Joseph's Faith

Genesis 37;39;40;41
Isn’t it wonderful to study the lives of people in the bible? To take the time to see what lessons God wants us to see in their lives. I want to look at Joseph. If anyone has ever demonstrated faith in God through trials or showed the truth in Romans 8:28, it has to be Joseph. He was born the favorite son of his father’s true love. (Genesis 37:3) We also know that God was with Joseph at a young age, because of his visions. (Genesis 37:6) Yet despite his faith Joseph always ran into problems. He went from being a favorite son to being sold into slavery by his own brothers. (Genesis 37:27-28) Next he became head over Potiphar’s house.(Genesis 39:1) Then to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. (Genesis 39:11-20)
Just imagine sitting in a damp, dark prison, the whole time you feel that you are here because you did the honorable thing. It would be easy for most of us to get angry at God. Joseph stayed close to God. When I might have asked why did you let this happen to me? Joseph continued to serve God and help others. When the cup bearer and baker showed up he helped them interpret their dreams. (Genesis40:8) Imagine how Joseph felt when finally a way out of prison. (Genesis 40:14)The cup bearer would tell the King about him. As usual more bad luck! The cup bearer forgot him! (Genesis 40:23) A few more years he keeps the faith and then God sets him free and makes him head of the pharaoh’s family. (Genesis 41:39-44) Through all his troubles Joseph kept faith, knew he was in God’s will and in the end all things worked for the good.
Oh father how I wish I had the faith of Joseph. While it would have been hard for Joseph to see the lessons in these trials, he kept faith. God knew He had to prepare a sheepherder to become head of Egypt. While serving under Potiphar he learned about government and how to be a leader. Joseph was proud. Imagine how his brothers felt when he showed off his coat. (Genesis 37:3) He needed to be humbled. I bet nothing humbles you like being sold into slavery. In his talking with Potiphar’s wife you can see that old pride slipping in again. (Genesis 39:9)How about a little time in prison to fix that? All those years in prison and Joseph still remained faithful to God. God has a plan for all of us.We might not understand why he is allowing things to happen to us; But It will all work for our good and for the glory of God.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:9 (NIV)

Peter's Love

A while back I had heard a sermon by David Jeremiah about Peter’s reinstatement. I heard another one a couple of weeks ago by Dr. Michael Youssef. At first they seemed to contradict each other. The more I thought about the sermons and who Peter was; I realized the two different views really complimented each other. First we need to look at who Peter was. Before Jesus called him he was a fisherman. He had just had a bad night where he didn’t catch any fish when Jesus showed up. Jesus told him where to put the net and he caught so many fish it almost sank the boat. Jesus told him to come He would now fish for men. (Luke 5:4-11) From that point on Peter was gung ho head first in his love for Jesus. When Jesus walked across the water, it was Peter who stepped out of the boat and went to Jesus. (Matthew 14:22-33) When Jesus meets Elijah and Moses on the mountain, it was Peter who offered to build them shelter. (Matthew 17:4)When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, it was Peter who said “No, you shall never wash my feet.” When Jesus explained “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”, Peter said “Then, Lord, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” (John 13:5-10) When Jesus told the disciples “This very night you will all fall away on account of me”, guess what, Peter was the first to speak “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” (Matthew 26:31-35) When the soldiers came to take Jesus away, it was Peter that drew a sword and cut off Malchus’ ear (John 18:10)
Peter was always there. He was always out front. Yet Peter denied Jesus when the time came. Imagine how Peter felt. Put yourself in his place. He had given his life to Jesus. He had been Zealous in his pursuit to please Him. Now here he is. He just blew his chance to stand for his beliefs. He just denied Jesus for the third time. On hearing the third denial Jesus lift’s His head and looks Peter in the eyes. Put yourself there. Jesus has already been beaten. You’ve already denied him twice. You’re scared they will take you and beat you too. Then the third person says you’re one of them I recognize your accent. You curse the man and say “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Then Jesus raises his head and looks you in the eye! You see the bruises on His face! The blood dripping off of Him! The sad, hurt look in his eyes! The pain he feels just screams at you through his eyes! You’ve failed! You go outside and weep. (Luke 22:54-62)
You go back to your old job. Oh how the days drag by! The guilt you feel! The emptiness! You can’t seem to catch any fish. Then as you head in for the night a man on the bank tells you to drop your net on the right side of the boat. You can’t even lift the net it’s so full of fish! In your excitement you dive in the water and swim to the shore. Now you’re looking into His eyes again. The look of hurt that was in His eyes the last time you saw Him flashes in your head. What does Jesus ask you “Peter, do you love me?” How do you answer that? Of course you love him, but how can you say I love you. You failed Him! You denied Him! Wow! What can you say?

