Giving Thanks

After their first summer at Plymouth Rock in 1621, the pilgrims had a Thanksgiving feast to celebrate their bountiful harvest and to honor God. This tradition continues today. Thanksgiving is a time to honor God for all His blessings in our lives.

As we gather with family and friends this week, I'm reminded of the story of the thankful leper.

 

As Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem, He passed through a village where 10 lepers were. Because they were unclean, they stood away from the crowd but still yelled to Jesus, asking Him to have mercy on them. The lepers knew who Jesus was and that He had the power to heal them.

Jesus told them to go show themselves to the priest, the one who could declare them healed from their disease. As they went to the priest, they were healed.

Of the 10, only one of the men returned to thank Jesus. He came to Jesus and bowed down to Him to show his thankfulness. Jesus asked if there were indeed 10 who were healed and why only one returned to thank Him. Even though many people are touched by Jesus, few give Him the thanks He deserves.

The Bible says it is good and pleasing to God to give Him thanks. In Psalm 92:1-5, David encourages us to give thanks to God. He recognized the importance of Thanksgiving.

 

Thanksgiving is a chance to focus on God and not on ourselves. Paul tells the Thessalonian believers that God’s will for them is to be thankful. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Even in simple things we should be thankful. Don’t reserve your praise to God for only the big things in life. We need to recognize that God has given us everything good we have in life and be thankful to Him for it.

Honoring God

President Reagan once said, "If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." And the Bible warns in Psalm 9:17 that “The wicked shall be turned into hell and all nations that forget God.”

Is America on the path to forgetting God? I see it happening more and more in our country with people trying to minimize — and even demonize — Christianity. We saw the latest example last week. The Air Force Academy decided to make the phrase “so help me God” optional in its honor code in what it called an effort to “build a culture of dignity and respect.”

The decision by the Academy’s Honor Review Committee came in response to a civil rights complaint —a single complaint filed by Mikey Weinstein and the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. Weinstein has been an outspoken and frequent critic of Christianity in the armed forces.

The current version of the Academy’s oath reads: “We will not lie, steal or cheat nor tolerate among us anyone who does. Furthermore, I resolve to do my duty and live honorably, so help me God.”

“In the spirit of respect, cadets may or may not choose to finish the Honor Oath with ‘So help me God,’” said Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson, superintendent of the Academy.

The oath was created in 1984. Cadets take the oath at the end of their basic training. The phrase “so help me God” was added later after an alleged cheating scandal at the academy.

The decision to now make the phrase optional is yet another attack on our Christian faith. Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council and a Marine Corps veteran, told Fox News it’s not about accommodating those who don’t believe in God. “That already exists,” he said. “No one is forced to say this. This is about imposing an atheistic view on everyone so there can be no recognition of God.”

Who’s running our nation’s military? Perkins asked.

In Amos, it says, "Seek God and live." We need to seek God while He can still be found. It will be a terrible day when God removes His hand of blessing from the nations that reject Him. God won't abandon us if we seek Him with all our hearts. That's the only hope we have. We must return to God and be a nation that honors Him.

Medicine to the Soul

My dad was an avid student of God's Word. He would read and study the Bible more than anyone I knew. It was his passion. I was more of a casual Bible reader. In my early years as a Christian, I would read it haphazardly, often letting days or weeks pass without picking up the Bible. It wasn't until later in life that I began to realize the importance of spending time daily in God's Word.

If you want to see your life change, learn to study the Bible. The Bible is no ordinary book. It is like medicine to your soul, and it has the power to change your life.

If you are like me, you may wonder where to begin when studying the Bible. There’s really no wrong place to start. You can study anything that’s going to help you. If you’re facing fear or worry, look in the concordance in the back of your Bible and find the scripture verses that talk about those things. Begin looking at all scriptures referenced with this word and read them.

I have found four steps you can take to help you begin your study into God’s Word:

• Purposely set aside time. I like to read my Bible in the mornings, but if that doesn’t work for you, find a time that does. Whatever you can do, that’s where you should begin. Just start somewhere and you’ll see the difference that this time can make in your life.
• Make preparation for your Bible study. Have a place that you enjoy being — a room where you can be alone. Somewhere you are comfortable and like to be.
• Have all your materials available. You’ll want of course your Bible, but also get a Bible dictionary, concordance, a pen and paper.
• Prepare your heart. Pray and talk to God about things you may need to confess, and enter your study time peacefully and without anything that may hinder you during your study.

Make the time in your life to study the Bible because there is power in it to change your life and become the person God wants you to be.

Finding Forgiveness

God's forgiveness is amazing. Romans 3:23 says all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Yet, God chooses to forgive when we ask in repentance. 

 

Some think they've been too bad or that God could never forgive them, but the Bible teaches that Christ’s shed blood is sufficient for all of our sins no matter how "bad" we've been. In 1 John 1:9, it says God forgives all who repent.

 

God will forgive us, but we have to be willing to confess our sins and turn from them. Forgiveness follows repentance. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God promises Solomon that if the people of Israel will turn from their wicked ways and honor Him that He will forgive their sins.

 

Repentance is more than just saying "I'm sorry." It means forsaking our sin, turning to God and following His way. Jesus’ blood paid for all of our sins. In John 1:29 and 1 John 1:7, John tells us that Christ shed his blood so that all of our sins may be forgiven, and Romans 5:12-21 tells us that Jesus’ blood is justification for all.

 

God will forgive even our worst sin. He's the God of second chances and more if we need it. Remember Matthew 18:22 where Jesus tells Peter to forgive "seventy times seven."

 

Jesus also challenges us to forgive others. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus commands us to forgive those that trespass against us. In the parable of the unforgiving servant, the servant that refuses to forgive is banished into eternal torment.

 

We all need forgiveness.  The apostle Paul said he was the "chief sinner," and he was forgiven. Therefore, we can trust that God will forgive our sins with full and complete repentance. 

 

Forgiveness can turn your life around. No matter what you've done or how "bad" you've been, there IS forgiveness! You don't have to hold on to the guilt of your sin. Turn to God and ask for His forgiveness. Like the prodigal son, you can find forgiveness and restoration with God if you'll run to Him and confess your sin. He will forgive you and give you a brand-new life.

No Gray Areas

There are no gray areas with God. He's made His commands very clear to us, so clear that we have to deliberately work at it to misunderstand them. His promises are clearly spelled out, as well as the conditions attached to them.

God gave us the 10 Commandments, not the 10 Suggestions. He's laid out His expectations in the Bible, and it's up to us to study His Word and make sure we're on the right path with our lives. Today, people's attitudes have "evolved" on issues like drinking and smoking and even on marriage. It has become acceptable to dabble in sins that were considered taboo by the church just a few years ago.

It is amazing how many Christians go on believing the lie of the world, that there can be a blending of right and wrong. The Bible makes it plain that there are blessings for obeying God and curses for disobeying.

Deuteronomy 28:1-2 says, "If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God." It then lists all the blessings the people of Israel could expect if they stayed true to God's commands.

There are also consequences for disobeying. Deuteronomy 28:15 says, "However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all His commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you." The rest of the chapter contains a lengthy list of curses for those who choose to disobey.

Life isn’t always black and white. But even when you’re living in the muddled middle, God wants to shine His light into the events of your life. In the so-called "gray areas" of life, the Bible provides guidelines to bring any situation out of the shadows and into the light of the truth.

