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I just saw a headline on World Net Daily about Vladimir Putin soon having access to read "Shocked by the Bible" as it is being tranlated into the Russian language.
I remember when it was illegal to own a Bible in Russia and Christians would smuggle them across the border so Christians in Russia could read and learn about Jesus Christ and what He did for them. As Communism collapsed, resistance to the Bible and Christianity dissolved as well. Today Bibles are being printed in Russia and the church is being encouraged instead of suppressed. What a wonderful change.
I would like to see how Vladimir Putin's life would be changed if he went through the entire Getting To Know Jesus Bible study series. As we have already seen, Christianity and the Church has overpowered and outlasted one of the more hostille governments we have seen in modern times. From the beginning of the Church in 33 AD, there has been no government, kingdom, power or organization that has been able to stop or effectively suppress the Christian Church.
Jesus Christ is a King forever. His Kingdom, the Church (including all of the denominations that believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, our Lord and Savior) will never be destroyed by any other government, religion or group.
I'm glad to be a Christian. I've read the end of the book and I know that Jesus wins and if we believe in Him, we will be winners along side. Vladimir Putin can be a part of that winning team if he learns about Jesus and chooses to follow Him with his life.
You can also be a follower of Christ and a part of the most powerful Kingdom in the world. Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Study the Getting To Know Jesus Bible study series to learn about what Jesus taught and how you can become more like Him. It will change your life!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Is Hasan a Terrorist?
It is interesting to observe that the news media, and even the President, are not calling Hasan a terrorist for his act of murdering 13 and wounding another 28 people at Fort Hood Texas. Are they thinking that by not calling Hasan a terrorist he will not be one? Are they afraid that if they call him a terrorist that we'll be attacked again somewhere else?
Maybe they are tying to soft pedal sin. If they don't call him a terrorist, then they can justify not condemning him to death. By trying him in a Federal Court instead of a milatary tribunal as our laws say should be done, he is likely to get off on some technicality instead of receiving the punishment he would certainly get from the military.
What Would Jesus Do?
Jesus Christ never tried to appease. He called sin what it was and told sinners to repent. Jesus would judge Hasan for the murders of those people. If Jesus saw any spark of redemption, He might have words that would bring Hasan to repentance, but if He saw a man determined to hate God and reject His salvation, He would condemn Hasan just as He did all who rejected Him.
Remember that Jesus stopped a crowd from stoning Him, but later assisted a mob in crucifying Him. Jesus forgave a woman who had been caught in adultery and instructed her to stop her sinning. He also condemned the religious leaders who were opposing Him. He forgave the one thief on the cross, but didn't say anything to change the mind or attitude of the unrepentant thief on the cross.
Jesus reached out to those who were open to the Gospel, but He never forced it on anyone. At the same time, Jesus never went soft on speaking out against sin, but told all of us that we should repent or pay a painful price. Jesus never tried to appease anyone.
The Church today needs to stand up and speak up. The United States government needs to stop denying what happened and stand up against those who do evil and prosecute them according to our Constitution and laws.
God will bless America only as long as America blesses God.
Maybe they are tying to soft pedal sin. If they don't call him a terrorist, then they can justify not condemning him to death. By trying him in a Federal Court instead of a milatary tribunal as our laws say should be done, he is likely to get off on some technicality instead of receiving the punishment he would certainly get from the military.
What Would Jesus Do?
Jesus Christ never tried to appease. He called sin what it was and told sinners to repent. Jesus would judge Hasan for the murders of those people. If Jesus saw any spark of redemption, He might have words that would bring Hasan to repentance, but if He saw a man determined to hate God and reject His salvation, He would condemn Hasan just as He did all who rejected Him.
Remember that Jesus stopped a crowd from stoning Him, but later assisted a mob in crucifying Him. Jesus forgave a woman who had been caught in adultery and instructed her to stop her sinning. He also condemned the religious leaders who were opposing Him. He forgave the one thief on the cross, but didn't say anything to change the mind or attitude of the unrepentant thief on the cross.
