Marc Krevo

Saturday May 21, 2011 has come and gone, but according to Harold Camping, the eighty nine year old founder of Family Radio, Saturday was to be the Day of Judgment and the return of Jesus Christ. This is not the first prediction by Mr. Camping. He also made an earlier prediction back in 1994, and simply said that his calculations were wrong but is certain May 21, 2011 is definitely the end of this age.

Mr. Camping is not the first person to make such predictions. Many people in history have also made similar claims. William Miller predicted a similar event in March 21, 1844 to which many in his church sold all they had only to await that day as disappointed and probably confused.

Mr. Camping has received a lot of press on this. What is interesting to note here is that Mr. Camping believes that God has revealed to him the exact dates of biblical events and a timeline of the judgment through mathematical calculations that would as he says: “probably crash the computers of Google.”

Mr. Camping’s website lists his qualification to predict this event by the following criteria: “Mr. Camping has been a tireless student of the bible for over five decades. The tens of thousands of hours he has spent analyzing the bible has given him a unique perspective of the entirety of scripture. He has dedicated his life to prepare himself to answer questions raised concerning God’s Word to man.”

What is more important to understand here is that while Mr. Camping may be a Christian, and may have studied the bible for “tens of thousand of hours,” and may even have a “unique perspective,” he should know that this information is reserved only for the father in Heaven. For example Jesus makes this clear in the bible: Acts 1:7 “He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.” And Jesus also made this clear in Matthew 24:36 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

The bible is not a book that needs to be decoded. It does not have top secret information. And it does not use mathematical equations that could crash the computers of Google. It does not speak to the elite, the privileged, or select. It is God’s word made to answer life’s questions. It is God’s way of communicating to his creation in order that his creation would know him and and know God’s purpose for his creation. That purpose was to show that more than anything, God wants a relationship with everyone. He wants a relationship that is real and personal. But that relationship comes only through faith in his son, Jesus Christ.

Christ humbled himself as a man to seek and to save that which was lost, Luke 19:10. And when Christ returns he will claim and judge with a righteous judgment. You do not need to be worried about the final day because God has provided a way for you with a guarantee. Jesus clearly explains this in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” Judgment and the end of this age is coming, but it is God’s desire for you to be with him. Won’t you give your life to Jesus Christ today?

If it is your desire to come to Christ I invite you to view these simple steps to peace with God. Steps to Peace with God

There is an old saying that says, “a car parked in a garage doesn’t make it an automobile anymore than going to church makes you a Christian.” And many people use this as a reason to avoid God all together.

In part 1 of this post we see that no matter how far you have traveled, God still desires to welcome you home. However, in this parable of the lost son, Luke 15:11-32, Jesus actually tells the story of two sons. The younger son runs off and finally comes to his senses, repents and returns home to his father. But the elder son stayed home this entire time working for his father and doing good.

Now the father in this parable is God, the younger son who ran off is the sinner, the immoral person, and the elder son is the moral one, the kind of person who does everything right by outward appearances. The younger son runs off in wild living spending money on the pleasures of life to give him happiness. The elder son stays home, he is preoccupied with doing everything right and living a self righteous life in order to gain acceptance and control.

When the elder son returns home after a hard day in the field he
discovers a party being held for the younger son. Angered by this display of acceptance and love for a son who left the father out of selfish needs, the elder son is furious! The elder son tries to rebuke the father for this injustice and ingratitude for everything the elder son has done to gain acceptance and approval of the father.

Just like there are those who try to find happiness away from God and are lost, there are those who are right next to him and are also lost. The elder son just like the younger son did not love the father he just wanted the father’s things. But both sons wanted control. The younger sought this through self discovery and the elder son sought this through moral conformity.

There are those who go to church, serve and try to keep the appearance of loving the father but their hearts are more concerned with the blessings, gifts, status and only what the father can provide. Going to church, worshiping, and serving the body of Christ are all very important as Christians. But these fruits of the spirit are outward displays of an inward transformation that only happens when you give your heart and your life to Jesus Christ.

