Be Thankful

We flip a light switch, and expect the lights come on. We get into our car, and we expect that when we turn the key it will start up. When we’re hungry, we open the refrigerator and know food will be there. We pull out our dresser drawers and fully expect to find clean clothes just like every other morning. We turn the faucet on and expect clean water to flow.

What do all of these have in common? They are all simple things we take for granted. They’ve become so much a part of our lives that we don’t think much about them – much less give thanks for them. However, if there is ever a problem with one of them, we notice it immediately. How sad is it that when everything is working as it is supposed to, we are so wrapped up in ourselves that we don’t express our thankfulness; however, when they don’t and we’re inconvenienced, we’re the first ones to get bent out of shape.

In Luke 17:11-19, Jesus preforms a wonderful miracle for some men who were sick with leprosy. Because of their sickness, they had not been allowed to be with their families or the people of the city or participate in any of the normal activities they had once enjoyed. Upon seeing Jesus, they cry out to Him for help, verse 13 and 14, “and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.” (Luke 17:13-14 ESV)

We can imagine their newfound excitement as they are reunited with friends and family members. As they re-enter their houses for the first time and sit at their tables to enjoy a meal, we envision their happiness and place ourselves in their shoes, mentally and emotionally experiencing that same sense of relief that getting one’s life back would bring. As a smile comes over our face, we read verses 15-17 and are confronted by selfishness that at times we display.

“Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?” (Luke 17:15-17 ESV)

We need to recognize that Jesus noticed the nine who didn’t come back to give thanks for getting their lives back. We can’t imagine how anyone, after being given a second chance like this, would not want to fall to his knees and express his sincere thankfulness to God. However, when things are going well, it’s easy to forget the One who makes it all go.

Always be thankful for the simple things and never be so wrapped up in ourselves that we forget to thank God for giving us life.

He prayed for us.

The scene was the upper room. Jesus was spending His final night with His beloved apostles. He knew that His ministry was quickly coming to an end and that He soon would be taken, unjustly judged, crucified, buried, raised from the dead and returned to heaven, leaving His precious apostles behind. Before He left, what should He say to them, what should He teach them, and of what should He warn them?

In John 13-16, you can see that He spoke to them about having confident faith, trusting in Him and God, loving one another, and serving others. He assured them that they would not be alone for He would send another comforter, the Holy Spirit; and they could ask for and receive whatever they needed. He also reassured them that He would come back, but first he must prepare a place for them.

After Jesus had shared with His disciples these final words of encouragement, warning and assurance, He looked toward heaven and prayed. In this dynamic prayer (John 17), He prayed for Himself, His apostles, and the disciples yet to be taught and converted. But, have you notice where He was when He prayed? He was still in the upper room in the presence of His apostles. He was in their midst praying for them. That’s how John is able to record this spectacular prayer. He was an eyewitness, or you may say an “earwitness.”

Can you imagine Jesus right beside you praying for you – The Son of God, speaking to His Heavenly Father in your behalf; Your Master beseeching the Almighty God for your benefit? What a touching and powerful thought. As you listen to His prayer, what would that mean to you? Would you not be thinking, “He really knows who I am. He cares about me. He loves me enough to pray for me. He knows what I’m facing. He knows my circumstances. He wants me (yes, me) to be one with Him in heaven.”

Well, remember, even though we were not present in the upper room on that dark night, Jesus also prayed for us. He prayed for His twenty-first century disciples, as well as His first century apostles. And, His prayer for us should open our eyes to the fact that He loves us, He knows what we are facing and He wants us to be one with Him and the Father in heaven forever.

Steps to Salvation

I believe there are fives steps we must take to salvation. We must hear, believe, repent, confess and be baptized. I am just going to list the verses for each of them now. I will probably go back and elaborate on them later.

If you follow the link below it should take you to an online bible where you can search each of the verses below.