Now let’s step back and look at what happens.(John 21:15-19) When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

To properly understand what is said we have to look at the Greek Words. When Jesus says “Do you love me?” He uses the word agapaō(pronounce agape). It is a deep devoted love. It is the strongest of the four Greek words for love. When Peter responds he uses the word phileō. It means have affection for. Now picture again that this is you. You know the love you feel in your heart, but you have failed Jesus. Again he asks and both of you use the two different words. What could hurt worse than this? A third time Jesus asks “Do you love me?” This time he uses phileō. The bible says Peter was hurt. I imagine hurt does not even begin to describe what Peter was feeling. Then Jesus prophecies of your service and death. With two simple words you are redeemed. All is forgiven. Follow Me!
This is a beautiful picture of our coming to Christ. Especially if we have made mistakes after we have come to know Jesus. Did you notice when Jesus came to call Peter the second time. It was identical to the first calling. This was a new beginning for Peter. (John 21:1-10;Luke 5:1-9) Why did Jesus ask “Do you love me?” three times? So Peter would have complete forgiveness for the three denials. What a great and Marvelous Lord we have!
MSW

Hurt

One of the bands I enjoy listening to is Thousand Foot Krutch. Their music is a little heavier than most of the stuff I listen to. They stick a Christian message in their songs. The one I want to talk about here is called Hurt. I like listening to this song when I'm depressed or sad. The Chorus is God's viewpoint.

Help me help you they wont be there

Help me help you they won't see

It hurts when you need me

And I can't break your fall

It hurts when you can't see

And it hurts

It hurts when you need me

And I can't break your fall

It hurts when you can't see

And it hurts And it hurts when you're lonely

And I'm standing right beside you there

And it hurt when you told me

That you told me that you tried this on your own

God wants us to allow Him to help us He is the only one who is always there and always sees what we are going through.Why can He not help us? Why can He not break our fall.First we have to ask Him. When life is being hard and when we can't understand what's going on all we have to do is Pray and ask for His help. God Loves all of his children and just as it hurts me when one of my children are sick, hurt or sad. It Hurts God to see us hurt. When we are lonely, He is there. We just have to look. I hate watching my kids struggle with something they can't do, when if they would allow me help we could stop the hurt together.Read the chorus again and picture God speaking these words to you.

Thousand Foot Krutch Lyrics
Hurt Lyrics

4th Of July

It's the Fourth of July and I have some web pages and videos I found I'd like to share. The Ministry Moments Email from Love Worth Finding had an interesting website in it. How to Pray for America has several articles and while I haven't had time to check all of it out I enjoyed reading Adrian Roger's message and David Jeremiah's. Both are beautifully stated and should be on the minds of every American Christian.

My favorite country music song is God, Family, Country by Craig Morgan. It makes me long for a time when America had it's priorities where they need to be now. This is a video someone made and posted on youtube for it.

