What do I want for Christmas today?
I would like to have our house paid off, and a new well drilled.
I know that is more selfish than usual, but not the first time.
Family
Christmas Day One Hundred Six
What do I want for Christmas today?
It is the Lord’s Day once again, so I want to go to worship our God and Savior Jesus Christ with brothers and sisters in Christ, and glorify His name together, then go into the community, and the world, equipped, and ready to live in a way that shows Him to the world; and do that seven days a week.
Christmas Day One Hundred Ten and One
What do I want for Christmas today?
I want the children returning to school today following Labor Day weekend to arrive at their Schools safely; I want those who are driving their automobiles to work, home from work to be alert and aware of School Buses with the stop arm’s out, the overhead flashing red lights mean “STOP” there are children exiting buses; I do not want to see another child hit by an un-attentive, distracted motorist; pay attention or you could kill, maim or injure a child.
Christmas Day Two Hundred Thirty and One
What do I want for Christmas?
I want everyone to realize the importance of their mother; and husbands/fathers their wives who are the mothers of their children, and to help make this a good day for her, and her family; and to attend worship services with her today.
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand.” Psalm 37:23-24 (KJV)
In the realm of “Christianity” we are all soldiers of Christ (maybe especially so that Christian mother), and the LORD delights in us, and guides our path.
MOTHERS – Happy Mother’s Day
Day Three Three Three
What do I want for Christmas?
I want to want what God wants and desires for my family, friends, neighbors, myself, and the rest of the world.
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand: When I awake, I am still with You.” Psalm 139:17-18 (NKJV)
Day Three Hundred Thirty and Four
What do I want for Christmas?
I want Christians in Christian marriages, and families to know that the devil is working hard to destroy the Christian home, and that we must be ever vigilant in standing with Christ Jesus and in His Word; “the devil like a roaring lion is walking about seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8); Christian stand your ground, stand firm in the Word; and remember that “…the weapons or our warfare are not carnal (flesh), but mighty through God…” Be strong Christian.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NKJV)
Update on Coffee Maker –
On day 355 I posted that I wanted a new coffee maker because mine had died. Good news. On Monday January 18, 2016 I bought a new one, and I have had coffee every morning since.
I thought this might be too serious a matter to neglect by not sharing with my readers. 🙂
Day Three hundred Forty Six
What do I want for Christmas?
I want family, friends, and neighbors to prosper and be in good health; even as they prosper in their spiritual lives.
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 2 John 1:2 (NKJV)
Peter Hitchens, brother to acerbic atheist Christopher, came back to Christ
To inaugurate his atheism, 15-year-old Peter Hitchens burned his Bible outside his Cambridge boarding school in 1967 in front of a group of curious and enthusiastic fellow students.
The desecration turned out to be anti-climatic. The Bible didn’t catch fire in the hoped-for dramatic fashion. As a matter of fact, the thick stack of paper pages were poor kindling and the wind put it out. Only with much coaxing and much patience did it partially burn. His friends, eager to gawk at the anti-God defiance, lost interest and drifted away.
Today, Peter Hitchens, has come full circle. After enlisting with Troskty communists and championing atheist causes, he is now back to Christianity. His older brother Christopher, a media darling and atheistic provocateur with a best-seller God is Not Great, never came back to faith.
The brothers faced-off in a 2008 debate in Grand Rapids over the existence of God. Peter…
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Consider the Poor
Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. Psalm 41:1 (KJV)
How many times have you heard something like this said, “They are only poor because of foolish spending” There are many various phrases similar to that one we have heard, or maybe even used ourselves.
The topic of poverty, and the poor is not an easy subject to address, or to deal with. There are folks who have not thrived in an affluent society due to misuse, and abuse of finances. I know that I have done my share of that as well.
Let us address who are the poor of the above text? The Psalmist is addressing the lowly, the poor, the physically weak, and ill. The Bible addresses poverty many more times, and how we are to help them. When harvesting fields the land owner was to leave a corner for the poor to glean, so they too would have something to eat. That included the orchards and other things too.
One thing I know about providing aid for the poor is that it should not be seen as a burden, but a result of our blessings; and being a blessing to those less fortunate.
This Psalm begins with a Beatitude “Blessed” which is a happiness we are to enjoy. Those who cause the poor to prosper will be happy, and are recipients of protection and keeping from the LORD themselves.
