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You and I - regardless of how hard we try - cannot live a perfect and sinless life. However, in the sight of God and Jesus Christ, we are already considered perfect. However, we will be literally and completely perfect only at our resurrection. And even before then, if we die before Jesus returns. All of us, if we are truly submitted to God, desire to be all that He wants us to be. He certainly approves of our desire to be perfect as He is perfect. The desire is there, but the ability and capacity is beyond us. When we realize that we have "missed the mark", discouragement…  ( Click for more )

In the book of Daniel of the Bible there an intriging record of what occurred to a great king. It is the only record in the Bible of something like this. There was a great king named Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans. He was a haughty king, as many kings of the Bible were. Daniel, the prophet of that time was called before the king because of a dream he had that frightened him exceedingly. The king knew Daniel was a prophet, believed that he could interpret is dream. His dream showed words written on the wall of the king's palace. This is one of the most intriguing event in…  ( Click for more )

A friend and I were discussing the second world war. He had some experiences that apparently biased him against war, regardless of the purpose or the outcome. Finally, after our discussion he ended it with the statement "...we were not worth it". He was referring to all the participants in that war. All during the rise of America as a nation, there have been, over and over, sacrifices in wars and intrigues so that it became one of the major nations of the world. America has always said by a majority that it has been worth it.- it has been a thing called Freedom.…  ( Click for more )

Is there anything one can do or say that will not be forgiven? Is there any event, thought, or circumstance that could cause one to speak against that other member of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit? Some deny God the Father and Jesus who paid our penalty for our sins, but is there a sin that will not be forgiven? That one sin consists of " blaspheming" the Holy Spirit. Admittedly this is difficult to understand using human reasoning and logic. The Holy Spirit is called the Comforter. He is the ultimate in gentleness and love. He is God although in separate service…  ( Click for more )

Sometimes when God is bringing judgment upon a group of people, or even a nation, the majority are spared because of the righteousness of a few. He does this even though the guilty majority are far from Him. Many are saved because of the righteousness of the minority. Mercy is sometimes extended by a merciful God to those who do not know or honor Him, and are evil in their ways. (Genesis 18:25-33) In this record of Abraham's encounter with Jesus Christ (from the context, we see that encounter was the Christ prior to His coming to earth though many years later...), Abraham pleaded…  ( Click for more )

REST How many times have we longed for that short and simple word of only four letters! There are many ways and many circumstances in which Jesus will give you rest. Jesus is also speaking to the world - if all the world would come to Him, it would not be long before the world would be at peace. But - it all depends again on the largest and the smallest word in the world..."if". Much has been preached, written, and prayed concerning what Jesus actually meant. His stated condition for receiving what He promised is often overlooked in the first part of that promise.…  ( Click for more )

Believers in Jesus Christ as savior are measured (judged) but never condemned. And if they love others as He loves, they will never measure others (judge) and condemne others. They have believed and surrendered to Jesus Christ, they have received the Holy Spirit, and have been sealed for eternal life. - believers in Jesus Christ as savior are measured (judged) in this live but never condemned. And if they love others as He loves, they will never measure others (judge) and condemn others. Their faith is counted as righteousness by God. Even as Abraham who followed God’s…  ( Click for more )

The book of Revelation reveals God’s timetable for the consummation of all things pertaining to His plan for humanity. Beginning with the New Testament record and stretching forward to Jesus second coming. It reveals the ultimate destiny of the earth and at least much of the Universe and the future for all that He began. His timetable completes what He began in Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” It reveals God’s nature, patience, and also His condemnation of the natural human with Him, and what He must do to save…  ( Click for more )

Who Are We? Someone said upon observing a Christian, “God looks good on you…”! Does God look good on you? Not just our words others can hear, but everything about us. He should look good on us…without us saying a word. Those we come in contact with us day to day will see us, hear us, and form opinions. If we claim to be Christians, they will see either Jesus Christ as formed in us, and if we are being changed, they will see more and more of Christ in us.They will progressively see Christ in us, and everything about us. If we have the Holy Spirit…  ( Click for more )

Faith is counted as righteousness by God if it a living faith. Abraham followed God’s instructions to sacrifice his only son. He proved his faith in a God he knew was righteous, as he raised the knife to kill his only son. Before the knife came down, God knew his faith was valid. Abraham’s trust in God was proven before he realized his faith. He proved his faith to God. He had a righteous faith. His faith was counted as righteousness. Faith and righteousness are mutually worked in us to continually form Jesus in us. Faith that results in God’s righteousness…  ( Click for more )

In the course of daily living it is sometimes astounding as well as disheartening to see the almost universal disregard of God by the world. Truly sheep without a shepherd, in a darkness unknown to them, and yet it is known. The darkness seems like light, and the light of God appears as darkness. Most are oblivious to any awareness that they are only a “heartbeat away from eternity”. The things of God, in whatever context God can be considered, as the Apostle Paul said “are foolishness to him” (1Corinthian 3:19). There are many reasons for this - the blinding…  ( Click for more )

In our world today, it is almost universally believed that world events are becoming more inter related, and…more and more dangerous. Along with these events, the world is shrinking in terms of communication, and the consequences of that shrinking is stress and danger. The causes are many and subject to much speculation. But the one thing almost all agree on is that worldwide, national and local tension over world events is rapidly increasing. This should not be surprising in one way due to rapid communication and ease of interaction between nations and individuals.…  ( Click for more )

