For The Journey
Keith Wishum recently shared some rules to equip us for our journey through
life:
Each year some 2,000 eager hikers set out with high hopes of walking the
entire 2,100 mile length of the Appalachian Trail as it meanders through the
mountains of eastern states [of the U.S.] from Springer Mountain in north
Georgia all the way to Mount Katahdin in Maine. Only a few make it. Of those
who begin the trek, only about 150 complete the trail. Following a couple of
simple rules of backpacking could keep many of them from failing.
The first is: PACK LIGHT! One guy struggled over the first 40 miles of
mountainous terrain carrying a propane bottle - the big kind like you use
for your gas grill in the backyard! Another hiker tried to travel the
rugged trail pushing a grocery buggy full of supplies. . One couple brought
along their scuba gear because they thought it would be fun to go diving in
the rivers and lakes along the trail. (They shipped the scuba gear back home
and continued.)
Even if you don't intend to do any hiking, you may still want to remember
the "Pack light" rule. It's a Biblical principle for life. We are just
passing through this world as "aliens and strangers on earth" (Hebrews
11:13). So, it's foolish to get too attached to things which may hold us
back. In fact, God advises us to lighten our load - to "throw off
everything that hinders" (Hebrews 12:1). If you are feeling weighed down,
maybe it's because you are.
"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and
let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1).
We must turn from our sins in repentance, but we must also turn to Christ
for cleansing. Jesus Christ, God' Son, died on the cross for our sins (1
Corinthians 15:1-4). Through Him, we may have the forgiveness of our sins
(Ephesians 1:7).
To be cleansed by the blood of Christ, we must place our faith and trust in
Jesus (Acts16:30-31), turn from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31),
confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into
Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4).
Wishum continues: The second simple rule of hiking is: STAY ON THE TRAIL!
Much of the Appalachian Trail is miles from any kind of road. The trail
twists and turns so that it is difficult to keep a sense of direction. Other
trails cross or branch off the AT. It would be easy to get lost, and, once
lost, very difficult to be found. The good news is that the Trail is
clearly marked with white paint blazes on trees every 200 yards or so. All
you have to do is keep an eye open for those white marks and stay on the
trail.
Life can be disorienting, too. And getting off the right course can be even
more deadly than wandering off the AT. Again, though, the way is clearly
marked! God sent his son to mark the course for us. All we must do to stay
on the safe path is "fix our eyes on Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2).
God has promised: "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we
have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son
cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).
Wishum concludes: It doesn't matter whether you ever hike the Appalachian
Trail. It does matter, however, whether you walk the straight and narrow
path to God's house. To succeed at either, remember these simple rules: Pack
light, and Stay on the Trail.
Won't YOU submit your life to the Savior and follow Him all the way to
Heaven?
David A. Sargent
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Dr. Zenko Hrynkiw Brookwood Medical Center
Great Physician
Last week, those in the area in which we live experienced something that
doesn't happen often: we had cold, icy weather. Many of our children were
out of school for three days, and many businesses closed their doors for a
day or two due to the icy conditions.
Thankfully, those in our area knew the cold, icy weather was coming. But for
people in the Birmingham, AL, and Atlanta, GA, areas, they had no idea.
Winter Storm Leon wasn't supposed to go that far north. So for a lot of
people, they were stranded at work, school, stores, and on the roads when
the ice began to fall from the sky. It is estimated that over 11,000 people
were stranded in schools across Alabama on Tuesday night of last week.
In the midst of all the chaos, inspirational stories began to emerge of good
Samaritans who took people in, helped provide food, and rescued people from
car accidents due to the icy roads.
But probably one of the most inspirational stories that surfaced was about a
Birmingham doctor who walked approximately six miles to perform life-saving
brain surgery. Dr. Zenko Hrynkiw was at Brookwood Medical Center on Tuesday
morning when he received a call about a patient at Trinity Medical Center
who needed emergency surgery. Dr. Hrynkiw got in his car, but didn't make
it more than a few blocks before traffic stopped. Knowing he needed to
hurry, Dr. Hrynkiw got out of his car and walked about six miles in the snow
and ice to Trinity Medical Center. He arrived at the hospital, performed
the surgery, and saved the patient's life. It's truly a story of courage and
heroism.
