Everything Good is From God

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 368
April 1, 2016 (working on catching up)

All the blessings in this life come from God...

"How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.  They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.  For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light."

Psalms 36:7-9 ESV

RANDY: No matter your view of God, all good things come from Him. Since God is the creator of all things, by default all good things are from Him.

Conversely, not all bad things are from God.  In fact, virtually anything wrong with in the world is either the result of sin being introduced into the world by mankind initially, or even the direct actions of currently sinful man.

Trusting God

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 367
March 31, 2016 (running behind, oops)

It is an awesome thing to trust in God...

"In you, O Lord , do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me!  Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!"

Psalms 31:1-2 ESV

RANDY: It is far easier to say we trust in God than to actually do it. God loves when we come to Him and ask for help.

He loves to give good gifts to His children.

Jesus Was Just Like Us

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 366
March 30, 2016 (year 2, day 1)

Even though Jesus had a unique birth, His life and experience was very much like everyone else...

"Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Luke 3:21-22 ESV

RANDY: Things all believers share with Jesus:

1) Baptism - water baptism has always been a practice of the church.  Though it in no way actually brings salvation, only faith in Jesus completed work on the cross brings salvation, it symbolizes repentance from sins and acceptance by God.

2) Praying - Jesus prayed to God the same way we do.

3)  The Holy Spirit - All believers are indwelled with the Holy Spirit, and those that are preparing to enter ministry are supposed to also be Spirit Baptized, just like Jesus and like the apostles on the day of Pentecost.

4) Adoption into God's family.  Jesus was the only begotten son of God (meaning declared as a promise).  We are adopted into God's family and share in the inheritance of eternal life as believers.

There Is No Other Way

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 365
March 29, 2016 (one year of scripture posting)

The message has always been the same, repent of your sins and bear spiritual fruit (let your life show your repentance)...

"Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.  But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance."

Matthew 3:5-8 ESV

RANDY: This scripture is quoting John the Baptist, and took place shortly before he baptized Jesus.

The Bible is clear, John the Baptist had the "spirit of Elijah" (an Old Testament prophet who was predicted to return just before the Messiah). And John was quite literally just a few months older than Jesus.  Both their mothers spent time together during their pregnancies.

John proclaimed the exact same message of repentance of sins that every prophet before him had proclaimed. After Jesus was baptized by John, and the Holy Spirit came upon Him, Jesus proclaimed this exact same message in His public ministry too.

The world has one single problem, and that problem is sin. The only way to deal with it is through repentance (turning away from sin) and turning to God for forgiveness. The next step is living a life that reflects that forgiveness from God outward to the world.

There is no other way...

Jesus in the Old Testament?

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 364
March 28, 2016

Scripture makes it very clear, Satan and Angels are very real...

"Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord , and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?”

Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.”

And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord was standing by."

Zechariah 3:1-5 ESV

RANDY: Throughout scripture, God has made it clear through visions, His prophets, and even Jesus Himself, that Satan is the adversary of God, the accuser of mankind.

God often uses angels to help defend man against the power and accusations of Satan.

God himself takes away our sins and washes us clean through the blood of Jesus. 

I find it interesting that the phrase, "angel of the Lord" is used in this passage. That is a phrase often associated with the pre-incarnate Jesus in the Old Testament, and here again if you substituted Jesus in place of that phrase, it makes total sense. 

Maybe this is Jesus before he came to earth, being described as the one who takes away iniquity and clothes in pure vestments. That is the way Jesus is described in Revelation.

Just saying...

A Warning to All Who Preach or Teach

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 363
March 27, 2016

Refusing to preach the truth about God’s laws and words will curse a minister for not saving his congregation from its sin...

"And at the end of seven days, the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.

But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.

Again, if a righteous person turns from his righteousness and commits injustice, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die. Because you have not warned him, he shall die for his sin, and his righteous deeds that he has done shall not be remembered, but his blood I will require at your hand.

But if you warn the righteous person not to sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning, and you will have delivered your soul.”

Ezekiel 3:16-21 ESV

RANDY: God is deadly serious about the responsibility that ministers have to their congregations. Jesus said it would be better to have a millstone tied around your neck and be thrown into the ocean than to cause a young Christian to stumble in their faith. 

Here God says that not warning someone who is sinning that they are in sin, and that pperdon then refusing to repent for that sin, will actually make the pastor (prophet) responsible for that person's  spiritual death and will damn the pastor himself. 

Kinda makes you wonder how God views pastors that never mention sin in their sermons (Joel Osteen, and the like), and also pastors who refuse to call sin - SIN (all pastors who support homosexuality, abortion, etc). According to this scripture, they are directly responsible for the unrepentant sins of their followers if they did not make it crystal clear that the followers were sinning.

This should scare anyone who claims to speak for God in any teaching or preaching role. There is a reason God only wants spiritually mature believers whose own lives are above reproach as his official representatives.

New Mercies Everyday

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 362
March 26, 2016

Sometimes we just need to remind ourselves that God gives us a fresh start each day...

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;  they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV

RANDY: This particular passage is taken out of a long area of scripture where everything has been going wrong in the life of the writer.  Based on all the things the writer has stated, you could easily see them losing all hope and faith, and yet, they are praising God for his new mercies everyday.

Take a look at your own life. No matter how tough things look right now, know it could be worse, and also know that each day God gives you a fresh opportunity to seek forgiveness, to seek closeness with Him, to change your attitude from one of hopelessness to one of hope.

Have a great new day in God’s glory and mercy...

Teaching the Younger Generation

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 361
March 25, 2016

Is this the way the young men you know act?...

"Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us."

Titus 2:6-8 ESV

RANDY: Far too often, young men and young women think it is perfectly fine to speak crudely or rudely. Off color or dirty jokes are the norm. Disrespecting older people seems to be an ever increasing generational problem.

Is it any wonder that these young people are growing up into middle aged and older people who have no respect for authority, for the church, or for God.

Teaching the right way has to start when these people are small children. Maybe this is why God and Jesus spoke so much on the importance of leading children into righteousness and away from evil.

Evil People Are a Reality

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 360
March 24, 2016

Even though we do not battle against flesh and blood, but rather against powers and principalities, there are still evil and wicked people that we must pray to be protected from...

"Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one."

2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 ESV

RANDY: There are those both inside the church and from without the church, who practice evil and wicked ways and have no faith in God. 

If you need examples, the Islamic terrorists that are killing people globally every single day, are a great example.

