Fruit Inspectors

In today's world, it seems that it's getting harder and harder to tell the good guys from the bad guys. Often, we find ourselves having to choose between the lesser of two evils.

What are we to do, then? Sometimes we sit and shake our heads, and we bemoan the current state of affairs that we find ourselves in. 

Jesus told us not to judge others. Some commentators that I have read interpret that to mean that we shouldn't pass sentence on others or condemn them out of self-righteousness. Jesus himself provided the answer: 

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.  A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:15-20 ESV) 

It is by a person's actions, and the outcomes of those actions, that we may know whether a person's motives are good or evil. We are not required to suspend all critical thinking or discernment.  We can choose whether to associate with a person socially, do business with them, enter into marriage with them, or to defend against them. (2Corinthians 6:14)  However, it is for the Lord to decide whether people have served God or the Devil. 

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’  And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” (Matthew 7:21-23 ESV) 

How can we usurp the prerogative of Christ by judging others to the point of condemnation?  We must not.  Some people may appear to escape justice now, but we must trust in God’s justice.  We must remember that we all have fallen short of God’s righteous standard.  Those who are saved escape God’s just punishment for our sins because Jesus paid “a debt He did not owe by paying a price we could not pay,” and our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (Revelation 20:11-15) That is why with hearts filled with love for Him, in the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we do the things He has planned in advance for us to do. 

“Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.  You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.  All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)  For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.  So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. 

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.  For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:1-10 NLT)

 

 

 

Acknowledgement:  The Bible verses shown were copied from https://biblehub.com/

 

Life Through the Holy Spirit

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.  And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.  The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature.  So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.  He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. 

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.  So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.  For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.  That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. 

But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)   And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God.  The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. 

Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.  For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.  For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 

So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”  For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. (Romans 8:1-16 NLT) [1]

 

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[1] https://biblehub.com/nlt/romans/8.htm

 

Happy Hunting

Hunting season is here again.  To my fellow hunters, I wish you good hunting and pray that God will protect you and keep you safe. 

As with any sport, it is useful to review the basics from time to time.  Here are a few suggestions that will help you have a safe and successful season. 

Review the information published by your state’s Game and Fish department.  Familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations that apply to hunting in your state.  Make sure that you follow all laws and regulations. 

Some states do not require blaze orange clothing.  Wear it anyway, whether it is required or not.  You may live longer, and the deer will see it as gray. 

Hunt ethically.  Good hunters respect their game and follow the principles of fair chase. 

Be sure that any shot you take will result in a clean kill if you hit the target.  If you think you missed, go to the place where your game was when you shot at it.  Conduct a thorough search of the area to be sure that you didn’t accidentally wound it.  Remember that animals may run for quite a distance, even though they are fatally wounded. 

Obtain permission from the landowner before you hunt on private property.  Ask the landowner how they want you to leave any gates you may pass through.  Don’t shoot near their residence or outbuildings.  Be careful not to disturb or harm their livestock. 

Stay current with weather forecasts for the area where you are hunting.  Take tire chains and cold weather clothing.  The Forrest Service, Bureau of Land Management, County Sheriff's Department, and others have better things to do, and don’t need to spend their limited resources extracting you and your vehicle if you get stuck in bad weather.  Getting towed out by a recovery vehicle can cost you a lot of money.  If the weather goes bad, everything else can get bad in a big hurry.  Take enough gas, food, and water to last a few days longer than you intend to stay. 

The same thing is true about getting lost.  Be familiar with your hunt area.  Get some good maps.  Remember, you may not have cell phone coverage.  Take a polished metal signal mirror and an emergency whistle with you.  A tourniquet and emergency first aid supplies are a good thing, too. 

If you are in rugged terrain, be sure you have an exit strategy before you climb steep, precipitous slopes, boulders, cliffs, rockslides, ice and snow fields, and the like.  Others will have to risk their necks to recover you, whether you are alive, broken, or dead. 

Make sure you put your fires dead out. 

Always obey the rules of gun safety.  Treat every gun as if it were loaded.  Always unload your gun before setting it aside or storing it.  Never carry a loaded gun in your vehicle.  Never point any weapon at anything you do not wish to destroy.  Be sure of your target before you shoot.  Be sure that the round will not kill another animal after it passes through your intended kill.  Never shoot without a backstop.  Always be sure the area around your target is clear before you shoot.  Don’t shoot across roadways.  Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to discharge a round.  Do not use alcohol and drugs when handling guns and other weapons.  Leave your distracting thoughts and worries behind and concentrate on using your weapon safely.  Always keep your weapon pointed in a safe direction.  Clear your firearm before handing it to someone else or field dressing your game.  If you shoot someone accidentally, you will wish to be able to undo it over and over again for the rest of your life, but you can’t. 