But what if Dr. Hrynkiw had decided that the patient's life wasn't worth
walking six miles in the snow and ice? What if he decided that it was too
difficult to get there, and that there was nothing he could do? Thankfully,
he didn't make that decision. And thankfully, there was something he could
do. *
Because of our sins, WE are in a desperate, deadly condition (Romans 6:23).
But God loves us so much that He sent His Son Jesus - "the Great
Physician" - to provide the remedy for our sins (John 3:16). Jesus came
"from a great distance" in comparatively deplorable conditions (read
Philippians 2:6-8), but He came anyway - because He loves us.
Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have
not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Luke 5:31-32).
And the truth is.... We have ALL sinned! (Romans 3:23)
It cost Jesus His life in order to provide the remedy for our sin: "He
himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins
and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter
2:24).
The Great Physician will save those who: place their faith and trust in Him
(Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess
Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for
the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will continue to "make whole" those
who continue to walk in the light of His word (1 John 1:7).
Won't YOU accept the Great Physician's remedy for YOUR sin-sick soul?
-- Eric Gray and David A. Sargent
Last week, those in the area in which we live experienced something that
doesn't happen often: we had cold, icy weather. Many of our children were
out of school for three days, and many businesses closed their doors for a
day or two due to the icy conditions.
Thankfully, those in our area knew the cold, icy weather was coming. But for
people in the Birmingham, AL, and Atlanta, GA, areas, they had no idea.
Winter Storm Leon wasn't supposed to go that far north. So for a lot of
people, they were stranded at work, school, stores, and on the roads when
the ice began to fall from the sky. It is estimated that over 11,000 people
were stranded in schools across Alabama on Tuesday night of last week.
In the midst of all the chaos, inspirational stories began to emerge of good
Samaritans who took people in, helped provide food, and rescued people from
car accidents due to the icy roads.
But probably one of the most inspirational stories that surfaced was about a
Birmingham doctor who walked approximately six miles to perform life-saving
brain surgery. Dr. Zenko Hrynkiw was at Brookwood Medical Center on Tuesday
morning when he received a call about a patient at Trinity Medical Center
who needed emergency surgery. Dr. Hrynkiw got in his car, but didn't make
it more than a few blocks before traffic stopped. Knowing he needed to
hurry, Dr. Hrynkiw got out of his car and walked about six miles in the snow
and ice to Trinity Medical Center. He arrived at the hospital, performed
the surgery, and saved the patient's life. It's truly a story of courage and
heroism.
But what if Dr. Hrynkiw had decided that the patient's life wasn't worth
walking six miles in the snow and ice? What if he decided that it was too
difficult to get there, and that there was nothing he could do? Thankfully,
he didn't make that decision. And thankfully, there was something he could
do. *
Because of our sins, WE are in a desperate, deadly condition (Romans 6:23).
But God loves us so much that He sent His Son Jesus - "the Great
Physician" - to provide the remedy for our sins (John 3:16). Jesus came
"from a great distance" in comparatively deplorable conditions (read
Philippians 2:6-8), but He came anyway - because He loves us.
Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have
not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Luke 5:31-32).
And the truth is.... We have ALL sinned! (Romans 3:23)
It cost Jesus His life in order to provide the remedy for our sin: "He
himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins
and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter
2:24).
The Great Physician will save those who: place their faith and trust in Him
(Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess
Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for
the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will continue to "make whole" those
who continue to walk in the light of His word (1 John 1:7).
Won't YOU accept the Great Physician's remedy for YOUR sin-sick soul?
-- Eric Gray and David A. Sargent
Monday, February 10, 2014
Free Bible study
Learn more about the book of Jeremiah from this FREE PowerPoint lesson on Jeremiah:
Learn more about the book of Jeremiah from this FREE PowerPoint lesson on Isaiah:
For even more FREE Bible studies visit http://www.lordletmegrow.com/ today!
