Today I want to publicly give thanks to the Lord Jesus for allowing me to get a good job. Yesterday, a major company in the city where I live offered me a good job with a good salary. This will allow me to move forward with my plan to sell the house, pay off the debts and get enough to start a larger ministry or go to the overseas mission field. Thank you Jesus. May Your name be praised.
I would also like to thank all of you who have prayed for so long on my behalf that the job situation might turn around. Thanks for reading the blog. Thanks for praying for me. May the blessings of the Lord Jesus be upon you.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Monday, December 22, 2014
Verses For the Week
Isaiah 9:6-- "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 7:14-- " Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Luke 1:31-33-- "Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end."
Isaiah 7:14-- " Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Luke 1:31-33-- "Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end."
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Thoughts On a Sunday Afternoon
I am not very good with the computer, but I finally put a picture of my friend Toby up here on the blog. He is engaged in one of his favorite activities which was eating chicken. If I get more comfortable with doing this, I will put up some more pictures in the future.
I really miss this old guy. Life would be so much better if he was around, but I am thankful to Jesus every day that He let me know Toby for the time we were together.
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Weekend Sermon-- Christmas
Hello, and welcome again to another edition of the Weekend Sermon. I can't believe that it is almost Christmas already. Sometimes, it seems as if the days just fly by. I hope that all of you are having a wonderful holiday season.
This week, my friend's wife received a job offer. This is an answer to prayer. Thanks be to God. I am still working on my writing. I received another writing job this week, and I am still working at my other job, although I don't like it very well at all. Please pray that I can find a good job while I am in the process of getting my house and possessions sold. I am on target to start a bigger ministry if I can get things sold off and the back debt paid. It's hard, but I am trying.
In your prayer time this week, continue to pray about the Ebola situation in Africa. In the last report I heard from Doctor's Without Borders, the rate of disease is much less in Liberia, but things still look bleak in Sierra Leone. Let us pray for peace this week in Syria, Afghanistan, Libya and Iraq.
During the last few weeks, we have been in a series of messages on some of the kings of Israel and Judah in the Bible. For the next two weeks, we will be taking a break from this series.
Today, I would like to talk about Christmas. Specifically, I would like to just list some of those who were around the manger on that first Christmas night and just give you a few thoughts that I have on each of them.
Mary
Mary was the most blessed woman who has every lived. She was chosen by God to be the mother of His Son. What a privilege and responsibility. In all likelihood, Mary was a very young woman when she gave birth to Jesus. She would have faced ridicule from those around her. I am sure that she was castigated for being pregnant before she and Joseph were married. In spite of this, Mary accepted the duty and privilege of being the mother of the Messiah. When she realized that she would give birth to the Messiah, Mary spoke one of the great passages recorded in all of Scripture. It is known as the Magnificat and is recorded in Luke 1:46-55.
Here it is in its entirety:
"My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hast put down the mighty for their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; as he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and his seed forever."
God didn't choose rich and powerful people to raise the Lord Jesus. He chose peasant people who were humble and righteous. Humanity looks on outward appearance. God looks on the heart.
Joseph
Sometimes, I think that Joseph is overlooked in the whole Christmas story. He was expecting to get married, have a family and live an ordinary and peaceful life. Instead, he finds out that his fiance is pregnant, and the child she is carrying is the Son of God. The Bible says that Joseph was a righteous man. He was also an obedient man. He willingly and without question did everything that God asked him to do. He took good care of Mary, Jesus and the rest of his family. To me, he is the example of a righteous man who followed God in spite of what it may have cost him in regard to his expectations.
Shepherds
These are some interesting characters. Here they are in the fields when the host of Heaven appear giving them the announcement of the birth of Jesus. They were astonished and filled with great joy at the same time. What is so significant about the shepherds is the fact that they were the ones with whom God first chose to share the good news of the birth of His Son. In that day, shepherds were viewed as outcasts and were looked down upon. People thought that they smelled bad, and most people in polite society didn't want to have anything to do with them. That's not how God felt. The Lord is no respecter of persons. He loves everyone. When Jesus entered His public ministry, He would have a care and concern for those that society and the religious establishment looked down upon. Jesus associated with tax collectors, sinners, lepers and the sick.
The Animals
Since Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a manger, it stands to reason that there were animals present at the first Christmas. I like to think that the animals in the stable rejoiced at the birth of Jesus. Because Jesus had come into the world, their misery would one day be over too. The Bible says that all of creation groans in travail waiting for the day when deliverance comes. That will be the day when Jesus comes in His Second Advent.
