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.

Every Drop Was Saved

Whether you’re cold blooded or warm blooded, blood is essential for life. The Bible is a book of blood. The Bible claims to be a ‘living’ Book. In fact, it is the only living Book in the entire world. Hebrew 4 tells us, “For the word of God is living and active.” The Word of God is alive; it’s distinct from all other books because it has blood circulating through every page and in every verse. From Genesis to Revelation, its pulse is strong and regular. There is one fundamental principal found in the Bible, it’s in Leviticus 17.

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the alter to make an atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” Leviticus 17:11

All men are related by the blood of Adam, and it is that very blood that carries the sentence of death because of Adam’s sin. We don’t know the exact nature of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, but, we do know one thing, eating it caused “blood poisoning” and it resulted in death. Because sin affected the blood of every man, Christ could not have one drop of Adam’s blood in His veins. That’s why Mary had her child by the Spirit and not by Joseph. Christ’s blood was never tainted by sin. When it was pouring from His back from the scourging, dripping from His head from the crown of thorns, gushing out of His side by the soldier’s spear, trickling down His hands and feet by the nails driven into His hands; it was pure and undefiled…then and now.

It’s possible that angels were dispatched to collect every drop that was shed, so that not one drop was lost. It’s entirely possible that every drop of His blood is kept in a golden chalice beside the Throne of God.

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot…”1 Peter 1:18-19

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Been Stuck in a Rut?

Everybody is visited by depression, lethargy, and moodiness. Like the Bible says, it’s not being tempted by sin that’s the problem, everybody’s tempted; it’s yielding to sin’s temptation that gets you stuck in a rut. Like depression, lethargy, and moodiness, it all depends on how long you decide to visit them. Visiting them for extended periods of time and you’re gonna see grass growing under your feet and between your toes. Professional help is available and they help sort out what’s ailing you, but ultimately it’s up to you to do the changing to get yourself better.

“Stuck In A Rut” was an old 1800’s phrase coined when covered wagons got their wheels stuck in a ‘rut’ or worn groove in their path or road. They would often rock their wagon, buggy or mode of transportation back-and-forth, sometimes with a personal push, to get the vehicle out of the rut. Today we often use the phrase referencing the feeling of doing the same thing over-and-over which leads to boredom. Some businesses making a $100 million a year without any gain complain that they’re ‘stuck in a rut’. What rut to be stuck in?

People who have a few years under their belt come to realize, that most of our “personal” problems are self-inflicted. Health concerns are a medical matter. Life’s problems are often focused too much on us, and too little attention focused on others. D.L.Moody had trouble getting to sleep if he hadn’t witnessed to someone or tried to help someone every day. Jesus didn’t complain about all the splinters and calluses he suffered from being a carpenter. Peter the apostle was a professional fisherman and he was good at his trade, so good that Jesus told him that he would be a “fisher of men”. What an insightful observation that came true over and over.

It is a certainty that if you dwell on yourself exclusively, your ego will become as large as the great outdoors and you will grow to neglect others and be self-consumed with your own uncomfortable situation. “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Ephesians 5:17 Use your time here on earth wisely. Paul was saying “the days are evil”, they still are, so we need the same sense of urgency to keep our standards high, act wisely, and do good whenever and wherever we can. Apart from God life is fleeting and empty.

Bottom Line

If your mountain bike gets a flat and you’re without a spare tube, stuff the tire with grass. Leave one side of the tire bead on the rim, pack the inside with wads of turf, and then pop in the other bead. It’ll save your wheel until you get home or help. Wallah! You’re out of another rut.

Source 

Have you seen this Animal?

If you have seen this animal, please report it to your local zoo authorities. On the other hand, it might be a million-to-one shot. The animal in the picture is a striped meat-eating Tasmanian tiger. Most experts agree the last one died in a zoo in 1936, yet there are still some who hold out hope. Hope what? Hope that there are no more meat-eating tigers on the loose? Hope that there might be a large bounty for its capture. Hope to hang it on a trophy wall? Throughout history, man has imprisoned and killed animals, mostly the human kind. Does it matter to you one way or the other? It should. Why? Because hope is one of the most powerful things “in the Bible” and “out of the Bible”.

Scripture says:

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer”. Romans 12:12 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace…” Romans 15:13“ To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory”. Colossians 1:27

Some people hold out hope for wayward children. For an alcoholic mate, a drug addicted coworker, a parent with Alzheimer’s, a broken marriage, a better job, a positive test result from the doctor. Anything that touches our daily lives is a cause for concern and a window of hope. Hope is a positive expectation for the future. Is there anybody out there who has the future all planned out? Anyone who doesn’t need even the glimmer of hope?

Is hoping that an “extinct” animal may still exist asking for too much? The Tasmanian tiger may still be around. He may be hiding deep in the bush just out of camera range, just out of shooting range. Impossible you say after 80 years of nothing. Really? Are you familiar with the Coelacanth? It’s a large, plump, lobe-finned fish about one and a half meters long. It was thought extinct until one was found off the coast of South Africa in 1938. And another one was spotted in an Indonesian fish market in 1997. They were thought extinct for 65 million years! Anything’s possible. Things have a way of bringing about their antitheses, of surprising us radically!