Those that say they are Christian as a public declaration, and yet their lives completely deny any truth to this declaration: Obama, Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, etc.

Pastors and church members who bring divisions within churches, driving away those who want to serve the Lord, for fear that they will somehow lose their own power and authority. God hates those that cause divisions, that is an abomination to him.

There are wicked and evil people who are under the influence of Satan, and we can pray for protection from God, against such people.

The Foolishness of the Wise

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 359
March 23, 2016

What the world thinks of as wisdom, is foolishness to God...

"Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.

For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

1 Corinthians 3:18-20 ESV

RANDY: The world thinks believing in God is foolishness.  God knows that trusting in the ideas of man is where true foolishness lies.

The reason that nothing will be fixed in this upcoming election, is that no one who will be of the ballot in November trusts in God.  All their plans will ultimately fail because they are not trusting in the only one who can make sure they succeed.

The Old Points to the New

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 358
March 22, 2016

God has been pointing to Jesus throughout all of history...

"But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe."

Romans 3:21-22a ESV

RANDY: Jesus is the living embodiment of God’s power and holiness on the earth.

All who have faith in Christ are saved...

Truth is Plainer than Fiction

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 357
March 21, 2016

Sometimes there are truths hidden in the minor details of a story...

"And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home."

Acts 21:1-6 ESV

RANDY: One if the distinct differences between Biblical accounts, and storytelling in the ancient world is the way that in tge Bible, there is no attempt to glamorize or embellish on the details of the story.  Things are told in exactly the same way you would write a letter to a friend to merely inform them about what you did on a trip.

Instead of fantastic stories and dramatic accounts, instead what we see are simple statements like, "we went here, we went there, we met these people, we did this while we were in this city." This is actually among the internal textual proofs that this account is history, and not fiction, like many other ancient stories such as The Odyssey or The Iliad, the stories about ancient Troy, etc.

The Bible presents real people, in real places, doing everyday things, without adding dramatic elements for effect.

This is the nature of historical accounts.

In Spirit and Truth

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 356
March 20, 2016

God is not found in any building or at any sacred place. He is found only in truth and spirit...

"Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.”

Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.  You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.  God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

John 4:20-24 ESV

RANDY: God has always desired to have people that seek Him spiritually and truly, not as a way to make a public spectacle of worship.

I guess this is why I have always felt closer to God in small quiet churches than big loud ones with all the fancy props.

I want to talk to God, silently and intimately. We hear Him speak back best in those times.

Do We Have To Preach Fire and Brimstone?

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 355
March 19, 2016 (being sick has made it hard keeping up with this)

A young pre-teen recently asked me the difference between heaven and hell.  Without getting too elaborate and without trying to scare him, I said heaven is where God is, and hell is where he is not.  Let's look at one Biblical description...

"Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.

Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him."

Malachi 3:16-18 ESV

RANDY: It describes God recording things about the righteous in a book of remembrance, perhaps the "book of life" that Jesus later describes as containing the names of all who are righteous.

The names of those not righteous are not in the book.

This is not a particularly scary view of hell vs heaven. This rather presents heaven as being like a father rewarding a faithful son with inheritance and not rewarding an unfaithful son.

We don't have to scare people into believing.  The Bible often focuses on the blessings of obedience rather than the punishment for failing to trust in God. We can do the same and it's ok.

Anyone Who Harms Children is Cursed by God

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 354
March 18, 2016

Scripture is beyond clear, harming children, especially leading them into sin, is one of the worst sins a person can commit...

"At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 

Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.   “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me,  but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea."

Matthew 18:1-6 ESV

RANDY: God hates all forms of child abuse.  From murdering unborn children, to teaching them hatred of others of different races, to physical and sexual abuse.

Throughout the Bible, God clearly says children are His greatest blessing for His people, outside of personal salvation. 

The next time you start to agree with ANYONE who proposes hurting children of any age, remember that God curses such actions and unrepentant perpetrators end up in Hell for such actions.

Action and Consequense

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 353
March 17, 2016

Sometimes when we disobey God, it can take a while before we see the results of that disobedience...

"Yet the people of Manasseh could not take possession of those cities, but the Canaanites persisted in dwelling in that land. Now when the people of Israel grew strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not utterly drive them out."

Joshua 17:12-13 ESV

RANDY: God had commanded the Israelites to drive out all the people in the promised land.  Instead, they decided it would be somehow better to force the Canaanites to work for them rather than drive them out.

So basically you have a society that has just been freed from slavery, now taking slaves, something God had forbidden them to do. 

Just because an action by Israel is recorded in the Bible, it does not mean God approves of the action.  There is just no attempt to hide the ugly truth in scripture.

The disobedience of this generation led to excesses in the following one who the Bible records, "Did not know the Lord".

This eventually destroyed Israel.

What we do today, matters for the future, even if we don't see it right away...

The Lies of This World

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 352
March 16, 2016

The world will trick you if it can...

"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."

Colossians 2:8 ESV

RANDY: The world does not want you truly believing in Jesus, because if you do, you will stop indulging in all the sin the world has to offer, and you will start living a Holy and dedicated (to God) life.

This is upsetting to the powers that oppose God.

To try and lead you astray, those who oppose God will use ideas like scientific naturalism, philosophy, psychology, psychiatry, and even religious traditions such at Cathecism, Confirmation, ritual prayer, ritual fasting, prescribed tithing, and numerous other things that seem related to God but in reality have nothing to do with Him.

God wants us to live lives of loving  obedience and relationship with Him and other people.

Heaven and Hell are the Only Options

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 351
March 15, 2016 (I have been sick, trying to catch up)

What does the Bible say about the outcome of life...

"The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath."

Proverbs 15:24 ESV

RANDY: Heaven and Hell are real places and we will go to one or the other. Jesus himself spoke of this numerous times.

Sin Nature

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 350
March 14, 2016

This is the natural state of man...

"The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. 

They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one."

Psalm 14:2-3 ESV

RANDY: People don't naturally seek after God. People love their sin more than God.

Reaping and Sowing

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 349
March 13, 2016

Don't be lazy or wicked...

"The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.  The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out."

Proverbs 13:4, 9 ESV

RANDY: We actually do reap what we sow.

Think You Can Get Away With Hypocrisy? Think Again.

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 348
March 12, 2016

Hypocrisy will be revealed...

"In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 

Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.  Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops."

