Truth is such a powerful word. Truth can make you happy or make you mad. Truth can set you free or make your bondage even more painful.
The ego-centered self, fearing defeat at the hands of truth, fights back with every weapon it can get hold of. The human mind, when faced with the very power to give light and liberty, has invented a multitude of evasions, resistances, counterfeits, and rationalizations. The human mind instead of welcoming advancement, resists it fiercely.
Truth can only work for those who see truth as facts. But, each individual must have a plan of action and make it work. No one can do it for us. Teachers teach truth, but the students must put it into practice.
The human body that God has created is a wonderful, complex creation. It can repair itself, replenish itself and govern itself. We have a mind and the mind is the control center of the body. What you feed into the mind determines the thoughts and actions of the body. This is why the Bible teaches, “as a man thinks in his heart so is he.”
To corrupt the body you must first corrupt the mind. To clean up the body you must first clean up the mind. This is why pornography, drugs and bad TV shows are so corrupting to the mind. These things feed lust and selfish ambition that destroy families, churches, and individuals. Those caught up in such corruption are in denial of truth. Murder, stealing, crime of all kinds, and terrorism are minds corrupted and out of control. Either evil or truth must be in control but not both.
Truth brings value and character to one's life. It is the moral fiber of any society. Biblical truth is the salt of the earth. The light on a hill. Lust and selfishness will always deny truth and avoid facing the facts at all cost.
Truth is not always popular or easy to believe. But, that does not change what is truth. People are lost and will spend eternity in punishment because they ignore truth. People suffer their whole life time because they refuse to see the truth of what their habits or life styles do to their bodies, families, or even their careers.
Truth is what God stands for and the devil stands for lies and corruption. Truth is about and deals with strength. Lies and corruption of the mind prey on weaknesses; the weakness of the flesh, the weakness of the mind and the weakness of character. But truth builds character up, and strengthens the mind to control the weakness of the flesh. Character and integrity come from God and His teachings. A godless person or nation is controlled by lies and corruption is inevitable.
We, in America, have only one hope. That God is able to bring this nation to truth through our churches. If the churches continue to weaken and die, there is no hope. No voices crying in the wilderness of lies and corruption. No salt only substitutes that are not truth.
America has sold out to lies and corruption with the promise of the good life. A life of pleasure and plenty. But each day it becomes more and more pagan and anti-God. It's time for Christians to stand up and be counted. Only the truth will bring true freedom.
Chaplain Bud,
The Christian Church at Cogan Station
The storm that struck American soil in the south land has left its mark of death and destruction. The force of wind and water, no one can withstand. Our country will be years cleaning up and overcoming this disaster.
These are the times that brings the best out of most people, and the bad out of some. The shooters and looters are not the normal. Evil and hunger will always be with us, but the righteous will overcome.
Many now are playing the blame game or the race game. But this is not the time to listen to negative news or people who have an agenda. We are human beings with means and must rally to the cause.
It is our duty as Christians and Americans, now, to do everything in our power to help those in need to re-establish lives. Homes, businesses, churches, cities and towns must be rebuilt. These people who have suffered and continue to suffer need help and hope.
Now is the time for the Church and Christians to be the true salt and light. God has called us to a lost and dying world to make a difference. We can do something and will do something!
This church has always been very heavily involved in helping others. Now we can help in our own country. Hope Missions stands for: Helping-Other-People-Everywhere. That is our motto, that is our mission. We dare not fail this one. This may well be an on going mission and our greatest challenge.
We are looking for ways to help now. Money is needed by the Red Cross or other groups who are giving food, water, and shelter. You can help in this way.
Also, we are making contacts with groups like The Mennonite Disaster Service to partner with them later to help clean up or whatever is needed. These are good organizations that have been doing disaster work for years. There are others also.
This year may be your opportunity to go on a mission trip here in America. In a few months thousands of Americans will rally to this need. There will be work for months and even years.
We feel, in missions, that God is calling us to help. Begin praying today for God to show you your part in rebuilding America. Help is needed in building churches and homes and just cleaning up. This may be a time for you to step out of your comfort zone and say “Here am I, send me.”
