We hear it all the time. “You never think it will happen to you.” Over and over, each time tragedy strikes these -words are repeated ~ “You never think it will happen to you...
But it does. Tornados, illnesses, disease, accidents, murders. The just and the unjust, the wicked and the righteous, all are affected, none will escape.
The Acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles tells us:
Through much tribulation we will enter the kingdom of heaven.
It will happen to you and it will happen to me. Thousands die daily, some immediately welcomed into the arms of Jesus, others separated, lost forever, no longer able to receive the merciful forgiveness for their sins and the eternal love of our Saviour and LORD.
Being a Christian does not exempt us from heartaches, difficulties or hard knocks from friend and foe alike. Being a Christian assures us that the Holy Spirit of God, sent by Jesus, the Comforter, will never leave us or forsake us. From the time we receive His Son, our Saviour and determine to follow Him until we breath our last, He walks beside us, guiding, providing, teaching and training. As we are learning and leaning, He is with those who are His children - each step of the way.
As we travel this a very difficult road through a world filled with evil and heartache, with all its bumps, dips, ruts and curves, we cling to this hope, this promise:
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Thursday, April 24, 2014
It is always the other person´ fault, the other one needs to change, not me.
Seldom do we hear, or even think of saying: "O God, change me."
We spend far too much time praying, "God, change my circumstances; my coworkers; change my family, my situation, the conditions in my life." But we seldom pray this most important prayer: "Change me, Lord. The real trouble is not my spouse, my siblings, my friends, my job, my bank account, or my circumstances. The real problem is “me”
I am the one standing in need of prayer and of change.
“But now, O Lord, thou art our Father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” Isaiah 64:8
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:28-29
[ snippets from sermon archives, time square church]
Seldom do we hear, or even think of saying: "O God, change me."
We spend far too much time praying, "God, change my circumstances; my coworkers; change my family, my situation, the conditions in my life." But we seldom pray this most important prayer: "Change me, Lord. The real trouble is not my spouse, my siblings, my friends, my job, my bank account, or my circumstances. The real problem is “me”
I am the one standing in need of prayer and of change.
“But now, O Lord, thou art our Father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” Isaiah 64:8
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:28-29
[ snippets from sermon archives, time square church]
Monday, April 21, 2014
Standing on the promises of Christ my King, Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, Standing on the promises of God.
Sounds good, sounds great, and for those that have chosen to follow Jesus Christ, making Him Saviour and LORD, it should be a given, but…
The book of Job tells us our complaints are rebellion, but…
The book of Samuel tells us rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry, but...
How often do we grumble in traffic, instead of using the time to pray? How many times do we fuss and complain while waiting in line, instead of sharing a kind word with those around us? When we are taken advantage of, mistreated, misunderstood or maligned do we pout or do we praise? How many times have we forgotten the promises of God?
Promises such as ~
God is our refuge, and underneath are His everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27 or
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest... Matthew 11:28
But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
Perhaps we should do as did Job. Perhaps it is time we humble ourselves, repent of our sins of rebellion, witch craft and stubbornness and say, "Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth. "Once I have spoken, and I will not answer; Even twice, and I will add nothing more."… Perhaps we should not speak of things we did not understand, things too wonderful for us to know. Perhaps we should recognize, we do not know the plans and purposes of God in all circumstances.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want ~ Keep standing on the promises of God.
Sounds good, sounds great, and for those that have chosen to follow Jesus Christ, making Him Saviour and LORD, it should be a given, but…
The book of Job tells us our complaints are rebellion, but…
The book of Samuel tells us rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry, but...
How often do we grumble in traffic, instead of using the time to pray? How many times do we fuss and complain while waiting in line, instead of sharing a kind word with those around us? When we are taken advantage of, mistreated, misunderstood or maligned do we pout or do we praise? How many times have we forgotten the promises of God?
Promises such as ~
God is our refuge, and underneath are His everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27 or
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest... Matthew 11:28
But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
Perhaps we should do as did Job. Perhaps it is time we humble ourselves, repent of our sins of rebellion, witch craft and stubbornness and say, "Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth. "Once I have spoken, and I will not answer; Even twice, and I will add nothing more."… Perhaps we should not speak of things we did not understand, things too wonderful for us to know. Perhaps we should recognize, we do not know the plans and purposes of God in all circumstances.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want ~ Keep standing on the promises of God.
