GospeLines Ministries

"Come to the Table"

Count the letters.  “Diet” is not a good word!  We know well the meaning of that trite expression, “We are what we consume.”  Very little changes in nutritional laws from one generation to the next and spiritual laws are just as eternal.

Christians are not lacking in desire to grow closer to God.  There is a genuine love in the Church for growing in the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord.  The problem is one of malnutrition.  It isn’t that we are dining so much on the trash of the world as much as we are neglecting the one thing that feeds us and makes us healthy Christians, FEASTING UPON THE BIBLE, GOD’S HOLY WORD.

Begin reading the Bible today, for only five minutes, and you will discover an old truth in a new way, or some precious new thing which the Father has been yearning to share but you have not listened.   Open your Bible and your heart to the fulfilling, nutritious scripture and see what you have been missing!

GospeLines Prayer:  “Father, I am hungry, not because there is no food, but because I have not come to the table.  Make the aroma of your feast so enticing that I will never forsake your daily bread again.” Amen and amen.

Tommy Harrison, D. Min.

tommy@gospelines.com
  

"Last Words"

"But you cannot make God accept you because of something you do. God accepts sinners only because they have faith in him.  In the Scriptures David talks about the blessings that come to people who are acceptable to God, even though they don't do anything to deserve these blessings. David says, God blesses people whose sins are forgiven and whose evil deeds are forgotten." Romans 4:5-7 (CEV)

Who amongst us is without sin?   NO ONE!   Some of God’s children have committed such heinous, unspeakable deeds that they have been judged and sentenced by our laws, not His law.  And, according to our laws, they have been relegated to death row.

"If I have sinned, what [harm] have I done You, O You Watcher and Keeper of men?  Why have You set me as a mark for You, so that I am a burden to myself [and You]?  And why do You not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity?  For now shall I lie down in the dust; and [even if] You will seek me diligently, [it will be too late, for] I shall not be." (Job 7:20-21 (Amplified Bible)

They know their appointed hour.  What would your last words be if you were knocking at death’s door?

In His infinite wisdom, God uses our circumstances to bring us closer to Him.  Not all, but many, convicted felons have come to know God intimately.  They have an expectation that He will be the one to judge them, not man.  He gave us our earthly life in preparation for our life with Him. 

Hear the words of Charlie Brooks, a devout Muslim: “I believe that this material life is only for the express purpose of preparing oneself for the real life that is to come.  Verily unto Allah do we belong, verily until Him do we return.”

Some have recognized their need to forgive and to seek forgiveness.  Isn’t that God’s teaching?  We must forgive others so that we may be forgiven? 

Charles Rumbaugh’s last statement said, “Although you don’t forgive me for my transgressions, I forgive yours against me.  I am ready for my journey.” 

And, some have actually thanked Him for loving them despite themselves, for giving them another chance and for His Son who died for ALL of our sins. 

Hai Vuong commented, “I thank God that He died for my sins on the cross, and I thank Him for saving my soul, so I will know when my body lays back in the grave, my soul goes to be with the Lord.  Praise God.”

They will be right there with Our Father and expect to see their loved ones on the other side. 

Kenneth Gentry was “happy to be going home to Jesus.  Sweet Jesus, here I come.”  And the infamous Karla Faye Tucker (a born-again Christian and first woman executed in Texas since the American Civil War) said “I hope God will give you peace with this.  I am going to be face-to-face with Jesus now and I will see you all when you get there.  I will wait for you.” 

His Amazing Grace will carry them on…

Amazing Grace

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

   

T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.

   

Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.

GospeLines Prayer:  Father, my time on earth is temporal.  I willingly admit that I have not always done the things I ought to have done.  I ask Your forgiveness and the forgiveness of those I have betrayed in thought, word or deed.

While I am unworthy, I thank You for the many blessings You have bestowed.  It is by the gift of Your grace and compassion that I look forward to living with You in Your kingdom. 

Thank You for the most precious gift, the gift of Your son, my Lord and Savior, so that I may live eternally.

I proclaim the good news that You are my Father, I am Your child and I look to the promise of Your heavenly embrace.

Carla ˙

classylady@sbcglobal.net
  

"The Law of Syntropy"

The physical world is subject to laws.  Our material resources deteriorate with use.  Oil, for instance, is a limited resource and to use it is to lose it.  This is the law of Entropy. 