There are questions we ask ourselves. Am I dying? Am I in decline? Am I broken? Am I unfit? Is my soul lost? Is there still time? Is there any hope? Do people listen to me? Do I have any influence? Almost nothing but hope speaks against such questions. Hope is always the first thing that takes some sort of action. When you feel all hope is gone read Genesis 48:11 “Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too.” God’s plan not only allowed Jacob to regain his son but his grandchildren as well. Circumstances are never so bad that they are beyond God’s help. Job got a new family (Job 42:10-17). Mary regained her brother Lazarus (John 11:1-44). We need never despair; we have a loving God who will bring out good in hopelessness.

The Old Testament character Job summed up his feelings about hope. “Though he (God) slay me, yet will I hope in him?” Job 13:15 Can you lucidly express your feelings about hope? Let’s hear ‘em.

Harmonic Convergence

Harmonic Convergence was the name given to the world’s first globally synchronized meditation. That’s right – Global Groupthink Groupies. This was supposed to happen in August 1987. It was supposed to coincide with the alignment of the planets (or most of them). Some adherents believed that these signs indicated that the earth was about to undergo an “energy-shift”. The followers of this convergence believed the earth was about to experience a change in global perspective. From one of conflict to rainbows and happy thoughts. Earth’s collective karma, dharma, and freckles would then begin skipping happily down the yellow brick road. World peace was just ahead.

Wishful thinking or Wooden thinking?

Religion has the same problem. There are so many different “organized religions” that people don’t know what or who to believe. Confused about which belief is correct? Look at all the religions to choose from. There’s good ol’ Atheism, Buddhism, Catholicism, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Paganism, Sikhism, and Taoism to name a few of the big hitters. Some of these have over a billion followers! That’s a world of people searching! Surely a billion people can’t be wrong can they? You’d be surprised at how many of them will be when death comes a’knockin.

Maybe you’re thinking, I’ll just follow the religion my parents taught me, they were good people. Sorry to interrupt your train of thought, but being a good person has nothing to do with going to heaven. There will be millions of “good” people in heaven, but there will be a lot in hell too. It’s not about being good! It’s about that old fashioned word from the Bible – Faith.

What is this faith that the Bible takes so seriously? It’s a personal belief in who Jesus Christ was and is. It is; believing what Jesus taught in the Bible. Hebrews chapter eleven is affectionately known as the Bible’s “Faith’s Hall of Fame”. Read it. Give it the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval test.

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“Fire Water” Anybody?

Ever been in hot water? We all have. What a divine gift is fire, when used correctly and safely. What a friendly and companionable thing is a campfire. Like cloud formations humans see different things in a fire. To glaze into a raging fire is like a gaze into a crystal ball. What do you see in a fire, intense heat, third degree burns, danger, death or an eternity of fire?

What if your house was on fire and you called the fire department, and they drove up to your property with alarms ringing and red lights flashing ready for action. But the only fire hydrant they could use looked like the picture above. What if the fire chief looks at the hydrant and calmly informs you that the water in the hydrant was hotter than the fire rapidly consuming your house? Help is there—but they can’t help! Whadda do? Make smores?

When you find yourself in a desperate situation needing help, do you really expect the cure to be worse than the disease? Ten of the Apostles found themselves in just such a situation once upon a time. The “Church” hadn’t got its feet wet yet. The “Christian” was the newest endangered species. The “Bible” was still being written. And worst of all, this person who called himself the Messiah had been crucified and dead for three days. Chaos and fear were the headlines of the day. Ten of the Apostles were holed up in room fearing the same angry mob that had crucified Jesus just days earlier.

Newly resurrected, Jesus went looking for his disciples. Jesus found them barricaded in a room. “Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” John 20:19-20

How exactly did Jesus get past the locked door they were hiding behind? Scripture says, Jesus simply materialized in the presence of his friends. Like the stone that was rolled to seal his tomb, a locked door posed no obstacle to Jesus. Teleportation? An enthralling idea for a television series maybe, but no wrinkle for Jesus. A little molecular disassembly here, some reassembly there and the time/space continuum is thrown on its ear again. The idea is mesmerizing, but it’s also two thousand years late. God thought of it first. When all hope seems lost—it might behoove us to remember Jesus’ words. “Peace be with you.” Not ‘on’ you, not ‘around’ you, not ‘near’ you. With! WITH!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Grasshoppers

Alright you caught me. Unless you’re an entomologist and run an insectary, you know these aren’t grasshoppers, they’re really katydids. What’s the difference? Not much really, a few years of Darwinian evolution and a box of highlighters for starters. These aren’t the walking, talking, jumping, hopping ninja turtles we’ve come to know and love from Saturday morning cartoons; they are actually Teenage Mutant Ninja Katydids. Sans cartoons.

