The Layman's Pen

Three Stories

2/8/2019

Story one. A dog trainer in Alaska had two dogs he trained to fight. Now, there's not much to do on those long winter nights, so the trainer would put on dog fights for entertainment, but the same dog did not always win. Sometimes the white one would win and sometimes the black one would.
     Story two. A hiker got lost in the North Carolina Mountains. He wandered for several days trying to find his way out. Finally he came across a shack. When he got to the door, an old man came out. The hiker asked for help to find his way out.
     Story three. Luke 23:39-43, two thieves hanging on crosses, one doubted and said, "If thou be Christ...". The other had no doubt and asked to be remembered.
     Conclusions. The dog that won was the one that was fed. The dog that lost didn't think he would be fed. He doubted it. He lost.
     The old man told the hiker to go to the top of the mountain to see where he was. The hiker went to the top because he doubted he would find his way out by staying in the valleys.
     The thief that doubted was the one that lost his soul.
     "For he that hath (faith), to him shall be given: and he that hath not (faith), from him shall be taken even that which he hath." Mark 4:25. ("Faith" in parentheses is writer's word choice.)

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Know Your Enemy and Gear Up for Battle

1/31/2019

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Character is what defines a person. Jesus speaks of Satan as being a liar and a murderer and the father of it because he hates the truth. (John 8:44) This is one of the things known about Satan. It's a consistent part of his character and is called a trait, an identifying part of his character. He has other traits, too. Another is found in Genesis 3:1, "Now the serpent was more subtle than any other beast...". Subtle is the same as being shrewd. It is another character trait of Satan's.
     Some may wonder whether the serpent spoken of here in Genesis really is Satan. To clear that up, one goes to Revelation 12:9, "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan...". Satan is also able to disguise himself as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14) He is a schemer (wily). (Ephesians 6:11) There is no doubt he is the tempter. In Matthew 4:3 he is called this when he is tempting Jesus. Jesus referred to Satan as a thief in John 10:10.
     So here we have it. This is probably not a complete list but it gives us something to work with. He's a liar, murderer, shrewd, a schemer, a tempter, a thief, and he can transform himself into an angel of light (disguise himself). Now, what is he not? Satan has real power but he is not God. He cannot be everywhere like God, he has to roam the earth to find his prey. He is not all-knowing or all-powerful like God. He will come to an end, too, because it says that he'll be cast into the lake of fire. He is not a creator; he was created (Ezekiel 28:14-16) perfect and his iniquity was of his own doing.
     All believers know that Satan is our enemy. His goal is to destroy as many of God's children as he can. There is a reference in Numbers 21:14 to a book of the wars of the Lord. It's the only place it's mentioned. Perhaps the book isn't finished yet. Perhaps, carrying the war to Satan has been left to New Testament believers of Jesus Christ.
     Paul the Apostle speaks of the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20). He gives us the call to battle and how to be prepared for it. Our enemy, Satan, lies in wait and wishes to be victorious. At the very least, take as many of this world's population both past and present to the lake of fire with him.
     It is up to believers to be prepared and lead the charge. We serve the Creator God of the Universe. He sent his Son to save us for eternity. "...we are partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end." (Hebrews 3:14) "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil (Satan), and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)

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He Is Coming Again

1/20/2019

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The sermon was taken from Philippians 2:5-11. The book of Philippians is a wonderful book to read. Paul wrote it while he was in prison and, even then, he was reaching out to those who are in Christ. He is looking to build the best Christian people he can. And so he begins verse 5 with, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." It was a worthy sermon and one worth hearing again.
     Following along and listening to our preacher spell out the challenges Jesus faced, one of his statements leapt out and grabbed the attention. "When you know the truth you're not so much challenged by others' accusations. It matters what they think but it doesn't change the truth." was what he said. Taking the remainder of the sermon in that context made one understand why Jesus didn't get all worked up over accusations. He already knew the truth.
     And it seems like truth is what this world needs. Toward the tail-end of the sermon, he went on to say that one day Jesus will come again but this time as King of Kings. Then, right at the end, almost as an afterthought, he said, "Maybe we should put on more plays about the second coming of Christ." This is what sent the writer of this article into a week of thinking and struggles. It was one of those, "Gee, I wish I'd thought of that."
     Our lives are so full of today's and tomorrow's activities that our focus is out of whack. We've forgotten that there is a day coming that it'll all be over except for the "...gnashing of teeth..." (Luke 13:28) Our world, our country, our government does little to encourage spiritual growth. If anything, our politics has gone to the extreme and wants to remove anything regarding Jesus from the public arena.
     How to change this? It seems like it has to be an individual thing. Jesus was one individual and he changed the whole world. But, if one individual changes, then that one can help another and so on. Maybe, just maybe, when Jesus returns, there'll be a big celebration and no "gnashing of teeth."
     So, back to how to change things. One, our calendars are so loaded down that we leave Jesus out. He's not even a priority on the Sabbath. Got groceries to get? that's comes first. Ephesians 5:15-17 speaks about making wise use of time and not being foolish with it and using your time according to the will of the Lord. Two, what one can have on this earth doesn't really matter. Death and many other things can separate one from their things. Mark 8:36 asks what profit is in gaining the whole world and losing your own soul. Three, sin is like a parasite. It will destroy it's host. And the world we live in is rife with sins and opportunities to sin.There is a remedy and it's in I John 1:7-9. Three things, not such a big mountain to climb. Why not climb it? You'll be eternally glad you did.