And another video that fits well with today: Diamond Rio, In God We Still Trust

Declaration of Dependence

This July 4th we will be celebrating our 232nd Independence Day. Many of us will celebrate with cookouts and fireworks. Some of us might take time to think about what it means. Some of us will brag about family members who had a part in our fight for independence. My Great great great great grandfather Robert McCreight fought with Francis Marion's Guerrillas. Sorry couldn't resist. A very small number of the population will understand how this day should be celebrated for Christians. In our politically correct society, it is improper to be a Christian. It is even worse to claim we were a nation formed as a Christian nation. We as Christian parents and grandparents need to educate our children on the truth. We need to stop letting TV and public schools be the only education our children get. Just because a teacher or the History channel said it; doesn’t mean it’s accurate. Or, as Paul Harvey says, “The rest of the story.”
On July 4th 1776 our nation declared independence from Brittan. In the first sentence of our Declaration of Independence God is mentioned. In the second sentence Man’s Creator is mentioned. In the last sentence it mentions “with a firm Reliance on the Protection of DIVINE PROVIDENCE”. Our founding fathers did not have a problem asking God for protection. After the Revolutionary War in 1789, both Houses of Congress at the urging of Elias Boudinot, asked our first president to make a recommendation to the people of the United States “a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a Constitution of government for their safety and happiness." Our Christian congress even used biblical precedents to make this decision. The Virginia assembly went so far as to have a chaplain preach a sermon in the Capitol before the General Assembly. In George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation he stated “Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be--That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war…” I recommend every American read and encourage their children to read George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation. Also I encourage reading George Washington’s Farewell Address where he said “Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.” Also the often quoted “It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.” is a paraphrase of "And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. .., reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."which is in the Farewell Address.
It sure looks like our first president saw us as a Christian nation. Let’s jump ahead a hundred years to 1892. The church of the Holy Trinity vs. United States, 143 U.S. 457 (1892) Justice David Josiah Brewer gave the opinion of the court and said “no purpose of action against religion can be imputed to any legislation, state or national, because this is a religious people. This is historically true. From the discovery of this continent to the present hour…” (start reading around U.S 465) Mr. Brewer then goes on to give examples all the way from the day of Columbus up to the Day of this decision. “If we examine the constitutions of the various states, we find in them a constant recognition of religious obligations. Every Constitution of every one of the forty-four states contains language which, either directly or by clear implication, recognizes a profound reverence for religion, and an assumption that its influence in all human affairs is essential to the wellbeing of the community.” It is not a coincidence that we have In God We Trust on our money or one nation under God in our pledge. Let us once again become a nation that is proud of our Christian Heritage. Let us return to God so that our nation may once again become a nation blessed.
MSW

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD

Psalm 33:12

I would like to point out some of these state constitutions.

• Illinois - We, the People of the State of Illinois - grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He has permitted us to enjoy and seeking His blessing upon our endeavors
• Maryland - Art. 36. That as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable to Him, ...nor shall any person, otherwise competent, be deemed incompetent as a witness, or juror, on account of his religious belief; provided, he believes in the existence of God, ...Nothing shall prohibit or require the making reference to belief in, reliance upon, or invoking the aid of God or a Supreme Being in any governmental or public document, proceeding, activity, ceremony, school, institution, or place.
• Massachusetts - Article II. It is the right as well as the duty of all men in society, publicly, and at stated seasons to worship the Supreme Being, the great Creator and Preserver of the universe....Article III. [As the happiness of a people, and the good order and preservation of civil government, essentially depend upon piety, religion and morality; and as these cannot be generally diffused through a community, but by the institution of the public worship of God,...

Here is a link to where you can read any of these constitutions.

