IGNITE THE KINGDOM LIFE!

February 11th, 2013 | By admin

by Paul Holland

Luke 3:7-18

Repentance is something like lighting a match. You rid your heart and life of “chemicals” so that the light of Christ can burn in your heart and set your life on fire.

The Jews were looking for and anticipating the Kingdom to be established and Jesus was to rule over that kingdom – 1:32-33. But John the baptizer also had a very important role.

Every high ranking political official has a forerunner. For the Son of David, the forerunner was John the baptizer.

JOHN LIGHTS THE FIRE:
First, there is a “wrath to come” – verse 7. For the Jews, the wrath to come would be the destruction of Jerusalem. But a destruction of the world is also coming – 1 Thessalonians 1:10.

HOW DO YOU IGNITE THE KINGDOM LIFE?
How could the Jews get prepared for the coming Kingdom? John tells them in verse 8 – “Bear fruits in keeping with repentance.” Repentance is not simply changing your behavior. “Bearing fruit” refers to our behavior. Repentance is something which causes or leads to bearing fruit.

Repentance is the change of mind that leads to that change of behavior. True repentance, a godly repentance, begins with godly sorrow. Sorrow at having offended God, sorrow knowing that it was my sins – my sins – that put Christ on the cross. So, sorrow by itself is not repentance. Godly sorrow leads to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10-11) which produces fruit as John calls it.

So the crowds who came out to John began asking him, “What shall we do?” That is, “What do we need to do, if we are sorrowful and want to repent?”

Verse 11 – Do good. Share with those in need.  That is a theme that will run throughout the Gospel of Luke – it is in this book, for example, that Jesus gives us the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

Verses 12-13 – Some tax collectors came to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, based on their repentance and asked John what they should do. Stop doing bad, John says. We remember that Zaccheus was a chief tax collector and his story is found in Luke 19:1-10.

Verse 14 – Finally, some soldiers have come to John and they, too, ask him what to do to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. It seems to me that we can sum up this command with be content. Are not many of the sins we commit a result of a lack of contentment with what God has given us?

These three things – do good, stop doing bad, and be content were, broadly speaking, what the Jews needed to do to prepare for the coming of the Kingdom.

Repentance begins in your mind as you realize that you have offended God’s holiness. It moves to your heart as you stop loving sin and start loving God. Repentance ends up with a changed life.

Ignite the Kingdom life – do good, stop doing bad, and be content.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

February 8th, 2013 | By admin

by Katt Anderson

Yesterday I spent the day at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, TN. It was the 77th Annual Bible Lecture. The speakers were great, and I learned a lot. One thing that was discussed was the way women were treated in the Bible times, compared to the way they are treated today.

In Bible times, they were not looked upon as highly as women are today. Christ changed that when He came to earth. No longer are women looked down upon, or treated like a piece of property. There are some countries where women are not respected. There is also one religion where women are treated horribly. We will discuss that aspect of women later.

One thing was brought up, that I was not used to hearing about, and it was human trafficking and slavery. Usually when we think of human trafficking, we thing of this happening in large cities, or other countries. Not so. Human trafficking is the second largest crime in the United States. Drugs are first. We think slavery was abolished in the 1800′s. It was not. Human trafficking and slavery go hand in hand and are rampant today.

Girls are abducted everyday. Most of the time they are forced into slavery. They are enslaved to a pimp for sexual pleasures. Usually, they do not live long with a life of drugs, sex, and mistreatment. This seems like something that happened long ago, but it is still popular today.

Girls, when you go out, especially at night, have someone with you. Make sure your car is full of gas. Don’t run out of gas and have to walk to a gas station by yourself. Also, when you park your car at the mall, be conscious of your surroundings. Park under a light, if you can. Do not park near a van. Park in a place where no cars are close by. Be alert! Know if anyone is behind you, or around you.

Why am I telling you all this? Listen close. If you park beside a paneled van, it could be a trafficker. They could slide the door open, grab you, and no one will know what happens to you. It’s quick and not noticed. I have been in a situation where this almost happened. My friend was sharp, awake, and alert. She fought the man off. It was in the middle of the day. This does not happen only at night. All women should be very careful. We are all at danger.

