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Convinced?
Can something make sense if it can’t be sensed?
Is a thought private if others are thinking the same thing?
Does a word spoken in season, at just the right moment, become offensive if repeated over and over? Can you ever put too much salt on your hamburger?
Why do we tend to believe everything we agree with? Are we believing our opinions? Do opinions have substance and evidence?
If faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not yet seen, is there enough evidence to convict us? Can we be convinced?
Where can we go to find truth, if we never believe anyone but ourselves? Where did we learn what we know, if no one could teach us?
Is it possible to live and die and not believe in God? No. It is not possible.
It is possible to exist biologically without believing in God. But it is impossible to live and not believe in God.
It is NOT possible to die without believing in God.
Everyone will meet Him after they’ve breathed their last.
Will some people believe in God and not go to Heaven? Yes.
Believing IN God does not equal believing God. The difference?
Evidence. Conviction is evidence. “Faith is the conviction of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
Conviction takes belief to the extreme. Since God exists, what can I know about him? Has he said anything about me? Is he concerned about me? Does he like the way I am living, treating others, doing my work? Is there a problem between him and I? Can I know him personally and intimately?
The believer in God says, “Who cares? I’m not sure, and nothing you say can convince me.”
The one who believes God says, “I do! I have all the evidence I need to convince me.”
Which one are you?
Are you convinced?
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Does The Word “Repent” Scare You?
I am amazed. All these years I assumed a certain thing was true, only to finally realize I was wrong. And all I needed to do was read the scripture as though I’d never read it before.
I’m referring to Jonah. You know, the book called Jonah? Yeah, the big fish dude.
I’ll tell you what I just noticed in a few moments, but first I’ll lay the foundation for this post.
What do you think of when you see the word: “repent”?
Oh, man! You probably think I’ve flipped, but nothing could be farther from the truth.
What thoughts run through your mind at the sound of that word? Do you have flashbacks from childhood days? Do scenes of a wild, red faced preacher running back and forth across the platform at church play across your mind; making you want to hide under a table?
Does the word “repent” scare you? Actually, there’s nothing to be afraid of.
“Repent and believe the Gospel”. A courageous message of compassion and hope; not one of doom, judgment, and catastrophe.
It’s the message Noah proclaimed, being a preacher of righteousness.
The prophets of old cried, “Repent!” The powerful word God used to call nations to his feet; the place of hope, fulfilled purpose, and renewed vision.
A word that satan fears; almost as much as the Name of Jesus.
It’s a word that demands an immediate response; though many times the response is heartbreaking. It’s a command that leaves no room for negotiation. It’s a message declaring, “There’s still time to turn around”, but it’s been misunderstood, misused, and misjudged.
Repent.
It’s the message of John the Baptist, which drew multitudes away from their cities, homes and places of business, out into the hot, windy wilderness.
The word Peter preached in power to multitudes on the day of Pentecost, whereby thousands were ushered into the kingdom of God.
The ministry Jesus said was his Father’s business.
And the message of Jonah.
The word means to turn around. Change one’s attitude, action, and allegiance. What’s so scary about that? Why is that threatening? What’s really wrong with the word?
Repent.
It’s a message whose time has come. A declaration America desperately needs to hear, but one it hates to face.
The ones who dare proclaim it are dubbed fanatical and foolish. God calls them faithful.
All of Heaven supports this message of compassion and hope. The Spirit is wooing and the angels are waiting for our response to the word “repent.”
It can cause a riot to break out, or righteousness to flow like a mighty stream.
It separates the believer from the unbeliever, the Christian from the casual observer.
It’s a matter of life and death.
Jonah (finally) preached to the people of Nineveh.
“So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.” (Jonah 3:5 NKJV) In other words, they repented.
From the greatest to the least. From those with the most to those with nothing.
Here’s what I “saw” for the first time: THEN word about what was happening throughout the city came to the ears of the king. And HE repented!
For years I assumed the king heard first, then issued his proclamation. But, actually, he found out FROM the people.