Guilt

Before I start writing I want to talk about 2 Corinthians chapter 12. Paul’s thorn is such an interesting chapter. It tells us so much about God’s relationship with man. Yet there is so much mystery behind what Paul’s thorn was. I believe God intentionally kept what it was from us so that it could be something to fit everyone’s situation. There are so many ways this chapter can be preached and talked about. When I write, God gives me the verses to use. During one essay he gave me Paul’s thorn. I always study any verse I use to make sure the theology is correct. Well the bible does not explain what Paul’s thorn was. So I started studying commentaries and books about Paul. If you ever have lots of time on your hands and want to study some fascinating theories. I recommend Paul’s thorn. Every theory has verses that will support it. All of them have some wonderful lessons that can apply to this verse. Again I say, I believe God did this intentionally so that when we read this verse it will apply to our own personal needs and situation. Some possible suggestions are that Paul suffered from chronic malaria, migraines, poor eyesight, anger, temptation, and guilt. Keep in mind that when the word thorn is used in the bible it is either a barb on a vine or a stumbling block to keep us away from God.
Guilt
We all feel guilty at some time. We insulted a coworker or got rude with a clerk in a store. Maybe we said something hateful to a loved one. This guilt passes. Sometimes we may have to apologize to someone, but after we’ve thought about what we've done it passes. Sometimes there is something in our past. Some horrible secret Satan keeps bringing up to torment us and keep us from believing we deserve forgiveness. If you have confessed to God and asked for forgiveness. You should never worry about your past. You should never let guilt keep you from worshipping God. If someone points a finger at you and brings up your past. Look at them and say, “Yeah, me and God talked about that.” Acts 7:54-Acts 8:1 The first time we meet Paul he is a young man named Saul. He is holding the coats of the witnesses that are stoning another young man named Stephen. I can just picture him standing over Stephen’s bloody body and thinking “that’s what you deserve.” Saul went to the high priest and asked permission to go after all Christians. Next Jesus strikes him blind and he is converted Acts 9:1-19. He becomes one of the most passionate preachers around. Now imagine the guilt he felt when he realized the God he thought he was serving by persecuting Christians was the same God he was persecuting. (1 Corinthians 15:9-10) For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Imagine preaching to a crowd knowing that you had beaten and thrown in jail some that may be in this same crowd. God granted Paul grace and forgiveness. He grants us that same grace and forgiveness. While he might not take away the memory that leads to our guilt, He has forgiven us.

MSW

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.2 Corinthians 12:9

Spiritual Zombies

A few Sunday’s ago our pastor was preaching from Revelations chapter 3 about the church at Sardis. One line in the first verse jumped out at me. You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Dr Huggins referred to these as spiritual zombies. Unfortunately I believe there are many spiritual zombies in the churches today. Jesus tells us in verse two; Wake up! Strengthen what is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. There are so many Christians who go through the week without God. As Christians we are to be like God (Ephesians 4:24). We are to live as children of light. (Ephesians 5:8) As we go through our daily lives those around us should see Christ in us. We should have that fire in our eyes and joy in our heart that makes others want to know what makes us so alive. Instead many Christians are lukewarm. Revelations 3:16 “You are neither cold nor hot.” Jesus says “I wish you were either one or the other!” Why would Jesus prefer us to be cold rather than lukewarm? If we were cold our fire could be lit if we are lukewarm we have let the fire of the Spirit go out (I Thessalonians 5:19) When people who are not Christians look at us and see someone who is a Christian but do nothing to outwardly show it. They ask themselves “why should I become a Christian? They are living just as I do." When they look at us and we are on fire with the spirit, they want to know what we have. Solomon tells us to be Zealous for the fear of our Lord. Peter tells us Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. Let us not become spiritual zombies

(Ephesians 5:14) Wake up sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.
MSW

Jesus Lover of My Soul

My Daughter sang this morning. I thought I'd share it here.

Including God

Many times we have to make decisions that will change our lives. Some of these deal with our personal lives some deal with our church and spiritual lives. How often do we really consult and wait on God to tell us what to do. I heard a joke about a preacher who was offered a great job as pastor of a church. When he went home and told his wife he was going to go in his room and pray to find out what God wanted him to do. His wife asked if he wanted her to come and pray to. He told her she probably should start packing their bags. Many times we are like that preacher; our minds are made up long before we ask God what He wants us to do.
Nehemiah was cup bearer to the king. He held a position that allowed him daily contact with the king. When he found out his people were in trouble and disgrace, the first thing he did was pray. Before he made any decision, he talked it over with God. After “some” days” he asked God for success. When the king asked “What is it you want?” Nehemiah stopped and prayed before answering. Again before Nehemiah said anything he discussed it with God. God granted Nehemiah success that day and in the days to come as he led the rebuilding of the walls. God will grant us that same success. All we have to do is ask.

MSW

Praise Through Silence

It’s funny how I’ll have an idea. I’ll have the verses in my head. Then I sit down with my pen and pad, bow my head and ask God to use me to get His message out and the next thing I know I’m writing something completely different from what I’ve intended. Luckily I’ve learned that that is God telling me He wants me to say something different and I should listen. So while I was going to write how we should be more alive with Christ. He wanted me to be silent. And while I do realize that we pray before a meal to give thanks, sometimes God uses our prayers to serve His purpose.

