tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80085039947731939692024-03-05T08:28:32.301-08:00His Light 4 LifeMike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.comBlogger547125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-36859456647936157392024-03-05T08:27:00.000-08:002024-03-05T08:27:35.998-08:00Take Courage<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And as a great dissension was developing, the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks. But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.” When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Acts 23:10–12).</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Things hadn’t been going well for Paul and they were about to get worse. He had traveled to Jerusalem to worship and deliver financial aid to the church in the area. But he ends up being falsely accused of anti-Jewish teaching and of desecrating the temple. His opponents drag him away with the goal of putting him to death but he is rescued by a contingent of Roman soldiers. Once removed from immediate danger, the apostle is given an opportunity to address his accusers. That goes pretty well until he brings up going to the Gentiles and then the riot begins anew. Eventually, the Roman commander assembles the Sanhedrin and sets Paul before them, hoping to get an answer to what the fuss was all about. That gathering immediately devolves into more chaos as revealed in the verses above.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wow! Talk about a rough day! If Jesus loved Paul, surely He would rescue him out of the struggle. But he doesn’t. Instead, He calls him to be courageous in the midst of the difficulty. Rescue doesn’t always take the form of escape. Sometimes it looks like courageously leaning on the One Who has overcome the world (John 16:33). When we are battered by the storms of life, it would be good to remember the words of the Master to his disciples on a stormy night long ago: “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27).</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">God loves you!</span></span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mike</span></span></p>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-38833127328627903302024-02-28T10:18:00.000-08:002024-02-28T10:18:35.601-08:00Speaking Clearly<span id="docs-internal-guid-41542132-7fff-a528-6391-43d9e77629a1"><span style="font-size: large;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“A college senior took his new girlfriend to a football game. The young couple found their seats in the crowded stadium and were watching the action. A substitute running back was put into the game, and as he was running onto the field to take his position, the boy said to his girlfriend, “Take a good look at this guy. I expect him to be our best man next year.” His girlfriend snuggled closer and said to the surprised young man, “That’s the strangest way I ever heard of for a guy to propose to a girl. But never mind—I accept!” (from Cybersalt Digest newsletter).*</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Misunderstandings happen, don’t they? Often they are the product of unclear speech. This was part of the problem in the church at Corinth in the first century. At that time, the group was arguing among themselves over spiritual gifts. Speaking in tongues was one of the gifts prized by some in the church. But that was problematic for the apostle. Speaking in tongues was, by nature, narrowly focused and mysterious rather than broadly edifying (14:2-4). Another problem was that, without an interpreter, speaking in tongues was unclear speech to most. Notice how Paul addressed the clarity issue. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching? Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air” </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">(1 Corinthians 14:6–9).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The gospel is vital and, like Paul, we should always endeavor to “.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">..make it clear in the way I ought to speak”</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (Colossians 4:4).</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God loves you!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Mike</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">*preaching.com</span> </p></span></span>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-38443301204040580412024-02-20T09:07:00.000-08:002024-02-20T09:07:23.002-08:00The Slow Extraction Option<span id="docs-internal-guid-43823cc5-7fff-6f3c-1ef9-8b24f8cc3a5b"><span style="font-size: large;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As the patient sat down in the dentist’s chair complaining of his aching tooth, he asked, “Doc, how long will it take to pull this thing?” “Oh, don’t worry,” said the dentist. “I can have it out in less than ten minutes.” “And how much is this going to cost?” the patient asked. “A tooth extraction is about $150,” the dentist answered. “$150 for ten minutes work?” the patient said. “That’s a bit steep, isn’t it?” The dentist replied, “Well, I can extract it very slowly if you’d prefer.”*</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Rooting out persistent sin in our lives can be a difficult process. Old habits, especially sinful ones, die hard. Like any addiction, it can be hard to kick the habit. But that is the task to which we are called as disciples of Christ. With reference to our sinful practices, we are to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“...lay aside the old self…”</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (Ephesians 4.22). We are to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“...put them all aside…”</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (Colossians 3:8-9; cf. James 1:21; 1 Peter 2:1). In even stronger language, those who belong to Christ are called to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“...crucified the flesh with its passions and desires”</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (Galatians 5:24).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">That can be tough. Due to the difficulty involved as well as our attachment to sinful pleasures, sometimes we opt for the slow extraction option. But giving up sin gradually is dangerous. One thing it does is give the devil extra opportunities to entrap us in his webs of deceit (Ephesians 4:27; 2 Corinthians 2:11). Believe me, he doesn’t need the help or encouragement! Not dealing decisively with sin is like intentionally leaving a stumbling block in our path. Jesus vividly advocated for not messing around with things that can trip us up (Matthew 18:8–9).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Sin is not to be trifled with. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death”</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (James 1:14–15). Don’t choose slow extraction.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God loves you!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Mike</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">*preaching.com</span></p></span></span>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-45720216824454586492024-02-14T14:08:00.000-08:002024-02-14T14:08:12.502-08:00Refusing To Listen<span id="docs-internal-guid-7c18fe7a-7fff-bde0-bf2a-66a9212a3f10"><span style="font-size: large;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">““And He said to me, ‘Go! For I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’” They listened to him up to this statement, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he should not be allowed to live!””