Jesus
Christmas is about the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. The Son became a man so that He might bear the sins of the world and provide redemption and reconciliation for humanity and the entire cosmos. When I think about the Second Person of the Holy Trinity coming as a helpless infant, it truly overwhelms my mind. What a miracle! What humility. What love. Just to think that Jesus would be willing to do this for me is beyond my comprehension. Jesus came as baby. He would go on to live a perfect, holy and sinless life. He would teach and provide us with a perfect example. Jesus would go to the cross and take upon Himself the sins of the world. Then, He would rise again on the third day conquering death, hell and the grave. We talk on Christmas of the first Advent. Jesus came into the world to bring a message of love and hope. One day, and I hope that it is very soon, Jesus Christ will come again. This time, He will not come as a baby in a manger. When Jesus Christ the Messiah comes again, He will come in power and great glory. When Jesus came the first time, His coming was attended by Mary, Joseph, shepherds and farm animals. When Jesus Christ comes again, all of the hosts of Heaven will come with Him. Every eye will see Him and every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
During this Christmas season, I urge you to reflect upon your personal relationship with Jesus. Do you know Him as Savior and Lord? Have you repented of your sins? Have you believed in your heart that Jesus died for you and rose again? Have you invited Jesus to be the Lord of your life? If not, you can do so today. Pray and ask for forgiveness. Ask Jesus to save you and be your Lord. Wouldn't that be a great birthday present to give to the one who humbled Himself and became obedient unto death so that the world might be redeemed?
Next week, I will post the verse on Monday. I will try to post a review on Wednesday, but I am not sure about the library hours on Christmas Eve. The Weekend Sermon will appear next Saturday. May all of you have a Merry Christmas. Amen.
This week, my friend's wife received a job offer. This is an answer to prayer. Thanks be to God. I am still working on my writing. I received another writing job this week, and I am still working at my other job, although I don't like it very well at all. Please pray that I can find a good job while I am in the process of getting my house and possessions sold. I am on target to start a bigger ministry if I can get things sold off and the back debt paid. It's hard, but I am trying.
In your prayer time this week, continue to pray about the Ebola situation in Africa. In the last report I heard from Doctor's Without Borders, the rate of disease is much less in Liberia, but things still look bleak in Sierra Leone. Let us pray for peace this week in Syria, Afghanistan, Libya and Iraq.
During the last few weeks, we have been in a series of messages on some of the kings of Israel and Judah in the Bible. For the next two weeks, we will be taking a break from this series.
Today, I would like to talk about Christmas. Specifically, I would like to just list some of those who were around the manger on that first Christmas night and just give you a few thoughts that I have on each of them.
Mary
Mary was the most blessed woman who has every lived. She was chosen by God to be the mother of His Son. What a privilege and responsibility. In all likelihood, Mary was a very young woman when she gave birth to Jesus. She would have faced ridicule from those around her. I am sure that she was castigated for being pregnant before she and Joseph were married. In spite of this, Mary accepted the duty and privilege of being the mother of the Messiah. When she realized that she would give birth to the Messiah, Mary spoke one of the great passages recorded in all of Scripture. It is known as the Magnificat and is recorded in Luke 1:46-55.
Here it is in its entirety:
"My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hast put down the mighty for their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; as he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and his seed forever."
God didn't choose rich and powerful people to raise the Lord Jesus. He chose peasant people who were humble and righteous. Humanity looks on outward appearance. God looks on the heart.
Joseph
Sometimes, I think that Joseph is overlooked in the whole Christmas story. He was expecting to get married, have a family and live an ordinary and peaceful life. Instead, he finds out that his fiance is pregnant, and the child she is carrying is the Son of God. The Bible says that Joseph was a righteous man. He was also an obedient man. He willingly and without question did everything that God asked him to do. He took good care of Mary, Jesus and the rest of his family. To me, he is the example of a righteous man who followed God in spite of what it may have cost him in regard to his expectations.
Shepherds
These are some interesting characters. Here they are in the fields when the host of Heaven appear giving them the announcement of the birth of Jesus. They were astonished and filled with great joy at the same time. What is so significant about the shepherds is the fact that they were the ones with whom God first chose to share the good news of the birth of His Son. In that day, shepherds were viewed as outcasts and were looked down upon. People thought that they smelled bad, and most people in polite society didn't want to have anything to do with them. That's not how God felt. The Lord is no respecter of persons. He loves everyone. When Jesus entered His public ministry, He would have a care and concern for those that society and the religious establishment looked down upon. Jesus associated with tax collectors, sinners, lepers and the sick.
The Animals
Since Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a manger, it stands to reason that there were animals present at the first Christmas. I like to think that the animals in the stable rejoiced at the birth of Jesus. Because Jesus had come into the world, their misery would one day be over too. The Bible says that all of creation groans in travail waiting for the day when deliverance comes. That will be the day when Jesus comes in His Second Advent.
