tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74331041183176108542024-03-14T02:28:30.532-04:00The Master's TouchWe have all been touched by the Master's hand, but some do not realize it yet. To be touched is to be changed. If we want to be changed in the twinkling of an eye when the Master returns for His bride the church, then we need to be touched now. Hopefully this blog will help you with that decision. God Bless!Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-80604329898246012302017-07-03T22:50:00.002-04:002017-07-03T22:50:21.853-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="CENTER" style="page-break-before: always;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Divinely
Planted</b></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="text-indent: 0.49in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Have
you ever given much thought as to why you are where you are in life
right now? If you had a choice, would you be somewhere else? Would
you be doing something completely different? If so, would that
change truly complete your purpose in life?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.49in;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="text-indent: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.49in;">So
many people wish there lives away by wanting to be somewhere else or
to be someone else. Is this you? We have seen others in our
lifetimes do the same and many of them ended up in a worse state.
There is such a thing as being in the right place at the right time,
especially if God is in the picture. Divine intervention has had its
place in creation from the very beginning. If you are a Christian,
God has you where you are for a reason. When He is ready to make a
move for you, it will come. There is no reason for any of us to rush
His timing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> When
we take a look at biblical history, we find that God placed certain
people in certain places to fulfill His divine plan for mankind. Any
alterations could cause major outcomes for future events. “Back to
the Future” was a three part production that had people moving
forward and backwards in time. Depending on how they altered history
had an outcome on events and lives. There is a new tv series called
“Timeless.” At least six people are jumping forwards and
backwards in time and truly upsetting the outcome of events. Some of
their decisions have caused people to have never been born and for
others, death before their time. In both instances the future was
changed and not always for the better.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> God
has chosen us to be us to be right where we are at this exact moment
for a specific reason. For most of us we just haven’t figured it
out yet because we are wanting to jump. Solomon made it very clear
in </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>chapter
3 of Ecclesiastes</b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">
that everything has its season. A time to plant and a time to pluck
what is planted. That includes all of us. It is very hard to work
on someone else’s time table, but we have done it most of our lives
by working for an employer. We can’t make our own hours and expect
to keep our jobs, therefore we shouldn’t think that we can do our
own thing when it comes to God and then enter into the heavenly
kingdom. Doing our own thing will get us fired from our secular jobs
and it will most assuredly keep us out of heaven.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> Remember
the parable of the Sower </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>(Matt.
13:3-9)</b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">?
Have you ever wondered why the seed that was planted in you caused
you to stay faithful to the church? It is because of God’s divine
planting. He saw you as fertile soil that could make a difference in
His creation. The question is, have you been living up to His
expectations? Your seed could have easily landed by the wayside and
been devoured by birds or on the rocky soil where there was little
soil and you would have been scorched by the sun or in the thorn
bushes where you would have been choked to death, but it didn’t.
Since your seed fell on good soil, you are expected to yield some
fruit. How much fruit have you brought forth since your plantation –
30, 60, 100 fold? Just remember, God does not make mistakes! He
does not make us to anything! If we want to be pleasing in His sight
as He is pleasing in our sight, then we need to be busy in the
vineyard planting.</span></span></div>
</div>
Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-3197502061777519092017-07-03T14:20:00.002-04:002017-07-03T14:20:36.509-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="CENTER" style="page-break-before: always;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Conduct
Ready </b></span></span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Is
your conduct in check? This is possibly one of the most important
questions to ask ourselves on a daily basis, especially if we are
trying our best to imitate Christ. Others are checking us out, so
why not check on our own selves as well! Our conduct is nothing more
than our behavior. How is your behavior these days?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Paul
wrote to young Timothy in </span></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>1
Tim. 3:15</b></span></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
and said this, </span></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>but
if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to
conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the
living God, the pillar and ground of truth.”</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
The purpose for Paul writing this epistle was that men might know
how to live in the church. Christians must learn to live with each
other in order to live in the church. The church family of God. God
is the Father. Christians are brothers and sisters in Christ. Love
of God can only exist where brotherly love exists. Paul taught
Christians how they are to live in the church of the living God. How
are YOU doing so far?</span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> James,
the half brother to Jesus, had this to say about our conduct. </span></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Who
is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good works
in meekness of wisdom.</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
The wise and understanding person lives a good life with meekness of
wisdom. Meekness means gentleness, humility, courtesy and
consideration toward others. Meekness is the opposite of a rough,
egotistic, unyielding attitude. A lack of meekness indicates a lack
of wisdom. The Bible teacher must live what he teaches! How is YOUR
check on meekness of wisdom in YOUR life today?</span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Peter
reminds us in </span></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>1
Pet. 1:17</b></span></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">,
that God the Father is no respecter of persons and will judge
according to each man's work. How will God judge you and your works?
Will He be pleasantly pleased or unpleasantly disappointed? The
rest of this first mentions your sojourning in fear. This means
having the proper respect for God or reverence for Him as we are only
here for a very short time.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> In
</span></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Phil.
4:9</b></span></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">,
Paul exhorts us to follow his example by becoming doers of the Word.
He shows us that Christian conduct is built on biblical content and
is vital because it results in the very presence of the God of peace.
Verse 9 must not be separated from verse 8. Our thought life forms
the basis for our behavior. If our conduct is simply outward
conformity to the expectations of the Christian crowd, it is not
genuine and will not stand up under pressure or temptation.
Christian conduct must flow out of a Christian thought life. A
Christian thought life is the result of genuine conversion, where God
imparts to us a new nature that is able to please Him.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> The
Christian life, therefore, is not merely a modification of the
natural life, it is a new life and Christians do not merely add
something to their lives, they are people who have been changed at
the center, they are entirely different from the world.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Have
you noticed a critical change in your life since surrendering to
Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Have others been able to notice this
change as well? Pray to God that you will always be pleasing to Him
day in and day out. In the end, this is what truly matters and
determines where YOU will spend eternity. Consider your ways!</span></span></span></div>
</div>
Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-49959562086805774832017-07-01T11:30:00.004-04:002017-07-01T11:31:42.921-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="CENTER" style="page-break-before: always;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Church
Idleness </b></span></span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i> </i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Do
you ever feel sluggish, run down? Most people do and this is normal,
but it not healthy if it happens in the church body. Like physical
ailments, disorder in the church, if left unattended, will only
increase causing greater and greater sickness and pain within the
membership. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> It
is evident that the church in Thessalonica had an idleness problem.
Because of their wrong response to the imminent return of the Lord,
the problem of idleness touched on briefly in </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>1
Thessalonians</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">,
seems to have grown worse. There were those in the church who had
evidently stopped working and were running about in excited idleness
from house to house in anticipation of the Lord's return at any
moment. This wrong response to prophetic truth not only led to
idleness and the lack of ability to support oneself and family, but
it had resulted in some becoming busybodies. It appears they also
expected the church to support them. It is entirely possible that it
was this group that had been spreading some or perhaps all of the
false teaching discussed in chapter 2 of this epistle. Further, they
were probably guilty of spreading rumors or gossip about others in
the church and using as their defense, the Lord's soon return. Do
you or have you known of those in the church today who are like this?
They might be few, but they are among us.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> In
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>1
Thessalonians 4:11-12</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">,
Paul had warned these busybodies to stop such idleness and get back
to quietly working with their own hands. He later urged the
believers there to admonish the unruly or undisciplined. In view of
this chapter, it is clear that either they had not heeded Paul's
admonishment or they had not listened to the admonishments from the
church body. We must be aware that admonishment is necessary in the
Lord's church today if we are going to keep harmony and oneness among
the faithful.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> What
happened within the church at Thessalonica</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "bitter" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">
is a sad illustration of either wrong interpretation or wrong
application of biblical truth. The New Testament does teach the
imminent, any-moment possibility of the return of the Savior for His
church; it is imminent, but no one knows when He will return. It
could be today, but it might not be, as has been the case for
hundreds of years. The principle is that we are to live as though it
will be today while working and continuing on in life as though it
won’t be for years to come. We must hold both truths in proper
balance. As seen previously, the coming of the Lord, with all that it
means to believers, is to be a strong motivation to godliness and
obedience to the directives of God’s Word through the power of the
Holy Spirit. Misinterpretations and misapplications of the truths of
God's Word can cause endless trouble. Any teaching that encourages
us to disobey another divine teaching is not Bible teaching.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "bitter" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "bitter" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> So,
what does the Bible teach about manual (mental) labor? For one
thing, labor was a part of man's life before sin entered the scene.
God gave Adam the job of dressing and guarding the Garden (</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "bitter" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>Gen.
2:15</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "bitter" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">).
Although sin turned labor into almost hopeless toil (</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "bitter" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>Gen.
3:17-19</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "bitter" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">),
it must never be thought that the necessity for work is a result of
sin. Man needs work for the fulfillment of his own person. God
created him to work. Have you noticed that God called people who
were busy at work? Moses was caring for sheep (</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "bitter" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>Ex.
3</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "bitter" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">).
Joshus was Moses' servant before he became Moses' successor (</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "bitter" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>Ex.
33:11</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "bitter" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">).
Gideon was threshing wheat when God called him (</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "bitter" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>Jud.
6:11ff</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "bitter" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">),
and David was caring for his father's sheep (</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "bitter" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>1
Sam. 16:11ff</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "bitter" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">).
Our Lord called four fishermen to serve as His disciples and He
Himself had worked as a carpenter. Paul was a tent maker (</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "bitter" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>Acts
18:1-3</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "bitter" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">)
and used his trade to support his own ministry.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "bitter" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> The
circumstances of life (sickness, loss of a job, economic conditions)
sometimes keep people from working, so the question was not one of
inability, but unwillingness. (See 2 Thes. 3:10) What is your
condition today? Are you willing or unwilling to labor for the
Master? What if someone was writing an epistle about the your church family. What would they say about your work ethics for the
cause of Christ? Something to think about!</span></span></span></div>
</div>
Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-62230250484295506082017-06-30T08:43:00.001-04:002017-06-30T08:43:56.820-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="CENTER" style="page-break-before: always;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Choosing
What's Right</b></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="text-indent: 0.49in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;">God
told the children of Israel, <i>“And you shall do what is right and
good in the sight of the Lord, that it may be well with you...”</i>
<b>(Deut. 6:18a)</b>
<i>Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord
weighs the hearts </i><b>(Prov.
21:2). </b>By making the
right choices we too we will be pleasing to God and will be able to
live with our decision making.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="text-indent: 0.49in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One
of the toughest things we will do in life is trying to make right
decisions. Is this always accomplished? NO! With wrong decisions
comes regrets and no one likes to be regretful. So how do we remedy
making wrong choices? The only way would be to include God in ALL
your decision making. In doing so, you would know that whatever
transpired was God's will. The next thing that would have to happen
is that you would have to be content with the outcome.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="text-indent: 0.49in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For
most people it is very hard to turn control over to another entity.
We usually struggle with this because we like thinking we are in
control, even when we truly know that we are not. We have a way of
disappointing ourselves, whereas God NEVER disappoints. If this is
true, then it makes sense that we would want God to be a part of
everything we decide to do. This includes what we should eat, what
we should wear, what we should watch, where we should go and what we
should listen to. All this would sound pretty trivial to most folks,
but shouldn't be trivial at all to those who are striving to be the
best Christian they can be for Jesus.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="text-indent: 0.49in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There
are going to be times when you just don't know what to do. This is
when we must be in much prayer, seeking God's will. Jesus said,
<i>“seek and you will find...he who seeks finds”</i> <b>(Matt.
7:7b, 8a). </b><i>The effective,
fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much </i><b>(James
5:16b).</b>
Sometimes what we think to be right, can be very wrong. So much so,
that we can be sincerely wrong! Once we do realize our mistake, we
should want to correct it immediately. Owning up to wrong choices
will bring honor to God and respect with our fellow man. Nothing
wrong with admitting a wrong!</span></span></div>
</div>
Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-54713663713289184732017-06-29T11:19:00.001-04:002017-06-29T11:20:44.145-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="CENTER" style="page-break-before: always;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Anger
Management </b></span></span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="color: #23221f;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>BE
ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
and do not give the devil an opportunity.</i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>(Eph.
4:26-27)</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
All of us know that this is much easier said than done. When it
comes to anger management, we are all works in progress. It is very
hard to be angry and not sin, but if God's word tells us to do it,
then it must be possible. On the other hand, if we are not working
at correcting our anger problems, then we are definitely giving the
devil opportunities in our lives that he does not need. He will be
the one to see that we do not say the much needed words “I'm sorry”
before the sun goes down, which carries over to the next morning and
ruins a brand new day the Lord has blessed us with. Anger then leads
to a pride problem that will need to be managed as well.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Do
you desire to live a righteous life? If so, then you need to heed
the words of James, </span></span><span style="color: #23221f;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Therefore
my beloved brethren, let everyone be swift to hear, slow to speak and
slow to wrath (anger); for the wrath (anger) of man does not produce
the righteousness of God.</i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>
</i></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>(James
1:19-20)</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
Most of us do the opposite. We are swift to speak and to become
angry, but very slow to listen and hear. The writer of </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Proverbs
19:11</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
has the solution to our anger issues. He says, </span></span><span style="color: #23221f;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>A
man's discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to
overlook a transgression.</i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>
</i></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Of
course we know that discretion is the freedom to decide what should
or should not be done in a particular situation. If we make the
right choice, then we do not have to be concerned about our anger,
but if we make the wrong choice, then......</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> There
are some people who thrive on anger. God's word has this to say
about that. </span></span><span style="color: #23221f;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Do
not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the
bosom of fools.</i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>(Eccl.
7:9)</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
There are numerous fools in the world, but YOU DO NOT want to be
among their number. We all do foolish things every now and again,
but that does not automatically make us fools. Amen? </span></span><span style="color: #23221f;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>A
hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But the slow to anger calms a
dispute.</i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>
</i></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>(Proverbs
15:18)</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><span style="color: #23221f;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>A
gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.</i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>
</i></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>(Proverbs
15:1)</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
Paul, writing to the Colossians, said we are to put away anger </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>(Col.
3:8)</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">.
He also proclaimed the Ephesians, </span></span><span style="color: #23221f;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Let
all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away
from you, along with all malice.</i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>
</i></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>(Eph.
4:31)</b></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Anger
is a destroyer of relationships. Jonah had this problem because of
what God told him to do in the city of Nineveh. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
seeing the city of Nineveh repent, Jonah becomes furious. He was
angry that the Lord would show compassion to this city.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You
see, Jonah knows that God is a merciful and compassionate God. He
gives second chances. He spares us His wrath.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Although
Jonah loves this about God when God’s compassion is shown to him
(Chapter 2), but is angry towards God when it is shown to Nineveh
(Chapter 3). You see Jonah wants to receive mercy from the Lord, but
he doesn’t want God to show His mercy to others, especially the
Ninevites.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">God
responds with just a simple question, </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“Do
you do well to be angry?” </i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
I like the NLT of this verse, </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“Is
it right for you to be angry about this?”</i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
In other words, God is questioning Jonah’s angry. Jonah why are
you getting so upset about this? Why is this bothering you so badly?</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Throughout
this whole book Jonah has been nothing but a spoiled brat. He wants
to receive the mercy of God for himself, but he doesn’t want God to
show it to others. </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>(Jonah
4)</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Now
what does this mean for you and me? First, </span></span></span><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">God
has compassion on all people, not just us. Second, we must repent of
our self-centered hypocrisy and anger. Third, remember that God
gives mercy to those who repent. Yes, we all have anger issues, but
if we truly want to please God, then we need to earnestly work on
getting rid of our anger. Are you working at being more like Christ
or are you satisfied with the way you are now? Remember, we have the
ability to choose!</span></span></span></span></strong></div>
</div>
Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-33735243380315308522017-06-29T09:28:00.000-04:002017-06-29T11:14:17.278-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Hole
Punching Darkness</span></b></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>You
are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:14</i></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Have
you ever wondered why you are where you are right now? Could it be
that God wants you to do some hole punching in the darkness of this
world? Jesus said, <i>“You
are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they
put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In
the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your
good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” </i><b>Matt.
5:14-16</b></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
You might say, “I am the only Christian where I work
and most of my co-workers make fun of me!” Apparently you have
forgotten that the least amount of light drives away the greatest
amount of darkness. Perhaps this is why God placed you in that
particular work environment. He planted you there so you could be a
witness against all the darkness.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sure, each of us would love to work in an environment
where all people love righteousness and everyone loves each other.
We know that that work place is reserved only for heaven. Meanwhile,
God wants you to be the kind of light that continues to punch holes
in the darkness of sin sick hearts.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Just remember that this world has a sickness, a
terminal condition that the people are medicating with drugs, sex,
money, etc. The cure is Jesus who is the real joy and you are part
of that joy when you bring light to that darkness. Keep your head
high and look daily for that joy and never let anyone steal it from
you. <span style="text-align: left;">For the Christian, punching holes in darkness should
become a daily routine. Are you up for the challenge?</span></div>
</div>
Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-84269694291138250292013-12-23T08:32:00.001-05:002013-12-23T08:32:11.916-05:00Life Without Me!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Have
you ever given any thought as to how this world would be without you?
Yes, that's a crazy thought and who would think such a thing, right?
Maybe some self-righteous individual? Maybe someone who is very
insecure? Maybe just a plain ole Joe or Jane! How different would
the life you've built be if you had never existed?</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> We
can start with your very beginning. You would never have brought a
bundle of joy to your mom and dad or to the family as a whole. If
you had siblings, then they wouldn't have had an older or younger
sibling and in some cases a twin. Maybe they wouldn't have had
anyone to push around, look up to or praise. What about the friends
you've made since you've been alive? There might be some decisions
you helped them with that changed them for the good. If you were a
naughty child, then the influences you had on those friends would
have been avoided. How about all the lives you touched through your
generosity, kindness, compassion and thoughtfulness? Just think how
void their lives would have been.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> In
the movie “It's a Wonderful Life” there is a movie line that
brings significance to this article. Clarence says this to George:
“Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives
and when he isn't around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?
Whether we know it or not our lives impact many people around us. In
fact the ripple effect of one person's life is impossible to measure.
There is no way to fully know the effect your life has on this
world.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Since
you are here and you are effecting lives, just how are you doing
that? Only you can answer that question unless those that are being
effected are willing to step up and tell you themselves. We all hope
and pray our effects are positive, encouraging, and uplifting. If
this be the case, then we want them to be long lasting as well. If
they are just the opposite of what was listed, then we hope and pray
they are short lived.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Let's
take a brief look at the lives of Peter and Paul for example. We
know that it was Peter that identified Jesus as the Christ, God's
Son. It was Peter that Jesus gave the keys of heaven (</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Matt.
16:16-19</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">).
Would we even know that Jesus was the Christ if Peter had not spoke
up and said so? Possibly! Possibly not! Jesus also gave the Great
Commission to all the disciples and to us, but it was Peter who led
the rest of the apostles when that first great sermon was preached at
Pentecost in A.D. 33 (</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Acts
2</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">)
as to how we are to be saved. It was Paul who also spoke and
explained the gospel in </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>1
Cor. 15:1-4</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
Surely we read of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ in
the gospel accounts, but would we identify those events as being the
gospel if it were not for Paul? We can see how significant their
lives were and are to us today. We could list milestone after
milestone about their lives and realize how void this world would be
without either of them. They are not the only ones for sure!</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> We
all know of individuals that have made major contributions to mankind
and more personally to our own lives that could be mentioned and
maybe even praised for their accomplishments. We know that Jesus did
not look for praise from men but He deserves all the praise mankind
can give because of what He did for all of us. This morning we are
going to not only talk about how wonderful life is, but how less
wonderful it would be if we never heard of the man called Jesus.
Talk about a great void that would be felt since we know all that He
has done and is still doing for His fellow man.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-8504442051148866042013-12-20T09:21:00.001-05:002013-12-20T09:21:19.261-05:00Mercy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">What
exactly is mercy? It can be described many ways. According to
Merriam-Webster dictionary it means compassion or forbearance shown
especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power. The
following story is an excellent example of this meaning.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> A
mother once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her son. The
emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offense
twice and justice demanded death. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"But
I don't ask for justice," the mother explained. "I plead
for mercy." "But your son does not deserve mercy,"
Napoleon replied. "Sir," the woman cried, "it would
not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for."
"Well, then," the emperor said, "I will have mercy."
And he spared the woman's son. </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">[</span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Luis
Palau, </span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Experiencing
God's Forgiveness</u></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">,
Multnomah Press, 1984.]</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Can you think of
another person that has shown this kind of mercy? If you said Jesus,
then you are exactly right. God's word describes mercy these five
ways. </span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>First</b></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
it is </span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>great</b></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>(Isa.
54:7) Second</b></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
it is </span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>sure</b></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>(Isa.
55:3) Third </b></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">it
is </span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>abundant.
(1 Pet. 1:3) Fourth </b></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">it
is </span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>tender.
(Ps. 25:6) </b></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
and</span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> lastly
</b></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">it
is </span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>new
every morning. (Lam. 3:22, 23)</b></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Jesus
Himself taught mercy as one of the principles in life. </span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>(Matt.
5:7) </b></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Paul
tells us in </span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Rom.
12:8 </b></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">that
mercy is practiced as a gift. He further writes in his epistle to
the Philippians that mercy is evidenced in God's provinces to himself
and Epaphroditus in their times of sickness. </span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>(Phil.
2:27)</b></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
If you didn't realize it, mercy can even be obtained in prayer. </span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Let
us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy and find grace to help in time of need. </span></i></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>(Heb.
4:16)</b></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
In </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Jude
21</b></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
we are even reminded that mercy is a reason for hope. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Keep
yourselves in the love of God, looking for mercy of our Lord Jesus
Christ unto eternal life.</span></i></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></i></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Is
it possible that you require God's mercy today? If so, please do not
be like the Pharisees in </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Matthew
9:13</b></span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
who truly needed a lesson in compassion, but would not receive God's
mercy if they continued in their present condition. Jesus came to
save those which were lost, not the saved to repentance. It was
apparent that the Pharisees still had much to learn on this subject
if they wanted to have eternal rest. Hopefully we will not find
ourselves in this same situation. Since God's mercy is so evident in
our lives from what has already been mentioned, we should show the
same mercy towards our fellow man. Mercy is something we all desire
from others, therefore if we are able to receive it, then we should
be able to render it as well. How is your mercy measuring up these
days?</span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-46595892358668327862013-12-20T08:56:00.002-05:002013-12-20T08:56:09.990-05:00It Amazes Me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thanks goes to Mike Harris Jr. for this thought provoking write up about Christmas!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
late Charles Spurgeon, maybe you’ve heard of him, preached in a
sermon on December 24, 1871:</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
have no superstitious regard for times and seasons. Certainly we do
not believe in the present ecclesiastical arrangement called
Christmas. First, because we do not believe in the mass at all, but
abhor it, whether it be said or sung in Latin or in English; and,
secondly, because we find no Scriptural warrant whatever for
observing any day as the birthday of the Savior, and, consequently,
its observance is a superstition, because not of Divine authority.
When it can be proved that the observance of Christmas, Whitsuntide
and other Popish festivals was ever instituted by a Divine statute,
we also will attend to them, but not till then,” he continued. “It
is as much our duty to reject the traditions of men as to observe the
ordinances of the Lord.”</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
Amazes Me.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
amazes me that every birthday celebration I have ever been to has had
that person there for it, but Christians claim Christmas is Christ’s.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
amazes me that at every birthday celebration I have ever been to,
only the person having the birthday was brought presents, except on
Christmas.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
amazes me that we want to celebrate our birthday at least in the
month we were born, yet when the Bible shows Jesus was born in late
August to mid-September, they ignore it and celebrate it months
later.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
amazes me that people will point out scriptures in the Bible to show
how they got saved, or came to know that the Bible is true, yet when
shown scripture that tells us not to celebrate things like Christmas,
turn their head to God’s word.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
amazes me that pastors will find scripture in the Bible to support
what they give sermons on, except when it comes to Christmas, because
it is not there.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
amazes me that Christians celebrate December 25 as the birth of
Christ without ever knowing WHY they do it.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
amazes me that we have things like “Washington’s Birthday” on
our calendars to denote his birth, yet for Christ, it is called
Christmas and Christians don’t ask why. They have no clue what it
means, nor care because they are going through the motions.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
amazes me that Christians who know the pagan roots of Christmas still
think it is ok to celebrate it just because it is flossed with
Christ’s name.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
amazes me that a Christian who would never perform a Satanic
sacrifice ritual and try to make it something for Christ, take a
pagan ritual of worship, which is straight from Satan, and do
something of equal horror.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
amazes me that history shows the tree in the house originated in
Babylon on their god Tammuz’s December 25th birthday, and
Christians still bring one in their house. It represents his blood
spilled on a stump which then grew into a tree, and they decorated
it.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
amazes me that Jeremiah 10 teaches against the above practice, but
carnal Christians choose which verses they want to follow and gloss
it with “I’m not convicted of it like you are” when it is plain
as day. You weren’t convicted that lying was wrong at one time
either, but you were wrong then too.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
amazes me that there is no command to celebrate Christ’s birth in
the Bible, only His death and resurrection, but Christians do it
anyway. “This do in remembrance of Me” was before His death, not
at His birth.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
amazes me that Christians blindly sing “We 3 Kings” and think
it’s Biblical, when the Bible NEVER tells us there were three.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
amazes me that Christians think a fat old man in a red suit with
flying deer pulling a sleigh has anything what-so-ever to do with
Christ.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
amazes me that Christians never question why they kiss under
mistletoe. The pagans know why. Kissing under what was to represent
the genetalia of Zeus is to give them sexual prowess through the
year. Isn’t that Christ-like?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
amazes me that people look at me and talk about me like I’m not a
Christian because I don’t celebrate Christmas, yet they don’t do
anything for Jesus except in their imagination while being a bench
warmer on a church pew.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">Being
an outsider on the “popular” views of Christmas doesn’t bother
me. Many of you will go find comfort of others who parrot
non-biblical tradition and make you feel better about yourself. You
won’t find that if you quit depending on man’s opinion and
actually read God’s word (Hebrews 4:12). Jesus’ own words:</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><u><b>Matthew
15:7-9</b></u></i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>7
Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, </i></span></span></span>
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>8
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me
with their lips; but their heart is far from me. </i></span></span></span>
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>9
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men.</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></span></span><br />
</div>
Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-77493078618974355592011-10-13T23:44:00.002-04:002011-10-13T23:44:15.669-04:00Who's to Blame?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What
comes to mind when you think of “sour grapes?” Some might think
of a sharp and hard taste the would be very uncomfortable for a long
span of time. In </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Ezekiel
18:1-4, </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">it</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
says, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
word of the Lord came to me again saying, “What do you mean when
you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: 'The
fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on
edge'? “As I live,” says the Lord God, “you shall no longer
use this proverb in Israel. “Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul
of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who
sins shall die.”</span></i></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Israel
loved to make excuses for their idolatry. They lived according to
their own desires and forgot the God of Heaven, Jehovah, for days
without number. Every time they would fall away, God would have to
bring judgment upon them to return them to His laws.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Like
we of today, the children of Israel looked for someone else to blame
for their own sin. In their search for self-justification they came
up with a really cute and logical proverb that went like this: </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">“The
fathers may eat the sour grapes but the children’s teeth will be
set on edge.”</span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
This meant that whatever the fathers of each successive generation
did may not affect them but it would surely affect their children and
grandchildren. This was Israel’s way of blaming their forefathers
and even God, for the sin that they committed and the judgments they
had to face. In using this proverb they absolved themselves from the
penalty for their own sin and placed it upon the head of their
ancestors.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Aren't
we good at placing the blame of our wrong doings on others as well.
It's so much easier to let others take the fall so we can keep face.
Don't be looking around. Stop it! Look no further than yourself and
ask yourself, “Self, why do I put the blame on others rather than
accept it myself?” The answer is a no brainer, you want to look
good no matter what it might cost others. </span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> John
Killinger tells about the manager of a minor league baseball team who
was so disgusted with his center fielder’s performance that he
ordered him to the dugout and assumed the position himself. The first
ball that came into center field took a bad hop and hit the manager
in the mouth. The next one was a high fly ball, which he lost in the
glare of the sun--until it bounced off his forehead. The third was a
hard line drive that he charged with outstretched arms;
unfortunately, it flew between is hands and smacked his eye. Furious,
he ran back to the dugout, grabbed the center fielder by the uniform,
and shouted. ’You idiot! You’ve got center field so messed up
that even I can’t do a thing with it! </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">[Don
McCullough, Discipleship Journal]</span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> No
one likes to be wrong about anything and we truly don't have to be if
there is a scapegoat at our disposal. Do you like being the
scapegoat? Of course not! So why are you looking for one? Be a man
or woman about the whole matter and take your just reward for your
actions. Stop looking for "Who's to Blame."</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT">
<span style="font-family: Viner Hand ITC,cursive;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">In
Christian love,</span></i></span></span></div>
</div>Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-70748308534123786892011-09-21T08:31:00.001-04:002011-09-21T08:39:57.523-04:00Enlightened Answer to "What is an Infidel?"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This was sent to my email box and I felt like it was well worth sharing with all my viewers. The credit is given directly to Rick Mathes, author of this article and well-know leader in prison ministry.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: times,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31px;"></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">The man who walks with God always<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">gets to his destination. If you have a</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">pulse you have a purpose.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">The Muslim religion is the fastest<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">growing religion per capita in the</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">United States, especially in the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">minority races!!</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: times,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">Last month I attended my annual</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">training session that's required for</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">maintaining my state prison<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">security clearance.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">During the training session there was a presentation by three speakers</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">representing the Roman Catholic,</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">Protestant and Muslim faiths,</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">who each explained their beliefs.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">I was particularly interested in<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">what the Islamic had to say.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">The Muslim gave a great presentation</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">of the basics of Islam, complete</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">with a video.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">After the presentations, time was</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">provided for questions and answers.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">When it was my turn, I directed<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">my question to the Muslim and asked:</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">'Please, correct me if I'm wrong,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">but I understand that most Imams and</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">clerics of Islam have declared<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">a holy jihad [Holy war] against the</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">infidels of the world and, that by</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">killing an infidel,</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">(which is a command to all Muslims)</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">they are assured of a place in heaven.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">If that's the case, can you give me</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">the definition of an infidel?'</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">There was no disagreement with my</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">statements and, without hesitation,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">he replied, 'Non-believers!'</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">I responded, 'So, let me make sure<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">I have this straight. All followers of</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">Allah have been commanded to kill</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">everyone who is not of your faith so</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">they can have a place in heaven.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">Is that correct?'</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">The expression on his face<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">changed from one of authority</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">and command to that of a<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">little boy who had just been</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">caught with his hand</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">in the cookie jar.'</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">He sheepishly replied, 'Yes.'</span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">I then stated, 'Well, sir, I have</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">a real problem trying to</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">imagine The Pope commanding</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">all Catholics to kill those of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">your faith or Dr.Stanley ordering</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">all Protestants to do the same<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">in order to guarantee them</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">a place in heaven!'</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">The Muslim was speechless!</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;"><br style="line-height: 31px;" />I continued, 'I also have a<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">problem with being your friend<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">when you and your brother clerics</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">are telling your followers to</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">kill me! Let me ask you a question:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">Would you rather have your Allah,</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">who tells you to kill me in</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">order for you to go to heaven,</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">or my Jesus who tells me to</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">love you because I am going<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">to heaven and He wants you<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">to be there with me?'</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">You could have heard a pin</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">drop as the Imam hung his<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">head in shame.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br style="line-height: 20px;" /></span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">Needless to say, the organizers</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">and/or promoters of the</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">'Diversification' training seminar</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">were not happy with my way</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">of dealing with the Islamic Imam,</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">and exposing the truth<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">about the Muslims' beliefs.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">In twenty years there will be</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">enough Muslim voters in the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">U.S. to elect the President!</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"></span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;"><br style="line-height: 31px;" />I think everyone in the U.S.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">should be required to read this,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">but with the ACLU, there is no</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">way this will be widely</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">publicized, unless each of us</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">sends it on! This is your chance</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">to make a difference...</span> <br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;"></span><br style="line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 31px;">....SEND THIS ON . .</span></span></span></div>
Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-5956042753261445552011-08-07T15:23:00.000-04:002011-08-07T15:23:46.856-04:00Thoughts to uplift the Heart<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There are times in life when we wish for words to encourage those we care about, but knowing the outcome, it is only the Lord who has the capacity to lift the heart from the sadness of losing those we love in this life. Life is like a book with many chapters, some happy, some sad, but all necessary to our spiritual growth that evolves over all the years of our life. It makes us, who we are in our daily life! Some think of death as an ending of life, the painful loss of a loved one. I prefer to think of death as just another chapter in the book of life...you might say an epilogue of this life, but not an ending but the beginning of a new chapter yet to be seen, but promised by our Lord to be a joyful retreat of praise and worship....The end of our story is known only to God! May we all look forward to that day with anticipation! God bless!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Respectfully submitted by,</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jan Sherman</span></div></div>Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-74998393181226353952011-06-30T21:49:00.000-04:002011-06-30T21:49:39.895-04:00Have You Pledged Lately?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." </b></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></span> </div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> Do you remember the last time you made that pledge? When was it and where were you when you pledged it? Many of us can't remember because it has been that long ago. It is a shame when the things that make sense and have good reason are being eliminated from our society. Who are the culprits and who is letting them get away with it?</b></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> When you think about the “Pledge of Allegiance” you can't help but think of freedom, justice and liberty for all. Freedom is something we all enjoy and more so here in the United States of America. Freedom can be defined as unrestricted action. There are no real restrictions because we are free to come and go as we please. We take this for granted most of the time but this freedom is not afforded to most of this world in which we live. We should be forever grateful that our forefathers had a respect and awe for God that they included Him in their decision making. We having been reaping the benefits of what they fought and died for, so we should be very careful what we do with it and what we pass to the next generations.</b></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> As Christians we have been made free by Christ. </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>(John 8:36) We have been set free from bondage also. </b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness....But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness and the end, everlasting life. </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>(Rom. 6:18, 22) </b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>(Gal. 5:1) </b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>(Gal. 5:13)</b></span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b> Does our lives reflect the liberty that has been given to us by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Are we willing to make anew our pledge to Him and this time mean it? We have been playing around with God long enough and if we are not careful we might just end up like Sodom and Gomorrah. It's time that we once again approach the living God on bended knew, giving Him all the praise and glory that is due Him. If we once again, with all seriousness, pledge allegiance to God, then this is what He can do for us. </b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>(2 Chron. 7:14) Doesn't that sound like something we want God to do for our great nation? If so, then we must start making a difference by acting like Christians. Are you willing to make a new pledge of allegiance to God? Let's do it today!</b></span></span></span></div></div>Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-29211483081952428062011-05-24T23:13:00.000-04:002011-05-24T23:13:40.675-04:00Obeying of the Gospel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">This evening we welcomed Brenda Sturgess into God's family. How did she get added to God's body? I'm glad you asked. She first visited our congregation this past Lord's day. After hearing the message from God's word, she felt as though the lesson was directed towards her. She filled out a visitor's slip and requested to know more about the Lord's church. Upon leaving the church building she was asked by the preacher if she would be interested in having a Bible study. She replied yes and a study was set up for today, Tuesday the 24th of May.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">After studying "How One Is Saved by the Gospel Made Simple" by Jerry Weldon, she discovered that what she had done previously was not in accordance with God's inspired word. When asked if she wanted to be baptized for the right reason and be added to the Lord's church by God Himself, she replied, "Yes, Why put off till tomorrow what needs to be taken care of today."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Needless to say, we immediately drove to our church building where we took her profession that Jesus is the Son of God and baptized her for the remission of sin in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, according to <b>Acts 2:38</b>.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">She is now a member of the Lord's church and no one can remove her from it. She will now be faithful and obedient to assemble with other believers until Christ returns for His bride, the church. There was joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repented this evening. Praise be to God and all glory be His!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rejoicing!</div><br />
</div>Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-61709216134336815732011-05-20T08:33:00.000-04:002011-05-20T08:33:17.699-04:00Carelessness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Algerian,comic,fantasy;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Benjamin Franklin was wrote, “For want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe the horse was lost; and for want of a horse the rider was lost, being overtaken and slain by the enemy; and for want of care about a horseshoe nail.” This truly was a small matter from the start, but had severe consequences. Are you about to lose or have you already lost the nail in your possession?</b></span></span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b> Come, let's take a look at a few examples of what can happen if we are careless with our nail. In Isaiah 47:1 & 8-11 we see that Babylon was destroyed because they were careless in taking care of God's people. God had given them to the Babylonians, but they were very careless with God's goods and they suffered for it. Remember that you are God's! Are you being careful with what is His or careless with your nail?</b></span></span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b> In the days of Ezekiel the prophet, God chose to destroy Egypt because they too were careless with their nail. They had mistreated God's people and He had had enough. </b></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">“On that day messengers shall go forth from Me in ships to make the </span></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>careless </b></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ethiopians afraid, and great anguish shall come upon them, as on the day of Egypt; for indeed it is coming!” </span></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>(Ezek. 30:8)</b></span></span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b> Once again we read of God's judgment upon a people because of their carelessness. God is very serious about taking care of what is His. In this example we see the inhabitants of the coast lands of Magog and Magog itself will be destroyed because of their actions against Israel (Ezek. 39:6). Are you taking care of you own nail?</b></span></span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b> In Zephaniah we read of the judgment against north Assyria, which included the city of Nineveh. They declared, </b></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">“I am it, and there is none besides me.”</span></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>(Zeph. 2:15) They nor you can declare, </b></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">I am it</span></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>and get away with it. God is a jealous God and will not tolerate carelessness with your obedience to Him. Do you feel you nail coming out?</b></span></span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b> In Isaiah 32:9 we see where the women of Jerusalem had become complacent. Their complacency had allowed them to become very careless. So careless that their livelihoods would be taken away. Do you have a job today? Do you want one tomorrow? Are you gambling that you do not need God in your life and that you can do everything by yourself. Have you become very careless with the nail God has placed in your hand?</b></span></span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b> Let's look at one last example found in Acts 18:12-17. You can become careless with your nail when you choose to sit by and do absolutely nothing as did Gallio in the case of Paul. Is God calling you to action and you are choosing sit by idle thinking He does not notice? Remember that God is omnipresent. He sees and knows all. You cannot go unnoticed and He will find you out.</b></span></span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b> There is yet another nail that needs to be mentioned here. Not just one nail, but three. Jesus Christ was not careless when it came to His nails. He bore each one and He did it for YOU! We are asked to take care of one nail. To make sure it stays obedient and faithful to one God and one Savior. How are you doing with your nail? </b></span></span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b><i>In Christian love!</i> </b></span></span></span></span> </div></div>Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-67387505731560374842011-04-23T14:13:00.000-04:002011-04-23T14:13:39.060-04:00Here Comes Peter Cottontail<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Algerian,comic,fantasy;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> That's right, this coming Sunday is Easter morning and children will be waking up to baskets filled with candy and stuffed animals. If the truth is know, when you saw the title of this article you couldn't help but sing, “Hopping down the bunny trail.” Some of you might have even finished the song.</span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> This day is many things to many people. For some they will think just about the Easter bunny and getting together with family and friends. They will hide eggs for the children to find, then have a big feast. This we would refer to as tradition, for most are doing it because this is what they were taught or brought up to do.</span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> For others it is a day to see who can out dress who. Sure the folks will be in worship service of some kind but it won't be to worship a risen Savior. It will be to show off that new outfit they just bought for this one occasion.</span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> All of this might sound rather childish but many of us have participated in such activities in the past and maybe some will today. Traditions are good, but when they interfere with the truth of God's word, then there is a big problem!</span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Is Easter in the Bible? Some translations have replace the word Passover, in </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Acts 12:4</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> with the word Easter. This reference </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">to Easter (wrongfully inserted of course) appears only once in the entire Holy Bible. Yet, with all the carrying on in reference to Easter parades, Easter bunnies, Easter eggs, Easter sunrise services, Easter this and Easter that, one would expect that THE HOLY BIBLE would be replete with Scripture after Scripture mentioning the word 'EASTER'. It's not. If anything should have been spoken of and written about, even celebrated, in connection with The Resurrection of Our Messiah, The LORD Jesus Christ, it should have been the 'PASSOVER'.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> What we have to be careful of today is to not mix pagan and heathen customs with The Resurrection of Our LORD Jesus Christ. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The best dictionary definition of Easter is found in the root of its meaning from the mythical goddess 'EOSTRE' (also known as Ostara or Ishtar), a goddess of the dawn and spring.</span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Therefore, Easter, and the eggs, and the bunnies, and the sunrise services (worship of the sun and not the SON) are all opposite to the Scriptural and truthful meaning of The Resurrection of The LORD Jesus Christ.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span> </div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> As you know, we, in the church, do not celebrate Easter but we do bring to remembrance the suffering of Christ on Calvary's tree for the remission of our sins each and every first day of the week by the taking of the Lord's Supper. Do you have a scriptural understanding of the resurrection or do you go along with the traditions of men. Once again you must make the choice which is correct in the eyes of God. Jesus said, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">“Do this in remembrance of Me.”</span></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>(Luke 22:19b) </b></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">He was referring to the taking of the bread and the fruit of the vine. We are complete this morning knowing that what we do each and every week is biblical and is commanded of us by the Lord Himself. Be Blessed!</span></span></span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">In His name,</span></span></span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Eddie </span></span></span></span></span></div></div>Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-21016584690206368092011-04-12T09:48:00.000-04:002011-04-12T09:48:33.421-04:00Traveling<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>The world today is very fast paced. If we are not careful, we will get caught up in this rush and miss out on smelling the roses. People travel daily from one destination to the next giving no thought as to where they are really going in life. Most are commuting daily to work and back. Others are taking extravagant vacations to other parts of the world with nothing but pleasure on their minds. There is nothing wrong with travel, especially if you are traveling in the right direction. Let's talk about some of these directions.</b></span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b> In God's word these directions can be referred to as paths. This is nothing more that a walk, a manner of life. There is the path of the wicked, the believers, the righteous and of the Lord. We will begin with the wicked. This path is brought to nothing according to Job 6:18. It becomes dark (Job 24:13) and is crooked (Isa.59:8). It leads to death (Prov. 2:18) and is filled with wickedness (Prov. 1:15, 16). This path doesn't get any better either. It is destructive (Isa. 59:7) and is followed by wicked rulers (Isa. 3:12). One very important fact about this path is that it is made difficult by God (Hos. 2:6).</b></span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b> Now let's take a look at the path of believers. We will see one significant difference between this path and the path of the wicked. First, this path is beset with difficulties (Job 19:8) but is under God's control (Job 13:27). It is hindered by the wicked (Job 30:13) but enriched by the Lord (Ps. 23:3) and upheld by God (Ps. 17:5). The believer's path is provided by light (Ps. 119:105) and is know by God (Ps. 139:3). It is like a shining light (Prov. 4:18), directed by God (Isa. 26:7) and one that is to be pondered (Prov. 4:26). Unlike the wicked path, there is no death at the end (Prov. 12:28). It is sometimes unknown (Isa. 42:16) and sometimes seems crooked (Lam. 3:9) but to be made straight (Heb. 12:13).</b></span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b> It pays to be righteous. This path is taught by fathers (Prov. 4:1, 11). It is kept (Prov. 2:20), it is taught to believers (Ps. 25:4, 5), sought by believers (Ps. 119:35; Isa. 2:3) and it is rejected by unbelievers (Jer. 6:16; 18:15). How sad!</b></span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b> We definitely want to be on the last path, the Lord's. This path is true (Ps. 25:10), smooth (Ps. 27:11), rich (Ps. 65:11), guarded (Prov. 2:8), upright (Prov. 2:13), living (Prov. 2:19) and it is peaceful (Prov. 3:17).</b></span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b> Which path are you traveling today? Hopefully it is the path of the believer, the righteous and of the Lord. If not, then there is no hope for you and your reward will be eternal condemnation unless you repent and turn to the Lord. Remember He stands with arms opened wide to receive us sinners into the fold. Please don't be left out!</b></span></span></span></div></div>Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-54679553771685847352011-03-23T09:00:00.000-04:002011-03-23T09:00:10.576-04:00Are You Satisfied?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Satisfaction is the outcome of being satisfied. Are we always satisfied with the way circumstances turn out in our lives? Probably not! Why not? Well, we first have to realize what being satisfied means. It means to be gratified in the fullest degree; being free from doubt or uncertainty. When was the last time you truly felt that way? It also means pay in full; make atonement or payment.</span></span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> When was the last time you were gratified in the fullest degree with anything you tried or accomplished? Many of us hate to admit it, but we all have a bit of perfectionist in our moral fiber. Knowing this makes it very difficult to be completely gratified. When was the last time that you finished a project without doubt or uncertainty that it was completed error free? How many of us would love to get a statement from all our debtors with the words “Paid in Full” written across it.</span></span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> It's apparent that we will probably never be completely satisfied here on the earth, in our human form, but what about the hereafter? I’m reminded of the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. There was a piece of candy called, “The Never Ending Gobstopper.” What was amazing is that it was a single piece of candy with endless sorts of flavors. It’s as if this single fruit has multiple flavors. The fruit of the Spirit is one specific item with several, continuous qualities.</span> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This single fruit of the Spirit is quite dynamic. It has many dimensions to it: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>(Gal. 5:22)</b></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">. The point is that all of these “flavors” remind us of our Savior’s love for us. The Spirit’s work ties us to Jesus and leads us to see we have true satisfaction in him alone.</span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Are you satisfied today knowing that God sent a Savior to this earth just for you so that ALL your sins could be forgiven? All you have to do is accept His free gift so you can begin to experience what true satisfaction means and feels like. Why wait till the hereafter when you can have it now? Besides, in the hereafter you just might not be where you want to be!</span></span></span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div></div>Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-85954533347292521212011-03-10T09:36:00.000-05:002011-03-10T09:36:55.254-05:00That's My King!<div style="text-align: justify;">I just got my recent copy of World Radio, which is a global gospel broadcasting network. The front page article is so uplifting and inspiring I just had to share it with all of you. This sermon was preached by the late Dr. S.M. Lockeridge from San Diego, Calif., in Detroit in 1976. Here's the sermon:</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">That's My King!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"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. He's the King of the ages. He's the King of Heaven. He's the King of glory. He's the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that's my King.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don't try to mislead me. 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 blessing. He's enduringly strong. He's entirely sincere. He's eternally steadfast. He's immortally graceful. He's imperially powerful. He's impartially merciful. That's my King.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He's God's Son. He's the sinner's Savior. He's the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He's honest. He's unique. He's unparalleled. He's unprecedented. He's supreme. He's pre-eminent. He's the grandest idea in literature. He's the highest personality in philosophy. He's the supreme problem in higher criticism. He's the fundamental doctrine of historic theology. He's the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That's my King.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> He's the miracle of the age. He's the superlative of everything good that you choose 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 tired. He sympathizes and He saves. He's the Almighty God who guides and keeps all His people. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. That's my King.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Do you know Him? Well, my King is a King of knowledge. He's the wellspring of wisdom. He's the doorway of deliverance. He's the pathway of peace. He's the roadway of righteousness. He's the highway of holiness. He's the gateway of glory. He's the master of the mighty. He's the captain of the conquerors. He's the head of the heroes. He's the leader of the legislatures. He's the overseer of the overcomers. He's the governor of governors. He's the prince of princes. He's the King of kings and He's the Lord of lords. That's my King.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you...but He's indescribable. He's indescribable. That's my King.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He's incomprehensible. He's invincible. He's irresistible. I'm coming to tell you this, that the heavens of heavens can't contain Him, let alone some man explain Him. You can't get Him out of your mind. You can't get Him off or your hands. You can't outlive Him and you can't live without Him. The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him. Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree about Him. Herod couldn't kill Him. Death couldn't handle Him and the grave couldn't hold Him. That's my King.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He always has been and He always will be. I'm talking about the fact that He had no predecessor and He'll have no successor. There's nobody before Him and there'll be nobody after Him. You can't impeach Him and He's not going to resign. That's my King! That's my King!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Well, all the power belongs to my King. We're around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but in the end all that matters is God's power. This is the power. Yeah. And the glory. We try to get prestige and honour and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. This is the Kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? And ever and ever and ever and ever. And when you get through with all of the 'forever's', then ... Amen." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">-</div>Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-25660270870722330832010-09-28T16:19:00.003-04:002010-09-28T16:27:31.753-04:00Forsaking God - Not a Pretty Sight!<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY"><span><span style="font-size:130%;">When a person decides to forsake something, they have decided to give it up or abandon it. We can forsake our marriages, our jobs, our friendships and yes, ever our selves. Does it take any effort to do these things? Some, but for those who are willing to give these things up it begins in the heart.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY"><span><span style="font-size:130%;"> Those things mentioned above can have some bad repercussions, but nothing like what can happen if we decide to abandon or turn our backs on Almighty God. How many times have we read about the children of Israel repeatedly doing this? In </span></span><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><b>2 Kings 17:7-18</b></span></span><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> we read of yet another account where they turned their backs on God. Unlike Peter's statement in </span></span></span><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><b>Acts 5:29</b></span></span><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">, </span></span></span><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">“We ought to obey God rather than men,” </span></i></span></span><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">these Israelites feared man more than God. Beginning in verse 7 we see that they are now slaves again. Not to Egypt, but to Assyria this time. You would think that they would wise up sooner or later and realize that Jehovah God was impenetrable. They had not figured out that </span></span></span></span><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">with God all things are possible</span></i></span></span><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b> (Matt. 19:26)</b></span></span></span><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">. Sad but true in this instance!</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY"><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> We discover from our reading in this chapter of Kings that Israel feared other gods and walked in the statutes of the nation whom the Lord had cast out from before the children of Israel. They even went behind God's back, like that's possible, and built for themselves high places in all their cities. They set up for themselves pillars and wooden images on every high hill and under every green tree. Can you believe this? They went as far as to burn incense on all the high places and do wicked things to provoke the Lord to anger. They had to be very close to losing all their senses when they allowed themselves to do these things. They followed all these insane actions while serving idols, of which the Lord had said to them, </span></span></span></span><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">“You shall not do this thing.”</span></i></span></span><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>(Ex. 20:3-5)</b></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY"><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b> </b></span></span></span><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">God had sent His prophets, namely every seer, saying </span></span></span></span><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">“Turn from your evil ways, and keep My commandments and My statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers.”</span></i></span></span><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Did they heed this admonition? Absolutely not! </span></span></span></span><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Verse 14</b></span></span></span><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> reveals to us that they would not heed these commandments, but rather stiffened their necks, like the necks of their fathers, who did not believe in the Lord their God. Have you ever heard of such stupidity? What were they thinking? Did they think God was playing a joke on them? They even allowed their sons and daughters to practice witchcraft and soothsaying, and sold themselves to evil in God's sight just to provoke Him to anger. Did their foolish tactics work? Sure did! In </span></span></span></span><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>verse 18</b></span></span></span><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> we read that the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them from His sight. He did what? He wouldn't even look upon them any longer.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;" align="JUSTIFY"><span><span style="font-size:130%;">Forsaking the assembly (Heb. 10:25), is a serious matter. Have you been guilty of this action? Has God given you a warning that you have not totally heeded yet? If so, you might better turn a listening ear and a focused eye in His direction before He turns His very sight from you. To not be seen by the Lord should frighten us to death. Now is the time to make amends and be steadfast, not forsaken in your service to the Lord.</span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;" align="JUSTIFY"><span><span style="font-size:130%;">God's Blessings,</span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;" align="JUSTIFY"><span><span style="font-size:130%;">Eddie<br /></span></span></p>Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-62182562207172646762010-07-31T14:07:00.001-04:002010-07-31T14:10:00.352-04:00For the Sake of Prosperity<meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> </style> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Most of us realize in today's society that prosperity is a must for most folks, but should it be? Prosperity, according to Wikipedia, is the state of flourishing, thriving, success or good fortune. It often encompasses wealth but also includes other factors which are independent of wealth to varying degrees, such as happiness and health.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);" align="JUSTIFY"> <span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> If a person gets to the point in their life where they allow wealth prosperity to dominate or control their decision making, this could cause a major decrease in the amount of happiness and health they have acquired. There is nothing wrong with being wealthy, but there is a problem if we let it become the ruling factor in our lives.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);" align="JUSTIFY"> <span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> There are so many prosperous people in the world and many of them are very benevolent but not to the point that it would be pleasing to God. You see, most people that have a lot of wealth usually are in love with themselves, not others, and especially not God. Just imagine what would happen if God allowed all of us to prosper above and beyond our means. What would we do with those fortunes? Would we take care of the unfortunate or would we become greedy and uncaring towards our fellow man?</span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> We need to realize that if God allows us to prosper, then we are to give as we prosper </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>(1 Cor. 16:1-2)</b></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">. If we do this, it would be reasonable to say that God would continue to prosper us so we could continue to give. Do you see how this works? </span></span></span></span> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> This brings to remembrance the story of King Solomon, David's son, who was very concerned about the number of people God had placed in his care. Solomon was so concerned that he asked God to give him an understanding heart to judge God's people so he could discern between good and evil. This request pleased God and God not only gave Solomon this understanding heart, but also great riches and honor so that there would not be anyone before or after his reign like him </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>(1 Kings 3:6-14; 2 Chron. 1:7-12)</b></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Just as Solomon asked for understanding and received abundantly more than he asked for, we too can be the recipients of God's blessings if we walk not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law he meditates day and night </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>(Psa. 1:1-2)</b></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The big question here is, “Are you doing what God has commanded you to do, or are you still allowing yourself to be spiritually polluted by giving in to the world's desires?” Once again it boils down to choice. Choosing right over wrong. Are you man or woman enough to say “NO” to the evil of this life? If not, then expect to be chastised one way or the other. If you are smart and choose to do right over wrong, then expect to continue to receive the blessings of God. Look for as much spiritual prosperity as you can and leave the material prosperity to the world.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Blessings,</span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Eddie</span>
