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FIRST IMPRESSIONS

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CHANGING TIRES

 

 

 

 
By Ken Blue

 #2

(MORMON SCIENTIST DISPROVE MORMONISM THROUGH DNA, AND THE LACK OF LINGUISTIC,AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE.)

Not far from our church is a Les Schwab Tire store. Our family has done business with them for years, and we have found them to be true to their slogan, “If We Can’t Guarantee It, We Won’t Sell It!”®

The first thing that impresses you when you park in their lot is the young man who hurries to greet you as you get out of your car, and ask “how he may assist you?” He is quick to answer your questions and escort you to those who can help.

The first time I saw similar service in a Baptist church was in Anchorage, Alaska. When we parked, a young man greeted us as we opened the car door, welcomed us, and introduced us to one of the church ushers.

Since first impressions are lasting, perhaps we should give this act of hospitality some consideration. I wonder what first impression it would make on our guest if a church member opened the car door for them, warmly welcomed them, and walked to the church entrance with them? I was just wondering, since it’s all about the service.

WHY DO I HAVE TROUBLE

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pot

 

 

 

 

 

By Ken Blue

“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.  He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.” Job 14:1, 2.

If anyone was acquainted with grief, it was Job. And the mystery is revealed to us why he was chosen to suffer as he did. However, that does not answer the question most people have on the subject. “Why do I have trouble?”

Clearly, God knows the end from the beginning. So, why would He create a world He knew sin and suffering would ruin? That is a question that has troubled many, and created more atheist than any other issue. If God is all loving, why would He create, and if He is all powerful, why doesn’t He stop the suffering?

None of us can know the full mind of God. If so, we too would be omniscient. We can only know what is revealed. Love has no meaning without an object and opportunity for expression. We do know that God loves His creatures, and desires fellowship with them. Knowledge of what action one will take, does not force that action. Also, the creature must have a free will to choose, or love has no meaning. These are some of the things we can know about God and His creation.

Man was created without a sinful nature. He had a free will to obey God’s Word, or choose to disobey. Again, love and freedom have no meaning without these choices. God set before Adam two choices. One was everlasting life, the other was spiritual and physical death. With coaching from the Devil, and from his wife, he chooses to disobey God.

 This did not change God’s love in any way, it simply altered the course of mankind, and the way in which God would manifest His love for him. God’s first act after Adam’s sin was redemption and forgiveness. However, he informed them of the suffering that would follow as a result of their choice.

Man’s ability to choose and to love was not lost. However, he loved his knowledge of right and wrong, and his “bent” was toward that which was wrong. It was exciting, exhilarating, and pleasurable to all the senses. They were now their own gods. They now knew from experience the choices that would make them know more, and make them happy. Also, they could now see things unseen before. They could walk according to how they saw things. They no longer needed to walk by faith in what God said.

This ability was passed on to every man. Thus, we are free to make choices that will destroy our own lives, and the lives of others. Adam’s first son demonstrated the free exercise of his will when he chose not to believe God in the matter of offerings. He hated his brother and murdered him out of envy. Cain was not forced to take those actions. He exercised his free will; murder, and misery followed.

Now, why do you have problems? The answer is, you were born. You may choose to guard your life, and do well, or you may freely make decisions that will destroy yourself and others also. Two things are evident in Scripture. One, is the love of God, and the other is His righteous power. Our problems come from unbelief, and the choices we believe will make us happier.

Through God’s love and power, He given us the Scriptures to inform and guide us through this world of sin. He informed us of His love, and salvation that was demonstrated in the Lord Jesus Christ. However, He will not force you to choose. The choice is yours.

As to God’s power, it too is seen throughout Scripture. Concerning the question, “why doesn’t He do something about the wickedness?” I assure you that He will. Peter describes the process. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:10.

Job said, ““Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.”  The question is not about God’s love or power. That is amply explained. The question is, since you have a free will, what are you going to do with God’s Word, and offer of free salvation? “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

A DEPRESSION CONFESSION

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 depression

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Ken Blue

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” Psalm 42:5.