</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (Acts 22:21-22).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Perhaps you have witnessed a young child who has reached his or her listening threshold. They may have stuck a finger in each ear and began loudly chanting, “na, na, na, na, na…” Depending on the right circumstances, you may have even chuckled at such behavior. But this kind of conduct is not nearly so funny when practiced by an adult.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In Acts 21, the apostle Paul has traveled to Jerusalem and ends up being falsely accused of preaching against his fellow Jews and the Law as well as desecrating the Temple. All in a day’s work for the Pharisee-turned-missionary, huh? Anyway, the angry Jerusalem crowd grabbed Paul with the intent to put him to death. Their plans were thwarted when Roman soldiers rescued him. As they take him away to the barracks, Paul is granted an opportunity to address the mob. He begins his defense by recounting his earlier history as a Christian persecutor. He then shares his conversion story which occurred as he traveled to Damascus. I’m convinced that he eventually hoped to share the gospel with the crowd, but he didn't get the chance. As he spoke of God’s intent to send him “...far away to the Gentiles,” the mob erupted again. They were through listening. If they had just listened a bit more, they would have heard the truth that could have saved them.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Don’t be too quick to turn your ears off. Yes, someone may be telling us something we’ve never heard before or something difficult. But it may be exactly what we need to hear. And we would never know if we plug our ears in anger or frustration. Quick judgments without hearing all the facts could be cutting us off from what God may be trying to say to us through others.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God loves you!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Mike</span> </p></span></span>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-29899943291628717032024-02-05T09:46:00.000-08:002024-02-05T09:47:25.307-08:00Relics<span id="docs-internal-guid-e66c3286-7fff-c7fd-a5bb-0ac094768b4c"><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A September article by Debbie Lord on the kiro7.com website carried this title: “St. Jude relic: The arm belonging to the cousin of Jesus to be on tour in the U.S..”*</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">According to quoted sources, “...Jude’s arm was placed in a wooden reliquary shaped like a priest’s hand giving a blessing. A reliquary is a special receptacle for body parts or personal items of those deemed to be saints and martyrs....” One church official associated with the supposed relic shares the purpose of the tour: “Regarded as the patron saint of lost causes and desperate situations, the visit provides an opportunity for individuals to experience intimacy with someone who dwells in Heaven and beholds God face-to-face” and “It allows devotees to receive his blessing and entrust him with their petitions.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I won’t wade into the debate over whether this is an actual body part from an actual relative of Christ other than to say I have my doubts. But for the sake of discussion, let’s just assume for a moment that it is what some claim it to be. In that case, I would ask myself some questions. Why would I, as a disciple of Christ, have any interest in a part of a dead body, whether it came from a saint or not? Why would I need to seek “...to experience intimacy with someone who dwells in heaven and behold God face-to-face…” with anyone other than Jesus Christ? He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). There is salvation in no One else (Acts 4:12). Why would I seek Jude’s blessing and entrust him with my petitions? While I’m sure that Jude blessed many during his lifetime, the only blessings I need to receive come from My Savior. God has blessed me with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). Jesus Christ is the only mediator needed between humanity and God (1 Timothy 2:5). I can entrust my petitions to Him.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God loves you!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mike</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/st-jude-relic-arm-belonging-cousin-jesus-be-tour-us/L3PTPSMBZ5F5LEV6LNU66RPJMU/?fbclid=IwAR1B-gWZcdeWcu0ShnywK1UkF7U-m_UyDS0bOUsIR0bxIl6ko_pmA9xq5Rk</span></span></p></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><p> </p>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-13368139362842611082024-02-02T09:55:00.000-08:002024-02-02T09:55:33.693-08:00If You Need A Law, Make One Up<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">The incredible design and complexity of the world around us has long been one of the more powerful evidences for God. Whether you are talking about the intricacies of the DNA sequence or all of the minute factors that have to line up for life to exist on our planet, it all points to a Creator. Even known laws of science attest to the observable fact that closed systems, left to themselves, move toward greater disorder and loss of information instead of higher order and information (i.e. the second law of thermodynamics). All of this has been problematic for those who cannot accept the existence of a Designer.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">But never fear! If observable and testable scientific laws and principles cannot provide the backing you need for your theories, feel free to make up your own. A recent article makes a bold claim: “Scientists Unveil A ‘Missing Law’ Of Nature That Explains How Everything In The Universe Evolved, Including Us.”* What I would really like to have explained is “How can you unveil something that is missing?” It sounds much like the “missing link” of evolution that has been touted long and loud by evolutionists but which they mysteriously have never been able to produce. Hmmm…</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is a quote from one of the scientists promoting the new “law”: ““We see, in the universe, so much richness and complexity, so many evolving systems, and yet we don't seem to have a law of nature that adequately describes why those systems exist,” Wong told Motherboard in a call.” Well, if you don’t have the “law” you need, make one up. Kudos to Wong for admitting the “richness and complexity” of the world around him. But nevermind that this newly suggested “scientific law” contradicts other firmly established scientific laws.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">The efforts of those committed to denying the existence of God knows no boundaries. If they have to unveil a mysterious, unprovable new “natural law” to advance their cause, so be it. Whatever it takes, right?</span></span></p><p><b id="docs-internal-guid-79a81b13-7fff-af02-c207-cf90d6c8be2f" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">God loves you!