Apocalyptic Calamity? 

     Your blogger remembers the new Cold War in the 1950s, when the threat of Russian atomic bombing had Americans conducting drills and building shelters. Some of us teens went to the USO to call in any airplanes flying over our small town. Ho hum. There weren't many. I do recall being somewhat afraid.  

     In the early 1960's JFK called for public fallout shelters. Interest in survival skills and such grew to a multibillion-dollar industry.

     Today, Cold War heritage, some 23 million U.S. adults are stockpiling and working on survival skills. Billions are spent annually on portable generators, gas masks and windup radios. Some preppers are motivated by common sense. Others have apocalyptic fear. Then there are those of us who question the desire to preserve life here when something much better awaits.

     The terrorist attacks of 9/11 prompted new safety measures. By 2010, half of all Americans had preparedness on the brain. Prepping isn't cheap. Americans spent some $11 billion to be prepared in 2022. Today it is as much personal choice as it is emergency prep. Conservatives feel strongly about gun ownership. 

     Preparedness is wise. We were educated a few years ago when there was a rush on toilet paper...trucker strike, I think. You never know. And we don't trust the mainstream media's every word.

         Jimmy

 

Abraham Believed God 

     And Jesus his descendant, his offspring, more or less, also obeyed God, his Father, allowing himself to be nailed to a cross, suffering the penalty we all - including Moses, Jacob, Joseph, Abraham and Washington, Lincoln and Trump - deserve. 

     Miraculously, Abraham and Sarah bore a child (Isaac) after they were way beyond the possible age. Jesus, miraculously born to a virgin, miraculously rose from the dead, revealing his wounds to his disciples. 

     He later became a curse for us, that the blessing given to Abraham might come also to Gentiles. And not just a blessing, but supernatural strength by the indwelling Holy Spirit. God.

     The law came centuries after Abraham. Not as a road map to heaven, but a prison of sorts, until the risen Christ won over his incredulous disciples and others. World history thereby burst in all directions...the invitation to accept Jesus' as Savior and Lord, sins forgiven, eternal life offered.

     Missionaries and other believers who spread the good news to Jews and Gentiles are still at work, the world often hostile to those who speak of miracles. 

     We say it again: Neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female. We can be (spiritually) heirs of Abraham, forgiven souls who trust and obey the One who experienced human life, without sin, shedding his blood that we might respond to his heavenly love.

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How Can Anyone Be Saved?

     Obey the law? Be a descendent of Abraham? Human effort?

     In Galatians chapter 3...relying on the law leaves people "cursed." If we obey it perfectly, welcome to heaven. But none of us can do that. Neither can any of us be holy enough to pass through the "pearly gates." 

      If we're "children" of Abraham - that is, like him in faith and obedience, no matter what - we are blessed, closer to the promise. Not home yet (as a home run doesn't count until the batter crosses home plate). There was considerable disobedience and disbelief during the centuries of Jacob/Israel's descendants. God allowed - or led? - the Romans to scatter "his" people. 

     Today, there are still Abraham descendants who are not believers. Maybe the Holocaust resulted in unbelief. Understandable. Then again, the horrible Holocaust led survivors to reestablish the nation of Israel ... believers or not ... three years after the war.  

      What did God say to Abraham? Translated from Hebrew into English, through your offspring, all nations on earth (or, believers in all nations) will be blessed (eventually) because you have obeyed me. - Moses, in Genesis 22:18.  

     God didn't say the "descendants." He said "offspring" (as translated). (Offspring could be plural. In this case...?)     

     In the New Testament, Galatians 3, Paul wrote, "The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and announced the gospel (good news) in advance to Abraham - verse 6.    

     In verse 16: The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed (One version of ancient Hebrew has a word translated offspring or seed). The Scripture does not say "and to his seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed, meaning one person, who is Christ. 

 To be continued Wednesday

Faith or Works? 

     So many particulars: Belief. Obedience. Promises. Obligations. Commitment. Human effort........? 

     The lives of men. What about women? From Canaan to Israel. What about America? 

     For answers we will turn to Galatians chapter 3, tying the Old and New Testaments together. Remember Saul, 100 percent Jewish, who persecuted Christians that were leading Jews into a mistaken faith, or so he believed. Jesus spoke to him from heaven, gave Saul the name Paul, and the rest is history. 