To be sold into slavery would be one of the most horrible things there is. It does happen. I read about it all the time. I’ve never met anyone who was sold into slavery, but I do know it happens. Sometimes parents sell their children into slavery. I don’t know what kind of an animal would do that, but it happens. Then girls and boys are kidnapped and been sold to someone.  No one should be forced to do anything they don’t want to do. We, as parents, should be aware of what our children are doing, and who they are doing things with. Be alert of everything that is going on around you.

THANKFUL

November 23rd, 2012 | By admin

by Katt Anderson

Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving Day in the US. Here are some things I am thankful for.

I am thankful to live in a free country where freedom allows me to write this bog with my own thoughts. Because of these freedoms, I will not be arrested, tortured, or killed for writing about Christ and what He does for me, and what He can do for you.

I am thankful that I have a good roof over my head, food in my pantry, and love of family. We are a plentiful nation, and I am thankful for that.

I am thankful to Walnut Grove church of Christ for allowing me to write this blog. The elders trust me enough to tell teen girls about the love of God.

I am thankful that my family is loving and caring. Too many children grow up without love and comfort. I am thankful that I had loving parents and grandparents.

I am thankful for this beautiful land we live in. I’ve traveled from coast to coast, and believe me it is the best there is. We have beauty to treasure each day. Thank you God for giving us these wonders.

I am thankful for the Bible and for Christ dying on the cross. Christ loved me enough to die that I might have forgiveness of sins. Thank you Go for sending your Son.

I am thankful for my friends who encourage me to write. Friends who love me enough to want what is best for me.

There are other things I know I am thankful for, but it would talk all day for me to write them. I do write this with thankfulness in my heart for all of God’s blessings.

CAN YOU FORGIVE?

October 26th, 2012 | By admin

by Katt Anderson

One of the hardest things for most people is to forgive. We say we can forgive, but we can’t forget. That’s not forgiving. Forgiving is never remembering what you have forgiven again. You have to try to blot it from your mind. You have to erase it from your own being.

How do you start to forgive? The first thing you have to do is have a loving spirit. A caring spirit. Be someone who does not hold a grudge. That’s so hard to do, but we must if we want to be a Christian. Christ forgave on the cross. In Luke 23:34, Jesus speaks from the cross, “Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do’ . . ” He asked God to forgive the people who crucified him.

There are thirty-seven times in Matthew through John where Jesus tells us to forgive. It must be important for us to do. We have to forgive people who harm or hurt us. If it was not that important, it would not have been written in the Scripture so many times.

So, can you forgive? Can you forgive someone who tells lies about you? You have to, and you have to show them you care for them. If someone murders your parents, brothers, or sisters, can you forgive them? This happens all the time. People are killed, babies are killed. When it hits our family, it’s hard to do. You want to lash out, but you can’t. As hard as it is, you have to forgive.

If you never forgive, you are a miserable person. Hate consumes you. You lash out at everyone because of the injustice done to you. What kind of a life are you living? It has to be miserable. When you truly forgive and turn your life to God, you are a much happier person. Life can be fulfilling.

People who say hurtful things have a problem loving. They want to hurt everyone they see. They want to wallow in self-pity and bring you down to their level. Don’t let them do that. Christ told us to turn the other cheek. Simply walk away from that person. Don’t engage in their hate.

Your outlook on life will improve when you learn to love and forgive.

TRUSTING IN THE STAKES

October 19th, 2012 | By admin

 by Paul Holland 

Our family went tent-camping in western Kentucky during fall break. The weather forecast was beautiful – lows in the 50s and highs in the 70s. Three days before we left, the forecast was still free of rain. We received a warning on Saturday that the winds would pick up to about 25 mph. We have two tents, one a canopy that goes over the picnic table and the dome tent in which we sleep. I drove four stakes into the ground with guy-wires and then four stakes into the ground through plastic pieces at the end of each tent pole of the canopy. The dome tent was also staked. Throughout the day, the stakes held firm despite the high winds.

