Interview from Hell: Today's guest - Jimi Hendrix

This is your moderator doing an exclusive interview from Hell (Sheol for you Jehovah Witessesses out there). My guest speaker today is the all-time great guitarist, the one and only Jimi Hendrix! Jimi, I'm so glad to be here with you today and want to thank you for the opportunity to ask you questions most of the world would really like answered.  (My note: My feeble attempt to use colloquial black grammar isn't meant to be derogatory, but only to make the interview more realistic. If it offends that is not my intent).

For you folks out there who're wondering, I'm in an environmentally controlled booth which was lowered miles beneath the earth's surface. Although it's hotter than fire outside this specially insulated titanium ceramic layered booth, I'm at a "comfortable" 105 degrees inside.

We're here to find out if Jimi Hendrix was really demon possessed, if his music was from the netherworld and what hell is like. Jimi... your girlfriend had this to say about you and your director made a similar statement:

From UK Yahoo Answers.com (Michaele Davis) One of his girlfreinds had this to say:

"He used to always talk about some devil, or something that was in him, and he didn't have any control over it. He didn't know what made him act the way he acted and what made him say the things he said and the songs and different things that just came out of him. He'd say "I don't know what has come over me. I can't understand it". You know he used to just grab his hair or something or pull his hair or stand in the mirror or cry or something. Oh lord, it was so sad when he would cry. He was maybe the first man, or maybe the only man that I've ever seen cry, you know but it just killed me when he cried. It seems like to me that he was tormented and just torn apart and like he was obsessed with something really evil. And he said, "You know like you're from Georgia," you know he said, "I should know how, you know, people drive demons out". He actually thought about, you know, if we ever go, because I used to talk about my grandmother and all her weird stuff, you know, and he used to talk about us going down there and having some root lady or somebody see if she could drive this demon out of him"

Bill: What say you?

"Well, Bill, there's not much that I can say. I'm here aint I? Sorta speaks fer itself. I have many bro's down here. It's crowded, worse than the projects. My guitar be all burn up. I sorta just hum the tunes. Ya know. The one Big Daddy down here really likes. Same ones I strummed in da worl'."

"First off Jimi, how hot is it down there?"

Jimmy: "Read da book, Bill. It's hotter than hell! 'Scuse the bad rap, but Big Daddy likes to get free ads. He's a 'ceitful dude, but he be proud and man he do ha' the power! We hafta begg'm for a drank, but he jes' laffs."

Bill: I guess this is the scripture to which you're referring:

Daniel 3:19: "Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated."

Bill: "That's not hell, Jimi. That's the firey furnace."

Jimi: "Bill, I be in hell, I feel da heat in hell and all my thoughts dey are all on hell all da time. I tellya, hell is hotta than dat fiery furnace!"

Bill: "Yes, I undersatnd that the center of the earth is 4000 degrees. That is not 'hotter than hell', that is hell, folks. It's a lake of fire scripture tells us."

Revelation 21:8 "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."

Bill: "Are you dead, Jimi?"

Jimi: "My body be dead in '70, but my soul, it die years 'fore dat."

Bill: I guess this verse sums up what your speaking of:

Romans 2:6 " Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 8 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;"

Jimi: "Yeah. Dat be the one, but I die when my ole mammy told me 'bout Jesus and I say dat I not done havin' fun yet. Dats when I start to hear dos voices in my haid. Dey tell me how ta live and what ta sing. Dey plucked dem guitar strings and made da music soun' really good. Deys so good dat I 'came famous."

Bill: "I'm not a religious man because I'm pragmatic, but I understand that you are referring to this verse:"

Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:"

Bill: "Jimi, it would appear that all your sins doomed you. It could have been different, this scripture says. Redeemed, I believe, means that your sins would have been forgiven and grace means it was a free gift. Most people don't believe it, but it says here that Jesus Christ provides that redemption. What say you?"

Bill: "Ah, but first, here's another one:"

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Jimi: "Wish I had dat to do over. I'd beg and plead for dat mercy! Dere's no doin' it over 'gin. Dis is forever. I wish I had read da Lazarus story in da Bible."

Luke 16:19 " There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25  But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented."

Jimi: "He want to tell his bros back up dere 'bout torment, but dey wont listen anyhow. Jes' like I didn't listen."

Bill: "You mentiond you had friends in hell?"

Jimi: "Dey were my friens in da worl', but not here. We all hate each other here and blame each other for bein' tormented so. My friens were dose dat warned me 'bout dis and told me 'bout Jesus. Dose I know down here, jes' wanted to do drugs, an' do sex and da like. Some friens dese were! I was famous in da worl', but not so much down here:"

Psalm 6:5 "For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?"

Bill: "Yes, my advisers gave me this scripture about worldly pleasure:"

Jude 1:7 "Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire."

Bill: "Seems like I too am learning much here. I'm going to ask my advisers to fill me in more about Jesus. My church teaches about him, but many don't take him seriously."

Bill: "You know, I never really asked Jesus for salvation. Maybe I should!"

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

Bill: "It appears that salvation is for all and all that a person has to do is call upon the Lord. How easy can it get? What happens after I die?"

Revelation 20:13 "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."

Bill: "I guess none will escape judgment! I guess you've been judged already, Jimi?"

Jimi: "Don't judge me, Bill. Dat's wrong in scripture!"

Bill: "I didn't mean to be intorant, Jimi, but it would seem that God already judged you! You reap what you sew!"

Jimi: " 'fore you leave, Bill, can I jes' have a drink?  It don hafta be booze, jes' a lil drop of water to wet my tongue."

Bill: "I'm sorry, Jimi, my sponsors won't allow me to cross that chasm between you and the world. You'll just have to thirst for awhile. A long while, I guess. With no end I understand!"

