Watch Over Me

The Bible is filled with many great reminders and truths. Two of them really stand out for those who are struggling, are alone, or in harm's way.

The first is an Old Testament passage from Psalms.

"The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." - Psalm 112:5-8

The second encouraging verse is like it. Only it is from the New Testament and references Jesus, the One who was born of God.

"We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them." - 1 John 5:18

We who believe are not invincible, nor is an angel likely to appear and strike down an enemy before our eyes. But God does see everything we do and everything that is done to us.

Many years ago, a young girl in our area was abducted, raped, and murdered. Many were left wondering, "Why?" God saw it all happening. He knew it was going to happen before the girl was even born. Many would ask, "Why didn't God stop this from happening?"

We live in a sin-filled world. Bad things happen. There is evil at every turn these days. But, even the evil that exists and acts out against us, is part of God's over-arching plan for salvation. Salvation? Salvation for our souls.

What possible good could come out of such an evil act? It's hard to say but I can say this with great confidence. It changed me.

It was because of this girl's death that I became more protective of my own daughter. And later, after being saved through a new-found faith in Christ, I became a youth leader and loved and guided many teens as they sought the Lord.

Who knows what will happen after that shooting in Tennessee? Perhaps schools will become even MORE safe for our children as a result. But know this. God knows what's going on in your life. He knows your hurt and your pain. Talk to Him about it. Pray about it. Lean on Him. He has promised to never leave you or foresake you (Deuteronomy 31:6). 

So, let that be our prayer then, today. Turn off the news, mourn for the dead, and pray this prayer. Right now.

"Lord, watch over me."

Watch Over Me - Aaron Shust

Conflict in The Bible?

Reading through the New Testament, we can see several apparent 'conflicts,' or at least they seem contradictory on the surface. Here's one. Should Christians associate with sinners or not?

When we read Paul's letter to the church in Corinth it sounds like we are not supposed to associate ourselves with sinners.

"But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people." - 1 Corinthians 5:11

But back in The Gospels we can find examples of Jesus doing the very thing Paul spoke against.

"While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:15-17

The Prarisees called Him on it. And Jesus answered perfectly. Sinners are 'sick' and they need a doctor.

When praying for His disciples, Jesus offered this prayer:

"I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." - John 17:14-15

Paul offered this advice to the Roman church.

"Do not conform 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." - Romans 12:2

We ARE supposed to be eating with 'sinners and tax collectors.' Why? To share the Gospel with them. If we are simply partaking of their food we are 'of the world.'

And there is actually no conflict between these last verses and the first. In the first example, Paul was talking about members of the church - "brothers and sisters.' They should know better. They should repent or be kicked out of the church.

The church is for believers - those who know 'His good, pleasing and perfect will.

There are churches in the world today that are "of the world." They have sexually immoral pastors and bishops leading their flocks. And they wonder why their church attendance is down. The conflict is in their churches! And in their hearts. Their actions conflict with the very word of God. And conflict with God's will - His good, pleasing and perfect will - is not where we should find ourselves.

Nissan

Happy New Year everyone!! Well, I guess we just missed it. March 23rd is just another day for those of us who use the Gregorian calendar system. But, on the Hebrew calendar, the 23rd of March is the first day of a new year. Nissan 1. Rosh Chodesh.

God set the Jewish calendar in motion back in the Book of Exodus.

"The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, “This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year." - Exodus 12:1-2

The month of Nissan also contains Passover. It is when God told His people to smear lamb's blood on the lintels and jambs of their doors so the 'angel of death' would 'pass over' their house.

"Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs." - Exodus 12:7

And you can tell by these verses from EXODUS, it is also a time to celebrate God's people leaving Egypt. Wouldn't it be interesting if God chose to remove His people (Christians) from this world during the same month. Got your bags packed?

And here is something I didn't know. All of the patriarchs of the Jewish people - Abraham, Issac, and Jacob - all three were born in the month of Nissan. AND they all died in the month of Nissan!

Jesus Himself died in the month of Nissan. Many believe that Jesus was also born during the month of Nissan. That would seem to make sense. He IS the Passover Lamb.

Here's a verse from Jesus that tells us that He is the beginning and the end. Jesus is Nissan.

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." - Revelation 22:12-13

So, this is a time to celebrate for sure. It is also a time to be humble and to consider what it is that God is about to do. These are the words of Jesus:

“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” - Luke 21:25-28

You can learn more about the Jewish New Year and the month of Nissan at the following link.

