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WORSHIP AND MORTALITY

 

Week Forty-Five, 2017

“If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days” (1 Kings 3:14).

Violet Brown, age 117 died recently. She was born in 1900 and spent most of her life cutting sugarcane in her native Jamaica. At the time of her death, she was noted as the oldest person in the world. She was baptized at age thirteen at the Trittonvale Baptist Church and remained a member throughout her life, long serving as the church organist. Shortly before her death she said about living longer: “This is what God has given me, so I have to take it.”

Recent studies have shown that people, like Violet, who worship regularly, tend to live a much longer life. Many Americans say they attend church because attending helps them stay grounded and gives them spiritual guidance. A new study suggests that regular attendance may also help increase their lifespan.

People who attend church live longer and are less stressed. The new study found middle-aged men and women’s health benefit from going to church. The research from Vanderbilt University reveals non-churchgoers are significantly more stressed than those who attend religious services.

The study said attending church is actually good for your health particularly for those who are between 40 and 65. For those who did not attend church at all were twice as likely to die prematurely than those who did attend church. According to the study, men and women who attend church or other houses of worship reduce their risk for mortality by 55 per cent.

The attitude about the place of religion in medical care is becoming more common among health care professionals and has been introduced into the curriculum of more medical schools.

Why should we be surprised about the results of these studies. It is spelled out so clearly in the Bible. “You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess” (Deuteronomy 5:33).

We should attend church to study and learn God’s Word, but a good off shoot of that is: Go to church regularly and live longer.

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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

$2.99 SPECIAL

If you are a Senior you will understand this, or if you deal with Seniors, this should help you understand them a little better, and if you are not a Senior yet…….. God willing, someday you will be.

We went to breakfast at a restaurant where the ‘Seniors Special’ was two eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast for $2.99. ‘Sounds good,’ my wife said, ‘But I don’t want the eggs.’

‘Then, I’ll have to charge you $3.49 because you’re ordering a la carte,’ the waitress warned her. ‘You mean I’d have to pay for not taking the eggs?’ my wife asked incredulously. ‘Yes!’ stated the waitress. ‘I’ll take the special then,’ my wife said.

‘How do you want your eggs?’ the waitress asked. ‘Raw and in the shell,’ my wife replied. She took the two eggs home and baked a cake.

STAND UP

A new teacher was trying to make use of her psychology courses. She started her class by saying, “Everyone who thinks they’re stupid, stand up!” After a few seconds, Little Johnny stood up. The teacher said, “Do you think you’re stupid, Little Johnny?” “No, ma’am, but I hate to see you standing there all by yourself!”

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QUOTES YOU CAN USE

If we harbor hatred, our actions will usually give us away before our words ever get spoken.

Today’s children need a tackle box more than they need an X-Box.

When I was a child, I thought nap time was punishment. Now it’s like a mini-vacation.

It is the Christian’s duty to praise God. It is not only a pleasurable exercise, but it is the absolute obligation of his life.

—Alister Begg

FAKE NEWS

The naive believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps Proverbs 14:15.

You can never give another person what you have found, but you can make him homesick for what you have.

—Oswald Chambers

It’s not how much we have, but how much we enjoy that makes happiness.

***

Selected portions of Thoughts on Life can also be read at TheLife.com and Thoughts-About-God.com. You can subscribe directly to those on their respective websites.

Your feedback is welcome and if you want to be taken off the mailing list a simple e-mail will do it. Feel free to pass this along to others and to contribute your ideas and thoughts. Address all items and comments to [email protected]. © Thoughts on Life Copyright 2017

©2017 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618

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“SAINT JEREMY SPEAKING TODAY”

By J. B. Stopford

Oct. 29, 2017 10:30 AM
First Baptist Church, Earlville, NY —  J B Stopford, Pastor

TODAY’S SPECIAL

(shared with me by my good friend Dr. Becker of Texas):

“A Seniors’ Perspective of Facebook”
I am trying to make friends outside of Facebook while applying the same principles.

Therefore, every day I walk down the street and tell passers-by what I have eaten, how I feel at the moment, what I have done the night before, what I will do later and with whom.

I give them pictures of my family, my dog, and of me gardening, taking things apart in the garage, watering the lawn, standing in front of landmarks, driving around town, having lunch, and doing what anybody and everybody does every day.

I also listen to their conversations, give them the “thumbs up” and tell them I like them. And it works just like Facebook.

I already have four people following me: two police officers, a private investigator and a psychiatrist.

INTRODUCTION

Tuesday is Halloween, and Wednesday is November 1. In and of themselves they are but dates on the calendar marking the changing of one month to another. But in the history of Biblical Christianity, these are 2 very important dates. For some religions, Halloween is a significant day. It marks the day that, in the Middle Ages, poor people in the community begged for “soul cakes,” and upon receiving these doughnuts, they would agree to pray for departed souls. This is the root of our modern day “trick-or-treat.” The custom of masks and costumes developed to mock evil and perhaps confuse the evil spirits by dressing as one of their own.

Throughout the centuries after the days of the Savior and the apostles, when a person was martyred for one’s faith, that person immediately was considered a “saint”, and each year the day of that person’s death was celebrated by visiting his tomb and giving communion. Over the course of time, there were so many “saints” that the Roman Church declared November 1st to be the one day to celebrate the martyrdom of all the saints, hence, “All Saints Day”.
Yet 500 years ago this Tuesday, a priest named Martin Luther changed the course of history with the nailing of his “95 Theses” on the door of a church in Wittenburg, Germany. It ultimately was republished and sent throughout the land. In them, Dr. Luther refuted the Roman church’s practice of the sale of “indulgences”, the purchasing within the Roman church of the forgiveness of sins. Thus October 31, 1517 marks the day of the beginning of what became known as the Protestant Reformation.

