Jesus is LOL

Think about it, Jesus is LOL

So you read the title to this article, and you wonder what “lol” means. This is probably a good time to ask your children or grandchildren, for any of them could tell you.  Internet messaging, particularly text messaging, has given birth to a new language of abbreviations. BFF is used to describe one who is your “best friend forever.” SMH is “shaking my head.” JK is “just kidding.” PLOS is “parent looking over my shoulder.” One site lists 1,378 such abbreviations.

So, what does “lol” mean, and how can that have any application to the Lord? Sometimes, when one reads what another has written and seen the humor in it, he texts “lol” indicating that he is “laughing out loud.”

Does the Bible ever say anything about God laughing?  The answer is yes, particularly in the psalms. The second psalm is Messianic and several verses in that psalm are referenced in the New Testament and applied to Jesus. In the psalm, there is a description of the nations raging against God. The kings of the earth are seen as calling an assembly to break the cords with which God has bound them. There is something about power which corrupts men and governments. When little men attain positions of authority they seek to overthrow any restraints God has placed on them.  The Jews in Isaiah’s day were condemned for this.  “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light and light for darkness . . . “ (Isa. 5:20). We also live in a land that seems to think that it can, by legislation, change immorality into “morality” and then all is well. How does the Lord respond to such? Look at Psalm 2 again. “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision.”  Jesus is lol at them!

Then, the psalmist describes those who were mocking the saints. Psalm 37:12-15 describes how they plotted against the just. They had drawn the sword to cast down the poor, the needy and those who are of upright conduct. How does the Lord respond to such? “The Lord laughs at him, For He sees that his day is coming.” Jesus is lol at them!

Then, there is the response the Lord gives for His people.  Psalm 52:4-6 sees the wicked as their evil words seek to defile the saints. They are telling lies about His children. The affirmation is then made that God would destroy such wicked me forever. They were to be uprooted from the land of the living. How should His children respond to such abuse by the wicked?  “The righteous also shall see and fear, And shall laugh at him, saying, ’Here is the man who did not make God his strength . . .” So, instead of being filled with rage about all that is evil, just remember that Jesus is lol. So you can lol, too. For sure you can smile!

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Will Christianity Survive?

WILL TRUE CHRISTIANITY SURVIVE ON EARTH?

As we consider the direction of humankind toward secularism, hedonism, and continued war among nations plus division between races we may be quick to say: “no”! Yet; the majority of the world’s population is less-interested in true religion as any other people since time began. {i.e. the religion that Jesus Christ initiated when He arose from the grave according to the teaching found in the Bible}.

In recent months I have noticed a number of articles and short dissertations that openly suggest that the survival of the religion of Jesus Christ will disappear from the earth soon. These same authors also suggest that Jesus Christ is coming back to earth soon because man has so deeply corrupted himself and all religious institutions.

These serious questions and doubts that are appearing in printed and electronic media are contributing to despair and confusion in the minds of many people. The insistence of disastrous conclusions predicted by many of the authors about the false and evil actions of men and religious institutions are influencing many good people in their personal conclusions toward true religion {i.e. the religion of Jesus Christ – cf. see Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 2:1-47 in the New Testament. From these readings in the Bible {i.e. see the KJV for accurate translation of these verses}. These predictors of the death of true religion have not considered the “true predictions” found in God’s Book that specify man’s inability to destroy God’s Word or God’s plans for humankind. Please note the following Biblical facts …

Matthew 13:25-30 – 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 but when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? From whence then hath it tares? 28 He said unto them, an enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29 but he said, nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. {KJV}

The text explained …  The parable in verses 24-30 above. By a comparison we may learn:

1. the kingdom is likened to a man sowing good seed in his field.

2. the Sower is the Son of man, who sows by means of his kingdom

3. the good seed is the word of God as seen in its fruits, Christ’s followers.

4. The field is the world. It is Christ’s field. All power is given to him in heaven and in earth. His kingdom is rightfully the whole earth, but much of it is held still by the enemy, who has to be conquered. He will prevail finally, and the kingdoms of the earth shall become the kingdom of the Lord and his Christ.

