My Final Message for 2019

Another year has almost gone and we are on the brink of another! What kind of a year has 2019 been for you? Where would you place it on a scale of 1 – 10?
Maybe you would give 2019 an 8 or 9 out of 10 – in other words, it was a really good year. It was a good year because you had success in your business, a good year at work or at school, good family relationships, new friendships? 2019 was a year that included a lot of exciting things, new challenges, tasks completed, a great holiday. Or maybe you rate this past year 8 out of ten compared to the previous year which was a horrible year. Or maybe you would give 2019 a 5. It was just another year, pretty much the same as any other year? Nothing very exciting happened, in fact, it was kind of dull and dreary. Just getting up, going to work, coming home, going to bed and then doing the same thing the next day and the next and the next. Maybe 2019 deserves only 2 out of 10. That’s because it was a really dreadful year. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. The year included tragedy, sickness, loss of friends, marriage problems, the kids were just impossible, even a death in your family. How would you rate this year?


Think back and check what kind of a person you were during 2019. Are there some regrets? If you were able to have some part of the year over again, how would you have behaved differently? Would you have shown more understanding, cared more, been more patient, less critical, been more supportive and helpful? As I reflect on the year that has past there are certain things that I wish I would have done differently. How about your relationship with God? Did that flourish and grow during 2019 or did it just hover in much the same place as it did the previous year or perhaps even went backward as you prayed less, heard less from God through his Word, worshipped less?? Maybe God didn’t have a big part to play in your life during this past year; somehow He just slipped into the background. You could well ask the question: how much did my life reflect the fact that I am God's child –
Did I speak as a child of God;
Did I act with the love of God in my heart;
Did I interact with others with the same love and forgiveness that Jesus has shown toward me?

As we stand on the threshold of another year, Jesus tells us a parable. It’s brief but the point is clear. "Listen," Jesus says. "A man has a fig tree and plants it in his vineyard. Three years later he’s making his way up and down his vineyard, he is looking forward to the taste of a ripe fig but he sees that the fig tree still doesn’t have any fruit. he calls to his gardener, ‘Hey! Get over here. Why is this tree still here? It’s taking up soil and moisture and space. Cut it down, right now.’ Does that sound unduly cruel to you? Actually, Jesus has a message for us. Why should that tree remain standing? Why should it keep taking up space, using up the goodness of the soil if it’s serving no purpose? What’s the point of having a tree that should bear fruit but does nothing? Maybe you’ve had an actual tree in your backyard garden you can relate to that was a big disappointment and you have laid into it with an ax digging it out roots and all. Jesus’ words, "Cut it down, right now," cuts deeply. The owner has a right to be disappointed and angry at that useless tree. It’s no wonder he wants it destroyed. But as we listen to Jesus' story we know Jesus isn’t just talking about a fig tree. He’s talking about you and me. We are led to ask ourselves, "Am I bearing fruit? I keep sucking up the nutrients of the soil in which I’ve been planted so when am I going to show some kind of fruit to match the years I’ve been standing in God's garden and all the opportunities I’ve been given?" Jesus takes a breath and continues. "Leave it alone for one more year", the gardener pleads, "I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year fine! If not, then cut it down." And with that, Jesus ends his story of the fig tree leaving His listeners to ponder the generosity, the patience, the grace of the gardener. They are struck by the words of the gardener when he says "Leave it alone". The word used by Jesus here also means "forgive". They know now that Jesus wasn’t simply telling a story about a fig tree but he was talking about God and the way He forgives us even though we don’t deserve such generosity and kindness.


You see, God has given us some wonderful soil for growth. In Colossians chapter 2 we are told, "You have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord. Now keep on following him. Plant your roots in Christ and let Him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful" (verses 6 & 7). As God's people, we build our lives on Jesus. Our very existence, our day-to-day living, our every breathing moment has its source in him. We occupy valuable space in the garden. The soil is rich and our roots are there and the owner of the garden is looking for fruit. God wants to see in us the kind of fruit that he would expect to see from someone who has been made new and holy through the blood of Jesus; from someone who has been given a new life by the living Jesus. As 2019 draws to a close He sees all too well what has happened in the past - how our relationships haven’t always been what they could have been.
He has seen the arguments, the inability to be generous when it comes to forgiveness and reconciliation, the lack of gratitude to your parents, the disrespect for your children, the disconnection between you and the church and what God offers through his church. He’s seen it all as it has unfolded during 2019 much to our embarrassment. And He’s forgiven it all. And we’ve drawn on that forgiveness. We’ve heard His words every Sunday as He says to us, ‘Your sins are forgiven!’
We’ve been assured that each time we’ve come to the Lord’s Supper! We’ve drawn on those riches, and still, there’s someone we haven’t forgiven. Still, there is that relationship that remains fractured. Still, no words are spoken between you and the person with whom you have fallen out. Still, the anger wells up whenever you think of that person or hear his/her name.


What magnificent love God shows us! He really must think we’re something special. What love He has that He takes me and adopts me and calls me his child. That love of God is so precious to us especially when we have cried out in despair and pain and need the reassurance that everything will be all right!
But how many times has someone cried out for some love and we’ve been so busy enjoying that love ourselves that we haven’t heard the cry? It’s true that there have times when we’ve really felt down, really alone, we’ve spent restless nights in our beds and the morning has brought no relief. And someone has helped us! A telephone call, a letter, a word, an arm around our shoulders and we’ve been uplifted! Perhaps a sermon, a devotion, a hymn or song has reassured us and given us hope! But how deaf we’ve been to the loneliness and confusion and despair all around us? "Give the tree one more year", the gardener in the vineyard said. The owner wanted to chop it down but the gardener isn’t going to give up. He’s going to dig around it, turn over the soil, add some fertilizer, show it some more TLC and give it another chance! Isn’t that just typical of the Spirit of God? The soil may be brown and hard-baked, but He’s going to send rain. There’s going to be a change. The gardener is determined and He’s going to see to it! Listen to what Jesus tells us in John chapter 15:5, "Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without Me".


The key is to be connected to Jesus. He is the one who can enable us to be what we ought to be. We need Him to help our branches bear fruit. Without Him, we will rate each year that passes below 5 on the 1 to 10 scale! Every day we are inclined to want to break the relationship that God has with us and to turn our back on the way He wants us to be as his children. We are like the fig tree that fails to produce good fruit. Thank God for the patience and grace of the gardener. Jesus gives Himself for us. He becomes the manure, the fertilizer for us as He is rejected, laughed at, crucified as a criminal. On the cross, nails, thorn-spikes, and spear dig into Him. He waters the ground with His own blood. He does everything. We do nothing. We simply trust in His grace. In Christ, we are made beautiful, fruitful gardens. He digs around so that the love of God pours out of us and begins to work in us and we become lovely people, through Jesus! With His kind of fertilizer we begin to accept others as He was able to accept others … and us. The parable about the fig tree makes it quite clear that we have been unfruitful, unfaithful, yet in spite of our lack of fidelity, God is faithful. Be sure of this: Jesus waits for us, spade in hand, wheelbarrow by his side, ready to bring us into the new decade of 2020. That’s a promise. Armed with that promise, we can step forward into the New Year ready to let Him do the work in us that only He can do. Thank Him for His goodness in giving you, giving us, one more year of grace!

Happy New Year!
-Pat-

Gossip

As one of the 2.45 billion members who use Face book (that's billion with a B), I find no lack of habitual gossip on that social media site. Gossip weaves its way through various comments and posts on a regular basis. Recently I had a physical injury that kept me in bed and off the Internet. With that absence, I did not realize how much gossip plays a role when using that social media site until I signed back on 9 days later! I must have become numb to it or just psychologically decided to ignore it. I think as Christians we should be more aware of what we say and how we listen. Exodus 23:1 says, "Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness." In other words, don't spread lies, and as a hearer, don't be a part of keeping those lies alive (gossiping). Gossip is defined as, casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true.


I can remember a time when peachers used to present sermons condemning gossip. We don’t hear too many sermons on gossip these days, but gossip still exists. One reason why people indulge in gossip is that they find a degree of enjoyment in discussing the faults of other people. We all know of someone who eats gossip up. Proverbs 26:22 EVS, "The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they do down into the inner parts of the body." Gossip is more than "talk." What we hear we ingest! What we ingest becomes us. TV newscasters have long known that juicy scandals make good news copy and sell newspapers. Why is the report of scandals pleasurable to them? I suspicion it's because it brings about an unconsciousness of their faults. Tearing down others makes them feel better about themselves. Many of us without psychology degrees understand this principle. Other people love to create a sensation, so they gossip in order to be at the center of attention. Likely there are other psychological mechanisms for gossip, but the basic reason is a lack of love. When we love people, we do not constantly pick out their character flaws.