But, as Martin Luther would wisely ask, what do the Scriptures say? It is fascinating that in our text in Psalm 145, written years before the time of Christ, people were labelled as “saints” – not for dying for their faith, but for LIVING for their faith! Our text gives us at least 4 marks which should describe every “saint” in a Biblical sense. PRAYER

#1. Saints surrender to their King (intro, vs. 1-2)

Did you notice the psalm’s introduction? Most of us skip over these words – but these here are most important. This is a “psalm of praise” – NOT of prayer! That is a most unusual description. AND the psalm marks the author as being “of David” – hence, this is the last psalm in the record that David wrote. This psalm is in essence the prelude to the “hallel” psalms (146-150), and this one teaches us David’s view of true praise.
But did you catch King David’s proclamation in the first two verses? He said, “I will exalt You, my God the King”. Did you really catch that? David was finally king of Israel. Yet he recognizes Who the True King of Israel is: God Himself.

True saints surrender to God as their King.
But it wasn’t always that way. One day, in fulfillment of Psalm 118, King Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt (Matthew 21). Remember the crowd’s yell? “Hosanna to the Son of David.” “Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord”. “Hosanna in the highest”. (Matthew 21) “The King of Israel!” (John 12:13).

Yet later in that same passage in Matthew, Jesus exclaims “the Stone which the builders rejected is the cornerstone”. The chief priests and Pharisees knew that He was talking about their rejection, and sought to arrest Him. Later, In Matthew 23, Jesus gives the lesson about David calling his Son, ‘Lord’ (in essence, in his lineage). Yet Jesus questions how the descendant could be the Lord, if He was His Son? The answer, of course, is that Jesus the Messiah is the Lord Himself! And shortly thereafter, Jesus prays for the Jerusalem He was willing, as a wise mother hen, to bear under His wings.
And soon we hear the cry, “We have no King but Caesar”. John wisely writes, “He came unto His own, but His own received Him not.”

The point is this: do we as Jesus’ true saints, those who have received Him as Lord and Savior, reject Him as Lord and King, or do we surrender to Him – the first mark of a saint of God?

#2. Saints meditate on Jesus (verse 5b)

David writes, “I will meditate on Your wonderful works”.
I like that David’s testimony is current! He isn’t remembering a walk with God of the early days of being a shepherd when under his father’s roof. No, no! These are current musings, first of God’s works (vs. 5-6): creation, His awesome works (note, only things referring to God should be called “awesome”), His great deeds. David saw God’s handiwork every day, and he not only meditated about them, he praised God for them.
But he also meditated on God’s character (vs. 7-9): His abundant goodness, His righteousness, His being gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, rich in love, good to all, compassion on all He has made! And no doubt, as David meditated on God’s character, that character became a part of his life.
Saints meditate on Jesus!

#3. Saints share their faith. (vs. 3-5a, 13)

Did you pick up on the phrase, “one generation will commend Your works to another” (v. 4a) and “Your dominion endures through all generations” (v. 13b). Saints share their faith!

How would the opposite of that look like in our church? Let’s suppose you are a grandmother, age 70. Your youngest grandchild is 10. For you and that grandchild, your generation is 60 years, the difference in those two ages. But what if you didn’t share with your grandchild anything about your family and its heritage. What would happen? That dear child would have no idea how rich a heritage you have. And as a result, that child could no longer share your heritage with future generations.

I’m afraid that is what often happens in the church. It has got content with growing internally, presuming that “it will always be this way. Babies are being born; young ‘uns are saved and being baptized. Our church is growing!” But what really happens? Those babies grow up, they go off to college, and never return. Then there is an huge gap, like the age gap between grandma and her youngest grandchild. And eventually? The church dies.
Saints share their faith OUTSIDE the comfort zone of their church.

#4. Saints are satisfied with Jesus. (vs. 16, 19)

Twice David wisely writes, “You…satisfy the desires of every living thing” (v. 16) and “He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him” (v. 19).
That says it all. True saints are satisfied with Jesus. Alone. Only. There isn’t anything else a saint needs besides Jesus!

CONCLUSION

The psalmist began “I will praise Your name for ever and ever” (v. 1) and ends with “let every creature praise His holy name for ever and ever.”

My vision of the King and the world begins with my BEING a saint. Not “declared” a saint by some council. But by position belonging to the Lord Jesus through faith in His finished work at the cross. And by practice through a daily walk which involves my surrender, my meditation, my sharing, and my satisfaction with Jesus alone.

How about you?

This has been Saint Jeremy speaking today.

Uncategorized

WHERE IS YOUR TRUST?

Week Forty-Four, 2017

WHERE IS YOUR TRUST?

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. – Psalm 20:7-8

What object or person do you trust? Where is your security? The dictionary definition of trust is “firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.”

We live in a world of misdirected trust. People put their hopes, dreams and security in the things of this world. Now, not all things of the world are necessarily bad, but no matter how valuable or useful they are, they are not where our total trust should reside.

The Psalmist says it so well. Some trust in chariots and horses (meaning the physical things of this world) and then admonishes us to trust in God. When we look around our world, we see people polishing their chariots and others grooming their horses. The chariots will rust and the horses will become lame, but those who put their trust in God will be on their feet standing tall.

Rule number one is to not put our trust in ourselves, but totally trust and depend on God. It’s easy to put ourselves first. When something good happens, we want to congratulate ourselves with a reward. When something bad happens, we want to console ourselves or find someone to blame. In other words, we often have a “me-centric” starting place. We should put God first in our life.