There is a moral imperative attached to any and everything God has made and exposed to mankind. Whether we realize it or not, we were all born in debt. We are in debt to a father and mother who gave us life, and if in a normal home, they provided, clothed, and cared for us until we could care for ourselves. If they, or someone else, had not provided, we would not exist (Genesis 2). Everything is owned by God, so we are automatically in debt - everything we are, we owe. And yet, some to feel no obligation to anyone for anything. But God is very patient. It can be very easy…  ( Click for more )

n a world of proper and improper ways of influencing others, all types and methods of accomplishing it are invented every day. As complicated as the use of personal and business and even religion is, how can one know where to draw the line? Improper efforts to influence have seemed to “go viral” lately. The question is, how have I been representing Jesus? How have you? As we live our lives day by day, we make waves…waves of impact on other people. Most of this, as we interact with others, we may never know. Once an encounter, and each one walks away,…  ( Click for more )

No one has all of them…except Jesus. But one in particular is seemingly and noticeably lacking in many Christian organizations. As a pastor began his sermon once began with “brethren, where is the joy!” Fruit of the Spirit is gifted in true believers, as a composite of the function of the Holy Spirit who is a member of the Godhead. The fruit of the Spirit are single (only one Holy Spirit who is filled with all the them), and singular, and are administered by that same Spirit, and manifested in many different ways: “But the fruit of the Spirit [the…  ( Click for more )

There is a reason why you are living as you are, where you are, the way you are. If you have become one in Christ, and surrendered to Him, all that occurs in your life is for your sake. All that He allows to happen is for your good. Our response is sometimes surprise at least, and shock and discouragement at most. At times this truth is very difficult to believe. At times we as Christians are taken by surprise by unexpected events in our lives. Depending on each of our personalities that God ordained in us as humans, these events hit so sudden and with such profound effects…  ( Click for more )

We all, by nature, strive to be and to have what we want. And also we want it when we want it. On time. On our schedule. But the bitter truth is, we can't have life just as we want it, but most will spend a lifetime trying. We would be happier, more peaceful minded, and content - if; if we would surrender to the will of Jesus Christ. Giving our lives over to Him is the only way to finally realize a life that we want. How? By virtue of that fact that life as we want it, and the life that Christ wants for us will finally coincide. Rest in Him...for He is always with you,…  ( Click for more )

Some years ago a book was written that at the time appeared on the best seller list very quickly. Apparently it was the title that caused it to be one of the best sellers. It was also one of my Dad's favorites. I can still see that book on his shelf to this day... The title was "How To Win Friends And Influence People". Apparently, the author's theory must have worked for many of those who purchased it. Have you ever been with a group of friends, or just several individuals, and it seemed to you that there was one who said very little...if anything? But in some…  ( Click for more )

More and more we are beginning to hear demands that what the world needs to avoid world destruction is one world. The scattering of world population recorded in Genesis 11 is beginning to repeat. And again, God must intervene. This time, the consequences will be much more dramatic and much more important in terms of the consequences. All down through the ages since the tower of Babel was built, mankind has journeyed the whole world. By this time, there are people of every color, size, and language in the most remote location on the world... the extremes of North and South,…  ( Click for more )

Old age. A subject all of us strive to ignore. What a depressing thought! As everyone ages, certain events and interest become less important. A subject no one likes to think about. Even the young. Its too far away. The older, it's too close. Others are obsorbed with the present. Usually, there is an almost undetectable shift at first, a slow translition from one to the other. Refusing to accept the reality simply makes us more more dissatisfied with both realities. I expressed the reality as a kind of personal complaint to an individual many years ago. He curtly replied,…  ( Click for more )

Old age. A subject all of us strive to ignore. What a depressing thought! As everyone ages, certain events and interest become less important. A subject no one likes to think about. Even the young. Its too far away. The older, it's too close. Others are obsorbed with the present. Usually, there is an almost undetectable shift at first, a slow translition from one to the other. Refusing to accept the reality simply makes us more more dissatisfied with both realities. I expressed the reality as a kind of personal complaint to an individual many years ago. He curtly replied,…  ( Click for more )

Unknowingly, from childhood we are being molded, shaped, and controlled in our mind and spirit by an unseen influence. Unless there is intervention by training, teaching, and discipline by parents or others, our minds are naturally influenced by the world around us - a world of many influences. Some of these influences may be good or relatively ineffective on a young mind, but being young, our minds are like a "blank check", ready to be filled in with the around. An around of sounds, words, objects which are automatically imprinted on a young mind and spirit. This is…  ( Click for more )

One is living and alive. The other is not alive, but living. How can this be? Mystery of all mysteries... Everyone who believes in Jesus Christ and has surrendered to Him enters a living sleep each night, and will also enter a sleep of death, and are waiting to awaken again with everything new - a new body, enironment, and a new world, never again to experience the sleep of death. There will never again be any need for the first sleep that all of us have experienced after we were born. The existance of humanity began with a deep sleep. The oriiginal sleep began with the creation…  ( Click for more )

Beware of the few moments just after you have had a good night's sleep! Before you are fully awake there is a spiritual danger along with the physical rest. Have you ever been surprised or even shocked when realizing that your thoughts go far back in the past for a few moments just after you are fully awake? Suddenly you are aware that your first thoughts involve some sin or embarrassment that you must resist or get up as fast as you can, and let the present day crowd our those wrong thoughts? "Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof" - (Matthew 6:34) During the…  ( Click for more )