The line is not as fine as you think

Satan wants every Christian to fail in what they are called to do and he has many ways of stopping or at least slowing them down. The ways he uses depends on the person he is trying to stop because even though Satan is not God he does have enough power to know every single persons weak spots and he will exploit them to the fullest. Satan has been recently trying to stop or slow me down and he almost succeeded when he got me to question if the things I were doing was making a difference. As a human I would like to see results instantly and when I don’t see them I get all worked up. So I started asking myself is this a sign that I am doing the wrong things? Then I became aware that probably it was a trick so the evil one became even more subtle and got me to think that there is a fine line between a sign and Satan and that I should be careful and consider what I’m doing very carefully. But that is all wrong when it comes to what a Christian is called to do there is no fine line Satan just wants you to think there is. For what the Christian is called to do is extremely well defined. And we are called to be obedient and persistent and to listen to what God has to say though His word for what we are supposed to be doing and not to worry about the tricks of the Devil. When it comes to a sign or Satan the line is not as fine as you think.

Original Condition?

Many have asked why God allows, sin, death, violence, rape, crime, natural disasters, war; the list could go on and on. While God does not cause these things to happen he does allow them, but still many will ask why. Some will go all the way back to creation if God knew what was going to happen (which He did) why did He create all of this in the first place? The answer is simply to show how great He really is. Look at today’s picture, total devastation. When it comes to the original structures there are many who have the ability to take boards, windows, nails and build this neighborhood which is impressive in its self, but how impressive would it be if there were someone who could rebuild everything in this picture with all of the original pieces and restore it to its original condition. That is exactly what God does by showing grace to whoever He pleases. By showing grace and restoring a person that was destroyed beyond recognition is much more impressive than honoring a person who was always good. And as we all know mankind is far from good.

Just Because.... It's the best I've got.

God’s sovereignty has been on my mind for well over a week now. I still believe the biggest problem humans, Christian and non-Christians have with God is ultimately his sovereignty. I even bought a book that I am about half way through trying to better understand this concept. After a week of study and prayer the best way I can explain the sovereignty of God is just because. Some times when children ask question after question repeatedly the only answer you can give at that time is “just because” I prayed the other day that I wanted to become an expert on the subject of the sovereignty of God and right now this is what He has given me. I am not done yet with my study but I am beginning to think that when it’s all said and done just because is still going to be the simplest and truest answer and we shouldn’t try to make it more complicated than that. Romans 9:20-24 is just one of countless images of the sovereignty of God.

²⁰ No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” ²¹ When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into? ²² In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction. ²³ He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory. ²⁴ And we are among those whom he selected, both from the Jews and from the Gentiles.

How do I get on the list?

For many years the many have tried to find the ticket to Heaven. Books have been written many hours of seminary taken and still mankind tries to make things more difficult than they really are. The answer to the question is really quite simple and is found throughout the entire Bible. The answer is that before the beginning of time God already had the guest list made. The question becomes, how do I get on the list? And much to the surprise of many there is nothing you can do to get on the list. It is only by God’s grace that you will ever trust in His Son Jesus and trusting in Him is the only way to get on the list. This has started another dilemma how does God choose who is on the list? Yet one more thing that is debated to this very day that people try to make way to complicated, A.W. Pink said it right and very simply; “He chose the ones He did simply because He chose to choose them.” God is sovereign something we can never forget.

Taxing the greedy may hurt the needy

For those that make the argument that the rich should pay more in taxes are either jealous or not thinking. You have first figure out who the rich are and who ultimately pays their taxes. Below are 4 out of the top 5  largest publicly traded companies and what they pay Uncle Sam.

                              Paid in taxes     Tax rate

Exxon Mobil       $27.3 billion           42%

Chevron             $17.4 billion           43.3%

ConocoPhillips   $10.6 billion           45.6%

Wal-mart           $5.9 billion             32.6%

Two things you need to think about:

1. Everyone of these companies sells something you use every day. How much do you think what they pay in taxes affects what you pay for either a gallon of milk or gas. They will pass those costs along you know, or at least I would.

2. If you have any type of investment including retirement type plans, 401k, etc. How much do you think what these companies and other like them pay in taxes affects their bottom line and therefore the return on your investment.

