Meditate on this!

And Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:5-8 clearly establishes two believing prerequisites for entrance into the kingdom of God. One – you must be physically born and; Two – you must be Spiritually born. Any theology that does not teach this is of the devil.

Thoughts about Life

Some days the thoughts of what to write about seem to be locked away and that I can never find the right key on the ring to get the door open. This is one of those days! To tell the truth it is because of the struggle that goes on between the flesh and the Spirit. I am looking at Romans 7:7-12 where the apostle Paul explains his struggles with the flesh when it is more operational in a moment of time then the indwelling Spirit. I have to agree! “Oh wretched man that I am!” who will deliver me from this body of death? If you think about this statement, you might clearly see why the apostle says such a thing. A walk in the flesh is like the stagnant water in a pond with no life and the stench of sin like sitting in a bag of garbage on ninety degree summer day. This is serious and I need to understand as the apostle challenges. “I thank God – through Jesus Christ our LORD!” So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. I need to stop being mindless and make a conscious response to return to the power of God in the Spirit. Only then will I notice the footsteps on the beach of one Person, the imprints in the sand show the extra weight as He carries me to the water; the washing of the water of the Word to remove the stench of sin once again. This is a Titus 3:1-8, moment and I thank God for it.

Ecclesiastes 11

Verses 7-10  – The days of our youth are filled with memories of sunshine and pleasant days, there are even days of our adult life that are beautiful moments locked away and to remember now and then. I am reminded of many of those days this very moment, but also with those memories there is the mixture of darkness. We tend to remember our dark days since these follow so closely to the brighter more pleasant one. Like good and evil; pleasant days and dark days travel the same path

Walking as a young person in the ways of ones heart is what most of us do, we use the things of the world and make our heart merry. The heart says good job, you are a faithful servant so whatever you fix your eyes on; go ahead and do it. The pleasure of the flesh will be your reward.

“Now wait just a moment!” your eyes may see and cause you to do, but God is standing by watching too! He will bring all you do into judgment one day. If there is sorrow in your heart over this, then that is a good thing. In other words, it is a good thing to have a bit of vexation in your mind in the prime of your life as this may cause you to put away the evil from your flesh. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 1 John 2:28-3:1-3

The Devotional – A Look at the Book #640

Meditate on this!

Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water,” and they filled them to the brim. John 2:1-12 now on whose authority did the servants respond? To Jesus, his mother or the too master of ceremonies! Verse 5 shows that the command came from mom. Obedience to parents is crucial.

Thoughts about Life

The other day in the prison we were teaching a small group of inmates (believers) about being secure in Christ. The leader spoke of natural and special revelation and it had been several years since I had heard this and immediately my mind raced to the scripture that clearly reveals this wonderful truth. Psalm 19:1-14 a Psalm of David; we could spend hours in this portion of scripture (and I wish we would) and if we did we would have a doctorate in what some have titled the everlasting gospel of God; Revelation 14:6 and Ephesians 3:8-13. The first six verses of Psalm 19 explain natural revelation, while the next five verses explain special revelation. These two revelations from God point us to our personal relationship with Him; notice the last three verses. The Word of God is sweeter than honey, more desirable than gold and more rewarding than anything the world can offer. Why? Because the Law of God is perfect, having the power to convert our soul, His testimonies are absolute making the simple minded wise (anyone can be saved). The statutes of the LORD are pillars of truth that cause our hearts to rejoice and the commandments of the LORD are pure, giving light to our path (Psalm 119:105) All of the Word of God is a revelation from God that He loves you and me, beyond what we know. He is seeking you today and you know it because He has demonstrated Himself too you. Romans 5:8

Ecclesiastes 11

Verses 5 – The Spirit of God moves in world that God has created… do you know how? Don’t say yes because you do not understand and even today there is mystery in the birth of a child. The sin and evil of abortion proves this. God is our maker and sustainer; try and erase Him from your daily life and you are left with works or deeds of the flesh that have no reward. Revelation 20:13, now I know some theologies do not agree with the book of Revelation and they will be singing a new song too! “Sad day, Sad day since it is not the Crowning Day.

