Tag Archives: jesus

Now Here’s a Novel Idea

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I can’t say it’s Biblical. I’m not even sure that it something that God wants us to teach. However, I can’t help but think that, if any nation followed this one thing, it would be a very big profit to that nation and it’s people. As an aside, I can’t help but believe that it would help the world as well.

God gave Israel the ten commandments. They were a gift. Those people that follow The Ten Commandments will prosper, even if they refuse to believe in God. It sounds ridiculous, but I have given the matter a great deal of thought. Consider, if all Americans stopped lying, killing, robbing, or even seeking after that which is owned by another.

However, putting that aside for a moment, and what makes my suggestion unique, what if the national government sought to follow the Commandments diligently. I mean, do we really want a government that mistreats our citizens, such as killing the innocent, like unborn babies. Do we really want a government that steals from the citizens, such as exorbitant taxation for the benefit of those that are part of the government. Do we really want a government that is dishonest that lies to us and diligently hides pertinent information from us.

Perhaps, most of all, do we want a greedy government that provides lavishly for itself while taking from those who put in an honest 40 or 45 hour week without valid reason. Do we really want a government that denies the existence of God and instead worships evolution, a baseless, unproved theory. Do we want a government that viciously endeavors to hide and deny the existence of the one true God.

It does make me ask, how and why is it that God would ever want to bless such a nation.

And feeble men ask why we have troubles and trials.

Come to think of it, maybe it is about time to rethink the way that businesses are ran as well. Is it really such a novel idea? Seems that that was kind of the way we ran things after the Revolutionary War, or at least tried. Have we actually been improving things since then?

I wonder, just what would kind of report card would George Washington and Abe Lincoln give our current day government. I have the suspicion they would be more than a little embarrassed by what we today call the United States of America. That, by the way, is true of those on both sides of that theoretical line that is in Congress.

Not Appropriate

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When a man stands behind a pulpit and preaches the word of God, he should be careful to teach the truth according to the Bible. As I was going through channels a couple of days ago, I heard a person who claimed to be teaching the Bible who implied that eating meat was Biblically wrong. He was very proud of himself that he had been a vegetarian for all these many years and he is healthier because of it.

Fact is, if he wishes to preach not to eat meat, he should be careful to say that it is his personal feelings. It is not Biblical. Throughout the Old and the New testament eating Meat is directed. Indeed, it is required in the first Passover. Jesus cooked fish for the disciples. Indeed, it is part of the requirements of the rituals of the Temple.

I do understand the concepts of not eating meat. Many are are healthier when they don’t eat meat. Most of us do eat too much meat leading to many health problems. However, just because a vegetarian is healthy, it does not mean that he owes it completely to his diet. Moreover, we have not one bit of proof that he might not be healthier if he had ate some meat.

The thing is, if a person wants to preach not eating meat, they ought not try to say it is biblical, because it’s not. When you try to make the Bible say things it doesn’t, it undermines the truth that you do preach. The one speaking should precede it with something saying it is personal opinions based on facts outside the Bible.

Understand, I am not saying that it is wrong to teach eating only fruits and vegetables. It’s up to you. I am just saying it should not be taught as Biblical.

The Rapture Is Near

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First a quick word about the rapture so you know what I’m writing about. In the Bible, in I Thessalonians 4, it is made clear. Quickly, in the twinkling of an eye, Jesus will return for His Church. Suddenly every person who was saved and is dead, will be brought to life and they will go up to meet Jesus. Then, quickly, those who are saved and remain alive, will be changed and also will go to be with Jesus.

Those who remain will go through the tribulation, a time of great misery, which will last for 7 years.

Now, read for yourself and it will become clear to you, all the signs are met. However, there is one more thing. The more we hear people scoff that it is not near, the more likely it is near. Some say it may yet be another two thousand years. Actually, that is true. It could be another four thousand years. I simply don’t know. No one knows but God.

However, it might also be in the next 2 minutes. If that be the case, it would be a wise thing not to put salvation off for 5 minutes. Indeed, even the scoffing is predicted as Jesus compared it to the way those of Noah’s time mocked Noah about the ark.

Once God sealed the door on ark and all but Noah and his family perished; once the rapture is over, all who remain will face the tribulation.

Censors?