Most katydids are green, but there are some (through mutation) that have been found sporting bright colors, including yellow, orange, lime, and hot pink. You may be thinking: that is cool. Actually being green (environmentally and genetically) is a good thing. Being green gives them an added measure of camouflage that helps them survive longer. However, being a fluorescent mutant makes you stand out and elevates you to the top of the food chain. Yummy! Discovered in the 1770’s the oblong-winged species may have undergone a genetic change. Perhaps it was due to chemicals, dust, pollution, who knows? Geneticists aren’t sure what caused the mutations. Entomologists have long thought the colors are symptoms of erythrism, an anomaly similar to albinism. Although their ancestors were generally dark green, these critters have the eye-appeal of a neon crayola crayon color.

Most people are run-of-the-mill who blend in with the crowd. Mediocre to average mostly, they don’t draw attention they just bob along with the usual jetsam and flotsam. Then one day the spotlight is focused on them and it’s ‘Showtime’. There was one guy in the Bible spotlight who was...a mutant!

His name was Cain. He was the first son of Adam and Eve. He had a brother named Abel. Both men brought a sacrifice to the Lord one day. God was pleased with one but not the other. Cain became dejected.

God had a little talk with Cain. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door, it desires to have you, but you must master it.” Genesis 4:6-7

Cain couldn’t (wouldn’t) control himself, in anger he killed Abel! Why?

“Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous.” 1 John 3:12

One tiny mutant gene turned him bright red with anger.

The Only Way To Heaven?

 Ever been lost? When exactly was the moment you knew it to be a certainty? Did you try and bluff yourself into believing you were almost lost, or did you admit you really needed directions? We know when something’s wrong, but don’t always have the good sense to admit it and seek corrective action. This behavior is not only dangerous, its borderline foolish, and can prove fatal if not corrected in time.

Everyone has been “geographically” lost at some point in time. Some people are “spiritually” lost at this point in time. Finding your way in both situations is important but one happens to be a tiny matter of life-and-death! The main difference is that one direction has ‘unchangeable’ consequences.

You have heard people talk about how you get to heaven. If you’ve heard ten people discuss the issue, you’ve heard at least eleven different points of view. Is there really one way to heaven? For a question this serious, the only way to resolve it absolutely is to go straight to the source. Jesus was asked about the kingdom of heaven and how to obtain it. This is his answer:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21

Does that settle the matter? Are the words of Jesus enough? No? Try this. 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Why won’t you believe someone who came back from the dead on his own? If you don’t believe Jesus is the only way to heaven, who would you pick? What does the future hold for you? Well, that’s simple enough. Here are some Biblical scriptures that will answer your questions.

• “But we know that when he appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is”. 1 John 3:2
• “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
• “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus”. Ephesians 2:6
• “I tell you the truth; whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life”. John 5:24

I would like to think that heaven with its streets of gold, gates of pearl, foundation of chalcedony and sardonyx, might be absolutely happy, and our eyes will experience complete darkness (for a bit), to protect us from the blazing brilliance, omnipresence, omnipotence and gloriousness of God. After you get up from being on your knees…well, you can fill in the rest for yourself.

Heeere kitty, kitty, kitty…

Lions have always been a favorite of the circus, the zoo, even entertainment acts in Las Vegas. Lions have been featured in movies such as: Tarzan, The Wizard of Oz, The Lion King, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and many others. Lions have been used as a mascot for introducing MGM movies with their ferocious roaring. Lions are referred to as the original king of the jungle. They are fiercely competitive, nurturing, and majestic in stature, exceptional hunters, and territorial, are trained as pets, but, make no mistake about it; they are a wild animal by nature with killer instinct.

Lions have always been a favorite of kings. The Egyptians kept lions and carved images of them in stone. The Assyrian kings liked to hunt lions. The Persian king kept some lions in captivity. The Romans kept lions to fight each other, bears, even gladiators. Some emperors even threw Christians to the lions! Three times in the Bible people were attacked and killed by lions. In each case it was a form of punishment! Need a chilling read? Read 1 Kings 13:1, 1 Kings 20 and 2 Kings 24.

One time the lions didn’t attack and kill. What happened? When Daniel refused to stop praying toward Jerusalem, he was thrown into the lion’s den. The Bible says that God sent an angel that shut the mouths of the lions! Those poor cats couldn’t even drink water through a straw. The Persian king Darius liked Daniel, a lot! When he saw that Daniel’s God rescued him he was astonished. The angry king ordered those who falsely accused Daniel to be thrown into the lion’s den—along with their wives and children! What happened next you ask? “And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.” Daniel 6:24

In accordance with Persian custom, this cruel punishment was transferred to those who had conspired against the king by provoking him into an unjust action. Look at Ester 7:9-10. The king’s great anger resulted in the execution of the evil officials and their families. Evil deeds often backfire on those who plan cruelty. Although Daniel was captive in a strange land, his devotion to God was a testimony to powerful rulers. Day in and day out Daniel prayed and built up a faithful consistency of what to do in times of trouble and prosperity. Daniel was faced with faith in God and death. Daniel never saw obstacles, he saw opportunities. If you find yourself in new surroundings, take the opportunity to testify about God’s power in your life. Be faithful to God so he can use you to make an impact on others.