Verse 6 – These are some basic instructions that the farmer has been following since the beginning of time. Solomon is not the one who is original in this thinking, God taught Adam in the Garden over seven thousand years ago to plant in the morning and harvest in the evening. There is spiritual truth in this as well… you know the song! I come to the garden alone while the due is still on the roses and the voice I hear, falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses. Awe the sound of His voice creates for you and me everything worth seeing and touching; His harvest makes our cup run over with joy. Amen! And again I say Amen!

The Devotional – A Look at the Book #639

Meditate on this!

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God; even to those who believe in His name  John 1:6-18. So is it a God given right to be a child of God? No! Notice what is said in context here. You must personally receive Him and believe in His Name; then by His Authority He will give you the right to be a child of His Father, we cannot earn the right, nor do we deserve to be sons of God, that relationship is a gift from Jesus Himself.

Thoughts about Life

The housing market, the automobile and the pharmaceutical, investment, financial, medical and the insurance industries along with the liberal media and government are the biggest legal scams in the world. And did you know that in order to have a healthy mushroom in your salad it goes through this growing process. First you must have a cave like dwelling that is dark and a constant 62 degrees, fresh straw and recycled straw (horse manure). This growing mixture must not be wet, but it must be continually damp. From this purposely smelly, depressing and uncomfortable climate mushrooms grow. Now, how do those two thoughts work into my thoughts this morning? (It is not because I like mushrooms, even though I do). Fresh straw has some comfort qualities, while recycled straw has no comfort. People need the comfort of a home, an automobile, maybe a pill now and then for the headache. They also need a place to invest and save their money and to know what is going on in the world around them and to live under the authority of government. (That is the comfort of life… fresh straw). Mortgage companies and banks charge in interest three times the cost of the house. New vehicles are overpriced by twenty to thirty thousand dollars. Medical, drug, investment and financial institutions wear the clothing of service; but in reality are wolves in sheep’s clothing. The media and the commercial and political advertisements are the labor forces that spread the fresh straw and the horse manure. Of course there is nothing left over, because the government takes any leftovers since the government enjoys feeding fresh and recycled straw as a daily diet. Enjoy your mushrooms today.

Ecclesiastes 11

Verses 1-4 – Solomon is a preacher and lets not forget that his topic has been; living life under the sun and apart from any input from God, although he has mentioned God from time to time he is determine to show his readers how one might live as one who just goes from day to day… gutting it out on his or her own. He clearly says in these passages that in gutting it out, one still needs to be diligent. Water without a current is stagnant and lifeless, what sits in this filth will not go away. If you are hosting a meal, be prepared for the unexpected guest who may show up; don’t be caught with not enough.

Evil lurks on the earth, the other day I said that; under the sun both good and evil are producers of sin. In other words both expressions of life under the sun carry the blight of sin, otherwise all would not be sinners as the scripture clearly states; Romans 3:9-23. There are clouds without rain, just as there are clouds with rain and Jude 1:12 makes Solomon’s statement here very serious in that in order to have a good harvest there must be a keen understanding of diligence and patience.

The tree that falls to the ground will not remove itself and neither will the circumstance of life walk away from the one who owns it. The sower knows not to sow in the wind and the harvester will wait for a clear day to harvest. These things may seem like common sense, but to the one who ignores sound judgment and diligence; the one who has no patience will lose the value of living life under the sun and homeless shelters are full of them.

The Devotional – A Look at the Book #638

Meditate on this!

I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; John 17:20-28 If you have believed in Jesus, then He has prayed specifically for YOU. Read the context and find the oneness, the glory, the love and His desire for you in time and eternity.

