Wanted for "Justice": The Creator of all the Universe (and HIS followers)

History repeats itself.  And those who will not learn from it will undoubted repeat it.  Since basic history is not taught in our schools and even the mere mention of religion is thought to be a travesty of our constitution (which is not what the founding fathers meant by the separation of CHURCH AND STATE).  This sign, although ridiculous now, could be a portent of the future.  Remember what the Roman Empire did to the early Christians prior to Emperor Constantine?  Frankly, its a depressing thought to think my grandchildren may and my great-grandchildren will live in a police state.  However, The Bible was penned to give encouragement in times of hardship and its words come to me again and again with hope...

1 Peter, Chapter 2

  17  Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.  18 Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked.  19 For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God.  20 For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God.  21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps,  22 who did not sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth.”  23 Who, when he was cursed, didn’t curse back. When he suffered, didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously;  24 who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.  25 For you were going astray like sheep; but now have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 

Nobody who truly understands what it means to be a Christian will say that being a Christian is easy.  Opposition has always been there and will ever be.  But, our hope is the example of Jesus and his ways are to be ours.  Even when HE went to the CROSS he trusted in God; so should our trust be!!!  Even if the worst happens and our society becomes a genuine police state, we know God can overcome it and anything else human beings can imagine.  Why?  Because we have the story of the victory in the Bible and the secular records to prove it.  Remember the magnificent Roman Empire?  Nothing, absolutely NOTHING is more powerful than THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE!!!!

From Gary V. Womack... Vacation From God?

Vacation From God?

Man's concept of deity was typically limited to the concept of local gods. Each nation was thought to have their own god. Consequently, the God of Israel was understood by the surrounding nations as "just another god" among many gods. But the God of heaven is not confined to earthly places.

Examples - Judg. 16:23

                   Dagon - the god of Philistia

2 Kgs. 1:3 Baalzebub - the god of Ekron

Abraham acknowledged God wherever he travelled:

Gen. 12:1-8 Abraham leaves home & erects 

                   alters in Canaan & at Bethel. He 

                   erected many alters to God.

Gen. 28:10-17 His grandson, Jacob, en route to 

                       Haran had a vision of a ladder 

                       going up to heaven - He hadn't 

                       known God was there.

God is ever-present

Psm. 139:1-12 God sees in all places - There is 

                        no escaping His presence.

We can't take a vacation from God. Yet we need to have a time to rest:

Mk. 6:30-44 Jesus & His disciples went to a 

                   desert place to rest -  but the crowds 

                   found them & Jesus fed 5,000

What if God took a vacation from us - and did not provide for us?

When we go on vacation - take Him with you - because you are His temple:

Do we act - dress differently when we are away where no one knows us?

Remember your influence goes with you where ever you go.

1 Cor. 6:15-ff Our body belongs to God.

Temple - [naos] = "A shrine or sanctuary"

Wherever we go - remember that God dwells within us:

Jn. 14:23-24 "Jesus answered and said to him 

                     (Judas - not Iscariot ), 'If anyone loves 

                     Me, he will keep My word, and My 

                     Father will love him, and We will come 

                     to him and make Our home with him. 

                     (24) He who does not love Me does 

                     not keep My words, and the word 

                     which you hear is not Mine but the 

                     Father's who sent Me.' "

God led Israel out of Egypt - His presence seen in the pillars of fire & cloud:

Ex. 13:21-22 "And the Lord went before them by 

                      day in a pillar of cloud to lead the 

                      way, and by night in a pillar of fire to 

                      give them light, so as to go by day 

                      and night. (22) He did not take away 

                      the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar 

                      of fire by night from before the 

                      people."

Moses pleaded with God not to depart - but to lead them to Canaan:

Ex. 33:7-16 If God would not lead them, they 

                   would not go. Our attitude?

We need to have this same mind - that we dare not go without Him near.

God is always not far from each one of us:

Acts 17:24-27 Paul at Athens taught that God is 

                       not confined but yet is near

Joshua was given assurance that God would not leave him:

Deut. 31:1-8 "I will never leave you nor forsake 

                      you..."

When we go on vacation, will we leave Him behind?

Will we plan ahead to meet with brethren to worship Him?

Mt. 18:19-20 (Jesus) "Again I say to you that if two 

                     of you agree on earth concerning 

                     anything that they ask, it will be done 

                     for them by My Father in heaven. (20) 

                     For where two or three are gathered 

                     together in My name, I am there in the 

                     midst of them."

Midst - [mesos ] = "In the middle." Is Christ in the center of our life?

There is no vacation from God.

INVITATION

Eph. 1:3 Every spiritual blessing is available to 

              us in heavenly places in Christ

Eph. 2:7 We can sit together with Him in 

               heavenly places

How do we enter into Christ in order to sit in heavenly places?

Gal. 3:26-28 Baptism puts us into Christ.