Marching Forth!

There have been a rash of electricity salesmen knocking on my door of late.  The thing that bothers me about them is their dishonesty:  they claim they are not trying to sell me anything when the exact opposite is true.  Listening to them talk, it is simply out of the "goodness of their hearts" they are trying to save me money on my electricity costs.  They all have similar tactics:  they butter me up or ask a loaded question, and then try to sink their hooks in.  No matter how direct I am, a salesman who understands the point and walks away before I close the door is rare. Because of the influx of well-intentioned salesmen who want me to switch my electricity provider (and I'm not changing, so please stop bothering me!), when I hear a knock at the door I instinctively groan.  Who could it be now?  Who else wants to make me their customer?  How many more times will I have to endure the shallow chatter and repeat myself over and over?  ...

It's amazing what is considered news these days.  I saw an online story about a family who claims to have seen the image of Jesus in mold on the wall in their bathroom!  According to the family, the image has given them strength.  Now it's possible in what we see, even in a bathroom filled with mildew, God will teach us things.  But to attribute power or divine ability to an image, article, or patch of mold is superstitious and unbiblical.  No person, object, or activity should ever usurp God's rightful position of honour and worth.  If I saw mold growing in my bathroom, it would be a loud and clear message to invoke the power of bleach and a little elbow grease! There are many things from which people draw strength.  It could be an item that is considered "lucky," like a kangaroo pouch .  Some people take to heart what they read in the newspaper listed under a daily horoscope.  Others start their day with thinking and speaking positive man...

" Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and the children also rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off ." Nehemiah 12:43 When God directs people to sacrifice unto Him, His focus is not primarily upon the gift.  God does not need material wealth, the blood of animals, grain, wine, or oil because all things are already His.  God's desire is that every sacrifice we make for His glory be accompanied with great joy.  He cares more about our attitudes and the condition of our hearts than the amount of money or time involved in our sacrifice.  After Nehemiah read a portion of the Law to the people, he commanded them to rejoice.  Nehemiah 8:10 reads, " Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength ." ...

The Bible makes it clear that everyone will give an account before God concerning their time on earth.  Every deed and even every word will be weighed according to God's righteous standard.  Jesus says in Matthew 12:36 , " But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment ."  Paul affirms in Romans 14:12 , " So then each of us shall give account of himself to God ."  For most people, to answer for your life as an entire body of work is not as daunting as citing specifics.  While we plod on in life, the Day of Judgment seems far away and not too important - just like a school assignment due in two months. Many of the parables told by Jesus support this view.  The master commits tasks to his servants, leaves, and then each is required to give account for their actions during his absence.  The profit gained or lack thereof is the proving ground of each servant's responsibility.  Again, this...