As I watched the news on Sunday, concern came to me as I saw a Category 4 hurricane bearing down on the Southern coast of California. As I studied the coast, I saw a large peninsula that would be hit by the storm, and heard about a nearby island that was about to be struck. The size and strength of this hurricane brought back to mind the horrible destruction and death that occurred in New Orleans just a short time ago.
I watch the world news and read about the continuing struggle in Iraq, the renewed fighting in Afghanistan, and how the terrorists may attempt to take control of Pakistan. For those who do not know this, Pakistan possess nuclear weaponry. Imagine these weapons of mass destruction in the hands of people who desire to kill. I then remember Israel and its daily struggle with the Muslim nations that seek the destruction of the Jewish nation. I can’t help but wonder what is going to happen next!
Let us pass over to the other side is one of my favorite parts of scripture that I like to use in a Sunday morning service as I exhort the people in trusting the Lord during the storms of life. Taken from the book of Mark 4:35 it refers to not only going through the storms of life but is a bold declaration of making it to the other side of the sea in spite of the trouble or adversity encountered. It says I will make it through the trouble and have the promise of God. It cries out that I will not be stopped as I trust God and continue on in faith and obtain the promise. This verse of scripture has inspired me to continue in spite of the difficulties encountered, not giving up or caving in. Regardless of what problems are encountered, whether it be health, financial, other provisions, safety, threats, or legalities, or whatever,
I choose to find a promise of God, a verse of scripture that pertains to the situation and boldly declare it just as Jesus proclaimed “ Let Us Go Over To The Other Side “ and sail on through the storm, casting out doubt and unbelief, and passing over to the other side, the answer of the promise of God. What do you choose ? Consider these verses.
posted by Robert Czaplinsky in Testimony, 24 August 2009
My mother was much the opposite of my father. She was a soft-spoken woman who stood just a shade under 5 feet tall. For most of her life, she weighed less than 100 pounds, except in her later years. I NEVER HEARD MOM UTTER PROFANE LANGUAGE in all my years on God’s Earth! Mom also NEVER HAD A DRINK OF ALCOHOL, AND NEVER SMOKED A CIGARETTE! Considering the time my Mother lived, (1921-1999) this is a pretty amazing feat. She saw wars and death and lived in the times when most people smoked and drank. It was more than socially acceptable during these times; it was highly unusual if you didn’t partake of these habits.
To err is human, to forgive divine – how often have we heard this adage? So when we sin, we are living up the fact that we are mere human beings, but when we work up the courage to apologize for our sins, we become divine, even if we do not receive the absolution that we are seeking. As true Christians, we believe in doing what is right and in adhering to the tenets of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ. As our God tells us in the Book of Matthew, if you are slapped on one cheek, show the other one too.
Whatever we may be building, it is only as good or as strong as it’s foundation. There is a saying, “ if the foundation is good it will last ( or stand ) , if the foundation is weak it will fall. “ You might have heard someone say “ it’s only as good as it’s foundation “ or you may have said that yourself. Jesus said of someone who hears and does His sayings is like the wise man who built his house upon the rock.
Matt 7:24-27
(24) Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
(25) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
(26) And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
(27) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
posted by Robert Czaplinsky in Testimony, 17 August 2009
My personal belief is that God is very protective of families and a special bond exists between a family and its members. God has also promised us that if we continue to pray for the salvation of each family member specifically, salvation will occur. Although scripture from the Holy Bible has numerous references to parents (mothers and fathers), I somehow sense that when we pray for the salvation of our parents, this is a prayer God honors by placing it in special category.
I cannot find a specific reference to this belief, but I have testimony concerning my personal parents that I would like to share with you. I take an oath on The Holy Bible that my testimony is not fiction in any way shape or form. I will include all details without any change from the actual occurrence.
My Father was a large man for the age in which he lived. He was born in the early 1900’s, and stood taller than 6 foot. His weight reached well over 300 pounds in the latter part of his life. Dad was an intimidating figure. He was born of immigrant parents, and based on America’s history, he grew up in some of the toughest times America ever struggled through. Although never meeting his Dad (my grandfather), I do remember meeting his mother (my Grandmother) I do still have a few impressions of his mother, who was described to me as a very hard and uncompromising woman. She treated my Father very harshly, though I really do not why. A few of my relatives suggested that it may have been caused by a very hard life. Medicinal practices in those days were also very arcane compared to now, and perhaps living in pain was common.
Dad was a large and powerful man, who intimidated me even from my very first years of my life. I was scared of him and this caused me to stay away from him and grow closer to my mother. My father served in the military during World War 11, in England. His primary duty (as far as I was told) was to repair airplanes damaged during air battles between Germany and England. I believe with some certainty that he witnessed first-hand a lot of death, dismemberment, and war-type injuries to pilots and their crews. England was also considered a primary target for Germany to conquer, so I am pretty sure that all types of battles occurred with great frequency and a high level of intensity. Also, Germany constantly shelled England with huge ground guns. (If you have ever had to deal with shells striking and exploding near you with any type of frequency, I assure you that this is nerve-wracking.) Many individuals whom which he was associated with probably died or were injured seriously. I have spent a little extra time sharing this part because I think this was a part of his life which had a powerful impact on his personality: the personality that I had to deal with during my life.
posted by David M Kijula in Uncategorized, 14 August 2009
As we continue with part five of GOD’S BLOOD COVENANT I would like to look at the heart of God and the love of God behind the blood covenant so that we can realize how God feels and how He would like to deal with us. By understanding God’s attitude toward us
I believe this will strengthen us to believe and trust Him more and show us how to reciprocate back to God our love and trust and willingness to obey Him. This will lead us into a greater relationship with Him and should help to strengthen our faith to walk in the reality of God ( That His Life Is Present And manifest In Our Life ) and shows His promises active in our lives. Also by strengthening our love and trust In Him may help us to put away the large and small compromises that we make. I said large and small compromises because that is the way man likes to explain or excuse himself, a means of self justification of our short comings rather than taking responsibility for ourselves.
posted by Robert Czaplinsky in Uncategorized, 10 August 2009
For those of you who follow our sharing of Christian insights twice a week, by this time you know that we at www.dedicatedchristian.com make a very serious effort to try and share the highest of quality regarding direction for Christians. This insight is in regards to the most precious of commodities: our time alive on the Earth!
As I look back on my early childhood, I realize that this was a time where I first had to depend on the ethics of my mother and father to help mold me. Theirs was a great influence, and scripture tells us to honor our mother and father.
Matthew 15: 4
For God commanded saying, honor thy mother and thy father, and, he who curses father or mother let him be put to death.
