Escape from Wordly Cares by Reading the Bible

Reading the Bible is the Escape from Worldly Cares that You Need

Barbara Henderson

My family went to see 'Inkheart' at the movie theater a while back.

The story line was that when certain people read a book characters from the book come into reality; and, people from the present are sucked into the book.  I suppose it is sort of like the movie Jumanji - except it is a book instead of a board game.

Seven of us went to see it.

Three liked it; three didn't care for it; and one slept through most of it so he did not vote. Anyway, I began to think about the book that pulled me into it. It is the Bible of course. I read it over the years; I had favorite passages; I gained a general knowledge of what was in the Bible; I gained specific knowledge of scriptures providing evidence of the theology of the church that I grew up in.

Then something dreadful happened. My sister dropped dead of a heart attack at age 33. I was immediately comforted that April was in heaven, but I still had to deal with the present and the reality that she had died. I was overwhelmed with grief.

The Bible is what saved me. It pulled me into it like an escape from a nightmare. As long as I read the Bible I was in a different realm, a realm where I was somewhat comforted, where things seemed ok to some extent. I read it so much that it seemed like I almost memorized the Old Testament.

Prior to that time, I knew the people in the Bible were real, but it didn't really seem to sink in. During that time of sorrow it seemed that the more I read the Bible, the more I began to see the people in the Bible as people just like me. They struggled with grief and sorrow. They struggled to do what was right. They struggled to get by from day to day. I was 'pulled into that book'.

If you are a Christian today, struggling with something in your life, your daily salvation is also in that Book.

Great preachers and Bible teachers of the ages have been pulled into the Bible as well. Some people are pulled into the Bible by the Holy Spirit. They don't need a specific disaster or sorrow or in their personal life. They aren't necessarily called into full time ministry. They just get interested in reading and studying the Bible and it gets hold of them. They begin to 'live' in the Book.

Just as people are pulled into the Bible, the Word of the Living God, there are things and creatures in the Bible that live in this world. Evil is with us. Love is with us. Sorrow and joy are things from the Book that live here as well. There are some dreadful creatures mentioned in Revelation that will one day come into the world we now live in. You do not want to be here when that happens.

Along with these creatures will come earth's darkest hours. If you would escape these evil times, you need to act now.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved today, There is time.

If you have already trusted Jesus Christ, the author of the Bible, then give thanks.

Thanksgiving is done in deeds as well as in words.

If you love Christ, you will serve Him.

You will do the things He says to do.

You will set out each day to:

be kind to one another,'

tenderhearted,

forgiving,

Because this is how Jesus Christ treated us.

AND, you will tell others that Christ died for them; and, they can also escape from the wrath to come through Jesus Christ.

Tell them, 'For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth on him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.'

I would like to add one thing. Second in importance to the Bible is the Hymnal. I am not talking about hypnotic seven-eleven songs.  Seven-eleven songs are alleged songs that have seven words and are sung eleven times.  They are boring beyond bearing.  They make me want to scream.  They are not relevant to Christianity.  They are relevant only to emotionalism – a form of self-worship! 

Here’s a link to some great hymns on youtube. 

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0A8E2C3A0F8F0E9D

Hymns are great with a full orchestra and a large congregation singing at the top of their lungs. They are also good with just one voice singing while the singer goes about his/her daily business. 

I also like Tennessee Ernie Ford singing Gospel hymns and there are a lot of his hymns on youtube as well.

God bless you.

Remember to say hello to a good day!  http://hellogoodday.com

Barbara

Dear PZ Readers,

Don’t forget that Ray is producing PZ Radio again.  Be sure to tell your friends.

 http://www.youarelisteningtopzradio.blogspot.com/

Barb

What Does a Christian Mean When they say 'You Need to Get Saved'?

Why Do Christians Believe I Need to ‘Get Saved” or ‘Be Born Again’?

Barbara Henderson

The non-Christian says:
Christians refer to themselves as ‘born again’ or ‘saved’.
Christians are always nagging other people to get saved or be born again.
Why do Christians seem so determined to convert others to their way of thinking?

The Christian says:
Without Jesus Christ, you are going to a place called hell.
I don’t want that to happen to you.
How can I help you see the truth?

What can I say or do to explain all this to you?