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At one time, movies were actually censored officially. Whenever a movie was produced, it had to be previewed by sensors and if it didn’t pass the sensor’s rules, it could not be released until it did.

I guess it was continued until some time in the seventies. Until then, the content was guarded, both visual and audio.

Even today, in theory, what goes out into the world of radio and TV is regulated. I get the feeling that many FCC regulators intentionally look the other way. I can’t imagine that it is legal for some of what is broadcasts meets specs. Moreover, they are all the time pushing the envelope, always just pushing it more and more, day by day. The swimsuits keep getting smaller; the language is getting worse; and the activities/subjects becoming more graphic.

That is not to say that we don’t still have sensors. Only the sensors have started limiting in other ways. Already, preachers are beginning to have some fears in preaching about homosexuality. If churches wonder into the politics, they stand in danger of losing their tax free status, unless it is a Black church. Then it is encouraged.

Worse, there is the unspoken censoring. Preachers aren’t kept from preaching on certain subjects, but when they do, the media launches assaults on them. They joke about them and they search for ways to make them look like hypocrites. Look how they went back into the pasts of the more recent judge appointments, also coined as Borking. Moreover, there is no shame, even when there is no proof. In the court of public opinion, none is needed. The allegation is all they need. Saying it enough makes it so.

These same methods are now used on preachers and conservatives. I am not proud of some the things Trump said and did, but no one gets called on any of it if they have a D after their name. Perfection is required for republicans only.

Moreover, politically incorrect things are not permitted on radio, TV and even on college campuses. This censoring is more powerful and stringent than any of the old censoring. Worse, things such as the Ten Commandments are not permitted in many places and it’s getting even more so disallowed over time.

Could it be that they will even be disallowed in our churches; or Bibles; or casual conversation, or thoughts.

I mean what is so objectionable about the words, “Thou shalt not bear false witness?” Why does anyone want to block the words, “Thou shalt not murder,” from our schools or courts? Why is it so bad to suggest that we encourage our nation to honor our fathers and mothers?

It would seem that there are those afraid of the words. If I put them out on my front lawn, I suspect that someone would sue me the next day to have it removed. They just can’t stand to have the words in their face reminding them daily of what they are doing wrong. If there is no God, why are they afraid of His law? Why to they fear His words?”

Why is it so important that they censor every word of the Bible? What harm does it cause them?

Is it Lack of Control or the Desire

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I would suspect there of other reasons that people use profanity. However I would suspect that the above two reasons sum it up for most part. Indeed, if a person cannot control his tongue, it is probable he cannot control his life either.

On the other hand, there are those that use profanity intentionally. It helps their ego. They think it adds authority to commands or instructions. When calling attention to another persons faults, they think that it helps add emphasis. .The stronger the profanity, the more of them that are strung together, the louder the words, the more emphatic.

Jesus, when he was told that some people were not washing their hands before eating, said that it is not what goes into a man’s mouth that defiles him, but what comes out. With these few words, He tells us that a man defiles himself when he uses profanity, regardless of the reason. By implication the Bible says that when filth pours out of a man’s mouth, then it tells us that what is in his heart is filthy too.

Some lack control. Some do it for their ego. Some use it to profane God’s name. Some do it on purpose and then act as if it was a moment of weakness. To God, it is all worse than not washing our hands.

Because it has it has become so commonplace, people think it’s okay. Fact is, that makes it all the worse.

Political Parties and Jesus

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Just happened to be listening to Allen Jackson, the preacher, not the singer, though I do listen to the singer from time to time too. Though it was not his primary subject of his sermon, he did, in an aside speak to the claim that Jesus was never a member of a political party. However, He did speak to power and he did speak to the powerful.

Incidentally, if I were a multi-millionaire, I would never contribute a penny to either party. They have been far too weak on abortion and border matters. It would be my way of speaking to power. Republicans have come out weak on gambling. Indeed, in some cases, some republicans have fought for it. You can come out with you logic why why I am making my mistakes. If I give any money to anyone, it is to the individual and only to the individual that shares my beliefs.

Looking back over things, you might have a tendency go along with me. The Republican party selected a senator who was a thief and another man who was a wimp rino. It is no wonder they both lost.

Sometimes these preachers say more as an aside than they say as their main subject. I think this is one of those cases. Every time we vote, we speak to the powerful. Every time we send a note to representative, we are speaking to the powerful. And, of course, this is regardless of political party.

