There Is A Cost!

As followers of Jesus The Christ we must be prepared to be hated by by some people because of our commitment and love for Jesus. That is a fact of life. All of us, as his followers, expect to be,  misunderstood or misrepresented, every once in a while because we follow the Lord. even to the point that some of our friends or people that we associate with think that we go overboard with our love for the Savior or what they would call religion. The fact is, because you are a Christian, most people will hate you, look at the strong words Jesus used in [John 15: 18-25] He said "they will hate you" and "they will do wrong to you". He made it very clear that when our true feeling, our true desires, and our true commitment are made clear that is when our commitment to Christ will began to cost us something.

What has your faith cost you as a follower of Jesus The Christ. A chance at a big career, a marriage, a job, or a friendship? Have you ever been ostracized, criticized, faced legal action, or shunned by your co workers or even by your family? Or have you  not experienced anything at all? I'm here to tell you that following Jesus has a cost and if anybody thinks that they can get by without paying it they are mistaken and are misguided in their thinking. In fact Jesus tells us Himself,  if there is no cost there is no genuine commitment.

Sometimes it is possible for a Christian, by word or action to cause offence, because what is said or done are inappropriate.  In that case, the hostility we receive is not persecution. There are some Christians like that and we are not to be like that. How are we to be? Just like Jesus [John 1-14] we are called to be people of grace and truth. That means we are not to be obnoxious and rude to anyone. You can not win the lost that way. True persecution involves unmerited hostility for doing good works the same way Jesus did. We must be like Jesus, His hand extended to a lost and evil world.

DOUBLE STANDARDS: Just Saying!

The woman who was caught in the very act of adultery and was dragged before Jesus had to have been just plain out humiliated and embarrassed as she was brought to the temple by self-righteous men who were only using her, to begin with, to try to trick Jesus who they hated. According to the law, at that time, adultery  was punished by death of both parities. (Lev 20-10). So my question is this: WHAT HAPPEN TO THE MAN IN THIS STORY? Or was there a double standard here?

What is so great about this story Jesus did not challenge the hypocrisy of these men.. But what he did do was set a new standard for judgement. Let someone who was perfect decide the case. (John 8: 7-11) (Matt 5: 48) And in that group of people He was the only one who could really do it. And he did decide the case, because he would not condemn the woman, but instead told her "Go and sin no more". I'm so glad that when I was a sinner it was Jesus who found me not guilty and not some of the condemning church world. Oh what a Savior!

The sad thing is just like in those days, most, people today have a double standard in their moral judgment of other people. Most people are so eager to point out and make a big to do over the speck in someone eye when in their own eye there is a mud pie and they ignore that. Like the woman in this Bible story there are those that have experienced the grace of God and His forgiveness for sins that they have committed. If God has forgiven us, let us all live in his Almighty Grace and sin no more.  We were all lost and undone at one time, without God or His Son when He Reached down his hand for us. God Bless!

My Eyes Have Seen The Glory Of The Coming Of The Lord

"And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of  Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:30)

As I was researching material for a new article to post I came across different images of the “Battle Hymn of The Republic” and in those pictures was a picture of President Obama and when you follow the link it is all about him. It just about proclaimed him God. What a shame to not really know the true meaning of that song. Throughout the history of the United States no man did it all and whatever man did, it was by the Grace of God. From the very beginning of this country to the present we exist by the Grace of God and not by no man’s hand or doing. I’m sorry to say for some of you that read this, it also includes Obama.

I remember when I was growing up hearing the song “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and the words to that song always stuck with me during all the years of my life, but I did not have a complete understanding what the words were referring to until the later years of my life.  The song was written during the United States Civil War, but most of the words have nothing to do with the battles that were happening during that time. Since I become a Christian I have become to know the meaning of those precious words in that song. The words that always will bring a tear to my eye and a feeling of His Almighty Presence. Seeing the coming of the Lord is also a prophetic and a visionary reference to the New Testament, which says that when Jesus returns in glory all eyes, yours and mine, everybody will see Him. I think that means, to me, that it will be somewhat spectacular, breathtaking, and amazing. All true believers are always waiting and watching for the coming of our Lord.

