Someone Is Watching You

Rom 14:7-8 "For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. "

Someone has long ago coined the phrase "no man is an island" and we must presume that what he meant by this statement is that what we do is seen by others and effects others. It is a very simple statement, yet very profound. If we could just grasp the fulness of its meaning it could and would change our lives, and for the good. I think we would be amazed at just how many people are watching us on a daily basis. Some that you work with and some that just happen to see you and know who you are. Then there are those that you come in contact with who don't have a clue who you are, but what you do can impact their day. I like the insurance commercial that aired for quite some time where a lady stopped a man from walking out into the street. Her actions were observed by someone in the car who later did something that was seen by someone else, and you get the picture. You never know what your smile and greeting does to a person that is having a really bad day. Peter reminds us that as a chosen people, we are to be peculiar, or different from the world, that we might show forth praise to God. I Peter 2:9. You and I, as the Church, are the body of Christ. The world cannot see Jesus in the flesh because He has ascended up into Heaven. In order for a lost world to see the Love of God it will be through us. And it seems as if the world is watching us in the most inoppurtune times. It is important that we realize our actions during our everyday activities can attract people to Christ or lead them to say "if that is being a Christian, I don't want anything to do with it". And by the way, even if you are all alone - God is watching you.

What About Your Bible?

II Tim 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteounenss."

As you spend time reading the Bible you find out just how unique a book it really is. Some people begin reading it as just a "history" type book, because it records historical events from the very beginning of time. Some people begin to read it because it is a "religious" book, and we are by our very nature religious beings. Most who do this are trying to find themselves and they become frustrated, because the book isn't about them. Then there are those, who realize that it is a "Divinely Inspired" book, so they are looking for Godly instruction for life. But, what makes this wonderful book so special is that even though it contains these elements, it is in fact, God's Divine revelation of Himself and His plan for mankind. All of the wonderful attributes of God are evident in the pages of the Bible. The reality of God's Love and Mercy to fallen man becomes increasingly evident with each page read. The Truth of Who God is pierces even into the hardest of hearts, so that all men stand without excuse before Almighty God. So, next time you pick up your Bible, make sure you see God. Spend more time seeing what God wants to show you and less time looking for what you want to see. You will be glad that you did.

You Make The Choice

Rom 10:13 "For, whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Have you ever notice how that when you begin to study some subjects, it just seems to open up a wide variety of questions? So it is with the subject of "predestination". It usually brings up a whole lot of "what about...?" Anytime you begin to dig deeply into scripture there are going to be some points where you be can only speculate. Some people speculate because the Bible just doesn't tell us what we want to know. Some people speculate because they just haven't found the answer and are too lazy to search for it. There are those that loudly proclaim that God had predestined some to go to Heaven, while other have no option but to spend eternity in the pits of hell. I have talked with a good number of people that hold to the doctrine of election and that only the elect are in Heaven. But, I have never met a person who believes that, that would say they are of the "unelect". If that were the case, then they could blame God for perishing in the lake of fire eternally. But, the simple truth is this - that you were born into this world with a sin nature that has separated you from God. As a result, you are on your way to hell. God, in His great love and mercy, provided a way to escape that punishment. It is through the sacrificial death of His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Now, He did not force Heaven upon you any more that He would force hell upon someone. But, He did make it available to you. From that point on - the choice is up to you. John recorded Jesus' words in John 3:18 where He said "he that believeth is not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already...". By the way, you don't choose hell, you are already going there. Your only choice is to choose Heaven. No choice is a "no" choice. But, you make the choice.

All Roads Or One Road?

Many years ago, for whatever reason, someone coined the phrase "all roads lead to Chicago". Maybe he was trying to promote the windy city or maybe he actually thought that the statement was true. The reason I mention this is because the same idea has been applied to getting to Heaven. How many times have we heard the statement, "well, we're all trying to get to Heaven in our own way"? If you want to dispute the claim that all roads lead to Chicago, all you need do is open a road map. Not only will you see that there are hundreds of roads throughout the USA that do not come anywhere near Chicago, but will also see there are roads within the state, very close to Chicago, that will actually take you around the area, never to arrive. Obviously, the same thing is true with going to Heaven. If you want to dispute the claim that all ways will take you to Heaven all you need do is open the Bible and read where Jesus said "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me". John 14:6. Notice that Jesus did not say that He was "a" way, but "the" way. He is not one of many ways that will get you there if you only believe hard enough. But, instead, He proclaims that He is the only way and any other way will never get you there. No one, who truly believes in hell wants to go there. No one, who truly believes in Heaven wants to miss it. Sadly, far too many will be duped into believing a lie and try to work their way or join a cult, or rely upon their "religion", only to find out in the end, there is only one way - It is Jesus Christ and Him crucified. All roads do not lead to Chicago and all ways will not get you to Heaven.

My Appologies

We are back but there seems to be a problem with the posting ability. We hope to have it fixed soon.