I can't tell you how many times this past week alone, where I received a phone call letting me know that my Social Security Card had been used fraudulently in a different State so that it is no longer valid.
How about the phone calls letting me know that the warranty on my car is about to expire? Or what about the emails that tell me to just 'click on this link' because my identity has been stolen, or my credit card information has just been hacked?
Or my all time favorite phone call, "You've just won an all expense paid vacation for two to the Bahama's!"
Really?
Scams!
They are all around us.
If we aren't careful, we can be scammed by Religion.
There's lots of them out there to choose from.
How do we know we aren't being scammed?
God's Word. On that you can be certain.
Galatians 1:8 warns us, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."
And what is the True Gospel in which we stand?
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 tells us: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."
There will always be scams and their will always be Con-Artists.
There will be Truth, and there will be Lies.
John 14:6 says, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
I will choose Truth.
But that's just me.
Friday, July 31, 2020
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Family First
I keep my dog's water and food bowl on a washing machine pan in one corner of my kitchen. It's a large tray that protects my kitchen floor from scattered dog food and puddles of water. The other day I got down on my knees to wash this tray and when I stood back up to view my finished work, I realized that I had cleaned all the areas furthest from me and missed the one corner nearest to me.
I neglected the very area that was the easiest to reach.
That's easy to do when we witness as well. We tend to share Jesus through our missionaries around the world, or to a stranger we stand next to in the grocery store line, or even a neighbor we know a few blocks over-
But what about our own families?
Do we neglect to tell those closest to us what Jesus has done in our own lives?
In Luke 8, Jesus heals the Demoniac of Gadara, and in verse 39a, Jesus turns to this healed man and says, "Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee."
Go to your family first.
Lee Strobel once said, "I've seen far too many Christians who are more than willing to travel halfway around the world to volunteer for a week in an orphanage, but who cannot bring themselves to take the personal risk of sharing Jesus with the co-worker who sits day after day in the cubicle right next to them."
Our mission begins at home-
but that's just me!
I neglected the very area that was the easiest to reach.
That's easy to do when we witness as well. We tend to share Jesus through our missionaries around the world, or to a stranger we stand next to in the grocery store line, or even a neighbor we know a few blocks over-
But what about our own families?
Do we neglect to tell those closest to us what Jesus has done in our own lives?
In Luke 8, Jesus heals the Demoniac of Gadara, and in verse 39a, Jesus turns to this healed man and says, "Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee."
Go to your family first.
Lee Strobel once said, "I've seen far too many Christians who are more than willing to travel halfway around the world to volunteer for a week in an orphanage, but who cannot bring themselves to take the personal risk of sharing Jesus with the co-worker who sits day after day in the cubicle right next to them."
Our mission begins at home-
but that's just me!
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
What's in a Name?
Go ahead. Pick a name, any name. Once you think of a name in your mind, I want you to ask yourself a question: When you think of this name, what is the first thing that comes into your mind?
When you think of John Doe, do you picture a man of integrity, or a man full of arrogance? What about Suzy Q? Do you picture a woman of a grace, or a woman who speaks gossip?
This past week at Family Camp, we had a lot of young Singles who came to sit around our camp fire. We shared lots of stories from our youth. The things we did, the mistakes we made that brought us to this specific time in our lives. Stories that happened before our Salvation and stories that happened after our Salvation. It was a precious and fun time. There was one young man who was asked if he would ever consider repeating something he did in his past. I don't know if he realizes how profound his answer was, but he said, "No, I care about my Name."
Christian, do you care about your Name? After all, not only do we have a testimony to those around us, but as Born Again Believers in Christ, we represent Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:20a says, 'Now then we are ambassadors for Christ....'
An ambassador is an 'authorized representative.'
As Christians, everything we do and say represents Christ.
So-how are we doing?
When others think about our name, do they immediately think of Christ? Or are we dragging Christ's Name through the mud?
I don't know about you, but when someone thinks of me, I want them to see Jesus!
But that's just me!