Jesus reached out to those who were open to the Gospel, but He never forced it on anyone. At the same time, Jesus never went soft on speaking out against sin, but told all of us that we should repent or pay a painful price. Jesus never tried to appease anyone.
The Church today needs to stand up and speak up. The United States government needs to stop denying what happened and stand up against those who do evil and prosecute them according to our Constitution and laws.
God will bless America only as long as America blesses God.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Michael Jackson Vs. Jesus Christ
So much attention is being devoted to Michael Jackson that you would think he died on the cross for man's sin. Michael was a very good and popular song and dance entertainer. But that is all he could do - entertain. He did try to give something to the children to make up for the childhood that he didn't really get to have. Beyond that, he was just as messed up as you and I are.
Why are we giving so much worship and adulation to a man who took our money for a song and dance, but never gave us anything but a song and dance?
Jesus Christ never made you pay for what He gave. What He gave was far more than what Michael could ever conceive. Jesus showed us how God wants us to live. Jesus cared for people and healed them (without payment). Jesus stood up against corruption, defended the innocent and gave the guilty a chance to repent. Jesus orchestrated His own death because He knew that was the only way our sins could be attoned for and we could have an eternal loving relationship with God.
What do you think Jesus would have said to Michael while he was still alive?
What would Jesus say to all of the people who are worshippng Michael Jackson today?
Why are we giving so much worship and adulation to a man who took our money for a song and dance, but never gave us anything but a song and dance?
Jesus Christ never made you pay for what He gave. What He gave was far more than what Michael could ever conceive. Jesus showed us how God wants us to live. Jesus cared for people and healed them (without payment). Jesus stood up against corruption, defended the innocent and gave the guilty a chance to repent. Jesus orchestrated His own death because He knew that was the only way our sins could be attoned for and we could have an eternal loving relationship with God.
What do you think Jesus would have said to Michael while he was still alive?
What would Jesus say to all of the people who are worshippng Michael Jackson today?
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Since when is tolerance one way?
Or should this be titled, "Christians are Being Discriminated Against"
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio school teacher fired over accusations that he preached Christianity in class says in a $1 million lawsuit that his free speech and civil rights were violated.
John Freshwater, an eighth-grade teacher in Mount Vernon, northeast of Columbus, also says he was harassed because of his religion, was defamed and suffered a hostile work environment...
That is only the introduction to an article about a school teacher who is being discriminated against because he is exercising his First Amendment right to freedom of religion and freedom of speech.
The ACLU was founded by a socialist-athiest (see World Net Daily for verification) who declared his agenda to turn the United States into a socialist, athiest nation. For over 50 years, Christians have maintained a silent tolerance of this agenda to the point that now Christians are having their God-given and Constitutionally endowed rights taken away. More and more I see Christians being persecuted in the United States, a nation that was founded on Christian principles for the purpose of freedom of religion.
What is wrong with this picture?
1. Tolerance is a two way street. If the athiest wants Christians to tolerate them, then it is only fair and right that they tolerate Christians. Trying to silence them invokes slavery, bondage, suppression. Freedom applies to Christians being able to express their views just as much as athiests or any other religion has to express their views.
2. The United States was established by Christians for freedom of worship (not freedom from worship). Our founders allowed for dissenting viewpoints, but did not permit the silencing of anyone because of a religious background or lack thereof.
3. The reason the United States has become such a powerful nation is due in a large part to the influence of Christianity on the people's work ethic. We work harder, more productively, more respectfully than any other nation on earth. Therefore, we have become leaders in technology, production and output. That same Christian ethic is what has made us the most charitable nation on earth. You don't see other countries sending money to the United States, but we continually spend enormous amounts of money on other countries to help them with their poverty issues.
4. Christianity has always taught obedience to the laws of the land, respect for others, the importance of family and personal integrity. These are qualities that make that make for a strong nation and that make Christians good citizens.
Why, therefore, would any thinking person want to discriminate and persecute Christians? Why are people allowing a small group of anti-god hate mongers to suppress one of the most essential freedoms of our nation - the freedom of religion and the freedom of speech?