Online Bible, English Standard Version

HEAR

John 6:44-45
Romans 10:13-17

BELIEVE 

Hebrews 11:1, 11:6
John 3:16; 8:24
Romans 5:1
James 2:24

REPENT

Luke 13:3
Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30

CONFESS

Matthew 10:32-33
Romans 10:9-10
Acts 8:37

BE BAPTIZED

Matthew 28:18-20
Mark 16:15-16
Acts 2:38; 22:16
Romans 6:3-6
1 Corinthians 12:13
Galatians 3:26-27
Colossians 2:12
1 Peter 3:21



I believe you must have all of these working together to be saved,.

"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." (James 2:14-17 ESV)

Faith without works is dead. You cannot have faith without works.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
(Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV)

Works alone won't save you. You can't work your own way to salvation. It is the gift of God.

Fossils and Great Flood

FOSSILS AND THE FLOOD

For fossils to form, organisms usually have to be buried in mud, sand, or clay soon after they die. Hmm I wonder what could have happened to bury everything at once, maybe a great flood or something?

One of the first Bible accounts we learn as kids is of the Great Flood. But is it true? Is it really possible that rain fell from the sky for 40 days and nights (Gen. 7:12) and that water sprang out of the earth (Gen. 7:11) so that it covered the entire globe?

Let's answer those questions with logic first and then evidence. The first sentence you read in the Bible, Genesis 1:1, says, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." If we believe the first verse in the Bible, doesn't it then stand to reason that God could make it rain and open the springs of the earth for 40 days and nights? Absolutely! Since He made the world, He can control the world. Then there are the  numerous cultures of the world that for generations have passed down stories of a flood similar to those of the Genesis account. They include cultures from India, China, Mexico, Peru, Russia and East Africa, among others. Isn't it far more logical to believe that these accounts are rooted in an initial true event from long ago, such as the Genesis flood, than to think that somehow all these groups dreamed up a good story on their own?

Logic, then, seems to favor the Genesis flood account, but what about science?

There is evidence that most, if not all, of the world's mountains have been underwater in the past, as sedimentary deposits and fossils have been found at or near the peak of many mountains. That alone strongly suggests not just a localized flood, as some try to rationalize from the Genesis account, but a true worldwide flood.

In addition, the vast array of rifts and fractures throughout the ocean floor suggests that a massive shift in the earth's crust may very well have occurred. That would enable the water coming out of the earth, not just the sky, as is described here, "In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened" (Genesis 7:11 ESV).

Back to fossils, so when it rains what is there? A lot of mud. Could all of the rain trigger massive mudslides? Would the animals not be killed and covered soon after they die? I am not a geologist or paleontologist so I can't be sure if this is right, but that is my logic.

Name Above All Names

I know when things get frustrating, we may say "God" out of habit. But the thing is we are saying it in vain. Lets remember it's not just a name, and it's not just a saying. It's a name above all names, its more than a saying, it's more than a name.

What's the big deal with abstinence?

As the mastermind of deception, Satan's cunning myths about sexual intimacy are easy to mistake for common sense.

• "I would never buy a car without test driving it first!"
• "If we are both Christians, and we really love each other, then I don't think God sees it as a sin"
• "I'm a teenager now, so what I do with my heart and body won't really affect my life as a married adult."

DO NOT BE DECEIVED!

If you have ever wondered deep down if anyone genuinely loved you, rest assured - it is God! He knew you even before your own mother did! "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb" (Psalm 139:13 ESV). You are a custom-made piece that God formed together with His very own hands! It's safe to say, then, that He knows every system of your body, every faculty of your mind and every dream of your heart.

So, we can agree then that someone who sincerely loves us wouldn't put up fences to ruin our happiness or fun. Rather, God puts up the fences for your protection because He knows the dangers of going beyond. Take this "fence" of sexual abstinence, for example. How strange is it that even physical disease can attack your body if you commit sexual sin with someone who has had other diseased partners. According to Planned Parenthood, half of Americans will get a sexually transmitted disease at some point. You are not immune to this! Your body is designed to have one pure partner, for life, and when you "jump the fence," you might find the life-altering consequence of disease.