When you think of John Doe, do you picture a man of integrity, or a man full of arrogance? What about Suzy Q? Do you picture a woman of a grace, or a woman who speaks gossip?
This past week at Family Camp, we had a lot of young Singles who came to sit around our camp fire. We shared lots of stories from our youth. The things we did, the mistakes we made that brought us to this specific time in our lives. Stories that happened before our Salvation and stories that happened after our Salvation. It was a precious and fun time. There was one young man who was asked if he would ever consider repeating something he did in his past. I don't know if he realizes how profound his answer was, but he said, "No, I care about my Name."
Christian, do you care about your Name? After all, not only do we have a testimony to those around us, but as Born Again Believers in Christ, we represent Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:20a says, 'Now then we are ambassadors for Christ....'
An ambassador is an 'authorized representative.'
As Christians, everything we do and say represents Christ.
So-how are we doing?
When others think about our name, do they immediately think of Christ? Or are we dragging Christ's Name through the mud?
I don't know about you, but when someone thinks of me, I want them to see Jesus!
But that's just me!
Monday, July 27, 2020
Hoodwinked
The last night of Family Camp, our Missionary from Germany warned us. He reminded us that Satan was not going to be happy about all the victories and decisions that were made during this past week. He told us not to be surprised when we fall under attack from the devil once Family Camp ended.
Little did he know that the attack had already begun.
And all because of the best of intentions.
Satan is clever that way. He likes to deceive in pretty packages.
I fell for it.
You see, I extended grace towards someone in need, or so I was led to believe there was a need. I rectified an injustice, or so I was led to believe there was an injustice. But I later found out that I had been played.
Hoodwinked!
Webster's Dictionary defines hoodwinked as: "to deceive by false appearance."
And because of that deception, my grace was used to offend a third person.
Where was Paul Harvey when I needed 'the rest of the story?'
I immediately went to that third person and apologized. She graciously explained 'the rest of the story' to me, and all was forgiven.
So what about the person who hoodwinked me?
I left her in God's hands.
You see, God showed me wonderful truths through all of this.
1-Discern even through Grace.
2-It's not my place to fix injustices.
Galatians 6:10 says, 'As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.'
I will continue to extend grace, but will let God do the leading!
But that's just me!
It is better to suffer wrong than to commit wrong - Amish Proverb
Little did he know that the attack had already begun.
And all because of the best of intentions.
Satan is clever that way. He likes to deceive in pretty packages.
I fell for it.
You see, I extended grace towards someone in need, or so I was led to believe there was a need. I rectified an injustice, or so I was led to believe there was an injustice. But I later found out that I had been played.
Hoodwinked!
Webster's Dictionary defines hoodwinked as: "to deceive by false appearance."
And because of that deception, my grace was used to offend a third person.
Where was Paul Harvey when I needed 'the rest of the story?'
I immediately went to that third person and apologized. She graciously explained 'the rest of the story' to me, and all was forgiven.
So what about the person who hoodwinked me?
I left her in God's hands.
You see, God showed me wonderful truths through all of this.
1-Discern even through Grace.
2-It's not my place to fix injustices.
Galatians 6:10 says, 'As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.'
I will continue to extend grace, but will let God do the leading!
But that's just me!
It is better to suffer wrong than to commit wrong - Amish Proverb
Saturday, July 25, 2020
Written in the Sand
Have you ever been caught in the act of a secret sin? Have you literally been grabbed hold of by a mob of self-righteous men and accused of a sin that you cannot deny?
I know of such a woman. You can read about her in John 7:3-11.
This woman was caught in the very act of her secret sin and brought before Jesus to see what He would do.
In the midst of a humiliating accusation, which was true, Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground.
The physical finger of God.
The same finger that wrote the Ten Commandments. The Commandments that include, 'Do not commit adultery.' The very sin this woman was accused of.
Scripture doesn't tell us what He wrote, but after He stood back up, He invited those who knew no sin to cast the first stone at her. Can you imagine the rocks being held in the clenched fists of those condemning this woman? Can you imagine the woman bracing her body, waiting for that first stone to hit her?
