No Hope For This World

Scripture

The earth itself will stagger like a drunk, sway like a hut in a storm. The world is weighed down by its sins; it will collapse and never rise again.

~Isaiah 24:20, GNT

Quote

Beware of thinking to lightly of sin.

~C. H. Spurgeon

The earth, even the ground beneath our feet and the sky above our heads, is under the curse of sin. Earthquakes, famines, droughts, storms, disease, decay and death are evidence of the consequences of man’s rebellion. Sin creates a staggering burden that becomes to heavy to carry.

The outside temperature of a Jet Airliner flying at 36,000 feet is minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that moisture can become a fatal problem due to ice build up on the wings. To fly at these high altitudes, Jets require deicers on the wings that work similar to defrosters in vehicles. In February of 2009, Continental Express flight 3407 crashed into a home outside of Buffalo, due to ice buildup on the plane’s wings and tail section. This disaster is not instantaneous; it is a process that takes time but eventually the ice which form in layers and become a burden to heavy for the aircraft to bear.

Sin will destroy this world and the system that governs it. There is only one way to survive the coming judgment, repentance. Sin has formed layer upon layer of rebellion which will result in a fatal crash. Only the blood of Christ will and can remove the sin. The only way to keep sin from getting the victory is to repent and turn to Christ. There is no hope for our bodies, the world or even the earth: sin will eventually destroy them all but you can be saved by trusting Christ.

• We need a rain LORD Jesus: send us a pour down.
• Another great GATHERING. Wow! What a band, we had all seven members last night. The girls just need to hold those mics closer where I can hear them.
• Ken Blackwood will be with us Sunday Morning and Sunday night is AWANA Awards night.

Vacation Bible School

June 13-17

VBS June 3-7

VBS June 3-7

Squeaky Clean, Not!

SCRIPTURE

But I, the LORD, search all hearts and I examine secret motives.

~Jeremiah 17:10, NLT

QUOTE

No one does anything from a single motive.

~Samuel Taylor Coleridge

One of the things I dread about flying is going through all the security. In the old days, boarding a plane was simple and the family or friends could accompany you to the gate but no more. You have to take off your shoes, empty your pockets, and run any thing with metal through the scanner and that includes your electronic devices. After you put your stuff on the conveyer belt to be scanned, you have to walk through a scanner. If you have anything concealed, it will detect the object and you will be searched. You cannot slip anything through. They dumped one ladies suit case right in front of us: it can get humiliating.

Yesterday I read this verse in Romans 2, And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life. There are five other verses in the bible that state the same truth:

• Psalms 90:8–You spread out our sins before you—our secret sins—and you see them all.
• Eccl. 12:14–God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.
• Matthew 10:26–But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.
• Mark 4:22–For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.
• Luke 8:17–For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.

There is a scanner at the pearly gates and you or I will slip nothing through: every sin will be detected.  On that day, you will see the real me and you are in for a shock. Perhaps I will be shocked to see the real you but my concern right now is me. Read Romans 2 in the New Living Translation and see if you get convicted. Romans two is addressed to those who past judgment on those in Romans one; if you get my drift.

C.S. Lewis calls this judgment for Christians the Baptism of Shame. I think this baptism will accomplish at least three things

1. We will be focused on our sin and not the sins of others.
2. We will stop looking down on others.
3. We will enter heaven with great humility realizing we do not deserve to be there.

• I am getting back into the groove: Mandy updated me on the BP; everything is going good. She worked out a deal with Pepsi today. I will try to get the fireworks lined up today. Funnel Cake mix is in: so to this point, things are looking good.
• John Wydner had double knee replacement while I was gone. I visited him yesterday at Health South in Huntsville and he was in a lot of pain. He has a lot of swelling in both knees. Pray for John.
• We will be going to Athens this evening for a memorial service for my great-great-niece Charlotte Mae Deffenbaugh.
• Short story from Bob that reminds me of one of my mentors: James Martin Newby. During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one: “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?” Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50’s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. “Absolutely,” said the professor. “In your careers, You will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say “hello.” I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her Name was Dorothy. 
• Felton told me yesterday that he read a Dear Abby that went like this…Dear Abby, I have been married to a two timing cheating jerk for 40 years. He has had multiple affairs, too many to count and 14 years ago he lost his job and I now  have to support him and his habits. On top of that, he is accusing me of being a lesbian. What should I do? Dear Abby’s response, “Dump him Hillary.”