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mike</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*https://www.vice.com/en/article/4a3bgw/scientists-unveil-missing-law-of-nature-that-explains-how-everything-in-the-universe-evolved-including-us?fbclid=IwAR0clRONW3VbKwTAuXA6x58U4Q6i-2IMsQPEvPV6Z2KlW7J9FJHhtxSiY6E</span></span></p>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-44280190650032104622024-01-30T09:26:00.000-08:002024-01-30T09:26:06.229-08:00Seeing Grace Clearly<span style="font-size: large;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-36505616-7fff-5144-df39-04e4ecf130d5"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Charles Swindoll tells of a friend who wanted to purchase a gem for his wife. He visited a jeweler who knew just how to display his merchandise. He stopped under a bright light, slid a piece of black velvet onto the glass counter, took the gems from the case and laid them one by one on the velvet. Without that black backdrop, he couldn’t have seen the cut, the hues, or the beauty of each gem. “I learned something from his search for that jewel: we cannot appreciate the beauty and the luster and the brilliance of the gospel of Christ, with all of its hope and grace, if we’ve never seen the backdrop of sin as it really is” (Insights, Spring-Summer 1986).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The brilliance of God’s grace is most clearly seen against the backdrop of the depths of sin from which it can free us. This is emphasized by Paul in his letter to Ephesus. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4-7). The apostle contrasts being dead in our transgressions with the abundant riches of God’s grace.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Perhaps Paul can speak clearly on this topic because he had experienced it in his own life. “For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me” (1 Corinthians 15:9-10).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure” (1 Peter 1:2).</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God loves you!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mike</span></p></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-48777683626349052942024-01-02T13:00:00.000-08:002024-01-02T13:00:28.462-08:00The Gift Of Time<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (James 4:13–14).</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Scientific researchers recently estimated that: A lightning bolt lasts 45-55 microseconds. An average running shoe lasts 350-500 miles. A hard pencil can write up to 30,000 words. A ball point pen can draw a line 7,500 ft. long. A 100 watt incandescent bulb lasts 750 hours. A 25 watt bulb lasts 25,000 hours. A one dollar bill lasts 18 months in circulation.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Yet, James says that our life is but a puff of smoke from a fire; steam that rises from a cup of coffee; or, one’s breath briefly visible on a cold morning. The days of our life, while precious, are also passing like a vapor. I recently read a most interesting article entitled, “If You Are 35, You Have 500 Days to Live.” The article went on to contend that when you subtract the time you spend sleeping, working, tending to personal matters, eating, traveling, doing chores, attending to personal hygiene, and you add in the miscellaneous time stealers, in the next 36 years you will have only 500 days to spend as you wish. It then poses the question, “When all of the necessary things are done, how much time will you have left?””*</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sobering thoughts, right? Time truly is fleeting for all of us. Who knows how much we have left? For the believer, this doesn’t have to be discouraging but perhaps it can be a reminder to use our time well. The start of a new year is a great time to pause and take stock of our lives. How am I using the precious gift of time that God has given me?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">God loves you!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mike</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: large;">*Steve Wagers, pastorlife.com</span></span></p>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-60914261123246268622023-12-25T10:24:00.000-08:002023-12-25T10:24:45.152-08:00Spiritual Exercises<p style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> “When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, upon seeing him in the temple, began to stir up all the crowd and laid hands on him, crying out, “Men of Israel, come to our aid! This is the man who preaches to all men everywhere against our people and the Law and this place; and besides he has even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. Then all the city was provoked, and the people rushed together, and taking hold of Paul they dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut”</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (Acts 21:27-30).</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Jumping to conclusions is a dangerous spiritual exercise. Rumors had spread among Jewish converts in Jerusalem that the apostle Paul was teaching Jews in Gentile regions “...to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs'' (Acts 21:21). That wasn’t true but, then again, rumors and gossip can’t be bothered by the truth. Who has time for that anyway? Paul, James, and the Jerusalem church leadership agree on a plan to put the rumors to rest. The apostle would participate Jewish ritual at the temple with four other men who were under a vow (Acts 21:22-25). That should do it, right? Nope. Paul’s doubters jump to the conclusion (“...they supposed…”) that he took a Gentile into the temple area and a riot erupts.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Instead of jumping to conclusions, let me suggest a better spiritual exercise: digging for facts. Yes, it's harder work but it saves much trouble later. Don’t automatically think the worst about someone. There is usually a range of actions that can produce the same outcome. You may guess right, but you may guess wrong. Instead of starting a rumor, how about going to the source first and finding out what is going on directly from them? Revolutionary, right? Give it a try!</span></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a96a5a2e-7fff-91fa-2f19-f81b4383d2da"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God loves you!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Mike</span></p></span></span>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-86341832249657697782023-12-19T15:53:00.000-08:002023-12-19T15:53:40.301-08:00Comparative Values<span id="docs-internal-guid-4914a9f6-7fff-3317-a206-6dfe15c581e6"><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“THERMOPOLIS -- Hidden in plain sight for years was a treasure that may be worth as much or more than the Wyoming museum that now has it. The treasure is one of the five original copies of a photograph that Harry Longabaugh — better known as the “Sundance Kid” — had taken with his paramour, Ethel “Etta” Place, just before the wanted outlaws fled the country for Argentina with notorious outlaw partner Butch Cassidy. The photo was taken in 1901 in New York by the DeYoung Photography Studio. Some historians have suggested it’s a wedding photo, as the two are rather handsomely dressed. Harry is holding onto a top hat, while Etta has a gold pocket watch pinned to the lapel of her dress, which Harry had just purchased for her at the Tiffany & Co. jewelry store.”*</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Part of the opening sentence of this article caught my attention: “...worth as much or more than the Wyoming museum that now has it.” In an even greater way, that concept aptly describes the treasure that has been placed within the people of God -- i.e. the church. We are the repository of something of greater value than ourselves. The Bible highlights this principle often. “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). In Christ, we “...are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 1:22). “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:11).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As valuable as we are in the eyes of God, we are merely the temple for something of even greater value -- the very presence of God. As Paul says: “...we are the temple of the living God...” (2 Corinthians 6:16). What an incredible privilege! What an incredible responsibility!