King Solomon points out that: "Love covers a multitude of sins" (Proverbs 10:12; 1 Corinthians 13:7; 1 Peter 4:8). We don’t advertise the sins of people we love any more than we would advertise our own. If we truly love someone, we are slow to believe any wrong that is revealed about them until we look at the evidence. However, gossiping can be overcome! How? Consider the following example. Proverbs 26:20, "Where there is no wood, the fires go out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases." We can apply that scripture in this way, if an individual ever comes to you bringing words of gossip, simply tell them, “Since this matter is so important to you, let’s go and talk to the person or persons involved.” Nine times out of ten, the gossiper will suddenly vanish! No wood no fire. No talebearer no tale. It only makes sense that if there are no gossipy ears, there will be few gossipy tongues! Proverbs 11:13, " A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret."

So in closing, avoid gossip! Avoid talking or posting information on social networks that would stir arguments and debates. Stay away from such disputes. Remain silent and pray for Christians to stay firm and committed to Jesus in the midst of such a storm. Let your speech be ‘golden!’ Avoid offensive jibe, harsh language, coarse language, deceit, hurtful words, bitter words, boastful words, and cunning words. Let your words be pleasant! “Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24). It requires an endless supply of energy, a massive amount of patience and iron will control our unbridled tongue in this world.

Until next time,
-Pat-

Judging Appearance- a lesson from my father-in-law

My father-in-law, a very unique man, passed away about seven years ago. He and I would often go fishing on his 14-foot aluminum boat in the cool of the evening as the sun was setting. No one else in the family liked to fish so it was always just him and me. I always looked forward to going because he would share some of the best stories from his life. Most of them made me laugh, some were serious, and others I made mental notes of in case I needed to apply them to my own life. He had a way of presenting his experiences that when he finished, you felt like you had been to church. There was one particular story that flooded my mind a few days ago that I'd like to share.

One Sunday morning, he said, he entered a new church just before services were to begin. Although his clothes had been washed, he wore jeans, a faded corduroy shirt, and his favorite cowboy boots that were very worn and ragged. In his hand, he carried a tattered, worn-out Bible. My father-in-law was one to walk into any church hoping he could share the gospel. The way he described it, the church he entered this time was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church he'd ever seen. The people of the congregation were all dressed in pricey clothes and accessories. As he took a seat, the others moved away from him. No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him. They openly shunned him and seemed appalled at his appearance and did not attempt to hide it. As he was leaving the church, he said the preacher approached him and asked him to do him a favor. “Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God and ask Him what He thinks would be appropriate attire for worship.” My father-in-law assured the preacher that he would.

The next Sunday, as the story goes, he told me he returned for the services. Giggling a bit he admitted his jeans may have been a little more ragged, his change of shirt still faded from mechanics work, he wore the same ole' worn-out boots and held tightly to his leather-bound, tattered bible. Once again, he was completely shunned and ignored by everyone in the building. He wasn't surprised when the preacher approached him again and said, “I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to this church.”
“I did,” replied my father-in-law.
“If you spoke to God, what did he tell you the proper attire should be for worshipping in here?” asked the preacher. Knowing my father-in-law well, I couldn't wait to hear his response! With a slight hesitation and an ornery smile on his face, he told me he said, “Well, sir, God told me that He didn’t have a clue what I should wear. He said He’d never been in this church.”
We both erupted into a synchronized chorus of laughter as our voices continued resonating across the lake.

What can we learn? As Christians, we should never be guilty of playing favorites or judging people based on appearance. God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25; 1 Peter 1:17; James 2:1-10) Why is it that people feel the need to judge another person? Why do people judge others by what they wear or what they look like? We judge when we assume things as well. Read my blog titled "ASSUMICIDE." We mentally hand out labels, like "bum" or "hobo". Whether we are Christian or not, we have heard the phrase Judge not or you will be judged. That's actually more than a phrase, it's a command in the Bible and it's something for people who are quick to make judgments to remember. When you’re thinking about judging a book by its cover, sometimes, I think most people find, if they open it up, they might like what they find inside despite a non-attractive cover. The same goes for people. Just take a second to take a closer look or hear what they have to say. You might find the man or quiet boy in school is having trouble with his speech, or the man in the raggedy clothes has a Ph.D. In the case of my father-in-law, he ran his own car shop business and had an excellent reputation of being the best automobile mechanic on this side of the Mississippi. I'm sure the folks in that church of such status were mentally judging my father-in-law as a bum just by the way they avoided and ignored him. I’ll tell you, words can hurt a lot more than a bruise - the bruise goes away. The hurt from words is burned into the memory. I was a victim of bullying for years, and trust me, hurtful words cut deeper than physical injury or pain.

We wonder why others are committing crimes. Think about it. Many times people are angry, hurt, and think they can get even with society for throwing them away with disdain. It's true. It's factual. When people judge those who’ve fallen on hard times, it makes it even harder to make a comeback. How would they feel if someone labeled them? Even after I get to know a person, I don’t judge them. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." I've been judged falsely. It's not fun! As a quick example, take the time to consider that there might be underlying health issues preventing the person from having a job and that they are not lazy at all. Especially now, during this Christmas season, let love rule in your heart and think twice before labeling someone you believe falls below your standard. Each of us is made in the image of God. Each of us has worth.
I'll leave you with this, 1 John 4:20 "Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, how can they love God, whom they have not seen."
Until next time.
-Pat-

Lesson From A Phone Booth

I saw a video on YouTube the other day where an old rotary phone was placed on a table. Two millennial teens were brought into the room and given a challenge. Written on a piece of paper was a phone number. They were told they had 4 minutes to figure out how to dial that number on a contraption they had never seen before. It was hilarious watching them try to figure it out, which they never did! I suppose that "challenge" would be a simple undertaking for those of us raised on rotary dial phones, but for kids brought up to use tablets, I-pads, and I-pods I can understand how it might be an arduous task. So for that, I gave them a break. The same holds true for phone booths. There are some people who have no idea what a phone booth is! According to the FCC, there are about 100,000 of them left in the United States and about 1/5 of them are located in New York. For those of you who have used a phone booth at any time in your life, this blog will be relatable but particularly for the Christian because we can draw a spiritual lesson from a 3x3x7 foot box! (The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/1OADXNGnJok)

Something always seemed to happen once you stepped inside the 2-panel accordion-style door of a phone booth. Whenever you lifted the receiver, inserted your dime, placed the receiver to your ear and connection made, inevitably someone on the other end would say, “I can’t hear you; speak louder.” The sounds and the roar of the traffic in the background would drown out your voice. People would often ask, “Shut the door so I can hear you.” There is a definite spiritual lesson we can learn from a phone booth.
For us to truly “hear” God’s Word, NOT JUST READ IT, and be totally committed to Him, we must “shut the door” to the outside world (1 John 2:15-17; Romans 12:2). Worldly interests and enticements can distract us from serving the Lord — so much so, that we may find ourselves forsaking the Lord if we’re not careful (Hebrews 10:21-27; Hebrews 3:6-13; 2 Timothy 4:10). And we must be careful because, though we are spiritually born-again, this "tabernacle" is still flesh. And the flesh wars with the spirit constantly. Galatians 5:17 "For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."

We MUST set our minds on and “seek first” the things above (Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:1-2) so that we can serve God with the whole heart (Numbers 14:15-24; Numbers 32:11-12; Deuteronomy 1:35-36) and not in pretense (Psalm 17:1). The things "of the world" are what John tells us it is characterized by three things — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. The first two refer to desires for what we don’t have, and the third refers to the pride in what we do have. The world is driven by a passion for pleasure and pride in possessions. We are not to be tied up in them (1 John 2:15-18; Romans 12:2; James 4:4;) because they are like static. Static muddles our mind and thoughts and directs our attention on everything except that which we are supposed to avoid. The enemy uses the static of self-talk, cheap advice, societal pressures, social media, and busyness, which all make us strain to hear Truth. If we are not careful, the static in our hearts and minds will make it difficult to hear God’s voice, especially since He often speaks in tones that are still and small. If we allow the static to persist, we just might give up and tune into another channel.