Bill: "Next week we'll see what Adolph Hitler thinks about hell. We'll see if he still has a Jewish problem or if that even matters to him anymore. Thanks for being with "Factor This" tonight and I hope you'll join me for future interviews with some people who never dreamed they'd be in hell because they were good in life! Stay tuned for "Greata than Sufferin" next on this ROX news network.

Christian Principles

A person having "moral principles" voluntarily adhere to self-imposed rules of conduct. Applying that to a Christian, then, one with "Christian principles" is a person who accepts Jesus as Lord and wants to be as much like him as possible. It's more than following the law or loving Jesus and others. It's wanting to be "beyond reproach"! Why? Because we honor and respect the author of our beliefs, and want to live as much as Jesus as possible.

1 John 2:6  (ESV) "Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

 

1 Corinthians 11:1 ( ESV)  "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."       

1 Peter 2:21 (ESV) "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps."

Ephesians 5:1-2 ( ESV) "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

 

Isn't this interesting!  You thought that since you now believe in Christ, that the journey is done! We are to "walk in the same way" as Christ. How did Jesus walk? He lived a sinless life, he loved everyone and he spread the gospel. If you love Jesus you aren't REQUIRED to do that, but your conscious tells you that you must! That's "Christian principle"! If you're just doing out of obligation, you missed the point! As a free moral agent you have "liberty in Christ"!

 

Galatians 5:1 (KJV) "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

 

Before Jesus came our faith was demonstrated by our desire to follow the law! We had too! That was our only way to demonstrate faith. We were slaves to rules and commandments. Our every action was measured by obedience. If we broke the law, we were doomed until we repented. Now Christians have liberty! Liberty is freedom. We exercise our choices in a matters, including whether we love Christ or not and whether we want to be "imitators of Christ" (1 Cor 11:1)!

 

We can't be as Christ, we can only "imitate" Jesus. That's flattering to him. His desire is for us to be as he is! We all have heroes. Mine was Roy Rogers when I was a child. I tried to act as he did, talk as he talked and walk as he walked. Jesus is now my hero! If I'm sincere I need to behave as he asked, speak as he spoke and walk as Jesus walked; not because he dictates it, but out of love; out of principle! 1 Peter 2:21 tells me to "walk in his steps"!

 

We can't always see Jesus's steps. Sometimes the sand has shifted and the wind has blurred his steps. His walk may be unclear, but when in doubt "Christian principles" are to be applied! WWJD (What would Jesus do?) becomes our modus operandi! We veer not from what is right, not because we have an all-seeing eye watching us, but because we have a loving eye we wish to please! In some cases "law" does not apply. Behavior and actions are not spelled out. In those cases we're to please Jesus. "Thou shalt not drink alcohol." is not a command. We refrain from strong drink because we want to be sober. Sobriety is what we're asked to do!  "Thou shalt not gamble." isn't a law. We refuse to gamble out of respect for Jesus. We place reverence for Jesus over the "love of money". We desist from gambling because sinners who crucified our Savior cast lots for his remnant. That's "Christian principle"!

 

I heard a fellow Christian repeat a dirty joke. My response was "Christians don't talk filthy!" My friend said "That sin was forgiven 2000 years ago!" Jesus did die for that sin as he said. His death was propitiation for all sins. However, forgiveness is only received when we ask for it. We are to constantly repent and sinning intentionally, let alone without repentance, is not "Christian principle"!  How do we imitate Jesus? We speak as Jesus would!

 

The language Christians speak, privately and publicly, borders on the obscene. The Christian lexicon may not contain the "f" word and outright curses, but crap, friggin', OMG and such speech is playing games with our feeble attempt to imitate Christ. Let our "yes be yes" and our "no,  no". We don't need vanity in our speech. Such speech actually shows a narrow vocabulary and demonstrates shallowness in the command of our own language. Would Jesus speak that way?

 

I wasn't much of a George H. W. Bush fan. That changed because of "Christian principle"!  Barbara Walters asked GHWB in an interview why he was against abortion when most Americans favored it. GHWB responded "If 98% of the people is in favor of something, that doesn't make it right!" That, my reader, is "Christian principle"!  The preservation of life is what Jesus is all about. We kill the being who Jesus came to save!  Standing up for right is "Christian principle"!

 

I mentioned "liberty" earlier. That's our freedom to ignore the law. As a Christian we make judgment values. Most of these judgments are ritualistic laws; whether we eat kosher food or not, whether we wash or not and the like. Paul said this about that:

 

1 Corinthians 10:23 (KJV) "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not."

 

Expedience has to do with what's appropriate. All things are not appropriate although we're free to  do them. Why? They don't edify. They don't build you up spiritually. They are not Christlike! Does saying "crap" edify! If so, edify whom? Does boozing edify? Ask the young Christian watching you chug! Does gambling resemble a Christian walk? Present your case to those who love money!

 

As we watch television we ask ourselves "Does this edify? WWJD? As we watch a movie "Does this edify?" WWJD? As we tell an off-color joke? WWJD? As we have a display of temper? WWJD? As we ridicule those less fortunate? WWJD? As we condemn others? WWJD?

 

Compliance to standards which edify are "Christian principle"! Will non-compliance sentence you, the Christian, to eternal damnation? Likely not. Will non-conformance be irreverent to the Savior who you claim to love? Most definitely! A Christlike Christian is sanctified. A sanctified Christian is set apart from the world and "imitates Christ"! A sanctified Christian exercises "Christian principle"!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why you are what you are and believe the way you do.

Why do we believe the way we do?

Long ago when the Druids were kings and priests in a great northern island, Christianity was ripe for the people. If you are British (Britannia) in your genealogy and Episcopalian, Baptist, Methodist, Congregational, Quaker and many other denominations, you may have religious origins to familiar names in the New Testament.  Do you wonder where your beliefs were kindled? Do you want to know why you are a Baptist, etc? Here's a short summary!

