HOT OR COLD?

Hot or Cold?

In Michigan and elsewhere the temperatures have been extremely cold.  All the snow is welcome to those who enjoy winter sports and those whose businesses need snow to bring in customers, but the cold is another story.  When the thermometer hovers around 0 degrees, it brings a lot of trouble for some; pipes freeze; cars won’t start and the bills go sky-high.

            I don’t like the cold and ice and wish I was off in some balmy place where the sun is warm and the palm trees wave in the breeze.  Then I shake it off and remind myself I live in Michigan where the winter weather changes daily.  In my younger years I enjoyed skiing, snowmobiling and ice skating, but now I don’t like the snow or the frigid temperatures.

I think about those who might not have heat or shelter or even warm clothing.  Does God think about them, too?  Of course he does and throughout the Word we are told to help those in need.  If you know someone that needs heat or warmer clothing or gloves, we need to help them.  Why?  Because Jesus told us we should love our neighbor as our self.

If our hearts are cold we have little concern for other people’s lives.  Today, it appears that many are concerned only for themselves.  That is not how Christianity works!  If we have given Him our hearts and serve Him, we will love others and do what we can for them.  In these days, we see what Jesus talked about in Matthew 13:15 “For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.”

           In Matthew 24:12, we are told that “Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.” (TLB)  Well, sin is truly rampant everywhere and I am amazed at the number of people who just let it roll off their backs.  We need to guard our hearts so they never become hardened, not only against God, but the people around you. 

How is your relationship with God?  Are you still as excited as you were when you first were ‘born again’?  I remember well those many years ago when I asked Jesus into my heart and my heart burned within me.  I carried my Bible everywhere I went and shared the love of God with everyone I met.  I read the Bible constantly until the pages were so worn they fell out.  That Bible was so marked up and highlighted it was hard to read.  I’ve had several Bibles since, but never quite worn them out like that first one.  I actually had family and friends who told me they would leave if I didn’t quit talking about it.  One day I was asked if I couldn’t think of something else other than God.  I told them ‘no’, and they left.

Over the years my faith has grown, but my zeal has diminished.  I don’t have the energy to do what I once did for the Lord.  I long for those times again, but God uses me in other ways.  No matter how much I learn or whatever I do, in my heart it will never be enough.  I pray the Lord will put a new fire in my heart for Him.

I never want to hear these words from God: “I know you well—you are neither hot nor cold; I wish you were one or the other!  But since you are merely lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth!” Revelation 3:15-16 (TLB)  

I know this – a Christian cannot be lukewarm or wishy washy.  There is no room in the Kingdom of God for those who talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk.  People can be like chameleons; zealous for the Lord one day and then the next day zealous for the things of the world.  Our whole focus should be on serving God and being an example in our everyday living so that others will want to be a Christian.

There is a scripture that is often my prayer: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.” Psalm 51:10-13 (NKJV)   Notice that we need that clean heart and steadfast spirit, because it is after that we have the ability to teach sinners and they will be saved.

            Let our hearts burn for Him and not get cold as we go about our daily lives.  May God bless you and keep him close to your heart.

 

 

 

 

 

I HAVE A DREAM

I Have a Dream    

Fifty years ago Dr. Martin Luther King gave a speech that will go down in history along with Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.  He said, “The Negro was crippled by the manacles of segregation and chains of discrimination.”   He went on to address some of the racial difficulties his people faced and his dream was to see them free; free to be part of the American dream that all men are created equal.

           Toward the end of his speech, he quoted this scripture from Isaiah 40:4-5  “Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth; and the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together.”

            In these fifty years since, the Negro, now called African Americans, has made great strides in this country to a point we now have an African American President.  Some are not happy with his actions, but it has nothing to do with race.  He is a brilliant man with great speaking abilities and a good example of a family man.  Many people didn’t like George W. Bushes policies either, while president of the U.S. 

