tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2049506406839104512024-03-13T10:08:08.731-05:00Guarding the Treasure"Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in you, the treasure which has been entrusted to you." - 2 Timothy 1:14Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.comBlogger511125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-22957850430529877652021-10-23T06:00:00.001-05:002021-10-23T06:00:00.170-05:00Loving our children well<p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">I think most parents (especially of teenagers!)
desperately want their children to know how much they love them. Of course, our
love must be more than simply feeling affection; it must be action. Love is a
verb. The love we feel must be put on display.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Love is patient. Wait! Nobody said this was easy, right?
What does your level of patience with your children say about the way you love
them? If you’re often irritated when your child keeps asking you questions, quickly
frustrated when they don’t seem to understand something, or find yourself
snapping in anger over little things, that’s not love.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Love is kind. In the midst of a cold-hearted culture, the
home must be a warm, safe place of refuge. Children need to hear that they are
valued and precious, not worthless and bothersome. They need generous encouragement,
thoughtful counsel, gentle support. Unthinkably, some (too many) children live
with constant put-downs, name-calling, shaming, and all sorts of verbal and
physical abuse.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">That patience and kindness, however, doesn’t mean that we
tolerate bad behavior or give them everything they want. As children grow
they’re gaining and seeking greater independence, they’re formulating their own
ideas and opinions, they’re pushing boundaries.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Love sometimes means saying, “No.” But instead of just
saying, “Because I said so,” why not give them sound reasons for your decision that
communicates your love and helps them learn to make wise choices themselves?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">No, you can’t stay up playing video games all night. Because
I love you, I want you get the rest your growing body needs, so that you’ll be
healthy and strong physically, mentally, emotionally. Let’s read a good book
together instead, or play Uno, or take a walk before we go to bed at a decent
hour and get a good night’s sleep.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">No, you can’t go to that party. Listen, Johnny’s parents might
not care that he and his friends drink beer and watch R-rated movies, but I
care about you, and I don’t want you to be in that situation. Why don’t you
invite a friend over and I’ll order a pizza?</span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">No,
you can’t wear that way-too-revealing outfit. You’re a beautiful young woman
inside and out, and I want you to dress modestly being confident in who you are
– a woman of strength and dignity, honor and purity, wisdom and self-control.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">We also display our love through discipline. When your
child chooses to disobey your authority as a parent, there should be appropriate
consequences for his actions. They won’t like it, obviously, but when carried
out in love for their good, discipline will yield the fruit of righteousness,
and they will respect you for it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Listen, none of us are perfect parents, and I certainly don’t
have all the answers. I can’t even do the patience and kindness part apart from
walking in step with the Lord. But I do know that our Father in heaven loves
His children perfectly, and I long to keep learning from him to parent my own children
well (even though my oldest is now 21 and getting married in December!).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but
bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
May God grant His grace to help us truly love the children He’s blessed us to
raise.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-32977604123335261752021-10-22T06:00:00.001-05:002021-10-22T06:00:00.200-05:00Global Hunger Relief<p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">At Petersburg First Baptist Church, we have been
promoting an offering for Global Hunger Relief, a ministry of the Southern
Baptist Convention through which the love of God is shared in word and action. The
projects enabled through these funds are designed with an intentional spiritual
strategy working through our missionaries already on the field and in
cooperation the expertise of local leaders.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">In addition to meeting crisis hunger needs during famine
and natural disasters, GHR-funded projects focus on long-term, sustainable
solutions to end chronic hunger through job skills training, livestock and seed
distribution, clean water, home reconstruction, medical care and more.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">On a mission trip to Rio de Janeiro this past summer, I
had the opportunity to see how this offering is being used. Our contact
missionaries in Rio have built relationships with many local churches, and the
pastors of about 20 of these churches were invited to partner together to help
provide food to needy families. The GHR funds were used to purchase necessary
ingredients to make multiple meals, and each church is then held accountable
for not only delivering the supplies to the homes, but also sharing about the
love of Jesus with the visit.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">The pastors continue working in relationship with the
families to help them not only receive food on the table, but to receive the
spiritual Bread of Life who can satisfy their greater spiritual hunger. Our
team witnessed the joy of these pastors being able to meet such needs among
their people.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">In Nigeria, one missionary shared with us how this hunger
relief project is helping 408 widows and over 1,200 children. Along with a
month’s supply of food, each widow joins a co-op of 3-4 other widows to learn a
trade such as sewing, knitting, cooking, raising livestock, selling firewood,
etc., spending a year together to learn and make enough profit to become
self-sustaining and reach out to other widows around them, as well.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Truly one of the blessings of serving the Lord in
partnership like this is the ability to reach out to people in places most of
us will never go. It’s humbling and joyous to see God multiply what we give and
use it to display His love to meet real needs, whether near or far.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">In His earthly ministry, Jesus compassionately met real needs
of hurting people. He miraculously opened the eyes of the blind, made the lame
to walk, healed the sick of various diseases and pains, cleansed the lepers, drove
out demons, and even raised the dead to life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">But even greater than this, Jesus came to preach the good
news of the Kingdom of heaven. He came with the authority to forgive sin, to
reconcile sinful humanity to God, and to give eternal life to all who believe
in Him.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Maybe you need a spiritual miracle today. Perhaps your
soul is hungry for truth and righteousness, for forgiveness and mercy. Friend,
you can come to Jesus right now and find that He is the Bread of Life who came
down from heaven to satisfy your deepest hunger. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-79519854737721946672021-10-21T15:55:00.002-05:002021-10-21T16:05:18.244-05:00Demons' influence and Christ's deliverance<p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">The Bible tells us of an unseen world where angels serve
the saints in obedience to God and where demons seek to destroy God’s work in
league with the devil. Jesus encountered many people who were under the control
of demons in various ways and to varying degrees. These evil forces attacked
men, women, and children physically, mentally, and spiritually.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">One such attack against a boy brought left him suffering
terribly with seizures and would often through him into the fire and into the
water (Matthew 17:15). Another account has a man living among the tombs,
unclothed, out of his mind, always screaming and cutting himself with stones
(Mark 5). We also read where Jesus attributes to Satan’s work a woman who for
18 years was bent over and could not straighten herself (Luke 13:10-16).</span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Demons
are further credited with such activity as promoting false teachings and false
religions that deny Jesus, blinding people to the gospel and keeping them in
bondage to sinful desires, hindering Christians from effective witness, instilling
a spirit of bitter jealousy and selfish ambition, tempting people to sin, influencing
even Peter (!) to seek the things of men rather than the things of God, and
more.</span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Friend,
I do not hesitate to say today that demons still maintain much influence in our
world. Behind the lies, the pride, the doubts, the fears, the guilt, the greed,
the envy, the slander, the confusion, the hatred, and the chaos in our culture
you will find demonic forces seeking to destroy God’s good, righteous, and just
ways.</span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">How
else would you explain a deranged kid walking into his school and shooting
people? How else would you explain an insane segment of our society hell-bent
on making sure a woman can legally sacrifice her unborn child at any time until
the moment of birth? How else would you explain terrorists hijacking planes and
flying them into buildings? How else would you explain why in the U.S. alone
there are on average 130 people who commit suicide every day, and another 3,780
who attempt to do so?</span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">How
else would you explain how people can harbor hatred for their fellow human beings
simply because their skin is a lighter or darker color?</span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">How
else would you explain why pornography has become a global industry worth over
$100 billion? How else do you explain this generation’s fascination with the
immorality of homosexuality? How else would you explain the absurdity of gender
fluidity or identity or whatever it’s called – especially when we’re telling
boys and girls that they can choose their gender, and then give them hormone blockers
and perform “sex-change” surgeries on them?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Jesus describes Satan as the “father of lies” (John 8:44)
and a thief who “comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). Peter
writes, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking
someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).</span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">But
I want you to know for certain that Jesus has absolute authority and power over
the forces of darkness. He has already dealt the decisive blow at Calvary and
by His resurrection victory. And one day soon He will finally judge Satan, his
demons, and those names are not written in the book of life to an eternal
torment in the lake of fire and sulfur (Revelation 20).</span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Christians
do not have to live in fear of demons or the devil, nor yield to his influence
or temptations. We have the authority of Christ to “Resist him, standing firm
in your faith” (1 Peter 5:9). And we share in the eternal victory of salvation
through Jesus.</span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">If
you’re not following Jesus, let me urge you now to “turn from darkness to light
and from the power of Satan to God, that [you] might receive forgiveness of
sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in [Jesus]” (Acts 26:18).</span></span></p>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-12367567412035879612021-09-20T10:47:00.001-05:002021-09-20T10:47:21.441-05:00Learn to discern truth from error<p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">I’m going to “borrow” some material for this article
today from our Bible Studies for Life curriculum that we use for Sunday School.