How Sweet It Is

When was the last time you over-indulged? Capital Punishment Style? With Habenera Heartburn—Insufferable Indigestion—Mount Vesuvius Acid-reflux—Migraine inducing Nausea—Behemoth Bloating with Boa Constricting belt tightening. Did two boxes of Alka-Seltzer help? A quart of Pepto-Bismol? A case of Tums? An injection of liquid Protonix or stronger? Was an EMS ride to the ER included? Did the ER nurse get the fluids running right away, or did you have a couple more hours endurance in the crowded waiting room? Costly trip, huh? Expensive ice cream?

Gluttony is a weighty matter. It’s addressed in the Old Testament (OT) book of 1 Samuel; along with some of its consequences. Eli was an OT priest and judge of Israel who had two sons; Hophni and Phinehas and “They were wicked men who had no regard for the Lord” 1 Samuel 2:12. Serving as helpers to the high priest, they were allotted a portion of the sacrifices to eat, but they demanded more—much more. How bad were the boys? They took advantage of their position to satisfy their own lust for power, possessions, and control. Their contempt and arrogance toward both people and worship undermined the integrity of the priesthood. Eli knew they were evil, but wouldn’t correct them. These boys stole the first-fruits before they were offered to God on the altar. They were a couple of ruthless chow-hounds. A prophet predicted the destruction of Eli and his family. The two sons dying on the same day was a sign that validated this prophecy. Was it any coincidence that Eli died within hours of his sons? No!

The Bible gives us a detailed record of Eli’s death. 1 Samuel 4:18 says, “Eli fell backwards off his chair, by the side of the gate. His neck was broken and he died, for he was an old man and heavy.” Eli was an OT person with a modern problem. The recognition and respect that he earned in public did not extend to his handling of his private and family affairs. He might have been a decent priest but he was a terrible parent. Oh, he responded to others problems, but he definitely didn’t solve any of his own.

When you serve the Lord, putting Him first, it leaves a sweet taste that lingers. When you serve yourself first, and over-indulge, Satan’s pride enters in and turns the sweetness to bitter.

There is a lesson here in over-indulging; know your limitations.

How’s Your Peripheral Vision?

We are talking about the outer area of the vision field. Your vision field comprises the way in which one sees or conceives something. Let’s be clear on something early on. Seeing something and understanding what you see is night compared to day. Want an example? When you see a snake in an exhibit at the zoo, you see a predator in a simulated environment that is easily observed, measured, studied and controlled. When you go to another country and take a stroll in the forest, the circumstances are eerily similar, except that now you are the one being observed, measured, studied and maybe controlled: by the snake.

Raise your hand if you've ever wanted to be invisible? Who hasn't! Think of the endless possibilities for sneaking around, spying, playing tricks or just disappearing when relatives come for a visit. How many of your remember 1951's Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man or Arnold Schwarzenegger battling an invisible alien in 1987's Predator? With all craziness aside, there's a serious race on all over the world for a cloaking device that makes things and people invisible. Warfare, crime, world stability could change forever. There's also a serious moral dimension to the whole idea of a human no one can see.

When “things” are familiar your mental image concerning discernment or perception is at normal levels. What about when things are all convoluted and normal is nowhere to be found? What about the “invisible” forces that work in and around our lives every day? Why does the price of gasoline jump fifty cents overnight without any rhyme or reason? Why is it fifty cents more per gallon just a mile down the road? Why has the most popular condiment in grocery stores, peanut butter, doubled in price in only five years? Why is church attendance up, but church building down?

Adam Smith, a Scottish philosopher and economists, wrote a book in 1776 titled “The Wealth of Nations”. He wrote about an “Invisible Hand” affecting the economic and political affairs of countries. His peripheral vision was spot on and he is still highly regarded as a must read in colleges and universities today. He sensed this “Invisible hand” was what affected inflation, innovation, and eventually, an industrial revolution. There is an “Invisible Hand” at work.

Jesus met this “Invisible hand” several times in his ministry. Eve meet him in the Garden of Eden. The twelve Apostles met him at various times in their lives. Paul met and sparred with him several times. You have met him, and will continue to meet him. Be prepared to spar on an individual basis. If you look verrry closely—Invisibility reveals more than it hides.

Stand at Ease Disease

Who remembers high school chemistry? How many of you took chemistry? How many of you took high school biology? How many took high school? How many of you took college chemistry, biology and other medical classes? What do you know about diseases? Besides they maim, paralyze, and kill. Fungal growth usually live off of and feed on living organisms. Dangerous stuff! A disease is an abnormal condition of an organism or part that impairs normal physiological functioning. A fungus is any of numerous plants or the division or sub-kingdom Thallophyta lacking chlorophyll ranging in form from a single cell to a body of mass of branched filamentous hyphae that often produces specialized fruiting bodies and including the yeasts, molds, smuts, and mushrooms. Whadda think: is sin a disease or a fungus: or both?

