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Tuesday, September 30, 2008

For it or Against it ?

Well, yesterday was a very eventful day. The market dropped over 700 points and the President said something must be done or we might experience something likened to the Great Depression. Now we are told that tax payers need to give Paulson 700Billion dollars so he can buy bad mortgage paper and bail the lending (investing) institutions out of this mess so they can again start lending to you and me or the small business man. We're told that if this don't happen by Friday of this week, Depression with a D will begin. Now if you look at the polls that Fox news is taking, over 70% of America don't want this bailout to occur. Does this mean that America really doesn't understand the magnitude of this problem or does this mean that America knows more than the Government. Well, I would like to be first to say, Congress is probably one of the most dumb group of people that I know, but unfortunately, this time, they are right that something has to be done. How can we be sure that 700 Billion will be enough. We can't nor can Congress guarantee this amount will work. Regardless of how much, something has to be done. Unfortunately, time is of essence and something, right or wrong, has to be done. If we do nothing, then the economy will start to shut down as we know it today. Banks will begin to close rather than consolidate. They can't stay in business, employee people without income. The grocery store can't get money to buy food to sell. You and I couldn't buy it because the banks closed and we don't have any money. The Government can't work fast enough to determine who has what. No gas could really mean no gas. The economy would shut down. We don't understand that or we wouldn't say don't do anything. If we had known in time, perhaps something realistic could have been done, but we don't have time on our side. Fannie and Freddie fed all the fat calfs and you can't make loans to people who can't repay and expect to make it up in volume!
You can't finance your way out of debt! I'm praying that God will give favor to America, but we sure don't deserve it. Remember we are the country that said no to Jesus in schools, God in our lanquage, We are the country that kills baby's and gives it no thought whatsoever. So we probably deserve anything and everything that comes our way, but I'm still praying for favor.

What do you think? This is a survey, so please respond.

Do you believe that the bailout should occur? Yes or No

Let me know.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Sun, Stand still---Moon stop

Joshua 10:12-15

Then Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel:

"Sun, stand still over Gibeon:
And Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon."

So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped,
Till the people had revenge upon their enemies.

Is this not written i the Book of Jasher? so the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day.

And there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the Lord heeded the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel.

Then Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp at Gilgal.


Wow! Have you ever wished that God would heed your request like that even when it might go against His established plan. I have, but It didn't work for me. Now I'm reading why. Because God said so, that's why. I guess I have to agree with that, don't you think?

The other day, I was saying to myself, just after a car(driver) about ran over me, "I wish I were a cop, I'd pull that dude over and make him pay big bucks."
"Cops are never around when you need them." They are probably having lunch with ++++

Then I was at the mall. Not my favorite place to be, but was doing my honey-do behavior and there was a group of young people, most of whom had pins in their noses, hoses and roses. Their hair was multicolored and they used vile language and just not the kind of kid you would want your kid to turn out to be.

My first thought was, "I would like to take that pin in your nose and run it clear to your brain if you had one". Then I would like to take that vile tongue of yours and pull it to the ground and step on it".

Now what if God heeded my voice in these two instances, the result would have been disasterous and I could have hurt or gotten hurt and no one would have believed in God because of my actions.

I guess what I'm trying to say is it's important to do the right thing, remember whose we are and who we are and represent Christ in a way that brings Him glory and honor.

Well that's my spill for today and I will let you go, but don't forget to respond and let me know that your reading these blogs. OK

Friday, September 19, 2008

What does it take for us to know that the Lord is God

In Jeremiah 17:5-6 Thus says the Lord: "Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited."

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins. he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

To turn away from God and do our own thing brings about curses on our life. I know this first hand. Many times it doesn't just effect us as individuals, it also can effect many others, our family, those that mean the most to us. You see you and I can't sin and it just effect us. Sin has a way of spreading it's cancerous consequences on not only us but others. But thanks be to God, we can be forgiven, but sometimes the consequences continue. Scripture tells us that God is faithful to forgive and to cleanse, but it doesn't say He takes away the consequences everytime.

