Category Archives: About Faith

Choices

“Choose you this day whom you will serve.”1

It has been wisely said that “it is choice not chance that determines our destiny.” The fact is that we are where we are today primarily because of choices we have made in the past. Furthermore, we will be where we are in five, ten, or twenty years—and throughout eternity—based on choices we have or will yet make.

Floyd Lane, a talented basketball player who attended City College in New York in 1951, accepted a $3,000 bribe to shave points in just three games. Because other players were doing this, he decided to go with the group.

Big mistake. He and the other players got caught, arrested, and expelled from school. For the next 23 years he was unable to get a job as a player or a coach in sports because of what he had done. Finally, in 1974 his old college employed him as a coach.

When we make mistakes, which we all do from time to time, it’s encouraging to know that we still have the choice to put things right. Fortunately, when we admit what we have done, God forgives us. And where possible, where we have hurt others, we need to make amends for what we have done. We also need to forgive ourselves. The important thing is to think first, pray, and make wise choices from now on.

And most critical of all is to choose to accept God’s forgiveness and his gift of eternal life (if you haven’t already done so), as this choice is absolutely essential to guarantee that you spend eternity with God. Whatever else, DO NOT leave earth without God’s gift of forgiveness and eternal life. For help, go to https://learning.actsweb.org/christian.

Prayer: “Dear God, please help me to make wise choices in everything I do—especially in choosing to love and serve you all the days of my life, and where I will spend eternity. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Joshua 24:15.

<:))))><

Swallowing Camels

I recall reading the following story about how on one Sunday morning a usually long-winded pastor preached his shortest, but one of his most effective, sermons ever.

He said, “My sermon this morning has three points.

“First, over three million people in the world today are homeless.

“Second, most of you don’t give a _ _ _ _.

“And third, it is a shame that more of you are upset by the fact that I said the word, ‘_ _ _ _’, than by the fact that over three-million people are homeless.”

I’ve heard that a well-known preacher did a similar thing when speaking about the tragedy of abortion in this country, only the four-letter word he used was even stronger!

Seriously, I’m not condoning preachers using these words, but how sad it is that so many of us will get considerably more upset over someone using a bad word than we do about people being homeless, about the problem of abortion, or human trafficking, not to mention the lost going to hell without Christ and without hope!

Jesus said, “Woe upon you, Pharisees, and you other religious leaders—hypocrites! For you tithe down to the last mint leaf in your garden, but ignore the important things—justice and mercy and faith. Yes, you should tithe, but you shouldn’t leave the more important things undone. Blind guides! You strain out a gnat and swallow a camel.”1

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me not to be guilty of straining out gnats and swallowing camels, and help me to be concerned about the things in life that truly matter. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

1. Matthew 23:23-24 (TLB)(NLT).

<:))))><

Who’s Running the World Anyway?

Have you ever wondered why God allows so much suffering, sorrow, crises, and tragedy in the world?

Counselor Cecil Osborne asked the question, “Who’s running the world anyway?” and tells of a time when he was driving with an associate and shared, “On the way I was venting my grief and anger over some senseless tragedy I had just been hearing about in a counseling session. I said, ‘I could design a better world than this on the back of an envelope with the stub of a pencil!’ Then, for the first and only time in my life, I heard a quiet, non-judgmental inner voice, about the way I’d expect Jesus to sound, it said, ‘Why don’t you?’ I laughed. I had my answer. We’re in charge here, not God!

“God isn’t running this world, we are. He turned it over to Adam (and to you and me and the rest of the human race), and said in effect, ‘Take it and run it. Have dominion over it. It’s all yours. I’ll be available for fellowship, ready to give guidance, when you are receptive.’”

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’”1

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to accept my responsibility as one of your servants here on earth and be a part of the plan you have for the world today. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Genesis 1:26 (NIV).

<:))))><

Benefits From Trials

For twelve long years John Bunyan languished in prison. It was here, however, that he wrote his famous Pilgrim’s Progress, one of the world’s most read books. Bunyan said, “I was at home in prison, and I sat me down and wrote and wrote, for the joy did make me write.” Had Bunyan not been in prison, it is highly unlikely that he would have ever written his famous work. It was also from prison that the Apostle Paul wrote several of his most valuable epistles recorded in the New Testament.

It has been said that the ancients use an interesting instrument called a “tribulum” to beat grain to separate the chaff from the wheat. Tribulum is the word from which we get our word tribulation. It’s the tribulation in our lives that divides the “chaff” from the “wheat.” The trials and tribulations that come our way can make us bitter or they can make us better. The choice is ours. The important thing is never to waste our pain but to invest it wisely in motivating ourselves to grow and to help encourage others to do the same.

As God’s Word says, “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”1

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to grow through my trials and become the person you want me to be so that I will become a better person and an encourager to others who are also going through trials. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Romans 5:3-5 (NIV).

