu outbreak at poultry farms that is striking here in the United States.  Pray for peace on the streets of Baltimore.
     Last week, we continued with our studies in the book of I Peter.  Today, we will continue with our series focusing on I Peter 3 verses 15-18.
     I want to focus today on two themes that are presented in this passage.  First of all, I Peter 3:15 states, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready to always give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."
     This is an important verse calling on all Christians to be able to speak about their faith and to give reasons for why they believe.  This has an evangelistic purpose and an apologetic purpose.
     Sometimes when we are witnessing of our faith in the Lord Jesus, people will ask us why we believe.  One of the questions I have been asked often is why do you believe that Jesus is the only way of salvation?  In order to properly witness to individuals who ask us questions about the Christian faith, we need to be informed about what we believe and why we believe it.  For instance, in answer to the above question, we could point out to the questioner that Jesus Himself said that He was the only way of salvation.  We could also point to the logic of the Christian faith in contrast to other world religions.
    The only way that we will be able to answer the questions that people have concerning the Christian faith is if we are knowledgeable and informed.  In my new job, it is essential that I have the training necessary to be able to answer questions for clients.  I had to study for several weeks and pass several exams in order to be able to provide answers for customers.
     In our lives as believers, we have to study and learn in order to be able to give an answer to everyone who asks.  We have to study our Bibles daily and diligently.  Please, I urge you, be a student of God's Word.  Don't just be a surface reader of the Bible.  Really dig into the texts and find out what they have to say.  Be a student of theology.  Read the great classics of the Christian faith.  Study commentaries on the books of the Bible.  Make it your desire to learn as much as you can about Jesus and His Word.
     In the times we are currently living in, Christians need to be able to earnestly contend for the faith as Jude tells us in his epistle.  There are many atheists and unbelievers who are very active right now who are trying with all of their might to discredit the Christian faith.  They are trying to denigrate the Lord Jesus.
    As Christ's followers, it is our duty to stand for our Lord in a spirit of meekness and respect.  We must be prepared to answer the skeptics and critics. We must study the Word and we must pray.  We must be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit that we might speak the message of the love of Jesus when called upon to do so.
     Verses 17 and 18 speak to us about our sufferings and the sufferings of Jesus.  Verse 18 says, "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit."  
     We have just come through the Holy Week seasons where we focused upon the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross and His glorious resurrection from the dead.  Jesus suffered and died in our place.  Jesus lived a perfect, holy and sinless life.  He did no wrong and was perfectly just.  He, the just one, took our punishment.  We who are sinners deserved to suffer the penalty for our sins.  However, Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross.  He suffered for the sins of the universe that all might be restored to its Edenic state.
     Jesus knows what it is to suffer.  He understands what it is like to feel hurt and hardship.  Jesus felt hunger.  He grew tired.  He felt sorrow at the death of friend.  He felt anguish at the prospect of His crucifixion.  He knew what it feels like to be betrayed by a friend.
     All of us will experience pain and suffering in this lifetime.  Some will experience more than others.  Whenever, I face pain and suffering in my life, I try to remember what Jesus experienced, and I realize that He understands from firsthand experience what I am facing.  He provides guidance and comfort in the midst of my sufferings.
     When I feel pain from the bad nerves in my legs, I know that Jesus too experienced pain.  He feels my pain and gives me the comfort of His understanding presence and the knowledge that this pain will one day be gone because Jesus is alive and has prepared a place for me.
     When I felt the pain of being hurt by people who I thought were my friends, I realized that Jesus too was betrayed and abandoned by those who claimed to be His friends.  I know that He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother.  He will never leave me, and He will never forsake me.
     We may be called on to suffer for the sake of our faith in the Lord Jesus.  If we do suffer for Jesus, we must realize that He has suffered so much for us.  It is an honor to suffer for the sake of the Lord Jesus because of His great love for us.
     If you are going through a time of suffering and pain right now, look to Jesus.  He understands.  He will help you to make it through the hard times in life by giving you a special awareness of His presence.  He will encourage you and strengthen you to make it through this life.
     One day, we will stand before Jesus, and all of our suffering will be over.  I think of my Mom.  She had dementia and Parkinson's disease for about 18 months before she suffered a terrible stroke.  For the next 5 and one-half years, she was not able to walk or think properly.  She suffered greatly.  However, her sufferings and pain are over.  My Mom trusted Jesus as her Savior when she was a girl, and she was a committed follower of Jesus.  Right now, my Mom is in the presence of the Lord Jesus, and she is in perfect health, and she has been made whole.
     This is possible because Jesus suffered and died for us, and He rose again conquering death, hell and the grave.
     You can have hope in Jesus in the midst of suffering right now.  Turn your life over to Jesus.  Ask Him to forgive you of your sins, and trust Him as Savior and invite Him to be the Lord of your life.
     Next week, I will post the verses on Monday.  There will be a dog book review on Wednesday, and the sermon will be posted on Saturday.  May God bless you.  Amen.