Control you thoughts

CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS

2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
It is very easy to allow your thoughts to dwell on the worldly concerns each of us has. The mind wanders to thoughts of self pity. If we have been mentally wounded by someone, it is easy for our minds to wonder to thoughts of revenge and retribution. Our thoughts move to things like, “if I had only said this that would have put them in their place.” To sit and allow your mind to dwell on negatives is not healthy. Our vain imaginings are the seat of discontent and misery. Each of us has the ability to control what we think. As negative thoughts come to mind be aware of them and replace them with the correct response. How do we know the correct response? We have the perfect example in the life of Jesus. And each of us has access to the Holy Spirit. Jesus and the Holy Spirit are only a prayer away. If you will listen they will guide you through your troubled times. As you ponder the day’s events try to look at each event through the mind of Christ. How would Jesus have handled each problem? Dwelling on the negative side of life brings only misery and discontent. It’s not worth it. Dwelling in the Holy places with the mind of Christ brings peace and contentment.

Prayer:” Lord please give us the wisdom to control our thought and allow you to rule our hearts and minds. Help us to recognize the attacks of the enemy in our thoughts and actions. Fill uswith your thoughts and joy. In Jesus Holy name. Amen.”

Bud Simmons ©2005

Standing in the gap

STANDING IN THE GAP

Ezekiel 22:30-31; “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so that I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD.”

Reading the 22nd chapter of Ezekiel is like reading about our own country. Let’s look at a few verses.

4. You have become guilty because of the blood you have shed and have become defiled by the idols you have made. You have brought your days to a close, and the end of your years has come. Therefore I will make you an object of scorn to the nations and a laughing-stock to ill the countries.

7. In you they have treated father and mother with contempt; in you they have oppressed the alien and ill-treated the fatherless and the widow.

8. You have despised my holy things and desecrated my Sabbaths.

9. In you are slanderous men bent on shedding blood; in you are those who eat at the mountain shrines and commit lewd acts.

11. In you one man commits a detestable offense with his neighbor’s wife, another shamefully defiles his daughter-in-law, and another violates his sister, his own father’s daughter.

12. In you men accept bribes to shed blood; you take usury and excessive interest and make unjust gain from your neighbors by extortion. And you have forgotten me, declares the Sovereign LORD.

25. There is a conspiracy of her princes within her like a roaring lion tearing its prey; they devour people, take treasures and precious things and make many widows within her.

26. Her priests do violence to my law and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean; and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.

27. Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain.

28. Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says’ -­when the LORD has not spoken.

29. The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and ill-treat the alien, denying them justice.

GOD was speaking of the Nation of Israel in the Book of Ezekiel, but doesn’t all of this sound familiar? If GOD did not spare the Nation of Israel, how can we expect to be saved from His wrath? Are there men and women willing to build up the wall and stand in the gap? You ask what wall? Open your eyes and look around. Our spiritual fortress is in a shamble. The walls are down and in desperate need of repair. Our country is dying spiritually and morally. What are you doing about it? You can’t have it both ways. You can’t live like the world during the week and repent on Sunday. Now is the time to BE a Christian ALL of the time. Use what GOD has given you to make a difference. Stand up and be counted. We are running Out of time. CAN you, WILL you, come to the wall and stand in the gap on behalf of the land?

Bud Simmons © 2005

Abortion

ABORTION WHEN DID WE LOSE CONTROL

“We have identified certain civilizing aspects of the modem world. Music, art, a sense of family, love, appreciation of beauty, intellect, and education. After Auschwitz we realize
that being a killer,………. a family man and a lover of Beethoven are not contradictions. The
killers did not belong to a gutter society of misfits, nor could they be dismissed as a collection
of rabble. They were scholars, artists, lawyers, theologians………… aristocrats.”
from Hitler’s Death Camps by Konnilyn G. Fieg

We observe our society from a distance, trying not to be involved in the wrongs we see everyday. Millions of children are being killed every year at the hands of abortionists, not unlike the German society of World War II. For some of the German people, the real impact of the death camps did not become a reality until after the war. The tragedy was that those that spoke out during the war were eliminated. We cannot blame a totalitarian regime for our problems. We can only blame apathy. Where were we when decisions were made about prayer in school? Where were we when the supreme court made abortion legal. Did we speak up? We have been as silent as the Germans were in the 1940’s. Now that the mantle of leadership has passed from our hands into the hands of a liberal government, what do we do? Are the people we oppose monsters? No they are us. No different except for our Christian beliefs. As Christians we have lost the upper hand. Now the issue becomes alive with violence. Passions grow into hatred and hatred into violence and violence into murder. We see that confrontation breeds violence. Peaceful demonstrations are being shown by the media as violent acts. The Federal Government has put an old racketeering law in place to control the demonstrations. Both sides are leveling vicious attacks on each other. What is the correct response? We must ask God for forgiveness in our apathy and pray for His guidance. We must inform our leaders of our opinions, and expectations. We must inform the people of our nation of the facts. Take a stand at work and with your friends. When someone asks for your vote, ask them for their opinion on abortion. If your political party will not adopt a pro-life platform, then make your voice heard. After all, it’s our country and our political parties. Vote with your God given conscience.
Pray everyday for the leaders of our country to change their minds. Peaceful demonstration and marches show our character and determination.

