Please Consider . . .
I have not written a “Bless Net” in the last couple of months, but something has been brewing on my heart and has boiled over with a concern for those I love – The Body of Christ.
The issue is: “Should I get a COVID vaccination or not?”
Here is my take on it:
Jeanie and I got COVID over a year and half ago while traveling. Thankfully we got through it without too much struggle. Our biggest concern was, “did we pass it along to others.” And we probably did. Having built a natural immunity we felt relatively safe afterwards. But we still got the shot. Why? We started thinking about others instead of ourselves. We minister and reach out to many people from all walks of life.
Many of you are dedicated to reach the world with the Gospel of Christ. We put our lives out there to serve and love those in need. It was rather easy to just get the shots and be done with it, not having to think about and be embroiled with all the debates on the pros and cons of vaccination.
I have seen too many friends and believers suffer needlessly. I do not want to contribute to the problem by passing it along to others. If there are any negative consequences to the vaccine, I believe God can cover. When I think about all the negative food we eat and air we breathe and other things we put in our bodies that are not best, I can take on getting a shot that can make a difference in staying COVID free without passing it along to others.
Since I started writing this Bless Net, I have been hearing more and more heart wrenching stories of people I know and many others that are, and have suffered dearly by not getting the shot. Jeanie and I recommend getting the vaccine, if not for your own good, at least for the sake of your loved ones and others you come in contact with.
Thank you for considering getting vaccinated. I love you no matter what you do.
Agape,
Bob
It is amazing what people do to have a good feeling. Substance abuse unfortunately is the first choice of many. It is a huge problem stalking many people trying to achieve some kind of high. This issue plagues many with empty results.
There is a solution to everyone’s need to be built up and feel good about themselves. It is a God solution. The Heavenly Father has provided to everyone born again something that supplies the ultimate in feel good results. It involves the gift of holy spirit that a person receives when they confessed Romans 10:9: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” To be saved is to be rescued from eternal death and filled with the eternal life spirit.
How can this new birth gift of holy spirit provide me a feel good high? There are too many ways this occurs. But let’s look at a few that really make a deep impression.
1. You would feel good if someone saved you from drowning right!? Well, how about being saved from eternal death to eternal life. Even better, yes!? (Romans 6:23: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord).
2. Wouldn’t you feel good if you had access to the Creator of the Universe? You would be able to talk with Him and hear from Him. Utilizing the new birth spirit by speaking in tongues puts you in audience with God Almighty (I Cor. 14:2a: For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: …).
3. You are edified when you speak in tongues by the spirit of God (I Cor.14:4a: He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself).
What makes all the difference in the world is the gift of holy spirit living within a person. The feel good high is recognizing this spirit in you and using it. Speaking in tongues is what God has designed for every believer to use so they would feel good about connecting with the Heavenly Father; so they would feel good being assured of their new birth; so they would feel good about who they are in Christ.
There is a wonderful song by Larry Shicks called, “Holy Spirit High.” Some of the words declare the feel good high of holy spirit. “They got power, intercession, speaking mysteries, got excited, cause they got the best.” It goes on declaring, “Speak in tongues, praying in the spirit, it keeps me edified; I call it holy spirit high.”
God has the answer to the need to feel high. It is the gift of holy spirit being manifested in your life by operating the manifestation of speaking in tongues. This is so much better that any drug or other substances.
Speak in tongues much, that is the solution!
Agape,
Bob
Outside of the Covid pandemic the most disturbing subject our nation and world are wrestling with is equality.
Our nation tried to get it right in the beginning with legal documents declaring equality for all, but in practice we failed miserably. Through the years laws and constitutional amendments endeavored to correct the injustice, but again we still fall short.
There is a solution. One that could make a huge difference. It is recognizing God’s Word and applying it.
Galatians 3:28: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:11: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
A long-standing Christian couple (Mike and Jane Tomberlin) that have been and remain pillars of the Church in North Carolina said it best:
“The world is still trying to work out equality for all; but I know when I walk into a Bible-believing church, that it is the only place where the idea of equality reigns. Want equality? Find a church that believes the scripture, honors the ascended Christ and the in-dwelling of the holy spirit, and you are the closest you will ever get to a prejudice-free place on God’s earth.”
Agape,
Bob
As remarkable as it sounds, Jesus prayed for us 2,000 years ago as recorded in the Scriptures.
You and I must be very special to be a part of our Lord and Savior’s prayer time. Here it is in John 17:20:
“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;”
This particular section of John, Chapter 17, to me is one of the most heart grabbing narratives in the Bible. Jesus is about to give Himself over to the authorities to be beaten unmercifully and then crucified. This dramatic section unfolds a story of love unmatched in any other writing done by man. Jesus prays for those he served and those who would believe on Him in the future. He desired that they all would be one in purpose with God’s ultimate plan of having a family. The prayer closes by Jesus declaring “…that the love wherewith Thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
The fruition of this request is evidenced in Romans 5:5 and in Colossians 1:27.
Romans 5:5:
… because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Colossians 1:27:
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
We are truly a blessed people beyond measure. Our response should be one of untiring love and thankfulness to our Heavenly Father and to His son Jesus Christ.
Agape,
Bob
What an election year this has been (and it seems not quite over yet!). As believers it is important for us to participate. By praying and voting our actions will be meaningful.
God’s Word indicates that He held elections and chose us! One thing every Christian needs to recognize and embrace is that they are the elect of God: “Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.” I Thessalonians1:4.
Yes, the Creator of the universe elected you and me. He voted for us! Perhaps many of us have gotten involved in political campaigns. Now that we know He chose us, why not be an activist for God.
Romans 8:31-33:
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
Now the next question is: how are we to act as those elected by God?
Colossians 3:12-15:
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Our world needs some sanity, something that is solid and makes us proud of who we are. As God’s elect we are blessed to represent our Heavenly Father in all that we do.
Agape,
Bob