By Pastor Bruce Oyen
E-mail: bk_oyen@hotmail.com
A chameleon is a creature with very fascinating characteristics. For example, its eyes can move in opposite directions from one another. Like some other creatures, they stick out their tongues to catch insects to eat. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes.The ones with which I am familiar, since we lived in the U. S. Virgin Islands where they live, are a smaller variety, being maybe 1 1/2 times the length of an average-sized adult's middle finger. The chameleons on the Virgin Islands also have unique tails. What makes them unique is the fact that, if a predator grabs the end of their tail, the grabbed part will come off, allowing the creature to run off to safety. Another interesting fact about some chameleons is that they can change colors. There is more than one reason for doing so. One reason might be to attract another chameleon for mating purposes. It might also help them be better predators, not being easily seen by insects they want to eat. Another reason some chameleons have the ability to change colors is for self defense, or self- preservation. They can change colors to blend in with, for example, the tree they are on, and not be so easily seen by predators. No doubt, one chameleon wished it had not been seen by our cat, who seemed to have swallowed it whole.
When we lived on St. Croix, in the U. S. Virgin Islands, we lived in a bright yellow house with brown window and door trim. Sometimes chameleons would walk across the side of the house and turn yellow. Then, when on the window trim, they would turn brown. It was interesting to see them be partly yellow and partly brown. This would happen when they moved from one surface color to the other. It took a little time for the color change to be complete, and that is when they would be two colors. Yes, God gave some creatures the ability to blend in with their surroundings in order to be safe from predators. That is a good thing.
Unfortunately, though, we Christians can make the serious mistake of being like chameleons by blending in, morally, with our surroundings for self-preservation. Not many of us Christians living in the United States are subject to physical abuse for our faith in Jesus Christ. But, we are sometimes subject to social abuse. Meaning, we might be made fun of for our faith. Or, we might be avoided by family, "friends," and work-mates for the same reason. So, to avoid being mistreated in these ways, we act like Christians when around Christians, and we act like non-Christians when around them.
Therefore, though we might not like "dirty" jokes, we laugh at them to blend in. Though we don't like profanity, we don't ever object to its use by others, just to be one of the crowd. Though we might object to immoral TV programs, we watch them with our non-Christian friends. Though we believe true science supports the Biblical account of the miraculous origin if the universe as it is stated in Genesis, chapters 1 and 2, we keep our opinions to ourselves when non-Christians say things to discredit what we believe.
But sooner or later it will catch up with us, as it did with one man. He was a member of a Bible-believing church. He knew that Christians are supposed to live for the Lord in daily life. But, he lived two lives, acting one way around his Christian friends, and another way around his non-Christian friends. One day, his pastor asked him to go door-to-door with him to invite people to attend their church and to speak with them about accepting Christ as their Savior. He agreed, but here is what happened: they knocked on a door, and it was answered by a man with whom the chameleon-like Christian worked. The pastor told the man why they had knocked on his door. The man then told him he worked with the other man, and that he certainly did not live like a dedicated Christian at work. So, he told the two church men he was not interested in what they had to say, and ended the conversation right then.
What we need are more Christians with backbone. We need more Christians who are willing to stand out out in a crowd. We need more Christians who are not as concerned about pleasing others as they are about pleasing the Lord Jesus Christ. We need more Christians who take to heart what we read in Romans 12:2, which says, "and be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds." We need more Christians who take to heart what we read in 2 Corinthians 6:17, which says, "come out from among them (the people of the world) and be separate, says the Lord." In answer to prayer, God can give us backbone to stand true to what we believe.
The people of the world don't respect chameleon-like Christians. But they do respect, even if they mistreat them, the ones who stand up and stand out for what they believe. More importantly, it is that kind of Christian that pleases the Lord. What kind of Christians are we?
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
THE STORY OF THE BLIND HORSE, by Charlie Kerr
Charlie Kerr is a faithful member of Grace Baptist Church in Rochester, WA, and is one of its deacons.The following true story is in Charlie's own words:
"There is a place in the countryside with a field that has two horses in it. From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse. But if you stop your car or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing......looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.
"If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow.
"As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray.
"When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, it stops occasionally and looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.
"Like the owner of these two horses, GOD does not throw us away because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. HE watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help when we are in need.
"Sometimes we are the blind horse, being guided by the ringing of the bell of those who GOD places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way.
"Good friends are like that.....You may not always see them, but you know that they are always there.
"Please listen for my bell and I'll be listening for yours!
"And remember---be kinder than necessary---everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
"Love simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly,,,,
"AND LEAVE THE REST TO GOD!!!"