God designed your body as well as your mind and heart; He knows how you tick! Many physical diseases can be treated with medication, but how can you heal a broken heart whose pieces are scattered amongst partner after partner? God knows that if you commit sexual sin before you are married, the guilt, pain and memories can stick with you for the rest of your life. He begs you not to hurt yourself, saying, "Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body" (1 Corinthians 6:18 ESV).

Our hearts are like a programmable memory chip; once we have sex with someone, the memories are engraved. If you engrave a teenage boyfriend or girlfriend on your heart, then what will you do when it does not work out and one day you marry another? How can this be fair to your future mate? Do not underestimate how difficult it is to undo the memory.

I guarantee you that you will never regret respecting yourself enough to say "No" to sexual intimacy before marriage. Explain your boundaries to the person you are dating, and if he or she is not in agreement with you, let that person go. You have an incredible, fulfilling life to live with your future mate one day, and God does not want anything, especially the pain of the past, holding you back!

What's the big deal with the way I dress?

Imagine that a young woman walks into a funeral wearing a flashy hot pink dress. Or a man arrives for his wedding sporting an old sweat-stained T-shirt and torn jeans. Do you find either of these scenes disturbing? If you answered, "Yes," then you agree that what we wear matters. Ladies, would you care if it was your wedding and the man was your fiance? What impression would you get of the young woman at the funeral? Like it or not, people make assumptions about you based on what you wear. Your clothing tells a story about you before you ever open your mouth.

CLOTHING SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS

     Galatians 3:27 reminds us, "for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Would others get the impression that you are a follower of Christ, leading a life of holiness, by your appearance? You may say, "But God sees what's in my heart." Of course He does! But what we do and say is a mirror into our hearts, revealing our attitudes and deepest desires. The bible also warns that "..man looks on the outward appearance.."(1 Samuel 16:7 ESV). Try sharing Jesus with someone while wearing a shirt with a beer logo on it. Or imagine dressing in a mini-skirt, stiletto heels and low-cut top on a mission trip. What message would you be sending?

SOULS ARE ON THE LINE

     Not only does clothing shape our reputations, it also has the power to build up or destroy. Guys, you can inspire others through T-shirts with spiritual messages, or you can pollute people's minds by displaying ungodly images and profanity. Ladies, you can reveal your pure beauty through modest attire, or you can become stumbling blocks, filling men's hearts with lust by wearing minis and halter tops. Jesus taught that the second greatest commandment is to "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31). We will all stand before God one day to answer for our choices, even our choices in clothing. It's time we put others over fashion!

IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT ME

     Who doesn't want to look nice? unfortunately, fashion often goes beyond looking clean and well-kept. 1 Corinthians 10:31 is clear: "Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." When you get dressed in the morning, whom are you trying to please? If pleasing yourself, your friends and "looking cute" in the world's eyes is placed above honoring Jesus, then it's time for an attitude (and maybe wardrobe) change!

MODESTY IS A WEAPON

     1 Timothy 2:9 teaches,  "..that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control.."The Creator knows how He designed men. He also has the advantage of seeing the unseen - watching the enemy as he seeks to devour each of us (1 Peter 5:8). As commander-in-chief in the spiritual war against evil, He has blessed us with all we need to combat Satan. Modesty is one of our weapons.

     Ladies, when you deny the visual way men were created (or even abuse it) and selfishly insist on cladding yourselves in the latest itsy-bitsy styles, you are not only rebelling against God but also putting yourselves in danger. Modesty is a safeguard for those who wisely heed it.

     "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12 ESV). Present yourself in a way that will win you the respect and admiration of older Christians, and who knows? You may win souls as well.

  

    
    

God's Chisel

If anyone wants me to address a certain topic let me know! I will try to find an answer!

