Experiencing The Resurrection With Friends 3/7/2018

Good Morning,

Now for sure that pot of Door County Red Velvet Mocha Coffee is going to warm me up and kick start my taste buds with a java delight.

Last night I was about my usual routine and went to the Men's Bible Study at church. We finished a study which has lasted a few months titled Experiencing The Resurrection. In the conclusion we studied and were reminded that a person must choose Jesus to gain a place in heaven or one denies Him and basically chooses hell as their eternal destination. The final chapter was very sobering and I highly recommend it as a good read.

Here is what I came away with for the night. After our Bible study the men as usual shared prayer requests and the prayer time was very good. We had dined on the Word of God and it was like prayer was our dessert. Before the study and after the prayer time there was some "guy banter" going on. It was like a bunch of brothers meeting and enjoying the company of each other. It felt good to be there. The conclusion I came to was that we came to meet with God and we did. We came to lift each other up and we did. We came for some talk and laughs and we did. Everyone in the room has family and the family knows that these guys meet on Tuesday, everyone comes home sober, they are better for having been there and no one condemns the friends we hang out with. We are in a safe place with good men. The Bible has something to say about hanging out with good friends. I have copied some verses for you to contemplate when making plans with friends.

1. Proverbs 12:26 The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
2. Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
3. Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.
4. Proverbs 17:17 A friend is always loyal  and a brother is born to help in time of need.
5. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two people are better than one because together they have a good reward for their hard work. If one falls, the other can help his friend get up. But how tragic it is for the one who is all alone when he falls. There is no one to help him get up.
6. Proverbs 18:24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
 
Good friends give wise counsel.
7. Proverbs 11:14 Without wise leadership, a nation is in trouble; but with good counselors there is safety.
8. Proverbs 27:9 Ointments and perfume encourage the heart; in a similar way, a friend’s advice is sweet to the soul.
9. Proverbs 24:6 For through wise counsel you will wage your war, and victory lies in an abundance of advisors.

Good friends tell you what you need to hear rather than trying to flatter you.
10. Proverbs 28:23 Whoever rebukes a man will later on find more favor than someone who flatters with his words.
11. Proverbs 27:5 Open criticism is better than hidden love.
12. Proverbs 27:6 You can trust what your friend says, even when it hurts. But your enemies want to hurt you, even when they act nice.
13. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

If your spouse is hanging around with good men or women, seeking the Lord, encourage  them to keep up the habit. It makes for a secure home in the Lord.

Marty

Near To The Heart Of God 3/6/2018

Good Morning,

Door County Mocha Mint Coffee graced my cup and then my taste buds early this morning on this snowy March day.

Snow storms in March, not all that uncommon where we live but I did see a little lightening last night which made the storm that much more interesting. Snow blowers in March!!

I often hear people say that their wish or goal is to be closer to the heart of God. I have had people ask me this question. "How do I draw nearer to the heart of God"?  The answer is fairly simple you must desire to do so and make God the Delight of your heart.

James 4:8 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

God will draw nearer to us as we draw nearer to Him. But how does a believer draw closer to God? There is really only one answer. God delights in our obedience in what He has asked us to do.

John 15:14 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command. 

Exodus 19:5 New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,

 

I have had God seem very distant from me and when a truly surveyed the "God drought" I found that I had neglected to do something that God asked me to do. I was the rebellious child that the Father stopped talking to. I needed to go back and complete what God asked me to do if I still could or I needed to get on my knees and beg for forgiveness. Then and only then did I feel like I was moving closer to God. We hold the key to God's heart. It is in our obedience to Him.

 

Think this through and see if it applies to you. Pass it on.

 

Marty

Sitting In The Emergency Department 3/5/2018

Good Morning,

Monday came and I am still wondering where the weekend went. It just seemed to blow through very fast, and it didn't stop at this house very long.
I just poured a big mug of Door County Cherry Crème Coffee and packed my lunch. Now it is time to write.

