Cafe Sozo Slide Show! (Monday, April 7, 2008)

Ye Shall Not Murder! by Gene McGuire (Sunday, April 6, 2008)

“You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13)

COMMENT: The other day I ran across a news story that seemed unbelievable, but there it was. Well, I’ll give you the bare facts. . . .literally! As you know, there are organizations like the Humane Society of the United States and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals which are quite fanatical about people who kill animal to use their fur for warmth. They make many protests against the use of animals for that purpose. One of the most bizarre protests I have ever heard recently occurred at a fashion show in Paris where protesters, after gaining access to the function, stripped off their clothes and paraded on the runway sporting only posters which read:”I’D RATHER GO NAKED THAN WEAR FUR” (The Washington Post) If I were a wagering man, I’d bet dollars to donuts that the majority of these same people who are so sympatric about the plight of those “poor fury animals” firmly believe in a woman’s right to murder her unborn child. To me, this seems to be such a contradiction in reasoning. . .it is okay to kill a human being, but don’t touch a single hair of a fox, sable or mink. As a Christian, I see things God’s way. When Adam and Eve sinned and became aware of their nakedness, God made them tunics of skin….and where do you think that skin came from? You are very perceptive. . . . YES, FROM ANIMALS!!!! In fact, God had Adam name them in Genesis 2:20. Also,take note of all the animal sacrifices in the Old Testament which were foreshadows of the Lamb of God Who gave His life for the world.

SCRIPTURE STUDY: Psalm 106:37 & 38, Matthew 5:21 and James 4:2

WISE SAYING: WE ARE TO WORSHIP THE CREATOR, NOT THE CREATURES.

Which Group Are You In? by Gene McGuire (Saturday, April 5, 2008)

I [Jesus] am the true vine, and My father is the vine dresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away and every branch that bears fruit He prunes that it may bear more fruit. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. (John 15:1,2,6)

COMMENT: As I see it, there are three categories of people who approach Jesus. Firstly, we have those who diligently seek the Lord to follow Him and the evidence of their conversion is a changed life; they bear much fruit. The second group are those who are sincere about their salvation, but they are ‘half-stepping” with one foot in the world and the other appendage in God’s Kingdom. The Bible calls them carnal Christians. (1 Cor. 3:3) They will be saved, but as if through fire (1 Cor. 3:15) and they also will not avail themselves of the abundant life right here on earth that is available to those who follow closely after the Lord. (John 10:10) Finally, we have people who confess the Lordship of Jesus with their mouths but their hearts are not in it. They’re only interested in some “fire insurance” just in case this “Hell thing” is real. You may see them at church every Sunday looking pious and spiritual, but in their everyday lifestyle, NOTHING HAS CHANGED. I believe that this latter group will be the ones who will be taken away and thrown into the fire. Periodically, we all might want to reexamine ourselves to make sure of our standing.

SCRIPTURE STUDY: Matthew 7:22,23 and Matthew 25:31-41

WISE NEGRO SPIRITUAL: EVERYBODY TALKIN’ ‘BOUT HEAVEN AIN’T GOIN’ THERE. . .HEAVEN.

Forms of Adultery by Gene McGuire (Friday, April 4, 2008)

“You have heard that it was said to those of old ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:27,28)

COMMENT: When Jimmy Carter became President in 1976, he made a statement I found to be weird and extremely funny; he talked about sinning by lusting after women. I had a big laugh at his expense and I’m sure I had plenty company. After becoming a Christian, I was dumbfounded to find out that there was scripture to back up his statement. We can sin with our thoughts. At first I didn’t think that it was fair, it seemed to me that only overt actions should qualify as sins. However, since then the Lord has opened my eyes wider. Our mind is where all the action is; it’s the spiritual battleground. If the devil can get us to continually concentrate on some particular sin, it won’t be long before that sinful seed that has been planted will make its grand appearance in the natural. I believe that this is the reason God wants us to be immediately alert to sinful thoughts, repent of them and ask for forgiveness.
Philippians 4:8 gives us some great advice: “. . . . .whatever things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely and are of good report, if there is any virtue and if anything is praiseworthy–meditate on these things.”

SCRIPTURE STUDY: Proverbs 6:25, 2 Cor.10:5 and 1 John 3:15

WISE SAYING: GIVE THE DEVIL AN INCH AND HE’LL BE A RULER.

The Best Is Yet To Come (Music Video) (Thursday, April 3, 2008)