Moreover, God does caution us not to call good evil, or evil good. It is not idle advice but a warning. There are threats of punishments for that.

Given these two little factors, maybe it would be a good idea not to vote for a political party that is in favor of causing death, you know, like abortion. Like causing wars. Like causing rumors about viruses and virus treatments that resulted in large amounts of death and then denying it. Do you really think He would want any of us to be in favor of a party that doesn’t punish the lawless and looks the other way in mass theft and rioting.

If and when you voted for Old Joe, you spoke to power and you told them that killing is perfectly okay. The doctors that do it should be respected instead of put in prison. As a voter, you have said that we cannot use a gun for defense, but the lawless can use them to steal and and murder. You have told the powerful to stop locking up the lawless and be sure to arrest Trump and anyone who supports him. This though you know he never did anything to deserve it.

Before you vote for Kamala, just remember, in essence you are speaking to power and saying good is evil and evil is good. That is true, regardless of any party affiliation.

Jesus might not be a Republican, but he is pro life. He still is in favor of the truth. As dems speak their lies, they may and do deceive some people. They may and sometimes do deceive themselves. However, they never deceive Jesus. And it is true; He is neither Republican or Democrat. So pretending to be one or the other will not impress Him one bit. For Him, those that deceive are guilty no matter if he has an R or a D after his name.

80,000 Year Comet

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I keep hearing about it on the news. They say we can see it, but we won’t be able to see it for another 80,000 years. That is a long time. As I sit here, I try to think of a comparison. I can’t really think of any.

None the less, I think I’ll pass on looking for it. Astronomy was never one of my bigger interest. Besides, if I want to see it latter, it won’t be a problem. Jesus has promised me forever. That makes 80,000 years look short. Indeed I will be able to see it 80,000 times as it goes passing by.

My suggestion, if you are going to spend forever somewhere, you might want to make sure it is the right place. Nowadays, people so casually say things like, “See you in hell.”

First, there is no way I would want to spend one day in hell, certainly not 80,000 years, or forever. Secondly, if I am right, you’ll not see anyone in hell. Though there will be many there, part of the punishment is that it will be lonely. You won’t see the 80,000 year comet there. I suspect it will be so dark that you will see nothing. For God is light and hell will be a place without God and without light. If you go there, I don’t even think you will be able to see the stars.

Better that you accept Jesus as your savior and spend eternity in the light, in Heaven with Jesus.

A Common Religious Lie

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If I heard it once, I heard it a hundred times that we are all children of God. I have even heard it from behind the pulpit. Either it is a lie or Jesus lied. I am going to believe Jesus.

When Jesus was being confronted by the pharisees, (John 8:40 to 48) He said that their father was the devil and that they did the will of the devil.

While all men and women are created by God, not all men chose to be his children. Instead they chose to follow Satan. When a person chooses to not follow God, then he follows Satan and Jesus, according to this passage, says that their father is the devil.

Only when a person accepts Jesus as his savior and master does a person become the child of God. Once a person becomes a child of God, that is permanent. It is irreversible. Argue with me if you like. First read the passage. Read what Jesus has to say on the matter. Read John 3:16 and 17. (Note, if eternal life might be reversed, then it is not eternal.)

Winning & Losing

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When I was a lad, I played a lot of chess. I was pretty good, though I’m pretty rusty today. Okay. I am very rusty today.

Back in the day, I did play a lot, I really liked it when I won, as I did frequently. You might find this odd, but also felt badly when I won. Okay. That doesn’t make an ounce of sense.

Let me explain. Mostly, when I played, my opponent, was a relative or friend. I knew how it made me feel when I lost so I hated to see my opponent lose. I never threw a game. It would not be right to do that. It would be disrespectful. Still, especially as I grew older, it did kind of spoil the win.

Then they came out with computers and they came out with computer chess. I didn’t have to feel bad about beating the computer. It has no feelings. Besides, unless I kept it on he lowest level, I usually lost. What an ego buster.

I watched the professional sports, in which of course, there were also winners and losers. I really liked it when the Dodgers won. When the Rams lost won, I was unhappy, for a while anyway.

