The House of God

Everyone dreams. Whether they frighten or relax, dreams come in all shapes and sizes. Research shows that most all adults dream about twenty minutes out of every ninety that they sleep, but they don’t always remember their dreams-unless they wake up during one. Research studies have proven that nor-epinephrine and serotonin initiate and maintain dreaming. Every dream has symbolic meaning. Several cultures believe that dreams are a sign from God. That’s very possible, but it’s also possible that a dream is the mind’s way of relaxing like a coiled spring. Dreams are usually unconscious wish-fulfillment in symbolic form. Thus, if an individual chooses happiness, he must also choose healthy sleep habits. Sleeping and dreaming are necessary to maintain life and sanity. Extra stress, anxiety, threats and other conditions may induce nightmare type dreams. Dreams play a large role in people’s lives. Dreams play a larger role in the Bible than we give them credit for. Joseph had several dreams in the book of Genesis. They were laughed at by his family, but decades later, those dreams were brought to reality. Jacob also had some unsettling dreams in Genesis. One dream in particular is recorded for future generations to come.

Jacob was traveling from Beersheba to Haran and when the sun set, he decided to rest for the night. Using a rock for a pillow, he had a most unusual dream. He dreamed that he saw a stairway reaching from the earth all the way to heaven! And, that there were angels of God ascending and descending on this stairway! And above the stairway stood God himself? And then something unusual happened: God spoke to Jacob!

“I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.” Genesis 28:13

After God identified himself as the God of Abraham and Isaac, God confirmed the Abrahamic covenant and added the promise of His presence with Jacob! Jacob had stopped at a place called Luz and had a fantastic dream. Jacob built an altar and renamed the place Bethel after that episode. The name Bethel means “house of God”.

Jacob had heard permission from his father and his mother but now God has spoken to him. Jacob was establishing his own relationship with God. Each of us must have a personal relationship with God. It is not enough to hear wonderful stories about Christians in your family; you need to become part of the story yourself. (Genesis 3:6-7)

Let’s go back to the first line “Everyone Dreams”. Now picture John 14:2 for your reassurance: “In my Father’s house there are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me, that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” So go ahead and dream.

As always The Bible Story Teller Appreciates all comments.

Precept Carries No Enablement

What if earthquakes could be predicted? What if they could be pinpointed to an exact area, severity, duration, and time! What if you knew, but you weren’t interested? What if you could help others prepare for an impending disaster and save countless lives? Would you demand money for this information or help out because it’s the right thing to do? You have something more valuable than predicting earthquakes and their destruction. You have at your disposal a plan for the ages! The Bible has also been referred to as—Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth!

The prophecies concerning the birth and death of the Messiah are numerous and can be researched and verified. A few were prepared for His coming, most however didn’t see the significance until He had come and gone. The Gospel of Matthew predicts the Second Coming of Christ and some of the signs that will precede it. Are you interested in helping others prepare? Are you interested in being accountable if you don’t?

Matthew speaks about many coming saying that they are the real ‘Christ’, he speaks about wars and rumors of wars, famines, and earthquakes in various places, and these are just the beginning of troubles to come! Many will abandon their faith, false prophets will come and deceive many, and wickedness will increase. Matthew chapter 24 tells much more, so be forewarned, it has been foretold—trouble is coming in a big way! The international prestigious insurers, Lloyds of London have paid out billions of dollars towards recent hurricanes and billions and billions more for the BP oil spill and they are planning for even bigger disasters. Staggering! Disasters are expensive and deadly. 2 Kings 22:16 states, “This is what the LORD says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people, according to everything written in the book the king of Judah has read.” It would be a disaster for you not to be ready and prepared to meet your Savior. Can you afford the cost of not being prepared?

Please avoid trouble at all costs!

Hiding In Plain Sight

Look at the world around you. A garden in full bloom, a trout swimming upstream, baby ducks following their mother, the stars of Orion’s belt on a clear night, pictures from deep space that we cannot imagine. These things are without equal. And that’s just the things we can see!

What about the music from an orchestra, the wind whistling through a wheat field, rain tapping on a tin roof at midnight, a baby cooing? These things are without equal. And that’s just the things we can hear!

What about a little child hugging you at bedtime, a puppy that curls up beside you after a grueling day, cutting and stacking a rick of freshly cut firewood, hitting a ball out of the park after the score is tied? These things are without equal. And that’s just the things we can feel!