The root of the problem is not in the abortion, but in the lack of moral fiber that leads to abortion. Therefore, we must resolve to take back our country by prayer and by the exercise of our ballot. Pray for the leaders of the country daily and for a change of heart. Stand up for our beliefs and our country. Pray for God to give us back the U.S.A.

Bud Simmons © 2005

Are You Worthy

Are You Worthy

Revelation 5:9-10; And now they sing a new song. “It is fitting that you should be the One to take the book and break its seals; Because you have been offered in sacrifice, and have purchased for God with Your own blood Some out of every tribe and language and
People and nation, and have forged them into a Kingdom to be priests to our God, and
They reign over the earth.”
Many people feel unworthy and have no joy in their salvation. Are we really unworthy? God does not think so. We are worthy of God’s love for us. God arranged to purchase each of us from sin and death. He is not willing that any should perish. What was the ransom price to save us from sin and death? The price was the death and shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ. The ultimate price was paid for each and every one of us. Jesus went to the cross willingly to pay the price for us. Christ’s suffering, death and the shedding of his blood paid for our sins and gave us spiritual and physical healing. We are worthy. God has made it so. Your salvation cost the ultimate ransom, but it is freely given to you as a gift. ENJOY it.

Prayer: Father; forgive us for not fully enjoying our salvation. Allow us to grow in our understanding of Your mighty works and deeds. Help us to share the glory of Your majesty and the wonder of Your free gift, salvation. Let us always be mindful of the cost of our salvation and be grateful for it. Forgive us of our lack of faith and continue to encourage each of us in our daily walk with You. Bless our nation and restore our lost values. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

Bud Simmons © 2005

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SmartChristian.com

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Understanding Women

IF YOU COULD UNDERSTAND WOMEN YOU WOULDN’T BELIEVE IT

I don’t remember where I first heard the statement I’m using for the title of this piece. The saying has stuck with me through many years of observation of the female of the species. I remember a young man in my National Guard unit that stated “I know all about women.” He was newly married and had it all figured out. Some weeks later he came in and announced that they were going to have a baby. I told him “Now you are going to find out about women.”
In the span of 70 years of life and 51 years of marriage I am still amazed at the way women approach life. I’ll start with some comparisons of men and women shopping then move on to other observations. A man will go in and buy a white shirt no sweat a white shirt in the right size and he’s out of there. A woman goes in to buy a white blouse, and the fun begins. The color white now takes on meanings that stagger the imagination. There is ecru (in various shades), off-white (I don’t know off of what or for that matter how far off), ivory, pearl, on and on ad infinitum. Now the question of style comes in to play. Does it go with the current styles? Does it hide: various figure flaws? Does it match my handbag and my shoes? Is it the right season for this look? O.K the blouse is finally purchased. Is this it? Not on your life. Since the color was not just exactly right there is nothing to do but shop for accessories that will match.
A man goes to the store with one thing in mind, get what you need and get out. A woman approaches the store as you might approach a trek to the Amazon. There are new things to see, every corner of the store must be explored for new adventures. Then suddenly around the next turn is a SALE TABLE containing the treasures of the ages. In another location a crowd has gathered, curiosity must be satisfied. There must be terrific buys to attract that many people. The amount of curiosity is directly proportional to the size of the crowd.
Men have you ever been standing in line to pay and suddenly without warning your wife gets a shopping urge. She says “I’m just going to run right over here and get something. I’ll be right back”. The words “right back” now take on a new perspective in the space time continuum. This seemingly
harmless term now represents a time of from 30 seconds to .infinity. You have no choice but to wait and wait and wait. Customers in line with you are now begin to grow restless. A vigilante group is being formed; there is even talk of lynching. All you can do is wait, now fearing reprisals from angry shoppers behind you. They have just purchased ecru blouses in 40 different shades and need to get to the next store to accessorize. It’s becoming an ugly scene.
Before we leave the world of shopping we cannot ignore the QUEST. I have really never figured out what triggers the quest, I guess I just don’t understand. Sometimes a woman will decide that there is a particular item that she must have. Now the quest begins. No matter how insignificant the item is there is no turning back until it is found and purchased. Spending $100 for gasoline to find a $19.95 “whatsit” is of no consequence, it is after all a QUEST for truth and righteousness. These quests make the search for the Holy Grail fade in significance.
Some of the terms we commonly use to communicate have totally different meaning when used by women. For instanced the term “YOU ALWAYS” is common to refer to some character flaw of the male subject. This term taken at face value means something that has been repeated many, many times. Used by a woman it can mean that this disgusting behavior has happened from one to maybe three times. Another descriptive phrase is “there is blank allover the blank. Let me elaborate. My wife comes in and states emphatically that. “there is hair allover the bathroom”. The immediate thing that comes to mind is that you will go into the bathroom and find most of your scalp lying in disarray “allover the bathroom “. In fact what you do find is 3 to 6 hairs lying in the sink.
The war of words between men and women is not a real battle it is a matter of learning to understand the jargon women use to emphasize their position. So men gird up your loins and enter into the fray with kindness and patience. Because, if you could understand women you wouldn’t believe it anyway.

Bud Simmons copyright 2005