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God loves you!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Mike</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">*https://cowboystatedaily.com/2023/09/03/ultra-rare-sundance-kid-photo-may-be-worth-more-than-the-wyoming-museum-its-in/?fbclid=IwAR0MDZyIPJOKVXneUeM1cVVr20HoWboBjQQalkNO5i0cHwT_jnVximTz-Cc</span> </span></p></span>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-19983978998837988982023-11-10T11:22:00.001-08:002023-11-10T11:22:20.869-08:00Whose Will Should Be Done?<span id="docs-internal-guid-64f86fff-7fff-3b79-b1f8-df5354974b1c"><span style="font-size: large;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, “The will of the Lord be done!””</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (Acts 21:12–14).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Paul and his traveling companions were making their way to Jerusalem at the end of his third missionary journey. During their stay with Philip the evangelist in Caesarea, a prophet named Agabus shares some disturbing news: Paul is headed for serious trouble in the capital city, including his arrest. This revelation alarms Paul’s friends and they beg him not to continue on. But Paul knows that it’s God will for him to fulfill this difficult assignment (cf. Acts 20:22-24) and he is determined to forge ahead. Seeing the apostle’s resolve, the believers know it's useless to continue to try and sway him. They surrender their wills to the will of God.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The human will can be a powerful force. When we know what we want, it can be difficult to change our minds. That can be a good thing. Much good can be accomplished when we are determined to find a way to make it happen. But we must always remember that there is another will that takes precedence over our own. And that is the will of God.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Even the Son of God Himself wasn’t exempt from the need to submit His will to the will of God. As He prayed in the garden not long before His crucifixion, His own will desired a way to avoid the cross. But in the dark night of His soul, He said these words: </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet no as I will, but as You will”</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (Matthew 26:39).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Father, may my will never get in the way of Your will.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God loves you!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Mike</span> </p></span></span>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-32729860776825801262023-10-25T11:15:00.000-07:002023-10-25T11:15:14.012-07:00Rescue<span id="docs-internal-guid-4309b5dc-7fff-426b-ea7c-fb272becf610"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: large;">“On 5th August this year (2010) the San Jose copper mine, in the Atacama Desert in Chile collapsed. 33 men were trapped in darkness. The world and their relatives feared that there was no hope. The depth of the mine, the lack of food and water, and the absence of any signs of life all pointed to a terribly sad end. But after signs of life were detected, an audacious rescue attempt was launched. Starting from the surface of the desert during bright daylight, drills began to bore a narrow hole down into darkness. After meticulous planning, but recognising many risks, a rescue capsule called Phoenix was sent down into the depths to rescue the 33 men. One by one the men stepped into their rescue capsule and they were delivered to the surface to shouts of jubilation and joy. They had been feared dead, but every man that stepped into the capsule was saved, alive and well.”*</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What an amazing story! As I read the words, I thought of the apostle Paul’s statement in the book of Colossians as he spoke of another even more amazing rescue. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins”</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (Colossians 1:13-14). Instead of being trapped under 2300 ft. of rock and dirt like the Chilean miners, we were trapped under the staggering weight of our own sin debt. We were entombed in a kingdom of darkness, separated from any glimmer of spiritual light.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: large;">But then, God’s great rescue plan found its fulfillment in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection, the Son of God rendered the devil and his diabolical domain powerless (Hebrews 2:14-15). Through His death and resurrection, the Deliverer stormed the gates of the satanic citadel and made the transfer of kingdoms possible for the faithful (Matthew 16:18; Acts 26:16-18). Praise God for His amazing rescue plan!</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: large;">God loves you!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mike</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">*https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon-illustrations/77900/an-audacious-rescue-by-warner-pidgeon</span> </p></span>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-86639852003669043002023-10-18T13:37:00.004-07:002023-10-18T13:37:44.445-07:00Knowing Should Lead To Doing<span id="docs-internal-guid-85b15747-7fff-3ea2-e569-49329cc4bbd7"><span style="font-size: large;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…”</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (Colossians 1:9-10).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In the early verses of his letter to the Colossian believers, Paul greets them warmly and praises them for their faith, love, and hope (vv. 1-5). Of course, it was the gospel of Christ that was producing this growing harvest of fruit in their lives, beginning from the very moment they heard and obeyed it through the teaching of Epaphras, Paul’s friend and co-worker (vv. 6-9). In the verses quoted at the beginning of this article, the apostle speaks of praying that the Colossian church would be filled with the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of God’s will. What a great prayer! Knowledge is certainly important. Jesus taught that knowing the truth will lead to freedom (John 8:32). The Savior also tied eternal life to knowing God and Jesus, the Son he sent (John 17:3). Paul himself taught that eternal destruction awaits those who refuse to know God and obey the gospel (1 Thessalonians 1:8-9). So there is no doubt that knowledge is vital.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But knowledge isn’t an end in itself. Paul prayed the saints in Colossae would be filled with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">SO THAT</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> they would do something. Knowledge was designed to produce godly living and productive work in the kingdom (v.10). Knowing should naturally lead to doing. What the head accumulates should work its way out to the hands and feet.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Father, please help me not only to know Your will but also to have that knowledge find expression in the way that I serve You. May I think, speak, and live what I know to be true.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God loves you!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Mike</span> </p></span></span>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-83755777044882350562023-09-26T10:06:00.001-07:002023-09-26T10:06:33.180-07:00What About The Ark Of The Covenant?