The question of relevance is this: How can we know whether something is true or
not? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">You don’t need me to tell you that with the explosion of
information sources in this digital age, some of the things you hear and read
and see aren’t presented exactly the way it is. Spinning a story to make it fit
one’s preferred narrative, editing out the parts they don’t want you to know
about, or outright bald-faced lying, however, are nothing new. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">So how can we filter through the “misinformation” to
discern truth from error? I’m glad you asked! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Here’s how our Bible study laid it out as we studied from
1 John 2:18-29, and I think these serve as helpful principles as we learn to
discern what’s true. </span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">1. Be
biblical. When we study to know and understand God’s Word – which is trustworthy
and true – we’ll have a standard through which our decisions, our thoughts, our
worldview, our lifestyle, our habits, and our responses to questions and
problems and issues in our culture must be filtered. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">2. Be
devoted to God. As we yield ourselves in whole-hearted devotion to the Lord, our
hearts and minds will become fixed on the God of truth who loves and cares for
us. We can trust Him to guide us in truth and guard us from the deceptions that
seem to dominate the landscape. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">3. Be
holy. Believers in Christ are set apart from the world. They have put away
falsehood and are truthful and honest in thought, word, and deed. They do not
spread lies or seek to manipulate information for selfish purposes. They learn
to discern truth because they walk in truth. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">4. Be
wise. When dealing with truth and error, wisdom is essential. That’s because
many issues cannot be figured out with our finite minds. As Christians, we have
the mind of Christ, and we should use it! </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">5.
Be prayerful. Because we are flooded with fabrications in our culture, we need
the spiritual power that comes only through prayer. And when we take our
questions to God and ask for His divine and powerful intervention, we should
expect in faith that He will grant us the help we need to discern truth from
error. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Scammers,
schemers, swindlers, and all who peddle in lies will find themselves shut out
from the gates of heaven (Rev. 22:15). But disciples of Jesus have “an
anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth (1 John 2:20), and
we have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit who “will guide you into all
the truth” (John 16:13). </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">You
want to know the truth? It’s found in Jesus, who declared, “I am the way, and
the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).</span></span></p>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-85295241119373736242021-09-20T10:44:00.002-05:002021-09-20T10:44:58.000-05:00Praying through troubled times (like 9/11)<p><span style="font-family: courier;"><i>[Note: This article was written for our local newspaper on September 13, 2021]</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">I’m still thinking about the events of 9/11, as we look
back now 20 years later pondering this defining moment in our history. I don’t
even know how to process it all to this day, but I do know that there’s a
sovereign God in heaven who knows our hearts and whose Spirit intercedes for
the saints with groanings too deep for words. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">Here are four prayer points we took to the Lord this past
Sunday morning at Petersburg FBC. There are many more ways to keep praying,
obviously, but if you’re struggling to find some handles on how to pray through
your hurts and fears, maybe this can be a starting point. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">1</span><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">. Let’s thank God for His presence in our times of
troubles. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help
in trouble.” Over and over again in Scripture and in our own life experiences,
the Lord has proven His promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us.
When the wheels come off, when darkness seems to gain the upper hand, when terror
strikes, when health fails, when the factory closes, when the fire burns, when
the waters rise, when children rebel, when friends turn against you – whatever
trouble comes your way, turn to the One who is our refuge and strength, a
shelter in the storm, the anchor for our souls. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">2. Let’s pray that God would thwart the wicked plans of
evildoers. I have no problem praying against the forces of darkness, for I know
that God can confuse an entire invading army and clog their chariots’ wheels.
He can turn them against each other, blind their eyes, bend their swords, melt
their hearts, and foil their schemes. He can send the hornet to drive them
away, rain down hailstones upon them, cast a dense fog, send a destroying
angel, or use disease or a plague to kill them. “Lord, do not let evil people
have their way. Do not let their evil schemes succeed, or they will become
proud” (Psalm 140:8). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">3. Let’s pray for our nation’s leaders. We would be wise
to ask God to grant wisdom to those who make decisions on behalf of this
country. Let’s pray for strong and courageous leaders who will seek
righteousness over political correctness. Let’s ask the Lord to raise up men
and women in positions of influence who will look to unite us rather than
divide us. Let’s call out to God for our leaders to know truth and reject lies.
Let’s ask God to enable our leaders and “we the people” to “establish justice,
insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the
general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty…” </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">4. Let’s ask God to take what Satan intends for evil and
use it to save many lives. God has a pretty impressive track record of doing
just that – the ultimate victory being the resurrection of Jesus from the evil
crucifixion at the hands of lawless men. Let’s keep praying that as people
search for answers in the midst of life’s troubles, that God will guide their
hearts to the truth of Christ Jesus and His salvation. Let’s ask God to send
His church into the harvest fields with the saving power of the gospel to
lovingly and clearly proclaim the hope, the joy, the peace, and the life that’s
found only in the One who bore our sins, died in our place, conquered the grave,
and by His grace gives eternal life to all who believe.</span></p>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-45558884691989254492021-09-20T10:40:00.001-05:002021-09-20T10:40:47.544-05:00Got compassion?<p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">It seems like what seems to be missing in many circles
today is this: compassion. Compassion is a compound word from the Latin
literally meaning “with suffering,” that is, feeling concern for the suffering
of others with a desire to help alleviate their burden. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">We are overloaded with information in our world regarding
the troubles of other people. And I don’t know about you, but I’m afraid that
my own heart sometimes becomes numb to the hurts surrounding me.</span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Maybe
saying “overloaded” is too mild; it’s more like we’re bombarded with accounts
of problems – whether in our own community or across the globe. And our
emotions get shellshocked. We can’t bear every burden or ease every need. So it
feels easier and safer, perhaps, to hunker down in our own bunker, ignoring the
blasts all around and hoping there’s not too much damage when we finally emerge
to see what’s going on. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">We
have a text prayer-chain through church. In the past week there have been 18
(if I’m counting correctly) different requests people have put out for prayer.
I also know we need to be praying diligently for the people of Afghanistan who
are facing some horrific prospects under the terror of the Taliban. We need to
pray for our own nation’s leaders to make right and wise decisions, and for our
military personnel’s safety and well-being. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">There
are always people in the path of the next hurricane, or threatened by
wildfires, or flooding. There are always children at St. Jude’s Hospital who
need special care, and there are always children who need care who can’t even
get to St. Jude’s. There are always elderly people with all kinds of needs.
There are always poor people who could use a helping hand or a hot meal. There
are always widows and orphans to look after. There are always victims of
violence and abuse who need protection and refuge. There are always families
grieving over the death of a loved one. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Do
you see where I’m going here? How much compassion capacity do you have for each
of these burdens? But when we stop caring, our hearts grow cold, bitter, and selfish
while the suffering around us multiplies. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Personally,
I don’t have enough, and nobody can solve every problem. But I know Someone who
does and who can. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">“Cast
all your cares on Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). God never runs out
of compassion for your need, dear friend. His mercies are new every morning,
His love never fails, and His grace is sufficient in every weakness. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">So
here’s my prayer. Lord, help me to feel what you feel for the hurts and needs
of people. Give me your heart of compassion and strengthen me to show mercy.