If you don’t feel much love for God you are either “not born of God,” or your “love has grown cold.” It is possible that you are a “cultural Christian” or a “hereditary Christian,” and have developed patterns of religious talk and behavior because of its social influence upon your life. The other possibility is that you have been “born again” and have tasted what it means to have a heart for God, but now you are a “dimly burning wick” (Isaiah 42:3) in love with the things of this world. The prescription for your ailment is first to SHUT THE DOOR TO THE WORLD because the cure is not much different from the prescription for seeking the new birth in the first place — the same Word that ignites the fire of love in your heart in the first place also rekindles that love... so yield yourself to the Holy Spirit and immerse yourself in the Word of God. Cry out to Christ for a new vision of the glory of His grace. Pursue a new passion for Christ. It's that simple. Shut the door, shut out the world, rekindle your first love.
Until next time,
-Pat-

Because Of Your Hard Heart-- (Romans 2:5)

When a doctor diagnoses a patient with hardening of the arteries, that patient becomes very concerned and seeks further medical attention. However, many have a spiritual infirmity known as a “hardening of the heart” (2 Chronicles 36:14-16; Hebrews 3:12-15). Unfortunately, people are not as concerned with the spiritual “hardening” of their hearts as they are with the physical hardening of their hearts. What I am about to say may shock you - but I believe it with all my heart: The hardest hearts in this world are not among the ungodly but among God's people!

When we think of hardhearted people, most of us think of avid atheists such as Madalyn Murray O'Hair; the woman who was instrumental in removing prayer from public schools. Atheists like O'Hair ridicule the very idea of God. Whenever they refer to Christians, their words are harsh and judgmental. Other atheists flaunt their hatred for God - such as the rock performer Marilyn Manson, who rips up Bibles during his stage shows. Whenever we hear about people such as these, we think, "Those are the most hardhearted people in the world!" We may think of militant gay activists, such as those who marched up Fifth Avenue in New York City. Many of those marching homosexuals mocked Christianity and blasphemed God's name. One man I personally saw on television carried a sign reading, "Jesus Is Gay," and another went as far as dressing like Jesus and openly imitating sexual intercourse with another man as all eyes watched, including little children. Whenever we hear of such people, we think, "Their hearts have become hardened because of sin. They are impossible to reach!" Or, we may think about one of the many communist nations that for decades have persecuted Christians. In Cuba, for instance, in the 1960s just miles off of our Florida coast, Fidel Castro's communist regime closed all churches and began turning cathedrals into training centers for communism. Cuba's leaders boasted, "We have wiped out all religion!" And at the time, many Christians thought, "No one could be more hardhearted than these God-haters!" I could go on and on, describing all kinds of scoffers, mockers, blasphemers, rejecters of Christ. And, indeed, each of these could easily be described as being hardhearted.

It's unfortunate, but if you want to discover the hardest hearts of all - the ones the Lord most despises - you have to look in God's house. The hardest hearts are always found among his people! The tragic truth is that in spite of hearing fiery messages sent from heaven, multitudes of Christians do not practice what they hear. They refuse to allow God entry into certain areas of their lives. And as they continue to hear without heeding, a hardness begins to set in. In the end, they will be cut off without hope of ever being cured! You might be surprised if you read PSALM 95:8-10. Why? It is actually describing the Israelites, God's chosen people not the lost sinner. So many times it is the Christian who loses interest in Christ and their heart slowly but ever more surely turns cold and hardens to anything related to the faith they once professed. As time passes and the mundane matters of life replace their original religious fervor, they grow increasingly unconcerned with the things of God. Christ and his word and his will are simply not important to them yet in their self-deception, they are convinced that they are okay with God and they become Academy Award-winning hypocrites convincing themselves and others that they are the favored children of God, but over the course of their life, something very dangerous is occurring, something that they do not see.

It is because of the damning sin of unbelief, their heart becomes increasingly hardened to the things of God. They can come to a church service and the preaching of the word will have no impact on them. They have no desire to be like Christ, no desire to progress in holiness, no desire to obey what they know is against God's will. They become more and more like the world. And underneath their spiritual veneer, there is a growing contempt for God and for his glory and their hearts are filled with spiritual ignorance, ingratitude, rebellion, and even outright idolatry and the sad thing is none of this alarms them ... a perfect indication of a hardened heart! They don't see it and if you bring it up they are quickly offended. Paul described it this way in Titus 1, beginning in verse 15, "to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed." This was the Apostle Paul's great concern for the first century Hebrews, those who had attached themselves to the new Christian church but who were Christians in name only, those who had truly not believed the full Gospel, only parts of it. This is a deadly deception that eventually hardens a person's heart over time. It desensitizes a person to the truth of the word of God and produces in them a growing rebellion towards God and ultimately it provokes the wrath of God.

Sadly, these are the same issues that face every church today. You say you believe in Christ, you say you believe in the Gospel, but down deep you really don't. Oh, you understand intellectually but you're not personally committed to the Lordship of Christ. Your sinful heart has deceived you. Your heart has become hardened to the truth, to the word, to the will of God, but because of the deceitfulness of sin, you cannot see it. That's a great danger. You hear the preaching of the word and yet your life is unchanged. You are convinced you are fine. The person and the work of Christ have no real appeal to you. You simply live for yourself and you believe that God is good with you, that you're good with God, and you simply use God for your own needs. Why? Because your sin nature has deceived you and you can't see it. This is such great danger and I assure you that if that is true in your life, as time goes on you will gradually fall away from the truth because your heart has been trained to ignore it. Then after so long of a time, your conscience gradually becomes seared and insensitive like skin that has been badly burned; like the false teachers that Paul described in 1 Timothy 4:2, those who even believe their own lies that were destroying the lives of others. He said, "by means of the hypocrisy of liars they were seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron." You see, repeated deception will turn your heart into scar tissue and it will be insensitive to the truth. You will be desensitized from it and you will continue to live in rebellion to God when in fact you are quite convinced of the opposite. You have no healthy fear of God's judgment because your heart has become hard. You are insensitive to reality.

This is such a great danger within the church. A hard heart dulls the ability to understand truth. How? A person with a hard heart puts up walls that disable them to receive anything. Not only that, but darkness takes place meaning there is no room for revelation-light to enter in. Luke 8:10 says, "You have been given a teachable heart to perceive the secret, hidden mysteries of God’s kingdom realm. But to those who don’t have a listening heart, my words are merely stories. Even though they have eyes, they are blind to the true meaning of what I say, and even though they listen, they won’t receive full revelation. " Did you get that? My jaw dropped when I read this! Each person was given a teachable heart, but many people have allowed their heart to be hardened which causes scripture to be more like stories. Not only are people with a hard heart not able to listen, but they aren’t able to see either which in turn will disable them from receiving the true revelation from the Word. Luke 11:34 says, “The eyes of your spirit allow revelation-light to enter into your being. When your heart is open the light floods in. When your heart is hard and closed, the light cannot penetrate and darkness takes its place.” WOW!!
Hopefully now that you have reached this point you recognize just how dangerous and unhealthy a hard heart is. It’s time to do something about it! The only thing that is going to bring healing to your heart is the truth! The truth is what will set you free! And I believe once you spend time in the truth then the Bible won’t be merely just stories anymore; it will, in fact, bring revelation light to every core of your being.
Until next time,
-Pat-
** Romans 2:5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.

Tolerance

I suppose tolerance could be the one virtue that is esteemed above all others. However, "tolerance" isn't always a good thing! Sound contradictory? Let me explain. Traditional virtues such as humility, chastity, and temperance have long fallen out of public favor, and in some circles, are openly ridiculed. Acts once universally labeled “immoral” and “ungodly” are now celebrated under the guise of “tolerance”. Abortion, homosexuality, and pornography are today championed by dozens of liberal advocacy groups and praised by the mainstream media. Marital infidelity and divorce are so common in our present-day society that few families have escaped its bitter consequences. Is this the kind of tolerance Christians are supposed to embrace?