II Timothy 4:21 : Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

Claudia was the Roman name of the Silurian (British) Princess Gladys, daughter of Carodoc of Siluria (Welsh).

(St. Paul in Britain, Williams Morgan, 1860) In the year a.d. 36, Bran resigned the Silurian crown to Cara- doc, and became Arch-Druid of the college of Silu ria, where he remained till called upon to be a hostage for his son. At the period of his accession Caradoc had three sons, Cyllin or Cyllinus, Lleyn or Linus, and Cynon, and two daughters, Eurgain and Gladys, or Claudia.

Linus, mentioned by St. Paul above was Linus, son of Caradoc and sister to Claudia (Gladys).

Pudens was a Roman Christian and centurion whose full name was Aulus Pudens and the husband to Claudia. It is believed that Claudia (his wife) took the Latin name from the Emperor Claudius. It is not certain because Claudia was a common female name in the time of Claudius, but the link to "Linus" above in II Timothy points toward Claudia (aka Gladys) daughter of Caradoc. Likewise Pudens was a friend to the poet, Martial, who writes of Pudens' marriage to "Claudia Peregrina" ("Claudia the Foreigner") in Epigrams IV:13.
Nothing more is known of the Greek Eubulus. He was a Christian living in Rome faithful to Paul.

Like modern genealogy ancient research is no more certain. It would appear that Paul had few supporters in Rome, but mentioned in II Timothy were those who were faithful! It seem strange that three of the four strongest Christians in Rome were of the family of the Silurian (Welsh) leader Caradoc who was taken captive by Claudius and the entire family taken to Rome.

Killing of the captured was the norm because it was "good sport" enjoyed by the emperors, Claudius included. However, Caradoc was spared because of a plea to the Claudius to be spared so that Claudius would have a good legacy and Britian would cooperate more fully. Gladys was given the Roman name Claudia and married an early Christian convert there named Aulus Pudens.

What's so important about this? Williams Morgan's research shows that the British Church preceded the Roman Church and was started by the well-known biblical character, Joseph of Arimethea, whose tomb Jesus borrowed for a few days. It appears that right after Christ was crucified, according to Williams, Joseph spread Christianity to Britain (ca 60 AD) long before Augustine kidnapped the church in Britain later on.

Williams contends that "Christianity was first introduced into Britain by Joseph of Arimathsea, a.d. 36 — 39 ; followed by Simon Zelotes, the apostle ; then by Aristobulus, the first bishop of the Britons ; then by St. Paul. Its first converts were members of the royal family of Siluria — that is, Gladys the sister of Caradoc, Gladys (Claudia) and Eurgen his daughters, Linus his son, converted in Britain before they were carried into captivity to Rome; then Caradoc, Bran, and the rest of the family, converted at Rome."

There is much support that the British Church is ancient and the early church much different than the Roman Church.   If so Baptists, both General and Particular, who are descendants of the Church of England (1606 General Baptists and (1638 Particular Baptists) have a rich history!  (Most Baptists today are a tempered version of the two, being called "Regular Baptists". However, still in existence are both General Baptists and Calvinist or Particular Baptists).

Before the separation (Hence, Separate Baptists) from the Church of England, the mother church was taken from the Roman Catholic Church because King Henry VIII failed to get the Pope to approve his divorce from Ann Boleyn in 1533. Thomas Cranmer, Arch Bishop of Canterbury, signed the annulment, creating the schism that formalized the Church of England under Queen Elizabeth, daughter of Henry and Ann,  in 1559.

Augustine of Hippo organized the Christians in Britain for the Roman Church in 597 AD. Christianity, according to Williams, was already flourishing in Britain thanks to the church fathers who arrived there much earlier, and Williams places St. Paul around 53 AD, long before Augustine was ever born!

What a legacy we have. We should be thankful to Paul, Claudia, Pudens and Linus for standing firm in the face of tribulation! Will you do the same for our descendants? As for me and my house, we will!

Skeptic and Disbelief: Just face the facts!

I believe in Obama! Does that surprise anyone? It should! I believe he exists, I believe he's powerful and I believe many worship him or hold him in awe. Any person would be a fool to not believe in Obama! I'm not implying that a person is loved or even admired because they're real. On the contrary I certainly do not admire Obama and I love him only because God created him. Outside that, antipathy and disgust are the first thoughts coming to mind!

Since I believe in Obama, I also must believe in Hillary Clinton, Mitch McConnell, Harry Reid, John Boehner and even Nancy Pelosi. Like Obama, they exist. Many have seen them, I've seen them on television, I've read about them and others have told me that they have seen them. I've met Mitch  McConnell several times, have spoken with him and have added faith that he exists. Why? Because I have had a personal relationship with him, although it's pretty unlikely that he still remembers me!

Let me pick a random person. Let's see. How about Billy Graham? That works for me if it does for you. Most people in the civilized world know of Billy Graham. He's real to them. Many have heard him preach and many more have heard his sermons on television. Real people can be seen in stadiums. Their existence would convince many that Billy Graham is a real person and a celebrity as well as a renowned preacher!  However, I went to a Billy Graham Crusade in Bowling Green several years back. Billy wasn't there! They had another preacher. I don't remember his name now, but unlike Billy Graham, this man was black! He wasn't Billy!

What if I say "I don't believe in Billy Graham." Although some that he has to say is good, some of it is disagreeable to me.  I not only have never seen him, but he wasn't at his own crusade. I believe that silly people just wish that Billy Graham exists because they need someone to encourage them. They say he's near death now so there is a fat chance I'd ever meet him if he even exists. Billy, if you're real, call me right now! I dare you to expose yourself and prove that you truly are real. I'm confident that Billy Graham will never come forward. I just don't believe in him and never will, despite the fact that most the world would argue with me.

