Ecclesiastes 12:13 (KJV)
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man”
Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”
We need to totally give Him all; He will take care of us that is what true obedience is. we need to stop relying on ourselves and rely totally on Him.
“If I were the devil, I wouldn’t be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree—Thee. So I’d set about however necessary to take over the United States. I’d subvert the churches first—I would begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: “Do as you please.” “Do as you please.” To the young, I would whisper, “The Bible is a myth.” I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around. I would confide that what is bad is good, and what is good is “square”. And the old, I would teach to pray. I would teach them to pray after me, ‘Our Father, which art in Washington…’
And then I’d get organized. I’d educate authors on how to lurid literature exciting, so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting. I’d threaten TV with dirtier movies and vice versa. I’d pedal narcotics to whom I could. I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I’d tranquilize the rest with pills.
If I were the devil I’d soon have families that war with themselves, churches that war that themselves, and nations that war with themselves; until each in its turn was consumed. And with promises of higher ratings I’d have mesmerizing media fanning the flame. If I were the devil I would encourage schools to refine young intellects, and neglect to discipline emotions—just let those run wild, until before you knew it, you’d have to have drug sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.
Within a decade I’d have prisons overflowing, I’d have judges promoting pornography—soon I could evict God from the courthouse, and then the schoolhouse, and then from the houses of Congress. And in His own churches I would substitute psychology for religion, and deify science. I would lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls, and church money. If I were the devil I’d make the symbols of Easter an egg and the symbol of Christmas a bottle.
If I were the devil I’d take from those, and who have, and give to those wanted until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. What do you bet I could get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get rich? I would question against extremes and hard work, and Patriotism, and moral conduct. I would convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned, that swinging more fun, that what you see on the TV is the way to be. And thus I could undress you in public, and I could lure you into bed with diseases for which there is no cure. In other words, if I were to devil I’d keep on doing on what he’s doing.
Paul Harvey, good day.”
On July 6 2001 when I responded to a domestic dispute… a man with a “gun” at a local convenience store. I was to be first on scene.
I heard Chief Gurr arrive on scene, as I pulled up, I heard gunfire. It was over as I exited; the Chief was dead. He had taken my place.
I took the gift God had given me for granted and crumpled it away like a piece of used paper to be tossed into the garbage. I thought salvation could be tailored to suit my lifestyle… I thought I could live as I wanted. I realized I was wrong… on 1 January 2005 I was involved in a one vehicle accident.
If I had died on this day, I would be in Hell.
Since then I have picked up my Bible and not looked back.
I was led to Christ through my beautiful wife and my oldest son.
I thank God for His patience and for His forgiveness.
I am especially thankful for these simple words, “…I have finished the work which though gavest me to do” (John 17:4).
The greatest note of triumph that ever sounded in the ears of this universe was sounded on
Anything that belittles the holiness of God by a false view of the love of God is untrue to the revelation of God given by Jesus Christ. We must never allow the thought that Jesus Christ stands with us against God out of pity or compassion. Neither should we preach on forgiveness or that our Father loves us and will forgives us because He loves us. This would make the Cross unnecessary and the Redemption “much ado about nothing”. If God does forgive sin it is because of the Death of Christ. God could forgive men in no other way than by the death of His Son…Jesus. Jesus is exalted to be Savior because of His death. Christ has given himself, God has given himself…these simple words are quite possibly the most inspirational, the most desirable, and definitely the sweetest melody we can imagine…”it is finished”