Jesus
Christmas is about the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. The Son became a man so that He might bear the sins of the world and provide redemption and reconciliation for humanity and the entire cosmos. When I think about the Second Person of the Holy Trinity coming as a helpless infant, it truly overwhelms my mind. What a miracle! What humility. What love. Just to think that Jesus would be willing to do this for me is beyond my comprehension. Jesus came as baby. He would go on to live a perfect, holy and sinless life. He would teach and provide us with a perfect example. Jesus would go to the cross and take upon Himself the sins of the world. Then, He would rise again on the third day conquering death, hell and the grave. We talk on Christmas of the first Advent. Jesus came into the world to bring a message of love and hope. One day, and I hope that it is very soon, Jesus Christ will come again. This time, He will not come as a baby in a manger. When Jesus Christ the Messiah comes again, He will come in power and great glory. When Jesus came the first time, His coming was attended by Mary, Joseph, shepherds and farm animals. When Jesus Christ comes again, all of the hosts of Heaven will come with Him. Every eye will see Him and every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
During this Christmas season, I urge you to reflect upon your personal relationship with Jesus. Do you know Him as Savior and Lord? Have you repented of your sins? Have you believed in your heart that Jesus died for you and rose again? Have you invited Jesus to be the Lord of your life? If not, you can do so today. Pray and ask for forgiveness. Ask Jesus to save you and be your Lord. Wouldn't that be a great birthday present to give to the one who humbled Himself and became obedient unto death so that the world might be redeemed?
Next week, I will post the verse on Monday. I will try to post a review on Wednesday, but I am not sure about the library hours on Christmas Eve. The Weekend Sermon will appear next Saturday. May all of you have a Merry Christmas. Amen.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Recommendation -- An Interesting Nature Film
Usually, I do a review of an animal book or a religious book for the Wednesday post. Today, I would like to recommend a very interesting film I have just watched. Nature on PBS is one of my very favorite programs. Right now on their website, http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/, there is an episode in its entirety called "Invasion of the Killer Whales." This program details the effects of global climate change on the ice in the Arctic region. It also gives great information about the predatory behavior of Orcas. The visuals are stunning. I hope many of you will watch this program. There are several other full episodes available on the Nature website as well.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Verse For the Week Luke 8:16
Luke 8:16 -- "No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth is with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed: but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light."
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Thoughts on a Sunday Afternoon.
Last night, I was thinking some more about the fact that everything that I have comes from the gracious hand of the Lord Jesus. Sometimes, I really get depressed thinking about my finances and some other things. I often feel that life hasn't gone the way that I wanted it to at all. However, I believe that the Lord showed me something different last night and early this morning.
Because of God's goodness and graciousness, I can truly say upon reflection that God has allowed me to accomplish what I set out to do in life. It just has happened, in some instances, differently than I expected. I'll give you some examples.
One of my dreams as a young boy was to have a great dog. My parents raised collies and pugs and took them to dog shows. This may seem strange to people that haven't been in the dog show world, but I always wanted a dog that placed in group. My Mom had a collie that actually won a best in show, but I didn't have a group placer of my own. I didn't show collies or pugs. I had a Rottweiler and two Dobermans.
Besides having a group placing dog, what I really wanted was what I call a lifetime dog. This is a dog like my Dad's dog Quincy I told you about a few weeks ago. I wanted a special dog that was a once in a lifetime friend.
By the grace of the Lord Jesus, I received both of these dreams in one package. My friend Toby who the Lord gave me to be my friend was not just my lifetime dog, he had actually won second place once in the Herding Group. The Lord gave me the desire of my heart in this case. Only the Lord could have brought the two of us together. If you would like to read more about my friend Toby, I posted all of the chapters of my book about him here on the blog about a year ago.
Another dream that I had was to be able to be involved in music. I wanted to play an instrument and be in a choir. I am grateful to the Lord for allowing me to do both. I was able to learn the trumpet and tin whistle. The Lord allowed me to play the trumpet in church and to play the classical, jazz and worship music that I love. I was also able to sing in the choir in two churches. Jesus also allowed me to sing in the choir while I was in college.
I have been very depressed over the last several days about how, in my opinion, I failed to follow Jesus' call in my life to be a minister of the Gospel. At a young age, I felt called to be a minister of the love of Jesus. Due to a vast variety of circumstances, I never entered the ordained ministry. Yet, I should add. This has really hurt me of late. But the Lord Jesus spoke to my heart this morning and revealed to me that He is not displeased with how I have tried to serve Him. Not in an audible voice, but in my spirit, the Lord spoke to me concerning the fact that I have been able to minster for Him in several ways. He allowed me to do extensive evangelism ministry in the church. Through my writing, I have been able to reach people around the world. And, I hope that I am reaching people here on this blog. I am trying to be a God minister of the love of Jesus through the sermons and other writings.
