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Most of us are familiar the three monkeys each covering eyes, ears, and mouth. This is to convey the principles of seeing no evil, hearing no evil and speaking no evil (I can't recall if this is the original sequence). Generally good advice – at all times and all seasons. For everyone. The principle of the prohibition of each is thououghly bibical, regardless of who originated it. I can still see in my minds eye the little clay image setting on a shelf in our home when growing up. But have we considered the scope and magnitude of this “monkey business” - this…  ( Click for more )

Your life has already been prearranged, predestined, ordered, directed, guided. You are cared for, guarded, and provided for. There is one question however: all this being true, IF you believe in Jesus Christ: "For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([a]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life." - John 3:16 Then... "Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses,…  ( Click for more )

One of the most difficult parts in a human life is the need to forget painful things of the past. Some deal with painful things of the past with the saying: "Tomorrow may be better, or it may be worse. But one thing is sure; it will be different"!. Much has been written and said about the past. The concept of the subject is like trying to hold wind and air in the hands. A motion picture that was made available to the public a number of years ago was entitled "That Was Then - This Is Now". Although the movie was less than what one could anticipate, the title…  ( Click for more )

Sin came into the world in the garden of Eden - for a purpose. It was through one person that sin came into the world. This resulted in humanity becoming "prisoners in the earth", convicted and bound up in, and restrained by the consequences of what Adam and Eve had done. They disbelieved and therefore disobeyed their Creator. (Lamentations 3:31-34) God knows all things before they occur. This is a mystery completely beyond mere human analysis or understanding. Sin entered the world through the serpent in the garden. However, it took a human weakness and cooperation…  ( Click for more )

John the Baptist's ministry (Mark 1:4-5 ), resulted a massive conversion and receiving of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2. His baptism of repentance (i.e.,as public evidence of a repentant heart), plus all of the traveling, teaching, healing, and training of Jesus prior to the Day of Pentecost filled the ranks of the thousands that received the Holy Spirit on that day (Luke 8:26-39). It is difficult to imagine a more important day in the history of the world than that first Day of Pentecost. Peter's sermon is a masterpiece of evangelical preaching, but…  ( Click for more )

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." - John 15:7-8 (NIV) The story is told in support of the power of faith of the person who was searching for a parking space in a very crowded parking lot. The driver had driven back and forth, down one lane and then another. But all the parking spaces were full. There was no space available after searching for a long time - back and forth, and back again, over and over again. Still,…  ( Click for more )

Years ago a popular country/western melody filled the radio airwaves. The title of the song seemed to make the point completely - "Always Late". I was labled this once, when extremely late to an important radio musical performance. The MC even labled me as always late (jokingly), at the beginning of the program! No one wants to be late of course. But every true Christian desires to always be right, or in the right, and strives to do right in the sight of God and man. Although impossible to be right before God in the flesh, we are to acknowledge our unrighteousness before…  ( Click for more )

The Gospel that Jesus Christ brought to the earth contains the anwser and the solution to all things. It provides a God-ordained approach to every condition, problem, circumstance that can come about in every condition for every individual under the sun. The Gospel of Jesus Christ that He brought to earth is the solution - always and forever. Jesus brought to earth, all of earth's inhabitants, the one and only right approach to every problem that has and ever will exist, along with future solutions for earth's further conditions. Notice the prophecy regarding Jesus and His assignment…  ( Click for more )

There are many sources of fear experienced by the human race. But the fear of repentance...even the word seems to conjure up alarm, discomfort, and an undefinable fear. For some, it is manifested by angry resistance; for others, it is a deep down discomfort or sadness. The Holy Spirit of God moves in many ways. The word Repentance seems rarely to be mentioned - in religious circles or out. Why? Perhaps its like the word Bible, Religion, Sin, etc. All at least imply that one could be required or obligated to do something that he or she would not like to do, even to think about.…  ( Click for more )

There are some striking analogies that can be seen in Acts chapters 27,28 of the Bible, which describe the Apostle Paul's amazing journey to Rome on ships of the sea. These chapters are full of suspense like no other in the New Testament. It is a riveting drama of reality. Why so much space allotted to a voyage in ships? Paul isn't pictured as preaching to anyone except one or two on an island in which he was stranded. Although in story form, these chapters in God's word are intended to speak to us in a special way. As well as being a gripping story, it speaks volumes to the spiritual…  ( Click for more )

At times God may seem distant. It can be a very lonely feeling. At times, to the point of desperation. In these times, we long to reduce the distance, feel His closness again. This can be caused by distractions, neglect, and the ever present business and demands of our human existence. We feel the need for closeness with Jesus Christ, and we sense that He is somehow far away. All of this would evaporate by believing and understanding that Jesus inhabits the ordinaries of life...the seconds, minutes, and hours of our seeming mundane activities. Then there are those trials of our…  ( Click for more )

One of the most dramatic and world shaping events occurred many centuries ago, and the world has never been the same since - literally. We find this recorded in the book of Genesis: "And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may…  ( Click for more )