Liberals revere tolerance. They practically worship it. It’s like a religion to them. I believe, in general, that liberals are not actually tolerant. Liberals tolerate only what they want to tolerate. They tolerate things they agree with—which, of course, isn’t tolerance. Tolerance is about accepting the often-difficult differences between you and someone you strongly disagree with and respecting that person’s right to an opposing point of view. Liberals are relentless in denouncing, demonizing, boycotting, attacking, picketing, prosecuting, suing, fining, and even threatening to jail people who disagree with them on same-sex marriage! Tolerance? I read something on the Internet that backs what I'm saying. I need to share it!
If your family owns a barn in New York (or elsewhere) and declines to rent it to a gay couple for a wedding ceremony because such an arrangement violates your religious beliefs and freedom, liberals will fine you $13,000. If you’re Elaine Photography in New Mexico and beg not to photograph a same-sex wedding, liberals will sue you. If you are the Kleins in Oregon and plead not to make a cake for a same-sex ceremony, you will be picketed, hauled before state commissions, and have your livelihood ruined by liberals. If you are Jack Phillips, a baker in Colorado, or a florist in any number of states, who likewise prefers not to service same-sex events, you will be threatened with imprisonment. If you are the owner of Chick-fil-A or other businesses, and you dare admit that you’re against redefining marriage because you believe your God says you can’t, liberals literally will assert at your death that Jesus is going to send you to hell. I could go on and on.

As the socially “enlightened ones” preach to the masses about being tolerant of those “different” than us, they are in fact the most “intolerant” of all people. Think for a minute. These same individuals are intolerant of those who hold to and embrace New Testament Christianity. In their “demands” of tolerance from people, they themselves cannot tolerate anyone who holds to the doctrine of Christ. They refuse to accept those who believe in “one body” and “one spirit”; those who preach “one hope”; those who declare the truth that there is but “One Lord, one faith, one baptism …” (Ephesians 4:4-6). These “tolerant ones” cannot tolerate anyone who dares to believe in the inspired Word of God as the sole source of truth and authority (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). They are “intolerant” of those who live by a morality based upon God’s divine will. These folks believe that being a child of God automatically makes one “intolerant”, dangerous and in need of “sensitivity training” so that we might become as “tolerant” as they.

As a believer, the most disturbing thing is, as the world goes, soon the Church follows. There are many within the Body of Christ (The Church) who have now taken up this twisted banner of “tolerance”, embracing those denominations and accepting their false teachings. They draw in thousands under the heading of diversity, tolerance, and love. It is the absolute teaching of Christ to love the sinner, but not the sin! We cannot condone what Christ condemns. Like those in the post-modern world, these “tolerant ones” who are being exposed within the church are very INTOLERANT toward those who challenge them. Labeling those they judge to be intolerant as “traditional” and “legalistic”, they look upon all who demand book, chapter and verse as “dangerous” to the spirit of the Bible and the cause of Christ. Unfortunately, as predicted by the apostle Paul, there has been a shift, a "falling away" from the principals and doctrine of Christ. Scripture tells us, " But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber." 2 Peter 2:1-3.

I conclude that we must not only reject the “post-modern” value of “tolerance”, we must also reject these “enlightened ones” in the church of our Lord. Instead of succumbing to the temptation of being “tolerant” to those in error, we must hold fast to, “the form of sound words …” (2 Timothy 1:13-14). We have a duty to faithfully guard the treasure of truth entrusted to us (1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 1:14; Titus 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:4) against all – both outside and inside the church. We must stand strong "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13. Stand your ground, speak up when needed, hold fast to what Jesus taught, so that you as Paul will have the confidence to say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." If faithful Christians do not stand their ground– then who will?

Until next time,
-Pat-

Whose Coming To Your Door

I watched a movie almost 30 years ago. I want to share the theme of that movie to make a point I think Christians need to hear. In the movie, there was a small dog that was struck by a car. As it lay by the side of the road, a doctor drove by. He noticed that the dog was still alive, so he stopped his car, picked up the dog, and took him home with him. There he discovered that the dog had suffered a few minor cuts and abrasions, but was otherwise all right. He revived the dog, cleaned his wounds, then picked him up to take him to the garage, where he intended to provide a temporary bed for him.

As he carried the dog from his house to the garage, the dog wiggled free from his arms, jumped to the ground, and scampered off. “What an ungrateful dog!” the doctor exclaimed. He was glad that the little dog had recovered so quickly, but was a little miffed that the dog had shown so little appreciation for his expert and gentle care. The doctor thought no more of the incident until the next evening when he heard a scratching at his front door. When he opened the door there was the little dog he had treated. At its side was another hurt dog!

I believe there is a spiritual lesson in this story that can be applied to both you and me as well! The lesson is, we can be encouraged and know that those who hear the Gospel from us are never the same, even though we may not be the one to “see” the difference it has made in their lives, or the difference they have made in the lives of others! We may never hear a thank you or know if they were helped. I continually have to remind my self when readership is low that I work for God and not the people. He will take the seeds I plant and water as He sees fit. I pray that our spiritual attitude is like that of the Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 3:5-9) and continue to teach and preach the Word when and where we are able (Mark 16:15; 2 Timothy 2:2; 2 Timothy 4:2) without expecting anything in return. I always hope, as with the little dog above, that a reader of these blogs will bring another wounded person to my doorstep!


Until next time,

-Pat-

We Are All Disabled Until We Get Our Spiritual Legs

One day, I could no longer walk. It was as simple as that. I was diagnosed with CMT. CMT is a genetic disorder due to a defective gene that destroys the myelin sheath surrounding the nerves in the body's extremities. CMT causes weakness in arms, legs, hands, and feet until they no longer respond when the brain sends a message to "move". Over time, progressive peripheral neuropathy inhibits movement and balance. Thus the symptoms of stumbling, tripping, falling, and eventually, any muscle affected will no longer respond to messages sent from the brain. Though the symptoms of my disorder began in my 30's it has been a gradual destructive process. By the time I reached my 50's, I required the use of a cane that eventually has now led to life in a wheelchair. There were no warnings or indications early on. I was an active, healthy young adult. As time has passed, I have learned to deal with the pain and lack of mobility. I'm not writing this blog for sympathy. God knows I don't like admitting I'm disabled, but He has urged me to surrender what pride I still cling to that I might bring a spiritual lesson to teach you.

Scripture describes the Christian life as a daily "walk" (1 John 1:17 and 3 John 3-4). Ironic for me since I cannot physically walk, yet I am walking in the ways of the Lord! I want us to realize this allegorically, our SPIRITUAL LEGS can become weak, we cannot walk properly, and we need medical care. When we are spiritually ill, we need The Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), a mirror for examination (James 1:22-25), and a visit to the Great Physician (Deuteronomy 32:39; Psalm 103:3). As humans, when physical injuries come we can adapt and work around those injuries through a measure of self-sufficiency that can sustain us. We rely upon own our senses that direct us to seek help, whether by our own hands, with help from a friend, or by seeking out someone in the medical profession. The choices are varied. However, it is not the same in the spiritual sense. We have only one choice, in that, we must depend completely on the Lord to heal us. "It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps" (Jeremiah 10:23 NKJV). "Without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

Spiritually, things will not get better with time because our faith will wither without constant attention. Clinging to the Great Physician is our only hope (Deuteronomy 32:39). We can listen to a variety of people and their opinions, or we can go to the only one who is truly knowledgeable about our condition. Dining on spiritually healthy food (scriptures) and investing in prayer and fellowship are required if we will return to our full spiritual health. Submitting ourselves into the hands of our Great Physician without shrinking or shying away is the only answer. We must listen to and trust Him. If we cannot walk spiritually here on earth, we will not walk in heaven one day.

Thankfully, our physical condition has nothing to do with our ability to walk spiritually. I can testify to that. Hallelujah. No matter what body we were handed, our spirits can soar like eagles. We stand liberated by God’s Spirit, lifted by his loving arms because he loves us passionately. How do you walk spiritually? Are you able to run or do you fall flat? If the latter, you need the loving hands of the Great Physician to make everything better. If you earnestly seek to live for Him, He will show you how to soar like an eagle despite any negative circumstances that come against you.
Until next time,
-Pat-
What is CMT: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/charcot-marie-tooth-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350517

ASSUMICIDE

I want to talk about something that I believe many of us struggle with or are bothered by. I found the perfect word and picture online that fits what I so often witness as a Christian. The word is Assumicide. I'm hoping something I write in this blog will help us deal with it. What is assumicide?? It happens when false assumptions are made about others so that they are portrayed in the worst possible light. Relationships are killed by it! If we are honest with ourselves, we can admit we are creatures that are sometimes prone to be suspicious and therefore assumptive. When we become offended or hurt, we immediately begin to "assume" or look for evidence that someone did us wrong. I cannot say everyone reading this blog is guilty, but I can tell you I have been. Have you ever assumed at any time in your life that someone had it in for you for whatever reason? Assumicide leads to the death of relationships because we end up believing the worst about others. I know of at least four people who have written me (no one from this blogging group) with their own suspicions about others and have asked my opinion as to why the other person is assuming falsehoods. Some of the assumptions have been way out there! We have all been guilty at one time or another of drawing wrong conclusions on the basis of tiny scraps of evidence. Look at these statements:
1. She didn't call back so it's evident in my mind she must not want to talk to me.
2. She didn't respond to my post on FaceBook so she must have de-friended me.
3. How could he possibly be a Christian when he drinks beer?
4. I saw her in a bar. She must be an alcoholic or looking for a pick-up.
5. The way it looks I'll bet they are sleeping together.
6. He's probably a jerk at home too.