When the Bible isn't specific about certain issues, we should pray, and God will give us direction. Psalm 119:105 says, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." God will never leave us in the dark. He's given us His word, and it has everything we need to live a godly life, even in the "gray areas."

Are You Who You Say You Are?

I think God was trying to get my attention. He started last week in Sunday school. Our class began studying a video series by Craig Groeschel. Groeschel, an author and pastor, calls himself a recovering “Christian Atheist.” He called himself a Christian all his life, but he didn’t always live as if God existed. He says millions of professing Christians fit into that category.

That really got my attention. I believe in God, but do I really know Him?

“Many of us look the part,” Groeschel is quoted in an article for The Christian Post. “Or we think we’re Christian because, you know, it’s not like we’re Buddhists. We believe in God, but our lives don’t reflect who He really is.”

 

If you grew up in church like I did, we may think we’re OK because we go to church every Sunday, pray before meals (if we don’t forget) and occasionally read a chapter in the Bible. We can know about God without ever really surrendering our heart to Him.

 

The Bible says even the demons believe in God. So, obviously there is more to the whole Christian thing than just believing in God, Groeschel points out.

 

He says Christian atheists say, “I believe in God but I want to do whatever the heck I want to do. I want enough of God to keep me out of Hell and enough of God to get me into Heaven, but I don’t want so much of God that it makes me change my lifestyle.”

 

That’s a dangerous mindset. Jesus warns us in Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven.... Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers!’”

 

How tragic it would be to hear those words, “Depart from me. I never knew you.”

 

Are you really who you say you are? Groeschel hopes those who simply believe in God but live an atheist lifestyle will examine their lives and see that there is a better way to live. God desires an intimate and personal relationship with us, and He requires wholehearted devotion. He doesn’t just want to be in our thoughts. He wants to live in our hearts, too.

Friends

NOTE: I originally wrote this column in 2009 and am re-posting it now as it appeared in The Pampa News last week.

You can make a difference in someone's life by being a friend. As followers of Christ, we're called to help the widows and the needy and to encourage each other. Proverbs 17:17 says a friend loves at all times and is willing to share in adversity.

 

People come into and out of our lives all the time. We should cherish the time we have with our family, our friends and others in our lives because we never know how much time we'll have with them. I think of a few of those who have made a difference in my life by being a friend:

 

I think of that friend from childhood who didn't look at my differences but just wanted to spend time with me. Our differences didn't matter to him when we were riding bikes together (or when we crossed that highway we weren't supposed to cross). We just had fun.

 

I think of that high school teacher who devoted extra time to help me develop my writing skills. She saw something in me that no one else saw and worked to bring it out in me.

 

I think of the one in college who was a true friend to me during the loneliest time of my life. When no one else was around, he was there to listen and encourage me. He was in my life for just a short season, but I will remember him for a lifetime.

 

I think of that college professor. He pushed me to try harder and go further, and that has made all the difference. He could be hard on me at times, but I needed that. I wouldn't be where I am today if not for him.

 

I think of that friend who sat by me in church. This simple act of kindness meant so much to me and showed me that someone does care.  I think of the Sunday school teacher who taught me who I am in Christ. He showed me the meaning of John 10:10 and what it means to live life to the full. My life has been made richer because of him.

 

I think of that family who reached out to me. This very special family is a true example of what it means to be Christlike. I am honored to know them.

 

And there have been many others who, whether they realized it or not, have had a definite impact on my life. I thank God for these, and I pray that I can be that kind of friend to them and to others.

Remember God While You're Young

I've always tried to live life in the moment. Living with the physical limitations caused by cerebral palsy, I learned to take nothing for granted. I want to live each day to the fullest, making the most of every moment God gives me.

When I was young (or at least younger), I saw each day as a great adventure. I would jump on my three-wheel bicycle and head out to explore the neighborhood. There seemed to be no limit to the things I could do, except maybe my parents' summons to be home before dark!

The older I get, though, I am quickly realizing I can't do some of the things I did when I was younger. I guess that's true for all of us. Time takes its toll on our bodies.

This should remind us that everything in this world is temporary. Nothing lasts. Our bodies and even our homes in this world are only temporary. It is only beyond this life that we will receive our permanent home. That home will either be with God in heaven, or it will be separated from God forever in hell.

Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 is a pointed narrative that describes how a young person becomes old, and, in the end, that person dies. It teaches us that we should remember God before we are too old to appreciate His goodness.

 

 

The writer of Ecclesiastes urges us not to delay. He says the right time to remember God is now. Then, you can remain grateful to Him for the rest of your life. Troubles will certainly happen to all of us, but we can't let these hard times cause us to forget God or to neglect our relationship with Him.

 

 

 

If you are young, remember God’s kindness now! Give your life to Him; do your best to serve Him all the days of your life. But if you're getting older, you still have a duty to serve God. Love God with your whole heart and trust Him completely. Remember, He created you, and He loves and cares for you.

 

 

We must remember God! After death, He will be our judge; so we must have a right relationship with Him today.

Hope for Tomorrow

We can probably all quote the familiar words in Matthew 6:34, "Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself." But how many of us actually try to live by those words? It's not easy.

It's only natural to get so caught up in the challenges of our everyday lives that we start to worry, but God never intended for us to live a life of worry. The Bible is full of examples that encourage us to place our trust in God and give us hope for tomorrow.

Let God be your guide in life. In Psalm 48:12-14, it says if we permit Him, God will be our guide. We permit Him by opening our heart to the Holy Spirit and living in obedience to His word. We don't have to fear tomorrow. Hebrews 13:5-6 says the Lord is our helper, and we shall not fear what man may do to us. In Romans 8:30-32, Paul tells us that if God be for us who can be against us.

David tells us in Psalm 31:1-5 to put our trust in the Lord for He is our rock and fortress. In Psalm 73:24-28, it says God is our guide and shelter. With God as our guide, fortress and shelter, we have nothing to worry about.

We should learn to be content in what God has provided for us. In life, it's easy to get caught up in our desires for the “things of this world,” but we should just be thankful and happy with what God provides for us.

In Luke, Jesus tells us not to worry about the basics because our heavenly Father knows our needs. He says in John 3:16-17 that God loves us so much that He gave His only son for us. If we have a God willing to give up His only son as a recompense for our sins, how can we spend time worrying over the future?

With all of these promises, we should be comfortable that our future is in God's hands which brings us hope for tomorrow.

Defend The Faith

In a time when the message of the Gospel is coming under attack more and more, it's important that we not only know what we believe, but WHY we believe it, and we must always be ready to defend our faith.

As Christians, our first responsibility is to take God's message of salvation to a lost and dying world. In Matthew 10:27, Jesus tells us to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples of all nations. However, there's another responsibility that's often overlooked and neglected by many Christians: Defending the Gospel.

Giving reasons for our faith is an important part of our Christian witness, and the Bible compels us to do so. In 2 Corinthians 10:5, it says that only by meeting honest objections with biblical answers can we reasonably contend for the faith.

Peter urges us to be prepared to give an answer for the reason of the hope that we have in Christ Jesus. In 1 Peter 3:15, he tells believers to "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have with gentleness and respect."

The apostle Paul rigorously defended the faith whenever challenged, and he instructed Timothy to defend the faith also.

In Romans 10:14-17, Paul says in order for people to recognize the love of Christ, they need someone to tell them the good news. If we just stand by and aren't willing to defend the Gospel of Jesus Christ, how will they ever accept Jesus as Lord and savior?

