The Ring

As is often the case, our pastor said something in his Sunday sermon that made me think. If you have your Bible handy, you could open it to Romans 2.

When my wife and I got married (49 years ago this coming July) we put rings on each other's fingers. Why did we do that? Well, tradition. Our parents did it, and THEIR parents, etc. But do wedding rings really DO anything, other than to show others that we are married?

Back in the day, God gave Moses the command (Genesis 17) that all males must be circumcised. It was a physical act, a sign to others, of the covenant between God and the Jewish people. But then Paul came along, and under the NEW Covenant, said this:

"A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical. ²⁹No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God." - Romans 2:28-29

Do you remember Gollum's obsession with "the ring" in the Lord of The Rings movies? That's basically the same obsession that the Pharisees had with The Law of Moses. But then God offered a NEW Covenant through Jesus. The Pharisees didn't like it so they killed Jesus, because of their obsession.

A wedding ring means nothing, if it is not accompanied by loving, sacrificial hearts.

And how about our "wedding" with Jesus. Is He not the bridegroom and we are the bride? John The Baptist's disciples came to John and asked him about this Jesus who was also baptizing. John told them...

"The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom stands and listens for him, and is overjoyed to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete." - John 3:29

It is not the cross we wear around our necks, or the communion wafers and wine we sample at church, it's our hearts!

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." - Ezekiel 36:26

This question must be asked then: Do our hearts truly belong to Jesus, or do they follow ritual or tradition? Do we follow Him because He is our Lord, or do we go to church because of our tradition?

“Watch your life and doctrine closely." - 1 Timothy 4:16

Anomia

I know what you're thinking. "He spelled ammonia wrong." Nope. "Anomia" is a Greek word. I'll get to it's meaning in a moment. But first, some scary Bible verses from our Lord and Savior, Jesus.

"Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. ²²Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’

²³Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’" - Matthew 7:21-23

What Jesus is saying is that some people who think they know Him will NOT be getting into heaven.

Today's word for the day is 'anomia' (pronounced an-om-ee'-ah). It is a Greek word and it means 'lawlessness.' It's the last word of the text above.

Basically, even people who say and think they know Jesus will NOT be getting into heaven. This is Jesus talking. Why would He not let us in? Two reasons.

1. (Verse 21) - "only he who does the will of My Father in heaven."

2. (Verse 23) - "I never knew you."

So, we have to do God's will and Jesus has to 'know' us.

I'm just guessing here but, I'm thinking if we do not obey God and His commands, our chances of being known by Jesus are a big fat zero. Why? Because of our anomia. Our lawlessness!

Obeying every one of God's commands,  every day of our lives, is impossible! What can we do then to be saved?

Hmm. That sounds like a bible verse, doesn't it?

“How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

²⁶Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”

²⁷Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” - Luke 18:24-27

"Possible with God" is also in another verse. Same story, different Gospel.

Jesus was with his disciples in the Book of Matthew and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

"Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” - Matthew 19:26

"With God."

Are you "with God?" Does Jesus "KNOW you?" You need to believe in Him, obey Him (in everything), repent of your sins, and you will be saved.

Jesus KNOWS our very thoughts. He realizes that we are all sinners. He KNOWS all of those who are His. Talk to Him in prayer, beg forgiveness for your sins. If you mean it, He will forgive you. And that is the key.

Mean it! With all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength! And, yes, that is another Bible verse. It's the first and greatest commandment.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ - Matthew 22:37

Our being "saved" is by God's grace alone. But we do have to admit our sins to Him, and believe in Him as our Lord and Savior. The we can forever receive His bountiful blessings, in this world AND the next.

Dust

Do you remember the story about the woman caught in adultery? She was brought before Jesus by the scribes and the Pharisees, and they asked him this question:

"³The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group ⁴and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. ⁵In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” - John 8:3-5

Jesus then does something very interesting. He kneels down and starts writing in the dirt with his finger. 

"But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger." - John 8:6

What was Jesus writing? The Bible doesn't really tell us here. But, if we search through the scriptures, we can get an idea. Check this out....

"Lord, you are the hope of Israel; all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the Lord, the spring of living water." - Jeremiah 17:13

Could it be that Jesus, by writing on the ground, was fulfilling the prophecy given to Jeremiah 600 years earlier? I think it was! And what was Jesus writing? Jeremiah tells us! "Those who turn away from you," it says. "Those" are the Pharisees and the scribes. And the "you" is Jesus.