What about fresh cut grass, the scent of a first rain, a fresh cut spring bouquet, cotton candy at the fair, a steamed hot dog on opening day at the ball park? These things are without equal, and that’s just the things we can smell or taste! Jesus experienced some of these feelings and Jesus caused some of them.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words; maybe a thousand pictures are worth one word, ‘awesome’! What God shows us every day is His invisible glory. Imagine it: The grace of God—hiding in plain sight for all. “Who is like you O Lord—majestic in holiness awesome in glory, working wonders?” Exodus 15:1

From Strength To Weakness

Is it good to be the king? Personally, I don’t know, but from all indications, those who are in that position like it and fight tooth and nail to stay there. Webster’s dictionary throws out a few adjectives for the word king: majesty, royalty, ruler, supreme, noble, regal and the list gets longer. Power and politics haven’t changed all that much since the dawn of time. If anything; skullduggery has been elevated to an unprecedented lofty perch.

The old saying is still true: “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Maybe this is a good time to remind ourselves what the Bible says about those in positions of power. The Old Testament Book of Daniel reminds us that God, and God alone, “Sets up kings and deposes them”.

Uzziah was King of Judah, formerly known as the Southern Kingdom when the nation split in two segments. He started out from a position of strength. As a leader of God's people, he was blessed by God above and beyond the call of duty. Uzziah was very successful in both war and peace, and he was head and shoulders above others in building and nurturing the country. Was it any wonder that God let him rule for over 50 years! But like they say in law and business; the devil was in the details.

Most of the giants showed their appreciation to God in sundry ways. Moses, Joshua, Isaiah, David, and countless others built altars to God, offered sacrifices to God, they sang songs to God, they gave their life to God, and thanked God for his abundant blessings. One little detail that may have gone unnoticed is that king Uzziah, an extremely successful king, was also an extremely self-centered king. He wanted people to know that he was responsible for the benefits they enjoyed. He started out as a tower of strength, and would have continued for who knows how many years except for one fatal flaw. Pride! His strength gradually eroded into weakness in a terrible fashion. Uzziah’s pride was rooted in his lack of thankfulness. There are no accounts of this king ever showing appreciation to God for the marvelous gifts he received. It’s true, our accomplishments may not rival or compare with Uzziah’s, but we still owe a debt of thanksgiving to God for our very lives. If God is not getting the credit for your successes, shouldn’t you start looking at your life differently?

Least we think ourselves above what God makes us, remember, Uzziah. His life can be closely examined in 2 Kings 15, and further in 2 Chronicles 26. Uzziah had forgotten not only how much God had given him, but also that God had certain roles for others that he needed to respect—but, didn’t. Even successful people must acknowledge the role God has for others in their lives. We are not in control!

A Step Above

Neil Armstrong Apollo 11 (1969)

Ewin “Buzz” Aldrin Apollo 11 (1969)

Charles “Pete” Conrad Apollo 12 (1969)

Allen Bean Apollo 12 (1969)

Alan Shepard Apollo 14 (1971)

Edgar Mitchel Apollo 14 (1971)

David Scott Apollo 15 (1971)

James Irwin Apollo 15 (1971)

John Young Apollo 16 (1972)

Charles Duke Apollo 16 (1972)

Harrison “Jack” Schmitt Apollo 17 (1972)

Eugene Cernan Apollo 17 (1972)

These men trod on the moon! What exciting times they were! Using a Saturn V rocket, 36 stories tall, a Command Service Module, and a Lunar Lander, these men went to the moon and “safely” returned home!!! Not one of these men did it alone; they stood on the shoulders of men and women who had hope, vision, and intellectual talent. These brave men risked their lives and the future of their families. They loved their country and were men of substance. They loved their fellow man and put their lives in the hands of people who had the same beliefs and aspirations as they did. These men were lifted up by machines, comrades, friends and family. Tonight before you say your prayers; remember those who lifted you up. Remember your Christian friends and brothers and sisters.

There was another who was lifted up. No rockets, engineers or space suits were needed. When your time comes you won’t need these things either. However, you will need your faith and belief in Christ. Always appreciate THE GRAVITY OF YOUR SITUATION.

Jesus said, “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” John 12:32

When will the Rapture Take Place

No doubt the Lord himself is going to gather his people to himself, "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 KJV. 

As to when the Rapture will take place, I am praying for Pre or mid, and preparing for post. "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and [I saw] the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received [his] mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This [is] the first resurrection." - Revelation 20:4-5 KJV. 