            To those African Americans who still feel they are not being treated equal, listen to your black brother, Bill Cosby, who said to quit feeling sorry for yourself and get up and go out and make something of yourself.  You have the freedom in this country to do that; look to your president for an example.

            As to what Dr. King said fifty years ago, can be said today by changing one word.  “The Christian is being crippled by the manacles of segregation and chains of discrimination.”  More and more we see this happening in our society.  All the Christian values this country was grounded on are disappearing before our very eyes and we seem helpless to stop it. 

            When are the Christians in this country going to make a stand like Dr. King did?  When are we going to come against the injustice of the liberals making rulings against our Christian beliefs and freedoms?   They have taken prayer out of schools; they’ve taken away our rights to say the name of ‘JESUS’ in public places and now you can’t even carry a Bible to school!  What about freedom of speech?

            I wonder how many would be stopped from carrying the Koran?  Why can’t our kids wear Christian t-shirts, when Muslims are free to wear their scarves over their head’s to schools?  Talk about fair; all we hear today is ‘politically correct’.  

            The African Americans made a stand for freedom; they knew God created them equal with white skins, red skins or yellow skins.  I know, as a Christian that God created us to be his children.  He told us in his Word how to live and grow to become more like Jesus.  He also told us to not hide our light under a bushel. 

            I recently heard of a teacher who was fired for holding a Bible study.  It may have been a school policy, but constitutionally could not stand up in court.  Kids are being reprimanded for bring a Bible to school, yet it is urged that they read about homosexuality in books like, “I’ve Got Two Mommies”.  They can also get free ‘birth control’ so they can engage in elicit sex.  But – don’t ever say the name of JESUS.

            We should have the same dream as Dr. King with a Christian purpose in mind.  As he said in his speech, “Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth; and the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together.”

            We should have the freedom to say what Dr. King said; at public meetings, high school speeches and in our classrooms.  As Christians, we should be ashamed that we have only grumbled about these things, but have not had the courage to stand up along with our Christian brothers and sisters and say, ‘Enough is Enough’! 

            Where do we go from here?  Whatever God tells you to do.  Don’t hide your head in the sand and say you can’t do anything about it.  This country was founded on faith in an Almighty God and with his direction, we can keep it that way.

GOD BLESS AMERICA! 

           

 

 

PLANNING A TRIP?

Planning a Trip?

 

            Some of our family members are planning on taking a trip next fall to the Smokey Mountains.  We are all excited and have spent hours on our computers trying to find just the right place to go that will hold so many people.  We all talk about it all the time; finding the right dates to go; looking for good prices; who will sleep on the first floor, second floor or third floor.  It must have a game room, theater, hot tubs and a pool room.  Also, it needs to have a gourmet kitchen a big dining room.

            Sometimes a couple of us will be on the phone and our computer at the same time so we can look at the same thing.  We scroll through pictures of all the rooms; oohing and aahing over the magnificent views.  We aren’t sure how big a place we need to get; a 6-bedroom or 7-bedroom.  Depending on what time of year we go, we will have to pack certain clothing.  Another question is who will drive what vehicles; what route will we take, and on and on.
            I don’t know why we get so excited about it, other than it’s probably a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience.  I think sometime we have more fun planning things than doing them.  We aren’t sure of the dates yet, but need to make up our minds before everything is booked. 
            All this excitement reminded me that we should all be planning and preparing right now for the upcoming trip we are all going to take.  I don’t have all the details, but I can tell you this much.
 
            It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience

            The views will be out of this world

            The place we will be staying in is already reserved

            There are rooms for everyone

            The food is even furnished

            No one has to be on a diet; all that is figured out for you

            The dining room table will be so long we probably won’t see the other end.

            Even our clothing is furnished

            Everyone will be in agreement

            It is the safest place you could ever stay in.

            It is a promise that we won’t be bored

            The date is already set (even though we haven’t been told yet)

            Transportation is furnished

            There are things planned for us that we haven’t even thought about

            All this has already been paid for so money is no object and we don’t have to take anything with us.  However, it is by invitation only and you must respond.

