Be careful what you get really excited about, if it’s what somebody tells you, if it’s not straight from the Bible you read for yourself.
Anyone who talks/teaches for any length of time without the Bible—BEWARE !
C H A N G E
May 18, 2024 By Leave a Comment
It’s time for change in the talking points of conservatives and Christians in media and government.
I listen as much as anyone can, to the reporting and documenting of the bad things going on in America, in government, especially in the Biden Administration.
I am painfully conscious of repetition of the facts, as though most of the audience doesn’t already know the terrible shape we’re in.
As I’ve said before, every leader and reporter and commentator on the side for America must no longer be satisfied and think you’ve done your job by telling us how bad the bad things are the bad people in Washington are doing, and what they should be doing (and never will).
More Americans stuffed with more information—yes, the truth—is not and will not stop the evil people taking over.
Yes, we vote—Yes, we campaign—Yes, I feel hope when I listen to Trump—Yes, I pray—I remember prayers of our leaders like Roosevelt before the nation on the eve of D-Day – – – and so much is so different today.
God blessed the American form of government in our Constitution, as long as we maintained the mindset of the founding fathers,
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”—–John Adams
That declaration says our Constitution and democratic process will no longer work, because we are no longer a moral and religious people.
IN GOD WE TRUSTED – – – past tense
GOD BLESSED AMERICA – – – past tense
– – –
Sadly, it seems like everyone vigorously sounding the alarms (and rightly so) doesn’t really know what we should be doing to stop this wayward government.
Or, fear is so effective, that no one steps forward to lead and direct us to stop the people destroying our country by design.
Diplomacy, negotiation, legislation, appeasement—DID NOT WORK in the American Revolution against King George—DID NOT WORK in World War II against Hitler—WILL NOT WORK saving Israel from terrorists—IS NOT WORKING to defeat those running America in the ground.
– – –
Question:
Would God honor the second amendment of the United States Constitution if we applied it literally today, to stop this wayward government ?
Nothing else will.
MAKE YOUR POINT – – – BACK IT UP
May 18, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Bible teaching and preaching.
Is it not typical to make a point—then back it up with Bible verses ?
Everyone is so accustomed to this pattern, that we expect the learned leader to state doctrinal teaching, first, and share Scripture that agrees with with it, second.
Start observing now, and consider why this is so, and if it is best.
Consciously or unconsciously, knowingly or unknowingly, this is built on the premise that the teacher/preacher is more educated to tell the listeners what to believe, and the Bible proves it.
This is subtle, but universal.
There is a simple, higher plane for relating the Bible to teaching and doctrine.
It is not difficult, but calls for putting the Bible first, literally, always.
Just read the Bible first !
Let the listeners see how you arrived at your beliefs/teachings from Scripture, not from others, no matter how revered they may be.
Take them slowly to verses that they can read in their own Bible, right then, and develop understanding at their own pace, not suddenly just because you said so.
Patience.
Humility.
Encourage your listeners to “search the Scriptures daily, to see if those things are true” that you tell them.
SUCCESS – – – IN . . .
May 13, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Success in Politics.
Success in Power.
Success in Money.
Actually, those are pretty much synonymous.
– – –
Is there success that breaks that pattern, that mold, that controls so many who achieve such success ?
YES, but not what you first think.
It’s two steps—a formula, if you will.
“Having food and clothing, let us be content.”
“Godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Put in formula form:
Food + Clothes = Contentment
Godliness + Contentment = Success
Therefore:
Godliness + Food + Clothes = Success
And that would be:
Success in Life.
SNOW IS FUN, IF . . .
May 13, 2024 By Leave a Comment
. . . if you don’t live up north.
. . . if snow is not in your forecast, in May.
. . . if you live in Central Texas (snows—not often enough, but I’m not complaining).
. . . if you don’t have to drive.
. . . if you don’t need to own a snow shovel.
. . . if you can just watch it.
. . . if it’s not too cold (it’s always too cold).
. . . if you measure it in inches (single digits), not in feet.
. . . if it doesn’t put you in danger.