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Books by Tom Wacaster
| Books by Tom Wacaster I have lived through a virtual revolution in how we acquire knowledge through our reading abilities. The modern age of digital reading devices has opened up a whole new world to the accessibility of knowledge. How you may feel about the good and/or bad of the digital age depends on your background I suppose. I must confess that this little article is a combination of my weekly "Tom's Pen" and an attempt to inform my readers of books that are available on my website in various reading formats. First, a word about books and and reading in general. Mark Twain is attributed with having said, "The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them." It seems to me that the present generation does not read nearly as much as did their parents and grandparents. This may be due to the invention of television and/or the movie industry. Virtual reality has caused books at the local library to take a back seat. Our local library offers not just books - old fashioned, printed-0n-paper books - but DVD's, CD's, audio books, VHS tapes, and popular books of the past in digital format. Having said that, I have explored the possibility to getting my hands on some old and out-of-print books that are in public domain (that simply means that the copyright was not renewed, and the 50 year time has lapsed allowing that book to be open for public use) and making those available in digital format. I have just completed my first project on a book by Harry Rimmer. Mr. Rimmer published this book on the deity of our Lord almost a century ago. The title is "The Magnificence of Jesus," and for some unknown reason it had limited printing and distribution. There are some old printed copies of the book available on Ebay, but the prices range from "relatively inexpensive" to outrageously expensive. I have formated the book into digital format and put it on my website book store available in Kindle, IPad, and Sony formats. I do not agree with everything Mr. Rimmer believes, but this work is a classic and should be in every preacher's library. Mr. Rimmber held to the premillennial view of the kingdom of God, and that false doctrine appears in the book. However, his comments on the deity of Jesus, the virgin birth, the God-man aspect of the Savior excell. Please visit my website to purchase a copy for a mere $2.39. I will send you an email asking for the format you want, and then make arrangements to get a link to you to download into your epub reader. While you are at my site, peruse my other books, in printed format or epub format. I also make some of my commentaries available for ESword. Someone once wrote: Let books be your dining table, And you shall be full of delights Let them be your mattress And you shall sleep restful nights. ~Author Unknown I hope you will make it a practice in this new year to read a few good books. It really will enrich your life. Click here to go to my store By the way all shipping is free on my website with the exception of a free copy of my paper back, "Studies in Galatians." You can acquire a free copy of this little book by simply paying the postage. |
How to save souls
Like many students in our nation, Tyler Doohan, a fourth grader at East Rochester Elementary School in New York, was out-of-school on Monday, January 20, due to a holiday. Because of the time out of class, Tyler spent Sunday night with some extended family at his grandfather's trailer in Penfield, a suburb of Rochester.
Perhaps it was the smell of smoke or popping sounds caused by the fire, but Tyler awoke from sleep very early on Monday morning and saw that the trailer was on fire. This eight-year-old sprang into action awaking 6 other people – including two other children, ages 4 and 6 – enabling them to get out of the trailer safely.
Tyler's uncle, Steven Smith, and his grandfather, were still in the burning trailer, so Tyler rushed back in to help them. His uncle was disabled and used a wheelchair because he'd
lost part of a leg.
Tyler, his uncle, and his grandfather did not make it out of the trailer. Fire investigators found Tyler's body just a few feet from his uncle's bed.
Chris Ebmeyer, Fire Chief of the Penfield Fire Company, said the casualties would have been much worse had Tyler not reacted so quickly. "He saved those other six people," Ebmeyer told the Democrat & Chronicle newspaper of Rochester.
The East Rochester School District sent a letter to all families saying Tyler "bravely and selflessly" gave his own life "to save the lives of six others — and he is truly a hero."
Tyler Doohan reminds us of the greatest Hero of all…
When we were doomed because of our sins and headed for the "everlasting fire" of punishment, God sent Jesus to our rescue so that we would not perish in the flames (Ephesians 1:7). Jesus went "into the fire" and suffered the punishment for our sins. He "endured hell" so that we
wouldn't have to. "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree [i.e., the cross], so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24). He gave His life for us so that we might live (1 Thessalonians 5:10).