If you are a victim of assumicide (which I have been more times than I can count on all my fingers) it's very hard to fight back against false assumptions because once a person has formed an opinion, they like to stick with it. Few things hurt more than being misunderstood by our close friends. The closer they are to us, the greater the pain. When that happens we discover a lot about ourselves. How we respond when we have been misunderstood tells a great deal about the depth of our Christian faith. Just remember this ... it always starts over something small: someone didn't answer our email, didn't invite us to their party, we heard they said something negative about us, they suddenly seemed cold when they used to be glad to see us, etc. Little things. Small stuff. Petty complaints. Congregations have split and friendships have ended over things that started very small but grew all out of proportions. Believe it or not, this happened to the apostle Paul. I saw it in the book of Corinthians. If you read 1 and 2 Corinthians closely you will see how Paul responded to a misunderstanding that threatened to destroy a friendship and a local church. Paul planned to go to Macedonia and then to Corinth (1 Cor 16: 5-7), and even said: "if the Lord permits"(1 Cor 16:7). But guess what? That trip never took place. He later planned to do the opposite: go to Corinth THEN Macedonia (2 Cor 1:15-16)..."I planned to visit you first so that you might benefit twice"(verse 15). Then? He actually decided to postpone his trip altogether. "I decided that I would not bring you grief with another painful visit" (2 Cor. 2:1). Because of this, Paul's opponents used his changing plans as a way to attack his credibility! They were guilty of assumicide. Watch this: "See, you can't trust him. He calls himself an apostle, he says he's coming but he never shows up." They assumed he wasn't trustworthy and basically labeled him an outright liar. That was a huge problem for them. Before knowing all the facts they assumed the worst of Paul. I mean, keeping your word is hugely important for all of us of course, but especially for spiritual leaders. It's all about integrity, consistency, proving yourself trustworthy, showing up on time, and doing what you said you would do. If people feel they cannot count on you, how will they ever listen to what you have to say? Note! Paul did not lie to them, there was no deception, he didn't ignore them out of anger, etc. What did Paul do about these assumptions? He answered them in three parts: "My conscience is clear" (verse 12). "I haven't hidden anything from you" ( verse 12). "I haven't tried to deceive you" (verse 13). [Beatitude: "Blessed is the man who has nothing to hide."] How does this apply to us? I had to think this through.

If you read those scriptures again, Paul never tried to hide his change of plans. It's true he changed his mind several times, but whether or not the Corinthians understood it, in reality, his only concern was for their welfare though they assumed differently. Paul stated, "Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm" (2 Cor 1:24). Paul was expressing his love for the Church, and then he simply said, "I am not afraid." Paul was honest, open, and meant no harm, but some people will choose to misunderstand no matter what we say or do. Sometimes there's just nothing to say but, "My conscience is clear." When you've been the victim of assumicide, sometimes all you can do is rest your reputation with the Lord. When others twist your words, do not despair. Speak the truth, explain yourself clearly, then entrust your future with God! It is God that knows you through and through, it is Christ who has anointed you, sealed you, revealed the Holy Spirit and promised to guide you. If you trust in Him, the time of chaos will pass and you will be stronger for having gone through the struggle. In the meantime, our motives may be challenged. And as hard as this may be for some to hear, we really cannot solve every problem people have. Some people won't listen. Some people love to argue. Some people already have their minds made up. Some people have an answer for everything! It was the same in Corinth. People haven't changed. As I understand it, the church at the time was so divided with factions, and because Paul had already sent them a very stern and painful letter as tears streamed down his face, he knew the situation was inflamed so he decided not to go to Corinth. I'm fascinated by the way the passage ends though. Paul wrote, "I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn't want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you" (2 Cor 2:4). WOW! Does that sound like a liar? A man lacking credibility? A man hiding something? A man of anger?

In closing, keep in mind we will be misunderstood by our friends and the best defense is always an honest, clear, non-defensive explanation. We cannot control how people will respond to us, so pray for those who misunderstand you. Scripture is clear, we must not return evil for evil even though it's hard to do especially when your motives are repeatedly attacked! But, we are to be like our Lord, who, when He was attacked reviled not. It's going to happen and that will be a real test of your faith. You will find out what you really believe when others mistreat you. Sometimes the real test of your faith is what you DON'T DO. Sometimes you'll be a better Christian by not saying anything at all. So what's the trick? How can you do this? The answer is in 1 Peter 2:23, "He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly." So trust God to handle the ending! I have used the following statements (speaking under my breath!) on many occasions when I've been so sorely misunderstood: "It's not about me. It's not about now. It's all about God. It's all about eternity." You will find that as a follower of Jesus you will not only be misunderstood by the world but by other Christians as well! May God give us the spirit of Jesus that we might walk in His steps, forgive others who assume and attack our best intentions, and have the faith to leave it in God's hands to handle as needed.
Until next time,
-Pat-

Are You Being Surveilled?

I had quite a scare this week. I received an alert from LIFELOCK asking me to contact them right away. For those that aren't familiar with that company, Lifelock is an American identity theft company that detects fraudulent applications for credit and illegal use of your personal information. I pay them a monthly fee to monitor my credit, bank account, any potential loans being taken out in my name, my SS #, and personal information. "If" someone were to get access to any of these things, I will be notified and asked if I was the person attempting to make a transaction. If any damages or threats result from stolen identity, Lifelock will handle the matter so that I am not liable for any damages. So when I received my first alert after being a member for three years, I became anxious knowing I may have become the victim of identity theft. Thank the good Lord such wasn't the case. Lifelock went to work immediately when I confirmed I was not the person who applied for credit to purchase a cellular plan from ATT U-Verse. Someone miswrote and transposed one number of their Social Security which matched my number and made it appear someone was using my number to apply for credit. The alert came because this person used their name and address but the SS number they marked down (my number) did not match that same person's address or phone number. Thank God Lifelock had their eyes watching over for me.

This is what I want to talk about today. The EYES that are watching you. You cannot step outside your front door without a camera or security system seeing you and recording every move you make. There aren't just surveillance cameras at courthouses and banks anymore, they exist on traffic lights, in grocery stores, parking lots, and so much more including on the front porch of homes through their RING doorbells and Blink security systems. Mine records activity 24/7 not only at my front door but beyond into the street, up the street, and every home as far as my eyes can see. It's humorous to observe how some people who come up on my front porch, notice the camera, then quickly turn and leave as if they had bad intentions. We are simply born with an innate inclination not to be watched or observed without our permission. It makes us uneasy, tense, edgy. We want our privacy! Often times, to compensate for this "intrusion" we will act our best when we know someone is watching. There are people that act entirely different during the hour they are at church in front of the preacher than when they are at home showing their true abusive colors with their spouse. Or how amazing it is that behavior changes when a policeman approaches our divers side window and announces he saw us running a red light. When we know someone has seen us doing something inappropriate or against the law, we suddenly plead for mercy or make an argument we were misunderstood. We hate being caught!

What many forget to realize is, you could remove every camera set up across the world and we are still being "surveilled"! The Psalmist David said it so well, "Where can I go from thy Spirit? Or where shall I flee from the presence?" (Psalm 139:7). God is omniscient. He sees and knows everything. Even the darkness does not keep Him from seeing (Psalm 139:11-12). God may reside in heaven but His Spirit is everywhere, "If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in hell, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn if I settle on the far side of the sea ..." (Psalm 139:8-9). Don't misunderstand, God is not IN hell, He can see into hell. He observes all. Nothing is hidden from His presence or knowledge. A little boy once said after being offered a dime if he could tell a certain man where God was. The boy answered, "Mister, I'll give you a dollar if you tell me where He ain't!"