March 23rd - Chabad.org

The Parable of the Pup

Everybody loves puppies, right? They're cute and cuddly. They give us unconditional love. They can grow to become a trusted companion, protect us when we are in danger, and even guide us if we are blind.

But if you had to sum puppies up in one word, would that word not be 'lovable?'

They're so lovable and cute!

But things can change over time. Even the cutest of pups can turn nasty and mean if they are mistreated and abused.

Are human babies any different? All human babies are cute yet for some reason we as a society feel it should be legal to kill them. But harm one hair on the head of a puppy and you're going to jail! 

And think about Jesus for a moment. He has many of the same characteristics as puppies do - lovable, faithful, trustworthy, loyal, and obedient. Yet many ignore Him. Why? Good question.

"God is faithful." - 1 Corinthians 1:9

"God is love." - 1 John 4:7

"He learned obedience through the tbings He suffered." - Hebrews 5:8

Are WE the same? Isn't Jesus supposed to he OUR exanple to follow?

"He is your example, and you must follow in his steps." - 1 Peter 2:21

Be a puppy to someone today!

John Wick's Puppy

You're Upside Down

There is a scene in the 1972 movie What's Up Doc? where Ryan O'Neil is at a cocktail party. He had mistakenly put his name tag on upside down. People kept walking up to him and, after looking at his name tag, would say, "You're upside down." Funny.

However, it is not so funny when when our understanding of God, and who He is, is 'upside down.' In fact, it can be quite deadly.

"I am who I am" - Exodus 3:14

God is. He always was and always will be. It is not His job to make Himself known to us, although He does. We must seek Him and learn who He is. And if we do, God has promised us that we will find Him.

God created us. Why? To worship Him and to bring Him glory.

God does not exist to answer our prayers, protect us from evil, or heal us when we're sick. Yes, He can do all those things, and more. But God does those things because of who He is, not because of who we are or what we want.

God answers prayers, He extends grace and forgives sinners, He performs miracles every day! He even offers eternal life to those who repent of their sins and believe in His Son.

Take a step back and look at the world we live in. Are we not upside down in our beliefs? In our lifestyles? In our desires?

"They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." - Romans 1:29-32

God loves His children. He disciplines us when we do wrong, but He also forgives us. His grace and mercy await anyone who will come to Him on their knees. 

"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord." - Romans 6:23

The concept of God in that verse is relatively simple to understand, yet we keep getting it wrong. Are YOU upside down? Let go of the world and find out.

The Lord is in control. Things are NOT falling apart, they are falling into place. Share the Gospel. Love everyone you meet. And keep your eye on the sky for His return it certain and is coming very soon.

End Times Logistics

The Bible is very specific about the timing of end time events. For example, according to the prophet Daniel, there will be a 7-year tribulation period. It will be divided up into (2) 3-1/2 year periods. Then there will be an event between these two periods when the Antichrist will set up "the abomination of desolation" in the temple. We read:

"He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him." - Daniel 9:27

In order for this to occur there has to be a temple, right? Currently, there is none. That's where logistics come in. How long does it take to build a temple? Where do you get all the supplies? The altar? The lampstand?

Well, the altar, the lampstand, the utensils, the preistly garments, etc., already exist and are waiting for the temple to be built. See The Temple Institute.

It has been said that even the whereabouts of The Ark of The Covanent is known, awaiting the return of The Messiah. But He won't fully return until AFTER the tribulation.

While all of the end times stuff is really interesting, it doesn't really matter to the Christian all that much because we won't be here when any any of it happens, but it does provide us with a logistical time frame of end time events.

We see all of these things happening and know with out a doubt that time is short. That in itself should be an encouragement to us, as the return of our Lord to remove us from all of this craziness is very near.

Getting back to logistics, the average construction time for a church or temple is 25-48 months. That 2-4 years, depending on size and complexity.

God's third temple has already been designed (Ezekiel 40-48). According to Isreal365news, the stones for the temple are already being cut. Can the removal of God's chosen ones and the construction of the temple be far off?

Logistically speaking, the rapture is the next step in God's prophetic timeline, and we have been called to be ready. Are we?

"What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. For this world in its present form is passing away." - 1 Corinthians 7:29,31

Dandling

I learned a new word today, so I thought I would pass it along. Who knows, maybe you can use it with your kids or grandkids. The word is 'dandle.'  Here it is in a sentence.

"For this is what the Lord says: “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees." - Isaiah 66:12

The Lord was referring to Israel in His words to the prophet Isaiah. The word 'dandle' means "to move (a small child) up and down on the knees or in the arms in a playful way."