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Be Like Joseph

1/13/2019

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Not much is really known about Joseph, the husband of Mary who is the mother of Jesus. He is a carpenter (Matthew 13:55) by trade. When Caesar Augustus sent out a tax, it says in Luke 2:4 that Joseph "went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth..." so he belonged to the city of Nazareth. His lineage can be traced back to King David. The certainty seems to be that he is descended from David. The account in Matthew (1:1-16) traces him back through Solomon. And, the account in Luke (3:23-38) traces him back through Nathan. Thought has it that Mary's lineage is the one in Luke. However one looks at it, there are established lines of descendants.
     The important thing to know about Joseph is that he is a just man. (Matthew 1:19) The dictionary meaning is doing what is morally fair and right. Joseph is a man who takes the moral high ground. God picked a good husband for Mary and a good earthly father for His Son, Jesus. This would be a better world to live in if everyone was raised by a father who was just.
     And it was a good thing that he was just. When he was betrothed to Mary, he got word that she was expecting and was prepared to quietly end the engagement. Joseph, after an angel appeared to him in a dream, married Mary as the angel had bidden him. (Matthew 1:24) Joseph's character is so important to the birth and childhood of our Savior, Jesus. An angel visited Joseph three more times after this. The second time to escape into Egypt (Matthew 2:13). The third time when Herod had died (Matthew 2:19-20). And the fourth time when he was warned not to go to Judea (Matthew 2:22). Every time God's angel spoke to him, Joseph obeyed.
     Joseph, not mentioned much in the Bible, turns out to be the determining factor in the survival of Jesus. He is living proof that God doesn't make mistakes. Herod the Great was the King of the Jews at this time. He had been in power for the better part of 40 years. No one, no one was going to replace him. A cursory reading of his biography tells one to what extremes he was willing to go to maintain his power. Herod was so consumed with his power that he ordered all the male children in and around Bethlehem under two to be murdered.
This is the reason for the second visit from the angel.
    Joseph was told to take Mary and the child and go to Egypt. Matthew 2:13-14 leaves no doubt that Joseph got up in the middle of the night and they left. After the threat of Herod had passed the angel came again and told him to take his family and go back into Israel. Once there Joseph learned that Herod's son, Archelaus, was in power and had been warned in this, the final dream to go into Galilee. He did so and settled in Nazareth. There he raised his family and worked as a carpenter.

     Joseph, not a notable human being, was chosen by God for his character. He was a just man. Had it not been for this man of character, our world would be as lost as a "golf ball in high weeds". That's a phrase that our beloved pastor uses from time to time.

