Subscription Lists

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 )

Do you often fail? For some, failure is more than just an occasional departure from the norm. The norm is seldom a consistant success. Failure seems to be the norm. We fail the expectancies of others around us; our friends, even our loved ones, neighbors, co-workers, fellow Christians. But why? Granted that seems to be so, but why is it so. Why is it the norm rather than an occasional mess up. God has not forgotten that we are flesh and blood, and not perfect. Why can't all of us always do the right thing, say the right words that would make up what God would have us say, and…  ( Click for more )

All that God does, thinks, and speaks is Love. Because He IS Love. God's other name is "LOVE". No one would ever know the word, the concept, or the reality if there were no God named Love. We would never know, hear of, or recognize love in any form or expression if there were no Originator of love. Love in every form, expression, word, or deed could not exist if there were no God Love. God did not create love. He didn't need to. He is and always has been love personified. All that is, came from His love. Love is not an abstract concept. It must originate from a source.…  ( Click for more )

Have you ever wondered what the greatest sin is - with the greatest consequences? Is it violation of one of the ten commandments? Deliberately breaking one the these commandments had great consequences for the Israelites. Could it be deliberately refusing to love? According to the Apostle Paul, refusing to love is a very serious sin. Love is an even greater quality than faith...and faith is VERY important quality of character. Not conduction our live in a spirit of trust and faith in God, and not living in an attitude of love is certainly very serious in God' sight. (1 Corinthians…  ( Click for more )

How can one rest under a burden, and a yoke? When one needs rest, having a "burden" AND a "yoke" seems like a contradiction of reality. At the very most it would seem very temporary. In addition, the longer the burden and yoke remains on you, the less restful it would be. Anything resembling a yoke would, at best, eventually become anything but restful. Yokes and burdens are for pack animals, cattle and such. Certainly a human would consider any kind of yoke and burden to be anything but restful. But Jesus promised rest - rest while ladened with a burden plus…  ( Click for more )

At times it seems so easy to become discouraged - just discouraged with living in general in our world around us. It's a feeling down deep. It can't be explained, even described in a way that someone else could understand what is meant. Then we realize that this is not God's world. But we must live in it. And by the grace of God, and Christ in us, we will survive. As a Christian leader once said, "I have read the book...AND WE WIN!". But as the world is now, the devil will discourage us any way he can. Down deep we know something just isn't right. If we are Christians,…  ( Click for more )

Undoubtedly we live in a time of peril and danger of many kinds and originations. If one watches television news at all, many of these conditions are evident. Some have said that signs of danger are simple the result of better reporting, and are the result of a shrinking world. Everything is done faster and reported faster, which is true. Awareness is also evidence of more rapid change in almost every arena of our reality. Changes are accelerating at in increasing rate. There is greater alarm. There is greater turmoil. This, most thinking people would agree. Important times and…  ( Click for more )

Ask almost any two people from the same church affiliation, or a different affiliation. and you will often hear condemnation or approval of the partaking of alcoholic beverages. Each side of the issue has convincing arguments for it's stance. Some say its OK in "moderation" (whatever that is...usually determined by personal opinion and practice). One person stated that he had never allowed alcohol of any kind to touch his lips (he lived to be 84 years old). There is another who drank alchohol, smoked every day of his life, and lived to be 100. To make a determination of…  ( Click for more )

Love is invisible. We can know what love is only by the fruit of love. This is the reason God is invisible. God is invisible except through that which He has made and what He does, by the results of His existence. Love must be manifested by the consequences of its existence. Words only do not manifest real love. It may be there, but it must be proven by actions. This the reason Jesus came - to prove God's love by His acts of love. He proved His infinite love the an ultimate action on the cross. He was, is, and always will be Love. Because of His action, as well as by His words.…  ( Click for more )

The book of Psalms is the longest Psalm and also the longest chapter in the Bible. It is perhaps the most loved, the most read, and the most memorized section of the Bible. This Psalm has a theme throughout that is easy to miss because it speaks to so many people in so many different ways. There is a feeling of desperation in chapter after chapter, and verse of verse. Why did the Psalmist write what he did, the way he did, with the emotions that are so profound and inspiring? Try to imagine the emotion that the Psalmist is experiencing as he pens these verses. He is led by the…  ( Click for more )

