Rufus

And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. (Mark 15:21 KJV)

Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. (Romans 16:13 KJV)

Would you not have loved to have been one of those listed in Romans 16? I believe Paul looked upon each of those as brothers and sisters in Christ. He knew them, spoke of them and their convictions and greeted them specifically in his letter.

The way Mark mentions the sons of Simon, it could be assumed his audience, followers of Christ, would know who Alexander and Rufus were. It could be possible that Paul’s Rufus and Mark’s Rufus were the same. The name is not mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament.

World travelers, were our New Testament people. Cyrene in Africa, Simon a Cyrenian in Jerusalem, Paul in Corinth, writing to Rome and mentioning Rufus. Scattered abroad, some through persecution, some sent by the Holy Spirit, all speak of Christ’s impact on their lives.

So many stories can be conjectured from just a few items. If you’ve ever read “The Robe”, you could understand how, literally out of whole clothe, it could sprang from:

The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, (2 Timothy 4:13 KJV)

How easily it would be to create such a story from two separate, unrelated verses and connect some dots from Rufus to Rufus, from Jerusalem to Rome.

Add to the mixture:

Were it you, how would you have been affected by being chosen to bear the cross of a man headed for crucifixion? Would you have stayed and heard His words, or returned home? Would you have stayed and heard the centurion testify:

Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. (Matthew 27:54 KJV)

Would you have spoken about it to others during the coming weeks?

Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. (Acts 6:9 KJV)

Could this have been Simon’s synagogue? If so, would he have disputed with Stephen, or with his religious companions? Did he, as did Saul, witness Stephen’s death? We won’t know these answers here – but someday we will know the depth of this family’s involvement.

Truly, even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. (John 21:25b KJV)

Old and Gray

God has not forgotten us as we’ve grown older and older. That’s evident every day. And we are not to forget Him as we grow old and gray, as David wrote:

O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. (Psalms 71:17-18 KJV)

The theme is repeated in Titus 2 – which we’ve used often in teaching:

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. (Titus 2:1-2 KJV)

Christian men have a tremendous responsibility. Their example is to be displayed for non-believers as well as Christian men, women, youth and children. Their example must display sound Christian doctrine, so they have to be spending time in prayer with their Bible, too.

The older women in the church have just as great a responsibility:

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (Titus 2:3-5 KJV)

I love that we’re to be teachers of good things. David spoke of such teaching when he said “shewed thy strength unto this generation”. We’re to spend time with young women, giving them our lives as examples of loving our husbands and our children. We are the keepers at home. We are to be obedient and submissive.

Don’t cringe in horror!! Submission is not your freedom’s death sentence. The doctrine is of sufficient importance that it is mentioned twice:

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. (Ephesians 5:22 KJV)

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. (Colossians 3:18 KJV)

In return, our beloved husbands are to love us as deeply as Christ loves His church:

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Ephesians 5:25 KJV)

That love brings no abuse. That love offers itself, fully. What a wonderful base for a marriage – to know that the husband loves his wife as Christ loves His church – and that the wife is as obedient to her husband as the church is to Christ.

That’s what we “old and grayheaded” “aged women” can do in service for our Lord. For all the remaining days of our lives. After that, we get to enjoy the companionship, the fruit of our labor, for all eternity.

Can’t beat it!!

Precious Word

but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God. (1 Samuel 9:27b KJV)

Samuel spoke those words to Saul, but let’s use them to focus for a moment on some of my favorite verses that speak of the word of our Lord God.

Samuel wrote of how precious is the word of the Lord, for it was not frequently heard:

And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. (1 Samuel 3:1 KJV)

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if people felt the word of the Lord was precious? I know that this verse meant it was precious because it was not frequently heard, and I know that today we can pick up any Bible laying around and read the word of God. But to me it remains precious because I always want to hear more of it, read more of it, speak of it to others, share the gifts it offers. That makes it very precious to me.

The Bible tells us important things about God’s word:

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. (Proverbs 30:5 KJV)

We know that it was shared by the disciples:

But the word of God grew and multiplied. (Acts 12:24 KJV)

We know that it builds faith:

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17 KJV)

We know that it is effectively working in the lives of believers:

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. (1 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV)

We also know that it brings us God Himself:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1 KJV)

We must never confuse the Bible with the Son of God – the Bible was written that we might know God, the Son was given that we might be with God. Because of that wonderful gift of God, we should join with the Psalmist in declaring His truth and sharing His word:

I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. (Psalms 40:10 KJV)

Remember, always, God’s promise:

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11 KJV)

Thirsty

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it. (Amos 8:11-12 KJV)

I give thanks to God that this verse has not come true today. There are people seeking the word of God, and it remains available. To me, however, the thirst for His word does not exist in others.