Be “Blessed” today.
Who Are the Brethren of Jesus???
“While He yet talked to the people, behold, His mother and His brethren stood without, desiring to speak with Him. Then one said unto Him, ‘Behold, Thy mother and Thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with Thee.’ But He answered and said unto him that told him, ‘Who is My mother, and who are My brethren?’ And He stretched forth His hand toward His disciples, and said, ‘Behold My mother and My brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of My Father which is in heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother.” ~Jesus (Matthew 12:46-50)
The Father Speaking in You
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for My name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” ~Jesus (Matthew 10:16-22)
Do Not Be Found Out
Has anyone ever stopped to think about the foolishness of idolatry. That is the desire for things, the greed for wealth, the lust for power, and/or the opposite sex; and in some cases of this day the perversion of the same sex. That is, afterall, what idolatry is all about.
We live in an era not dissimilar from Jeremiah’s. The people were living in basic comfort, secure in their wealth, and easy lives. Though, ours is plagued somewhat with fear of terrorism we still go about doing whatever we please; paying the exhorbitant prices for gasoline, and everything going up due to that; yet we purchase, or at least those who can do. Power for more of the things desired.
Hear the word of the LORD through the prophet Jeremiah:
“As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets, saying to a stock, ‘Thou art my father;’ and to a stone, ‘Thou hast brought me forth:’ for they have turned their back unto Me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, ‘Arise, and save us.’ But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? Let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.” Jeremiah 2:26-28 (KJV)
It seems quite clear that the people of Judah have been caught in the practice of idolatry, worshipping other gods, which are not gods at all, but more burdens for the people to carry. Have you ever noticed the junk that we in our society build up and keep in closets, garages, security vaults, magazine racks, and how valuless they really are?
In the prophet Jeremiah’s day they were here being accused of having wood idols, and giving it praise for being their father. Also of telling one made of stone that was their mother. In the worship of other gods, they turned their back on God, denying Him as their birthparent as a nation. By turning their back and not their faces we find a great hypocrisy.
The hypocrisy is that while everything is going good, life is easy and comfortable, they really have no care to remember God, His holy days, nor His Law or His Word. However, when they start hearing about an enemy, or having some other troubles they begin to cry out to the true God for help. God, the LORD, says to that, “Let them arise, If they can save you in the time of your trouble;” It is like He is saying to them you have plenty of gods you love and adore more than Me, “Let them help you”. The prophet continues by saying, “For according to the number of your cities Are your gods, O Judah.” You would think that the more gods the better. Right? Wrong.
The one true God is sufficient to meet our every need. In fact there is no other god but the LORD God. The one who loves us enough to send His Son to die in our place.
We continue now to the next two verses:
“Wherefore will ye plead with Me? Ye all have transgressed against Me, saith the LORD. In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.” Jeremiah 2:29-30 (KJV)
At times when people face catastrophe they tend to recognize that God does exist. When things ease off, and start getting back to normal it is back to the worship of things,getting those desires met, achieving those personal goals at the cost of life, limb, or friendships, or spouses and family. When this happens, some of it is genuine, and some is not. The one’s who are genuine will continue being faithful when the things start being good again. They will hear the voice of the LORD and will obey Him. They do not turn away.
These are the ones whom the LORD will bless. These are the ones whom the LORD has genuinely saved.
These “two faced” people are about as dependable as a flat tire, and no rim with it. The correction of the LORD does no good, accomplishes nothing, and they hate the prophets who tell them the truth for the saving of their souls.
Do not turn your back on God. Do not be a two faced individual who worships God on Sunday, then, through the rest of the week no one will ever know any difference from watching your life, hearing your dirty words, and dirty jokes. Turn your face toward Jesus Christ, and you will be made just before holy GOD. When you have given your life to the LORD through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ your life changes, for His glory and your good. You will love the Law, the History of His people, the Wisdom of the sages, and the prophets; both the Major and Minor prophets. You will love God’s Word. You will desire to please the LORD. It is not a burden but a pleasure to love the LORD, His Word and the life He gives us.
-by Tim A. Blankenship
Like The Animals???
It is so very sad to look around at society and see things going to the dogs. A few years ago an NFL star was sentenced to prison time for killing dogs. Even though, he was unjustly and illegally fighting them is a sign of worse things to come.
