One More For JC

Does Job fear God for nothing?  Satan replied.  Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has?  You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.  But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.  (Job 1:9-11) Many people envision Satan as a man with a red tail and a pitchfork.  But the bible presents him differently.  Satan was at one time the most beautiful angel in all of heaven, but his pride led to his demise.  He is an evil, cunning, and powerful adversary.  In Ephesians 6:12, the apostle Paul states: "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."  The chief enemy Paul was referring to was of course Satan.  On our own, we are powerless agai...

If you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear.  You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. (Job 11:13-16) I've had my share of pain and depression in my life, granted not to the extent of Job, but I certainly have had my faith put to the test. A few years back, when I had lost all desire to live, I clinged to these words, and prayed that God would restore me.  It took much patience, but He began to resolve the issues that were weighing me down one by one. I guess it took coming to that lowest point for me to fully see the power of God.  I look back at those low points of my life, not with resentment or regret, but rather with a sense of awe of just how much God has delivered me from.  I have no misconception that the rest of my life will be...

Whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.  I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him.  (Philippians 3:7-8) I think the key to finding true happiness in this world is found in the verse above. Most of my life, I fruitlessly sought happiness in being successful; whether it be in sports, school, or career.  Unfortunately, nothing I did was ever good enough for me.  I couldn't hit enough base hits, get enough A's, or make enough money. It took finding a close relationship with Christ for me to finally let these things go. In Christ, all those things became less important, and I began to live a happier life.  I find it much more fulfilling to share the joy of Christ than to be wrapped up in the pleasures of this world.  Hopefully, that desire will n...

He forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number.  His number is 666. (Revelation 13:16-18) Talk about the end of the world has increased gradually over the years, especially as Year 2000 draws ever near. It's a topic I've taken great interest in, and have spent a number of hours reading the various books available on the subject; the book I've studied the most on it has been the bible. From the Old Testament to Revelation, there are a number of references to the end times.  I've stopped trying to attach a date, since "No one knows the day or the hour", but I'll never stop looking for signs.   The increasing natural disasters are one clue.  The gr...

You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:4-6) Most of my life, until age 24, I never knew this commandment even existed.  Sad thing is I attended church every week and attended religious school for years (even taught it for a year to 5th grade students).  I knew all about serving only one God, not taking the Lord's name in vain, honoring the Sabbath, honoring my parents, not murdering, not stealing, not committing adultery, not bearing false witness against my neighbor, not coveting my neighbor's wife, and not coveting my neighbor's goods.  But this commandment was never taught to me, an...

Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25) This verse emphasizes the importance of fellowship in each of our lives.  Living an isolated life is not only depressing, but can stunt our spiritual growth.  I cannot stress enough how valuable it is to have someone (or a group of people) that you can meet with regularly.  Off and on for the past few years I've been active in a men's group that has met on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. We conduct bible studies, share our struggles, and pray for one another.  The difference in my life when this group has been active and non-active is amazing.  When there is someone that is holding you accountable for your actions, it makes it a whole lot harder to turn your back on God's will. 

When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me."  For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:13-15) This verse challenges each of us to take responsibility for our sins.  It is all too easy to commit a sin and then rationalize it by saying "The devil made me do it!" or "God is just testing me."  It is far more difficult to say, "I knew full well what I was doing was a sin, and yet I went ahead and did it anyway."  No one likes to condemn themselves by admitting that they are a sinner, but this is precisely what God requires of us.  He asks that we each acknowledge our sinfulness and our individual need for a savior.  At first this might seem too difficult or humbling, but if we fully consider the price Christ p...