WHAT’S HAPPENING?

When does it hit you?

At what point in your day do you typically feel you “have to ” find out what’s happening in your world?  I’m talking about all of it—news, weather, messages, email, internet—actually, all the stuff that was not instantly available a few generations ago.

Do you ever try this experiment on yourself—refrain from turning “it” on, and see what happens to you?  It should take only about 30 seconds for some observable data to appear, in you.

I tried it this morning.  My dog woke me up to go out twenty minutes before the alarm.  So I stayed up and listened to David Jeremiah talk about meditating on the Word of God.  Then the news came on (which always gives something to think about and write about), and I turned it off.  There was a feeling of vacuum right away, almost physical.

Then another typical, daily compulsion hit me.  I “had to” turn on the computer and write this commentary while the thought was fresh. By the way, do you ever feel a bit anxious waiting for your fast computer to turn on?  Just exactly what is happening to us these days?  Push.  Push.  Push.

“So” conclusions:

—We’re so loaded with information, that we . . . “have to” have more.

—We’re so “busy in a hurry” (Americans’ epitaph), that we . . . can’t stop and smell the roses (live).

—We’re so “all scheduled up” (for success), that we . . . can’t face the reality question – – – – – How much satisfies?

 

How much will it take to satisfy?

How much of what I have now, satisfies now?

What am I addicted to, that does not satisfy?

 

By the way, the last word on the radio message this morning was urging us to ask God for wisdom to understand and apply His Word (takes time—best spent on our knees).

WHO CAN SAVE US NOW?

Who can save us from our enemies?

– certainly no other country coming to rescue the U.S.

– sitting here at the keyboard, waiting too long for an answer

– hate being pessimistic, but historical perspective not optimistic

Who can save us from the government?

– “we, the people”

– patriots, like our founders

– independents, not dependents on the government

Who can save us from ourselves?

– we can’t save ourselves

– righteous renewal inside, with outside help

– trust in Jesus

Who can save us from this world?

– death takes us out – – – but then what?

– religion – – – just invention? – – -just imagination?

– God – – – did He really tell us how? – – – did He really come help us?

ENOUGH ALREADY ! ! !

How much is enough?

—the rich person says, ‘A little more money’

—the government says, ‘A little more taxes, then a lot more taxes’

—the addict says, ‘Gotta have more, right now’

—the aspiring dictator, ‘More power, more lies, more power, more . . .’

 

How much is too much?

—when the rich person becomes selfish and blind to needs at his door

—when the government enslaves the people

—when the addict hits bottom or the bottom of a casket

—when the dictator murders millions and kills himself

 

What about you and me?

—“If you keep more than you need, it is sin.” (guest preacher at Temple Bible Church)

—VERY LITTLE (best answer to both questions above)

—“Be content with food and clothing.”  (Jesus)

—“It is harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven than . . . ”  (Jesus)

—We learn what we need when we lose everything we don’t need.

—We’re content with what we need when we give everything we don’t need.

KNEE PROBLEMS – – – KNEEL PROBLEMS

This morning my knees were bothering me so much that I didn’t think I should kneel on the cold floor to pray.  Immediately the obvious hit me—the obstacles to serious prayer.

We are in the most serious time of our lives.  If you are serious about following Jesus, and if you are serious about making a difference in the parts that are for keeps, then serious prayer must be a continuous way of life now.  (over-use of the word is intentional)

I’ve written before about kneeling to pray.  All I can say is this:  Just start doing it, and if you need encouragement, just look up the number of Bible references and historical references to kneeling.

God Help Us Now.

God Bless You.

“WHAT IS TRUTH?” said Pilate

Jesus said, “. . . I am the Truth . . .”

He didn’t win the popular vote—He didn’t need to—and He is still the Truth today.  Believe it.  It’s not that complicated.

 

TRUTH  IS  TRUTH – – – IT IS NEVER DEPENDENT ON POPULAR DEMAND.

CHRISTIANS – – – SLAVES ? – OR SERVANTS ?