The rich in this country sell you things and hire workers. A better bottom line will keep costs down, allow them to hire more people and in the end, yes they will make more money but when they make more money so do you.  When you tax the rich you may very well hurt the needy.

Would you yell at a blind person for not being able to see?

Do you get frustrated with those who don’t get it when it comes to Jesus? When you see what people do to themselves by the choices they make apart from Christ, does it make you just want to go up and yell at them. I know at times I do. But here are some words from a sermon by Mark Driscoll that really put those who don't yet believe into the proper perspective.

God opens our eyes so that we see Jesus as God, Lord, Savior, King, and Christ. So if you have family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, enemies, they don’t see Jesus for who he is, don’t get mad at them. Pray for them, keep teaching, keep answering the questions, keep bringing the Scripture, and wait for the Holy Spirit to open their understanding. They’re not stupid; they’re blind. Okay? You don’t yell at blind people, saying, “Don’t you see it?!” That’s mean. It’s really mean. God’s got to open their eyes, like God’s opened your eyes and my eyes, if we are Christians.

Today's Scary Headlines

I have never been to a horror movie in which I was scared however these 8 headlines from today scare the heck out of me.

Pelosi: Amend the First Amendment

Feminists Declare War on LEGO

CBO: Food Stamp Rolls Explode By 70%

Obama Jobs Plan: Work AND Get Unemployment

Parents Sue APPLE over Children's Costly, Addictive Apps

Record 5.4 Million Sign Up For Disability Under Obama

Homosexual Groups Seek Prosecution of Bishop Over Sermon on Homosexuality

Obama Admin Seeks Gitmo Release of Terrorist who killed US Soldier

Why shop Mount Pleasant?

It’s not unusual for communities have a shop locally campaign, but I am thinking Mount Pleasant is running a shop out of town campaign, led by the local gas stations. Tonight gas was 12 cents cheaper in New London Iowa a small town east of here. Now I realize when you do the math you can’t really drive the 7 miles and make money but you can do something else. We decided to eat supper at the Short Stop in New London and have the best tenderloin in the state. Not only did the Mount Pleasant gas stations miss a sale but now a local restaurant did as well. My intentions are to buy my gas out of town whenever I can and when I do I will buy other things out of town too. Now to make matters even worse Mount Pleasant misses out on the sales tax as well. I mean 12 cents and only 7 miles away, I still smell a rat. One would think that eventually the local merchants would put some pressure on those who price fix in town.

Why do good things happen to bad people?

In reading Romans today I came across one of the more well know verses in the book which is Romans 8:28 that says:

²⁸ And we know that God causes everything to work together^[m] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

However I also read R C Sproul’s commentary on this and he said two things one which I knew that was:

In every tragedy we experience, God is working with it, molding it and shaping it, for our eternal blessedness.

However the next thing he said hit me like a ton of bricks:

The other side of the coin is this: for the unbeliever who persists in his unbelief, every blessing he received from the hand of God in this life is ultimately working for his damnation.

If you have ever wondered why good things happen to bad people or think it's unfair this may be your answer. Maybe it is unfair to the bad person.

Would you please keep them in your prayers?

Would you please keep them in your prayers?

I have been asked that question more than usual this last week. Enough that it’s made me stop and think about that phrase. Generally, if an individual asks for prayer for themselves if at all possible I would try to do it with them right there. But lately, and I’d say for the most part when someone asks for prayer it’s for someone else, which is a great thing. This means that they truly want a situation resolved for that person. This week I have asked myself a few questions about this phrase, the first being why me? Why would they ask me to keep someone in my prayers? I struggle enough in my prayer life. But on further reflection I will not let the person down so I will indeed pray for their concern, I guess practice makes perfect so indirectly they are helping me. The next question I ask myself is; the person who is asking, what are their expectations? Well of course they expect you to do what you say you will but I think it’s more than that. They truly want the struggle or situation for that person to go away. One way I think that a person especially myself could exceed their expectations is to pray with them right there if possible. I don’t do a great job of this when someone asks for prayer for someone else. But it’s something I will try and do a better job of in the future. I will admit that sometimes, not always depending on who’s asking I do ask myself how much does the person asking pray themselves? I know that’s bad but it happens.