Luke 12:1-3 ESV

RANDY: One of the biggest complaints about people of faith has always been hypocrisy, saying one thing publicly and doing something different in private.

Jesus, gave a very stern warning to those who claim to represent God, that hypocrisy is not acceptable and God will reveal it, even if man overlooks it temporarily.

This warning should be a gut check moment to all believers, not to try and justify hidden sins. In the end, they come to light. 

I can think of numerous cases in the media these days, Bill Cosby, many priests in the Catholic Church revealed to be child molesters, famous pastors of large churches that have fallen into adultry or other sins, etc.

God has warned us, so we are without excuse.

Just Knowing Who Jesus is Will Not Save You

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 347
March 11, 2016 (a little late again)

Demons know who Jesus is...

"And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.”

Mark 3:11 ESV

RANDY: Several times in scripture, demons recognize Jesus for who he is.

Demons will not be saved on judgment day.

Head knowledge cannot save you, only a relationship with Jesus that he described as being "born again" can save you.

True Prophet and Messiah, Jesus

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 346
March 10, 2016

How do we know Jesus, and not any other prophet was the chosen Messiah for Israel and the world...

"So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord , and he buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor; but no one knows the place of his burial to this day. Moses was 120 years old when he died.

His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated. And the people of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. 

And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.

And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel."

Deuteronomy 34:5-12 ESV

RANDY: Jesus, is the only Prophet to know and talk with God one on one and perform as many miracles, even more than Moses.

Any claims by false religions that there Prophet is the true prophet are denied by the lack of miracles.

You Never Know When You Will Go Too Far

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 345
March 9, 2016

Why is it that even when we see God's actions in the world, we often will still harden our hearts against him...

"So Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh and stretched out his hands to the Lord , and the thunder and the hail ceased, and the rain no longer poured upon the earth. But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he sinned yet again and hardened his heart, he and his servants.

So the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people of Israel go, just as the Lord had spoken through Moses."

Exodus 9:33-35 ESV

RANDY: Before God ever hardened Pharaoh's heart, he had hardened it himself against the things of God.

One day, after hardening his heart repeatedly, God finally allowed Pharaoh's heart to fully harden and he was completely lost.

Think about this when you harden your heart to God, we all do it from time to time.

Sometimes You Can't Take Your Actions Back

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 344
March 8, 2016

The Bible often records horrible actions of people, and sometimes the results are horrible too...

"Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the women of the land. And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he seized her and lay with her and humiliated her.

And his soul was drawn to Dinah the daughter of Jacob. He loved the young woman and spoke tenderly to her. So Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, “Get me this girl for my wife.”

Genesis 34:1-4 ESV

RANDY: So Shechem raped Dinah, the daughter of Jacob.  After he had forced himself on her, he fell in love with her and decided to marry her.  So he asked his father to arrange it.

But it was too late, the damage had been done.  In the end, Dinah brothers ended up killing all the men in the entire village that Shechem came from, including him and his father, as revenge for raping their sister.

Jacob condemned the actions of his sons, but he could not stop them from taking vengeance for the rape.

The lesson is clear, sometimes we cannot take our actions back, and the consequences may be far more than we ever imagined was possible.

God Calls Some People as Ministers

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 343
March 7, 2016 (running late still)

God has always set aside a priest class from among His people. Even to this day that is still true...

"And the Lord said to Moses, “List all the firstborn males of the people of Israel, from a month old and upward, taking the number of their names. And you shall take the Levites for me—I am the Lord —instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the cattle of the people of Israel.”

So Moses listed all the firstborn among the people of Israel, as the Lord commanded him. And all the firstborn males, according to the number of names, from a month old and upward as listed were 22,273.  And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle. The Levites shall be mine: I am the Lord .

And as the redemption price for the 273 of the firstborn of the people of Israel, over and above the number of the male Levites, you shall take five shekels per head; you shall take them according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel of twenty gerahs), and give the money to Aaron and his sons as the redemption price for those who are over.”

So Moses took the redemption money from those who were over and above those redeemed by the Levites. From the firstborn of the people of Israel he took the money, 1,365 shekels, by the shekel of the sanctuary. And Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the Lord , as the Lord commanded Moses."

Numbers 3:40-51 ESV

RANDY: Even though the New Testament refers to believers as a nation of priests, it also clearly talks about overseers as being in a special position and dedicated to  God for His work.

Why Was Jesus Sinless?

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 342
March 6, 2016 (running late again)

Ever wonder why Jesus was sinless?

"If his offering for a sacrifice of peace offering to the Lord is an animal from the flock, male or female, he shall offer it without blemish."

Leviticus 3:6 ESV

RANDY: It has to do with the Old Testament sacrifice laws.  Jesus was the sinless, perfect lamb of God.

Some Things Never Change

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 341
March 5, 2016

Sometimes it seems like anyone who stands up against the status quo and political correctness in defense of God’s ways is in this same situation...

"And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him.

But Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage. Then the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you transgress the king’s command?”

And when they spoke to him day after day and he would not listen to them, they told Haman, in order to see whether Mordecai’s words would stand, for he had told them that he was a Jew. And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to him, Haman was filled with fury.

But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone. So, as they had made known to him the people of Mordecai, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus."

Esther 3:2-6 ESV

RANDY: This has happened with the gay marriage issue. Christians as a whole, are now hated because some well known Christians have chosen to stand in defense of God's word, rather than give into popular modern culture.

This is happening once again with the issue of rejecting Islam and Sharia law.

I see this continuing to get worse and worse over time.

In fact Jesus fully agrees with me.  He said in Matthew 24 that we would be hated by all nations, for His name sake.

Ever had one of those days...

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 340
March 4, 2015 (somehow this didn't post)

Ever had one of those days you just wish you had never been born...

"Let the day perish on which I was born, and the night that said, ‘A man is conceived.’  Let that day be darkness! May God above not seek it, nor light shine upon it. 

Let gloom and deep darkness claim it. Let clouds dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.  That night—let thick darkness seize it! Let it not rejoice among the days of the year; let it not come into the number of the months.

  Behold, let that night be barren; let no joyful cry enter it.  Let those curse it who curse the day, who are ready to rouse up Leviathan. 

Let the stars of its dawn be dark; let it hope for light, but have none, nor see the eyelids of the morning,  because it did not shut the doors of my mother’s womb, nor hide trouble from my eyes. 

“Why did I not die at birth, come out from the womb and expire?"

Job 3:3-11 ESV

RANDY: Some days it just might be better to go back to sleep.