Christians are clearly called to be slaves of Jesus, our Master.

Christians are clearly commanded to be servants of each other.

Yet, Jesus said He calls us His friends.

So, Christian slavery to Jesus and servant-hood to each other is voluntary—by choice, out of love, with thankfulness.

Also, Christians are told to “Fear God.  Honor the king.”  IN THAT ORDER!!!  We fear God first, then honor the king.  That settles the issue when you can’t do both.  God is a capital G – – – king is a little k (very little in comparison).

Therefore, Christians have no business choosing to be slaves of man.

And, the following passage compels us to take whatever action is necessary to stop the killing and slavery of others, when we know it is happening.  I cannot comment after I share it, because it is severely convicting—so just consider this as you read—Holocaust, Bonhoeffer, Abortion, Obamerica.  This was written to God’s people.

“If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.

If you say, ‘Surely we did not know this,’ Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it?  He Who keeps your soul, does He not know it?

And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?”

TEA PARTY SECOND AMENDMENT RALLY

“Howdy.

I’m proud to be an American.

I’m proud to be a Texan.

Something about being a Texan—I was saying ‘Howdy’ for decades before my kids went to Texas A & M.

I am thankful to live in a country that acknowledges our rights come from God, and says so in our Constitution, and then proceeds to list them in the Constitution.  And that’s why we are here today.

I sincerely appreciate everything going on here today.

We now face things we have never faced before.  And we are about to face unthinkable things we have never faced before.

We must now do what we have never done before.  We must do some things we are currently not doing.  It will not be easy or comfortable.

I write about this at     AWordforThought.com     AWordforThought.com

If you have some Christian friends who happen to be squeamish about civil disobedience, consider this:  It is pleasing to God to obey the government established by our Constitution, because it was based on principles from the Bible.  It is not pleasing to God to obey the leadership currently in charge in this country because it is unconstitutional.

Read about this and more at     AWordforThought.com

I believe that Texas and Texans have a greater responsibility than we realize to be the last bastion of freedom in the world.

I would rather die fighting for The Republic of Texas than helplessly watch The United States of America surrender to Islam.

We need a Boston Tea Party as a catalyst to fight for our freedom again.

‘Remember the Alamo’ was such a catalyst.  It worked to inspire our fight for freedom.

Thank You.

God Bless.”

 

I shared the above yesterday at the Bell County Tea Party Second Amendment Rally at Confederate Park in Belton, Texas.  The entire event was excellent—six hours.

WAR IS HELL

Military Conflict—WAR IS HELL

—Reasons for War  –  When your country is attacked or threatened  –  When your allies are attacked or threatened  –  When helpless people are attacked or threatened

—Mindset for War  –  “No man that goes to war entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier.”  –  The prerequisite for peace is victory

—Weapons for War  –  Whatever kills people and destroys things  –  Power, and willingness to use it  –  “. . . with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right . . .” —–Abraham Lincoln, after the war

—Comments—“Never, never, never, never, never, never, never give up.” —–Winston Churchill

 

Spiritual Conflict—WAR IS HELL

—Reasons for War  – You decided to follow Jesus.  –  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”  –  “All that live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

—Mindset for War  –  “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

—Weapons for War  –  “Resist him (the devil), steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brothers in the world.”          “For the weapons or our warfare are not of the flesh but mighty of God for pulling down strongholds.”          “Take up the whole armor of God, to stand, . . .  gird your waist with truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit (Word of God), and prayer.”