<span id="docs-internal-guid-ff551350-7fff-e7e8-b7f5-eb403b71582e"><span style="font-size: large;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">One of the favorite topics of modern “end times prophets” is the elusive Ark of the Covenant. One example is a March article from charismanews.com by Shawn A. Akers titled “The Ark of the Covenant Found? This Isn’t Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Here are some representative quotes from the article. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“End times expert Michael Snyder says Israeli officials—among others—know exactly where the Ark of the Covenant is located, and there will come a time soon for that location to be revealed. And once that location is finally revealed, Snyder says, "the Israeli people will see an immediate need to construct a new temple for it."”*</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> After discussing various theories and traditions concerning the Ark’s location, he again quotes Snyder: </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"But we all agree where it is right now," Snyder says. "It is in a cave under the Temple Mount, and it will stay there until the time comes for it to be revealed. And, that could happen a lot sooner than you think." Once it is finally revealed, it will be just a matter of time before Jewish leaders start conducting sacrifices. In fact, the Temple Institute says that such offerings could actually begin before the building of the Temple itself.”*</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There are a multitude of Scriptural problems with the idea of a rebuilt Jewish temple in Jerusalem. But concerning the idea of the reappearance and reuse of the Ark of the Covenant, the Bible itself destroys such a notion. Speaking of the days of the restoration of Israel, the prophet Jeremiah says this about the Ark of the Covenant: </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“It shall be in those days when you are multiplied and increased in the land,” declares the Lord, “they will no longer say, ‘The ark of the covenant of the Lord.’ And it will not come to mind, nor will they remember it, not will they miss it, nor will it be made again” </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">(Jeremiah 3:16).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">So who should we believe? Modern day prophecy pundits or Jeremiah? I’ll stick with Jeremiah.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God loves you!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Mike</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">*https://www.charismanews.com/world/91857-the-ark-of-the-covenant-found-this-isn-t-raiders-of-the-lost-ark</span></p></span></span>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-29431967096407486292023-09-20T13:33:00.001-07:002023-09-20T13:33:30.476-07:00Confession Is Good For The Soul<p class="p1" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>“When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer”</i> (Psalm 32:3-4).</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">The heading of this psalm of David doesn’t identify the specific sin in his life that was causing him such intense anguish.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The incident with Bathsheba quickly comes to mind, but we have no way of knowing for sure.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Whatever it was, as long as he remained unrepentant, it tormented him emotionally, physically, and spiritually.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It was only when he acknowledged his sin before God that forgiveness and healing was found (v. 5).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The relief David felt was something he couldn’t keep to himself.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This is something everyone needs to hear!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He encourages everyone to turn to God and enjoy the blessings he enjoyed through confessing his sin (vv. 6-7)</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Confession is good for the soul.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Most sources attribute this expression to an old Scottish proverb from the 1800’s.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But David learned this truth long before the 19th century.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Acknowledging our sins before God and others is vital to a life of faith.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“Then Jerusalem was going out to him (John, the forerunner of Christ), and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins” (Matthew 3:5-6).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:16).</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Confession truly is good for the soul.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Remember: “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion” (Proverbs 28:13).</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">God loves you!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Mike</span> </span></p>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-22944222750825580202023-09-13T15:10:00.005-07:002023-09-13T15:10:54.701-07:00Listening To Both Sides<p class="p1" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">“A great many people say, you must hear both sides; but if a man should write me a most slanderous letter about my wife, I don’t think I would have to read it; I should tear it up and throw it to the winds. Have I to read all the infidel books that are written, to hear both sides? Have I to take up a book that is a slander on my Lord and Master, who has redeemed me with His blood? Ten thousand times no! I will not touch it” (<i>Moody’s Stories</i>, D. L. Moody).</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Living in the internet age provides us access to nearly inexhaustible amounts of information AND misinformation.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Clearly it's a blessing and a curse.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We have the incredible ability to research facts and figures and to seek the truth on any topic.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But that access makes us also vulnerable to the lies and deceptions of those who intentionally (or even unintentionally) seek to lead us astray.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes it’s best to not listen (or read).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In the days of Jeremiah, there were many false prophets who were spreading lies and misinformation.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>They were contradicting the true words of God.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Over and over again, God spoke through Jeremiah, telling His people not to listen to the lies and propaganda (Jeremiah 23:16; 27:9,14,16,17; 29:8).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I can imagine the Israelites responding: “But surely we need to hear both sides, don’t we?”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Not according to God!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“Do not listen to them!”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If the Israelites had been living in the internet age, perhaps God would have told them: “Don’t visit their websites.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Don’t follow them on social media.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Don’t listen to their podcasts.” <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Truth has nothing to fear from examination and even critique.