Jesus doesn’t want your works, or your self righteousness, he wants you! His desire is for a relationship that is real and personal. In this parable Jesus makes the distinction clear that his purpose was to seek and save that which was lost: Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.” His desire is for you to come to him whether you have traveled far away or are right next to him. Won’t you surrender your heart and your life today to Jesus Christ and come home?

If it is your desire to come to Christ I invite you to view these simple steps to peace with God. Steps to Peace with God

Many people think that God is far off. Is he? The gospel of Luke 15:11-32 describes a son who leaves home. This son left because he didn’t care about his father or his family. He thought by leaving he would find something that would satisfy his appetite, and he went to a far country to do it.

But when the son goes to this far off country he squanders the inheritance he took from his father. He took the inheritance because he asked his father for it before his father passed away. However, when the son was in the distant land he ran into trouble. Famine resulted and his money ran out! Now the prodigal son moves from wild living to feeding the swine. In fact he was so poor no one even gave him anything to eat. He was not even able to eat the cornhusks that the pigs were eating!

So when the son comes to his senses he decides to go home to his father and make amends. But when the son comes home the father is not angry, in fact, the father runs to the son because he saw the son from far off and the father was patiently waiting. The father goes up to his son and kisses him on his neck. The father even decides to adorn the son with the finest robe, a ring, and sandals. But the father doesn’t stop there; he decides to throw a feast. The father calls the servants to kill the fattened calf. Whoa! This type of feast was only reserved for big celebrations. So what was the big deal?

The father was waiting for his son to come home and when the son came home, all the father wanted was a relationship with his son to be restored. And nothing is more important to the father than his relationship with his son. Now the characters in this story are God and his creation, God and us. And no matter how far off you have run, God, the father wants you to come back home to a relationship with him.

The son realized that what was most important in life was with him from the beginning. It was his relationship with the father. Unfortunately, he had to live a life of sin to find that out. But the father does not care about his past, he cares about the present! Because the decision the son makes today will determine the son’s eternal future.

That restoration is not only possible it’s closer than you think. It’s a relationship with Jesus Christ who not only restores but also makes everyone new! Look at 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” NIV. Won’t you come back to the feast? The table is set and waiting. But before you sit down, know that the only thing required is the grace of Jesus Christ, which is his free gift of salvation. Give your life to Jesus Christ today and be restored. Remember, He’s waiting.

If it is your desire to come to Christ I invite you to view these simple steps to peace with God. Steps to Peace with God

Now that 2011 is here, what has changed about you? New look, new job, new location, or new you. Do you like change? Are you like some people that are constantly looking for something new? Are you looking for something new or are you simply dissatisfied with the old?

The idea of change can be thrilling to some people, and to others it can be downright frightening. Some people like change if the change is there own idea.

It might be that those who find change difficult is because they are trying to face it alone. Facing a difficult change is always hard when you try to do it alone. But in an ever changing world of technology, laws, business, society; you name it, there is one thing that never changes. God. As God’s word tells us in Psalm 102: 25-27 “In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”

So if you what to change or feel you need to change, what is holding you down? Maybe you need to seek the God who is. He is unchanging in a world that is always changing. And if your life around you is changing and you don’t like it why don’t come to the rock of ages. His name is Jesus Christ, and he wants you to come to him. No matter what you have done or wherever you have been his invitation always stands, John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Make a change today and come to Jesus Christ. He paid the price and wants to redeem you. After all it’s the change you won’t have to do on your own. If it is your desire to come to Christ I invite you to view these simple steps to peace with God. Steps to Peace with God

How is that New Year’s resolution working out? If your like many people the power of temptation can be strong. Why? What is the problem? What is so hard? Well, like many people who make resolutions they try there best to diet, exercise more, save money or just try to change and be a better person.

When trying to change we often get discouraged and in defeat or disgust we give up because we try to do it on our own power. That’s what happens also when people try to come to God. They think they have to change and be perfect and when it doesn’t happen they get discouraged or disgusted. They may even get tempted to turn back to a life of sin.

In Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus himself was tempted with sin. He was tempted by Satan after he fasted for 40 days in the desert and was hungry, so Satan tried to tempt him with bread. Since that didn’t work, Satan later took him to the highest point on a temple in the holy city where Satan tempted Jesus with power and materialism. But each time Jesus turned from sin and clung to a powerful weapon, the word of God.