People say alcoholism is a disease. If it is; it’s the only disease that is bottled, sold and taxed! People say marijuana is a disease. If it is; it’s the only disease that is packaged as brownies, cookies, candies and other venues then sold and taxed in many areas. Truffles are tasty, but they’re still a fungus! Let’s put away our chemistry, biology and medical books; we find sin defined “in the Bible”. Romans 14:23 says that; “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin”! You might think this a gray area. “Everything that does not come from faith is sin” means that to go against a conviction will leave a person with a guilty or uneasy conscience. When God shows us that something is wrong for us, we should avoid it. This is not rocket science. And we know what alcohol, marijuana, and other drug products do to us. They maim, paralyze and kill. All diseases and fungi aside—sin is 100% fatal; unless…you have THE ANTIDOTE. The definition of sin and its cure are found on the Roman road! Looking?

Bottom Line

Be careful what you choose. You are free to choose between two masters, but you are not free to manipulate the consequences of your choices. Each of the two masters pays with his own kind of currency. The currency of sin is death (Romans 6:23). That is all you can expect or hope for in life without God. Jesus’ currency is eternal life. What choice have you made?

The Hot Zone

Contrary to what you are thinking we’re not talking about Fiji or Guinea. Although, come the winter equinox things could certainly change southward. What we are referring to is that part deep in your skull that tells you not to put your hand on a hot stove top because the intense pain will result in a very high pitched scream emanating from your vocal cords to stop what you’re doing immediately! In short, if you can’t stand the pain, refrain!

People like to say that they can’t understand the Bible because they just can’t absorb all that information and most of it doesn’t apply to them anyway. That’s amusing because all manner of people from migrant day workers to neurosurgeons have read, understood, and applied the Bible to their everyday lives and the results show that they are calmer, focused, and hopeful as they contemplate the certainty of death.

“I tell you the truth; whosoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24

Jesus himself spoke these words to whosoever takes the trouble to listen.

“Eternal life”—living forever with God—starts when you accept Jesus Christ as Savior. At that moment, new life begins in you.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come. All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 It is a completed transaction. You will face physical death, but when Christ returns again, which he will, your body will be resurrected to live forever.

Please read 1 Corinthians chapter 15. Here’s a little mystery that the Lord let’s you in on:

“I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.” 1 Corinthians 15:50-52

All believers will go to Christ—we will not have to die but will be transformed immediately. Death will have been swallowed up. No “Hot Zone” for Christian believers.

Medical science has come light years and it would behoove us to listen up. The Temporal Lobe contains the hearing center. The auditory Cortex is responsible for the processing of auditory information. The Corpus Callosum is responsible for communications between the different hemispheres of the brain. The Frontal Lobe controls planning, judgment, and conceptualization. Finally, the Cerebellum helps with cognitive functions. Put it all together and it means that when you hear the plan of salvation from someone, you just might want to give a listen and learn. There’s really ‘no other way’ to be a safe distance from the “Hot Zone”! Speaking of ‘no other way’; there’s a gentle reminder in the old hymn “Trust and Obey” written in 1887 by John Sammis which he conveys:

When we walk with the Lord, In the light of his word, What a glory he sheds on our way!

While we do his good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey. Refrain: Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Beware Fledging Babies

Some things seem impossible, but the Bible says that nothing is impossible. (1) Would you believe a man with leprosy could be cured and be like new? The Gospel of Saint Luke chapter 5 tells all the details. (2) Would you believe a man born blind could be healed and see again? The Gospel of Saint John chapter 9 tells all the details. (3) Would you believe that thousands could be fed with a few loaves and fish? The Gospel of Saint Matthew chapter 14 tells all the details. (4) Would you believe a man dead for four days could walk out of a tomb? The Gospel of Saint John chapter 11 tells all the details.

Would you like a hundred more examples? A thousand? How many more stories do you need to be convinced that miracles did happen, do happen, and will happen? What will it take? You don’t have any trouble believing in miracles you say: good for you. What about those who do need something extra? It’s not that they don’t believe in miracles, it’s more a matter of ‘what do they need to believe in’ to change? Change? Change what exactly? Change their destiny.

People are so diverse the world over. Some believe in reincarnation, some in false gods, some in karma, some in stones and stumps. Some believe that everybody will go to heaven. The all roads lead to Rome theory. The Bible has disproven all these notions and more. Scripture even warns us not to rely on our intellect, and there are some first rate intellectual giant’s trodding the globe.

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than Christ.” Colossians 2:8

There are many man-made approaches to life’s problems that totally disregard God. To resist heresy you must use your mind, keep your eyes on Christ, and study God’s Word. Be careful that you guard against any philosophy of life based only on human ideas and experiences. We must not let anyone’s teaching that credits humanity, not Christ, with being the answer to life’s problems. When we have Christ we have everything we need for salvation and right living.