     But first, let's go to Genesis chapter 3. The clever devil posed as a serpent, duping Adam and Eve into disobeying God (the world's first sin; eating forbidden fruit). God told the serpent he would put "enmity (hostility) between him and the woman" (all humanity). The serpent "will strike the heal of the enmity (Christ on the cross) and he (Christ) will crush your head" (yet to occur).

     We are living in that warfare today. Now, to Galatians 3. 

     Paul told Galatians to remember Abraham (father of Isaac, father of Jacob - renamed Israel). This was centuries before Moses and the law. When God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son, he prepared to do so, until the Lord told him to put down his knife. 

     God declared, "Because you have done this and have not withheld your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars...and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed because you have obeyed me." 

***Offspring? Monday's blog will be the most important in my 11 years***

Have You Heard? 

     Someone wants to build a home for you. You won't have to pay for it. No worry about a mortgage, taxes or utility bills. 

     Your home will have no mold. No leaky roof. No rotten wood. No pests. No disease. No storms. No crime. No traveling salesmen.

     NO KIDDING! 

     The Master Builder's name is Jesus. 

     Have faith to join the Builder's family while there is still time. Be warned. We don't know when "time's up!" 

     The Book says it's heavenly there. The sun doesn't shine, but a certain glory provides all light. We hear the music is out of this world. And the fruit is so good! 

     All the people you meet will be loving, like you. 

     Get ready for this: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all in one in Christ." - Galatians 3:28  

     In eternal life, you can roam the "new earth," with adventures and friends far beyond our worldly existence. And you will never, ever get hurt physically or emotionally again. 

     Is our short life on earth so awesome we say "no" to salvation in eternity?

Friday: How can we know?

 Then and Now - Same Issue 

My letter to Congress, 3-18-93

Hon. Sen. George Mitchell:

     "We will be as brief as possible, but we hope our words somehow express the depth of our conviction.

     "Amazed by polls that claim so many Americans support the president's (Clinton) tax proposals, we conclude that there are millions of good-hearted patriotic citizens who are easily impressed by an eloquent public speaker. 

     "We don't know how to operate such a massive government, our neighbors don't know, and Washington knows we don't know. We don't want Washington to patronize us about offering our suggestions, so that we'll feel good and be more inclined to up our taxes.

     "We have elected many men and women, and are paying them generously, to manage the considerable tax money we already are providing. 

     "The debt is proof that something is not being managed well. Further, increased spending has followed and even exceeded previous tax increases. We don't know why grown men and women are even debating more taxes.

     "Let the government cut billions and tens of billions out of programs that aren't giving us our money's worth - before debt destroys us all - if it isn't already too late. Then, in a few years when the government has proven it is fiscally responsible, approach us about new taxes, if indeed they are still necessary." 

32 years later, someone is responding

- if it isn't already too late

         Jimmy 

Hope, or Hopeless? 

     More than 5.6 billion people around the world are living without the hope that comes from knowing Jesus Christ. 

     This may be a faceless crowd to us, but each one is a soul - precious to God - for whom Christ died. 

In his great mercy he has given us new birth in a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 

     Millions look to the internet for answers to their hurts and longings. Google alone sees millions of queries in search of hope.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 

     More than 55 million Americans ages 12 and older abuse or are addicted to drugs or alcohol. 

You are precious in my eyes ... and I love you. Isaiah 43:4

     More than 23 million Americans struggle with depression, and over 49,000 commit suicide each year. 

You answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth. Psalm 65:5 

     Some 40 million people in the U.S. feel trapped or crippled by fear.

Fear not, for I am ... your God and will ... help you. Isaiah 41:10  

     An average of 165,000 people go into eternity each day, the majority are lost.

Without hope and without God in this world. Ephesians 2:12

     Last year, hundreds of thousands of people found new life in Jesus Christ through the Ministeries of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. BillyGraham.org

Hope does not put us to shame. God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us. Romans 5:5

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 The Full Moon

...bring it on!

     Here in Florida, we just had a bright, full moon for two nights. That means the sun in those hours is below earth shining on the moon above the earth. 

     We also know that nighttime can be moonless, as when one or the other goes down in the West and the other follows it down. When the sun and moon are positioned in other ways, we get half-moons and every other angle.

     Politically, America has been almost moonless for several years. Today, we see increasing light, and there is hope for even brighter days and nights to come.

     Pastor Jim Cymbala reminds us that the apostle Paul urged people to pray for government leaders. Paul's goal wasn't to support a political party, but "that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth" - 1 Timothy 2:2-4.