Slavery

SCRIPTURE

And as to the land which You gave to our fathers to eat of its fruit and its bounty, behold, we are slaves in it.  Its abundant produce is for the kings whom You have set over us because of our sins; They also rule over our bodies {Health Care} and over our cattle as they please, so we are in great distress.

~Nehemiah 9:36-37, NASB

QUOTE

Immorality and freedom don’t mix: this is why we have prisons. The only free people are a moral people.

~Yaakov

COMMENTARY

I heard some democrats whining the other day about what’s happening to their health care and I laughed at them. I thought, “You voted for him and you are getting just what you deserve.” There is only one way that a person like Obama could be elected president, moral blindness on the part of the electorate. The American people have become so depraved and corrupt morally that we don’t see clearly. Instead of giving thanks to God for our great Republic, we have acted proudly and treated God as if He does not exist. We have invited Him to leave our class rooms and court rooms and refuse to acknowledge His presence, providence or provisions in the public arena. He has done to us what He did to Israel: given us over to our sin. Don’t blame God for inflation, higher taxes, rising health care cost, fraud and corruption in government. We created this bureaucratic monster that is devouring our freedom and our pay checks. It is all our creation, a product of our sin and selfishness. The sad thing is that the people of Alabama didn’t elect him but we are stuck with his destructive policies. I vote for succession. I am also sick of political correctness. Kathy Lee Gifford gave a MY HOPE testimony the other day and never mentioned Jesus name. She yielded to the pressure of political correctness.

EXTRA

A Wednesday night baptism, PTL. I could live with a baptism every service, amen! Jimmy and Sandra’s daughter Dana is having surgery today at UAB. Pray for me, I need to be in three places and can only be in one so I don’t know where I’m going.

Shyanne

Judgment

SCRIPTURE: Look! The Lord is coming out from his place to judge the people of the world for the bad things they have done. The earth will reveal the blood that has been spilled on it. It will no longer hide the proof of those murders. [Isaiah 26:21, ERV]

QUOTE: The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. ~Edmund Burke

COMMENTARY: I think every airport in the county has CNN propaganda in every terminal and lobby. Last night as we waited on Seth’s flight, some joker name Anderson Cooper [I have my doubts about his sexual preference] got on my nerves. He talked for an hour about gay rights and racial bigotry among white folks: I thought I was going to throw up. Why don’t they talk about 2nd amendment rights or the right to life for unborn babies? They need to check out Isaiah 26:21, the LORD is coming and the murders of the unborn will not be able to hide. I don’t have one single doubt that we will reap what we have sown. When all is said and done, God will not be mocked: to the contrary, every knee will bow.

EXTRA: We want to Praise The LORD for getting Seth home safe and sound. We got to 007 Stephenson Road about 1:15 this morning. I am putting this post together at 2:00 am and have a workday planned at 8:00 am. We were supposed to pick Seth up in Nashville at 4:30 yesterday evening but there was a 7 hour delay and we picked him up at 11:30 pm last night. So I am going to getter-done and hit the sack for a couple of hours.

• Work day today. Joe David will be at the church at 8:30 for those who want to help. We are doing two yards: Vickie and Ruth Livingston’s and Dot and Roger Burcham.
• Deacon’s meeting Sunday morning at 8:00
• LCBS at 9:00
• Worship Celebration at 10:15
• Mission Offering goes to Chris and Michelle Burcham
• Baptism in am worship
• Small Groups at 5:30

Are You Ready For Spring?

Accountability

SCRIPTURE:  And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. [Matthew 12:36, NLT]

QUOTE: Our memories are flawed: they are defective and selective. ~Warren W. Wiersbe

Richard Nixon

COMMENTARY: Richard Nixon, our 37th president, loved the political arena and he had this vain ambition of being remembered as a great statesman. He was persuaded that he needed to tape all his conversations even private conversations with family and close friends. His wife thought this was a horrible idea and begged him to destroy the tapes but he would not listen. When Watergate hit the fan, his aid joined his wife in urging the president to destroy the tapes but again, he refused to listen to reason. Then one of his aids leaked the information about the tapes and the tapes were subpoenaed and eventually became Nixon’s undoing. As the tapes were replayed, he categorically denied having said what was on the tapes. He believed someone had tampered with the tapes. He had selective memory. We may not be as vain as Nixon but we all have faulty memories. It doesn’t matter what we remember, the truth will come out someday. Thank God for grace! I am with C.S. Lewis on this one: I think the truth will come out and it will serve as a baptism of shame. Then after our baptism, we enter heaven very humbly, if you know what I mean. There will be no strutting in heaven.