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Wise Men Hunger and Thirst

1/2/2019

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Cold? Indifferent? Unconcerned? Things going good for you? Feel God's blessings and just want to lay back and relax? Spread the love. There were some strangers who spent several years looking for the King of the Jews. All they had to go on was a star. Apparently nothing else mattered to them but finding this king so they could worship him. (It's in Matthew 2.) How do people of today compare to these men who were searching, searching, searching?
     The wise men were men of some position. The trip from the east couldn't have been cheap. They brought expensive gifts so they weren't poor. They weren't Jews and yet they knew the story of the Christ who was King of the Jews. And they saw the sign, the star that led them. And they weren't willing to give up and go back home. Their quest was to find HIM. How is it that so many then and so many now don't mount their own quest to find HIM? Surely these men who were not among the chosen of God, and yet they believed, was and is a sign in itself.
     Have the blessed of God become "pew warmers" or don't even show up in church at all? The prophet Amos warns in Amos 6:1, "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion...". It's not good for God's people to be preoccupied and unconcerned about spiritual matters. God won't wait forever. Each day is one day closer. Those that are unconverted know the story of God's promises for those that believe on Him. We are finite people. Our days will come to an end. None of us are guaranteed the next year, the next month, week, hour or minute. Where will the soul spend eternity? The question that should take the forefront of our minds.
     The passage for the service was taken from Proverbs 3:5-10, It's a well-known passage that speaks of not leaning on your own understanding and not to be wise in your own eyes. The Sunday School class discussed the wise men. After reciting the passage, our beloved pastor said, "How can we be wise men today?" After some length he took one of those pauses. It's just a short interlude where he looks at you and you sit up a little straighter. He picked a verse from the beatitudes, Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Then he said, "The world is not righteous because they don't want it." It's the kind of statement that sucks the air out of your lungs because you know he's right. It's just that nobody ever says it.
     So, what's to happen to us? Luke 18:10-14 is a little story about two men who go to the temple to pray. One is a Pharisee and the other a publican. The Pharisee prays and talks about how he's doing everything that he should. He even goes on to say that he's not like other folks. Blah, blah, blah. Off in the corner is the publican. He is so covered in shame that he looks down, pounds his chest and begs for mercy because of the sinner that he is. It's a good reminder of how to approach a just, holy, and righteous God.
     There are plenty of things to learn in the Bible. It's a roadmap for anyone to follow who wants to find their way to God and his Son, Jesus. Start today. Don't wait until tomorrow. It may never come.

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Don't Miss It!

12/16/2018

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How did they miss it? Moses, David, Samuel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Micah, Malachi, and Zechariah all prophesied of the coming of Jesus Christ. Current counts reveal at least 351 prophesies in the Old Testament that were fulfilled by Jesus. The Pharisees, who became a sect as a reaction to the Jews to accept Greek culture, prided themselves on being the keepers of the law and Jewish traditions. They were steeped in the law of Moses. They should have recognized Jesus as a fulfillment of prophecy. But they didn't.
     Skip ahead a little over 2000 years (2015 Pew Research demographics) and clearly two-thirds of the world's population (7.3 billion) are still missing it. It's true that the largest group of the religions around the world is Christianity (2.3 billion). But, that leaves 5 billion that aren't Christians and followers of Jesus the Christ. Today just as yesteryear, people are still missing it.
     What is even more interesting is that two of those religious groups claim roots that begin with Abraham--the Jews and Islam (today called Muslims). Worldwide, according to the Pew Research, there are around 10 million Jews and 1.8 billions Muslims. They have even less reason to miss it. Both groups have scriptures from the Christian Bible of today but put their own spin on its' meanings. It's a steadfast refusal to acknowledge the truth of a Christ who came to earth, was buried and rose the third day for them.
     Time marches on and each day is a day closer to the end times. Jesus said that he will come again. It's in John 14:3. Most everyone confronted with the facts will admit that there was a Jesus who was here. Some want to believe that he was a prophet, or a great teacher, but surely not the Son of God. A reading of all that he did while here on this earth would convince even the most unlikely believer. Right? Think again.   Like the mule who refuses to budge, the unbeliever will refuse to unlock his heart and just listen to the evidence. And the believer prays for the day that all will come to an acknowledgement of Jesus as the Son of God.
     Two thousand years later and the Christmas season is on us. The birth of Christ is celebrated. Presents are bought. Mangers are displayed. Caroling and rejoicing at his wondrous birth continues. We praise a living God who loved us enough to have us with him in eternity. The only way He could save us was to send us his Son. And the naysayers celebrate, too. Or, they look on and hear and watch the celebrations. They know the story. Continue to pray that the day will come that they will open their eyes to a new and glorious life.

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God in Everything

12/2/2018

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"If you don't give your children Jesus, then you have given them nothing. It's not my church my way. It's his (meaning Jesus) church his way. Believers are the watchmen." Words spoken by Pastor Josh that are worth remembering. The text of the sermon was from Psalm 127. It is five verses that emphasize the importance of the Lord in all activities of the lives of mankind.
     Beginning with building structures to the foundation of the family--if God isn't in it, it's all in vain. So much of the time, though, God is left out of the equation. Satan has been busy driving a wedge between mankind and God. Just take a look at modern culture. ABC news ran an article in February, 2015 that talked about the use of aborted fetuses for vaccines. This has become a part of our modern society and its' use is touted by many. Lab technicians create test-tube babies. Scientists conduct research on left-over human embryos and experiments with fetal remains are ongoing. A little digging would only reveal just how far our society has come in justifying its' behavior.
     Now, take a look at Proverbs 8:36. It says, "...all they that hate me love death." Look back at verse 35. It says that those that find the Lord find life. The difference is striking. Death or life--terrorism, mass murders, suicides are all on the rise. God is not in it. God is in the birth of a newborn baby, flowers that bloom in the spring, a star-encrusted sky on a summer's evening. The beauty of life is breathtaking. God is there.
     The enemy grows ever stronger and looms over everyday existence. Is it any wonder that Psalm 127:1 also speaks of the watchman who, without the Lord's help, watches in vain. Believers must be watchful lest they fall into the snare of Satan. The watchmen of old guarded the city and put out the cry when an enemy approached. For today, I Peter 5:8 says it all. "Be sober, be vigilant (watchful); because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:". Satan once complained to God that he had placed a hedge of protection around Job. (Job 1:10) Believers can pray for the same hedge of protection. Psalm 121:7 says that the Lord will preserve thee (believers) from all evil. That's just about the best assurance anyone will ever get.
     Pastor Josh ended the sermon with, "Stand for Jesus and let the world go by. Do all that you can do and then leave it to God. Then pray. It's not done until you pray.

