Genesis 15:1a, For you to See

For You to See

Genesis 15:1a After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision...

Abram had just gotten back from rescuing Lot and others who had been captured during the battle in the Valley of Siddim. Upon getting back, he honored God by tithing one tenth of all the spoils, not including the property of those from Sodom and others who had been captured. After this... God came and spoke to Abram in a vision and gave him a promise.

This lesson is not about the promise, it is about the God, who at just the right time comes and speaks to us. Through the act of tithing we know that Abram recognized God's arm of strength and provision. Yet, he also knew that the kings he had defeated would most likely regroup, and there would be no peace. God came to him at just the right time and made a promise. He wanted Abram to know that he was there for him, so he came to him in a vision.

God wants us to see him, to know that he is there. When we grasp the fact that God is around, we can be assured that he will act. This promise is shown to us in Hebrew 13:5, he will never leave us nor forsake us.

A and K, God is near. Live in such a way that you see him and feel his presence. He wants to guide you and protect you as you walk though your life. He also has a word for you. If you are still and listen, he will instruct you as you make decisions. Trust him for he is willing to act on your behalf at just the right time. He is there for you to see, go and walk with him and listen to what he has to say.

~Dad

Quick Note: Sing to the Lord, Psalm 13:6

Sing to the Lord

Psalm 13:6 I will sing to the Lord,  for he has been good to me.

When you sing in church, why do you sing... to make yourself feel good, to lift another's spirit, or to express how you feel? These are all good reasons, but never forget the one who gave you the voice that sings out or hums along. Thank him in song for his goodnesses to you.

K and A, I know each of you sing. One is being trained to sing out, the other sings quietly along. Even though the Bible says we are to sing with excellence (Psalm 33:3), David tells us that an important is to sing to the Lord because of how he has helped you in your life. Sing daughters, Jesus and his father want to hear you!

~Dad

Loved by the World, John 15:18 - 25

Loved by the World

John 15:19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

Do you feel out of place at work? Do people seem to think you are odd? Do they despise you? Everyone wants to feel accepted, but do not be surprised if non-Christians wished you weren't around or are mean to you. In fact Jesus says that this is the normal response if we are living like him. He goes on to say, that when we live in such a way that exposes their sin, they will hate us. It makes them uncomfortable.

I know this is not taught today in any church we may attend, but this is the crux of these verses. Do not be misled, it does not say we are to make them hate us, but it does say that when they do, it will be no surprise to us if we have kept in mind what Jesus said. What we believe, and more importantly what the Bible says, is contrary to their way of life and they feel the guilt that it brings, so they take it out on us.

A and K, I know what it feels like to be left out. I know what it feels like to be bullied... and not today's description. I tried to get along, but it still happened. How many times did it happen because I was a Christian... just a few times. As an adult I have been laughed at and scowled at. One guy growled and as said, "What are you, a Christian or something?"... He looked like he could eat me. Being back in the workplace around 20 guys or so... I feel left out many times. They are cruel in their speech and take digs at times... maybe I don't say enough.

Daughters, live your life in such a way that others know you are a Christian. If that bothers them, so be it. Jesus made the people around him feel the guilt of sin too. Treat others properly, but never be sad if you are not loved by the world.

~Dad

Born to Rule, John 18:37

Born to Rule

John 18:37 "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."

Pilate was confused and in a tough spot. The Jewish leaders wanted Jesus gone, executed. He was becoming a problem to their authority. He needed to go so, that they might keep their standing among the people. They arrested Jesus and brought him before Pilate with trumped up charges and was asking for the death penalty. Now Pilate, a smart ruler in his own right, wasn't sure what to do with Jesus. If Jesus were truly aspiring to be a king, then he would be a threat to Roman rule and death would be an option. But Jesus did not resist. He was willingly taking his whippings and seemed to want to die...

Are you a king? Pilate asked. Jesus answers, Yes! He came to earth to be ruler of our hearts. His kingdom is not part of this world. He was no threat to Rome. He had a higher purpose. His rule would affect the lives of anyone who yielded to him. He would not force them like Rome. He simply knocks and asks anyone who is willing to come (Rev. 22:17, Luke 9:23). Join him, he will supply all your needs and protection.

K and A, Listen. Do you here him knocking? He wants to come into your life and be the king of your world. It is true. He wants you. He was born to rule in your life, but he will not force himself upon you. You must be willing to allow him to rule you... That's what it means for you to be a Christian, you allow Christ to rule over all your life. You were born to serve and he was born to rule. Give him all of yourself.