We are human beings created in the image of God. We have been given, by God, the rule and dominion of this earth. The man I speak of may have deserved a fine, maybe some loss of time from playing on the team he was on, and maybe even a fine from the NFL for the bad name against them.
It is so unhuman to give greater power and authority; and better treatment to the animal kingdom than to the human being. It is when we begin acting like animals that we begin treating humanity more like animals.
Hear the word of the Lord spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
“How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? See thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways; a wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? All they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her. Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, ‘There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.'” Jeremiah 2:23-25 (KJV)
Many reading this will probably think, “Well how is this relative or practical for our society today?” I personally think that is an easy answer. When we have parents wanting to do things to protect their daughters from sexually immoral living by having them take a shot to protect them from a form of cancer that can be gotten only by pre-marital sex at too young of an age, then we are telling our children, “Your urges are uncontrollable, just follow your ‘heart'”. In other words your sexual drive is stronger than your mind and will. Just go with how you feel and this vaccine will protect you. People we are more than animals. We have a will. We can make moral choices. Animals do not.
This was the problem with the people in Jeremiah’s day. They were giving themselves to Baal worship and this involved all sorts of immoral conduct. Then, they would say on the Sabbath day as they pretended to worship the Lord GOD, “We have not gone after the Baals”.
I do not mean to sound brash in what I am about to write here, but there are many of our young ladies and young men who go around acting like animals in heat. No control; just doing what may seem like the natural thing to do. This is not pleasing to our Lord. Even sadder to say is that many of these doing this profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. When you walk in the Spirit of God, you do the will of God.
What is the answer for our society today? We need to quit giving our young people the okay for sexual immorality. When birth control pills are given them, and a vaccine is provided to them to protect them from pregnancy and disease; we are in fact giving our okay to them. Let’s stop doing that. Let’s teach them the law of God’s Word. Let’s teach them by our own personal examples. The youth of America appreciate honesty, straight forward truth, and they will respect you for it. They will not respect “Hemming and Hawing around” about matters to get to the point. As the people of God we who are adult Christians need to practice what we preach and teach. We should always be seeking the Lord to lead in our lives, and to give us the mind of Christ.
There is a lot of loose living in society. We as Christians should live a tight knit life in Christ, love our spouses, and be always faithful, and worship God and God alone through His Son Jesus Christ.
-by Tim A. Blankenship
The Popular Myth That Will Sabotage Your Spiritual Growth | T E Hanna
Every follower of Jesus Christ needs to read and heed this message. Please follow the link and read. T.A. Blankenship
The Popular Myth That Will Sabotage Your Spiritual Growth | T E Hanna.
Councils, Sparrows and Enemies
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for My name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, ‘Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of Man be come.’ The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing, and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it.” Matthew 10:16-39 (KJV)
Notice the three “Fear nots” in the text above. The word also of Whom we are to fear.
-T.A.
Observations From Matthew – 030711
Reading today in Matthew 11 – 13
We have all heard the language people use on the street, many times in business, at work, at recreation and play. We hear it from children, both special needs children and “normal” children; and that is most generally because the children hear it from their parents or legal guardians.
When I read the following Scriptures that tell me, “…out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” then there are an massive amounts of people; young and old; who have corrupted abundance in their hearts:
“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:34-37 (KJV)
Maybe the next time you let a vile, corrupted word fly from you tongue and lips you better check your heart. It is corrupt if you let words fly that are vile, dirty, rude, hurtful, filthy, and/or ungodly.
These are the words of Jesus Christ; the purest of men; the God man who gave His life for our sins.
Consider that before you open you mouth to speak.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Blessed Thanksgiving 2009
It is a wonderful and blessed thing to be alive, breathing, and walking upon this beautiful planet the Lord of all has blessed us with. The stars which shine at night with the moon, and all the planets; those seen and those which cannot be seen with the human eye.
We can be thankful no matter what our lot in live. Captive or free we are all captive in one way or another. Let us all remember that we are made by the one true God; our Creator, Spirit, the Son of God and Savior of all who will call on that wonderful, glorious name of Jesus the Christ.
Thank God for family, friends, work, health, wealth because we here in the USA are wealthy compared to many places and people on earth. Even if you have no home you still live in the land of the free, and home of the brave.