The words translated “trust” in the Bible literally mean a bold, confident, sure security or action based on that security.” The practical consequence of faith in God is trust, which we prove by living out our full acceptance of God’s promises day by day.

THOUGHT: Where do you put your trust? To what or to whom do you look for security? Try fixing your eyes and heart on the Word of God and you will be directed and inclined to trust in Him and in Him alone.

PRAYER: Lord, forgive me for placing my trust and dependence on the things of this world. Help me to fix my eyes on things above and take the focus off of myself. Strengthen me spiritually as I look to you for trust and dependence day by day.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

The statistics of the numbers of non-Christians can be staggering:

• 865 million unreached Muslims or Islamic followers in 3330 cultural sub-groupings

• 550 million unreached Hindus in 1660 cultural sub-groups

• 150 million unreached Chinese in 830 groups

• 275 million unreached Buddhists in 900 groups

• 2550 unreached tribal groups (which are mainly animistic) with a total population of 140 million

• Forming a smaller — though important — unreached group are the 17 million Jews scattered across 134 countries

• Good news: Missions researcher David Barrett says the country with the most rapid Christian expansion ever is China where there are 10,000 new Christian converts every day.

A SENIORS PERSPECTIVE OF FACEBOOK.

For those of my generation who do not, and cannot, comprehend why Facebook exists:

I am trying to make friends outside of Facebook while applying the same principles.

Therefore, every day I walk down the street and tell passers-by what I have eaten, how I feel at the moment, what I have done the night before, what I will do later and with whom.

I give them pictures of my family, my dog, and of me gardening, taking things apart in the garage, watering the lawn, standing in front of landmarks, driving around town, having lunch, and doing what anybody and everybody does every day.

I also listen to their conversations, give them the “thumbs up” and tell them I like them. And it works just like Facebook.

I already have four people following me: two police officers, a private investigator and a psychiatrist.

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Forgive us for thinking that prayer is a waste of time and help us to see that without prayer our work is a waste of time. Peter Marshall (former chaplain, U.S. Senate)

The Source of Our Division Is Spiritual Immaturity. The Solution to Our Division Is to Focus on God. Barry Chesney

Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. Proverbs 14:34

Spiritual people are called to walk in the Spirit. Remaining worldly is not one of the options. Barry Chesney

The worst thing that could happen in the Christian life is when you lose your appetite for more. Jim Cymbala

If God has called a person to a work that is the most important ministry he can have. John MacArthur

Prayer is a daily habit for 76% of people in their 70’s. AARP

Which do you value more: your success or your soul?

Zenon Andrusyshyn

If we are to busy doing things for God that we don’t have time to spend with God— we are to busy!! Ken Whitten

The hardest way to achieve success is to have someone else define it for you. You must define what success means to you. Ernie Zelinsky

***

Selected portions of Thoughts on Life can also be read at TheLife.com and Thoughts-About-God.com. You can subscribe directly to those on their respective websites.

Your feedback is welcome and if you want to be taken off the mailing list a simple e-mail will do it. Feel free to pass this along to others and to contribute your ideas and thoughts. Address all items and comments to [email protected]. © Thoughts on Life Copyright 2017

©2017 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618
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Fountains Of Life

Fountains of Life

Philippians 4:8

by Brother Al

Who doesn’t delight in a garden fountain? There it is, spraying jets of sparkling water, in a lovely balanced pattern. The drops of water tinkle as they plunge headlong into the pool below. Thirsty birds and small animals visit the refreshing pool.

Though there is lively motion in the fountain, yet somehow it manages to transmit a message of peace, calmness, and serenity. The consistency of its dynamic flow casts an aura of comfort. A fountain cannot be ignored. It is so different from its surroundings. It is quickly noticed, even from a distance.

One Sunday morning, as I stood in the midst of the congregation, praising the Lord with my hands lifted up to give Him glory, I pondered the meaning of that moment. Why had God brought me to this exact place and time? I felt the revelation come from the Holy Spirit, bringing me a dynamic visualization I had not had before. I saw a fountain.

In this brief time, gathered together in worship and praise and adoration, we, His people, were being re-charged, re-filled, and re-commissioned. The commission was to

“Go forth, out of the sanctuary of replenishment, into the world of chaos and need, and there be fountains of life for the Lord. Go, take the certainty and power received here and spray it generously on all whom you meet.”

Just like a physical fountain of water, spraying forth its message, the fountain of the Lord sends out a beckoning call. It is a flow of Heavenly health, bursting forth in the garden of the Lord, under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life”

Proverbs 10:11

As the righteous mingle with the world they have the opportunity to broadcast life. They can speak love, hope, virtue, charity, faith and, above all, honor of God. These are the ways the mouth of the righteous can endorse and amplify the stirrings that are already in the bosom of the bystander, placed there by the Holy Spirit. What they hear may inspire them to become friends of God. This is “evangelism by being.” It is a life style in which the mouth is a fountain of life. Romans 12 is full of hints on how to bring forth this image. Fellowship with God makes it a natural response.

“The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life.”

Proverbs 13:14

When we speak of “teaching” we enter the realm of assertiveness. We are now talking about a deliberate attempt to change the understanding of another person. The world is full of teaching. Unfortunately, much of it is not wise. When the wise teach it is a fountain of life.

The wise, those in fellowship with God, ought to be alert to opportunities to deliver life, to spray it out as a fountain, to the thirsty souls they encounter. The Holy Spirit will be faithful in anointing the times and the words. The teaching will be His. The power will be His and the fruit will be the Lord’s. The wise, those in fellowship, need only be alert and responsive.

“Prudence is a fountain of life.”