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Get Plugged In

11/25/2018

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"On the worst day of my life my name is written in heaven." said Pastor Josh as he was pointing out that getting sold out to Jesus is more than just a one day a week thing. "Remember," he said, "it's not about you, it's about God. And you can't be committed just part of the time. You have to be committed all of the time." Those are the kind of words that lift the listener out of his/her seat and causes the heart to beat faster. It's so easy to get lazy. Just like the vacuum cleaner, if it isn't plugged in, it won't be of any use in cleaning the house. You have to get plugged in and stay plugged in.
     We aren't the ones with the power to get us to heaven. It's God power and he spells it out so eloquently in his word, the Bible. God's power is spoken of in Psalm 114. He is the One who led his people out of Egypt, parted the Red Sea, caused the Jordan to go dry, and caused water to spill out of the rock. It's not about man, it's all about what God is willing to do for man.
     Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Verse 29 goes on to say that he (meaning God) foreknew. God is everywhere. He sees everything from the beginning to the end. Of course, he already knows. Time is of no consequence to him. God rises above the earth and time to a spectrum which man knows nothing of. From his perspective, that is, God's, he sees all. He knows what man is going to do tomorrow before he does it. This is God's wisdom. He has foreknowledge.   We were in his heart eons before we were ever born.
     The next part of Romans 8:29 states, "(those he foreknew)...he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son...". Remember, in verse 28 it says that this is for the ones called according to his purpose. God's has willed it to be so. Those who are called will be conformed to the image of his Son. How wonderful. How he's going to do that is up to God. God in his omnipotence has willed that he wants as many who choose him to be like his Son. Heaven will be filled with people who will be like his precious Son who suffered and died for everyone on the cross. First Timothy 2:6 says that Jesus gave himself a ransom for all. It also says in verse 4 that God wants all to be saved. That's everybody, no one is left out. Unfortunately there will be those who make the conscious decision to reject Jesus and the saving grace of God.
     Yes, God has willed it that man has the right to chose whom he will serve. He's sovereign and that's the way it's going to be. Period. In Romans 8:30 he goes on to say that the ones who are called (the ones who choose God) will be justified. One of the dictionary meanings of justified is "declared or made righteous in the sight of God." The dictionary itself points out that man has nothing to do with it. Once a person is called to God, he's conformed to the image of his Son and now, he is declared righteous in the sight of God. Romans 4:5 backs that up, "... his faith is counted for righteousness." It's all God. Except for the fact that each and every person has the right to chose heaven or hell.
     There's one more line in Romans 8:30 that says, "...and whom he justified, them he also glorified." It's done. God has done it. Those who are justified are glorified, honored, exalted. God sees us as we will be in heaven. One thing more, though, just for the benefit of the reader. God also says in Hebrews 12:6-7 the ones he loves will also be chastened and scourged just as a father cares for his child and wants him to be good.
     Man only has to decide where he wants to spend eternity. God gives man all the chances in the world to go to Him. He sends out his special messengers like Pastor Josh to help man make up his mind. The messengers get it and feel the same urgency in delivering God's message to all who will hear and make the decision. What'll it be? Heaven or Hell?

