CHRIST RETURNS...SOON!

CHRIST RETURNS…SOON!

 Biblical prophecy provides some of the greatest encouragement and hope available.  The Old Testament is saturated with prophecies concerning Christ's first advent, but both the New and Old are filled with references to the second coming of Christ.  In the 260 chapters of the New Testament, there are 318 references to the second advent of Christ--an amazing one out of every thirty verses.  Consider this.  For every prophecy in the Bible concerning Christ's first advent, there are eight prophecies which anticipate His second!

 Keenly aware of Christ’s return and our coming judgment, the Apostle Peter penned a mission critical question: “What manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?” (II Peter 3:11)  It’s a challenge that requires a very sober response, i.e. a reordering of our entire lives.  It’s the underlying motivation for Daniel Webster’s heartfelt conviction: “My greatest thought is my accountability to God.”

 The Final Judgment is a momentous occasion when all that is hidden shall be revealed.  Things we have done in our lifetimes will meet us there, whether good or bad.  Every righteous thought; every thought of sin; every secret prayer; every secret curse; every unknown deed of charity; every hidden deed of selfishness – we will face them all and acknowledge that they are our own.

 The only way any of us can successfully meet that awesome moment is to embrace and sustain an intimate relationship with Christ, for He alone can cover all our sins with His precious atoning blood.  This means that in the moment of every believer’s judgment, the Father sees only the Son.  His matchless grace is greater than all of our sins.  Christ is coming soon.  My friend, prepare now so that you and your eternal destiny are fully ‘covered’ – by His redeeming blood.

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

NEVER ASSUME GOD'S WILL

NEVER ASSUME GOD’S WILL

 One of the more challenging endeavors of believers is to find the will of God for specific situations.  Thus, our efforts to seek divine direction must be a purposeful, prayerful and scripture-based.  Walter Knight told of an old Scottish woman who traveled from home-to-home selling thread, buttons and shoestrings.  When she came to an unmarked country crossroad, she would simply toss a stick into the air and go in the direction that the stick pointed when it landed. 

 However, one day she was observed tossing that stick up in the air several times.  “Why do you toss your stick more than once?” a good friend asked.  “Because,” replied the woman, “it keeps pointing to the left, and I want to take the road on the right.”  She then dutifully kept throwing the stick into the air until it pointed in the direction she wanted to go! 

 Never confuse God’s will with yours.  He often works in mysterious and unexpected ways.

 Early in the 1900s, a bishop pronounced from his pulpit and in the periodical he edited that heavier-than-air flight was both impossible and contrary to the will of God.  Life brings so many unanticipated events.  Bishop Wright was wrong, though entirely confident he had discerned the plans of God.  The incredible irony is that he had two sons, Orville and Wilbur, who happened to achieve a remarkable flying feat on December 17, 1903!

 Stay open.  God and life just might surprise.

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

SAFE IN HIS ARMS

SAFE IN HIS ARMS

 Some things appear dangerous but are actually less hazardous than safer-looking alternatives.  For example, commercial air travel is 30 times safer than transportation by automobile.  It may not seem so to the person who prefers navigating ground traffic over riding a Boeing 747 at 35,000 feet.  But being carried by tons of metal being thrust through the air by huge jet engines is actually far safer than being pulled along in a 6-cylinder vehicle that never leaves the earth.

 Similarly, it is an indisputable truth that you and I are safer – much safer – in the loving and sovereign arms of the Lord than we are while depending upon ourselves or any other.  The lyrics of a favorite gospel song resonate deep within my spirit:

Because the Lord is my shepherd
I have everything I need;
He lets me rest in the meadow's grass
And He leads me beside the quiet streams;
He restores my failing health
And He helps me do what honors Him the most;
That's why I'm safe,
That's why I'm safe,
That's why I'm safe –
Safe in His arms.

 

When the storms of life are raging
And the billows roll,
I’m glad He shall hide me…

So glad He shall hide me…

Safe in his arms.

 My friend, it really doesn’t matter what things ‘look like’ – you are absolutely SAFE IN HIS ARMS!

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

CONFORMITY AT ANY COST?

CONFORMITY AT ANY COST?

 We have an overwhelming challenge in the USA, one which must be confronted if we are to survive and thrive as a nation.  It is the uncanny influence of group-think, i.e. the tendency of many to override their upbringing, education, values and instincts and to embrace a herd mentality.  True freedom is the capacity for independent and critical thinking, not going along just to get along.