There is hope for America. There is hope for our families. There is hope for you and I.
Repent is a word of compassion and hope. It’s a word with a future. It is a word for everyone, not just the people we don’t agree with. It’s a word whose time has come; from the greatest to the least. It’s a private, personal word that can affect the whole of society.
You may like the word, or you may hate it. You can lash out at the messenger or look into the mirror and examine what you see. Regardless, the word won’t allow you to remain the same.
Repent. Jonah carried the word to that great city. It changed Nineveh.
What word are you carrying? What word are you believing?
“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15 ESV)
Don’t be scared. Repent.
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The Impossible Dream
My wife and I really enjoy watching the old classic TV shows. We’re presently going through the old series, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., starring Jim Nabors as Gomer and Frank Sutton as Sgt. Carter.
Lots of laughs and corny situations; a VERY tame sitcom, which is why we like it.
The last episode we watched showed Gomer singing the song, The Impossible Dream, as he was accompanied by the real Marine Corps Band. I’m telling you, it was inspirational!
The song made me not only think, but actually believe there were still greater things to be done with my life. Though getting along in years, I haven’t outgrown the ability to dream and, with God, see the dreams fulfilled. And neither have you.
Here are the words to the song.
“The Impossible Dream” (The Quest)
Songwriters: Joe Darion & Mitch LeighTo dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go
To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable starThis is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how farTo fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly causeAnd I know if I’ll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I’m laid to my restAnd the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable starOut of 30,442 verses in the Bible, I can’t think of a one that has God telling someone, “That’s impossible.”
Now, there were a lot of impossible looking situations, but God did some very outstanding things; just to help out someone committed to fulfilling their God given dream.
And helping someone committed to HIS dreams.
Like Joshua battling the Amorites (Joshua 10). Running out of daylight, God made the sun stand still in the sky for almost 24 hours. It looked impossible, but with God, nothing is impossible.
Like the author of Hebrews wrote, “And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions…” (Hebrews 11:32-33 NKJV). So many miraculous things happened because God was involved with someone who trusted him.
But the greatest feat of all, the greatest victory, came on the day when the Son of God, Jesus Christ, fought for the right…
“Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly cause”To destroy the works and authority of the devil, taking the keys of death, hell, and the grave from him. Afterward Jesus told his disciples, “All power is given unto me in Heaven, earth, and under the earth!”
Just to capture his father’s dream, and release the captured “stars”. That’s you and I. After all, God told Abraham to “look at the stars”. Then he said, “So shall your family be.” Stars.
Jesus reached the unreachable stars!
“And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star.”Impossible? Not with God! He doesn’t have any impossible dreams.
And in him, neither do we.
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Questions, Boxes, Heaven, and Faith
Allow me just a wee bit of thinking outside the religious dogma we call “the box”. I promise I’ll try to stay in view of it, but sometimes a feller just needs to get out and stretch. Know what I mean?
Please read this passage from the Bible; the Book of Revelation. This is from the apostle John, as he described the things he saw while “in the Spirit”.
“After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. They sang, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.” (Revelation 7:9-12 NLT)
To me, this is an awesome picture. I’m even wondering if John could see me in that crowd? After all, he seemed to indicate he was being shown the future; the final days of man’s time on earth, the devil’s judgment, man’s final judgment, and the new heavens and earth.
I’m sure he saw me!
John said he saw a vast crowd, too many to count. People from every nation, people, tribe, and language. The vast, innumerable crowd stood before the Lamb of God. They were in Heaven because of the Lamb; who had carried their sin all the way to the cross, shedding His blood for their complete salvation.
Okay, up to now, I haven’t left the box. But my hand’s on the door knob, I’m turning the knob, opening the door…
…here we go!
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My Friend
Like you, God has blessed me with a lot of friends. Yes, I enjoy our Facebook friends and the comments we share with each other, but the friends I’m referring to are more than social acquaintances. The friends I’m talking about are people I’m comfortable being with, regardless of whether I’m having a good day or a bad one; or whether their day is good or bad. There’s just something about a good friend.