The next verse says, "He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored," The reference is actually another reference to the second coming of Jesus in judgment: So the angel swung his sickle to the earth and gathered the clusters from the vine of the earth, and threw them into the great wine press of the wrath of God. (Revelation 14:19) The third verse says, "He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword." Once again, the mention and quotation is to the Bible's book of Revelation. Lightning is mentioned twice in Revelation, associated with God's wrath and judgment. Likewise, "His terrible swift sword" is a reference to the Lord's judgment using a two-edged sword. The Old Testament also mentions the Lord's judgment using a sword.

The truth is an important part of Christianity. In fact, the truth is so important that Jesus described himself as being the truth: Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (John 14:6) The Lord is the source of all truth and we must never forget that. "His truth is marching on" is symbolic and emblematic of the preaching of the gospel of truth (Galatians 2:5, 14, Ephesians 1:13, Colossians 1:5). We must, as Christians hold our banner high and march on to Zion.

As you read each and every stanza to the song you will see and if you are like me you will feel the very presents of the Lord. Such a beautiful song. I am honored to be called a Christian and an American. God bless America as “His truth marches on!

The Battle Hymn of The Republic

My Faith Is In My Saviour.

As we steps forward through time, fewer and fewer people are still faithfully awaiting the return of Jesus Christ. The skeptics, the disbelievers, and the doubting Thomas keep telling  us we, the believers, are foolish. After all, it has been over two thousand years since Jesus promised to return, and he still has not come back yet.  However, it is important to remember that there were prophecies of Christ's first coming dating all the way back to the book of Genesis. By the time Jesus was finally born, very few people were still waiting for him to arrive, but yet Jesus came just as the scriptures said He would. Perhaps this is the reason Jesus asked in Luke 18:8, "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" My faith is in my Saviour. I will keep looking up because I know that my redemption draws nigh!

Yes, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, is going to return, and I believe, with all my heart, it will be very soon. Soon and very soon we are going to see the King. The signs are all around us and the conditions of the end times which Jesus spoke of are coming to pass before our very eyes. As we watch and pray and see the circumstances of this world grow worse by the day, the cry of God's people is "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

WAKE UP PEOPLE: Jesus Is Coming Again!

Jesus first came to earth over two thousand years ago. After his death and resurrection He returned to heaven. The angels said, at that time, to the people that watched Jesus ascend into Heaven, "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven (Acts 1:11) I read once that there are more than three hundred references to Christ coming back to earth (His second coming) in the New Testament. There are reasons why the Lord Jesus must come again. The first reason is to fulfill all prophecies. (Isaiah 9: 6-7). Another reason is that He might triumph over death. (1 Corinthians 15: 51-57) Another reason is Christ will be Lord over all. (Philippians 2: 9-11) The fourth reason is that Jesus will come again to receive His faithful people unto Himself just like He promised all believers. (John 14: 1-6) Another reason why He must come back to earth is that the Holy vengeance of our God must be shown. God is a Holy God and cannot and will not tolerate sin. (2 Thessalonians 1: 6-7) There are many more reasons why He is coming again and people today if they are not saved will just not listen. But He will come again just as the Holy Bible said and then where will these people be? We must be ready saints for that blessed coming of out Lord. 

We can read of many signs of the Lords second coming. Matthew 24 gives a list of definite signs of that will precede our Lords return and His coming back. There will be wars and rumors of wars, famines and pestilences will abound and be many, Earthquakes will be many and occur in different places. These things get worse and worse everyday.  But here is a definite sign that we see described in the Bible: "As the days of Noah were, so shall the coming of the son of man be."  The days of Noah were characterized by extensive drinking and irregularities concerning the marriage relationship. In the book of Daniel chapter 12 verse 4  tells us another sign of the end of time: "Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge will increase"  Just in our generation we have seen an increase in travel (supersonic jets, and interstate highways), extensive eating and drinking (more and more eating places along the highways, a big increase in the divorce rate and just look how the illicit sex activity has run out of control. Anything goes. And our government (American Government) backs it. Never have we seen so much evil or turning from god.He is coming and soon.  If we are not in the very last days my friends we never will be. Jesus could come any minute. It may be night or noon, but one thing for sure He is coming soon.

