Many Come to Church on Easter. Where are They Other Sundays?

Thanks to those of you who have been signing up for the RSS feed t0 www.dougbolton.com. It has helped us move up the Google Search Rankings, which is important for growth. If you haven’t already signed up, please do it today. Just click on the icon right after the title.

_________________________________________________________

The year 2011 was a good year for me in selling my book. I sold over 300. In 2012 I will be digging in and trying to top that, plus hopefullyhave another book published. Stay tuned for updates on my first book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World,” and all future books.

________________________________________________________________

The book “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World,” reaches out to those who may be suffering from anxiety, fear, depression, addictions, self-doubt, or hopelessness.

The book is on sale right now in the sites bookstore. It is normally $19.99 in the bookstores, but on this site it is only $15.99. The shipping has been cut in half as well. A total savings of over $6.00. Just click on the “Bookstore,” tab at the top of this page.

______________________________________________________

Today’s excerpt is about how people only seems to go to chruch on special occasions like Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. Where are they the rest of the year?

________________________________________________________

Chapter 28

 

Without Jesus, You Don’t Have a Prayer

 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him

shall not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

 

When I went to church yesterday, it was exciting to see so many people. We had 2,565 people there. It was Easter Sunday. We normally have about 1,000 on an average Sunday. My question is: Where are the people the rest of the year? They are only there at Easter because they have accepted the ways of this world and have become churchgoers and not church members. That is what they do: Go to church at Easter.

They have Easter egg hunts at home. They have big family gatherings, but they do not know the meaning behind Easter. They want the Easter bunny to fill their baskets to bring joy to their faces, caring nothing about having Jesus in their hearts.

            As we go through life, some think they can survive on their own without Jesus. They conform to the world around them and think that life is going to be kind to them, because they are “good” people, and surely (I know—don’t call me Shirley!) they will be blessed in their “afterlife.” But when they have finished the race, and face the judgment, God will say, “I do not know you because you rejected My Son.”

We must learn that without Jesus, we do not have a prayer of being with Him in heaven. We have to go the extra mile and let Him into our lives. Then the time of judgment will be different. When we finish the race, God will say, “Come in, My good and faithful servant.”

When it was time for Jesus to be crucified for our sins, He went through many hardships. Others before Him (like Joseph) and after Him (like Paul) also faced hardships. The similarities show that whenever we go through trials, some good can come of it, if we stay close to God and keep the faith.

Joseph went to find his brothers because his father asked him to go to Shechem to look for them. They were out tending the sheep. He didn’t find them there, and asked where his brothers had gone. He was told his brothers had gone on toDothan. He could have stopped when he got to Shechem. He had gone as far as his father had told him to, but he went the “extra mile” (actually about twenty) to find his brothers inDothan. When he found them, what did they do? They threw him into a deep hole called a cistern, tore off his robe and then sold him into slavery. The robe was a richly ornamented one that his father had given Joseph. His brothers hated Joseph, so they betrayed their own brother.

Paul spent many years being persecuted, facing torture and spending time in prison, but he never wavered. He continued to preach all over the world of his time, telling people about salvation. He was a loyal servant of God. He kept on serving the Lord. Even though he had many hardships, he finished the race.

Jesus could have saved Himself when He was put on the cross. But He allowed the soldiers to pound the nails into his hands and feet, crushing the bones and letting the crimson blood flow to the ground. He could have sent for a thousand angels when He was hanging on the cross and have them destroy the people. Instead He said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.” He said He was thirsty, when He could have opened up the skies and let rainwater fall into His mouth. Instead the soldiers gave him bitter-tasting vinegar wine. He could have set Himself free at anytime, but instead He said, “It is finished!”

The soldiers took Jesus’ robe off just like the brothers did to Joseph. It also was a specially made robe with no seams in it. It was woven in one piece from the top. The soldiers threw dice to see who would win the robe. It must have been Jesus’ finest possession. It was a great “collector’s” item for the soldiers.