My good friend, Pastor Al Hughes, worked of staff with me for five years. One day he asks, “Brother Blue, do you ever get depressed?” I gave is some thought, and said, “Not that I know of.” I have never been given to depression or discouragement. Someone said I had been lucky. I would not state it that way, but God has opened the windows of heaven on my life. I am use to being in charge, and seeing things get done.

As many of you know, that has all changed. I am no longer in charge of anything, not even my emotions. I weep at what is not sad, and laugh at that which is not funny.

Last week I got a taste of what depression feels like. My voice is gone and I can no longer give commands that anyone will listen to. I am not able to do the simplest task as a result of ALS. It frustrates me that things don’t get done my way, or in most cases, not at all.

I concluded, what’s the use? I felt anger and hopelessness. I decided I would let nature take its course and let it end. I refused to eat or take my meds for a week. At night, my mind was like a race track with all kinds of thoughts spinning around in my head. Why not end this, and get it over with.

Today started out like the other four or five, same feelings, same thoughts. Then God began to convict me with Scripture. “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry… “1 Samuel 15:23. I really did not want to think about that verse, but I knew it was true. I managed to push it aside. Then another verse came to mind. “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19. I had to answer that question. But pride was now an issue.

Finally, I said to Joyce, “Ok, get the formula and the syringe, and fill me up through the feeding tube.” I confess, once I broke the fetters of pride, everything else was easy, and the burden was light. I can now pray, read my Bible, and munch on a cookie now and then.

I am not suggesting that all depression is because of sin or selfishness. I do believe much of it is. Some symptoms of depression may indeed be a chemical imbalance and need medication. I don’t know. I do know that much of it is the result of anger, guilt, loss, and a feeling of no way out. However, God is overlooked in most of these problems of life. I could blame others as long as God would leave me alone. He did not.

So, Brother Hughes, do I ever get depressed? The answer is, yes. This is my confession.  I thank God, by His grace, He led me out of it. Pray that I don’t allow it to return.  

 

I WILL TRUST HIM

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sparrow feeding

 

 

New Song: I Know the Master of the wind

 

 

 

 

 

By Ken Blue

Tomorrow’s a new day

With problems of its own.

Now will be yesterday

With all its problems gone

 

The sun shines on the lost.

He sends rain to the just,

So I will not worry

In Him will be my trust

 

Since He feeds the sparrows,

Cloths lilies of the field,  

I’ll not worry for tomorrow.

He provides every meal.

 

I’ll trust Him while I sleep

I know He cares for me

If I die ere I wake

With Him I’ll safely  be.

 

 

THINGS NOT TO PUT ON A CHURCH SIGN

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 church sign

 

SONG: WHAT WONDERFUL GRACE

 

 

 

 

 

BY Ken Blue

 

A church sign reflect who we are, and the kind of people we are trying to attract. Therefore, it should be clean, easily read, and interesting. It is the church advertisement. Bad advertisement is worse than none at all. I looked on the web for “stupid church signs,” and could not believe my eyes. The above is not the worst one, but one glance and you can see what is wrong.  I’m sure the lost will flock to find out just what it means.

Seriously, we need to get the lost inside the church, get them saved, and then begin the teaching process. If someone comes in with a Sears Catalogue, we should be thankful they are there. If we can get them saved, in time, they will trade the catalogue for the Bible.

The name of the church should be bold and in clear font. The hours should also be easily read by those who drive by. If your sign will permit you to post your sermon title, it should be clear and interesting.

Personally, I would not put the following on a sign: Independent, Fundamental, Premillennial, King James Version, Dispensational, and Old Fashion. It is proper and right to hold these convictions, but those words have no meaning to unbelievers, and will send them down the road. Many Christians don’t even understand their meaning.

If you are trying to reach the unreached, make your sign simple and interesting. Now, if your church is not trying to attract sinner, you could write everything in the original Greek. Perhaps an original Greek will drive by and you will snare him. You will get what you go after.