We all have probably dandled someone a time or two and never even knew what it was called! But this is an important word when we consider how much God loves us and what God desires to do to each one of His children.

God was talking to His people, Israel. But God was also talking to ALL of His children. Us! Can you get a hint of how much God loves us in that He wants to bounce us playfully on His knee? Amazing!

I think that if God did that with me, I'd pass out immediately. The Creator God, who made all things, loves us that much? Wow!

And the way things are going these days, it won't be long before the dandling begins. Maranatha! Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!

Hymn to the Fallen

I'd like you to examine this man's face for a moment. Especially his eyes. What do you see? Tears? Pain? Sorrow?

There is a link to a movie clip at the end of this story. I'd appreciate it if you'd scroll down and watch it. Perhaps then you will be better able to understand what I am about to tell you.

In the movie, the man pictured above was saved in World War II by someone he didn't know. The man who did the saving actually sacrificed his own life so that Private Ryan could live.

When we hear the story of Jesus and how He sacrificed His life so that WE could live, why doesn't our face look like this man's? Where are OUR tears and sorrow?

We hear the story of Jesus death so often that the weight of it gets diminished. We become so numb to the actual sacrifice Jesus made that we just accept it.

Part of our apathy is that the crucifixion story is just that - it's 'a story' to us. We never witnessed it. We never saw Jesus actually die. Perhaps if we had our eyes would be filled with those tears. We would better be able to feel the weight of what He did.

I want those tears! I don't want to be numb!

"At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was 

the Son of God!” - Matthew 27:51-52,54

I think I'm going to take this man's picture and place it in my Bible at each of the crucifixion stories, to act as a reminder of the sacrifice given and what it truly means for us all.

Hymn to the Fallen - Saving Private Ryan

God's Country

I don't know why I never thought of this before but for some reason I started signing an old patriotic song the other day.

The first half of the first line struck me as being significant. Like I had never heard it before.

You're already singing it, aren't you?

"My country, tis of Thee...."

Question: Who it the "thee?" Well, it's God, of course. Our country is of God. Our money says, "In God we trust." Our Declaration of Independence says this: 

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. "

I would submit to you this morning that our government, and this country, has strayed far beyond its original intent.

As one example of this over reach, the first right mentioned in our Declaration (above), is the right to life. 

930,160 young lives were snuffed out in 2022, against their will I'm sure. Yet the current government of this once great country is trying to make abortion the law of the land.

But that's just one example. For offenses similar to this, and others, our forefathers determined that they would declare their independence and go to war against their oppressors - the British government. 

Who is our oppressor now though? Is it us? Are we ourselves causing our nation to stumble? Or is there someone behind the scenes causing all this hatred and division.

If we are truly living in the last days then the raputure of the church and the beginning of the seven-year tribulation are imminent. And Satan knows his time is short.

This nation was created by a people whose minds were set on things above. We have lost track of our Shepherd. We must return our focus to our Creator.

"So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered;" - Ezekiel 34:5

We have become like sheep without a shepherd, wandering all over the place. We need guidance, direction and protection from the evil one.

Let us return to God as a nation and embrace the truths our forefathers instilled in our founding documents. Our country 'tis of thee. And so are we.

Memorial

This past Sunday we had communion at our church. We do that once each month. Some churches serve communion every other week, others EVERY week. It doesn't really matter, as long as "as often as you eat of this bread and drink of this cup, do so in remembrance of me."

Prior to communion, our pastor uses a Biblical story as an illustration. There are many to choose from. Last Sunday it was the story of God's people crossing the Jordan River into The Promised Land.

"So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, and said to them, “Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” - Joshua 4:4-7

Our pastor's point was that communion is 'a memorial' to Jesus. And he's right. But then I got thinking....

What is our personal memorial to Jesus? We can't carry 12 stones around with us all day long. According to our communion verse we're supposed to 'do this in remembrance of me.'

I don't know about you, but I find myself thinking about Jesus many times throughout each day. What do we do as a rememberance then? The answer is simple.

Love.

What does love look like? It's visiting a friend who is going through a tough time. It is taking someone a meal who is sick. It's driving six hours to comfort someone who just lost a friend. Or simply give someone a hug because you care about them.

Love comes in many different forms. And guess what....

Each of us is a memorial to Jesus. His love resides in ALL who believe. Jesus is what this world needs right now and WE are His delivery service.

