For Whom The Bell Tolls

Ernest Hemingway, adventurer/author wrote that novel in 1939. It’s about the lives of 15 people, for four days, during the Spanish American War. It’s a tragedy. ALL his works are tragedies. He saw life as futile. His heroic characters were preoccupied with death. His worldview was fatalistic. FYI—his father was a physician and his mother was devoutly religious. Hemingway saw the destruction World War 1 caused and thought Christianity and its values had failed Mankind. He and other writers sought a new system of values. Hemingway had the concept, “when you’re dead, that’s it, you’re dead”, 

 nothing more, no afterlife, just live for the moment. Are you a Hemingway fan? He felt life is everything, death is nothing. WE KNOW DIFFERENTLY! We know that death is a portal to heaven or hell. Hemingway’s view was askew: apparently he never accepted his mother’s point of view. We know of a death that gives us everlasting life. For your information Hemingway’s father died by suicide. What kind of doctor and healer does this? In 1962 Hemingway attempted suicide…it worked! He never did accept Christ. ‘Our worldview’? We seek the second coming!

Life is short no matter how many years we live. But to have such a fatalist attitude and belief is sad. Don’t be deceived into thinking that you have lots of remaining time to live for Christ, to enjoy your loved ones, your work, your family, your friends, or to do what you know you should. Live for God today and everyday! Then, no matter when your life ends, you will have fulfilled God’s plan for you.

How's Your Hearing?

When someone whispers, we listen intently. When Jesus spoke in the Scriptures, did they hear His message? Were they listening to see if His words affected them? In John 10, the Jews asked Jesus, “How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly”. Jesus answered them, “I told you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep”. Did you hear the past tense of His statement? I’ve already told you again and again! You heard me, but you refused to believe me! Well, which was it? Were they hearing? Were they listening?

Just two verses later the mystery is solved and revealed to us…

Jesus tells them: “My sheep hear my voice; and I know them, and they follow me”. This lays the matter to rest. Did you hear that? His sheep hear His voice! Now, how’s your hearing? Are you tuned in? Are you listening?

Bottom Line

Many people that ask for proof do so for the wrong reasons. Most of these questioners didn’t want to follow Jesus in the way that he wanted to lead them.

Left Handed Beans?

 

Many of you grew up on a farm or worked on a farm when you were younger. It is a self-sustaining livelihood. It is hard demanding work and admirable. Not one you can easily fit into your back pocket. Many of you have a garden where you grow tomatoes, corn, lettuce, cucumbers, squash, melons and beans. Have you ever checked your climbing beans up close? I mean really taken a look? Did you notice they are left-handed! Huh? That’s right! They grow up the pole from left to right. Not convinced, go see for yourself. Nature has an instinct all its own. Men don’t understand it, but God made it that way. No professor, no horticulturalists, no farmer can explain it, no wise man can deny it, and any honest man will admit only God could do it.

Nature can teach us a thing or two if we look closely. Did you realize oranges, grapefruit, and lemons all have an even number of sections or segments? Ever notice that watermelons that show stripes always show an even number? The cob of corn has an even number of rows. Each stalk of wheat bears an even number of rows. Each stalk of wheat bears an even number of grains. This is true of rye, oats, and barley. Is there a connection when the Lord said that the harvest gathered would be “thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and a hundred”??? The Master Harvester knew from the start WHO, what, when, where, why and how to harvest.

“Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God and there is none like me."

God is unique in his knowledge and in his control of the earth, people and all else—including the future. Go ahead and plant your crops, your plants, your seeds but don’t forget what Jesus said in the parable of the weeds in Matthew.

“The one who sowed the good seed stands for the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the Kingdom.” Matthew 13:37

Want more? Read all about it in Matthew 13:24-43. You will grow from your studies.

Which Cookie Has Your Fortune?