I can't help to feel that satan himself is going to try to persuade Christians the he himself is Jesus, "For [in] those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here [is] Christ; or, lo, [he is] there; believe [him] not: For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things." - Mark 13:19-23 KJV 

Also we must consider the the Islamic Mahdi is also supposed to be coming back with (Jesus) and that that person will be the antichrist , "And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by [the means of] those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live." - Revelation 13:14 KJV

"For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, [which] go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." - Revelation 16:14 KJV I think that will be the real test for Christians. Everyone will believe that because of the miracles this must be the Lord, but true Christians will discern the spirit behind this great deception. "For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect." - Mark 13:22 KJV. 

So there is my view. "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:" - John 10:27 KJV God Bless!!! See you in the Rapture......

What Else Can You Be?

The gannet is a large bird of the family Sulidae, of northern coastal regions, having white plumage with black wing tips. They are frequently seen foraging for food around Scotland’s Shetland Islands. You won’t find them lounging by the pool in Barbados. They won’t be hitchhiking down the Appalachian Trail winding through the Smokey Mountains. Despite rumors, you won’t find them doubting down in the casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada.

They instinctively know their place, and that’s where you’ll find them living. They will be looking for food, raising their young, avoiding predators and living life as best they know how. Pretty much the same as most humans.

The Bible records a story about two people who were rather ordinary, but pretended to be something different. When they were asked a rather simple question, their stultifying answers brought the wrath of God upon them immediately. Before they could change their answer, judgment fell suddenly! The story transpires so fast with the direst of consequences that everyone gasps at the outcome. Be forewarned; this story is not for the squeamish.

A man named Ananias and his wife Sapphira owned a piece of property. They decided to sell the property and give the money to the church. Once the property sold, the husband and wife decided to keep part of the money. Peter confronted Ananias about his decision and before Ananias could offer an apology, he fell down dead! Several men came, wrapped up his body and buried him. Several hours later his wife Sapphira came back. Peter told her the men who carried her dead husband out were there to carry her out as well. Whoa! At that very moment, she fell down dead! The same men came and buried her beside her husband. The whole church was greatly afraid. Gives a whole new meaning to “dead on” and “drop dead” don't you think? God’s judgment on Ananias and Sapphira produced shock and terror among the believers, making them realize just how seriously God regards sin in the church. What really happened?

The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not in selling all their property, or in keeping part of the proceeds of the sale, but in lying about how much money they had received. Lying to the Holy Spirit is lying to God. God often times takes drastic actions. Their act was judged harshly and ‘deadly’ because dishonesty, greed, and covetousness are destructive in a church, preventing the Holy Spirit from working effectively. All lying is bad, but when we lie to try and deceive God and his people about our relationship with him, we destroy our testimony about Christ. Read it all in Acts 4.

Ananias and Sapphira thought like hedonists which have an attitude “Who cares?” “So what?” “What I do is my own business?” They are more concerned about satisfying their own passions than in pleasing and obeying the Father. According to Romans 1:21-22 “Their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, but they became fools.” With this attitude and frame-of-mind, we lose more than the cross and stained-glass church windows; we lose our standard, our purpose and our worship. We are who we are. If we see only ourselves, our headstones will have the epitaph that Paul uses to describe enemies of Christ: “Their god is in their appetite, and their glory in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven”. Philippians 3:19-20 This world is the limit of their horizon.

We at God Speak welcome all your comments and will give Biblical answers to your questions. Thank you for stopping by.

Clear Sailing By Faith

Nobody goes sailing or fishing if storm clouds threaten. Who in their right mind goes boating with a category 99 hurricane on the horizon? Storms can be tracked by satellite and their path predicted, but a sudden squall is quite another thing.

The Sea of Galilee is about twelve miles long and seven miles wide, and rests on the east side of a mountain range. The warm winds coming off the Mediterranean Sea rush up those mountains, and then cool off rapidly while rushing down the eastern side causing sudden storms on the Sea of Galilee.

The disciples were sailing across the lake one day. Jesus curled up to nap and a violent squall arose. The boat and those aboard were in grave danger. The disciples woke up and screamed to him they were going to drown.

“He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” He asked his disciples.” Luke 8:24

After it was all over, in fear and amazement the disciples asked each other “Who is this” He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” Luke 8:25

When caught in the storms of life, it is easy to think that God has lost control and that we’re at the mercy of the winds and of fate. In reality, God is sovereign. He controls the history of the world as well as our personal destines. Just as Jesus calmed the wind and waves, he can calm whatever storms you may face. Christ controls the forces of nature and troubled hearts.

