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Archive for the ‘Opinion’ Category

Add To Your Faith Goodness

01 Mar

2 Peter 1:5 – 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;

I don’t usually write too much on opinion.  Some would say all I write on is opinion.  I think usually I write on perspective.  Today I will admit that I am going to add some opinion with a little Patrick flair that anyone knows me well will grin.

Goodness.  We need to strive for goodness.

We know this as Christians deep down.  Yet the world has made the squeaky clean look prude and boring.  It’s not hard to understand why.  The devil likes darkness and so does his fallen angel demon friends.

Most all of Hollywood does its best to make sure that the line is crossed and reset.  They break as many of the Ten Commandments as possible.  Making sure to use foul language.  Why do they call it foul?  Because it’s edgy.  It brings out the bad boy or bad girl in oneself.  Hollywood can’t argue that it’s not bad.   Many of the makers of movies use the foul language to get that edgier rating they are looking for.

Edgy.  That’s my word now for flirting with rebellion.

Why do people start to smoke when they are young when they are taught that it is expensive and kill you anymore?  It’s edgy.  Why drink as a minor when you know it’s against the law?  It’s edgy.   Do I even need to mention drugs?

I know many people don’t agree with the next one especially, but why do people get massive tattoos and pierce body parts all over?  Why do Goths wear all black, the color of darkness?   It’s wild, it’s edgy.  How edgy?  Why do girls wear revealing clothing?  Why do guys seduce women with words when they know it’s not sincere?  It’s edgy.

What do all of these things have in common?  They are things we all have to address in our walk and decipher.

To not struggle with any of these would be incredible.  I would imagine there are those who do well.  Most of us do not.  However that doesn’t mean we don’t strive to do better.  I am a lot better today than I was a few years ago.  I am doing a hundred times better than when I was in the military or college.

We need to make every effort to seek goodness.  How do we know what is good?

Ah, that comes from knowing God’s Word!  KNOWLEDGE!

Which that leads into tomorrow’s scripture.

 
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Posted in Inspiration, Motivation, Opinion

 

Who Says You Can’t Legislate Morality?

12 Jan

Every law in the books is someone’s idea of a rule that was voted on or enacted and is being pushed on the public.

Who says you can’t legislate morality.  You can’t kill someone, it’s against the law.  That’s legislating moral law.  You can’t drive 100 MPH because you can kill someone or injure them.  That’s legislating morality.

So why do we hear you can’t legislate morality so often?

The truth is as Christians, Non-Christians, or even Christians that don’t like rules don’t what morality pushed on them.  They don’t want Christian or Bible principals to legislate them the truth be known.

No drugs.  That’s moral issue.  Don’t steal from people.  That’s moral issue.  Don’t sexually abuse others.  That’s a moral issue.

There are laws in the books to protect others out there in the name of morality and moral living.

I go nuts anymore when I hear someone say it.  It’s just not true.

You can legislate immorality also.  We are seeing more and more of that every day in the courts.

Every law in the books is someone’s idea of how life should be lived.  God wants order and laws.  Likes them so much He created one Himself.  Just because Jesus fulfilled the law doesn’t mean the commandments don’t have the same meaning.  God hasn’t changed His mind on how man should live.  He still wants us to obey.

Numbers 23:19-19 God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

The minds of Americans have been attacked with sayings and words.  It has been a successful propaganda.  When they tell you, you can’t legislate morality, they mean they don’t want you to legislate morality.

 
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Posted in Opinion, Reflections

 

So Why Does Someone Stop Believing In Santa?

23 Dec

Almost all kids grow up hearing about Santa Claus and believing he’s real.  I was one of those.

So why does someone on a serious note stop believing?

They look at the facts, right?

Things just don’t add up.  You start asking questions like “Hey wait a minute, I don’t have a chimney?”

However someone while you’re young and naïve is always there to try and explain it away for you.  Oh he just goes through the door if you don’t or something like that.  Thank goodness that person was there to continue the lie.

Then you think to yourself, “How does he get around the whole world in one night?  I mean that’s a lot of houses.”  Once again someone tries to rescue you from trying to foil the caper.

Flying reindeer?  How do all the presents get in the slay?  How come I just saw Santa and is looked different down at that other store?

Finally too many stinking questions.  Fine!  He’s not real, but doesn’t believing in him make the world a better place?  In all honesty my wife and I chose not to persuade our children that the untruths were truths all in the name of what was best for them.

Back to the point.

This is how it is in America anymore except people don’t ask questions about anything.  They don’t ask questions about why other people believe the way they do.  They don’t even ask questions on why they believe the way they do.

This is where Truth comes into play.

Evolution?  You can look at it closely and it won’t take you long to figure out who has blind faith.  Not to mention it’s not hard to do the math that nothing from nothing times nothing doesn’t equal everything.  It doesn’t take very long to see how complex a simple a watch is and know that without a creator it isn’t made.  We as humans are much more complex than that by a million times and without the Creator we don’t exist.

Questions!  We don’t ask questions anymore.

Same goes for believers.  Why do you believe in what you believe?  To say that I just believe and go by faith or that burning in your bosom is acceptable for a few months.  However, you best start knowing why you believe what you believe soon, or someone is going to come along and give you a different type of Santa Claus.