The Bible is amazing. It never lies and always speaks the truth. And then there's this from John's Gospel:

“⁷Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” ⁸Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

⁹At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there." - John 8:7-9

The Pharisees HAD to know what writing in the dust meant. And they left.

If indeed Jesus was writing down "those who turn away from you" in the dust, could it be that Jesus was writing down the names of those present? Those Pharisees who had turned away from him, in order, by the date of their birth? Wow!

And they all indeed did turn away from him, one by one, until all of them were gone. Amazing!

"For dust you are and to dust you will return." - Genesis 3:19

We are ALL dust . . . without our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our names are written in the Book of Life! Not in the dust.

Baldy!

There's a story in the Bible that has always kind of bothered me - the story of Elisha and those pesky, disobedient kids.

"From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. “Get out of here, baldy!” they said. “Get out of here, baldy!” He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys." - 2 Kings 2:23-24

Okay . . . now, doesn't that seems a little harsh? Why did Elisha do that? He was a prophet of God. Where's the compassion and the love?

This story is just one example of why it is SO important the STUDY the Bible and not merely read it. There are several things to note here.

First, as I mentioned earlier, Elisha was a prophet of God. That demands a certain respect, perhaps even fear. These 'boys' were not giving Elisha the respect he was due.

Second, the Bible translation used above was the NIV, not always the most accurate translation. The word 'boys' appears in the NIV. A good source to use in studying various translations of text is BibleHub.

If we search for 2 Kings 2:23 on BibleHub we get all the various translations of the text. 'Some boys' (NIV) is not the only translated words we find here. 'A group of boys' (NLT), 'some small boys' (ESV), 'little children' (KJV), 'some youths' (NKJV)' etc.

So which it is? Bible study tool #2...

The Old Testament Interlinear Bible I use is ScriptureForAll. The link here is for Old Testament (Hebrew). There is also a New Testament Greek version. If we click on the 2 Kings 23 link we get this Hebrew words: unorim qtnim. This translates to 'lads, small ones.' Let's move on.

So we have some small lads disrespecting the older prophet of God. What does scripture say about children disrespecting their elders?

“You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord." - Leviticus 19:32

And although there is not a specific punishment written for disrespecting elders, there is one for disrespecting parents. It's the Fifth Commandment.

"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." - Exodus 20:12

There is a case of a disrespecting son found in Deuteronomy, his parents brought him before the elders for judgement. The following was the law given to Moses by God.

"Then all the men of his town are to stone him to death. You must purge the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and be afraid." - Deuteronomy 21:21

The penalty for not honoring one's parents was death. I imagine it would be the same regarding demonstrations of honor for one of God's prophets. 

So, was Elisha wrong for calling down a curse on these young lads? No. Not under the law. But let's consider Jesus and the grace of God.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." - Matthew 5:43-48

The punishment under the law was death for not honoring parents. God's law has not changed. And even though Jesus spoke about loving our enemies, He also said this:

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." - Matthew 5:17

He died on the cross to fulfill the sentence required for not honoring those who deserve honor.

How will we handle being disrespected today? Will we honor those who are worthy of honor? Or who require honor?

Both Joe Biden and Donald Trump are older than me. Both have held the position of president. Are they due honor and respect, despite what we think about them? Hmm.

We can have our opinions but we also must respect the office.

"Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God." - Romans 13:1

Common Sense

Back in 1775, Thomas Paine wrote a 47-page pamphlet called Common Sense. Apparently, our forefathers had some of that back then. These days common sense seems harder to come by than baby formula and cheap gas.

According to Wikipedia (so you know it's true), "Paine connected independence with common dissenting Protestant beliefs as a means to present a distinctly American political identity and structured Common Sense as if it were a sermon. Historian Gordon S. Wood described Common Sense as "the most incendiary and popular pamphlet of the entire revolutionary era."

We could use some "common sense" in both our government and our personal thinking.

I look out at the woods that my wife and I live in. A gentle breeze blows in through the open windows, birds are singing and a doe and her fawn walk through the yard. None are in a particular rush.

Contrast that setting with a big, bustling city or a political assembly of differing viewpoints. Totally opposite.

Something has changed in our society. Our world is different now than it once was. I believe that the distance we have placed between ourselves and God in our daily lives is the cause. We are without excuse, as Paul says in his letter to the church in Rome.

"Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is forever praised. Amen." - Romans 1:20-25

Only God can save us from this mess we have placed ourselves in. Only God.

The Bible says that Jesus will return and remove His church, then there will be seven years of tribulation (much worse that anything we have ever experienced). After that, God will create a NEW heaven and a NEW earth. In short, things are not going to be getting better for the earth and those who do not believe in Jesus.

We need to quit looking at the world and trying to figure out ways to save it. Instead, we need to look at ourselves and figure out ways to save US!

There IS only one way to be saved. Jesus. Common sense tells us that we should seek to find that way . . . before it's too late.

The Great Escape

Are you familiar with Steve McQueen? I have written about him before. Movie star, race car driver, The King of Cool!

This screen shot was taken from the movie The Great Escape. Set in World War II Germany, Steve plays a prisoner of war. He spends most of the movie trying to escape.

The German army is the enemy. They don't want Steve to escape. At the end of the movie, some of the prisoners escaped, some were killed. Steve was captured and thrown right back into prison.

This movie is analogous to the world we live in today, only our enemy cannot be seen. Despite his invisible nature, Satan's hatred for God can be seen everywhere. You and I get to play the roles of the prisoners. It is our job to escape.

In the movie the prisoners dug tunnels to get beyond the barbed-wire fence that surrounded the POW camp. In this life there are no fences but we are prisoners none-the-less. So how do we escape when it seems like there is nowhere to escape to?

The old Eagle's tune Hotel California describes our condition. "We are all just prisoners here of our own device." We are prisoners in this world.

Our sins have made us guilty in God's eyes. God's punishment for sin is death. There's no getting out of it. We are guilty! However, our death sentence comes with an 'escape' clause. His name is Jesus.

By placing our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, God has promised to airlift us out of the prison camp. Death no longer has any meaning to the Christ-follower. We have received eternal life through the atoning sacrifice that Jesus offered to God on our behalf.

Whatever your crime, whatever law you have broken, God has PROMISED to forgive you! Just come to Him in prayer and confess your sins. It will be the most difficult and yet the easiest thing you will ever do to receive such a prize.

The ability to escape the prison we are in is in our hearts. It's up to us. God has given us a ways to get out of our prison. It truly is a "great escape" because we are giving up death in favor of life. It's a no-brainer! Escape now!! Before the enemy comes to get you.

And Steve McQueen?  He made the choice for Jesus before he died from cancer. And although he died, yet shall he live.

"Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” - Luke 21:36

The Consequences of Disobedience

When I first saw this picture I thought three things. One, look at that smile! Two, look at that hair! and three, look at those nails! Sadly, we won't be seeing any of those things in the upcoming Olympic games. Miss Richardson failed a drug test and was suspended

There are laws in this world and when people break those laws, there are consequences. At least that's part of the plan anyway.

There are some people who have broken the law that get away with their crimes. At least it seems like they to us. But God sees, ,and knows, all things. There is nothing that gets past His watchful eyes and His just judgements.

God has laws. People have been breaking those laws for thousands of years. One day, Jesus will judge the living and the dead. All people will have to face up to the things they've done. Everyone will be punished for their wrong-doing.

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," - Romans 3:23

There is an exception to God's righteous judgements however. God has made it plain to see that, if we place our faith in Hid Son Jesus, God will forgive our sins. Why? Because Jesus already paid for our crimes when died on the cross. He took OUR death sentence upon Himself and died in our place so we won't have to die when we are sentenced.

People sin in this world. God knows that. He set this whole thing up before the beginning of the world. Sadly, it cost God His Son's life to compensate for OUR sins. How merciful and gracious was that!?!

Look at that picture again. When we see Jesus in heaven one day, I think this is how we all will react, after all the things that He has done FOR us. Despite us. Won't we run to Him with open arms and give Him the biggest hug ever?

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." - 2 Timothy 4:7

Critical Truth

There's been a lot of talk lately about Critical Race Theory (CRT). We see stories about it on the news. It is being taught to our children in our schools. CRT is wrong. Look at the title!

The word 'race' signifies that CRT is itself racist - separating people into groups based on race. That's a problem. The Nazi's in World War II had a "critical race theory" of their own. That didn't end well.

The second problem with CRT is that we are teaching theories to our children as if they are actual fact. That's another problem.