"There is a place in the countryside with a field that has two horses in it. From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse. But if you stop your car or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing......looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.
"If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow.
"As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray.
"When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, it stops occasionally and looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.
"Like the owner of these two horses, GOD does not throw us away because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. HE watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help when we are in need.
"Sometimes we are the blind horse, being guided by the ringing of the bell of those who GOD places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way.
"Good friends are like that.....You may not always see them, but you know that they are always there.
"Please listen for my bell and I'll be listening for yours!
"And remember---be kinder than necessary---everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
"Love simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly,,,,
"AND LEAVE THE REST TO GOD!!!"
Thursday, April 21, 2011
HOW PASTORS CAN STRENGTHEN THEIR CHURCHES
By Pastor Bruce Oyen
E-mail: bk_oyen@hotmail.com.
If we pastors want to strengthen our churches, there are some things we should do. They are not listed in order of priority, and this is not a complete list.
1) We should preach the great doctrines of the Bible. To name a few, these include the deity, death and resurrection of Jesus, the person and work of the Holy Spirit, justification, salvation, redemption, repentance and faith, and the divine origin and infallibility of the Bible. There are two ways the pastor can preach on many of these doctrines: 1) By topical preaching. 2) By preaching through the Bible's doctrinal books like Romans and Galatians.
2) We should follow the Bible's teachings to obtain numerical growth, not the advice of church growth experts, for their advice often is not Biblical. Following the Bible's teachings includes preaching the Gospel without watering it down to make it more acceptable to those who need it. If we leave the death of Christ out of our sermons, and the reasons for his death, we have watered down the Gospel message. We sing "We serve a risen Savior," but the background to it is a Savior who was crucified for our sins..
3) We should remember to not equate numerical success with the blessing of God. Cults often experience numerical success, and it doesn't come from God. Bigger is not always better. Biblical truth can hinder numerical growth, as well as promote it. A church can have the blessing of God, even if it doesn't experience dramatic numerical growth. The blessing of God comes to those churches which seek to follow his Word.
4) We should use music that, though it might not be the popular music in churches, promotes Christ-likeness, and is of solid Biblical content. Cotton candy music is sweet, but it has very little real spiritual food value.
5) We should get our churches known in the community for sound Bible teaching, not for blending in with popular culture. For example, our churches should be known for the fact that we don't compromise on what the Bible says about sexual ethics.
6) We should teach our churches to know the difference between Biblical churches and unBiblical churches and religions. This requires consistent teaching of Bible doctrines.
7) We should teach that all church members, including the pastors, will be held accountable for sinful behavior and false doctrines. 1 Corinthians, chapter 5, makes clear the important point that sinful behavior must be dealt with by the church. 2nd John, verses 8 - 11, emphasizes the importance of sound doctrine and contrasts it with false doctrine.
8) We should teach the difference between faithfulness to longstanding church traditions and faithfulness to Bible teaching. For example, in the USA it has been a longstanding tradition in Bible-believing churches on Sundays to have Sunday school classes and services in the morning and in the evening, and a mid-week service, all of which have been held in the church buildings. It is good to have these meetings. But the Bible does not say how many times churches should meet each week, nor does it say where they should meet. So, we cannot say it must be done the way it has long been done.
9) We should keep the focus of our church meetings in line with the Bible's focus. Church services should be evangelistic. But churches must remember that the example found in the Book Of Acts and in the Epistles is that the regular meetings of the church had these goals: 1) the grounding of the Christians in Biblical teaching, 2) challenging them to live dedicated Christian lives, 3) worshipping God through prayer and song. Read, for example, Acts 2:41 - 47 to see what the church in Jerusalem did at its meetings.
10) We should emphasize the importance of dedicated Christian living. This theme runs throughout the Bible. Pastors who preach Biblical sermons cannot fail to emphasize this theme. Even the 2nd and 3rd letters of John, and the letter of of Jude, as short as they are, hit on this point.
11) We should make our churches evangelistic churches. This can be done by giving opportunity for non-Christians to be become Christians at church services, and by challenging Christians to give out the Gospel during the week. Our churches will be made evangelistic if we emphasize the fact that Biblical churches support evangelistic missionaries at home and abroad.
12) We should emphasize our church's doctrinal distinctives. One way to do so is by teaching through our church's official doctrinal statement. This can be done every few years. Of course, persons interested in joining our churches should be made aware of what our churches officially believe. Our regular sermons should deal with the same themes, even if in a different manner. After one year of regular attendance at our churches, attendees ought to have a clear idea of our doctrinal distinctives on many points.
E-mail: bk_oyen@hotmail.com.
If we pastors want to strengthen our churches, there are some things we should do. They are not listed in order of priority, and this is not a complete list.
