Sunday, October 30, 2011

Pay Your Taxes

Can you believe it’s almost the end of another year? Reality seems to set in when we find our tax bill in the mailbox. The tax statement is a funny thing. For two weeks everyone you meet asks, “Have you gotten your taxes yet?” When you answer, “No”, the inquirer adds, “I wonder what’s taking those people so long to get them in the mail?” In reality, the tax bill is never mailed out until the last full week of October and when it arrives, that same person who couldn’t wait to get their taxes in the mail confronts with, “Have you gotten your taxes yet? Those people are crazy! What do they do with all that money? They’re probably going to give themselves another raise! I think we need to vote them all out and start over!” Ninety-nine chances out of one hundred says that person doesn’t even know who “those people” are, let alone ever find the time to go vote on election day. This is also a great time of the year for procrastinators. The season has begun which involves so many activities it’s easy to set aside what needs to be accomplished to do what we want to do. This is the beginning of the season when it’s so easy to over indulge in self and forget to tend to obligations such as paying the utilities and the rent. The slogan for a repo company featured on TV is, “It ain’t no joke, if you don’t pay that note”. Don’t be like the politicians. If you’ve entered into an agreement to pay for services rendered, don’t spend that money somewhere else. The bill is still going to come due and you’re still going to have to pay
A couple of “good ol’ boys” decided to go on a REAL fishing trip. They rented all the equipment; the reels, the rods, the wading suits, the rowboat, the car and even a cabin in the woods next to a fishing stream. They spent a fortune! The first day out, they didn’t catch anything. The same thing happened on the second day and on the third. It continued like that until, finally, on their last day of vacation, one of them caught a fish. As they were driving home, they were really depressed. One guy turned to the other and said, “Do you realize that this one lousy fish cost us fifteen hundred dollars?” The other guy said, “Wow! It’s a good thing we didn’t catch any more!”
At the weekly meeting of a weight loss class, the instructor held up an apple and a candy bar. “What are the attributes of this apple” she asked, “and how do they relate to our diet?” “Low calories” and “Lots of fiber” were among the answers. She then detailed what was wrong with eating the candy and concluded, “Apples are not only more healthful but also less expensive. Do you know I paid seventy-five cents for this candy bar?” The group stared at the forbidden treat as she held it aloft. From the back of the room a small voice could be heard saying, “I’ll give you a dollar for it.”
[Romans 13] It seems there are times in life when we just keep hitting the snooze button on things we need to be doing but just don’t want to get started doing them. God’s Word teaches us to pay our debts. (v7) “…Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” God’s Word also teaches us that we need to stop procrastinating about the things we know we need to start doing. (v11) “…The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” Stop worrying about the living comforts of the world or gratifying the sinful nature (v14) “…Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ”. Start today.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

That'e My King

The Libyan civil war seems to be winding down with the capture and assignation of Muammar Gaddafi this past week. The guns will be laid aside and the pen will be taken up as the battle to form a government of the people begins. I imagine the world will be looking on throughout the process, watching to see which worldly government format the Libyan’s will imitate or adapt. Power and greed are hard to overcome in this world and I hope the new leaders of Libya have learned if you live by the sword you will most likely die by the sword just as their former dictator has experienced.
[Isaiah 45] If only the world would adopt the Creator of the universe as their King. The following is only part of a sermon by the late Dr. S.M. Lockeridge in 1976.
“My King was born King. The Bible says he’s a Seven Way King. He’s the King of the Jews; that’s an Ethnic King. He’s the King of Israel; that’s a National King. He’s the King of righteousness, the King of the ages, the King of Heaven, the King of glory, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. That’s my King. Do you know my King? David said the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is the only one of whom there are no means of measure that can define his limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of the shore of his supplies. No barriers can hinder him from pouring out his blessings. He’s enduringly strong, entirely sincere, eternally steadfast, immortally graceful, imperially powerful ands impartially merciful. That’s my King. He’s God’s Son, the sinner’s Savior and the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in himself. He’s honest, unique, unparalleled and unprecedented. He’s supreme, pre-eminent, the grandest idea in literature, the highest personality in philosophy and the supreme problem in higher criticism. He’s the fundamental doctrine of historic theology and the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That’s my King. He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the superlative of everything good that you chose to call him. He’s the only one able to supply all our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak, he’s available for the tempted and the tried, he sympathizes and saves. He’s the Almighty God who guides and keeps all his people. He heals the sick, cleanses the leapers, forgives sinners, delivers the captives, defends the feeble, blesses the young, serves the unfortunate, regards the aged, rewards the diligent and beautifies the meek. That’s my King. My King is the King of knowledge, the wellspring of wisdom, the doorway of deliverance and the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness, the highway of holiness and the gateway of glory. He’s the master of the mighty, the captain of conquers, the head of heroes, the leader of legislatures, the overseer of over comers, the governor of governors, the prince of princes, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. That’s my King. I wish I could describe him to you. His goodness is limitless, his mercy limitless, his love never changes and his word is enough. His grace is sufficient, his yoke is easy and his burden is light. He’s incomprehensible, invincible and irresistible. Heaven can’t contain him and man can’t explain him. You can’t get him out of your mind, get him off your hands, outlive him or live without him. He always has been and always will be. He has no predecessor and he’ll have no successor. You can’t impeach him and he’ll never resign. That’s my King. That’s my King!” Amen!

