THROUGH THE BIBLE PROJECT - READY FOR A CHALLENGE?

A marked up Bible is a good thing

         What do you think about the Bible?  If you are like most people, you will agree the Bible is important.  According to the 
Barna Group , 88% of Americans own a Bible, 80% believe the Bible is sacred and 61% wish they read the Bible more.  America loves the Bible but, apparently, America does not read the Bible.  

           Are you one of the 61% of Americans who wish you read your Bible more?  Almost 75% of Americans claim faith in God, yet, only 11% claim to have read the whole Bible.  In fact, according to ReligionNews.com , only 15% claim to have read more than half.  How can such an important book, held in such high regard, and found in almost every home in America be so neglected?      

      I have read through the Bible, numerous times, and I never fail to learn something new about history, God and myself.  I believe the Bible is the infallible word of God and is indispensable to anyone who claims faith in Christ.  

           In 2013, the History Channel aired The Bible, which was the number one non sport entertainment program of the year, according to Nielsen research.  Obviously, there is interest in the Bible, yet most do not find time to read it.  
  
            I would imagine the number one reason people do not read the Bible is because they do not have time.  I submit to you, you have time for what is important.  How often do you miss dinner because you are simply too busy to eat?  How often do you miss your favorite television show because you didn't have time to watch it? Not very often, I bet!  We schedule time for all we deem important. 

            #ThroughTheBible project 

            In order to encourage meaningful Bible reading, I am initiating the #ThroughTheBible project. The goal is to encourage believers to read through the Bible and Tweet what they learn.  If you have been a believer for more than 5 seconds, this is for you. 

           How it work:

            Whether you are a Bible Scholar or a brand new believer, you can participate in the #ThroughTheBible project. 

              1. Pick a book of the Bible - you do not have to start in                        Genesis - and read through it.
               
              2. As you read through each chapter, Tweet what you                             learn, discover or remember and include the hashtag                       #ThroughTheBible
            
              3. Eventually read through the Bible 


        The purpose:
            
             1. To encourage regular Bible reading

             2. To increase Bible literacy

             3. To encourage thoughtful reflection on God's word
              
             4. To help encourage community 

       Why the hashtag

              The hashtag is designed to encourage the maximum amount of participation.  As more join in, others will be encouraged to join and/or stick with it.  Also, it encourages the reader to not only pay attention to what is being read, but to expect to hear from God through His word. 

               The Bible is so much more than a book of history or old sayings.  Scripture is alive: Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

              
                 If you are on Twitter, simply search #ThroughTheBible and click latest. You will be able to see what others have written and you can add to the party by writing your thoughts with the hashtag.  Be sure to follow me and I promise to follow back as well. https://twitter.com/RealPaulAhnert  

                God commands us to read His word.  If we are not, at least, doing that (and praying regularly), why would God reveal more of His will to us?  2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

                Are you up for the challenge?  I hope so. Lets see if we cannot raise that 11% number!  I promise your life will be changed for the better.

Now, go live as Christ... and give the devil hell!!
                
              

         

AMAZON, ABORTION AND A TALE OF TWO STATES

   

As a follower of Christ, I do not believe in coincidence.  I believe God is actively involved in our world today.  God allows us to exercise our will for or against Him, yet, He is able to overcome our greatest efforts against His will and still have His way.  This is true sovereignty.

          The Bible tells us the plans of the wicked will not prosper.   Psalm 21:11  Though they plan evil against you, though they devise mischief, they will not succeed.  

           Today's headlines attest to this Biblical truth.  Recently, most of America cringed in horror, as the State of New York giddily celebrated legislation allowing abortion, up to the moment of birth.  Click here for my post on this   Watching the maniacal grins of those present, as Gov. Cuomo signed the bill into law, should have turned the stomachs of moral people everywhere.  

               Meanwhile, the State of Tennessee has been working hard to make abortion rare.  In 2014, Tennessee amended the state constitution to declare, among other things, "Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or the funding of abortion." TN Right To Life has more info on TN abortion laws.

                  On the heels of New York's abortion law, Tennessee's House of Representatives passed a bill restricting abortion if a heartbeat is detected.  Facing great opposition from pro-abortion foes, the bill soon goes before the State Senate for a vote, where it will hopefully pass and land on the Governor's desk.  

     Jesus said: Matthew 25:40  And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Yes, I know Jesus was not addressing abortion in this passage, and yes, this is an end time passage, not pertaining, specifically, to the Church today, however, this passage does show God's heart for those without a voice.  Surely, God considers the unborn "one of the least of these".  

      Ironically, in the midst of New York's celebrating unrestricted murder of the the voiceless unborn, the state lost, what looked like, a slam dunk job boon from Amazon.com Inc.  Amazon, planning on building a second headquarters in New York, creating 25,000 high paying executive jobs, scrapped these plans after opposition from state and local protesters.  Though the decision to pull out of the New York project had nothing to do with the newly minted abortion law, I cannot help but see God's hand in blocking the state from enjoying the economic boost Amazon would have provided. Amazon now plans on distributing these jobs across the country in existing or planned hubs.

       Meanwhile, Amazon announced this week, the company plans on moving forward with building an Operations Center of Excellence in Nashville TN, creating 5,000 high paying jobs, averaging $150,000 each.  Whether Amazon plans on moving additional jobs to Tennessee, originally slated for New York, remains to be seen, however, with the current project, Amazon will now be Nashville's largest private employer. 

       I do not believe Amazon cares about the abortion laws of New York or Tennessee. I do believe God cares.  Is it a mere coincidence a great economic opportunity has been lost in New York at the same time Tennessee gains? Not if you believe in God and understand He is not to be mocked.  