What is so wrong about a teacher or anyone else expressing their faith in God? The Christian believe system builds good character. What's wrong with that? If anything, Christians should be held in high regard and respect by all citizens of the United States regardless of their personal religious beliefs.
It is time for All Christians to stand up and speak up before they are shut up by a government that is rapidly forgetting that we are a great nation only because we are "Under God". Take that away and we will soon decline like Europe and so many other parts of the world where there is no hope, no life, no future.
Teacher Accused of Displaying Bible Sues District
By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS –
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio school teacher fired over accusations that he preached Christianity in class says in a $1 million lawsuit that his free speech and civil rights were violated.
John Freshwater, an eighth-grade teacher in Mount Vernon, northeast of Columbus, also says he was harassed because of his religion, was defamed and suffered a hostile work environment...
That is only the introduction to an article about a school teacher who is being discriminated against because he is exercising his First Amendment right to freedom of religion and freedom of speech.
The ACLU was founded by a socialist-athiest (see World Net Daily for verification) who declared his agenda to turn the United States into a socialist, athiest nation. For over 50 years, Christians have maintained a silent tolerance of this agenda to the point that now Christians are having their God-given and Constitutionally endowed rights taken away. More and more I see Christians being persecuted in the United States, a nation that was founded on Christian principles for the purpose of freedom of religion.
What is wrong with this picture?
1. Tolerance is a two way street. If the athiest wants Christians to tolerate them, then it is only fair and right that they tolerate Christians. Trying to silence them invokes slavery, bondage, suppression. Freedom applies to Christians being able to express their views just as much as athiests or any other religion has to express their views.
2. The United States was established by Christians for freedom of worship (not freedom from worship). Our founders allowed for dissenting viewpoints, but did not permit the silencing of anyone because of a religious background or lack thereof.
3. The reason the United States has become such a powerful nation is due in a large part to the influence of Christianity on the people's work ethic. We work harder, more productively, more respectfully than any other nation on earth. Therefore, we have become leaders in technology, production and output. That same Christian ethic is what has made us the most charitable nation on earth. You don't see other countries sending money to the United States, but we continually spend enormous amounts of money on other countries to help them with their poverty issues.
4. Christianity has always taught obedience to the laws of the land, respect for others, the importance of family and personal integrity. These are qualities that make that make for a strong nation and that make Christians good citizens.
Why, therefore, would any thinking person want to discriminate and persecute Christians? Why are people allowing a small group of anti-god hate mongers to suppress one of the most essential freedoms of our nation - the freedom of religion and the freedom of speech?
What is so wrong about a teacher or anyone else expressing their faith in God? The Christian believe system builds good character. What's wrong with that? If anything, Christians should be held in high regard and respect by all citizens of the United States regardless of their personal religious beliefs.
It is time for All Christians to stand up and speak up before they are shut up by a government that is rapidly forgetting that we are a great nation only because we are "Under God". Take that away and we will soon decline like Europe and so many other parts of the world where there is no hope, no life, no future.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Your Faith is Showing
Recent comments by Barak Obama make me wonder about his faith. As he tours the middle east, he continues to hide his faith in Jesus Christ and try to appease those who have declared an open hatred of Christians and Christianity. Instead of confronting them of their genocide of Christians in their countries, he is sounding more and more like one of them.
I thought Barak Obama claimed to be a Christian. When I review the church that he attended until the minister's hatred towards the United States, racial bigotry towards the white race and lack of Christ-like teaching and behavior, it is no surprise that he does not reflect the character of one who has an active relationship with Jesus Christ.
It is appauling that Barak Obama has not yet chosen to attend a church since becoming President. It is even more appauling that he did not participate in the National Day of Prayer, a first since the event was started many Presidents ago.
I will leave the determination of Barak Obama's salvation in the hands of God, but from my perspective, he does not appear to be one whom Jesus will speak up for on the Day of Judgement. Jesus said that if we deny Him, He will deny us before the Father. You can't get into Heaven without Jesus.
I will pray for Barak Obama to realize that without Christ, he can't begin to lead this country. I will also pray that his relationship with Rick Warren and some other ministers will lead him to a recommitment to Christ and a spiritual growth that will make him a better President than what he has displayed so far.
