Monthly Archives: July 2009

No Fear! Yeah, Right!

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“The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.”1

The story is told about a baby bear “that wandered away from his mother in search of food. This was his first foray; so he was a little timid. A large, ferocious mountain lion spotted the baby bear and approached to attack. The baby bear, not knowing what else to do, reared up on his hind legs as he had seen his mother do this as a defense. Immediately, the mountain cat retreated; ran like he was scared to death. The baby bear, very proud of himself, continued foraying for food. What the mountain lion saw, and the baby bear didn’t know, was that the mother bear was behind the baby bear, rearing up on her hind legs, ready to attack the mountain lion.”2

No fear! Yeah. Right! Breathed the man with soul so dead who never to himself hath said, “I’m scared half to death.” Fear is a common plight of us all—unless we bury and hide it, which is a dangerous path to follow for what we deny we inevitably act out in some self- or other-destructive way. Someone has said that there are 365 “fear nots” in the Bible—one for every day of the year!

David, who penned the words of today’s Psalm had every reason on many occasions to be terrified because King Saul, ravished by a jealous hatred of David, was hunting him down to kill him. So whenever I am afraid, I take a page out of David’s book, and keep repeating to remind myself, “The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

The good news is that God is with us … always … he will never leave us or forsake us … hence to counteract our fears we can learn to place our confidence in him and not in ourselves. It’s important, too, not to allow fears to control us for if we don’t control (or resolve) them, they will control us.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that no matter what circumstances I find myself in, you are always there for me. Thank you too for your promise to never leave me or forsake me. Help me to learn how to fully put my trust in you so I will not be afraid. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

NOTE: For additional help see “Conquering Fear” at: http://tinyurl.com/rhlho

1. Psalm 118:6-7 (NIV).

2. Source an e-mail. Author unknown.

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Never too Old

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“So here I [Caleb] am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”1

A former mentor of mine, the late Cecil Osborne, spent most of his working years as the pastor of a church that helped found a number of daughter churches. He also saw the need for a counseling ministry for hurting people and when he retired from the pastorate at or about age 65, he set up a full-time counseling ministry. He was close to age 60 when he published his first of a dozen books, The Art of Understanding Yourself,” and kept counseling until he was well into his 80s.

Numerous other people have seen great achievements in their senior years. For example, “Cervantes completed Don Quixote when he was nearing 70. Clara Barton, at 59, founded the American Red Cross. Goethe finished the dramatic poem ‘Faust’ at 82. Verdi composed ‘Othello’ at 73, ‘Falstaff’ in his late seventies. Benjamin Disraeli became Prime Minister of England for the second time at 70.”2

“Pablo Picasso was still painting at age 91. Arturo Toscanini gave his last performance at 87. Konrad Adenauer was chancellor of West Germany at 87. And the accomplishments of many senior members of God’s Kingdom would make an even more impressive story if they could all be told.”3

Admittedly, in Caleb’s day people lived much longer than we do today. Nevertheless, no matter how old we are, we are never too old to serve God. Just check with your pastor and he will show you many ways you can do this.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, whatever years I have left I want to serve you all the days of my remaining life. Please lay on my heart what I can do to be a part of your plans and what you are doing in the world today. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Joshua 14:10-12 (NIV).

2. Today in the Word (Chicago, IL: Moody Bible Institute, 1991), p. 9.

3. Ibid.

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Will Jesus Christ Come Again? Part III

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“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man [Jesus] will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”1

Will Jesus come again? From the Bible, God’s Word, we have the promise from almost every prophet in the Old Testament and almost every writer of the New Testament that Christ will come again. We have talked about the promise and the proof of his coming, and today we want to talk about the plan of and the preparation for his coming.

Third, The Plan of Christ’s Return: Only God knows the exact day of Christ’s return, but the one thing he made clear is that on that day, as the Bible says, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”2

In heaven there will be a great time of celebration after which each Christian will receive his or her special rewards based on his or her faithfulness to and service for God here on earth.3

Many Bible scholars believe there will be a time of distress and war on earth the like of which the world has never seen before with the climax at the great battle of Armageddon. Eventually, this world age will then end with judgment of all sin and evil, at what the Bible calls the Great White Judgment Throne of God.

Because God loves us he sent Jesus, his Son, to die in our place to pay for our sins so he could offer a free pardon to all who confess their sins and receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior—and to deliver us from the Great White Judgment Throne of God. Tragically, all who fail to accept God’s pardon will have to face God’s judgment of their sin, which is eternal separation from God, the source of all love and life; that is, they face eternal death.