Yesterday I found myself checking into the Emergency Department at the hospital. I had twisted my foot and it was swollen and very sore. The wise thing to do was to get it checked out and make sure that it wasn't broken. I am happy to say that it was diagnosed as a bad sprain and Ibuprofen and ice should suffice as treatment. The service I received at the hospital was very good and the emergency department was more than busy. I saw many people from many walks of life in the waiting room. We all had one thing in common, we needed some medical attention, some needed more than others.

Friends, that is how a church should be. Every church should be like an emergency room for those needing some help. Some will need more than others and they will need different types of attention. As the hospital flexed as was able to meet our different needs, churches should do the same.

The church is a direct extension of the love of Jesus. He is the Great Physician, we all need Him. But then he leaves the discipleship of individuals up to the church. Not every program fits each individual need and we need to flex at times to try and meet the need of an individual. Not change our beliefs, but flex our style.

1 Corinthians 9:19: “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.”

What did Paul mean that he became all things to all men for evangelism?
He adapted his teaching to their thought in their culture to reach them. He divides the world into the religious with the law, (Jews) and the Gentiles, without the law.

1 Corinthians 9:20 Not being myself under the law (. He was emancipated from the law as a means of salvation, yet he knew how to speak to them because of his former beliefs and life with them (Galatians 4:21). He knew how to put the gospel to them without compromise and without offence (from Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament.)
An example of this is recorded in Acts 17. He showed the philosophers they were wrong from logic, their own history and the Bible and explained to them what is right.

In 1 Corinthians 9:22 Paul said by inspiration of the Holy Spirit: “To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”
If this is isolated from the rest of Scripture one can assume that Paul was willing to do anything to reach the lost, including adopting their lifestyle and compromise his ethics, moral and beliefs. This is a doctrine that is popularized among the seeker friendly evangelism crowd today. If we use this logic then one cannot reach a drug addict unless they become one, one cannot reach a drunk unless they drink alcohol. This is far, far from the truth

When we compare Scripture with Scripture, we find that Paul did not mean this. Paul taught that believers are to “abstain from any appearance of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22). Paul would not have done anything contrary to Christ and his ways in his own life and ministry.

Let's do our best to help everyone without contradicting our beliefs.

Marty

When You Feel Lonely 3/4/2018

Good Morning,

A hot cup of Door County Red Velvet Mocha Coffee awaits me downstairs after I am finished writing. It can wait for me and I will put my thoughts on paper once more.

Loneliness can be called a "curable disease" but unless it is put in check can be terminal. You see everyone holds the key to curing loneliness for someone else or for themselves. Loneliness does not have to be terminal for anyone.

The first and most important step toward a cure is having a relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ His Son. God is available 24/7 and can be counted on to listen and speak back through His Word.

Psalm 139:1-12

O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
² You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
³ You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
⁴ Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
⁵ You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is high; I cannot attain it.⁷ Where shall I go from your Spirit?
    Or where shall I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
    If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
⁹ If I take the wings of the morning
    and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand shall lead me,
    and your right hand shall hold me.
¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
    and the light about me be night,”
¹² even the darkness is not dark to you;
    the night is bright as the day,
    for darkness is as light with you.

God knows exactly where we are at all times and desires to hear from us. And He promises to answer.

Jeremiah 33:3 New International Version (NIV)

³ ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

 

The next step is to admit that you are as lonely as you choose to be. This is part of the cure. You need to reach out to others being friendly and not to seek a cure from them but to cure yourself. Being friendly and doing kind things for others put's you in a place of personal interaction with people or animals. I know of a lady who feeds the birds outside of her house and everyday sits with them for awhile and she gives them names. She looks forward each day to the visits from her feathered friends.

 

Join a club, or a church group who meets weekly or monthly. If your a shut in and cannot visit. write notes to others and encourage them. Reach out to others for their own good and it will come back to you in return.

 

 1 Samuel 12:22 New International Version (NIV)

²² For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own.

You Are Never Alone!

God bless,

 

Marty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

..