Let my love not be in word or thought alone, but in action and in truth. Move
me to feed the hungry, give a cup of cold water to the thirsty, welcome
strangers, clothe the naked, visit the sick, care for the prisoners, serve the
widows and orphans, and help those whom You put in my path in their hour of
need. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Most
of all, let me point them to You as the One who is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit, the Savior who loved us so deeply that You
suffered in our place on the cross, taking our greatest burden – sin – and
making it Your own, so that we might be healed, restored, and made new.</span></span></p>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-23520079770335494792021-09-20T10:37:00.005-05:002021-09-20T10:37:54.861-05:00Ready to meet your Maker?<p><span style="font-family: courier;"><i>[Note: This article was written for our local newspaper August 23, 2021.]</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">When you have a big event coming up, you prepare for it.
Whether it’s a vacation at the beach or a weekend camping trip, you have to
make arrangements before you go. If you have a wedding to plan or a baby on the
way, you spend months getting ready for the big day. Even having company over
for dinner means that you have to make some plans. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">I want to remind you that there’s a big event coming
soon, and I want you to be ready for it. Like it or not, every one of us will
face the reality of our own physical death, unless Jesus makes His return
beforehand. It’s not something you can put on your calendar, but you must be
ready for it. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">And I’m not just talking about making funeral
arrangements and drafting a will or figuring out who’s going to get your stuff.
That’s important, but making spiritual preparation is eternally more important. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Are you ready to meet your Maker? Do you know what will
happen to you when you die? If Jesus were to come back today, would you be prepared
for His arrival? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Nobody wants to think about dying, but I’m telling you
that life is so uncertain. Have you been keeping up with the news lately? </span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">In
Afghanistan, Islamic terrorists known as the Taliban have seized control of the
nation’s capital as they seek to enforce Sharia law; murdering, raping, and
pillaging as they go. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">An
earthquake in Haiti last week claimed the lives of over 2,000 people, injuring
thousands more, and wreaking further havoc upon an already troubled land. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">A
torrential rain of up to 17 inches in less than 24 hours just east of Nashville
led to flash flooding that has taken at least 22 lives, even as search efforts
continue for many more missing. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">People
are still dying from cancer, heart disease, accidents, and COVID-related
issues. People are dying from violence in our own nation every day – and it’s not
just relegated to crime-infested inner cities, either. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">I’m
not trying to scare you but prepare you. Death and taxes are both certainties –
and I’m paying my taxes already. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">The
good news is that you can be ready when that day comes. And if you’re ready,
you don’t have to fear death or dying or be uncertain of what lies beyond the
curtain. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Listen,
the Bible tells us clearly that through Jesus – and only through Jesus – we can
be saved from eternal death in hell and saved to eternal life in heaven. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Jesus
said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he
die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never
die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26). </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">So
what about you? Do you believe this? Do you believe that Jesus gave His own
life on the cross, bearing your sins and absorbing God’s wrath in your place so
that you can be forgiven and made right with God? Do you believe that Jesus
defeated death by rising from the grave on the third day? Do you believe that
only by repenting from sin and trusting in Him you can be saved? Have you
received the gift of eternal life through Jesus as Savior and Lord? </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Why
not come to Jesus today? Right now. Make this your heart’s cry as you put your
faith in Him: Jesus, I know that I need you and I confess that I have sinned
against you. I believe you died on the cross for my sin and rose to life again.
Forgive me, cleanse me, and make me new. Be the Lord of my life and help me to
follow you in faith and obedience from this day forward. Thank you for saving
me! Amen!</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-56531988208217388632021-09-20T10:33:00.000-05:002021-09-20T10:33:11.097-05:00Waver no longer<p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">I want to ask you the same question Elijah asked the
people of Israel: “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is
God, follow Him; but if Baal, then then follow him” (1 Kings 18:21). </span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">The
Baal deity in Canaanite religion was typically associated with fertility.
Elijah was a prophet of the Lord who announced a famine throughout the land. The
showdown on Mt. Carmel would prove which God was true. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">“You
call upon the name of your god,” Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal, “and I
will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answer by fire, he is God”
(1 Kings 18:24). </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">You
probably know how the scene unfolds. The prophets of Baal made fools of
themselves calling out to their god, but there was no voice, and no one
answered. Of course not, because there is no other God but the Lord. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">When
Elijah’s turn came, he prayed, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let
it be known this day that I am your servant, and that I have done all these
things at your word. Answer me, O Lord, that this people may know that you, O
Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back” (1 Kings 18:36-37). </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">And
the fire fell. The false god proved lifeless. The false prophets were seized
and slaughtered. The people of Israel fell on their faces in recognition of the
Lord alone as God. And soon the rain came. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Friend,
we can no longer waver between opinions. We can no longer claim to follow the
Lord as God while flirting with the gods of this age. You cannot serve God and
money. You cannot serve God and fame. You cannot serve God and immorality. You
shall have no other gods before Me, says the Lord. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">It
is time to draw the line and declare that the Lord alone is the one, true,
living, and eternal God. He alone is the Maker of the heavens and the earth,
righteous, just, sovereign, omnipotent, faithful, merciful, gracious, kind,
loving, majestic, and glorious. He is the only one who hears and answers the
prayers of His people. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">And
He alone is worthy of the full devotion of our lives. He alone is worth
following wholeheartedly in confident faith, glad obedience, and unshakeable
hope. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">What’s
more, we have even greater assurance than Elijah because we know that this is
the God who became man – Jesus, the image of the invisible God, the radiance of
God’s glory, the Word made flesh. And He is the One who died in our place on
the cross to pay the penalty for sin and who rose again in victory over death. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">“And
there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven
given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). </span></span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Waver
no longer. Turn to Jesus alone as Savior and Lord, and follow Him with undivided
allegiance.</span></span></p>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-80502721999282549872021-09-20T10:30:00.001-05:002021-09-20T10:30:41.126-05:00How's your worship?<p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">When you hear about the marvelous things God does, I hope
it makes you want to sing! I hope that when you think about God’s salvation you
want to have a little dance party right then and there! And when you consider
His unfailing love and great faithfulness, I hope you raise your hands in the
air and make a joyful noise to the Lord!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Or maybe you drop to your knees in silence or fall
prostrate on your face in gratitude and humility, crying tears of joy with
heart overwhelmed by the mercy and grace of our God.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">The mode of worship may vary, but the heart of the
worshiper will overflow with joy. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">T</span><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">he one thing you can’t do is be unmoved. Those who know
God worship Him in spirit and truth. They’re engaged in mind and heart, soul
and strength. They don’t recite prayers mechanically but pray to Him
relationally. They don’t just show up to church and sleepwalk through the
motions, but actively seek the presence of the Lord. They don’t mumble mindlessly
through the words of a hymn, but sing with joy to the One who has delivered
them from death and given them new, abundant, and eternal life. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">T</span><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">hey think about His greatness and marvel over His
majesty. They delight in the ways of the Lord and draw near to Him in love.
