Discrimination & Love

Do you ever feel threatened when you have to associate with someone who is different than you? Discrimination almost always occurs with people who are of a different race, faith or ethnic background.

Jesus Christ, who was born of Jewish decent, associated with tax collectors and sinners (Luke 19:5-7). He was never disrespectful or unkind to anyone who was not Jewish.

So, let us use Jesus as our example to guide us in liking and disliking others. Discrimination could be basically eliminated if we look at others with respect and love. Remember, "God is love"(I John 4:16) and love is no respecter of persons.

Ed Unruh

The Power of One

When you think of physical power, you may visualize a body builder working out. If it is mental power, you may visualize a student involved in reading. In both visuals there are limitations.

Then there is the power of God--the Power of One who's power can be seen all around us. It can be seen in the world He has created (Gen 1:1). Yet to be seen, is the celestial kingdom He is in the process of creating right now, which has no limitations.

Ed Unruh

Conscience

How often does conscience effect the decisions you make? Do you listen to your conscience each time you make a decision? You should listen to your conscience because it will help you make the right decision. In fact, the Bible says, "a good conscience comes from God" (Prov. 28:18).

If you listen to your conscience, you will make the right decision every time. This could change your whole life and actually change you into the person God wants you to be.

Ed Unruh

Death and Taxes

The two positives in this world are "death and taxes". Regarding taxes, you will have to pay a penalty if they are not paid. Regarding death, the Bible says there is life after death (Acts 17:31).

The Bible also says, there are two final destinations. One is Hell, described in Rev. 20:15, which says it is a place of non-consuming fire. No decision is needed to get there, either. The second destination is Heaven and in order to get there, a decision is required.

Heaven is described in John 14:2. It's a place where God lives and His Son Jesus Christ has already paid the penalty for you. However, the decision that's required, is to believe He paid that penalty for you by dying on the cross 2000 years ago.

Ed Unruh

Daily Attitude

What is your attitude when you begin your week? Does it depend on what day it is? Some days we find it harder to get started. Mondays seem to be more difficult for a lot of people. Then, in the middle of the week, it gets easier because the weekend is coming up.

During the week there will be all kinds of challenges that could change your attitude. Just remember the Bible says, "This is the day the Lord has made, let us be happy and rejoice in it" (Psalm 118:24). So, regardless of what kind of a day you're having, be happy in your attitude and have a good day.

Ed Unruh

Thanking God for Thanksgiving

A prayer of thanksgiving

Our Father, who art in Heaven. . .
Thanks-for-giving...us your Son Jesus Christ for 32 years.
Thanks-for-giving...us the way of salvation and eternal life.
Thanks-for-giving...us Christmas, Easter and "Thanksgiving"
so we can remember your Son's birth, crucifixion and ascension.

Amen

Ed Unruh

Thanking God for Everything

God desires for us to do His will, and as our spiritual knowledge increases, that desire will increase as well.

In our daily lives, it is easy to be thankful for the times that give us pleasure. However, it is never easy to give thanks when we are experiencing pain or suffering, or disappointment or any kind whatsoever.

The apostle Paul tells us that we are to give thanks in everything, not just once, but twice. Once is I Thess. 5:18 and once in Eph. 5:20. So, as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, let us try to do the will of God, which is to thank God for everything.

Ed Unruh

The God of Harvest Time

In farmlands across the nation, fruits and vegetables are planted in the spring and harvested in the fall of the year. The farmer looks forward in anticipation to the time when he can reap the harvest and obtain his profit.

This harvest time is sometimes referred to as Thanksgiving, and it is at this time, we want to thank God for His provisions. Yes, it is God who created the sun (Genesis 1:16-18) and along with the rain the crops grow. So, give the God of the harvest-time all the glory He deserves.

Ed Unruh

Making a Decision

If you have a job where you're making a lot of decisions during the day, decision making is easy. However, making a decision outside of your workplace can sometimes be difficult, especially if it is a spiritual decision.

When it comes to accepting Christ as your personal saviour, it seems like there are always other things to do. After all, what possible benefits could there be with salvation, anyway?

First of all, one benefit that will be yours, is the assurance of eternal-life-after-death in a place called heaven where there will be no sickness, no financial worries and that is just the beginning of the benefits. So, don't wait, The Bible, God's Word says, "Now is the accepted time and today is the day of salvation" (II Cor. 6:2).

Ed Unruh

Communication

Today, it is exciting to recognize how the Internet makes it possible for anyone to transmit their words to a friend or acquaintance on the other side of the world.

However, this communication does not even begin to compare with the instantaneous communication that is available to the believer.

In God's Word, The Bible, it says, "God's ears are attentive to the prayers of the righteous" (I Peter 3:12). So, get to know Jesus Christ as your personal saviour and you will be able to experience the ultimate form of communication because He can read your thoughts, and there is nothing faster than that.

Ed Unruh

Commitment

No matter what kind of a commitment you make in life, you will find it takes a lot of faith. There will be a lot of problems but, with the faith you have, you can get through the problems that you will be encountering.

If the commitment is of a physical nature, the question is, will you have the strength and stamina to see it through to the end? If the commitment is based on your education, have you taken the necessary courses on the subject?