Saturday night when we went to sleep, the winds were still gusting high but the stakes were holding. We were awakened several times during the night because of the wind. It was blowing our tent fairly hard. I thought of the canopy and the eight stakes that were holding it down and felt safe and confident that the canopy would hold, despite the high winds. At one point in the night, I had to get up and answer nature’s call. Since I was already outside, I checked the stakes and, sure enough, they were all holding secure. I fell back asleep confident the canopy would be safe. The next morning, it was.

Three stakes were driven into the hands of Jesus – two in each hand and one through the feet/ankle. Those stakes pinned Jesus to that tree so that He could hardly move. If He lifted Himself to breathe, pain shot through the stakes in His feet. If He sagged against His arms, pain shot through Him from above.

But Jesus trusted in those stakes. Jesus trusted that those stakes were part of God’s overall plan to save man. Hanging against those stakes, Jesus said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46). Jesus was able to “endure the cross, despising the shame” (Hebrews 12:2), because He trusted in those stakes. He knew they were part of God’s plan to finish His work. Peter writes that as Jesus was hanging against those stakes, He “kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:23).

We have stakes in our lives that pin us down. They hold us fast and keep us secure. Sometimes those stakes are painful. But we need to trust God that He is using them to work out in our lives, “His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). When you feel those stakes pulling on you, remember Jesus and His stakes and “entrust your souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right” (1 Peter 4:19).

-        Your fellow-servant in Christ,

-        Paul

Veritas non verba magistri

KORAN – ORIGIN AND CONTENTS

October 10th, 2012 | By admin

From the Administrator – Islam religion is the fastest growing religion in the world. We, as Christians, need to be aware of the teachings. Several posts have been written in the past and we hope to continue to show the error of this religion.

THREE BASIC FACTS

September 24th, 2012 | By admin

TEEN IDOLS

September 17th, 2012 | By admin

by Katt Anderson

Who is your idol? Is it some movie star or a recording star? Maybe a sports figure? Think about it for a few minutes. Do you truly want to be like them?

They are tempted on so many sides, money, drugs, men/women, liquor, and other things. Is that what you want? Very few of these celebrities, even teen celebrities, are chaste. You hear of them having babies at sixteen years of age. Their night club antics and wild rides through Hollywood and other places make headlines on the news media and tabloids. Is that what you want? Do you hear of any that do not go to parties where there is drug, liquor, and sex? If you do, it is rare, and they are ridiculed for their behavior. It’s almost like it’s the norm to be wild, and that’s what everyone expects.

It’s normal for a teen girl to have crushes on some of these super stars, but that is as far as it should go. You should not try to emulate the girls in their lives. You should not emulate what they do. Fads wear off in time. There will be another super star, another idol, and another fad.

Many of the brains of these celebs are fried. They cannot make rational decisions, nor can they hold down a job on the movie or recording set. They are so debilitated by the drugs and alcohol that they can no longer function as a normal human being. Is that who you want to be like? It’s too bad the press plays these people up, and not the ones who do not use drugs and alcohol.

Instead of these celebs that do not care what they do, look at Christ who cares about you. He should be your example of a person to be like. Christ’s example on this earth was one of caring and loving. Even at age twelve, he had a knowledge of God that astounded the teachers in the temple. Luke 2:41-50. Verse 47 says, “All who heard Him were astonished by His understanding and answers.”  If Christ was doing that at twelve, what was He doing at twenty? Healing people, comforting people, loving people, teaching people. That is a better person to be like. We can’t heal people like He did, but we can help them in any way we can. This is so much better than drugs and booze.

Christ died for us. He hung on the cross for six hours in pain and agony for you and me. It gets more personal when we realize He did it for you. He lay on the cross as they nailed his wrists to the cross. Feel of your wrists between the small bones. That’s where the nails went. Then they placed his feet together and nailed between the small bones of his feet. The cross was dropped in a deep hole. All of this was done with Christ conscious on the cross. It had to be so very painful. He did it so the whole world might believe on Him and have remission of their sins, if they will follow his Will.

These celebrities you think so highly of, have they done anything near this important? Never, nor will they ever. No one has ever paid that price. Only Christ did it for us. He is the one you should follow.

