America has faced many defining moments during its existence. The very formation of this great nation was a world-wide defining moment. Just like people face defining moments in their lives I submit that nations face such defining moments. If our nation continues on the path it is on at the present time, what will we look like as a nation 20 years from now? It seems that the reason for the demise of empires and nations of the past usually was caused by the moral decadence of the time. I believe that Christianity, presenting the message and the life of Christ, would be a powerful force in bringing our nation back to its greatness. It may be the influence of Christianity has been weakened because, in many cases, we have cheapened the grace of God. Make no mistake about it, we as Christians, often live on the edge of the World’s philosophy and behavior. One person living a life of holiness in the sphere of their influence will make a difference. Something to think about.
August 22, 2010
If you stop and think about it Christianity does put us at odds with the philosophy and culture of the world. The Word of God exhorts us not to be conformed to this world. The world is speaking of the philosophy, thinking, and behavior of the culture we live in. Make no mistake about it, there is going to be that cultural and philosophical differences with the unsaved world. We, therefore, must take a stand with political issues while at the same time manifest the love of Christ in our behavior while taking that stand. The world needs to see the love of Christ in our lives. How we behave we have a much greater influence with the unsaved than what we could ever say.
August 19, 2010
There is a lot of division in America today. We are an agitated people. You find it in the home, the work place, the church, the school, the government and of course within our own lives. I know much of it comes from the various social issues that we have such strong convictions about. However, it isn’t much different than during the time in which Jesus lived and taught. The Roman Empire was a vicious empire with so much debauchery. No doubt it was much worse than what we experience in America today. Jesus teaches us that Christianity works in every culture and you can find solace in the midst of agitation. I am glad for that because we live in troubling times and I am sure they will even get worse, but praise be to God we serve the Prince of Peace. If you are reading this, I encourage you to take your stands against evil in a Christ like manner. Fulfill your duty to vote as you should. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind. Remember this, that we are in this world but not of this world. We live in a different realm and do not have to become agitated and angry in our every day lives while dealing with people that do not agree with us. Treat them as Christ would treat them.
April 4, 2009
One of the reasons we Christians find ourselves in trouble is because we have a tendency to say that we believe but we often do not trust.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.”John 14:1
“I am the way the truth and the life ” John 14:6
Why were the disciples troubled? Because they did not trust. So then ,it is a matter of what ever situation we are in we can trust God. You see He is the way, He is the truth and He is the life.
Now, He doesn’t say I will show you the way, no, He says I am the way. He doesn’t say I will tell you about truth, no, He is the truth. He doesn’t say I know how you can get life,no, He says I am life. When you get hooked up with Jesus you are on the way , you know the truth and you have life.
If we can tap into this principle then we will not have troubled hearts. We will not only believe but we will trust.
Be encouraged with these scriptures about trouble. You see trouble is all around us but you must recognize that God is all around us dealing with our trouble.
April 2, 2009
We have been talking about trouble in the last few post and I am sure there is no need to try and define trouble. Most of us have our own definition. Up to this point we have seen that God is in our midst as we go trough our troubles.
I do believe there is a way that we might escape some of the troubles we find ourselves in at times. let me share a scripture with you that is important.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow. for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:34 English standard verson.
Today’s trouble, does that mean we will automatically have some kind of trouble today? I guess it does, sure didn’t want to hear that kind of nonsense. I guess tomorrow will soon be today, so I guess I can assume when tomorrow becomes today I will have a new set of troubles.
Seems like a vicious circle to me. I am sure glad I have God in the midst of this day to help me with the troubles I have today and no doubt He will be there when tomorrow turns into today. I tell you what, I am not going to worry about tomorrow.
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March 29, 2009
Every one of us has, at some time, experienced trouble in our lives. God knows our troubles and He gives us comfort in those times of affliction. Incidentally, there is more than one reason as to why He comforts us. Remember it just isn’t about us. Here is a great biblical principle to follow.
“Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted.” II Corinthians 1:4
Because God helps us and comforts us in our trouble it is then our ministry and obligation to comfort those who are in trouble. Have you been ministered to lately in your trouble, or have you ministered to others while they are facing their trouble.