EXTRA: I plowed the peas. It was muddy in spots but the grass is taking over. I am not complaining about the rain. Let her rip, tator chip. Full Schedule for Sunday: Deacon’s meeting at 8:00, LCBS at 9:00, Worship at 10:15 and 6:00. Blessed are the peacemakers Sunday a.m. and Jonah on Sunday night. I think we have a baptism Sunday  morning and possibly another baby dedication. Three Sundays in a row might be a record.

A Big Rhubarb, No!

SCRIPTURE: Then the kings of the earth, the important people, the generals, the rich, the powerful, and all the slaves and free people hid themselves in caves and among the rocks in the mountains. They said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the anger of the lamb, because the frightening day of their anger has come, and who is able to endure it? [Revelation 6:15-17, GWT]

QUOTE: God choose to give man a free will; thus He does not reveal Himself. No man has ever seen God because no man could see God and keep his resolve. ~Source Known

COMMENTARY: Everything I read in scripture indicates catastrophic change in the end–from stars falling to mountains moving. The bible says the kings of the earth will be searching for a hiding place but there will be no hiding place. A laymen basically forced me to witness to a multi-millionaire some 35 years ago. I approached the rich man and ask him if he died, would he go to heaven. He said, “I better or there is going to be a big rhubarb.” To be honest with you, I don’t remember how I responded but I knew there was not going to be a rhubarb [altercation, controversy, hassle]. I believe the will and the rebellion of the most wicked will melt like wax before a blazing sun. Our God is so awesome that His glory will squelch any rebellion. No one will resist HIM!

EXTRA: Great turnout for Bible Study last night, the place was packed. We didn’t have many empty chairs and people were sitting on the edge of their seats. All the above is true: we met in the Choir room and they were sitting on the edge of their seats waiting for me to hush. This rattlesnake was killed by Felton Cooper with a 22 this morning in Bev Mims flower bed right next to the faucet where she turns on the water to water her plants. The snake was thirsty, I’m sure. I picked it up by the tail and the rattlers came off, then it coiled up and stuck out its tongue. I didn’t pick it up again. Felton used a shovel to load it back into truck.

Felton’s Kill may have saved a life!

Animosity Against The Anointed

SCRIPTURE: Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!” [Psalm 2:1-2]

QUOTE: The crown of man’s sin is hatred for Jesus. ~Source Unknown

COMMENTARY: Flavias Claudius Julianius, better known as Julian the Apostate was the Roman Emperor in 355 AD. He rejected Christianity which had permeated the empire and he was determined to stamp it out by reviving the old Roman paganism. He only ruled for 19 months before some one took him out, not to the Cracker Barrell either. He thought he was a threat to Christianity but God was in heaven laughing. He was no threat to Christ, there is no threat to Christ. Our Christ is the sovereign LORD of all creation. He will slay the unbelieving world with His breath. If you are worried about the opposition to Jesus, stop worrying!  I am telling you folks, you do not want to be among the Jesus haters when the Owner of the vineyard shows up. Read the parable of the Vineyard in Luke 20, “What will the owner do when he returns?” [Remember, they killed his son]

EXTRA: If you are a reader, get on line and see if you can fine SCREWTAPE PROPOSES A TOAST by C.S. Lewis. This essay was written sometime before November 22, 1963. The man was a prophet. It is unbelievable. I am feeling very well and LORD willing will be at church tomorrow. I have had a lot of time to study and think this week but I am ready to get back into action.

