Have You Left Your First Love?

"But I have this against you, that you have left your first love." (Revelation 2:4).
So how are you doing spiritually these days? I am talking here about your relationship with Jesus. I'm not asking if you are going to Church regularly or attending Bible study because millions of people do these things yet Jesus is on the backburner of their lives.
The Christian faith is all about a relationship with Jesus, a personal one. All other "religious"... activities are secondary, no matter how much they are talked up. Too many people believe that attending Church is like punching a timeclock. The mindset is, if I go to Church every week I'll stay in His favor.
Another question, as a Believer, do you feel a little distant from Our Lord? Have you lost your zeal for Him?
If you have, let me say this; I know how it is, I've been there. You become real comfortable with your relationship with Jesus,then you are caught up in the daily events of this life, and the next thing you know, you have forgotten what should be your first love.
After this, at some point you begin to feel overwhelmed by the cares of this world.
The remedy? I think you know what it is.
Try the daily reading of His Word, the Bible, first thing in the morning and the last thing before bed. Do I need to mention the necessity of prayer? Here's another suggestion that people often forget, each day have a converstaion(s) with a friend or family member about something in the Bible or your faith walk. Don't you recall how good it felt after talking about things concering Jesus and your faith?. Remember the quote from Proverbs about how "Iron sharpens Iron".
Consider this message a wake up call for our faith, I know I do.
Nothing in this world is more important than your relationship with Jesus, do not ignore what should be your First Love.

Religious Arrogance

In this day and age we see different sects and denominations within Christianity sniping at each other for not worshipping or holding to the same beliefs as they do. Too often, the not too subtle inference in these criticisms is the belief that "we have more of the truth than you do", that "our faith is more pleasing to God than yours is". A sad state of affairs if there ever was one,a perfect example of the triumph of ego over humility.
The basics of the Christian faith is this, Jesus is the Son of God and His death,redemptive work and our belief in what He did opens for us a vast world of promises,not the least of which is the promise of eternal life.Variations in worship and style are really the only difference between mainstream faiths and denominations. Yet, many of them will still insist they are more pleasing to God then the others(faiths). Although they may not come right out and say it,the inference is clearly there. Those who doubt this, I would ask that they carefully read the literature of these groups with an open mind.
Christianity is all about a relationship with Jesus---NO faith, denomination, or sect has a more direct line to Our Heavenlty Father than any sincere believer has.

For Sacred Sundays, This Classic Gospel Song, Run On.

Many may think they can live a selfish, sinful live without consequence but this Gospel song reminds us that we will eventually have to give an account for our lives. A fact that has been sadly forgotten or explained away by many Christian faiths in this modern age.
Click on the picture below to play the song.

Elvis Presley :: Run On

Wisdom From a Great Man of Faith

The Bible tells us that in the latter days people will depart from the faith once delivered (1Timothy4).
The following by Abraham Lincoln is more relevant today than when it was first spoken 150 years ago.

"But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which has preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us. It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended power, to confess our national sins and to pray for clemency and forgiveness." [March 30, 1863]
(from a speech by Abraham Lincoln).
It's sad to say that the American people are more removed from God and the truth of the Bible than they've ever been.
Pray for a reawakening of a real Biblical faith in this country. As the opportunity arises, witness to others about a relationship with Jesus and how it can enrich and complete your life. We see so many people looking here and there, all in an attempt to fill a void which is spiritual not physical.

Our Lord's Return

"Blessed are those servants whom the master,when he comes,will find watching." Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
(from Luke,Chapter 12:37,40).
People who read their Bibles know that our Lord's return,a second Advent, is written of repeatedly.What is also mentioned repeatedly is that no man knows the specific time and date He will return....
Sadly,man in his arrogance has over the centuries set dates for Jesus' return,only to be proven wrong time and time again. However,the Bible makes it very clear that we are to be watchful and ready for His "second coming". There will be signs and indicators that 'the end of days' is near. Think of the Parable of the Ten Virgins as one example. Are we watching what is happening in the world around us?
We know from reading our Bibles that before His Return the world will be increasingly unsafe and corrupt. Consider this: have we gotten better or worse as a society in regards to moral and religious issues? You only have to be minimally aware of the world around you to see how immoral and debased this country and world has become.
Perhaps the best question to ask ourselves is, are we ready spiritually for His return? What about our loved ones,especially our children? Are they? Are you doing anything to help those who aren't? These are just a few of the questions we need to ask ourselves as professed followers of Jesus.
Pray, study His Word, be watchful,and importantly,walk the talk of your faith in Jesus.