Also, the Lord has allowed my dreams to come true in writing. When I first started writing, I didn't think that it would go very far. I have accomplished more with the Lord's help than I ever thought that I would. By allowing me to be a writer, the Lord also provided the means so that I could be around the house to take care of my parents when they had such serious health issues and needed around the clock assistance.
So, I guess my life hasn't been that bad. My finances are terrible. That hasn't changed, but I feel that the Lord is working even now to help me out of this wilderness of life.
I am not sure what the future holds for sure, but right now, I believe that Jesus is calling me to take a bold step. I will see if it is the Lord or just my own mind as the process unfolds. To get out of debt and become a missionary, I feel that the Lord is leading me to sell my house and pay off what I owe. I will also try to sell most of my possessions except for my pictures and my dog mementos and personal items that have special meaning. Hopefully, this will provide the money to pay off what I owe and give me enough to start either an inner-city ministry, a larger Internet ministry or let me be a missionary overseas for at least a period of one or two years. I am really serious about this, and I hope that you all will pray for me over the next two to three months as I attempt to execute this plan with the Lord's help.
In the meantime, I will continue working my new job and try to find some extra work. I will continue my writing projects and I will keep writing on the blog. With the Lord's aid, I will attempt to hold depression at bay and keep going.
Because of God's goodness and graciousness, I can truly say upon reflection that God has allowed me to accomplish what I set out to do in life. It just has happened, in some instances, differently than I expected. I'll give you some examples.
One of my dreams as a young boy was to have a great dog. My parents raised collies and pugs and took them to dog shows. This may seem strange to people that haven't been in the dog show world, but I always wanted a dog that placed in group. My Mom had a collie that actually won a best in show, but I didn't have a group placer of my own. I didn't show collies or pugs. I had a Rottweiler and two Dobermans.
Besides having a group placing dog, what I really wanted was what I call a lifetime dog. This is a dog like my Dad's dog Quincy I told you about a few weeks ago. I wanted a special dog that was a once in a lifetime friend.
By the grace of the Lord Jesus, I received both of these dreams in one package. My friend Toby who the Lord gave me to be my friend was not just my lifetime dog, he had actually won second place once in the Herding Group. The Lord gave me the desire of my heart in this case. Only the Lord could have brought the two of us together. If you would like to read more about my friend Toby, I posted all of the chapters of my book about him here on the blog about a year ago.
Another dream that I had was to be able to be involved in music. I wanted to play an instrument and be in a choir. I am grateful to the Lord for allowing me to do both. I was able to learn the trumpet and tin whistle. The Lord allowed me to play the trumpet in church and to play the classical, jazz and worship music that I love. I was also able to sing in the choir in two churches. Jesus also allowed me to sing in the choir while I was in college.
I have been very depressed over the last several days about how, in my opinion, I failed to follow Jesus' call in my life to be a minister of the Gospel. At a young age, I felt called to be a minister of the love of Jesus. Due to a vast variety of circumstances, I never entered the ordained ministry. Yet, I should add. This has really hurt me of late. But the Lord Jesus spoke to my heart this morning and revealed to me that He is not displeased with how I have tried to serve Him. Not in an audible voice, but in my spirit, the Lord spoke to me concerning the fact that I have been able to minster for Him in several ways. He allowed me to do extensive evangelism ministry in the church. Through my writing, I have been able to reach people around the world. And, I hope that I am reaching people here on this blog. I am trying to be a God minister of the love of Jesus through the sermons and other writings.
Also, the Lord has allowed my dreams to come true in writing. When I first started writing, I didn't think that it would go very far. I have accomplished more with the Lord's help than I ever thought that I would. By allowing me to be a writer, the Lord also provided the means so that I could be around the house to take care of my parents when they had such serious health issues and needed around the clock assistance.
So, I guess my life hasn't been that bad. My finances are terrible. That hasn't changed, but I feel that the Lord is working even now to help me out of this wilderness of life.
I am not sure what the future holds for sure, but right now, I believe that Jesus is calling me to take a bold step. I will see if it is the Lord or just my own mind as the process unfolds. To get out of debt and become a missionary, I feel that the Lord is leading me to sell my house and pay off what I owe. I will also try to sell most of my possessions except for my pictures and my dog mementos and personal items that have special meaning. Hopefully, this will provide the money to pay off what I owe and give me enough to start either an inner-city ministry, a larger Internet ministry or let me be a missionary overseas for at least a period of one or two years. I am really serious about this, and I hope that you all will pray for me over the next two to three months as I attempt to execute this plan with the Lord's help.
In the meantime, I will continue working my new job and try to find some extra work. I will continue my writing projects and I will keep writing on the blog. With the Lord's aid, I will attempt to hold depression at bay and keep going.
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