The Christian thinks about how to approach the subject, how to explain the Gospel of Jesus Christ in an acceptable manner. The Christian finally decides that the place to start explaining the need for salvation to the lost begins ‘In the beginning……..

What happened in the beginning? Where did all creation begin? What happened?

Something most people can understand when viewing things around them is that design proves a designer. Something made proves a maker. Whether it be so simple as how a room is arranged, a thinking person realizes that someone put the things in a specific order. If the couch is sitting in a corner someone put it there. If a picture is hanging on the wall, someone hung it there. It is a no-brainer.

The same person who knows that the objects around them were made by and placed in a specific place by someone may not understand or acknowledge that the earth is a created object specifically hung in a particular place in space. Yet, there Earth is, sitting in space between Venus and Mars. It was carefully placed at just the right distance from the sun. It was set in orbit. The seasons come and go. There is air to breath, water to drink, and food to eat. It was a very well thought out design. Plant life, sea life, animal life was created on the earth with the materials necessary for their survival. Then a man and a woman were created. The plan was properly carried out.
God was there when it all happened. God gave us His eye witness account of creation. He said, ‘In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.’

God created mankind with free will. He did not want slaves in heaven. People had to have a choice. And the choice came in the form of temptation by God’s adversary the devil, formerly known as Lucifer. Adam and Eve fell for the lie Satan told to them. By their sin, death entered into the world. (By the way, the next time something bad happens – blame sin or blame the devil. But, don’t blame God. He set things up to be perfect. He is around to pick up the pieces of shattered lives. God is the helper. Satan is the destroyer.)

Those rejecting Christ do not see themselves as sinners. To them a ‘sinner’ is someone who is a terrible criminal, or someone who is cruel and abusive to everyone. Comparing themselves to others, they see themselves as ‘much better’ than most of those around them. Honestly, that may be true. However, sin is not measured by others.

Sin is measure like this.

Are you perfect? Absolutely continually perfect and blameless in everything every nano-second of your entire life?

The question, ‘Are you perfect’, should be asked of yourself at night when you are all alone in a dark room. Of course you are not alone exactly, because the Truth is with you. ‘Am I perfect?’ is the question. You can lie to yourself, but you cannot lie to the Truth and get away with it. Any semi-honest person will admit, ‘I am not perfect’. That is where the problem enters in.

Your sins, your imperfection, separate you from God. Thankfully, God is merciful. He does not want you to die in your sins, leaving you separated from Him for eternity. But, what can be done? He can’t let imperfect people into heaven, or heaven would no longer be perfect. Yet, He loves you personally. You are His creation. God does love you. God wants to help you. God has a plan to restore to you fellowship with Him. No, you will not become a ‘god’. But, you can be reconciled to God. You can be redeemed from sin. Your ransom has been paid in full. All you have to do is walk through the Door (Jesus Christ) into freedom and eternal life.

Let’s look at it like this.

God IS perfect.

And,

You are NOT perfect.
It doesn’t matter how many really good excuses you have for your failures and shortcomings. Excuses won’t get you into heaven. Only Jesus Christ can get you into heaven.

The human being living without Jesus Christ is separated from God by the great gulf of sin. In a very simplified way, I suppose you could say the ‘gulf of sin’ is the dividing chasm between perfect and imperfect. No human being has the ability to change something imperfect into perfect.
Those living in sin, in separation from God, are like those living in a dark concrete box without any means of escape. They will never be able to get out of the box without help. In the box in which they live, there is one door that leads to freedom. (There are also a lot of shallow doors that lead nowhere – false religions.) The door to reconciliation with the Almighty God who created you in the first place, was made at an unimaginable cost to the Perfect God of creation. He laid down His own life to make that door, that way, of escape.
Remember,

God is perfect.

You are not perfect.

You can be reconciled to the Perfect God through the Perfect Sacrifice which is Jesus Christ.

‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.’ (Acts 16:31a)

Jesus offers you:

Salvation

‘by grace’

‘through faith’

‘not of works’

(Ephesians 2:8)



The offer is made by the grace of God – not because anyone deserves the offer.

You accept this offer by faith.

You don’t have to do anything except believe the Truth. .
People often condemn God for making only one way into heaven. They are not considering the cost of making even one way into heaven. They also do not consider that the way provided by Jesus Christ has the capacity to receive everyone who accepts the offer.

