The train it won't stop going, no way to slow down...

Inevitability.

The topic is bound to come up sooner or later…

The earth spins around its axis. Day gives way to night. Night gives way to day. The cost of living increases, paychecks seem to stay about the same. Civilizations rise and decline. People are born. People pass away.

All these things happen. There doesn’t seem to be any way to stop them.

They are inevitable.

Something else is inevitable, also…

Revelation 19

11And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

12His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

14And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

15And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

17And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

18That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

19And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

21And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

1And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

2And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

3And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

7And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

8And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

9And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

10And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

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There’s a great day coming, a great day coming;
There’s a great day coming by and by,
When the saints and the sinners shall be parted right and left,
Are you ready for that day to come?

Are you ready? Are you ready?
Are you ready for the judgment day?
Are you ready? Are you ready?
For the judgment day?

There’s a bright day coming, a bright day coming;
There’s a bright day coming by and by.
But its brightness shall only come to them that love the Lord.
Are you ready for that day to come?

Are you ready? Are you ready?
Are you ready for the judgment day?
Are you ready? Are you ready?
For the judgment day?

There’s a sad day coming, a sad day coming;
There’s a sad day coming by and by,
When the sinner shall hear his doom: “Depart, I know you not!”
Are you ready for that day to come?

Are you ready? Are you ready?
Are you ready for the judgment day?
Are you ready? Are you ready?
For the judgment day?

“There’s a great day coming” – Will L. Thompson

The crows

I have a feeling this may be an end as well as an introduction, but this came to mind as I was walking through the parking lot in the morning after midnight shift listening to and watching the birds...

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It was like the scene from that movie "The birds", the day the crows decided they'd had enough and chose to attack. I was on my way back from getting a newspaper at the dining hall when it started. You could see them silhoueted against the grey morning sky. As they started swooping down, I pulled my coat over my head, and took off running to my truck. As I pulled the door shut, they started crashing into the windshield and windows, so I turned the wipers on and tried some washer fluid to chase them away. My fine motor skills became coarse, but I finally fumbled the key into the ignition and got the truck started...

Matthew 26

The Prince of Peace embraced the gloom
And walked the night alone.

-- “Battle of Evermore”

36Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

37And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

38Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

39And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

[Luke 22

40And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

41And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

42Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

43And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

44And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.]

40And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

41Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

42He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

43And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

44And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

45Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

The dark lord rides in force tonight

46Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

47And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

48Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

49And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.

50And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.

51And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.

52Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

53Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

54But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

55In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.

56But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

57And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

58But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

59Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

60But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

61And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

62And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

63But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

64Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

65Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

66What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

67Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,

68Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

And so, the battle raged. The forces of darkness tried to beat the powers of light. A great battle was fought that night for our souls. It was won with a few little words, signifying a great choice. “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” If it is possible for me not to have to save them this way, let it be so, but if this is how we have to do it, then may Your will be done.

Surrender. Not to the flesh – the desire to stay alive and continue on, but surrender to God’s will, bringing about victory for us.

The dark lord rides in force tonight

I can imagine that satan was having a field day with all this. The death of God’s only Son. What a victory that would have been for him. Because of his limited vision, I can imagine him inciting things. Putting doubt in Judas’ mind to help convince him to betray Jesus, and then convincing Judas that Jesus wouldn’t forgive him. Helping along Peter’s and Pilate’s fear. Moving through the minds of the council and the hearts of the crowd. Never aware, never realizing that this was how things were supposed to go. Never realizing that his defeat was imminent. Imminent? Considering the length of eternity, 3 days is nothing.

1 Corinthians 15

55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

All along the watchtower

“There must be some kind of way out of here,” said the joker to the thief.

“There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief. Businessmen, they drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth. None of them along the line know what any of it is worth.”

“No reason to get excited,” the thief he kindly spoke. “There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke. But you and I, we've been through that, and this is not our fate. So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late.”

--“All along the watchtower” – Bob Dylan

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Have you heard someone say that? There has to be some way out of all this confusion… People go about their daily lives, never really fully understanding things. Everyone is in a quest for more. More money… More influence… More, more, more… There are those who feel that life is a joke – you evolved from a monkey, and when you die, that’s it, nothing more. He who dies with the most toys, wins.

But, you and I, we’ve been through that… We’ve a story to tell to the nations… How there really is more to this life, than just this life. That we were created by God, and each of us has a unique purpose. That he who dies with the most toys, still dies and is bound for Hell unless they have accepted Jesus as Savior. But the hour is getting late - we don't know when the trumpet will sound...

Take a look it's all around you
See the world from different views
The way you shine from the inside
I know with out a doubt
It's more than what you'll be
In the world's eyes.
Whoa you're oh so beautiful, you don't need anyone's approval
You've got to believe in your self you know you are
You're crazy beautiful
--“Crazy beautiful” – Chasen?

But it will not be easy…

2 Corinthians

3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

8We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

10Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

11For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

12So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

13We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

14Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

15For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

16For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

18While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

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All along the watchtower,
Princes kept the view,
While all the women came and went —
Barefoot servants too.

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And so, the world continues on – “the same as it ever was”… But…

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Outside in the cold distance,
A wildcat did growl.
Two riders were approaching, and
The wind began to howl.

Living a Christian Life

(Note: If you want to hear this live, I will probably speak this Sunday night...)

When I preach, I never want to assume that everyone is where they’re supposed to be with God. I also never want to assume that everyone is not where they’re supposed to be with God. Each person must search their hearts to see if there is anything standing between them and God. I also note, that as I preach, I am figuratively and literally “preaching to the choir”…

In Joel Rainey’s blog, he notes that: Not too long ago, Evangelicalism as a whole recognized the true focus and impetus of the preaching task. In a somewhat dated commentary,Al Mohler points to the Puritan pastor Richard Baxter as an example of what motivates and clarifies the message being delivered. Mohler quotes Baxter as saying "I preach as never sure to preach again, and as a dying man to dying men." He then comments by saying "With vivid expression and a sense of gospel gravity, Baxter understood that preaching is literally a life or death affair. Eternity hangs in the balance as the preacher proclaims the Word."

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I had been looking for a CD (one of 200 or more) for a while. I had been looking for a particular song on that CD. I skipped through quite a few CDs, and finally found the song I was looking for. While searching for that song, I came across another song… I hadn’t heard the song for a long time, and as I listened to it, one of the lines stuck out.

“I have become cumbersome to this world”

That line stuck in my head, and I started thinking about it. Have I become cumbersome to this world? I looked up the word cumbersome.

cum·ber·some / - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kuhm-ber-suh m] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation ˈkʌm bər səm/ Pronunciation Key

–adjective

1.	burdensome; troublesome.

2.	unwieldy; clumsy.

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[Origin: 1325–75; ME cummyrsum. See cumber, -some¹ ]

—Related forms

cum·ber·some·ly, adverb

cum·ber·some·ness, noun

—Synonyms 1. heavy, weighty, onerous. 2. awkward.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

cum·ber·some (kŭm'bər-səm) Pronunciation Key adj. 1. Difficult to handle because of weight or bulk. See Synonyms at heavy. 2. Troublesome or onerous. cum'ber·some·ly adv.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
cumbersome

1375, acombren "obstructing progress," from O.Fr. encombrer, from combre "obstruction, barrier," from V.L. *comboros "that which is carried together," perhaps from a Gaulish word. The roots are PIE *kom (see com-) + *bher- "to bear" (see infer). Meaning "unwieldy, hard to carry" is from 1594.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

cumbersome
adjective
1.	difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight; "a cumbersome piece of machinery"; "cumbrous protective clothing"
2.	not elegant or graceful in expression; "an awkward prose style"; "a clumsy apology"; "his cumbersome writing style"; "if the rumor is true, can anything be more inept than to repeat it now?" [syn: awkward]

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.

Have I become “unwieldy”? Does the world know what to do with me? What would the world say about me? Have I set myself apart from the world, while still living in the world? Or, have I become a part of the world? The song “The blessing” by John Waller brought up a few questions, also.

- Did I live to be a blessing for life?

- Did I give to reach the dying?

- What fruit do I produce?

- Does my heart belong to Jesus?

- Did I speak words of life?

Did I live to be a blessing for life?

Do I know what blessings I have in Christ?

Ephesians 3

17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

How much have I been blessed?

Have I walked uprightly?

Psalm 26

1Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.

2Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

3For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.

Psalm 1

1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Deuteronomy 11

26Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;

27A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day:

28And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.

Matthew 5

1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Some people cause happiness wherever they go. Others, whenever they go…

Did I give to reach the dying?

Not just those who are physically dying, but those who are spiritually dying, also. It is good to give money for research into cures for diseases, but that’s not the only way we can give. How much time do we have during our day? Could we spare a few minutes to say a prayer and write a card or make a phone call?

Romans 12

10Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

11Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

12Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

13Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

14Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

15Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

16Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

17Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

What fruit do I produce?

Galations 5

16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 13

1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Phillipians 4

8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Colossians 3

1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

7In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

8But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

9Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

12Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Those should be what we are, not just what we do…

We should always strive to get to a point where we have to make an effort to sin. We should have to go out of our way – away from things we normally do – in order to sin.

John 13

34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Does my heart belong to Jesus?

John 14

6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

7If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

We live in a day and age where people try to say this isn’t true. They claim that all roads lead to God, and that it doesn’t matter what you believe… That is wrong. Here is an illustration.

For those who don’t know, I have been to Cabelas several times. I have gone up I79 and across I70. I have gone up Rt. 20 to Rt. 7. I have gone up Rt. 250 once, and may not go back that way again….. I haven’t specifically been, but you can take Rt. 50 to Parkersburg, and then go up along the river. My point is that there are different routes you can take, but eventually, you have to head north from here or you’re not going to get there. You can take Rt. 19 North to Washington, PA, but if you head towards Flatwoods, you won’t get to Wheeling… I would venture to say that getting to God is like that. If you feel you need a strict, rigid service, you can have that; but it’s not the only way to get to God. Some people are comfortable raising their hands, but you don’t have to. Doing those things doesn’t make you a Christian. Not doing them doesn’t make you one, either. What makes you a Christian is having a growing relationship with Jesus as your Savior.

I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Did I speak words of life?

How many times have we gone on and on about talking about things that don’t really matter. Granted, that little things are good ways to “get your foot in the door”, but we should carry on just to fill the silence. Eventually, we have to bring up eternal matters, even if just to plant a seed… Contrary to what the song says, time is not on our side. We never know when the last time we will see someone will be.

There is a song played on Air1 that illustrates this.

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Disciple - Things Left Unsaid
From the album Scars Remain - After the World Special Edition

Disciple - Things Left Unsaid
From the album Scars Remain Re-release
There’s just a matter of time a few days ago.
I saw you, you were fine
remembering what you said about the book you read
The one I got you the beginning of the end
Oh how we talked for hours upon end
What I would give just to do it again
Your lying there in this hospital bed
Won’t you open your eyes and let’s talk once again

(Chorus)
If you fly away tonight
I want to tell you that I love you
I hope that you can hear me
I hope that you can feel me
If you fly away tonight
I want to tell you that I’m sorry
That I never told you when we were face to face

Well I’ve been here all night and I’m watchin’ you
Breathe in and breath out
Is it really you or just a machine
That’s giving you life and making it seem
That there could be hope I could say to your face
If it weren’t for you that there would be no grace that’s covered my life
You took the time to speak into my mind and my hear words of life

(Chorus)

So goodbye for now and I’ll see you again some way some how
When it’s my time to go to the other side
I’ll hold you again and melt at your smile
Now all I have are the words that I’m with
That you taught me to not take for granted
The time that we had to show that we cared
Speak into the mind and hearts while they’re here
And say I love you
(Chorus)

Label: Provident Music Distribution

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John 3

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 10

9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

In conclusion

That is how we can reach lost people. Pray and repent of things that stand between us and God. Present your body as a living sacrifice, and try not to crawl off the altar… Try to live a Godly life towards others. I never imagined using Geometry in a sermon, but it is like an asymptote… We get closer and closer to the line, but never touch it because we are still on earth in an imperfect world.

There has been only one perfect man on earth, and we killed him. Everyone makes mistakes and falls, but the key is to repent, let God help you back up, and then move on. Reach out to the unsaved people. Let God water you with everlasting water, so you can grow and produce His fruit. Leading a Christian life doesn’t mean being in Church so you can check that off your list, getting dunked, or joining a church. It is leading a transformed life and trusting Christ with everything.