PROMISES: It's when and where promised!

If a little boy hears his mom offer a Snickers candy bar from the kitchen window, and all he must do is go to the back door and receive it (assuming he believes she will keep her promise and assuming he desires the candy bar), why would he go to the front door instead? Or to a neighbor's back door?

Why would he expect to receive it anywhere but when and where she promised?

So too is the offer of eternal life. God calls out from glory, wooing us to Himself … all we need to do is comply with His instructions and trust Him to keep His word.

Christianity, Illustrations,
Promises, Religion

ATONEMENT: The greatest gift to another!

"... I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Matthew 28:20b

Back in 1999 the evening news aired a 911 emergency call. A handicapped child’s mother {Ed note: she had stayed with her son even though she could have gotten out herself} could be heard comforting her son as fire invaded the room where they were hiding.

Right to the last you heard her comforting him soothingly, “Hang on honey, I’m not leaving you.” She died along with the boy.

Moses spoke for the Lord when he said, “the LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear, or be dismayed.” [Deuteronomy 31:8]

We have the promise of the ages; if God were going to abandon us He would have done so in the Garden. The Lord Jesus Christ died in our place, the whole time telling His disciples to: “Hang on, I’m not leaving you!”

Atonement, Christianity,
Illustrations, Religion

FELLOWSHIP - No Lone Rangers!

SET APART TOO FAR! [1 John 1:6-7; Sanctification, Trials, Unity]

Some time ago, Harry Pidgeon sailed around the world … in a 14 foot sloop … ALONE! After the trip a reporter asked Pidgeon, “What is the most dangerous thing for a lone sailor on the open sea?”

He told the pundit:

“It’s not the storms or other vessels which endanger the solo sailor, but the clear, calm weather accompanied by a gentle breeze. The sailor loses focus and becomes careless under such conditions.”

So too the Christian. It’s the calm of the Christian walk which poses the greatest danger to the lone believer, causing a loss of focus on things above and careless living.

Perhaps that’s why the Lord’s brother, James, admonished us to “consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” [James 1:2, 3]

And perhaps that’s why the writer of Hebrews tells us to “consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together … encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.” [10:25, 26] There is little room in the Body of Christ for fear ridden Lone Rangers … members who go it alone.

Yet in the midst of our foolish pride all believers have His promise, “lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." [Matthew 28:20] We are never truly alone!

COVENANTS - God's formal promises!

MOCKING GOD! Various Old Testament; Covenants, Enemies (of Israel), Israel, Promises]

A UN – sponsored Palestinian Authority “tourism” map leaves out all references to Israel. The PA Ministry of Tourism map is called "Palestine, the Holy Land." According to reports, the map includes the entire expanse of present-day Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip but without reference to it. Even a few larger Israeli cities are given Arab subtitles.

Palestinian Media Watch says the message to Palestinians is clear, "Israel does not exist." They add, "None of the official maps show Israel," including those printed in PA school textbooks.

The map is being partially funded by the UN Development Program. Five percent of its funding comes from UN headquarters, with the remaining from donors (including Japan, the United States, and European Union member states).

You can wash a pig and soak him in cologne but he is still a pig; you can play Ostrich if you want – lights out, head in the sand – but the Lion of Judah still roams the hills of Israel and the Ostrich’s rear is still exposed.

God says, "Blessed are you, O Israel; Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, Who is the shield of your help, And the sword of your majesty! So your enemies shall cringe before you, And you shall tread upon their high places." [Deuteronomy 33:29]

Apparently, Israel’s neighbors haven’t learned anything from the past concerning Israel’s strength … her strength is in the Lord [Psalms 68:35; 115:9].

We know, don’t we, that Israel is two: first, their is ersatz Israel … the one we see and hear about; then there is true Israel, the Israel that Paul speaks, the Israel the prophets cried out over … the one God loves.

Isn’t the church much like that, the ersatz church and the authentic Church … one headless, powerless; the other power-filled, with Christ as its head.