Sometimes, we might take on a spiritual commitment that will take us in an unknown direction. In all these cases we know we will be able to get through it, because in Phil. 4:13 we read, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". So, with God's help, commitment is possible if we try.

Ed Unruh

Clean Air

It is impossible to smell clean unpolluted air. You can't touch it or see it, but you know it's there.

Faith is very much like clean air, in fact The Bible says it this way: "Faith is the evidence of things not seen"(Heb. 11:1). Likewise, it is impossible to touch or smell faith, but it is possible to have faith in God, whom we cannot see, because, although we can't see Him, He's there.

So believe in Him, and trust in Him, then, by faith, when you get to Heaven, you will never have to breath or smell polluted air again.

Ed Unruh

His Father's Will

We are told that that it was His Father's will that Jesus Christ (God's son) would be crucified for our sins. And His crucifiction and resurrection would then make it possible for every human being to be saved from Hell (Matthew 26:39).

Yes, Hell is a real place, and is described as being a place where the unsaved will live after death. Everyone there will be on fire and the fire will continue to burn forever (Mark 9:43). However, there is an alternative place to go, and that place is Heaven.

If you accept Christ as your saviour, which is also "His Father's Will" (II Peter 3:9), Heaven will be your home forever.

Ed Unruh

Searching the Internet

Today, nearly everyone is searching the internet. It starts from childhood and continues through retirement age.

We use the internet in business and pleasure. It is used to communicate with friends and loved ones. The internet has unlimited possibilities which means it can reach out to many unknown areas.

In the Bible we are told that we have the mind of Christ (I Cor. 2:16). If this is true, and we believe that it is, we need always to keep this in mind as we search the internet.

Ed Unruh

Healing Power

When we are sick from a virus, or when a problem occurs in our body, we realize we need to go to someone who can help us. When we hurt and just want the pain to go away, that's when we go to God in prayer.

God is a loving God and because He loves us so much, He wants to answer our request more than anything else. When He listens to us and knows what we need, He will do what is best for us each and every time.

Because God is a loving and powerful God, we know He has the right to answer any way He chooses. We also know that prayer is powerful, that's why we need to keep praying, for He alone will give to us.

Ed Unruh

Choosing a Candidate

Prior to an election, it's important to find a candidate who has the ability to lead their party in all of the important issues.

Nearly 2000 years ago, one man lived on this earth who had many followers and they saw him as their leader. This man's name was Jesus Christ.

He was God's only son and before He died on the cross, He was perfect in every way. He was an ideal candidate to die on the cross for your sins and mine. He was God's gift to us. All we have to do is vote for Him as our Lord and Saviour.

Ed Unruh

Child Behavior

It's hard to imagine any child being perfect in his or her behavior. The Bible tells us that Jesus, God's son, was perfect in every way. In fact, He was called the Perfect Lamb in Rev. 5:12.

What does this mean? Because He was "The Perfect Lamb," He was chosen to be crucified for your sin and mine. Then, by believing He was buried and rose on the third day, salvation is guaranteed for all of us.

As an adult, we know that Jesus resisted temptation (Heb.4:15). When He was baptized, His Father (God) said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Mt.3:17). Yes, it is probable that as a child, Jesus was perfect in His behavior as well.

Ed Unruh

Challenging Times

Back in Genesis 22, Abraham was challenged by God. It happened when God asked him to sacrifice His only son Isaac. This was a real test that would prove that Abraham loved God more than his own son.

We are not expected to prove our love for God as Abraham did, but we do encounter challenging times that can be just as difficult.

During the test of Abraham's love, he told his son that the Lord would provide, and that's exactly what God did, when He provided the lamb as the sacrifice.

If God is the same today as He was yesterday, and His Word tells us He is (Mal.3:6), then we know God will provide for us, in our challenging times today as well.

Ed Unruh

Benefits of Salvation

God is pleased when we have fellowship with Him in prayer as He is the one who taught us too pray (Mt. 6:9). If we just trust Him in our daily lives, we will experience His benefits and His blessings.

Never underestimate God's power, for it is He who answers our prayers. God looks forward to our communication with Him. So let us be faithful to Him in every way. For these are the benefits of salvation.

Ed Unruh

Be Alert

Today we live in a dangerous world with terrorists who are not afraid to die for their cause. They will strike anytime and anywhere. Satan is a lot like that. He tempts us anytime we take our eyes off of God.

Satan even tempted Jesus once for 40 days (Matt. 4:2). After He was tempted, He said, "Be gone Satan! For it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God only". When He said this, Satan left Him.

As children of God, we can "resist the Devil and he will flee from us" (James 4:7). So, be alert at all times, for Satan is out there.

Ed Unruh

The Healer

Disease causes pain and suffering, however, today we have morphine and other pain remedies to relieve our pain. In some cases the pain can be eliminated altogether.

In The Bible, it says, the Lord heals all diseases (Psalm 103:2-3). This sounds like all our diseases will be healed. However, we know that they don't all get healed. So what is the answer here? Why aren't all the diseases healed?

Everyone who is healed, gets healed by God. That is because God is the one heals (Ex. 15:26). So don't hesitate, pray and ask God to heal you when you're sick. After all, He's the one doing the healing.

Ed Unruh