 In Chuck Swindoll’s book, “Living Above the Level of Mediocrity,” he cites a study that aptly describes this curious group phenomenon: “A few years ago psychologist Ruth W. Berenda and her associates carried out an interesting experiment designed to show how people handle group pressure.  The plan was simple.  They brought groups of ten adolescents into a room for a test.  Subsequently, each group of ten was instructed to raise their hands when the teacher pointed to the longest line on three separate charts.  What one person in the group did not know was that nine of the others in the room had been instructed ahead of time to vote for the second-longest line.”

 Pastor Swindoll continues, “Regardless of the verbal instructions they would later receive, once they were all together in the group, the nine were not to vote for the longest line, but rather vote for the second-longest line.  The experiment began with nine teen-agers voting for the wrong line.  The one differing person would typically glance around, frown in confusion, and slip his hand up with the group.  The instructions were repeated and the next card was raised.  Time after time, the self-conscious individual (who was actually right) would ultimately agree that a short line is longer than a long line, simply because he lacked the courage to challenge the group.  This remarkable conformity occurred in about 75% of the cases, and was true of all ages of students. Humorously, Berenda concluded that, ‘Some people had rather be president than right’ – which is certainly an accurate assessment.”

 My friend, think for yourself.  Even better, strive to discern God’s perspective on any issue; you can discover it in the Word.  Our ministry motto is “Loving, learning and living from God’s point of view.”

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

GRACE

GRACE

 Years ago, Billy Graham was driving through a small southern town when he was stopped by a police officer and charged with speeding.  Graham readily admitted his guilt, but was told by the officer that he would have to appear in court.

 The judge asked, “Guilty, or not guilty?”  When Graham pleaded guilty, the judge replied, “That’ll be ten dollars--a dollar for every mile you went over the limit.”  But suddenly the judge recognized the world-famous minister.  “You have violated the law,” he said, “and the fine must be paid--but I am going to pay it for you.”  He took a ten-dollar bill from his own wallet, attached it to the ticket, and then took Graham out and bought him a steak dinner!  “That,” said Billy Graham, “is how God treats repentant sinners.”  Amen!

 The lyrics of a beloved praise chorus proclaim the wondrous grace of Almighty God:

Grace, grace, God’s grace…

Grace that can pardon and cleanse within…

Grace, grace, God’s grace…

Grace that is greater than all my sins.

Our loving and merciful Savior freely forgives all who bow at Calvary’s cross.  It’s unmerited favor.  It’s grace.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

IN CONFLICT, ALWAYS LOOK FOR THE BRIGHT SIDE!

IN CONFLICT, ALWAYS LOOK FOR THE BRIGHT SIDE!

 Having recently surpassed my threescore-and-ten, I am increasingly aware that most conflict can be avoided by simply considering an alternative perspective – other than the one that pride and passion propel to the front and focal point of our initial thoughts.

 Consider this classic example.  Years ago, a large statue of Christ was erected high in the Andes on the border between Argentina and Chile.  Named “Christ of the Andes,” the statue symbolizes a solemn pledge between Chile and Argentina that as long as it stands there will be peace.  However, shortly after the statue was erected, Chileans began to protest that they had been slighted.  You see, the statue has its back turned toward Chile.  But just when tempers were at their highest in Chile, a wise journalist saved the day.  In an editorial that not only satisfied the citizen’s egos but made them laugh, he simply commented, “The people of Argentina need more watching over than the Chileans.” 

 My friend, look for the bright side in every situation.  Though it is often obscured, there always is one.

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

A BUILDER OR A WRECKER?

A BUILDER OR A WRECKER?

As I watched them tear a building down
A gang of men in a busy town
With a ho-heave-ho, and a lusty yell
They swung a beam and the side wall fell

 

I asked the foreman, “Are these men skilled,
And the men you'd hire if you wanted to build?”
He gave a laugh and said, “No, indeed,
Just common labor is all I need.”

 

“I can easily wreck in a day or two,
What builders have taken years to do.”
And I thought to myself, as I went my way
Which of these roles have I tried to play?

 

Am I a builder who works with care,
Measuring life by rule and square?
Am I shaping my work to a well-made plan
Patiently doing the best I can?

 

Or am I a wrecker who walks the town
Content with the labor of tearing down?
“Oh Lord let my life and my labors be
That which will build for eternity!”

 

-Author Unknown

 

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!