I encourage you to go to www.presidentialprayerteam.org and sign up to pray for our President, regardless of who he is. Every Thursday, they will send you a detailed email on how to pray for our President and nation.
God bless America!
I thought Barak Obama claimed to be a Christian. When I review the church that he attended until the minister's hatred towards the United States, racial bigotry towards the white race and lack of Christ-like teaching and behavior, it is no surprise that he does not reflect the character of one who has an active relationship with Jesus Christ.
It is appauling that Barak Obama has not yet chosen to attend a church since becoming President. It is even more appauling that he did not participate in the National Day of Prayer, a first since the event was started many Presidents ago.
I will leave the determination of Barak Obama's salvation in the hands of God, but from my perspective, he does not appear to be one whom Jesus will speak up for on the Day of Judgement. Jesus said that if we deny Him, He will deny us before the Father. You can't get into Heaven without Jesus.
I will pray for Barak Obama to realize that without Christ, he can't begin to lead this country. I will also pray that his relationship with Rick Warren and some other ministers will lead him to a recommitment to Christ and a spiritual growth that will make him a better President than what he has displayed so far.
I encourage you to go to www.presidentialprayerteam.org and sign up to pray for our President, regardless of who he is. Every Thursday, they will send you a detailed email on how to pray for our President and nation.
God bless America!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Speaking up against evil
I made a comment on my Facebook page about fighting the people in our state and nation that are trying to take our Christian freedom away from us. There are those who want to tell us what we, as Christians, are to do and tell us what we cannot say or believe. I find that highly offensive. Tolerance is not a one-way street. If they want me to tolerate them, then I have equal right to insist that they tolerate me.
Someone replied that the call to battle is to show them that Jesus will forgive their sins, and restore them to health. They are not the enemy, they are the victim of Satan's lies. Pray for them, that they would be released from the bondage of sin.
While I agree that Satan is the real enemy, he uses people to carry out his wickedness. At some point, we must speak against the sin that other people are advocating and and stop them from what they are doing to take away our freedom.
This is not some imaginary battle where we sit in our holy place and pretend we will be protected. This is where we get out and engage the world and tell them that we have rights also. We must tell the world, in a loving and kind way that their worldview is destructive, unfulfilling and wrong. We do not get angry or hostile. We do not engage in belittling or putting them down, yelling or calling names, but we do speak up for what the Bible teaches.
What good are we if we are not salt and light to a tasteless and dark world?
What Would Jesus Do?
Someone replied that the call to battle is to show them that Jesus will forgive their sins, and restore them to health. They are not the enemy, they are the victim of Satan's lies. Pray for them, that they would be released from the bondage of sin.
While I agree that Satan is the real enemy, he uses people to carry out his wickedness. At some point, we must speak against the sin that other people are advocating and and stop them from what they are doing to take away our freedom.
This is not some imaginary battle where we sit in our holy place and pretend we will be protected. This is where we get out and engage the world and tell them that we have rights also. We must tell the world, in a loving and kind way that their worldview is destructive, unfulfilling and wrong. We do not get angry or hostile. We do not engage in belittling or putting them down, yelling or calling names, but we do speak up for what the Bible teaches.
What good are we if we are not salt and light to a tasteless and dark world?
What Would Jesus Do?
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Handling Stress
How is your emotional level right now? Can you handle a little emotional challenge right now? If so, read on. If not, go somewhere else until you are emotionally prepared to go through a troubling experience.
I just finished writing lesson 143 in the Getting To Know Jesus Bible study series about Jesus going to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. As I was writing about Him falling on His face and pleading to His Father for strength to get through what He knew was coming, I felt a slight twinge of the stress that brought Him to this point. You can read the Scriptures about it in Getting To Know Jesus – Volume 11, Lesson 143. (Or read Matthew 26:30, 36-46; Mark 14:26-32-42, Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1.)
Jesus had just finished praying a benediction to the events of the upper room. It was there that He had brought the Apostles to celebrate the Passover. It was there that He chided them for arguing who was the greatest. It was there that He washed the feet of all twelve (yes, Judas was still in the room). It was there that He exposed Judas and admonished him to go do what he was going to do. It was there that He instituted the Lord’s Supper and told the remaining eleven that He was going to die at the hands of His enemies.