Call home when you can.  Your loved one will be worried about you.  Keep someone at home informed of the area where you will be hunting and your vehicle license plate number and description. 

Leave God’s country the way you found it.  Pack out your trash.  Pack out the trash others have left behind if you can.  Please don’t rut out wet, muddy roads with your vehicle.  You don’t need to get to that promising hunting spot so bad that you contribute to erosion and ruin the roads for everybody else. 

The anti-hunters are going to complain about us anyway. Please don’t give them additional material to slander us with.  Hunting has a prominent place in the management of wildlife, the economy, and conservation.  We can hold our heads high if we hunt the right way.  Let’s all do our best to mentor and encourage new hunters. 

If I missed anything, do that, too. 

Good luck.  God Bless.

 

Why do Terrorists Take Hostages?

On October 7, 2023, Hamas loosed armed insurgents into Israel from the Gaza Strip.  They murdered about 1,200 Israelis and others in the most brutal ways imaginable.  The dead were mostly civilians, and they included men, women, children, infants, and the elderly.  During the attacks, Hamas took 251 persons of various nationalities hostage. [1] 

Why do terrorists take hostages?  There may be any number of reasons.  These present themselves to be obvious to any observer with a brain that works.

Terrorists take hostages to use as a bargaining chip.  The families of the hostages are desperate.  They want their loved ones released at any cost.  Humanitarian groups, the press, the UN, organized protest groups – you name it – all pressure Israel to agree to anything in order to bring about the release of the hostages.  While the desire to bring the hostages home is understandable, giving in to the demands of the terrorists only plays into their hands.  It motivates the terrorists to take more hostages in the future. 

Terrorists like Hamas commit atrocities and take hostages to terrorize their enemies.  It is what they do.  They are TERRORISTS.  Now that some of the hostages have been released, we are learning that Hamas brutalized them while they were in captivity. 

The BBC reports that the female hostages were starved, intimidated, kept in underground tunnels without outside contact, and used as forced labor. [2] 

CBS states that medical examination of the released hostages found that they were suffering from PTSD, kept from knowing about their loved ones who were also being held hostage, starved, physically abused, psychologically abused, sexually abused, denied medical care, branded, and kept in restraints. [3] 

Reuters relates that the hostages, including minors, were burned and branded.  Female hostages were sexually abused. The hostages were tortured, physically and psychologically abused, starved and medically neglected. [4] 

The knowledge that the hostages are being mistreated and dying in captivity increases the pressure to agree to concessions to obtain their immediate release – regardless of the long-term adverse consequences to the safety of the Israeli people.  Hamas mistreats their prisoners because terrorists are vile, immoral criminals. 

Hamas is a terrorist organization.  They want to divide and discourage Israel.  They want to make Israel’s government appear to be heartlessly ignoring the plight of the hostages and their families.  They want to do everything they can to turn the nations of the world against Israel. 

They are TERRORISTS. It is what they do.  They know they don’t stand a chance in a stand-up fight with the IDF, so they hit below the belt – in ways that are the epitome of evil. 

The charter of Hamas calls for the destruction of Israel.  It is their ultimate goal, and they will not stop – will not stop – until they have achieved it.  Or, until they die trying. 

It is a humanitarian tragedy, for the Palestinian people, for Israel, and for the entire world.  We support President Donald J. Trump’s efforts to end this mess.  Let us pray that he can get it done without allowing Hamas to continue in its terrible barbarity. 

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[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxnwnz1ldko

[2] Ibid.

[3] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/doctor-who-treated-freed-hamas-hostages-describes-physical-sexual-and-psychological-abuse/

[4] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gaza-captors-tortured-hostages-including-minors-israeli-report-says-2024-12-29/

 

Why Read the Bible?

We read the Bible so we can find the power of God’s word, and the way to God through Christ Jesus the Lord. 