Jesus will save and give eternal life to those who accept His offer of salvation on His terms: placing their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turning from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will continue to cleanse those who strive to continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7).
Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." – John 15:13
Tyler demonstrated that kind of love. His actions provide a glimpse of the great love that Jesus demonstrated for ALL of mankind to offer salvation
from the greatest peril: how He bravely and selflessly gave Himself to save ALL who would come to Him in trusting obedience.
Won't YOU respond to His great love by accepting His gift of salvation and life on His terms?
David A. Sargent
Like many students in our nation, Tyler Doohan, a fourth grader at East Rochester Elementary School in New York, was out-of-school on Monday, January 20, due to a holiday. Because of the time out of class, Tyler spent Sunday night with some extended family at his grandfather's trailer in Penfield, a suburb of Rochester.
Perhaps it was the smell of smoke or popping sounds caused by the fire, but Tyler awoke from sleep very early on Monday morning and saw that the trailer was on fire. This eight-year-old sprang into action awaking 6 other people – including two other children, ages 4 and 6 – enabling them to get out of the trailer safely.
Tyler's uncle, Steven Smith, and his grandfather, were still in the burning trailer, so Tyler rushed back in to help them. His uncle was disabled and used a wheelchair because he'd
lost part of a leg.
Tyler, his uncle, and his grandfather did not make it out of the trailer. Fire investigators found Tyler's body just a few feet from his uncle's bed.
Chris Ebmeyer, Fire Chief of the Penfield Fire Company, said the casualties would have been much worse had Tyler not reacted so quickly. "He saved those other six people," Ebmeyer told the Democrat & Chronicle newspaper of Rochester.
The East Rochester School District sent a letter to all families saying Tyler "bravely and selflessly" gave his own life "to save the lives of six others — and he is truly a hero."
Tyler Doohan reminds us of the greatest Hero of all…
When we were doomed because of our sins and headed for the "everlasting fire" of punishment, God sent Jesus to our rescue so that we would not perish in the flames (Ephesians 1:7). Jesus went "into the fire" and suffered the punishment for our sins. He "endured hell" so that we
wouldn't have to. "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree [i.e., the cross], so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24). He gave His life for us so that we might live (1 Thessalonians 5:10).
Jesus will save and give eternal life to those who accept His offer of salvation on His terms: placing their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turning from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will continue to cleanse those who strive to continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7).
Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." – John 15:13
Tyler demonstrated that kind of love. His actions provide a glimpse of the great love that Jesus demonstrated for ALL of mankind to offer salvation
from the greatest peril: how He bravely and selflessly gave Himself to save ALL who would come to Him in trusting obedience.
Won't YOU respond to His great love by accepting His gift of salvation and life on His terms?
David A. Sargent
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Song Showers of Blessings
Mercy Drops
To some it probably seems somewhat amazing that we continue to receive some
many blessings from God.
There is an old song titled, "Showers of Blessings," based on the scripture
from Ezekiel 34:26 "And I will make them and the places round about my hill
a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there
shall be showers of blessing."
I don't remember the last time I heard the song sung, I don't think it is
in our present songbooks. One of the lines went like this, "Mercy drops
round us are falling, yet for the showers we plead." One of the reasons I
remember the song so vividly is that my Grandmother Eliza Lawson refused to
sing the song. She said she didn't believe the words were right. She said
that; "God didn't scrimp with His people and only give little drops of
mercy, he showered us with it all the time."
I have to agree with Grandma, God does shower us with blessings all the
time; it's just that we don't often take time to see them. Because of that I
wanted to take some time here to remind us to look at our blessings and
those who bring them to us.
Perhaps it would be good for you to stop sometime during your busy day and
offer a special prayer of thanksgiving for these people through whom God
blesses us. I know it takes time, but drop them a note of encouragement and
thanks, be a blessing to them.