Can an egg really be too big for its nest? Do miracles have to fit nature? Can one’s destiny be changed by one’s actions? Either you fledge and leave this world behind, or cower and wait for the predator. Make up your mind.

Lighten Up

Remember that guy in the Bible that just wanted to eat, drink and be merry? Farming was his occupation and he had a terrific year. His crops were so great he was determined to tear down his barns and build bigger and more barns to hold the surplus. He was determined to sit back and relax and take life easy for awhile. He decided to retire and eat, drink and be merry. Sound ok?

As always there’s more to the story than we know about. God happened to disagree with his plans and especially his attitude. It seems that the farmer thought all the bounty of crops was “his” doing and that God should be a silent partner! God thought the farmer was a little too proud and decided to “harvest” the farmer by letting death visit him that very day! “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded of you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’” Luke 12:20 Your life is not defined by your bank account, possessions, titles and the like. Sound ok now?

At this point some of you are thinking; that seems a little harsh. Some of you are thinking that God should “Lighten Up” a little and let the poor old farmer enjoy his retirement years and let him eat, drink and be merry. If you will remember, I told you that there’s always more to the story than we are privy to. The farmer was proud, greedy, arrogant and selfish among other things. So what you say, there’s a little of that in all of us! One tiny fact remains, the farmer had these things in abundance, and God called him on it! Even God gets His share of our hubris and haughty attitude. Sound about right?

For those who think God should “Lighten Up” and let people do their own thing, the Bible has the last word. The Scripture in First Corinthians 10:26 remind us: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” Sound like the final word?

Life is more than material goods; far more important is our relationship with God. Planning for retirement—preparing for life before death—is wise, not preparing for your afterlife is DISASTROUS. If you're accumulating wealth only to enrich yourself, with no concern for helping others, then, you will enter eternity empty-handed. Sound reasonable to you?

The next time you think God should “Lighten Up” and let people do whatever they want, maybe you should book a sightseeing tour of Sodom and Gomorrah. A tour of the gift shop should lighten things up. Buy an ashtray!

Bottom Line

“Keep falsehood and lies from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.” Proverbs 30:8

Stand at Ease Disease

Who remembers high school chemistry? How many of you took chemistry? How many of you took high school biology? How many took high school? How many of you took college chemistry, biology and other medical classes? What do you know about diseases? Besides they maim, paralyze, and kill. Fungal growth usually live off of and feed on living organisms. Dangerous stuff! A disease is an abnormal condition of an organism or part that impairs normal physiological functioning. A fungus is any of numerous plants or the division or sub-kingdom Thallophyta lacking chlorophyll ranging in form from a single cell to a body of mass of branched filamentous hyphae that often produces specialized fruiting bodies and including the yeasts, molds, smuts, and mushrooms. Whadda think: is sin a disease or a fungus: or both?

People say alcoholism is a disease. If it is; it’s the only disease that is bottled, sold and taxed! People say marijuana is a disease. If it is; it’s the only disease that is packaged as brownies, cookies, candies and other venues then sold and taxed in many areas. Truffles are tasty, but they’re still a fungus! Let’s put away our chemistry, biology and medical books; we find sin defined “in the Bible”. Romans 14:23 says that; “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin”! You might think this a gray area. “Everything that does not come from faith is sin” means that to go against a conviction will leave a person with a guilty or uneasy conscience. When God shows us that something is wrong for us, we should avoid it. This is not rocket science. And we know what alcohol, marijuana, and other drug products do to us. They maim, paralyze and kill. All diseases and fungi aside—sin is 100% fatal; unless…you have THE ANTIDOTE. The definition of sin and its cure are found on the Roman road! Looking?

Bottom Line

Be careful what you choose. You are free to choose between two masters, but you are not free to manipulate the consequences of your choices. Each of the two masters pays with his own kind of currency. The currency of sin is death (Romans 6:23). That is all you can expect or hope for in life without God. Jesus’ currency is eternal life. What choice have you made?

Hungry For the News

When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming over the crest of the hill, with that big multi-colored coat flapping in the wind, looking like royalty, they hatched a plan without a moment of hesitation, look at pretty boy; let’s kill him! This poor teenager, daddy’s favorite, was about to encounter the Yiddish ‘twilight zone’. Beaten, thrown in a dry well, and sold into slavery for a half pound of silver; Joseph was seeing firsthand how brotherly love didn’t work to his advantage! For all his brothers knew, Joseph was sold at the slave market, never to be heard from again. This violent turn of events launched Joseph into a trajectory that caused him to land in Egypt. Into the second most powerful seat in Egypt!