Of course, there are different degrees of friendship; long time friends, and friends you’ve just met. Then, there are those you just met but seem to have known forever.
Fishing friends, game playing friends, musician friends, work friends, church friends, and friends of the family. Military friends, neighborhood friends, going out to eat friends, and odd friends.
High school friends, trouble making friends, and best friends for ever and ever.
I’m blessed to have friends in every category I mentioned; friends who have been at my side when I needed them most. Friends who, in one way or another, came to my aid when I’ve been down for the count.
Friends don’t always know what to say; but that’s when their actions speak what words can never say.
“You’re important to me. I care what happens to you because I care about you. Nothing is more important to me at this moment, than you.” The unspoken love of a friend speaks volumes with just their presence.
But there’s a friendship like no other. And really, I’m not preaching about God’s friendship. To me, that’s a given; and I try to not take it lightly.
I’m referring to the bond of friendship between a husband and wife. Sure, marriage isn’t always bliss; it’s sometimes messy and frustrating. But aren’t most relationships like that? The reason other friendships don’t have the amount of tough moments like marriage is because you don’t spend the amount of time with normal friends like you do with your spouse.
My wife sees me in my “holy and spiritual moments.” When I’m God’s man of faith and power! But she also knows the other side of me; when I’m frightened and doubting, hurting and envious. Those are intimate times, where knowledge, care, and loyalty are mobilized to carry the day.
She sees me before I wash what hair I have left, and loves me any way. When I’m not sure what to do with the rest of my life, or even on a particular day, she’s at my side encouraging and loving; just like a friend.
My best friend!
We’ve grown up together, and still have some growing to do. Together.
We’ve had 42 years together. Some rotten times, mostly good times. Uncertain times, times with little and times with more. 42 years of history. History which includes funny moments, tearful, heart wrenching experiences, and a lot of time sitting in the living room watching Andy Griffith and Barney Fife.
42 years of knowing each other, not just physically, but intimately. And the thing which blows me away… she’s still my best friend.
Marriage is much more than romance. It’s about a commitment to, not just the marriage vows, but to a deep, lasting, and ever growing friendship.
At least it is to me.
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A Valentine Poem
A heart’s the symbol of a valentine,
the valentine, a statement of love.
The cross is the picture of love divine, painted by the Father above.
O love divine, O perfect one,
your love has ransomed me,
O lamb of God, O glorious Son,
forever I am free.Love dipped his brush into the crimson pail
His weeping endured through the night
The sorrow he’d known
soul wrenching travail
Burst into joy and danced with delight!
O love divine, O perfect one,
your love has ransomed me,
O lamb of God, O glorious Son,
forever I am free.Love’s painting is finished
but not complete
Until all have come, he’ll not be through
Love’s invitation,
“please come and meet
This one who’s called Jesus. He died for you.”O love divine, O perfect one,
your love has ransomed me,
O lamb of God, O glorious Son,
forever I am free. -
Demand Justice!
What do these things have in common?
Rainbow – beautiful colors leading to a pot of gold, an arch of promise arrayed in the sky
Salt – a seasoning, a preservative added to foods to reduce contamination and spoiling
Gold – soft and heavy precious metal, perpetually used as money, jewelry, and one mystery use
Drought – long periods without rain or dew, seasons which cause famine and death
Whip – cat-o-nine-tails, leathery tool with long, thin leather straps for striking objects
Nail – iron pegs used for fastening one object to another, a peg used to pierce an object
Worm – little creatures that are long and skinny, simple creatures that live in dirt and other things
Lake – a large hole in the ground which is filled with a liquid like substance, a pool of liquid
Cross – a charm on a bracelet or necklace, symbol of Christianity, the place where justice was executedMany people today are lifting their voices and screaming, “We want to see justice! Justice in the home and the return of the father. Justice among children, and an end to child abuse. Justice among women and the end of sex trafficking. Justice within society, with racial, sexual, and gender equality.”
“Justice!” The world is demanding justice, as though justice is an answer for mankind.
