Acts 4:12

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there
is none other name under heaven given among
men, whereby we must be saved."

Exclusivity. That is what separates Christianity from all other faiths. The exclusive right to be the true way to God. Many others claim to be "a" way to God, but Christianity claims to be "the" way. Jesus said in John's gospel 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the father but by me." That pretty much sealed the deal for which is the true way to God. No wait a minute you might say. Isn't that to narrow minded for the modern times we live in? Yes, it is narrow. Jesus said in Matthew's gospel 7:14 " Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." So yes it is a narrow way. Why though you may ask? It doesn't seem fair. Well look at it this way. God is the creator of everything. He made it all and controls it all. He knows what is good for you and what is bad. If He made a bunch of different ways that all contradicted each other, what kind of a God would He be? That would be confusion at best. God is not the author of confusion. 1st Corinthians 14:33 " For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." God has made the way straight and narrow so that the choice would, I believe, stand out better, and be easier to spot when searched for. Well that's too narrow for me. I believe in God in my own special way. I have a ritual, or religion that I follow. The basis for that is your own belief based on feelings. God has set it up in such a way that it is clear and concise. If we all went on feelings all the time, we would be in a lot of trouble. As we all know, feelings are fickle. There may be things we don't like or don't want to do, but they are good for us, so we do them. Seeking after God is like that. Our flesh wants something, but our spirit desires to be filled with something else. That something else Christ. So what, do we just become cold crass individuals devoid of feelings? Of course not. Unfortunately there are many Christians like that today. You would swear following God is the most horrible, troubling thing ever and that we can never smile or joke around. To be honest, if that is all I saw, I wouldn't want to be a Christian either. Even now at times there are some people I avoid due to there miserable, downcast way of being. Ok, now that I ruffled enough feathers, are we to be completely out of touch with emotion? No. On the contrary I at times have experienced some of the deepest emotional moments in life with the Lord. Our passion is deeper. Our love should be stronger. All because it is guided by the one who created it and keeps it in check by relationship with the individual. He is the one true God. The name by which we are saved? Jesus. There is some serious power in that name. It commands respect, authority, and reverence. It also has Unconditional Love attached to it. It stirs up controversy and makes people upset. There is power in that name. Guys, it comes down to this. Heaven is there for us. There is a way to it. That way is through Jesus Christ. It's pretty simple actually. God has a way of being very clear. When you give your life to Christ, you then realize how free you truly are. Be blessed this week.

Sincerely Bob

Psalm 94:3

Lord, how long shall the wicked, how
long shall the wicked triumph?

This weeks verse, a question. A question that eats away at most of us at some point in our lives. I know for me, I get pretty bent at times when I think about what is allowed to happen in this world. If we are not careful, it can lead to questioning God and becoming angry at Him as well. We've all heard it. How can a loving God let so much evil happen in this world? How can He not I say? What!!!! It's like this. If God intervened in each and every situation that we deemed bad, what kind of freewill choice do we have then? God allows us to make choices but advises us against certain ones. For instance, murder. Plain and simple, it's bad. Whether you believe in God or not, it's embedded into out souls. It's part of our nature. Also though, the wickedness is in each and everyone of us as well. Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" You see, all of us at heart are wicked. We have the propensity for it or the capacity to perform it. It's the sin nature. All of us can murder, lie, cheat, steal, etc. It's whether or not we choose to. So the question still remains, how long God? Psalm 145:20 " The Lord preserveth all them that love Him: but all the wicked He will destroy." In God's time, those who oppose Him will pay one day. Is it our job to decide who gets payment? No. Should these things upset us? Yes. But ultimately Judgement belongs to Him. We see what's going on around us. The world is spiraling out of control financially, morally, and generally. People are desperate for answers. Is the end coming soon? No one knows. Only God. Our job while here is to point people to the one who can save them. Something I am guilty of not doing very well. Oh and one other thing, wicked people aren't just the criminals we see on the news. It's anyone who does not have a personal relationship with Christ. God's word is clear. You are either for or against. That's some hard words right there, but it is only the truth of the Word being put forth. God is a merciful, loving father, but He is also perfect in judgement. Yes, what I see gets to me but, I look at it and the increase of it, and I get excited. It means that we are closer to His return than before, and one day closer to eternity with Him. Now that's what I'm talking about! Be blessed.

Bob.

John 8:32

"And you shall know the truth, and the
truth shall set you free."

Truth. It is such a fickle thing nowadays. Who can you trust, who's actually telling the truth, etc. This text is pretty straight forward. The truth it is talking about is Jesus Christ. In John's gospel 14:6, Jesus says, " I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me." That is the best commentary on that subject hands down. Jesus himself declares, I am the truth. Not a truth, but THE truth. You see, there can only be one real truth to who God is. There can't be many truths because that would present contradictions about who God is. And if God isn't even sure about who He is, how can we? I saw an interesting sign today on a Unitarian universalist church. Now before I go any further, I do not endorse this church, nor will I ever. They are a mish mosh, hodge podge of beliefs all rolled into one to just satisfy the individual. Real truth is not sought by them. Now to continue, the sign said, " The truth can withstand are questioning." I though about it for a while. From their perspective, it's a way out for them to not truly believe in the one true and living God. On the other hand though, there is a strange truth to the statement. Let me explain. The truth will always be the truth. It won't ever change. Even in the face of our biggest questions, doubts, it always remains the same. It's like this. Someone can believe that 2+2= 67, they can have a heartfelt conviction over it, but at the end of the day it still equals 4. There is no arguing the facts. The same is true about God. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He doesn't change with the times, He doesn't get more modern. He just is. One can choose to doubt His existence, but the facts still remain. He is God and we are not. He is truth. That truth is revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. Now being set free? Once you know the truth (Jesus), freedom is yours for the taking. Have a great week. If your in Christ, enjoy your freedom, don't just endure it. If your not, Jesus has just what you need. Sincerely Bob.