What a place to live, breathe, move and have our being.
Thank YOU Lord for YOUR blessings.
-Tim A. Blankenship
A Prayer, Praising Earthquake
Up until a few years ago I always kind of though musicals in movies, on stage, etc. was a funny, and needless way to do things. Then, I realized our lives are a musical. I mean by that; that, if you are like me anyway you will be in the middle of doing something, working, golfing, camping, hiking, riding a bike or motorcycle; anyway you get the idea. In the middle of doing these things, and just break out in a song.
It may be a song dealing with how you feel. If you are at work you might want to sing, “Take This Job and Shove It”, or if you enjoy your work, it could be a bit more jovial like a hymn of thanksgiving or praise to the One who gives us all things to enjoy. So life is a musical. For some it is a musical even when things do not look so bright. Singing praises to God in the midst of suffering, your suffering makes life so much more joyful musical.
Have you ever thought much about what singing praises to God and what praising Him can do? Well, there is an example in the book of Acts. It was following the beating, and jailing of Paul and Silas after they had been faithfully preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Philippi. The preaching of the Gospel had been responsible for delivering a young girl who was demon possessed by a demon. She was the source of income for her soothsaying.
When this girl was delivered, or course, her soothsaying days were over. That should tell us something about the “Ghost Whisperers”, and “Mediums” and witches we hear about. When she was delivered the men using her lost their income, thus they were angry with Paul and Silas, caused a riot of sorts in the city; got Paul and Silas beaten and jailed.
What was Paul and Silas doing in jail? They were singing praises to the Lord. Here is what the text says,
“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” (Acts 16:25).
Verses following show that there was an earthquake, the doors of the prison were opened, the guard and his family were born again. Now that is the result of a praying, singing, praising people.
Let’s learn to pray, sing, and praise our God and Savior no matter the violences the world and its biases hurl at us. Who knows what would happen in the USA, and the world if God’s people would sing, pray, and praise our God and Savior Jesus Christ.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Check Out This Article…
Over at Nephos you will find an informative article concerning abortion and a deceived proponent of the killing of the unborn. The title of the article is, The Blessing Of Evil?
You might want to check out the automatic links that are given at the end of the article too.
-T.A.
The Substitute
Isaac, son of Abraham, the only promised son of Abraham was an obedient, trusting son. He went all the way with his father to the place “afar off” to a mountain which the LORD showed him. The faith of Abraham has been seen since Genesis 12, and he has been faithful to God.
Faithful to God does not mean there has not been some times of failure, disobedience or sin; it does mean that in all his faults he always trusted the LORD; he always returned to God. Those of us who are Christians are called to a faithful life, a life of faithfulness, and that does not mean there won’t be times we do not fail or fall into sin; it does mean we won’t stay there.
Our study today will include verse 10 once again:
“And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.” Genesis 22:10-14 (KJV)
Abraham, believing God would keep His promise of making a great nation through Isaac continues with an obedient act to the LORD God, takes the knife to slay his son, and then hears the “angel of the LORD” call his name. It seems that the “angel of the LORD” stops the hand of Abraham from its downward motion. It does not seem too far to say that the LORD stopped Abraham’s hand from slaying Isaac.
There are some things in this event that we must consider. First of all, Isaac was not a worthy sacrifice (Psalm 14:2-3; Romans 3:10, 23). He was human, with the uncleanness of sin, as we all are. No sinful human being can pay the sacrifice for their sins, nor anyone else’s. Secondly, God has actually forbidden mankind from offering human sacrifice. Human sacrifice was the practice of the people whom Abraham left in Ur of the Chaldees, and the practice of the people in the land of Canaan, and God’s people are forbidden to practice the evil of the Canaanites.
It seems that we have sacrifice of children in the USA, and in other nations of the world. We see no value in the unborn so in the past 36 years we have sacrificed 48,000,000 (48 million) unborns to the gods of pleasure and convenience. Their blood cries out to the thrice holy God, and condemns the people of the nations who have practiced this unholy act. The blood of even these is insufficient to atone for the sins of those who committed the acts of treachery and murder. The unborn children that have been treasonized by their mothers cry out against them, and the “doctors” who have committed treachery against the medical profession.
