They That Feared the LORD

John 3:16 is a very familiar Bible verse for Christians, but as we close out 2021 there is another "3:16" that I want to mention. I use a daily Bible reading plan (available to download - see the link above) that keeps me disciplined in reading God's word throughout the year, and today I finished the Old Testament with the book of Malachi. 

It is Malachi 3:16 that I wanted to mention, specifically the first part of the verse:

"Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another, and the LORD harkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name." Malachi 3:16

An excerpt from Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible regarding the people the LORD is speaking about reads: "They spake often one to another. They kept up the communion of saints. By mutual exhortation they strengthened each other's hands in the Lord." And although this was written regarding Godly Jews in Israel under the old covenant, there is an application that is confirmed for us in the new covenant:

"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:23-25

We who have trusted in Jesus Christ must walk together through this world, to encourage one another, pray for one another, and serve one another throughout the days and weeks and years of our pilgrimage here. We need one another, so take time or make time to be a "doer of the word" in this regard. Redeem the time (Ephesians 5:16); pray about it, and then follow the leading of God's Holy Spirit in living out this part of the Christian life.

Maranatha!

Pray for Christians in the village of Te’egbe, Nigeria

While we begin our Christmas holidays, our brethren around the world suffer for the name of Jesus Christ. Let's not forget to pray for them and remember them. 

https://www.theepochtimes.com/terrorists-promise-christmas-massacre-in-nigeria_4173219.html?slsuccess=1

You can't read the New Testament and not understand that suffering in this life is part of normal Christianity. I'm not looking for suffering, but when it catches up to us, let's embrace it as a badge of honor and trust ourselves to the grace of God. Read Acts chapter 5 and see how the followers of Jesus Christ lived under persecution:

"And they (the Apostles) departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name."  Acts 5:41

Look, this world hates Jesus Christ and will hate you if you identify & embrace him, his gospel, and his word the Bible. Just come to grips with that, and live boldly and unashamedly for Jesus remembering your brothers and sisters in the Lord are facing these trials as well.

"Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach." Hebrews 13:12-13

A Blessing to Sunny Hill

Our brothers and sisters from New Life Church visited the residents of Sunny Hill Residential Care Facility in Tama, Iowa on Tuesday evening to sing Christmas hymns & carols about the fulfilled promises of God to send us a Savior to rescue us from our sins. 

The promise made in Genesis chapter 3 regarding the seed of the woman - the suffering Servant who would come to take upon himself the sin of mankind - was being fulfilled in the birth of Jesus 2000 years ago.

"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." Genesis 3:15 

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:5-11

We sent along these small gift bags. Just a small stuffed animal, a candy cane, and two small cards: one a holiday-themed gospel tract and the other an offer to share God's word, the good news of Jesus Christ, and some contact information.

We pray for the 50 residents at Sunny Hill, for their families, and the employees who work there: if they know the Savior, that they would be strengthened in their faith. If not, that they would understand the gospel and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. This is why Jesus came to live among us, died on the cross and rose again. God has fulfilled that promise which began to be spoken of back in the book of Genesis and continues to fulfill it today.

"To him (Jesus) give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins."       

Acts 10:43 

2021 Holiday Stroll Gospel Outreach in Marshalltown, IA

Today is our Holiday Stroll gospel outreach in downtown Marshalltown. We are setting up inside and out front of the Stepping Stones Bookstore on Main Street, giving away hot chocolate and over 700 holiday-themed gospel messages. It's taken Mary and myself a month of planning and effort for a 4-hour window of opportunity to present Jesus Christ yet again to our community...our Jerusalem. The weather looks good: in the low 50's and looking like 39 degrees at 8PM when we finish up. We hope for a lot of people to be out on the streets.

I confess at this point I am weary in the work, but not weary of the work, as Dwight L. Moody once said (if I'm remembering this right). Jesus Christ and His gospel are worth it, and the souls of precious men & women, boys & girls are worth it.

This is what we do. It's who we are.

We are Christians. Come join us!

Iowa State Fair Outreach 2021 - 8.21.21 That Doesn't Look Normal!

 So the rest of the time at the Iowa State Fair Answers In Genesis (AiG) booth went well. People were hearing the Gospel, and having great conversation and getting their questions answered. I took a break from the AiG booth to help the Gideon's International with theirs. Tuesday and Wednesday I decided to take some time away from the fair to do a different kind of fishing. I caught two 13in bass and my friend caught one 20 in / 2lb bass. It was a great time to get away and regroup without burning out. 

Thursday and Friday I had some good conversation but not as well as the beginning of the week. I ran into many teens and college age students from a very large Lutheran Church in the area that rhymes with DOPE, that couldn't tell me what the gospel was, or that Jesus saves people from their sin. Not only that, but once, I  asked a kid who was wearing a cross around his neck how a person gets to heaven, he didn't know. I kept looking down at his necklace and asked, "So, what does this cross around your neck mean? What's the symbol of it." He said he wore it for good luck. 

Saturday rolled around and I was really motivated to make this second weekend the best this year. I couldn't get my normal parking but had to park three blocks further. The place was packed. I was excited that this place was going to be full to capacity. I got into the fair, and it was filled to the max with people. I made my way to the booth and met up with my wife and friends from church. I gave them tattoos and showed them around the booth. They left and about twenty minutes later, the unexpected happened. 

I was speaking with one of our team members and my knee kept getting caught on the opening of my shorts. I kept adjusting and was really getting annoying. When I pulled up my shorts slightly, the team member I was speaking with pointed down at my knee and said, "That doesn't look right." I looked down and my right knee was the size of a baseball, and felt like a water balloon. I sat down right away trying not to panic; my knee felt very weird, and I knew I was done working. With all the standing in the booth witnessing and talking with people, my body broke down and said, no more. 

I never thought in a million years I would incur injuries sharing my faith; maybe getting punched or kicked, but not because my body is falling apart. But I guess it's that time I need to take care of myself as I get older. 

But this should be a lesson for all of us. Many people put off God and doing His will until later on in life. They'll say they have plenty of time later or they're too busy now. It reminds me of Luke 12:16-21. 

Then He [Jesus] spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. "And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?' "So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, [and] be merry." ' "But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' "So [is] he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." [Luke 12:16-21 NKJV]

Like this rich man, later might not ever come. People need to serve God while they are able, not only mentally and physically, but while they are alive. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, and this should be a warning for all of us. I'm not saying that you need to give up your jobs or careers, but fit God and His will in there. Make it first in your life. When we put God first He gives us our needs and daily bread (Proverbs 2:8-9; Matthew 6:25-34). 

UPDATE: 8/23 the water dissipated in my knee and as of 9/13 I am able to walk on it without a brace or compression bandage. Praise God.