Proverbs 16:22

Prudence speaks of the use of practical wisdom and judgement. When a person of God demonstrates responsibility in the conduct of their everyday life they radiate that pattern. By so doing, they inspire the same behavior in others. It is for the Holy Spirit to endorse their actions and inspire their duplication. The NLT says in Proverbs 21:5:

“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.”

Fellowship with God and the ministry of His Holy Spirit are the basis of knowing how to plan well. When They do the planning and we do the work the results are grand. The demonstration of this strategy in our lives results in an overflow in the lives of those who surround us. We become fountains of life.

“The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life.”

Proverbs 14:27

To live in the presence of God, as a friend, as a member of His family, in deep fellowship, is to demonstrate to all around that God is to be honored and emulated, worshipped and obeyed, respected in every way. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life to the believer. The demonstration of the fear of the Lord is an invitation to the observer to start their own journey by becoming a friend of God.

Now picture yourself as a mobile fountain, a vessel of the Holy Spirit, passing through the field of God’s harvest, spraying forth the nourishing rain of God. These are the fountain flows by which a believer waters the world.

  • The mouth of righteousness.

Speaking love, hope, joy, peace virtue, charity, faith, honor of God

  • The teaching of the wise.

Directed by the Holy Spirit

  • Prudence.

Demonstration of Godly wisdom

  • Fear of the Lord.

Demonstrating the love for God

Lord,

Help your people,

Who are called by your Name,

Be Fountains of Life

In this world run dry.

10/17

Presented by Brother Al Salay, Blessed Man Ministries Inc.

1093 A1A Beach Blvd. #273, St. Augustine, FL 32080-6733

 

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“WHERE MERCY KISSES TRUTH” (2 John 3)

“WHERE MERCY KISSES TRUTH” (2 John 3)

Oct. 22, 2017 10:30 AM
FBC Earlville, NY J B Stopford, Pastor

TODAY’S SPECIAL #1: “A Support Funny”

The prospective father-in-law asked, “Young man, can you support a family?”
The surprised groom-to-be replied, “Well, no, I was just planning to support your daughter. The rest of you are going to have to fend for yourselves.”

TODAY’S SPECIAL #2: (40 years later from #1) “An Anniversary Funny”

John and Nancy, now ˙married for 40 years, planned a second wedding to renew their vows.
Nancy described to her friend the dress she would wear.
Nancy’s friend asked, “What color shoes?”
Nancy replied, “Silver.”
John chimed in: “Yep, silver … to match her hair.”
With a pointed look at John’s bald spot, Nancy’s friend said: “So, John, I guess you’ll go barefoot.”

INTRODUCTION

In the past month, we have studied “mercy” – God’s giving us what we don’t deserve. That’s what love is! Then last week we studied “truth” – God’s Word is the written truth; Jesus is the living truth. Today, we are going to look at the only passage in the NIV in which “mercy” and “truth” kiss, that is, they appear as influencing each other.

May I share a disappointment with the NIV? The KJV has “mercy and truth” together in 23 verses. The NKJV, 22 times. All but our passage today in 2 John translates “mercy” as “love” and “truth” as “faithfulness” in the NIV. While that is an OK translation, to me it misses the mark of the tenderness of those 2 beloved words together.

2 John is a love letter from the Apostle John to a dear lady saint who has walked with Jesus for years. We are going to look at John’s use of these 2 words in verse 3. And then we are going to look at the challenging applications which John makes. I trust this message is encouraging, uplifting, and challenging to each of us. PRAYER

A. WHERE MERCY KISSES TRUTH (v. 3)

Verse 3 is John’s prayer for the church of his day. We could pray it for First Baptist of Earlville, NY. We could pray it for the church of our day. “Grace, mercy, and peace” are the heart of the sacrifice of the cross, the gift of the Father as seen through His Son becoming my sin on the cross. And as wonderful as those 3 are – grace, mercy, and peace – they are empty and shallow without truth and love. John is praying that every believer of his day – and ours as well – has a foundation in true faith. Not necessarily in church or in religion. But in a living faith which has substance, because it has a foundation which began with the written truth – the Word of God – and the living Truth, the Lord Jesus, as on display through His mercy at the cross. Mercy kisses truth at the cross AND in the heart of every man, woman, boy and girl who is surrendered to the Savior. Has mercy kissed truth in your heart?

B. APPLICATIONS OF MERCY & TRUTH

#1. They are the heart of faith – “The elder” – John is around 80 years of age – is writing and commending a “chosen lady”, a sister in the Lord, and her children. What is the heart of this commendation? Let’s count the number of times John uses “truth” in the first 4 verses (5 times). When mercy strikes the heart, he result is that truth is the heart of one’s life! So…is truth the heart of your life?

#2. “Some” (v. 4) – John doesn’t tell us how many children she has; but he does know that not all are walking in the truth. But some are. Does that sound like your family? Doesn’t that sound like our church? Many are fervent in Church Stuff. Some are fervent in Truth. There’s a difference – shouldn’t be, but there is. Are you one of the “some”?

#3. True love is a true walk (vs. 5-6). “Walk in love”. God wants us to walk with Him. And He wants us to temper our walk with love. How does that show up?

(1) 1 Kings 3:3. Solomon loved the Lord, walked in love, EXCEPT he sacrificed and burned incense at the high places. His worship was a mixed worship – the Lord and the world. And the world always wins.

(2) Rom. 14:15 A walk that allows for an inconsistent life, and allows for a mixed worship, is not a walk in love.

(3). Eph. 5:1,2 A walk in love is a walk in mercy, a sacrifice just like our Savior walked! Our walk is our daily offering to Jesus!