1) We should preach the great doctrines of the Bible. To name a few, these include the deity, death and resurrection of Jesus, the person and work of the Holy Spirit, justification, salvation, redemption, repentance and faith, and the divine origin and infallibility of the Bible. There are two ways the pastor can preach on many of these doctrines: 1) By topical preaching. 2) By preaching through the Bible's doctrinal books like Romans and Galatians.
2) We should follow the Bible's teachings to obtain numerical growth, not the advice of church growth experts, for their advice often is not Biblical. Following the Bible's teachings includes preaching the Gospel without watering it down to make it more acceptable to those who need it. If we leave the death of Christ out of our sermons, and the reasons for his death, we have watered down the Gospel message. We sing "We serve a risen Savior," but the background to it is a Savior who was crucified for our sins..
3) We should remember to not equate numerical success with the blessing of God. Cults often experience numerical success, and it doesn't come from God. Bigger is not always better. Biblical truth can hinder numerical growth, as well as promote it. A church can have the blessing of God, even if it doesn't experience dramatic numerical growth. The blessing of God comes to those churches which seek to follow his Word.
4) We should use music that, though it might not be the popular music in churches, promotes Christ-likeness, and is of solid Biblical content. Cotton candy music is sweet, but it has very little real spiritual food value.
5) We should get our churches known in the community for sound Bible teaching, not for blending in with popular culture. For example, our churches should be known for the fact that we don't compromise on what the Bible says about sexual ethics.
6) We should teach our churches to know the difference between Biblical churches and unBiblical churches and religions. This requires consistent teaching of Bible doctrines.
7) We should teach that all church members, including the pastors, will be held accountable for sinful behavior and false doctrines. 1 Corinthians, chapter 5, makes clear the important point that sinful behavior must be dealt with by the church. 2nd John, verses 8 - 11, emphasizes the importance of sound doctrine and contrasts it with false doctrine.
8) We should teach the difference between faithfulness to longstanding church traditions and faithfulness to Bible teaching. For example, in the USA it has been a longstanding tradition in Bible-believing churches on Sundays to have Sunday school classes and services in the morning and in the evening, and a mid-week service, all of which have been held in the church buildings. It is good to have these meetings. But the Bible does not say how many times churches should meet each week, nor does it say where they should meet. So, we cannot say it must be done the way it has long been done.
9) We should keep the focus of our church meetings in line with the Bible's focus. Church services should be evangelistic. But churches must remember that the example found in the Book Of Acts and in the Epistles is that the regular meetings of the church had these goals: 1) the grounding of the Christians in Biblical teaching, 2) challenging them to live dedicated Christian lives, 3) worshipping God through prayer and song. Read, for example, Acts 2:41 - 47 to see what the church in Jerusalem did at its meetings.
10) We should emphasize the importance of dedicated Christian living. This theme runs throughout the Bible. Pastors who preach Biblical sermons cannot fail to emphasize this theme. Even the 2nd and 3rd letters of John, and the letter of of Jude, as short as they are, hit on this point.
11) We should make our churches evangelistic churches. This can be done by giving opportunity for non-Christians to be become Christians at church services, and by challenging Christians to give out the Gospel during the week. Our churches will be made evangelistic if we emphasize the fact that Biblical churches support evangelistic missionaries at home and abroad.
12) We should emphasize our church's doctrinal distinctives. One way to do so is by teaching through our church's official doctrinal statement. This can be done every few years. Of course, persons interested in joining our churches should be made aware of what our churches officially believe. Our regular sermons should deal with the same themes, even if in a different manner. After one year of regular attendance at our churches, attendees ought to have a clear idea of our doctrinal distinctives on many points.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
SIDEWALK EVANGELISM
By Pastor Bruce Oyen
E-mail: bk_oyen@hotmail.com
We used to live in Miles City, Montana. One day, I went on my normal walk before breakfast. On the way back, a man was coming my way on the sidewalk, returning home from his walk. We previously had crossed paths many times.
I decided it was time to speak to this man about becoming a Christian, though I had no idea if he was a Christian or not. One other time an attempt was made to speak to him about this important subject, but got nowhere. He was standing in front of his house, and I walked up to him and asked if I could speak to him about an important subject. Without hesitation he said, "No!" So, the matter was dropped for another time.
That day was that time. When we got close to one another, we exchanged our normal greetings. But this time I stopped on the sidewalk, and it caused him to do so, too. After a brief comment between us, I used the direct approach. I told him that, though his views on the subject were unknown to me, I wanted him to know Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins. I also told Him Jesus loves Him, and that He would forgive him if he would ask for it.