The offer of salvation is open ONLY during the days of your life. ‘And it is appointed to man once to die, but after this the judgment.’ (Hebrews 9:27)

Don’t face the judgment without Jesus Christ.

A beloved Hymn is ‘Just as I am’ (without one plea)

http://nethymnal.org/htm/j/u/justasam.htm

You don’t have to understand it all - in fact you will never understand it all. You do have to understand that God is perfect – you are not perfect – but God will take you right now. (Yes, changes will come in your life as you understand more about who Jesus is and what He expects of you.) Listen to this song. God wants you just the way you are right now.

Just as I am, without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.



Just as I am, and waiting not

To rid my soul of one dark blot,

To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.



Just as I am, though tossed about

With many a conflict, many a doubt,

Fightings and fears within, without,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.



Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;

Sight, riches, healing of the mind,

Yea, all I need in Thee to find,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.



Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,

Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

Because Thy promise I believe,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.



Just as I am, Thy love unknown

Hath broken every barrier down;

Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.



Just as I am, of that free love

The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,

Here for a season, then above,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Crossing a Land so Wild and Savage

Crossing a Land so Wild and Savage

Barbara Henderson

Ballads are my favorite type of song.  They tell a story in a memorable way.  Of course the most wonderful ballad of all time is Amazing Grace.  Each verse tells a specific step of the journey of life.  It has a happy and eternal ending.  Love it.  Here is a link to an article I wrote some time back about that song. http://tobarbara.blogspot.com/2009/03/most-amazing-ballad-of-all-time-is.html   And here is a link to a good singer pouring his heart into the song.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUfe_XX8K0I

And so…  recently I was listening to a non-religious ballad called ‘The Northwest Passage”  This is the chorus…

‘Ah, for just one time I would take the Northwest Passage

To find the hand of Franklin reaching for the Beaufort Sea;

Tracing one warm line through a land so wild and savage

And make a Northwest Passage to the sea.’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVY8LoM47xI

The song tells the story of the search for a ‘Northwest Passage’, or a way from the east coast of northern North America to the northern west coast.  The singer looks for the adventure of a lifetime – following in the footsteps of a previous explorer trying to reach the Beaufort Sea.  We can all relate to wanting a little adventure in our lives.  We look at adventures of people of history and wonder what it would be like to live just a little bit of that person’s life.  The line that stands out for me in this song is ‘tracing one warm line through a land so wild and savage – and make a northwest passage to the sea’.  And I thought, that is what Christians are doing, or are supposed to do.  We are supposed to make one warm line leading to Jesus Christ.

From the most civilized land to the most remote and primitive, the earth is very wild and savage. You think I’m making that up?  Well, I read recently that no one is ever more than six feet away from a spider.  Now that sounds savage to me!  This year a deadly drive by shooting at a parade in New Orleans brought sudden death in place that was expected to be safe.  Deadly tornadoes have been trying to suck the state of Oklahoma into a black hole. Unborn babies are slaughtered by the million.  Forrest fires are always raging somewhere.  Anarchy or extreme tyranny reign in some nations around the globe.  We definitely live in a land that is wild and savage. People would like one warm line leading to true peace and safety.

Wild and savage lands vary depending on where you are living at the moment.  They require different cautions and preparations.  For instance, in a great desert you probably won’t need to take an umbrella or raincoat each time you leave the house.  However, you would do well to have an emergency water supply whether you are walking or driving.  If you are a mountain wilderness type of person then you need to have the knowledge and tools to survive before you take an extended journey in wild terrain.  If you must travel through an area of gangs and anarchy a Kevlar body suit and a lot of firepower would be a good idea. 

