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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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    Linda Johnson

    Linda Johnson moved to Douglas County with her husband Tom 12 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.

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