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Removing God and prayer from public schools, court rooms and government buildings in the name of “separation of church and state” has done just that. It has separated the church, the body of the LORD Jesus Christ from all walks of life. And now, we are reaping what we have sown.
Slashing and shootings in public schools and on military bases. Terrorist threats, the unexplained disappearance of aircraft, Islam methodically moving ahead with their plans for total dominance.
Pastor Bill Randles writes ~
“Jihad, Shariah, al Taqqiya, terms once foreign, now all to familiar. Through the combination of the folly of immigration policy and multiculturalism’s destruction of western civilization’ confidence, Muslims have never seen better prospects for their long coveted subjugation of the western world.
Billions spent on security, countless hours spent waiting at checkpoints in airports and other transportation hubs, removing shoes, having magnetic images made of our naked bodies so that we won’t have to profile the adherents of a murderous ideology.
Violence has always been a factor in human history, but several factors contribute to my [Bill Randles] sense that the Red Horse is riding across the world. The heavy levels of immigration, legal and illegal contributes to increased levels of ethnic violence, crime, and the overall balkanization of whole populations, especially in the west. The entertainment media is saturated with violence. Children can soak themselves in vicarious murder and mayhem through the various video games, which are often a virtual orgy of violence. Even our athletics are hearkening more and more to the gladiatorial days, as cage fighters, the obscene parody called pro wrestling, and Ultimate fighting becomes ever more popular.
The acceptance of abortion as birth control is itself a phenomena of immense violence. Why should any be surprised by a Kermit Gosnell, whose “clinic” was raided after he botched one too many abortions and killed two of his “patients.” It was discovered that he had actually brought eight babies to term and murdered them with a pair of scissors. His squalid “women’s Health center” was overlooked numerous times by Philadelphia health inspectors. Why? They wouldn’t want to inhibit abortion in any way, thus this animal was allowed to practice “medicine” for years on the poor and ignorant.
Should we be surprised at the judgments overtaking us? The crime waves, terrorism, illegal immigration and the lawlessness that it engenders, are all manifestations of the Red Horse of violence who takes peace from the earth. The homo-sexualization of society on every level portends violence as well. In spite of the best efforts to disguise this unseemly aspect of the perversion, the truth can’t be long hidden. Sexual perversion is violent, even murderous. The Bible doesn’t portray homosexuals as ‘poor, oppressed and bullied minorities,” but as violently depraved sinners, who will stop at nothing to fulfill their lusts.
There will be no “Age of Aquarius” or any sort of humanistic utopia fashioned by our godless elite in spite of their best efforts. Already the Red Horse of violence is riding, and the only relief will be found in the new Ark, the person and work of our LORD Jesus Christ.”
Slashing and shootings in public schools and on military bases. Terrorist threats, the unexplained disappearance of aircraft, Islam methodically moving ahead with their plans for total dominance.
Pastor Bill Randles writes ~
“Jihad, Shariah, al Taqqiya, terms once foreign, now all to familiar. Through the combination of the folly of immigration policy and multiculturalism’s destruction of western civilization’ confidence, Muslims have never seen better prospects for their long coveted subjugation of the western world.
Billions spent on security, countless hours spent waiting at checkpoints in airports and other transportation hubs, removing shoes, having magnetic images made of our naked bodies so that we won’t have to profile the adherents of a murderous ideology.
Violence has always been a factor in human history, but several factors contribute to my [Bill Randles] sense that the Red Horse is riding across the world. The heavy levels of immigration, legal and illegal contributes to increased levels of ethnic violence, crime, and the overall balkanization of whole populations, especially in the west. The entertainment media is saturated with violence. Children can soak themselves in vicarious murder and mayhem through the various video games, which are often a virtual orgy of violence. Even our athletics are hearkening more and more to the gladiatorial days, as cage fighters, the obscene parody called pro wrestling, and Ultimate fighting becomes ever more popular.