Regardless of national and world conditions at any particular time, there is one eternal truth that never changes. God in the Person of Jesus Christ is in control of the earth - yesterday, today, tomorrow, and forever. However, down through recorded history, He has allowed nations to progress closer to God's ways or to slowly distance themselves. No nation or people live in a vacuum. Some seem to feel that the world is their place to play with and conduct themselves as they please. And so it seems to be unless one considers and believes Biblical history. The Bible has had much…  ( Click for more )

Its such a small word, this word “sin”, to have such disastrous consequences. A word that has destroyed kingdoms and individuals. It all begins with pernicious thoughts, feelings, and finally escalates to small thoughts, desires, and finally the act that completes the circle of destruction of everything right and valuable. Today it seems to be increasingly the norm. The subject is seldom even mentioned. Immorality has finally been enshrined. The road that was once at least level, has cascaded into a plunge into unspeakable acts. Shame has perished. Now it is Sin City.…  ( Click for more )

It seems that constantly Paul's credentials as an Apostle and minister of the gospel was being questioned and even criticized, and doubted. To some degree, this continued his entire life as a minister of the Gospel. Much of the criticism and suspicion surrounding his ministry arose from his supposed lack of credibility as an apostle because he had not been called during the time that Jesus walked on the earth and personally taught other apostles. He seems to often have to defend his apostleship. Sometimes, his credentials did not seem enough to many of the converts from the Jewish…  ( Click for more )

Can a Christian be perfect? The answer is “no”. And then - “yes”! Sometimes we as Christians become disheartened and discouraged because something we do or hear from others makes us realize that we are not who we thought, or what we thought we had overcome. We grieve within ourselves that we did this or that, or said this or that or - yes, we thought things we should not as God’s children. We are stunned when we are reminded we are not as perfect as we thought. Reality sets in. Then discouragement settles in. To recover we must perform a reality check.…  ( Click for more )

Recently a prayer by Billy Graham circulated via email to those who interested in what he said concerning the spiritual condition of America. It is repeated with the prayer we all can take it to heart and respond in prayer for America. As the American Senate Chaplain prayed many years go concerning our national complacency: "Please turn us Lord...for we are hard to turn!" "Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we…  ( Click for more )

There are many different kinds of prayer. A silent prayer of thought only, a short prayer of thankfulness for a meal before we eat, a prayer for safety in our unsafe world. Silent prayers at night after retiring. There are prayers in many different modes. Many pray only in desperation caused by an event in their life. Some prayers are what one could call “canned prayers” - prayers that with repetition become almost meaningless and simply ritual. Perhaps there is a time for this kind of ritual admiration, but personal prayer should be an intimate, honest, and loving conversation…  ( Click for more )

Have there been times when you thought, "what am I going to do now!" There are always moments in all our lives when there seems to be nothing else we do. It is common to the race. We live in uncertain times in an uncertain world. As someone has summed up this feeling, we do not even have "wiggle room" - there is nothing left to do. Perhaps you are struggling with an important decision that there seems to be no clear road to take. We may be faced with a financial crisis, a health crisis, a family crisis or - a spiritual decision that may seem to have no clear…  ( Click for more )

Did you know that you can assure that in the future you will not regret events in your past? Keep regret away from your heart by surrendering your heart, mind, and body - your whole being to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. This will keep your present life so as to serve you in the future because you have no regret. Your memory will then conjure up peace of mind and service to others and to Jesus Christ without any hindrances of sadness and regret. (Proverbs 4:23). The present will eventually become your past. Then the past will serve rather than cripple you. Also, strive to…  ( Click for more )

Christ has done it all for you and me! Christ became sin In our stead - so that our sins would not be counted against us. When we are without belief in Jesus Christ, our relationship to sin is: We can live with it... We can ignore it... We can flee from it... Or, we can leave it all at the foot of the cross. It is possible to live with the first three at the same time. Regardless, if it is there, it is still ours. It sticks like glue. It follows you, pursues you, and - if not gotten rid of, it will kill eventually kill you spiritually, and possibly physically.…  ( Click for more )