They meditate on His Word, cling to His promises, and strive to please Him in
every way. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">H</span><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">ow’s
your worship? </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Those
who know the Lord learn to love the things God loves and hate the things God
hates. They learn to deny themselves rather than to indulge themselves. They
learn that the only way to find true life is to lose their life for the sake of
Jesus. And they learn that giving up everything to follow Christ is the best
investment they could ever make.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">He
is their treasure above all treasures. He is their strength and their song. He
is their peace, their joy, and their sure hope for all that’s yet to come.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">“With
joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that
day:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">‘Give
thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples,
proclaim that his name is exalted.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Sing
praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all
the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your
midst is the Holy One of Israel’” (Isaiah 12:3-6).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">If you
know you need to get back to the heart of worship, let me invite you to join us
Sunday mornings at 10:45 at the Petersburg First Baptist Church. We’d love to
welcome you as we seek the Lord together. But don’t wait until Sunday – open
your eyes to the wonders of God’s handiwork in creation and open your heart to
the Word of truth in Scripture. You’ll soon find that the marvelous things of
Christ will make your heart sing for joy.</span></p>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-86320587809172298732021-09-20T10:26:00.000-05:002021-09-20T10:26:10.011-05:00Let's teach our children to follow the ways of the Lord<p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">It’s time to build some deeper faith in Christ!<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">And I say that because much of this world has gone delusional. If you don’t think there’s a war going on for the hearts and minds and souls and bodies of our children, then you’re not paying attention. From LGBT lobbyists to Planned Parenthood to divisive race theorists to Marxists idealogues and more, the battle is raging to capture your children to corruption. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Oh, it’s under the guise of virtues like equality, love, and justice, but make no mistake, the goal of glorifying things immoral and seducing our children to sinful desires is evident. Even Satan masquerades as an angel of light, but his ambition is always to steal, kill, and destroy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">If you think I’m overreacting, do some homework. See if you agree with the Chicago Public School District’s decision to make condoms available to 5th graders. Or take a listen to the video posted to YouTube by the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus as they expressly proclaim that their goal is to convert your children. Read up on which libraries are hosting drag queen story hours, which PBS Kids shows highlight sexual themes, like the Blues Clues pride parade sing-a-long, and which school districts are adopting radical sex education initiatives that introduce young children to homosexuality, gender fluidity and transition, masturbation, contraception, abortion, and seek even to push the envelope on pedophilia!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Parents, we must be vigilant in this fight. We must seek to protect our children. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">The best way I know how to do this is to first fight the battle on our knees in prayer. Let’s ask God to drive out the enemy and surround our children with His love. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Then let’s be diligent in teaching them the ways of the Lord with grace and truth. God’s Word is still our instruction manual for training up our children in the right way. Let’s practice it ourselves, and let’s be unashamed in teaching our children to follow the paths of righteousness.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">In other words, we need Jesus. We need His life-saving and life-transforming grace to help us shape and mold our children into the young men and women He’s created them to be. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">May the light of the gospel dispel the darkness, to the glory of God.</span></p><div><br /></div>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-10248230501572360752021-06-30T06:00:00.001-05:002021-06-30T06:00:00.233-05:00When the Lord Fights Your Battles<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">There’s truly no battle too big for God to handle. I know
sometimes your situation can seem hopeless. This addiction has already ruined
so much. Those fears leave you paralyze. That depression has you smothered. The
cancer’s got you on the ropes. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">You may have an adversary breathing down your neck. You
may have an enemy who makes a life mission of making your life miserable. You
may have a seemingly insurmountable army surrounding you on every side, mocking
you mercilessly, calling your mamma ugly names, and threatening to destroy you. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Listen, the battle is real. We’re going to face hardships
and struggles in this life. We live in a world where sin has all kinds of
consequences. Sometimes we create our own chaos, and sometimes we’re caught as
collateral damage for someone’s else screwups. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">My plea and prayer for you today is this: Take your
troubles to God and let Him fight the battle for you, because when God fights
for us, you know that victory’s coming! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I could give you multiple examples from the Bible of this
truth. One of the better known accounts comes from 2 Samuel 17 where a towering
giant named Goliath was huffing and puffing against God’s people and threatening
to blow their house down. And while the army of Israel was left shaking in
their boots, a young shepherd boy named David knew that no giant was too big
for God to handle. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">“Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with
a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of
the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This
day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut
off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines
this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all
the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly
may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the
Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.” </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I’m telling you that when you know the battle belongs to
the Lord, you can have the strength and courage of David in the face of an
imposing giant. When you know that God fights for you, you don’t have to fear
the enemy or be afraid of his taunts against you. When you know that God is for
you, you can trust Him for the ultimate victory. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Try to fight the battle in your own strength, and you’ll
lose. Trust in the name of the Lord your God, and the victory is sure. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">When Jesus squared off against the enemy of death in the
battle of all battles, He fought on our behalf, suffered for our sake, and
conquered the grave so that all who believe in Him can share in the glory of
eternal victory. No battle is too big for our God!</span></span></p>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-26156253584686412332021-06-29T08:34:00.001-05:002021-06-29T08:34:35.509-05:00Jesus - Judge and Savior<p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">One of the reasons we tolerate, accommodate, and even
celebrate depravity is that we don’t know what it means to fear the Lord. If we
think of Jesus at all, we think of His gentleness, kindness, tenderness, mercy,
and love. These are all true characteristics of Jesus, no doubt.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">But
do we ever stop for even a moment to consider that He is also the holy and
righteous and great and mighty Judge of all the earth?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">“At the set time that I appoint I will judge with
equity…I warned the proud, ‘Stop your boasting!’ I told the wicked, ‘Don’t raise
your fists! Don’t raise your fists in defiance at the heavens or speak with
such arrogance” (Psalm 75:2, 4-5).</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">“For the Lord holds a cup in his hand that is full of
foaming wine mixed with spices. He pours out the wine in judgment, and all the
wicked must drink it, draining it to the dregs” (Psalm 75:8). </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">We are so full of ourselves. We are consumed with
self-righteousness. We parade our pride and flaunt our immorality. We do
whatever is right in our own eyes. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">But we have forgotten God. We have disobeyed His
commands, disregarded His ways, and dismissed Him altogether. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Do we not know that He is the righteous and just Judge of
the living and the dead? Have we forgotten that God destroyed the wicked of the
world through the great flood? Do we remember what happened to Sodom and
Gomorrah? The army of Pharaoh at the Red Sea? The destruction of the Canaanite
nations? The punishments against disobedient Israel? </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">God does not take sin lightly. And try as we may to
suppress such thoughts, we will be held accountable to God on the Day of
judgment. Is that not a sobering truth? Is there any hope of being spared,
since we know that we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Indeed, there is! While the wicked will be condemned to
eternal punishment, the righteous will be saved unto eternal life. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">W</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ho, then, are the righteous and who are the wicked? </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The righteous are those who have been made righteous only
by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and resurrection life. Truly, no one is righteous
by his own deeds. Not even one. But Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, so
that whoever believes in Him may not remain in darkness, will not perish, but
will be saved. It is by the grace of God we are saved through faith. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The wicked are those who refuse to come to Jesus for
salvation. Since the wages of sin is death, we are all in need of a Savior to
rescue us from the just wrath of God. Those who arrogantly, stubbornly,
willfully, and foolishly reject the only means of salvation – the cross of
Christ – remain under His wrath. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">“Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever
does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name
of the only Son of God” (John 3:18). </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">So let us walk in the fear of the Lord! That is, let us believe
in Christ, living in reverential awe of His holiness and majesty, His power and
His glory, His righteousness and justice, while clinging humbly to His mercy
and His grace. And let us learn to dread His displeasure, seeking to gladly
obey His Word and not to pridefully reject His truth and thus face His
judgment. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).</span></span></p>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-3965615225812054522021-06-14T12:16:00.000-05:002021-06-14T12:16:10.470-05:00We All Need Jesus<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I don’t know where you’re at in
life, but I know that we all need Jesus. Don’t roll your eyes and stop reading.
