The World Is Not Our Home! by Gene McGuire February 21-28, 2010

“Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us; we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” (2 Cor. 5:20)

COMMENT: This world is not our home; we are ambassadors of Christ. Our situation is similar to the condition we had when the Soviet Union was intact. Although we were enemies, each country exchanged emissaries. Suppose the American ambassadors because so enthralled with socialism and autocratic rule that they embraced that philosophy rather than democracy. That can be likened to Children of God who live in this world when they adopt or continue in the sinful ways of this world. This planet is just our temporary home; you might say it’s a “stop over”. Our home is in Heaven. We represent Jesus and those in the world should see the Jesus in us and want to emulate us and receive Him as Lord and Savior also.

SCRIPTURE STUDY: Matthew 5:13 -16

WISE SAYING: I’D RATHER SEE A SERMON THAN TO HEAR ONE ANY DAY. I’D RATHER ONE WOULD WALK WITH ME, THAN MERELY SHOW THE WAY.

No Rituals Necessary! by Gene McGuire February 20-27, 2010

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3)

COMMENT: “Computers for Dummies” is one of a host of books written in simple terms for people who are “technologically challenged”. Well, I fall into that category, but I prefer the term “novice”. One of the problems I have is sending an e-mail to someone who is not in my address book. I have to make sure that every single character in the address is correct; otherwise it will not be delivered. If I make the slightest mistake in searching for a website, I am rebuked.

In cyberspace one has to be perfect in order to communicate.

I thank God that He is not that way. We don’t have to go through any particular ritual to get the Father’s ear. It is not necessary to bow our heads, close our eyes, bend our knees, or lay prostrate. Of course, if you feel prompted to practice any of these gestures you can, but they are not prerequisites. When Peter began to sink in his attempt to walk on water, he didn’t have time for rigmarole. He cried out to Jesus and the response was immediate.(Matthew 14:30,31) However, we are given some instructions regarding prayer and it’s in John 14:13,14. “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

SCRIPTURE STUDY: Isaiah 65:24, Mathew 7:7,8, John 15:7 and Hebrews 4:16

WISE SAYING: GOD IS AS NEAR AS A WHISPERED PRAYER. (Linda Grayson)

Elvis Presley Secret! by Gene McGuire February 9-16, 2010

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn away from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

COMMENT: A free-standing ATM machine has recently been removed from a location near my residence for fear of its being carted away. At the Office Depot, they no longer rely on the customer to tell the clerk how many copies they have made. One must insert a credit card before you can make copies. 17 years ago when I visited inmates, I could take them their favorite “”fast food” delight. That practice was stopped because some people were hiding drugs in the food. Today I am 73 years old and I probably have seen more moral decay in our Country than most of you.

For instance, when Elvis Presley made his first National TV appearance, the camera man was instructed not to show any part of him below his waist; they did not want the viewers to see “The king” gyrating his hips. The lyrics of a popular song of the day were banned on a show called “Your Hit Parade” because of these vulgar words: “When we are dancing and you’re dangerously near me, I get ideas.” Folks, that’s as bad as it gets! Contrast those examples with what is going on in the entertainment industry today. Sex scenes on television are beginning to expose more and more even during the so-called “family hour”. Fox has the audacity to show x-rated cartoons; you’ve got to know that youngsters are  being drawn to them. Why not? cartoons are for kids, aren’t they? Pornography is more than abundant on the Internet and hip-hop rappers glorify sex and crime. I don’t have the gift of prophesy, but Biblical history is very clear that God’s judgment falls upon nations that turn away from Him. Our Heavenly Father is patient, full of mercy and grace, but there will come a time when He’ll say, “Enough is enough!”

WISE SAYING AMERICA IS GREAT BECAUSE IT IS GOOD. AMERICA WILL NO LONGER BE GREAT IF IT IS NOT GOOD.

Prayer: Dear Father, I pray for a revival in my Country; and may that revival start with me; in Jesus’ name. Amen

*** Our new slogan was pilfered from a song called “I’ll Walk the Line” by Johnny Cash, recorded in 1956.

Aiming at Nothing? by Gene McGuire February 8-15, 2010

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

COMMENT: In our Christian life there are definite goals for us to obtain and they are very important. Too many people just drift in life. If you aim at nothing, you most surely will hit it.

There are two kinds of goals: (1) External accomplishments (what we do for God) and (2) Internal development (what we become in God).

We often become too involved in external accomplishments and neglect internal development. The result of this is tension and disharmony. Our character negates our activity. 1 Cor.13:1-3 clearly demonstrates the fact that when we have not cultivated God’s love in our lives, our works mean nothing. Even if you speak in tongues, have the gift of prophecy, give to the poor, or give your body to be burned, it means nothing because those acts were not motivated by love. We are created in Christ Jesus to do good works (Ephesians 2:10); however, those external accomplishments should go hand-in-glove with internal development, being conformed to the image of our Father’s Son, Jesus Christ. (Roman 8:29) That transformation comes by the renewing of our minds with the Word of God. (Romans 12:2)

SCRIPTURE STUDY: 1 Corinthians 13

WISE SAYING: WHEN WE MEDITATE IN THE WORD OF GOD, IT BECOMES ESTABLISHED IN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS; IT MOLDS OUR CHARACTER AND GUIDES OUR FOOTSTEPS.