We need to remember also how God answers our prayers. So many times we share
with others our special need for prayer. Perhaps for those who are sick,
hurting or dealing with problems in their lives. Do you ever stop to think
about how many times our prayers are answered? Stop and think about the
outcome of those prayer requests we have made in the past. Perhaps it was
someone whom you have heard about and prayed for. They may not all have been
answered as we would have liked, but God is at work through the prayers and
caring of us here on his world.
Yes, God is alive and working in our world and we are the ones who have his
ear through our prayers, don't forget that.. Ever!
Showers of blessings? Yes! I believe so!
Russ Lawson
To some it probably seems somewhat amazing that we continue to receive some
many blessings from God.
There is an old song titled, "Showers of Blessings," based on the scripture
from Ezekiel 34:26 "And I will make them and the places round about my hill
a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there
shall be showers of blessing."
I don't remember the last time I heard the song sung, I don't think it is
in our present songbooks. One of the lines went like this, "Mercy drops
round us are falling, yet for the showers we plead." One of the reasons I
remember the song so vividly is that my Grandmother Eliza Lawson refused to
sing the song. She said she didn't believe the words were right. She said
that; "God didn't scrimp with His people and only give little drops of
mercy, he showered us with it all the time."
I have to agree with Grandma, God does shower us with blessings all the
time; it's just that we don't often take time to see them. Because of that I
wanted to take some time here to remind us to look at our blessings and
those who bring them to us.
Perhaps it would be good for you to stop sometime during your busy day and
offer a special prayer of thanksgiving for these people through whom God
blesses us. I know it takes time, but drop them a note of encouragement and
thanks, be a blessing to them.
We need to remember also how God answers our prayers. So many times we share
with others our special need for prayer. Perhaps for those who are sick,
hurting or dealing with problems in their lives. Do you ever stop to think
about how many times our prayers are answered? Stop and think about the
outcome of those prayer requests we have made in the past. Perhaps it was
someone whom you have heard about and prayed for. They may not all have been
answered as we would have liked, but God is at work through the prayers and
caring of us here on his world.
Yes, God is alive and working in our world and we are the ones who have his
ear through our prayers, don't forget that.. Ever!
Showers of blessings? Yes! I believe so!
Russ Lawson
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Introductions to books of the Bible
The book of Daniel: Get a free introduction to the Bible book of Daniel at www.abiblecommentary.com/introductiontothebookofdaniel.pptx today.
The book of Daniel: Get a free introduction to the Bible book of Ecclesiastes at www.abiblecommentary.com/introductiontothebiblebookofecclesiastes.pptx today!
These free introductions to Bible books were put together by Dr. Tommy South.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Paul and Michelle Simmons
The Photograph
The article didn't say why he left home. But when 20-year-old Nicholas
Simmons left his parents' home in Greece, NY, on New Year's Day, he left his
wallet, his cell phone, and everything else behind. When his parents, Paul
and Michelle Simmons, discovered that he had left, they had no idea where he
had gone or how long he would be away. They began a diligent search for
him.
Four days later, Jacquelyn Martin, an Associated Press photographer, was in
Washington, D.C. She had been assigned to the White House, but President
Obama and his family were on vacation in Hawaii. Martin decided to look
around D.C. to snap pictures that illustrated that unusually cold weather in
the area. She found a group of men huddled by a steam gate outside the
Federal Trade Commission. She introduced herself and began taking pictures.
She noticed one person huddled under a blanket that was unusually young.
"It struck me how young he was," Martin said. "I again introduced myself and
shook his hand. He said his name was Nick."
It was the picture of that young man huddled by the steam gate that appeared
the following day (Sunday) on the front page of USA Today. "Nick" was
wearing a ski jacket with a hood over his head and a thick gray blanket
covering his lower body.
His face was unshaven and he was pressed against the steam gate, obviously
trying to keep warm.
Someone who was familiar with the Simmons' search for their missing son
brought the photo to their attention on a Facebook page that had been set up
to help locate him. Michelle Simmons was certain that the young man in the
photograph was her son. The Simmons contacted USA Today who in turn
contacted Martin with a message via Twitter. The location of the picture
was verified and the police were dispatched. They found Nicholas Simmons
and took him to a nearby hospital, where later his family was reunited with
him.