You need to hear this.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Either we’re all here by cosmic
chance where life has no ultimate meaning, and when you die it’s game over, no heaven
to gain or hell to fear. In that case, you might as well seek to maximize your
happiness while you can here on earth. Indulge yourself with sex, drugs, and rock
and roll, raise a nice family, bet all your money on a horse, serve at a soup
kitchen; it doesn’t matter. Whatever makes you feel good – do it.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Or, there is something of an
Intelligent Being or God who exists and gives meaning to life and eternity.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">If you do believe there is a God
or some kind of Higher Power out there, then you have to come to grips with who
He is, or who She is, or what It is or They are. There is no shortage of belief
systems to choose from. See if one of the Eastern religions makes sense. Maybe
a New Age thing could be your thing. Islam might be worth looking into. Or
create your own version of what you think a God ought to be like.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">But they can’t all be right. That
would be like a math teacher saying, “Hey, you don’t have to get the right
answer, just write down something. I’ll give you credit.” But exactly half of 100
is 50. Multiply 3 by 16 and you get 48. The square root of 9 is 3. Every time. All
other answers are incorrect.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Is there one true God above
all other contenders? One true God who makes the other versions false?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The answer is a resounding
yes! Let me give you three reasons why Jesus alone is God Most High.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">1 - The very fact of
creation gives proof that there is a Creator. Every book must have an author. Every
house has a builder. And the universe declares the glory of its Maker. The moon
and stars, the skies and seas, the flowers and trees, and everything that lives
and moves showcase the handiwork of a masterful Architect.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">2 – The Bible tells us that
this Author of Life is Jesus. Is the Bible true? The answer to this question makes
all the difference in the world. Space fails to give this topic justice, but
the evidence from manuscripts, archeology, history, prophecy, theology, and
internal consistency clearly point to the reliability and truth of the Bible as
the infallible Word of God.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">3 – After dying a
horrific death on the cross, Jesus rose to life and ascended to heaven. No
other religious system even makes such a claim as this. The evidence is
irrefutable for the resurrection of Jesus, and every claim of His identity, His
purpose, His promises, His salvation is thus verified. Somebody conquered
death!?! Does this not change everything?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Indeed, it does! And if you’ll
follow the lead and seek to know this Jesus, you will soon discover that He is “the
way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). In Him you will find new life,
abundant life, and eternal life. In Him you discover the truth that guides you
in the right way.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">But apart from Him, the void
in your heart will go unfilled and the pursuit of all your pleasures will prove
but a chasing of the wind. The prospect of eternal separation from God in hell
remains, while the hope of better things in heaven evades. We all need Jesus.</span></span></p>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-50675407148645792472021-06-07T09:25:00.001-05:002021-06-07T09:29:20.131-05:00Hazardous Journey<p><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><b><span style="font-size: large;">“Men Wanted for
Hazardous Journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness,
constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success
– Ernest Shackleford.”</span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">That’s how the famed
British explorer advertised in the London newspapers for his ill-fated Antarctic
expedition in 1900. He wanted the men to know right up front about the dangers
of such a voyage. Shackleford was amazed at the overwhelming response to his
ad.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">When Jesus
advertised for disciples, He said, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny
himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). In other words,
the cost of following Christ is not buried somewhere in the fine print. He wants
us to know that if we are serious about walking with Him, then we’d better be
ready to suffer with Him.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Some people are willing
to go with Jesus as long as the road is safe. As long as the journey doesn’t
get too uncomfortable, too demanding, too difficult, they’re in. But when tribulation
or persecution arises on account of the gospel, they fall away. Or when the
cares of the world or the deceitfulness or riches entice the heart, their
professed allegiance to Jesus gets choked out and they prove unfruitful.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">The way of Jesus is
a narrow way. He says, “the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to
life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:14). It’s narrow because Jesus
Himself is the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, no one
will see the Kingdom of God, no one will inherit the promise of eternal life in
heaven except through Christ (John 14:6). Salvation is found in no one else,
for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be
saved (Acts 4:12).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">To some that sounds
so narrow-minded that it cannot be true. But there’s no other “god” who loves
you like Jesus. There’s no other “savior” who has emptied himself, suffered in
your place, borne your sin and guilt in his body, hung on a cross to die in
your place, or risen in victory from the grave, or promised that He will come
again soon to take you to be with Him in heaven forever. Nobody, but Jesus!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">He alone is the
Savior worth following, no matter the cost.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Let me urge you to
come to Him today. Repent from your sin, put your faith in Him alone, and He
will save you. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal
life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">But know, too, that while
the gift comes to you already paid by the blood of Jesus, the journey will be
hazardous. The ultimate success of this adventure, however, is guaranteed.</span></p>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-79130680201409553972021-05-26T05:30:00.001-05:002021-05-26T05:30:00.271-05:00Get Ready! Get Set! Go!<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Get ready! Get set! Go!</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">That’s the word I heard at the PORTA High School Baccalaureate
service Sunday night for the Class of 2021. Eric Wagler from the band 10
Talents shared this message from the parable of the talents Jesus told in Matthew
25:14-30, weaving in his own life story as he related to the servants who had
been entrusted with their master’s resources.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">By the way, just a quick word of appreciation to the pastors
and churches of the PORTA Ministerial Association for sponsoring this event, as
well as special thanks to Mrs. McMahan, Mrs. Perez, Mrs. Reid, and Mrs. Owens
for their varied and valuable help.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Two of the servants invested their “talents” well and
returned a great profit. The master was thrilled with their work and rewarded
them with even greater responsibility and boundless joy. The third servant,
however, buried his talent and handed back only what he’d been given. Needless
to say, the master was not pleased.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">God is our Master, and He has entrusted to His servants
the stewardship of His resources. And until Jesus returns, we ought to be faithful
and wise to invest these talents not for selfish ambitions, but for the good of
others and the glory of God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">What are you doing with the resources, gifts, and
opportunities God has given you? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">So get ready! How? Spend time listening to the Lord by
hearing what He says in the Bible. Pray for guidance and direction, and wait
for God’s instruction and counsel to teach you the way you should go.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Get set! Gather with a community of authentic believers
who will encourage you, correct you, pray for you, love you, strengthen you in
the faith, and help equip you for the ministry God has prepared for you. We
truly do need each other.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Then go! Whatever God says to do, do it. Wherever God
calls you to go, go. It might not seem to make a lot of sense to you. He
probably won’t give you the whole picture at first. You might be inclined to
doubt His ways as you look with your finite eyes and limited understanding. But
your faithful obedience to the Lord will always reap great reward.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">One of my personal favorite verses is found in Proverbs
3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own
understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to
take” (NLT).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Class of 2021, congratulations on all that you have
achieved so far! Let me urge you to look to the Lord to get ready, get set, and
go. Keep your eyes on Jesus and keep trusting Him all along the way, and you
just might find that when you delight yourself in the Lord, He will not only
give you the desires of your heart, but will do immeasurably more than all that
you can ask or imagine.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-24877022567704259112021-05-24T09:35:00.000-05:002021-05-24T09:35:07.918-05:00An Anchor for Your Soul<p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If you’re like me and shaking your head at the constantly
changing, uncertain, and often conflicting guidelines surrounding the COVID-19
health measures, aren’t you at least glad to know that the counsel of the Word
of God remains unchanged?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Dr. Fauci may waffle back and forth week-by-week, but
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Even the “science” and the “data” consulted by the
“experts” evolves (one presumes with political pressures and financial motivations
– seriously, somebody follow the money on all of this and see where it leads),
but “every word of God proves true” (Proverbs 30:5).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">It’s foolish to build a house on the sand. The next storm
is sure to wipe it all out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">It’s foolish to construct a host of mandates on shifting shadows.