Are you sailing through life waiting for a storm to find your faith?

Who Cooked the Books?

The movie studios in Hollywood have shown movies with people burning books. From the Indiana Jones movie showing the Nazi’s burning books during World War II, to author Ray Bradbury’s story turned into the movie Fahrenheit 451, we noticed the banality of thought control. But wait a minute—is burning books all that bad? Well—yes and no!

There have been some big book burnings in history. The Bonfire of the Vanities, 1497, was a mass burning of books, including some master artworks by artist Botticelli. The Royal Library of Alexandria was burned to the ground by Julius Caesar. In Paris, 1842, Braille books were incinerated because officials at the Braille School for the Blind came to the conclusion that blind people might take away jobs from those who could see. As you can see that didn’t work because we still have blind people and braille books. How about the 1948 burning of comic books? Parents felt their kids were being corrupted by the violence in crime comics—so they had a bonfire in New York and West Virginia. Parents also felt Superman comics were altering their children’s minds with changing the laws of physics, strength and flying humans. It was bad for children’s minds and their imaginations—so they stoked the bonfire of comic books.

God told Jeremiah to write his words on a scroll. Because he was not allowed to go to the temple, Jeremiah asked his scribe, Baruch, to whom he had dictated the scroll to read it to the people gathered there. Baruch then read it to the officials, and finally Jehudi read it to the king himself. The Bible records two occasions where books were burned. One; King Jehoiakim of Judah burned the book of Jeremiah strip by strip as it was read to him.

“Whenever Jehudi had read three or four columns of the scroll, the king cut them off with a scribe’s knife and threw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was burned in the fire”. Jeremiah 36:23

Don’t worry; God made sure that the book was rewritten by Jeremiah’s scribe Baruch, King Jehoiakim was punished, and the day was won. The king could not destroy the word of God. Today many people try to put God’s Word aside or say that it contains errors and therefore cannot be trusted. People may reject God’s Word, but they cannot destroy it. God’s Word will stand forever.

“Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you”. Psalm 119:89-91

The other instance where books were burned is recorded in Acts 19:19. A group of magicians at Ephesus, who were converted as a result of Paul’s preaching, brought their books of magic and sorcery and burned them publicly. Ephesus was a center for black magic and other occult practices. The people cooked up magical formulas to give them wealth, happiness, and success in marriage. Superstition and sorcery were commonplace. God clearly forbids such practices. Chapter 18 of Deuteronomy specifically states that there is to be no practicing of divination, no sorcery, no interpreting omens, no engaging in witchcraft, no casting of spells, or anyone consulting with spiritualists or consulting with the dead.

“Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord”. Deuteronomy 18:1 

If you’re burning with a desire to read and know more—pick up a Bible. There’s one book that can never be in danger of being burned: The Lamb’s Book of Life. You must make sure that you name is in it!

We welcome all your comments.

Got Milk?!

Milk lovers have heard a different drummer since daydreaming in a cradle.

Parents the world over give babies milk to make them grow up strong and healthy. If you have any doubts, just ask any momma horse, any momma elephant, any momma cat, and any momma mammal on earth! Milk is the preferred choice for happy healthy babies across the planet.

We owe a debt of gratitude to Louis Pasteur for discovering the process of “Pasteurization” to make our milk supply safe to drink. The process was initially used to keep wine and beer from turning sour. The process is used to ensure the adequate destruction of common pathogenic organisms like—Brucellosis, Diphtheria, Campylobacter, Staph auras, Klebsiella, Escheria coli, Listeria, Salmonella, Scarlet fever, Tuberculosis, Yersinia and other nasty bugs.

For generations, nomads and people on the farm have been drinking cow’s milk straight from the milk bucket to the cup. Warm and fresh, that’s how milk was served. On one occasion, in the Bible (the Book of Judges), Jael the wife of Heber, the Kenite, gave Sisera a drink of milk to refresh himself. This was kinda unusual because Sisera was an enemy of the Israelites and of God.

“He asked for water, and she gave him milk; in a bowl fit for nobles she brought him curdled milk”. Judges 5:25

Her hospitality ended there, she then reached for a tent peg and a hammer. She struck Sisera, crashing his head and shattering and piercing his temple! He slumped and fell sprawled on the ground at her feet where he died. What a turn of events! Whatever happened to the milk of human kindness?! Sisera was a brutal man who met a brutal end. The Bible says the land then had peace for forty ears. Coincidence?