Has I have thought about this, this week I was truly humbled because Jesus gets asked billions of questions in prayer a day and he hears them all. Then I ask questions about something simple as a handful of prayer requests. Then out of the billions and billions of prayer requests made to Jesus every day He has the wisdom to say either yes, no, or later depending on His perfect will.

I will say that when asked to pray for someone I will do it as soon as possible and in most situations the actual reason the request made for it takes me awhile to get to it. I will generally pray first that God’s will be done and whatever the situation that God will be glorified and that those of us here on earth would be able to see that. I then pray that this situation will be used to draw someone to Christ all before getting to the specific request.

 James 5:13-16

¹³ Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. ¹⁴ Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.¹⁶ Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

Disaster only happens for two reasons

Why did this happen? A question we ask ourselves this many times especially when it comes to disaster in our lives. I think by reading the Bible I came up with two reasons for the disaster in our lives. And they are really very simple either God caused it or He allowed it. I’ll point to two of the most well know men in the Bible to make my case Noah & Job.

 In Noah’s case God was disgusted with all of mankind so He sent disaster in the form of a great flood. So in this instance God caused it. (Genesis 6: 11-13)

Then in Job’s case God went as far as pointing out Job to Satan as an example what he should be like, then Satan being Satan questioned God and then eventually disaster fell on Job over and over again. In this case God by no means caused the disasters but allowed them to happen with limits. (Job 1:12)

So when it comes to any disasters big or small in your life  just remember God has either caused it or allowed it and in both cases God is in control and those who love Him are saved. Also try not to be the cause but the example.

Job 1:12

¹² “All right, you may test him,” the Lord said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence.

 Genesis 6: 11-13

¹¹ Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence. ¹² God observed all this corruption in the world, for everyone on earth was corrupt. ¹³ So God said to Noah, “I have decided to destroy all living creatures, for they have filled the earth with violence. Yes, I will wipe them all out along with the earth

Less friends = more friends. How that math works

You know less people now than you did before. An interesting statement but one that has a lot of truth to it.   

Funny how times have changed just in my lifetime as far as how people interact, we have went from spending hours with friends and family and undivided attention on a phone that was tied to a wall so they had your undivided attention to writing emails that in themselves were kind of like a letters, to a phone to in car which gave some dangerous distractions not only to yourself but to the conversation as well. Then we moved to facebook and cell phones again more distractions and shorter time spent with friends and family but we had more. The latest has been twitter and text messages, all designed to be short and allows a person to have even more distractions. What’s next a quick ugh? Today we know so much more about so many more people through technology but we are getting to the point where we don’t really know anyone. Perhaps it’s time to reevaluate your relationships. Maybe less friends would result in more friends

(TGFGF) Thank God For Good Friday

The three most important holidays in the world are Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter. If I had to rank them I think I’d have to put Good Friday at the top of my list for the simple fact it would have been the toughest one for Jesus to do. As far as Christmas goes to come to this fallen world from Heaven that would have been hard to swallow.  Then Easter, all though a miraculous feat rising from the dead who wouldn’t want to do that? But then there is Good Friday, to do what Jesus did for people who hate Him all I can say is WOW! and thank you! Yet Good Friday is nothing more than another Friday to most. So to make a play  on TGIF how about TGFGF, Thank God For Good Friday.

Thoughts about Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday what an interesting day, most churches celebrate it yet it has so few verses in the Bible. Today I read each one of the Gospel account and came away wondering how could Jesus possibly ride into town a hero knowing he was going to be dragged bloody, beaten, and dead off of a cross? How could he sit there on a donkey accepting the praise and cheers from many who in just a few days would be participating in the lynch mod wanting him dead? How could he do that? The answer is because He knew it would bring God glory, because He loves those He has chosen, and He was obedient to God’s will. I also took away from these accounts of Palm Sunday that being a Christian is the most difficult thing you can ever do. Some will tell you it’s easy but it’s not. Just think of Jesus this week especially on Good Friday and really consider what it means to be a Christian, to pick up your cross and follow Him. If it’s easy ask yourself if you have you truly picked up your cross.