The next political cloud will undo every edict.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">And it’s foolish to build your life on the unknown, the
unsettled, the unsure. The next crisis, the next wind of doctrine, the next
trend, the next appealing sound byte will quickly rock the shaky foundation
under your feet and you’ll be tossed about like a jon boat in a hurricane.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">But when your life is anchored to the rock of Christ
Jesus, there is no storm that can capsize your faith. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><i>My hope is built on nothing less</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: 12pt;"><i>than Jesus’ blood and
righteousness </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: 12pt;"><i>I dare not trust the sweetest frame</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: 12pt;"><i>but wholly lean on Jesus’
name</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: 12pt;"><i>On Christ the solid rock I stand</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: 12pt;"><i>all other ground is sinking sand</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: 12pt;"><i>all
other ground is sinking sand</i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Friend, in a world that seems to be splitting apart at
the seams, where seeds of discord are sown all around us, where sin gets
applauded and right disregarded, come to Jesus and find peace in the midst of
the storm. Come to Jesus and find joy in spite of the troubles. Come to Jesus
and find hope as an anchor for your soul, “steadfast and sure while the billows
roll”. Come to Jesus and find life unshakeable and eternal, abundant, new, and true.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I
will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle
and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy,
and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Want to know more about this Savior who loves you so much
that He laid down His life on the cross for you? Want to know more about this
King who conquered sin and death and hell, the One who sits at the right hand
of the Almighty and will one day come again?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I would love to talk with you. Call the church office at
217-632-2488, and we’ll open the Bible together and hear from heaven.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-3445130109331827242021-05-05T16:40:00.000-05:002021-05-05T16:40:37.112-05:00The Privilege of Prayer<p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Women, wouldn’t it be strange if you said you loved your
husband, but you never spoke to him? And wouldn’t it also be odd if you did
talk to him, but you never bothered to listen to what he had to say? Men, I
won’t ask you to comment on that! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Well, whether or not those things are true in your
marriage, unfortunately that’s a description of the way many people pray – or
don’t pray. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Prayer is essentially dialogue between God and His
people. It’s communing in fellowship with our Father in heaven who loves us
deeply, has chosen us in Christ, has adopted us into His family as sons and
daughters, and who longs for us to draw near to Him, align our lives with His
Kingdom’s purposes and will, and faithfully follow His perfect counsel. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">But
even among Christians, many go about their day without ever giving a thought to
communicating with the One they claim to love. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Or
for some, prayer is a one-sided conversation where we do all the talking but
don’t really do any listening. And even at that, many prayers are pre-scripted
or memorized (which is not inherently wrong, and can be very helpful), but the
danger is that maybe all we’re doing is “saying our prayers” but we’re not
really communicating with God. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">If
we would truly know the friendship of God – a real love relationship with the
Creator of the universe – then we must learn how to pray. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Of
course, the Bible is packed with the prayers of godly men and women to teach us
how to call upon the name of the Lord. Whether in times of trouble and sorrow,
to express our praise and thanksgiving, to intercede on behalf of another, to
seek forgiveness for our sins, to ask for provision for our needs or guidance
for decisions, or literally anything that pertains to life, God invites us to
His throne of grace in the name of Jesus and promises that there we will
receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16).</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">And
the pattern of prayer that Jesus outlines for His disciples in Matthew 6 still
works pretty well, too, as we engage our hearts and minds with our tongues in
prayer to our Father. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">But
let’s make sure that in our praying that we take the time to listen for God’s
response. Let’s keep our ears open and actively seek to hear from the Lord. “Speak,
Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9). And let’s then do the hard
work of waiting upon the Lord in faith. If we know that He hears our feeble,
yet sincere prayers, and if we know that He responds for His glory and our
good, then we would do well to trust Him to answer when and how He chooses to
do so.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">For
surely, He is the sovereign, omnipotent King who reigns over all from His
throne in heaven, and who invites us to “cast all your cares on Him, for He
cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). He is the God who can move the mountains and part
the waters to make a way where there seems to be no way. And He is our Father
in heaven who delights in the prayers of His children. What a privilege to
carry everything to God in prayer!</span></span></p>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-7923943724815629752021-04-19T13:51:00.001-05:002021-04-19T13:51:59.706-05:00"God loves naughty boys"<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Henry
Ironside, who ministered in the first half of the 1900’s, pastoring the Moody
Church in Chicago for 20 years, tells this story.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">“I
remember, when I was a boy, going to a missionary meeting. A missionary was
there from Africa and was showing us a whole lot of curious things, and then he
said, ‘Now, boys, I want to tell you the kind of Gospel we preach to the people
of Africa. How many good boys have we here?’ </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">A
lot of us thought we were good, but our mothers were there, and so not one of
us dared hold up his hand. ‘Well,’ said he, ‘not one good boy here; then I have
the same message for you that we have for the heathen in Africa; God loves
naughty boys.’ </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">‘My,’
I thought, ‘he is getting all mixed up,’ for you see I had heard people say, ‘If
you are good God will love you.’ But, dear friends, that is not true. God is
not waiting for you to be good so He can love you; God loves sinners.” </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">“But
God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for
us” (Romans 5:8). </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Friend,
if you’ve been hearing people say (and believing) that God can only love you if
you’re good, then this revelation of God’s sacrificial love can change your
world. The truth is that apart from Christ we’re all morally deficient, ungodly
sinners and even enemies of God. We’ve done nothing – and can do nothing – to
earn God’s love. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Truly,
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">And
as it is written, “None is righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">As
rebellious, self-centered trespassers, we deserve the wrath of God, not His
love. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">But
here’s what you need to hear and believe and embrace: God is love! And being
rich in mercy, overflowing with grace, whose love is unfailing, unending,
unconditional, and unparalleled; whose love is amazing, steadfast, great, and
perfect; this God put His love on display for all to see by sending His Son
Jesus into our world to die in our place. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Not
for the good boys, but for the naughty boys.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">And
on the cross of Calvary, the blood of Jesus shed for the forgiveness of sins
can make the sinners clean, washing away every stain, making us right with God,
and saving us from His just wrath. Not only that, but He adopts us into His
family as sons and daughters, and by His resurrection victory He gives us the
promise of eternal life. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">And
I don’t even have room to unpack the abundance of life that He gives us even
now – a life of purpose and meaning, fellowship in His presence and with His
people, peace that passes all understanding, joy inexpressible, hope
unshakeable, and the guidance and comfort and help and power of His Holy Spirit
all the time, every day, every step of the way! </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: courier;">I
stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene</span></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">And</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> wonder how He could
love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean</span></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: courier;">How marvelous, how wonderful, and my
song shall ever be</span></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: courier;">How marvelous, how wonderful, is my Savior’s love for me! </span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Have
you received this gift of God’s sacrificial love that brings eternal life? Why
not repent from sin, trust Him today as Savior, and surrender to Him as Lord?
It doesn’t matter what’s in your past or where you’re at right now. Come to Him
in faith. God loves naughty boys.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></p>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-42175940760294091542021-04-12T16:18:00.002-05:002021-04-12T16:18:32.997-05:00Ready for Revival<p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I am ready for a revival! How about you?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I am ready to see God reignite a flame in the heart of
every believer. I am ready to see the power of Jesus’ resurrection victory
transform lives for His glory. I am ready to see what happens when the Holy Spirit
fills the followers of Jesus for undivided loyalty and unbridled obedience to
the will of God.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I am
ready to see Christians get thoroughly right with God, confessing and
renouncing sin, turning away from every form of wickedness, putting all
idolatry and immorality to death, and finding the freedom of cleansing forgiveness
in Christ fresh and new like never before.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I am
ready to see those who claim the name of Jesus embrace Him fully, clothing
themselves in His righteousness, transformed by the renewal of their minds, abiding
richly in Christ, delighting in His Word, and walking in lockstep with the Holy
Spirit day by day.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I am
ready to see a new hunger for the things of God among His people, passionately
pursuing purity and holiness, living by faith and not by sight, loving the Lord
with everything they’ve got and loving their neighbor as themselves.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I am
ready to see revival!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I am
ready to see the church on her knees pleading with the Father to pour out His
mercy upon us, to amaze us anew with His grace, to overwhelm us again with His unfailing
love, and to unleash the wonder of His power at work within us.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I am
ready to see the church praying earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send
out laborers into His harvest fields, to raise up men and women who will unashamedly
witness for the gospel in their homes, neighborhoods, workplaces and schools, and
to call out some to serve as vocational missionaries, pastors, and ministers to
the hurting and helpless.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I am
ready to see the church crying out to God for the salvation of lost souls with
an aching that cannot be quenched apart from a mighty and marvelous work of
God.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I am
ready for revival!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">And
I am ready to experience the heart of true surrender in the church, with the
Bride of Christ giving herself in full submission to the mission of her Savior,
putting herself at the disposal of God to be used any way He desires to reach
others for Christ.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I am
ready to see prodigals coming home, the hopeless finding hope, the broken
finding healing, the fearful finding the Prince of Peace, the lonely finding a
Friend, and sinners finding the Savior.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I am
ready to see a Great Awakening in our land and to the ends of the earth as the people
of God take the gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Spirit with a
burning desire to see souls saved. I am ready to witness the Spirit of God opening
the eyes of the blind to see the glory of Christ Jesus, as men and women, boys
and girls are rescued from spiritual darkness and brought to the light of the
Kingdom of God, ushered by God’s grace from death to life, and freed from the
chains of sin to serve to the risen and living Christ.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I am
ready for revival, and I’m ready for it to begin in my own heart and among the
church right here in Petersburg.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Oh,
God, “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?”