The Biblestoryteller welcomes all comments by its readership and will address your questions, comments and opinions. We look forward to hearing from you.

Emergency Inside Looking Out--Outside Looking In?

Air conditioning is a wonderful thing on a sweltering summer afternoon. Circumstances depend on whether you’re working indoors in comfort, or outdoors on a blistering roof! Being thirsty may be a matter of being uncomfortable or suffering from heat exhaustion! Depends on one’s location doesn’t it? There’s often a fine line between an emergency and a situation.

Hospitals perform a service known as triage. It’s a quick diagnostic method of determining if an injured person is in imminent danger, and needs immediate medical help. A person suffering from a heart attack would receive treatment before one suffering from a broken arm. Both are in pain, but one is in danger of death. Priorities dictate that the one closer to death take precedence. When two individuals come seeking medical attention at the same time, the general rule is to treat the one nearest death first.

What about all those people walking through life; who is nearest death? Some are minutes away from an emergency, some are years away.

At Golgotha, when two men were crucified with Jesus, there was no hope for those condemned men. They were dying. One man saw the urgency, and asked Jesus to remember him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Both men had their legs broken and died soon thereafter. Who received triage first, the man nearest death, or the man who feared to ask for help? One man was looking inward; one was not!

Bottom line

It’s like being in a game of poker and someone asks you are you “in” or are you “out”? Are you willing to gamble on your salvation?

Light Headed

Some people drink too much, some gamble too much, some talk too much. Anything in excess is not good for you in the long run. Ben Franklin said, “Everything in moderation”. That’s good advice, but it’s a safe bet that Mr. Franklin never had to deal with loud brutish Philistines. History records the wise Mr. Franklin lived to enjoy old age, unlike a certain Philistine.

Goliath was a seasoned warrior in the Philistine army. He was a giant among giants. Standing over NINE feet tall, he was one very threatening figure when confronted face-to-face. Challenging the army of the Israelites to a man-to-man fight; winner-take-all was embarrassing. His loud ragging voice was yet another obstacle to overcome. He demanded to be taken seriously. He looked invincible. Every morning and evening for forty days Goliath took his stand and taunted the Israelites.

The armies were camped on the sides of the Elah Valley, fifteen miles west of the town of Bethlehem. A young boy named David was carrying some loaves of bread to the fighting men on the front line. That wasn’t the only thing David was carrying. He had a passion for God. When he heard the Philistine challenging the Israelite army, he was amazed. David said that the Lord had delivered him from a lion and a bear while he was a shepherd, and that the Lord would deliver him from this “piece of trash” (paraphrased)

You know the story. David said, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty”. 1 Samuel 17:45 David stepped up with his faith and took a stone from his pouch, place it in his sling and let fly. The stone hit the giant Goliath in the head causing him to fall and hit the ground. David took the edge off Goliath’s sword by killing him and cutting his head off with it!

“When the Philistine saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines.” 1 Samuel 17

Bottom line: 

 What a difference perspective can make. Look at the situation from God’s point of view. Once we see clearly, we can fight more effectively. We thank all our readers for their comment. Just click on leave a reply, no need to sign up or leave email address.

The Biggest Hanging of All

Hanging is as old as history. Man has been hanging his fellow man for centuries. It’s a common form of punishment and execution. Kings have hanged kings, rulers hang traitors, even some suicides are by hanging. In Genesis 20, Pharaoh hanged his chief baker. In Joshua chapter 8, the King of Ai was hanged on a tree. In chapter 10, Joshua hanged five great kings. In 2 Samuel 17, Ahithopel, a wise man hanged himself. In Ester 7 and 9, a man named Haman and his ten sons were hanged for a single offense. The day Christ was crucified; there were two thieves who were hung on a cross with nails. Probably the biggest hanging of all was recorded in the book of Job. The writer records in Job 27 that, “He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth on nothing.” God made the earth out of nothing and then God hung it upon nothing!

What Have You Done With These 26 Letters?

Billy Graham has fed us with 60 years of sermons and has touched the hearts of millions. St. John the Revelator penned Revelation. Moses wrote the entire Pentateuch for Israel. Shakespeare gave us laughs, tears and drama. Luke gave the world the Christmas story. The Psalmist wrote of The Good Shepherd. Rick Warren told of The Purpose Driven Life. Isaiah displayed to us to the things of God. Martin Luther hatched the Reformation. Ruth showed us the Kinsman Redeemer. Joshua proved that God rewards obedience. Dwight L. Moody birthed a great university. Jochebed told the story of a mother’s love. Pilate washed salvation off his dirty hands. Doubting Thomas never doubted again. Solomon bequeathed us wisdom of the ages. Abraham Lincoln united a divided nation. John gave us the shortest book in the Bible. Matthew recorded the Sermon on the Mount. What are you doing with these 26 letters?