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:12-13 ESV) 

If God sees every single thing we do, good and bad, how can anyone stand before Him without guilt.  We can stand before Him only because Jesus paid the price for our redemption, and God will see Jesus’ righteousness instead of our inability to live according to God’s holy standards. (Philippians 3:9; 2Corinthians 5:17-19, 21; 1Corinthians 1:30-31; Romans 10:13) 

“By this the love of God was revealed in us, that God has sent His only Son into the world so that we may live through Him.  In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us.  By this we know that we remain in Him and He in us, because He has given to us of His Spirit.  We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. 

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him, and he in God.  We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.  By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, we also are in this world.  There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.  We love, because He first loved us.” (1John 4:9-19 NAS) 

It is because of the righteousness of Christ that we can stand before God without fear. 

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16 ESV) 

Because we believe in Jesus that our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and we will escape the judgement reserved for unregenerate sinners. (Revelation 20:11-15)  

Watch out, however, because the precious Grace of God is not an excuse to continue in a sinful style of living. 

“What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!  Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?  But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.  You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. 

I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.  When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness.  What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!  But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:15-23 NIV) [1]

 

 

 

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[1] https://biblehub.com/

The Truth About the Trinity

There are those who deny the Trinity of God.  Some of them say that the Trinity is not taught in the Bible because the word Trinity does not appear in it. 

There are many verses or passages in the Bible that describe One God in Three Persons.  However, none are clearer that this one: 

“And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.

For there are three that bear witness in heaven:

the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit;

and these three are one.”

(1John 5:6-7 NKJV) [1]

Note:

Many Bible scholars point out that much of 1John 5:6-7 does not appear in the earliest manuscripts or in early translations from the original Greek into other ancient languages.  I would point out that 1John 5:6-7 has been included in translations of the Bible since the 16^th Century and may be accepted as Biblical instruction.  Readers requiring further proof that God is indeed One God in Three Persons are referred to my post dated 7 November 2019.  The verses quoted in that post include:

Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Matthew 28:19
2Corinthians 13:14
1Peter 1:2
1Corinthians 12:4-6
Ephesians 4:4-6

The Trinity is proclaimed in many other Bible verses as well.

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[1] https://biblehub.com/nkjv/1_john/5.htm

 

She is Gone

When a Christian dies, the part of them that is not of the physical body, goes to be with Jesus. (Philippians 1:21-23)  It is far better to be “at home with the Lord” than it is to remain here.  Our earthly life is filled with good and bad experiences alike, but when we leave we go to be with Jesus in heaven (2Corinthians 5:1), “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4 ESV) 

My wife died one month ago after suffering a long time with Alzheimer’s disease.  God blessed us with wonderful help from enhabit Hospice, which made it possible for me to care for her in our home.  My sister also stayed with my wife once or twice a week to provide me with the opportunity to run errands or take an afternoon off.  I will never forget the help she gave us. 

Christians who must stay here for a while longer grieve when our saved, born again loved ones die in the Lord, but we do not grieve in the way those who do not believe, those who have no hope, grieve. (1Thessalonians 4:13)   For we have the blessed hope, the confident expectation, of spending eternity in the glory of God’s presence forever. 

Nevertheless, it has been month of sadness.  The Lord has been my strength.  His strength has revealed itself in my weakness. (2Corinthians 12:9-10) All the credit belongs to Him.  The praise, honor, and glory are His.  Amen. 

Now, please join with me to echo the Apostle Paul and declare:

 

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”

(1Corinthians 15:54-55 ESV)

 

 

Are You Ready?

A friend and I were talking about someone who had just passed away.  My friend said, “Tomorrow isn’t promised to any of us.” 

Jesus taught us about it in the following parable: 

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”  But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?”  And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”  And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully,  and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’  And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’  But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’  So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:13-21 ESV) [1] 

Therefore, it is prudent to keep ourselves ready.  Jesus told us how: 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John3:16-17 ESV) [2] 

Jesus said “whoever.”  That means anyone.  It does not matter how dark your past has been.  You can be saved if you repent (turn away) from your sinful way of life and believe that His shed blood will wash you clean. (Matthew 26:28, 1John 1:7)  Believe that He gave His life to satisfy the death sentence under which you are living; God’s just penalty for all sin.  Trust Jesus.  He never fails us.  Please do it now.  Tomorrow is not promised to any of us.

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[1] https://biblehub.com/esv/luke/12.htm

[2] https://biblehub.com/esv/john/3.htm

 

Hope in Time of Need

I regret that it has been so long since my last post.  My wife is in the end-of-life stages of a terminal illness.  Caring for her needs at home and making the final arrangements for her have consumed much of my time and energy. 