Praise Through Silence
There are some people who make great witnesses for Christ. They can start up a conversation with anyone and talk about anything. They also know exactly the right moment and right way to bring Jesus into the conversation. The Lord uses these people in such a wonderful way. Then there are the rest of us. Some people are not comfortable striking up a conversation with a stranger. I know I never know what to say. Then to start talking about Jesus to a stranger is just about enough to send me running for the hills. Yes I’ve learned prayer helps stifle that fear. Yet I worry what if they get angry (Yes, I’ve seen people get downright hostile because they hear the word Jesus). What if they think I’m some kind of Jesus freak (I believe they referred to me as a NeoChristian Zealot, by the way is that an insult)? Believe it or not one of the easiest ways I’ve seen to witness is through silent devotion. When I was going through my tough time several years back the thing that softened my heart the most was a woman who silently prayed before she would eat at work. The most moving display of getting the word of God out that I’ve seen was while out having dinner. A family sat down to eat. They all bowed their heads together and silently they prayed. When everyone in the family finished praying and looked up they started to eat. No big display. No one drew attention to themselves they just took a silent moment to worship and thank God. You never know when you take a moment to privately show your love for the Lord. Someone could be watching you. They could be struggling with something, and your silent display of faith could show them that there is someone who wants to help them.

MSW

Blessed are those

Psalms 1 TNIV
Blessed are those who do not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but who delight in the law of the LORD and meditate on His law day and night. They are like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will be destroyed.

When I slow down and think about what this wonderful Psalm is saying and what it means to me, I see so many wonderful things in it. The obvious things are the promises of blessings. Our blessings are that our leaf will never wither, we will prosper in everything we do, and the Lord watches over our path. I want to look at just one part of this Psalm. Blessed are those …who delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on his law day and night. To me The true blessing is the delight I find in studying the word of God. When I read a bible story and then go back and study it, I find so much hidden meaning. So many of the stories in the Old Testament point to Jesus as our salvation. Just last night my wife and I were discussing Daniel 3 and how Jesus rescued Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the Fiery furnace; just as Jesus rescues us from the fiery furnace of Hell. I believe so many Christians miss out on blessings because they don’t take time to study the word of God. The Lord stills talks to us today through the Holy Bible. The next time you feel down. Pick up your bible and ask the lord to give you understanding and guidance. Open it up and see what He has to say. All you need are eyes to see and ears to hear.

MSW

God's Justice

Isn’t it interesting to study how God will often punish the sinner with something similar to what he did happening to him. There are many examples I’ve found of this. For example, Jacob wanted Esau’s blessing. Knowing Isaac was about to give it, Jacob put on goat skins to trick Isaac into giving it to him. (Genesis 27) Years later Jacob’s children showed him a coat dipped in goat’s blood to fool him into thinking Joseph had died(Genesis 37:31-34). Paul had a hand in the stoning of Stephen (Acts 22:20). Years later Paul was stoned and left for dead (Acts14:19). Both of these men committed their sin before meeting Jesus (Genesis 32:24-32, Acts 9:4-5). But while forgiven both were punished in a way that was similar to what they did. The third example I want to give is a little different. (Esther 5:9) Haman hated Mordecai. He planned (Esther 3:8-15) a way to have him killed but, when it didn’t happen fast enough to suit him he erected a pole to have Mordecai impaled on. As (Esther 5:14 & Esther 7:9-10) Haman went to request permission to have him impaled the king gave the order to have Haman impaled. When we plot to do evil to others God watches and He will see to it that we get the punishment we deserve. It’s interesting to note that when Jacob and Paul came to know Jesus they were still punished. It wasn’t more than they could take. Haman didn’t know God and he received death. Just as with us today if we know Jesus we will be punished and forgiven but if you don’t know Jesus you will receive death. These stories and many more in the bible offer us so many examples of our salvation.

MSW

Where Do We Stand?

I noticed that the movie The Golden Compass is out on DVD now. I've decided to post a letter I put in our church newsletter in February to remind everyone about this movie.