What was his reaction? He said, "Huh. I keep my religious views to myself." Then he quickly walked away.
I don't know if I planted gospel seed that day, or if I watered what had been previously planted. But I do know we must make an attempt to reach others with the Gospel, if we want to win them to Christ. And I do know we must not wait for ideal situations before we make an attempt to give out the Gospel. Sometimes, it means stopping someone on the sidewalk. You might like to know that this man seemed friendlier to me after that event than he had been before. Why? I don't know.
You, too, can tell others the Lord died to save them, that he loves them and will forgive them if they ask Him to do so. He wants to save every person who is not yet saved, and He wants to use us to get the Gospel to them.
Maybe you feel inadequate about speaking to someone about their need for Christ, especially about using so direct an approach as the one referred to above. If so, give them a Gospel tract. It will do the talking for you. I like to hand out Robert Ford Porter's tract, "God's Simple Plan Of Salvation." To order this tract, go to go to: http://www.godssimpleplan.org/. To down load a free copy, click on "On-Line e Tracts." Another way to reach others with the Gospel is to invite them to attend church with you. A good church will give out the Gospel in music and in sermons.
E-mail: bk_oyen@hotmail.com
We used to live in Miles City, Montana. One day, I went on my normal walk before breakfast. On the way back, a man was coming my way on the sidewalk, returning home from his walk. We previously had crossed paths many times.
I decided it was time to speak to this man about becoming a Christian, though I had no idea if he was a Christian or not. One other time an attempt was made to speak to him about this important subject, but got nowhere. He was standing in front of his house, and I walked up to him and asked if I could speak to him about an important subject. Without hesitation he said, "No!" So, the matter was dropped for another time.
That day was that time. When we got close to one another, we exchanged our normal greetings. But this time I stopped on the sidewalk, and it caused him to do so, too. After a brief comment between us, I used the direct approach. I told him that, though his views on the subject were unknown to me, I wanted him to know Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins. I also told Him Jesus loves Him, and that He would forgive him if he would ask for it.
What was his reaction? He said, "Huh. I keep my religious views to myself." Then he quickly walked away.
I don't know if I planted gospel seed that day, or if I watered what had been previously planted. But I do know we must make an attempt to reach others with the Gospel, if we want to win them to Christ. And I do know we must not wait for ideal situations before we make an attempt to give out the Gospel. Sometimes, it means stopping someone on the sidewalk. You might like to know that this man seemed friendlier to me after that event than he had been before. Why? I don't know.
You, too, can tell others the Lord died to save them, that he loves them and will forgive them if they ask Him to do so. He wants to save every person who is not yet saved, and He wants to use us to get the Gospel to them.
Maybe you feel inadequate about speaking to someone about their need for Christ, especially about using so direct an approach as the one referred to above. If so, give them a Gospel tract. It will do the talking for you. I like to hand out Robert Ford Porter's tract, "God's Simple Plan Of Salvation." To order this tract, go to go to: http://www.godssimpleplan.org/. To down load a free copy, click on "On-Line e Tracts." Another way to reach others with the Gospel is to invite them to attend church with you. A good church will give out the Gospel in music and in sermons.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
"TAKING BACK THE GOOD BOOK"
You might like these quotes from Woodrow Kroll's book, TAKING BACK THE GOOD BOOK. It is very good. The chapters are short, so it doesn't take long to read the book.
"If he (Satan) can make the Bible a stranger to our pulpits and induce us to relegate God's truth to a place of unimportance, he knows we don't have to deny the Bible. In effect we already have denied it by marginalizing its influence in our lives."
"A major player in the recovery of Bible literacy in America is the local church. If the church is blind to the extent of its Bible illiteracy, if the church cannot honestly detect the cancer eating away at its foundation, then the foundation will be destroyed ( Ps. 11:3)."
Concerning this book, I say, Get it! Read it! Apply it! Share it!
"If he (Satan) can make the Bible a stranger to our pulpits and induce us to relegate God's truth to a place of unimportance, he knows we don't have to deny the Bible. In effect we already have denied it by marginalizing its influence in our lives."
"A major player in the recovery of Bible literacy in America is the local church. If the church is blind to the extent of its Bible illiteracy, if the church cannot honestly detect the cancer eating away at its foundation, then the foundation will be destroyed ( Ps. 11:3)."
Concerning this book, I say, Get it! Read it! Apply it! Share it!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
WHERE WILL JOE GO?
By Pastor Bruce Oyen
E-mail: bk_oyen@hotmail.com.