STOP THE WORLD I WANT TO GET OFF

July 23rd, 2012 | By admin

by Katt Anderson

In the ancient 1970′s, I can’t remember the date, there was a Broadway play by the above name. At that time we in America were fighting the Vietnam War and there was a lot of drugs and discontent in America. I didn’t see the play, but I always thought it was about the discontent in America.

One thing is for sure, when you’re here, you can’t get off as long as you live. It’s not a peachy clean world, but we have to make the best of it. Sometimes we forget that. It’s how we perceive things that make it good or bad. It’s how we adjust to things that make it good or bad.

Many times teens make the wrong decision and try to make things better by drugs and alcohol. That doesn’t work. You have to wake up, and the waking up is worse than the drugs or alcohol. That does not help the situation.

As a parent, I know I did not do the correct thing sometimes. It’s funny, but we are not given a book of instructions. We have to do what our instincts tells us is right. I wish I had gotten a book of instructions. When I made the right decision and my children had thought I hadn’t, I could have opened the book and said, “Here on page 425 it says, ‘da-da-da-da.’” I would have liked that, but my book must have slipped out in the hall. I never received it.

What do you do? Slam the door in their face, jump in your car or motorcycle and screech out of the drive way? Do you find a junkie and get some drugs? Then you don’t feel a thing. Finally, you have to face your parents, and you hate to see them. You hate what they are going to say to you. You don’t feel like talking to them with the buzz in your head. You want to stop the world and get off. Can’t do that. You’re on to stay.

Why are you so dissatisfied? Is it because you did not get your way? Grow up! As an adult, you will rarely get your way. When you have a job, you work for someone and have to do what they say. It isn’t easy. You even go to the bathroom when they say. It’s time you start learning now to be an adult and realize you don’t get to do everything you want.

Christ hung on the cross for six hours in excruciating pain so you could have forgiveness of your sins. Let me tell you how hard it was for Him. The Roman soldiers laid him on the cross and drove nails, big nails in his wrists. Fill of your wrists between the bones. That’s where the nails probably were. Then they put his feet together and drove nails through both of them. A deep hole was already dug and the end of the cross lay at the top of the hole. The cross was rough hewn, not smooth wood, and they let the cross drop in the deep hole. Think of the jar Jesus had when the cross hit the bottom.

As time went by, Jesus had a hard time breathing. He had to push his body up by his feet to breathe. The roughness of the wood on his back probably made his back raw, and the pain was horrible on his feet and lungs to get a breath. This is how much He loved you.

Christ did not want to stop the world and get off. He was willing to die for you that you might obey His will and go to heaven. He still loves you, no matter what you do. He wants you to be a Christian.

A CHRISTIAN APPROACH TO ISLAM (PART II)

June 18th, 2012 | By admin

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Part I of this two-part series appeared in the January issue. Part II follows below and continues, without introductory comments, where the first article ended.]

Unlike the popular notion, Islam is not the exclusive religion of Arab countries in the Middle East, but has found prolific expression around the globe. It is the fastest-growing religion in the world, claiming up to one billion adherents worldwide. To put that in perspective, this figure indicates that one out of every five people is a Muslim. In the United States, there are now up to five million Muslims, and over 1,100 mosques or Islamic centers (see Rood, 1994; Ahmad, 1995). Muslims, therefore, no longer are the vague features of geographically detached people, but could be among those whom we encounter in our daily routines. In light of these considerations, properly understanding, and responding to, Islam become increasingly apparent and personal.

The Persian Gulf War, and other such conflicts involving the U.S. and Islamic nations, have created within Westerners largely negative images of Muslims. Often they are associated with the stubbled faces and cold stares of fanatical terrorists who, to advance their political agenda, bomb public facilities, snuffing out hundreds of innocent lives. While some militant Islamic sects have conducted terrorist activity in the U.S. and other Western nations, they are not necessarily representative of all Muslims (see Al-Ashmawy, 1996; Sial, 1995). Simply exposing the radical views held by violent sects would not be a responsible critique of Islam. As Islamic writer Mubashar Ahmad correctly has objected, such an approach “would be as if someone tries to understand Christianity by reading the news of what is happening politically and religiously in Northern Ireland or of apartheid in South Africa” (1995). (more…)