Thoughts about Life

Yesterday morning I was making a purchase in a local bakery. I like the aromas of fresh baked pastry, don’t you? As I was waiting for the order to be completed a mom brought her to young boys in for their weekly morning treat. Immediately their young faces were plastered to the glass case and with eyes wide open they scanned every cookie, tart and chocolate éclair. Mom stood behind watching and I said; “these are precious memory moments for your children, as I see my grandfather and me in your boys; and she nodded. My heart found its way back to a five year boy, when most Sunday morning he would be with his grandfather, walking to the German bakery in our neighborhood in Louisville, Kentucky. Chocolate and cherry kuchen was the standard order for my poppy and we would hurry home for some of the best Sunday mornings of a young child’s life. The young girl with her children allowed the boys to pick whatever they wanted and it seemed that the oldest boy (at least I thought so) looked to me for approval on his selection. I gave a little nod and he smiled, the smaller boy said that he wanted the chocolate, chocolate and by interpretation from his mom, it was the much larger chocolate muffin with chocolate frosting which he and his mom would share. Maybe it is because I am aged, but there are no greater moments in time, then to see people enjoying family life and oh yes; I missed my grandfather that morning. At the time I think he was younger than I am today. What a hoot!

Ecclesiastes 10

Verses 11-15 – How does a person charm a snake, most of us will run in the other direction and have you noticed; we do the same thing if we see a babbler coming in our direction. Babblers are different then the wise man and I am sure that you have noticed this as well. The wise measures his words with grace, he also uses his words to comfort, too give purpose and too open or close off communication when the topics become worthless. However the babbler is a keen fence straddle, he knows how to make sounds that sway the hearer and poison the moment. Proverbs 4:14-19

Verses 16-20 – There is nothing new under the sun, but it does seem that humanity as a whole has missed the boat on this. We tend to think that because we have the “android” the “I-pod” and the “pea-pod” that being under the sun is different for us. Absolutely; not so! Our governors and leaders curse the land they control by coming in late and feasting long, using assets that belong to the land. A people at work in large numbers will be a blessing to a governor; but many out of work are his curse. Proverbs 14:28  

The Devotional – A Look at the Book #637

Meditate on this!

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:7-11 Knowing God by His Love.

Thoughts about Life

We will be getting back to the Ukrainian trip, I am just waiting for a few incoming details about the trip before I continue. I was thinking about a statement I read by the Evangelical Center of Buffalo, NY; a Russian/Ukrainian Ministry. “We have come this far by faith” The ministry is celebrating 100 years of serving the LORD. There are several of these ministries in the United States and around the world. The nearest ministry to us here in Connecticut is the Russian/Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Union (RUEBU) located in Ashford, CT. The ministry houses retired pastors, teachers and other professionals of Russian and Ukrainian nationality. They also house other elderly people based on availability and they host churches that would like to have retreats, conferences and camps. Also they have a full service cafeteria, bungalows and barrack type housing for weekend groups. When I worked in Ashford I met Steve and Sally who at the time were the assistant directors. We had opportunity through them to use the facility on several occasions. The Baptist Union as it is commonly known reminds me of the Christian Servicemen Centers that minister to the military around the world. It is in ministries like these that my faith found anchorage. Yes; we have come this far by faith, but I know that faith will not stop at the doorstep of death. The transition from life to death and life again will be; “I know my Redeemer lives for I shall see Him as He is.” Job 19:23-29; Hebrews 6:11-12 and Hebrews 9:27-28.

Ecclesiastes 10

Verses 8-10 – Here the king of Israel gives us an insight to his work ethics… he is not afraid to get his hands dirty. In a nearby town there is a government training center to teach people how to labor. Now I know that the center is more than just teaching men and women how to dig holes and fill it again, but at first I would joke about the center in that way. The training center is actually teaching folks how to cleanup after a terrorist attack and other natural emergencies that we face daily.

So a good king with a strong government will establish the guidelines for survival. Digging holes, splitting wood and keeping tools in good repair will keep injuries to a minimum and it will bring success to each task because wisdom is involved. However; too much government over these details of life is not good. This is just good common sense for most of the folks my age have grown up with these abilities since our fathers and grandfathers have taught us.

I am convinced that there would be no need of Homeland Security (now I am not talking about the military; we need a strong military) but this: If fathers would be fathers and mothers would be mothers to their children there would not be abortion clinics or pro-life care net centers. There would not be schools where each child is searched for concealed weapons, there would not be on an epidemic scale legal and illegal drug abuse. God, family, discipline and integrity: the cornerstones of life have been rounded off to a liberal interpretation that is much like the proverbial snowball gathering speed, size and strength. The crash is imminent and you just may be there to see and feel the crash.