I have been blessed by help from family and a wonderful hospice service.  For these, I will always be grateful. 

I am being sustained by the Word of God and by Christ living in me. (Philippians 4:13)  I know that my wife of 45 years will be with Jesus in heaven immediately after she leaves her earthly body. (Philippians 1:23, 2Corinthians 5:6-9))  Yet, for those of us who will be waiting to join her, it will be painful to live on here without her. 

The Word tells us that we who are in vital union with Christ have the blessed hope of the Rapture, when Jesus will return, accompanied by the souls of the believers who have gone before, to gather His people unto Himself: 

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.  For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.  For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.  Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1Thessalonians 4:13-18 ESV)

 

“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,  so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” (Hebrews 9:27-28 ESV)

 

I am sustained because in the meantime I can lean on Jesus.  Praise be to Him who loves us so much.

 

 

Acknowledgement:  The scriptures quoted were copied from: https://biblehub.com/

 

Jesus: Living Word and High Priest

 

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. 

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:11-16 NKJV) [1]

 

Jesus Christ is the Living Word, and our great High Priest.                                        (John 1:1-2, Hebrews 9:11-12)

  

 

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[1] https://biblehub.com/nkjv/hebrews/4.htm

 

Peace Through Prayer

The Apostle Paul wrote this while he was in a Roman prison:

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7 ESV) [1]

[1] https://biblehub.com/esv/philippians/4.htm

 

Will We be Ready When Jesus Returns?

“Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks.  The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!  He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.” 

“Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into.  You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” Peter asked, “Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?” 

And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them.  If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward.  I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.  But what if the servant thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk?  The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful.” 

“And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished.  But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” (Luke 12:35-48 NLT) [1]

 

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[1] https://biblehub.com/nlt/luke/12.htm

 

We Must Live in Confident Expectation of Christ's Return

“But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ predicted.  They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires.  These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them. 

But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. 

And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering.  Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives. 

Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.  All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.”

(Jude 17-25 NLT) [1]

 

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[1] https://biblehub.com/nlt/jude/1.htm

 

What is a Patriot?

Everyone who is informed about current events knows what a Patriot is.  It’s a surface-to-air missile, right?  That’s true, but how does the name “Patriot” apply to human beings? 

What is a patriot?  What used to be understood as an American cultural value seems to have gotten out of focus.  Now words mean different things to people. 

A patriot personifies the quality of patriotism.  Wiktionary says that patriotism is “Love of one's country; devotion to the welfare of one's compatriots; passion which inspires one to serve one's country.”  Merriam-Webster.com says that “patriotism can be defined as love of one’s country, identification with it, and special concern for its well-being and that of compatriots." 

Patriots do things that are patriotic.  They vote, pay taxes, volunteer to serve in the military, stand for elected office, and work to improve their communities, states, and nation.  Patriots stand for the national anthem, respect the flag, say the pledge of allegiance, serve on juries, and obey the law.  If necessary, patriots are willing to fight for their country, even to the death. 

Patriots believe that, when weighed in the balance, their country and what it stands for are more good than bad.  They recognize the things that need improvement and work constructively and peacefully to improve their nation by legal means. 

A patriot is a useful and productive citizen.  They give a dollar’s work for a dollar’s pay, and they believe that there is dignity in all honest work.  When possible, patriots add value to their contribution to the workforce by obtaining additional education or training.  If they fall on hard times, they may need to temporarily rely on public assistance programs, but they actively seek return to work because they understand that to have self-respect one needs to be self-sufficient. 

Patriots never give up or surrender.  They do not abandon their country during hard times.  A patriot continues to defend their country (as long as they have the means to resist), even when the cause seems to be lost.  Patriots oppose tyranny and defend freedom. 

Patriotism is the act of doing patriotic things, rather than just saying them.  On this Fourth of July, let’s think about what it truly means to be a patriot.  Whether you agree with what I have written or not, come up with your own idea of what a patriot is.  Then put it into action. 

Above all, please pray for the United States of America.  Have a happy Fourth.

 

How to Save Your Life

Set aside your old way of living.  Take up your new life in Christ.  Follow Him. 

One day Jesus left the crowds to pray alone. Only his disciples were with him, and he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 

“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other ancient prophets risen from the dead.” 

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

Peter replied, “You are the Messiah sent from God!” 

