Mountains

Karen and I are enjoying our time visiting in the mountains of East TN and West NC. We stayed in Murphy, NC last night and will be going to the Easter Pageant at Fields of the Wood later this morning. It has been several years (back in the 1980's or early 90's I think) since I have been to the Easter Pageant and I look forward to the singing the testimonies, the message and the Easter Pageant performed by one of our sister Church of God churches (can't remember right now).

Dan Miller Dies

I have watched Dan Miller anchor the chanel 4 Nashville, TN news for, seems like, 35 years or more. I enjoyed his deep, smooth voice and his candor, straightforwardness and clarity. He was one-of-a-kind and no one in Nashville held a close second to his style and skill in being a news anchor.

He will be missed.

Profundities of the Apostle Paul

The Apostle Paul went through many perils in his ministry. He says, "in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness." (2 Cor. 11:23-26)

One part that stands out to me in this passage is "in perils among false brethren." Ever wonder what he meant by this? He noted robbers, his own countrymen and heathen. He also says, "false brethren." This seems to mean that these false brethren were recognized in the church as leaders and had some respect in the church but were a threat to the Apostle Paul's ministry. Surely, this must have been one of the most disappointing perils that he went through. To know that these brethren are meant to be supportive and to find that they have done something to threaten the Apostle Paul is nothing less than an attempt to discourage him. Yet he does not let this get him down.

The Apostle John dealt with a similar type problem. He says, "I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not." (3 John 9) Diotrephes not only loved to be in charge and in control, John says he was "prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. (v. 10) Sometimes those in spiritual and governmental authority have to intervene. Johns says, "Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words. . ." Later John says in verse 14 that he would see Gaius shortly and no doubt he remembered the deeds of Diotrophes.

Perhaps the prayer request of the Apostle Paul is appropriate here, "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. (2 Thess. 3:1,2)

Book Review

I am reading the book, "My Story and The Christian Story: A Journey By Faith Into A Far Country" (2004 by Dr. Charles Hawkins Sr.) He writes of his conversion at age nine and his call at age 17 and his ministry over the past 60 plus years (and much more) and his work in China. Below is an excerpt. This book has much information about the Church of God of Prophecy (the church he ministers in) and the World Mission Work. The book also has historical information dealing with pertinent dates in China and other parts of the world. The book is easy to read and has a strong personal appeal. Those who are interested or have labored in mission work would enjoy this read as well as those who are involved in any ministry for the Lord.

Religion

Our own life experience teaches us that we all die, unless of course, we live in denial, and even then we die. This dismal reality has to have profoundly influenced how the inhabitants of our world deal with such a somber prospect. As mentioned before, there is a universal trait among human beings that all cultures regardless of race, language or environment look to and practice some form of worship as the answer to the problem of death, with the exception of the atheist who disbelieves the existence of any higher power. However there are numerous testimonies of capitulations in the final hour prior to death.

Consider the famed Clarence Darrow, who was perhaps one of the most famous lawyers in American history. He was a brilliant intellectual, but a rank skeptic and confirmed atheist. Clarence Darrow, the legal counsel involved in the famous Scopes Monkey Trial in Dayton, Tennessee, in 1925, was the one responsible for the theory of evolution being taught in public schools of America. It would be impossible to calculate the damage that has been done to the minds of millions of young people. He left a legacy in his writings against religion. But he, too, had an appointment to keep. Being intelligent, when he came to his hour of death, he invited three clergymen of different denominational backgrounds to come to his room. He said to them: “Gentlemen during my lifetime I have written and spoken many things against God and against churches, and now I wish I had not said them, for I realize that it is entirely possible that I was wrong, and so I would like to ask each of you one last favor, that each of you would intercede for me with the almighty.” Why would a person with such intelligence do such an about face just prior to his demise? There can be only one answer. Not until mortal man comes face to face with that hollow eyed skull called “death” can he fathom the finality that accompanies this enemy of all humanity. Death, that great equalizer, brings reality with him. This truth is born out repeatedly in the lives of many renowned atheists who lived in denial until reality appeared. When that great French statesman Talleyrand, came to his deathbed, King Louis asked him how he felt. He replied, “Sire, I am suffering the pangs of the damned.”

