Tag: Ways to Survive

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Don’t go Through Life Without the Love of God in Your Life

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I have been featuring excerpts from the book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World.” This book is on sale right on this site. Easter is getting close and this book is perfect for those you know who may suffer from anxiety, fear, depression, addictions, self-doubt, Hopelessness, and the many other usual suspects. Click on the “Bookstore,” tab above to check it out.

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Today’s excerpt is about what we must do to pass the tests that God may have for us some day.

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Chapter 50

 

Time Will Pass; Will You?

 

Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal.”

Genesis 6:3

 

One day during my teacher years, I was sitting at my desk correcting papers when I looked up and saw one of my students staring at the clock. It was getting close to recess, and he was anxiously waiting to be able to go out and play. After recess, and near the end of the day, I decided to watch the students while I was at my computer. (I had the monitor positioned so I could see the reflection of what—or who—was behind me. Sneaky, huh?)

It was happening again. Several students were watching the clock, instead of doing their schoolwork.

Before the students came in the next morning, I had posted a sign below the clock that read, “Time will pass; will you?” I couldn’t wait until the kids came in. They had been there about five minutes when one of the students spotted the sign. She started laughing as she pointed to the clock. The others looked up, and everyone started laughing.

Then the laughing faded and looks of concern started showing up on their faces. They had that look that said, “That is a funny saying, but what does it mean?”

I went to the front of the classroom to explain what I had observed. They didn’t laugh this time, and from then on you could see students taking a darted look at the clock and then dive back into their studies. They didn’t want me to catch them looking at the clock.

I was able to take the sign down after a couple of weeks, and never had a problem after that. Its message had become embedded in their minds.

When I was a young father, I was very busy, trying to provide for my family. I was going to college and working full time at a grocery store. I didn’t have time for anything else.

This schedule led to a college degree for me and a career in teaching. But it cost me my marriage and created a separated home for my children. It was my own fault. My first wife worked very hard while I was in school and is a good mother.

I decided I wanted to find out what the world was like since I never had time to do it while going to school for ten years. I walked away from a good family situation in my divorce. I had my two sons with me, but my daughter stayed with her mother.

That is when I thought about time passing by me. I walked that wide path of sin, and really thought I was enjoying my newfound freedom. I left my sons at home, and went out “playing.” They had to learn to be independent.

I didn’t see much of my daughter either, and one day when I did, I was in shock. I thought, Is that my daughter? She sounds older. She looks older, even taller, and much prettier. I must have missed something. What had happened, of course, is that she had become a young lady. Overnight, it seemed that she had gone from my little princess to a young woman.

Just yesterday, I was changing her diapers, I thought, and now she is driving a car. She was going to college, and I didn’t even have time to watch her grow. I was running out of chances to show her my love. Time was passing by quickly, and I was failing.

That is what happens when you decide to wait on giving your life to God. Time passes very quickly, and before you know it, you have gone through life without the love of God in your life.

Your time to pass on will come soon enough. You will take the final test, but what test will you pass? The test of sin or the test of righteousness? The final grade will be handed out to you at the end of your term here on earth. It is a pass/fail test.

We are like my children when they were little. Some things are hard to comprehend. There is no way our minds can comprehend, the love of God. We may think ourselves unworthy of such an awesome God. Although we cannot understand His love, we cannot stop Him from loving us.

We just can’t grasp the thought that God would come down to earth through a womb, wrap Himself in human flesh, and be crucified just for us. Just for you.

Let me ask you something: Upon learning that God would rather die for you—and He did—than be without you, how do you respond? How can you justify His doing this for you?

You can’t come up with a good answer, can you? I can’t either. You can’t justify one person dying for another.

The only answer is that there is more love in God than we can ever imagine.

That brings us down to the fact that there is no one on earth who can love us more than God does. Our parents can’t. Our siblings can’t. Our best friends can’t. Our spouse can’t.

The bottom line is that God loves us more than anything else He has created. The Bible doesn’t say He might love us. It doesn’t say He is thinking about loving us. It doesn’t say He did love us, but that our sins have turned Him away from us.

God has an unconditional love that is forever.

Time is passing; will you pass on to heaven? That is the final test. You can pass this test easily. Just confess your sins and let Jesus into your heart. No true or false questions. Just yes or no. If you say yes, you have passed the test with a 100% score, and the gates are opened wide for you.

My daughter has grown up from that little princess I told you about. She graduated from college with a teaching degree, married, and has two lovely little girls. We spend time together as often as possible. I am in the autumn of my life, but I know that I am loved by her, and she knows how much I love her. I may have let time pass, but there is still time left.

There is still time left for you too. Don’t let any more time pass. Turn your life over to God. He will look at you, and say, “You have grown up, and I am proud of what you have become. You have become My child, and I will love you forever.”

Just like I will love my children forever.

