I just read an interesting article by Matthew Vandum dealing with the issue of “gun control”. Here an excerpt from that article:

Stacy Swimp, president of the Frederick Douglass Society, said “there’s a direct correlation between gun control and black people control.” Early gun laws “were put into place to register black folks, to make sure that they would know who we were — that we could not defend ourselves.” (It was former slave and orator Frederick Douglass who said, “A man’s rights rest in three boxes: the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box.”)

Black Chamber of Commerce president Harry Alford praised the National Rifle Association, noting its historic role in protecting black Americans.

“The National Rifle Association was started, founded by religious leaders who wanted to protect free slaves from the Ku Klux Klan,” he said. “They would raise money, buy arms, show the free slaves how to use those arms and protect their families. God bless you. Many of us probably wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the NRA.”

As historian Michael Zak explained in his book, Back to Basics for the Republican Party, after the Civil War ended Republicans passed the Thirteenth Amendment, formally abolishing slavery. Democrats in southern states countered by enacting laws aimed at maintaining control over the ex-slaves.

Zak notes that these “black codes” typically prohibited African-Americans not only from owning guns, but also from operating their own businesses, assembling without authorization, being on the street after nightfall, or traveling without permission from their white employers.

He said the black code in effect in Mississippi stated that “no freedman, free Negro or mulatto, not in the military . . . and not licensed so to do by the board of police of his or her county, shall keep or carry firearms of any kind, or any ammunition…”

For the full article go to– http://frontpagemag.com/2013/matthew-vadum/the-racism-of-gun-control/

This issue is much more serious than most people realize. If the right to bear arms is taken away from us it opens the door for complete government control. Listen to what Sarah Palin said recently: “If we are going to wet our proverbial pants over 0.3% in annual spending cuts when we’re running up trillion dollar annual deficits, then we’re done,” Palin wrote of the sequester set to hit on Friday. “Put a fork in us. We’re finished. We’re going to default eventually and that’s why the feds are stockpiling bullets in case of civil unrest.”

Many of us have been warning that this is the governments intent for some time now. It is refreshing to hear someone such as Palin agree with our observation and have the guts to say it. If we don’t wake up and fight back we will lose all our rights. Silence is not an option. Think about it!

“I’m going to heaven where everyone is perfect, so how I live here won’t affect me there” -that is what some people think and say.  It is their belief that godly living here doesn’t
affect their future state in heaven.  They say, “I’m going to heaven and that’s all that matters,” but they are wrong! That’s not all that matters.  Contrary to what they believe, there are different degrees or grades of glory in eternity.  And that ought to impact our lives here and now.

All true Christians will be in heaven, and will experience the absence of evil, and be exposed to nothing but good.  All imperfections will be removed.  So there are many things common to all believers. Yet there are certain distinctions, some peculiarities that make us different.While the quality of our blessings may be the same, the quantity can be very different.  Two vessels may both be full and both be filled with the same contents, and yet  be very different in size.  Even so, in heaven some will have a greater capacity for joy, etc. than others.

There will be different degrees of glory (Dan.12:3; Matt.5:12; 10:41-42; Luke 19:12).  Just as there are differences of magnitude between the stars, there is a difference in the saints  in glory (I Cor.15:14).  The Bible tells us that there are different degrees of punishment in hell (Luke 12:47; Rom.2:6-16), so why should we  be surprised that there will be differences among those in heaven.  I Cor.3:15 tells us that some who are saved will nevertheless “suffer loss.”  2 John 8 encourages us to live so as to “receive a full reward.” There must be differences or those verses would make no sense.

Still some wonder, if all are perfect how can there be different degrees?  The answer is simply – they are all perfect, but all have not the same capacity.  Two diamonds may be of the same purity and brilliance, and yet be of different sizes and value.  Even so, all in heaven will be saved, yet differ in rank, state, and services.  That fact should change the way we live. It should cause us to invest our lives in things that will make a difference in eternity.

John Angell James wrote:  “Those who receive the most from him, will render most to him.  Higher degrees of glory, while, as regards ourselves, they will enlarge our capacity for happiness, will, as regards him, prepare us in a more eminent manner to enjoy, serve, and honor him.  For his sake then, as well as your own, grow in grace, that you many rise in glory.”

It just stands to reason that, if we truly believe that what we do on earth will have an effect on eternity our attitude and actions will be affected.  Our beliefs affect our behavior. If you believe what you do here won’t matter in heaven you will do little or nothing of eternal value. If you believe it makes a difference you will be different.  Sadly some poor deluded people are wasting their lives because they believe their conduct here and now will have no affect on them there and then – in their eternal state.  What they need to know is this — the grade of glory to which we shall rise in heaven is determined by what we do for the glory of God here on earth. So then, what are you doing with your life? Think about it!

Growing up in the Ozarks I know a lot about rough roads. I’ve bounced along many miles of dirt and gravel roads, and it wasn’t comfortable. However, today I want to talk to you about rough roads of a different kind.

Hundreds of years ago Moses pronounced this blessing upon Asher–“Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.”(Deut. 33:25). Asher had been allotted a portion of the land that was filled with hills and valleys—rough and rugged terrain. But, for us the application goes beyond a specific geographical location. It reminds us that there are many rough roads of various sorts in life. This is especially true if we are on the right road. Sometimes there are easier routes, but they do not lead us to our divinely ordained purpose.

Sadly most people take the “easy” route rather than the essential route. They think it is the most pleasant path, but that’s not really true.It is a road that leads to ruin and regret rather than reward.They choose a path to be trod with velvet slippers, a flower-strewn pathway, but there is no joy in their journey, nor sense of satisfaction at the end of their road. Their choice is that of a child rather than a champion.