If you are facing temptation and sin your not alone. There is hope and its not an exercise machine, a pill, a get rich quick plan, or even an iphone app! The good news is that you have an advocate and a savior. You don’t have to worry about being perfect or where you came from or what you did. That hope is Jesus Christ, and he calls everyone with an invitation: Matthew 11:28 ” Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” In other words, you don’t have to do it on your own. Christ has taken that for you and will give you rest if you come to accept him as Lord and Savior of your life.

We all face temptation and the tempter (Satan) wants you to give up. He wants you to try and change on your own power instead of the power of Jesus Christ. Jesus didn’t just preach a way of life he lived it! He experienced the same temptations we all face. He didn’t just talk the talk he walked the walk. Christ calls everyone, not just those who are weary or desperate. Maybe your life may seem manageable, but deep down inside that voice calls you to come to Christ. Resist temptation and come to the only one who can defeat sin in your life, his name is Jesus Christ.

For many people Christmas is a festive time. During Christmas, we see the manifestation of decorations, music, food, and of course gift giving. People who are in need of food, shelter and Christmas presents receive much help this time of year and rightly so. In other words, who does not like Christmas? Although those outward displays of love can demonstrate the faith of Christians, Christmas is so much more.

The word Christmas is an old English word that means “Christ Mass” which refers to the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. The earliest occurrence of the word on record is 1038 A.D. Christian’s at this time considered the Lord’s Supper to be the most important part of the celebration of Christ’s birth; and as a result this came to be called Christmas.

The actual birth date of Jesus Christ is not know for certain. And there are many theories that December 25th was originally taken from Roman pagans who during the winter solstice celebrated a feast to the “Unconquered Sun” . This feast was also called Deus Sol Invictus. However later in the mid 4th century the Christian church was growing and in an effort to expose the truth of Jesus Christ against this false god, the prophecy of Malachi was introduced. This prophecy was Malachi 4:2 “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.”

But more important than dates or festivities the true meaning of Christmas is the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Here is the testimony in Luke 2:11 “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”

This is the good news the angels spoke to the shepherds in Luke 2:10. This is the birth of Jesus Christ and this is the birth of the Gospel. Christ came humbly as a baby, wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger (feed trough). His announcement was first given to the shepherds. Men who were not high on the social or political scale, but men who were humble. The shepherds were the first evangelists. They did not have a public relations firm or advertising agency. They had no budget to go out and start spreading the good news they just gave their eyewitness testimony. The shepherds were real and they praised God for all they had heard and seen!

Christ came for all people. He didn’t come just for the elite, or the socially accepted, or the rich. He did not come for the saints but for the sinners. He didn’t come for the righteous but for the lost so that by faith in Him the world would be saved. In a world today that is lost, that is good news, and that’s the birth of the gospel, Jesus Christ. Won’t you come to Him today?

Are you surprised or even shocked to find many people calling a Christmas Tree a “Great Tree?” Macy’s in Atlanta recently celebrated the 63rd year lighting of the “Great Tree.” Really? I wonder if sixty three years ago they called it the “Great Tree.” What happened?

There was a shopping center in Jacksonville Florida last year that also celebrated the opening of the Christmas season with a lighting of the “Great Tree.” Many retail shoppers undoubtedly Christians, let there disapproval known by way of boycotting their purchases at that center. And the result? Well, this year that shopping center is now calling it a Christmas Tree.

Should we as Christians be upset about someone wanting to call a tree great? No. Should we be upset about someone trying to take Christ out of Christmas? Yes. So where do we draw the line? It’s correct as Christians to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, but it’s not a tree that defines the birth.

Christians are called to defend their faith, but why? For many who do not have a personal relationship with Christ I believe an important component that is missing is hope. Christians have hope because of their relationship with Jesus Christ, not because of the music, food, decorations or presents. That hope transcends all understanding whether it’s a Christmas Tree or a “Great Tree.” Do not misunderstand me, the Christmas tree in my house is decorated with presents under it. However, the Christmas tree in my house is not my hope.

Look at 1 Peter 3:15: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear…” If someone wants to call a tree great I don’t attack their position I defend the hope that I have which is Jesus Christ. Let your holiday tree and decorations be a witness to others for the hope you have in Jesus Christ.

