Watch

And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. (2 Peter 3:4 KJV)

The same is said today. In fact, that was prophesied in the previous verse: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, (2 Peter 3:3 KJV)

There are many in churches today that are not looking forward to our Lord’s return. Some believe that His return is an allegory, a parable, not a prophesied event.

We are not told when His day will come: But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (Matthew 24:36 KJV) But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. (Mark 13:32 KJV) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (1 Thessalonians 5:2 KJV) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; (2 Peter 3:10a KJV)

We are told not to be concerned as to when: And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. (Mark 13:7 KJV)

But we are to be ready: Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. (Matthew 24:42 KJV) Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 24:44 KJV) Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:13 KJV) Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. (Mark 13:33 KJV) And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. (Mark 13:37 KJV)

What wonders await those of us who pine for His return? I have no idea. I do however, understand that If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (Matthew 7:11 KJV) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13 KJV)

Why in this world, much less the next, would I desire to define what God has in store for His children? His ways are so much higher than ours (For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9 KJV)) and I wish to reach the heights He has to offer, not the ones my mind might conceive.

Come. Join in.

Just a small aside...

"Students", the previous blog, is showing a Saturday, June 28 creation date -- but it was actually posted Sunday morning, June 29. As with all these, it was a cross posting from Multiply. I'm creating this one Sunday afternoon as a test for the date. This one may disappear. Thanks for your patience.

Fascinating -- the following post was entered Monday morning, June 30 -- yet it displays a Sunday, June 29 date stamp. Server?

Students

We have such beautiful opportunities to serve our Lord. For the past few years I’ve been focused on the youth in our church. We’ve started a specific ministry for our seniors, too. The church has classes and activities for every age group covering several days each week. The regular schedule has two worship services on Sunday, Sunday School for Bible lessons, Monday visitation, Wednesday Bible study and prayer services, Saturday morning bus visits and afternoon soul winning visits. In between are the youth and senior activities.

We have missionaries who visit on a regular basis; evangelists who have a specific message; music groups – such as the multi-tasking Hinkle Family. Not only are they wonderful musicians, but their primary ministry is visiting and witnessing at nursing homes. They bring such brightness into so many lives and make that marvelous joyful noise unto the Lord.

This Sunday night is a special graduation service for one of our high school seniors who was home schooled. She’s the top of her class, and there will never be a problem getting her entire class together for reunions! We understand her situation, for although my granddaughter was in a private school – she, too, was the graduating class.

It is harder for those who remained in the public school system and face daily pressures these two did not. These two young ladies were supported in their studies, in their activities, in their daily interactions by family, friends and teachers dedicated to Christ. For that larger group of public students, we need to provide a church network to see them past the temptations around them. To help them focus on their long-term goals. For those who as adults will say:

For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth. (Psalms 71:5 KJV)

O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. (Psalms 71:17 KJV)

It is the responsibility of mature Christians to provide leadership to younger ones, offering them opportunities as Paul did for Timothy: Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (1 Timothy 4:13 KJV)

It is also a blessing for mature Christians to be able to provide that leadership: If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. (1 Timothy 4:6 KJV)

Both the mature and the new have a common goal, a common walk, a common salvation That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; (Colossians 1:10 KJV)

Obeyed?

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. (Romans 10:16-18 KJV)

During the Roman Empire, there was a wide avenue of communication in using a common language. With the current communication technologies, road side vendors in China use cell phones to call around the world. Hand generators power hundred dollar computers connecting to the Internet from remote African villages.

Even in places where the Bible is prohibited and missionaries are denied, Jesus’ name has been brought in by traveling residents. Truly, “their sound went into all the earth.”

You, dear reader (for whom I pray) are a testament to the above. Simply by visiting this site you have become one of those who carry His name with you. By reading this blog you have brought his name to those who know you, even if your decision has been to reject Him.

Everyone who hears the gospel makes a decision whether to follow Christ, or deny Him. In this there is no middle ground:

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4:2-3 KJV)

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33 KJV)

Your decision today would be …?

Vacation Bible School!