For some, the Psalmist describes their need for God’s word: As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? (Psalms 42:1-2 KJV)

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; (Psalms 63:1 KJV)

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah. (Psalms 143:5-6 KJV)

When Jesus was visiting with the Samaritan woman at the well, He knew of this thirst – and the answer to it:

Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:13-14 KJV)

Would to God that we would answer as she did: The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. (John 4:15 KJV)

Some do, and can’t get past the next few items He asked of her – specified sins that must be faced and forgiven.

Then, when we come to the realization that her question and His answer are true: The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. (John 4:25-26 KJV)

What do we do?

Seek God

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (Titus 1:16 KJV)

Can it be said of each of us? Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God. (2 Chronicles 19:3 KJV)

Are good things found in us? Taking away the groves means to remove things that we’ve put in place of God. Have we really done so? And, have we prepared our hearts to seek God?

For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary. (2 Chronicles 30:18-19 KJV)

Can we follow Hezekiah’s example of praying for the cleansing of the unclean? For those who did not prepare correctly?

The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. (Psalms 14:2 KJV)

As God looks down, will He see us seeking Him? The Psalm was important enough to bear repeating:

God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. (Psalms 53:2 KJV)

We know what is in store for those who do seek Him:

But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. (Deuteronomy 4:29 KJV)

Yesterday we read what David told Solomon: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee. But we cannot forget that David also told of other consequences: but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. (1 Chronicles 28:9 KJV)

There must be faith in this seeking, however. For those who seek to deny His existence, He cannot be found. For those who seek to disprove Him, He cannot be found. He must be sought with faith that comes from hearing His word:

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 KJV)

Some do not believe they have faith. Not a problem – we’re told where to obtain it:

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17 KJV)

Come, read the word of God. Include the Psalmist’s prayer and be filled with joy:

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. (Psalms 51:12 KJV)

About God

"God is not what you imagine or what you think you understand. If you understand you have failed." St. Augustine

That is something I truly believe. I believe God has revealed to mankind through His word what we should know about Him, but for any man to state that he knows all there is to know about God, he has missed the mark.

We know what He can do – create a universe simply by speaking it into existence. The power of His voice is beyond our comprehension.

We know what He can love – to the extent that He gave Himself for the salvation of mankind. The power of His love is beyond our comprehension.

We know that He controls time – He not only knows what will happen, He is, was and forever will be. The power of His knowledge is beyond our comprehension.

It is difficult for some people to acknowledge the existence of the unexplained. To accept within themselves a lack of comprehension, a lack of knowledge, to know some things simply are not logical. To them, if there is a god, that god could be understood, just as any other knowledge can be gained or problem solved or experiment can be proven.

This is just another validation of there is no new thing under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9 KJV) It has always been thus, His created preferring to be as important as God. Or important enough to replace Him.

Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God: (Ezekiel 28:2 KJV)

Thank you, but no thanks. I can wait in full knowledge that For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV)

David explains well to Solomon:

And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. (1 Chronicles 28:9 KJV)

Seek or forsake. The choice is ours.

Thirst

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it. (Amos 8:11-12 KJV)

I give thanks to God that this verse has not come true today. There are people seeking the word of God, and it remains available. To me, however, the thirst for His word does not exist in others.

For some, the Psalmist describes their need for God’s word: As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? (Psalms 42:1-2 KJV)

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; (Psalms 63:1 KJV)

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah. (Psalms 143:5-6 KJV)

When Jesus was visiting with the Samaritan woman at the well, He knew of this thirst – and the answer to it:

Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:13-14 KJV)

Would to God that we would answer as she did: The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. (John 4:15 KJV)

Some do, and can’t get past the next few items He asked of her – specified sins that must be faced and forgiven.

Then, when we come to the realization that her question and His answer are true: The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. (John 4:25-26 KJV)

What do we do?

Judgmental

The previous blog speaks of evidence of one’s Christianity. Perhaps it is intrusive – why should we be interested in whether or not a person is (or is not) a Christian? Isn’t it being judgmental to ask about a person’s religious beliefs? Aren’t Christians taught not to judge others?

