Posts

Posted on

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!

 

Posted on

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?

Posted on

Are You Standing on Whale, Fishing for Minnows?

 * Please take a couple minutes and sign-up for our RSS feed. It will then tell you when we post. It also helps us move up in the Google Search rankings. You can find the right icon to do that right after the title.

________________________________________________________

Today’s excerpt from “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World,” is about finding ways to help others. You don’t have to go to another country to be a missionary. You can find ways to help others right in your neighborhood, or in your own church.

________________________________________________________

Chapter 25

 

Are You Standing on a Whale Fishing for Minnows?

                                                                              

I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service, and perseverance,

and that you are now doing more than you did at first.

Revelation 2:19

 

One of my favorite pastimes is fishing. I don’t go as much as I would like to, but when my two sons, my son-in-law, and my good friend Jim go fishing each year, we have a great time. We have a contest to see who catches: the first fish, the most fish, the biggest fish, and the prettiest fish. It makes the time out in the boat a little more exciting.

So, of course, I am always looking for that first fish. I never seem to be the lucky guy who catches the first one, but when someone lands that first one, it is the most exciting moment. Everyone in the boat gets pumped. They begin to watch their own lines more closely. It gets the game started to see who will win in the other categories.

Many times in the past, I have looked for something that would help me be a better person—to be a winner. I needed to catch that first fish to get me excited about having a purpose in life. I tried to find ways that I could help others. This was a struggle because of my own insecurities and doubt. I thought at one time that I would not succeed at anything—that I would never catch any fish. I didn’t know what my purpose was. I questioned why I should keep looking for something that would improve me. I also thought that I shouldn’t be trying to help others if I couldn’t even help myself. I wasn’t getting any bites.

I see many people with this affliction. They go through life trying to find their purpose and never accomplish anything. Vincent Van Gogh said, “What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything.” We spend too much time doubting that we can accomplish anything. But there is one thing we are successful at: Accomplishing nothing!

Teddy Roosevelt also had something to say about this: “In a moment of decision the best thing to do is the right thing; the worst thing to do is nothing.”

            It’s very possible that what you’ve been looking for in your life is right under your nose. It is the old, “I can’t see the forest for the trees” thinking. There are many things God gives us that are part of His purpose, but we never realize they are part of what He wants for us.

Try looking around and see if God has a purpose for you—something that is staring you right in the face. It could be that first fish wanting to bite your bait. It could be right in your home church. Do you enjoy talking to children? There are many volunteers needed in the Sunday school department. People are needed to usher (that’s what I do), sing in the choir, help in your church’s information center, be a greeter, or be on a prayer team.

It could be somewhere at your workplace. Your work is not only how you provide for your family. In fact, your job might be more rewarding if you realized God put you there for a purpose. Since God has placed you there, find ways that you can serve Him as you do your job.

            Many people are Christian soldiers on Sundays—and AWOL on Mondays. We need to think about God and how He may want to use us for His glory. He talks to us all the time, but sadly, many people do not listen. He gives us all we need to catch many fish. We have many possibilities for close encounters with God and we often let them pass by.

            Try fishing in the morning newspaper. Look over the articles. Study the stories. Where is there a spot where you can have fun and still serve God? God may want you to volunteer at the YMCA or as a Big Brother or Sister. There are many children who need adult guidance, who do not have a parent to give it to them.

            As the verse at the beginning says: “I know your deeds ….” I wonder what God thinks of my deeds at this point? Does He think I have served Him well? Am I listening to Him and following His lead? Or am I standing on whale fishing for minnows?

            We need to open our eyes and thinking to what God has in mind for each of us. He wants the best for us, and it’s time to stop fishing for minnows! There are many big fish out there, and He wants us to catch some of them for Him. Let’s not delay. Let’s cast out our lines and catch that first fish.

 

Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning.

Luke 12:35

 

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in that faith and in the knowledge of

the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Ephesians 4:11–13

 

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest

if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people,

especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Galatians 6:9–10

 

Further Adventures

Think about what your goals in life are. Do you have something you feel you would like to accomplish? Is it the purpose God has in mind for you for serving Him? Go for it! Step up to the plate and hit a home run.

 

Something to Ponder

Isn’t it funny that when you give rather than receive you feel much better?