Michelle Simmons expressed her relief on Facebook: "It could have been
months before we had a lead on his whereabouts. My baby looks so lost and I
will be spending the rest of my life making him well," she wrote.
Nick's lost condition "pictures" our own condition in sin.
It is SIN that separates us from God who made us (Isaiah 59:1-2). Because
of our sin, we are lost and struggling in our desperate and deadly state.
But God knows about our condition and He loves us, even though we have
wandered away from Him. He sent His Son Jesus to "seek and to save those
who are lost" (Luke 19:10). In order to save us and give us the gift of
eternal life, Jesus had to die on the cross as payment for our sins
(Ephesians 1:7). Through Jesus, we can be reconciled to God and receive the
gift of life with Him throughout eternity in a heavenly home (2 Corinthians
5:17-21).
God will save those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts
16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus
before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the
forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38). Then God will continue to cleanse
and one day "take home" those who continue to walk in the light of His Word
(1 John 1:7).
God doesn't need a PHOTO to know who you are and where you are. He already
knows. And, He wants YOU to be His child and enjoy eternal salvation.
Won't YOU accept His offer on His terms?
David A. Sargent
The article didn't say why he left home. But when 20-year-old Nicholas
Simmons left his parents' home in Greece, NY, on New Year's Day, he left his
wallet, his cell phone, and everything else behind. When his parents, Paul
and Michelle Simmons, discovered that he had left, they had no idea where he
had gone or how long he would be away. They began a diligent search for
him.
Four days later, Jacquelyn Martin, an Associated Press photographer, was in
Washington, D.C. She had been assigned to the White House, but President
Obama and his family were on vacation in Hawaii. Martin decided to look
around D.C. to snap pictures that illustrated that unusually cold weather in
the area. She found a group of men huddled by a steam gate outside the
Federal Trade Commission. She introduced herself and began taking pictures.
She noticed one person huddled under a blanket that was unusually young.
"It struck me how young he was," Martin said. "I again introduced myself and
shook his hand. He said his name was Nick."
It was the picture of that young man huddled by the steam gate that appeared
the following day (Sunday) on the front page of USA Today. "Nick" was
wearing a ski jacket with a hood over his head and a thick gray blanket
covering his lower body.
His face was unshaven and he was pressed against the steam gate, obviously
trying to keep warm.
Someone who was familiar with the Simmons' search for their missing son
brought the photo to their attention on a Facebook page that had been set up
to help locate him. Michelle Simmons was certain that the young man in the
photograph was her son. The Simmons contacted USA Today who in turn
contacted Martin with a message via Twitter. The location of the picture
was verified and the police were dispatched. They found Nicholas Simmons
and took him to a nearby hospital, where later his family was reunited with
him.
Michelle Simmons expressed her relief on Facebook: "It could have been
months before we had a lead on his whereabouts. My baby looks so lost and I
will be spending the rest of my life making him well," she wrote.
Nick's lost condition "pictures" our own condition in sin.
It is SIN that separates us from God who made us (Isaiah 59:1-2). Because
of our sin, we are lost and struggling in our desperate and deadly state.
But God knows about our condition and He loves us, even though we have
wandered away from Him. He sent His Son Jesus to "seek and to save those
who are lost" (Luke 19:10). In order to save us and give us the gift of
eternal life, Jesus had to die on the cross as payment for our sins
(Ephesians 1:7). Through Jesus, we can be reconciled to God and receive the
gift of life with Him throughout eternity in a heavenly home (2 Corinthians
5:17-21).
God will save those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts
16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus
before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the
forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38). Then God will continue to cleanse
and one day "take home" those who continue to walk in the light of His Word
(1 John 1:7).
God doesn't need a PHOTO to know who you are and where you are. He already
knows. And, He wants YOU to be His child and enjoy eternal salvation.
Won't YOU accept His offer on His terms?