We as Christians have a duty until Jesus Christ comes again. Some people would tell you to run to the mountain tops and wait until the Lord comes, or go to the desert, but the Bible tells us that we should be patient and wait with courage, until the Lord comes. I tell you brothers and sisters the coming of the Lord is near. (James 5:8) Let us hold each other up in prayer as that day draws nearer. We need to be on guard like a good soldier, watching for his return. We need to arm our self with the armor of faith and love, and wearing as out helmet, the happy hope of salvation. Our labors should be those of pleasing an almighty God, so we will be excepted by Him. For myself I want to be what He wants me to be. 

Along with the gift of eternal life there comes the understanding that God wants us to turn from sinful pleasures and godless living that will bring damnation to our souls. All people need to turn to a good, God fearing life that is "looking for that Blessed hope and the glorious  appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:11-15) All of us want to go to Heaven, But there is only one way. a person cannot live just any old way and expect to go to heaven when the Lord returns.  A person can go to heaven without wealth or money (The trip has been paid for by the precious Blood of Jesus), without being famous, or a great name, with no education, without beauty, without friends, or without thousands of other things. but no one will ever go to heaven with out Jesus Christ. Even So come Lord Jesus!

WAKE UP PEOPLE: Jesus Will Come Again

Jesus first came to earth over two thousand years ago. After his death and resurrection He returned to heaven. The angels said, at that time, to the people that watched Jesus ascend into Heaven, "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven (Acts 1:11) I read once that there are more than three hundred references to Christ coming back to earth (His second coming) in the New Testament. There are reasons why the Lord Jesus must come again. The first reason is to fulfill all prophecies. (Isaiah 9: 6-7). Another reason is that He might triumph over death. (1 Corinthians 15: 51-57) Another reason is Christ will be Lord over all. (Philippians 2: 9-11) The fourth reason is that Jesus will come again to receive His faithful people unto Himself just like He promised all believers. (John 14: 1-6) Another reason why He must come back to earth is that the Holy vengeance of our God must be shown. God is a Holy God and cannot and will not tolerate sin. (2 Thessalonians 1: 6-7) There are many more reasons why He is coming again and people today if they are not saved will just not listen. But He will come again just as the Holy Bible said and then where will these people be? We must be ready saints for that blessed coming of out Lord. 


We can read of many signs of the Lords second coming. Matthew 24 gives a list of definite signs of that will precede our Lords return and His coming back. There will be wars and rumors of wars, famines and pestilences will abound and be many, Earthquakes will be many and occur in different places. These things get worse and worse everyday.  But here is a definite sign that we see described in the Bible: "As the days of Noah were, so shall the coming of the son of man be."  The days of Noah were characterized by extensive drinking and irregularities concerning the marriage relationship. In the book of Daniel chapter 12 verse 4  tells us another sign of the end of time: "Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge will increase"  Just in our generation we have seen an increase in travel (supersonic jets, and interstate highways), extensive eating and drinking (more and more eating places along the highways, a big increase in the divorce rate and just look how the illicit sex activity has run out of control. Anything goes. And our government (American Government) backs it. Never have we seen so much evil or turning from god.He is coming and soon.  If we are not in the very last days my friends we never will be. Jesus could come any minute. It may be night or noon, but one thing for sure He is coming soon.


We as Christians have a duty until Jesus Christ comes again. Some people would tell you to run to the mountain tops and wait until the Lord comes, or go to the desert, but the Bible tells us that we should be patient and wait with courage, until the Lord comes. I tell you brothers and sisters the coming of the Lord is near. (James 5:8) Let us hold each other up in prayer as that day draws nearer. We need to be on guard like a good soldier, watching for his return. We need to arm our self with the armor of faith and love, and wearing as out helmet, the happy hope of salvation. Our labors should be those of pleasing an almighty God, so we will be excepted by Him. For myself I want to be what He wants me to be. 