I see Joe from my church office window a few days a week, as he walks down the street in front of our church in Rochester, WA. When we met, he told me he had moved from Alaska to Washington when he was very young, maybe five years old. Now he is in his 60’s or 70’s. My guess is that his ancestors lived in Alaska long before there was an Alaska, and maybe long before there was The United States Of America. He is a likable, soft spoken man who wears a uniquely-shaped cowboy hat.
One day, Joe was walking past the church. I quickly went out to visit with him again. But this time it was so I could speak to him about his eternal destiny. I had been wondering where Joe would go: to heaven, or to hell? So, I asked him directly about this matter. He shrugged his shoulders and told me that was up to God, not him.
Joe’s answer revealed to me that he had a basic misunderstanding about his part in where he will spend eternity. He had a fatalistic attitude about it. Therefore, I proceeded to tell him some important information from the Bible, which is God’s infallible Word, on the subject of salvation.
I told Joe that God wants everyone to go to heaven, but the final decision rests with us. The Bible provides ample evidence of this. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “ God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Acts 17:31 tells us “God now commands all men (persons) everywhere to repent.” Luke 24:47 says “repentance and remission (forgiveness) of sins should be preached in his (Christ’s) name among all nations.”
Biblical statements about Jesus Christ’s death for us sinners also prove God wants to save everyone. For example, 1 Timothy 2:5, 6 says, “For there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” Hebrews 2:9 speaks of Christ tasting death for everyone. 1 John 2:2 says this of Jesus Christ: “And he is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” But the final decision rests with us, just as we are told in Acts 16:31: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved.”
Other Biblical statements also prove God wants to forgive and save everyone so that they will go to heaven. Consider the following examples: 1 Timothy 1:15 says, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” That means he came to save you and to save me, for we are sinners in need of salvation. 1 Timothy 2:4 says, God “will have all men (persons) to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” That little word “all” is a big word, for it includes everyone. But the final decision is left to us. We can either be saved by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ in this life. Or, we can reject him until we are dead, and by doing so end all further opportunities to be saved and, therefore, spend eternity in hell.
As I spoke with Joe about the importance of salvation, I reminded him that either one of us could be dead before the day ended. It might be from a heart attack, in a car wreck, or by some other unexpected means. And I urged him to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ at once, so he is ready whenever death comes. Unfortunately, he was not ready at that time to become a Christian, and he has not told me since then that he has accepted Christ as his Savior. From time to time, I water the seed of the Gospel that has been sown in his heart. May he soon respond to the truth by believing in Jesus Christ for salvation.
How about you? Where will your soul go at death? God has left that decision in your hands. If you receive Jesus Christ as your Savior before you die, he will receive your soul into heaven when you die.
E-mail: bk_oyen@hotmail.com.
I see Joe from my church office window a few days a week, as he walks down the street in front of our church in Rochester, WA. When we met, he told me he had moved from Alaska to Washington when he was very young, maybe five years old. Now he is in his 60’s or 70’s. My guess is that his ancestors lived in Alaska long before there was an Alaska, and maybe long before there was The United States Of America. He is a likable, soft spoken man who wears a uniquely-shaped cowboy hat.
One day, Joe was walking past the church. I quickly went out to visit with him again. But this time it was so I could speak to him about his eternal destiny. I had been wondering where Joe would go: to heaven, or to hell? So, I asked him directly about this matter. He shrugged his shoulders and told me that was up to God, not him.
Joe’s answer revealed to me that he had a basic misunderstanding about his part in where he will spend eternity. He had a fatalistic attitude about it. Therefore, I proceeded to tell him some important information from the Bible, which is God’s infallible Word, on the subject of salvation.
I told Joe that God wants everyone to go to heaven, but the final decision rests with us. The Bible provides ample evidence of this. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “ God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Acts 17:31 tells us “God now commands all men (persons) everywhere to repent.” Luke 24:47 says “repentance and remission (forgiveness) of sins should be preached in his (Christ’s) name among all nations.”
Biblical statements about Jesus Christ’s death for us sinners also prove God wants to save everyone. For example, 1 Timothy 2:5, 6 says, “For there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” Hebrews 2:9 speaks of Christ tasting death for everyone. 1 John 2:2 says this of Jesus Christ: “And he is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” But the final decision rests with us, just as we are told in Acts 16:31: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved.”
Other Biblical statements also prove God wants to forgive and save everyone so that they will go to heaven. Consider the following examples: 1 Timothy 1:15 says, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” That means he came to save you and to save me, for we are sinners in need of salvation. 1 Timothy 2:4 says, God “will have all men (persons) to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” That little word “all” is a big word, for it includes everyone. But the final decision is left to us. We can either be saved by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ in this life. Or, we can reject him until we are dead, and by doing so end all further opportunities to be saved and, therefore, spend eternity in hell.