Abraham’s hand is stayed by our LORD from carrying out the sacrifice showing himself faithful to God. Abraham turns and sees a Ram caught by his horns in a bush. Now, how many times would that happen. On a hill top far away from any other flocks of sheep, God provides a substitute for Isaac. We are all in need of a Substitute for our sins; a Substitute who will take our place. If we were to die for our own sins that would mean an eternity apart from God, because our death does not suffice the take away our sin; it also does not provide for us eternal life; but eternal death, apart from God; suffering eternally for our sins. That is what we deserve.
As the Ram was the substitute for Isaac, so our Substitute is the Lamb of God. The Ram whose power was yielded to His Father, and was willing to subject Himself to the evil hands of men, be the sacrifice for the sins of all mankind, offering forgiveness to all who will call on His name.
There is forgiveness to all the women who have killed their unborn children, and to the “doctors” who have committed the treacherous acts against the children, the mothers, and the medical profession by their acts of abortion. Jesus Christ is our Substitute for our sins. He died on the cross to take away our sins, cleanse us from sin, to be the atonement for our sin, to be the one who took upon Himself the wrath of His own Father, having become sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).
“Jehovah-jireh” our God has provided well for us through His Son Jesus. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Be saved, be cleansed of all your sin through faith in Jesus Christ; our Substitute; today.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Just A Thought 01/13/09
One Four Three
A three word sentence. If you look at this mathematically 1+4+3= 8. What can this possibly mean.
I want us to see this not as a problem of arithmetic, but an answer to a lot of human ills. It is amazing what this three word sentence can do to the hearts of many people, and with time, could be a change with all people, one way or another.
Let’s first of all look at that first word “One”. There is first of all only YOU. You by yourself, are a unique being. You were made in the image of our Creator, whether you believe that or not makes no difference from the truth that you are. There is no other like you, and when you refer to yourself to someone else you say “I”, and that is what the word “One” stands for. There is only one you, and no more; and you are the “I” in your life.
The second word “Four” refers to another word; a four letter word. Now there are many four letter words, some of which are not fit to be spoken or written. In the United States of America there are different kinds of expression of this four letter word of which I refer to. “Love” is that four letter word. Another four letter word which is really behind a lot of the word is “Lust” rather than love. That is often meant in a man’s heart toward a woman, rather than genuine love. Lust takes and gives nothing but pain and harm. Love that is genuine and true seeks the good and well being of others, and of another.
Parents, your children need to hear you tell them “I love you”, and they need to hear their Mom and Dad say to one another, “I love you”, and not only saying it, but expressing it in many ways. Kindness to one another. Even when you are angry with one another refrain from name calling, which leads to bitterness, anger, and long time harm through memories; and can and often does go into the next generation, if not corrected quickly.
Love thinks of the well being of others, and not of the “I”.
The final word we see is “YOU”. When you are speaking to someone else you refer to them as “You”, or by name. To myself I refer to the reader here as “YOU”. I pray that this will make an impact on your life, your family, and all the people who come into your life.
Husbands and wives; there may be some reading here who are on the brink of divorce. Have you forgotten the words “I love you”? Have you demonstrated that love by kindness, affection, an act that does not involve sex, nor expect it in return? Genuine love comes by sacrifice; giving yourself, even at great expense, for the well-being of another. It is possible to save your home, your marriage, the future of your children, and your very own future with those three words, “I LOVE YOU.”
These three words are very difficult to say, and maybe they should be. They should never be said with an ulterior motive, selfishly, or without thought. It should mean that we care, that I am here for you, that whatever you need, and it is in the power of my hand to provide it; it is yours.
Loving others genuinely is sometimes difficult, because “I” am sometimes selfish, self-centered, self-seeking, and we, you and I, can see that in small children if we will see it. See it in them as they play, and suddenly one says, “Mine!”
The greatest good that could take place in our homes, communities, churches, States, and Countries is to begin telling others, “I love you” with a genuine heart, or merely by showing “I love you” with an act of kindness, when we have not been treated so kindly. And do so without expecting anything in return. Do it because you genuinely love.
The greatest love ever shown was when “God demonstrated His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God loves you.
When Jesus Christ died on the cross, with His feet above the earth, His head toward heaven and His arms were outstretched as though saying “I love you, come unto Me”.