If someone asks you why, tell them your testimony or what happened in your life as a result of coming to Christ. Tell them how coming to Christ is the greatest gift you have ever been given. Tell them the grace and peace and love of Jesus. The Christmas Tree just might be the reason to tell the story.

On Wednesday September 22 our children and students will have the opportunity to stand at the flagpole of their school to pray. I encourage all students, teachers, and administrators of schools throughout our community and nation to act on this important event. Many children in our schools desperately want prayer as a part of their lives in school. Will you encourage your child to pray this Tuesday at their school?

We as parents and as citizens of this great nation owe it to our children to support this event. If you cannot attend please pray that this event will demonstrate to our school administrators, superintendents and especially our political leaders that we want prayer in school. If our representatives, see just how important prayer is to us in our schools they might just take notice!

For more information go to SEE YOU AT THE POLE

On Monday September 20, many in our nation will be praying and fasting for 40 days. This is a call to all Christians to raise up our voices in support of 3 critical issues facing us today. Here are those 3 areas:

The sanctity of human life.
The sacredness of marriage between one man and one woman.
The right to religious liberty.

While there are differing faiths involved in this movement we are united in these 3 areas. We are focusing on these issues at hand and not any theological differences we may have. We believe these issues are not only God given, but need to be supported and upheld. You yourself can support this movement, there are several ways you can help.

Go to PRAY & A.C.T.. and investigate for yourself.
Pray and Fast for these 40 days September 20 – October 30.
Go to the Manhattan Declaration and sign.

Today here in America many are looking to our leaders in Washington to lead, but are they? How will they know where we stand unless we tell them? Is it not important that our leaders place our interest in God’s hand instead of what man thinks? I believe we have seen when that happens.

And by this action we are not just raising our voices to our leaders, we are raising our voices in prayer to God. As Christians we alone put our faith in a great God and one way to exercise that faith is prayer. Please join us.

“Come, and let us return to the Lord.” Hosea 6:1.

In light of the events that have been happening in our country I have decided to report how some are responding to the call. In America we now live in a time of economic crisis, social peril and the crumbling of our moral and ethical fabric as we know it. Many are crying out for justice, some are merely accusing the other party or organization for the problem. No matter what the problem is there is one and only one common denominator. It’s not unemployment, it’s not racism, it’s not poverty, it’s not injustice, it’s not the energy crisis, it’s not the health-care problem, it’s not any of these.

The problem in America is sin. And until the people of this great nations take personal responsibility for this nothing is going to change. Over the centuries man has instituted laws, made provisions, launched armies, and signed treaties. So if this was a solution why does our country now face these mounting issues?

Well, there are some in this country who are not pointing fingers but are simply responding with the solution. If our country was established under biblical principles, would it not seem correct to go to the source in our time of great need? There are some men who are working to make a difference and I submit their work to you for your prayerful consideration in order to restore the hearts of this great nation back to God.

Chuck Colson: Chuck has founded The Manhattan Declaration. This grass roots movement led by prominent clergy and scholars is a call of conscience for Christians. This movement advocates for Christians to take a stand on three critical moral issues which face us today. They are the sanctity of human life, the dignity of traditional marriage (between one man and one woman), and religious liberty. By signing the Manhattan Declaration you are joining with hundred of thousands of Americans who realize the importance of making our voice known to those in Washington.

Dr. Charles Stanley, senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta and founder of In Touch Ministries has been a pastor for over 50 years. Dr. Stanley has led a call to pray for this nation for 140 days. Dr. Stanley says “God has called us to take a stand and appeal to Him on behalf of our country. And as we courageously fight the battle for the soul of our country on our knees, we must remember that He continues to rule over the affairs of this nation and will hear us when we humble ourselves, turn from our sins, and seek His face.” I encourage all of you to join Dr. Stanley in these 140 days of prayer in hopes that all the people of this nation turn their hearts back to God!

Stand up America! If we as Christians and citizens of this great nation don’t take a stand now, then when? If not us, then who? I urge everyone to prayerfully consider supporting these endeavors to restore our great nation!