Judgment

SCRIPTURE:  Prepare to meet your God O Israel. [Amos 4:12, NRSV]

QUOTE: Those who have lived long is oblivious comfort do not see their way of life coming to an end. ~Nancy C. Lee

COMMENTARY: Amos was the first of the 8th century prophets. He was a laymen, a rural farmer who lived in Judah. As far as we know, he fulfilled only one mission. He went North to Samaria and delivered a stinging rebuke to the corrupt priesthood and the unjust leaders of the Northern Tribes. Oppression of the poor was rampant. They were selling the poor into slavery for as little as a pair of shoes. Slave trafficking was at an all time high. Some people think that slavery is a racial issue: they are wrong– it is a greed issue and always has been. Secondly, the Israelites were openly promiscuous with father and son sleeping with the same woman. Their worship was also corrupt. It had become so self-serving that YHWH said “I despise your festivals, I get no delight out of your solemn assemblies. Don’t bother bringing Me offering because I will not accept them. You songs are noise, I do not want to hear them.” The rich were getting richer at the expense of the poor. The elites lived in luxury while many were poor and oppressed. The problem was that their was no emphasis on people. The rich cared only for more riches and their life of ease and comfort. Amos told them to prepare for Judgment. That judgment that he prophesied did come 40 years later. R.G. Lee once said, “The mill stone of God’s judgment turns exceedingly slow but it grinds exceedingly fine.” It took two generations for Judgment to come but when it came, the fat cats were carried to Assyria like fish on a stringer. God warned them. They did not listen.

EXTRA: Surgery went good. The worse part was putting two nerves to sleep in my shoulder and left arm. My feeling came back to my arm yesterday morning but the hand was still tinkling about dark last night. No pain to speak of-very sore though. Gave the listeners guide to TLC yesterday and things look good for Sunday. Will not attend Mrs. Clovis Celebration of life service today. I have therapy. Thanks for all the prayers and food. Dian, Jean and Tracey did supper tonight: it was great. Tracey and Gregg sent supper last night; it was also great. Thanks everyone.

EXTRA/EXTRA: We have a culture of ignorant people here is American that think that Slavery is a black/white issue and is a thing of the past. Slavery is very much a thing of the present and it is mostly blacks selling blacks in the Sudan. The ones doing the capturing and selling are Black Muslims. I tried to find you a picture of one of the slave markets but I couldn’t find one. Slavery is an old, old issue that goes all the way back to Genesis. The Jews were slaves in Egypt but they were also guilty of selling fellow Jews into slavery. In the ancient world, slavery was common. You could be sold for your debts. You could even sale your children into slavery for money.

Can God Get Our Undivided Attention?

SCRIPTURE: The day of the LORD is an awesome, terrible thing. Who can possibly survive? [Joel 2:11, NLT]

QUOTE: God is a reality that we have to deal with everyday. ~Eugene Peterson

COMMENTARY: Vance Havner use to say, “God either makes it happen or He allows it to happen but nothing just happens.” The Israelites experienced a devastating locust invasion during Joel’s ministry. It was horrendous, absolutely awful; they destroyed the entire food supply. All crops and vegetation was wiped out in a matter of hours. There were so many locust that they eclipsed the sun and they made an eery noise. These tiny creatures of mass destruction could not be stopped. They were relentless and ruthless. They were a greedy horde leaving nothing behind. What does a preacher say in a situation like this?

1. GOD IS SOVEREIGN AND HE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO INTERRUPT OUR LIVES–Unfortunately for us, one of the few ways that God can get our attention is through disaster and catastrophe. The LORD told Joel [2:25] “It was I who sent this great destroying army against you”.

2. WHEN DISASTER STRIKES: WE SHOULD REPENT–That is why the LORD says, “Turn to Me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothes in grief, but tear your hearts instead.” [Joel 2:12-13]

3. IN THE MIDST OF THE DISRUPTIONS: PRAISE GOD–“Don’t be afraid my people. Be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done great things…Rejoice you people in Jerusalem! Rejoice in the LORD your God!”

4. SET YOUR SIGHTS ON A BRIGHT FUTURE: The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost.” In Christ we get much more than we lost, amen. A believer is never without hope. When they are putting wire around Dietrich Bonhoffer’s neck to hang him, he had hope of a bright future. When they stoned Stephen, he had hope of a bright future. The world cannot touch our hope. They have no power to take it from us. We always have hope no matter what the circumstances.

EXTRA: Shohn just texted  [6:30 am April 23] and said Clara is better PTL but keep praying. If she makes the progress that they expect, she might get to come home this weekend. Keep praying.