Some quote Christ from Luke: Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (Luke 6:37 KJV)

Others from Matthew: Judge not, that ye be not judged. (Matthew 7:1 KJV)

Still others from John: Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. (John 7:24 KJV)

Please go back and read each chapter around these verses to be certain how they are being used is within context. For we must be able to make decisions based on information available – to make judgment calls, if you will.

Matthew continues with specific examples: For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. (Matthew 7:2-5 KJV)

Take care of what is wrong in our own life – but then we will be able to see clearly to help another take care of theirs.

Luke continues in that same instance: And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye. For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. (Luke 6:41-44 KJV)

Matthew, a bit further in that chapter uses another example: Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Matthew 7:16-20 KJV)

And, that is not strictly confined to false prophets.

Luke uses a similar comparison in 6:44

John sums it up in that one, single verse -- judge righteous judgment.

Once again I suggest we follow the example of the Bereans: These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11 KJV)

Let us continue to search the scriptures daily, receive the word with readiness of mind – judging if these things are so!

Body of Evidence

I mentioned the case of a man in Iran who was convicted of becoming a Christian. It got me to thinking (so many things do!!) – if I were accused of being a Christian, what evidence would there be?

Sort of similar to security checks at the airport – or a court case with a jury. Suppose we were examined for signs of Christianity – what would be found?

And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (Acts 11:26 KJV)

OK – they met with church people and taught. Would that be on our evidence list?

And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. (Luke 22:19 KJV)

OK – what are we doing in remembrance of Him? That would be evidence, right?

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:37-40 KJV)

OK – did we feed, water, shelter, clothe, visit? Now there’s a lot to add in the way of evidence if any of these were done in His name (go back a blog or two for specifics regarding the power in His name.)

But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. (Luke 11:28 KJV)

OK – do we hear the word of God read from a pulpit, preached by a preacher, read from our own Bible? That’s evidence, but do we keep what we hear?

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:35 KJV)

How do we measure up so far? Would the jury come to the conclusion that we could be called Christian?

Paul?

I have met a man who reminds me of Paul. Most missionaries have a similar burden for their chosen field. The majority leave their known culture and childhood friends to live with a new language and mission-field friends. Our congregation supports a variety of missionaries. I’ll not list them all, but they’ve each left the familiar and moved out in faith:

The Hinkle family is an example of missionaries who keep their own language, but learn new words – ones that apply only to their mission field, nursing homes. There they hear the language of the elderly, who speak of things young people have not yet faced.

Berna Chavarria is also an example of missionaries who keep their own language, taking the gospel message to others in his homeland who have not heard of God’s love. A national pastor planting a church where there was none before.

John Magas, born in America, now speaking the language of his grandparents, in their native land. Having found God’s love in this new homeland, they return to share that love with those who remained behind without it.

Paul did that, too. He spoke in his native tongue with those of his homeland, sharing the gospel of Christ. He also spoke in other lands. We are not told in what language he spoke, but we are told that the populations understood his words. They responded. In numbers enough that the local religious leaders, and political leaders, were concerned about the results.

So concerned that they described their activities: And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; (Acts 17:6 KJV)

Let me tell you, there are those following in Paul’s footsteps today doing the exact same thing. They, too, have turned the world upside down for many people. And quite a few don’t like that at all.

Yesterday’s blog mentioned what happened in one specific incident. This is not the only place in the world, nor is it the only result of conversion. Out of the hundreds of nations on this earth, many of them hold pockets of persecution. At the least, doors are slammed in the faces of missionaries. In some, those doors are to a cell where the missionary has been thrown. In one instance, we were told of specific imprisonment and the resulting increase of faith.

That reminds me of Paul. The books of the New Testament speak of many imprisonments. It speaks of beatings, death threats – and of angels ministering to these men who chose to follow Christ.

There are places they go where we cannot follow except in our prayers and financial support. There are sermons they give that we cannot understand except they be interpreted. There is the love of God they share – and do so with us in them and we through them.

This, too, reminds me of Paul.

May God bless them and open the way for these missionaries to continue in His work.

Persecuted

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12 KJV)

Since I believe the Bible to be God’s word to mankind, I must believe that verse to be true. However, when I look through my life, these persecutions have been very light to this point -- for me. Only in the last few years have I felt myself facing persecution for my Christian beliefs.

Oh, there have been disagreements during discussions, for certain. Both verbal and written. And I’ve felt limited in my speech at times – during attempts at being politically correct. Not until the last few years have I felt that legal action could be the result of my speaking out.