Seek the Lord!  Ask questions!  We are very fortunate enough in this day and age that most sincere questions can be answered by men of God who also sought the Truth.

You stopped believing in Santa because the truth was evident and it wasn’t that hard to figure out.

Other things take more investigation and all you need have to do is seek the Truth and He will guide you to it.

On the other hand, if you choose to believe in whatever you want to, God won’t intervene.  That is until it’s the day of truth, which is the day of judgment.

 
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Posted in Encouragement, Inspiration, Opinion

 

A Few Hits On Halloween

31 Oct

Last year I posted a two part series and if you want to bring that up just go over search engine and type in Halloween.

Today I just want to emphasize that when people in the past participated in pagan worship, God was very angry.  In many cases he had those people destroyed either right away or eventually later.

We can’t kid ourselves.  Many of the Jewish people who celebrated Baal worship or Asherah poles we’re not full blown sold out cultist.  They we’re just along for the ride like many Christians who are celebrating
other past pagan rituals like today.

So the question is posed; does God care?

Do you care if God cares?

Deuteronomy 16:21-22 – 21 Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole beside the altar you build to the LORD your God, 22 and do not erect a sacred stone, for these the LORD your God hates.

1 Corinthians 10:20-21 –   21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.

God cares if we practice in old pagan rituals.  We call them traditions today.  Will we take a stand for God or tradition?  Sadly enough tradition is a hard habit to break for many.

 
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Posted in Opinion, Reflections

 

Steven Curtis Chapman

28 Oct

The whole family went and watched Steven Curtis Chapman last night.  He is touring with John Wilson and Andrew Peterson.  Not only was it great inspiring Christian Music, but the guys did an outstanding job of sharing also.  One of the best concerts we’ve ever been to.

Sometimes there can be no greater time of fellowship than just sitting back with great Christian Music from someone like Steven Curtis Chapman or the Newsboys and just have one on one time with the Lord.  There is so much stuff out there that is just music, but when I find somone like these guys singing praise songs to our Lord it can overwhelmingly bring on tears.  Just you and the Lord present.

Steven Curtis Chapman has won 56 Dove Awards currently.  No one has one more and he has deserved it.  I like what he said.  The question was what will happen to the Dove awards when he dies and he stated they will turn to dust.  However for now they are good encouragement.

He got a chance to talk alot about  his family, adoption, Jesus, Heaven, etc.  Truly a great heart for God.  I feel truly blessed that I have the opportunity to be able to listen to him and his music so I can reflect and praise my Lord even better.

 
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Posted in Opinion, Reflections, Uncategorized

 

What Are The Treasures Of Heaven? – Part 2

24 Aug

This part could have also been named, “Does Jesus bring up rewards much and therefore should we find it important?”

Matthew 5:12 – 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 10:41-42- 41 Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s
reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”

Matthew 6:1-6 – 1 “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.  2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

When someone tells someone to be careful and not jump in the fire, people take that person seriously.
When someone tells someone to not jump off a 100 foot cliff, once again they take that person seriously.  However when Christians try to tell each other we need to be in the Word of God and we need to work for our Lord, they don’t want to hear it or take it seriously.

We’re warned that these things on this earth will pass away.  Don’t put all your time and efforts into it.  We’re also told by someone we can trust that great is your reward, just love Me, and serve Me, not yourself.

So what are the treasures and rewards?  They’re beyond our imagination.  However, by faith we work towards them.  God loves when we put our faith and trust in Him.  Do you trust Him?

So what attitude do we need to have?  What do we need to do?

2 Corinthians 4:18 – 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

It’s forever.  Forever is so long and that this life will seem like a distant memory that many cherish so much.

Isaiah 65:17 – 17 “Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.

Our King has some encouraging words for us that we best be taking seriously.

Revelation 22:12 – “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.

He’s closer now than ever.

Revelation 22:20 – 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

 
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Posted in Encouragement, End Time Prophecies, Inspiration, Motivation, Opinion

 

What Are The Treasures Of Heaven? – Part 1

23 Aug

Someone recently asked me to give them an example of a treasure I am storing in Heaven.

Here’s the deal.  This is not a cop out.  I think Paul says it best.

1 Corinthians 2:9 – 9 However, as it is written:
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”

Do you know what the greatest thing is that you would ever enjoy?  Do you know what would be the best reward you could ever receive?  Can you imagine something being enjoyed 100 times more than the greatest thing you have enjoyed on this earth?

God made us.  We have gone through a fall.  We’re in malfunction mode with our minds and bodies.
The only thing that resembles how were supposed to be is when we are in tuned with the Holy Spirit and the things of God.

Yet even in a fallen state, we still know when we are enjoying something and when were not.  However, we don’t always know what were going to enjoy many times until were experiencing it.

There is someone that knows you from top to bottom.  He knows your likes and your dislikes even more than you know them yourself.

You see you enjoy things because that’s how you are programmed.  It’s not a fluke.  When we smell a fragrance we like it is enjoyable.  Why?  Because God made us that way.  He knows what will make you happy and He knows what will make you sad.

