A better covenant

"The time is coming, declares the Lord,
when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah.
It will not be like the covenant
I made with their forefathers
when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of Egypt,
because they did not remain faithful to my covenant,
and I turned away from them, declares the Lord.
This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel
after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds
and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
No longer will a man teach his neighbor,
or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,'
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.
For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more."

Hebrews 8:8-12

What is the Bible about?

Every man

Is there hope for every man?
A solid place where we can stand
In this dry and weary land
Is there hope for every man?

Is there love that never dies?
Is there peace in troubled times?
Someone help me understand
Is there hope for every man?

There is hope for every man
A solid place where we can stand
In this dry and weary land
There is hope for every man

There is love that never dies
There is peace in troubled times
Will we help them understand
Jesus is hope for every man

--Written by Mark Hall, Bernie Herms, and Nichole Nordeman

Ditto

Salvation roots in the grace of God. For bankrupt sinners with no ground of their own upon which to stand, with nothing of their own to hold up to God for his reward, it is their only hope, but it is their sufficient hope. The encouragement to "come boldly to the throne of grace"[Heb. 4:16] is offered to offenders who are known so thoroughly to God that he discerns "the faults and intents" of their hearts as they stand "naked and exposed to the eyes of him with whom it is our account."[Heb. 4:12-13] We cannot conceal our sin nor self-remedy it. Our one hope, our sure hope, is in the sinless One who not only can feel for humanity in our weaknesses but who has conquered precisely where we have failed.[Heb. 4:4-15]
-– Frank Stagg

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Revelation 22:16-21

Unknown caller

Yesterday,I received a call from "unknown caller" at my google number. It went to voicemail, and this was the message:

"...to the most important question of your life. If you would like to hear the question, stay on the line. If you would like to be removed from our list, we will do so, voluntarily, even though it's not required by law. To be removed from our list, press the number 8 on your phone at any time during this message. The most important question of your life: What will happen to you when you die. If you are unaware of an answer to this question or if you are afraid you will not spend eternity in heaven I have some great news for you. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life, John 3:16. Because God loves and values you so much, He made a way for you to be saved. He Sent His Son Jesus Christ, to die so that mankind could be redeemed from sin. The Bible says, concerning salvation, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God, John 3:3. Salvation doesn't come by joining a church or following a certain religion or doing good deeds, or living a good, moral life. The Bible says there's only one way to receive salvation. You must be born again. By accepting Jesus Christ as your savior. Romans 10:9 says, If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall Be Saved. Romans 10:10 says, with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. So, the most important question of your life. Pray the following prayer and receive Jesus as your Savior. Pray along with me. Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I confess I'm a sinner, and I believe in my heart that Jesus died for the forgivness of sin. I believe that He rose again from the dead. Come into my heart Lord Jesus and take control of my life. I renounce Satan and all of his works. I thank you, Lord, for saving me, in Jesus name, I pray. Amen. Well, praise God. And welcome to the family. If you prayed that prayer, sincerely, from the heart, the Bible says you're saved. It is important to read your Bible and pray every day to your Heavenly Father. Get into a good Bible based church where you can be taught the Word of God. I would like to add you to my prayer list. So If you prayed that prayer, or if you need prayer for yourself or someone in your family or your circle of friends, I would like to..."

What do you think of that? And you thought this blog was annoying! Just imagine if I started calling you and leaving voice mail!

Isaiah 11:6-9

The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.

The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

The infant will play near the hole of the cobra,
and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest.

They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea.

King of the trees

One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, 'Be our king.'

"But the olive tree answered, 'Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and men are honored, to hold sway over the trees?'

"Next, the trees said to the fig tree, 'Come and be our king.'

"But the fig tree replied, 'Should I give up my fruit, so good and sweet, to hold sway over the trees?'

"Then the trees said to the vine, 'Come and be our king.'

"But the vine answered, 'Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and men, to hold sway over the trees?'

"Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, 'Come and be our king.'

"The thornbush said to the trees, 'If you really want to anoint me king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, then let fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!'