The acceptance of abortion as birth control is itself a phenomena of immense violence. Why should any be surprised by a Kermit Gosnell, whose “clinic” was raided after he botched one too many abortions and killed two of his “patients.” It was discovered that he had actually brought eight babies to term and murdered them with a pair of scissors. His squalid “women’s Health center” was overlooked numerous times by Philadelphia health inspectors. Why? They wouldn’t want to inhibit abortion in any way, thus this animal was allowed to practice “medicine” for years on the poor and ignorant.
Should we be surprised at the judgments overtaking us? The crime waves, terrorism, illegal immigration and the lawlessness that it engenders, are all manifestations of the Red Horse of violence who takes peace from the earth. The homo-sexualization of society on every level portends violence as well. In spite of the best efforts to disguise this unseemly aspect of the perversion, the truth can’t be long hidden. Sexual perversion is violent, even murderous. The Bible doesn’t portray homosexuals as ‘poor, oppressed and bullied minorities,” but as violently depraved sinners, who will stop at nothing to fulfill their lusts.
There will be no “Age of Aquarius” or any sort of humanistic utopia fashioned by our godless elite in spite of their best efforts. Already the Red Horse of violence is riding, and the only relief will be found in the new Ark, the person and work of our LORD Jesus Christ.”
Monday, April 7, 2014
What am I here for? Why was I born?
The heart cry of tens of thousands as they search for meaning and fulfillment in their lives. The problem ~ “I” continues to get in the way.
We were created in His image, the Image of God, The God of all creation. Why? To worship, praise and honor Him. It has nothing to do with us, and everything to do with Him.
“The original song of worship ~ ancient and universal. You are worthy O Lord to receive glory, honor and power…! The basis for the worthiness? “For Thou hast Created all things…”. This is the song of worship to our Creator.”
God created us. He created and sustains the world in which we live. He created the sun, the moon and the stars, Galaxies rejoice at the mention of His Name. Skies erupt in expressions of praise through sunsets, sunrises, rainbows and Northern Lights.
But man wants more. It is not enough to worship, love, praise and adore our Creator. Of all of God’ creations, it is man alone that remains silent, turning a blind eye to the things of God and refusing to rejoice in the God of our Salvation.
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [Romans 1:21]
…And for Thy pleasure, they/we are created…
It’s not about me.
The heart cry of tens of thousands as they search for meaning and fulfillment in their lives. The problem ~ “I” continues to get in the way.
We were created in His image, the Image of God, The God of all creation. Why? To worship, praise and honor Him. It has nothing to do with us, and everything to do with Him.
“The original song of worship ~ ancient and universal. You are worthy O Lord to receive glory, honor and power…! The basis for the worthiness? “For Thou hast Created all things…”. This is the song of worship to our Creator.”
God created us. He created and sustains the world in which we live. He created the sun, the moon and the stars, Galaxies rejoice at the mention of His Name. Skies erupt in expressions of praise through sunsets, sunrises, rainbows and Northern Lights.
But man wants more. It is not enough to worship, love, praise and adore our Creator. Of all of God’ creations, it is man alone that remains silent, turning a blind eye to the things of God and refusing to rejoice in the God of our Salvation.
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [Romans 1:21]
…And for Thy pleasure, they/we are created…
It’s not about me.
Friday, April 4, 2014
Tragedy surrounds us.
Daily we face man’ inhumanity to man.
Another shooting at Ft. Hood, TX. Murder of the innocent continues, performed by government supported “Planned” Parenthood. Mudslides in Washington State, with many dead and missing. Noah hits $55.2 million in box office sales its first week. [Noah, a genius piece of propagandizing that is sure to lead many away from God under the mistaken belief that through left-wing environmentalism they are coming closer to Him. breitbart]
Evil, slowly, surely, steadily consuming the unsuspecting among us.
The evil of unrepentant hearts and minds. The evil of sin.
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night... - and therein lies the problem.
Man walks in the counsel of the wicked. Man stands in the way of sinners, and sits at the seat of scoffers. Man’ delight is not in the law of the LORD.
Man gives no thought to God or the things of God. Man is happily content in his prosperity, position, pomp and power. Man gives no thought for tomorrow, clinging to manmade values - he who dies with the most toys wins. Man continues to ignore God even though the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament the beautiful work of His hands. God continues to call man to repentance, but man is not interested.