As I spoke with Joe about the importance of salvation, I reminded him that either one of us could be dead before the day ended. It might be from a heart attack, in a car wreck, or by some other unexpected means. And I urged him to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ at once, so he is ready whenever death comes. Unfortunately, he was not ready at that time to become a Christian, and he has not told me since then that he has accepted Christ as his Savior. From time to time, I water the seed of the Gospel that has been sown in his heart. May he soon respond to the truth by believing in Jesus Christ for salvation.
How about you? Where will your soul go at death? God has left that decision in your hands. If you receive Jesus Christ as your Savior before you die, he will receive your soul into heaven when you die.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
A WONDERFUL EASTER STORY!
This story was sent to me by my sister, Ramona. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas.
She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns.
One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because
of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith
with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her.
Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my
name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain
the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved.
Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse,
Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood
pressure. Edith began by saying, "My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?"
Beverly said, "Why yes I do."
Edith said, "Well, what do you believe about Easter?"
Beverly said, "Well, it's all about egg hunts, going to church, and dressing up." Edith kept pressing her about the real meaning of Easter, and finally led her to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Phillips said, "Beverly, don't call Edith into the office quite yet. I believe there is another delivery taking place in the waiting room.
After being called back in the doctor's office, Edith sat down and when
she took a look at the doctor she said, "Dr. Will, why are you so sad?
Are you reading your Bible? Are you praying?"
Dr. Phillips said gently, "Edith, I'm the doctor and you're the
patient." With a heavy heart he said, "Your lab report came back and it
says you have cancer, and Edith, you're not going to live very long."
Edith said, "Why Will Phillips, shame on you. Why are you so sad? Do
you think God makes mistakes? You have just told me I'm going to see my
precious Lord Jesus, my husband, and my friends. You have just told me
that I am going to celebrate Easter forever, and here you are having
difficulty giving me my ticket!"
Dr. Phillips thought to himself, "What a magnificent woman this Edith Burns is!"
Edith continued coming to Dr. Phillips. Christmas came and the office
was closed through January 3rd. On the day the office opened, Edith did
not show up. Later that afternoon, Edith called Dr. Phillips and said
she would have to be moving her story to the hospital and said, "Will,
I'm very near home, so would you make sure that they put women in here
next to me in my room who need to know about Easter."
Well, they did just that and women began to come in and share that room
with Edith. Many women were saved. Everybody on that floor from staff
to patients were so excited about Edith, that they started calling her
Edith Easter; that is everyone except Phyllis Cross, the head nurse.
Phyllis made it plain that she wanted nothing to do with Edith because
she was a "religious nut". She had been a nurse in an army hospital. She
had seen it all and heard it all. She was the original G.I. Jane. She
had been married three times, she was hard, cold, and did everything by the book.
One morning the two nurses who were to attend to Edith were sick. Edith
h ad the flu and Phyllis Cross had to go in and give her a shot. When she
walked in, Edith had a big smile on her face and said, "Phyllis, God
loves you and I love you, and I have been praying for you."
Phyllis Cross said, "Well, you can quit praying for me, it won't work.
I'm not interested."
Edith said, "Well, I will pray and I have asked God not to let me go
home until you come into the family."
Phyllis Cross said, "Then you will never die because that will never
happen," and curtly walked out of the room.
Every day Phyllis Cross would walk into the room and Edith would say,
"God loves you Phyllis and I love you, and I'm praying for you."
One day Phyllis Cross said she was literally drawn to Edith's room like
a magnet would draw iron. She sat down on the bed and Edith said, "I'm
so glad you have come, because God told me that today is your special day."
Phyllis Cross said, "Edith, you have asked everybody here the question,
"Do you believe in Easter but you have never asked me."
Edith said, "Phyllis, I wanted to many times, but God told me to wait
until you asked, and now that you have asked."
Edith Burns took her Bible and shared with Phyllis Cross the Easter
Story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Edith said,
"Phyllis, do you believe in Easter? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is
alive and that He wants to live in your heart?"
Phyllis Cross said, "Oh I want to believe that with all of my heart,
and I do want Jesus in my life "Right there, Phyllis Cross prayed and
invited Jesus Christ into her heart. For the first time Phyllis Cross
did not walk out of a hospital room, she was carried out on the wings of
angels.
Two days later, Phyllis Cross came in and Edith said, "Do you know what
day it is?" Phyllis Cross said, "Why Edith, it's Good Friday."
Edith said, "Oh, no, for you every day is Easter. Happy Easter Phyllis!"
Two days later, on Easter Sunday, Phyllis Cross came into work, did
some of her duties and then went down to the flower shop and got some
Easter lilies because she wanted to go up to see Edith and give her some
Easter lilies and wish her a Happy Easter.
