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The Last Inspection

11/14/2020

FINAL INSPECTION
(This adaptation of a well-known poem is dedicated to all veterans, living and dead.)

The soldier stood at attention, facing his God at last,
He hoped his shoes were shining as brightly as his brass.
“Step forward now young soldier; how shall I deal with you?
Although you were a Christian; to Me have you been true?"

The soldier bowed his head and spoke, "Lord, I guess I ain't.
Those of us that carried guns, rarely looked like saints.
I've had to fight on Sundays; at times my dress was rough.
I've aimed my gun at other men; war is mighty tough.

But I never took a penny, that wasn't mine to keep.
I volunteered for overtime, when bills became too steep.
I never left a helpless child that shook or cried from fear.
And sometimes when I held them, I shed unmanly tears.

I know I am unworthy of any house up there;
Many folks deserve it more, and that is only fair.
But if you've got a room for me, it needn't be so grand.
I'll take anything that’s left; but if not I'll understand.”

There was a silence all around the throne, where angels often trod.
While the soldier waited nervously for the judgment of his God.
“March straight in, young soldier, you've borne your cross so well.
Now live in peace on golden streets, you’re forever done with hell.”

************************************************************

“Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Matt. 25:21)

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

If Tomorrow Never Comes....

11/5/2020

IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES

“For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (Jam. 4:14).

Are you aware that about 150,000 people die each day? Moreover, most have no clue that their earthly life is about to end. And to make matters worse, many die unprepared to meet the Lord. What if today is the last day for you or me?

If tomorrow never comes I want to make certain that I am in Christ. The apostle Paul wrote, "…be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith"(Phil. 3:9). Since the apostle Paul also declared that we are “baptized into Christ” (Rom. 6:3, Gal. 3:27) I’d want to make certain of that.

If tomorrow never comes I want to make certain that I am busy serving the Lord. The apostle Paul urged, “…be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). He added, “…let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Gal. 6:9)

If tomorrow never comes I want to make certain that I am a light to my family & friends. Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). Paul added, "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1). May light may lead my loved ones to Jesus and heaven.

If tomorrow never comes I want to make certain that I am faithful to Christ. Revelation 2:10 states, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” “Faithful” denotes “steadfastness, persistence; remaining loyal to the end”. Jesus said, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). Thus, I am determined to be faithful to the end.

Since no one is promised tomorrow, we all need to be prepared for the possibility that this day will be our last. "…you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matt. 24:34). Are you ready?

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

Did You Know This About Baptism?

10/22/2020

A Little-Known Fact About Baptism

Many people that attend various religious groups are taught erroneous ideas about baptism. One of the most common errors is that baptism is wholly unconnected with salvation. But what does the Bible say?

Galatians 3:27 states, "For as many of you as were BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST have put on Christ." (See also Romans 6:3) The preposition “into” indicates a change of position or relationship. In other words, we get "into Christ" by the act of baptism. (You likely won’t hear THAT stressed in some churches.) Moreover, search your Bible for any other action that will get you or me into Christ.

Is it really that important to get "into Christ"? Ephesians 1:3 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING in heavenly places IN CHRIST."  Did you catch that? Paul declared us that every spiritual blessing is found IN CHRIST. (Just try searching the New Testament for spiritual blessings found OUTSIDE of Jesus Christ.)

Furthermore, 2 Corinthians 5:17 states, "Therefore if anyone is IN CHRIST, he is a NEW CREATION: old things have passed away; behold, all things have BECOME NEW."  Not only does describe the new life we experience IN CHRIST, what sincere believer would want to pass up the new life and retain the old one?

Paul also declares in 2 Timothy 2:10, "Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the SALVATION which is IN CHRIST JESUS..."  Paul could not make it any plainer - salvation is found in Jesus Christ. Which means that we must be IN CHRIST in order to be saved.

And in 1 John 5:11 we read, "And this is the testimony, that God has given us ETERNAL LIFE, and this life is IN HIS SON."

Based on these inspired scriptures, I want to be IN CHRIST! Don’t you? And if we believe God's word, we get into Christ by being baptized. (I find nothing optional about that.)

It is tragic that millions of sincere people are misled concerning the act of baptism. Sincere as they may be, they need to believe the words of Jesus, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

Will The Church Still Be Here.....