This is not the time to be passive. As many in the media and political world try to attack Christianity, we must be bold and step out to defend our faith. Christ paid the price for our sins, and He prepares a place for us in heaven. As Christians, we want to see all who are made righteous through the blood of Jesus enjoy eternal life with us and the Lord!

Start Your Day Off Right

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It prepares us for the day ahead Yet, many of us skip breakfast because we're too busy. Some of us skip spending time with God for the same reason. Starting each day in the presence of the Lord is key to starting each day off on the right foot.

 In our busy lives, it's easy to fall into a habit of starting the day without giving any thought to God. We hit the floor running without taking time to thank God for the day or to ask Him to direct our steps.

I was that way for years. I'd get up and jump right into my morning routine, without taking time to pray or seek the Lord. "I'll do it later," I always told myself (and told God). At the end of the day, I found I'd gone all day without spending time with the Lord. I'd lay down at night, mutter a quick prayer and drift off to sleep.

It shouldn't be that way for Christians, and it doesn't have to be that way. We can make God a priority in our lives. There are some simple things we can do each day to show God that He is first place in our lives:

Start the day in His Word. Just a few short verses or a chapter a day in the morning is a great way to open our hearts to God and get in tune with His plan for our lives.

 

Pray in the mornings. Prayer helps relieve stress and brings us closer to God. You can do this while driving to work, and you'll be amazed what a difference it will make in your day.

Stay positive. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed in the morning with the challenges of the day. So start your morning by counting your blessings. This will help you start the day in a positive way.

Leave all your worries at the foot of the bed. It’s easy to start the day dwelling on negatives of yesterday. As believers, we shouldn't dwell on our past mistakes and failures but concentrate on our future with the Lord. Cast all your cares on Him and make a fresh start each day.

Just spend time sitting in God's presence. What a great way to start the day!

Finding The Will of God

It's a question most of us ask at some time in our lives: "What is God's will for me?" I've asked this, especially during hard times or times of change in my life. We may say things like "I really don't know what God wants me to do." The Bible has a lot to say about finding God's will for our lives.

Romans 12:1 tells us to "present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

From this verse, we learn there are three desires that God has for each of us. He wants us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. He wants us to reject the evil ways of the world and to be transformed to holiness, and He wants us to renew our minds and focus on what is good and perfect in the eyes of the Lord.

 

Another question we often ask is "What is God's will for my future?" We don't need to worry about the future God has for us. Certainly, we would all like to know what God wants for our future, but it's more important to know what He wants for us today.

If we trust God to direct our path day by day, He will take us where He wants us to be and will use us as He desires. By living for God each day, we are open to be molded by God into the person He wants us to be. In Ephesians, Paul tells us that we are called to serve the Lord and to be like Jesus. If we are open to His will in our lives and we ask Him to lead us, He will direct our steps.

This reminds me of one of my favorite verses in the Bible, Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

If you are uncertain about the future, look to God's Word and He will show you the way.

Holy Living

God is holy, and what is true of God must be true of his people. We should try to be like God in every way. Since God is holy, He expects us to live holy lives. In 1 Peter 1:16, it says, "be holy because I am holy."

Holiness means being separated from the ungodly ways of the world and set apart for God. It means being like Him and dedicated to Him while living to please Him. There are benefits for living a holy life. Psalm 92:12–14 says the righteous will flourish in the court of God and yield fruit in their old age.

Holiness isn't optional for believers. Hebrews 12:14 teaches that "without holiness no one will see the Lord."

We achieve holiness by faith and by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It is both a work of God and a work of believers. As Christians, we must take an active role in keeping our lives pure before God. Together with the Holy Spirit, we must work to get rid of all sin in our lives and purify ourselves "from everything that contaminates the body and spirit."

True holiness requires that we have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, devote ourselves to prayer and reading God's word, obeying God and putting sin to death in our lives.

This doesn't mean we will always be perfect, but we should try to move closer and closer to it. Jesus is able to help us. By the grace of God, we have died with Jesus and have been set free from the power of sin. Therefore, we need not and ought not to continue to sin.

In the Bible, holiness is not described as a gradual process of forsaking sin little by little. Instead, it is seen as clear act where by grace we are set free from the bondage of Satan and we make a clean break from sin in order to live for God. However, it's also a lifelong process where we must decide daily to live a holy lifestyle. We are progressively transformed into Christ's likeness.

 

Holiness should be the goal and purpose of every believer, so let us strive to be holy as He is holy.

Things That God Cannot Do

I've always liked Matthew 19:26, where Jesus said with God all things are possible. I've even quoted it many times. It's true. God IS omniscient, omnipresent and all powerful. But the Bible also tells us there are some things that God simply cannot do. Before you discount that statement, read on and you'll see what I mean:

God cannot remember our sin. If we repent and accept the atoning grace of Christ’s sacrifice, God says He will remember our sin no more.

God also cannot justify sin without the remission of sin through the shedding of blood by Jesus. Hebrews 9:22 tells us that there is no remission of sin without the shed blood of Jesus. Jesus tells us in John 14:6 that no one comes to His father except through Him.

God can never break His promises. God made an everlasting covenant with Abraham in Genesis 13. When God says “forever,” He means “forever.”

God will never allow His people to be ashamed for there faith. John tells us in 1 John 2:28 and 1 John 4:17 that we will not be ashamed when He returns, and Paul says in Romans 1:16 that he is not ashamed of the good news of Jesus Christ.

 

Isaiah tells us God cannot share His glory with another. In Malachi 3:6, it says God cannot change, and Hebrews 13:5 tells us that God will never leave us or forsake us.

 

Our God is a mighty and awesome God, but I'm glad there are some things God just can't do.

Supreme Ruling

After last week's disappointing Supreme Court ruling to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act, I've been looking for a way to offer my perspective without sounding too "preachy." In my view, the decision is wrong because it violates the teachings of the Bible — that marriage is between one man and one woman.

People say this definition of marriage is outdated. They say we must "evolve" as a society to be more tolerant. They say times have changed, and we need to get on the right side of history and support the marriage of two people of the same gender.

Times have changed. But God and His Word haven't.

We can debate the issue in our courts and the public square, but we can't deny what God has declared in His Word. The Bible clearly says homosexual relationships are wrong. This isn't a gray issue. It's a sin issue. Romans 1:27 spells it out plainly. It says, "In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error."

I'm not the arbiter of "right" and "wrong." Neither is the U.S. Supreme Court. God is the ultimate judge, and He already gave us His plan for marriage. It will never change.

As I listened to all the bickering on TV about the decision, Mike Huckabee's commentary stood out as the most logical and well-reasoned. In it, he said, "I can’t defy the definition of marriage any more than I can defy the law of gravity. God created both and at the point I decided to follow Him in my Christian commitment, my life nor its rules belong to me any more."

For all true believers, there's only one position to take on the issue of marriage. We must take God's position that marriage is between a man and a woman.

Huckabee ended his commentary with this: "Courts said in 1857 that black people weren’t fully human and they were wrong. They said in 1962 that we couldn’t pray in school and they were wrong. In 1973, they said unborn children were disposable and expendable, and 56 million dead children later, they were wrong. And this week, for those of us who believe God created male and female, and who believe what Jesus said that a man shall leave his father and mother and a woman shall leave her home and the two will become one flesh, they were wrong again."

The Supreme Court had its say, but God has the final decision.

Heaven

Of all the promises in the Bible, the greatest is the assurance we have that Jesus is coming again. If you grew up in church, like I did, you probably heard this all your life. As surely as Jesus went to heaven, he will come back and take his followers to be with him in heaven forever.

