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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 Saving the Worms
   
A converted Indian was asked by members of his tribe what Jesus Christ had done for him. The Indian gathered dry leaves and arranged them into a circle. He then dug into the soil until he located a small worm. He placed it in the center of the circle, and then set fire to the leaves. Within moments the flames came within inches of the terrified worm. At that point, the Indian reached down, picked up the worm, and held it safely in his hand. “That”, said the Indian to his friends, “Is what Jesus Christ did for me.”  
   
It is hard to imagine a better depiction of man’s deliverance from the fire of hell through Jesus our Lord. After all, compared to God we are no better than “worms”. “How then can man be righteous before God? Or how can he be pure who is born of a woman? If even the moon does not shine, and the stars are not pure in His sight,  How much less man, who is a maggot, and a son of man, who is a WORM?" (Job 25:4-6)  
   
A modification to the above illustration, however, would make it even more fitting. What if the Indian had replaced the filthy worm with a rare, beautiful butterfly, and then allowed the lovely creature to perish in the flames. Although insect lovers might object, there’s no debating that the modified illustration would more accurately portray what Jesus did for us.
   
That said, King David depicted the future Messiah as becoming a lowly "worm" in our place. “But I am a WORM, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people.  All those who see Me ridicule me...” (Psa. 22:6-7)  
   
Praise God that Jesus was willing to become a “worm" in our place and die for our sins. “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:6-8)  
   
May we gratefully serve and praise our Savior forever.  
   
Jesus, always Jesus!  
   
Dennis
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PURE MILK
   
In 2008 a health crisis erupted in China when it was discovered that several milk producers had been adulterating cow's milk by adding a chemical called Melamine. Melamine artificially boosts protein readings in milk, thus making such milk more appealing to consumers. Unfortunately, the chemical can produce detrimental effects on humans. Consequently, by November 2008 China reported an estimated 300,000 victims, including numerous infant deaths and an estimated 54,000 babies being hospitalized.  
   
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A far more injurious form of adulteration occurs when translators, publishers, preachers and teachers adulterate the "pure milk of the Word" (1 Pet. 2:2) by adding to it. Attempts to do so actually occurred in first century. Peter warned, “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction” (2 Pet. 2:1). John also cautioned, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).  
   
Countless additional attempts to add to God’s word have occurred through the centuries. When Martin Luther translated the Bible into German, he ADDED the word "only" to Romans 3:28, making it say, “…a man is justified by faith (only) apart from the works of the law.”  Tragically, millions have been duped into believing just that. Others continue their efforts to adulterate God’s word by teaching and promoting such unscriptural practices as woman preachers, same-sex marriage, many roads to heaven, etc.  
   
It would behoove us to carefully examine any teaching that endorses practices or doctrines different than what the Bible authorizes. To do otherwise could prove fatal to our souls.  
   
The Lord has given man His Word, His will He has made known;  
Let [no] man try to change [God’s] Word with words that are his own. - D. DeHaan  
   
Jesus, always Jesus!  
   
Dennis  

Stand Up for Jesus  
   
“For whoever is ASHAMED OF ME and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will ALSO BE ASHAMED OF HIM when He comes in the glory of the Father with the holy angels.”  (Mark 8:38)  
   
You might reread the above passage again. After doing so, ask yourself, "Am I EVER ashamed of Jesus Christ?” Before dismissing the possibility outright, consider the following:  
   

• Are there situations in which you feel uneasy about letting on that you are a faithful  Christian?  

• Do you ever avoid the subject of your faith in Christ around certain people?  
• Do you sometimes keep quiet concerning your commitment to Jesus rather than risk a  possible confrontation?  

• Do some of the people that you regularly encounter have little (or no) idea that Jesus Christ  is your Lord and King?  

   
It is not always easy to bring Jesus into a conversation, let alone stand up for Him if others demean Him or take His name in vain. Yet Jesus stated that if we are ashamed of Him or His teachings, he will be ashamed of us. We might even forfeit our salvation if we conceal our faith that Jesus is the Son of God. Someone has observed, “If the devil cannot defeat our faith, he will convince us to hide it. Either way, he wins.”  
   
Paul declared, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes...” (Rom. 1:16). Neither should we be ashamed. The gospel is God’s power to save us and those around us. If we are ashamed of it, woe to the world….and woe to us.  
   
A preacher reportedly made the following announcement. “Whenever we sing, ‘Stand up, Stand Up for Jesus’, we ask everyone to rise. But there’s no challenge in standing up for Jesus among believers. It is what we do out in the world that demonstrates courage. Beginning today we will only sing that hymn as we are DISMISSED TO LEAVE.”  
   
Jesus, always Jesus!  
   
Dennis

Do What You Can  
   
Quick - Where in the Bible do we read of four useless stones?  
   
Answer - In the story of David and Goliath. As young David prepared to square off against the giant, “…he…chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch…and…approached the Philistine… Then David...took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead…and he fell on his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone… (1 Sam. 17:40; 48-50).
   
Because David required only one stone to defeat Goliath, some might conclude that the four remaining stones were “useless”. Some have even asked, “If David had faith that God would deliver Goliath to him, why he pick up five stones? The simplest answer - David knew that Goliath might have relatives (He did, in fact, have a least one giant brother, Lahmi – 1 Chron. 20:5).
   
Furthermore, David’s likely selected five stones because it was customary for ancient warriors to bring extra “ammo”. (Can you imagine an archer going into battle with one arrow?) Although David believed that God would empower him to defeat Goliath, he knew that he needed to utilize every tool at his disposal – his skill, arm, sling and several stones. David did not expect God to do all the fighting for him; he had a personal responsibility. Bringing extra stones was a part of it.  
   