Jesus walked all over the country teaching about salvation. In the end He was persecuted, beaten, marched through a mock trial and put to death. He went through many of the things Paul went through.

Yes, Jesus could have saved Himself that day. He could have done many things to stop what was happening to Him, but He went on to walk the extra mile. He went on to finish the race. He went on to the cross to pay the supreme sacrifice for our sins.

Have you walked the extra mile? Is Jesus your Lord? Will you finish the race with Him and live an eternal life of joy? He paid the price for the ticket to get you in. He wanted to die for you because He wants you to be in heaven with Him.

 

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart

that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

 

Further Adventures

Study the book of Romans. Read it to see how wonderful life can be when we follow God. Also find some books that tell about the life of Jesus. Here are two I recommend, both by Philip Yancey: The Jesus I Never Knew and What’s So Amazing About Grace? Yancey digs deeply into the life of Jesus and shows us much more about Jesus than we could ever understand on our own.

 

Something to Ponder

Isn’t it funny how someone can say, “I believe in God,” on Sunday, but on Monday follow Satan (who, by the way, also “believes” in God)?

 

Why do it Now? There’s Always Tomorrow. Maybe Not!

Thanks to those of you who have been signing up for the RSS feed t0 www.dougbolton.com. It has helped us move up the Google Search Rankings, which is important for growth. If you haven’t already signed up, please do it today. Just click on the icon right after the title.

_________________________________________________________

The year 2011 was a good year for me in selling my book. I sold over 300. In 2012 I will be digging in and trying to top that, plus hopefullyhave another book published. Stay tuned for updates on my first book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World,” and all future books.

________________________________________________________________

The book “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World,” reaches out to those who may be suffering from anxiety, fear, depression, addictions, self-doubt, or hopelessness.

The book is on sale right now in the sites bookstore. It is normally $19.99 in the bookstores, but on this site it is only $15.99. The shipping has been cut in half as well. A total savings of over $6.00. Just click on the “Bookstore,” tab at the top of this page.

________________________________________________________

Chapter 27

 

Don’t Wait for Six Strong Men to Finally Take You to Church

 

See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.

For I command you today to love the Lord your God, and to keep his commands.

Deuteronomy 30:15–16

 

“I’ll do it tomorrow.” “There’s always time.” “Why should I hurry?” Pretty common responses. I have witnessed—too many times—young people falling before their time, and they never took the time to let the Lord into their hearts.

The Bible says we have our appointed time to die, and then will come the judgment. It doesn’t say when our appointed time is. It could be tomorrow or even tonight after you fall asleep.

A tragic example for me was some students of mine who died before they were 15. All of them thought they were going to live for many years to come. They were cut short in their prime, and never thought of the consequences of waiting. I pray that each of those young adults had a close encounter with God and received the Lord before their last breath.

As parents, it is our obligation to nurture our children with the love of the Lord. Children raised in a Christian home have a much better chance of joining the Lord at their “appointed time” than those raised in a home where conversations about God and His salvation aren’t important.

None of us wants to take a chance with our children! We need to introduce them to the ways of the Lord and trust Him that they will respond positively to the message of salvation.

How about you? You also have an appointed time. Don’t keep waiting. Some have waited too long and never got around to giving their lives to God.

I’ve seen the bumper sticker that says, “Real men love Jesus.” If we men think we are too macho to be a Christian, we need to think about what Jesus went through for us. Have you been spit upon? Have you been flogged with whips that have nails on the end? Have you had a crown of thorns put on your head? Have you had nails driven through your hands and feet? Have you agreed to die for someone else?

I expect you said no to all of the above questions. Jesus can say yes, and He did it just for you. If He was man enough to do that for you, don’t you think you can be man enough to at least give your heart to Him?

Traditionally at a funeral, six people carry the coffin into the church. I hope that isn’t the first time you go to church. I hope that on that day for you, God, your friends and your family will be able to acknowledge you as one of His good and faithful servants.

 

The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.