 

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13–14

 

Further Adventures

Does it seem like you just graduated from college, but here you are just a few years from retirement? Did the little boy you were holding in your arms yesterday suddenly become a husband with three children—your grandchildren?

There are some things you might avoid, but there are some things you can’t. Time will keep ticking no matter how much you try to slow it down. I know this may sound rather overbearing, but treat each day as if it is your last. What would you do if you knew tomorrow was your last day? Sit down and write down all those things and make it your “bucket list”—things you want to do before you “kick the bucket.” Start doing them and check them off your list as you do.

 

Something to Ponder

Isn’t it funny how quickly the days go by as you get older?

 

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As Long as There are Tests, There Will be Prayer in Schools

Thanks to all of you who been signing up for the RSS feed to this site. This help us move up in the Google Search Rankings. Help us keep climbing by signing up today if you haven’t already. Just click on the icon after the title to do that.

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The book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World,” just received a 5 star rating by the Reader’s Favorite Books, website. You can read the review by going to: http://www.readersfavorite.com/review/5735.

This is the second 5 star review recently. You can order this book right here, by clicking on the “Bookstore,” tab at the top of this page. This books reaches out to those who may suffer from anxiety, fear, depression, addictions, self-doubt, hopelessness, and the many other usual suspects.

It is on a special sale here. In the retail stores it is $19.99, but here it is only $15.99, and the shipping is cut in half as well. A total savings of over $6.00.

Just click on the “Bookstore,” tab to check it out.

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I have another excerpt from the book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World.” It tells about preparing ourselves for the day of reckoning.

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Chapter 49

 

As Long as There Are Tests, There Will Be Prayer in Schools

 

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13

 

I loved my job as a teacher. It was thrilling to see the fear on kids’ faces when I gave a surprise quiz. They looked like they had just been hit by lightning. They began to sweat and tremble. I had my red pen in hand as I handed out the tests. I wanted them to see the pen that was going to be marking all over their papers. I knew I had power, and I was enjoying it.

Of course, this is not true. I never surprised kids with tests. As a matter of fact, I told them way ahead of time when a test was coming. I even told them where to find the answers. Life is tough enough without trying to hide the answers to tests.

That is the way it for Christians. They know where to find the answers. God does not try to hide them. God has told us way ahead of time what the answers are. He has told us what is going to happen. All we need to do is have faith. We need to look forward to it happening.

You should be studying for the final test now. You can’t just cram for it at the last minute. You don’t know when the last minute is. It may be before you finish this page. The Bible has all the answers to any questions you may have about God.

We need to spend each day studying and preparing for that day. There is only one test you have to pass, but it is pass/fail. There are no average scores or not so good scores—you either pass or you fail.

Fear not, my friend, the only question on the test is: “Do you believe in Me?” Yes and no are the only choices. There are not hundreds of questions that take hours to answer. You just kneel down and pray, “Father forgive me and I believe in You.”

Then you are ready to go home to be with God, and you never have to take another test for eternity.

Is this a hard task for you? Do you have too many “toys”—or other things to distract you—on this earth? Would you rather not think about eternity just yet? Do you have plans for yourself that do not include God? Have tests always had you running in fear? Do you shiver and quake when the word “test” is mentioned? Do you not have time for prayer?

Read John3:16, and know that God loves you more than words can describe. He loved you so much that He gave His only Son to die just for you.

Think of the test questions that Jesus had to go through. The Pharisees kept trying to trick Him with questions to show that He wasn’t really the Son of God. They wanted Him to fail the test.

“Should we pay taxes?” “Is it OK to heal on the Sabbath?” “Why do you protect a prostitute?” Even on the cross He was asked, “If you are God, why don’t you save me and yourself?”

Jesus was not afraid of questions. He knew that His heavenly Father was there for Him. He knew that all the questions led to the cross. They all had a purpose: to fulfill His prophecy.

Even though I am retired from teaching, I still try to learn. I read many books on Christian living. I read the Bible to keep growing. I am 70 years old and will never be too old to study for the final test. I am ready for it because I’ve done my homework. I found the right answers.

 

If … you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with

all your heart and with all your soul.

Deuteronomy 4:29

 

Further Adventures

How about you? Are you ready for the final test? Are you sure you’ll get the diploma of eternal life? Will you graduate into the heavenly kingdom? If not, crack open the Bible and get at that study. Confess your sins, and accept God’s gift of salvation. You are only a prayer away from God. He is waiting for you to pass the test and rely on Him for knowledge. Then you will be at the head of the class. The angels will be waiting for you to hand you your diploma, congratulating you with: “You passed the test!” You will be an honor student with eternity to enjoy your Savior.

 

Something to Ponder

Isn’t it funny when you find something you thought you had lost only to realize it was there all the time?

 

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1 Cross + 3 Nails = 4-Given

Thanks to all of those who have been signing up for our RSS feed. This helps us mover up the Google Search Rankings. If you haven’t already signed up, please to it today. You just click on the icon right after the title to do that.