Am I silly? Billy Graham is real, he's a leader just like his contemporaries in the political arena. His existence is validated by his own birth records, but also the records of his parents and even his genealogy. Many have written of his life and he's changed many lives with his message. Just as I believe in Barak Obama, I believe in Billy Graham. Although, Obama is a more powerful civil leader, Billy Graham has many devoted spiritual followers. Yes, I was kidding! I do believe in Billy Graham. The evidence is plentiful and the facts accepted by the world... Billy Graham is a real person! He did change lives. He is more than wishful thinking and certainly is more than a myth!

Do you see where I'.m heading? Do you believe that Augustus Caesar did exist? Do you believe in King Herod? How about the Governor Felix? Pontius Pilate? There is secular proof that they not only lived at the beginning of the Christian era, but were influential. Their legacy remains today and a person would be a fool to argue that these leaders were fictional or mythological characters. You can find extant writings of each of these leaders or their contemporaries. Like Obama, they are real!

Why then is Jesus not real? Why do you not believe in him?  His contemporaries wrote of his life, his words and his legacy. Why would they write the story of a false person? Furthermore, foreign dignitaries came to honor his birth. Would they ride 800 miles on camel-back to give presents to someone who didn't exist? King Herod sought this baby to kill him. Would a real historical King Herod waste his time tracking down a myth? Silly Herod! Silly you!  ...If you believe Jesus was a myth!

Thousands heard Jesus' sermons, just like Billy Graham. Lives were changed! Those who knew Jesus wrote of him because he IS real! Not only is the birth of Jesus documented, but so was his conception! Can you say that about yourself? His genealogy goes back to Adam! Do you know yours that far back?

Jesus raised the dead and performed miracles!  Thousands saw and testified to his existence, even those who hated Jesus knew he was real! They were afraid of him because he has authority and power. They were afraid Jesus would leave a profound legacy! He didn't disappoint them. He did just that!

Then Jesus died on the cross. He really did! The multitude saw him crucified and carried to the grave. Pontius Pilate saw it. Enemy soldiers carried out the bloody deed and the Roman Caesars wrote about it as did historians like Josephus who wasn't his disciple, but testified to his existence. His enemies believed in Jesus. Why don't you?

Jesus was raised from the dead and left the tomb. He was resurrected after three days just as he said he would be!  You don't believe that either do you skeptic?  The soldiers who guarded the tomb believed it. Pilate believed it!  The Jewish leaders who hated Jesus believed it. The tomb was empty then and it still is! Thomas, his own friend and disciple, was a skeptic. He felt the pierced hands and vouched for Jesus; the one who died and now lives. Thomas didn't want to believe he was wrong, but he admitted his mistake. He testified that Jesus who died now lives, and did just that with many witnesses, some who wrote an affidavit to that miracle.

The dead man yet lives, even after being entombed for three days! He walked to Amaeus with travelers who told him the entire story (they didn't know it was him). They believed in Jesus. The entire known civilized world knew that the Nazarene had been killed yet not found in the grave. He spoke to and was seen by hundreds, many who were so amazed and convinced that they wrote it down!  Those documents are still with us! Those documents, those affidavits, have been bound together and is now called The New Testament!  We now except those documents as fact, true statements and documentation that God took on the form of man, was born of a virgin woman, lived 33 years, ministered to the world, performed miracles, raised the dead and was himself murdered (although innocent) and could not be contained by the grave! Why? Because Jesus is God!

What's more. His enemies, the Jews, knew who he was! Their Holy Scripture, The Bible's Old Testament as we call it, told them centuries before all about Him. He was expected by them and anxiously awaited his coming. Those who believed in Jesus the most, rejected him because he wasn't what they thought he should be. Rather than an eternal king who came to save the world, they wanted a Warrior King who would return the Promised Land to them. Because they were selfish in their desires they killed their savior because he was and is real! Their belief wasn't in a myth nor mere man, but in a person of royalty. They didn't know it at the time, but they asked for the death of the most powerful king who ever lived. He ruled the universe and still does! Kings have bowed to Jesus. Jesus is real! Do kings bow to those who aren't real?

Luke 24:36

³⁶ And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
³⁷ But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
³⁸ And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
³⁹ Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
⁴⁰ And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
⁴¹ And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
⁴² And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
⁴³ And he took it, and did eat before them.
⁴⁴ And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
⁴⁵ Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
⁴⁶ And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
⁴⁷ And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
⁴⁸ And ye are witnesses of these things.
⁴⁹ And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
⁵⁰ And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
⁵¹ And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
⁵² And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
⁵³ And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

Jesus stood in the midst of his followers and spoke... after he had been crucified and died! He called those with whom he stood "witnesses" that he suffered, died and was raised. He demonstrated to the people that he was real. He showed his pierced hands and feet, those of one who died, yet he ate before them, being yet fully alive! Then he was carried up into heaven where scripture tells us he lives on! Perry Mason could ask for no more airtight case than this. The dead man himself alive and telling of his own death... and in front of witnesses who saw and touched him! Yet many of you disbelieve because what happened because it happened only one time in history!

Few but the faithful read those "documents" in the Bible. What was once the most read book in the world has caved to entertainment, pleasure and thrill. Those caught up in Satan's world have little desire to read of a king in olden times who died needlessly, although innocent. They're more concerned with Trayvon Martin and Rodney King than they are with the death of Jesus. Clever quips posted to Facebook mean more than the actual words God said to us! Do you not know that when you read the Bible, you are reading actual words uttered by God to mankind? What an opportunity we have! What an opportunity most miss.