5. The wheat raised from the good seed is the “children of the kingdom,” the Disciples of Christ converted by his word.

6. the tares are not bad church members, but bad men; those who have been under the influence of the wicked one

7. The righteous and wicked are to remain in the earth together. The righteous are not to exterminate the wicked. The evil and the good will be mixed until judgment day. 8. Then all shall be gathered at the throne of judgment. The righteous shall “inherit the kingdom.” All that are wicked shall be cast out of the kingdom. An eternal separation shall take place. —People’s New Testament.

Yes; true Christianity {i.e. that which Jesus Christ established approximately CE 33} will remain on the earth as long as honest and sincere men and women seek heaven for their eternal home –

cf. 1 Corinthians 15:19-28 – 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end , when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him; it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Indeed; the Devil will continue to corrupt mankind as long as the world exists; but the Devil’s end is predicted just as the second coming of Jesus Christ is promised to the faithful of every age of earth’s existence –

Revelation 20:10-15 – 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. {KJV}

GOD IS ETERNAL:

Since God is eternal the possibility of some failure to God’s promises and intentions is impossible. It was God who created all things and set all world operations into motion. To suggest that man will destroy the works of Almighty God is shear madness. God will continue from eternity to eternity without beginning or without end. This is mankind’s assurance that whatever God has revealed to mankind via His Book {i.e. the Bible – Jeremiah 10:23 – O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. {KJV}; that is exactly what will happen.

Genesis 21:33 – And Abraham planted a grove in Beer-sheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God. {KJV}

Psalms 100:5 – For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. {KJV}

John 12:44-50 – 44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. 45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. 46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He that rejecteth me, and receives not my words, hath one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49 for I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. {KJV}

THE KINGDOM OF GOD {i.e. the church} IS ETERNAL:

2 Peter 1:10-12 – 10 wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. {KJV}

DO NOT BE DECEIVED:

Romans 16:16-18 – 16 Salute one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. 17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 for they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (KJV)

Consider this …

Therefore; since these things divinely revealed are true; man may confidently place his/her hope for the continued future of religion on the earth. I suggest that the projectors of the death of religion will be surprised come resurrection day when the following will occur …

2 Peter 3:10-14 – 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

BECOME A CHRISTIAN BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE …

1 Peter 4:17-18 – 17 for the time (is come) for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if (it begin) first at us, what (shall be) the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?

2 Corinthians 5:10-11 – 10 For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things (done) in the body, according to what he hath done, whether (it be) good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. {ASV}

Romans 14:8-12 – 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; or whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived (again), that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 but thou, why dost thou judge thy brother? Or thou again, why dost thou set at naught thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of God. 11 for it is written, as I live, saith the Lord, to me every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God. {ASV}

IT IS AN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION TO FAIL TO BECOME …       A Christian and live a faithful life in God’s service. Far too many people are missing the great privilege of being a part of the Lord’s Family on earth!

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Sorrow

“Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4

With these words, Jesus continued His great “Sermon on the Mount” With them He builds upon the first Beatitude, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) The one who is poor in spirit recognizes his dependence upon God and knows that if it were not for the mercy and grace of God he would be without hope. One who posses this attitude, will then find himself in a state of sorrow over the hopelessness of his sinful situation. Like Paul, he will sorrowfully cry out, ”O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24)

When we understand the terrible consequences of sin in our lives we should be moved to sorrow – this is a sign of an honest and good heart. Why? Because godly sorrow leads to repentance. In the First Corinthian Epistle, Paul sharply rebuked the brethren there for tolerating sin in their midst. This rebuke was well received and effected great change in the church at Corinth because in the Second Corinthian Epistle, we find that the brethren had repented out of sorrow for their sin. “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.” (2 Corinthians 7:9)

Paul then goes on to draw a distinction between their godly sorrow which led to true repentance and worldly sorrow. “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10) Godly sorrow leads to repentance and then repentance leads to salvation. Worldly sorrow, which is not sorrow over sin, but rather sorrow over getting caught. When worldly people get into trouble and are punished and the punishment escalates to a level they can no longer deal with, then they will change – they will stop the behavior. However, this is not godly sorrow – this is worldly sorrow. Thousands of inmates in our prison system are sorry for their crime – sorry they got caught. Most are not sorry they committed the crime and because their sorrow is strictly of a wordly nature, they often go right back into crime after they are released.