. . . if you still smile while it falls, no matter where you live.
. . . if you think on a hundred Bible verses about snow (check that out !).
. . . if you have kids.
. . . if you are a kid, or feel like one when it snows.
. . . if you remember to praise God for making infinite trillions of snowflakes—for making each one different—for making each one a phenomenal geometric masterpiece—for making each one just for fun—for making each one just because HE CAN !
HUMBLE OR HUMILIATED
May 11, 2024 By Leave a Comment
A little over a year ago on this site, I wrote an article titled, “HUMBLE YOURSELF . . .” – – – AND HOW DO I DO THAT ?
I encourage you to look it up and be blessed.
This article will be a simple, condensed version of the same thought, same challenge.
So often the human experience of being humbled means being humiliated.
But there is a higher plane in living for Jesus when we ask the Lord to lift us up.
How ?
Humble ourselves first.
Only then can He lift us.
And, He gets all the credit, all the glory.
A couple quotes from a year ago:
“As long as we worry, we’re trying to take care of some things that God might not.”
“Casting our cares on Him must be the way to humble ourselves.”
Please read the whole article.
WHY DID YOU JUST NOW SAY “TRINITY” ?
May 9, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Every time I hear a preacher or Bible teacher say “trinity” in the middle of a sentence, I want to ask some questions.
Did you consciously say “trinity”, on purpose, with a purpose ?
So, why did you say “trinity” ?
Did you ever stop to think about why you said “trinity” ?
What did saying “trinity” add to your message ?
What difference did it make to you when you said “trinity” ?
What difference did it make to your listeners when you said “trinity” ?
Do your listeners know what you mean when you say “trinity” ?
What if your listeners asked what you mean when you say “trinity” ?
Have you ever explained “trinity” when you said it ?
How many ways have people explained “trinity” ?
(over thirty million different attempts listed on the internet, and counting)
– – –
Who tells you to say “trinity” in your message ?
What if you did not say “trinity” ?
Would your listeners lose anything in their relationship with Jesus if you did not say “trinity” ?
– – –
I am so tempted to answer these questions, but some theologians need to think about “Why say ‘trinity?'”
SEARCH
May 8, 2024 By Leave a Comment
I reprint this list and add something from time to time.
There is over a decade of writing on AWordforThought.com—here are a few key words to type in the search bar (feel free to enter your own topics as well).
Some searches will bring up older articles for you to compare with more recent ones.
Please pay attention to the dates when they were posted.
— fake friends
— volume
— # (prepare to stay awhile, even surprised/inspired me, goes way back)
— stress
— blessings
— life—balanced
— baseball
— senior year
— slavery
— masks
— game of life (several articles from a decade ago)
— be there
— forgiveness
— document the disaster
— freedom
— half slave
— oppressed
— senior
— goodness
— abortion
— xi xi ping pong
— all things trans
— humble
— hurry up and wait
— my part
— God what are You waiting for
— sacrifice [lots of articles include this word]
— trinity [if you dare]
— comfortable
— the problem with theologians
— call to prayer
— prisons
— if I was God
— end of the world – or the end of the free
— perfect weather
— America
— if this world is not
— likewise
— evolution of God
— the one God loves
HORRIBLE – – – YES
April 26, 2024 By Leave a Comment
— “Lake of fire”
— “Torment day and night forever”
— “Weeping”
— “Agony”
— “Eternal punishment”
— “Lake that burns with fire and sulphur”
— “Outer darkness”
— “Furnace of fire”
— “Unquenchable fire”
— “Gnashing of teeth”
— “Eternal death”
— “The ‘worm’ never dies”
— “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
— “. . . I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”
— “. . . the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
— “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels . . .”
– – –
– – –
Going there ?
Yes, unless you repent for your sin, accept Jesus’ payment for your sin, and ask Him to save you and write your name in His Book of Life in heaven.
“And there shall in no way enter any thing . . . but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
How about today ? – – – for you ?
RESIDENT – – – OR – – – PRESIDENT
April 26, 2024 By Leave a Comment
What place is Jesus in your life ?
(listening to afr)