Crystal balls, Ouija boards, star charts, tarot cards, seances, fortune tellers, where do you go when you need to know about the future? Can horoscopes be trusted? Need a little help discerning the future? Don’t forget about the newspaper ladies Dear Abby and Ask Ann Landers, then there's a gentleman they call Dr. Phil. What about those fortune cookies that usually guides you in matters of health, wealth, and love. When they’re cracked open, they give you a deep personal advice like: Plant your corn early, or Expect a surprise this month! You can take that to the bank and deposit it in your strongbox. Let’s not forget the sweet taste of that cookie.

What exactly is our fascination with the unknown, the future, the beyond? Palm readers, fortune tellers, astrologists, personal gurus and their types are eager to smooth talk you into what you want to hear, and what you want to happen, while at the same time gently making your pocketbook lighter. The Bible has some constructive criticism about looking into matters that should best be left alone.

“Do not practice divination or sorcery.” Leviticus 19:26

“Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God, for you will be defiled by them.” Leviticus 19:31

But it’s only a little harmless you say. It’s all in jest; it’s just a way to lighten things up from being too serious. We only go on a few times a year. What harm is it causing? After all, many presidents and first ladies practice with mediums. We all get a good laugh, nobody takes it serious. Why are you being so judgmental, we’re not hurting anyone? It’s just fun. People use these and a thousand other excuses to dabble in the black arts, and you say, just because Hitler constantly consulted a medium and other forms of the dark side and was one of the most evil murderous men ever, it’s not the same thing! God didn’t say, that he preferred we steer clear, God said; “Don’t!” But what about my favorite programs on TV that show ghosts and spirits and haunted houses and crossing over to the other side? That’s okay isn’t it? How could that be wrong? Hollywood wouldn’t lead us astray, would they? It’s just entertainment right? Maybe, God needs to send ‘another’ fortune cookie your way! Perhaps it should read, “I will put my trust in him.” Hebrews 2:13

Life In Distress

Picture if you will, a country with a massive army and a massive navy, biggest and best, nothing to equal their strength or fierceness, everything simply gargantuan in quantity, reputation, and agility. Unless you have unlimited volunteers, this scale of operation takes a mountain of money to maintain. In fact, to continue to be the biggest and the best, it requires—no, it forcefully demands—a constant infusion of money 24/7, “big money”. Please witness the Roman Empire at its zenith in a land called Palestine.

Every country the Romans annexed was a base of operations for collecting taxes. Lots and lots of taxes. Can you imagine everyone’s delight in paying taxes to support an invading army that would in turn make your life miserable? Failure to pay your unfair share of taxes was not an option. Money was forcibly donated by Jewish volunteers to keep the Roman juggernaut alive and healthy. As more occupation was enabled, more money was required. Since the Romans used Jewish tax collectors, can you imagine how popular they became with their fellow citizens? Where exactly did all the money go you ask? I’m glad you asked. More soldiers, more swords, more chariots, more militia, more jails, more angst. I bet you thought the taxes were going to rebuild the roads, repair bridges, better quality water, improved sanitary conditions, more food, better education and all those other things we think taxes should pay for.

Highly Uncommon Threads

Sports are a multi-multi-multi-billion dollar industry. How do we know that? For starters, every newspaper in the country has its own section devoted to sports. Every news program has a rundown on the day’s sports. Every cable network has 24/7 programming dedicated to sports. There is a proliferation of magazines dedicated to your favorite sport. Sport memorabilia is a multi-billion dollar industry that grows exponentially every year. Ninety-nine percent of colleges and universities in this country are known for their sports teams instead of their educational prowess. Academics appear to be on a distant horizon. Then there’s betting, bookies, wagering, let’s not get too close to that monster. The whole world is intoxicated with sports fever.

Monies float over-the-table, under-the-table, out-of-thin-air and many sports figures spend much of their time in prison, courtrooms, rehabilitation centers and other recovery areas as they do on their court, in their field or at their arena. Sports lawyers, recruiting agents, contract experts, medical teams and many, many others jockey for their portion. There’s always a new multi-million dollar facility being proposed or built somewhere and fan wear is an absolute necessity. The whole world is intoxicated with sports fever.