Does History Repeat Itself?

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 339
March 3, 2016

I try to let God lead me where he wants me to read in His word each day, and this is what he led me to today...

"King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.

Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

And the herald proclaimed aloud, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.”

Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up."

Daniel 3:1-7 ESV

RANDY: I almost wonder.  Have you seen Trump Tower glittering gold in the evening sun...

Wedding Day

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 338
March 2, 2016 (running late again)

A wedding is a time of great joy...

"Go out, O daughters of Zion, and look upon King Solomon, with the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding, on the day of the gladness of his heart."

Song of Solomon 3:11 ESV

RANDY: Whenever a man marries his wife, it is always a great joy to his heart and it is appropriate that all should rejoice at the wedding.

Marriage is used in the Bible as a reflection of God’s love toward us.
We are designed to be in an intimate relationship with God and it brings Him great joy anytime someone joins their heart to His.

We should always strive to be in relationship with God in a pure and Holy way.

All is Vanity

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 337
March 1, 2016

Every generation thinks they invented the wheel. It is as if they think no one before them ever thought of what they are now considering.  The truth is, the world just keeps repeating the same thing over and over.  God is hoping that some day we will realize that we just need Him...

"Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. 

What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?  A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever.  The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises.  The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north; around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns. 

All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again. 

All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.  What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.

  Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us.  There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after."

Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 ESV

RANDY: As we head into this election season, remember that every type of government has been tried, and all have failed.

We cannot hope to vote our way to a better world.  We need to turn to God.  That is our only hope.

What is Prophecy?

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 336
February 29, 2016

When people deny God’s word, sin and lawlessness are embraced...

"Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law."

Proverbs 29:18 ESV

RANDY: Often this passage gets misinterpreted, because we think that "prophetic vision" is referencing future forcasting. In reality, Biblically speaking, words of prophecy are just speaking words from God. Since scripture in the Bible is all from God, anytime scripture is proclaimed, it is by definition prophetic.

Jesus himself spent most of his ministry quoting Deuteronomy and Leviticus to people.  There as very little futuristic prophecy in Jesus ministry, though there was some. Mostly, he just told people to keep God's commandments in principle and spirit, not just the letter of the law.

Today we see sin and a desire to cast off the 10 Commandments all around us, because as a nation we are no longer willing to listen to prophetic vision. We would rather hear from a celebrity rather than from God.

Jesus Knew Who He Was

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 335
February 28, 2016 (running a day behind)

Jesus was not unclear where he came from and where he would return...

"I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

John 16:28 ESV

RANDY: Religions like Islam want to deny Jesus was any more than a prophet.

Yet, at the very same time they deny all he ever said about himself.

They claim eyewitness testimony is less reliable than the words of Muhammed, a man who not only never met Jesus, but he could not even read, and never read the gospel accounts, and he ultimately even misidentified the Trinity in the Koran.  He claimed that Christians believed in God the Father, Son, and virgin Mary.  His misunderstanding came from meeting catholic missionaries.

Jesus, knew who he was. He knew his relationship with God. He was not unclear.

It's Supposed to be about Unity

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 334
February 27, 2016

At the end of Jesus ministry, right before he went to the cross, he prayed to God and only asked for one thing, UNITY among believers...

"I do not  ask for these only, but also for those  who will believe in me through their word,  that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 

The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,  I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me."
John 17:20-23 ESV

RANDY: Why can't the modern church get this concept? Jesus wants unity, not separation. 

Modern Day Fools

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 333
February 26, 2016 (a little late)

A scripture we need to see from a different perspective...

"Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool."
Proverbs 26:1 ESV

RANDY: In the Bible, especially in Proverbs, a fool is defined as somone who does not have God's wisdom, or knowledge about God, basically a nonbeliever.

As I read this passage today, I was thinking about this upcoming election here in November.

Should the election come down to Clinton and Trump, something that looks probable, we will have 2 fools running for President, and neither one, Biblically speaking, deserves the honor.

True Christianity is and always has been defined by JESUS as a faith that produces the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Neither Clinton, nor Trump are true, born again believers in Jesus.  They are both fools, lying, cheating, and name calling their way to the top. They are not due honor.

Throwing Yourself on God's Mercy

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 332
February 25, 2016 (Running late)

Sometimes all we can do is throw ourselves on the mercy of God...

"Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.  The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses.  Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins."

Psalm 25:16-18 ESV

RANDY: All of us sin, all of us face trials and troubles. Only God can fix everything through His loving-kindness and mercy.

Character Matters

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 331
February 24, 2016

Sometimes, no matter how many people you have supporting your ideas, people just won't believe your story, because they just don't want to believe...

"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”

And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.

Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened."

Luke 24:1-12 ESV

RANDY: Some things I noticed about this scripture.

1) There were numerous women who went to the tomb of Jesus...

"Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them".

It isn't like there was only one hysterical woman who was filled with grief, imagining he was alive.  There were several women, including the Jesus and James own mother, and several others.

2) This is the only time I remember hearing about "Joanna" and yet Luke mentions her as if we would all know who she is and that even the mention of her name should lend credibility to the story.  Keep in mind, he specifically states there are several women, but then he only mentions 3 by name.

Think about when you tell a story to people about something that happened that seems fantastic of miraculous.  You yourself would mention by name any credible witnesses or details that would help your audience to be assured that your story was true. Luke is doing the same thing.

3) Peter initially doubted, but eventually after hearing this story, felt compelled to go and see for himself. This is not Peter's first hand account of what happened, so once again Luke is appealing to a known and trusted source, Peter, to help make his case.

4) Your reputation really does matter.  It is the one thing about you uniquely that will outlive your time here on this earth.  What you do in the few short years you have here, will make all the difference in how people you knew will remember you once you are long gone.

Every funeral I have attended, people want to tell the stories about the person who died.  Funny stories, sad stories, heartwarming stories. 

Live your life in such a way, that just the mention of your name instantly adds credibility to the stories about what you saw and did in your lifetime.

Some people will still doubt, but many more will go and see for themselves, and know that you lived a good and true life.

Ignoring Jesus and Other Spiritual Dangers

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 330
February 23, 2016

So many false teachings ignore this part of scripture...

"But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.  And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.

Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.  The greatest among you shall be your servant.  Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Matthew 23:8-12 ESV

RANDY: This does not mean that you refuse to teach others, but it means not to think of yourself as better than your students. We are all students of God and Jesus.