#4. Mercy and truth working together identifies those who have no use for mercy and truth. (vs. 7ff). One clearly clings to the foundation that Jesus “came in the flesh” – i.e., He “really became man” (J.B. Phillips translation). Why is that important? Because God becoming man is the heart of the cross, and the heart of the true gospel. In Phil. 2:7, Jesus “took upon Himself the form of man” – I.e., He took upon Himself the very nature of man. He became a man so that He would have a body that He could die for the sin of man which separated man from His Father. And the cry of Ps. 22:1 as recorded in the gospels, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”, should resonate in our hearts that when He took upon Himself my sin, the Father separated Himself from His Son. For me. And you.

#5. Those who don’t hold to that truth are anti-Christ. We don’t hob-nob with them. We don’t let them into our house (home or church). (vs. 10-11) We point them out as anti-Christ. Their doctrine is not of God but of Satan. But remember, even those who are anti-Christ are those who need Jesus. Paul said, (1 Cor. 6:11) “and such were some of you…”. God can change any heart. He changed mine.

#6. Mercy and truth fellowships face to face (vs. 12-13). Paul liked to write – and he said he had much to write. But he really loved to talk face to face. Illustration The other day I counted 10 people on the street of Norwich, and 6 of them were looking at their phones and NOT at other people, the stores, or the oncoming traffic! Paul would have been upset. Do you depend upon your phone to communicate with people? Or have you developed the grace of meeting face to face?

#7. The children send greetings. I was raised to send “thank you” notes. That is a lost art today. Personal letters are a lost cause today. But what has brought Thuvia much joy in recent days? Cards. In the mail! The lady at the desk at Hope Lodge says that Thuvia has received more cards than anyone! Every day! Many have sent greetings. You can say “you’re not alone”. But visible greetings show that. And isn’t it great to know that you are not alone in your walk with the Lord in a world that has no use for Him?

CONCLUSION

“Where mercy kisses truth”. “Mercy” and “truth” have been fun studies. “Mercy” – God’s undeserved love on display in His Son taking what we should be receiving, death for our sin. “Truth” – both the written Word and the Living Word are gifts of God for our daily walk to know Him. And when mercy kisses truth, how does it show up in the one who says he loves Jesus? He is more alive than he ever was before!

One final illustration. My wife, Thuvia, had a bone marrow biopsy the other day. You know what one of the results was? Her bone marrow is no longer present, but her donor’s bone marrow is! That is what the transplant was supposed to do – and it is doing just that! And when mercy kisses truth in your heart, in my heart, it is no longer you who is on display, but the Lord Jesus! Has mercy kissed truth in your life?

Close in prayer

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Neighbors to the Rescue

Week Forty-Three, 2017

Neighbors to the Rescue

And who is my neighbor? (Luke 10:29)

Recently Hurricane Irma visited our entire state. It was one of the biggest hurricanes on record and did extensive damage. Our neighborhood, unlike many others, had little structural damage. Many trees were uprooted and so many power lines were down that nearly ten million people were without electricity. Our power was out for the better part of three days. Many others were without for much longer, many for as long as a week in the hot summer.

What impressed me was the way that people came together irrespective of race, politics, religion or economics. The worst storm brought out the best of our citizens.

I met a nearby neighbor, who I had never met before. I charged my phone from my car and was able to keep in touch with others. Social media was a big help. People were offering food, water and lodging. A friend’s son brought us a generator. Where rivers overflowed, people in boats were evacuating people they didn’t know. People helped total strangers in the evacuation shelters. Electric utility trucks came from as far away as Canada and New Hampshire. Everyone pitched in to do whatever they could for whomever they could.

Isn’t that the way it used to be and the way it should be? We serve God by serving others. When it comes to service, what does the Lord ask of all of us? Aren’t we all part of His Great Commission? And how can we set a good example of service for our own children? I picked up my Bible and turned to Matthew 25: 35-40.

‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Service to others in Jesus’ name doesn’t have to mean going away to a third world country. We can all do something that makes a difference in the lives of others locally. It just takes that personal decision that may mean a little sacrifice on our part to get things started. Whether it’s a commitment of time or money–or both, we are called on to make a difference in this world.

How do you serve others in the Lord’s name? How do you serve as a family?

***

Sometimes True Stories

For all of us who feel only the deepest love and affection for the way computers have enhanced our lives, read on.

At a recent computer expo, a major computer manufacturer reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry and stated, “If car manufactures had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon.”

In response to those comments, the automobile manufacturer issued a press release stating:

If we had developed technology like computer companies, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics:

1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash……… twice a day.

2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car.

3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.

4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine.

5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive – but would run on only five percent of the roads.

6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single “This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation” warning light.

7. The airbag system would ask, “Are you sure?” before deploying.

8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.

9. Every time a new car was introduced car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.

10. You’d have to press the “Start” button to turn the engine off.

PS – I’d like to add that when all else fails, you could call “customer service” in some foreign country and be instructed in some foreign language how to fix your car yourself!

***

Quotes You Can Use

We may suffer consequences as the result of our sin, but it is not our punishment. The punishment for our sin is death, and that was dealt with at Calvary. Angela Zagone

You never have to be afraid to come home because home is where shame is dealt with. Ken Whitten

A thorough understanding of the Bible is better than a college education. Theodore Roosevelt

When we are crazy busy we put our souls at risk. – Kevin DeYoung

The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer. Edward R. Murrow

Some men see things as they are and ask, “Why?” I see them as they have never been and ask, “Why not?” George Bernard Shaw

Only the most foolish of mice would hide in a cat’s ear. But only the wisest of cats would think to look there. Scott Love

When you produce intimacy over activity, you fully recognize He is truth, you freely sit at his feet to honor and obey it. Ken Whitten.