Fourth, The Preparation for Christ’s Return: Christ likened the Kingdom of Heaven to ten virgins preparing for a wedding. When the bridegroom appeared only five were ready. Only these were included in the wedding. The others were left behind. That is how it will be when Christ returns. Those who are ready will be taken to heaven. Those who are not will be left behind. As Jesus said, “I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.”4

We do not know the exact time of Jesus’ return except that he said, “When you least expect me, I will come.”5 The important thing is to be ready for Christ’s return when he comes. If you would like to accept God’s gift of sins forgiven, salvation, and eternal life so you will be absolutely certain you will be ready for Christ’s return, click on the “God’s Invitation to You” button link below, or on this link to “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian—without having to be religious at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9. This will be the greatest life decision you could ever make.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, again I thank you for the promise, the proof, and the plan of Christ’s return. Thank you for your great salvation and the promise of a home in Heaven for all who believe in and have accepted you as their Savior. Help me to be prepared today for Christ’s return by having repented of my sins, asked for and accepted your forgiveness and received Jesus as my Savior. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Matthew 24:44 (NIV).

2. I Thessalonians 4:16-17.

3. II Corinthians 5:10.

4. Luke 17:34-36.

5. Matthew 24:44 (Paraphrased).

NOTE: This series has been taken from the article, “Will Jesus Christ Return to Earth?” by Dick Innes at http://tinyurl.com/avesyg.

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Will Jesus Christ Come Again? Part II

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“But He [Jesus] was wounded for our transgressions [breaking God's laws], He was bruised for our iniquities [sins]; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”1

“Will Jesus Christ come again?” is a question on many people’s lips today. It could be today or it may not be for another thousand years. Only God knows the day and the hour. However the Bible does give us the promise of his coming and we looked at that yesterday. Today we want to look at the proof of his coming.

Second, The Proof for Christ’s Return: One of the great proofs we have for Christ’s second coming is that God always keeps his promises. This is seen in the many prophecies from the Bible that have already been fulfilled.

For example, Christ’s first coming was predicted hundreds of years before it took place. A thousand years before, Samuel declared that Christ would come through the lineage of David,2 and he did. Around 700 BC Micah wrote that Christ would be born in Bethlehem,3 and he was. About the same time Isaiah predicted that Christ would be born of a virgin,4 and he was, and 600 years before Christ came, Daniel accurately stated the time of Christ’s birth.5

David and Isaiah both specifically foretold the sufferings of Christ and the manner of his death hundreds of years before they happened. “They pierced my hands and feet,”6 David wrote in the Psalms in a vivid picture of Christ’s crucifixion—a torturous death unheard of in David’s day. And Isaiah prophesied that Christ would be “pierced for our transgressions”7 which was also fulfilled when Roman soldiers thrust a spear into Christ’s side when he was on the Cross.

Christ’s first coming, death, and resurrection, were predicted hundreds of years in advance and fulfilled in minute detail. History gives complete evidence of these facts. We can therefore be just as certain that every prophecy in relation to Christ’s second coming will also be fulfilled exactly as the Bible says.

To be continued…

To be sure you are ready for Christ’s return click on the link to “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian” at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that every prophecy in the Old Testament regarding the first coming of Christ to die for our sins was fulfilled in minutest detail, and that we can be equally confident that every promise and prophecy regarding Christ’s second coming will also be fulfilled in minutest detail. Thank you for this blessed hope we have to look forward to when you will put down all evil forever, where there will be no more sadness, sickness, sorrow or death for all who believe in you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV).

2. See II Samuel 7:12-16.

3. Micah 5:2.

4. Isaiah 7:14.

5. Daniel 9:25-26.

6. Psalm 22:16.

7. Isaiah 53:5.

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Will Jesus Christ Come Again? Part I

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“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”1

When one of my nephews was only five he heard me talking about Christmas being the time when we celebrate Jesus Christ’s coming to earth. He wanted to know if Jesus would come back to earth again.

Jesus Christ’s first coming at Christmas nearly 2,000 years ago is a fact of history. He is as real a person as was Julius Caesar. In fact, the Encyclopedia Britannica gives more space to the life of Jesus than it does to many of the world’s great leaders combined. The secular historian, Josephus, who lived in and wrote about civilization in Bible times, also verifies the historical Jesus.

But one question people have been asking ever since the time of Christ—and perhaps even more so in these days of ever-increasing terrorism, wars, and threats of wars—is the same one my nephew asked: “Will Jesus come back to earth again?”

The only reliable source for an answer to that question is in God’s Word, the Bible, which in the words of Herbert Lockyer, Sr., gives us The Promise, The Proof, The Plan of, and The Preparation for Christ’s Return.