And so it is, there seems to always be those who win. Then too, there is also a loser. The winners always loves it. The losers always feel dejected. I think that was true more at the college level than at the pros. Think about it. Loyalty really isn’t so important in the pros. While it is always still good to win. While it always feels bad to lose. The player might actually end up playing for that team they just beat so greatly last season.

If we go back to the chess for a while. The loyalty thing isn’t an aspect there. I don’t know of too many cases where chess is a teem event, though I suppose it is possible. It might even make things interesting.

I think most realize that chess is actually a game based on real war. If nothing else, the names of the pieces makes that plain, right? Actually, many board games are base on wars, though I guess one of the most popular is based on business and real estate.

In chess, each player sets his pieces in array. Then while following the rules, the player tries to capture the opponents king. In many ways, it is the way battles of old were fought.

You wonder why the soldiers back then wore bright uniforms. It was so the officer, the one moving the pieces, could tell his men from his enemy’s soldiers. While the men charged each other, the officers sat on their horses on a high place so they could see what was happening and issue their commands.

When it comes to real war, for sure, no one wanted to lose. All the soldiers, from the private to the generals wanted to win. Rarely did they feel bad for the loser. Those that might, often lost. To be sure, if it is decided that war is a must, then it is imperative that you fight all out to win. As loose quote- it is not good to give your life for your country. It is far better that you make sure the enemy soldier gives his life for his. (Thank you General Patton for making sure we get the right perspective.)

I was a marine. I never faced an enemy face-to-face. Though I hate killing, if I were ever put in the position where I were on a battlefield, I would not hesitate to pull the trigger, over and over. I wouldn’t like it but I would.

Sargent York didn’t want to go to war during the first big war. He tried to be a coconscious objector. Yet, when it came down to it, he killed several Germans and took many more captive. When his CO asked why? York basically said it was to protect those he was fighting with.

In most cases, soldiers don’t fight against men but monsters. During their training they are taught those that they are fighting are subhuman. It helps to avoid feeling bad about pulling the trigger. Truth be told, I don’t think York ever thought as his enemy sub-human. He might not have ever shot at the Germans if it were just him. However, they were killing his friends and fellow soldiers. He felt he had to stop them. Moreover, he never felt like a hero for doing it.

Not all wars are fought on the battle field. Some would say we are in a battle of ideas. A few decades ago, maybe I would agree. Nowadays, it is a battle of deception. I am convinced that if people really knew Trump they would vote for him. If people really knew Kamala and her liberal friends, very few would vote for her.

And so it is, Trump is trying to expose the truth. He knows if he does, he will win. On the other hand, Kamala is trying to hide the truth. She knows if you learn who she is, she will lose. Personalities aside, if you vote for someone that is two bits different than a communist, you are helping the deceit. The hitch is that this is real. If the dems win this battle, all future votes will likely be nothing more, nothing less than a show. The outcome will always be predetermined as it was in the Soviet Union. It will be as it today in China. And our Constitution will become nothing more than old paper and ink. No one will respect it. Actually, not many respect it now. Many have no idea what it means.

I found it thoughtful that Jesus said that wars must be. He said there will be wars and rumors of wars. No atheist will ever be able to deny this little bit of prophecy. Speaking of wars, he said that these must be. He could see the end from the beginning. He knew what would happen.

But why did he say that about wars, as something of an afterthought, that the wars must be? I know it is not because He liked war. It is simply because, Jesus, knowing what He knew, saw that there would be wars, not in general, but specifically. He knew every man that would die and how.

Occasionally, He would intervene. Had he not helped us during the Revolutionary war, our primary monetary amount would be the pound. Hitler slept through the landing at Normandy and the Nazi’s reserve tanks could not be used to repulse the allied troops. By the way, even the weather helped. It was stormy before the landing, but cleared just in time for the successful landing.

Millions of Arabs surrounded Israel with their planes and tanks. Yet, greatly outnumbered, the Israelis sent them all running. God has his hand on the Jews. Better all take note. I can’t speak for God, as I am not a prophet. But this one thing I know for sure. No mater your weapons. No matter the size of your army. Unless God permits it, no foreigner will put one foot in Israel. If you decide to attack Israel, you might as well figure on being on the losing side.

Then too, I know I am on the victorious side. It has been foretold. It is there for all to read. I am not talking about chess or Monopoly. When it is time, Jesus will ride His white horse and he will destroy evil, all of it.

