Return to what is pure

Well I have to say that those Thomasville boys really know how to put on a Bible study. When I arrived the place was loaded down with health food of every description. There were sausage-biscuit-egg combos, sausage and biscuit, solo fluffy buttermilk biscuits, and of course my favorite, extra large glazed donuts and four pots of coffee. All that health food has those boys looked healthy; I couldn’t see the ribs on a single one of them and there wasn’t a poor looking one of them in the lot. If I get a chance I’m going back on another Thursday morning to share in God’s spiritual feast of the word of God, and the physical health food feast spread they put out.

One of the things I talked about was a verse that a friend of mine recently sent me and told me that I should claim as my own, stating that these could be my words.

1 Timothy 1:15-16 “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinnersof whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.”

This was written by Paul who actively sought out Christians and martyred them including Stephen. After Jesus removed the “scales from his eyes” and he himself became a Christian, I’m sure he spent quite some time reflecting about his former life and I’m all but positive that he agonized over many of the things that he had done in his former life including the stoning of Stephen. Of course Paul went on to witness to billions of people right up to this moment and his story has inspired us all.

I often lie in bed thinking about those who were harmed as a result of my sins and lamenting the fact that much of my life was as black as ink and mired in sin. I can only take solace in the fact that I’m now using those experiences in order that “Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life”. My friend wrote to me: “May your book have just a fraction of the effect these words from Paul had on the world.” To that I say Amen.

I receive letters and comments from folks all of the time whose stories could help others. Every church has a crisis center and is in need of encouraging stories of triumph over satan. Although your crisis may now be over, have you ever considered participating and assisting those who are still in crisis?

Not enough of us take time to participate. I was asked yesterday about our great country and whether I thought it would rebound. I correlate it to Israel. No other country aside from Israel has been blessed of God more the USA. Why? I believe it is because our nation was built as, “One nation under God” and “In God we trust”.

Whenever Israel pulled close to God in such a manner with Godly rulers, they were blessed. And when they pulled away they were cursed, (the worst curse being levied after they rejected God’s only begotten Son Jesus Christ as the Messiah; a curse that is still being exacted through today). I believe our country is going down a dangerous path away from God. We don’t have Godly leaders and we are moving away from being “One nation under God” and as a nation we do not “trust in God” anymore.

Can we turn it around? The Bible is clear that if our nation returns to God he will heal her. If we don’t, then God’s justice and holiness demand satisfaction against sin.

Yet God is merciful. He is compassionate. In fact, He says, “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice” Mat 9:13 quoting Hos 6:6. Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God. Your sins have been your downfall!

And if our nation does not return to God? Well, I suppose God will leave us to fight our battles against evil alone, and of course we will never win that battle apart from Him Do your part won’t you. Witness to others, attend Bible studies like those Thomasville boys and study the word of God and fellowship together, and pray ceaselessly.




Job 22:23
If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored