By Kingsley Baehr
Grissom, the star of the television series “CSI”, often cautions his co-workers to “Follow the evidence.” Wherever the evidence takes you will be the truth.
Good advice! Let’s apply it to the Bible. Where does the evidence take us in trying to decide if its writing was controlled and inspired by God?
It was written by approximately 40 men from all walks of life, from servants to kings.
It was written over a period of about 1500 years.
It was written on three continents.
It was written in three languages.
It is comprised of 66 books and letters.
Many of its human authors had no knowledge of nor had met each other.
It addresses many very controversial subjects.
and yet,
IF YOU WERE TO BEGIN AT THE BEGINNING AND READ IT THROUGH TO THE END,
YOU WOULD FIND TO YOUR AMAZEMENT
THAT IT BEGINS AT THE BEGINNING AND ENDS AT THE END,
THAT IT IS ONE BOOK, UNIQUELY UNIFIED.
THE EVIDENCE LEADS TO THE FACT THAT IT HAD TO HAVE ONE AUTHOR
WHO LIVED FOR AT LEAST 1500 YEARS
AND WHO CONTROLLED WHAT WAS WRITTEN.
NO OTHER INTERPRETATION FITS ALL THE FACTS.
By contrast, if you were to choose 40 men, all residents of the United States all living in 2006, all speaking English, all with university degrees, and were to ask each of them to write his own book on one controversial subject such as “love”, and then were to take their writings and bind them into one book and read that book from beginning to end, what would you have? A HODGEPODGE! No continuity among the books! Little agreement regarding the subject! Many contradictions! Certainly, nothing like the Bible!
So you decide,
Is the Bible the Word of God?
And if so, will you believe it
or continue to choose to fly in the face of the evidence
and reject it?
Is the Bible the Word of God?
And if so, will you believe it
or continue to choose to fly in the face of the evidence
and reject it?
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine [what is right],
for reproof [what is not right],
for correction [how to get right],
for instruction in righteousness
[how to stay right],
that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.- 2 Timothy 3:16,17
By Kingsley Baehr
New "Improved!" products!
New drug therapies!
New technologies!
New space discoveries!
New Age philosophies!
New drug therapies!
New technologies!
New space discoveries!
New Age philosophies!
SUCH A SWIFT PACE WITH SPEEDY OBSOLESCENCE!
Same old humanity
Same old philosophies
Same old psychologies
Same old "self-discovery"
Same old sinfulness
Same old philosophies
Same old psychologies
Same old "self-discovery"
Same old sinfulness
SUCH A SPIRITUAL SWAMP WITH HOPELESS OPTIMISM!
GRAND OLD STORY - of OPTIMAL LOVE!
GRAND OLD GOSPEL - of OPTIMAL GOOD NEWS!
GRAND OLD PLAN - of the OMNIPOTENT GOD!
GRAND OLD SALVATION - of OPTIMAL VALUE!
GRAND OLD REMEDY - of OPTIMAL HOPE!
GRAND OLD GOSPEL - of OPTIMAL GOOD NEWS!
GRAND OLD PLAN - of the OMNIPOTENT GOD!
GRAND OLD SALVATION - of OPTIMAL VALUE!
GRAND OLD REMEDY - of OPTIMAL HOPE!
SUCH A SURE FOUNDATION WITH ETERNAL OPPORTUNITY!
Enjoy an everlasting life with the Lord Jesus Christ!
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. - 1 Corinthians 3:11
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.- Acts 4:12
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.Romans 10:13
By Kingsley Baehr
I realize that this is a November devotional, but I want to talk about
halloween and Christmas.
October, this year, has been hounding us with:
Hideous halloween decorations and yard displays—uglier every year.
Shelves and shelves of halloween paraphernalia in stores.
Weird halloween music assaulting our ears whether we like it or not.
Horror-filled halloween programs and movies for our viewing displeasure.
An ever-increasing halloween emphasis on ghouls and goblins,
the scary, and the macabre,
and vicious, bloody scenes of violence and death.
Ghostly and ghastly halloween costumes on many small children
[as they want the treat without doing the trick].
And all this for financial gain which is gaining every year!
Shelves and shelves of halloween paraphernalia in stores.
Weird halloween music assaulting our ears whether we like it or not.
Horror-filled halloween programs and movies for our viewing displeasure.
An ever-increasing halloween emphasis on ghouls and goblins,
the scary, and the macabre,
and vicious, bloody scenes of violence and death.
Ghostly and ghastly halloween costumes on many small children
[as they want the treat without doing the trick].
And all this for financial gain which is gaining every year!
The amazing thing is that halloween is supposed to be a children’s holiday!
What are we thinking?!
Have we gone crazy?!
Do we have any idea any more of the damage we are doing to the
minds, emotions, souls and spirits of our younger generation?
And guess what? When Christmas rolls around, there will be:
What are we thinking?!
Have we gone crazy?!
Do we have any idea any more of the damage we are doing to the
minds, emotions, souls and spirits of our younger generation?
And guess what? When Christmas rolls around, there will be:
Fewer and fewer manger-scene decorations;
No nativity creches on display in public venues;
Very little Biblical paraphernalia on store shelves;
No Christmas carols wafting through the halls in malls;
An increasingly scanty selection of programs and movies
about the birth of Christ—
Only X-mas* trees
Fake Santa Clauses,
reindeer, elves, and snowmen;
And more and more expensive toys and games
trying to bring X-mas* cheer to children of all ages,
And all this to mollify the ire of rejectors of the God Who created them!
[*We have to take the “Christ” out of “Christmas” these days!]
No nativity creches on display in public venues;
Very little Biblical paraphernalia on store shelves;
No Christmas carols wafting through the halls in malls;
An increasingly scanty selection of programs and movies
about the birth of Christ—
Only X-mas* trees
Fake Santa Clauses,
reindeer, elves, and snowmen;
And more and more expensive toys and games
trying to bring X-mas* cheer to children of all ages,
And all this to mollify the ire of rejectors of the God Who created them!
[*We have to take the “Christ” out of “Christmas” these days!]
There will be a decreasing emphasis
on the glory surrounding that miraculous birth 2000 years ago
that changed the course of history,
And little attention to Jesus Christ,
[the Reason for the season
before the treason of the season was foisted upon us],
on the glory surrounding that miraculous birth 2000 years ago
that changed the course of history,
And little attention to Jesus Christ,
[the Reason for the season
before the treason of the season was foisted upon us],
And a disregard for:
The purity of His Person,
The wonder of His love,
The selflessness of His sacrifice,
And the glory of His gift of eternal life.
What are we thinking?!
Have we gone crazy?!
Don’t we realize that His tender love,
His measureless mercy,
and His great grace
are what our children, our society, and our nation need to be celebrating?
O Lord God of heaven and earth,
please forgive us for our failure,
please save us from our sinfulness,
and please restore us to our right minds.
This is our November prayer to You this year, 2007.
The purity of His Person,
The wonder of His love,
The selflessness of His sacrifice,
And the glory of His gift of eternal life.
What are we thinking?!
Have we gone crazy?!
Don’t we realize that His tender love,
His measureless mercy,
and His great grace
are what our children, our society, and our nation need to be celebrating?
O Lord God of heaven and earth,
please forgive us for our failure,
please save us from our sinfulness,
and please restore us to our right minds.
This is our November prayer to You this year, 2007.
By Kingsley Baehr
Hannah had a horrible home life.
[You can read her fascinating story in 1 Samuel, chapters 1 and 2 in the Bible.]
She was married to a man who, although he loved her very much, was clue-less. Penninah, his other wife [yes, the culture of his day allowed that, even though God had said,
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife {not wives}, and they shall become one flesh. – Gen. 2:24] was a haughty bully. Because she
had presented her husband with children, and Hannah had not, Penninah was merciless in her ridicule and scorn toward Hannah. Sooo... Hannah had a horrible home life.
Therefore Hannah did something that we all should do when life is hard. She poured out her heart to God. If God would enable her to have a boy child, she said, she would give him back to God as a
thanks-giving gift.
Hannah made a deal with God. Have you ever tried to make a deal with God, and God didn’t respond? Could the reason be that, as God looked into your heart, He could see that you had no real in-tention of upholding your end of
the deal?
God gave Hannah a baby boy whom she named Samuel [which means “Name of God”]. For three to four years she nursed him, cuddled him, loved him, adored him—and then, after weaning him, she did as she
had promised—she gave him back to God the only way she knew how—she took him to Eli, the high priest, for his service.
How it must have torn her mother’s heart to part from her beloved son! But she had made a deal with God. He had kept His part and now she would keep hers.
There is much more to this story that for the sake of brevity we will skip, but we can’t ignore the “end of the story.”
- God gave Hannah three more sons and two daughters!
- Samuel grew up to be one of the great Old Testament prophets, who became famous as the one to whom God spoke His word during a time when the word of God was seldom spoken, because so few were listening or interested!
- And Hannah was able to see how God used her gift to Him for the good of the whole nation of Israel!
God is no man’s debtor. He says in
1 Samuel 2:30, “...those who honor Me, I will honor...” God keeps His promises.
Are you honoring Him in your life today?
If not, why not?
If so, you too will be honored by God in His perfect time and way.
If not, why not?
If so, you too will be honored by God in His perfect time and way.
By Kingsley Baehr
In the “Wizard of Id” comic strip by Parker and Hart, [Sun. Newark Star-Ledger, Sept. 2, 2007] a representative of the peasants of Id appears before the king:
“The peasants want the day off work for Labor Day,” he demands.
“Nice try! It’s Labor Day not lazy day,” replies the king
.
“The peasants want the day off work for Labor Day,” he demands.
“Nice try! It’s Labor Day not lazy day,” replies the king
.
Isn’t it interesting that we have a holiday from labor and call it “Labor Day”?
“Laborers” are often disrespected in our society, mainly because much of their work does not seem to require a complete education or advanced technical skills. What is required of them is commitment, trust-worthiness,
obedience and hard work, in what are, often, difficult environments.
“Laborers” who are committed, trustworthy, obedient and hard-working are exactly whom Jesus says He wants.
“Laborers” who are committed, trustworthy, obedient and hard-working are exactly whom Jesus says He wants.
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” [Luke 10:2]
Laborers, not PhD.’s.
Laborers, not techno-whizzes.
Laborers, not star athletes.
Laborers, not highly-skilled artists.
Laborers, not wealthy businessmen.
Laborers, not techno-whizzes.
Laborers, not star athletes.
Laborers, not highly-skilled artists.
Laborers, not wealthy businessmen.
Of course, if you are a committed, trustworthy, obedient and hard-working servant of Jesus, plus a PhD. or a techno-whiz, or a star athlete, or a highly-skilled artist, or a wealthy businessman, or all of these combined,
Jesus wants you as His laborer. But any of the last five without all of the first four are useless to Him.
But why would anyone want to be a laborer for Jesus? Well, Jesus “worked Himself to death” for us. So, if we have any appreciation of His work on our behalf, then it should be a thrill to us to
“do all for the glory of God.” [1 Corinthians 10:31a]
And listen to this!
“Now he who plants and he who waters are one [unified in their labor]; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s co-workers...” [1 Corinthians 3:8,9]
How exciting is that! Being a co-worker with God! And who could possibly be a better rewarder than God?
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” [Colossians 3:23,24]
“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every man according to what he has done. [Revelation 22:12]
So for whom or what are you laboring? Is it worth it? Will it last throughout eternity? Or will you lose it all when you die? Something to seriously think about.
By Kingsley Baehr
Please find a Bible and read 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 in sections according to this outline.
[It is a fascinating story. You won’t regret spending time on it.]
- The Coalition Comes on. – vs. 1,2
- The Cry Goes Up. – vs. 3-12
- The Confidence Comes Down. – vs. 13-17
- The Choir Goes Out. – vs. 18-21
- The Coalition Comes Apart. – vs. 22,23
- The Collection Goes Well. – vs. 24-26
- The Conquerors Come Home. – vs.27,28
- The CONQUEROR Gives Rest. – vs. 29,30
[This historical account took place about 840 B.C. Old Testament accounts of battles against physical enemies need to be applied today as battles against our three enemies, Satan, the world system that has set itself against God, and sexual immorality.]
IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD THERE IS STRONG CONFIDENCE – Prov. 14:26
Please notice what the prophet Jahaziel said to King Jehoshaphat and his subjects about the three armies that were threatening them:
“DO NOT BE AFRAID OR DISMAYED [DISCOURAGED],... FOR THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GOD’S.”
Why did the prophet of God say this to the King?
- Because the king and his small army were afraid of the massive host march-ing toward them.
- Because King Jehoshaphat had prayed,
“We have no power against this great multitude;... nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You [God].”
Remember: “Fearing God = Having a reverential awe of Him, trusting Him and loving Him.”
As illustrated by this story, what can we learn from the answers to the following questions?
- When we are afraid of people, circumstances, or spiritual powers, what can we do?
- When we ask God for His help, what should we expect?
- How can we show God that we totally trust Him to “win the battle” for us?
Try thinking about these verses along the same lines:
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1
“I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.’” – Psalm 91:2
“The [Messenger of the LORD = Jesus] encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” – Psalm 34:7
“I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.’” – Psalm 91:2
“The [Messenger of the LORD = Jesus] encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” – Psalm 34:7
GOD IS MORE POWERFUL THAT ANY ENEMY WE WILL EVER FACE.
A WISE RESPONSE? YIELD YOUR LIFE TO HIM,
GO FORWARD, TRUSTING THAT THE VICTORY IS ASSURED.
A WISE RESPONSE? YIELD YOUR LIFE TO HIM,
GO FORWARD, TRUSTING THAT THE VICTORY IS ASSURED.
[This is the second of a three-part series on “The Fear of the Lord.]”
By Kingsley Baehr
Below, written in red, is a prayer of Billy Graham’s which was aired a while ago on Paul Harvey’s radio program, "The Rest of the Story" and received a larger response than any other program he has ever aired. Interspersed in the prayer are my own examples in black italics and some things that the Bible says in purple.
Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance.
["Seek God while He’s here to be found; pray to Him while He’s close at hand. Let the wicked abandon their way of life and the evil their way of thinking. Let them come back to God who is merciful—come back to our God who is lavish with forgiveness." – Isaiah 55:6,7]
We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. ["Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; who put darkness for light and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes..." – Isaiah 5:20.21a]
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. ["Just a little bit of luck" is all that is needed when the odds are 1 in 100,000 to 1 in millions?]
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. ["Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands... so that you will not be dependent on anybody." – 1 Thessalonians 4:11,12]
We have killed our unborn and called it choice. [Norma McCorvey — nee. Jane Roe of Roe v. Wade—was the icon for abortion. Now, McCorvey wants to be known for protecting life. She says, "In 1973, I was a very confused 21-year-old, with one child, and facing an unplanned pregnancy. At the time, I fought to obtain a legal abortion, but truth be told, I have three daughters and have never had an abortion." McCorvey goes on to share that she’s a Christian and that being involved in Roe v. Wade was the biggest mistake of her life. Note: Why haven’t we heard about this monumental turn-around in the new media? It is certainly newsworthy!]]
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. ["You shall not murder." – Exodus 20:13]
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. ["Correct your children while there is still hope; do not let them destroy themselves." – Proverbs 19:18
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." – Hebrews 12:11]
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." – Hebrews 12:11]
We have abused power and called it politics. ["Such people are not serving our Lord Christ but are only doing what pleases themselves. They use fancy talk and fine words to fool the minds of those who do not know about evil." – Romans 16:18] [There is an old saying which I have watered down somewhat: "Power can corrupt, and absolute power can corrupt absolutely."]
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. ["Then (Jesus) said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abun-dance of his possessions.’ " – Luke 12:15] [T.V. programs preach that possessing more and more is the focus of the good life. Who is right? The one who lays up riches on earth or in heaven?]
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
[In order to be hot, we have to be sexy and obscene. Blatant lust is a part of most music, T.V. programs, and even commercials. "Sex sells." Sug-gestive "blips" censoring obscenities might as well not be there. Most people know what word is being "blipped out." But here is what the Bible says: "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming." – Colossians 3:5,6]
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
[But God says: "O people, the LORD has told you
what is good, and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right,
to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God." – Micah 6:8]
what is good, and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right,
to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God." – Micah 6:8]
Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.
["Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." – Psalm 139:23,24]
AMEN!
Devotion by Russ Innes
"Memorial Day [which we recently observed] is about remembering those soldiers who have sacrificed their lives to defend and protect the freedoms we enjoy in the U.S.A.
"Because of my experience in Vietnam, this day of remembrance has always produced very personal and emotional feelings that I cannot dwell on for very long, since soldiers with whom I served lost their lives during fighting in which I participated. It brings back memories that overwhelm me, which I try to suppress more often than not.
"At Cedarcroft Bible Chapel, on Sunday, 5/25/09, at a service to remember
"Because of my experience in Vietnam, this day of remembrance has always produced very personal and emotional feelings that I cannot dwell on for very long, since soldiers with whom I served lost their lives during fighting in which I participated. It brings back memories that overwhelm me, which I try to suppress more often than not.
"At Cedarcroft Bible Chapel, on Sunday, 5/25/09, at a service to remember
the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for us,
Steve Kuitems shared his thoughts about some similarities between Jesus’ sacrifice and that of soldiers who have given their lives in battle.
"A light went on in my head, and God showed me that He wants me to tap into those thoughts of soldiers who died next to me when I remember that
"A light went on in my head, and God showed me that He wants me to tap into those thoughts of soldiers who died next to me when I remember that
His Son Jesus Christ died for me.
"My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ died in my place to give me a freedom that can never be lost or taken away by any force in this world or beyond. The gratefulness, love, and peace that overwhelm me when I remember what He did on the cross should never be suppressed, as I try to do with the memories of the Vietnam war.
So as one who has accepted Jesus’ death as payment for the death penalty of my sin, our memorial service of Jesus’ sacrifice which we hold each Sunday, has a very special meaning for me.
"Jesus said it best in John 15:13: ‘There is no greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.’” – Russ Innes
So as one who has accepted Jesus’ death as payment for the death penalty of my sin, our memorial service of Jesus’ sacrifice which we hold each Sunday, has a very special meaning for me.
"Jesus said it best in John 15:13: ‘There is no greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.’” – Russ Innes
American soldiers lay down their lives for their country.
Jesus laid down His life for you.
They, to preserve the freedoms we already have.
Jesus, to offer you freedoms you do not have:
Salvation from sin.
Freedom from the power of sin
now
and from the presence of sin in heaven.
Freedom to enjoy the abundant life
He wants to give you.
Salvation from sin.
Freedom from the power of sin
now
and from the presence of sin in heaven.
Freedom to enjoy the abundant life
He wants to give you.
So,
why not make this day,
[the day you are reading this],
a memorable day in your life,
the day that you receive
why not make this day,
[the day you are reading this],
a memorable day in your life,
the day that you receive
the Lord Jesus Christ
as your Savior and Lord.
as your Savior and Lord.
[This devotion is by Russ Innes, a Vietnam veteran who served for one year with the 1st Infantry Division in 1969.]
By Kingsley Baehr
Many years ago, before air-conditioning and directional sig-nals in cars, drivers would ex-tend their left arms out the win-dow and make hand signals to indi-cate what they were planning to do.
When they made a REVOLVING motion with their hand, it meant that they were turning right.
But a 7th grade student of mine wrote in a composition that a driver had made a “REVOLTING” mo-tion!
ONE LETTER MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE!
When one’s life becomes diffi-cult physically, psychologically, or socially, he/she could become either
BITTER OR BETTER.
ONE LETTER MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE!
An “I” stands for ego, self, and pride.
An “E” stands for “Elohim,” the Hebrew name for “God.”
So, if my focus is on the “I” in the problem, I will become BITTER.
But If my focus is on “ELOHIM” in the problem, I will become BETTER.
Suffering is a part of life as a result of the judgment on the human race, because we are try-ing to be gods ourselves.
All the way back in the garden of eden, adam and eve were told by Satan that if they would dis-obey God, they would be like God and know good and evil.
They already knew good, be-cause God had made everything GOOD, so all that was gained by disobedience was evil and all of its consequent sufferings.
Therefore, if I insist on focus-ing on myself in the midst of my suffering, I will only become BITTER
All the way back in the garden of eden, adam and eve were told by Satan that if they would dis-obey God, they would be like God and know good and evil.
They already knew good, be-cause God had made everything GOOD, so all that was gained by disobedience was evil and all of its consequent sufferings.
Therefore, if I insist on focus-ing on myself in the midst of my suffering, I will only become BITTER
But if, instead, I focus on what God wants to teach me about His goodness through the suffering, I will become BETTER.
Which will it be for you?
GOD CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE!
Check out these verses from god’s Word, the Bible:
1 Corinthians 1:3,4 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
1 Peter 4:12,13 - Beloved, do not think it strange con-cerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
1 Peter 5:8-11 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your ad-versary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seek-ing whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Romans 8:18 - For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
But, how much more important is it that we remember the one MAN who laid down His life out of love for us!
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
1 Corinthians 1:3,4 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
1 Peter 4:12,13 - Beloved, do not think it strange con-cerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
1 Peter 5:8-11 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your ad-versary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seek-ing whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Romans 8:18 - For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
But, how much more important is it that we remember the one MAN who laid down His life out of love for us!
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH JESUS?
By Kingsley Baehr
What though wars may come with marching feet and beat of the drum,
For I have Christ in my heart!
For I have Christ in my heart!
What though nations rage as we approach the end of the age,
For I have Christ in my heart!
For I have Christ in my heart!
God is still on the throne--
Almighty God is He--
And He cares for His own
Through all eternity!
Almighty God is He--
And He cares for His own
Through all eternity!
So let come what may, whatever it is, I only say
That I have Christ in my heart!
I HAVE CHRIST IN MY HEART! - Words and music by Wendell P. Loveless
That I have Christ in my heart!
I HAVE CHRIST IN MY HEART! - Words and music by Wendell P. Loveless
Jesus Christ said:
"Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God-- believe also in Me.
In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and pre-pare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also."
"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
"These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but, be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Are you on speaking terms with Jesus Christ?
Is He filling your life with His presence?
Have you received Him as the Savior from your sins?
If so:
Is He filling your life with His presence?
Have you received Him as the Savior from your sins?
If so:
You can experience the peace which Jesus Christ promises!
By Kingsley Baehr
After languishing for months in Hitler’s prison Martin Niemoller emerged saying, “It took me a long time to learn that God is not the enemy of His enemies!”
-- Tan, P. L. (1996, c1979). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations. Garland TX: Bible Communications.
Please take careful notice of the following passage from the Bible:
... You were [God’s] enemies, separated from Him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now He [will] bring you back as His friends... through His [Son’s] death on the cross in His own human body... – Col. 1:22,23a
While the Lord Jesus Christ was hanging on a Roman cross, a bloody mass, in excruciating pain, soon to be separated from His Father God while being made sin for us, He said,
“Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” – Lu. 23:34
God has mercifully and graciously initiated a reconciliation with you and provided the means for it! He certainly is not the enemy of His enemies!
When the Moravian missionaries first went to the Eskimo people many years ago, they could not find a word in their language for forgiveness, so they had to compound one. This turned out to be: Issumagijoujungnainermik. It is
a formidable-looking assembly of letters, but an expression that has a beautiful connotation for those who understand it. It means:
“Not-being-able-to-think-about-it-anymore.”
—Minister’s Research Service
So what happens when God forgives your sin?
He removes our rebellious acts as far away from us as the east is from the west. --Psalm 103:12
[He] will have compassion on us. [He] will trample our sins under [His] feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean! -- Micah 7:19
God says:
“I—yes, I alone—am the One who blots out your sins for My own sake and will never think of them again.” --Isaiah 43:25
“I have swept away your sins like the morning mists. I have scattered your offenses like the clouds. Oh, return to Me, for I have paid the price to set you free.” -- Isaiah 44:22
When God forgives sin, He forgets it and will never throw it up into your face again!
But what does one have to do to have God’s forgiveness applied to his/her account?
If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. 1 John 1:8,9
...I confessed all my sins to You and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And You forgave me! All my guilt is gone. -- Psalm 32:5
And finally, what should be the effect of God’s forgiveness in our lives?
... Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. -- Ephesians 4:32
By Kingsley Baehr
February is the Big Birthday Month in the Baehr/Hendry families.
My mother-in-law’s, an uncle’s, and a cousin’s are all on the 1st.
My mother’s is on the 2nd. My own is on the 5th.
Two cousins’ and a niece’s are all on the 10th.
Abraham Lincoln’s is on the 12th. One cousin’s is on the 15th.
A grandmother’s was on the 17th. A grandaunt’s was on the 18th.
George Washington’s is on the 22nd.
Charles Lindbergh’s is somewhere in there.
In fact, all great people are born in February! [Spoken like a true Februarian!]
Do you know your birth date?
Of course you do! Almost everybody does! It is an important date in our lives.
It began our physical lives lived separately from our mothers’ wombs.
But do you know your spiritual birth date?
Do you even have one?
Have you been born again?
Was there ever a time when you received a new eternal life,
because you invited the Spirit of God to come to live in you
through faith in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ,
when he died in your place, and rose triumphant over death
so that He could offer you eternal life?
Which birthday is more important?
The one that imparts physical life ending in death?
Or the one that gives spiritual life which never ends?
If you have never had a spiritual birthday, today [in February no less!] would be an excellent day to be born again. (2 Corinthians 6:2) How?
CONFESS that you are a sinner whose sins have offended the holy God Who
created you, and that you deserve nothing less than death.
(Romans 3:23)
ADMIT that you are helpless to earn your own eternal life because your sins
have separated you from the God Who alone gives life. (Isaiah 59:2)
RECEIVE as a gift from God eternal life, which the Lord Jesus Christ paid
for and bought with His bloody death in your place as your
Substitute. (Romans 6:23)