~Dad

Sin Separates, God Redeems Isaiah 59:2 & 20

Sin Separates, God Redeems

Isaiah 59:2 & 20 But your iniquities have separated you from God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. ... "The redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins."

It has been said that when Christ took upon himself the sins of the world, God the Father,  turn his face away and Christ called out, "My God, My God why have you forsaken me" (Mat 27:46)? Today's scripture reference alludes to this. Our sin is not simply wrong doing, a mistake. It has grave consequences. Sin separates!

It is a terrible thing to sin against the Lord. It brings a condemnation to the soul. We cannot expect to sin and not reap consequences (Gal 6:7). But that need not be the end. Our sins can be forgiven. We can be made right again! Jesus took our sins to the cross. He has paid the price with his own life! We can be made new (2 Cor. 5:17).

K and A, It is great to know that the penalty for your sins has been paid, because that penalty is a never ending torture in the lake of fire (Rev 21:8). You can avoid this death and live eternally with the one who paid the price (1 John 2:2). But don't rest on your laurels and think that efforts are worthless. You have a responsibility to live without sin, be holy as I am holy (1 Peter 1:16). Jesus will redeem the Christian who sins against his ways, and lift them up and renew the joy of their salvation. Daughters, if that joy of the Lord is not yours... repent of your sin and God will show himself to you and fill you with his Spirit and you will be filled with his love.

~Dad

Vidoe's: May God touch you like he touched me...

Jesus Paid It All

He Paid the Debt I Solo with Guitar
He Paid the Debt II Ragtime Piano
He Paid the Debt III Duet with Accordian
He Paid the Debt IV Boiling Springs SC Mountain View Baptist, Congregational Choir.. Complete with foot stomping... Touched me the most though
He Paid the Debt V Mountain Anthems a Capella  Mennonites

Quick Note: In Full View, Proverbs 5:21

In Full View

Proverbs 5:21 For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths.

This verse is self explanatory and easily understood, but its truth still needs proclaimed. Many times we act in ways that show we either forget this truth or we don't care. For those that forget... make note, God is no fool, he sees and will judge us according to our actions whether or not we were once saved. (Proverbs 3:15 for the eyes of the Lord are everywhere...) And for those who don't care... there is a heaven and a hell. One day God will judge us and separate us. Those who are his will go to everlasting life and who are not will go to a place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth, depart from me into the eternal fire (Matt 25:41).

A and K, This truth is most important to remember for your entire destiny is determined on how you live out your salvation. Know that God is there. He desires you walk with him and will give you the power to live for him. He sees and will help keep you from any temptation, nothing is to great if you desire to walk with him. This is why I write and why I pray for you. I want you to honor him in all your life, through all your life. Jesus loves you daughters, and so do I.

~Dad

Genesis 14, Part 4: Keeping Your Word, Verses 21 Thru 24

Keeping Your Word

Genesis 14:22 But Abram said to the King of Sodom, I have raised my hand to the Lord Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath..."

Let you yes be yes and your no, no. Jesus said this in his Sermon on the Mount (Mat 5:37). He stated this in contrast to people couching the honor of their words by swearing an oath. Some would swear by the heavens, or the earth, by their great leader or the city of Jerusalem. Other even swore in the name of God or his throne. Jesus said NO! That is not right. You are to simply say the truth so people will always be able to trust you.

We hear the same thing today... "I swear on my mother's grave", "by George, I'm telling the truth", "cross my heart and hope to die", or "I swear, I mean it". Really, are we so naïve to think that if a person has to add extra words to get us to believe them, they are now somehow honorable... "that's what I said, but I had my fingers crossed". Jesus expects us to be truthful all the time. We are to keep our word. If we say we are going to so something, then we do it. "But that will cost me money, I wasn't planning on that... can't God give you much more money than that (2 Chron 25:9)? God expects us to fulfil our vows and quickly (Ecc 5:4). The Anabaptist have been known to refrain from taking oaths by swearing... "I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God." Instead they "affirm" to speak the truth. There was at least one president who took the oath of office this way. I have done so as a jurist.

K and A, how good is your word? Have you ever crossed your fingers to cancel out the promise you were making? I remember doing that when I was little. Many of your friends would not be alive today if what they said came true after they crossed their hearts. Abram kept his promise to God. He could have reneged and became rich off of his heroic deed. He had earned the spoils, yet he would not do so for he had given his word. You can be like that. As a child of God you are expected to be like that. People should be able to trust what you say. When you promise them something, they should have the confidence knowing you will follow through even if it means you lose out personally. Confirm the integrity of your word by simply saying yes and no then follow through.

~Dad