Thoughts to Ponder...

12/5/2022

If you don’t mind, or if you do mind, I ask this question regarding the culture we live in.

How will it be changed? Will it be through politics? Will it be through education? Will it be by economics? Will it be by medicine? The answer…. none of the above!

     The question for us as believers is not how many verses we can quote. What music do you like? Do you read your Bible daily? How often do you attend worship? Do you pray at least twice a day? Well, you get the idea. The questions could go on for some time.

     No matter how long we preach, no matter how cute our sermons may be or how loud the church shouts, it comes down to this…. When you arrive in heaven, who will come and stand by you and say thank you for telling me about Jesus and His atoning work on the cross? Who will thank you for discipling them? Who will say thank you for standing with them during a dark time?

     The world will not change because of what the republicans, democrats, Independents, PETA party, or any other activist group says or does. It will be changed one soul at a time.

     I ask this question: Have you as a professing believer led anyone to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit? Who have you discipled? Have you been discipled?

     May we humble ourselves, put down our swords, pick up the Word of God and fulfill our marching orders. Matthew 28:16-20

     Regardless of what kings, presidents, congress, governors do or say, THE KING OF GLORY WILL HAVE THE LAST WORD. Revelation 22

     I am a past sinner, a present sinner, and I will be a future sinner! Praise God for my Redeemer whose grace is sufficient for all who will come to Him.

In reading Jeremiah this morning, chapter 18, and verse 23, he had this to say…”Yet you, O Lord, know all their deadly designs against me; do not forget their iniquity or blot out their sin from Your sight. But may they be overthrown before You. Deal with them in your time of anger!”

So it seems all of our praying is not to be as casual as some would think. Is Jeremiah insensitive? Uncaring? Unloving?

Can a nation be so far gone that all they deserve is the wrath and judgement? Before you answer you might want to read Jeremiah 19:3-8. Holy God is against Judah for the have abandoned Him and created their on “gods.”

Stand firm, brothers and sisters, for our God is and awesome! God and will deliver His own into His glorious presence. We may see hard, difficult, and seemingly impossible days but…… He will prevail, delivering His children into His Glorious presence.

Jude 24

Why the Baby Came

"The Word (God) became flesh and dwelt among us." - John 1:14

WHY?

    - To fulfill prophecy

    - To preach

    - To teach

    - To die

    - To rise from the dead

    - To redeem the lost

    - To sanctify the believer

    - To glorify the saints

Christmas is not about a Baby. It is about THE BABY, the sinless Savior... God in the flesh.

Look into the feeding trough and see God...

God Incarnate.

    - See the Creator

    - See the Miracle Worker

    - See the GLORY

    - See the Cross

    - See the Empty Tomb

    - See Him seated at the Father's Right Hand

    - See the King of Kings returning for a thousand year reign

    - See the Judgment of the Lord

    - See the New Heaven and the New Earth, and

    - See Yourself eternally with the Savior IF you believe, IF you trust Him alone for salvation

    - THEN you will see the GLORY of heaven. Romans 3:23; 5:8; 6:23; 10:9-10

May you know the TRUTH and the TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE. John 8:32

Let Christmas be filled with JOY: J-esus, O-thers, then Y-ou

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In reading Jeremiah 1:5-10, I was reminded that:

1. God knew me before I was.

2. He set me apart.

3. He appointed me.

4. He sent me.

5. He commanded me to speak (preach) His word.

6. I am not to be afraid.

7. God will deliver me.

8. He put His words in my mouth.

9. I must continue to submit to His purpose.

10. I am in a battle for His Glory!

Be blessed today as a child of the King. You also are called and obedience is your measure of success.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Voting as Professing Christians

6/15/2022

As we approach November, “What will the righteous do?” Will we vote for Godly principals? Will our vote parallel Gods revelation to man? Will the true Church stand for what’s right or bow once again to Baal?

          Jesus said in Matthew 19:14 “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Will you vote to “hinder” them from living life? Voting wrong regarding the sanctity of life is an abomination unto God. It is sad that many are more broken over cruelty to animals than they are of babies.

          Will you vote for socialism? Are you ENJOYING the progressive left’s provision for food, gas, medical, and clothing cost? Then I would say you should continue to vote for the destruction of our economy.

          Professing (note the term) Christian’s have a responsibility and accountability to THE CREATOR AND REDEEMER to live holy for His Glory. (1 Peter 1:16) The issues and problems we face lie at the foot of the pulpit and at the doorstep of the church.

          Our children are being led down a path of ungodliness because we as parents and grandparents for the most part are not discipling or teaching our children. And most schools offer no discipline, plus school boards are seeking to usurp the authority of parents. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must be obedient and submissive servants (doulas = slave).