Let's now look at the skeptic. He still believes in Obama, Biden, Caesar, Pilate and maybe even Big Foot and aliens from another planet! However, even though any sane intelligent person must admit that Jesus was real, they still believe all his contemporaries, even enemies, lied about his life. How naive! How gullible! How insane!

Here's the solution to your unbelief, assuming you do want the truth: Read the Gospel of John then Matthew, Mark and Luke. Follow that by the book of Acts and Paul's letters. Skip Revelation for now, and read the first five books of the Old Testament (the Law), followed by Judges, Joshua, etc. Don't forget to read the Psalms and Proverbs intermittently and the prophets... they tell you all about the coming Messiah, Jesus!

As you read, God will minister to you and if you're sincere and seek truth, you will believe. That is my prayer for you this day!

Good IS NOT Good Enough!

Some many people say "I've been good. I'm going to heaven!"  That's one of  the most dangerous thoughts you can have! How "good" have you been?

The standard of comparison provided by God is the Ten Commandments. Do you know them? Do you know where to even find them? Do you obey them? (Not one or two or most, but ALL them).

Why did God write down the Commandments, what's referred to generally as The Law written by the Hand of God in contrast to the Law of Moses written by the hand of Moses? (The Book of the Law, the Pentateuch, includes all the law, 613 commands in total.).

Mankind sinned before the law was written! That should come as no surprise, but I can hear them now "I didn't know that was wrong!" God gave the law so that man was without excuse! Right and wrong were no longer hidden in the mysteries of God, but set in stone!

Deuteronomy 30: 10 "If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. 11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?"

Let's stop and look at two of the covenants (deals made by God for mankind). The Old Testament is about the covanent of "law", while the New Testament is a covanent of "grace". Some say that the Law no longer applies, but that by grace alone (sola gratia) that we're saved.  Others say that we're saved by grace, but must keep the Law to obtain salvation, while others believe that the Law is the assurance of our salvation.

Regardless of your Calvinistic tendencies, all Christians should believe that Christ was our example and that we're called to be Christlike!  There's much scripture to support that statement.  Since Christ wasn't a sinner (law-breaker) and we're to be as much like Christ as humanly possible, then we are to do our best to keep the Law!  However, much of the Law (that part written by Moses) is ceremonial. The part of the Law most important to God is the Decalogue.  Hence, every Christian should strive to please God in this manner! There are rewards and punishments that go along with our compliance, usually how close we're able to commune with God!

Those who say "I've been good" are missing the "grace" part of the equation! No you're not good! If you say that you are, then you're deceived. Satan told you that you are "good" to keep you from seeking salvation! Romans tells us that "There is none good. No not one!" and this is reinforced by Jesus himself:

Matthew 19:16 "And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?  17  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18  He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19  Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

God only is good! However, verse 18-19 tell us what we're to do to have eternal life. We are to be good! What is "good". Obeying the Commandments!  In fact the Greatest Commandment to love God and neighbor is a summary of the Decalogue!

Now since you know that in yourself you're not good enough to "save yourself" what does it take?  You must be a disciple (follower) of Jesus!  You believe in him, you're sorry that you disrespected him out of disobedience to the Law, you accept him and that he died for you, you believe that he is risen and yet lives! That''s all it takes! By this simple thought (sacrifice of self) you're saved! Nothing beyond simple faith (self-sacrifice) qualifies you for eternal life. It's a gift God has given you; Christ shed his own blood and died so that you may have eternal life... which, by the way, you don't deserve.

If you look at the "repentance" part, if you believe that you're "good" what have you to confess to God that you did wrong? I bet that not only have you broken one commandment, but you have actively or in your heart broken them all! Have you wished someone dead? If so, you're a murderer! Have you desire for what someone else has? Then you've coveted! Have you lied or avoided truth? Then you're a liar! Have you disrespected God? Then you're a blasphemer! Have you placed other things above God? Then you're an idolater! Have you sassed your parents? Then you have disrespected them! You see, we're all "scum". We're blaspheming, lying, lusting, disrespectful idolaters; yet we think we've been "good". That's what Satan wants you to think, because without remorse for sinning there is no salvation!

Maybe you're naive to your own sinful life. Perhaps you try never to disobey. I bet that everybody has broken all the Commandments, but let's give you the benefit of the doubt! Perhaps you've broken only one:

James 2:10

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

 

If you've sassed your parents you're just as lost as the rest of us! By breaking one Commandment you are a sinner just like the rest of us! (While  you're thinking about how good you are by only breaking one, consider that you just may be propping yourself up as an idol, for pride is why we all face death!)

 

Should we try to be "good"? Most certainly... but it won't save us! How will we know if we really love Jesus enough to merit everlasting life? It's by keeping his Commandments!

 

1 John 2:3 "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."

 

We are to walk as Christ walked. That's sinless. Will we ever be sinless? Fat chance! However, we can desire to please God and our self-control shows respect for God; and remember that Jesus IS God. Too many Christians fail to place an emphasis on holy living. If you truly have accepted Jesus then you will be "good". Because we're saved doesn't mean that we no longer have to keep the Law. We should be joyous that we now love the Law!

 

No, being "good" is not enough! That's pride! Jesus called those who thought they were "good" vipers! That means if you perceive yourself as "good", you're a snake! That's just not good!

 

It would be better if you are honest about your degenerate life than claim righteousness. In God's eyes if you are just a "good" person, you're despicable. Why, because you have failed to accept the grace that his vicarious death provided. Start now, this instant, examine yourself honestly; are you really "good"? The obvious and only answer is "No you're not!". What then, do you need to do?  Accept the gift that has already been made for you. Accept Jesus' atonement!