What's the big deal with worship?

Asking the question, "What's the big deal with worship?" is like asking, "What's the big deal with God?"

     Worship is all about God Almighty! Worship is giving honor, praise and thanks to something or someone of worth. For the Christian, it's God! You might admire a dear friend or esteem a courageous individual, but only God is to be worshipped. He is the audience of one in our lives. His magnificence deserves it, and His nature demands it!

     When John gets a glimpse into heaven, he writes about the elders and creatures that are around the throne. Watch what happens while they are in the presence of God Almighty: "And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created” (Revelation 4:9-11 ESV).

     Here's the big deal. When one knows God (has a relationship with Him) and then comes into the presence of God with other Christians (deciding to give glory, honor and thanks to Him), the action is always the same - worship. Worship is a decision. It is a choice to lower ourselves and lift Him up. This choice becomes more and more natural to believers as they spend time in God's Word (truth) and spend time developing the right attitude (spirit). That's why Jesus said, "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24 ESV).

     It is told that noblemen were gathered one day in London waiting for the King of Great Britain. They all knew him personally, yet they all honored him as their king. When he entered, they stood solemnly to their feet. "Take your seats, gentlemen. I count you as my personal friends." Then he said jokingly, "I'm not the Lord, you know!" Immediately one of the noblemen, a Christian, said, "No, sir. If you were our Lord we would not have stood to our feet; we would have fallen to our knees!"

     God alone is to be worshipped! For Christians there are indirect benefits of worship, like edification and instruction. However, it's all about Him, period. God is the BIG DEAL with worship! Let's give Him what He deserves!

What's the big deal with drinking?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among youth in the United States, more than tobacco and illicit drugs.
• Although drinking by persons under the age of 21 is illegal, people aged 12 to 20 years drink 11 percent of all alcohol consumed in the United States.
• Youth who drink alcohol are more likely to experience...
• School problems, such as higher absence and poor or failing grades.
• Unwanted, unplanned and unprotected sexual activity.
• Disruption of normal growth and sexual development.
• Memory problems.
• Changes in brain development that may have life-long effects.

Even with all of these "glowing reviews" that the federal government gives to teenagers drinking of alcohol, one question continually echoes across America: What's the BIG DEAL with drinking?

     For a teen, the first response is an easy one - it's illegal for you. We read in God's Word,  "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God" (Romans 13:1 ESV). With the law being set that 21 is the legal age of someone to consume alcohol anyone who's younger and drinks alcohol is breaking the law and thus sinning. However, that answer alone doesn't get to the bottom of what's the BIG DEAL.

     In the Bible, we read Peter giving instructions to Christians to, " Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8 ESV). We understand that Satan's anger towards God leads him to attack and hurt as many of those who would follow after God as possible. In his eyes, you and I are nothing but pawns to be used in an attempt to hurt God.

     With that being the case, why would we purposely choose to put anything in our bodies that would alter our thought process - even if just for a few hours? The Bible warns, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler..." (Proverbs 20:1 ESV) and tells those following God, "Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder" (Proverbs 23:31-32 ESV). With science proving that even a 100-pound man is affected by one glass of alcohol, why would we open ourselves up to Satan in such a way?

    Maybe there's a very good reason the apostle Peter wrote in 1 Peter 4:3, "For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry." As Christians are made different by the blood of Jesus Christ, our behavior must reflect this difference. Often this difference in behavior is designed to bring us more in line with out heavenly Father. In light of the effects cited by the CDC, it is highly likely that God is looking out for our physical well-being on this earth as well.

Here goes nothing..

Hey guys, I just thought I would start this blog. It may step on some peoples toes, but I'm not posting anything directed at certain people. So please don't get offended, or mad at me. Just because you believe something is right, doesn't make it right. I might be get some things wrong, but I am trying to take almost all of what I say from Scripture. Also, not all the stuff I put on here is from me.