Actually, it is. Justice is the answer for man, and a necessity for world peace.
Did you figure out what those things have in common?
Justice. Each one has something to do with justice.
Please follow my line of thinking: Justice requires judgment – Judgment requires sentence – Sentence requires execution – so, Justice requires execution.
Execution – Death. Justice requires death.
Everyone of the things mentioned are symbols of justice being meted out. Justice.
The rainbow, the promise of God to never destroy the earth by water, was positioned in the sky after all the earth’s inhabitants DIED except for 8 people and a bunch of birds and critters.
Salt, more specifically, a pillar of salt, signifies the destruction of Sodom, Gomorrah, and the whole surrounding valley. Everyone DIED except for 3 people.
Gold, a wonderful metal for creating jewelry, but not so great when making a milkshake. Moses, upon seeing the golden calf Aaron had made, ground up the gold and made the idolaters drink it. Afterward, the second part of justice was executed, along with the idolaters. They all DIED.
Drought, a sad weather related phenomenon. Especially when it’s used as a judgment against a group of people who worshipped the god of rain and fertility; Baal. Many DIED, but not Elijah.
Whip, used for motivating horses and cattle to move along. Also used for punishment, making the recipient of such a lashing wish they had DIED.
The nail was used for building things, piercing ears as a sign of ownership, and attaching a sinless savior to a cross. He didn’t die directly because of the nail, but it held him there long enough until he DIED.
The worm? Along with its friends and family, consumed the insides of a proud king until he DIED. An angel of God used worms to mete out justice.
This lake isn’t one most people would choose for a vacation. Hardly. This lake is filled with fire and brimstone, into which everyone whose names aren’t written in the Lamb’s book of life are thrown. In THAT lake they will forever WISH they could no longer exist.
The cross is where justice was executed for all mankind. One man, Jesus, DIED, for the sins of us all.
The penalty for all sin, big or little, is DEATH. But Jesus took our sin, our punishment; and justice was served!
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” (John 3:16 – 3:17 NASB)
Do you want justice? Are you screaming for justice?
Come to Jesus and find it!
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Where Does God Get His Money?
I’ve been wondering for a while now, where does God get his money? Have you ever wondered that?
Here’s what I mean.
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 ESV)
“Why, that’s easy!”, you say. He gets it from his riches in glory. Duh!
Oh, yeah. But how does he get the correct currency to us? Does he have a printing press in glory? Does he own a bank in glory? By the way; where is glory?
See what I mean?
I believe he supplies my every need. I’m just wondering about this “riches in glory” thing. Of course, I know God is not a counterfeiter. That I’m very confident about.
So what is the answer?
I’m fairly certain God doesn’t walk around with his billfold full of money, or full of credit cards. And, I’ve never heard him arrive at church with his pockets jingling.
When Jesus walked the earth, he didn’t carry the checkbook. He had a guy named Mr. Iscariot do that for him. When he needed food to feed a bunch of hungry church folk, he found a little boy to help plan the meal. Whenever it was time to pay taxes, he had Peter throw in a fishing line, open the mouth of the first fish caught, and remove the coin that just happened to be in its mouth.
You know, it may not sound as impressive as the “Bank of Heaven” but I believe I’m on to something.
People, big people, little people, short, fat, skinny, black, white, yellow, brown and even purple people are his riches in glory. Or, another way of saying it is: people are his glorious riches!
And what about this verse? “Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38 AMP)
Who gives back? Who pours into? They do it. People.
People like you and I.
“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called – his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.”
(Ephesians 1:18 NLT)“His holy people (his set apart ones) are his rich and glorious inheritance.”
Is this really a big deal? So God uses his rich and glorious inheritance to meet other’s needs. But what’s more important to God anyway? People or money?
He used the Philippians to meet Paul’s needs (Philippians 4:14-18). He used the Corinthians and the church in Antioch to meet the needs of the Jerusalem church. He used the churches mentioned in Third John to meet the needs of missionaries passing through the area.