The truth is, we sometimes forget that the Lord is watching all the time. Proverbs 15:3 states, "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." He watches every step we take and He sees through every flimsy excuse offered in attempting to justify any unfaithfulness. There’s an all-seeing Eye watching all of us — Someone to whom our whole soul is laid bare (Hebrews 4:13; Psalm 90:8). God is the only being who can be present in all places simultaneously without ever-thinning out. He is present in the human mind through a part of Himself -His Spirit as a gift to man. Thus, He is conscious personally of you, He knows you intimately, He is aware of your ups and downs, your variant moods, your likes and dislikes, your intimate thoughts. God resides in that part of your mind where the citadel of your inner thinking takes place. The place where no one else can enter. His work in you is constant. His occupation in you has to do with your future life if you choose to faithfully follow Him. He is busy duplicating a spiritual counterpart of you, your real self, your evolving immortal soul FROM GLORY TO GLORY (2 Corinthians 3:18). Cooperate with Him. His wish is for you is to survive natural death. Sordid thoughts, selfish thoughts, and bad actions torture a Divine entity in you Whose purpose is to make you more than what you currently are.
Until next time,
-Pat-

Why Can Some People Understand the Bible But Others Cannot?

Today there is a sense that God's Word is lost and irrelevant. Some people believe it is ineffective because in their minds it was written long ago by "mortal men" and therefore they reject it. My question is, if you believe this, then what makes the Word of God effective in some people's lives and not others? How is it that it changes some lives but others are unmoved by it? If you take into consideration that people put aside any of God's instruction, that instruction actually becomes of no effect to that person. That person is in the same category of the Jewish leaders in Christ's day: "For the heart of this people has grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes have they closed unless they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears unless they should understand with their heart and turn so that I would heal them" (Matthew 13:15). The Word of God (the Bible) is effectively "lost" to that person! Or in another sense, it is "lost" to the world. Notice the accountability in the above scripture? Unless THEY. THEIR eyes. THEIR ears. THEY should. THEY have closed. Unless THEY turn. So many are hardened against God and are against anything to do with God, they close THEIR eyes and THEIR ears. This indifference and rebellion are easily seen in this country. Take for instance the battle over the Ten Commandments to remain in institutions, or the effort to remove the motto "In God We Trust" from everything in the public eye. Anything related to God has become offensive.

It is these same people who ridicule God's Word. They have lost touch with the reality that God is their creator whether they acknowledge it or not. They are like the Gentiles spoken of in Paul's letter to the Roman Christians, [and they] "changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man - and birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things. Who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen" (Romans 1:23; Romans 1:25). There is a lot there , but that's for another day! They are also like the hardened soil in Matthew's Parable of the Sower, "When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom and doesn't understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside" (Matthew 13:19). But notice, even though hearing they don't understand (scriptures) Satan comes to snatch away that which was SOWN IN HIS HEART! So, though a man doesn't understand, God's Word WAS "deposited" in his heart! However, if there is no interest, no consideration, no conviction, if a person isn't moved to respond or change by what they hear, that WORD IS EFFECTIVELY LOST to that person! You could say The Word of God is "hidden" from their minds, "Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe unless the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them (2 Corinthians 4:4).

How terrible that some just can’t find the truths in God’s Word because it's there for all to understand.
There is another sense that comes to mind. Think of the thousands of dusty Bibles lying on coffee tables or shelves that are never opened. In this case, the “Book” is in plain view, but it is never opened. The “Book” might as well be lost as was the book of the Law in Josiah’s day. If it is never read, never consumed in the minds of people, in essence, it's "lost." But think of this point: In Josiah’s day, it was lost in the Temple. That’s like being lost in our church buildings today! Just suppose the Word is preached at every appointed time during the assembly of God’s people. If one is not there to hear, then to them the words spoken are lost. If one is present but will not heed the instruction, the effect of the word is “lost” on that person too. Same thing! For some, the Word goes in one ear and out the other.

Those who HEAR the Word of God, who do not ridicule it, but who willfully open their eyes and open their ears to believe the Word in faith, TURN TO ACT ON IT in obedience. These will bring forth "fruits" that bear witness that the Word "planted," took root, and is living in them. These are the same people spoken of in the Parable of the Sower who accept God's Word (the Seed) and produce visible characteristics (fruits) proving they have indeed turned from their old ways (Matthew 13:8). These are also those who love to share what they have heard (Matthew 22:9-10, Acts 10:24). We all have the responsibility to live by His instructions (Ecclesiastes 12:13; 1 John 3: 23-24). Some will hear, but unfortunately, some will refuse to hear. Some will turn from their sins. Some will not. Some have their prayers answered. Others will not; ever. Some understand the scriptures as written. Some never will. Those who believe and follow will understand because God will reveal His Word as they are able to receive it. Others will ridicule the Word, tell you it was written by men, reject it at every turn, and will never hear from God or have their requests considered.

Today I pray that if you hear the Word of God you act on it knowing IT WAS PLANTED IN YOUR HEART! If you've heard it or read it, it's there. Think of that! It's actually inside you. You have a chance to meditate on it, consider it, and let it guide and change you into the person God has always intended you to be. Don't sit on it for the devil to come to snatch it away. The longer you wait, the easier Satan's attempt will be to make you doubt it, question its validity, to encourage you to remain lazy, or ignore it altogether! We often escape the discipline we are due because of God’s kindness. Nevertheless, we walk on thin ice when we think we can presume upon His kindness and patience. After all, the Lord’s patience toward sinners will run out eventually (Romans 2:4–5). Hearing and seeing are chances God is giving you to hear and understand His Word. Don't put aside God's instruction that it becomes of none effect! Open your eyes to see, open your ears to hear so that you turn and walk after the Lord.

Until next time,
-Pat-

Why Do Things Go Wrong?

I don't know about you, but it seems sometimes problems seem to come one right after another. You wake up in the morning and your car won’t start. This unfortunate event makes you late for work, your boss chews you out, and your whole day is ruined. On top of that, you find out that your car repairs will take 3 weeks to complete and to improvise will require you to take a city bus to work which in turn means having to get up at least 30 minutes earlier each morning. If all that was not aggravating enough, you then learn that sadly, a member of your family has been diagnosed with cancer! During times like these, we are prone to ask, “Why me, Lord?” “Haven’t I been living faithfully for you?”
I admit I have asked God this question more than once. Why do good people have to suffer bad things in their lives? It also seems that the righteous suffer while the wicked seem to prosper. They never seem to get punished! Has anyone else noticed that? You will be confused, perhaps even doubt God at some point, unless you look into scriptures that will give clarity to why things seem to go wrong with the very people who seem to live right. So let's do that.

Job saw this very thing during his time of affliction (refer to Job 21:7-15). I want to point out three biblical reasons why God allows good people to suffer that will hopefully shed light on those who question why it seems good people suffer while evil people seem to 'get away with murder.'
#1. To Establish FAITH
Suffering can and often does cause one who is not a Christian to recognize his great need for God. If one is to be saved, he must first know that he needs salvation. Think about it ... One who believes he is standing on dry land will not take hold of a life preserver even though he is truly drowning in the sea! Trials help to establish faith by causing us to see our condition before God (Luke 15:11-17). King Davis said, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now have I kept thy word …. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I may learn thy statutes” (Psalm 119:67, 71). God allows some to suffer in order to establish faith in Him. It seems that sometimes we have to hit rock bottom before we realize how far we've fallen. It is in those times we awaken and realize the only direction we have to take is up, and it is then we repent and change.
#2. To Restore Faith
Sometimes a child of God goes astray and needs to be corrected and restored to the right path. As difficult as it may be to admit, there are many Christians who can relate to this. God doesn’t want to see any of His children fall away, so He chastens those who do (Hebrews 12:6-11). God did so with Israel as David wrote, “When He slew them, then they sought Him; And they returned and sought earnestly for God” (Psalm 78:34-NKJV) and honestly, He does so with His Church today. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent" (Revelation 3:19). When suffering, we should examine our own lives to determine if we are the recipient of divine chastisement (Psalm 119:75). Trials are designed to make us look inward at ourselves and upward to God (1 Peter 1:3-9) and that's a good thing!
#3. To Perfect Faith
For the faithful Christian, trials serve to mature and perfect the faith that is already present. With each trial we face successfully, there is growth. As Paul wrote, “And not only that but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance character; and character hope” (Romans 5:3-4- NKJV). With spiritual growth, comes the ability to better handle problems in the future. That's what we call learning from our mistakes. This is why James said, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:2-3). We should view our trials as God’s vehicle to perfect our faith and not as a punishment.