Most days none of us are trekking into the wilderness of the Brooks Range to get a good view of the Beaufort Sea.  However, each of us is facing a land that is both wild and savage no matter where we live.  The purpose of this article isn’t really to dwell on the fearsome environment in which we live.  It is to focus on the tracks we leave as we travel through each day.  We want to leave ‘one warm line across a land so wild and savage’.  We want to lead people to a better place.  To do this the individual Christian must make following our Leader Jesus Christ a priority in our own lives.  The path we walk should be a path pleasing to God.  We walk with purpose, knowing we are going to a better place; knowing even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death we will never be forsaken; knowing that God’s promises are sure; and knowing that we will never be disowned.  Christians are supposed to have a sense of purpose, and passion to do the things we are called to do.  Every Christian is called to the same generalities.  We are called to obedience.  If the Bible says something is to be done or not done in a certain way, then that is the way we should do it.  The Bible instructs us to be thankful all the time.  It is downright disrespectful to think God wants us to be thankful for harshness and sorrows, but in the midst of calamities we can always be thankful for the blessings of God that remain.  Our actions in times of turmoil can have a big impact on those around us.  Our actions in times of peace and plenty in our lives can also have a big impact on those around us.  If we are attempting to make ‘one warm line’, or a way that stands out as kind and loving to those around us, then we must choose to be thankful and obedient to God. 

Sometimes people look at Christianity as a whole, or individual Christians, and say, ‘Christianity has failed’ because they aren’t seeing the results they want to see.  Exactly how many souls are saved from hell is not in our hands or the hands of any individual.  It is God alone who saves, and there is no power in heaven or earth that has power to cast into hell or allow into heaven. Our job is to live our lives in a way that invites others to the God we worship.  How do we do this?

Obviously, it starts in the heart which is where great deeds and adventures begin.  The explorers who mapped unknown continents had more courage than fear.  When Dr. Livingstone went across Africa I know he must have had times of fear, but his courage was greater than his fear.  His courage was based on his faith in God, and that is where the courage of all Christians originates.  History tells us that Dr. Livingstone did trace that ‘one warm line’ through a wild and savage continent filled with souls who had never heard the good news of Jesus Christ. 

It is unfortunate but true that while many Christian might believe they have the courage to cross an unknown continent to light the way to heaven through Jesus Christ they don’t have the courage to light the way when it comes to walking from their home to their mailbox!  Fortunately, somewhere in the heart of even the faintest true Christian is the dream or idea of doing more for Christ.

As already mentioned, great deeds start in the heart. Many people want the chance to do one great deed, but that isn’t really how God works.  He works with people who do a lot of little deeds every day.  He works with people who are obedient to His commandments throughout the day. They are thankful every day.  They are kind every day.  This alone puts them in a different category than most other people.  They are people with purpose.  They have their eye on a specific goal. They want to cross a land that is wild and savage in a way that entices others to follow them.  They want a well done from God Almighty.  As their pattern for obedience and faithfulness continues God expands what He wants them to do.  That is the way it works.

There is a trend today for people of God to believe they can travel through life with their Christianity camouflaged by their worldly actions.  A very main camouflage tactic is to dress like the world.  This happens for two reasons.  First people like the look of the world.  Women want to look hot, and men want to look like someone who could attract a ‘hot woman’.  This is disgusting.  There is a way to dress that pleases God.  They way to tell if you are dressed appropriately is to stand in front of the mirror and look at yourself!  Ask yourself does this please God?  Ladies – here’s a BIG HINT!  If your boobs are hanging out, or your shorts have the bottom of your butt hanging out, or if less than 5% of your skin is covered by your swimming suit, then you are not pleasing God.  You are attempting to get men to admire your body.  And guys, if you are overly interested in how good you look without a shirt on then you are not dressing to please God.  You are dressing and probably obsessing to attract women. 