—Comments—“It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus”

 

Marriage Conflict—WAR IS HELL

—Reasons for War  –  Two human beings  –  Expectations  –  Busy  –  “I’m right”  –  I’m tired”  –  Secrets  –  Sin

—Mindset for War  –  Desperation  –  Isolation  –  “I’ll show him”  –  “I’ll show her”  –  “I must prove . . .”  –  “What’s wrong with me?”  –  “What’s wrong with him/her?”  –  “You need help”

—Weapons for War  –  Secrecy (universally employed)  –  Just about anything will work.  –  No training necessary, but damage increases with practice.  –  Just do what comes naturally.  –  Destruction is easy and quick (Reconstruction is difficult and unnatural).  –  Fire extinguishers to fix the other person are often filled with gasoline (Damage is doubled, destroying both combatants).  –  Secrecy (extremely effective)

—Comments—Marriage Conflict is Spiritual Conflict, for the Christian couple.  There is no more significant place for the devil to attack and gain a foothold in Christians’ lives than in their marriage.  –  Conflict Resolution is an oxymoron, without outside help—from God, from people who care more about marriage for others than money for themselves.  –  You and I (ordinary people) must simply care enough to make a difference in someone’s life, in two people’s marriage.  –  If we know someone who needs help at home, then we are the ones to help.  Do it.

 

WAR IS HELL—War is inevitable.—Victory is essential.—Winning is worth it.

WORSHIP – – – OPTIONAL?

I just heard someone tell about going to church with his family on Sunday morning, and then going to an NFL game with them in the afternoon.  He realized they had been to two worship experiences that day.  And that is something everyone can understand.

If you give money to a church or a charity, and then write a check for insurance or put more into your 401k, you have been to two worship experiences.  And that is something everyone can understand.  (maybe a question mark on everyone understanding that one)

If you work hard and give it all you’ve got to get ahead and get more stuff, and you have to cut corners with your marriage, with your children, with God, then you have proven that you can’t worship more than one God.

Every person worships . . .

. . . God

or

. . . gods.

PERSECUTION COMING – – – DON’T MISS IT

(This is heavy.  This is serious.  This is real.  Brace yourself.  Take heed.)

Wow, is that title an attention-getter—or true?

Now, who in their right mind would not try to avoid persecution?

So, how do you avoid persecution?

And, who is in their right mind—now, and when persecution does come?

But, we live in America, with guaranteed religious freedom?

Answers:

First question – – – I hope the title got someone’s attention, because it is true.  I am talking about real suffering for following Jesus Christ as your only Savior from sin—the only Truth and the only Way to heaven—because the Bible said so.  It has to be that clear, and it will be the precise dividing line to determine who gets persecuted.  Don’t miss Jesus, and you won’t miss persecution.

Second question – – – In my right mind I do not want persecution.  It hurts.  It’s not fun or funny.  You suffer.  You may be tortured.  Many die.  But not wanting persecution does not mean trying to avoid it.  I might make provisions to survive during the coming persecution.  I may hide for safety, or help others hide (The Hiding Place story of Corrie Ten Boom in Germany).  But when the time comes, I pray that I will not deny following Jesus—and that time starts now—potential persecution starts now.

Third question – – – Here is how to avoid persecution.  You do have a choice.  You can choose not to follow Jesus, and deny that you are a Christian.  But that may or may not work, if you have acted like a Christian before.  So, who do you want to be true to?   Persecutors hate Christians and phonies.

Fourth question – – – Right mind may not be what you think.  Better stake your life on something more stable than what you think.  There is a lot of mental gymnastics going on already, with most people creating a mindset of safety and security—basically designing their own god to suit themselves and stay out of trouble.  PC Christianity sounds smart, but it is stupid and makes God throw up, literally—He said so.  Lukewarm Christianity won’t cut it with God, and it won’t comfort with persecution.

Fifth question – – – The mainstream, downstream, government Department of Media may not have informed you that our Constitution, our First Amendment, is being trashed now.  And Christians are specifically singled out for religious persecution, while others get a pass.  A lot of new wording in the U.S. and the U.N. means freedom for everything except Christianity.

 

This article was prompted by something I heard a few minutes ago on American Family Radio, encouraging us to educate our children about the imminent persecution of Christians in America.  I have four children, a son-in-law, two daughters-in-law, and two grandchildren so far.  So I wrote this for those nine reasons.  (I prayed for each of you by name just now, as I often do.  “Be There”—I hope you remember what that means.)

The best way I know to be truthfully informed and realistically ready:

—–Read Your Bible

—–Listen To AFR Talk