Because Jesus lives, I LOVE YOU.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Society Double Talk
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20
Isaiah has addressed three other “Woes”. The first woe in verse 8 tells us they were practicing a modern action of many – “Grab all you can, and can all you grab”, and it does not matter who gets hurt. The second woe was against those who lived their lives as just a party; living a life of debauchery and rebellion against the Holy One of Israel. The third woe is against all those who just parade their sin before all, and just beg God to show Himself in judgment; mockingly provoking the justice of the Holy God.
The above verse is one that also fits very well with our society in the good old USA today. “It depends on what the meaning of ‘Is’ is”; that is one phrase we have heard from so called leaders of our near past. It also use to be that when we heard the word “Gay” it meant someone who was happy and cheerful; but now it is a term for a sin of perversion.
God in His Word tells us to stand against immorality of all kinds. Today when we stand against the sin of sodomy we are called, and I should say very unkindly, “Homophobic”. “Homo” having to do with the sodomites, and “Phobic” meaning fearful. There is no fear toward the sodomites as far as I am concerned. I am fearful of what is happening to our Country, our State, the cities and the world, because of these acts. Marriage is cheapened when a man can marry a man or a woman marries a woman. If I speak out against such godless rebellion I am wrong. “Good is evil, and evil is good”.
It is good for a man to be so intolerant as to tell how bad the Christian’s are. It is bad for the Christian, even in the love of Jesus Christ, to say that Jesus is the only way to God and eternal life. There are new words for old sins. Take for example; Adultery is now an affair; Fornication is now just premarital sex, or cohabiting; Sodomy is an alternative lifestyle, as is bisexuality, transsexuality, etc.; Drunkenness is a disease, as is depression; you get the picture.
The word is “WOE”. That is destruction to those who practice these things. There is another word that has been forgotten, and that is REPENT. Turn from your life of sin and rebellion against God. Trust His Son Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. He will change your vocabulary and give you a new dictionary.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Thanksgiving Day Psalm
I thought this Psalm could address our thankfulness on this Thanksgiving Day. We have much for which to be thankful to God.
“O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.’
‘Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.’
‘Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.’
‘They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.’
‘He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground; A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings. And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation; And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase. He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease. Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow. He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way. Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock. The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth. Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.” Psalm 107:1-43 (KJV)
HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Here I Am
Abraham had made an agreement/covenant with Abimelech of the Philistines, the inhabitants of the land, and the greatest thing I see in the previous chapter is and he “…called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.” The land to which God had called Abraham was the land of the Philistines, it was not yet the land of Israel, but it was the promised land.
God calls out to Abraham again,
“And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.” Genesis 22:1 (KJV)
The great response of Abraham should be the response of everyone who knows the “Everlasting God”. The promises of God are good and grand. The promises of God are as good as God is good; they are as grand as God is grand. The promises of God are eternal. The promises are as eternal as God is eternal. “Behold, here I am”. This response was not to let God know where he was but to give God himself.
When he left Ur he left believing God was leading him to a land; in that land he would become the father of a mighty nation; to become a father of a mighty nation means that there would be a son born. The promise was true; the years passed; and eventually in God’s timing the son was born.
Abraham had grown over the years in his faith. He had grown to believe that the land which God had promised was going to belong to his children through a son that was to be born to him. He had grown to accept the fact that the conception, and birth of the promised son would be in God’s own timing; and not in his own. Abraham probably didn’t understand why it was taking “so long” in his estimation, but he had waited and continued believing; even after he and Sarah’s sin with Hagar. Now God was going to call on Abraham to do something that would stretch faith to the limits.
God, the “Everlasting God” (Genesis 21:33) only had to call his name, “Abraham”, and he responded in faith. Not knowing what lay in store again, he answers, “Behold, here I am.” This “Here I am” was not to let God know where he stood, lay or walked; but to give himself to God and His will. “Here I am; ready to go where YOU go.” “Here I am; ready to do what YOU want me to do.” Or, “Here I am; do what YOU will with me. I am in YOUR hands.” It was notification of submission, not information of his location.
The first test of faith is our response to God’s call. Do we respond, “Oh no! Not again!” or do we respond as did Abraham, “I am here LORD. I am willing, and ready to fulfill YOUR bidding.”?
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Fire and Hammer 