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Resistance Is Futile

Resistance is almost futile when it comes to wanting to climb aboard at least one of the bandwagons traveling around this country. One has a wide choice of politics or religion, environment or energy, drilling verses wind and solar, flu shot or no flu shot each of which have their radicals for and against, all with convincing arguments. Four years ago the American public listened to want-to-be president politicians promise change and unfortunately that’s what we got. Following our last presidential election things definitely went from bad to worse with nobody accepting responsibility and more heartbreaking, nobody seems to have a solution short of profiteering. We can’t even get a football or basketball game started in this country anymore without arguing over how many million dollars it’s going to take to blow the whistle. Well, it looks as though this presidential election is going to be controlled by the people. This go around the people are not looking for change, they are demanding change and I think the politicians are going to be very surprised at the outcome. 2012 is going to be radical.
Blessed are those that can give without remembering, and take without forgetting. One day a florist went to a barber for a haircut. After the cut, he asked about his bill, and the barber replied, “I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.” The florist was pleased and left the shop. When the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there was a 'Thank You' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door. Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replied, “I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.” The cop was happy and left the shop. The next morning when the barber went to open up, there were a 'Thank You' card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door. Then a Congressman came in for a haircut, and when he went to pay his bill, the barber again replied, “I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.” The Congressman was very happy and left the shop. The next morning, when the barber went to open up, there were a dozen Congressmen lined up waiting for a free haircut. And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the politicians who run it.
By the way, think about this: 10 years ago we had Steve Jobs, Bob Hope and Johnny Cash. Today we have no Jobs, no Hope, and no Cash. (Thx Elaine)
[Psalm 145] “There is one body and one Spirit; …one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4: 4-6) To the dismay of a great many people, we don’t get to campaign and elect a new God every now and again and I for one am happy about that. The laws of the universe are in the firm grip of a dictator and there is no one greater to overthrow my God. He has no cabinet, no advisors nor any mistakes to correct. He cannot be reasoned with nor can he be lobbied to influence a change of mind. God has made the universe and in the fullness of time he will destroy it. Mankind is to serve God and one another in love. “Do unto others before they do unto you” is not what God had in mind. The message from God through Jesus is simple. We are selfish and rebellious against God and lost in our sins. Without hearing, believing, repenting, being baptized and living as instructed by God’s Word, we will not see God, period! God’s grace awaits those who love Him.