This next part is specifically violated by tge Catholic Church everywhere. Did the just flat out not read this part of scripture?

"And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. "

Not sure how this could be more clear.

Discipleship Brings Joy

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 329
February 22, 2016 (running a day late posting this week)

I know this from firsthand experience...

"Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart."

Proverbs 29:17 ESV

RANDY: All the time, my son Anthony brings great joy to my heart because he is a man of God.

I am a lucky father.

Be a Good Example for Others

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 328
February 21, 2016 (oops late)

As Christians we are supposed to be positive examples for others to follow...

"Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.

Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

Philippians 3:17-21 ESV

RANDY: Many people celebrate their sins rather than trying to turn away from them. In the end, this will lead to hell. 

We are supposed to live lives worthy of God and lead others in right ways.

Work For the Lord

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 327
February 20, 2016 (oops late)

God expects us to treat everything we do in life as if we are doing it for Him...

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.

You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality."

Colossians 3:23-25 ESV

RANDY: This is both a message about regular work and ministry work.

When was the last time you showed up at work and said, "I'm here today for God"?

Faith Joins us to God

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 326
February 19, 2016

We are all joined together by faith in Christ Jesus...

"Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.

So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise."

Galatians 3:23-29 ESV

RANDY: God's chosen people are anyone who has faith in Jesus. There are no longer any other separations...

Jesus Removed The Veil

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 325
February 18, 2016

Christianity is not only the continuation of Judaism, it is the fulfillment of everything promised by God...

"Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened.

For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

2 Corinthians 3:12-18 ESV

RANDY: God  desires for us to go beyond the rules and commandments and live is spiritual harmony with Him.  He revealed Himself in the Law of Moses, but the Law was not able to save us.

God desired for us to fully open our hearts to Him and embrace the glory He has for us through knowing Jesus. When we allow Jesus to lead our lives the veil of confusion is lifted and we are able to be raised from one level of glory to the next, over and over, as we grow closer to God.

All Have Sinned

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 324
February 17, 2016

God knows that none of us are perfect, and he us extremely merciful to us...

"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.

This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."

Romans 3:23-26 ESV

RANDY: When it talks about God passing over former sins, I think this has 2 meanings, one historical and the other in our lives...

1) Historical meaning - the Old Testament saints had a relationship with God before Jesus had paid for their sins. They could look forward to the coming Messiah, and they could offer sacrifices to God for their sins, but neither was enough to actually save them from spiritual death. So God, chose not to judge anyone until after Jesus had come and paid "once, for all" the sins of the world.  

This is not to say that all people from before Christ are saved, or that today all people are saved. This passage clearly says the gift of salvation is received by faith. In other words, if people did not trust in God before Christ or since Christ, neither would be saved.

2) Meaning in our lives - As a child, we sin, starting very young in life. Often we commit sins at a young age without realizing that we are violating God’s laws. We may think that we are upsetting mom or dad, but until we realize that there is a God and that he even has laws, we already are violating them.

At the age we finally realize that God is real and we start to feel the real weight of our sins, we reach what the Jews called, "the age of accountability." 

Prior to this time, we committed sins, that God simply passed over.  Had we died prior to reaching an age where we could understand the reality of God, both the Jews of the Old Covenant and Jesus also taught that children would inherit the kingdom of God. In Jewish culture that age of accountability  is roughly 13 years of age.

Once we reach the age where we understand that God is real and has real laws, it then is our choice to have faith or not and thus choose to accept or reject the gift of salvation. 

God’s desire is that "all would come to know Him".  He realizes that mankind is stubborn and disobedient, and he knows many will choose to reject him. But the gift is still waiting for each person who will humble themselves and pray for forgiveness and begin the process of repentance of sins.

God bless you and help you in your walk with him...

False Charges and Lies

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 323
February 16, 2016

When those who hate you cannot find anything valid to say against you, false charges and lies will work just as well...

"Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”

And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 

Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.”

Luke 23:1-4 ESV

RANDY: The priests and other religious leaders told Pilate 2 very distinct lies:

1) that Jesus forbid paying tribute to Caesar. Clearly this was a lie, Jesus said, " render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God’s".

2) that Jesus called himself a king.  When Pilate asks him this exact question, Jesus responds that Pilate has called him a king, implying that he has not called himself king, and indeed scripture never records Jesus referring to himself as king.

Despite Pilate realizing these charges are lies, ultimately he still puts Jesus to death to attempt to keep the peace with the religious athorities in Jerusalem.

False charges are Satan's stock and trade, even today...

Giving a Warning

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 322
February 15, 2016

Sometimes issuing warnings can keep you safe from harm...

"And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away."

Mark 12:12 ESV

RANDY: Often when people perceive scripture applies to them, even when it is hard to listen to, they will be convicted to their core and not harm the messenger.

A Widely Misused and Misquoted Scripture

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 321
February 14, 2016

This piece of scripture is used by loads of people to FALSELY defend the idea of a pre-tribulation rapture of the church....

"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words."

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ESV

RANDY : Paul is writing to a people who fear death. He is trying to assure them that God has not forgotten about the dead saints when he comes to judge the world.

This is not a description of two events, because Paul has already told us, "that to be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord", so naturally the dead are already with Jesus when he comes to judge the earth.

Let's look at Jesus description of the exact same event...

"Immediately after  the tribulation of those days  the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and  the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."

Matthew 24:29-31 ESV

RANDY: This literally could not possibly be more clear. Same Jesus, same appearing in the clouds, sending out his angels to get the same exact saints, at the same exact trumpet call, oh and by the way...AFTER THE TRIBULATION.

There is no "hidden return of Jesus". This is a false doctrine that has its roots in the 1700s and no further back in church history.

It is an escapist doctrine that says you really do not need to be prepared to suffer and die for your faith.

Well, try telling that to Christians in Syria who are having chemical weapons used against them; Christians in Egypt, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and elsewhere who are being beheaded by ISIS; Christians in Nigeria who are being hacked apart with machetes and blown apart with AK-47 fire; Christians in North Korea who are having their entire families hunted down and imprisoned, enslaved, or murdered by their own government; Christians in California who are being shot in the head by Islamic gunmen just because they are Christian.

The idea that Christians should hope to avoid suffering and even death because of their faith is TOTAL FICTION created as a lie by Satan.

Jesus said, "Then  they will deliver you up  to tribulation and  put you to death, and  you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.  And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.  And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.  And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.  But the one who endures to the end will be saved."