Wow, we’re learning about dinosaurs this week! And we’re having a lot of fun. We’ve had popsicles in tubes, snow cones, and fudgesicles that melted alllllll over. It dripped from lips, noses, fingers and ran down arms. Little drops covered more distance than we thought possible, and I’m certain several mothers would love to complain to us – but the kids and grownups involved had fun.

We had a skit that went from day to day, introducing Professor Mesosmartmedumbdumb (well, that’s what it sounded like to me!) along with his friends Ug, Lee and Er. They kept the children in stitches and looking forward to each day’s discoveries.

Our buses left early each morning, bringing in children from the surrounding area that seldom attend church. About half the students are children of church members, half aren’t. But you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. Every child has been a joy to behold. They sing along in the buses, line up in the gym for the march to the sanctuary, participate when the pledges are led, sing loud and strong, then pay attention to the skits.

There is a contest each day to see which group brings the most pennies for missions, will it be the boys or the girls? So far they are even – the boys have won twice and the girls twice when their pennies are weighed. This year’s mission money will help in a boys home in Mexico that our church will be visiting in July.

Crafts have been a busy activity, too. Papa prepared fifty sets of bookends that have now been painted, decorated and are ready to go home to hold their books. And the number of paper hats – two different styles – that the younger children made is almost beyond counting. They’ve made mobiles and transfers and colored and … it just keeps coming out of the crafts group each day.

This is the first time I’ve been able to work in Vacation Bible School for over forty years. Work always interfered. It’s been a lot of fun to watch these children as they spend time in the jump house and through balls to dunk the volunteering youth – or the Pastor today. Yep, they whooped and hollered when the water splashed with their fall from the perch. Then lined up to do it again.

There were helpers, too. About two of them for each child. Bus drivers, teachers, assistants, crafters, snack providers, performers, puppeteers – each one providing an example of God’s servants for these precious children.

Wednesday I met one young child while in Wal-Mart and she recognized me, telling her Mom and Dad how much fun she had at church. Oh, what a big smile on her face while doing so!

We pray she will continue to do so. And come to serve as an example herself as time goes by. God bless those who have done so, and those who will do so in the future. They speak for Him.

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. (Luke 18:16 KJV)

Saul

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. (Philippians 3:7 KJV)

Before becoming a Christian, Paul gained a great deal. He had the respect of his peers because of his religious zeal. He was well educated, a leader in his religion. He was capable of standing to the side, watching the death of a young man who preached the gospel.

And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. (Acts 7:58 KJV)

Saul’s next move was to actively destroy the church.

As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. (Acts 8:3 KJV) And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. (Acts 9:1-2 KJV)

Certainly Saul was a totally committed man. He continued to be so after his eyes were opened to Christ:

And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. (Acts 9:20 KJV)

Before and after his conversion, he preached what he believed. Of course, that complete turn about raised questions.

But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? (Acts 9:21 KJV)

And his continued zealousness created actions.

And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: (Acts 9:23 KJV)

The remainder of his life would be the same. Between persecutions he worked as God’s chosen vessel (Acts 9:15), mentoring, preaching – and the greatest for us, writing letters.

God has a plan for each of us. Do not fight against the potter’s shaping. Allow the potter to work.

The Strait Way

[This is the one I originally intended for yesterday -- before reading that MSNBC article.]

For those who believe everyone shall be saved, spend some time searching scriptures:

Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. (Luke 13:23-24 KJV)

Matthew wrote of the strait way, too: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13-14 KJV)

He has promised us that those who seek Him will find 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)

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. (Proverbs 8:17 KJV)

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13 KJV)

Has He called and there has been a refusal? He spoke of this: Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; (Proverbs 1:24 KJV)

It is our choice whether we spend eternity with our Lord, or hear the words spoken to the foolish virgins calling to Him: Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. (Matthew 25:11-12 KJV)

Or, as Luke wrote of those who did chose not the strait: When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: (Luke 13:25 KJV)

Will He say: And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5:37-39 KJV)

May we, as the church at Philadelphia, hear Him speak to us: I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. (Revelation 3:8 KJV)

The choice must be made by each one of us. When you make that choice, remember that He gave us the way: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6 KJV)