Jesus warned his disciples not to tell anyone who he was.  “The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things,” he said. “He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” 

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.  If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.  And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?  If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.”                  (Luke 9:18-26 NLT) [1]

 

… And that message is the very message about faith that we preach:  If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:8-9 NLT) [2]

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[1] https://biblehub.com/nlt/luke/9.htm

[2] https://biblehub.com/nlt/romans/10.htm

 

Not There Yet

I believe that I have been called to write this blog to share God’s Word, the way of salvation, and how to become more and more like Jesus.  I do not want to be a hypocrite, however, so I confess that I have not been able to fully attain the standard of righteousness that God sets for us.

I am not nearly as bad as I used to be.  In Christ, I have become much better than I ever thought I could be.  I am still not what I should be.  That is why I need a Savior. 

When we are saved, we become a new creature (2Corinthians 5:17)  who desires to know and do the will of God. (Philippians 2:13)  It is God’s will for us to be conformed to the image of Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:29) 

So, I continue on knowing that I am saved by grace – not by any good deed that I might do - in order to do the things God has planned for me to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10)  However, like the Apostle Paul, I’m not there yet. (Philippians 3:12)  I’m working on it. (Philippians 2:12) 

I just want you to know that I am not setting myself up on a pedestal, pretending to be perfect.  This blog is intended to glorify Jesus Christ – not me.  I’m just an ordinary person who loves the Lord.

 

God is Good ... All the Time

“I will extol the Lord at all times;

his praise will always be on my lips.

I will glory in the Lord;

let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

Glorify the Lord with me;

let us exalt his name together.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant;

their faces are never covered with shame.

This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;

he saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,

and he delivers them.

Taste and see that the Lord is good;

blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

 

(Psalm 34:1-8 NIV) [1]

 

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[1] https://biblehub.com/niv/psalms/34.htm

The Time to Walk the Walk is Now

 

“And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.  The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.  Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, 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 flesh.” (Romans 13:11-14 NIV) [1]

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[1] https://biblehub.com/niv/romans/13.htm

Addicted

As of today, the US national debt is very close to $37 trillion. [1]  By the American system of reckoning, a trillion is a thousand billion.  Please check my math as it is not my strongest subject.  However, if I am correct, and if the United States reduced the national debt by a billion dollars per year, it would take about 37,000 years to pay it off. 

Estimates vary, but on April 28, 2025 CBS News reported “Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, says it has saved $160 billion through its push to root out wasteful or fraudulent government spending.” [2] DOGE does not, however, control the federal spending. 

The constitution gives the US Congress the power of the purse.  The executive branch must, eventually, spend the money appropriated by congress.  It is hard to sort through all of the mumbo-jumbo surrounding the “Big Beautiful” spending bill that is under consideration, but it does not look like it will provide the amount of spending cuts DOGE recommended.  Elon Musk does not think it will, and he is being pretty vocal about his displeasure.  Nevertheless, President Trump will probably sign off on it because it includes tax cuts and other provisions he wants. 

Regardless, it doesn’t matter because neither the DOGE cuts, or the savings provided by the “Big Beautiful Bill” will fix the problem.  The annual budget deficit in FY 2024 exceeds the spending cuts they provide. 

“In FY 2024, the federal government spent $6.75 trillion and collected $4.92 trillion in revenue, resulting in a deficit. The amount by which spending exceeds revenue, $1.83 trillion in 2024, is referred to as deficit spending.” [3] 

If the Unites States does not stop the growth of our national debt the possibility, (or perhaps the probability), exists that we will be forced to default and even revalue our currency.  The economic consequences of these actions would be catastrophic. 

Our currency is not backed by precious metals or any other thing of value, except the “good faith and credit” of the US Government.  Most of the world’s currencies are the same.  Further, the value of other nations’ money is based on the dollar. Additionally, our market is a major economic engine driving the world economy.  In short, if we crash there is a good chance we will take a lot of other nations’ economies down with us. 

I am not a fan of Elon Musk, but he is a brilliant businessman.  The opinions of knowledgeable people must be taken seriously.  It is apparent that Mr. Musk is very concerned about the budget deficit and our national debt.  We all should be. 

One of the characteristics of addiction is that the addict continues abusing the source of the addiction after experiencing negative consequences.  Our federal government is addicted to spending.  Congress is primarily responsible, but the chief executive is complicit. 

Frankly, it may already be too late to remedy budget deficits and the national debt.  The legal action and constitutional amendments needed begin with the addicted party – the US Congress. 

Prayer is not the least we can do. It is the most we can do.  Please pray for the United States of America. 