The Bible assures us that God works out all things for good to those who love Him (Romans 8:28). We can rejoice with assurance knowing, no matter what trial or problems come our way, God is going to make it work out for our best! We don't know everything that God does, but we can be certain that He is working to help us with our trials and to save as many souls as possible (2 Peter 3:9). If we have to suffer along the way, we shouldn't lose heart, because God is preparing us for eternity (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)- LOOK THAT ONE UP! Remember, He's not only the author of our faith but the finisher (Hebrews 12:2)! Everyone will occupy eternity in one place or the other (Matthew 23: 41, 46). How we respond to God will determine our destination! How are you responding? One last thought from the Apostle Paul, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). Hopefully the scriptures I've listed will not only encourage you when you face numerous trials but will help you understand why we sometimes face them.
Until next time,
-Pat

What Is "IT" ??

It seems all of humanity has experienced a restless heart at one time or another. There is something in us that is never really satisfied, never content. We search for this, we search for that, we want more … a nicer house, a newer car, the most recent cell phone, the newest smartwatch, etc. yet, even when we get all these things we still want more. More of what? It seems to be a real mystery. What is "it?"
Solomon was of the same mindset and he revealed to us his frustrations in the book of Solomon. Solomon had everything in life, yet he realized he had “nothing.” At least anything that really made a difference. Because Solomon was king, he could try everything in life his heart desired. And after having searched the same places we search: intellectual pursuits, pleasure, social achievements, material goods and so on, he concluded that there was no real satisfaction to be found in any of them. Look at his words:
Ecclesiastes 1:12-15(KJV), "I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered."
Solomon is telling us, in short, that through a heartfelt search through wisdom he discovered that everything here on earth is vanity, an aggravation, an annoyance of the spirit. Nothing here, on our own, by our own power, intellect, intention, or device can be made right within ourselves. Nothing. He concluded that which is lacking is so numerous it is beyond mans' ability, potential, or capability to change it and adds, "Vanity vanity, all is vanity." Solomon begins an experiment by revealing his conclusion first; wisdom is meaningless (“under the sun“). He then continues by commenting on what may be observed in nature. Finally, he determines that all of us are restless and unsatisfied. But he attributes this to God. In other words, God has put within man a restless spirit (so to speak). Solomon describes it as a heavy burden or "sore travail" (KJV). Why? Why would God place this restlessness within man? There is a reason. It is to steer us to what is really important but unfortunately, with this restlessness, most seek human pleasures and not God's wisdom.


The “heavy burden” Solomon speaks of is man’s searching for happiness BUT WITHOUT GOD! It is an inevitable result of living without God as the focus of one’s life. It was true for Solomon, and it is true for us. Everything we do is pointless in itself. In the end, all our effort, all our gains, all our accomplishments fade away. They go nowhere...like chasing after the wind. Deep inside we know there is more, but we cannot grasp it. Somehow the “it” evades us. THAT "it" is life without God! Some people try and fill that gap, that nagging emptiness with careers, affairs, pleasures, drinking, narcotics, stimulants, or being idolized and set on a pedestal. Solomon also adds; “what is crooked cannot be straightened.” There are many things we cannot change. Life has many flaws, and it always will …. That’s the bad news. Even the best things in life have defects. The good news is that they do not have to affect our inner joy, the place from which true contentment resides when you are connected with God and have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

External circumstances do not make or break us, it is HOW we handle them that does. Remember, God is on our side (Romans 8:28-33). He will never leave us or forsake us. 2 Corinthians 4:18 tells us, "What is seen is temporary. What is unseen is eternal." Our lives here are but a fleeting moment. It passes like a mist. It can be compared to a single breath or the wind that passes by. It vanishes like a vapor. On your death bed, you'll ask, "what was it for ... all the learning, all the pleasures?" Matthew 6: 19-20 instructs the wise, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Think about it. Most of us work all our lives to attain things in an attempt to fill a need we cannot even identify (the "it"), and no matter how much we attain, gain, gather, or earn, after our passing it is all laid out in a garage sale for it to become someone else's endless search to be satisfied.


Is there an emptiness inside you? Have you burned through different careers, been engaged in a variety of relationships, sought to conquer a particular sport, or increase your talent in some field? Have you acquired materials goods to your satisfaction or achieved what others still strive for? Is your basket full yet you feel that nagging "it" inside? It's okay to achieve, to gain, to possess the blessings and fruitfulness we find on this earth, but your perspective about those things determine and reveals where your true desires lie...in the temporary or in the eternal. True contentment here on earth, regardless of how much you have, achieved, or gained, will only come when you invest in your soul. "I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit." The one thing so many people fail to invest in is their soul and that is the most important investment a person can make because the benefits far outweigh accomplishments derived from material goods or personal gains. I wish everyone would realize that if you put your soul before anything else and invested in it and not the noise of the world, true contentment will be yours now but more importantly for eternity!
Until next time,
-Pat-

Why Doesn't God Answer My Prayers?

It is extremely difficult when anyone, but especially a family member says, "God never answers me. He always seems to answer your prayers so YOU need to ask God for me because He won't hear me." That is just so sad. Has someone ever said to you, "God doesn't answer my prayers." Have you ever thought that of yourself? There were times throughout my life that my opinion was the same as my family member. In fact, there was a time I believed God hated me because no matter what I prayed was never granted. I too would ask others to pray for my need or something I wanted because I wasn't getting anywhere with God. Have you ever wondered why some people have prayers answered and why others never do? How much do you know about prayer itself? There is much written in the Bible about it. Prayer is certainly a great blessing from God and should be a powerful part of the Christian’s life. We know prayer is important to God because the words pray, prayer, prayers and praying are mentioned over 450 times in the Bible (I had to google that). I want to list five major things regarding prayer that will help clarify what, why, how, and who regarding prayer:
What is Prayer? — The word pray means “to petition, request or entreat.” It is the avenue by which we communicate with God (Romans 10:1). Prayer necessarily involves praise (Matthew 6:9), thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6), confession (1 John 1:9) and petitions (Philippians 4:6).
Why should we Pray? — Because prayer is a direct command (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Ephesians 6:18). It is the medium through which we obtain God’s wisdom and blessings (James 1:5; James 5:18; 1 Kings 18:42; 1 Kings 18:45). Prayer is a powerful tool for God’s faithful (Acts 12:5-17).
How often should we Pray? — Petitions before God should be offered as often as we have a need, and prayers of thanksgiving should be offered as often as God blesses us (Ephesians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; 1 Peter 1:3). Note that the “how often” should be closely associated with the “without ceasing” attitude (1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:12-13; Ephesians 6:18).
What should we Pray for? — Just to name a few; for strength to overcome our temptations (Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38; Luke 22:40; Luke 22:46)-- I really utilize prayer for this one! Other examples are for God’s wisdom (James 1:5-7); for unity (John 17:20-21); for forgiveness (Matthew 6:12); for the sick (James 5:14); for all people and those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-3; Romans 10:1); for the saints (Ephesians 6:18).
What hinders our Prayers? — When we allow sin to remain in our lives (Isaiah 59:1-2; when we pray with selfish motives (James 4:3); when we pray doubting the outcome (James 1:5-8; 1 Timothy 2:8 – KJV).
Who can Pray? — Prayer is the privilege of the obedient (1 John 3:22); those who are submissive to God’s will (1 John 5:14; 1 John 3:22); and those who are faithful (John 9:31; John 15:7; James 5:16; 1 Peter 3:12).

Sometimes when asked, it becomes challenging to share with a non-believer that the Word declares, "We know (meaning Christians know) that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him" (John 9:31). DOING GOD'S WILL PLAYS A HUGE PART IN GOD HEARING US. I'll be honest, it is extremely difficult to tell someone their prayers aren't being answered due to the fact they are out of line with God. No one wants to hear that! Whether that is because they are entrenched in a life of sin or they just don't love God to actually hear what His Word asks- which is to walk in obedience. Obedience requires turning from our sin not remaining in it. That is God's truth! These aren't just suggestions, these are GOD'S words! Christians do not make the rules, however, our obligation is to TELL THE TRUTH when asked. If someone asks you, "Why doesn't God answer any of my prayers" it is your duty as a believer to share the scripture that answers their question. It is not, however, your obligation or duty to judge "how" they are out-of-line with God even if you know what it is. That is between them and God. Keep your fingers in your pockets and don't be tempted to point! If they ask why God never hears them share the scripture: 'The Bible teaches in the book of John, that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him.' (notice the very important words "does God's will"?)
God's Word is sufficient. We don't need to add, change, or take anything from it. If someone confronts, "Are you judging me? Are you saying I'm some kind of a sinner?" It's best to share what the Word has taught you! I usually answer, "I had to learn the hard way myself that, God does not hear sinners or anyone outside of His will. I don't know anything about your relationship with God, but unless or until I aligned myself with God's will I never received answers to my prayers either.'
God's Word is so clear, "If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear" (Psalm 66:18); "But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear" (Isaiah 59:2). There is just no way to misinterpret those scriptures. They point to being disobedient and sin (iniquity) is a result of disobedience.