Jesus has reversed this natural law.  God's Word does not run down or deteriorate with use, but operates according to the law of Syntropy, which states that spiritual resources expand with use and are lost with disuse. 

An example is personal Bible study.  Prayerful study of God's Word leads to an expansion of Truth within the soul because it is an inexhaustible resource.  On the other hand, if the study of the Word is ignored, Truth drains away and sin replaces it.

May your life be filled to overflowing because you have feasted upon the limitless well of spiritual knowledge!  Amen and amen.

Tommy Harrison, D. Min.

tommy@gospelines.com
  

"A New Translation"

Almost two years ago, a GospeLines subscriber wrote to ask what Bible translation I use.  I answered their question in a devotional titled "What Translation Do I Use" that was published July 18, 2005 that is still available in the Archive section of our Website at http://www.gospelines.com/7181572205.html.  I'm revisiting this topic because there is a (new) translation that is critically important to all those who follow Jesus Christ.

Paul asked, "If you know God's will (word) and believe that you can guide the blind (unbelievers), why do you not teach yourself?"  We preach against stealing, but we steal the good name of others with our gossip.  We say that people should not commit adultery, but many of the movies we watch create lustful desires in our hearts.  We say we abhor idols, but we place money, popularity, power... worldly things… above our service to the Lord.  We pride ourselves in our "Christianity" while we dishonor God by breaking His commands.  Will God's name be blasphemed among the world because of us? (Romans 2:17-24)

Circumcision had value under the Old Law if and only if you observed the law; but, if you broke the law, you became as though you had not been circumcised.  (Romans 2:25)  Circumcision was a public symbol of one's commitment to the Lord and to the Law.  Today, baptism is a public symbol of one's commitment to Jesus Christ and to His word.

As with circumcision, baptism has value if and only if you give your heart to Christ and obey His commandments.  If your actions reflect the words of Peter when he said, "I don't know the man", you become as though you have not been baptized.

What is this new translation?  "The (new) word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart… It is the word of faith we are proclaiming." (Romans 10:8)

What is in your mouth?  What is in your heart?  When people hear you talk and see you live, do they hear the word of our Lord and see the life of Christ?  Does the word of Christ dwell in you?  Do your words and actions teach and admonish others with wisdom and with gratitude in your hearts to God?  Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, if you do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him, you are the new translation (Colossians 3:16-17).

Brothers and Sisters, your words and your actions write on the hearts and minds of all who hear and see you each day.  Are you writing the word of our Lord and Savior Jesus; or, are you writing the words of the world?

If you're writing with the words of the world, our Lord asks you to change today.  No longer regard Christ from a worldly point of view.  Ask Him to come into your heart; ask Him to fill you with His Spirit; give yourself to Him fully and completely and He will change your worldly translation to a Christ translation - He will make you a "new" translation (2^nd Corinthians 5:16-18).

GospeLines Prayer:  Lord, I may be the only Bible some people ever see.  Help me be the right translation that will plant the seed of Your Gospel in their hearts.  Help me let them see You through me.  Make me a "new" translation with Your mind, Your thoughts, Your words and Your heart through the mighty power of the blood of my Savior Jesus, our Messiah and our Redeemer.  Amen!

Pastor Ron^U

“…we can face Him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.”

 - 1^st John 4:17 (NLT)

ron@gospelines.com
  

"Parable of the Hummingbird"

The hummingbird is a virtual storehouse of energy.  To maintain its energy level the hummer must feed regularly and abundantly.  Normally the hummingbird will eat as often as every 15 minutes.  Hummers consume half their weight in sugar nectar daily.

Think about it.  An average Christian may go to the Word a couple of times per week for nourishment.  It is no wonder that by Thursday we feel drained of spiritual energy and need a boost to get us through until Sunday.  The "feeding station" is never closed for repairs, it is open 24 hours per day, and is as refreshing in the early morning as it is when we lay our head on the pillow.

Drink deeply and often of the Holy Word, and you will find yourself more spiritually alert, less sluggish, and better prepared for the battles of daily witness and testimony.  "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."  (John. 7:37)     Amen and amen!

Tommy Harrison, D. Min.

tommy@gospelines.com