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Everyone gets tired. Therefore, everyone needs rest. There are different types of rest...physical rest from hard labor by the physical body, and there is the rest that is needed by the mind after mental exertion from working with that which challenges the mind and thought processes. This in turn also affects the physical body. So much so at times that one feels as though extreme physical exertion has occurred. We are promised that if (and when) we come to Jesus Christ, he will give us rest. This is a rest from the burden of a sinful life. But one may ask, "but what is a…  ( Click for more )

Only those who have been enabled can believe in Jesus Christ. We who believe in Jesus Christ, and in all that He has said and done, usually remember when we first began to believe. For some, it happen almost instantly when they walked into a Christian congregation and was struck by the love and friendliness of those around them. For others, it took years of trying experiences, failures, or loss of loved ones. The list of the "how" many who through endless lists if circumstances could go on and on. Perhaps it is not really important how. The how of our conversion is always…  ( Click for more )

Who needs repentance? Just unbelievers only? Those who feel that do not need any repentance are those who may need it most. Where is the cry for national repentance by God's true servants? Do those who claim to be Christians just ignore their faults and weaknesses, and go on living according to the fleshly tendencies?This unspoken concept is amazing because of the irony of it. Are those who claim to be Christians, and embrace belief in Jesus Christ as their Savior, exempt from sin? Yes, their sins - if truly repented of - are covered in the blood of Jesus. However the struggle…  ( Click for more )

America has always been hard to turn, in one way or another, toward it's own good, and also from it's on good. It has been hard to corrupt because it's populace has been, in the main, God-fearing. This is evidenced in the national anthum. But it has been equally hard to turn from a corrupting trend hard to turn from. It was born through the crucible of a successful struggle for freedom. Once gained, there seemed to be endless struggles to keep that freedom. Someone has said that American could never be conquered from without. It would have be from within. The "Trojan horse"…  ( Click for more )

Is there a place of safety for God's chosen people in the future? Observing the world in general, if one is observant of daily news feeds, it would seem many could need a "place of safety" very soon (the words "very soon" are up for definition of course...). Each passing day bad news seems to shock and crush our peace of mind, and hamper our performance in whatever we may be occupied with. As world conditions deteriorate progressively worse, is there a way to find assurance and peace of mind? Ever since the Tower of Babel (Genesis) the world has been shrinking…  ( Click for more )

All my life as a Christian I had struggled with the issue of prayer. I seemed to never know just what to say to God or how to say it. Somehow I was more concerned with my performance than I was about the issue I was praying about. Finally, after many years, the solutions began to come together. Whether long or short, it is quality, not quantity, that is most important. One place in the life of David all he could utter was "Help Lord!". And he was heard and delivered. But many will be quick get "off the hook" by thinking "but I'm not David". So it is,…  ( Click for more )

The question often arises in the heart and mind of someone who has recently believed in Jesus Christ as their Savior - now what? What is Jesus' will for me, now that I have surrendered my life to Him?" Do I just bask in the comfort zone of assurance that the Holy Spirit produces in my heart? Is there a next? The Apostle Paul gives a very simple and specific instruction as to what is next. This is perhaps one of the most specific and encouraging few verses in all the Bible. His advice is easy to outline and to understand - and remember, and make a part of our very being.…  ( Click for more )

Everyone would like to know the future - if it isn't to unsettleling. Most of us would like to know the future if it holds good news for ourselves - if we are to become rich, be in perfect health, live a very long life. Some go to fortune tellers, modern soothsayers, ad infinitum. These in personal desires mostly, but some would also like know the future for a loved one, or a dear friend...and so it goes. Most would simply like to know what is in store for those events that directly affect them and those closest to them. We desire to know the future if it holds good things for…  ( Click for more )

Is it possible for a whole nation to repent of its sins against almighty God it's Maker? There is a very strange phenomenon occurring in the American religious community. It is difficult - if not impossible - to hear Christian leaders speak of repentance. Sometimes it seems as though they avoid the word like the plague. However, this phenomenon has always been. From the times of the prophets of God until now. The word is very difficult to see in print, much less heard or seen someone referring to it. There are a few exceptions. Below is one of them. The daughter of Billy Graham,…  ( Click for more )

Do you feel that God is always with you? How can we know? Many have difficulties with sensing the presence of God. An old gospel melody perhaps gives us the answer, and says it all, "My God is real, for I can feel Him deep in my heart" Perhaps we haven't looked in the right place to see Him. Can you "feel" the Holy Spirit deep inside you? There seems to be a certain degree of spiritual maturity before one can agree with the melody quoted above. But, when it occurs, it can be very real. This is especially true during our prayers. When we sincerely pray,…  ( Click for more )

Why is so difficult sometimes for us to forgive a wrong someone has done to us? One of his best devices Satan has in his bag of tricks is to subtly infiltrate our mind's thought patterns. If not recognized as evil and resisted immediately the mind will project and activate evil. Even a passing evil thought can activate a sinful action unless resisted immediately. If it is a thought of resentment, unless it is not resisted can take root in our hearts and result in a hardened attitude of un forgiveness. Some believe that forgiveness is not required unless the other party asks us…  ( Click for more )

Are you confused when you hear these two words? If so, you are not alone.