When the Lord is going to give a reward, trust me, you’re going to really enjoy the reward.  On the flip side, when people aren’t getting any, it will be a somber and sad time.  Unlike getting an award for an activity on this earth, many times you have to be one of the best.  To be rewarded by the Lord you just have to love Him and work hard for Him.

1 Corinthians 3:12-15 – 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

You see there is saved and then there is rewards.  Is it important?

Matthew 16:27 – 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. 

If Jesus mentions rewards all the time Himself then rest assured, it’s important.

Tomorrow we will go over some of those verses.

 
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Posted in Encouragement, Inspiration, Motivation, Opinion

 

Intervention

09 Jun

Matthew 2:12 – 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Who has the ultimate upper hand?

That’s right God does.

The devil knew that the best time to try and kill Jesus was when he was a baby.  Satan knew he was coming into the world.  However, he needed to have the evil people who were willing to get the job done available.  In this case it was Herod.  Herod was king and one put into position by the Roman government.  His motivation was that there was only room for one king and that was him.  Enough so that he ended up going and killing the male Jewish babies that could have possibly have been Jesus.

Wow.  That’s evil.  We’ve seen many evil people in the history of the world.  They’re all listening to the wrong voice.

God is good.  So what is evil?  The further away you get from God (good), the more evil you become.

There is only one God in three Persons.  Only He knows the future and can intervene concerning time.  That’s pretty powerful.  Actually it’s beyond full comprehension.  That’s why only God can one hundred percent predict the future in prophecy he has shared. 

What are some on the intervening things that happen?  In the past we have heard of people not being able to visibly see others that they are hunting down.  Then there is the warning dream like we read above.  Also there is the angel that can be a messenger.

I have no doubt that God who knows the future, intervenes at times for things that could have happen.  How easy is it to throw off a continuous motion and disrupt time?  You’re lying in bed and the fire alarm goes off.  It stops after about 15 seconds and there is no sign of any fire or smoke.  Your timeline has just been changed compared if it had not gone off.

It doesn’t take much, but God is in control.

What’s He not in control of?  Evil thinking people.  They are out of control for the most part.  Some way more than others.

Intervening.  Mind boggling stuff and really none of us probably understand it past a small extent, but we do see it.  If we pay attention and keep our eyes open and hearts on God, it happens to us all.

Prayer is so important.  Continually pray for yourself, your loved ones, and anything else the Lord puts on your heart, because there is power in prayer.  No selfish power, but God loving power.

 
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Posted in Encouragement, Inspiration, Opinion, Reflections

 

Would Hitler Be Happy In Heaven?

11 Apr

Many people believe everyone would be happy in Heaven.  How could anyone who was such a murderer and of God’s chosen people at that, who exalted himself and craved the power ever be happy in Heaven?

We take for granted that everyone would be happy in Heaven. 

Hell has been created for God’s creatures that have rejected Him.  That’s why hell was even created.

Anyone who only wants to serve themselves and not God will not be happy in Heaven.  If I went to a place where they only had opera all day, I would not be happy.  If I went to a place where I had to witness people being severely whipped for no reason, I would not be happy.  If I had to go and watch a horror movie marathon, I would not be happy.

Heaven is for those who love the Lord.  Anyone who is curious at all and wants to seek truth will find Him.  Why wouldn’t someone seek God?  Cause they’re busy.

Busy doing what?  Living for themselves and not seeking the Creator at all.  If you’re not seeking the Creator, you either believe the lie that there is no God, or you don’t care to take the time to seek Him. 

There is no excuse come judgment or accounting time.

As humans are we arrogant?  Oh yeah, we’re arrogant.  We know what’s right, just ask us.  Because the only thing that matters to most people is if it’s right for us.

What we should be concerned about is if it’s right in God’s eyes.  How does the King feel about it?

The truth is people not seeking God or wanting God, will not be happy in a place where God is the center.  Will they enjoy hell?

Revelation 20:10 – 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

No parties according to that verse.  No it’s a place of torment.  Would it be heaven for everyone who thirsts for righteousness and love if the unrepentant Hitler types of history we’re in there?  Not that I could imagine.

God can’t make people love Him.  God can’t make people serve Him.  We make that choice or not.

Heaven however, is for those who love the Lord.

 
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He Wants To Be Worshipped

20 Mar

Just acknowledging He exists or there is a higher power is ridiculous.  That’s like getting into the 5th Grade and discovering “A” is at the beginning of the alphabet and then looking around and feeling pretty good about yourself.

God didn’t create man to just acknowledge He exists.  He and Jesus created them to be worshipped and have fellowship.  Any human being that has been created thinks that is wrong or ego-ish, has a prideful heart that is being affected by sin and Satan’s lies.

We don’t have time to worship the LORD of all?  We don’t have time to thank Him for our meal?  We don’t have time to pray or talk to Him throughout our day?  We don’t have time in our busy schedule for the One that is supposed to be the most important in our lives?

So when it’s time to stand in front of Him in the end, how does that equate?

That doesn’t sound too good to me and I’m just a simple fallen human.

 
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Posted in Motivation, Opinion, Reflections

 
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