I do not believe there is anything in the Bible that gives an exact dress code.  We are supposed to wear clothes.  We are supposed to dress modestly.  We should dress in a manner that is appropriate for an ambassador of God Almighty and an adopted child of the same God Almighty.  I’ll give you a couple of examples of two ladies who had different budgets and different clothing styles.  One didn’t wear makeup and the other put on makeup before she got out of bed in the morning.  They didn’t dress overly fancy or overly plain.  They spent what they thought was an appropriate amount of money on clothes and shoes.  They were neat.  They were clean. Their hair was consistently done in a way they liked and found comfortable.  One wore bright colors to the point of gaudy.  That lady wore a lot of jewelry.  The other lady wore darker colors and practically never wore jewelry. They both wore dresses to church and some sort of britches the rest of the time.  They both attended something fancy that required dressing up every few years.  They both liked to get out for a picnic or even overnight camping.  They had clothes for that. They always looked very nice.  In other words there was nothing in their way of dressing that would be found objectionable or give the impression they were allied with the world even though their styles of dress were totally opposite.  A personal sense of style is a good thing.  These two ladies did not need anyone to tell them if they were appropriately dressed.  They looked in the mirror and their conscience told them. They were both attractive ladies with an air about them that suggested helpfulness and kindness. By the way, there is no benefit in the way some sects require their followers to dress in a particular type of garment.  They wind up attracting attention because of their clothing instead of their actions.  But there is no excuse for women of Christ to dress like women of the world.  Size and age are not measures of what is and is not appropriate attire.  Something indecent and provocative on a size 14 50 year old woman is also indecent and provocative on a size 4 16 year old woman.  Ladies, get with the program!  If you are a child of God then dress like it.  Nobody really wants to see your boobs, butt, or belly button.  It doesn’t matter if you have the body to be a Victoria’s Secret model.  Cover it up!  And then get on with your life.  One more thing ladies; television has set up women who use gutter language, ogle men, and are basically obnoxious self centered witches (Think the Rosanne Barr or Golden Girls TV shows) as normal or tough women doing what they have to do to get by while getting their own way.  Don’t fall for that garbage.  As a child of God you are better than that.  You are supposed to be an example to the world on how to behave.  You are not supposed to join the crowd of idiots!

And men, your job is to pay attention to what God has called you to do.  Totally ignore slutty women! 

Christians are most certainly free to pay attention to their size, to exercise, to follow a healthy diet, to take up sports, and do what is needed to maintain a healthy life.  But if your body becomes your obsession you have stepped over the line into sin. 

There is something called the Christian work ethic.  That means Christians are supposed to approach all their work whether at home or on a paid job as people who work within the boundaries set by God for all behavior, do more than is required of them, and have an over-all ‘get the job done’ and ‘I don’t care who gets the credit’ attitude. 

These are all things that do please God.  You would like to think this work ethic would get you promotions, raises, and lots of good will from employers and fellow employees as well.  That really doesn’t happen a lot of the time.  Your ‘well done’ is waiting for you at a later date.  Do not grow weary in well doing – for in due season you will reap if you don’t faint (or quit).  That is a promise from God, and He is faithful to keep His promises. 

How many times have you been in a situation where you did not know which way to go or what to do? Did you feel like you were trapped in a land that was wild and savage just like the land in the song?  In that time would you have liked to see ‘one warm line’ leading the way across that wild and savage land?  Your duty is to be a leader who shows others the way.  You have a calling.  You have a duty.  You have a responsibility.  Now comes the big questions.   Do you have the passion?  Do you have courage that is greater than your fear?  You may be saying, ‘What fear?  I’m not afraid of a wild and savage wilderness.’  OK, then are you afraid of being different?  Are you afraid you might stand out as a Christian?  Are you afraid of turning down that boys night out even though they always wind up doing things you really aren’t comfortable doing?  Are you ladies afraid of turning down that ladies night out because it usually turns into a either a gossip party or an evening spent bashing men in general?  Are you afraid of living a life that might get you called a prude?  (See my article on being proud of being a prude   http://tobarbara.blogspot.com/2009/03/become-prude-you-will-be-glad-you-did.html )

If you are truly a Christian, then you truly have a job to do.  Another way to say make one warm line across a land so wild and savage is, ‘Let your light so shine before men that others may see God.’  Remember, people are not going to ‘see God’ if your boobs, butt, belly button, and ripped muscles, are blocking their view.  They will not see God if your gutter mouth or smart mouth are getting in their way. They will not see God if your gossipy mouth smokes like a fire breathing dragon.  They also will not see God if your selfish lazy work ethic or attitude dominate your life.  They will not see God if your Christianity is so camouflaged that you blend in perfectly with the rest of the world. You will not step up to the plate when you are called for a great mission if you won’t step up to the plate for simply daily obedience.

It is time for Christians to take God seriously.  It is time for Christians to do a 180 on any actions that are not in line with God’s instructions and the boundaries He has set for righteous behavior.  Today is the day to ask ourselves the question, ‘Does the light of God shine in me so that I lead others to the One who holds the key to everlasting life – Jesus Christ alone?’

What you do makes a difference – for good or for evil. 

Thank you for reading my article.