             Now you know what I’m talking about; Jesus will come back someday and take us to heaven to live with him for eternity if he is your Savior.  Now that’s something to get exited about.  We shouldn’t put off making plans for this trip because we don’t want to miss it.  In case you don’t know how to prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime trip, here are some ideas.
            Open the Bible; read and think about what you are reading.  These Bible verses will help you.
 

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

 “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and
with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”  I Thess. 4:16-18  

“In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”  John 14:2-3

“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands.” Revelation 7:9

“Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God." Revelation 19:9

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it." Revelation 2:17  

“But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”1 Corinthians 2:9

Enjoy your trip!

A KNOCK AT YOUR DOOR

A Knock at Your Door

           Most of you have experienced the surprise, or even shock, of an unexpected knock at the door.   One time, many years ago, it was a stranger holding our big, white cat, Snowball, limp in his arms.  It brought sadness to our young family.  Another time, I opened the door to our son-in-law, whom we thought was still in Viet Nam. That brought great joy to our daughter and the entire family.  I have never responded to a knock at the door and found a policeman standing there; which would be a horrifying experience.  Yet, the fact remains; you never know who will come knocking at your door, or if they will bring you good news or bad news.

I was reading in Matthew 24 where the disciples asked Jesus what the signs of the end times were.  Jesus went on to tell them in verses 4-31 about the terrible things that will happen on this earth.  He ends this with a spectacular statement: “So it is with you: When you see all these things, you'll know he's at the door.” Matthew 24:33 (MSG)   What does this mean; it doesn’t say he’s knocking at the door?  It could mean different things; perhaps he is ready to open that door and take all the believers with him [the Rapture of the church] or it could mean you’ve had your chance to accept Jesus as your Savior and the end of time as we know it is about to take place.  This could be an experience of great joy, or it could be a horrifying experience. 

          Let me explain the difference in these two things.  First, the great joy part.  When Jesus opens that door and tells us he has come to take us with him, this is what is going to happen.  “It will all happen in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For there will be a trumpet blast from the sky, and all the Christians who have died will suddenly become alive, with new bodies that will never, never die; and then we who are still alive shall suddenly have new bodies too.  For our earthly bodies, the ones we have now that can die, must be transformed into heavenly bodies that cannot perish but will live forever.”  1 Corinthians 15:52-53 (TLB)

          When it says, ‘all the Christians’, it doesn’t mean ‘all those who think they are Christians’ because they go to church once in a while, or they believe in God (so does the devil).  It means those who have asked forgiveness for their sins and invited Jesus into their heart, as their Lord and Savior. 

          Second: When Jesus opens that door and the end has come, if you are not a believer, you will be headed for the White Throne Judgment!  “And I saw a great white throne and the one who sat upon it, from whose face the earth and sky fled away, but they found no place to hide.  I saw the dead, great and small, standing before God; and the Books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to the things written in The Books, each according to the deeds he had done.  The oceans surrendered the bodies buried in them; and the earth and the underworld gave up the dead in them. Each was judged according to his deeds.  And Death and Hell were thrown into the Lake of Fire. This is the Second Death—the Lake of Fire.  And if anyone’s name was not found recorded in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the Lake of Fire.” Revelation 20:11-15 (TLB) 

          Your name was written in the Book of Life before you were born. “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” Psalm 139:16 (NLT)   Your name can also be blotted out of the Book of Life.  “Erase their names from the Book of Life; don’t let them be counted among the righteous.” Psalm 69:28 (NLT)  

          So, today is the day to prepare for that knock at the door.  How do you do that?  Let’s go to the book of Revelation 3:20   “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”

          Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart and he loves you and wants to come in.  That is called, ‘being Born Again’.  You’ll become a new person and live a blessed life.  If you don’t like the person that you are now, this is the time to give yourself to God.  You will never regret it.

          “So it is with you: When you see all these things, you'll know he's at the door.” Matthew 24:33 (MSG).  You will greet him with great joy and live together with him for eternity.