<:))))><

The Death of Death

The late Dr. Harry Ironside had told the story about a Hungarian countess who was an atheist. She commanded that her body be buried in a stone casket in a mausoleum that was to be built around it. A plate was to be placed on the front of the mausoleum giving her name and some particulars of her death and then the words: “Not to be opened for eternity.”

However, while the mausoleum was being built an acorn fell into the tomb and out of the center of the tomb there grew an oak tree. The tomb was broken and the casket exposed by a tiny acorn.

When Pilate had Jesus crucified and buried, he said to the Roman soldiers to seal the tomb, guard it, and make it secure. Despite the powerful cordon of security placed around Jesus’ grave, he still rose from his tomb on the third day. And because he lives, we too will live if our trust is in him.

As Jesus said, “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.”1 What a wonderful hope Christians have.

“Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”2

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that because Jesus rose from death we, too, have the assurance that all who have accepted Jesus as their Savior and have put their trust in him will also rise from death to live with you forever in heaven. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. John 5:28-29 (NIV).

2. 1 Corinthians 15:55.

<:))))><

On Guard

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”1

Can you imagine who spoke the following words: “The streets of our country are in turmoil; the universities are filled with students rebelling and rioting; Communists are seeking to destroy our country. We need law and order! Without law and order our nation cannot survive!”

Was it an influential citizen, the pastor of a large church, or somebody running for political office? It was Adolph Hitler!

Arnold Toynbee, the well-known historian, once said that the world was rapidly heading toward the time when it would be ready to listen to and follow a leader who will promise order out of chaos. According to the Bible such a leader is going to arise at the time of Jesus Christ’s return. He will be known as the Antichrist and will be opposed to everything that is Christian.

As the author of Today in the Word put it, “Dictators don’t always take over nations by brute force. But once intoxicated with power, they may ruthlessly crush those who oppose them. An entire nation once praised Hitler as its savior until he revealed his true self. Yet, Hitler’s rule will pale when compared to the rule of the coming Antichrist.”

As Christians, we need to be on guard against wolves who come in sheep’s clothing. We also need to be aware of the signs of the times and be ready for the appearance of the Antichrist and the return of Jesus Christ. As Toynbee said, “The world is rapidly heading toward the time when it would be ready to listen to and follow a leader who will promise order out of chaos.” This undoubtedly is what the Antichrist will do. Furthermore, for the Antichrist to be accepted worldwide, the world will have to be in chaos similar to the days of pre-Hitler Germany, and it certainly appears that today’s world is accelerating towards this end.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to be real and never false so I will more readily recognize false prophets and false teachers. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Matthew 7:15.

<:))))><

Flee, Follow, Fight

“But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life.”1

The religious leaders of Christ’s day, especially the Pharisees, outwardly lived by the letter of the law. They prided themselves in their good works and their strict religiosity. If you hear what Jesus had to say to some of them, one would be hard-pressed to call them godly or “men of God.” They had religion but they didn’t have godliness nor did they have a right relationship with God.

A vital part of being involved in godliness, as the Apostle Paul admonished Timothy, is to: “Flee …Follow … Fight … and to Lay hold on eternal life.

FLEE. First, is that we flee or avoid the following actions: 1) Not standing for sound doctrine as taught in God’s Word, the Bible. No matter what I am taught by my church or anyone else, if it is not in harmony with or is contrary to God’s Word, it is not from God. Quite possibly man-made doctrines may be sending more people to hell than anything else. 2) The man or woman of God is to avoid having false motives, and 3) He/she is to avoid falling into the trap of materialism. In the broader context, the godly person is also to avoid greed, selfishness, gossip, immorality and all sins of commission and omission.

FOLLOW. Second, the man or woman of God needs to follow these characteristics: 1) Righteousness (right living). 2) Godliness (godly living). 3) Faith. 4) Love. 5) Patience, and 6) Meekness.

FIGHT. The godly person is also instructed to fight the good fight of faith; that is, to take a stand and fight for justice, purity, honesty, moral living, ministering to the poor and the hungry; taking care of the elderly; and being God’s agents in every area of life. In other words, we are to hate and fight against the things God hates—things that are destructive to those whom God loves—and love and fight for the things that God loves. Furthermore, we are to fight for the “supreme task of the church” which is the evangelization of the world. That is, we are to do everything in our power to reach every person in the world with the saving gospel message of Jesus Christ.

LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE. Finally, the godly person is to lay hold on eternal life; that is, to live with eternal values in mind and to make absolutely sure that he/she is on the way that leads to eternal life by committing him/herself to Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth, and the life—and the only way into God’s heaven and eternal life.2

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to be a man/woman of God—never in a spirit of legalism—but from a grateful heart in appreciation for all that you have done for me, especially in the giving of your Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in my place to pay the penalty for all my sins so I can be freely forgiven and receive your gift of eternal life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 1 Timothy 6:11-12 (KJV).