Darwin had a theory that we all evolved from a lower life form. That has been proven false, yet it is still being taught in our schools as if it were true.

Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, had a theory. She thought there were too many people of color in certain neighborhoods so that's exactly where she placed her abortion clinics.

Everybody seems to have their own 'theory' about what is true and right. There is only ONE truth.

Well, I have a theory about gaining weight. Every time I open the refrigerator door, I gain weight. This is a systemic problem throughout the world. Look at all of the obese people out there! Studies have been conducted. There is actual proof to support my theory. Actual physical proof! I say we should ban all refrigerators and teach this practice in our schools! Am I wrong? 

Yes. Of course, I'm wrong!

Jesus often spoke against false teachers. Most of His time throughout the Gospels was spent railing against the Pharisees and Sadducees. Why? Because they had forgotten the TRUTH found in God's Word and started making laws of their own.

The minute we start creating laws based on race and sex we have become present-day Pharisees. Creators of our OWN laws. Ignorers of God's.

Here are three quotes. One could say the first quote was by an African-American. One could also say that the second quote was by a white slave owner. Both statements would be true but separating people by race is wrong. The quotes stand by themselves, without racial or sexual attachments. The quotes are from Americans!

"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." - Martin Luther King Jr, The "I have a dream" speech

"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".- Thomas Jefferson, The United States Constitution

Here is one more quote about truth.

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” - Jesus, John 14:6-7

Law vs Grace

Here's a tough one for you - the concept of Law vs. Grace. The picture you see here is of a woman about to be stoned to death. Half-burried and tied, she is unable to defend herself. This is The Law.

You might say, "How barbaric!" And, you'd be right, but open up your Bibles.

"While the Israelites were in the wilderness, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day. 33Those who found him gathering wood brought him to Moses and Aaron and the whole assembly, 34and they kept him in custody, because it was not clear what should be done to him. 35Then the Lord said to Moses, “The man must die. The whole assembly must stone him outside the camp.” 36So the assembly took him outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the Lord commanded Moses." - Number 15:32-36

For picking up some sticks? Too harsh?

Let's go back to the Book of Exodus, Chapter 20, The Ten Commandments. Key word =  "COMMAND-ments."

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work," - Exodus 20:8-10

A command from God. We are supposed to obey those things. How are we doing what that commandment in today's world? Not very well I'm afraid. Ahh, but Jesus!

"In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace." - Romans 6:11-14

Tell me, would you rather live under The Law, or under God's grace? Everybody gets to make that choice in this life. We can choose to live things our own way and follow other gods, or we can choose Jesus. It's our choice. Picture Jesus being stoned to death in our place. That was HIS choice. He died for us on the cross. He took our place. He was "stoned" for OUR sins.

It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

Feelings

The problem with society today can be summed up in just one little word -" feelings." I was raised in an age when we got F's in school for bad work and when only the best team got a trophy. There were no "participation trophies" like we have today. And that, my friends, is where our societal problems all began. Our poor little feelings got hurt.

Our country is based on basic precepts found in the Bible. Thou shall not kill. Thou shall not steal. We seem to be getting away from all that these days.

Today, when people "feel" like doing something, they think they should be allowed to do it. Why? Because they FEEL like it. And we let them.

For example, stealing is against God's law. It's against our country's law too, but people are allowed to steal if someone "feels" like they have been wronged. I give you Portland, Minneapolis, and Seattle as examples during the George Floyd riots of last year . . . and again THIS year. People "feel" like they should be allowed to do this. And we let them. Why? Good question. I believe I have found the source.

Back in the mid-70's there was a nauseating song by one-hit wonder, Morris Albert called Feelings. Even today I can still only listen to one verse, max. I have included a link here, if you dare to listen, followed by a link to an antidote song. You're welcome.

Our feelings have gotten in the way of actual truth. And now we are knee-deep in . . . participation trophies.

Sadly, our faith has caught the same sick bug as our society. We have not only brought our feelings into our laws but into our churches as well. We are so concerned about "feeling God's presence" these days. Is that right? Have made Jesus into someone who conforms to OUR image? One that WE have created?

Voddie Baucham once preached a message referring to this modern day Jesus we have created. There's a link to a 5-minute clip below. Voddie referred to our society's Jesus as a "Sissified, Needy Jesus." His description of what that is is followed closely by the actual truth from God's word. Please listen to it, read it and heed it!