          Wake up Christian, WAKE UP! America, and above all, Church wake-up and be the church regardless of the cost. I share this from a burdened and broken heart. Churches across America need to open the doors and preach the infallible and inerrant word more than once a week. Equipping is a mandate from Scripture. We can’t do it with one message a week.

          “Lord Jesus, may your Spirit fall fresh on your church, which is we the people.” May we stand for His Name’s sake. 1 Corinthians 15:58; Ephesians 6:10-20

Uvalde, Texas - The Hurt and Cause

6/15/2022

My heart and spirit hurt every time I reflect on the senseless and evil taking of innocent lives in Uvalde, Texas. The cause is not guns, mental health, or lack of police action, as those on the liberal band wagon are saying. The problem entered the world due to rebellion (sin – Genesis 3) against God the Creator.

          Man is innately sinful, and the evidence is all about us. The hearts and minds of mankind cannot be changed by laws, gun control, or politicians. Only by coming humbly to the cross of Jesus will hearts be changed. (Romans5:8) The problem is spiritual, and the world is wicked. (Jeremiah 17:9) We live in a world that has turned its back on Almighty God. America has thumbed her nose at God and judgement awaits. (Hebrews 9:27)

          The problem lies at the foot of most pulpits and at the door of most churches. Only the Word of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, will alter the course of a sin-sick nation and anemic church. God help us to be unashamed of the Gospel. (Romans 1:16) May we preach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:20), for the Glory of God, the salvation of the lost (Acts 4:12), and sanctification of the saints. (John 17:17)

          “Lord Jesus, for your name’s sake, would you revive Your church once again?”

          May we come to the Lord Jesus in humility, yet with expectation of His presence as we assemble to worship and walk with Him day by day. (Ephesians 4:1)

Preach Truth

6/15/2022

Today I have the privilege and responsibility to preach and teach Truth. Preaching and teaching is paramount in the life of a pastor. The words preaching, preach, teach, proclaim are used some 359 times in the Bible. Today there are too many pastors passing out sugar-stick sermons and calling it preaching while most of the world is dying due to spiritual malnutrition.

          The church needs bold and uncompromising preaching to equip the saints and see conviction of the lost. I would appreciate your prayers as I enter my third Sunday as interim pastor at Philippine American Baptist church in Spring Texas. Join us on Facebook live feed at 11:00 am.

          Stand firm. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Revival - If Not Through You, Then Who?

5/2/2017

My heart’s desire is to see the Lord God do something only He can do: Revive His Church again. (Psalm 119:37-40) As I view the church and the world where I had the privilege to be born and born again I must ask what's the difference? The church buildings in many places glitter and sparkle beckoning the world to come and see. See what? Gourmet coffee, strobe lights, manifold colored lighting, darkness on the congregation, and special lighting on the cast and rhinestone Christians?

What are we doing in such a critical time? Gallup poll has recently stated that church goers are searching for a place where they can hear the word preached and taught; they are looking for something beyond a “show and tell,” 15-minute talk that some pass for a sermon. Ear tickling, soft soaking, back scratching sermons and smorgasbord theology.

Give them Jesus through clear exegesis and expository preaching/teaching of the infallible, inerrant, plenary verbally inspired word of the living GOD. It is not the preachers responsibility to build the church (Matt.16:18) or to draw a crowd; it is his responsibility to preach sound doctrine as Paul instructed Timothy. (2 Tim. 4:1-5)

IF—and I emphasize, IF—we are called to proclaim, we should do it with diligent study, uncompromising conviction, unwavering loyalty, and a prayerful heart being led by the Spirit for HIS glory. David told Solomon in 1 Kings 2:1-2 to be the man. Latimer told Ridley on March 21st, AD 1555, as they were about to be burned for their faith, “Play the man.” That is a Christianity that we in America know nothing about. No, we will not play the man for fear of being fired; what man can do to us grips our hearts more so than a sacrificial surrender to the beloved Savior.

I ask these questions: Where are the prophets? Where is the modern day Elijah? Will you be an Amos, a Jeremiah, a Peter, or a John the Baptist? Or will you be Pablum milk toast or a Demas? Are you ashamed of the Gospel? There are millions who need to hear the TRUTH. Will we be the ones to counter the culture, the liberals, and a church where the whole head is sick and the whole heart is faint? (Isaiah 1:5-6) The problem lies at the foot of your pulpit and the answer lies in your heart. Let's open our minds and hearts to the Master and see what He says….. then be willing to make the necessary adjustments.

FOR THE KINGDOM’S SAKE

Ed