So, 'set up your memorial' by living your life for Jesus. How? By loving everyone you meet.

"Do this in remembrance of me."

The Big Question

There is one question we all must answer at some point in our lives. And it's not 'Do you believe on God?'

There are many gods. The 'Do you believe in God?' question is far too broad and therefore meaningless.

We need to be able to answer the question that God will ask all of us one day.

"Are YOU righteous?"

That's a big question for sure. Only the righteous may enter heaven. The answer to the "Are you righteous?" question, of course, is no.

"There is no one who does good. Not even one." - Romans 3:12

We must be righteous if we are going to gain entry into heaven and have eternal life. But how?

"Who then can be saved?" - Luke 18:26

That brings us to John 3:16

" For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16

There's the REAL question.

"Do you believe in Jesus?"

Many will answer yes to that question. But do they? Do they really believe in Him? Do they even KNOW Him? And, more importantly, does Jesus KNOW us?

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in 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. Away from me, you evildoers!" - Matthew 7:22-23

I never knew you...... ouch.

I wonder if that shouldn't really be our prayer.

The Bible says that God knows our hearts. He knows our thoughts. So shouldn't our desire be to have pure thoughts and clean hearts so that when He examines us He will find us righteous like Noah, Daniel, and Job?

"If I send a plague into a land and pour out my wrath on it through bloodshed, killing its people and their animals, as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, even if Noah, Daniel and Job were in it, they could save neither son nor daughter. They would save only themselves by their righteousness." - Ezekiel 14:19-20

Heavenly Father, you know me. I am unworthy of the grace You extend to the righteous. My only hope of forgiveness, eternal life,  and entry into heaven is through my faith in your Son, Jesus. So I cling to Him in my belief and in my desperation. I repent of my sins, seeking Your forgiveness, Lord. I trust in your promises of salvation through your Son. And I thank you for blessing me with your adoption of this poor soul into your eternal heavenly family. I thank you, Lord, and I praise you, and it is in the name of your Son Jesus that I pray these things to You. Amen.

The Convergence Parable

Have you seen the two "stars" in the western sky at sunset? They're quite bright and are actually planets - Jupiter and Venus.

Jupiter, the fifth plant in our solar system, was named after the chief deity of ancient Roman religion.

Venus, the second plant in our solar system, was named after one of the most widely referenced deities in Greco-Roman mythology, as the embodiment of love and sexuality. 

These two planets currently appear right next to each other at sunset in our western sky. They meet up with each other like this every 2.3 years.

The two planets actually seemed to touch on March 2nd in what's known as a conjunction. In actuality, they are millions of miles apart.

Jupiter is departing Venus now, getting closer and closer to the sun. Eventually, Jupiter and the sun will appear to be one.

What an incredible parable!

Venus is a picture of us Christians, the bride of Christ, Jupiter represents Jesus, the bride groom, and the sun is God The Father.

Jesus came close to us for a short time but then left us to be with The Father. He WILL draw near to us again. And perhaps He will take us with Him next time so that we can be with Him where He is.

So, think about this Jupiter and Venus parable as you watch the skies tonight. And also think about this:

“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken." - Luke 21:25-26

Confirmation

When I was in my early teens I remember going through confirmation class at my church. I didn't really like it. It was just one of those things I had to do, so that I didn't have to do it anymore. Know what I mean?

"Confirmation" is supposed to be an affirmation of one's baptism as a baby. But how can we confirm or affirm something we can't even remember doing?

Today, many churches baptized babies. That's okay. I get it. It's tradition. But doesn't one's faith have to do with what one believes?

A baby only knows when it's hungry and when it's diaper is full. Not what it means to have a saving faith in Christ. And, from personal observation, many babies are often unwilling participants.

In my opinion, knowing God's Word and applying it to our lives is far more valuable than simply going to church or attending a confirmation class. Attendance is not the benchmark. Our faith is.

There comes a point in everyone's life when we make a decision about Jesus. Do we believe in Him or not?

Question 1: Where do people go when they die if they were baptized as babies yet denied Christ throughout their entire lives?

Question 2: Where do people go when they die if they were never baptized as babies, but then later placed their trust in Christ?

It's not about the water, or the act of baby  baptism that matters. It's about our acknowledgement of who Jesus is and then repenting of our sins. Any "confirmation" is an act of the Holy Spirit. We are baptized with and by Him.

"Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." - Acts 2:38

Peter's steps to being baptized:

• Repent of our sins
• Place your faith in Jesus
• Receive the Holy Spirit

Easy peasy.