While we are on the subject of movies I want to mention that there is a movie out now that questions why scientist are punished when they question Darwin's theory of evolution. It's called Expelled.

Back in November I wrote a letter to the Jackson Sun encouraging Christians to avoid watching The Golden Compass. This is a movie based on the first book in a series by an atheist who said his purpose was to kill God in the minds of children. As expected the atheist in the community had fun insulting me, but what surprised me was a reply by a Christian.
In his letter he stated that he goes to movies for entertainment and as a Christian he was not offended by the content of this movie and that with God on our side we had nothing to worry about.
Since then I have heard that reply several times. All of them referring to ignoring sin. Okay I realize the Bible says “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31 Had the author of that letter read a little further he would have seen Romans 12:9 “Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” The Lord expects us as Christians to lead an example that will bring others to Him. We as Christians should stand against what is evil and not be afraid of being persecuted. In the end we will all be judged. I make enough mistakes I’ll have to account for. I don’t want to be held accountable for not standing against a movie that could possibly send thousands of children to Hell.
I realize in this day and age nearly every movie has questionable material in it. I’m not saying we should stop watching any movie that has violence, language or other issues. But we should stand against a movie whose author proudly proclaims his purpose was to bring children to atheism.
And my last argument against ignoring sin because God is on our side is based on a story from the book of Joshua chapter 7 about Achan’s sin. Most probably know this is the story where after several successful battles, the nation of Israel was chased from Ai by the Amorites for the sin of one person. In verse twelve the Lord says “I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to sin.”
God is only with us, if we are truly with Him.

MSW

Parade of Sin

A Few Months ago, I was talking to someone who is a homosexual. They were angry that churches will not allow them to become members. I made the comment that the bible refers to homosexuality as an abomination to God. (Leviticus 18:22 KJV Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abonimation.)(also see Leviticus 20:13 , Romans 1:26-27 )Their response was “what makes my sin any different from anyone else’s.” This caused me to think, none of us are without sin (Romans 3:10 KJV As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one) even Paul had his weakness (2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.) I don’t believe the church should allow sin to enter in that way, but how is their sin any different from mine. God finally showed me their sin is that they are proud of their sin (Isaiah 3:9 NIV The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves. Jeremiah 6:15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.) Paul wrestled with his thorn (2 Corinthians 12:8-9 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."... )All Christians wrestle with some sort of sin. The difference is that they carry it to God, they ask for forgiveness, they ask him to take it from them, and they try to avoid whatever their weakness is. This homosexual does not feel bad about their sin they are proud and feel God and the church should accept them. I will not accept it. I refuse to watch any show that comes on my TV with the intent of making me think its okay. I hate the sin not the sinner. I pray continually God will touch their hearts so that I may see them for eternity in Heaven. I hope that eventually they will see what God wants to give them, bow their knees and say Lord forgive me. I know I’m a sinner. You through your grace sent your son Jesus to die for my sin. Lord I thank you and ask that you help me for I am too weak to do this on my own. Lord take this from me and shape me to be the Christian you would have me to be.

MSW

Letter from Hell

I reloaded this a different way since it seemed to stop working.