This was the hope of New Testament Christians and is the hope of all believers today.

In John 14:2-3, Jesus said, " My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And 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."

I don't think it will be much longer before we see that blessed hope — when Jesus will return. Everything is lining up perfectly with the prophesies in the Old Testament.

In Zechariah 12:2-3, it says, "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about^... And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces."

When the prophet Zechariah spoke these words around 520 BC, Jerusalem lay in ruins. But God said it would become the focus of the world's attention. The world's attention is now focused on Jerusalem and Israel.

In Zechariah, it also says all nations will turn against Israel. We're seeing that happen every day. One day, the Bible predicts, Israel will have no allies, and all nations shall be gathered against her. The TV news shows you that we are on the road toward that battle. Even the U.S., which has been Israel's strongest ally for years, seems to be turning its back on Israel.

The timetable has been set, and the events are quickly playing out. It's just a matter of time now until we see Jesus return.

This great promise is comforting for all believers who desire "to be with the Lord forever." Therefore, let's encourage each other with these words: Jesus is coming soon.

The Vine and the Branches

In the parable of the vine and branches in John 15, Jesus describes himself as the true vine and his disciples as the branches. By remaining attached to Him as our source of life, we will produce good fruit.

John 15:1-2 says, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so it will be even more fruitful."

God expects us to bear fruit. This fruit can be spiritual virtues, such as the fruit of the spirit listed in Galations 5: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Fruit also means working to win others to Christ. We can't produce this fruit by our own efforts. We can be fruitful only if we stay connected to the life source, which is Jesus. John 15:4 says, "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself. It must remain in the vine."

Just as a tree branch has life only as long as the life of the vine flows into it, so we, as believers, have Christ's life in us only as long as we allow His life to flow into us through an ongoing relationship with Him.

It's critical that we stay plugged in to the life source. We do this by keeping God's Word in our hearts and making it the guide for our lives. We also do it by keeping Christ's commands and staying in right relationship with Him by resisting temptation and keeping our lives clean from sin. This means repenting when we fall to temptation.

God prunes us so we can become more fruitful. He wants to remove anything that hinders the life-flow of Christ into our lives. This can be painful sometimes, but it's necessary to remain in Christ.

The parable of the vine and branches makes it clear that we shouldn't believe "once in the vine, always in the vine" or "once saved, always saved." In this parable, Jesus gave his disciples a strong warning that it's possible for believers to fall away from faith, fail to remain in Him and ultimately face the eternal fire of hell.

The importance of this parable is to show our relationship with Christ is not based on a past decision or past experience. Instead, it must be a progressive relationship where we are consistently growing in Christ as He lives in us and gives us His power.

Running To Win

The Corinthians must have loved sports almost as much as Americans do. The apostle Paul used the analogy of running a race to illustrate to the Corinthians that they should run life's race in service to Jesus Christ. That lesson applies to us today.

 

In 1 Corinthians 9:24, Paul tells us to run the race in an effort to win the prize. In other words, he's telling us we shouldn't just flounder along through life. We must constantly be seeking to find God's purpose in our life and to run to win the race.

The Bible also says we must "fight the good fight." Paul encourages Timothy to fight on and to fight the good fight. Paul likens Timothy’s service to the Lord as an intense struggle and says Timothy's struggle is not against flesh and blood but against powers in high places.

The Bible gives us several spiritual principles for how we should run our race. First, it says we must pursue righteousness. In 2 Timothy 2:21-23, it says we should flee youthful lust and pursue faith, love and righteousness.

Second, if we want to finish the race, we must be willing to endure hardship. Paul tells Timothy to be prepared to suffer persecution. Third, we must seek to fulfill our purpose. 2 Timothy 4:5-8 tells us to fulfill the purpose that God has before us.

Finally, we must never lose hope. John 3:16-17 tells us that whoever calls upon the Lord shall not perish but will have everlasting life. We must place our trust in Christ as we run our race. He is always here to help us. Romans 8:31 says if God is for us who can be against us, and 2 Timothy 4:17-18 promises us that God will deliver us from every evil.

Don't grow wearing in running your race. Run to win.

God of All Comfort

Life is hard. Really hard sometimes. But we can rest in the assurance that God never leaves us. His hope is a beacon of comfort.

In 2 Corinthians 1:3, it describes God as "the father of compassion and the God of all comfort."

He is the God of all comfort. In times of trouble, we need someone to stand beside us to give us strength, helping us and giving us encouragement. God fulfills this role. Whether we're facing sickness and disease or a national tragedy, like the Oklahoma tornado destruction, God comes to comfort us. He sends the Holy Spirit to help us in times of trouble.

The apostle Paul had a life filled with troubles. He describes some of his sufferings in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28: stripes . . . prisons . . . beaten . . . stoned . . . shipwrecked . . . perils of waters . . . robbers . . . in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

Yet, Paul learned that no suffering, however severe, could separate him from the comfort and compassion of the heavenly father. God was not distant from Paul in his trials. He was right there, identifying with the apostle, and comforting Paul.

God will comfort us, too. He may allow troubles in our lives for a season, but we shouldn't think that God has forsaken us or stopped loving us. We should remember that the same kind of troubles happened to God's faithful servants, like Paul.

God allows trials in our lives so that Jesus might come near and, as we look to Him in faith, give us the grace to overcome and bring us to victory.

The Truth About Lying

We’ve all heard the familiar saying, “Honesty is the best policy.” But did you know that is scriptural as well? The Bible actually has a lot to say about honesty.

It has almost become acceptable these days "to bend the truth" a little. I'm sure we've all told "little white lies," thinking what harm will it do? The truth is, God hates lying. Even little white lies to protect someone's feelings can compromise our faith.

God called us to be honest. He made honesty one of the commandments. Exodus 20:16 says, "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor."

God wants us to be honest in our actions as well as our words. Proverbs 11:1 says, "The Lord hates cheating and delights in honesty." The Bible tells us in Proverbs 12:13-14, "Lies will get any man into trouble, but honesty is its own defense. Telling the truth gives a man great satisfaction, and hard work returns many blessings to him."

It is easy to lie. That's why we should pray for God to put wisdom and truth in our heart. Honesty shows character. It reveals our true identity and nature. Being honest is pleasing to God because He is truth. Honesty is a direct reflection of our heart or inner soul.

Truthfulness is to be a lifestyle. Remember, there's no such thing as “half-truth.” It’s a whole lie. Proverbs 10:10 says, “Someone who holds back the truth causes trouble.”

Revelation 21:8 lists liars with the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts and idolaters and says, "their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur." That should be a stern warning to all liars.

Honesty is not always easy, but God will bless you if you are honest. Ask Him to put truth in your heart and He will! Honesty is more than a best policy. It's God's policy.  And that ain't no lie!

Reflections

Cherish the simple things. A meal with your family. A leisurely afternoon drive. A moment spent in prayer. These are the things that make life worth living.

 

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The tragic tornadoes in Oklahoma make me realize how quickly everything can change. As a child of God, I'm thankful that He protects me and keeps me from harm. Still, I live in this world where tragedy is a reality and where bad things happen to good people.

In a moment of time, life can change forever. That was demonstrated yesterday when the tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma, destroying the lives of hundreds and even thousands of good people.

I think about those 24 young children who are believed to be buried in the rubble of the school, and it breaks my heart for their families. I wonder why this happened to innocent children, and I don't understand it. On this side of heaven, I will never understand. I don't think any of us can understand it.