In the Garden

For this Sacred Sunday--absolutely beautiful. Click on the picture to hear the song.

In The Garden -B. J. Thomas

Homegrown Video Slideshow- B. J. Thomas singing "In The Garden".

Walking the Talk of Your Faith

" 1.This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4  Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." 2Timothy Chapter 3.

Not too many years ago while there were several controversies relating to Mel Gibson's movie The Passion of the Christ, an interesting comment was made about Gibson by Danny Glover who had co-starred with him in four previous movies. Glover basically said that he was surprised to hear that Gibson had a deep faith as reported in the media during the filming of "The Passion."
This is probably the last thing that anyone who adheres to a particular ...faith system would want to hear said about himself. The inescapable conclusion one would draw from such a comment like this is that the way Gibson lived, acted and talked was no different from those who hold no religious convictions.
Jesus taught that we are to be in the world but not of this world.We are to be living examples of His words and life.This message is beautifully expressed in the First Epistle of John,second chapter:"Do not love the world or the things in the world.If anyone loves the world,the love of the Father is not in him." Sadly,it only takes about fifteen minutes with a remote control in front of a television to see how corrupt,immoral and violent this world has become.The question for all of us is,are we not of this world? Are we engaging in behaviour and speech that in no way represents a person of faith? Do acquaintances,friends and co-workers even know that you hold to any religious beliefs?
The reality is,is that we are all flawed human beings but we must strive each day to live out our faith each moment of the day. A complete committment to our faith, especially through daily prayer and Scripture reading, is the only way to experience true peace while here on earth.
May we never forget that we are living epistles of our faith.

A Prayer For Focus and Concentration

Do you know that God can speak to you? I am not referring to an audible voice here, I am talking about His Word, the Bible.
But, to have this experience you must read His Word. What follows is a prayer you can say before reading Scripture. It will help you to focus and absorb what you are about to read.

"Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant that we may in such wise hear them,read,mark,learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen."
(from The Book of Common Prayer,1928 Edition).
For those who have not read the Bible in some time, begin again and avail yourselves of the comfort, wisdom and insights to be gained if you will only take the time to read.
It is written in 1Timothy 4:
"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith."
You say your faith has "waxed cold"? That you no longer have faith? Then read!
A nice place to begin is with the Gospels(Matthew,Mark, Luke and John) or The Epistle of James

The Television

It is written in the Bible that near The End of Days the people will become increasingly crude, profane, lawless and immoral. One only has to look at what passes for news and entertainment on your television to see how debased this nation has become. Television is much worse now than it was when this was written nearly seven years ago.
The Television
Many of the posts you will read come from a point of view of someone who remembers how things were decades ago. ...
At one time television offered a few channels with very basic fare. Television consisted of news programs that offered just the news, with no overtly biased and slanted input as well as variety shows, dramas, comedies, cartoons and children's shows. Let's not forget that the television offered no programs after 1am. The stations invariably ended the day with a stirring rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.
In this 21th century we have hundreds of channels running 24 hours a day. Filthy talking,gross sexual content, and the portrayal of every kind of decadent and immoral lifestyle is no longer confined to the "cable" stations but is the norm on the three major networks as well. News shows are blatantly biased and slanted,usually to the liberal side. The so-called conservative stations are doing the same by injecting their biases.
Philosopher William Gayley Simpson had this to say about the television and it gets to the heart of what is wrong with television: "People who know what it is to have a life of their own,as do all real persons,all real individuals,all really healthy people,have far too much that they want to be up and doing,to waste time watching other people do something."
Do not allow the television to corrupt you and the others in your family, especially younger children and teenagers.

Lessons I've Learned Over the Last Few Years

With tomorrow being Sunday I thought I'd share the following:


Lessons I've Learned Over The Last Few Years
1. Each day you awaken is a gift from God and an opportunity, it is your choice as to how you will use this opportunity.
2.Follow Jesus' admonition and not worry about tomorrow, focus on and appreciate this present moment in time.
3. Don't leave your salvation and relationship with Jesus in the hands of another person or organization. Faith is a personal relationship with Jesus, not membership in a particular Church.
4. Do not send money or support television, radio or mega "ministries". If you research, as I have, even the most seemingly honest ministers and ministries, you will find they live like kings and queens....on the donations of others. For instance, America's "pastor to the Presidents" and his son make $425,000.each a year. For what? Others make much, much more. For those who doubt this, I would suggest that you simply do a Google search of ministers and their organizations and you will be shocked and disheartened. Give your money to your Church or Assembly to support its activities and functions, or, consider charitable organizations that are in need.
5.If you believe abortion is an acceptable practice, a type of birth control, you are not a Christian, no matter what you may think.
6. The Bible was written for an audience who had much less education than anyone in this country today. Knowing that, ask yourself, do we really need all the books and commentaries out there explaining to us what's in the Bible when we can readily know for ourselves?
7.And finally, live simply. Too many things, too many activities, draw you away from a deep relationship with Our Lord.
A closing prayer:
The Lord bless us and keep us. The Lord make His face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us. The Lord lift up His countenance upon us, and give us peace, this night and evermore. Amen.