 

Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

 

Did Christ die for the "good"? No, he died for the sinner. That's all of us. Your self-deification that you are "good" as God was good; is blasphemy. That's the only one sin that God won't forgive:

 

Matthew 12:31 "Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

 

The Holy Ghost has the ultimate grace. He calls the sinner to redemption. If you fail to respond. that's blasphemy! You rejected Christ as Savior. That sin and that sin alone shall keep you from eternal life. Why should Jesus allow you to live with him in heaven if you don't even believe in him?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Death is Swallowed up in Victory

1 Corinthians 15:54 "So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"

 

We have all lost those we love. It's difficult if the love is genuine and for most of us, it is!  Humanity looks at death from a different perspective than God  does. For us, even Christians, it is a sad event, although we're promised eternal life. Even a strong Christian may have doubts about eternal life because our faith is frail. However, as Jesus died in the flesh he lives in Spirit, we too will leave this mortal body and live in Spirit, and some day in a fully restored perfect body!

 

We are corruptible! Not only will our flesh decay, but until we die, we sin. At our death we become incorruptible. We shall have a body which will not age, will not die and will never sin again! (Most people are satisfied with a sinful life, but if you're a Christian, get used to the idea that sin will no longer tittilate). Sin has lost its sting by death! The sting which is death lies defeated! Being alive makes us mere mortals. With death we shall become immortal, providing we have an enduring faith in Jesus! What a promise! What great hope we have! Yet we dread it. Why?

 

The grave shall never contain me. My poor body may lay in it for awhile, but my soul shall never be restrained by mere earthen walls. Six feet of ground cover will never seal my Spirit!  The grave shall be defeated. Death will be as well. There will be no victory for death since I will live! I like that promise, yet again, I say, "I'm afraid of death!" Jesus understands. He's been there. He did it for us!

 

Luke 23:46 "And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost."

 

Jesus was in agony at his death just as we may be. He felt death's sting. He cried out to his father "Why has thou forsaken me?" as the sins of all mankind bore down on his frail body. It hurt Jesus and was painful to "cross-over", breaking that silver cord between life and death. I don't fear being dead! However, I fear the breaking of that silver cord. I fear crossing-over!  Jesus and I have that in common. It's a penalty we pay for being sinners. Jesus, though paid the same price although he was without sin. He bore ours.

 

The sting of death doesn't start with the cessation of breathing. We know when it's coming and there is a great fear with high anxiety. We may not admit it, but we feel death coming. Even with car accidents, the entire life flashes by and those dying apparently often know what's coming. That innate fear of dying does strange things to those who're dying.

 

I sit here now asking for forgiveness. I hope that I never do what I may do, but the sting of death may change me. I love my children. They all mean the world to me. At times some of us have been estranged, but my love is unconditional! I had great failures in life and so have some of my children. As a loving father I expect more from my children than I do for myself because I despise my own short-comings. I want them to succeed where I've failed. With that motivation my goals for my own have exceeded my own goals for myself. That has placed a wall between them and me at times. My love has been a barrier to mutual love! My expectations have barricaded a relationship.

 

I've been proud of the accomplishments of all my children! Each of them has in fact excelled in being what they are. At times I've minimized their accomplishments as I was blinded by my expectations. I'm contrite. My motives were noble, but my methods were ignoble. That's my character weakness!

 

No one knows my true self more than my wife. She knows where I'm vulnerable and what disappoints me. She understands that even with a flair of an occasional temper, that I quickly recover and my love remains undiminished. I get pleasure from her joy, but have pain in disagreements. Nothing I hate worse is friction in our relationship. She knows I bite my tongue quite often and I knows that she does with me. Pride is put aside as conflict is put aside.

 

My pleasure is in hers. Outside her overspending, seeing her happy makes me "Happy, Happy, Happy!".  My favorite response is her "arm hug" as we sit and just be together!

 

With that in mind I may revert to my "Old Man" as the death shadow approaches me near the end. I may say cruel things and do awful deeds. I may strike out at those I love most. I don't want to do that, but when my mind succumbs to age, Dementia becomes my partner. My own cognition may become overwhelmed by mischievous synapses. My utterings may be those of the angel of death. I may not be my own.

 

I may criticize the ones I love, even curse them. That won't be me! It will be a remnant of original sin rearing its ugly head to make one last stand against love, the best gift God gives us! Satan will relish the last days where I try to take that loving bond we have and turn it into a chain of hate. Remember, if you will, that ugly sinner you see at the end is not me! It's my former self. The "New Man" has been threatened by the "Old Man" breathing his last breath! Why is it that way? Why can we not make a graceful exit? Dissension is the way of the ruler of this world. Death belongs to Satan. Life belongs to God. Principalities battle until the sting of death is complete. Satan succumbs only when our spirit is finally entirely sanctified.

 

Luke 8:49 "While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. 50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. 52  And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. 53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. 54  And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. 55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat."

 

If we look closely at the account of this miracle in Luke we obtain slightly different information than the other gospel accounts of the same miracle. It was chronicled that "her spirit came again"!  When the girl had died, her spirit had immediately left the body. There was no "soul sleep" awaiting the general resurrection. Her spirit (soul) had left her body as death left its sting!  Upon being resurrected by Jesus, her spirit returned and rejoined her body.

 

In like manner, when I die, my own spirit will live on. A nice room in a mansion is already prepared for me there in heaven! Someday, when Jesus comes again, my ashes will arise and ascend to heaven to rejoin my spirit and the twain shall again be one!  During that interval I will find joy in Jesus. I shall live on in a perfect place. My life and love will be God. There will be no dissension in heaven. I will have no animosity toward anyone. My shortcomings with those I loved in this world will be replaced with not only genuine unconditional love, but with divine love!

 

My fear is that I might cause grief to those I love most while I yet live. Consider this a warning! As Dementia strikes a mighty heave at your very existence, remember my name is dad. my name is husband, my name is brother! I reject the me which will be manifested as I succumb to the grim reaper.  I hurt right now at what I may become! Please forgive me what I may do later!