After instating the Lord’s Supper, Eucharist, Communion, Love Feast, Last Supper or whatever you prefer to call it, Jesus gave an after-dinner talk to prepare and encourage the Apostles for continuing on without Him. They don’t fully realize that at this point, but that was what it was designed to do. He concluded that talk with a benedictory prayer where He prayed for God to bless Him, bless and protect the Apostles and protect the Church that they will soon be establishing.
After that prayer, Jesus needed some private time with God. The emotions and pain are adding up on Him and, even though He is God in the flesh, He needs some personal time with His Father to get through this. Even though He takes the Apostles with Him, He leaves them and goes to another part of the Garden to be alone with God.
It is here that He prays for strength to get through what He has to go through. He would rather not have to die, but He knows that God has a greater plan. He dreads the thought of the rejection, pain and torture that is pending. He knows that His death is necessary to pay for our sin, but He still pleads for a different resolution.
Knowing that this is God’s will, Jesus chooses obedience over escape from pain and death. Think with me for a moment about how much stress that put on Him. He never sinned. He loves God, the Father and you and me (even though we are the ones responsible for His having to die on the cross). He has seen crucifixion and knows something about what is ahead for Him. He dreads the physical pain, yearns to escape the emotional pain, and will soon feel the spiritual separation and pain that is pending. How hard is it for Jesus to not call 10,000 angels and stop this whole process? Yet, He prays for strength to be obedient and faithful through all that is soon coming.
How does the stress you are going through compare to what Jesus went through for you? Kind of pales in comparison, doesn’t it?
I just finished writing lesson 143 in the Getting To Know Jesus Bible study series about Jesus going to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. As I was writing about Him falling on His face and pleading to His Father for strength to get through what He knew was coming, I felt a slight twinge of the stress that brought Him to this point. You can read the Scriptures about it in Getting To Know Jesus – Volume 11, Lesson 143. (Or read Matthew 26:30, 36-46; Mark 14:26-32-42, Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1.)
Jesus had just finished praying a benediction to the events of the upper room. It was there that He had brought the Apostles to celebrate the Passover. It was there that He chided them for arguing who was the greatest. It was there that He washed the feet of all twelve (yes, Judas was still in the room). It was there that He exposed Judas and admonished him to go do what he was going to do. It was there that He instituted the Lord’s Supper and told the remaining eleven that He was going to die at the hands of His enemies.
After instating the Lord’s Supper, Eucharist, Communion, Love Feast, Last Supper or whatever you prefer to call it, Jesus gave an after-dinner talk to prepare and encourage the Apostles for continuing on without Him. They don’t fully realize that at this point, but that was what it was designed to do. He concluded that talk with a benedictory prayer where He prayed for God to bless Him, bless and protect the Apostles and protect the Church that they will soon be establishing.
After that prayer, Jesus needed some private time with God. The emotions and pain are adding up on Him and, even though He is God in the flesh, He needs some personal time with His Father to get through this. Even though He takes the Apostles with Him, He leaves them and goes to another part of the Garden to be alone with God.
It is here that He prays for strength to get through what He has to go through. He would rather not have to die, but He knows that God has a greater plan. He dreads the thought of the rejection, pain and torture that is pending. He knows that His death is necessary to pay for our sin, but He still pleads for a different resolution.
Knowing that this is God’s will, Jesus chooses obedience over escape from pain and death. Think with me for a moment about how much stress that put on Him. He never sinned. He loves God, the Father and you and me (even though we are the ones responsible for His having to die on the cross). He has seen crucifixion and knows something about what is ahead for Him. He dreads the physical pain, yearns to escape the emotional pain, and will soon feel the spiritual separation and pain that is pending. How hard is it for Jesus to not call 10,000 angels and stop this whole process? Yet, He prays for strength to be obedient and faithful through all that is soon coming.
How does the stress you are going through compare to what Jesus went through for you? Kind of pales in comparison, doesn’t it?
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