Wars and Rumours of Wars

" And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars."
Did you know that there are less than a dozen countries in the world who were NOT involved in an armed conflict? See this brief clip to see who those countries are.
http://www.independent.co.uk/…/global-peace-index-2016-ther…

Create In Me A Clean Heart

With today being the beginning of Lent, a time of self-examination and repentance, this song by Keith Green, taken from Psalm 51, is very appropriate. This Psalm is a good one to say each and every day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD847UcRbL4

Create In Me A Clean Heart - Keith Green

youtube.com

Being Killed For Your Christian Faith

Concerning the End of Days---It says in Matthew 24:9--"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nation's for My sake."
If you think the above Scripture quote is irrelevant consider this: We are now seeing,the persecution and killing of more Christians in other parts of the world than at any other time in history. If you don't know this than you have not been reading and watching as you should... have. Please reference my previous post about the dangers of not being informed as well as the necessity of looking beyond the mainstream news stations for obtaining your information. Dear people, it is grim out there for Christians. So, when Jesus said this quote from Matthew 24, he wasn't talking about America alone.
In America we have it quite good in comparison. Granted, Christianity has been marginalized and restricted by the government, plus compromised and watered down by too many Christian faiths and denominations, BUT, nobody is killing us for worshipping.
So what about the persecution and killing of Christians around the world? What can we do about it? Heaven knows the United Nations is doing nothing. Doubt this? Than look into it and see exactly what they have been doing, I mean not doing.
Yes, we should pray about it but we must do more! Jesus taught that preaching the Gospel to a starving man without first feeding him was wrong, a sin. Yes pray, but do something! Look into this issue and see where people are suffering and dying for their Christian Faith. Contact your members of Congress and voice your concern. Go online and find the organizations that advocate for the persecuted Church.
Remember this quote from The Epistle of James (my paraphrase here): A faith without works is a dead faith.
I will provide the names of such organizations in the next day or two in the comments section below.

The Bible

I was going to post my article on the Bible but I've decided to wait a day or so. I will say that the article pertains to the fact that people tend to look at Scripture in one of three different ways.
The purpose of this Facebook page is to help make you equipped and alert in these perilous times. A respect and awareness of the truth and insights contained in the Bible is essential to this process.Once again, to those who don't believe the Bible or are put off by "r...eligion," please read my last post. Keep an open mind because even if you are skeptical, you will find plenty of "news you can use." Again, I acknowledge that after decades of degradation by most schools, universities, colleges and the media, it takes a lot, especially for our younger generation, to believe the Holy Scriptures are still relevant.
Consider the following quotes by some famous Americans(and one Brit). I daresay that they were smarter and braver than you and I will ever be.

"To this Book(Bible) we are indebted for the progress made in our civilization and to this Book we must look as our guide in the future." Ulysses S. Grant.
"The Bible is the source of Liberty." Thomas Jefferson.
"Nowhere in history is God's hand more evident than in the establishment of America."
John Quincy Adams.
"The Bible is the secret to Great Britain's greatness." Queen Victoria.
"It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible."
George Washington.
"It is the duty of nations, as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God and to recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history,that those nations are only blessed whose God is the Lord"
Abraham Lincoln.
In this day and age when politicians and leaders make vague references to God,how nice it is to read the above.

The B Word

The following may not seem in keeping with the theme of this Facebook page,but, in these increasingly uncertain times, a belief in the TRUTH of the Bible is essential. Maybe I am preaching to the choir here but it is my hope that what you are about to read will be of some help.