All battles on earth are temporary at best. When Jesus comes, the outcome will be permanent and complete. Jesus and those He has saved will will live with Him forever. Those that refuse to take Jesus as their savior will spend eternity in hell. They will be the losers.

For sure, I will feel bad for those losers, but I assure you, I don’t want to have any part with them. Those who fight against God, deceive themselves. They will be on the wrong side.

Remember these two things. If you do become one of those on the losing team, it will be permanent and it will be horrid. No one is going to be trading you to another team, unless it is before you die. Up until that point, there will always be room on on

God’s team. It just is, you must accept His payment in full. You cannot make any effort to pay in full or even in part. You must have faith in Jesus as your savior. If you take any other stance, you will spend eternity on the wrong side. You will be the eternal loser.

His Master’s Voice

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Most of us older folks grew up seeing the logo, a picture of a dog looking into a an old wax cylinder recording machine. I wanted to use it as a springboard into this current post. However, I figured I should at least make half an effort to get things right. So I looked it up and must admit, I found out a lot.

First of all, let me say I love the logo. I think it is among the best ever made. Not only was it interesting but it had a story behind it, though I had no idea how much until a short time ago. It is an interesting story and I would encourage y’ll to read about it. Just look up “his master’s voice” on the internet. You’ll have to dig through some of the more modern stuff, but the original art was in the late 1800s by Frances Barraud and was later picked up by other recording companies through the years, finally with RCA.

The story, briefly is that Mark, Frances’ brother, died and left many things to Frances. Among those things: a fox terrier named Nipper, a grammar phone that used wax cylinders and a number of wax cylinders with Mark’s voice on them. Frances noticed that that nipper always stationed himself where he could hear the recording and looked down the cone, possibly curious.

So Francis, being an artist, decided to paint it. The rest is, as they say history. The trademark has changed many times over the century but it remained basically the same. Moreover, most of them have the words, his master’s voice.

The truth of the matter is, dogs in general, don’t take long to learn their master’s voice, especially when the dog and the master become very close. It is just the way things are and no one doubts it. In this case, however, the dog is deceived. It is not his master’s voice but a man made copy.

If we look at John 10:27, we find something remotely parallel. Jesus said “My sheep hear My voice, I know them and they follow me. “

It was a long time before recording machines. Yet we learn that the sheep learn the sound of their master’s voice and they learn to follow their master. It does go without saying, if the sheep does not follow the shepherd, it probably is not the master of the sheep. The sheep likely belongs to someone else and follows him.

We modern folk might have a little problem with this. Most of us have little or nothing to do with sheep. However, we do know a thing or two about dogs. If ten men call a dog, it will likely only go to his master. The dog knows his master’s voice and he is obedient to his master.

It is a poor example. A dog is a poor example to a sheep. However, the principle is the same. Jesus has His sheep and He knows them all by name. Moreover, his sheep are obedient to Him. He watches over them and protects them. He makes sure they have food and water.

It is probably a good idea for us to become one of His sheep. Most people chose not to. So, they never know his voice and they go off somewhere else. They have no protection from the wolves and they may or may not get water and food.

Nipper listened to a dead man’s voice. We sheep who are of Jesus’ fold, know our master’s voice and we know He lives. We know He has given his life for us, and yet He lives. And we live, because He lives. And though we die, we will live forever. It is what the master said. And we believe it because He said it. We have no need to know anything else.

However, Jesus is the Good shepherd that cares for His sheep. He provides, protects and leads us as only He can do. Might I remind you of the twenty-third psalm, which is a picture us His sheep and him the Shepherd.

The story of Nipper is a story that pulls at our heart strings. Moreover, it is true. Unfortunately, Nipper today has died. The story of Christ is true. Fortunately, Jesus also died. By doing so, He died for us, paying for all the wrongs we ever did or thought of doing. Then the Good Shepherd rose from the grave to lead his sheep. Most important, the voice we hear is not a recording of dead man, but the living savior.

It is your choice. God has given us the chance to chose Him or death. Those who do not chose Him have chosen death. Those of us who chose Him and accept his Son as our savior, are the sheep of the 23 psalm. For those who are not his sheep, the 23rd Psalm does apply to them. The words provide comfort only to the saved.