Your future is not based on the decisions of man, but the mandate of God.
As a Christian, God is our Lord and Master. The decisions of men around us in our country will have consequences and influence the Christians, but we belong to God. Here are some things our country is doing and has become.
We have worshiped other Gods and called it multi-culturalism and tolerance.
We have endorsed perversion and called it alternative lifestyle.
We have exploited the poor and called it lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn children and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable homicide.
We have failed to execute justice and called it due process.
We have failed to love our neighbor because of the color of their skin and called it maintaining racial purity.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.
We have abused power and called it political savvy.
We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have made the Lord’s Day the biggest shopping and entertainment day of the week and called it free enterprise.
We have ridiculed old-fashioned ideas of our parents and called it enlightenment.
When are the Christians going to wake up to the truth that America is a cesspool of sin? We are reaping a harvest of evil leadership and liberal thinking. We are doomed as a nation unless we repent.
Christian, it is time to stand up and be counted. Be the salt and the light. Many will perish but many can yet be saved. The church of Jesus Christ will be victorious in the end. So, stand firm and remain faithful.
See ya in church,
Bud
The problem is, people just don’t get it. “They don’t get what?” They don’t get it, what life is all about. Why were we born and what is or purpose? Because they don’t get it, they lack any real meaning in life.
Life is more than food, and survival. Are these things bad in themselves? Of course not. But, there is more to life than work and survival. Without meaning we become victims of a cruel, vicious society of people driven by greed and selfishness. Fools and money rule our actions and existence. No meaning, just survival.
People who gamble just don’t get it. The gambling halls make the money not the fools who come to gamble. The owners of the gambling halls depend on people who become addicted to gambling. Now they are victims of their own weakness and the gambling halls. They just don’t get it. They continue to lose but never wake up until all is wasted and lives are ruined. Families and businesses destroyed, the just don’t get it.
The people who are constant drinkers and party goers make the bars rich, but they get poorer. They work all week so they can party on weekends. The liquor people get richer and the worker gets poorer. They just don’t get it. Not only does it take all their money but their health is ruined. Again families suffer and evil takes its toll on everything.
People addicted to drugs are the same way. Their health eventually goes, so does everything else. They just don’t get it. Others make money and become rich on their weakness. Not only does it take money to buy drugs but they become unproductive workers, who turn to crime to support their habit.
Without real meaning and purpose people become victims of their own weakness, whatever that is. Here is where God comes in. We learn, as Christians, why we were created and why we are on earth. God has a plan for man.
Without a faith in God, it is hard to have faith in our fellow man. Without God, man becomes corrupt and selfish. This produces greed of many kinds. The plotting of evil is as big as the imagination of man. Our greed makes us cruel and destructive without feeling conscious or responsibility. We just don’t get it.
Then who can we trust? God, and God’s Word. He gives meaning to life and purpose. He gives real joy and happiness. He fulfills our dreams of true love for family and self. He blesses obedience and brings joy to the true meaning of generosity. People who follow God do get it. They understand and know why we are born and why we are born again.
What a waste when people waste a day of their lives. What a shame to see people suffer and die because of weakness and addition.
Jesus said “the broad way leads to destruction, and the narrow way leads to eternal life, and few that find it.”
Some get it some don’t. Now about you, do you get it?
See ya in church,
Bud
There are things that both make people happy or unhappy. Here are some reasons people are happy.
They receive a nice compliment.
They receive a raise, whether big or small.
They receive a promotion.
They receive good news.
They have a new baby in the family.
They make the team.
They make a good deal buying a car.
They fall in love with a wonderful person.
They receive a card from a friend.
They take a week’s vacation at their favorite place.
They kill a big deer.
They win a political race.
They buy a new home.
They pass a physical examination.
They are accepted into college.
They win a prize in a drawing.
They enjoy a favorite movie.
They receive something special for their birthday.
They hear good news about their children in school.
They were able to lose weight.
They enjoy an early morning walk.
They watch their favorite TV show.
They went to their favorite singer’s concert.
They visit their favorite in-laws.
They were able to retire with good benefits.
They were blessed by the Lord.
They received a big gift for Christmas.
They got a new dog or cat.
They love to fish, and they got to go today.
They found a good church to attend.
Chaplain Bud
“And whatever you do, whether in Word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Col 3:17)
What does this verse mean to you? Really now, think about it! First of all this is a command from Paul to the church at Colossae. Paul was writing to a church full of young believers, and this verse is the conclusion of his teaching in day three about holy living.
To get the best meaning of this verse go back to chapter 3 verse 12 through 14. Again Paul reminds those people that they are chosen of God, holy and dearly loved. They were to clothe themselves with virtues that bind them together in perfect unity.
These virtues are the very basics of good Christian character; compassion, kindness, humility gentleness, and patience. This is the picture of the Spirit of Christ in a believer. This is why so many Christians do not have peace or get along with their brothers and sisters. Instead of kindness they are driven by selfish ambition, jealousy, or pride.
Then Paul instructs them to bear with each other and forgive whatever grievance you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. The lack of forgiveness is the biggest barrier to the personal growth of Christians. Unforgiving hearts are in violation to the Word of God. Unforgiving hearts are a tool of the devil and it divides families, churches, friends, etc.
So, Paul said, “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” If your heart is right, your mind will follow. As Christ dwells in your heart you become more Christ-like and grow spiritually.
This is why Paul said whatever you do, whether in Word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus. What a great chapter and what great advice and encouragement! If we all, as Christians, could internalize God’s Word and demonstrate in action, daily, these truths, how healthy the body of Christ would be.
The question then is why not? Why do Christians fight and argue? Why do Christians act so stubborn and unchristian? The answer is not that hard to understand. It‘s because we have God’s Word in our heads but not in our hearts. We have too much head knowledge but not enough conviction by the Holy Spirit to control the sinful nature. We will never have harmony in the body until we surrender to God’s authority in all things.
One final thought. Each morning put on that new self which is being renewed in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Whatever you do whether in Word or Deed everyday do it to glorify God. Set your heart and mind on things above. The Bible teaches us that our lives are now hidden in Jesus Christ.
Remember. . . “greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world”. 1 John 4:4. Today decide to decide, and serve God in a new joyful way.
See ya in church, Bud