There is section of scripture that is not often addressed in the history of Jesus death on the cross, but this portion of that momentous drama, underlines God's promise to us in a most dramatic way. I It consists of only a few verses in the Bible, but should inspire us, encourage us, and commit us to living a Godly life, and strengthen our hope and faith. After the crucifixion, some who had died and were buried rose from the grave. Apparently, as normal human beings, not as immortals.: "Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the…  ( Click for more )

Is God calling you to a special purpose and activity for your life? God prepares the heart of those He intends to call to receive eternal life, to believe in Jesus Christ, before they hear the call in other ways. This may take a long time, or it may be occur very quickly. It all depends upon God's choice for each one He will call. Hopefully you have already surrendered your life unconditionally to Him. If you have not, it is time to do so. If you have, there may be additional events and experiences coming into your life ordained by Jesus Christ. If God is urging you, and in some…  ( Click for more )

The Apostle Peter has admonished us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. These were the last recorded words that we have from him. We are to grow in the knowledge of God, about God, grow through His grace to become more like Him. But think for a moment about knowledge in a general sense. What if you and I somehow could know the details of our future experiences - everything that will impact us, that we will experience, regarding all things involving us? Some spend time attempting to discover what their future holds for them. They study and contemplate…  ( Click for more )

Do you feel somehow that God is attempting to get and demand something from you that is your's, that doesn't belong to anyone but you? The truth is, that God intends and desires so very much to give you something; something so valuable that it cannot be obtained from any other source but God. The truth is, God desires more than anything to give you something - something so incredibly desirable, that you and I could never possess or create or obtain on our own. God has everything already. So He is in a position to give anything. He does not need me or you. But He desires more than…  ( Click for more )

There is a growing uneasiness in our world today. Even the Secretary General of the United Nations has said that "the world is falling apart". Satan is increasing conflicts in almost every arena of life; personal, public, worldwide. There has always been spurts, highs and lows, stair step levels of uneasiness - in our personal lives, in the church, in governments of the world. On a personal level, there is a kind of foreboding; a deep down feeling that somehow things are different, something is wrong, which cannot be identified or defined. Our world is changing so fast,…  ( Click for more )

"Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves]."- Philippians 2:3 (AMP) This verse is very difficult to swallow, if we are completely honest with ourselves. Every human mind on the planet naturally resists this verse, if they are honest. Antagonism, evil competitiveness, jealousy,…  ( Click for more )

Movie makers, book writers - fiction and true life stories - are fond of analyzing and telling the life of well known persons. Attempts have been made to tell Jesus Christ's life story, about how He walked the dusty roads of Palestine, and doing so, they infusing tension and drama that hopefully will produce a hit and produce a lot of money. However, the life story of a Christian - you and me - has been written in advance by one of the Biblical writers of the Bible. Your life story has been revealed to one of God's servants in advance, and is recorded in a few verses of a book of…  ( Click for more )

"There is always something to take the joy out of life!" This is a quote of my Mother many years ago after she had live into her 70's. And indeed it must have seemed so for her. She had many trials, including a broken back from an auto accident, breast cancer, along with much poverty along the way. However, she managed to age 88, lacking a few months living to age 89, Please pardon me as I quote another memory, along with the above that I cannot forget. It always gets a chuckle when mentioned to others. One of her favorite cliches' was: "I'm not afraid to die -…  ( Click for more )

Have you ever felt that you may said or done something, that could cause someone to stumble in their faith? When a Christian inadvertently causes someone to "stumble", the one who stumbles can often be saved from a fatal injury. But it is almost always difficult. There are usually so many issues at play, and as many variables as there are personalities. However, they can often be picked up gently, retrieved, repaired and saved from their fall. There is also a frightening statement by Jesus: " But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in and acknowledge…  ( Click for more )

There is a truth in the Bible that is so amazing, so exciting, and so staggering, and profound that when we think about it, it is almost unbelievable. This truth is hidden in many, if not most, english translations of the Bible. This truth however, is in the margins of some translations, in very small print, in italics. By doing this the translators were admitting that it is possible that it could be translated as indicated in the margin. However, most translators cannot bring themselves to entertain the idea that the margin should be the main text. Perhaps it seems presumptuous…  ( Click for more )

Do you believe God loves you? Some have experienced such trouble in life that they simply cannot believe that God loves them. But regardless of what has occurred in your life, no matter how many mistakes, bad luck, or circumstances you may have been born into without your having any say so in it, God loves you more than you can comprehend. Consider for a moment God's position down through eternity. He had and has, millions of angels who were created by Him surrounding Him. But other members of the Godhead - the Word who became Jesus, and the Holy Spirit who now represents Him in…  ( Click for more )

How often when speaking to someone do you embellish and exaggerate what you are saying, for effect? Regardless of what you are saying, important or unimportant, do you sometimes embellish for effect, wanting to impress or draw unnatural attention to yourself, making you feel good about yourself? Not long ago I wondered just how often I had done this, without realizing it. As I began to recall past conversations and visits with people in my life, I saw a flaw in my character. It did not look very pretty. Human nature had for a moment taken over while believing I should tell someone…  ( Click for more )