The Daily Scroll - Purify

Willie liked to walk the mile to his barber shop every Saturday for his haircut. Sometimes he took his grandson with him. On these walks he would tell stories and impart truths from the Bible to Billy. One Saturday, after a rain, they came across a mud puddle. As they walked around it Willie asked Billy, “Son, would you drink that water? “No Grandaddy! came a quick reply.” That’s gross! Willie laughed and went on. But son, what if we used it to wash my car.” Billy thought a second and told him, “I guess it would be alright. But it wouldn’t be as clean as if we used clean water.” Willie said, So if we could strain and purify the water so it wasn’t muddy, but clean, then we could use it for everything, right. “Yes,” Billy responded. 

“You know son, sin is like that mud puddle.” “What?” Billy replied. “Yes. When we commit sins, even though we try to live right, the sin pollutes who we are. Yes, we function, but not as well because we are polluted. But when we have Jesus in our heart and we’re forgiven of our sins, we are better because we’re clean. We feel better. We’re more useful to God and everyone else.” “Wow!” Said Billy. “ I’d rather be pure water than a mud puddle.” “That’s right son. Keep yourself pure and clean before the Lord. Live a good holy life and you’ll be happy.”

The Bible teaches us, “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.” (I John 3:2-3)

The Daily Scroll - Don’t Believe It!

 Jesus warned us that in the last days false teachers, and false Christs, would rise and lead many astray. It’s happening all around us and all around the world, even as you read this. Even pastors can be subject to worldly distractions which bring on compromise. Pastors, don’t believe it. Lord Jesus Christ established His church with this simple fact. He died for us, suffered in Hell for us, then rose to life for us. 

When we accept what He did on the cross, repent of our sins, then we have new life in Him. Period. False teachers want to add on this and that, but His salvation is the only thing that matters. We can’t earn it, make it happen or really explain the mystery of it. Don’t believe all the add on’s that the satan inspired detractors throw at you. Like the Apostle Paul wrote about what this world has to offer. Count it as dung.

Jesus is coming so soon. We’ll meet Him in the air, and forever we’ll be with our Lord. The Holy Spirit is our comforter and guide living within every believer. Draw on Him to confirm your belief. He doesn’t mind if we challenge Him. He always comes back with the truth. With Him you’ll have peace in your heart. Other than Him don’t believe it. 

The Apostle John spoke about this in the Bible, “I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.” ( I John 2:26-27)

The Daily Scroll - Me, a Sinner?

 Russell was a good man. At least that was what everyone at his church believed. But Russell had a secret. A secret sin. Lust beset his soul. As hard as he tried, he struggled with lust of the flesh. A proud man, he would barely admit his problems to himself, much less try counseling. Then one Sunday morning his pastor preached a sermon based on 1 John. He explained how we all sin, but God has made it possible for forgiveness and help in our struggles. Russell changed his life that day when he bent his knee and confessed his sins to God in prayer. A weight was lifted off his shoulders as he found forgiveness and grace to overcome his failures. 

The Bible teaches us, “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.“ (I John 1:8-10)

Yes, God is faithful. Always.

The Daily Scroll - Patience, He’s Coming

 “It’s happening! Just like Jesus said in Matthew 24. Wars and rumors of wars. Earthquakes in different places. We had one in Virginia this week. People calling good bad and bad good and so forth.” Said George to his wife. “Don’t you think it’s the end times like the Bible says? Everybody is saying so.”

Erma replied, “Well George, all that is true, those signs are coming together all at the same time, but listen. Jesus also said in Matthew 24, “But the end is not yet.” These signs are showing us that we are in the season of His return so we are to be patient, live our lives, watch and wait. We should examine ourselves, and live holy blameless lives. Be ready, but also try to help as many as we can to be ready.

The Bible tells us, “But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” (II Peter 3:8-9)

“And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved.” (II Peter 3:14-15)

The Daily Scroll - Hold On

 Phillip owned a small hardware store in a small midwestern town. His Father had started it more than 30 years before. He was a faithful church member and a financial supporter of the church and foreign missions. Then it happened. A deluge of rain came and brought floods with it. His store was flooded and lost. He had some insurance but not enough to cover a total loss. Fortunately his home and family was fine. Later, as the flood waters receded, Phillip stood looking at his store in unbelief. 

“What do I do now?” He asked himself. Inside, as he trudged through the muck and mud looking for anything, he prayed, “God, show me what to do. I don’t know what to do.” He looked down and saw a hammer coated in mud. He picked it up, wiped it off, and thought, “This is still a new hammer in great shape. This was a sign from God…rebuild. He dug out every salvageable tool, took them outside to the tailgate of his truck. People began to come to buy tools and he had them. If the people didn’t have the money they needed Phillip loaned them the tools they needed. 

Not only did Phillip recover and rebuild, he added a tool rental business to his hardware store. The townspeople remembered his generosity and his business grew better than before, while other businesses languished and died. 

The Bible teaches us, “So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment.” (II Peter 2:9)

The Daily Scroll - Believe

 There is a common saying today used by unbelievers to reject Jesus Christ and all things God. It is, ”I don’t believe everything in the Bible because it was written by man, and man is fallible. It’s not the word of God, it’s the word of man.” My reply is, “the dictionary was written by man and you believe that. God used several men to write the 66 different books of the Bible, but it was given through Devine inspiration. We read it with faith. You read the dictionary with faith, so why not the Bible?”

I’ll tell you why. “It’s because the Bible contains life changing truth. It reveals the sin in our lives and the error of our ways. Much of it is a warning. When we come upon a stop sign on a roadway, we stop. Why? Because it’s a warning. One which could save our life if we obey it and stop. Or if we ignore it we could end up injured or worse.”

It’s better to have faith and believe so that when we meet God, we’re welcomed into heaven. If it’s wrong then our faith was still not in vain because the Bible give us life changing instructions on living a happy fulfilled life. It’s a win win!

The Apostle Peter tells of a life changing experience that he, James, and John had which was recorded in the Bible.

“After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one foryou, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.“ (Mark 9:2-8)

God the Father confirmed again who Jesus was, to three witnesses. Believe it. 

The Daily Scroll - Humble Yourself

The old man said, “Son, you better humble yourself or someone else will.” For George was a proud young man. The fact that he was unemployed and poor didn’t affect his pride one bit. When he was out with friends, he would spend his last cent to keep up with them, even if he didn’t eat the next day. Oh he was proud, but the circumstances in his world surely humbled him until he finally admitted to himself and his friends that he was broke and in trouble. 

A good friend talked to him about the Lord and how he humbled himself to live a hard, lowly life in order to reach the lost world. Even to a harsh death on a cross. He was and is Love and humility personified. Then, when His mission was completed, God lifted Him up and gave Him the highest honor. George thought to himself that he could never do that but with the help of Christ, he’d try. 

George changed his life and made it a point to help others in any way he could, and did it without taking any credit for himself. He gave Lord Jesus all the credit. Later in life George was called dear George by everyone who knew him. He was referred to as a sweet humble man. Always thinking about someone else first. 

The Bible tells us, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (I Peter 5:5-7)