Blog Archives
THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM
Do you remember when you first counted to 100? Or, the first time you finally got your ABC’s figured out? I remember the excitement and thrill of finally getting it, while my mother clapped and cheered because I understood something that I didn’t before. How about when you first learned to ride a bike, or when you first got behind the wheel and learned how to drive a car. There is a wondrous feeling in finally getting it. Hopefully after reading my article, you will learn something new and exciting that will change the direction of your life forever! The direction of my life changed from chaos to peace that passes all understanding. Once I was a drug addict and alcoholic with a foul mouth that cursed God. I watched porn and slept with various women, who I didn’t care about. I was always angry and frustrated when things didn’t go my way. I became selfish and unhappy with my lonely, ungodly life.
I am none of these things anymore! In fact, I’ve been changed since I started to fear God! The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 I never used to fear God because I didn’t believe in God, which was a foolish thing. The fool has said in his heart, there is no God. Psalm 14:1 There was always something deep inside of me that wanted to know the truth about whether God was real. After all, I like you started out as a single cell divided into two cells, then four, then eight and so on. I thought about the biology of the human system and all the various parts that work together. I am amazed at the complexity of our brains and emotions. Did you know that there are 125 million photo-receptor cells in your eyes? Did you know that your heart beats over 100,000 times a day? Your heart also pumps all the blood in your body every 4 minutes. Actually, the list of amazing things is endless when you really begin to look into it. If you’re interested in finding God, like I was, then you will find Him in His creation. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20 We have no excuses when we go before God to be judged. We are all given the ability to know right from wrong, good from evil, early in our lives as young children. As time went on, we’ve allowed good to be called evil and evil to be called good. There’s no sin left that hasn’t been given a pass except for the sin of pedophilia. It’s literally the last sin that is detestable and shameful, while the rest are openly celebrated! We have become an ungodly generation because of not believing in, or fearing God. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Jesus said And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28 The end of the age is upon us and the day of the Lord is about to dawn. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?’Revelation 6:15-17 Who is able to stand when that day comes? Read the last book in the Bible and remember that it is about to unfold just as it is written. It will be as though a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him! Or as though he went into the house, leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him! Amos 5:19 If this truly concerns you and you fear the thought of being judged and sent into utter darkness forever, then this is the beginning of wisdom. It means you have a chance to be saved from the eternal separation of God and the punishment of hell.
My first part of this article, you could say, was the bad news. The good news is that you can be forgiven and saved once you repent and believe in the life, sacrificial death and rising of Jesus! I always heard the sayings “Jesus died for me” or “Jesus died for my sins” and I never really understood what that meant. It just went over my head. So let me take a moment to thoroughly explain exactly what this means, so you can better understand His sacrificial death. God the Father is holy, pure and just. Because of this, “all” sin has to be punished and cannot go without being punished. This is why there is a place called hell. God sent His Son who was exactly like His Father, to be an example for us in His perfect life. He was also a sacrificial lamb for our sins. The punishment for every sin you have committed OR will commit have been laid on Jesus at the cross. This is why He said “it is finished”. John 19:30 All the wrath of a holy God was laid on Him to punish Him instead of you, only when you believe. If you don’t believe in Jesus and that He paid for your sins, then you’ll have to pay for them yourself. It really does revolve around belief. If you don’t believe then you won’t receive, it’s just that simple. To not believe, is to be condemned. Mark 16:16 You can say “sorry Lord for all my sins, I believe in what Jesus did for me on the cross. I believe He shed His precious blood for me and rose from the grave on the third day just as it is recorded in the Bible.” You could say all of that and it would mean nothing unless you meant it with all your heart and you turned from all your sin’s and began living a holy and good life for God. This is called true repentance. Have you ever hurt someone, and felt bad? This is the attitude of true repentance because you’ve offended God in all your sinful ways and you need to feel sorrow for all of your sin’s as they are brought to your memory. True repentance will entirely change you! Then you will delight in God, in Jesus, in keeping the commandments of Christ and in His people by going to church. When you truly repent, God sends his Holy Spirit to be in you and with you, to guide you in all truth. Before long, you notice your old sinful desires vanish away only to be left with the desire to please God. This is the regeneration of your soul, and is the work of the Holy Spirit. He cleans you up and sin’s that offend God, offend you as well. When someone takes His name in vain around you, it feels like a knife being plunged in your heart. That’s the way God feels as well. We don’t become sinless, we just sin-less because we are bothered when we do sin as the Holy Spirit convicts us. He also convicts unbelievers of their sin, remember we know right from wrong and we have no excuse before a holy God.