Among the numerous and impressive divine titles in Revelation, none is as integral as when Christ announces “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” Revelation 1:8; 22:13 He has authority to claim His own title. Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. As Alpha, our Lord is the Source, the Beginning of all revealed truth, of all promise given, and of all authority under heaven and earth, and all testimony given to men. As Omega, He is also our End, with His glory as our goal. Everything finds its answer in Him who is “the first and the last.” The writer of the Book of Hebrews reminds us that the warriors of old prevailed because their faith was in Him who was the Author and Perfecter of such faith. To them He was the Alpha and Omega and everything in between. Is he your past, present, and future? Again I ask, what are we doing with just these 26 letters?

Beware What Thou Wisheth

Pullybone, Furcula, Wishbone; commonly classified as a forked bone part in fowl. Located in the chest area, people would usually take this ‘wishbone’ out of a chicken, then two people would each grab one end and pull it apart. The one left with the biggest part would wish for good luck to come their way. Nonsense? Yup!

Long, long ago, and far, far away, two guys wished for the same thing. It doesn’t happen often, but both men had their wish granted. One was elated, and one was…executed! True story? Aren’t the most trenchant stories stranger than fiction? The story is true and it’s recorded in the Bible!

Genesis chapter 40 records the plight of these two troubled individuals. Both men were servants of the Egypt’s king who fell out of favor and subsequently fell into prison. While in prison, they were assigned to a caretaker, an Israelite named Joseph. One day Joseph noticed both men were lethargic and asked what troubled them. Both men described their dream but couldn’t understand its meaning. The two men wished that Joseph could help them. Joseph focused everyone’s attention on God. Rather than using the situation to make himself look good, he turned it into a powerful witness for the Lord. Joseph said: “Do not interpretations belong to God?” Genesis 40:8 One secret of effective witnessing is to recognize opportunities to relate God to the other person’s experience. We must learn to speak up as Joseph did—and give credit where it belongs. It was not Joseph’s knowledge of dreams that helped him interpret their meaning. It was his knowledge of God.

After telling Joseph of their separate dreams, God revealed their meaning to Joseph. They begged Joseph to reveal the meaning of the dreams. He did. One man would be returned to his former position serving Pharaoh. The other man would be hanged! Joseph asked the man who would be pardoned to speak to Pharaoh on his behalf. To tell Pharaoh that Joseph was falsely charged and languishing in obscurity. The man agreed it was the least he could do for the man who saved his life.

Everything happened just as Joseph told the men. One was restored to his former position as Pharaoh’s chief wine steward and resumed his former life. One was executed by hanging. Something happened to the man asked to mention Joseph to Pharaoh. He forgot! It wasn’t until years later when Pharaoh had a dream that couldn’t be interpreted that the wine steward remembered Joseph. He told Pharaoh of Joseph’s ability to read dreams. Joseph’s wish to get out of prison was granted, God grants wishes, too.

Bottom line:

When we feel passed by, overlooked, or forgotten, we shouldn’t be surprised that people are ungrateful or absent-minded. In similar situations, trust God as Joseph did. More opportunities may be waiting for you.

Wake Up Call

How much sleep do you need? Five hours, ten hours? It’s not how much sleep that’s the issue. It’s true everybody needs sleep, and some require more than others. Some function on less REM time than others. The body is made to re-charge itself daily by the process of sleep. The amount of sleep time varies, what matters is our awake time, the productive time. Jesus stressed that it’s our daylight working time that matters most.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23

If we examine the life of Jesus closely we see him rising up early and putting in a full day-every day. It was only natural. It was how he was raised.

“Jesus said to them, My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.” John 5:17

Should we do any less? Absolutely not! In this Scripture, Jesus was identifying himself with God, his Father. There could be no doubt as to his claim to be God. Jesus does not leave us the option to believe in God while ignoring God’s Son.

“That all [men] should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.” John 5:23

Because of his unity with God, Jesus lived as God wanted him to live. Want to live with God forever?

“Eternal life”—living forever with God—is possible.It begins when you accept Jesus Christ as Savior.