David A. Sargent
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the LORD (Isaiah 55:8)
It's obvious to even the most casual observer that different people have
different standards that are acceptable to them. In some cases it makes no
real difference in life, yet in other cases it does.
For example; for the past couple of weeks my wife has been ill and because
of that I have been 'helping' with some of the household duties. (I offer a
special thank you to each of the ladies in our church who have offered to
help.) Yesterday I had solid proof that my wife is recovering. How? By the
fact that "husband clean," was no longer sufficient for her. It was just
little things, but I picked up on them. Things like the comment: "You know;
the kitchen floor really needs moped." I thought it looked fine. I had wiped
up the spots where I had dropped food! Then there was the fact that she
grabbed the hand vacuume and cleaned up flower pedals and assorted other
things in the living room that I hadn't even seen. So, "husband clean," was
not up to her standards of what is acceptable. I have no excuse; after all,
I am a husband and my ways are not her ways of doing things.
One of the things about standards is that they often change. You don't have
to look to hard to understand that our society's standards have shifted
dramatically concerning what is right and wrong or what is acceptable or
unacceptable. God has set standards in regards to what is acceptable in
terms of morality, acceptable worship and ethical behavior.
Our society, for the most part, says there are no hard fast standards for
morality; just do whatever makes you feel good. Our society says, there are
no standards for worship, just do whatever makes you feel good. Our society
says there are no standards for ethics; just go with whatever profits you
the most. Look at the corruption of our world. Think about the
thoughtlessness of our government leaders for the people they govern. Think
about the immorality that is flaunted by the world's entertainment community
and is mimicked by those they influence.
These standards of living and action are not acceptable to our God, even
though men say it makes no difference. God said through the prophet Isaiah,
"'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,'
declares the LORD." (Isaiah 55:8)
The problem is that there are so very many in our world who either don't
take the time to read what God says concerning His standards, or they
disregard His words as being old fashioned and say that God wouldn't
possibly expect us live by those standards proclaimed in His book today.
Paul writes these words of warning in 1Corinthians 6:9-11, "Or do you not
know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be
deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men
who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor
slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what
some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were
justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our
God."
Now I'm pretty sure that some who read these words will take offence at
them, but you know what, you aren't offended at me, you are offended at God.
He wrote them, I just pointed them out to you. God tells us basically, "My
standards are not your standards, and your ways are not my ways, what you
call right is not really right, what you call clean is not really clean."
You see, it's no different than my cleaning the house for my wife, what is
an acceptable standard to me is not to her. And if truth be told, I like her
standard of cleanliness and God's standard for living better.
Russ Lawson
different standards that are acceptable to them. In some cases it makes no
real difference in life, yet in other cases it does.
For example; for the past couple of weeks my wife has been ill and because
of that I have been 'helping' with some of the household duties. (I offer a
special thank you to each of the ladies in our church who have offered to
help.) Yesterday I had solid proof that my wife is recovering. How? By the
fact that "husband clean," was no longer sufficient for her. It was just
little things, but I picked up on them. Things like the comment: "You know;
the kitchen floor really needs moped." I thought it looked fine. I had wiped
up the spots where I had dropped food! Then there was the fact that she
grabbed the hand vacuume and cleaned up flower pedals and assorted other
things in the living room that I hadn't even seen. So, "husband clean," was
not up to her standards of what is acceptable. I have no excuse; after all,
I am a husband and my ways are not her ways of doing things.
One of the things about standards is that they often change. You don't have
to look to hard to understand that our society's standards have shifted
dramatically concerning what is right and wrong or what is acceptable or
unacceptable. God has set standards in regards to what is acceptable in
terms of morality, acceptable worship and ethical behavior.
Our society, for the most part, says there are no hard fast standards for
morality; just do whatever makes you feel good. Our society says, there are
no standards for worship, just do whatever makes you feel good. Our society
says there are no standards for ethics; just go with whatever profits you
the most. Look at the corruption of our world. Think about the
thoughtlessness of our government leaders for the people they govern. Think
about the immorality that is flaunted by the world's entertainment community
and is mimicked by those they influence.