10/22/2020

WILL THERE BE A CHURCH OF CHRIST IN MILAN 60 YEARS FROM NOW?
"Train up a child in the way he should go..." (Pro. 22:6)

A few years ago, we celebrated 60 years of the church’s presence in Milan. One cannot help but wonder if the church will be here 60 years hence. Although numerous factors will influence the answer, one is clear – Will our children & grandchildren become AND remain committed Christians?

To a great degree the answer depends on what we as parents & grandparents are currently teaching them. And that is determined as much by our EXAMPLE as by our words. Therefore…

We can only convince our children that God and Jesus come first when WE make the Father and Son the priority of our lives - more important than sports, recreation, TVs, smart phones and computers.

We can only convince our children that worshipping God is crucial when WE make certain to attend services ever week.

We can only convince our children that studying the Bible is important when WE take the time to read God’s word and attend Bible class.

We can only convince our children that daily prayer if vital when WE spend time daily praying to our Father in heaven.

We can only convince our children that swearing or taking God’s name in vain are sinful when WE make certain that our language is totally free of profanity.

We can only convince our children that modesty in appearance is important when WE avoid wearing revealing attire.

We can only convince our children that pornography is sinful when WE eliminate TV shows, movies or videos that depict partially (or completely) nude persons or couples engaged in sex.

We can only convince our children that lying is wrong when WE avoid telling “white lies” or embellishing the truth.

We can only convince our children that the most important thing in this life is to prepare for the next when WE are making preparations ourselves.

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A man remarked to a friend, “Our children will determine the future of the world!”  To which the friend retorted, “No, it is what we TEACH OUR CHILDREN that will determine the future of the world.”

Jesus, always Jesus,

Dennis

Wise Advice

10/8/2020

WISE WORDS FROM AN UNDERTAKER
“…if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matt. 5:23-24

A funeral director in Michigan that was involved in over five thousand funerals was interviewed by a reporter. During the interview, the funeral director was asked if he had learned any notable lessons from his interactions with people dealing with the deaths of loved ones. Among his answers was this, “(I have learned) to resolve conflicts… quicker, because I’ve seen people go off to work who didn’t come home.”

Wise advice. How many times have you or I huffed out of the house in the morning or went to bed with unresolved anger smoldering inside? How often have we put off resolving a conflict by thinking, “I'll take care of it later” or “Let the other person stew awhile.”

But what if we never have the opportunity to make things right? Every day in the U.S. alone hundreds of people leave home, never to return. Hundreds of others go to bed but never awaken. If we truly realized how uncertain this life is, we might never allow anger to fester or a conflict to go unresolved.

The apostle Paul warned, “Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil…” (Eph. 4:26-27). He then added, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32).

The best time to apologize or resolve a conflict is TODAY, not “When I get around to it”. Restoring a relationship NOW will not only add to our happiness, it may even save us years of regret.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Mt. 5:9).

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

Life is SHORT

10/8/2020

LIFE IS SHORT

The above title is 100% true. Job said, "Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He comes forth like a flower and fades away; he flees like a shadow and does not continue" (Job 14:1-2). No matter how we might try, we are powerless to slow time down or delay the inevitable.

In view of this, it is incumbent on us to believe in God and submit to Jesus Christ as Lord while we still can. God warns, "Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." (Jam. 4:13-14).

Many people procrastinate about turning to God and Christ because they are “too busy”. Yet every minute of every day countless hearts stop, cars collide, fires erupt, murderers kill and people drown. Thousands of people die without warning. "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27).

Yet countless people live as though tomorrow is guaranteed. So, instead of preparing for eternity, they focus exclusively on this life. Remember the parable of the rich farmer in Luke 12:16ff? He believed that he had many years to enjoy his possessions and wealth. But God said, “Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?” (vs 20)

He was not alone. The majority of people on earth, especially in America, believe that they have plenty of time left. No wonder so many of them assume that "God can wait". And so, they gamble with thier souls. Sadly, many will lose in the end.

Life is short. The end is coming. God sent His Son to this world in order to save you and me from our sins and grant us eternal life. The Bible says that today is the day of salvation - 2 Cor. 6:2. Won't you accept God's offer and obey the gospel of Jesus Christ today? You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

How to Remove Sin Stains

9/27/2020

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

Why Go to Church?

9/22/2020

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

Are You Lucky or.........?

9/14/2020

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

WHO ?????

9/14/2020

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