2. John 14:6. See also, “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian” at: www.actsweb.org/christian.

<:))))><

Purpose in Suffering

“We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”1

Jeris E. Bragan wrote about an old violin maker who chose the wood for his instruments from the north side of the trees because this was the side that faced the fiercest windstorms. When the storms raged the trees groaned under the lashings but this is what gave them their strength. As the violin maker said, “They are simply learning to be violins.”

In younger days I had a home that I built myself at the top of the hills overlooking the beautiful city of Adelaide in South Australia. Most Adelaidians didn’t like to live up there because of the fierce winds that often blow. But the view of the city and the ocean beyond was magnificent. However, when I was landscaping our property, the nursery man told me it was better to get very small trees and if I stake them at all, be sure to stake them very loosely. Allow them to bend and go with the wind because this makes them develop a strong root system. When the trees grew and the winds raged, we lost a few branches but we never lost any trees.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God …
Like the trees of the forest,
may I find nourishment in rain as well as sunshine, bend with the winds of misfortune without breaking;
give of myself to others
to provide shade from the blistering heat,
grow old gracefully and not
become rigid or unbending;
and above all
may I keep reaching ever upwards
towards heaven and to God.

– Dick Innes

Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Romans 5:3-4 (NIV).

NOTE: The above poem by Dick, “Reaching Upwards,” beautifully produced and ready for framing, is available online, on sale, at: http://tinyurl.com/reaching-up.

<:))))><

Blessings From Trees

“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy, they will sing before the Lord, for he comes … to judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth.”1

Imagine, if you can, living in a world without trees. How desolate such a place would be. But trees are not just a thing of beauty. They have a very strategic role to play in our world. They convert light into energy and “breathe” the carbon dioxide exhaled by man and animals. They use this gas to help manufacture food and in its place give off oxygen which man again breathes. They help clean the air of dust particles, stop erosion and restore deserts. They provide food, drink, lumber, and innumerable other products. Just how they lift enormous amounts of water to their highest branches and manufacture food is still a mystery.

As the poet so eloquently put it:

I think that I shall never see
a poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose thirsty mouth is pressed
against the earth’s sweet flowering breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
and lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
a nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
but only God can make a tree.
– Joyce Kilmer

Suggested prayer: “Thank you God for all the beauty and functionality you have created in nature. May these ever remind us of your majesty, your awesome power, and your everlasting love. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Psalm 96:11-13 (NIV).

<:))))><

The Impact of One Faithful Witness

Jesus said, “You are to go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.”1

Many will have read about “layman Edward Kimball who gathered the nerve to witness and win the soul of a young shoe salesman named D.L. Moody to Christ. D.L. Moody went on to become one of the greatest evangelists in his day. But, do you know the rest of the story? D.L. Moody went to England and worked a profound change in the ministry of F.B. Meyer. F.B. Meyer, with his new evangelistic fervor, influenced J. Wilbur Chapman. Chapman helped in the ministry of converted baseball player Billy Sunday, who had a profound impact upon Mordacai Ham. And Mordacai Ham, holding a revival in North Carolina, led Billy Graham to Christ. And the man who started it all was a layman, Edward Kimball, who took seriously Christ’s commission to be a witness in his world.”2

And we all know the incredible way God has used Billy Graham to reach millions of people worldwide with the gospel.

You and I are not too likely to ever become a Billy Sunday or a Billy Graham, but every single one of us can be an “Edward Kimball” witness for Christ.

As the hymn writer so eloquently said, “When we all get to heaven what a day of rejoicing that will be, when we all see Jesus we’ll sing and shout the victory.” And how wonderful it will also be to meet the ones who are in heaven because of your and my witness for Jesus. Only heaven will reveal who these ones are.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, I’m available for you to use; please use me today and every day to be an effective witness for you, and to be ‘as Jesus’ in some way to every life I touch. And grant that they, seeing Jesus in me, will want you for themselves. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Mark 16:15 (TLB)(NLT).

2. Submitted by Deward Hurst. Cited on the Sermon Fodder list. To subscribe please send an e-mail to Sermon_Fodder-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

P.S. I happened to graduate from Moody Bible Institute, the school that D.L. Moody founded. Furthermore, several of the folk in Australia who have been involved in the ACTS ministry in Australia came to Christ during the Billy Graham Crusades in Australia. Furthermore, I am now doing the website for Dr. Jerry Beavan who was the architect of the Billy Graham international crusades. I first heard Dr. Beavan speak in Australia in 1958. His website is American News Commentary at: www.evangelical-viewpoint.com/. It is absolutely amazing what God can and will do through any one of us when we make ourselves available for him to use for his glory. And believe me I came from a very dysfunctional family background and never cease to thank and praise God for his saving, and using me.

<:))))><