Monthly Archives: May 2010
Today’s Thought – What does it take to be a hero?
What does it take to be a hero? The world’s view of hero-ship is completely at odds with the biblical view. We find Jesus defining what it took to be hero in God’s eyes. He states that it takes one’s willingness, in the face of overwhelming odds and in the face of self-preservation, to literally be willing to die to self. To be willing to sacrifice it all for another, and here we find that Jesus is calling all of his followers to selfless sacrifice for him and the gospel. His message and the willingness of one to completely follow Jesus are that important. We do not often find this kind of sacrifice within the walls of the modern church today. Oh sure we find some who are willing to hand out food but faint if they have to share their faith. Continue reading
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Today’s Thought – Are you a red-faced Christian?
Are you a red-faced Christian? Perhaps you will be. Jesus succinctly addresses the notion that we as human beings often forsake God in order to run after things that ultimately do not matter. Try as hard as he might, not even Bill Gates will have anything more than the poorest person will will once he is dead. Yet, I firmly believe Bill is in store for some big time embarrassment. You see when Gates hits the entrance into heaven, the Pearly Gates so to speak, he is gonna be surprised that all of his billions, his sponsorship of abortion, and the buying of mosquito nets for the children of Africa, did not gain him a ticket in. In fact, he will find more of a hot time in the old town for eternity instead. Continue reading
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Today’s Thought – Are you dead?
Let me ask you a question: “Are you dead?” Let me explain: While a lot of people do not place a very big premium on the unborn, they sure love the lives they live. So much so that they will do almost anything to extend them from losing weight, exercising, taking vitamin supplements, to making sure they only eat “natural” or organic food. However, this being the 30th anniversary of when Mt. St. Helens blew here in Southwest Washington, I am reminded of a lot of folks who did not care about their lives very much. In fact, some of them had petitioned the US Government so they could go in a get their belongings out of the blast zone just the day before the volcano blew sky high. Then there was Harry Truman, not the respected President, but the mean old drunken codger who vehemently refused to leave “his mountain” and ended up being buried under 300 feet of hot volcanic ash and debris. I met Harry on several differing occasions and each time he was usually in a drunken fit cussing some poor soul out that happened to get in his way that day. So, I find it interesting how people place a value on their lives. Continue reading
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Today’s Thoughts – Are you being Satan?
How can we become “Satan” in our relationship with Jesus? Here we find Peter becoming just that. We may have to remind ourselves of whom Satan is and what he likes to do. Scripture reminds us that he is a powerful created angel who wanted to be like God, was full of pride, took a whole lot of other angels with him in his pride, and fell from God’s favor because of it. He now is mankind’s accuser before the throne of God, he is deceptive, and a liar.
We do it when we know we should be tithing, but we give all kinds of excuses as to why we do not tithe. We do it when we know we should witness, especially after Jesus has laid someone on our heart and mind, and yet we find anything else to do rather than witness to the person the Holy Spirit has brought to mind. Continue reading
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Today’s Thoughts – What about you, who do you say Jesus is?
Interestingly there are those who want to use any excuse they can in order to assuage their own sin guilt. When Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do the people say I am?” they gave him all kinds of answers. Then Jesus does something curious, he pointedly asked them, “Who do you say I am?” Why would Jesus do that? I believe Jesus wanted them to understand fully who he was, because if they did not, what was going to occur would leave them bewildered, scattered, and spiritually shattered.
So, what about you right now today, who do you say Jesus is? Your answer says a lot about what you truly believe about Jesus. Continue reading
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Today’s Thoughts – Who is Jesus to you?
Sadly, a lot of men never think about God, except to see him perhaps in his creation of their children as babies or in nature when they go hunting or fishing. Jesus never let men escape with such stupid answers concerning him. From the religious narrow-minded leaders of his day, to the rough and tumble fishermen that accompanied him, he demanded answers from them as to who they thought he was. Here, in this section of Mark’s gospel, we find Jesus and his disciples walking along a road, headed to “to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, ‘Who do people say I am?’” It seems at first glance to be a simple question, but in reality, it is not. The answer demands an understanding of Jesus that many men fail to grasp, especially in our day and age. Continue reading
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Today’s Thoughts – Hannah’s husband loved her
Elkanah not only provided for his other wife and children, he made sure that Hannah had a “double portion because he loved her,” and he knew that her womb was closed. Elkanah was a perceptive man, which can be a rarity. Many men only think about their stomachs. Their focus is often only what is right in front of them. Men do not often like to discuss feelings or emotions. There is nothing wrong with this, because God made us that way for a reason. However, it can cause problems when a guy is not sensitive enough to realize his wife is hurting. And, Hannah was hurting. Continue reading
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Today’s Thoughts – Hannah prayed
Here we see why Hannah is remembered, she prayed. Prayer for Hannah was not some afterthought, something she did for a holy moment, or for her own personal spiritual jolt. Hannah prayed because she desired that God hear her prayers. She “wept much and prayed.” Continue reading
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