And he wants to use people like you and I to help meet the needs of those around us.
It’s much more to God than, “Hey buddy. Got a quarter you can spare?” Much more than that.
I tell you, it’s glorious!
“To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27 ESV)
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What’s Wrong With Doubt?
Is it wrong to doubt? Is it wrong, or sinful, to say “I’m not sure”?
Why is it okay in some circles to admit, “I’m not sure”; yet in church, with matters of faith, we are expected to swallow everything we’re told?
Whatever happened to “Holy Leniency”?
If the Lord could allow people to doubt without scorching them with the fire of Heaven, can’t we?
Doubting is actually part of the believing process. Note the difference between doubt and unbelief!
– Doubt: to be uncertain about (something): to believe that (something) may not be true or is unlikely: to have no confidence in (someone or something)
– Unbelief: refusal to accept something as true.
Is it too much of a stretch to think there could be things we doubt about God, our faith, the bible, the church, Heaven, hell, and the antichrist? I think not.
Why does the church, as a rule, make people who doubt feel like they’ve committed the unpardonable sin? I know I have been guilty of it. And I know I’ve felt like it.
Doubt helps us realize what we really believe. It says to our heart and mind, “not quite clear enough, Bubba. See if you can get me some more evidence, or information, to process.” To attack the doubts in someone’s life is to attack the deepest and dearest part of that person.
Everyone holds their doubts as something very personal. Why? Because we all believe our doubts. Until our doubts are satisfied, that’s what we’ll believe. That’s where our “faith” is.
Doubting is like trying to navigate an unknown area without a map OR light. It’s not that we don’t want to believe there is such a place; we simply have nothing to build our belief upon. The more unknowns, the more doubts. Start clearing up the unknowns, doubts diminish and faith builds.
Let’s say Brother Bigmouth comes up to me and, for the first time, introduces himself to me. I’ve never met him, don’t know anyone who has met him, never heard anything about him. But after shaking my hand, he tells me to trust him, do what he says, and he’ll make sure I’ll become a wealthy man. Well, I’d have my doubts.
But if I knew him, or someone who did, or knew something about him, I’d have an easier time believing. Especially if everything I discovered was favorable. And faith would increase even more if I’d known him for twenty years and we’d spent a lot of time together. See what I mean?
No, doubting is not a sin. It’s a bit uncomfortable at times, and probably a little embarrassing. But lying IS a sin. So if you don’t believe, say so. And move on from there.
Notice how Jesus addressed some of his disciple’s doubts: “Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” (Luke 17:3-5 ESV)
When the disciples asked the Lord to increase their faith, they were actually admitting their doubts. Yes, there were times when he asked them, “Why did you doubt?” And sometimes we doubt because we haven’t been diligent about learning our “lessons” properly. But that’s for another post.
Even after Jesus was raised from the dead, some doubted.
“And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.” (Matthew 28:17 ESV)
I’m not advocating “doubt” as a virtue; I’m just saying it’s part of the faith process. We ought to help one another with their doubts, instead of treating them like a second class Christian. Know what I mean?
Faith can and does move mighty mountains. But if we don’t help each other with our doubts, I doubt we’ll see any mountains move.
Do you have any doubts? Do you have an example of a doubt that was turned to faith?
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O Worship The King!
“Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent.” (Psalm 104:1-2 ESV)
Let your soul bless the Lord! And may this song, written by Robert Grant several hundred years ago, refresh your heart TODAY.
O worship the King, all glorious above,
O gratefully sing His power and His love;
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days,
Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.O tell of His might, O sing of His grace,
Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space,
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
And dark is His path on the wings of the storm.The earth with its store of wonders untold,
Almighty, Thy power hath founded of old;
Established it fast by a changeless decree,
And round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea.Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail;
Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end,
Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.O measureless might! Ineffable love!
While angels delight to worship Thee above,
The humbler creation, though feeble their lays,
With true adoration shall all sing Thy praise.“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
(Lamentations 3:25-26 ESV)
Jan Grace
adding God's Word into my world…