When she walked into Edith's room, Edith was in bed. That big black
Bible was on her lap. Her hands were in that Bible. There was a sweet
smile on her face. When Phyllis Cross went to pick up Edith's hand, she
realized Edith was dead. Her left hand was on John 14: "In my Father's
house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, I will come
again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be
also." Her right hand was on Revelation 21:4, "And God will wipe away
every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death nor sorrow, nor
crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
Phyllis Cross took one look at that dead body, and then lifted her face
toward heaven, and with tears streaming down here cheeks, said, "Happy
Easter, Edith - Happy Easter!"
Phyllis Cross left Edith's body, walked out of the room, and over to a
table where two student nurses were sitting. She said, "My name is
Phyllis Cross. Do you believe in Easter?"
She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns.
One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because
of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith
with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her.
Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my
name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain
the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved.
Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse,
Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood
pressure. Edith began by saying, "My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?"
Beverly said, "Why yes I do."
Edith said, "Well, what do you believe about Easter?"
Beverly said, "Well, it's all about egg hunts, going to church, and dressing up." Edith kept pressing her about the real meaning of Easter, and finally led her to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Phillips said, "Beverly, don't call Edith into the office quite yet. I believe there is another delivery taking place in the waiting room.
After being called back in the doctor's office, Edith sat down and when
she took a look at the doctor she said, "Dr. Will, why are you so sad?
Are you reading your Bible? Are you praying?"
Dr. Phillips said gently, "Edith, I'm the doctor and you're the
patient." With a heavy heart he said, "Your lab report came back and it
says you have cancer, and Edith, you're not going to live very long."
Edith said, "Why Will Phillips, shame on you. Why are you so sad? Do
you think God makes mistakes? You have just told me I'm going to see my
precious Lord Jesus, my husband, and my friends. You have just told me
that I am going to celebrate Easter forever, and here you are having
difficulty giving me my ticket!"
Dr. Phillips thought to himself, "What a magnificent woman this Edith Burns is!"
Edith continued coming to Dr. Phillips. Christmas came and the office
was closed through January 3rd. On the day the office opened, Edith did
not show up. Later that afternoon, Edith called Dr. Phillips and said
she would have to be moving her story to the hospital and said, "Will,
I'm very near home, so would you make sure that they put women in here
next to me in my room who need to know about Easter."
Well, they did just that and women began to come in and share that room
with Edith. Many women were saved. Everybody on that floor from staff
to patients were so excited about Edith, that they started calling her
Edith Easter; that is everyone except Phyllis Cross, the head nurse.
Phyllis made it plain that she wanted nothing to do with Edith because
she was a "religious nut". She had been a nurse in an army hospital. She
had seen it all and heard it all. She was the original G.I. Jane. She
had been married three times, she was hard, cold, and did everything by the book.
One morning the two nurses who were to attend to Edith were sick. Edith
h ad the flu and Phyllis Cross had to go in and give her a shot. When she
walked in, Edith had a big smile on her face and said, "Phyllis, God
loves you and I love you, and I have been praying for you."
Phyllis Cross said, "Well, you can quit praying for me, it won't work.
I'm not interested."
Edith said, "Well, I will pray and I have asked God not to let me go
home until you come into the family."
Phyllis Cross said, "Then you will never die because that will never
happen," and curtly walked out of the room.
Every day Phyllis Cross would walk into the room and Edith would say,
"God loves you Phyllis and I love you, and I'm praying for you."
One day Phyllis Cross said she was literally drawn to Edith's room like
a magnet would draw iron. She sat down on the bed and Edith said, "I'm
so glad you have come, because God told me that today is your special day."
Phyllis Cross said, "Edith, you have asked everybody here the question,
"Do you believe in Easter but you have never asked me."
Edith said, "Phyllis, I wanted to many times, but God told me to wait
until you asked, and now that you have asked."
Edith Burns took her Bible and shared with Phyllis Cross the Easter
Story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Edith said,
"Phyllis, do you believe in Easter? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is
alive and that He wants to live in your heart?"
Phyllis Cross said, "Oh I want to believe that with all of my heart,
and I do want Jesus in my life "Right there, Phyllis Cross prayed and
invited Jesus Christ into her heart. For the first time Phyllis Cross
did not walk out of a hospital room, she was carried out on the wings of
angels.
Two days later, Phyllis Cross came in and Edith said, "Do you know what
day it is?" Phyllis Cross said, "Why Edith, it's Good Friday."
Edith said, "Oh, no, for you every day is Easter. Happy Easter Phyllis!"