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No Secret Sins

11/18/2018

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Once upon a time there was a man, a rich man. He was a good man, too. In fact he was a godly man. Or so everyone thought. He reasoned that because he was a good man that his goodness far outweighed his, let's say, shortcomings. He had done so much good and served God that it just wasn't possible that he should come to no good end.
     Then the day came. He died and passed from this earth. Upon arriving in heaven, which was where he expected to be, he was shown into the great accounting room. It was an immense room with files that reached up as far as the eye could see. And they were standing in rows and columns all around the room.
     In the center of the room was a great table and someone sitting in a chair with such a tall back that he couldn't see who it was. "Welcome." said the voice from the other side of the chair. "Everyone comes here before their admittance. You see, I must check my files and see if you have any unforgiven sins on your records before you are admitted." Just then beads of perspiration formed on the man's forehead. His heart began to race...Suddenly, he jerked awake. "Thank God." he said. "I'm not dead."
     This could have been David. King David of ancient times. Up until Nathan paid him a visit, David was certain that his "secret sins" were secret. It's in II Samuel 12. The prophet Nathan went to King David and told him a story about a rich man taking a prized ewe lamb from a poor man. Reading the text is pretty dramatic. Enough so that it infuriated David. He wanted to go out and hang this rich, arrogant man from the nearest tree. The shocker was that Nathan pointed at David and told him that he was that man. That's when it dawned on David that the Lord sent Nathan to set before him his sin.
     "For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known." (Luke 12:2) There is a day of reckoning that is coming for each and every one on the face of the earth. David, once his sin was set before him, was contrite. The Lord had chosen him to lead Israel. He had blessed him many times over. David had much to be thankful for. And, yet, he had backslidden. Is there repentance for the lamb who has strayed from the fold and, now, wants to return? Isaiah 1:18 says to that "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow". David was like the prodigal son in Luke 15. He had strayed but when he came to his senses, he returned to his God. The proof of it is in Psalm 51. It is a passionate pleas for God's mercy and grace. Everyone should read it.

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Repent and Hold Fast

11/11/2018

Jesus said it all in Acts 1:7, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power." He finished by telling the apostles they would receive the power of the Holy Ghost and would be witnesses. And then he ascended. These are the last words Jesus spoke on this earth. It still holds true today. Christians still exist in a world of uncertainty and it is still the duty of believers to be witnesses.
Noah lived in a time of uncertainty when evil was everywhere and he built the Ark (Genesis 6). Abraham coexisted with uncertainty when he up and left his homeland (Genesis 12).   Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were surrounded by uncertainty when they refused to worship the idol of Nebuchadnezzar's (Daniel 3). They all lived in a time of uncertainty and it isn't any different today. God has looked down on the nature of man and said that he would not always strive with man (Genesis 6:3). There is a day coming. That is certain. The uncertainty is not knowing when.
     Jesus was sitting on the mount of Olives with his disciples and they were curious about the end of the world. Here we are over two thousand years later and we still wonder the same thing. He goes on in Matthew 24 and tells them that the end is not yet and what the things are that must come to pass before God brings down the curtain on this old world. From what he describes it will be just as wicked as many of the events described in the Bible. The warnings of what to expect begin in Matthew 24:16-21. Those in Judea, flee into the mountains, don't stop to get anything, just go. It will be awful for expecting and nursing women. Pray that it won't be in winter or the Sabbath. Finally, it'll be the worst tribulation since the beginning of the world.
     Since the beginning of the world. Let that sink in. Sodom and Gomorrah were decimated along with the plains around it. God rained down brimstone and fire from out of heaven and destroyed all the inhabitants for their wickedness (Genesis 19:24). Lesson number one: The sins of Sodom and Gomorrah were great enough to cause God to rain down fire and brimstone until they were destroyed. This was only two towns. At a future time known only to God, the sins of this earth will be so great that the "heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also..." (II Peter 3:10).
     Nineveh was another matter. That great Assyrian city came up before God for its' wickedness. Jonah, after some convincing, was sent there to preach that Nineveh was going to be overthrown unless they repented. They did repent, and so they were secure for a time. Historical accounts report that about 200 years later, the city was destroyed and the inhabitants carried away. Lesson number two: Repent and be saved. God sent his prophet to warn them and they paid attention. II Peter 3:9 says the Lord is...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Unfortunately their repentance became slack and the city became only a footnote in history.
     Times are uncertain and no one knows what the future holds or if there's a future. What's important is found in Revelation 3:3. "Remember therefore how thou has received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee."

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Linda Johnson

Linda Johnson moved to Douglas County with her husband Tom 11 years ago after retiring from teaching. Following Tom's death in 2016, Linda began facilitating a grief support group called GriefShare through Sweden Church. She serves as the Sunday School teacher for our High School class. Her "Layman's Pen" articles are also published in the local paper, The Douglas County Herald.

Andrea Strong

Andrea is Pastor Joshua Strong's wife. She also serves Sweden Church as Church Secretary, website administrator, and Sunday School teacher to the Intermediate Class.

Linda Johnson

Andrea Strong

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