Voddie is right. We are all going to stand before Jesus one day. The REAL Jesus. And each one of us will be judged. That judgement will have nothing to do with how Jesus is "feeling" at the moment. It will be a righteous judgement based on the truth of God's Word.

You see, God doesn't need us. We need Him. Jesus IS the truth. David was a murderer and an adulterer. He did what he felt like doing. Until he was found out and repented in guilt and shame. We, and our country, need to do the same.

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. 5Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place." - Psalm 51:1-6

Feelings - Morris Albert

Bad To The Bone - George Thorogood

Sissified Needy Jesus - Voddie Baucham

The Laws of Man

My wife and I watched a movie last week, I wasn't really expecting to get a theology lesson from Ant Man, but I did.

During the first part of the movie, a conversation takes place between Darren (the soon-to-be villain) and the unsuspecting Frank (who was about to become a small stain on the restroom floor). Here's their conversation:

Frank: Unfortunately, we can't just do whatever we want. It'd be nice though, right? But there are laws.

Darren: What laws? Of man? The laws of nature transcend the laws of man. And I have transcended the laws of nature.

Frank: Darren, I don't think you understand.... 

Darren: [picks up ray gun] ZOT!!

Frank was right. Darren did NOT understand.

When man starts messing around with the laws of nature, bad things usually happen. As an example, I give you the recent pandemic that came out of a Wuhan lab in China. That hasn't gone well, has it?

God is the Creator of all things. When we start thinking that WE can create things, we are placing ourselves above God, or at least equal to Him. Things never end well when we do that. Satan, a created being and former angel in heaven, tried to make himself God. He's STILL trying. And failing.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, said the LORD." - Isaiah 55:8

King David, a man after God's own heart, loved and embraced God's law. Perhaps we should too. Let's start with the 10 Commandments and go on from there. Anybody in Washington D.C. listening?

"Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long." - Psalm 119:97

Darren Cross Kills Frank

Conviction

Have you ever felt convicted after listening to a pastor deliver his sermon? Congratulations! God's Holy Spirit is working in your life.

It doesn't have to be a pastor that delivers the message either. We can become convicted just by reading the Bible. Or it might be a friend that confronts us about something. That conviction is what keeps us on track and on the path.

This reminds me of the story of Josiah. He was happily just living his life as the king, doing kingly stuff, when someone said to him. "We have found the Book of The Lsw." Then they read it to him.

"When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes." - 2 Kings 22:11

Have you ever had one of those moments? When you suddenly convicted about something you have said or done? I have. I had one yesterday in church.

So what do we do when we have one of those "attacks of the conscience or moves of the Holy Spirit? Make it right!

"Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 2 He went up to the temple of the Lord with the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the prophets - all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord." - 2 Kings 23:1-2

God still punished the people who had lost The Book but He spared Josiah. And this was written about Him in God's Word.

"Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did - with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses." - 2 Numbers 23:25

Do we live a life like Josiah did after being convicted by God's Word? After hearing a sermon? Or do we go back to our status quo?

The Exodus Gospel

Do you remember this scene from The Ten Commandments? It's going to be happening again soon.

To reset the scene, Moses was up on Mt. Sinai talking with God. Moses had just received the ten commandments when God said this:

"And the Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves." - Exodus 32:7

Take a look around the planet these days. What do you see? Haven't we corrupted ourselves? How soon will it be before God has had enough and sends Jesus down?

Joshua met Moses on his way back down the mountain and said, "There is a noise of war in the camp." (Exodus 32:17)

Is there not "a noise of war" in our country? Look at Portland. It's been over two months. Look at the Middle East. War is coming and Turkey and Iran are at the heart of it.

So what happened when Moses arrived at the camp? He witnessed God's people sinning. You can see the golden calf that they were worshipping on the right side of the picture above. What happened next? Well, Joshua blew his trumpet (a shofar). That sound should send chills down the spine of every believer on earth.

"Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord's side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him." - Exodus 32:26

When all of God's children, the ones who came to Moses, had fled the others and ran towards God and Moses, what happened next?

"And he (Moses) said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor." - Exodus 32:27

All those who did not choose to follow God, but chose to follow their own god, were put to death. The movie showed the earth swallowing them up. How ironic.