       New York is not unique in expanding abortion laws, New York is unique, however, in how politicians disgraced themselves celebrating death.  Tennessee is not the first state to pass a "heartbeat" bill, but at the same time, Tennessee is not making national news calling attention to itself.  Tennessee is acting on behalf of those who have no voice as a simple matter of the natural course of doing business. 

 Matthew 6:6  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 

           Abortion is a scourge on America.  The slaughter of innocent life for convenience is a travesty and the selling of baby body parts is an abomination against God.  Planned Parenthood was exposed, in recent years, for profiteering off of dead babies CLICK HERE to read more  The abortion industry has become another form of human trafficking, preying on the misery and naivety of others.  

            As stated above, abortion is a national scourge.  While states like Tennessee are busy passing legislation restricting abortion, federal courts are just as busy knocking down these laws. Congressional protection for babies is not any better.  Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska sponsored a bill designed to save the life of a baby born alive after a botched abortion.  Incredibly, Democrats in Congress blocked the measure, including every senatorial presidential candidate.  What would cause politicians to vote against saving the lives of a baby who is born alive? Could it be because Planned Parenthood donated over $530,000.00 to federal candidates in 2018?  This figure is in addition to money donated to state and local races. Of the candidates receiving monies from PP, 99% are democrat and none are republican.  As in everything else, follow the money.

              If God is to judge us on how we "do unto the least of theses" America is in big trouble.  Planned Parenthood was never about women's health and never will be.  PP originally started as a eugenics project and has evolved into a baby body part factory.  Doctors all over America are speaking up against third trimester abortions, deeming them as completely unnecessary for protecting the life or health of an expecting mother.  An emergency Cesarean Section delivery would, in almost all cases, be more healthy for a mother in physical danger caused by a third trimester pregnancy. Unfortunately, abortion proponents will continue to lie about caring about women's health as long as there is money to be made selling the parts of well developed babies killed in, and now outside, the womb.

            Babies born pre-mature can survive outside the womb, with the proper care.  Read The Miraculous Plight of Baby Avery to see one such case that touched my community about four years ago.

       America cannot continue to allow evil people to profit from the destruction of those God considers "the least of these".  Prayer and education are key in wining this war.  Praying hearts to be softened and evil be exposed while educating young mothers about what is actually growing inside their wombs. If good people do nothing, evil will flourish.  Pray that God would protect the innocent and hinder the work of those who would promote their destruction.

Now, go live as Christ... and give the devil hell!



        

OVERCOMING SELF CONDEMNATION

    1 John 3:20  for whenever our heart condemns us, God is                     greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 

     As broken people living in a broken world, it is often difficult to see ourselves and others as God sees.  While some have an over inflated view of self, many suffer from the inner turmoil of self condemnation.  Haunted by missed opportunities and personal failures, paralyzed by self doubt and fear of the unknown, or damaged by the carelessness and selfishness of others, self condemnation is one of the most difficult adversaries to overcome.

       Self condemnation goes beyond the seasons of self doubt most people experience in the course of normal life.  Self condemnation can become debilitating, often leading to withdrawal from friends and family and, sometimes, self destructive behavior.  Self condemnation brings feelings of isolation and the perception of being unworthy of God's love.

          Understanding God is foundational to overcoming feelings of worthlessness.  So many relationships we experience are performance based.  Society defines value based on an arbitrary sense of contribution.  A case in point: R. Kelly, world renowned pop star, is facing serious charges for sexual deviance.  Some of these charges go back decades yet are only being addressed now.  Why?  Twenty years ago, R. Kelly was producing millions of dollars for the record industry, consequently, he was protected.  Mr. Kelly's contribution is no longer large enough to overlook his depravity and what everyone already knew about him is suddenly an outrage.  According to society, R. Kelly is only as good as his contribution.

            It is the societal definition of contribution and performance which leads many to self condemn.  Pressure to please others by meeting unrealistic expectations is hamster wheel futility.  Setting unrealistic expectations on ourselves and others will surely lead to disappointment and discouragement, the parents of self condemnation.  

             A healthy view of God and understanding His view of His children is a necessary first step in overcoming feelings of worthlessness and self loathing.  God, a benevolent Father who, on one hand demands perfection while on the other hand recognizes our weakness and makes provision for our inability to please Him in our own strength.  Psalm 103:13-14  As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.  For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. 

            Notice what garners God's compassion - our fear of Him.  Not afraid fear but awe and reverence fear.  Understanding God is worthy of honor and respect from the deepest level of our being.  God is not asking us to perform tricks for Him or entertain Him in some way. God is not asking us to provide some necessary service to Him.  God is asking for us to revere, trust and rely on Him.  

            Understanding God's love for us does not require performance or accomplishment frees us to accept God's love on His terms, not some man made construct.  Romans 5:8  but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

   If you are experiencing self loathing, no amount of platitudinal pep talking will help you, no matter how annoying or misguided your well meaning friends can be.  Job found no solace in the words of his friends either.  When Job was able to hear the voice of God he was able to place things in proper perspective.  Job's struggles were real and no amount of encouragement to "snap out of it" could help.  

       Know you are loved by God.  Sit still and listen for His voice in the midst of the cacophony sounding off in your head.  Understand God loves you as you are, but too much to leave you that way.  Know God sees purpose in you, even when you do not.  God sees purpose in you, even if you have been made to feel worthless by others.  God's people are not God and do not always represent Him well so if you have been harmed by someone claiming to represent God, they failed God.

If your heart condemns you, know this - God is greater than your heart.

Now, go live as Christ... and give the devil hell!