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>There is a time and place for studying challenges to your faith, but only if you are first firmly grounded in your faith.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Only then can you discern the difference between truth and error.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Feed your faith instead of your doubts.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A steady diet of lies and misinformation can damage your spiritual health.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It can be fatal for your faith.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">God loves you!</span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mike</span></p>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-47519568854495486852023-09-05T09:28:00.000-07:002023-09-05T09:28:34.811-07:00Complaining<span id="docs-internal-guid-2207c69f-7fff-c860-6b99-b07e57f64313"><span style="font-size: large;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“A Trappist monk was allowed to say only two words every three years. After the first three years, he said to the Brother Superior, “Bad bed.” Three years later he came back to say, “Bad food.” After three more years of silence the monk said, “No TV.” Another three years passed. This time the monk appeared with robes and sandals in hand and announced, “I quit.” The Brother Superior answered, “It’s no wonder. You’ve done nothing but complain since you got here!””*</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It’s so easy to complain, isn’t it? Sometimes it even happens when things are going well. Take, for example, the people of God recently released from Egyptian slavery. They had witnessed the plagues of God which brought a proud Pharoah and his nation to their knees. By the time the Lord was done with him, Pharaoh was demanding that the Hebrews leave. After leaving Egypt, God delivered them on dry land through the heart of the Red Sea and then used the same sea to drown the Egyptian army who had chased after the freed slaves. Surely after witnessing the awesome power of God, there could be nothing to complain about, right?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Wrong! After singing God’s praises in Exodus 15:1-21, the attitude changes just three days later. The Hebrews get thirsty and what do we read? “So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, ‘What shall we drink’” (Exodus 15:24). Not too long afterwards, we read: “The whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The sons of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the LORD’S hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger” (Exodus 16:2-3).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But before I think too harshly of the Hebrews, I need to recall the times I have complained even after the Lord had blessed me. That should temper my criticism (Philippians 2:14).</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God loves you!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Mike</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">*https://www.therocketcompany.com/10-new-preaching-stories/</span></p></span></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-55683550213173556582023-08-30T09:17:00.000-07:002023-08-30T09:17:08.670-07:00The Sound Of Silence<p class="p1" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Since the days of Aristotle, scientists and philosophers have debated whether silence is ever 'heard'. A new series of experiments by researchers from Johns Hopkins University in the US may just have settled the issue. The research made clever use of a well-known trick called the one-is-more illusion, which fools the brains of listeners into thinking two discrete sounds are shorter than one single sound, even though in reality the total time is the same. Replacing sounds with silence, the team found that the illusion still worked. You can try it out for yourself. A single continuous silence is perceived as being longer than two separate silences, despite them actually being the same duration overall. "Silence, whatever it is, is not a sound – it's the absence of sound," says Rui Zhe Goh, a graduate student in philosophy and psychology from Johns Hopkins University. "Surprisingly, what our work suggests is that nothing is also something you can hear." The researchers posit that because we're reacting to silence in the same way as sound in these tricks, we're truly hearing that silence – not just inferring that it's there. It seems as though Simon & Garfunkel were on to something.”*</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I may not be smart enough to weigh in on the discussion of the sound of silence but I can use the Scriptures to affirm the value of silence in some situations. The author of Ecclesiastes tells us that there is “...a time to be silent and a time to speak (Ecclesiastes 3:7).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Later, we are warned to “...not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2). We learn from Proverbs that “when there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise” (Proverbs 10:19; cf. James 1.19).</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Silence may not be silent but it can be golden.</span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">God loves you!</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mike</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">*https://www.sciencealert.com/experiment-shows-humans-really-can-hear-silence-after-all?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email</span> </span></p>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-18553915919442943442023-08-24T13:48:00.003-07:002023-08-24T13:48:57.513-07:00A Declaration Of Independence<p class="p1" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Russell Moore writes: “A few years ago, I stood at the grave of Thomas Jefferson, and I was prompted to give thanks for his life and legacy. After all, if it weren’t for Jefferson and his majestic Declaration of Independence, there might not even be a United States of America, and certainly not a country quite like it is now.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">“But standing at Jefferson’s grave prompted me to realize that Jefferson is, well, in a grave. Jefferson’s anti-supernaturalism is seen in visual form in his famous Bible, with the miraculous parts cut out, most significantly the bodily resurrection of Jesus. I love Jefferson for standing up against King George, but not for standing up against King Jesus…</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Thomas Jefferson is still dead. I thank God for him, but standing at his grave reminds me how limited even his legacy can be in the grand scheme of trillions of years of cosmic time. It also reminds me of the contrast with (the One) whose monument isn’t a house or…even a simple grave-marker. It’s instead a borrowed tomb that isn’t filled anymore.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">“That empty tomb is, itself, a declaration of independence. By raising Jesus from the dead, God declared him (and all who are in him) to be free from death, free from the curse, free from Satan’s accusation. I suppose you could say that Jesus was endowed by his Father with certain unalienable rights, among these life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness … except that these blessings don’t end in a graveyard.”*</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Every Sunday we remember the most important Independence Day of all.