(Psalm 85:6).</span></span></p>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-21576572787854065752021-04-07T06:00:00.001-05:002021-04-07T06:00:00.242-05:00Resurrection Truth<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">If the resurrection of Jesus is not true, then what fools
we are who believe this. Seriously, what a waste of our few years on this
planet if we’ve fallen for a hoax thinking that Jesus came back to life after a
horrific crucifixion.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">But if it is true, then doesn’t this change everything for
now and for eternity?! The faith we profess, the hope we possess, the life we
express, the Lord we bless – everything hinges on the reality of the resurrection
of Jesus. How do we know it’s truly true, that it really did happen, and it’s
not just a wishful fantasy of someone’s clever imagination?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Of course, volumes have been written on the subject, but
allow me to summarize a few key pieces of evidence to help strengthen (or challenge)
your belief about the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The prophets foretold it. Long before Jesus ever stepped
down from glory into our world, the prophets spoke of the coming King who would
conquer death and reign forever. Just one example comes from Peter’s message on
the day of Pentecost where he quotes from David (Psalm 16), and says, “he foresaw
and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades,
nor did his flesh see corruption” (Acts 2:31).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The Bible records it. “All Scripture is God-breathed,” (2
Timothy 3:16), and obviously the Bible clearly records the resurrection as fact.
When the women went to the tomb, they expected to find the dead body of Jesus,
but the angel said, “He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they
laid him” (Mark 16:6). “Every word of God proves true,” (Proverbs 30:5). <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Jesus appeared to many people after His resurrection. Over
the course of 40 days from His resurrection to His ascension into heaven, Jesus
presented Himself alive by many proofs (Acts 1:3). He showed them His nail-scarred
hands and pierced side. He ate with them, talked with them, walked with them, taught
them. They saw Him, touched Him, and believed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Names were named. If I made a hole-in-one on 18 at Shambolee,
who’s going to believe me unless I tell you who I was playing with so you could
go ask them yourself? In 1 Corinthians 15 where Paul talks about the
resurrection, He names specific people, including himself, who were
eyewitnesses of Jesus. In effect, he’s saying, “If you don’t believe me, go ask
them!”</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The
disciples of Jesus testified to His resurrection even to their own martyrdom.
If they had stolen the body of Jesus, as some claimed, perhaps they could have
circulated the lie for some time. But who goes to such great lengths of
suffering and dying while staging something they know is not true? And none of
them ever blew the whistle unraveling the mystery? They never wavered because they
knew it was true.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Lives
were patently transformed by the resurrection of Jesus. Unbelieving skeptics
like Saul/Paul and James are examples of men whose lives were changed by the
truth. Fearful, dejected disciples were made bold and courageous as they
proclaimed this message. Jesus gives life and power to those who believe the
reality of the resurrection.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Indeed, the resurrection of Jesus is not only true, it is
the most glorious and life-saving news you’ll ever hear, for Christ died to save
us from the penalty of our sins, and He rose that we might have eternal life
with Him in heaven! Do you believe this?</span></span></p>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-53159670276553486952021-04-05T11:33:00.001-05:002021-04-05T11:33:22.545-05:00Phony Faith or Genuine Salvation?<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Many people live with a phony faith. They talk a
religious talk and do religious things. But you can’t cash in phony faith on
Judgment Day. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The crowds that lined the streets for Jesus’ entry into
Jerusalem on what we call “Palm Sunday” remind us that not everyone who shouts,
“Hosanna!” is a genuine, born-again believer. Not everyone who waves palm
branches truly knows Jesus as Lord and Savior, either. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Some
of the most piercing words Jesus ever uttered were these: “Not everyone who
says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who
does the will of my Father who is in heaven.’ On that day many will say to me,
‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your
name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then I will declare to them,
‘I never knew you; depart from me; you workers of lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:21). </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Many
people give lip service to Jesus, but they’re not really saved. You can honor
Him with your lips while your heart remains far from Him. You can sing praise
songs at the top of your lungs and quote Bible verses all day, but that’s not
the way to heaven. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">And
many think their impressive religious record of service will surely be enough. “Lord,
didn’t I go to church every Sunday, observe religious fasts, take communion, teach
Sunday School, volunteer at the soup kitchen, and give money to the poor?”</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Tragically,
many will hear not a gracious welcome into His glorious presence, but a
chilling condemnation to eternal separation. Can you even think of more
crushing words from Christ than, “I never knew you; depart from me”?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Friend,
there’s no better – and no more urgent – time than now to do a spiritual
checkup. The apostle Paul exhorts: “Examine yourselves to see whether you are
in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves,
that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” (2
Corinthians 13:5).</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">The
good news is that you can have full assurance of your faith. You can know that
your faith is genuine, not counterfeit, and that when you stand before God on
the Day you will be unashamed and uncondemned. How can we know this for
sure?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">I’m glad you asked!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Here’s
the bold print: Genuine faith is built on knowing Jesus in true repentance and
faith which results in obedience to the will of God.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Salvation
is a work of the grace of God through Jesus. Because we’ve all sinned and
fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and because the wages of sin is
death and hell (Romans 6:23), we are utterly unable to save ourselves. Apart
from Christ we are spiritually dead. Dead men can’t breathe new life into
themselves.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">But Jesus,
the Son of God, God incarnate, in immeasurable love for us came and lived a
sinless life, died a sacrificial death in our place, taking our sins upon
Himself and thus satisfied the wrath of a just and holy God against sin.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">And
on the third day, He rose in victory over sin and death and hell, and now He is
exalted at the right hand of God.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The
Bible tells us clearly that “whosever believes in Him will not perish but have
everlasting life” (John 3:16). This kind of faith is a faith that makes dead
men live! It puts the sinful ways to death and lives in a new way of life – for
the will of God to the glory of God.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Make
sure that your faith is genuine by believing in and obeying the One who gave
His life so that you can truly live!</span></span></p>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-85747953370338610812021-03-22T13:47:00.001-05:002021-03-22T13:47:37.553-05:00Living with Eternal Purpose<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Many people wander aimlessly through life without purpose.
They have no guiding sense of direction or calling that helps them prioritize
their time, investments, or day-to-day decisions on what to do and what not to
do. They just kind of drift along with the flow.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Despite the busy-ness of necessary and self-imposed demands,
without finding meaning to their labor or existence, life soon feels futile and
hopeless.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Why am I here? Who am I? What’s the point? Whatever.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Is there more to life than this? Does my work really
matter in the end? How can I find significance and satisfaction? What’s going
to happen when I die? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">If you’re asking questions like these, I would suggest to
you that it’s because God has created you for a purpose, and until you discover
it, you’ll continue to drift like a ship lost at sea.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The writer of the book of Ecclesiastes addressed many of
these same concerns. Indeed, he explored and indulged in everything life had to
offer – work, wealth, women, wine, wisdom, power, possessions, prominence – he pursued
it all and had it all. Yet, he found everything meaningless in the end, a “chasing
after the wind” as he describes it (Ecc. 1:14).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">But the story doesn’t end in futility or despair. And
yours doesn’t have to, either.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">See, we’ve been created by a loving God who has “set
eternity in the hearts of men” (Ecc. 3:11). We are created by Him and for Him,
and if we spend our lives seeking the things of the world apart from Him, then we’ll
reach the same pointless conclusion as “The Preacher” of Ecclesiastes: “Utterly
meaningless! Everything is meaningless” (Ecc. 1:2).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">But when we seek the Lord with all our hearts, loving
Him, trusting Him, obeying Him, following Him, then we’ll truly find fullness of
life like the bright sunlight breaking through the gloom of a dreary sky.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Friend, you were made in the image of God with a deep
craving in your heart to know Him! Not just to know about Him, but to know Him
in a genuine love-relationship that gives true purpose and meaning to everything
in this life and in the life to come. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The Bible tells us that “God so loved the world that He
gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish,
but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">In Jesus, there is peace that passes all understanding.