Christians should never take the avenue of prayer for granted, but we should humbly thank God for this blessed means of communication with Him because He is the One who richly provides all good and perfect gifts (James 1:17; John 3:27), including life itself (Acts 17:25; Acts 17:28). If you are not hearing from God on a consistent basis it may be time to take spiritual inventory. Are you still aligned with God's will? Sometimes God will be what we interpret as "silent" and it can be when His answer is no! Understand though, "no" is still an answer it's just not the one you wanted or were anticipating. Hope is not lost. If you are truly walking in His will, if you fear Him with godly fear, if you seek to obey Him, He will hear you and HE WILL answer and grant your prayer requests either exactly as you've asked or in a different way, even perhaps at a better time than what you understand right now. He knows what is best: the what, where, why and who. Go over all the scriptures I've included today: the what, why, how, and who regarding prayer until you better understand how prayer works and then make an adjustment to do what is necessary to be heard. If nothing else today, I URGE YOU to read Proverbs 1: 22-33 on your own. Look at the words, especially verses 28-33! It says so much about unanswered prayer!

Until next time,
-Pat-

Were You There When God Created?

So often throughout my Christian life, I've been asked to denounce Creation and side with evolution. I suppose your choice to believe in creation or the Big Boom depends on what you do with the first sentence found in Genesis, Chapter 1 of any version of the Bible. It states simply and clearly, "In the beginning, GOD created the heavens and the earth." (just a quick notation. God created heaven(s). plural!) If we believe that statement, we can believe everything else that follows. If we reject that statement, we will also deny every other general truth in the Scriptures.

Several years ago I was engaged in a conversation with a non-Christian regarding the creation of all things and gave several verses from the book of Genesis to uphold my belief that 'in the beginning, God created all things' and I let it be known I did not support evolution as is being taught. I stressed that I believed the record of creation just as it was written, nothing added, nothing removed, nothing changed. The non-Christian was quick to interject all that she believed and went to great lengths in giving her own theory of not only how the world began but how life developed from what she called a primordial cell through reptiles, monkeys, and up to humans! When she was finished with her explanation I had to ask a very basic question, "Were you there?" I thought it was a simple, straight forward question. She replied, "Of course I wasn't there!" I responded, "Well, God was there and I'll trust the word of the eyewitness rather than that of those who rely on their own speculations, opinions, intellect, ideas, or guesses." This is the same response I will give today.

We all know that in a court of law, eyewitness testimony carries the most weight. Hearsay testimony is always thrown out. The same is true of creation. God asked Job this question (and it is one you can actually ask any naysayers of creation), "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?" (Job 38:4). God Himself laid the foundations of the earth. If you look up the word 'foundation' in the dictionary, you'll find that it means: starting point, base, beginning. Therefore God had a starting point ("in the beginning"), the foundations of this physical globe upon which he made everything in it and on it which includes LIFE itself: all the elements from atoms, cells, electrons, DNA, you name it. Creation began with God Himself. God was there, and His Word can be trusted (Psalm 104:1-5; Psalm 119: 142; Psalm 19: 7-9). If you want to read a very interesting article that will challenge evolution and ask you questions you will not have an answer for you can go to https://creationtoday.org/creationist-challenge/

Every living creature manifests an intelligent design. An explosion or "big boom" as evolutionist refers to could not possibly have created a perfect intellectual design in something as complex as a cell. A living cell is so awesomely complex that its interdependent components stagger the imagination and defy evolutionary explanations. Take DNA. DNA is the real mind-blower! The fact that you need DNA to make DNA is amazing. No genetic code can be demonstrated to have risen by chance, together with the ability to read that code and carry out its instructions. But that is what DNA does! We must honestly consider that information does not arise spontaneously, and there is an incredible amount of information in even the tiniest of cells ... plant, animal, or human! So as far as evolution vs creation I ask you, "Were you there?" How do you answer? What side do you support? I suppose your choice to believe depends on what you do with the first sentence in Genesis, Chapter 1 of any version of the Bible. Keep in mind, evolution constantly changes with theories and speculations as more scientists add their opinions. However, the Word of God has never changed, nor will it ever. "For this is what the Lord says—
he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited—he says: “I am the Lord, and there is no other" (Isaiah 45:18). Creation is by God and nothing else!
Until next time,
-Pat-

I Have Nothing To Offer

On a beautiful warm Saturday morning years ago, a very good Christian friend and I were having breakfast at an Einstein's bagel shop. At a nearby table, I noticed a young woman sitting quietly reading her Bible. She was absorbed in the text, occasionally looking up to consider what she had read, then bowing her head in what seemed like a prayer to God. She never said a word, but her heart and priorities were visible to everyone in the bagel shop. As I think back now, it strikes me that her actions were a gentle, positive, and silent influence. There were as many eyes were on this lady as there were eyes ignoring her. I just remember how I admired her willingness to live out her faith in the midst of "the world." She was not ashamed of Christ nor of His New Testament (Hebrews 9:11-15 KJV). She didn't stand to preach or break out in heavenly song. This lady was willing to be identified with the Savior, yet she did not need to announce that allegiance, it was obvious!

We can learn from the example of this woman. There are times when the quietness of our everyday actions speak louder than our words, revealing our love for the Lord (Philippians 1:21-27). In our desire to share Christ with a sinful world, we should not ignore the power of our silent influence (1 Thessalonians 1:5-8). All of us have a testimony whether it is expressed verbally or even silently like the lady in Einstein's bagel shop. And just because some of us are not preachers, teachers, authors or otherwise, we are NOT less qualified to influence or even change a life with the smallest of gestures. We can 'be Jesus' in imperfect simple ways.

What was most impressive about my visit to the bagel shop that day was a little boy who wasn't much older than 3 or 4 who kept imitating the lady who was reading her Bible. He would hold his hands as if he was holding a book, talk to himself, the place the imaginary book on the table in front of him. He continued this behavior and every so often would tug on his mother's arm as if he wanted to tell her something. He was the cutest little boy! Finally, his mother looked down at her son. He quickly pointed to the Christian lady and turned and whispered something in his mother's ear. The mother looked up, saw the lady, then signaled her family ... I'm assuming as a reminder they forgot to pray before eating ... then they all bowed their head and said a prayer! It was evident the little boy's family gave him a foundation of faith and prayer. So much so that when he observed the Christian lady's behavior, it was that behavior that influenced him to follow suit. Again, you are NOT less qualified to influence or even change a life with the smallest of gestures. You can 'be Jesus' in imperfect simple ways.

The world is desperate for Christ. They just don't know it. Acts of kindness or love, giving, sharing, letting your faith be seen in a Christ-like manner is influential. Even I remembered this incident which happened over 15 years ago! You might be surprised what things the world sees and observes, and how much influence those things may play in a persons life now if not later. So many times as Christian's we think we have nothing to offer. That just isn't so. Be aware of your surroundings and always let the light of Christ shine through love, kindness, a simple gesture, helping someone, a kind word, encouragement, etc. People may not remember certain things or details that happen, but they will always remember how you made them feel. Colossians 3:12-16 NLV, "God has chosen you. You are holy and loved by Him. Because of this, your new life should be full of loving-pity. You should be kind to others and have no pride. Be gentle and be willing to wait for others. Try to understand other people. Forgive each other. If you have something against someone, forgive him. That is the way the Lord forgave you. And to all these things, you must add love. Love holds everything and everybody together and makes all these good things perfect. Let the peace of Christ have power over your hearts. You were chosen as a part of His body. Always be thankful. Let the teaching of Christ and His words keep on living in you. These make your lives rich and full of wisdom. Keep on teaching and helping each other."
Until next time,
-Pat-