Do you see the similarities to today? Those who do not run to Jesus and seek HIs forgiveness of their sin are condemned to death. This is not something that should be taken lightly. Go back and read Exodus 32:7 again. Who was killed? Everyone who did not call on the name of the Lord!

Who is that in YOUR life? Is it your brother? Your mother? Your sister-in-law? Your child? All will suffer the wrath of God unless they choose Jesus . . . and quickly.

This is not some trivial argument about wearing masks. Who cares about a mere virus compared with the mighty outstretched hand of God? But just in case plagues are your thing, look at the last verse of Exodus, Chapter 32.

"And the Lord plagued the people, because they made the calf." - Exodus 32:35

God plagued the people because they had turned their back on Him. Are we any different than they in today's world?

Chapter 32 of Exodus is an Old Testament offering of what we must choose today: the ways of the world or Jesus. The question is, which will it be? Each day that passes is one day closer to the return of Jesus and His judgement of ALL the people of the earth. Have you made YOUR choice?

Moses Returns from Mt. Sinai - The Ten Commandments

The Avenger of Blood

Reading through the Book of Leviticus can be like taking a short walk through a big desert. It can be a struggle to get through, but when you get to the other side - paradise!

There are lots of rules in the Book of Leviticus. Many of them don't make too much sense to us, living in today's world. But, when we stop and think about them, if we do, the rules suddenly make sense. Like the Avenger of Blood and the City of Refuge.

You have probably heard the term "city of refuge" in the news recently. In today's context it applies to illegal aliens trying to escape the federal government's desire to deport them. The city of refuge in today's world is willfully disobeying federal law.

Back in the time of Moses a city of refuge was a place where someone could flee to if he or she accidentally killed someone. The Avenger of Blood, usually a family member, could not kill the fleeing person in that city. But if the fleer ever left the city. Boom!

This city of refuge concept is mentioned many times in the Bible. It must be important. So I got thinking about that concept and came up with this.

Isn't Jesus OUR "city of refuge"? When we flee from the sins we have committed, aren't we safe "in Him"? And if we should every leave Him, aren't we then doomed? You and I face death if we are found anywhere outside of our City of Refuge, Jesus.

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." - Proverbs 18:10

Our salvation is found in The Lord, our strong tower. The righteous run into it and they are saved.

The Name of The Lord

Life Lines

This is a picture of me on my faith walk. I tend to wander all over the place, get into trouble, then cry out to Jesus for help. He always saves me and then I repeat the whole process all over again. What is wrong with me?

Well, I'm a sinful human. That's the biggest part of the problem. It seems like no matter how hard I try I just can't stay on "the path."

Still, at least I KNOW there is a path. Many people don't. They walk wherever they please, doing whatever they want. Sounds like Old Testament Israel. Stiff-necked, disobedient, doing what is right in their own eyes.

Did you hear the Old Testament Fixer Upper story about Josiah and The Book of The Law? Israel was doing a rehab project on the temple.

"Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. 9 So Shaphan the scribe went to the king, bringing the king word, saying, “Your servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of those who do the work, who oversee the house of the Lord.” 10 Then Shaphan the scribe showed the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king." - 2 Kings 22:8-10

King Josiah was just living life, doing all the things we sinners continue doing today. But then Hilkiah showed up with the Book of The Law and it was read to him. He then felt convicted and repented.

"Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes. 12 Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Michaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king, saying, 13 “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the Lord that is aroused against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.” - 2 Kings 22:11-13

That is why we read The Bible my friends. "The law" is there to convict us of sin. We are supposed to repent after we feel convicted. The problem today, just as it was back then was, if you don't know right from wrong how can you obey?

We must stay rooted in The Word. It was given to us to KEEP us on the path. Wandering all over without God's Word as a guide can get us into a WHOLE lot of trouble. We need that light to guide us through the darkness this world wants to keep us in.

Read!!

Thy Word - Amy Grant

First Snow

We had our first snow of the season last week. It's always interesting driving after the first snow. It can be pretty dangerous. Like Tuesday morning.

A portion of the main highway through town was closed because of an accident. A truck driver was killed. It was not a good day to be on the roads.

The first snow looks so pretty. We've forgotten how beautiful the snow can look. With the snow however comes hidden dangers. Potholes are covered up, snow can cover the ice too.

Life is filled with hidden dangers. It's our job to navigate them safely. So how do we do that? We have laws like speed limits to help keep us safe. Yet we ignore them. We see snow falling and we forget how slippery it gets. We don't slow down for that either. And then bad things happen.