As 2 Corinthians 7:10 implies, this kind of worldly sorrow leads to “salvation” that is “repented of”. In other words, they fall from their false sense of salvation and become lost in sin once more, because they never truly repented. Repentance is a change of mind toward or about sin, which in turn leads to a change of action. The kind of repentance that merely says, “Oops, I got caught and now I’m sorry” is unable save anyone.

If one is truly poor in spirit and mourns over sin and his own inability to overcome sin, then he will be moved unto repentance and will inherit the kingdom of God and in it, be comforted.

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Giving Versus Taking

Heart of the Matter: Giving Versus Taking

Having looked into the tearful eyes of parents whose children have abandoned the Faith, I have learned there are a million miles between our children “going through the motions” in reference to their spiritual lives versus our children possessing hearts that dictate their actions. In this column, I plan to share with you what I hope to instill in the hearts of my own children and those whom I love.

It’s no secret that we live in a materialistic society. The mainstream media constantly bombards us with advertisements of products that we “need.” My generation has perfected the art of “keeping up with the Jones.” In fact, most individuals my age wanted to start their marriages with the same material possessions that it took our parents thirty years to amass. And so we purchased it all—on credit. We are a generation of consumers and takers. Sadly, this selfishness is now being passed on to future generations, as children want more and more. Holidays such as Christmas are no longer about family and memories, but rather they revolve around commercialism and “things.”

Here’s what I intend on teaching my children about giving versus taking.

Every Christmas morning since you were born your mother and I have set up a video camera to record the events of the morning. It’s one of the ways we have recorded you growing up through the years, as you went from crawling over presents and playing with empty boxes, to running into the room trying to guess exactly what was in each box. One of our joys as parents has been watching you tear open the wrapping paper and seeing your eyes light up as you see what was contained in the package.

Having been reared in the United States, you are extremely blessed. You have never experienced poverty or not had something you need. In fact, most of the time you get things you want. But your mother and I worry about what we are teaching you regarding giving versus taking. One of my greatest hopes is that during your lifetime you will learn the joy of giving. Undoubtedly, you will grow up around individuals who surround themselves with “things.” But remember things won’t buy happiness. Remember that those “things” can never fill the void in your life as He can. And never forget ultimately Who owns everything.

There are literally thousands of individuals who have abandoned the Faith in favor of material possessions. These people are selfish takers. They never learned the art of giving. In the book of Acts, Paul reminded the people the words Jesus Christ had shared, saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Never forget this admonition from the Son of God. I pray that as you grow older you will constantly be on the lookout for ways to give to others. The feeling you get inside is like none other. Practice random acts of kindness. Never forget– people are much more valuable than things.

When your mom and I were in Russia, we had the opportunity to visit the “flat” (apartment) of one of the local Christians. They lived a beautiful life, but it was obvious they did not own near the material possessions we did. They worked hard just to get by. During our visit, we complimented a picture she had hanging on the wall, and she literally went over and took it off the wall and gave it to us. We tried desperately to tell her no, but she insisted. In the years since, I have forgotten her name but we still have the picture. Her act of kindness has remained in my memory for years. She truly was a giver.

As you mature, you will meet people who place an inordinate amount of attention on material possessions. Their identity is shaped not by who they really are, but rather by what they own. Many people spend years climbing the corporate ladder so that they can buy more “things.” These individuals remind us of the Rich Young Ruler who asked Jesus what he needed to do to have eternal life. “Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come and follow me’” (Matthew 19:21). Rather than him ruling his possessions, his possessions ruled him. The Bible tells us he went away sorrowful because he had many possessions. Be thankful for what God has blessed you with, but never let your material possessions separate you from Jehovah God. Look for ways to share your possessions. Be a giver, not a taker!