It can be like the old arguement about which came first - the chicken or the egg. It involves the principle referred to in the old cliche that asked the question, "which had you rather have...justice or mercy?" The wise would do well not to ponder the answer too long...justice is much easier to administer than mercy. Part of the difficulty is that the two words sound so much alike, and look somewhat alike. Because of this, when one attempts to explain the differences, there can be much confusion.…  ( Click for more )

Over and over again the nations of the world of the bibical old testament obeyed, rebelled and disobeyed. They repented, and then disobeyed again - over and over again and again, and again! Nothing was ever resolved. It still hasn't. Why? Throughout the Old Testament, God raises up nations of that time. Then, when that nation's sins reach a certain point, He reveals through His prophets what He will do as punishment . Not only what He will do, but usually the reason why. Even a casusl read of the prophets, one sees a pattern. There are so many raisings up and putting down of nations…  ( Click for more )

If there could be only two words for our prayers, it would be "forgive me"...if we can think of nothing else to pray about (which in itself needs to be forgiven...), we can all genuinely ask Him to forgive us. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God This is because all have sinned, and have missed the mark of perfection that is in Jesus Christ only. There is a love song from some years ago, with lyrics that would be almost unbelievable in our world today. The chorus begins with: "Please! Please!! (emphasis twice) forgive me!...for all the wrong that…  ( Click for more )

It has been suggested by some that since technological advancement is escalating at such an increasing rate, something must done to enable commerce to verify the true identity of anyone using a credit card or other medium to facilitate commerce safely. Several suggestions include an eye implant, or a chip installed in the hand, or perhaps an implant in the head of a potential buyer or seller to facilitate verification of someone performing a transaction. Those who dishonestly attempt to circumvent the common verification methods seem to be becoming more and more complicated.…  ( Click for more )

Today we hear much about those servants of God who seem to conjure up fame and notoriety. Some become well known...almost a household word, due to their familiarity and popularity in our society. At times we hear certain ones referred to as "a good man". But being considered a "good man" in a society that treasures accolades of mass media personalities seems to be not enough. It is easy to call almost any man who is a father a father, but is otherwise unappreciated. But what about Joseph? This writer has often wondered about Joseph...your know...the one who…  ( Click for more )

There are times when living life in our world can be expressed only by one word: a burden. Especially this is so in the lives of Christians. Once one believes in Jesus Christ, and begins to change, it may seem that their life and the whole world has changed. Of course, the world is changing - faster that ever before, ever since God created it. The world - and it's inhabitants - have been changing ever since creation. But for the Christian, their personal world may seem to have become completely out of time with what is going on in the world, the lives of those around them, their…  ( Click for more )

Once called, God does not change His mind. If you are discouraged, feeling like perhaps God has changed His mind about your calling in Christ, God only changes His mind about how He deals with you based on your reaction to His guidance. But the callings of God are without revocation: "From the point of view of the Gospel (good news), they [the Jews, at present] are enemies [of God], which is for your advantage and benefit. But from the point of view of God’s choice (of election, of divine selection), they are still the beloved (dear to Him) for the sake of their forefathers.…  ( Click for more )

The answer is - no? And yet, there is a thrilling scripture that seems to say otherwise! If we belong to Jesus Christ when we die, does our life continue as an eternal life in heaven? Does the soul go on living after the body dies and in the grave? Or - does our soul "sleep" silently (similar to physical sleep} without consciousness until Jesus returns and raises our body from the grave then composed of "spirit" rather than flesh and bone, the period in between having been completely unknown to us until we are given a new life at the resurrection? Many opinions…  ( Click for more )

You can't....without crippling your mind, and destroying your sense of being. Without a past, we would have no frame of reference, and no context and sense of continuity by which to gage our growth in Christ. Paul's statement is struggled with by Christians constantly, and is difficult to accept as being possible for them. Although it can be agonizing and heartbreaking, we can learn to handle the past. But it has often been our "schoolmaster" to lead us to Christ, by revealing where we are now. The past is a benchmark for understanding the present. The past teaches us…  ( Click for more )

"Oh for the gift to geus, to see ourselves as others see us!" If we could just see ourselves as others do, we could be more able to see and influence them for their good and for ours in leading them to believe in Jesus Christ. If we are honest and unpretentious, they are inclined to be the same, confirming the righteous influence that our honesty has on them. It is a near impossibility for us to see ourselves as others see us. Most people respond to two things when they encounter someone who claims to be a Christian: what they see (usually first), and what they hear.…  ( Click for more )

The world is changing... Perhaps this is an understatement, or perhaps an overstatement depending on the ones who hear the statement. The world, where ever your world is, undoubtedly is undergoing change of some kind. And much of it not for the good. Change per se isn't necessarily bad or evil. It depends on the place and kind of change. Change is particularly noticeable in larger cities, but is occurring also in smaller towns. And even "country" areas. All of these changes are occurring quickly. Sometimes almost breathtaking in degree and speed. Few want to wait for…  ( Click for more )

There is one reality none can deny or escape if they live long enough. Getting older. When I was growing up, getting old never crossed my mind. In fact, it never occurred to me until many years had come and gone. The reality for me now is the gone. Last time we showed the futility of life when it is lived just to have a good time without God. Those who refuse to respond to God's offer of eternal life for those who will not surrender their lives, and live His way. They just as well "live it up". At the end they may ask, "is that all there is"? Yes - that is…  ( Click for more )

So much has be spoken and written about faith that it sometimes seems that there is nothing else than ca be said. However, actually, faith is an endless subject. It is so because faith - at least spiritually speaking - is an endless subject. It is so because faith is closely connected with God, Jesus Christ, and Christianity as a whole. In this way, it cannot be exhausted. Faith in the world around us is roughly thought of as simply believing that something - anything - is possible, that it can happen, and one exercises "faith" in anything believing something can happen.…  ( Click for more )