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!