We will keep you updated on mission projects in the future. Let's prepare now so when the door opens we will be ready.
This will be a good time to witness and make a difference. Some can go and others who can't go can still support and help those who can. Remember, we as a church have an obligation to our fellow man.
Pray and prepare today.
See ya in church,
Bud
Preparing God's People
"Others like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop - thirty, sixty or even a hendred times what was sown." Mark 4:20
God's Multiplying Principle:
First ask yourself two questions:
1. Is God real?
2. I salvation important?
If the answer is yes, proceed to the following steps:
I. Pray the following prayer daily.
1. Lord, use me.
2. Lord, use me to help other people.
3. Lord, use me to bring other people to church.
4. Lord, use me in the Body life of the church.
II. Make a prayer list.
1. Pray for the leaders of our church.
2. Pray for the people of our church.
3. Pray for our guests invited to our church.
4. Pray for protection from satan and his schemes.
III. Now based on the above directions, make a private covenant with God.
1. I will read Mark 4:13-20 everyday to produce the Mutliplying Principle.
2. I will put God first in all things during 40 Days of Community.
3. I will seek out and help others during 40 Days of Community.
4. I will seek to bring guests wvery week during 40 Days of Community.
5. I will be committed to attend every Sunday during the 40 Days of Community.
6. I will be victorious during the 40 Days of Community and I will share my victories with others through testimonies to others.
7. I will not give in or over to doubt, unbelief, discouragement, bad attitudes or negative people. I will totally operate in faith during 40 Days of Community.
8. I will make this covenant with God because He is my Lord, my futur hope and most of all because it is a privilege to serve the Lord's Body.
9. Today, I make this covenant to God's Multiplying Principle through faith and I believe God for an increase.
See you in church,
Bud
Why do people act differently on Friday than they do on Monday? The answer is really simple! Saturday is a day off. A day away to do what you please or a day to sleep in for some, others to fish or hunt, go shopping, or just do nothing.
For some it takes all day Monday to get in the routine of work, but others can't wait to get to the job. What is the difference? It's because some people hate their jobs, others love what they do. It's that simple. Those that love it are more productive, easier to work with, and seem to get promoted faster. Why? It all comes down to attitude, not gifts and talents. Negative people are very seldom good producers, except for talking about who and what is wrong or what is not fair.
How do we overcome being negative? Is there a formula to learn or course we can take? Not really. But, we can be encouraged and inspired by looking at other people who are positive and happy most of the time.
There are some things we can do personally to hurry the process of change.
First, there must be a desire to change. Satisfied people don't need to or want to change. So dissatisfaction is the best motivator for change. This will produce a desire bigger than the problem, and we will pay the price of change. Yes, change always has a price tag. It means we do whatever it takes. Habits may have to change. Friends may have to change. You may even have to change where you live or worship. The extreme would be to change jobs. This all depends on how great your desire is for change.
But, again all this depends on the person not the circumstances. What is your desire?
Second, it takes great determination. “If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.” That's it! Pick a plan and then stick to it until you get it right. You may fail at first, but keep trying. If your plan doesn't work, try another way. But, keep the vision of the finished product always before you. See yourself as that changed person. See yourself as a positive, productive person. See yourself as one who welcomes Monday because you love what you do. Soon you will become excited about the future and forget the past.
Third, you must be a devoted person. A devoted person is one who is a 100% person, devoted to your responsibility. Be devoted to your family, that is your number one responsibility. Be devoted to your faith, if you are a Christian and to your career and fellow workers. Devoted, because you have accepted the responsibility for your life and how you treat others around you. This is your life. It's made up of your choices and decisions.
Each day our lives are passing away. Don't waste one day. Everyday you spend in a negative attitude, you drive others away. The day seems to be wasted and never ends.
Be a determined, devoted person and let your desire drive you on, to a positive and productive life. You only have so many days to spend on this earth, so spend them wisely.
As policemen, you are in a great position to help and influence a great many people. Let your positive light shine and life will be fine. Have a good day and be safe.
Chaplain Bud