We have personal tragedies in life, too, and I struggle to understand them also. As I get older and mobility becomes more of a challenge for me, I don't pretend to understand it. But I choose not to focus on the hard times. I've come to see that I am totally dependant on God. We all are. We were designed to depend on Him moment by moment, and apart from Him, we can do nothing. If we will accept that, we can make it through anything. I am still learning to surrender to Him, realizing that I need Him more every day.

A friend posted something on Facebook, and it has blessed me through the tough times. She said:

"Concentrate on doing your everyday tasks in awareness of My Presence with you. The Joy of My Presence will shine on you, as you do everything for Me. Thus you invite Me into every aspect of your life. Through collaborating with Me in all things, you allow My Life to merge with yours. This is the secret not only of joyful living but also of victorious living.

Be thankful for quiet days, when nothing special seems to be happening. Instead of being bored by the lack of action, use times of routine to seek My Face. Although this is an invisible transaction, it speaks volumes in spiritual realms. Moreover, you are richly blessed when you walk trustingly with Me through the routines of your day."

 

 

That is good advice for us today. Instead of letting the tragedies of life overwhelm us and drag us down, focus on God and His goodness. He will see you through.

Are You Tempted To Read This?

Mae West once said, "I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it," and Oscar Wilde joked, "I can resist anything except temptation." How true that is for most of us, too. Temptation is something we all face, no matter how long we have been following Christ. We can't avoid it, but we can have victory over it.

Temptation is Satan's way of trying to sabotage our relationship with God. Satan is the ultimate tempter. We see it when Adam and Eve were tempted in the Garden, and we see it when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness at the end of his 40-day fast. We all face attacks from Satan.

We know temptation comes from Satan, not from God. James 1:13 says God does not tempt man.

In Ephesians 6:12, it says our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers not of this world.

The Bible says the best way to resist temptation is to flee from it. Yet, we all fail from time to time.... because we fail to FLEE. It is not the end of the world when we fail, but it is dangerous to persist in our sin. James 1:15 says that sin "when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." So when we fail, we should be quick to repent, and then we must "go and sin no more."

Paul tells us in Galatians 5:16 that only by "walking in the spirit can we keep from fulfilling the lust of the flesh."

Prayer is also important during times of temptation. Jesus faced his greatest hour of temptation just before his death in the Garden of Gethsemane. Luke tells us that as Jesus prayed in agony his sweat was like drops of blood. During his greatest hour of temptation, Jesus prayed in earnest.

The New Living Translation of 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it."

Temptation is a given, so don't be surprised by it. Be prepared for it. When you face temptation, look for the way out that God has promised and then run as fast as you can.

Bible Top 10 List

John 3:16 is one of the best known verses in the Bible. I remember learning it in Sunday school when I was young, and most of us can probably quote it: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

That's definitely a popular verse. It got me to thinking: What are the other most popular verses in the Bible? I found a survey on the most-read Bible verses and thought it would be interesting to share the results. BibleGateway.com, an Internet Bible resource site, crunched some numbers from a sample of 25 million Bible passage searches and compiled the top 10 most-read Bible verses:

1. John 3:16

2. Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

3. Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

4. Philippians 4:13: "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

5. Genesis 1:1: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

6. Proverbs 3:5: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."

7. Proverbs 3:6: "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

8. Romans 12:2: "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will."

9. Philippians 4:6: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

10. Matthew 28:19: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

If you’re curious to know what the least popular Bible passage is, it’s 1 Chronicles 23-27, according to BibleGateway.com. This passage details the organization of the priests and officials under King David. I encourage you to spend time reading the Bible each day and discover your favorite verses. Meditate on the scriptures, and it will make a difference in your life.

Do Not Be Afraid

We live in troubling times. The recent bomb attacks in Boston remind us we are under the constant threat of terror in our world. We're faced with many other personal challenges in life, from sickness to financial hardships, but a personal relationship with Jesus and opening our hearts to the Holy Spirit enables us to live fearlessly in these challenging times.

Believers don't have to be afraid. In Psalm 56:4, it says, “In God, I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust. I will not fear what flesh can do to me.”

Evil is all around us in the world today as we have seen in the Boston marathon bombings. But if you have put your trust in God, you have nothing to fear. Hebrews 13:5-6 tells us the Lord is our helper, and we shall not fear what man may do to us. Paul says in Romans 8:30-32 that if God is for us who can be against us.

God is a rock and a fortress in times of trouble. In Psalm 31:1-5, David reminds us to put our trust in the Lord. We are told in Psalm 73:24-28 that God is our guide and shelter. David also tells us in Psalm 48:14 that God watches over us through our entire lives. He will protect us from danger.

We don't have to be afraid because God knows our needs before we even ask. In Luke, Jesus tells us not to worry over the basics because our Father in heaven knows our needs. God loves us with a love that surpasses all understanding. He loves us so much that he gave his only son for us.

The words "fear not" or "do not be afraid" are in the Bible over 300 times. That's a comfort to me, and I hope it will be a comfort to you today, too. Even in these evil times, we have the assurance that God is with us! Fear not. God is still in control.

Endure Until The End

We have a great promise in the Word of God. The Bible says if we endure and remain faithful to the end, we will reign with Christ! The key is to endure and never give up in our walk of faith. If we want to conquer sin in our lives and achieve the ultimate victory of heaven some day, we must be tenacious.

 

The Bible gives us many examples of how we should endure. In 2 Timothy 2:3, Paul writes, "Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." Like soldiers, believers will face hardships and battles, and we must wage a spiritual warfare. We will win the fight if we continue in wholehearted devotion to God.

Paul also compares Christian life to the rigorous training of an athlete. In 2 Timothy 2:5, it says, "Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules." So, like an athlete, believers must live lives of strict discipline. We must endure hard training and sacrifice if we want to win our contest.

Finally, the Christian is compared to a farmer in 2 Timothy 2:6. Farmers work hard and long hours, but if they remain diligent to their work, they will reap a crop. If we are diligent and don't give up, we, too, will reap the reward.

Throughout the Bible, we are urged to persevere in our Christian walk. In Jude, it says, "keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life."

So don't give up! Be tenacious. If we endure and remain steadfast in the faith to the end, we will rule and reign with Christ himself. 

Pray Your Worries Away

It's hard not to worry sometimes. With all of the pressures and problems we face from day to day, worry is the natural response. But there is a solution. The best cure for worry is prayer!

Philippians 4:6 tells us, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the God of peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

When we come up against hard times, such as an illness or financial situation, we may not know where to turn. The situation may seem hopeless, but we have a God who cares for us and can handle any problem we have. Instead of worrying, the best thing is to take it to God in prayer.

Through prayer, we renew our trust in God's faithfulness. If you have served the Lord for any length of time, I'm sure you've seen Him come through for you time after time. He'll come through for you again! God is faithful. He's not caught off guard by our problems. He wants us to come to Him and cast all our cares on Him.

When we pray, God's peace comes to guard our hearts and minds, and we receive grace and help in our time of trouble. We are assured that in all things God is working for our good.

When we give our worries to God in prayer, His peace will flood our troubled minds. It is the assurance that Jesus is near and God's power is at work in our lives. This peace will comfort us, preventing the cares and heartaches of this world from dominating our lives and undermining our faith in God.

If fear and worry continue, prayer will once again place us under the peace of God that guards our hearts. Once more, we will be at peace knowing God has everything under control. So cast your cares on Him today because He cares for you!