After Jesus told the crowd that the sinless could cast their stones, He again stooped down and wrote something else. Again, Scripture does not tell us what He wrote but I've often wondered if He underlined His words? When you underline words, it means to stress, show clearly or emphatically, to put emphasis on. It means 'this is important, pay attention!'
Whatever He wrote, it convicted the accusers enough to drop their stones and walk away. And then Jesus turns to the woman and asks her, "Where are those thine accusers?"
There were none.
Not even Jesus.
Verse 11 says, 'Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
As this woman walked away, I wonder if in her heart, she drew a line in the sand?
Did she make a decision to do as Jesus said, and sin no more?
She was given a fresh start from the Saviour!
Every day is a new day to draw a line in the sand and sin no more.
I'm thankful for fresh starts!
But that's just me!
I know of such a woman. You can read about her in John 7:3-11.
This woman was caught in the very act of her secret sin and brought before Jesus to see what He would do.
In the midst of a humiliating accusation, which was true, Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground.
The physical finger of God.
The same finger that wrote the Ten Commandments. The Commandments that include, 'Do not commit adultery.' The very sin this woman was accused of.
Scripture doesn't tell us what He wrote, but after He stood back up, He invited those who knew no sin to cast the first stone at her. Can you imagine the rocks being held in the clenched fists of those condemning this woman? Can you imagine the woman bracing her body, waiting for that first stone to hit her?
After Jesus told the crowd that the sinless could cast their stones, He again stooped down and wrote something else. Again, Scripture does not tell us what He wrote but I've often wondered if He underlined His words? When you underline words, it means to stress, show clearly or emphatically, to put emphasis on. It means 'this is important, pay attention!'
Whatever He wrote, it convicted the accusers enough to drop their stones and walk away. And then Jesus turns to the woman and asks her, "Where are those thine accusers?"
There were none.
Not even Jesus.
Verse 11 says, 'Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
As this woman walked away, I wonder if in her heart, she drew a line in the sand?
Did she make a decision to do as Jesus said, and sin no more?
She was given a fresh start from the Saviour!
Every day is a new day to draw a line in the sand and sin no more.
I'm thankful for fresh starts!
But that's just me!
Friday, July 24, 2020
Real I.D.
The other day, I met my son downtown at the DMV Office to take him his meticulously gathered documents, in order for him to renew his Driver's License/Real I.D. We live in a world where this is no longer an easy process, and in a world where we cannot even use our current Driver's License for proof of our identity.
Even when it is issued from the very DMV Office we were currently headed.
It had taken us two weeks to gather the needed information to prove who my son was, and where he was currently residing. Not an easy task considering our mailing address is different from our resident address.
In all, we needed to have in hand, four documents in order to get a new Driver's License/Real I.D.
A birth certificate, a Social Security Card, and two proofs of residency.
In the midst of the mayhem of gathering these four documents, I became thankful in the fact that I do not need any of these documents to prove my identity in Christ.
I only need One: The Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 3:13-14 says, In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchase possession, unto the praise of his glory.
The Holy Spirit is my Security. I do not need a Social Security Card to prove my Identity.
I also do not need a Birth Certificate, because my Father knew me before I was even born.
Jeremiah 1:5a says, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee;
Psalm 139: 16 says, Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
And as for my residence? Jesus has taken care of that as well. Even now, He is preparing a place just for me. In John 14: 2-3 it says, 'In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.'
I am so thankful that Jesus took care of every need required for me to have a Real I.D. in Him.
Do you have a Real I.D.?
"I've made a decision about my identity: I am nothing but what God says I am."
-Quote from Pinterest
I'm already seated in Heavenly Places,...
But that's just me!
Even when it is issued from the very DMV Office we were currently headed.
It had taken us two weeks to gather the needed information to prove who my son was, and where he was currently residing. Not an easy task considering our mailing address is different from our resident address.
