December 24th - Merry Christmas Eve World

"Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) 

William Blake once said… “When I tell the truth, it is not for the sake of convincing those who do not know it, but for the sake of defending those that do.”

Jesus once said... "when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Those statements pretty well sum up why I continue to post my thoughts on the Scripture. I no longer argue with people who are offended by the truth that Jesus, the "Lamb of God" took away the sin of the whole world. I realize that only by the grace of God will they discover the truth in this age - regardless of how often they go to Church, or Synagogue, or Mosque. 

Nevertheless, those who encounter the truth about the "Lamb" know that it is far more glorious than the religious traditions of men would have us believe…and it is for their sake I often list the Scriptures about "the Lamb of God" Who came 2,023 years ago, and saved the world:

"God shows His love for us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“When we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His son.” (Romans 5:10) 

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

"Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the good news I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand...Of first importance is that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4)

“For even as in Adam ALL are dying, thus also, in Christ shall ALL be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22)

“God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself not counting their sins against them.” (2 Corinthians 5:19) 

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

“And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile ALL unto Himself.” (Colossians 1:20)

“God our Savior…wills that ALL people be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4)

 "...there is one God, and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all." (1 Tim. 2:5-6)

“Trust in the living God, who is the Savior of ALL humanity.” (1 Tim. 4:10)

And what are we to do with the good news?

 "Prescribe and teach these things." (1 Tim. 4:11)

Any religious doctrine which limits the victory of the "Lamb of God" to those who join their assemblies is just the sad result of favoring the doctrines of men over the word of God. Believe the Lamb whose birthday we celebrate tomorrow and you too can say with the outcast Samaritans…

"It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world." (John 4:42)

Merry Christmas Eve!

February 29th - Leap Day!

Leap day comes around every four years to mess with the month of February. And about every four years I find myself pondering the question...

"What do people really get for all their hard work?" (Ecclesiastes 3:9)

Tennessee Ernie Ford would tell you...

"You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store"

"I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end." (Ecclesiastes 3:10-11)

I try to see good in everything that has happened over the last four years - looking for the "beautiful". And I always find myself thanking God for my wife and family!

"So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God...Live happily with the woman you love through all the meaningless days of life that God has given you under the sun. The wife God gives you is your reward for all your earthly toil." (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13; 9:9)

In my case, my "reward" is far greater than I deserve - thank you Sue Ann - the woman I love. 

"What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again." (Ecclesiastes 3:14-19)

I try to make good choices - hoping they repeat themselves!