In closing, be aware that everything you have ever said, thought or done has been recorded in the book of life. Even reading this article, guiding you in the way of truth and eternal life, will be a part of your judgement on that day if you continue in your sinful ways. There’s no going to heaven by following the road to hell. Admit your a sinner and run to God in repentance as fast and direct as you can. Read the Bible, pray and seek God with all your heart and you will find Him waiting for you with open arms!
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7
The Everlasting Gospel
Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” Rev 14, 6-7
Suicide Is The Worst Option
If you are depressed or feeling hopeless considering ending your life then I am glad you found this post. I want to tell you that you are not alone feeling this way. Many years ago I was in a deep depression and felt like ending my life, but I didn’t, and that’s why I am able to write this post. I was able to find a wife and had three wonderful children. I found a rewarding career and made great friends for life. I traveled the world and learned about many cultures. All of which I couldn’t have done if I would have ended my life so long ago.
On the flip side, over the years I have been the recipient of the awful news that a friend took their life. It hurts so bad when you hear that someone you loved ended their life. The first thing you think about is why didn’t they say something, or why didn’t they reach out for help? These questions never go away.
Suicide is not a good option, it’s the worst! It leaves everyone around you wounded for life and more important it cuts off your wonderful life that is waiting to happen.
I care so deeply about this that I am putting myself out there as someone to talk with. So if you are interested in giving me a call to talk about your situation and how to get through it, then I am here for you. This is my home phone landline you can call anytime if you are thinking of ending your wonderful life 1-705-676-2221. My name is John and I am someone who cares. If for some reason I am not home with no answer and you want someone to connect with right away then please call this number 1-800-273-8255 for help.
You Are What You Think
You have heard the statement before that you are what you eat. You don’t hear the statement that you are what you think very often.
We all have images of ourselves that are derived from many things around us including what we see in the movies, magazines and social media. We also get input from our own brains about what we are and I would like to talk about a positive way to help change how you think of yourself for a better life.
This post is mainly for those of you that have depression or feeling down and out with a negative self image. If this describes you then close your eyes and think of all the compliments and nice things people have said about you over the years. At first it may be difficult, but keep thinking of them and you will begin to smile and feel better about yourself. You may have been told that you are so kind, nice, caring, pretty or handsome. It’s different for everyone but you get the picture! Do this whenever you need a smile on your face and in your heart.
If you have no memories of other people saying such positive things about you over your life then imagine someone you love with all your heart, like your kids or spouse. That feeling of unconditional love that you would do anything for that person. Now try to imagine that God in heaven loves you many more times than that. So much more that you really can’t comprehend how big and vast His love is for you. This should put a smile in your heart and on your face.
Love Your Wife Love Your Life
I grew up in a dysfunctional home. I witnessed my Mom get beat almost daily. One night was so bad, her head was being smashed against the tub. I had to run outside to get help, in my underwear. I was only 10 years old at the time. I really couldn’t understand why this man was always so angry and hurtful. I understood that it was wrong! Even now, I still don’t understand the feeling of hitting, hurting or humiliating a woman, and I thank God for that.
When you love your wife, your wife will love you and stay close to you.
When you put fear into her, she will fear you and separate from you.
There has been a drastic and unfortunate spike in abuse in the home as of lately and this has to stop. We’re not to put fear into those we love. If you are an abusive man who is angry and frustrated, who feels any kind of remorse for hurting the one he is to love, then please heed my words and make a vow to never hurt them again.
Love and cherish her, and she will lovingly do the same.
THE PSYCHOSOCIAL ASPECT 