Scripture for The Day and Comment

Amos 5:20-24 At God's coming we face hard reality, not fantasy - a black cloud with no silver lining. "I can't stand your religious meetings. I'm fed up with your conferences and conventions. I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals. I'm sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making. I've had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time you sang to me? Do you know what I want? I want justice - oceans of it. I want fairness - rivers of it. That's what I want. That's all I want." (The Message)

God, here in this passage, is not playing "mealy mouth" with Israel. Neither does He with anyone who will serve Him in true righteousness and pure holiness. Notice that God says, "when is the last time you sang to me?" WOW! Wonder how much of our singing today is "to Him?" Wonder how much justice and fairness is seen today - even in churches? Where is genuine Christianity today? Do we find it in slogans and humanistic goals? Do we find it in hyped up, secularly oriented conferences and conventions? Do we find it in religious projects and functions? Israel must have had their regular meetings, singings, slogans, goal setting, conferences, conventions and all that had to do with their religion but God said, "I'm sick of it, I've had all I can take of it." Wonder if Jesus ever says, "He is sick of our religious activity today?" Wonder if He ever says, "When was the last time you sang to me?" Wonder if he ever says, "Do you know what I want? I want justice - oceans of it. I want fairness - rivers of it. That's what I want. That's all I want."

Quote

When you know everything is in God's hand, you don't have any problem leaving everthing in his hands. Source Unknown

King of Kings

In a few days there will be a summit of leaders in England called the G-20 Summit. Leaders from several nations will join together to try to come to some understanding of what needs to be done with the economic problems of the world today. Some feel that this summit will bring the needed answer to these economic problems. Leaders do their best or least should try to do their best. United States President, Barak Obama, is expected to be one of the key figures in this summit and is expected to offer his profound input into this summit. People often look to these leaders with anticipation and expectations that go far beyond what humans can do. Citizens of these nations certainly want them to do the best that they can but they are limited. There is ONE who is not limited. There is ONE we should look to in these times - the King of kings, Jesus Christ.

People are troubled by failing jobs and price increases. Along with failing jobs are losses of houses, health benefits and feelings of temporal security. One person I know, who is a faithful Christian, works where the number of employees has dropped from 100 to 10 and the person is working three days a week. When times get rough materially, people often begin to look to someone for answers. Again, people often look to these leaders with anticipation and expectations that go far beyond what humans can do. Yet, we know assuredly that we can look to the King of kings and have the assurance that is needed. He is the supplier of all our needs, including temporal and, best of all, spiritual and eternal. The children of Israel were given this assurance many times when he led them out of bondage and slavery. They were led by the power of God and Moses their chosen leader, but often found themselves in dire need. Yet, God came through for them over-and-over, again-and-again.

God met their needs many times, yet they continued to complain and even wanted to go back where God had brought them from. They would cry to God and He would deliver them. Then they would go back into their ways of sinning and desiring things of this world. Their backsliding and crying to God again-and-again became unbearable to God. God always wanted to lead them through his chosen leader (judge or prophet) but at one point in their history they cried for a king like other nations. God allowed them to have a king but this was not His desire. The Prophet Hosea declared, ". . .long ago I gave you a king, but I wasn't happy about it. Now, fed up, I've gotten rid of him." (Hosea 13:11, The Message) No president, king, or head of any nation can give the answer to the needs of this world today. The King of kings is the answer and has the answers for each one of us today.

Even though God became angry with Israel, He still wanted them to come back to Him. Hosea continues, "O Israel, come back! Return to your God! You're down but you're not out. Prepare your confession and come back to God. Pray to him, 'Take away our sin, accept our confession. Receive as restitution our repentant prayers.' " (Hosea 14:1, 2 The Message) After all the times they had backslidden and treated God with contempt, He still pleaded for their repentant return. God wants us to return to Him. He wants us to acknowledge and accept the King of kings, his Son as our only answer for the needs we have.

Sure, we pray for our leaders and want God to help them make the best decisions but ultimately we must look to the King of kings. What are you fearing today? What are your temporal needs today? What are your spiritual needs? Do you need prayer? Do you want prayer? Do you need someone to talk to and offer prayer for your needs. If so, leave your prayer request or comment and prayer will be offered to the King of kings. Best of all, you can talk to the King of kings. His door is open to all who will enter His presence with humbleness and gratitude. He not only is the the King of kings, he is the best friend to each one who desires Him. HE IS THE ANSWER!