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The Centrality of the Resurrection

Among all of the events recorded in the Bible, the miracles of the Bible stand out conspicuously; among all of the miracles of the Bible, the resurrection of Jesus is the most conspicuous.  There are other resurrections in the Bible, but none recorded with as much detail and precision as the resurrection of Jesus.  It is an event alluded to in the prophets (Psalm 16:10).  Jesus predicted it specifically (Matthew 12:40, 17:23, Luke 24:7).  The New Testament writers recorded its facts in their accounts of the gospel, and the apostles made it their central theme in their preaching and teaching.  The resurrection of Jesus stands as the single most documented event in ancient history, more so than Caesar’s crossing of the Rubicon, Alexander’s conquering of Persia, or Homer’s account of the Trojan War.  It is the central event of history.  Even the atheist and skeptic feel compelled to weigh in by challenging its historicity.

That the resurrection of Jesus is a significant event historically is one matter, but it is also an event that holds central significance for the human race.  God took human form, lived a mortal existence in poverty, and was crucified and died as a criminal; only as magnificent a work as the resurrection could prove such an outlandish story.  So unparalleled in human history is the notion that one could raise himself from the dead, that Isaiah may have had veiled reference to the resurrection when he calls it the Lord’s “strange act” (Isaiah 28:21).  Only such a resurrection could prove such a seemingly preposterous claim; only an event of such magnitude would be worthy of pointing humanity to their true God.

The apostles made preaching the resurrection their central message.  Peter’s first recorded sermon in Acts 2 highlights the testimony of the Old Testament prophets and juxtaposes it with the eye witness testimony of the apostles themselves, because Peter, as well as the other eleven, saw Jesus with their own eyes after He had been raised from the dead (Acts 2:32).  Acts 4:2 says that the apostles “proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.”  Acts 4:33 states, “And with great power gave the apostles their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.”  Acts 5:30, 10:40, 13:30-37, also speak to the apostles’ ubiquity in mentioning the subject.  Perhaps the most notable passage of all is found in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 where the apostle Paul says:

For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures;  and that he appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve;  then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some are fallen asleep; then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to the child untimely born, he appeared to me also.

They carried this teaching everywhere they went.  It was the central evidence to the truthfulness of their message, that Jesus was the Son of God, Immanuel, God with us.

The message of the resurrection is also central to Christian conversion.  Both Romans 6:1-11 and Colossians 2:11-13 show that Christian baptism is a portrayal of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.  The old man of sin dies and is buried in that watery grave; from that same grave rises a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17).  The imitation of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is so central to conversion that Peter pronounces remission of sins upon those who submit to it (Acts 2:38), and Ananias tells Paul to do it to “wash away thy sins” (Acts 22:16).  Indeed, one cannot be truly converted to Christ without being baptized in the likeness of his death, burial, and resurrection.

Finally, the message of the resurrection is central to Christian living.  Colossians 3:1-17 makes this abundantly clear.  Because the Christian has been raised with Christ, he is to seek spiritual things and put to death carnal things.  He is to be concerned about developing: love, mercy, humility, meekness, forgiveness, and longsuffering.  He must put away the lusts of the flesh: fornication, covetousness, anger, malice, blasphemy, and filthy speech.  By being baptized, he has committed to a fundamental transformation of life, just as Jesus’ dead body was transformed after His resurrection.  The doctrines of Christian living are part and parcel to the New Testament’s teaching on the resurrection.

The resurrection is a subject on which we must teach often, long, and without apology.  It is central to the truths contained in the New Testament.  One simply cannot be a New Testament Christian and deny the resurrection of Christ.  May we ever live to proclaim His resurrection both from the pulpit, and in our public and personal lives, as we daily live for Him.

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