     With Jesus now in heaven, his disciples "received power when the Holy Spirit" came upon them. Cymbala wrote, "The power to be salt and light came by being in God's presence, praying and waiting" - Acts 1:8. 

     "We need to be salt and light as the answer to society's ills. Elijah was a human as we are, and he prayed earnestly, and God answered."

     "It doesn't matter how small or weak we are, if we are connected by prayer to God, then he will move on our behalf. That doesn't mean God rescues every believer who prays in trouble. But the Lord will > give us endurance, or > change the circumstance."

     

      

Democrats in Bible Times

     Well, what'd ya know! 

     In Paul's letter to the Romans, chapter 16:17-18, he wrote:

     I urge you brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the minds of naive people.

      We should not be surprised - people 20 centuries ago were thinking and acting like many people today. Human nature has not changed since Adam and Eve. Our toys are much advanced, but our belief and behavior are what Jesus wants from us. First of all...

A Godless Age

     As above, Jim Cymbala, senior pastor at The Brooklyn Tabernacle, says our culture today mirrors what Timothy saw in Ephesus. "We live now in a mostly non-Christian country. When society is essentially godless, how should Christians respond?" 

     "Think of the Ephesian culture," he wrote. "There was no moral majority. Yet, Paul said, 'First of all, let the church be praying...for kings and those in authority.' Cymbala adds, "We are to pray for our leaders, whether they be Republican or Democrat."  

     Jesus said, "My house will be called a house of prayer" (Matthew 21:13). First of all. Why? "Because prayer brings God onto the scene."

            Jimmy

      

Will Our Constitution Survive?

The War on Warriors

Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense

     "In today's military we can rightly speak of the loss of our fundamental purpose, our common creed - our covenant. The mission creep is inside our ranks, as our original purpose as warriors and servants of the Constitution has transformed into an austere bureaucracy hell-bent on ideological conformity and societal change. 

     "The story of Gideon is a good reminder that readiness means nothing without God. God chose 'unready' men to accomplish his purposes. Strength is nothing without righteousness. Just as America's military might is nothing without an unwavering commitment to the Constitution and the defeat of our enemies, internal and external. 

     "The fundamental purpose of every elected officer, judge, law enforcer or warrior is to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic. This book ... is about how the military allowed itself to go woke. 

     "When we lose sight of the fact that the primary responsibility of the president of the United States is to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, then everything else falls apart.

     "Our covenant is broken. Our next president has one last chance to repair it." 

Pray for President Trump

Monday: Democrats in Bible times 

Our Covenant is Broken 

     As God made a covenant with ancient Israel in the time of Gideon, our founders signed a covenant uniting the 13 states on July 4, 1776. Freedom required war, and some of the signees paid with their lives.

     Our constitution with 25 amendments - ink on paper - is the understanding, the law, that has held us together for 248 years (our civil war excepted) regardless of faith, origin and finally, race. 

     In his book, The War on Warriors, chapter 13, Pete Hegseth, now our Secretary of Defense, wrote, "When we maintain our covenant, we are Gideon - God on our side. But what if we ignore our covenant? We turn our backs...on each other." 

     "America today is in a cold civil war. Our soul is under attack by a confederacy of radicals. They wish to erode our institutions by making us question our purpose." 

     "Gideon first had to sacrifice his own name and reputation. He had to learn how to be faithful. He had to brave the slings and arrows of his own people, his own tribe." 

     "This is our journey today. 'One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.' As a veteran, I read the story of Gideon, and I reflect on the values that Gideon shares with a warrior. His story reminds us that we are not only fighting a battle against foreign enemies." 

     "Sometimes (it must) begin with a struggle against domestic enemies: those who would violate the Covenant that binds us as a community of faith and ... blessing."

Conclusion on Friday

Submission to Authorities 

     Romans 8:13 updated:

     Everyone must submit himself to governing authorities (national, state and local), for there is no authority except that which God has established. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against ... God ... and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

     For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do what is right and God's servant will commend you. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for (the president, governor or mayor) does not (arrest suspects) for nothing. They (by their justice departments) are God's servants...to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 

     Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 

     So ... Let us behave decently, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Views: Did recent American authorities follow Paul's warning/advice? Did they release wrongdoers repeatedly? Did they arrest and otherwise harass political opponents, orderly abortion demonstrators, and threaten U.S. Supreme Court justices? And millions (two for sure) who wanted President Trump dead. 

Maybe God saw to it that Trump survived, not to Make America Great Again, but to demote Democrats who don't read Romans chapter 13, or anything else in God's Word. 

              Jimmy