___________________________________________________________

The book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World,” just received a 5 star review from Reader’s Favorite Books, website. You can check it out by going to http://www.readersfavorite.com/review/5735. You will need to scan down just a little. 

This book reaches out to those who may suffer from anxiety, fear, depression, addictions, self-doubt, hopelessness, and the many other usual suspects.

This book is on a special sale right now. In the retail stores it is $19.99, but here it is only $15.99, and the shipping has been cut in half as well.

Click on the “bookstore,” tab at the top of this page to read more about the book.

___________________________________________________________

I have another excerpt from the book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World.” It talks about the many people who wear crosses around their necks and never really know the meaning behind them.

Chapter 48

1 Cross + 3 Nails = 4-Given

 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever  believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

 

Have you ever thought about the cross? It was just a piece of wood. It came from an everyday tree. It was shaped for one purpose: death! Think about the cross you may be wearing, or the one you see during your church service. Have you ever really thought about the pain this one piece of wood caused?

History knows about the cross, and some people have despised it. The cross is worn by millions of people. It is often gold-plated and worn as jewelry—usually not to symbolize what it really means, or to show our faith. But the cross really means dying. A cross was used to punish the guilty. It displayed the offender in front of others so they would “learn a lesson” and not do the same thing. Bottom line: It was a torture device to show the power of the leaders during their time.

People try to ignore the significance of the cross, but they can’t. It is the piece of lumber that makes the biggest claim in the history of man. After all, when Jesus was here on earth, He hung on that cross, claiming to be the Savior for all mankind. He even had the nerve to claim He was God Himself!

Jesus was a carpenter and knew how hard it was to toil each day with his hands and a hammer. He had calluses on His hands even though those hands touched a blind man’s eyes and caused him to see. He used those same calloused hands when He touched a leper and he was healed. He knew what hard work was, and yet He had a tender touch that healed hundreds of people.

This is the God of love brought down to earth in the form of a man—a person with flesh and blood like you and me. Full of hurts. Full of sadness. Full of fear. Didn’t He cry out to God to “take this cup from Me”? Wasn’t He whipped, slapped and spat upon? Didn’t He slowly and painfully walk with that cross on His shoulders knowing that He would soon be hung on it and go through tremendous hurt and suffering? From the cross, didn’t He ask God why He had forsaken Him? Wouldn’t you have a little fear?

So we have the cross ready for the crucifixion. How about those nails? They weren’t tiny nails you’d use to build a birdhouse in the backyard. These were spikes—large nails about five inches long. They crushed the bones and caused pain that was beyond description.

Imagine your fear as they placed your left hand on that cross and get ready to pound that nail through your hand. The mallet comes down, and you scream in pain. But before you can catch your breath, they are nailing your right hand down.

Now that they have you securely part of the cross, they put your feet together, one on top of the other and slam another spike through both of them at once.

Do you feel the pain? Do you get the picture? Can you now relate to the sacrifice that Jesus had to go through so that you wouldn’t have to?

He was hurting, He was in great pain, and He cried out to God, just like you and I would, but He knew what He was doing had to be done for you and me.

He even had to look down and see the soldiers gambling for His clothes. That must have made Him feel even worse. They were at His feet, but they didn’t even know He was the Savior. He didn’t scold them. He didn’t cry out in anguish. He wanted them to know the One whose clothes they were throwing the dice for would come back to give them another chance.

Think of His arms spread out across the cross. Open arms. Arms that will hold you and show you love when we are in heaven.

Think even deeper about a mother watching her son die. Having Mary watch Him die had to cause Jesus another level of pain—perhaps even worse than any whippings or the nails driven through His hands and feet. He gave her one final look and then He said good-bye, handing her over to John’s care. Think of what Mary went through right at the moment He said, “It is finished.” Her son was dead, and she had to watch Him slowly fade away from her.

One final gesture. One more time of showing us how much He loved us. One last effort to tell us to seek Him so we can be with Him in heaven. After all, He died for us so we wouldn’t have to feel the pain. It is that simple. He went through all the torture, pain, aloneness, fear, for each one of us.

The next time you see a cross around someone’s neck or see one on top of a church, think of what Jesus went through so you can have eternal life. Try to see Him on that cross, with the crown of thorns on his head and the crimson blood flowing down His face. He is looking at you, and wants you to know that it is OK. He wants you to know that He did this for you, so that you will have eternal life. It should give you a much stronger feeling of what the cross stands for.

 

This is love: not that we loved God, but the he loves us and  sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

1 John 4:10

 

Further Adventures

Take time each day to thank God for sending His only Son to die for you on the cross. Start out every prayer time, or devotional time, praising God for what He has done for you. The whole meaning of Christianity started with the cross. Think about how the love Jesus flowed out for you through His blood on the cross.

 

Something to Ponder

Isn’t it funny how some people wear the cross and never know what it means?