Matthew 24:9-13

Sure we are not children of wrath (wrath is by definition the punishment of God upon people and effects their souls), but Jesus said clearly, "in this life you will face tribulation  (tribulation is by definition the things man does to man affects only our bodies).

We are not to fear those who can only kill the body (tribulation), but we are to fear him who after killing the body can throw the soul into hell (wrath).

STOP BELIEVING THE LIES OF SATAN. Listen to Jesus instead.

You Will Be Judged by the Same Measure You Judge Others

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 320
February 13, 2016

God has always shown mercy towards those who accidentally violate His commandments...

"Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Say to the people of Israel, ‘Appoint the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, that the manslayer who strikes any person without intent or unknowingly may flee there. They shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood.

He shall flee to one of these cities and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city and explain his case to the elders of that city. Then they shall take him into the city and give him a place, and he shall remain with them. And if the avenger of blood pursues him, they shall not give up the manslayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor unknowingly, and did not hate him in the past. And he shall remain in that city until he has stood before the congregation for judgment, until the death of him who is high priest at the time.

Then the manslayer may return to his own town and his own home, to the town from which he fled.’”

Joshua 20:1-6 ESV

RANDY: God does not intend to have a harsh punishment for those who accidentally cause even the death of another person.  The condition of this is the intention of the person who causes the death. If they did not mean to kill the person they struck, they will not suffer the same fate as an intentional murderer.

This makes me think about the DUI homicide trial I testified in a couple years ago. The driver accidentally killed a person in the other car when the wreck occurred.

However, an overzealous district attorney chose to pursue 1st degree murder charges rather than a lesser charge, as should have been warranted. Based on a weird technicality in the law, he was able to push this through and the drunk driver was convicted of 1st degree murder and was given 35 to life.

Even the judge in the trial said this was a miscarriage of justice. Our nation is so far away from God’s heart, I wonder what he thinks as he looks down upon us these days.

I fear we are sowing the seeds of our own destruction. Jesus said we would be judged by the same measure we judge others.

If we are unwilling to lessen an accidental homicide punishment to a lesser charge than intentional murder, I wonder if God will forgive our nation for any of the accidental evils we commit? I fear we already know the answer to this...

This is Just Bad, Period

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 319
February 12, 2016

Sometimes scripture just records a horrible event, not because it makes anyone look good, but because it truly happened...

"As they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, worthless fellows, surrounded the house, beating on the door. And they said to the old man, the master of the house, “Bring out the man who came into your house, that we may know him.”

And the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, “No, my brothers, do not act so wickedly; since this man has come into my house, do not do this vile thing. Behold, here are my virgin daughter and his concubine. Let me bring them out now. Violate them and do with them what seems good to you, but against this man do not do this outrageous thing.”

But the men would not listen to him. So the man seized his concubine and made her go out to them. And they knew her and abused her all night until the morning. And as the dawn began to break, they let her go. And as morning appeared, the woman came and fell down at the door of the man’s house where her master was, until it was light.

  And her master rose up in the morning, and when he opened the doors of the house and went out to go on his way, behold, there was his concubine lying at the door of the house, with her hands on the threshold. He said to her, “Get up, let us be going.” But there was no answer.

Then he put her on the donkey, and the man rose up and went away to his home. And when he entered his house, he took a knife, and taking hold of his concubine he divided her, limb by limb, into twelve pieces, and sent her throughout all the territory of Israel.

And all who saw it said, “Such a thing has never happened or been seen from the day that the people of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt until this day; consider it, take counsel, and speak.”

Judges 19:22-30 ESV

RANDY: There is nothing good in this story. 1st a Levite (a priest) had a legal mistress. The very fact that this even happened showed how unGodly Israel had become (this is explained in the first 21 verses of this chapter). Marriage was always supposed to be one man and one woman.

Then they went to a town of the Israelites to stay the night and none of the Israelites invited the priest to stay in the house. Instead he was invited in by a non-Jewish gentile. This showed how dishonorable the people of the town were, not welcoming fellow Israelites.

Then some homosexual men from the town come to the house and want to rape the priest. Instead of defending the priest at the risk of his life, both the gentile and the priest agree to throw the mistress to the crowd, who then proceed to rape her to death.

In the morning when they find her dead body, finally the priest has a moment of clarity and realizes the evil of the entire situation, he hacked apart his mistress into 12 parts and sent one of the parts to each of the 12 tribes of Israel to proclaim the wickedness of both that town and Israel in general.

This story is mentioned a few times later in the Bible in much the same way as the story of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Some of the stories in scripture are not there to encourage imitation or to be uplifting. Sometimes the stories are just reminders of how bad sinfulness can get when we ignore God in our lives.

Our nation presently reminds me of this story. I read far too many stories about horrible acts like this committed right here in the USA every day.

We live in wicked times.

Sing A New Song

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 318
February 11, 2016

God loves NEW SONGS with LOUD INSTRUMENTS and SHOUTS...

Shout for joy in the Lord , O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.  Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!  Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts."

Psalm 33:1-3 ESV

RANDY: If this same Psalm were written today it would substitute electric guitar for "lyre".  When was the last time you heard anyone play a lyre? Do you even know what one is?

God expects EVERY generation to sing new songs to Him.  If you are stuck in the past, break free and worship God with songs from today.  God loves hearing praises from a joyful heart.

Oh, and by the way, God loves songs accompanied by instruments.  Scripture says this very fact dozens of times and it NEVER once says not to use instruments.

Friends and Family

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 317
February 10, 2016

Sometimes we forget who we can truly count on....

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

Proverbs 17:17 ESV

RANDY: Friends, true friends, always care about us. 

Family, sticks together, even in really hard times

A God of Mercy

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 316
February 9, 2016

God is merciful to those who listen to and obey His commandments and prophets...

"To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets."

Daniel 9:9-10 ESV

RANDY: It amazes me, with all the warnings in scripture, that a country such as the United States has any question why God has removed His blessing from this  land.

Our national and state governments violate nearly every one of the 10 commandments every day, and no one in authority seems to listen to God's leading through His word, anymore.

God has told us how to fix this situation and restore His mercy upon our land.  We must humble ourselves, pray, repent, listen, and obey.

God has spoken...

The False Church

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 315
February 8, 2016

When the church actively rebels against God and encourages the people to sin, He will destroy all their false teachings, false idols, and false alters of worship...