***

Selected portions of Thoughts on Life can also be read at TheLife.com and Thoughts-About-God.com. You can subscribe directly to those on their respective websites.

Your feedback is welcome and if you want to be taken off the mailing list a simple e-mail will do it. Feel free to pass this along to others and to contribute your ideas and thoughts. Address all items and comments to [email protected]. © Thoughts on Life Copyright 2017.

©2017 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618
Blogs

“WHAT IS TRUTH?”

First Baptist Church

9 West Main St. Earlville, NY—J B Stopford, Pastor

Oct. 15, 2017 10:30 AM

“WHAT IS TRUTH?”

Psalm 25:5

TODAY’S SPECIAL

“A Grace Funny”—Sister Grace at the convent opened a letter from home and found a $100 bill from her parents. She smiled at the gesture. As she read the letter by the window, she noticed a shabbily-dressed stranger leaning against the lamppost below.

Quickly, she wrote, “Don’t despair. Sister Grace” on a piece of paper, wrapped the $100 bill in it, and tossed it out the window. The stranger picked it up and read the note. He tipped his hat to Sister Grace and hurried away.

The next day, Sister Grace was told that a man was asking to see her. She went down and found the stranger waiting. Without a word, he handed her a huge wad of $100 bills.

“What’s this?” she asked.“That’s your $8,000, Sister,” he replied. “‘Don’t Despair’ paid 80-to-1.”

INTRODUCTION

Several weeks ago, I gave a message here on the word “mercy”. In a nutshell, Mercy is our getting what we don’t deserve: we can’t earn it; we have no right to it; we need it desperately; and without mercy, we would remain in the same helpless position – for the rest of eternity. And in a larger nutshell, that is what Jesus did for me, for you: “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) (Eph. 2:4-5). Jesus on the cross is mercy on display. He died for the whole world, but His death on the cross can only be applied if you trust Him as your Savior. How do we get to that point?

Do you remember Jesus’ exchange with Pilate just before being condemned to death? In John 18:37-38 are these words: “Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”

Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”

“What is truth”! That is the question which each of us must ask God, we must ask ourselves, and we must be able to answer in order to apply what this dear treasure of God’s Word has to offer for each of us. For without truth, we can never understand God’s mercy. Today we are going to look at just a few passages to whet our spiritual thirst for God. PRAYER

#1. THE FOUNDATION FOR LIFE (Ps. 25:5)

The word “truth” appears 137 times in our NIV Bibles: 35 in the OT and 102 in the NT – with 23 of those in the Gospel of John.

It should not surprise us that the psalms – the hymns of the heart – have much to say about “truth.”

Psalm 25 is pretty special. Note the words of trust (vs. 1-3). Do we have that confidence in the Lord?

Note the words of the heart seeking direction (v. 4). The heart that is truly successful is the one which admits it needs help! And it knows where true help is found – in the Lord! Then note the words of of hope (v. 5) – and David finds that hope in “your truth.”

But note that David does not “have it all together”! He is just like one of us! Look at verses 16-19. But then look how he finishes (vs. 20-21), a prayer reminding God that God is his refuge. And finally verse 22 – David recognizes that the big picture is not David, but Israel. Do we see the big picture as involving the church? We should!

#2. THE REALITY OF LIFE (Isa. 59:15)

What one word keeps the people of God’s creation from understanding His truth: “iniquities” or “sins” (vs. 1ff). Funny isn’t it – or perhaps sad – that the world in which Isaiah lived really hasn’t improved much by today’s standards. Isaiah is very descriptive to show what His society was like – one which was more interested in personal lusts that in seeking God’s face.

With that, look at verses 15ff. “Truth is nowhere to be found” was the motto for Isaiah’s day. The key to the lawlessness of his day was one word: truth. No truth, no life. That was the reality of life.

But look at the picture of mercy coming in. The rest of verse 15 and the following verses show that what man could not do – save himself – God took his place. Holy God becomes one of us! Look at verse 20 – “the Redeemer will come to Zion, to those…who repent of their sins”.

Going from truth nowhere to be found to the Redeemer coming to Zion is a huge leap – and that is the nature of the God we worship.

#3. THE TRUTH IS LIFE (John 14:6)

One verse, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” answers doubting Thomas’ question in verse 5, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

The hunger of Thomas’ heart is our hunger.

The answer of Jesus’ lips is our hope.

The Truth is life!

It should not surprise us that all around us are those who have no hope. And it shouldn’t surprise us that most all of them are confused on this one main point: “who is Jesus?”. Is He just a man, or is He God in the flesh? The answer to that question will show where each of us will spend eternity.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, the life.” Know Who Jesus is, and you, too, will have the truth which is life!

CONCLUSION

It is believed that John 17 is a recording of Jesus’ prayer given to His Father while He was in the Garden of Gethsemane – just before going to the cross.
We have seen the foundation of life: the truth.

We have seen the reality of life: “truth is nowhere to be found” is the motto of both Isaiah’s day and our day as well.

And we have seen that the Truth IS life – even the Lord Jesus.

SO…if His Word is everything that it claims to be, and He is everything that He claims to be, what does that mean to me, to us? In John 17:17, Jesus said, “Sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is truth.” In these 9 brief prayerful words, Jesus wrapped up the connection of truth with each of us. The hunger we have for a foundation in life is found in His Word, His Truth. And in finding that truth, we can be “sanctified”. Jesus uses a wonderful word which means simply this: “‘set them apart’, in essence, as belonging to Me. And do that through the Word which You have lovingly given to each one of them.”