First, The Promise of Christ’s Return: Actually, every prophet in the Old Testament part of the Bible, except Jonah, promises or makes reference to the end of this world age (as we know it), the beginning of which will be marked by the second coming of Jesus.

Jesus himself promised he would return. His disciples were troubled when he told them that he would soon be leaving them, so he assured them with, “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” 2

When Jesus left earth, two angels gave the same promise. Imagine the surprise of Christ’s disciples on the day he returned to heaven and two angels appeared saying: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”3

And almost every writer in the New Testament repeats the promise. According to one Bible scholar there are 308 references to Christ’s second coming in the New Testament alone. This promise pulsates throughout the entire Scriptures, right through to the last page and the last word. “Yes, I am coming soon,” Jesus said.4

To be continued…

To be sure you are ready for Christ’s return click on the link to “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian” at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you not only that Jesus came the first time some 2,000 years ago to die on the cross for my sins, but also for the promise that he will come again to take to Heaven all those who believe in him and have accepted him as their Savior. Thank you for this wonderful hope. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. John 14:1-3 (NKJV).

2. John 14:2-3 (NLT).

3. Acts 1:11 (NIV).

4. Revelation 22:20 (NIV).

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Carpe Diem

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“Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.”1

Have you ever noticed that, “Opportunity comes to pass—not to pause?”

When God told Joshua and the ancient Israelites that he had given them the Promised Land, he certainly didn’t hand it to them on a silver platter. To claim God’s promise, they had to battle every inch of the way. They still had to go, conquer, and possess it.

The reality is, however, that had God not given it to them, they never would have been able to conquer and possess it. And might I add, they wouldn’t still be there today!

God has a work for you and me to do too. He will give us the opportunities every day to serve him, but it’s up to us to take advantage of these as they come to pass—not to pause! True, God feeds the sparrows, but he doesn’t throw the food into their nests. They have to go out and get it. Whatever God has for us to do, he doesn’t do it for us. He will guide us. He will direct us. He will give us wisdom, but he won’t do it for us. We, too, have to arise, go, and possess the opportunities and promises God has for us.

With God’s help, let us carpe diem, “seize the day,” to take advantage of every opportunity God gives to us, and claim every promise he has for us.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to be ready and willing to “seize” every opportunity you give to me to serve you, trust in you to help me do it, and to claim every promise you have for me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

1. God to Joshua in Joshua 1:2-3 (NIV).

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Seeing Is Believing—or Is It?

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“‘No, father Abraham,’ he [the rich man in hell] said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ He [Abraham] said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”1

For centuries people believed that Aristotle was right when he said that the heavier an object, the faster it would fall to earth. Aristotle was regarded as the greatest thinker of all time, and surely he would not be wrong. Anyone, of course, could have taken two objects, one heavy and one light, and dropped them from a great height to see whether or not the heavier object landed first. But no one did until nearly 2,000 years after Aristotle’s death. Legend has it that in 1589 Galileo summoned learned professors to the base of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Then he went to the top and pushed off a ten-pound and a one-pound weight. Both landed at the same instant. The power of belief was so strong, however, that the professors denied their eyesight. They continued to say Aristotle was right.2

Often it is said that seeing is believing. Obviously this isn’t necessarily so. Basically, people believe what they want to believe, what they choose to believe, often times what is convenient to believe. It has been said that faith in God is often more of a moral problem than an intellectual problem. This is because many know that if they choose a life of faith in God, there are things in their life they will need to give up. For these people, it is much more convenient not to believe in God. No matter what evidence they are presented with that confirms the existence of God, they refuse to see it.

However, when I choose to believe in God the eyes of my understanding are opened and an amazing thing happens—believing is seeing.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, I come to you with all my doubts and fears. With your help I choose to believe in you and trust my life fully to you. Open the eyes of my understanding and help me to see Jesus. And help me to so live that others will see Jesus living in me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Parable told by Jesus in Luke 16:30-31 (NIV).

2. From http://www.eSermons.com.

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Jesus: Do You Know Him?

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”But what about you?” he [Jesus] asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”1

Today’s Daily Encounter is the text of an inspiring message, “That’s My King,” by the late S.M. Lockridge.

The Bible says my King is the King of the Jews … He’s the King of Israel. He’s the King of Righteousness. He’s the King of the Ages. He’s the King of Heaven. He’s the King of Glory. He’s the King of Kings, and He’s the Lord of Lords.

That’s my King! I wonder do you know Him?

My King is a sovereign King. No means of measure can define His limitless love. He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful.