In Jesus, there is joy that words cannot express. In Jesus, there is hope that remains
unshakeable. In Jesus, there is new, abundant, and eternal life. In Jesus,
there is purpose in everything under the sun because we live no longer for ourselves
but for Him – the One who died for us and was raised to life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the
matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man”
(Ecc. 12:13).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Isn’t it time you started living life with eternal
purpose?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-86645900938001946252021-03-15T10:19:00.001-05:002021-03-15T10:19:34.678-05:00Wash your hands!?<p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">It
is possible to get so enamored with our own religious traditions that we miss
the very heart of worship.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The
Pharisees got their britches bent out of shape because the disciples of Jesus
didn’t wash their hands before they ate. Of course, this was pre-Covid! LOL! And
according to their tradition, that would make them defiled.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Jesus
said to them, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites, for he
wrote: These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God”
(Mark 7:6-7). </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">True
worship is not about washing your hands or raising your hands or saying particular
prayers or observing special days or abstaining from certain foods.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">It’s
about living in faith from a heart of reverence and awe and purity and humility
and love and obedience toward a holy God. Worship springs from a heart that
overflows with gratitude for the marvelous mercy and amazing grace of the
Savior who came down from heaven to save wretches like you and me.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Jesus
went on to say that it’s not what goes into a man that defiles him, but what
comes out of a person that defiles him. “For from within, out of the heart of
man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting,
wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these
evil things come from within, and they defile a person” (Mark 8:21-23).</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The
Bible says plainly that all of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of
God (Romans 3:23). In other words, we’re all defiled, and we all deserve the
just penalty for our sins, which is death and eternal separation from God in
hell.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">And
no amount of washing our hands or keeping religious traditions can take away
our sin. But Jesus can, and He did.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">“But
He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon
Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are
healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned – every one – to his
own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:5-6).</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">“For
our sake [God] made [Jesus] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might
become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The
defilements of our sin stains are forgiven at the cross, where Christ took the
nails for us. What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">So,
go and please wash your hands before you eat and use all the hand sanitizer you
want, but make sure that your heart is washed clean by repenting from sin and receiving
Jesus as the Savior and Master of your life.</span></span></p>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-26033922979846698122021-03-08T11:29:00.001-06:002021-03-08T11:29:18.779-06:00There's only one way<p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Congratulations to both the Bluejays boys and girls high
school basketball teams on an outstanding season! At this writing the girls are
undefeated and the boys are unbeaten in conference play. To Coach Kesler, Coach
Rathgeb, and their teams – great job! You’ve had a remarkable run in an
extremely challenging season. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">It’s been fun to follow the Jays, even though the only
way I’ve been able to watch any games this year has been through the NFHS
Network which streams the games online. I’m grateful for that, don’t get me
wrong, but it’s not the same as being in the gym. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">By the way, special thanks to Neil Gurnsey and Mike
Logsdon for their stellar work in announcing the games! It’s so much better to
watch with play-by-play than without. Now, if somebody could just figure out
how to keep that camera from swinging back and forth from one end of the court
to the other during time-outs, that would be great – I’m getting dizzy! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">So anybody can watch through this network. All you have
to do is sign-up and pay a relatively small subscription cost and figure out
how to find it on your device. But that’s the only way to do it. You can search
every channel on your satellite or cable provider, you can install a 30-foot antenna
in your backyard if you want, but if you really want to watch the Bullets v.
Bluejays on Tuesday night, you’ve got to go through the network. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">When it comes to far weightier matters of eternal
destinations, there is likewise only one way to heaven. You’ve got to go
through Jesus. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No
one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). It is an exclusive
claim, no question. But it’s an all-inclusive offer! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">nd it’s grounded in the most amazing display of love
ever given. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Abundant
and eternal life is available to anyone – but you’ve got to go through Jesus. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">You could try to make it to heaven in a million other
ways or through a million other religions, but there’s only one God who loved you
so much that He stepped down out of heaven and took on the likeness of man,
humbled Himself to the point of death – even death on a cross! – and paid the
cost by bearing our sins in His body to save us from the judgment we deserve. Jesus
is the way! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">And
He pleads with you to come to Him. “Enter by the narrow gate” (Matthew 7:13). The
narrow gate opens to a hard road, but it leads to eternal life. The wide gate opens
to an easy road that leads to destruction. These are the only two options to
your eternal destination. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;">So I ask: Which way are you going?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204950640683910451.post-91399050584362412882021-03-02T10:47:00.000-06:002021-03-02T10:47:10.566-06:00Your gender is not a blunder<p><span style="font-family: courier;">Po</span><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: 12pt;">or Mr. Potato Head. Toy manufacturer Hasbro announced a
“rebranding” of their iconic toy by dropping the “Mr.” from the product name in
an attempt to dismantle traditional gender norms and family forms. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Indeed,
their corporate website features their new promotional packaging including two potato
dads with a tyke in one photo and two moms and a baby in another. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Hasbro
GM Kimberly Boyd said in an interview with business magazine Fast Company that
the Mr. and Mrs. brand was "limiting when it comes to both gender identity
and family structure.” </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The
company later clarified that it’s keeping individual Mr. & Mrs. Potato Heads
on the shelves, but their intention is clearly to become more “inclusive.” It
should be noted that the company understands the primary “sweet spot” for the
toy is 2-3 year olds. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Why
do I bring this up? And why am I concerned about the dangerous, divisive, and
deceptively misnamed “Equality Act”? </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">While
bending over backward to promote the perverse lifestyle choices of a distorted
few, if passed this bill opens the door to all kinds of nonsense from allowing
biological males to compete in women’s sports to sharing locker rooms, bathrooms,
shelters, prison cells and more. It will restrict foster care and adoption
agencies, religious schools and ministries, and essentially lead to regulated
public speech. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Listen,
I’m not in favor of discriminating against anyone, but how does honoring
depravity restore honor? And when the next amendment adds protection to child
molesters and sex traffickers, who’s going to say we’ve got to stop this
madness!? </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I’m
highly in favor of biology, truth, decency, and common sense for the common
good. We need to teach our children without apology at ages 2-3 and every age that
boys are boys and girls and girls. How is this not indisputable? </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">And
when a young person who’s being manipulated and indoctrinated by a sexually infatuated
and twisted culture begins questioning his or her “gender” or “sexual
orientation,” we must compassionately offer true life-saving help rather than
feed them with the devil’s lies. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">One’s
gender is not a blunder. God did not make a mistake when He made them male and
female. Each person is created uniquely, wonderfully, purposefully, and
lovingly to display the glory of the One who made us in His very own image! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Let’s
appreciate and applaud the beautiful design of the Maker of all things! Yes, all
have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But God in astounding love sent
Jesus to die for us so that our sins can be forgiven and we can be made new! And
if He has the power to raise Jesus from death to life, then He has the power to
destroy every deviant desire and transform our hearts into the holiness of
Christ. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;">“He
himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and
live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Rob Gallionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854344967120264995noreply@blogger.com0