Psalm 116:6

 

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that

leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road

 that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matthew 7:13–14

 

Further Adventures

Visit the sick and dying to help them through their fear. It will give them peace, and it will also draw you closer to God. Whenever I’ve done this, it has been very difficult. But each time the person I visited was happy I had stopped to see them. It gave them a good feeling and brightened their day, even though it was near the end of their journey.

Something to Ponder

Isn’t it funny how people read the Bible more as they get older? They must be cramming for their finals!

 

Why do I Need to Go to Church? I am a Good person.

Thanks to those of you who have been signing up for the RSS feed to www.dougbolton.com. It has helped us move up the Google Search Rankings, which is important for growth. If you haven’t already signed up, please do it today. Just click on the icon right after the title.

_________________________________________________________

The year 2011 was a good year for me in selling my book. I sold over 300. In 2012 I will be digging in and trying to top that, plus hopefully have another book published. Stay tuned for updates on my first book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World,” and all future books.

________________________________________________________________

The book “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World,” reaches out to those who may be suffering from anxiety, fear, depression, addictions, self-doubt, or hopelessness.

The book is on sale right now in the sites bookstore. It is normally $19.99 in the bookstores, but on this site it is only $15.99. The shipping has been cut in half as well. A total savings of over $6.00. Just click on the “Bookstore,” tab at the top of this page.

________________________________________________________

I have another excerpt from the book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World.” It answers the question as to do we need to go to church to be a Christian? Many people feel they can be good Christians and never step into a church. Others feel they have to have the fellowship each week to remain strong.

________________________________________________________

 

Chapter 26

 

Are You Wrinkled with Burden?

Come to Church and Get a Faith-Lift

 

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:10

 

Do we need to go to church to be Christians? Not in the thinking of a many people. Do we need to go to church to grow and be strong Christians? In my thinking, yes—it is a must.

I find this second thought important in my own life. Where else can I sit and share my beliefs in God more than in God’s house. Those people who think the same way need me there to support them—and I need them to support me.

There are many times when we face sickness, sorrow or tragedy. People will pray for us, and we will pray for them. Jesus calls His children to a community where they gather and share together.

We know that we need to be with brothers and sisters in Christ if we are to grow in the Spirit. When we are with other Christians, we begin to feel more like loving one another, and feel free to share without fear. Christians who gather together learn that each member is a special present from God—someone with whom we can share and grow spiritually.

As the bumper sticker suggests: We can get a faith lift every time we come to church and share with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Spending each Sunday with people who love us and want to help us grow is one way to have many close encounters with God.

I have developed some close friendships with Christians from my home church and we keep in touch during the week. It helps me to stay on level with God and to be strong.

We can stay strong another way—as part of a Bible study during the week. Most churches have study groups that are a comfortable place to share and grow.

There is also an international Bible study group (Bible Study Fellowship—BSF) that I attend during the week. There are groups for just men and groups for just women. Some women’s groups meet during the day. Many meet on the same weeknight evening so both spouses can attend at the same time while their children are part of program geared to their age group.

There is a different study in each term of the seven-year cycle and you eventually get a great overview of the entire Bible. I have been blessed each year I’ve gone and have developed close friendships there. After the lecture over the passage we study during the week on our own, my small group of ten to twelve men meets. We share our hurts and needs at the end of each session. Some men would not open up in other settings, but they feel safe at BSF.

 

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must

believe that he exists and then he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

 

Further Adventures

  1. Visit your neighbors and talk to them about coming to church. I realize this may be a difficult assignment. It may be uncomfortable to speak up for the Lord, but just think if everyone in your neighborhood was a strong Christian. What if they all went to churches where they were growing in the Lord? What a glorious place to live. What a boost that would be. Isn’t it worth trying to tell your neighbors about your church, and more importantly about your Savior?
  2. Call a fellow Christian from your church and thank him or her for being there for you. Although they may not understand what you mean, they will be grateful for your thoughtfulness and glad they have contributed to your life. Your friendship may even grow stronger.

 

Something to Ponder

Isn’t it funny that even every hair on your head is counted?