What is Jesus saying? What is He praying? He is praying that each of us realizes that true Christianity isn’t what happens during these too brief moments we have together each Sunday morning. But rather, true Christianity is what He is doing through us each day of our lives as the Word of Truth becomes very intimate in each of our hearts and lives.

So Pilate asked, “what is truth?” The most powerful leader in Jerusalem had no idea what it is to really live – and the Truth was right in front of Him.

Every day, we have the most powerful Savior in eternity right near us, and He has given us His truth to have substance in our lives.

This week – how is His Truth going to make a difference in your life? Have you trusted the living Truth, even the Lord Jesus? Are you walking with the written Truth, even His Word?

If Pilate asked you today, “What is Truth?”, would our lives give a clear answer to that question?

Close in prayer.

Uncategorized

THE ROADBLOCKS OF LIFE

Week Forty-Two, 2017

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. – Ecclesiastes 7:9

When I looked out of the front of my house, I noticed that the local authorities had placed barricades saying “road closed”. They also erected similar signs in several places as far as a half mile away, along with detour signs. Surprisingly many cars ignored the warnings and came right up to my driveway to turn around. One man even got out and tried to remove the barricades and another drove through the side yard and out the front of my neighbor’s yard.

We don’t like roadblocks, do we? Roadblocks slow us down. They get in our way. They are an inconvenience. They impede our progress. For some reason, we think the signs are for people who don’t have as much sense as we do.

God will sometimes position roadblocks in front of us that call for our immediate decision to stop or go in another direction. We need to listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit and go in the direction He tells us to go.

I’ve heard of people at railroad crossings who saw the red lights flashing, bells ringing, the train approaching, and still they attempted to race across the tracks. Some people have bee fortunate to “outrun” the train. Some people have not been so fortunate.

The same is true of people who drive around roadblocks set up during flooding. These people see the water running over the bridge, but the water appears low enough to go across safely. Regrettably, halfway across, the vehicle they’re in stalls and they have to be pulled out by a rescue team. Or worse, the driver gets washed away.

How many times have you and I been so headstrong and plowed ahead ignoring all the visible signs to stop? If you disobey the Spirit’s leading, the odds of ending in failure are greater than the odds of ending in success. When things aren’t working according to your plans, you must believe God has put the roadblock up for your own protection.

Roadblocks, whether placed by man or by God are for our protection. Sometimes God wants to protect us. Sometimes He wants to lead us in a different direction. And, sometimes God wants to just slow us down and wait. Whatever the reasons, roadblocks are there for our benefit. God wants us to grow and sometimes that means going in a different direction.

How do you respond to the roadblocks of life?

***

Sometimes True Stories

Kelly Knouse on Truth:

We Value Truth Over Tradition

We Are Truth Carriers

Proclamation of Truth:

• Truth is true – even if no one knows it
• Truth is true – even if no one admits it
• Truth is true – even if no one agrees with it
• Truth is true – even if no one follows it
• Truth is true – even if no one but God grasps it


There are many famous names in the history of religious thought—names such as Mohammed, Buddha, Confucius, Joseph Smith, among a host of others. Each has a multitude of followers who pay homage to his name.

But there is only one name that saves eternally, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus, Only Jesus!


Leonard Ravenhill tells the story about a group of tourists visiting a picturesque village in Europe. As the tour guide was relating the history of the village a tourist saw an old man sitting on a bench. In a rather patronizing way, the tourist asked the old gentleman, “Were any great men born in this village?” The old man replied, “Nope, only babies.”

***

Quotes You Can Use

The person next to you who says “I will never fall”, may be the person who falls next. Ken Whitten

You and I are never in a more vulnerable position than when we think we are not in a vulnerable position. Ken Whitten

There’s a big difference between listening and hearing. Ken Whitten

You are only young once but you can be immature for life. Ken Whitten

There’s a shame in wandering deeper than you ever thought. Ken Whitten

When surrounded by wrong-doers, wrong-doing comes easily. Ken Whitten

Shame is when the painful feeling that arises from the realization that your personal actions have brought disgrace upon yourself and others. Ken Whitten

If God can turn night into day, He can turn your burdens into blessings.

Information Is Not the Same As Revelation. Revelation Always Requires a Response. Andrew Evans

***

Selected portions of Thoughts on Life can also be read at TheLife.com and Thoughts-About-God.com. You can subscribe directly to those on their respective websites.

Your feedback is welcome and if you want to be taken off the mailing list a simple e-mail will do it. Feel free to pass this along to others and to contribute your ideas and thoughts. Address all items and comments to [email protected]. © Thoughts on Life Copyright 2017

 ©2017 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618
Uncategorized

Week Forty-One, 2017

THE THINGS WE TAKE FOR GRANTED

When things are going well for you, be glad, and when trouble comes, just remember: God sends both happiness and trouble; you never know what is going to happen next. – Ecclesiastes 7:14

Life is full of the unexpected. You never know what is going to happen next. I knew it was going to be a challenging day when I saw water bubbling up by the sidewalk in front of our house.

We were without water for a time. It helped me to remember the importance of having clean water, or for that matter, any water in our home. I wanted to wash my hands and then brush my teeth, but both required water. We ended up going out for dinner because water was need for cooking. And, the list goes on and on.

All of this caused me to pause and think of all the things in life that I take for granted without thought or thanks, like starting with waking up in the morning.

God has given us so much. Most of what we have, we take for granted, that is until it is lost and then becomes very important. Paul says it so plainly in Ephesians 2:11-12: But don’t take any of this for granted. It was only yesterday that you outsiders to God’s ways had no idea of any of this, didn’t know the first thing about the way God works, hadn’t the faintest idea of Christ. You knew nothing of that rich history of God’s covenants and promises in Israel, hadn’t a clue about what God was doing in the world at large.