Twenty years without a letter from home is a long time! Joseph wondered how the family was doing. Who had been sick, who had married, who had died and who had moved away? So many questions, so few answers. No news is unsettling! Would you have given the family a second thought after what had transpired? To be fair, Joseph’s family didn’t know where or who he was. A severe famine in Joseph’s hometown brought his brothers to Egypt to buy food. Joseph recognized his brother’s, but they didn’t recognize the powerful ruler before them. He was hungry for news from home, but played his role wisely. When he finally revealed himself to his brothers, they were terrified. What would happen to them? Had it been anyone other than Joseph, it might have been their final day. Joseph decided to forgive and forget and told them of God’s plan. Joseph told them, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20

God uses people’s evil actions to sometimes fulfill His ultimate plan. God is sovereign. His plans are not dictated by human actions. “So, then it was not you who sent me here (Egypt), but God.” Genesis 50:20.

Bottom line “In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.” Psalm 56:11

The Total so Far is.....

What if? What if you were assigned an angel, not a guardian angel, but an accounting angel, to watch your every step? An angel to meticulously count your every mistake, every misbehavior, every misfeasance, every misstep, every misreckoning, every mismanagement, every misbegotten thought, every misnomer, every miscue, every miscalculation, every misconduct, every mishap, every misunderstanding, every misalliance, every trivial misdemeanor, and every mischievous misthought, time date and place!

It might go something like this: he fell down, he got up, he fell down, he fell down, he fell down, he barely got up, he fell down, he stayed down, someone helped him up, he fell down and kept falling, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera!

Romans 3:23 says: “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Attitude is not the issue, restoration is the issue. Romans 6:23 says: “For the wages of sin is death, the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.” Everyone must travel the Roman Road to have restoration.

What if, on Judgment Day, your scrupulously precise angel presented all the books on your behavior, and they stacked up like a redwood forest. The judge sees your Roman Road passport and dismisses all charges!

Did Noah Wear A Fedora?

Everybody knows about Noah and the ark he built to save mankind. Without doubt it’s one of the greatest stories ever told—one man; saving the world! The Bible mentions men in 99% of the stories in the Bible, but every now and then a woman captures the attention of the writer and the reader!

Did you know that there were two Noahs? There was Noah the great ark builder and there was Noah the daughter of Zelophehad Numbers 26; (Did her dad name her after the original?) In Biblical times sons got everything, including the inheritance from their dad. This included any land that dad owned. Time passed and Zelophehad died, leaving no sons, just Noah and her four sisters. Then providence intervened. Noah went to Moses and asked, “Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s relatives!” Noah proposed an original idea.

Moses brought the issue directly to God, and after some deliberations, the matter was settled. God agreed with the five women! God told Moses to set up a rule that extended forward; that the property of any man who died without sons should go to his daughters. A legal precedent was set! Case law established by the ultimate judge! But it wasn’t over yet!

Noah petitioned Moses again asking, “What if we marry out of our tribe, wouldn’t our inheritance become part of our husband’s tribes?” Moses brought the same issue directly to God, again, and after more deliberations, the matter was settled, again. God agreed with the five women, again, but only to the extent that they marry within their own tribe so that the territorial lines would remain intact (Numbers 36:5-12). Case law established by the ultimate judge, again! Was it over? We wait.
See the case law established in Numbers 26, 27, 36 and Joshua 17. See for yourself.

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Spreading the Gospel to the whole world today-is it possible? Tomorrow? Imagine all the obstacles to overcome. There are language barriers, cultural barriers, financial barriers, geographical barriers and ideological barriers. There has to be effective communications, a receptive audience, the proper dialect, political correctness, financial considerations and calculated time.

Don’t underestimate the warnings Jesus warned us about. In Matthew 24 He warned us about war and rumors of war. Famines, earthquakes, Christians being persecuted and killed, false prophets deceiving many, false Christ’s, lawlessness, and evil. In the end times the Lord says you will see an increase in frequency and intensity of disasters and deaths. On the Mount of Olives, the disciples asked Jesus for the sign of His coming and of the end of the age. Jesus’ first response was “Watch out that no one deceives you” Matthew 24:4. Problem is: When we look for signs we become susceptible to being deceived. The only sure way to keep from being deceived is to focus on Christ and His words. Don’t look for special signs and commentaries on The End Days…Look to Christ

“No one knows about that day and hour, not even the angles in Heaven, nor the Son,but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14

Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, somewhere in the world; someone is hearing the gospel. The earth has seen full coverage for some time now. There’s television, cable, radio, cell phones, I-pods, blackberries, PDA’s, 3G, 4G, Gee Whiz, newspapers, books, magazines, songs, word of mouth, movies, evangelists and missionaries all over the world are working to get ‘The Word’ out to beat the deadline. What deadline you ask? Simple; once critical mass is reached, Matthew 24:14 affirms “Then the end will come.” And when is that you ask?

The end

Who's Your Superhero?

Everyone knows by now that Superman is really mild-mannered Clark Kent. Spiderman is actually the ubiquitous Peter Parker. As for the rest of our superhero crime fighters, their identity must remain a secret. What about the superheroes that walk among us daily? Do you see them for who they are?