We no longer have time to grumble about the sad state of our nation or our world. We no longer have time to complain about the government or its leaders. We can ill afford to ignore our calling to compassionately pray and share the good news.
“Seeing the people, He, Jesus, felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. “Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”
Daily we face man’ inhumanity to man.
Another shooting at Ft. Hood, TX. Murder of the innocent continues, performed by government supported “Planned” Parenthood. Mudslides in Washington State, with many dead and missing. Noah hits $55.2 million in box office sales its first week. [Noah, a genius piece of propagandizing that is sure to lead many away from God under the mistaken belief that through left-wing environmentalism they are coming closer to Him. breitbart]
Evil, slowly, surely, steadily consuming the unsuspecting among us.
The evil of unrepentant hearts and minds. The evil of sin.
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night... - and therein lies the problem.
Man walks in the counsel of the wicked. Man stands in the way of sinners, and sits at the seat of scoffers. Man’ delight is not in the law of the LORD.
Man gives no thought to God or the things of God. Man is happily content in his prosperity, position, pomp and power. Man gives no thought for tomorrow, clinging to manmade values - he who dies with the most toys wins. Man continues to ignore God even though the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament the beautiful work of His hands. God continues to call man to repentance, but man is not interested.
We no longer have time to grumble about the sad state of our nation or our world. We no longer have time to complain about the government or its leaders. We can ill afford to ignore our calling to compassionately pray and share the good news.
“Seeing the people, He, Jesus, felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. “Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
We are all ministers of the gospel, all of us.
We are all called to evangelize, all of us.
As we approach Passover, the time which our LORD celebrated with His disciples. Before His betrayal, the last supper, His final words of encouragement and commitment to them. Let us always be mindful of all that He has done and continues to do for us as He stands before the Father, ever making intercession for us.
Mike Gendron/Proclaiming the Gospel’ recent article reminds us:
“The world calls the greatest day on the Christian calendar "Easter" in an attempt to obscure or dismiss the supernatural miracle that took place 2000 years ago. As Christians, we should call it "Resurrection Day" in celebration of the glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. He "was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead" (Rom. 1:4). We can rejoice in His triumphant victory over death, sin and Satan. However, we must never forget that the battle for the eternal souls of men continues throughout the world. Only the truth of God's Word can slay the lies of the devil. It is the duty of every blood-bought Christian to be actively involved in the Lord's army, to expose all forms of deception and to warn victims who are embracing a false and fatal gospel. Let us have a greater compassion for people who are committed to a religion without any real understanding of the Gospel of Christ.
According to God's great mercy, "He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Pet. 1:3). As ambassadors for the resurrected King of kings, let us emulate the apostles who gave "their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all" (Acts 4:33). Let us sow the seed of God's imperishable Word and pray, in God's providence, the seed will fall on fertile soil.
The Gospel is the greatest news anyone could ever hear because it is about the greatest gift ever given.”
We are all called to evangelize, all of us.
As we approach Passover, the time which our LORD celebrated with His disciples. Before His betrayal, the last supper, His final words of encouragement and commitment to them. Let us always be mindful of all that He has done and continues to do for us as He stands before the Father, ever making intercession for us.
Mike Gendron/Proclaiming the Gospel’ recent article reminds us:
“The world calls the greatest day on the Christian calendar "Easter" in an attempt to obscure or dismiss the supernatural miracle that took place 2000 years ago. As Christians, we should call it "Resurrection Day" in celebration of the glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. He "was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead" (Rom. 1:4). We can rejoice in His triumphant victory over death, sin and Satan. However, we must never forget that the battle for the eternal souls of men continues throughout the world. Only the truth of God's Word can slay the lies of the devil. It is the duty of every blood-bought Christian to be actively involved in the Lord's army, to expose all forms of deception and to warn victims who are embracing a false and fatal gospel. Let us have a greater compassion for people who are committed to a religion without any real understanding of the Gospel of Christ.
According to God's great mercy, "He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Pet. 1:3). As ambassadors for the resurrected King of kings, let us emulate the apostles who gave "their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all" (Acts 4:33). Let us sow the seed of God's imperishable Word and pray, in God's providence, the seed will fall on fertile soil.
The Gospel is the greatest news anyone could ever hear because it is about the greatest gift ever given.”