End of an Era

Oh, the memories! This weekend, I had the chance the roam the halls of the old Pampa Middle School, where I attended sixth through eighth grades. The school will soon be torn down to make way for a new housing development. The developers had a huge garage sale there on Saturday to sell off the old equipment and furniture that was abandoned when the school closed three years ago.

The building was packed wall-to-wall with bargain-hunters and onlookers. Like me, a lot of the people went there to relive old memories.

Besides desks and lockers, which seemed to be the most popular items at the sale, there was a lot of memorabilia about the school. The library had pictures and yearbooks and even some old trophies. I can't imagine why they were left behind, but they were all up for grabs. There was a bulletin board with some of the items found inside the lockers — hall passes and football ribbons and, yes, old love notes! (Remember passing notes in class?) It brought back a lot of fond memories.



My dad made this mosaic of the school mascot in the 1980s.

The school holds special memories for me. It's only two blocks from the house where I grew up and where my mom still lives. Believe it or not, I used to walk to school back when I was still able to walk. That seems like so long ago!

Dad taught at that school. He was the seventh-grade art teacher there for more than 20 years. In one of the hallways near the auditorium, there's a tile mosaic that Dad made back in the '80s. I remember he spent hours arranging the hundreds of little tiles to form the school mascot, "The Patriot." The mosaic is still mostly in tact, although a few of the tiles are missing and the edges are chipped.

I don't know what will happen to Dad's mosaic now. Like everything else, it probably will be torn out and hauled away when the new housing project is built. Some people call that progress. But I think it's a little sad. It's the end of an era, and I'm going to miss old Pampa Middle School. I'm glad I got to go back for one last look at the place. Soon, all we'll have left are the memories!

Political Observations

Hillary Clinton must have been injured more seriously than we thought when she fainted back in December, giving her a concussion. Not only did it make her forget everything she knew about the deaths of four American heroes in Benghazi, Hillary's fall obviously knocked the sense right out of her!

Hillary "came out" with a video this week endorsing same-sex marriage. She previously opposed gay marriage. So why now? Why did Hillary flip-flop on the issue? It's simple political expediency. She is positioning herself for a run for the White House. She knew she better get on board in backing same-sex marriage now, so the party faithful will support her in 2016.

Hillary had to change her position. Support for same-sex marriage now is embedded in the party platform. Other leading Democrats, like goofball V.P. Joe Biden and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who are also contenders in the next presidential race, already voiced their support of gay marriage. Hillary is just following the pack.

I'm disappointed over Hillary's reversal. Even though I disagree with her on virtually every political issue, I respected her as someone who has strong convictions and stood up for her principles. Now, after caving in to pressure on gay marriage, it looks like she's just another typical politician, who will do or say anything to get elected.

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Hillary isn't the only one who has lost their way on the gay issue. Republican Senator Rob Portman also changed his view about gay marriage. His son is gay, and Portman says he now believes gays should have the right to marry. I understand he loves his son and wants to support him, but this isn't the way to do it. Portman is supposed to be a "good conservative" Republican, but he's wrong on this issue. I won't support any candidate or party, Democrat or Republican, that goes against the biblical view of marriage. 

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Who needs enemies when you have "friends" like Obama? Barack Obama went to Israel this week for the first time since becoming president. He put on a good show for the cameras, but he's not fooling anyone, especially Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu. Obama is the most anti-Israel president since that nation's founding. Pray for Israel and Netanyahu!

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There's a war on Easter. School districts and cities across America are holding “Spring egg hunts” and similar events, omitting the word “Easter” from calendars and public announcements. These eggheads want to ban Easter, like they want to ban Christmas. Both holidays are rooted in the Christian faith, making them easy targets for attacks. For Christians, Easter is a day to remember Christ's death and resurrection, and we should celebrate it. So let me be the first to wish you all a HAPPY EASTER!

Beyond The Walls

Beyond the walls of our houses.... Beyond the walls of our offices.... Beyond the walls of our churches.... Beyond the walls lies a great opportunity. It's the opportunity the share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.

 

God has commanded us to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.... and make disciples of all the nations.” I wondered how I, a believer in Jesus Christ, can fulfill this commandment. I likely will never travel the world. So what can I do to take the Gospel into the world?

We have the chance to share Christ everywhere we go. God wants to use us to touch the lives of our unsaved friends and family, our neighbors and even strangers on the street. He wants to use us to change our generation.

This means stepping out and leaving our comfort zone. It means going beyond the walls of familiarity. For me, I like to cling to the familiar, to find my comfort zone and dig in. I don't like change, and I don't like to go beyond the walls I have set up around me. But God is wanting to break down those walls and take me to a new place. Scary? Yes! But if we will just step out of our comfort zone, God can do amazing things.

We must be willing to take that first step. Often, we're just one step away from the next truth God wants us to learn about Him. That's why we can't afford to stay where we are. We must go beyond the walls to take the Gospel to the world around us.

When Jesus called James and John, they were on familiar territory, doing what they were comfortable doing — repairing their fishing nets. But they couldn't stay there and follow Jesus. Mark 1:20 says, "Without delay, He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat and followed Jesus."

They had to leave their comfort zone to fulfill their destiny. That's what God asks us to do. We must leave our comfort zone and trust Him. We can't be satisfied to stay where we are. We must dare to dream and dare to step out. Every great accomplishment began as a dream in somebody's heart.

God wants to take us a deeper dimension in Him — one that will stretch us. But we must be willing to step out and go beyond the walls.

Ready For Battle

This is war. We are in a spiritual conflict. It can be described as a warfare of faith that we, as Christians, must fight our entire lives. Our enemy is Satan, and he is out to destroy us any way he can. We fight against the powers and authorities of this world, and God has given us the weapons we need to win the battle.

Ephesians 6:11 tells us to "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."

When we come to Christ, we think our battle against sin is over and that we won't struggle with sin anymore. The real fight is just beginning, though. Our old sinful nature remains within us even after we are saved, and we must resist that nature. Satan is our deadly enemy, and he's waiting to trip us up.

We must choose every day whether we will follow our sin nature or turn from it and obey God. The Bible warns that those who follow the sin nature cannot inherit God's kingdom. The sinful nature must be resisted and put to death through daily warfare.

We wage war against sin and temptation, not in our own power, but with spiritual weapons. The apostle Paul gives the call to arms and lists the weapons of our warfare in Ephesians 6:14-17.

It says, "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

By putting on all of God's armor, we can be assured of withstanding our enemy's attacks.

Our victory has been won by Jesus himself through His death on the cross. Jesus won the battle against Satan, disarmed the evil powers and redeemed us so we could be free from sin. If we use the weapons we have in God, we will win.

Did someome say 'Snow'?

It's the 'Blizzard of the Century'! Not really. That's just how this snowstorm is being hyped on TV. I know it's a serious and dangerous storm, but come on, it's nothing we haven't seen before in the Texas Panhandle. I admit this is a pretty impressive storm. Some parts of the area have 12 inches of snow already and 4-foot drifts!

In the Panhandle, we're used to snow. We're used to wind. Put them together, though, and everyone freaks out, especially TV weathermen. If you listen to them, you'd think this is 'Snowmageddon.'

It's funny to watch the TV coverage of the storm. They have one weatherman stationed "out in the field," which is code for just out the back door in the parking lot. Then, there's another weatherman in studio, and he gives the "very latest conditions," which is code for "Hey, it's still SNOWING!" I think we can figure that out if we look out the window.