 

My worst fear is that it may happen to my spouse. It hurt me terribly to see Dementia, who dwelled in her own mother, emotionally try to destroy the one who cared and loved her most. Even knowing that Dementia is speaking provides little comfort because the words are uttered by that loved one. I ask God to allow me to exhaust my life with dignity and preserve the love I have sought to establish with my wife, my children, my grandchildren, and my siblings.

 

Ecclesiastes 12:7 "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."

 

John 11:25 "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:"

 

Dementia has passed away along with another person who has gone. The sting was too much for Dementia. She has been replaced by Joy! The body will become dust for a short while because scripture tells us of Jesus "Surely, he come quickly!". The Spirit of those who died in Christ has already returned to the Creator. The Christian Spirit resides right now with God although the body lies sedentary and lifeless. 

 

As the body lies motionless the believer lives on! Right now those who submitted to Christ, but succumbed to death, lives on regally, as a king or queen, subjective to and praising God! Fear not the sting of death nor have remorse at those who suffered the sting. The pain of that sting is healed by blood which has already been shed. The sting has been defeated. Death will no longer be feared. Life has been  left behind because the race is won!

Gambling and God: Are they at odds?

I really don't like to create sin where there is none, but is gambling wrong or just fun? That's a question to ponder using scripture as our guide, but common sense to objectify.

Gambling is to take a risk to gain the benefit of whatever is the desired outcome. Normally gambling is considered a game of "chance", meaning the outcome is unpredictable. When there is "risk" the gambler stands to either gain or to lose. The probability of winning or losing are called "odds". If a coin is flipped the odds are 1 out of 2 or 50% that you will win and the same odds that you were lose. Statistically, if you flip heads or tails 1000 times, you will outcomes of 500 heads and 500 tails.  The only way to alter that outcome is by some part of inherent bias in the gambling process. It's possible to weight a coin to provide greater odds toward the desired outcome. We're all familiar with loaded dice which increases the odds of rolling a seven. That's built-in bias and is called "cheating". Whenever one gambles the gambler takes a risk of unfair odds or cheating!

"Cheating" is legal in the gambling world. The state allows an unfair advantage to the "house", the establishment which has to make a profit. Those stately buildings, luxurious furniture. lavish restaurants and olympic pools are paid for by "losers" who gamble. The winners, few that they are, take home their profits from gambling and don't pay for those grand facilities. Casino house odds range from  0% to 11.1% for craps games, 1.06% to 14.36% for Baccarat, and 2.7% to 5.26% for roulette; for examples. These odds (if greater than fair = 0%) insure that if you play long enough and often enough you too will become a "loser".  I call gambling "stupid taxes" because the gambler is giving a portion of his income to another to when he's not forced to do so!

Outcomes in gambling are normally a result of "fate" with the exception of the house advantage. Fate is usually the odds of a mathematical outcome or can be in nature as well. The odds that you'll be struck by lightening can be calculated because there have been a history of occurrences. That history can be expressed as odds. It would take an even greater fool to bet that he/she will be struck by lightening in a lifetime! Likewise, gambling in the stock market is historical, can be charted, but neither is it guaranteed. The stock market also has a certain degree of "chance".

The extent of a gamble can be decided by how much "history" is known. If one steps up to throw the dice in theory if the previous 100 throws were known it would give the crap-shooter an edge. Likewise, if a black jack player "counts cards" it would give the player and edge. That's statistics. Most people can't or don't know the history of the game they are playing, hence it becomes strictly a game of chance. In the stock market charts and graphs are available to share historical performance. The performance of companies is based on world affairs, international trade, domestic policies, the desirability of the product, population demographics and so on. If the investor (gambler) studies these trends the desired outcome (profit) is biased toward himself. This is not cheating since the investor can't skew the outcome, but realizes the potential for desired outcomes. Hence, "playing the market" is low-risk gambling unless it's high-risk growth investments.

Gambling, strictly on chance, is foolish and the outcomes are most often negative. The gambler loses! The stock market, if played by an amateur, is likewise foolish. That's why we pay financial services to gamble for us. Financiers can actually bias the market in the favor of the investor by large volume investments. They also have the computer tools and history to determine outcomes, so "chance" is diminished and pragmatism determines the outcome. Hence, a good investor is a gambler, but a low risk one! Since the stock market has performed in the past, it's a positive key that growth will continue to occur and rather than the stock market being strictly a gamble, it becomes an investment! It moves on the scale from foolishness to wisdom based on the growth an investor selects. (We seldom get something for nothing.) A wise investor expects small, but near certain growth, thus turning static equity into reasonable profits.

You should always look to the Bible for guidance. Is gambling addressed scripturally?

Here's what I would like the Bible to say "Thou shalt not gamble." However, it doesn't say that. Neither does the Bible say "Thou shalt not take heroin". The absence of a direct command doesn't make it right. We do have the command Exodus 23:19b "Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk." Few of us today would even consider milking a goat, killing the offspring of the goat, then boiling the "kid" in it's mother's milk." However, it's there for a reason! It's a lesson on respect for God's creation (the animal kingdom) and for God!  We show respect to the animals because God wants us to respect what he's given us!  My point is that whenever we consider a human action that action or behavior must be respectful to God's will!  Because "gambling" is not specifically mentioned as being a sin, doesn't make it sin free!

The Bible specifically mentions "casting lots" numerous times. Two things were incidental to casting lots: 1) God's will was desired, not a gain in wealth and 2) It was not "chance" which provided the outcome, but the Will of God!  Gambling on the other hand is determined by pure mathematics (fate) and with the thought of gain in mind! God's will is not just a matter of mathematical outcome, but God has a "bias" in favor of what he wants! God is omnipotent. He decides the outcome and that outcome is always what he desires for us, not what we desire, our "pleasure" so to speak.