The B Word
If you were to go out and ask 10,20,100,200 people about what they thought of the Bible, I can guarantee you would get one of these three responses:
1. Utter nonsense and fable.
2. A book that is filled with stories, instruction and analogies, many of which can be applied to these modern times but certainly not something to be taken literally.
3. The Bible is to be taken literally.
So my question to you readers out there is, what do you think of the Bible? What number do you fall under?
It is oh so easy in this era of moral relativism, political correctness and the proliferation of the "spiritual but not religious" mindset to dismiss the Bible. With Easter coming you can guarantee that The History Channel, CNN, Nat Geo and probably a few other television stations will have shows that not so subtly question the authenticity of Jesus, his crucifixtion,etc. There will be special editions of magazines doing the same. How do I know this? I know this because they do it every year at Christmas and Easter time. Is it any wonder that people believe the Bible is irrelevant?
So, before I get to a reason why you should believe and take the Bible seriously let me address a few common complaints leveled against the Holy Scriptures.
1.There has been more misery and killing done in the name of (the Christian) religion than from pretty much any other source on earth. This argument is easily dismissed because as I have written previously, don't blame religion (faith) for what has been done by bad people in the name of religion. It's like calling all Asians,Blacks, Whites,or Hispanics murderers because one member of their race was a serial killer.
2.People also like to cite the Old Testament as a reason to reject the entire Bible. The truth is, the O.T. was applicable to the Israelites and that age. It is, unlike the Qur'an, which is an active document, a static one. You don't see Jews stoning, doing animal sacrifices, etc. these days, Sadly, you see evidence of many Muslims carrying out the dictates of the Qur'an in this modern age. I cite Shariah Law and stonings for starters.
Obviously, the teachings, laws and holydays found in the Old Testament are still relevant.
The question now is, what proof is there that I should believe what is in the Bible?
How about prophecy that has come to pass as written in the Bible? It is estimated that one third of the Bible concerns prophecy. In the comments section below this post I will have a link that will cite 353 prophecies that were fulfilled through the life and death of Jesus. There are many more that have come to pass, unrelated to Jesus, a simple Google search will show you just how many.
If that isn't proof of the veracity of the Bible I don't know what is.
Let me close with this, for you skeptics out there.
The Bible is an incredible source of instruction, insights and comfort. It provides a window into what is going to happen at some point in the future. It also offers you the opportunity to have a relationship with the central character, Jesus. But, even if you reject this concept at present, the Bible provides you with real comfort, hope and encouragement.

Holy Holy Holy

For Sunday-- another incredible song of praise and worship by Keith Green. So appropriate for the day.
As I wrote previously--few have ever sang with the passion and conviction of Keith Geen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9SIHGTys74

Holy Holy Holy - Keith Green

youtube.com

Humility and Serving Others

"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy....." ( 2Timothy: 1 and 2).
Those who choose to follow the teachings of Jesus recognize the necessity of having humility.Our Lord stressed this repeatedly in what He said and how He lived. In Matthew,Chapter 20 we read: "And whosoever will be great among you,let ...him be your servant." Then we see in Luke, Chapter 14, where Jesus says: "For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
These may seem like strange words for this "Me" generation.I say this because, haven't we seen in countless articles,books and on television programs that we have to take care of ourselves first? Sometimes it's put in a gentler way like, before you can love others you first have to love yourself.
Even schools,beginning at the youngest of ages,stress building self-esteem to what can only be described as an excessive and unhealthy degree. What is thought to be well intended, too often raises children who become self-centered teenagers and adults. It should then come as no surprise that we are the most self-absorbed and self-concerned generation this country has seen.
You can observe this in the way we live,the way we use our money and by our insatiable desire to be entertained.The fact that over fifty percent of all marriages end in divorce is a dubious testament to the "me first" philosophy.
The sad fact is that man, by nature, is prone to greed and self-interest. This truth is told in Scripture many times.People who lack humility tend to be governed by their self-interest and possess a restlessness which is always seeking after this or that in an effort to fill a avoid that exists.
Those attempting to follow Jesus' example of humility,not only consider others first, but reach out to be a help to those in need.This is because the fruit of our committment to our faith in Him is good works.I would quickly add that these good works are something that we freely desire to do.If we look upon them as an obligation,then there is something wrong with our perception of what works from faith is.
Jesus taught us to do unto others as we would want others to do unto us,AND,that it is in the giving that we receive.
What we gain here on earth is that peace which passes all understanding,a peace that the world and all it's riches cannot equal.
May we humble ourselves and follow His example.

Your Body As a Temple

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud....." From the second chapter of Timothy verses one and two.


Few would disagree that there is a preoccupation in this country with getting fit and "looking good." T.V. shows,books and magazines as well as fitness clubs,gyms and spas,comprise a billion dollar industry designed to meet the need for achieving health and beauty.Sadly,research tells us we have never been fatter or more unhealthy as a nation than we are right now.You would think that with all the resources available,the opposite would be true.
Where have we gone wrong?