Two days later, on Easter Sunday, Phyllis Cross came into work, did
some of her duties and then went down to the flower shop and got some
Easter lilies because she wanted to go up to see Edith and give her some
Easter lilies and wish her a Happy Easter.
When she walked into Edith's room, Edith was in bed. That big black
Bible was on her lap. Her hands were in that Bible. There was a sweet
smile on her face. When Phyllis Cross went to pick up Edith's hand, she
realized Edith was dead. Her left hand was on John 14: "In my Father's
house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, I will come
again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be
also." Her right hand was on Revelation 21:4, "And God will wipe away
every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death nor sorrow, nor
crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
Phyllis Cross took one look at that dead body, and then lifted her face
toward heaven, and with tears streaming down here cheeks, said, "Happy
Easter, Edith - Happy Easter!"
Phyllis Cross left Edith's body, walked out of the room, and over to a
table where two student nurses were sitting. She said, "My name is
Phyllis Cross. Do you believe in Easter?"
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
WHAT TO COUNT, by an unknow author
Don't count how many years you've spent,
just count the good you've done;
the times you've lent a helping hand,
the friends that you have won.
Count your deeds of kindness,
the smiles, not the tears.
Count all the pleasures that you've had,
but never count the years.
just count the good you've done;
the times you've lent a helping hand,
the friends that you have won.
Count your deeds of kindness,
the smiles, not the tears.
Count all the pleasures that you've had,
but never count the years.
JUDGE NOT THE LORD BY FEEBLE SENSE, by William Cowper
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace.
Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour.
The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err, and scan His work in vain.
God is His own interpreter, and He will make it plain.
IN THE QUIETNESS OF PRAYER, by an unknown author
There is strength for every burden, there is courage for the day.
There is hope for each tomorrow, there is help along the way.
There is peace of mind transcending all the upset round about.
There is grace for every trial, there is faith for every doubt.
There is comfort in just trusting each new moment of God's care,
And real and blest assurance in the quietness of prayer.
Friday, April 1, 2011
BECOME A CHRISTIAN WHILE YOU'RE YOUNG!!!!!!
By Pastor Bruce Oyen
E-mail: bk_oyen@hotmail.com
Many years ago, I read about an interesting survey. Out of 10,241 answers to the question, "At what age did you become a Christian?," the answers were these:
To make your reservation, do what the Bible says must be done. It says "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved." (Acts 16:31.) The Bible also says, "If you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9, 10.) The Bible also says, "For whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Believe in him NOW to receive salvation, call upon him NOW to receive salvation, or you might NEVER do so.
Some of you reading this article might already be way past 20 years of age and still are not Christians. Maybe you are 100 years old, and you are wondering if you can still become a Christian. Well, the good news is, if you sincerely do what the Bible says must be done to get to heaven, Jesus Christ will forgive all your sins and receive your soul into heaven when you die.
E-mail: bk_oyen@hotmail.com
Many years ago, I read about an interesting survey. Out of 10,241 answers to the question, "At what age did you become a Christian?," the answers were these:
- Only 62 persons said they became Christians after age 40.
- Only 30 persons said they became Christians between 30 and 40 years of age.
- Only 591 persons said they became Christians between 20 and 30 years of age.
To make your reservation, do what the Bible says must be done. It says "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved." (Acts 16:31.) The Bible also says, "If you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9, 10.) The Bible also says, "For whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Believe in him NOW to receive salvation, call upon him NOW to receive salvation, or you might NEVER do so.
Some of you reading this article might already be way past 20 years of age and still are not Christians. Maybe you are 100 years old, and you are wondering if you can still become a Christian. Well, the good news is, if you sincerely do what the Bible says must be done to get to heaven, Jesus Christ will forgive all your sins and receive your soul into heaven when you die.
I THINK OF YOU OFTEN
By Pastor Bruce Oyen
E-mail: bk_oyen@hotmail.com
E-mail: bk_oyen@hotmail.com
I think of you often, and remember you in prayer.
I ask the Lord to help you with the burdens you must bear.If he doesn't remove your burdens, he'll carry them for you.
So, be encouraged, for he's promised this to do.I also ask the Lord to bless you, and to meet your every need,
and to help you read his Word, and to give it earnest heed.
I ask the Lord to help you with the burdens you must bear.If he doesn't remove your burdens, he'll carry them for you.
So, be encouraged, for he's promised this to do.I also ask the Lord to bless you, and to meet your every need,
and to help you read his Word, and to give it earnest heed.
Yes, I think of you often, and I remember you in prayer.
And I want to remind you to cast on God your care.Now I ask you to pray for me, for I am needy, too.
And as we pray for each other, great things God will do!
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