These standards of living and action are not acceptable to our God, even
though men say it makes no difference. God said through the prophet Isaiah,
"'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,'
declares the LORD." (Isaiah 55:8)
The problem is that there are so very many in our world who either don't
take the time to read what God says concerning His standards, or they
disregard His words as being old fashioned and say that God wouldn't
possibly expect us live by those standards proclaimed in His book today.
Paul writes these words of warning in 1Corinthians 6:9-11, "Or do you not
know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be
deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men
who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor
slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what
some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were
justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our
God."
Now I'm pretty sure that some who read these words will take offence at
them, but you know what, you aren't offended at me, you are offended at God.
He wrote them, I just pointed them out to you. God tells us basically, "My
standards are not your standards, and your ways are not my ways, what you
call right is not really right, what you call clean is not really clean."
You see, it's no different than my cleaning the house for my wife, what is
an acceptable standard to me is not to her. And if truth be told, I like her
standard of cleanliness and God's standard for living better.
Russ Lawson
Friday, January 10, 2014
Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth
It is amazing to me how easy it is to get behind in doing things, even
things that are really important to you. You may have that problem also, but
I hope not. One of the really, really important things I meant to do is to
encourage you to make a commitment to read some of God's Word each day
during 2014.
I slipped up! My wife and I started doing this already, (yes we completed
last year's reading on schedule). By the time you read this we will probably
be 12 days into the New Year, but that's OK, if you haven't yet, get started
anyway. It's amazing what you can do if you put your mind to it and if it is
really important to you.
I know there are lots of things that interfere with your plans and your
"best intentions". That's OK; you are not unusual, it happens to all of us!
There are times, (even though I try to read daily), something comes up and I
miss a day and have to make up that day's reading.
You need to understand that no one is grading you on your ability to read,
or even your ability to read "THE WHOLE" bible. God directs us to spend time
with Him and in His Word, but doesn't tell us how to go about it.
I heard a story about a youngster who excitedly told his father, "I just
figured out what BIBLE means!" His fathers somewhat intrigued ask him to
share this new found discovery. The youngster said, "Basic Instructions
Before Leaving Earth."
I believe he got it right, don't you! Everyone wants to know, "What happens
next?" don't they? Is there life after death? What is my purpose for living?
These are questions of importance which have plagued mankind since the
beginning. The thing that many people don't realize is that all of the
answers are there, you just have to read the instruction manual, God's Word.
David tells us in Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light
on my path."
How about it, won't you join us in reading through God's Word again this
year, or maybe for the first time! Let God light your way!
Russ Lawson
things that are really important to you. You may have that problem also, but
I hope not. One of the really, really important things I meant to do is to
encourage you to make a commitment to read some of God's Word each day
during 2014.
I slipped up! My wife and I started doing this already, (yes we completed
last year's reading on schedule). By the time you read this we will probably
be 12 days into the New Year, but that's OK, if you haven't yet, get started
anyway. It's amazing what you can do if you put your mind to it and if it is
really important to you.
I know there are lots of things that interfere with your plans and your
"best intentions". That's OK; you are not unusual, it happens to all of us!
There are times, (even though I try to read daily), something comes up and I
miss a day and have to make up that day's reading.
You need to understand that no one is grading you on your ability to read,
or even your ability to read "THE WHOLE" bible. God directs us to spend time
with Him and in His Word, but doesn't tell us how to go about it.
I heard a story about a youngster who excitedly told his father, "I just
figured out what BIBLE means!" His fathers somewhat intrigued ask him to
share this new found discovery. The youngster said, "Basic Instructions
Before Leaving Earth."
I believe he got it right, don't you! Everyone wants to know, "What happens
next?" don't they? Is there life after death? What is my purpose for living?
These are questions of importance which have plagued mankind since the
beginning. The thing that many people don't realize is that all of the
answers are there, you just have to read the instruction manual, God's Word.
David tells us in Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light
on my path."
How about it, won't you join us in reading through God's Word again this
year, or maybe for the first time! Let God light your way!
Russ Lawson
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