God's Forgiveness

My daughter has a Barlow Girl’s CD with a song on it called I Need You To Love Me. It starts off “Why are You still here with me, didn't You see what I've done?” Wow that is so true. I know in my past I’ve asked God how can You still love me. I went through a rough time in my life were I was angry at God. After I got over my anger, I spent several years feeling that because I had abandoned God .He wouldn’t take me back. When I started back to church I had to fight the demons of my past. Just as Satan used Paul’s Guilt over the stoning of Stephen. Acts 7:54-68; 8:1 He used my guilt to keep me from going back to God. I prayed about it and asked God how could He feel I was worthy of the price His Son had paid. All he told me was to get ready. I didn’t understand what he meant. How am I supposed to get ready? What am I supposed to get ready for?
I picked up my Bible and started reading. I had heard the Bible stories as a child. I had even tried reading the Bible before. Like most people when they start begatting I begot bored. This time I prayed first. Lord I want to read your word. I want to understand it. I want answers. As I read I realized no matter what I had done God still loved me. He had been there all along waiting for me to return to him. My sin was washed as clean as snow. Isaiah 1:18 God gave me so many examples of His love and forgiveness. Jacob stealing his brother’s birth right.Genessis 27 how he wrestled with God. Genesis 32:24-29 and how he stood by and did nothing as his sons massacred a village.Genesis34:25-30(Old Jacob sure knows how to make someone feel good about theirself.) God still blessed him. God speaks of David with Pride. Acts 13:22( I give this example but God used David as the standard to measure all kings from this point on) Yet we know David committed adultery 2 samiuel 11:4 and arranged a murder 2 samuel 11:14-15 to hide the fact. But when we read Chronicles God has forgotten about it. Why did He forget? David went to Him in Sincere Prayer. Psalm 51 He confessed his sin and asked the Lord to blot out his transgressions. That’s all we have to do. The day I got down on my knees and told the Lord these are the things I’ve done please forgive me. Immediately I felt as if a bag of rocks had been taken off my back. A few years later I’m doing a church newsletter working with the children and youth of our Church, and now doing this blog in the hopes that I might help someone else.

MSW

Rapture Cartoon

Miracles

In March Nick Vujicic From http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/ was on 20/20. He mentioned as a child he would pray God would give him arms and legs. Near the end of the interview the interviewer tried tripping him up by asking do you still believe God could give you arms and legs. You could see the disbelief in his face when Nick said "I believe in a God who can do all things, but if He chooses not to give me arms and legs, I know it's for the better. And I may not understand it, but all I need to know is that He's going to carry me through, that there is a purpose for it." It’s typical for someone who isn’t a Christian to doubt miracles. What amazes me is how many Christians doubt miracles. I’ve heard Christians ask the question “Why doesn’t God speak to us today like he did in the Bible”. I believe he does but most people will not listen for the “gentle whisper” I Kings 19:12 Many times I have heard that whisper telling me to wait and when I listen a chance to witness will come.
Jesus tells us we can move a mountain Mark 11:23 We don’t have the faith to make it happen though. If a prophet showed up tomorrow and said Mt. Everest would sink into the ground. Seven days later it’s gone. The news media would be coming up with a million possible explanations, none of them including the word God. The truth be told we, being Christians, would look for a natural explanation. We would say God caused a sink hole to swallow it up. We can not believe because we lack the faith of a mustard seed Matthew 17:21
If God sent someone today to perform miracles as Jesus did, we would accuse them of blasphemy and Satanism just as the Sanhedrin did Jesus. Matthew 26:65 , Luke 11:18 God performs miracles everyday for those who truly believe. I’ve heard of many cases where someone was told they had cancer. Then they go back for surgery and the doctor says it’s gone. If I tried to name personal examples of things that were impossible that just suddenly worked out I could spend days writing. Recently a tornado hit the Campus at Union University. If you look at the pictures and think about how many people where inside, you can’t deny God had a hand in saving those students. Not one student died even though many were trapped in the rubble for several hours. Did the national media say God protected those students? I know many students said it but our news media will not acknowledge it. Dr. David Dockery, president of Union University spoke out saying this was a miracle. I read an opinion in the Memphis paper from someone who said “It is amazing that a seemingly intelligent man like David Dockery, president of Union University, says that he "can point to the overwhelming grace and goodness of our God"”. This writer said instead of praising God we should praise the sciences that went into designing the dorms. Sadly, I believe many people who sit in our churches feel this way.

MSW

Welcome

Welcome to my blog. I do a newsletter at my church. I started having to occasionally write articles to fill space. Well I enjoyed it and I got to where I was writing more than I could use. So at the encouragement of a friend I started this blog so I could post the ones I wasn't using. I really don't know what all I will be putting on here. I look forward to comments and I pray that God will use this blog to touch peoples hearts.

By the way I often criticize Christians in my writing. This is a general term, if I use it negatively I'm referring to the ones who feel they are being a good christian because they go to church every Sunday but Forget about God the rest of the week. I feel I go to a church filled with people who are genuine, but I've been to churches I didn't feel that way about. Matter of fact it kept me out of church for a long time.

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