Do you have a clue or stop to think about what God is doing in the world and in your life? God has given us so many blessings that are too often taken for granted. Of these many blessings from God, there are some that He gives to everyone. Other blessings come from a rich and personal relationship of knowing Jesus is my Lord and Savior because I believe He died on the cross for my sins. I repented of my sins and was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of my sins and now I have the blessing of receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Do you tend to pray comfortable prayers, like Thank you for another day, or please help so and so, or help me be more like you? Do you approach God with a sense of habit and familiarity. These aren’t bad things to pray and, in many respects, comfort with God is a good thing.

But sometimes I wonder: Am I too comfortable with God? Am I taking God for granted? In my mundane, daily prayers, have I lost sight of who God really is?

Ask yourself today if you are taking God’s blessings for granted.

***

LWO – Lawrence Welk’s On

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

ABC’s

Living for Jesus is challenging, but accepting Him as Lord and Savior is as simple as ABC:

A – Acknowledge that you have sinned: “Sin” means “missing the mark.” For all have sinned and fall short of the glory (Romans 3:23).
Acts 2:38 Repent of your sins.

B- Believe in Jesus: Believing in Jesus is more than just knowing that he exists. It is placing total trust and faith in Jesus and His death, burial and resurrection. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31).

C – Confess Jesus as Lord: Confessing Christ means accepting His plan for your life. If you say with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and if you believe in your heart that God raised Christ from death, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).

“Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I repent of my sins. I receive you as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Lead me by the power of the Holy Spirit to grow in faith. In Your name I pray. Amen”

Texting For Seniors

  • Teens have theirs, now seniors can have their own texting codes.
  • ATD – At the Doctor’s
  • BFF – Best Friends Funeral
  • BTW – Bring the Wheelchair
  • BYOT – Bring Your Own Teeth
  • CBM – Covered by Medicare
  • CUATSC – See You at the Senior Center
  • FWBB – Friend with Beta Blockers
  • FWIW – Forgot Where I Was
  • FYI – Found Your Insulin
  • GGPBL – Gotta Go, Pacemaker Battery Low
  • GHA – Got Heartburn Again
  • IMHO – Is My Hearing-Aid On?
  • LMDO – Laughing My Dentures Out
  • LWO – Lawrence Welk’s On
  • OMMR – On My Massage Recliner
  • ROFL..CGU – Rolling on the Floor Laughing…Can’t get Up!
  • TTYL – Talk to You Louder
  • WAITT – Who Am I Talking To?
  • WWNO – Walker Wheels Need Oil

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

If you eat an entire cake without cutting it, you have only consumed one piece.

Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. 1Cor. 1:31

I have never met a strong person with an easy past.

Eat all your cake today and have a crummy tomorrow. Ken Whitten

Sin leads to foolishness. Ken Whitten

Just because judgment Is not immediate, doesn’t mean it’s not imminent. Ken Whitten

Forgiveness is instantaneous, restoration takes time. Ken Whitten

Most of us will not change until our pain becomes greater than our fear of change.

Our age suffers from “truth decay.” But regardless of what society says, Christians are called to a higher standard, asked to submit to a greater Authority. Ken Weliever

Any Fetus is Less Human Than an Adult Pig. Atheist Richard Dawkins

***

Selected portions of Thoughts on Life can also be read at TheLife.com and Thoughts-About-God.com. You can subscribe directly to those on their respective websites.

Your feedback is welcome and if you want to be taken off the mailing list a simple e-mail will do it. Feel free to pass this along to others and to contribute your ideas and thoughts. Address all items and comments to [email protected]. © Thoughts on Life Copyright 2017.

©2017 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) |
Uncategorized

NFL Players Association gave $5,000 to left-wing Sorros’ group. Stand up and play football, not politics!

We are all in the same boat!

By Frank Becker

What do these men want, who mock the flag of the United States of America?

We are all in the same boat? If they chop holes in our boat, it will sink, and we will all go down together.

The people of America represent a vast diversity of races, religions, national origins, and political beliefs. Once we had common cause. America was the place to be and become. A majority worked to make it ever better.

Now it appears that each group wants their beliefs and traditions to reign supreme. Yet they left their homelands because they were dissatisfied.

The motives of those who denigrate our flag and our national anthem are difficult to understand. They rarely if ever make specific appeals. They don’t make a claim to represent any particular group. They are like spoiled little brats who hold their breaths and pout over everything they don’t like.

It’s even more difficult to understand the athletes. They are certainly not underprivileged. Some of them make well over $1-million dollars for every game they play. America has treated them very well.

No one is arguing that America is perfect. On the other hand, we have come a long way in 240 years, and we’re still trying.

In the great patriotic song, “America, the Beautiful,” there is a prayer:

“America! America! God mend thine ev’ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!”

“It may be legal to behave in this self-destructive manner, but it is not expedient.

There are predators all over the world attempting to destroy our nation, and these men have unwittingly become their dupes.

The flag belongs to all of us, and every one of us owes America our allegiance. When someone mocks the flag, they threaten the soul of our nation, and endanger any hope of a better tomorrow.

Let those who would trample our flag learn to exercise self control and live within the spirit of the law.

Let them be activists, but let them refuse to tear down the very symbols that represent our mutual love for individual freedom.

If Americans kick holes in our ship of state, those who ultimately dictate to us will not permit us such liberties. They will instead quickly and brutally deal with such behavior.

Working within the system that our founding fathers gave us has made the United States of America the greatest country in the world,

Remember, we are all in the same boat!

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