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All Aboard.......

1/31/2020

ARE YOU "ON-BOARD"?

Speaking of his death, Paul wrote, “…the time of my departure is at hand..." (2 Tim. 4:6) Although our “departure date” is unknown, it may come at any moment. Are you ready? Studying the following "Trip Information" will help.

BOOKING: Arrangements must be made in advance, preferably today (2 Cor. 6:2).

I.D: Persons seeking entry will not be permitted past the desired gate unless their names are recorded in the official log book (Rev. 21:27).

DEPARTURE DATE & TIME: The date of departure is unknown. All travelers are advised to be ready for departure at any time (Matt. 25:13).

TICKETS: Jesus paid the full price on the cross. However, you must receive it by believing in Him, repenting of sins, confessing faith Jesus, and being baptized (Acts 2:38; Matt. 10:32; Acts 22:16). You must also hold on to your "ticket" (Heb. 3:6).

LUGGAGE: No luggage is permitted (1 Tim. 6:7). Everything you will require will be furnished upon arrival (1 Pet. 1:4).

MEANS OF TRAVEL: All travelers will be going by air (1 Thess. 4:17).

VACCINATIONS:  None required, as the desired destination will be disease free (Rev. 21:4).

CURRENCY:  Non-perishable assets can be forwarded to await the passenger's arrival. Deposits are made by giving generously and serving others (Luke 6:38; Matt. 6:20-21).

CLOTHING:  A glorious and durable wardrobe will be provided (2 Cor. 5:2-4).

RESERVATIONS: Tickets may be obtained at any time. Since the departure day is unknown, everyone should obtain a ticket as soon as possible (See “Tickets” above.). Procrastinators may be too late (2 Cor. 6:2).

FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS, consult God’s word (Jam. 1:21).

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

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Can We Earn.....

1/22/2020

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Earning Our Way to Heaven?

Michael Bloomberg, former mayor of New York City, once said, “I am telling you, if there is a God, when I get to heaven I’m not stopping to be interviewed. I am heading straight in…I have earned my place in heaven. It’s not even close.” He apparently said this in view of his tireless crusades against obesity, smoking and gun control. (I wonder if he mentioned anything about his faith in Christ?)

Mr Bloomberg's comments may seem presumptuous and arrogant to Christians, as well they should. According to the Bible, "by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast"  Eph. 2:8-9. Isaiah observed that our righteous works are as filthy rags in the God's sight – Isa. 64:6. Moreover, Jesus declared that we are unprofitable servants even when we do everything God asks of us - Luke 17:10.

But before criticizing Mr Bloomberg, we should examine our own thinking. Do we ever assume that we will be admitted to Heaven because we:
·        Attend church three times weekly?
·        Give generously each Sunday?
·        Read our Bibles daily?
·        Pray several times a day?
·        Help the poor?
·        Are a faithful husband, wife, father, mother, father, etc?

Don't misunderstand - obedience to Jesus, including doing good works, demonstrate genuine faith - Jam. 2:14ff. But heaven isn’t a matter of attainment, it’s a matter of atonement - 1 John 2:2. Salvation does not occur because of the good we do, but because of good that Jesus did when He died on the cross in our place - 1 Pet. 2:24.

None of us will enter heaven because God owes it to us. We will enter because we truly believe that Jesus Christ paid the debt that we can never pay ourselves - 1 Pet. 3:18.

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

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90 Seconds

1/19/2020

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90 Seconds

Years ago I read some sound advice about starting the day off right. “The first 90 seconds of the day sets the tone for the next 16 hours. So begin your day with a smile!”

Over the years I’ve encountered numerous people that have applied this advice with positive results. One man (with occasional protests from his wife) begins each day by enthusiastically clapping. Another loudly proclaims, “It’s going to be a great day!” Others go from their bed to their knees in prayer. And several folks spend the first moments of the day thanking God for as many blessings as possible.

King David apparently had a similar ritual. In Psalm 63:1-4 he declared, “O God, You are my God; EARLY will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.