This is a valid lesson for many people today. Some ask and expect God to do almost everything for them, as if He were a genie awaiting their next command.  

• “Save me from my sins while I recline on my couch.”  
• “Give me a job while I run around with my friends.”  
• “Help my kids go to heaven while we attend another game or go camping.  
• “Heal my marriage while I watch TV or go golfing.  
• “Help the church to grow while I check the latest news on Facebook.”  

   
In Phil. 4:13 Paul wrote, “I can DO all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Although Paul believed in the remarkable power of Christ, he also knew that he had an obligation to DO. So it is with us - “…it is God who works in you both to will and to DO for His good pleasure” (PHIL 2:13).  
   
Do everything you can; then trust God to do the rest.  
   
Jesus, always Jesus!  
   
Dennis  

ONE WORD SECRET TO A SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE 
As Christians, we are aware that marriage:

• Was instituted by God (Gen 2:18ff.)
• Was created by God to be permanent (MT 19:6 “What God has joined together, let not man

separate.”)

• Was intended by God to be fulfilling (PRO 5:18 “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice

with the wife of your youth.”)
 
However, a substantial percentage of marriages in America fall far short of the mark. Surveys indicate that 70% of married couples in the U.S. describe their marriages as “less than ideal”. Furthermore, about 55% of spouses indicate that if they had it to do over, they would marry someone else.
 
These responses are alarming. Can you imagine how the Author of marriage feels about the aforementioned statistics? Imagine what the children from these families are learning. Is it any wonder that the majority of our young adults choose to move in with someone without the benefit of a wedding? And of those couples that plan to marry, less than half anticipate a permanent marriage.
 
What does it take to make a marriage not only permanent, but successful? There are many factors that can help, including praying together, reading the Bible together, daily displays of affection, spending time together, daily encouragement, a willingness to forgive, and patience. The problem is that many couples fail to apply them consistently.
 
There is, however, a one-word solution that will enable couples to consistently apply the aforementioned factors - W-O-R-K. In fact, virtually every couple that has been happily married in excess of 50 years admits that W-O-R-K is the KEY to marital happiness.
 
There are no short cuts or easy alternatives. Each spouse must invest DAILY EFFORT towards strengthening the marriage. Those who make little or no effort inevitably experience marital decline. Although they may remain married, it often becomes more of a burden than a blessing.
 
Are you ready for a better marriage? Then GO TO WORK! Your efforts will pay off in the long run.
 
Jesus, always Jesus!
 
Dennis

AMERICA'S REAL THREATS 
It has been said that the United States is a nation of worriers. Such a notion is not unfounded; Americans tend to worry about more things than the citizens of most countries. Recent surveys reveal that the top current concerns of Americans include:
 

• The spread of the Covid –19 virus.
• Reopening the country, especially schools, too quickly.
• Job security.
• Crime.
• Racial tension & rioting.
• Mass shootings.
• Terrorism.
• Political strife & the upcoming elections.
• Identity theft & cyber-attacks from other countries.

 
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Although there is cause for concern in connection with the above issues, the most serious threats to our citizens are MISSING from this list. What are they?
 
1. Rejection of God as our Creator and Sustainer. (“The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.”  Psa. 10:4)
 
2. Rejection of the Bible as God’s divinely inspired directive for mankind. (“…you hate instruction and cast My words behind you…”  Psa. 50:17)
 
3. Rejection of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior of the world. ("He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him -- the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” John 12:48)
 
Unless these issues are addressed, the Covid-19 virus and other problems will ultimately be the least of our worries. Jesus said, “…do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Mt. 10:28).
 
Jesus also said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Have you come to Jesus by submitting to Him as Lord? If not, then why not today? "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient…" (Isa. 1:18-19)

Jesus, always Jesus!
 
Dennis

True Independence!
 
July 4th marks the date, in 1776, on which the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, declaring our freedom from England and our determination to be a free and sovereign nation.  Accordingly, we celebrate July 4th as Independence Day.
 
For 244 years the United States of America has stood as a symbol of freedom to oppressed peoples around the globe. Moreover, we have repeatedly defended not only our freedom from oppressors, but that of other nations, as well.
 
Unfortunately, we have experienced freedom for so long that many of us take it for granted. We would be wise to remember that our nation was not always free, that winning (and preserving) our independence has cost the lives of thousands of men and women, and that there are no guarantees that we will always be free.
 
As meaningful as Independence Day is, it pales in comparison with another “Independence Day" that occurs when a sinner hears and believes the gospel of Christ, and submits to Jesus as Lord. By publicly confessing Christ as God's Son (Matt. 10:32), repenting of sin (Acts 17:30) and being baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3), the blood of Jesus cleanses him from the guilt of his sins (Acts 22:16). He is then SET FREE from the condemnation of sin (John 8:32).
 
Moreover, he is no longer the slave of the cruelest, most ruthless tyrant of all - the devil (Rom. 6:16). In fact, he is “delivered…from the power of darkness and conveyed… into the kingdom of the Son” (Col. 1:13). As long as he remains faithful to Christ, he is assured of eternal life in heaven (Romans 6:22; Revelation 2:10).
 
That is independence in the truest sense. Have YOU been set free from your sins by the blood of Jesus? If not, then why not obey the gospel TODAY, and cast off the shackles of sin?
 
Jesus, always Jesus!
 
Dennis