I'm reminded of Manasseh who became King at the age of 12 and for 55 years he remained King of Judah and he lived in Jerusalem. Even at the age of 12, scripture says that he did evil in the sight of God. You see Israel had already gone through defeat and destruction for disobedience to God. Manasseh's father, Hezekiah was a good man and had tried to bring Israel back to God and yet his son didnt' listen and he did more evil than Israel had ever done in it's history up to that point. Had bad was he? He did everything opposite of what his dad did. His dad tore down what was called the high places where they placed idols, gods etc; and Manasseh built them back. He raised altars to Baals, built wooden images and worshipped them. He worshipped all the stars and made gods by their names. He even built himself a god and placed it inside the house of the God. Now he not only did this evil, but scripture says he seduced all of Judah to do the same things. Scripture also says that God tried to speak to Manasseh and all of Judah but they would not listen. So here's what happened.
God allowed Assyria to come in and defeat Judah and when they found Manasseh, they put hooks in his nose and led him out of Jusah and they bound him up in leather straps and took him captive.

Now Manasseh did just what most of us do when we get into trouble or when we place other things before our God. He prayed! Scripture tells us that as evil as he was, His God heard his prayer and He answered his prayer. He was faithful and just to forgive his sin and to cleanse him from all unrighteousness. Scripture says that then after God brought him back to Jerusalem, that he knew that the Lord was God.
It took all those consequences of sin to bring Manasseh back to his God. He made all the changes that he should to restore his relationship with God but consequences remained and he then died.

God is faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse. Don't be upset if consequences of sin remain, but never forget that Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

How long will you shine?

I've recently heard of "moveie stars" "Hollywood" come down hard on Sarah Palin. They complain that she doesn't have experience, doesn't have what it takes to be VP or President. I heard one say the other day that she was not famous so therefore she shouldn't be in the lime light. Now I really thought that was nothing more than jealousy, but I don't guess I could expect anything deeper than that from Hollywood.
Then I heard Sarah Palin say that the thing that makes her qualified for the job is God working in her life. Now how better could one say it. She gives God credit, glory for who she is and for her future. This is a very wise women and in my book she shines better than any "movie star" who is in the lime light today.

Wouldn't you just know it, in my quiet time today, God led me to scripture that just fit into my thought process. Now it probably is the other way around, God allowed me to have thoughts that just confirmed His Word, but which ever way, God is true.
Listen to this: Speaking of the coming of Christ,Daniel the prophet wrote in chpt 12"At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall wake, some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. (this is good, listen what God says to you, me, Sarah Palin, to the whole world. Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.

WOW! Did you hear that? God says that if you want to stand out, give glory to Him,
Be a praising worshipper, Shine in His Kingdom, we are to seek out wisdom and win people to the Lord. This is not like the stars in Hollywood who come and go in a certain period of time, This is a for ever and ever period of time. ETERNITY!
How can you and I become wise, well God didn't hide it from us or just allow certain ones to be wise. In James 1:5 God says to everybody; "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. Then in James 3:13-18, we are told what real wisdom is.
So folks, we have no excuse for not shining like the stars of heaven, we have no excuse for not shining like the moon and the sun. God desires for us to do so.
Ecclesiates 8:1 says; Who is lie a wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? " A man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the sternness of his face is changed."
Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Sharing God's word with the world is God's plan for bringing in the sheeves. Jesus says that, He came into this world to seek and to save all that are lost. That was you and me and now, we have the awesome privledge to share what God has done in our life with the world.

Are you doing this? Are you shining like the stars? Are you giving God glory and honor by and through your life?

I challenge you to get into God's word today and begin to shine.

Monday, September 15, 2008

What'cha think?

I ran across this poem today that was written by John Leland back in the early 1700's
I think. It was later put to music and a song was made of it. The more I read it, the more I liked it. I like reading poetry and the history behind it and or songs. Most of them have great stories behind them. Read this and tell me what'cha think?