We lose control of our cars. We can also lose control of our lives. We read God's laws and we still ignore them. When we see someone we love living dangerously, do we stop them and warn them? Or do we just shake our heads?

God tells us in the Bible that we should warn others of impending danger and not just let them parish. Their blood will be on OUR heads.

"But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone's life, that person's life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.' - Ezekiel 33:6

Is there someone in your life who is hurting right now or living in sin? How do you think God wants us to love them today?

Watchman - Robin Mark

Then The Lights

Life can seem pretty boring sometimes. We go about our daily routines. Mindless to what's happening around us. Blah, blah, blah. Then something happens to wake us up and get our attention. That's when the lights come on.

That was me this morning. I was delivering some vegetables to the local food pantry when I noticed a car approaching me rather quickly from the rear. Then the lights came on.

I began wondering what I had done. Was I speeding? Tailgating the car in front of me? I pulled over to the side of the road and waited. It wasn't long before the door to the police car opened and here came the officer.

Should I unbuckle my belt and take my wallet out? No! It might make it seem like traffic stops happen to me all the time. Patience. What did I do?!?

"Good morning sir, I noticed that your brake light was not working but then, when you, stopped, it was. You'd better get that looked at. Where are you headed?"

I told the officer I was headed to the local food pantry to drop off some food. The tomatoes on the front seat helped me convince the nice officer who sent me on my way.

Thinking about the situation from the cop's point of view, I was impressed. These days there are too many stories of police officers being gunned down after "the suspect had been pulled over for a routine traffic violation." Considering that scenario, I was extended tremendous grace.

I looked at my own behavior. When confronted with "the law" I immediately examined myself to discern what I could have been doing wrong. And isn't that just the same as when you and I are confronted with The Gospel? Yes!

The police officer was concerned for me and others by making sure my brake lights were working. Even thought I had done nothing wrong in my own eyes, I was actually breaking the law by having malfunctioning brake lights. Yet, despite my guilt, I was extended grace.

If that is not us in our sin I don't know what is.

"23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness . . ." - Romans 3:23-25

Perhaps I should check my brake lights before heading out next time. I "assumed" they were working. When was the last time we checked our faith? Is it functioning as it should? Or are we just . . . assuming?

The Valley of Slaughter

There is a darkness in the eastern sky. A sickening haze hangs over the land where once tall buildings stood. An entire city and state, even all of mankind,  brought low by a single man's hand who took up a pen and signed into law the ability to take innocent life for no reason at all. This is evil in the eyes of The Lord and God will not be mocked.

Cuomo Signs Abortion Bill Amidst Cheers

The People of New York state should be ashamed, especially their governor, because they have not done what is right in the eyes of The Lord. And they seem not to care. In fact, they celebrated the signing. There are seven things The Lord hates and it seems to me that Governor Cuomo has done them all.

"There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community." - Proverbs 16:16-19

These are difficult times we live in. But news like this should not surprise us. We were told that in the end times things will get rough. Well, here we are.

Killing our babies is nothing new. We humans have been doing it throughout our history. And God has never liked it. Not one bit. Not once.

"1This is what the Lord says: “Go and buy a clay jar from a potter. Take along some of the elders of the people and of the priests 2and go out to the Valley of Ben Hinnom, near the entrance of the Potsherd Gate. There proclaim the words I tell you, 3and say, ‘Hear the word of the Lord, you kings of Judah and people of Jerusalem. This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Listen! I am going to bring a disaster on this place that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle. 4For they have forsaken me and made this a place of foreign gods; they have burned incense in it to gods that neither they nor their ancestors nor the kings of Judah ever knew, and they have filled this place with the blood of the innocent. 5They have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal—something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind. 6So beware, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when people will no longer call this place Topheth or the Valley of Ben Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter." - Jeremiah 19:1-6

This new law allows abortion of babies right up to the moment of their delivery. Literally one second's difference between life and death, between "health care" and murder.

Things will not go well for us unless we repent of things like what just happened in New York. We must repent and seek God's forgiveness. Otherwise there will be no hope when we stand before a just God who hates the very things we invent and celebrate.

"20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!" - Isaiah 5:20-21l

Abortion is not a political issue, it is a spiritual issue. Although politicians make the laws, they do so on our behalf. We The People are condoning these killings as we stray further and further away from God. Abortion is a sacrificial system that WE have created - sacrificing our children on the alter of convenience.