In all, we needed to have in hand, four documents in order to get a new Driver's License/Real I.D.
A birth certificate, a Social Security Card, and two proofs of residency.
In the midst of the mayhem of gathering these four documents, I became thankful in the fact that I do not need any of these documents to prove my identity in Christ.
I only need One: The Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 3:13-14 says, In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchase possession, unto the praise of his glory.
The Holy Spirit is my Security. I do not need a Social Security Card to prove my Identity.
I also do not need a Birth Certificate, because my Father knew me before I was even born.
Jeremiah 1:5a says, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee;
Psalm 139: 16 says, Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
And as for my residence? Jesus has taken care of that as well. Even now, He is preparing a place just for me. In John 14: 2-3 it says, 'In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.'
I am so thankful that Jesus took care of every need required for me to have a Real I.D. in Him.
Do you have a Real I.D.?
"I've made a decision about my identity: I am nothing but what God says I am."
-Quote from Pinterest
I'm already seated in Heavenly Places,...
But that's just me!
Thursday, July 23, 2020
Random Acts of Kindness
I witnessed many beautiful examples of Christ this past week at Family Camp. People pitching in to help other families with their children, trash cans mysteriously being emptied when full, doors held open for one another. When someone saw a need, it was met with no hesitation.
Random Acts of Kindness.
Random means: without definite aim or direction.
It means that an act was fulfilled without a pre-made plan or purpose.
One person helped another person without premeditation. They saw a need and they stepped in to help.
There was one specific Random Act of Kindness that God allowed me to see that still remains so vivid in my mind it was like it happened only moments ago.
Children were out and about playing when it began to rain. Immediately these children all began running back to their tents, campers or cabins. All except for one little girl. Just moments ago she was surrounded in a flurry of fun activity with all of her friends, but as the rain began to fall, she was left standing there, alone.
And then, all of a sudden, I watched as our Pastor sprinted through the rain and swooped up this little girl into his arms. As soon as he wrapped his arms around her, he began to lovingly pat her back and whisper reassurances to her. As he did so, this little girl put her head down in the crook of his neck and allowed him to carry her to shelter.
Isn't that just like Jesus?
One minute we are busy in the everyday activities of life when suddenly a storm hits.
Friends and family seem to disappear, but then Jesus runs and takes us into his arms, whispers to us that everything is going to be OK and shelters us until the storm passes.
Psalm 46:1 says, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Random Acts of Kindness-
not pre-planned for show or recognition, but an opportunity to lend a helping hand in the midst of someone's situation or storm.
I don't know about you, but when God allows me to see a need, may I never hesitate to help.
But, that's just me!
Random Acts of Kindness.
Random means: without definite aim or direction.
It means that an act was fulfilled without a pre-made plan or purpose.
One person helped another person without premeditation. They saw a need and they stepped in to help.
There was one specific Random Act of Kindness that God allowed me to see that still remains so vivid in my mind it was like it happened only moments ago.
Children were out and about playing when it began to rain. Immediately these children all began running back to their tents, campers or cabins. All except for one little girl. Just moments ago she was surrounded in a flurry of fun activity with all of her friends, but as the rain began to fall, she was left standing there, alone.
And then, all of a sudden, I watched as our Pastor sprinted through the rain and swooped up this little girl into his arms. As soon as he wrapped his arms around her, he began to lovingly pat her back and whisper reassurances to her. As he did so, this little girl put her head down in the crook of his neck and allowed him to carry her to shelter.
Isn't that just like Jesus?
One minute we are busy in the everyday activities of life when suddenly a storm hits.
Friends and family seem to disappear, but then Jesus runs and takes us into his arms, whispers to us that everything is going to be OK and shelters us until the storm passes.
Psalm 46:1 says, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Random Acts of Kindness-
not pre-planned for show or recognition, but an opportunity to lend a helping hand in the midst of someone's situation or storm.
I don't know about you, but when God allows me to see a need, may I never hesitate to help.
But, that's just me!
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