<br /></span></span></span></span></p> Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-34360657963236519092010-07-30T08:02:00.002-04:002010-07-30T08:07:08.386-04:00Fire Usage<meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> </style> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word “fire”? Could it possibly be “HOT”? How about “hurt'? One thing for sure it is not a term we want to think about when it comes to the word of God or is it?</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> The Bible mentions the word “fire” in numerous instances, but we will look at some of the physical uses in this article. In </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>John 18:18</b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> we read where servant, officers and even Peter was warmed by the coals of a fire. Surely you can remember a time when you yourself was warmed by a fire. What a nice physical feeling of comfort! In </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>Exodus 16:23</b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> we realize that fire was used to bake and boil in preparation of the Sabbath. How many times have you used fire to do your cooking? Too many times to count for sure.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Have you ever used fire to signal anyone? This is usually the method used by those who find themselves stranded or lost enabling them to call for help. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>Judges 20:38, 39</b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> tell us that a cloud of smoke was used as a signal between the men of Israel and the men in ambush to turn the men of Israel in battle. One can't help but think how the smoke from a fire was used by our native Americans during the cowboy and Indian days. Can't you see the signals going up from one mountain peak to the other?</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Another physical use for fire was sacrifices. A good example of this is when Noah built an altar to the Lord, after the floods had receded, and sacrificed burnt offerings to God for sparing their lives. The Lord smelled the soothing aroma and said that He would never again curse the ground for man's sake nor would He ever destroy every living thing as He had done </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>(Gen. 8:20, 21)</b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">. Aren't we blessed knowing that God keeps His promises?</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> How much do you know about refining? </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times </span></span></i></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>(Psa. 12:6)</b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">. This informs us that God's word is true and has been tested. God's word does not jest with; impose on us nor has it any other design towards us than our own good. God is SO good!!!</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Finally there has been one other use of fire and that has been for torture. This brings to mind the fiery furnace that Daniel and his companions were place in because they would not worship the golden image. Once again God intervened and saved those being tested </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>(Dan. 3:11)</b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">. Are we living in such a way that God would do the same for us? Let's learn from others mistakes, not our own!!!</span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Blessings,</span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Eddie
<br /></span></span></span></span></span></p> Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-45797496182517986892010-07-29T14:14:00.003-04:002010-07-29T14:22:44.466-04:00Feeding on God's Word<meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> </style> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="CENTER">“<span style="font-family:Viner Hand ITC,cursive;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Be diligent to present yourself approved to God...rightly dividing the word of truth ”</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> <span style="font-size:130%;">Feeding upon the word of God can be hazardous to one's life and health if taken literally. On the other hand, it can produce life changing experiences that will save one's life too.</span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"> </div><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:130%;" > The story is told of a man by the name of Menekil II who was one of the greatest rulers in African history. He is responsible for what is known as modern Ethiopia today. Born in 1844, he was captured during an enemy raid and held prisoner for 10 years. Escaping, he declared himself head of the province of Shewa. He began conquering neighboring kingdoms and developed them into modern Ethiopia with himself as emperor. His efforts to modernize Ethiopia (schools, phones, railroads), make Menekil world-famous. The emperor had one little known eccentricity. Whenever he was feeling ill he would eat a few pages of the Bible insisting that this always restored his health. One day in December, 1913, recovering from a stroke and feeling extremely ill, he had the entire book of Kings torn from an Egyptian edition of the Bible, ate every page of it and died. Is there any surprise? The word of God was never intended to be taken orally to cure life's illnesses. Of course he found out the hard and eternal way.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"> </div><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:130%;" > There is yet another story I would like you to read that has completely the opposite effect on one's life and he too digested God's word, but in the right intended way. Here's the story!</span></p><div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"> </div><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;">One of the most dramatic examples of the Bible’s divine ability to transform men and women involved the famous mutiny on the “Bounty.” Following their rebellion against the notorious Captain Bligh, nine mutineers, along with the Tahatian men and women who accompanied them, found their way to Pitcairn Island, a tiny dot in the South Pacific only two miles long and a mile wide. Ten years later, drink and fighting had left only one man alive—John Adams. Eleven women and 23 children made up the rest of the Island’s population. </span> </p><div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><span style="font-size:130%;"> So far this is the familiar story made famous in the book and motion picture. But the rest of the story is even more remarkable. About this time, Adams came across the “Bounty’s” Bible in the bottom of an old chest. He began to read it, and the divine power of God’s Word reached into the heart of that hardened murderer on a tiny volcanic speck in the vast Pacific Ocean—and changed his life forever. The peace and love that Adams found in the Bible entirely replaced the old life of quarreling, brawling, and liquor. He began to teach the children from the Bible until every person on the island had experienced the same amazing change that he had found. Today, with a population of slightly less than 100, nearly every person on Pitcairn Island is a Christian. <i>From Signs of the Times</i>, August, 1988, p. 5. </span> </p><div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-size:130%;" >How are your feeding habits? Are they healthy or hazardous to your well-being? </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-size:130%;" ><i>The Word of God is living and powerful...</i></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>(Heb. 4:12)</b></span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">. It is </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-size:130%;" ><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit </span></i></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>(Eph. 6:17)</b></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">. How are you using it?</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Blessings,</span>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Eddie</span>
<br /></span></span></span></div><p> </p> Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-83314603826958891012010-07-29T13:42:00.001-04:002010-07-29T13:46:19.293-04:00Faith & Trust in Jesus or Self!<meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> </style> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">When we think of faith we need to also consider the term trust. Both go hand in hand with one another. Without faith it is very difficult to trust and if you are trusting, then you must have a lot of faith.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;" align="JUSTIFY"> <span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> What are the things in your life that you put the most trust in on a daily basis? Could it be the security of your job, your marriage, your family life, your religious beliefs, your convictions, or maybe yourself. Yes, you heard right. Do you put more trust in yourself than you do in the Lord?</span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Ezekiel, a prophet of God, was made a watchman for the house of Israel. He had an awesome responsibility to warn the people when they were contrary to God's will. If he warned them and they did not listen, his soul would still be delivered. But if he failed to warn the people of their wrongdoings and they died in that condition, he would be held responsible. This is where God said, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">When I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, but he trusts in his own righteousness and commits iniquity, none of his righteous works shall be remembered; but because of the iniquity that he has committed, he shall die.” </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>(Ezek. 33:7-10, 13) </b></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We see here that one cannot trust in his/her own righteousness or works but only in God's righteousness to eradicate their sins.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b> </b></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass. </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>(Psa. 37:3, 5)</b></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Here's a familiar one: </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...</span></i></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b> ( Prov. 3:5)</b></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> From these two verses we truly realize once again that it is God that we must put our trust in and we must rely on His faithfulness, not ours.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> At this point you say, “Okay, I will quit putting so much trust and faith in myself, but will depend on my friends more. This won't work either. Here's what God's word say about that, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Do not trust in a friend; do not put your confidence in a companion. </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>(Mic. 7:5)</b></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> This leaves us one alternative and that is to pur ALL of our faith and trust in God Almighty who will see us through to the end. Amen!</span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Blessings,</span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Eddie
<br /></span></span></span></span></p> Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433104118317610854.post-61327513053744341542010-07-08T23:41:00.001-04:002010-07-08T23:43:27.661-04:00Allergy Sufferers Beware!<meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> </style> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Many of you are very much aware that the allergy season is in full force and sending people to the doctor's office and emergency rooms on an hourly basis. So why do so many suffer from these different allergies? Good question.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> The main reason so many people have trouble during this time of the year is due to pollens being released in the air by plants and trees. The most common allergies are nasal. The symptoms are usually congestion, sneezing, itching and running nose. Of course these are easily comforted by using an over the counter spray of some sorts. Then there are the more severe allergies that can send an individual to the emergency room fighting for their life. I remember when I was younger and had bronchial asthma. I had to have an injection several times to clear my breathing passages. I remember how scary it was trying to breathe my next breath. I finally out grew that allergy but found out later that I was very allergic to cat dander. If you were to lock me up in a room full of cats, it would be no time at all that I would be gasping for my next breath and eventually I would suffocate. Don't get any ideas!</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> The point is that if you suffer from allergies you will do all that you can to get relief. You don't want temporary relief; you want permanent relief. So you seek out doctor after doctor until you find one that has the cure for your specific condition. Once the solution is found you can be on your happy way and pray that no other symptoms arise.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Did you realize that just as we have physical allergies we suffer from, we can also have spiritual allergies that can cause us more harm. Do you find yourself running towards evil deeds or running away from them. Be honest here. We all suffer from doing wrong. That's why we are sinners, but we should be allergic to wrong doing and our antidote for this problem should be clean or right living. Remember the apostle Paul and his problem? </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>(Rom. 7:19)</b></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Do you have the same problem? He goes on to say, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>(Rom. 7:20)</b></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">. If you have this type of sin in you today, it can be easily gotten rid of by giving it to the Lord. Jesus said, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>(Matt. 11:28-30)</b></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Jesus gives the invitation to come to the Father through Him. All who labor under burdens of any kind are invited to come. The greatest burden is the burden of sin. Jesus will give men the forgiveness of sins when they come to Him. Are you willing to surrender your all to Him today? He is the true antidote for your spiritual allergies. Get rid of them today, once and for all. We will be praying for you. Come!</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="JUSTIFY">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="RIGHT"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy,cursive;"><span style="font-size:100%;">In Christian love,</span></span></p> Eddie Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06295125236445134425noreply@blogger.com2