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The day of resurrection for Christ was the culmination of the crucifixion events that secured our freedom from the bondage of sin and death (Romans 8:2).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:34-36)</span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">God loves you!</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mike</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">*https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2021/march/independence-day-and-empty-tomb.html</span> </span></p>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-41830921434570742052023-08-16T14:33:00.001-07:002023-08-16T14:33:44.914-07:00A Cup Of Water<p class="p1" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">“During World War II, John Fawkes piloted a B-17. On one mission he sustained flak from Nazi anti-aircraft guns. Even though his fuel tanks were hit the plane did not explode, and Fawkes was able to land the plane safely. On the morning following the raid Fawkes asked his crew chief for the German shell, to keep it as a souvenir of his good fortune. The chief explained that not just one, but eleven shells had been found in the fuel tank, none of which exploded. Technicians opened the shells and found them void of explosive charge. They were clean and harmless, and with one exception empty. The exception contained a carefully rolled piece of paper. On it a message had been scrawled in the Czech language: ‘This is all we can do for now’.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A courageous assembly line worker was disarming bombs and had scribbled that note. He couldn’t end the war, but he could save one plane. He couldn’t do everything but he could do something and he did it.”*</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Remember -- it’s not all up to us.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The weight of the world may seem to be on our shoulders but we need to remember that Jesus shoulders that load in your place.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The Savior promised rest to weary and heavy-laden travelers, not a heavier load.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In His own words, He said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">The job of saving the world was given to the Son of God, not you and me.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Yes, God uses us in His efforts to reach out to a lost and suffering world, but we are not responsible for the outcome.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Our calling is to be faithful in whatever task He sets before us.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Like the assembly worker in a German munitions plant, we can’t do it all --<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>no matter how hard we try.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But we can do that one seemingly insignificant thing that God can multiply in incredible ways.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A cup of water for a thirsty soul can make a big difference (Mark 9:41).</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">God loves you!</span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mike</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">*Cure For The Common Life, Max Lucado</span> </span></p>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-89248011296589113842023-08-08T15:57:00.002-07:002023-08-08T15:57:45.466-07:00"I Know The Way..."<span id="docs-internal-guid-f1cd7894-7fff-a3d1-bc1d-8a27705ee4d5"><span style="font-size: large;"><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #050505; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“A man and woman were married for many years. Whenever there was a confrontation, yelling could be heard deep into the night. The old man would shout, "When I die, I will dig my way up and out of the grave and come back and haunt you for the rest of your life!" Neighbors feared him. The old man liked the fact that he was feared. Then one evening, he died when he was 98. After the burial, her neighbors, concerned for her safety, asked, "Aren't you afraid that he may indeed be able to dig his way out of the grave and haunt you for the rest of your life?" The wife said, " Let him dig. I had him buried upside down...and I know he won't ask for directions" (Borrowed).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #050505; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For whatever reason, asking for directions can be difficult for some. Maybe it’s pride. Perhaps it is an overactive sense of self-reliance. In some cases, the consequences of such an attitude are relatively harmless. It may just take a little longer to get home or our pride takes a hit. Overall, it’s no big deal really. But in some cases, a reluctance to seek and listen to directions has very serious consequences.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #050505; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #050505; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Our spiritual life is one of those situations. The Bible is clear. “LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). Left to our own devices and decisions, we are hopelessly lost. Left to our own devices and decisions, we will inevitably take the broad road that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13). After all, that’s the way that most people are headed so it has to be correct way, right? Wrong! Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). When it comes to your soul, don’t think you can make your own way. Trust the One Who is the way. He has the words of eternal life (John 6:68).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #050505; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God loves you!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #050505; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Mike</span></p></span></span>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-87968039944540356562023-08-01T15:28:00.002-07:002023-08-01T15:28:59.402-07:00The World Doesn't Revolve Around Me<p class="p1" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">The article is titled: “The Ford Bronco is being recalled because people may get ‘discouraged’ trying to use the seatbelts.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Here is part of what it said: “Ever have a car with a difficult-to-reach seatbelt? This recall is for you. Ford is having to recall 176,000 of its Ford Bronco SUVs, model years 2021 to 2023, because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that drivers and front seat passengers can have difficulty reaching the metal portion of the belt when it is in the retracted position. “The customer may experience some dissatisfaction or be discouraged if they are unable to easily access the seatbelt… in its stowed position. Driving without the use of a seatbelt increases the risk of injury in a crash,” said the notice from the federal safety regulator. The recall involves only the five-door version of the Bronco.”*</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I saw this article in passing and it struck a chord with me.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>May I have a moment to go on a rant? What a nation of crybabies we have become!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Oh the horror of it all!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>My seatbelt is hard to reach in a particular seat position.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I am so discouraged! I am so dissatisfied! No one should have to put up with that, right?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Really?