Along with the gift of eternal life there comes the understanding that God wants us to turn from sinful pleasures and godless living that will bring damnation to our souls. All people need to turn to a good, God fearing life that is "looking for that Blessed hope and the glorious  appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:11-15) All of us want to go to Heaven, But there is only one way. a person cannot live just any old way and expect to go to heaven when the Lord returns.  A person can go to heaven without wealth or money (The trip has been paid for by the precious Blood of Jesus), without being famous, or a great name, with no education, without beauty, without friends, or without thousands of other things. but no one will ever go to heaven with out Jesus Christ. Even So come Lord Jesus!

THE STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE OF THE PRAYING HANDS

Back in the fifteenth century, in a tiny village near Nuremberg, lived
a family with eighteen children. Eighteen! In order merely to keep food
on the table for this mob, the father and head of the household, a
goldsmith by profession, worked almost eighteen hours a day at his trade
and any other paying chore he could find in the neighborhood.

Despite their seemingly hopeless condition, two of the elder children,
Albrecht and Albert, had a dream. They both wanted to pursue their
talent for art, but they knew full well that their father would never be
financially able to send either of them

to Nuremberg to study at the Academy.

After many long discussions at night in their crowded bed, the two
boys finally worked out a pact. They would toss a coin. The loser would
go down into the nearby mines and, with his earnings, support his
brother while he attended the academy. Then, when that brother who won
the toss completed his studies, in four years, he would support the
other brother at the academy, either with sales of his artwork or,
if necessary, also by laboring in the mines.

They tossed a coin on a Sunday morning after church. Albrecht Durer
won the toss and went off to Nuremberg.

Albert went down into the dangerous mines and, for the next four
years, financed his brother, whose work at the academy was almost an
immediate sensation. Albrecht's etchings, his woodcuts, and his oils
were far better than those of most of his professors, and by the time he
graduated, he was beginning to earn considerable fees for his
commissioned works.

When the young artist returned to his village, the Durer family held
a festive dinner on their lawn to celebrate Albrecht's triumphant
homecoming. After a long and memorable meal, punctuated with music and
laughter, Albrecht rose from his honored position at the head of the
table to drink a toast to his beloved brother for the years of sacrifice
that had enabled Albrecht to fulfill his ambition. His closing words
were, "And now, Albert, blessed brother of mine, now it is your turn.
Now you can go to Nuremberg to pursue your dream,

and I will take care of you."

All heads turned in eager expectation to the far end of the table where
Albert sat, tears streaming down his pale face, shaking his lowered head
from side to side while he sobbed and repeated, over and over,

"No ...no....no ..no."

Finally, Albert rose and wiped the tears from his cheeks. He glanced
down the long table at the faces he loved, and then, holding his hands
close to his right cheek, he said softly, "No, brother. I cannot go to
Nuremberg. It is too late for me. Look ... look what four years in the
mines have done to my hands! The bones in every finger have been smashed
at least once, and lately I have been suffering from arthritis so badly
in my right hand that I cannot even hold a glass to return your toast,
much less make delicate lines on parchment or canvas with a pen or a brush.

 No, brother ....for me it is too late."

More than 450 years have passed. By now, Albrecht Durer's hundreds of
masterful portraits, pen and silver-point sketches, water colors,
charcoals, woodcuts, and copper engravings hang in every great
museum in the world, but the odds are great that you, like most people,
are familiar with only one of Albrecht Durer's works. More than merely
being familiar with it, you very well may have a reproduction hanging in
your home or office.

One day, to pay homage to Albert for all that he had sacrificed,
Albrecht Durer painstakingly drew his brother's abused hands with palms
together and thin fingers stretched skyward. He called his powerful
drawing simply "Hands," but the entire world almost immediately opened
their hearts to his great masterpiece and renamed his tribute of love
"The Praying Hands."
The next time you see a copy of that touching creation,

take a second look.

Let it be your reminder,

that no one - no one  - ever makes it alone!

"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."