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How to Remove Sin Stains

9/27/2020

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One Thing that WD-40 Can’t Do
   
Although not marketed as a cleaner, WD-40 reportedly removes stickers and adhesives from glass, plastic, countertops and containers. It removes chewing gum, tar and syrup from many surfaces. It cleans the tracks in sliding windows or drawers, and removes scuff marks from shoes. It also eliminates sticky build-up on scissors and stubborn grime from barbecue grills. WD-40 removes lipstick from practically anything, Kool-Aid and tomato stains from carpet and fabric, and scum from fiberglass showers. It even pulls hair dye out of towels, and makes piano keys gleam. WD-40 also cleans brass and silver, and keeps them from tarnishing.  
   
As amazing as WD-40 may be as a cleaner, there is one “stain” that it cannot touch - SIN. Neither can any other cleanser formulated by man. Nor can any amount of crying, remorse, good deeds or heartfelt confessions.  
   
There is only one effective and permanent cleanser for sin. “In Him we have redemption through His BLOOD, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace…” (Eph. 1:7) In the words of Robert Lowry,  
What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!  
What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!  
Oh, precious is the flow that makes me white as snow;  
No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus!  
   
Sin is a filthy blight that dooms our souls to hell – Rev. 21:8. Only the blood of Christ can save us. Have you been washed in the blood of the Lamb? “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).   
   
Jesus, always Jesus!  
   
Dennis
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Why Go to Church?

9/22/2020

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Why Attend Church?  
   
According to church surveys, answers to the above question vary widely. They include:  
  • I feel guilty when I miss.                     My parents make me go. 
  • It helps my faith.                                I run the P.A. or lighting system. 
  • I like the preacher.                                  The services inspire me. 
  • To stay out of hell.                                 I’m in the choir or band. 
  • My spouse expects me to go.           I like the music (especially in churches 
    featuring instrumental music or choirs.) 
  • I love the Lord.                                Nothing better to do. 
  • My friends attend.                                       To encourage and comfort others. 
  • My boyfriend (or girlfriend) attends.          Jesus would do it. 
  • I’m lonely.                                                 It makes me feel closer to God. 

      

    While not all of the above reasons for attending church are acceptable to God, some are, including: 
  • I love the Lord.                                Jesus would do it. 
  • It makes me feel closer to God.            It helps my faith. 
  • The services inspire me.                     To encourage and comfort others. 

    So why do you attend church?   

    There’s a story about a church in East Texas that had several oil wells on their property. Church leaders typically distributed surplus income from the wells among the members on a particular Sunday each year. The only stipulation was that, unless hospitalized, members had to be present on that particular Sunday to receive their share. It goes without saying that attendance on the selected Sunday was typically 100%. Few if any ever missed due to working late on Saturday, unexpected company, insomnia, headaches, colds, sick kids or not hearing the alarm. 

    Few of us can attend every service 52 weeks out of the year. Hopefully, however, our passion for worshipping God, remembering Jesus, and our love for one another will keep us coming. Perhaps David of old said it best, “Better is one day in Your courts that a thousand elsewhere” (Psa 84:10). 

    Jesus, always Jesus! Dennis
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Are You Lucky or.........?

9/14/2020

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Luck or the Lord?  


As some of you are aware, I enjoy playing tennis. During nearly every match I hear an opponent (or someone on an adjoining court) exclaim, “I was lucky on that shot!" In fact, many people tend to describe fortunate occurrences as "lucky".
 
I often said the same thing until a mature Christian corrected me years ago. He said, "When you attribute something to luck, ‘fate’ receives the credit. But when you say that you are ‘blessed', God gets the glory." I have tried to remember that. Christians should attribute every fortunate occurrence to God, not "luck".
 
The story is told of a town that had a large whiskey distillery that was owned by an atheist. The churches in town were openly critical of the distillery and it’s products. The churches eventually combined for a special prayer meeting, beseeching God to do something about the distillery. During the meeting, a violent thunderstorm approached the town, lightning struck the distillery, and it quickly burned to the ground, alcohol and all.
 
The unhappy owner, learning that a prayer meeting had occurred the night his distillery burned down, decided to sue the churches. He claimed that they had conspired with God to put him out of business. During the trial, representatives from the churches denied being guilty in connection with the lightening and subsequent fire. They essentially attributed the lightning to a "stroke of unfortunate luck".


Although the presiding judge purportedly found the churches innocent of the "divine conspiracy" charge, he concluded the trial with the following remarks. "I find it ironic that the plaintiff, an admitted atheist, has professed faith in the power of prayer. Conversely, the Christians, who claim faith in God, assert that bad luck was responsible for the fire. It leaves me wondering who really believes in God."
 
I do not believe in luck, but I know that God blesses me constantly and abundantly. I’m sure that you feel the same. May God be praised forever!
 
“Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Phil 4:20)
 
Jesus, always Jesus!  


Dennis

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WHO ?????

9/14/2020

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WHO IS JESUS?  
  To the Christian educator He is the Good Teacher – LK. 18:18.

To the Christian banker He is the Hidden Treasure – MT. 13:44.

To the Christian farmer He is the Lord of the Harvest – MT 9:38.

To the Christian architect He is the Chief Cornerstone – MT 21:42 .

To the Christian baker He is the Living Bread – JN 6:51.

To the Christian biologist He is The Life – JN 14:6.

To the Christian builder He is the Sure Foundation – ISA 28:16.

To the Christian artist He is the Image of God – COL 1:15.

To the Christian doctor He is the Great Physician – MK 2:17.

To the Christian florist He is the Rose of Sharon, the Lily of the Valley – SONG OF SOL 2:1.

To the Christian geologist He is the Living Stone – 1 PET 2:4.

To the Christian jurist He is the Righteous Judge – 2 TIM 4:8.

To the Christian jeweler He is the Pearl of Great Price – MT 13:46.

To the Christian lawyer He is the Ultimate Advocate – 1 JN 2:1.

To the Christian gardener He is the True Vine – JN 15:1 .

To the Christian optometrist He is the Light of the World – JN 8:12.

To the Christian writer He is the Author and Finisher of Our Faith – HEB 2:2.

To the Christian laborer He is the Giver of Rest – MT 11:28.

To the searching sinner He is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world – JN 1:29. 
  To the faithful Christian He is the Son of the God, Savior, and Lord – I JN 5:20, 2 TIM 1:10, GAL 3:13.

Jesus, always Jesus! 
Dennis
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