Do you know Him?

He’s the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world, He’s God’s Son, He’s the sinners Savior, He’s the centerpiece of civilization, He’s unparalleled, He’s unprecedented. He’s the loftiest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the fundamental doctrine of true theology. He’s the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Savior.

I wonder if you know Him today?

He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He strengthens and sustains. He guards and He guides. He heals the sick. He cleansed the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharges debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent. And he beautifies the meek.

I wonder if you know Him?

He’s the key to knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory.

Do you know Him?

Well, His life is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous and His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you. Yes, He’s indescribable. He’s incomprehensible. He’s invincible. He’s irresistible. You can’t get him out of your mind. You can’t get him off of your hand. You can’t outlive him and you can’t live without Him. Well, the Pharisees couldn’t stand Him. But they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him. Herod couldn’t kill him. Death couldn’t handle Him, and the grave couldn’t hold Him. Yea! That’s my King.2

The critical issue about Jesus is do you know Him as your personal Savior? Have you received God’s forgiveness for all your sins by accepting Jesus as your Savior and is your name written in God’s Book of Life? You can accept God’s Invitation to know Jesus at: http://tinyurl.com/gods-invitation. For further help read “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian” at: https://learning.actsweb.org/christian.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to know Jesus as my personal Savior and be absolutely certain that my sins are forgiven, and that my name is written in God’s book of life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

NOTE: To hear an inspiring “Introduction to Christ” by comedian, Steve Harvey, to a secular audience go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xV1Zv3C6fw.

1. Matthew 16:15-16 (NIV)
2. “That’s My King” by the late S.M. Lockridge. Source: http://www.ignitermedia.com/products/iv/singles/4/Thats-My-King

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How Much Do You Own in That Direction?

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“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”1

We Aussies love to tell jokes all in good fun about Texans. On one occasion I was preaching in a Baptist church in the Los Angeles area. On that particular Sunday there were quite a few visitors from Texas in church. So with great relish I let them know that there was one cattle ranch in Australia that was bigger than the whole state of Texas!

Before the evening service one of the members came to me and said, “I checked your story about that cattle ranch in Australia in an encyclopedia to see if it was true and it was. However, you will be interested to know that that ranch is owned by a Texan!”

According to Alan Smith, “George Washington Truett was a preacher in Dallas, Texas, for 47 years. He once visited a wealthy West Texas rancher and had dinner in his huge ranch home. After dinner, the rancher took Dr. Truett up to a veranda on top of his house, and lit up a big cigar. The sun was setting, and if you’ve ever been to West Texas, you know you can see a long way out there. The man pointed to the south toward some oil rigs and said, ‘I own everything in that direction as far as you can see.’ He pointed east toward some cotton fields and said, ‘And I own everything in that direction, too.’ He pointed north toward a huge herd of cattle and bragged, ‘And, preacher, I own everything as far as you can see in that direction.’ He turned to the west, and said, ‘And I own everything you can see in that direction, except the sun, of course.’

“Dr. Truett turned to the man and pointed straight up the sky and said, ‘And how much do you own in that direction?’”2

Good question for both the rich and the poor.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please give me the wisdom to keep my heart turned toward heaven and lay up treasures there rather than here on earth. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Matthew 6:19-20 (NIV).

2. As told by Alan Smith, http://www.TFTD-online.com

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Show Me—Don’t Tell Me

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“And then he [Jesus] told them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.’”1

I have often felt that much of my education taught me how to make a living but not how to live. That I have had to learn the hard way … and am still learning how to do that.

Still, I did learn many valuable lessons. One that I have never forgotten was from my journalism professor. Time and again in bold red letters he would write on my written papers, “Show me. Don’t tell me!”

He meant it to apply to my writing by illustrating important points with stories, which, of course, was the way that Jesus often taught. (“He spoke to them in parables and the common people heard him gladly.”)

I like to apply the “show me—don’t tell me” teaching not only to my writing, but also to my life, to my teaching, and especially to my family life and to my witnessing for Christ. In other words, one of the greatest ways we can teach and witness for Christ is to model true Christianity and what we are seeking to teach others. Until we do this, our words won’t carry much weight.

Like St. Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the gospel always. If necessary, use words.”

And as another said:

“The living truth I long to see,
I cannot live on what used to be,
so close your Bible and show me how
the Christ you talk about is living now.”

Remember too that, “To win some we need to be winsome.”

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to live the Christian life so that others, seeing you in me and what you have done for me, will want you for themselves. Let my life be a reflection of your love and a living testimony for you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Mark 16:15 (NLT).

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