"Set the trumpet to your lips! One like a vulture is over the house of the Lord , because they have transgressed my covenant and rebelled against my law. 

Because Ephraim has multiplied altars for sinning, they have become to him altars for sinning.  Were I to write for him my laws by the ten thousands, they would be regarded as a strange thing. 

As for my sacrificial offerings, they sacrifice meat and eat it, but the Lord does not accept them. Now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins; they shall return to Egypt. 

For Israel has forgotten his Maker and built palaces, and Judah has multiplied fortified cities; so I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour her strongholds."

Hosea 8:1, 11-14 ESV

RANDY: The American church has sold out the commandments of God and has created a liberal social gospel that is devoid of God at all. God is not pleased with us.

Compassion

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 314
February 7, 2016

God is calling on his people to show compassion...

"And the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.” But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear.

They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the Lord of hosts."

Zechariah 7:8-12 ESV

RANDY: 2 things -

1) God calls on believers to be judgmental, but to do so with righteousness, kindness, and mercy.

2) Refusing to honor God's requests angers him and leads to judgment.

Are we living as God commands or are we like the Israelites in this scripture.

Identifying False Prophets

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 313
February 6, 2016

What is a false prophet?...

"Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes, but have seen for you oracles that are false and misleading."

Lamentations 2:14 ESV

RANDY: By definition, a prophet is anyone who proclaims the word of God, or speaks for God. Therefore a pastor is by definition a prophet.

False prophets fail to point out the sins of their congregation. False prophets teach things about "your" own personal future that are false and misleading.

Therefore anyone who is preaching a soft seeker sensitive (sin free) gospel is by definition a false prophet.

Anyone who claims God wants you to be rich, or always in good health, or happy all the time, is by definition a false prophet.

Anyone who promotes sexual sins such as acceptance of homosexuality, pre-marital sex, or teaches that sex is ok in any way except a man and his wife, is by definition a false prophet.

False prophets are easy to spot. They say things that disagree with clear cut sins or other warnings in the Bible. They condone behaviour that scripture consistently declares to be against the will of God. False prophets are always using mental and linguistic gymnastics to justify why they do or say what they stand for.

True prophets can read you ANY PART of God's word and explain why it is true and important.

Now you know how to tell them apart...

The Time Is Drawing Near

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 312
February 5, 2016

Our nation that once walked very close with God has turned its back on Him.  God is not willing to be mocked for long, our chance to repent as a nation is drawing to a close, and then the judgment will come...

"“Thus says the Lord God : This is Jerusalem. I have set her in the center of the nations, with countries all around her. And she has rebelled against my rules by doing wickedness more than the nations, and against my statutes more than the countries all around her; for they have rejected my rules and have not walked in my statutes.

Therefore thus says the Lord God : Because you are more turbulent than the nations that are all around you, and have not walked in my statutes or obeyed my rules, and have not even acted according to the rules of the nations that are all around you, therefore thus says the Lord God : Behold, I, even I, am against you. And I will execute judgments in your midst in the sight of the nations. And because of all your abominations I will do with you what I have never yet done, and the like of which I will never do again.

Therefore fathers shall eat their sons in your midst, and sons shall eat their fathers. And I will execute judgments on you, and any of you who survive I will scatter to all the winds. Therefore, as I live, declares the Lord God , surely, because you have defiled my sanctuary with all your detestable things and with all your abominations, therefore I will withdraw. My eye will not spare, and I will have no pity.

A third part of you shall die of pestilence and be consumed with famine in your midst; a third part shall fall by the sword all around you; and a third part I will scatter to all the winds and will unsheathe the sword after them. 

“Thus shall my anger spend itself, and I will vent my fury upon them and satisfy myself. And they shall know that I am the Lord —that I have spoken in my jealousy—when I spend my fury upon them.

Moreover, I will make you a desolation and an object of reproach among the nations all around you and in the sight of all who pass by. You shall be a reproach and a taunt, a warning and a horror, to the nations all around you, when I execute judgments on you in anger and fury, and with furious rebukes—I am the Lord ; I have spoken—"

Ezekiel 5:5-15 ESV

RANDY: God is especially harsh on dealing with His people who know better and yet still willingly practice sinful abominations. 

We as a nation have shed the innocent blood of over 57 million unborn babies.  We have embraced sexual immorality as a way of life, from pre-marital sex, to adultry, to homosexuality, and now there is even a push to normalize perversions such as pedophilia and multiple marriages, including multiple same-sex partners. 

We have institutional coveting and theft in our taxation system. We promote dishonoring our parents, elders, teachers, and leaders at every level of education in our nation.

Nothing is sacred anymore. 

As a nation, not one single shred of decency remains in the United States.  Other nations that worship false Gods and idols are even appalled at the decadence and immorality we openly embrace.

God will judge us, VERY SOON, unless we repent, from the President on down to the common man on the street.

We are Nineveh, and God has once again sent Jonah to warn us to repent or be destroyed. If you cannot see the writing on the wall, it is because you are choosing to be blind. 

Asking For Help

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 311
February 4, 2016

Sometimes you just have to ask for what you need...

"When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.

Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful."

Titus 3:12-14 ESV

RANDY: A lot of ministry is really just organizing what needs to happen and reminding people to continue in the things they already know they should be doing.

Who Should We Be Voting For This Year?

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 310
February 3, 2016

What if we elected officials based SOLELY on their obedience to the God of the Bible?...

"The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel.

Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand. And all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord . And furthermore, he took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah."

2 Chronicles 17:3-6 ESV

RANDY: It is sad that instead of the character of a person, we instead tend to vote based on the political promises a candidate makes to us, and the selfish gains we personally hope to have, rather than the good of our nation and the world.

If we voted on character, I know God would bless our nation again, and it would be impossible for weapons formed against us to prosper.

Just saying...

Do You Actually Trust God?

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 309
February 2, 2016

Is it possible in reality to rely on God to meet your needs and keep you safe?...

"Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods.

For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.”

So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty."

Ezra 8:21-23 ESV

RANDY: If you truly believe in God and do not doubt, he will meet your needs and keep you from your enemies.

Now does this mean he will always keep you from harm?  No, at least not physical harm.

God will always keep us from spiritual harm as long as we trust in him.  Satan has no power over our spirits, even though he can affect out physical bodies.

Don't Be Surprised...

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 308
February 1, 2016

Don't be surprised when people use your faith in God against you, especially if you give them nothing else to find fault with...

"Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.

Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.

Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.”

Daniel 6:3-5 ESV

RANDY: People who hate God's ways and people will try anything to pin some wrong thought or belief on people of faith. It has been going on for 3,000 years.

Judgment Is Coming - SOON

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 307
January 31, 2016

When a nation turns its back on God, He will use its enemies to completely and utterly destroy that nation.  He has done it many times before, don't think He won't again...

"On the seventh day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard, an official of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem.

He set fire to the temple of the Lord , the royal palace and all the houses of Jerusalem. Every important building he burned down. The whole Babylonian army under the commander of the imperial guard broke down the walls around Jerusalem.

Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard carried into exile the people who remained in the city, along with the rest of the populace and those who had deserted to the king of Babylon. But the commander left behind some of the poorest people of the land to work the vineyards and fields."

2 Kings 25:8-12 NIV

RANDY: If God would do this to Israel, his chosen nation, believe me, he will do it to the United States without even batting an eye.

God will not be mocked. I believe we are already seeing him pouring out his judgment on this nation with the past 15 years or terror attacks, mounting debt, public distrust, and a strengthening of almost every enemy our country has. Our current leaders are part of God’s judgment for our wickedness.

It will all come to a head in the next couple of years, and when the fall happens, it will be greater than anyone cares to imagine. 

All roads do not lead to God...

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 306
January 30, 2016

All roads do not lead to God...

"But I am the Lord your God from the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, and besides me there is no savior."

Hosea 13:4 ESV

RANDY: God has made it clear from the beginning when he first revealed himself to Moses and the Israelites held captive in Egypt, there is only one God, and only He can save you...period!

All the false Gods can do nothing for you. He alone can save you.

Vengeance is mine, says the Lord

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 305
January 29, 2016

God does not forget His promises...

"For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land, and have cast lots for my people, and have traded a boy for a prostitute, and have sold a girl for wine and have drunk it."

Joel 3:1-3 ESV

RANDY: God will remember the wrongs committed against His faithful people and will bring judgment against those who have mistreated them. 

Elsewhere the Bible says, "vengeance is mine, says the Lord."

Our Enemies Rejoice Until God Gives Us Victory

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 304
January 28, 2016

Even when we are sinning against God, as long as we are willing to humble ourselves, pray, and repent - God is still with us and will lead us to final victory...

"Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. 

I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my cause and executes judgment for me.

He will bring me out to the light; I shall look upon his vindication.  Then my enemy will see, and shame will cover her who said to me, “Where is the Lord your God?”

My eyes will look upon her; now she will be trampled down like the mire of the streets."

Micah 7:8-10 ESV

RANDY: God will often make us suffer pain and defeat when we fall into sin, but he is eager to lift us up in victory if we will repent.

Thank you God for never leaving or abandoning us.

It's All One Big Cycle

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 303
January 27, 2016

History seems to be repeating itself...

"Your shepherds are asleep, O king of Assyria; your nobles slumber. Your people are scattered on the mountains with none to gather them. 

There is no easing your hurt; your wound is grievous. All who hear the news about you clap their hands over you. For upon whom has not come your unceasing evil?"

Nahum 3:18-19 ESV

RANDY: Islam and the worship of a  false God has completely devastated almost every part of what was once known as Assyria.  That is Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and lower Turkey.

All of these regions have seen nothing but war for the last 25-30 years or longer and all exclusively because of the worship of Allah.

God will not be mocked, he never has allowed people to mock him for long.

We Need to Talk in Person

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 302
January 26, 2016

Nothing replaces a face to face visit...

"Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete."

2 John 1:12 ESV

RANDY: This is even more true today than it was when John wrote this 2000 years ago.

Today we have Facebook, Skype, texting, and phone calling, and yet I can say without a doubt that just sitting together at a kitchen table or in the living room when visiting somone, brings great joy to my heart.

Encouraging Word

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 301
January 25, 2016

A friend is going through a hard time and asked me to post a scripture encouraging them to stay faithful in the face of adversity...

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

Romans 5:1-5 ESV

RANDY: It is sometimes easy to forget that we are living in a special time in history. God has given us His Holy Spirit to guide and comfort us in times of trial.

Jesus told us to expect trials in this world, but that we could have confidence because he overcame this world.

We don't like to think of suffering as a good thing, but it is only through our suffering that we truly appreciate all God has given us.

Thanks God for my home, my family, my health, enough food to eat, clothes to wear, and lots of things I enjoy too. Your blessings are awesome in my life.

Progressive Revelation

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 300
January 24, 2016

Through time, God has revealed more and more of himself to us...

"For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.

When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel."

Ephesians 3:1-6 ESV

RANDY: First off I want to offer a caution.  This is not an endorsement of any new gospel about God or Jesus.

Jesus himself preached the eternal gospel of confession of sins, repentance, and forgiveness. Even he did not bring a new gospel to earth.

Paul, the writer of this scripture in several places warns specifically against accepting any new gospels. I am not endorsing the idea that new gospels are even possible at all, in fact I emphatically reject that notion.

What I am saying, and what Paul says in this part of scripture is that within the eternal gospel of repentance, God makes more of His plan for mankind known throughout time.

Originally the gospel was preached to Abraham, later to the Jews in general by Moses and the prophets,  then it was preached by Jesus himself to the Jews, then by Paul to the gentiles, and the Bible promises that in the last days (these days) it will be preached by both men and women of faith who trust in the Lord and have faith. God will pour out his spirit upon all flesh and they will prophesy. 

Do not be surprised if some end times events become more clear to the faithful as the day approaches.

The Bible promises that even though no man knows the time or the day, those who are spiritual will know the season and will not be caught unprepared.

Hypocrisy in Ministry

Let's Get Real - Scripture
January 23, 2016

Even those close to Christ can sometimes forget the right path and fall into hypocrisy...

"But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

Galatians 2:11-14 ESV

RANDY: Just because a person has been a minister of the gospel for many years does not mean they cannot be lead astray by their own personal fears, prejudices, and even sheer false doctrine.

Personally, I find that those who feel they have served God the longest are the hardest people to teach when they fall into error.

Pride is a dangerous sin that can undermine years of ministry if you allow it to continue.

It is often those who are newest to the faith who see it with the most clarity and precision. They have not had time to develop poor habits and allow their own situations to cloud their judgment.

Jesus did say, unless you have faith like a child, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Children have pure and honest faith, uncomplicated faith, faith that can melt icy hearts and move mountains.