Saturday, June 28, 2008 "In God we turst??????"

Saturday, June 28, 2008

"In God we turst??????"

First From Julie's Keyboard:

"Come as you are . . ."

As I sat at the ball park last evening (since the game was one of those one-sided runaways), I found myself observing the differing folks sitting in that one area.

Oh there were the well kept and well dressed, there were the folks with weight issues (for whatever reason), there were the loud screaming folks, then there were the quiet more reserved, there were the sick and ailing, there were those impaired from accidents, there were those born with disease, there were those with foul mouth vices, there were those that carried themselves like no wind could ever be produced that would take them off their feet, there were certainly those so caught up in this game that they seemed to forget this was about their children having a good sociable time of play, and then of course, there was me (with all of my thoughts trying not to be judgmental of all I could see and hear about me).

I began to ask the Lord, "What about all of these people?" It just seems so many, many of them are so far from you in their lives and way of thinking about it. There are so many obvious issues with people. Where do we all fit into Your plan? So many times we seem to live so selfishly for ourselves and our family about us. Where's this defining line that keeps us in tow with You?"

Wouldn't you know that when we have these questions and begin to pose them to God, He will answer. It's usually very direct and quite simple. The all familiar scripture I have referred to so many times before, was once again dropped into my heart.

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Once again I'm reminded that every thing we can possibly have a need for at any stage of our lives is provided for through Him. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Any catagory of living that a person might place themself within, has its answer met through His Word of Life.

We can't encounter a problem that's bigger than He. We can't face a life issue that He can't successfully master. In such a world of imperfection, such a world of sin, He is the Deliverer, the Overcomer, the Redeemer.
All He asks is that we come.

As we discussed last week, He's our Great Shepherd. Sheep listen to the voice of their Shepherd. They will not follow a stranger. Our Shepherd's voice will always tell us what we find in His Word. This is our deliverance from whatever ails us.

Most of what we have in our lives has been by our own making. We've reaped lifestyles based largely upon what we've sown in the way we lived our previous days and the choices we have made. If things are part of our lives that we know He didn't have in the plan for us, then most likely, we need to change our thoughts and actions to line up with His Word.

He's called us folks, to come. His way is a way of rest and peace. Even though life seems to fall apart all about us sometimes as we observe things surrounding us, we can take comfort and rest in our covenant with Him.

"In this world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world."
He's no respector of persons. The same beckoning call goes out to all. "Come......."

Have a blessed week,

Julie

_____________________________

"In God we Trust"

57 percent of evangelical church attenders said they believe many religions can lead to eternal life, in conflict with traditional evangelical teaching.

In all, 70 percent of Americans with a religious affiliation shared that view, and 68 percent said there is more than one true way to interpret the teachings of their own religion.

D. Michael Lindsay, a Rice University sociologist of religion said, “The survey shows religion in America is, indeed, 3,000 miles wide and only three inches deep."

By many measures, Americans are strongly religious: 92 percent say they believe in God, 74 percent say they believe in life after death, and 63 percent say their respective scriptures are the word of God.

But deeper investigation found that more than one in four Roman Catholics, mainline Protestants, and Orthodox Christians expressed some doubts even about the existence of God.

Nearly across the board, the majority of religious Americans believe many religions can lead to eternal life: as a matter of fact 83% mainline Protestants say there are other ways to eternal life.

Rev. C. Welton Gaddy, president of the Interfaith Alliance said, "It shows increased religious security. People are comfortable with other traditions even if they're different. It indicates a level of humility about religion that would be of great benefit to everyone."

I suppose this should not surprise us when well know TV evangelist can’t seem to bring themselves to say any different when pressured by the media “what about so and so faith?

It seems we are confused about everything these days, we can’t get a grip on nothing real. There is always another view, another principle, another faith. Everything is relative and we can know nothing for sure. Can one fight for and defend what he really does not believe he believes for sure? Where will this lead us? What will we do when we get there?

Julie sometimes says I’m a pessimist, I see it as simply pointing out some signs along the way that are perhaps leading us in the wrong direction. Directions that perhaps we should reconsider.

I know who I believe, I know where my redemption lies. If one phrase in the Bible is not true, then I cannot trust any of it. The scripture says in Act 4:11 This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

If I cannot believe that, then I cannot believe anything else that the Scripture says. It is not for me to pick and choose which parts I want to believe, I am told there is none other, then I must believe that there is none other.

Jesus said to doubting Thomas in John 14:6 . . . “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Many people have died violent deaths believing this, can I now take it ever so lightly?

In this wonderful nation of ours you can here ministers preaching to us 24 hours a day 7 days a week, but what message are they preaching? Are we the doubting Thomas? It seems there is at least one message we are in dire need of, Acts 4:11 & John 14:6.

We once believed as Benjamin Rush, Signer of the Declaration of Independence:

“My only hope of salvation is in the infinite, transcendent love of God manifested to the world by the death of His Son upon the cross. Nothing but His blood will wash away my sins. I rely exclusively upon it. Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly!”

Benjamin Rush, The Autobiography of Benjamin Rush, George Corner, editor (Princeton: Princeton University Press for the American Philosophical Society, 1948), p. 166, Travels Through Life, An Account of Sundry Incidents & Events in the Life of Benjamin Rush.