Saved From Sin. How? 3/3/2018

Good Morning..

Happy Saturday and may God's blessings find you today. I started my day with a hot mug of Door County Turtles In A Cup Coffee.

Salvation, Born Again. Saved. Redeemed. All words related to being forgiven of our sins through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ the Son of God. Eternal life in heaven, but how does a person get saved, or born again? How does one get to heaven?

Good question. There is only one answer. The answer comes directly from God's Word, the Bible.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

I wanted to speak plainly. Man is not saved by works, sacraments, or sacrifices. How do I know this. God clearly explains it in the Bible.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast.

Jesus said. John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

So that is the way. Now the choice is up to you. Eternal life in Heaven or eternity in Hell.

What is your choice today?

God bless,

Marty

Take Me Out To The Ball Game 3/2/2018

Good Morning,

Friday came and Saturday is staring at me hoping that I will make some time to spend with it tomorrow. I needed a kick start to the day so I made a pot of Door County Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend Coffee. That first cup is always the best.

Last night while I was driving home from work I was able to listen to our local baseball team play a game during "Spring Training". My truck radio treated me to a couple of laughs from Bob Uecker, one of the greatest announcers in baseball history. I enjoy baseball games in person and really like a little stadium food. Rene and I will treat ourselves to a couple of games this year. We like going with just the two of us and don't mind going in large groups either. We enjoy tailgating and the smell of sausages cooking on charcoal fired grills.

I for one though like to only listen to the radio announcer. When at home and there is a game being played I tune in the radio and listen to the game in the garage or at my desk while I am working. I have been spoiled by Mr. Uecker and his delivery style. I am sure the television guys do an excellent job, but until he retires there is only one voice I want to hear broadcast our baseball games.

Now in the world there are many voices trying to get our attention all the time. It would be best for us to listen to the voice of God instead of the others vying for our attention. We can do this if we allow ourselves to only want to hear from God. We have to focus and make His Word our desire. Nothing else should or can satisfy our soul like the Word of God. In baseball I have two choices, the television or the radio. I have to make an effort to hear from the radio announcer, which means tuning in the radio and if I want to combine it with a picture I need to mute the television. Effort!

Hebrews 3:15 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵ As has just been said:

“Today, if you hear his voice,
    do not harden your hearts
    as you did in the rebellion.”

 

We can do the same with God. We need to desire to hear from Him. We then need to be dedicated to His voice/His Word. We need to make spending time with God a good habit. Once we do that, we are advancing our relationship with Him like a base runner headed for home plate.

Think about it. Hitting any Spiritual homeruns lately?

Marty

In The Sweet By and By 3/1/2018

Good Morning,

I can't wait to get to a hot cup of Door County Turtles In A Cup Coffee and warm up. The house has a bit of a chill in it this morning.

 When I go to work in the morning, return home or work in our garage after dinner I listen to the radio. For the last six or seven days I at least once or twice during my travels or work will hear the radio station play the Old Hymn "In The Sweet By and By". I have always liked that hymn and as I get older it means more and more to more to me.

 

1. There’s a land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see it afar;
For the Father waits over the way
                         To prepare us a dwelling place there.                      

Refrain:
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;       
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

 

2. We shall sing on that beautiful shore
The melodious songs of the blessed;
And our spirits shall sorrow no more,
Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.

 

3. To our bountiful Father above,
We will offer our tribute of praise
For the glorious gift of His love
And the blessings that hallow our days

I spend a lot of time on the rivers in the fall while duck hunting and as I get older I look forward to a great reunion I will experience in heaven some day, with loved ones that have gone on before me. My faith in Jesus Christ and His promise of heaven carries me through each day. Now I have a whole lot to live for and will only go when God calls me home. But it is so assuring to know that something even better than this beautiful life I have been given, awaits me some day.

 

Revelation 21:4 New International Version (NIV)

⁴ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’^[a] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

 

I hope this helped to paint a picture that puts your minds at ease today. This is not our permanent home. We are just passing through.

 

Marty