If you want to begin each day in the best possible way, do one of more or the following shortly after waking up:
Thank God for the day, along with material blessings such as your home, heat, clothing, food, etc.
Praise God for your salvation and other spiritual blessings!
Read a Bible passage and take a few minutes to allow God’s word to sink in.
Praise God in a song such as, “Thank You, Lord!” or “Count Your Blessings!” (Having a songbook nearby will help.)

That said, allow me to slightly modify the aforementioned advice, “The first 90 seconds of the day sets the tone for the next 16 hours. So begin your day by praising God!”

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

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How to Have A Great 2020 - Part 2

1/15/2020

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10 TIPS FOR A GREAT NEW YEAR (Part 2)

As I indicated in my previous article, SMALL changes can have a BIG IMPACT on our lives in 2020. In addition to the tips I shared last week, below are 5 additional things we can do to ensure that we have the happiest 2020 possible.

6. Begin each day by listening to God! We do so by reading or listening to the Bible. Nothing can so effectively help us to cope with the challenges of life as the word of God. Job said, “I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12b). Jeremiah added, “Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart…” (Jer. 15:16). Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Mt. 4:4).

7. Take time to meditate on God’s words. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper..” (Psa. 1:1-3). Those that take time to MEDITATE (“ponder or deliberate”) on God’s law will be blessed. Don’t just “read and run”; read and think! (See Jam. 1:23-25)

8. Spend more time with Christians. “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another DAILY, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin" (Heb 3:12-13; see also Heb. 10:23-25). The more time we spend with other Christians the easier it will be to maintain our commitment to God.

9. Pray for at least one lost soul daily. The apostle Paul wrote, “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge” (Rom 10:1-2). Paul could not help but pray for the lost souls of which he was aware. Determine to follow his example.

10. Increase your giving. Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Lk. 6:38). Paul added, “…he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Cor. 9:6). Increasing your weekly contribution by even a few dollars will bring you a generous return from God!

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

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Tips For A Great 2020

1/3/2020

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10 TIPS FOR A GREAT YEAR

As we begin 2020, don’t overlook the fact that SMALL changes can have a BIG IMPACT on the New Year. Listed below are ten small things we can do virtually every day that will help ensure that we have a blessed 2020.

1. Thank God daily! David wrote, “Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits...” (Psa. 69:18). The apostle Paul added, “…giving thanks always for all things to God the Father...” (Eph. 5:20). Thanking God does not take long, but it is what He desires and deserves! Moreover, in every society the most thankful people are typically the happiest!

2. Lift up (at least) one person daily! Virtually everyone we encounter - postal workers, receptionists, waitresses, cashiers, etc. receive few complements from anyone. Say something nice; it will give you both a lift. "…a word spoken in due season, how good it is” Prov. 15:23.

3. Think before speaking!  Millions of marriages, family relationships, close friendships, and even centuries–old treaties between nations have abruptly ended when angry or spiteful words were exchanged. James wrote, “…the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.” (James 3:5-6) Although sticks and stones may break our bones, cutting or angry words can do permanent harm. Be careful with your words.

4. Be the first to apologize!  Peter asked Jesus, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” (Mt 18:21-22). The biggest obstacle to forgiving others is pride. Never allow your pride to keep you from saying, “I'm sorry", and healing a relationship or rift. Jesus taught us to pray, “…forgive us our debts, AS WE FORGIVE our debtors” (Mt. 6:12).

5. Gradually decrease your possessions. A popular bumper sticker reads, “He Who Dies With the Most Toys Wins!" Unfortunately, countless Americans believe it. Millions measure their success by the number of things they own. But Jesus warned, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses" (Lk. 12:15).  Paul added that becoming obsessed with money or things will cause us to “fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.” (1 Tim. 6:9) The cure? Begin shedding materialistic pounds. You will end up richer in heaven (See Matt. 6:19-20).

To be continued...

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

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All Aboard.......

Can We Earn.....

90 Seconds

How to Have A Great 2020 - Part 2

Tips For A Great 2020

Preacher's Corner

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