Our Founders had it settled in hearts as John Witherspoon Signer of the Declaration of Independence:

“I entreat you in the most earnest manner to believe in Jesus Christ, for there is no salvation in any other [Acts 4:12]. . . . [I]f you are not reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, if you are not clothed with the spotless robe of His righteousness, you must forever perish.”
John Witherspoon, The Works of John Witherspoon (Edinburgh: J. Ogle, 1815), Vol. V, pp. 276, 278, The Absolute Necessity of Salvation Through Christ, January 2, 1758.

And once again settle it in our hearts as Roger Sherman Signer of the Declaration of Independence and of the Constitution:

“I believe that there is one only living and true God, existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. . . . that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are a revelation from God. . . . that God did send His own Son to become man, die in the room and stead of sinners, and thus to lay a foundation for the offer of pardon and salvation to all mankind so as all may be saved who are willing to accept the Gospel offer.”
Lewis Henry Boutell, The Life of Roger Sherman (Chicago: A. C. McClurg and Company, 1896), pp. 272-273.

They are our Founders, they laid our foundation upon a committed faith, a committed life, and a commitment to absolute principles that are eternal and unchanging. Shall we now deign our own foundation?

May God bless each of you,
David

Samuel Adams
Father of the American Revolution, Signer of the Declaration of IndependenceI . . . recommend my Soul to that Almighty Being who gave it, and my body I commit to the dust, relying upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins.

Charles Carroll
Signer of the Declaration of IndependenceOn the mercy of my Redeemer I rely for salvation and on His merits; not on the works I have done in obedience to His precepts.
From an autographed letter in our possession written by Charles Carroll to Charles W. Wharton, Esq., on September 27, 1825, from Doughoragen, Maryland.

William Cushing
First Associate Justice Appointed by George Washington to the Supreme CourtSensible of my mortality, but being of sound mind, after recommending my soul to Almighty God through the merits of my Redeemer and my body to the earth . . .
Will of William Cushing

John Dickinson
Signer of the ConstitutionRendering thanks to my Creator for my existence and station among His works, for my birth in a country enlightened by the Gospel and enjoying freedom, and for all His other kindnesses, to Him I resign myself, humbly confiding in His goodness and in His mercy through Jesus Christ for the events of eternity.
Will of John Dickinson

Patrick Henry
Governor of Virginia, PatriotThis is all the inheritance I can give to my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed.
Will of Patrick Henry

John Jay
First Chief Justice of the US Supreme CourtUnto Him who is the author and giver of all good, I render sincere and humble thanks for His manifold and unmerited blessings, and especially for our redemption and salvation by His beloved son. He has been pleased to bless me with excellent parents, with a virtuous wife, and with worthy children. His protection has companied me through many eventful years, faithfully employed in the service of my country; His providence has not only conducted me to this tranquil situation but also given me abundant reason to be contented and thankful. Blessed be His holy name!
Will of John Jay

John Langdon
Signer of the ConstitutionIn the name of God, Amen. I, John Langdon, . . . considering the uncertainty of life and that it is appointed unto all men once to die [Hebrews 9:27], do make, ordain and publish this my last will and testament in manner following, that is to say-First: I commend my soul to the infinite mercies of God in Christ Jesus, the beloved Son of the Father, who died and rose again that He might be the Lord of the dead and of the living . . . professing to believe and hope in the joyful Scripture doctrine of a resurrection to eternal life . . .
Will of John Langdon

Robert Treat Paine
Signer of the Declaration of IndependenceI desire to bless and praise the name of God most high for appointing me my birth in a land of Gospel Light where the glorious tidings of a Savior and of pardon and salvation through Him have been continually sounding in mine ears.
Robert Treat Paine, The Papers of Robert Treat Paine, Stephen Riley and Edward Hanson, editors (Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society, 1992), Vol. I, p. 48, March/April, 1749.

[W]hen I consider that this instrument contemplates my departure from this life and all earthly enjoyments and my entrance on another state of existence, I am constrained to express my adoration of the Supreme Being, the Author of my existence, in full belief of his providential goodness and his forgiving mercy revealed to the world through Jesus Christ, through whom I hope for never ending happiness in a future state, acknowledging with grateful remembrance the happiness I have enjoyed in my passage through a long life. . .
Will of Robert Treat Paine

Rufus Putnam
Revolutionary War General, First Surveyor General of the United States[F]irst, I give my soul to a holy, sovereign God Who gave it in humble hope of a blessed immortality through the atonement and righteousness of Jesus Christ and the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit. My body I commit to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian manner. I fully believe that this body shall, by the mighty power of God, be raised to life at the last day; 'for this corruptable (sic) must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality.' [I Corinthians 15:53]
Will of Rufus Putnam

Jonathan Trumbull Sr.
Governor of Connecticut, Patriot
Principally and first of all, I bequeath my soul to God the Creator and Giver thereof, and body to the Earth . . . nothing doubting but that I shall receive the same again at the General Resurrection thro the power of Almighty God; believing and hoping for eternal life thro the merits of my dear, exalted Redeemer Jesus Christ.
Will of Jonathan Trumbull