But all hope is not lost, even in this gruesome ritual. God is on His throne. Jesus will come and He will judge. And He is a just judge. For those who have placed their hope and trust in Christ there will be no condemnation. For those who kill there will be punishment. Though they may proclaim faith in God, their actions speak louder than their words. And the babies? Well, they're all with Jesus. And there are more and more of them in His arms every day.

If you are thinking about having an abortion, please don't. There are many people who would love to adopt your baby. And if you have already had an abortion, seek the Lord. He loves to forgive.

Unborn - Caitlin Jane
Save The Storks Website 

Running Wild

When I was growing up I had a dog named Linus. Yes, he was named after the famous Peanuts character. Linus used to stand on his hind legs at the end of his chain and bark at anything that passed by. He kept working at his chain until it broke and then he took off running, chain dragging behind. He loved to run wild.

It always took a long time to get him back home once he was free and running to and fro, wherever he wanted to. He enjoyed being free and doing what he wanted. Unfortunately, he was also running blind - running without being aware of his surroundings.

In the summer we would travel to our family farm and there we would let him run free. He really enjoyed that. He would run and run until he couldn't run any more.

You and I are a lot like Linus. So often we think of this life and some place to run wild through. We won't listen to the voices that are calling after us. We ignore them in favor of doing what we want. That can come with some heavy consequences.

Although we don't have chains on us we do have God's Law as our leash. Our obedience is something that God wants from us. When He yells, "Stop!" God wants my dog to obey because we are often going somewhere we shouldn't.

There are two things that can happen when God removes OUR chains and we are allowed to run free. Either we are obedient to our Master and stay by his side or we run wild through life, disobeying everything we have ever been taught.

Are we obedient? Or are we running blind?

"5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine," - Exodus 19:5

"25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do." - James 1:25

Running On Empty - Jackson Browne

The Parable of The License Plate

I have been trying to get a license plate for my tiny house on wheels for the past four months. What a nightmare! One snag after another. Battling against the DOT can be an uphill battle. Unless, of course, you have someone to help you.

Things were going along well at first. I sent in my license application. All filled out. I sent them some money. I thought I had covered all the bases. Nope. I received a letter back from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation telling me they needed more money. Figures. Fine.

So I sent them more money.

Then I got an e-mail from my "application specialist" requesting even more information. They wanted to make sure my "RV" had a bed and a sink, a toilet and a cooktop. It's not an RV if it doesn't have them I guess. So I wrote back and told my specialist friend that I had all those things. Well, I had most of them, sitting in the trailer. I immediately ordered the rest.

That still wasn't enough. I needed a special certification stamp from my trailer manufacturer. It had have some special wording and it had to be attached to the trailer. I had a document with the wording on it but it wasn't attached to the trailer.

Well, that's a problem apparently. Looks like I had come to the end of the line in my effort to get licensed. Ah, but I have read the Bible. I know all about Law vs Grace. The Law, in my attempt to get a license plate, was being played perfectly by the state DOT. All their rules and regulations were quite hard to live by.

But then along came my tiny house trailer manufacturer. My savior! When I confessed to them my struggles with the state, they went above and beyond the call of duty. I got this e-mail from them yesterday.

"We will get you one. Let me work out the details and I will let you know asap. What address would you like me to send it to? Sorry this has been such a pain for you but we will make it right.

Angel"

My trailer company is sacrificing its profit margin to get me right with the State of Wisconsin. And did you catch the name at the end of the trailer company's message? Angel! Are you kidding me?

We can never satisfy the requirements of God's law. There's too many rules. Besides, we are prone to break rules to begin with. Jesus said, "There is no one good."

Thank God for His grace and mercy!!

Without the grace of my trailer company I'd be up the creek without a license plate. But thanks to someone who exhibited grace and mercy, I just might make it to "the promised land."

I thanked the trailer company for their customer service. And I thank God for the sacrifice of His Son. Without that I wouldn't have met the requirements of getting into heaven - a sinless life.

We all will be given a "license plate" when we get to heaven. A name that no one knows except Jesus. But only those who are 100% perfect will get one. We are made perfect through our faith in Christ. Send in your application today!

"Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." - Romans 10:1-4

Grace - Michael W. Smith

(wait for the message at the end)