Paul says in first Corinthians,chapter six, "do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you,whom you have from God,and you are not your own?" The conclusion we can make from this statement is that our body is not really ours,it belongs to the Lord. So if it belongs to Him,then we must treat it with respect by being careful of what we put into it, and what we do with it.We should consider this as one of our ways of being obedient to God.

Paul tells us what we need to do in regards to our body when he gives himself as an example; again in first Corinthians,"I discipline my body and bring it into subjection." Powerful, but needed instruction indeed. Later Paul offers an admonition to those who would spend an inordinate amount of time in trying to attain the "body beautiful;" He writes in another of his Epistles that a little physical exercise is good, but a person should be more concerned with the spiritual than the physical being.


Getting back to the earlier question of where have we gone wrong as a nation in our quest for health,beauty and fitness, can be summed up in one word,vanity.We have sought this goal for the wrong reason, for the self, and not out of respect and obedience to God. As Solomon said: "Vanity, all is vanity."
Jesus said we are to seek first the things above, heavenly,not earthly things.As with so many passages we read in the Bible, it's about priorities.Keeping our body fit and healthy is important,but it needs to be for the right reason.

In Hopes of a Greater Understanding, pt.1

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,...
So are my ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts."
Isaiah 56:8+9

Man in his arrogance believes that there has to be an explanation for everything that exists and occurs. After all, look at what has been discovered and accomplished through science and technology. It is astounding!
Many of us carry over this way of thinking to how we view God. We try to fit God into our expectations and our understanding of Him. This is a big mistake because His ways and thoughts are Higher than ours.Some commentators suggest using the word incomprehensible instead of higher.
The reality is, there is a divine nature to God that the human mind, at least at this time, cannot comprehend. How do I know? He just told us in His Word.
What can we do? Trust what He says and praise what He does.
May we seek Him daily and live a righteous, called out life.

You Say Your Faith Is Not Working?

In this increasingly difficult and corrupt society,Christians have to guard against becoming "of the world." Also, in Romans Chapter 12 we are told that we are not to be conformed to this world.
As we have read, true believers in Jesus will not involve themselves in many of the activities, or have the same interests, as those who don't follow a true Christian faith.Is this because it is our burden as Christians to deny ourselves? Hardly! Scripture tell us that His commands are not a burden to us.
Didn't Jesus say that-- "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly"?
When we live the way we are instructed to as written in the Gospels and Epistles,we avoid many of the problems and unhappiness that befalls those who are nominal Christians and non-believers.We become partakers of the JOY that comes from living a righteous life.Many people who claim to be Christian and say they get nothing from their faith, need to ask if they are giving themselves fully to their faith? How is Is their faith bearing fruit? People who believe that being a child of God involves only attending a Church each week or saying they are "born again", are going to be very disappointed.
You say your faith is failing, not feeling alive?
Consider the following--
1. Do you pray? No need to list the admonitions on the necessity of prayer here. They are countless.
2. To me, this one is very, very important, the reading of God's Word, daily. Please read my previous posts on the Bible. If you want a sure way of feeling in touch with Our Lord than read His Word! If you don't, or do so hardly ever, it is just a matter of time before your faith grows stone cold. And NO, reading "religious" bios and Biblical sel-help books can never take the place of reading the Bible.
One final thought on reading Scripture, there is one thing that I often think about and it relates to the the simplicity of the Bible.Scripture was initially given to people who were much less educated than any of us reading this post.Granted, there are portions of Scripture that can be subject to discussion and dispute,I think of the Book of Revelation as one example. Also, I can see where a commentary on social, cultural and governmental situations as it pertains to the different Biblical eras would be of use. But, what is difficult to understand as it relates to the Gospels and Jesus' redemptive work? Throw in the instructions on Godly living as written of in the Old and New Testament while you're at it. You do not have to be a Biblical scholar to comprehend what is written.
3. Are you engaging in habitual and willful sin? I am not talking here about the sins we do as flawed humans and then deeply regret, I am referring to something deliberate like stealing from your work, cheating on your taxes,chronic lying about something, etc.
4.Are you living two lives, there is your work/friends personna where you are profane and worldly for some of the time, then, there is the Church guy(gal), the person you see every Sunday morning and Wednesday night,righteous and holy.
I'd be willing to bet my paycheck that if you say your faith has "waxed cold," it is probably because of one or more of the above reasons.
Brothers and Sisters, there is only One Way to true peace and contentment and that is through Jesus.Skeptical? Fine! But read His Words in the Gospels and get back to me. They will change your life. Stop chasing after this, going after that, only to repeat the process endlessly when you hit a dead end in your quest for the true peace, "the peace that passes all understanding."