Oh When shall I see Jesus
and reign with Him above
and from that flowing fountain
Drink everlasting love!
When shll I be delivered
From this vain world of sin,
And with my blessed Jesus
Drink endless pleasures in?

But now I am a soldier,
My Captain's gone before
He's given me my orders,
And bids me not give o'er;
And, if I hold out faithful.
A crown of life He'll give'
And all His valiant soldiers
Shall ever with Him live.

Through grace I am determined
To conquer, though I die;
And then away to Jesus
On wings of love I'll fly.
Farewell to sin and sorrow,
I bid you all adieu;
Then, O my friends, prove faithful,
And on your way pursue.

Whene'er you meet with troubles
And trials on your way,
O cast your care on Jesus,
And don't forget to pray:
Gird on the heav'nly armor
of faith and hope and love;
And when the combat's ended,
You'll reign with Him above.

O do not be discouraged,
For Jesus is your friend;
And if you lack for knowledge,
He'll not refuse to lend.
Neither will he upbraid you,
Though often you request,
He'll give you grace to conquer
And take you home to rest.

And when the last loud trumpet
Shall rent the vaulted skies,
And bid th'entombed millions
From their cold beds arise;
Our ransom'd dust, revived,
Bright beauties shall put on
And soar to the blest mansions
Where our Redeemer's gone.

Our eyes shall then with rapture,
The Savior's face behold;
Our feet, no more diverted,
Shall walk the streets of gold
Our ears shall hear with transport
The hosts celestial sung;
Our tongues shall chant the glories
Of our unmortal King.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Try this

Have you ever read the Proverbs only in the positive and then only in the negative. I challenge you to do it. Now here is what I mean. Today is the 12th of September so I'm reading the 12th chapter of Proverbs. Here's a new way to read these proverbs of Soloman, son of King David.

12:1 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge.
12:2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord
12:3 But the root of the rigteous cannot be moved
12:4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband.

So on and So forth: Then read the negative like this

12:1 But he who hates correction is stupid
12:2 But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn
12:3 A man is not established by wickedness
12:4 But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.


There is such contrast in the Proverbs that I sometimes find it easier to read them like this and I tend to remember them better by sometimes reading them like this.
Not Rocket Science or anything like that, but just a way sometimes to emphasize the positive and the negative of life lessons. Just try it one time and see if God can speak to you in a more personal way. We should all try to get closer to God each and everyday and anything that will help us do that is worth trying.

Soloman was the richest and most wise man in his day and God uses these proverbs of Soloman to give us common sense approach to life. Again, this too is not rocket science, but just the heart of God. I've learned to love the Proverbs and if you and I had no other Word from God but the Proverbs, we could come to know Christ and we could know what God wants from each of us and the path that He would have us to be on.

Well, today is Friday and I will leave this with you until Monday. Hope you and yours have a great week-end and don't forget the Lord's Day and sometime between the time you read this and Sunday, find time to spend with God and do your best to be open to the Spirit of God speaking to you. God bless.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Two Treasuries, Two Perspectives, Two Masters

Martin Luther said; "I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."

Jim Elliot said; "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

In the greatest message ever preached, Jesus addresses the believer's proper relationship to money and possessions:

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where theives do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

"No one can serve two masters, Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Matthew 6:19-24

Jesus always had two kingdoms in mind. He spoke here of the two treasuries, two perspectives, and two masters of those two kingdoms.

Each couplet presents two options and demands one choice. There's a default choice if "no choice" is made. Unless the right choice is deliberately made and tenaciously clung to, the wrong choice will naturally be implemented. In that case, as if on automatic pilot, people will spend their lives investing in the wrong treasury, adopting the wrong perspective, and serving the wrong master.

Question? What treasury, What Investment, What Master are you contributing to?
Be honest now. Which means the most to you. The things here on earth,or the things in heaven? Honesty here will help you get real with where your heart is and knowing where your heart is is essential to serving the right master.