An example of casting lots is:

Nehemiah 10:34 "And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the Lord our God, as it is written in the law:"

You can see in the above example that the "casting of lots" was not by definition gambling! It was to decide who was responsible for helping in the work of honoring the Lord! It was strictly a fair method of determining the work of the different classes of people. The end result was to magnify! Not themselves, but God only!

Before the prophets in seeking God's wisdom, the priests would turn to the urim and thummim which were letters on their breastplate. God would somehow light up or signify his will through their use. There was no gambling associated to their use, but divine guidance only!

Ezra 2:63 "And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim."

Why then do I consider gambling a scriptural no-no? It has to do with respect! There was one particular instance in the scripture where the unsaved (non-Christians) cast lots:

John 19:23 "Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did."

 

Scene: Jesus, the only Son of God, dying in my place!

Props: The clothing Jesus our Lord was wearing at his death.

Setting: Pagan soldiers gambling to divided the clothing of the one who died for me.

Plot: An innocent man dying for my sins. Sinful men gambling in disrespect.

Outcome: Personal gain for the pagan at the expense of our Messiah.

 

The only occasion of modern gambling in the Bible was that the undeserving by a game of chance made unearned personal gain at the expense of the innocent and in disrespect to Jesus! This is just as the "seething a kid in its mother's milk" commandment, is one of paramount disrespect.

 

Those soldiers were being paid to crucify our Lord. Their earned income was already paid, but they sought spoils; something that was not their own! They didn't deserve what they had not worked for!  Each soldier turned to "fate" to get reward. Their concern was not for the death of an innocent man, but for their own personal gain. What is man's biggest problem?

 

1 Timothy 6:10a "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after..."

 

The clothing are material things. It's wealth! Wealth and the love of that wealth (money) is the root of all evil!  By gambling for the Lord's clothing, the soldiers were sinning. It was evil to gamble because of their attitude!  What was the attitude of those gambling? Desire for wealth! To win. Maybe even exhilaration at having won... more exciting because it was the clothing of a famous man!

 

When one man wins another loses. Money isn't created by gambling. If you're taking the money of another person's that person loses what they had and you proceed to take it! Your personal gain is at the expense of anothers loss, to say it another way. (We are to love our neighbor, not take what's his). 

 

Contemporary gamblers are of three types: 1) A few wealthy who really don't need the riches, but enjoy the sport of gambling, 2) The loser who is trying to have that one lucky break in life to succeed, or 3) am occasional gambler who knows he'll lose, but hopes for the best. Most gamblers are losers! They have a history of losing and have a false hope on succeeding on the misfortune of others.  Unfortunately, they are usually the "unfortunate"!

 

In the case of Jesus, who was the loser? Jesus lost his attire, but he no longer had any use for them! Those who won the lot were the real losers. They won clothing prone to decay, but lost their chance at salvation! When a person has that "love of money" they may win the prize, but lose their soul! They have the liberty to gamble, but it's not expedient! There are consequences to every action. (Many high stakes lottery winners have been known to become destitute and even die prematurely. That money they craved didn't create happiness, it bestowed obstacles to joy)!

 

Anything which disrespects Jesus is a sin! Instead of worshiping and sharing in the joy of Jesus, most gamblers are looking for that "high" they achieve when they win a few pitiful dollars. Money which will do no good where they're destined!  I repeat: Wealth is a roadblock to joy. Joy can only be achieved with one sentence "Well done, good and faithful servant"! (Matthew 25:23). Is the gambler and one who lives for gambling "good and faithful"? I venture to say that their priorities are totally at odds with God's will!

 

We know what can happen to a lottery winner. It can be that the person suffers immensely because of the new wealth or it can be that the winner is prudent and pragmatic. However, others abuse the wealth of the winner.

 

What can happen to a loser; one who gambles frequently and comes up short?

 

1) Addiction. (Seeking unfulfilled joy).

2) Inability to have self-control (a sin in itself)

3) Living with false hope.

4) No thrill in perfunctory activities.

5) Loss of self-worth (worth defined by gain)

6) Loss of job, family and friends.

7) Marital problems and divorce.

8) Feelings of desperation. (Not even God can help).

9) Bankruptcy and debts.

10) Living with danger. (Creditors hounding you from all sides).

11) False friendships.

12) Inability to separate fact from fancy.

13) Inability to worship and commune with God!

 

I've seen this in action! Addicted gamblers are concerned with one thing: self-pleasure and excitement. God has little place in the lives of addicted gamblers, but God is the cure!

 

Nothing is too hard for God. With repentance and faith all things become possible! That takes commitment.  If a gambler says "Gambling is a disease." they are already defeated! Gambling is a curable behavior! The "cure" is already available. All a person has to do is call the pharmacist (God) and ask for it! The "blood of Jesus" has already provided the cure. You're only called to allow him the infuse you with the spirit that saves you! It will take will-power and self-control. There are consequences for sin and a struggle with Satan is the consequence. Satan will tell you that you can't do it.  The Holy Spirit will provide the armor so that sin can be defeated. Put on the full armor of God!

 

How does one become an addicted gambler? They gamble that first time. They gamble a little more. They win some and loses many. They seek to even the score. They look for that big winner!  If one has never gambled he is never at risk of becoming addicted. If one never gambles there is no chance that he/she will disrespect God by gambling. Did you ever consider this: Because of a gambler's disrespect of the desires of God, the gambler's propensity for addiction is greater!" Prove me wrong!

 

 

"Pleasure" is the desire of the flesh. Satan rules the world of pleasure. Joy is God's domain! God wins the battle in the end! We're all choosing sides now. Which side do you chose? (Remember that there is no fence-straddling. He would rather you be hot or cold as lukewarm). "As for me and my house, we choose God!"