It happened far away. I did not know any of the victims or their attackers, nor any of their family members. My emotions were not stirred or sadden like they should have been. Since this tragedy is so frequent in our country, and is continuously reported on the news, as well as all avenues of social media, I regretfully dismiss it. As a citizen of this great country and a professing Christian, this should stir motions of empathy, compassion, love, grief, and anger.
Even as I am confessing the absence of emotions on this tragedy, I still do not have any. Why? Why can't I express any heartache over this? Have I been so calloused by the frequencies of these stories and all the hatred so regularly communicated in this country? Have my feelings been normalized by the subtle frequency of bad news. Is this my adjusting to the new normal in our country?
The companions of disagreeable discussions are: hate, profanity, slander, aggression, blame, and fighting. These are the seeds, when sprouted, producing innocent deaths. It is so easy for evil to invade the heart of one subjected to the above. Their past troubles, heartaches, loneliness, feelings of worthlessness, addictions, and mental illness are prime targets for evil to move into their hearts.
What would turn me from, "This is just the new normal in our country", to a fervent desire to change it? This sentence with few words changes me. "Mr. Hepler your wife, daughters, and your grandchildren have been fatalities in a mass shooting". The new normal then would be so excruciating.
The solution lies with me and you. Every time we have a tragedy, politicians start using the same talking points and we blame them when nothing is done. They see who can get the guns banned the quickest and new gun laws get put on the books. "Take the guns away", they say. "Innocent children and people are getting murdered by guns", is shouted from every podium across the United States.
We can hear the cries of many people saying guns are the instruments of death to our children. Why do they pick on guns? Guns are a hot topic to those with a liberal view.
I am going to post this link and I want you to go there and look at the most barbaric instruments of death used on the innocent in our country and the world today. This has been a new normal for decades and also a political weapon. Please let me know what you think and share it please through any media you choose. Instruments as these and guns are not the murderers of children, it is the hearts of those who are using them.
I am going to do a follow up with a solution to our problem. Please be on the look out for it.
Please go to the link below. Send your comments to: rhepler52@gmail.com
http://abortioninstruments.com/index_instruments2.html
Thanks
Rick Hepler
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
Friday, November 16, 2018
LOL!
Debbie and I got to class early. We were visiting a church we usually attend when we are out of town and in the area of this congregation. We have attended this class several times before and really enjoyed the Bible studies. It is a large class and classroom.
Since we were early, there were only three other people in class. Two were sitting near us and one young man was sitting alone next to the wall. I glanced over to see him and in his eyes I could see pain. Not physical pain , but emotional pain.
What I did next I have never done before in my life. I had in my heart such an urge to go talk to him. Nothing planned to say, but just to talk. I just got up quickly, before my mind could over-ride my heart and talk me out of it, went to him and told him my name and Debbie's. I said, "We are visitors here, are you a member here?". "No, this is my first time" was his response. I asked if he knew any one here. He said, "No sir".
The small talk ended. He then began to tell me why he was there. His life was in a dark place and he wanted it back. He wanted some peace. I now knew why I was urged to go talk to him. God knew this young man was hurting and searching. God's Spirit urged me to go and for the first time, I had the courage to be vulnerable and take a chance on letting God help this troubled young man through me.
I asked him to come and sit with Debbie and me. I told him he was in the right place and people at this place would love him and help him. I had sent others who were addicted there and they did everything to help them. I also introduced him to the teacher and another one of the church leaders.
The teacher's lesson was perfect for his situation. After class the teacher and the other leader talked to him. I asked him to sit with me in the worship service, and I would go on down with Debbie to get our seats. He said he would.
After I got our seats in the auditorium, I had another young man text me asking where I was. Over a year ago, I had sent him down there and he went through rehab. He has been clean over a year. I spotted him and asked him to sit with us. I told him I needed his help and experience and filled him in.
As we were sitting together I could hear them talking. It was all falling into place. This young visitor was being surrounded by people who loved him and some had even been where he was now, the dark places.
All through the sermon most everything the preacher said was giving this troubled young man hope. Also, I felt like he was my son, needing God to help him. I prayed, God please help him.
I said all of this to get to the most beautiful part. I knew he came seeking help. He was at rock bottom. I had to offer God's love, through me, and courage for him to take that first step toward recovery.
As the preacher offered the invitation and the invitation song was being sung, I did something I never have done in church before, especially being a visitor in this congregation and just had met this young man. I slowly turned toward him and softly spoke these words, "I will go down with you". His reaction was what I was hoping for. He said, "Ok, let's do it."
As we walked together down the isle, tears began to flow from both of us. He had been baptized before and had walked away from God. He wanted help to put the pieces of his life back together.
We have communicated by text and email since that day. He related part of his story to me. This young man had been abused since he was a baby. His innocence was destroyed by evil. He reverted to drugs to remove the emptiness, pain, guilt and feelings of unworthiness.