Then step out in faith.  Write, email, or call your Senators, Congressional Representatives, and the White House.  Vote for candidates who seem to recognize the enormity and seriousness of this situation.  God bless you.

 

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[1] https://www.usdebtclock.org/

[2] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/doge-cuts-cost-135-billion-analysis-elon-musk-department-of-government-efficiency/

[3] https://fiscaldata.treasury.gov/americas-finance-guide/national-deficit/

Love God and Cast Off Worldly Desires

“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.  For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.  And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.” (1John 2:15-17 NLT) [1]

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[1] https://biblehub.com/nlt/1_john/2.htm

Their Deeds Will Give Them Away

Jesus Said:

 

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.  A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:15-20 ESV) [1]

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[1] https://biblehub.com/esv/matthew/7.htm

 

The Golden Dome

Those of us who were in grade school during the 1950’s may remember participating in civil defense air raid drills.  The teacher would have the class get down on their knees and elbows under their desks.  We would put our heads down so that our eyes were covered by our forearms, and we would cover the back of our necks with the other hand.  It was uncomfortable, but we had to remain that way until the teacher called all clear. 

We were told that hiding under our desks like that would help us survive if the Russians (Soviet Union) dropped an A-bomb on us, and to seek shelter in a storm drain if the air raid siren went off on the way to or from school.  I asked my mother what an A-bomb was, and she said it was a terrible thing that could destroy a whole city.  I recall a couple of movies that brought home the horror delivered by nuclear weapons. 

It was a frightening experience for a child, and I lived with the die Angst that I would not get to experience life fully – that we would all die before our time in a nuclear war.  As the years went by, the fear lost some of its immediacy.  Nothing happened yesterday, or the year before that.  Therefore, maybe nothing will happen today or tomorrow.  That is faulty situational awareness.  We all have become somewhat complacent.  However, the uneasiness about the risk of nuclear war is still there, buried in the back of our consciousness. 

We hope the leaders of the world’s nations will realize how dead-from-the-neck-up stupid the use of nuclear weapons is, and that they will collectively agree to get rid of them.  That has not been the case, though.  Rather, the countries with nukes keep adding to their arsenals, and rogue nations that do not have them are striving to acquire them … mostly for nefarious purposes.  Insanity. 

There you have it.  Humanity is self-destructive.  We are left without recourse, except to find a way to defend ourselves.  Hopefully, we can come up with something more effective than hiding under our furniture.  

It is for this reason that I support President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome initiative.  It is the constitutional responsibility of the US Government to defend our people.  It’s about time the government did something about it. 

I for one am sick and tired of living with the fear that some foreign aggressor, or some madman, will turn us all into crispy critters.  Please ask your Senators and Congressional Representatives to fully fund President Trump’s Golden Dome now.

 

Become What God Planned for Us to Be

God will make of us all that He planned for us to be.

“Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.  You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.  All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. 

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)  For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.  So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. 

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.  For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:1-10 NLT)

 

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. (Luke 16:13 NLT)

 

“… choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve … as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15 NIV)

 

The choice is ours to make.  I urge everyone to turn away from your sinful, disobedient style of living – a way of life that serves the purposes of the devil.  Accept the sacrifice Christ made for you and believe that it is sufficient to make you righteous in God’s sight – to save you by His grace and grace alone.  Trust and obey.  God bless you.

 

Acknowledgement: All verses quoted were copied from https://biblehub.com/

 

At the Name of Jesus

Jesus paid it all so that we can have it all.  Praise the name of Jesus.  He is Lord of all. 

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,  complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.  Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,  so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:1-11 ESV) [1]

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[1] https://biblehub.com/esv/philippians/2.htm

 

You can Receive the Holy Spirit Who is Freely Given

Dating from the Fourth Century, the Nicene creed eloquently states what has always been Christian doctrine.  The Third Person of the Holy Trinity proceeds from God the Father and God the Son: 

“We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.” 

Jesus said: 

“And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.  What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;  or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:9-13 ESV) 

“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7 ESV) 

“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.”  (John 15:26 ESV) 

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.  He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.  All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you." (John 16:12-15 ESV) 

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,  even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:15-17 ESV) 

John also testifies: 

“By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.” (1John 4:13 ESV) [1] 

God the Father and God the Son give us the Holy Spirit.  Please accept this most wonderful gift, Who is given to us when we are saved.

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[1] All of the verses quoted were copies from:  https://biblehub.com/