Before the storm, people made a run on grocery stores and gas stations. The stores were packed with people stocking up on food. Come on, do you really think you're going to run out of food if you have to stay in the house for two days? I didn't stock up before the storm, but I really don't think I'm going to starve. If you do run out of food, you can run out for some great snow ice cream. I used to love that as a kid. Just watch out for the yellow kind!

All schools in the area were closed today, and some businesses shut down. That's good. Everyone needs a Snow Day! But it's funny because as soon as the snow stops flying, people want to get out and head over to the park to slide down the hill on cardboard.

Some people have been stranded because of the blizzard. My two aunts were here over the weekend and were supposed to leave today. I think they're going to be here awhile! I told my aunt from Wisconsin that I ordered the snow so she'd feel at home while she's here.

A lot of people hate the snow. You can't do anything about it, though, so you might as well settle in and enjoy it. If everyone just uses a little common sense, we're all weather the storm fine.

7 Days Without Church Makes 1 Weak

People often say to me, "You're always going to church." Some even say, "Wouldn't it be easier just to stay home sometimes?" Well, yes, it might be easier to stay home some Sundays. But the rest of the week would be a whole lot harder.

 

We all need to go to church. We need each other. Most of all, we need to meet God there. It is there, with other believers, that we are encouraged and find strength for a new week. I can tell you it makes a difference in my life.

 

There are many reasons why we should go to church. It is at church where we find and fulfill our purpose in life. We find our purpose through a relationship with Jesus Christ — and others. Church is where we learn to be a part of the family of God. We learn how to love and share with each other. In 1 Corinthians 12:26, it says, "If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it."

 

By coming together with other believers, we can grow together in God's love, and we will grow spiritually. Ephesians 4:16 tells us, "As each part does its own work, it helps all the other parts grow, so the whole body is healthy."

 

Being a Christian and living the Christian life is more than just a commitment to Christ. It's a commitment to other believers, too. The Bible tells us to be involved in each other's lives. God says to love each other and bear each other's burdens. Hebrews 3:13 says, "Encourage one another daily."

 

The Bible tells us to encourage one another, serve one another, teach one another, accept one another and be devoted to one another. In Romans 1:12, Paul says, "I want us to help each other. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you."

 

Many times, when we've stumbled or had a tough week, we may feel like staying away from church, but those are the times when we need it most. That's where we find God's grace. Our church family can help us through the hard times. As it says in 2 Corinthians 2:7, "When people stumble, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won't give up." How true it is. We need each other in the hard times as well as the good times.

 

I read a great quote once that really sums it all up: We need church "because it gives us a purpose to live for, people to live with, principles to live by, a profession to live out and power to live on. There's no other place on Earth where you can find all these benefits in one place."

 

If you haven't been going to church, try it next Sunday. It will change your life!

Stick To Your Guns... And Bibles

The debate on gun control has sparked a heated discussion. People are adamant in their stand for or against gun regulations. If you listen to talk radio or read Facebook, you'll find passionate pleas from gun owners. Many have even quoted the old NRA slogan, "I'll give you my gun when you pry it from my cold, dead hands."

 

Those are pretty strong words! The people, on both sides of the argument, are sincere in their beliefs, and they're not going to be silenced. They are willing to fight for what they believe in.

That made me wonder: Would people be as passionate if the debate was about the Bible and our religious freedoms instead of guns? What if the government tried to ban Bibles? Would there be as much outrage as there's been over gun rights?

We are blessed in America to have the freedom to worship as we choose and to read the Bible. I pray we never lose that freedom. Our religious freedoms are already under attack. There may come a day when the government will try to ban the Bible, and that day may come sooner than we expect.

The current administration already has attempted to restrict Bibles at some military hospitals. A guideline memo issued by the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in September 2011 stated that religious items, including Bibles, could not be used or given away during visits with patients at the center. Fortunately, the rule was never enforced and was rescinded four months later.

Other religious freedoms also have faced restrictions. Last year was the 50th anniversary of the ban on prayer in public schools. It was a hotly debated issue at the time and now, decades later, the debate rages on. There have been various attempts to allow prayer back in school. However, many Christians remain virtually silent on the issue. The same is true on abortion. We've been silent for too long. It's time to stand up for the rights of the unborn.

The attacks on our religious freedoms will only increase in the last days. The Bible tells us to hold firmly to the hope we confess without wavering.

In 1 Corinthians 15:58, we're told, "Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

We need to get fired up! We should be as passionate about the things of God as we are about guns. The day may actually come when they try to take our Bibles away. What will we do then? Will we let the Bible slip through our fingers or will they have to pry them from our hands?

Big Daddy WHO?

When I told Mom that Big Daddy Weave is coming to Pampa, she said, "Big Daddy WHO?" She thought I was talking about a man, not a group. If they traveled with the Gaithers, I'm sure Mom would know exactly who they are.

Big Daddy Weave is Mike, Jeff, Jay, Joe and Jeremy. Together, they are one of the most popular contemporary Christian groups, and they are coming to Pampa this weekend with the Redeemed Tour. Chris August and Citizen Way are also on the tour.

I've been to a Big Daddy Weave concert before, in Amarillo, but I didn't think they would ever come to our little town. This is big for Pampa. We're getting three groups for this night of praise and worship. I haven't listened to Chris August or Citizen Way as much, but I'm sure it will be a great concert. Tickets are only $10 at www.itickets.com. Can't get a deal like that in the big cities!

I hope people will come out and enjoy the concert. Let's pack M.K. Brown auditorium Sunday night and all worship the Lord together!

Mom asked if I thought she'd like their music. I don't know. It might be a little loud for you, Mom, you better stick with the Gaithers! Then again, she might really enjoy the concert. The night is about worshipping Jesus, and that's what we should all be doing all the time!

If you're in the area around Pampa, I hope to see you here this Sunday night! It's going to be good!

No Room For Compromise

When asked about their secret to a long marriage, the happy couple answered: "Compromise!" The husband then quipped, "My wife and I always compromise; I admit I'm wrong, and she agrees with me."

We live in an age of compromise. Sometimes, compromise is good. If we had more compromise in Washington, our country might not be in the mess it's in. But one thing we should never compromise is our commitment to God and His Word.

In Joshua 1:7, we're told, "Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left."

God gave us a standard in the Bible and expects us to follow it unswervingly. If we do, God promises "you will be prosperous and successful" (Joshua 1:8). But when we compromise and go our own way, we pay a high price.

In the Old Testament, the prophet Amos was called to speak out against the people of Israel who had been unfaithful to God and compromised their beliefs by worshipping idols and pagan gods.

In a vision, the Lord showed Amos a plumb line. It represented God's standard of holiness for His people. Israel was "out of plumb" because it had turned away from God's standards. God's wrath came upon Israel as punishment for unfaithfulness to His laws.

This should be a lesson to us today. God's standards never change. He does not compromise His values, and He will punish any nation that doesn't keep His standards. There will be constant attempts by the enemy to get us to let down our guard and conform to the world's standards. However, Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world."

Jesus warns in Matthew 7:13, "You can enter God's kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way."

The narrow way is one without compromise, but many will follow the broad way that leads to destruction by compromising their beliefs. God demands our absolute obedience, and there is no room for compromise in our love, obedience and devotion to Him.

Five Reasons Why I Believe

We need to know what we believe and why we believe it. As Christianity comes under attack more and more in our nation, by the media and others, we should be able to contend for our faith. In 1 Peter 3:15, we're commanded to "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."