What about the pastor who's underpaid and works a 70 hour week trying to feed the Bible to his flock, counsels drug addicts, tries to fix bent and broken marriages, and keep the bills paid up? What about your neighbor, the single mother of three who works two jobs, drives a 20 year old car, tries to make it to the AA meetings and cares for her aging parents? And the others: those walking the earth carrying a load of problems not of their own making.

Jesus was a superhero in disguise. He leaped tall problems with a single step, was faster to do good than the gossip people spread, and was more powerful than a speeding accusation. He was a mild-mannered Jewish carpenter, who could teach in any synagogue, refute any slander, and stop to help the downtrodden at a moment's notice.

"The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!” 2 Samuel 22:47

Who's your superhero? A sports figure, a movie star, a business mogul, a Bible character? Why?

After A Week of Partying

Too much to drink, too much to smoke, too many drugs, too many pills; morning light is blinding you; you stagger to the sink and look in the mirror. The image looking back at you has deep bloodshot eyes, smeared lipstick, hair that’s all bent and twisted, and your complexion looks like the translucent post larval octopus below, from the deepest part of the ocean. The wrinkles and the aged look frighten you. And your girlfriend looks worse!

The King had one of those nights that lasted for seven days! King Xerxes of Persia reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa. In the third year of his reign he threw the mother of all drinking parties. “On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the peoples and nobles, for she was lovely to look at.” (Ester 1:10-11)

Looking back can you see that something was askew here? After a week of hard drinking, partying, the King wanted to show off his lovely Queen. The Queen got the impression something was not kosher and refused the King’s orders. All things considered, probably a sensible decision. A drunken King wanting to put his wife on display to his drunken guests—what could possibly go wrong?

Direct Line

What if you could make a direct call, person-to-person to someone in heaven? Would that mean you would be connected to someone sitting on a cloud with wings strumming a harp? One man did call heaven and believe it or not, his call went through! There was interference on the line, and he didn’t get a reply. That is, he didn’t get an immediate reply. Would you believe he got a reply three weeks later?! It happened, and the Operator has provided us with a transcript of exactly what happened. The call was just one of many, but this particular call would have someone listening in on the conversation. How can that be you ask—let’s examine the evidence and see what went wrong and what exactly happened. 

An Old Testament prophet was placing the call. His name was Daniel. He was calling asking God for assistance in a matter (dream interpretation). God received the call and immediately dispatched an answer. The answer was sent, but an eavesdropper interfered with the delivery of said message (for 21 days)! The incident is recorded in the Book of Daniel, Chapter 10. Daniel’s answer was sent and the messenger, an angel from God, was delivering the answer but was delayed by the prince of the Persian Kingdom! It wasn’t until Michael (the archangel), one of the chief princes, who came to help that the message was finally delivered. They explained the delay and the answer Daniel sought. Call completed! Thank you for using PTC (person-to-Creator). Should you place a direct call to heaven, be patient, an answer is coming. 

We have a direct line to God by knowing God the Father through His Son, Jesus. In Luke 11: 1—4 Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray and get directly to the Father. He said when you pray, say the Lord’s Prayer. Our prayers are a direct line to the Father.   “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13

What's My Line?

Television has imprinted sights, sounds, and characters in our memory. Every decade produces age specific memories. From musicals to variety shows, from crime dramas to westerns, there were enough bizarre characters to distort any child’s mind. One such program was rather clever. It involved a panel of well known celebrities who would try and guess the occupation of someone after asking several specific questions. The guests may range from a tax collector to the mayor of a large city. Nobody was what they appeared to be.

The Bible introduces us to several well-known personalities in a similar manner. We are told several things about them and yet they will remain an enigma to us. Their behavior and description seldom seem to coalesce. One such man was a Nazarite with certain lifestyle requirements, which were seldom observed. He was anointed by God with incredible strength. His enemies detested him and he ridiculed them every chance he got.

In one instance he went to the city of Gaza to spend the night with a prostitute. The city was a Philistine city and his enemies waited for a chance to catch him and kill him! Knowing their plan, he left in the middle of the night and went to the city’s entrance, to the city gate. With his incredible strength, he took hold of the doors of the city gate, together with the two posts, and tore them loose, bar and all. He lifted them to his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron! So what do you say? I’ll tell you so what—he carried the doors and the supporting posts which weighted several hundred pounds a distance of thirty-eight miles to Hebron. Thirty-eight miles!ys this man’s death Examples that parallel Jesus’ death:

• People mocked him
• God delivered him
• His friends betrayed him
• He died with out-stretched hands
• A temple was destroyed
• A sacrificial death

The enemy thought that they had won. One unmistakable event separates them, he stayed in his tomb, and Christ did not! What was his line? He was a “judge”! Do read about him in Judges 13-16.

What should we learn from this person’s life? Great strength in one area does not make up for great weaknesses in other areas. God’s presence does not overwhelm a person’s will. Finally, God can use a person of faith in spite of his or her mistakes.