Sunday, October 09, 2011

Stop The Downward Trend

Did you ever dream you would see the “Wall” come down, or the “Towers” come down? The confidence level of the American people in their government, nationally and locally, throughout the country, is at an all time low. Did you ever dream you would see the day that the American public would demonstrate against corporate America, fed up with their greed and dishonesty? The world economy is coming down, slowly being crushed under the weight of its own paperwork. You wanted change? I’ll tell you right now, change is a comin’. The U.S. dollar used to be used as an honest exchange between parties for honorable means of gain. Today it seems there is less and less honor in the exchange as people are trying their best to accumulate all the dollars they can by hook or by crook. Is it possible corporate business is coming down a notch or two? Wall Street has made a lot of people very, very rich, but I see a weaning.
Maybe we should have listened to our country’s forefathers a little more closely. Maybe we should review what they had to say about preserving the Republic they established. For example, do you know who Benjamin Rush is? He is a signer of the “Declaration of Independence” from Pennsylvania. His biography is interesting and among his life’s accomplishments, he was a great physician. The following is one of his ideals. “Under this head, I must be excused in not agreeing with those modern writers who have opposed the use of the Bible as a schoolbook. The only objection I know to it is its division into chapters and verses and its improper punctuation which render it a more difficult book to read well than many others, but these defects may easily be corrected, and the disadvantages of them are not to be mentioned with the immense advantages of making children early and intimately acquainted with the means of acquiring happiness both here and hereafter. How great is the difference between making young people acquainted with the interesting and entertaining truths contained in the Bible, and the fables of Moore and Croxall, or the doubtful histories of antiquity! I maintain that there is no book of its size in the whole world that contains half so much useful knowledge for the government of states or the direction of the affairs of individuals as the Bible.” (Reference; www.schoolchoices.org/roo/rush.htm)
[Psalm 34] Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders and personally that scares me. Now I know my father probably thought the same thing as did his father and his father before him, but I believe it to be a legitimate fear when it comes to the welfare of our country and the world. Why are our children turning away? Why are they turning away from responsible, honest, moral and spiritual living? Quit simply, as parents we are trying to mold our children in our image after God has sent them to us molded in his own image. God has plans for our children and whatever gifts they display we need to encourage that gift and display life as God would have us all to live (Ephesians 5 & 6). God is being evicted from the lives of our children by those who hate righteousness and by parents who allow the world to rule their life. Without God, the world will always be getting the best of us only to tell us our best isn’t good enough. How sad it is we live this way. Everyone asks, “So, where is God?” You find God the same way you find money, you seek it (Luke 12:22-34). Our children are a mess. Our country is a mess. The world is a mess. God wants to help clean up the mess. Invite Him in to help.

Saturday, October 01, 2011

Can You "Like" God?

Why hasn’t social networking been declared an epidemic pandemic natural disaster yet? A TV commercial of late shows a young woman in disgust with her baby-boomer parents thinking they are social hermits because they won’t get on line and hook up with some “friends”. While she’s expressing her disappointment in her parents the commercial scene shows her parents actually enjoying their social life with some other couples in the outdoors embracing nature and exercise. The scene returns to the young woman where she is using her laptop. She sarcastically states that her parents have gained five online friends and boasts that she has four hundred some odd. Then, while staring at the laptop screen, she exclaims, “This is living!” I think, NOT!
UK author Rob Clymo wrote this column entitled, “Is Technology Killing Us?” which appeared on MaximumSoftware.com. “We all love our gadgets and gizmos, but increasingly, it seems that research is suggesting that the electronic devices we use every day could actually be putting us at greater risk than we initially thought. For example, the world Health Organization has just placed mobile phones in the category ‘2B – possible carcinogenic to humans’, which means your beloved headset now sits along side pickled vegetables, printer ink and coffee when it comes to possible threats to your wellbeing. However, much of this is based around how much you use your phone. Certainly, the worrying headlines about contracting brain cancer might help to sell newspapers, but sensible use of a phone is, it seems, no riskier than enjoying your daily mug of caffeine. But that’s the thing with everything we do – ‘moderation in all things’ as they say. That’s not to say that technology does not have a debilitating effect on us, even if we’re using it in a sensible fashion. Let’s face it; we all spend hours in front of screens now, be they workstations, home computers, laptops, netbooks, tablets and smart phones – all are putting an increasing strain on our peepers.” Recent surveys have suggested that people are spending more time looking at screens than sleeping, and over sixty percent admitted they get withdrawal symptoms if they’re separated from their device for a period of time. An additional forty percent say they look for their mobile phone before doing anything else after waking up. A quarter said they did it within three minutes of rising from their slumber. Also, today’s children spend around half as much time looking at screens as they do being taught in school. And, with so many irresistible gadgets around us, the temptation to stare at a screen all day is becoming even stronger. The desire to own the latest gadget on the market is bringing people to do crazy things like spending their last dollar and selling body parts.
[1 Corinthians 6: 12 & 10: 23] Paul writes twice in the same letter; “Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything” and “Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive”. Alcohol, drugs, sex and “rock-n-roll” evidently weren’t mind controlling enough for the evil one. Satan is using the electronic age to turn billions of people away from God. Gossip, “the sharing of information”, is ruining lives. God has no web page nor is he on Facebook. You can’t “Like” him or have him as an electronic “friend”. You must seek God and study his Word. God loves you and has rewards waiting, in your name.