A pastor is arrested for street preaching in Chicago and his wife requests prayer support from a group of friends. A student’s valedictory speech is tossed by the school administration because she mentions Christ’s name and a lawsuit ensues. Is that what persecution means?

Not hardly.

Do you doubt religious persecution in today’s world? Take a look at this Telegraph article entitled “Hanged For Being A Christian In Iraq.” If your father were killed for becoming a Christian, would you repeat that crime?

Just this summer, according to the article, "... Iranian parliament voted in favour of a draft bill, entitled "Islamic Penal Code", which would codify the death penalty for any male Iranian who leaves his Islamic faith. Women would get life imprisonment. The majority in favour of the new law was overwhelming: 196 votes for, with just seven against."

That’s the type of legal action half the world does not face. Here living in Christ Jesus’ name is celebrated openly, without fear of reprisal. Here mosques and churches are within hearing distance of their calls to prayer.

Yet, in other parts of the world, that is not true. In some countries it would be family members seeing to it that a newly baptized Christian dies.

The Bible doesn’t tell us what happened to each of Christ’s disciples, but we do read of James: Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. (Acts 12:1-2 KJV)

Acts tells us, too, of Stephen: And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. (Acts 7:59 KJV)

I am so grateful that in my country I am free to worship as I choose. As was my co-worker, a Pakistani Muslim. Though in his birth country, nor a couple of others he’s lived in, I would not be free to do so.

I do wish that organizations such as CAIR would be as supportive of Christians. Wouldn’t that be a kicker?

What You Have, Revisited

[This is a reposting from over a year ago. A friend mentioned that they were not where they wanted to be in their life. They had lost their faith – and missed it. God has not moved away, and we’ve been told faith’s source: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17 KJV) For the most part, we’ve paved our own paths.]

"What you have become is the price you paid to get what you used to want." Mignon McLaughlin

"What you want is irrelevant. What you have chosen is at hand." Captain Spock

What do an American writer and a Vulcan Trekker have in common? Words that tell us we've made decisions that have brought us to this place in our lives.

Are we where we want to be? Are we were we need to be? At this point, there is no changing what brought us here. But we need to understand what prices we've paid to get what we've chosen.

One decision places us where we have chosen to be for all of eternity. Simply ignoring that decision is actually making it. Ignoring God's offer of eternal life leaves one without it. Not making a decision is a "No" decision. At the end of mortality, the ability to accept ceases.

Take time to read Deutronomy 30:10 - 20. In verse 19 He says "I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life"

Then go to Joshua 24:10, where Joshua declares his own answer to the above: "choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

A moment, please. I heard you say that you do not serve other gods? Not those on the other side of a flood, or gods of Amorites? Those old gods? Well, how about the new ones.

The ones we've created ourselves and set them up as examples -- are the icons of Hollywood any different than the old gods? Do they not request your money, your attention, your following of their fashions? Do they not undermine the One who created the heavens and the earth? Do they not deny Him, use His name in vain, denigrate those who worship him?

Or corporate America's greed, where leaders are given huge bonuses for cutting costs by down sizing or moving jobs around the globe? Has money become a measuring rod rather than the means to purchase necessities for life?

Take time to choose life. Eternal life. Come speak with our Lord, come to know Him. If you have already done so, come celebrate life with us -- and I look forward to seeing you there, with Him.

Beautiful Feet

I’m going to spend time the next four days listening to people with beautiful feet. Oh, I doubt that we’ll see the feet themselves. They’ll be wrapped up in shoes. But the Bible tells me these people have beautiful feet:

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:15 KJV)

Of course, that’s a paraphrase from another Bible verse:

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! (Isaiah 52:7 KJV)

Each of the speakers over the next for days have committed their lives fully to God’s purpose. Each will speak of … the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 KJV)

Not one of them will omit the name of Jesus Christ, our very reason for gathering together is in His name. Their very reason for standing before our congregation is in His name. Whether I agree with all they say or not, the do speak in His name. Christ told us

But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. (Mark 9:39-40 KJV)

Peter and the disciples were told not to use His name: And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:18 KJV)

Today military chaplains (another group with beautiful feet) are told not to pray in His name. I believe their answer should be the same as Peter’s: But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. (Acts 4:19-20 KJV)

I pray these men with beautiful feet will re-enact another Bible scene: And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:29-31 KJV)

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.