Monday, December 22, 2014

He sends help


The Lord showed me his love through friends and strangers Sunday. The concert at the mall yesterday was good, I played strong...but it was too long. After standing and playing for over 2 hours I became sick. My trombone playing friends and their wives came to help me, found me a chair, gave me a drink and guided me back to the car. I was alright by then.  On the way home the car overheated and stopped. I had many people that came to help me to push it off the road. Some were pagans with bad shirts and others were from a nearby church all dressed up.  After a few minutes the car started and I made it home.  I learned from this that there is more love around me then I knew.  He supplied the help when it was needed. He gave me the ability to play the trombone, he gives me joy and I was not alone in my time of need. Thank you Lord Jesus for providing for me.

1Pe 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; 
1Pe 5:7  casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you. 

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Following


When my friend Tom died of cancer in 1986, I placed a picture in my bedroom on the wall opposite of my bed so that I would see it each day and remember that he has gone to Jesus. Recently another dear friend sent me a bumper sticker, "Do you follow Jesus this close?"  I needed that message for myself before I display it on my car. My driving isn't that good, but how about my own walk with the Lord?  Am I following him closely? For now, the sign remains where I can see it each night and day as a reminder. We must live what we preach, for we are accountable to the LORD.

Mat 5:19  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 

Mat 23:1  Then spake Jesus to the multitudes and to his disciples, 
Mat 23:2  saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses seat: 
Mat 23:3  all things therefore whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not. 
Mat 23:4  Yea, they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger. 

We live this life so that we will be received and welcomed by the Lord Jesus Christ, to be with him forever in eternal glory.



Friday, December 12, 2014

The missing picture


I had an annoying dream that I had lost something small that was important. I looked and looked and never found it and then a time came when it had to be accounted for, it was missing. For years I had a photography business and in the dream it was a small picture of a girl that needed a spot touched upon the background. In the days before digital, a touch up on a picture required a paint, or dyes, often it was difficult and time consuming. The one who brought the picture to me was coming for it and I could not find it.

Is this dream symbolic of something spiritual? I was reading facebook and there was a concern by many about the words "Merry Christmas", not being said by stores and businesses. This to me was something small to focus on, but it was part of the bigger picture. Even Christ in Christmas is not allowed. His word, his name have already been removed in most places, so why the focus on "Merry Christmas?"  I read somewhere of  what the church in Poland was concerned about during World War 2, when the Jews were being removed and exterminated. The concern for many churches, was the color of carpets, and furnishings. These were trivial things missing the broader picture of satanic conflict all around them. Were the Jews in their synagogues concerned with these small things just before Hitler gave the order to exterminate them? Had they been seeking and hearing from the LORD?

I see the church focusing on trivial things, small things. Did the Nazi soldiers under the command of Hitler forget to mention a Jewish Holiday? Happy Hanukkah as they were marching millions of Jewish families to the trains to be hauled as cattle to the gas chambers? Most of Hitler's Germany still had Christmas, celebrated "Merry Christmas" as a festive time of year, but they were heart and soul believing in the cause of a greater Germany and the visions of Adolf Hitler. Not saying "Merry Christmas", is a small thing when you consider the broader picture. What are the goals of those in power? What are the people seeking and who are they going to blame? Yes, it will be persecution of the Jews all over again and the Christians will be seen as dangerous,  as the Islamic radicals are. Perhaps Islam will become dominant, and we will be as the Jews, persecuted and killed?  Think of the broader picture. Focus on the work of the Spirit of God in your life. Is the concern about little things while the church sleeps concerning the need of prayer and witnessing? Be the light, speak Merry Christmas with Joy in your heart, but also be the people of the Living Church. The one who gave you your ministry is coming and we must give an account. Will he be pleased? Are we pleased with our work for him? Have we lost the picture?

Eph 6:10  Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.
Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12  For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Eph 6:13  Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.  

Yes, the Lord is speaking this morning. A troubling dream and a warning  and encouragement to keep the faith visible. It is time to wake up.