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Are we so easily discouraged that this kind of thing ruins our day and demands regulatory action?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Ok, rant over.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Phew!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I feel better now.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sadly, the trend of being too easily discouraged shows up in religious circles as well.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Someone says something I don’t like, so I just stay home.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The service doesn’t go just like I prefer, so I don’t attend.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>My needs aren’t being met so what’s the use?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>What I need to be reminded of is that it is not all about me.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I’m reminded in the Scriptures not to think too highly of myself (Romans 12:3), not to just please myself (Romans 15:1), and not to merely look out for my own personal interests (Philippians 2:4).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>How about that?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Apparently the world doesn’t revolve around me.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-indent: 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">God loves you!</span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mike</span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">*cnn.com; 5-31-23</span></p>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-23748806120560601612023-07-27T10:04:00.001-07:002023-07-27T10:04:29.993-07:00Givers <span style="font-size: large;"><span> <span> </span></span>“I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:33-35).</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span><span> </span>As the apostle Paul says his final goodbyes to the elders of the church in Ephesus, he highlights how he had ministered among them. He wasn’t motivated by greed or financial gain. He worked hard. This commitment was evidenced by his willingness to support himself when necessary. Paul reveals that his sacrificial attitude was prompted by something he had heard from the Lord Jesus Himself: “It is more blessed to give than receive.” These were not empty words on the part of the Messiah. He Himself lived a life full of giving.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span><span> </span>He gave up the riches of heaven to come to earth. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span><span> </span>He gave up the comforts of earthly life. “Jesus *said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head”” (Matthew 8:20).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span><span> </span>He gave up equality with God. “...who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:6-7).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span><span> </span>He gave His life. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span><span> </span>Jesus Christ was a giver. Those who claim to follow Him will seek to be givers as well.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">God loves you!
Mike
</span></div>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-5971550533345384522023-07-05T13:58:00.000-07:002023-07-05T13:58:12.404-07:00Did You Hear About That Church?<span id="docs-internal-guid-afb3b47c-7fff-c358-135f-7b7016f505ab"><span style="font-size: large;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel…”</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Colossians 1:3-5).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Although it appears that the apostle Paul had never met any of the believers in Colossae (cf. 2:1), he had certainly heard about them. As he begins his letter to this church, he mentions how grateful he is for their faith in Christ, their love for fellow disciples, and for the hope they shared due to their response to the gospel. Were they perfect? Of course not. I’m sure they had their issues just like every church does. But when the topic of the Colossian congregation came up, the problems weren’t the first thing that came to mind. The good traits outweighed the not-so-good ones.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What about the group of disciples of which you are a part? Wouldn’t it be great if every congregation of God’s people would be known for their faith, love, and hope? Of course, you can’t always control the narrative. Some “reporters” only focus on the problems and that’s all they want to talk about. Apparently it's not as much fun to gossip about what is praiseworthy in a church. How sad!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is there anything you can do to influence what is being reported about your fellowship? Yes! First, you personally can live in such a way that makes it difficult for an observer to speak negatively about your congregation. Jesus said it this way: “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Second, you can personally determine to speak positively to others about your group. When you badmouth your church, it just encourages others to do so. Positivity fosters positivity just as negativity fosters negativity. Say good things about God’s people!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God loves you!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mike</span> </p></span></span>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8008503994773193969.post-26191662301792800162023-06-27T10:04:00.000-07:002023-06-27T10:04:26.858-07:00Savage Wolves<span id="docs-internal-guid-a8824c9f-7fff-3db1-2b88-f45f872e4162"><span style="font-size: large;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them”</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (Acts 20:28-30).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The apostle Paul had invested himself deeply in the church in Ephesus. His heart for missions usually didn’t allow him to stay too long in one place, but the Ephesian church was blessed to have Paul work among them for three years. So now, when it was time to move on, he couldn’t do so without admonishing the Ephesian elders to carefully protect the people he loved so much.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Paul knew that, in his absence, the congregation would be more vulnerable to the attacks of those seeking to destroy their faith. He describes these attackers as “savage wolves.” What a vivid and apt description! Like a pack of ravenous wolves circling a herd of sheep, these predators would attempt to isolate and devour the weak and unguarded members. Paul himself had experienced the savagery of the Ephesian wolves, so he knows well the danger involved. The “wild beasts at Ephesus” he mentions fighting in 1 Corinthians 15:32 likely refers to this same human threat.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Scriptures pull no punches in describing those who seek to destroy our faith. “But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed…” (2 Peter 2:12). “But these men revile the things which they do not understand; and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed” (Jude 10).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Never doubt the resolve of those who seek to devour you spiritually. Beware of the wolves who want to entice you away from the flock and then have you for lunch.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God loves you!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Mike</span></p></span></span>Mike Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10427177416934188770noreply@blogger.com0