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It seems in our world today there is an increase of physical and emotional afflictions that are unprecedented. Diseases that seem to be new, and present known diseases that are manifested in different forms and intensity. World turmoil and fears are generated causing desperate measures in order to deal with the consequences of unknown and unlabeled afflictions worldwide. Disease epidemics are hard to describe and to defend against. An unknown or mutated disease or insect infestation seems to be found almost daily in some areas of our world. The scope and debilitating affects causes…  ( Click for more )

The first impulse in most of us when making decisions and choices in life, is how to get what we want. Consideration of what is needed is usually somewhere farther down the list. Some of us are skilled at blending the two; which is both pleasant and wise. Unfortunately, life generally does not seem to work that way. But when we are converted in mind and spirit, wisdom and desire can then be united into a glorious blend. What a blessing it is when wants and needs blend into joy as we grow in unity with the will of God. When convicted by the Holy Spirit of our need for God, we…  ( Click for more )

There are so many translations of the Holy Scriptures today! There are new ones continually it seems. Which one are we to choose? This is an important question if one desires to truly understand what was originally intended for the Bible to convey. There are many commentaries for each of the translations. Then there are commentaries on the commentaries. For a sincere seeker of what the truth of God intends, it is sometimes like organized confusion. But there is a solution to this quandary - that will be our best guide through the maze, into the truth of the scriptures.There…  ( Click for more )

There is a word in the English language that is very small but unimaginably important - and can be frightening. Sometimes it generates an overwhelming fright, even terror for this writer. It has started wars, caused sadness, sorrow, anger and joy. In the plural, that word is simply: "Words"! Words of all kinds, and length However hey are small things usually. But hey can be made long or short.They can be heard defined and judged according to the ears that hear them. Words can be so misleading. Words, regardless of their strict definition, and regardless of their intended…  ( Click for more )

Many have begun to ask the question, "what is happening to America?" It seems with each passing day we hear and read of rumors and scandals the likes of which modern times have not heard before. National moral traditions and basic human relationships are altered, twisted, and set free of almost all concept of restraint. Anything goes. Its OK if one wants to do it. Dishonesty and fraud becomes commonplace in high places. Some believe higher authorities are utterly corrupt and at best untrustworthy. Many assume that all those in high places are dishonest at the least.…  ( Click for more )

There are millions who have no idea of a final judgment day for them. They simply believe that "when it's over, it's over" for them. They believe they will just be dead in an unconscious, unaware sleep called death. How very sad. And how very surprised when they find themselves standing before Jesus Christ, conscious and alive - until their judgment is completed, and sentence is handed down. But before this, there is coming a time on this earth that is very difficult to believe in this present age. Today's world events are just "the beginning of sorrows".…  ( Click for more )

There are many good people in the world. And many who are not so good. But for a variety of reasons, they cannot believe in Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Of these, as illustrated in Jesus' parable, there are many who are called by God to believe, but various conditions of mind and circumstance prevent them from being chosen for eternal life.. they cannot believe. Even if they want to initially. There are veils created by circumstances, time and chance, and a myriad of obstacles that choke out the call. " But such great crowds gathered about Him that He got into a boat…  ( Click for more )

Christian living - then Christian service. It is so easy to get it backward. If we are "serving" God, are we living what we may be requiring of others? Serving can become an idol which becomes a false god done in order to satisfy our approval of ourselves, while our personal lives remain essentially as they were before we began serving God. As the preacher said to his audience, "are you believing it? Then are you living it?" Like the horse and the carriage...we can't go forward with one without the other. If this wrong emphasis goes on long enough,…  ( Click for more )

If you seem to be ignored, disrespected, or shunned since you have become a Christian by those who are older in the faith, you need not feel alone. Many believers in Christ have experienced similar rejection down through the ages. Other's attitudes range from simply ignoring, to rejection and outright persecution. And this from those who are (or should be) your brothers and sisters in Christ. Expecting others to rejoice with us over the faith that both share, the new Christian is looked upon with suspicion and doubt. Sometimes those who are closest to us genetically, or in…  ( Click for more )

Ethical actions and thoughts are based on the commandments and the examples presented in the Bible. They are, taken together, Godly love in actions. We often hear reference made to this or that ethical principles, ethical deeds, and ethical conduct regarding humans in various circumstances. Ethical conduct and beliefs are extremely difficult to define, and even more difficult to follow in any given circumstance. The encyclopedia definition is almost as confusing as any individual might describe. Notice: *"Ethics or moral philosophy is a branch of philosophy that involves systematizing,…  ( Click for more )

There is a fascinating thing about "time".

First, it seems it is the most avoided subject we can imagine.

There are all manners of discussions about time - even music. From the lyric that speaks about how "time changes everything". And the shortened version we often express when we realize we are getting older. You know the one..."time flies!" A greater truth could hardly have been more important - and ignored. Unless we begin to realize we are getting older, time indeed does change everything. Then we begin to consider time in different light.…  ( Click for more )

Have you wondered why other people around you, even when exposed to the gospel over and over do not respond? Perhaps close friends and loved ones whom you have known many years and are very familiar with your life as a Christian. Yet...for some reason, they seem oblivious, although not openly hostile, to what you believe? You have tried to live in such a way as to positively influence them to believe, and no matter what you say or do they seem totally uninterested in listening, much less taking any steps toward believing in Jesus Christ for eternal life. You have lived a Christian…  ( Click for more )

Are we as believers delivered from the Law? There are many who believe and who fervently debase any mention of "that old Law" as being completely obliterated and done away with. It is unfortunate indeed that such is often the case. To add to the confusion, there is Jesus' statement concerning the Law: "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your [a]moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven. Do not think that I have come to do away with or undo the Law or…  ( Click for more )

So goes the first words of the first chapter of one of most popular novels of all time. It seems to be a more or less accurate definition of our world today. Where one is on that scale of "times" depends on one's physical location and one's financial condition. Seldom are spiritual conditions of the times considered to be a qualifying factor in the overall condition of a society. The spiritual conditions of the populace of any nation determine its position before God. In the 'best of times", and the "worst of times" Our world today seems a contradiction.…  ( Click for more )

Is there such a thing? Even among Christians? If so, is there ever an occasion when we can be angry without sinning? If in some way we deny or restrict others from receiving the Gospel, Jesus could become very displeased - even to the point of becoming angry. On at least two occasions, He became angry. There was on one occasion when Jesus and His followers encountered a situation that provoked Jesus's anger. Also, on one occasion He became aggressively angry to the point of what some would consider violent angry. Somehow, it doesn't seem like Jesus to get angry. But He did on…  ( Click for more )

There are always troubles, disappointments, discouragements in every life. Otherwise, we would not be human. Non-human species, have hurts but not in the way that God made us as humans. We are capable of all kinds of sorrows, feelings of joy, even some of that which we call happiness. But there is one very heavy load that many carry that God never intended. It is one that, ironically, that we can unload at any time. Perhaps the reason is that this burden is seldom considered a burden. At times, it is even considered a pleasure. However, this is a burden that can be unloaded by…  ( Click for more )

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 )