If someone asked why you believe, would you know how to answer? I didn't. I had put my trust in Jesus, but for a long time I didn't know how to explain my faith to others.

As I studied this more, I found five things I could point to in the Bible to show others why I believe. These are five reasons for my faith:

1. I have the promises of God. In John 3 and John 14, we're told that God loves us so much that He gave His son so we may have eternal life and that Christ prepares a place for us in heaven. We have the assurance that Jesus paid the price for our sin and if we believe in Him, we will have eternal life.

2. I know Jesus is the only way to God. In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." The Bible teaches that atonement must be made for our sin. No other religion offers atonement for sins. Christ's sacrifice on the cross is that atonement. No other religion offers this promise.

3. I know Jesus is the risen savior. Without Christ’s resurrection, we have no hope. In 1 Corinthians 15:14, it says, "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." The resurrection shows us His power over death which brings hope to all who believe.

4. Jesus appeared to many before He ascended into heaven. The fact that we have many eye-witness testimonies to Christ’s resurrection proves His victory over death.

5. Jesus fulfilled many prophecies concerning the Messiah. He fulfilled Old Testament prophecy in his birth, birthplace, return from Egypt and his early life in Nazareth. Other prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus: The Christ was to die by crucifixion. Others were to throw dice for his garments (Psalm 22:18). The Messiah would be a sin offering (Isaiah 53:5-12). The Messiah would rise from the dead (Psalm 16:10-11).

These are only a few reasons why I believe. I encourage you to look into the Bible and find reasons for your faith so you'll be ready to give an answer if someone asks why you believe. In this day when Christianity is under attack, we must always prepared to contend for our faith.

Obama's First 100 Days

The first 100 days of a presidential term took on significance during Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration, and the period is used to measure the early success of a president. During his legendary "First 100 Days," FDR sent Congress a record number of bills, all of which passed easily.

So how will the first 100 days of Barack Obama's second term compare to Roosevelt's? I'm glad you asked! I've uncovered a few of the proposals Obama has planned for the next 100 days. Here's a sample:

A bill to repeal the 22nd Amendment to allow him to run for a third term as president, which would a life term. Personally, I think Obama deserves a life term.... in the pen!

Pay off the national debt by minting a new gold coin. The coin would feature Obama's two faces.

Change title from "President" Obama to King Obama and eliminate Congress and the Supreme Court. Heil Obama!

Grant statehood to Kenya, making it the 58th state. Finally, Obama would be a legal U.S. citizen.

Reconstruct Mount Rushmore. He doesn't want to add his face to the mountain.... he wants to plaster his face over EACH of the existing faces carved in the mountain.

Change national motto to "In Obama We Trust." Fifty-three percent of Americans are already using the new motto.

Create a news network inside the White House that would report only positive news about Obama. Wait, he already has that.... it's called NBC!

I'm sure you think these things are far-fetched and could never happen, right? You might want to think again. Remember, this is Obama we're talking about!

Power of Influence

You have the power of influence. If you think your life doesn't matter, consider this: It's estimated that 10,000 or more people will pass under your influence during your lifetime. Those people will then influence thousands more. Now think about this: One life dedicated to Christ can touch hundreds of thousands of people with the Gospel.

 

We all impact the lives of others — either for good or evil. In the beginning, Satan influenced Eve. Eve influenced Adam, and they influenced all of mankind. Look how that turned out! 

 

As followers of Christ, we influence others by the way we live. When we profess Jesus as Lord of our lives, people begin to take notice. They're watching us! If we want to have a strong influence for the Lord, we should be careful how we talk, how we do business and how we live. We should make sure we're living how the Bible instructs us to live.

 

In Matthew 5, Jesus says we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. But what does it mean to be the salt and light?

 

Just as salt is used as a preservative in food, we preserve God's moral law by living lives that are holy. Jesus expects us to take a stand against sin, immorality and the exploitation of the unborn. He commands us to take care of orphans and widows. As the "salt of the earth," we can attract others to a life free from sin and committed to Christ.

 

Jesus also tells us we are the light of the world. When we live our lives according to God's Word, we provide light to the rest of the world. Jesus is the true light of the world. He has ignited a light in the life of each of his followers. Our job is not to hide the light. Rather, we should shine so others may see the light and come to God.

 

You do have the power of influence, so be careful how you live. Remember, you may be the only Bible some people will ever read!

'Brew'-haha in Pampa

There's a controversy brewing here in our little town. Pampa voters will be deciding whether restaurants in town can serve mixed drinks. 

 

The "brew"-haha began last month when a group started a petition to change the alcohol ordinance to allow restaurants to serve mixed drinks. Right now, restaurants can serve beer and wine only. That means if you really want to get sloshed while dining, you have to drive to Amarillo to eat in one of the many places that serve mixed drinks. 

 

Now that Amarillo has passed a law banning handheld phones while driving, it may be a real buzzkill to have to drive 60 miles for a few drinks! I'm sure most winebibbers would rather stay in Pampa to get hammered.

The timing of the petition is interesting. It comes as an investment group is planning a new city development on the site of the old junior high school. Part of the land will be sold for commercial property, and the developers are hoping to lure bar-and-grill-style restaurants, like Chili's and Applebees, which will never come to Pampa unless the alcohol law is changed.

The issue has stirred up the whole town. It's the topic of conversation everywhere you go. Several pastors have spoken out against the change, but one pastor signed the petition and wrote an editorial in favor of it. He doesn't drink but said he'd be a hypocrite if he went to restaurants in Amarillo that serve mixed drinks but did not vote to allow restaurants in Pampa to do the same. It's all right, Brother. We have room for one more hypocrite in this town!

I have "mixed" feelings about the mixed drink ordinance. I don't drink and never will. Alcohol makes me talk funny, you know!

 

I'd love to see some big chain restaurants come to Pampa. I would eat at those places, and I'm sure it would help our economy in town. But sometimes you have to take a stand against sin and evil. I believe it's wrong to drink alcohol. More importantly, God thinks it's wrong. The Bible says to 'love what God loves, hate what God hates'. He hates drinking. So, even though it might help our town attract more business, I can't support the new law.

The petition will go to the City Commission later this month and then will be put to voters in the May election. I will be voting my conscience and hope other voters will too. Cheers!

2013!

I know I've said I don't make new year's resolutions, but I decided to tackle a few resolutions that a lot of people make at the start of a new year by putting by own twist on them. So, here are my New Year's resolutions for 2013:

1. Exercise more. I will exercise the right to free speech and the right to speak (or, in this case, write) freely without government interference. I will exercise the right to practice my faith without interference by the government. I will exercise the right to bear arms. (I'll wear short sleeves year-round, and I don't care who it offends.) And I might get a gun, too. The best reason to own a gun: BECAUSE I CAN!

2. Eat less. I'm going to start eating less yucky vegetables, less health food and less 'lite' portions.

3. Drink less beer. This may be a tough one! That Barg's root beer is soooo addicting! I can finish off a six-pack before you know it.

4. Spend less. I'm not saying I'm cheap, but this could be the year I go off the 'thrift-ful cliff.' The government should try that sometime.

5. Spend more time with the ones I love. That means spending a lot more time with O'Reilly, Hannity and my favorite Fox News anchor babe, Megyn Kelly.

People say keeping resolutions is hard, but these don't seem too hard. I think I can do it this year! Happy new year!