Judges 9:8-15

Richard Hanes, Oct. 27, 1938 - Oct. 10, 2010

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
change and decay in all around I see;
O thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need thy presence every passing hour.
What but thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless;
ills have no weight, and tears not bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes;
shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
--Henry F. Lyte, 1793-1847

Black wings

Night, with ebon pinion, brooded o’er the vale;
All around was silent, save the night wind’s wail,
When Christ, the Man of Sorrows,
In tears, and sweat, and blood,
Prostrate in the garden, raised His voice to God.

Smitten for offenses which were not His own,
He, for our transgressions, had to weep alone;
No friend with words to comfort,
Nor hand to help was there,
When the Meek and Lowly humbly bowed in prayer.

“Abba, Father, Father, if indeed it may,
Let this cup of anguish pass from Me, I pray;
Yet, if it must be suffered, by Me, Thine only Son,
Abba, Father, Father, let Thy will be done.”

--Love H. Jam­e­son, 1811-1892

Christianity's image problem

This was the title (I think) of a Time magazine article I was reading. It discussed the results of two polls taken about people's perceptions of Christians. One was taken about 15 years ago, the other only a few years ago. The recent poll showed a much more negative view of Christians. The main complaints were that Christians are perceived to be anti-homosexual, hypocritical, and judgmental. Most of those polled did not attribute those same things to Jesus. Over half of the Christians polled also listed hypocrisy as a complaint.

What do you think, dear reader? (Since I'm pretty sure I don't have more than one.) I would have to agree with the majority of those who responded. Let me explain. The Bible clearly teaches that homosexuality is a sin. The Bible also clearly teaches that pride, lust, greed, gossip, hating your brother, and far too many other things to list are also sin. Why do Christians tend to build pedestals to look down on others and point fingers? I think we are just good at deceiving ourselves about our own sinfulness.

I am a better person than no one. It has taken me all of about 20 years as a Christian to come to the point where I realize that despite my desire to be otherwise, I am simply a sinner. Do I aim to be a sinner? No. But I've come to see that the struggle against the flesh is truly the "yoke that neither we nor our forefathers were able to bear." I can see that without a Savior, I am completely without hope.

What's the bottom line? Shouldn't we proclaim the Good News to all? Jesus Christ died as a sacrifice for ALL of US sinners. EVERYONE who believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. If we say we are without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. I believe that repentance simply means that we understand and accept the fact that we are sinners, that we realize that we are lost. I think that goes hand in hand with believing that Christ did what we are unable to do, and that through faith we partake in His righteousness. He now stands as a mediator between us and God. The cry of Job in Job 9:33 is answered "Neither is there any daysman (mediator) betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both."

Dear reader, if you are a sinner, whether you are a murderer, rapist, child-molester, Satan worshipper, or a prideful person who thinks you are better than any of these, then you are separated from God without Jesus Christ. If you don't believe in God, then I would encourage you to read the Bible. If you don't believe the Bible is true, well, then I guess I don't know where else to start. But if you do believe the Bible, then you must believe that there is coming a day when God will judge the world. Don't go to court as your own counsel! Jesus Christ has already paid the fine for all who believe in him. I hope that you will consider the words of Jesus, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."

Jesus walks on the water

That evening Jesus’ disciples went down to the shore to wait for him. But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn’t come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum. Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough. They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, but he called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!” Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination!

--John 6:16-21

Jesus performed many miracles, walking on water, healing the sick, raising the dead, turning water to wine, and many more.

Many people have turned healing the sick or "faith healing" into a lucrative enterprise. I wonder why I don't turn on the TV and see preachers walking on water or raising people from the dead. Imagine the ratings!

It was my understanding that everyone had heard

The crossing

We are pilgrims
On a journey through the darkness of the night
We are bound for other places
Crossing to the other side
I will worry 'bout tomorrow
When tomorrow comes in sight
Until then, Lord, I'm just a pilgrim
Crossing to the other side
Jesus will be there to meet me
He will reach his hand in mine
I will no more be a stranger
When I reach the other side

--Roger Miller, 1936-1992

Rock of Ages, no not the Def Leppard song

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood, from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure; save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labors of my hands can fulfill thy law's commands;
could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone; thou must save, and thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress; helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath, when mine eyes shall close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.

-- written by Augustus M. Toplady, a few years before his death at the ripe old age of 38.