We are living in TROUBLING times. We need each other to provide the comfort we need in these trying times.
March 27, 2009
When we think of trouble we often are thinking outwardly. Things that happen to us in just living life. Not having enough money, a broken relationship, a health issue of some kind, a wrecked car, losing a job, bad grades.
“Hear me and answer me. My THOUGHTS TROUBLE me and I am distraught.” Psalm 55:2
The items I mentioned previously usually have a way of making themselves into our inner being, into our minds. That is why the psalmist said that his THOUGHTS TROUBLED him. He went on to say I am distraught. The word distraught means upset or distressed.
Maybe you have experienced what David the psalmist had experienced in Psalms 42:5 “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?”
Probably the greatest trouble any of us experience is being depressed. A heavy cloud hangs over us and our THOUGHTS TROUBLE us. Now I know most of you will say, I have never experienced what you are talking about. However, if you will be honest with me, you will humbly say, I know what you are talking about.
Do what the psalmist did. ATTEND TO ME, AND ANSWER ME! Sounds kind of pushy doesn’t it. I think that is the way God intended it to be. Let God bring healing to your mind today.
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March 24, 2009
Anything troubling you today? If not, just stick around because trouble is near.
“Be not far from me, for TROUBLE is near, and there is none to help.” psalm 22:11
Another word to describe trouble is DISTRESS. Distress is mental agony caused by anxiety, grief and unhappiness. Because we have so many things we deal with during the day such as money, family, health, pride, work and church any one thing can trigger mental distress and that leads to trouble. You can see how trouble is always near.
We often times seek help from people around us. As sincere as we might want to be in helping, often times we fall short of actually helping other in their time of trouble.
Though it may seem that God does not care and many times it may seem as if He is absent when we are in trouble. Be assured He is not far from you.
These are very encouraging words for today because trouble is near and God is not far from us in our trouble.
Be encouraged today. Psalm 23:6 says “surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”
In other words, when in trouble just look right behind you and you will see goodness and mercy. You see they follow you where ever you go.
March 22, 2009
Have you ever been in trouble? I am sure the answer to that question would be yes, of course, I have been in trouble. We are going to look at the question of trouble for the next few post. More importantly we will look at scripture and see how that God is there with us in time of trouble.
“For He will hide me in His shelter in the day of TROUBLE; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will lift me high upon a rock.” Psalm 27:5
In each post I will give a word that defines the word TROUBLE from the original Greek language. You will be able to identify with at least one of these words.
The first word to define trouble is ADVERSITY. This word simply means an extremely unfavorable experience or event.
Remember this, when you find yourself in an unfavorable experience or event be assured God will hide you in His shelter, He will conceal you under His tent and set you upon a rock.
If you are in TROUBLE at the present time, claim this verse and trust God that He will do what He says He will do for you.
May God encourage you in your trouble with His word today.
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March 20, 2009
“Vanity of vanities, says the preacher; Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1:2
Verses like this bother me, as a matter of fact I get confused. For one thing preachers say a lot of things that confuse me, Solomon says a lot of things that confuse me and as a matter of fact, even God says some things that confuse me.
Vanity simple means a VAPOR or a BREATH. Pictured by a warm breath in the cold air which vanishes and disappears, empty, gone. So the preacher is saying everything is empty.
He is saying wealth, fame, fun, honor, pleasure, all those things that I enjoy so much are empty.
I guess my question is, what do we live for? We are just chasing a vapor that vanishes. Wow, that sounds like fun, that seems like purpose in life doesn’t it.It sure seems like in our culture we are all running around trying to grasp the air and coming up empty.
Sometimes it is best to read the end of a book to see a clearer picture as to what the writer is talking about. Maybe we can make sense out of this vanity.
The conclusion of the whole matter is: “Fear God and keep His commandments for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13
This then is the whole purpose of man is to fear God and to obey Him. By doing so you will be able to grasp something other than that which vanishes. For you see God is eternal, no vanishing in Him. You want to grab something that is not in vain, then grab a hold of God. When you grab a hold of Him, you have something real and lasting.
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