The Christian pilgrim’s path is different. He isn’t wondering about his purpose nor wandering about aimlessly. He is a dedicated disciple and he has a goal in view. Directed by the map of God’s Word, he travels a road appointed by the Lord. Although it is a rough road it is the right road and he expects it to be difficult. Like the disciples on the storm-tossed sea, he is in the storm and will of God at the same time. He knows doing the will of God will expose him to problems rather than exempt him from them. And expecting problems is the first step in preparing for them. Wishing they didn’t exist won’t make them go away. So, the wise man readies himself for the reality of rough roads.

But how do we get ready? The answer is found in the command to live by faith. We aren’t just invited to trust God, we are commanded to do so. We either live by faith or live in sin. We triumph over our trials only by trusting in God. Just as Asher could cling to this glorious truth we can claim the precious promises of God which prepares us to prevail. They assure us that God will provide help for hard places; strength for all seasons— whether it be the day of difficulty, doubt, danger, or death. There is not a single day when we are without help from God.Armed with faith in God’s promises we are equipped to endure!

We don’t always know exactly what to prepare for. The nature of our problems vary– it’s one thing today and another thing tomorrow, but regardless of the specifics the solution is the same. We must acquaint ourselves with the Word of God and believe He will keep His promises. His precious promises are numerous and we can always find at least one for anything we will ever encounter.

For Asher the promise was, “Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be”. Isn’t that a marvelous thought? It is a word of assurance for a man anticipating adversity. He knows very well that the road is rough and rugged. He knows he will need divine aid and that’s exactly what he is promised. This is not only a prophecy of rough roads, it is a promise of reliable resources that bring relief! When he feels trapped in the cold shadow of some dark valley, that feels like a grave, he can cheer himself by living in the sunlight of God’s exceeding and great promise”(2 Peter 1:4).

Here’s something else we need to remember–Asher’s allotment was by divine appointment rather than accident. There are no accidents with God. Long before Asher ever received his portion of the land, God knew exactly what it would be like. The same is true of you. Everyone’s circumstances are different. In Asher’s day the land was divided up among the tribes and it was not all the same. In His great wisdom God gives to each that which they would have chosen for themselves were they as smart as God. Don’t curse your circumstances. Consider them to be what they are–divine appointments, although they are often rough roads. Get ready for them by searching out the sure promises related to  your situation.

If the road is rough to the point that shoes of iron and brass are required, so shall it be! God always provides what He promises. So as we journey down the rough road of life let it be with this blessed assurance– in Christ we have everything we need for anything that might come our way. Remember–“as thy days”, regardless of how difficult,”so shall thy strength be”. Think about it!

I just started to write, “A great day yesterday” when it hit me like a ton of bricks. Yesterday was indeed a great day—for me. However, while it was a great day for some of us, for many it was just the opposite. While some of us were over-come with joy as we experienced the blessings of God, others were overwhelmed with burdens— mired in deep grief, or suffering some injustice, or incurring some great loss. For us the day was delightful. For them it was dreadful! Tomorrow the roles might be reversed.

So, as we relish the blessings of God, let us be mindful of the fact that many are in great need. Just yesterday I heard the joyous report of healing and life prolonged, and another of sickness and a life cut-short. This served to remind me that life is a land of hills and valleys, blessings and burdens. Life is like a book—it is made up of many chapters, each of different length and subject matter. Today it is one thing, tomorrow it is another. You are now going through a new chapter in your life, but it is not the last chapter — the best chapter of all.

For the Christian, regardless of the content of your chapters, all ends well. By God’s Word we have been given a glimpse of the last chapter–enough so that we know that grief will turn to glory and the bad will give way to blessing. In other words– the best is yet to come. Regardless of what you are going through you will get through it and look back on it as a horrible chapter in your life, but you will then be in a new and better chapter–the tears will be gone and there will be a smile on your face—really! You aren’t there yet, but knowing that day is coming will give you the strength needed to get through this chapter of your life. Living in the awareness of this fact, in between the tears and stumbles you will suddenly be surprised by a smile on your face and a spring in your step. God is healing you a little bit at a time and reminding you that the best is yet to come. Then when history seems to be repeating itself and you are facing a new challenge, and it will happen, you will be able to draw strength from your past experience. Think about it!

Everyday there are needs, in my life and the lives of others, that call for my attention in prayer. And, almost everyday I receive prayer request from others who spell out the nature of their need. I try to give these matters the attention they deserve. But there is one class of prayer request that is becoming more and more meaningful to me– it’s what we often refer to as an “Unspoken request”.

I realize that some preachers have taken folks to task for using this phrase, and some might make good points. However it seems to me that their time would be better spent praying for these folks rather than trying to prove a point. Regardless of what opposition you might have to the use of this phrase, the fact remains that people have needs, the nature of which does not need to be explained to others. We don’t have to know all the details about a situation to pray effectively for others. God knows and He can help.

At this very moment I can think of several people who are in urgent need of our prayer, but there is one in particular that is troubling me this morning. Although you probably have something different on your heart that is more important to you at this moment, I hope you will take a few minutes to pray about this matter. Like most things, the outcome doesn’t affect just one person, it affects a family and a church as well. As you know, the actions of one person can wreak havoc in the lives of a great many, affecting them for the duration of their days on earth. So this time and every time you hear someone say, “I have an unspoken request”, please don’t take it lightly. It just might be of far greater importance than the things you know all about.  It would be cruel to ignore such a need. No doubt the day will come when you will find yourself in need of prayer, so please pray for these desperate people the same way in which you would want them to pray for you were the roles reversed. Think about it!