There are too many people in our communities with this same story. Their lives have been damaged by evil at an early age while they were young and innocent. Some may not seek out a church to go back to like this young man. They are wanting something to numb the inner turmoil and pain. No one comes to their rescue with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So what do they do to cover the pain? They turn to sex, drugs, violence, and hate, filing the void in their hearts where hope and love should reside.
Many times I pray for the hurting and have compassion and love for them, but as in this case, God wanted me and the church to be the answer to those prayers showing them hope and love. That is, "unconditional love".
I hope I have many more opportunities to show God's love through me to someone who needs peace and God's love, grace, and forgiveness in their life.
You and I need to show God's love by LOL! No, not laughing out loud, but showing God's love by, "LOVING OUT LOUD". I think you get the picture. Sorry to say it has taken me several years to get it.
We are coming near the season that many are thinking of Christ. Many will be hungry, cold and weary on Christmas day. Let's go through this Christmas "Loving Out Loud". Giving them the most precious gift of hope we could give, "The Gospel of Jesus Christ".
Please share if you can relate to this by email or Facebook. Send any comments to:rhepler52@gmail.com
P.S. I used "I" a lot in this post. To make it clear, "I" didn't have anything to do with this, because if it was just "I" alone, I would never have had the courage or compassion to do it. It was God working through me. "I" was just the conduit of His love to flow through.
Thank you for reading. Go out and show God's love this weekend by "LOVING OUT LOUD".
Rick Hepler
Since we were early, there were only three other people in class. Two were sitting near us and one young man was sitting alone next to the wall. I glanced over to see him and in his eyes I could see pain. Not physical pain , but emotional pain.
What I did next I have never done before in my life. I had in my heart such an urge to go talk to him. Nothing planned to say, but just to talk. I just got up quickly, before my mind could over-ride my heart and talk me out of it, went to him and told him my name and Debbie's. I said, "We are visitors here, are you a member here?". "No, this is my first time" was his response. I asked if he knew any one here. He said, "No sir".
The small talk ended. He then began to tell me why he was there. His life was in a dark place and he wanted it back. He wanted some peace. I now knew why I was urged to go talk to him. God knew this young man was hurting and searching. God's Spirit urged me to go and for the first time, I had the courage to be vulnerable and take a chance on letting God help this troubled young man through me.
I asked him to come and sit with Debbie and me. I told him he was in the right place and people at this place would love him and help him. I had sent others who were addicted there and they did everything to help them. I also introduced him to the teacher and another one of the church leaders.
The teacher's lesson was perfect for his situation. After class the teacher and the other leader talked to him. I asked him to sit with me in the worship service, and I would go on down with Debbie to get our seats. He said he would.
After I got our seats in the auditorium, I had another young man text me asking where I was. Over a year ago, I had sent him down there and he went through rehab. He has been clean over a year. I spotted him and asked him to sit with us. I told him I needed his help and experience and filled him in.
As we were sitting together I could hear them talking. It was all falling into place. This young visitor was being surrounded by people who loved him and some had even been where he was now, the dark places.
All through the sermon most everything the preacher said was giving this troubled young man hope. Also, I felt like he was my son, needing God to help him. I prayed, God please help him.
I said all of this to get to the most beautiful part. I knew he came seeking help. He was at rock bottom. I had to offer God's love, through me, and courage for him to take that first step toward recovery.
As the preacher offered the invitation and the invitation song was being sung, I did something I never have done in church before, especially being a visitor in this congregation and just had met this young man. I slowly turned toward him and softly spoke these words, "I will go down with you". His reaction was what I was hoping for. He said, "Ok, let's do it."
As we walked together down the isle, tears began to flow from both of us. He had been baptized before and had walked away from God. He wanted help to put the pieces of his life back together.
We have communicated by text and email since that day. He related part of his story to me. This young man had been abused since he was a baby. His innocence was destroyed by evil. He reverted to drugs to remove the emptiness, pain, guilt and feelings of unworthiness.
There are too many people in our communities with this same story. Their lives have been damaged by evil at an early age while they were young and innocent. Some may not seek out a church to go back to like this young man. They are wanting something to numb the inner turmoil and pain. No one comes to their rescue with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So what do they do to cover the pain? They turn to sex, drugs, violence, and hate, filing the void in their hearts where hope and love should reside.
Many times I pray for the hurting and have compassion and love for them, but as in this case, God wanted me and the church to be the answer to those prayers showing them hope and love. That is, "unconditional love".
I hope I have many more opportunities to show God's love through me to someone who needs peace and God's love, grace, and forgiveness in their life.
You and I need to show God's love by LOL! No, not laughing out loud, but showing God's love by, "LOVING OUT LOUD". I think you get the picture. Sorry to say it has taken me several years to get it.
We are coming near the season that many are thinking of Christ. Many will be hungry, cold and weary on Christmas day. Let's go through this Christmas "Loving Out Loud". Giving them the most precious gift of hope we could give, "The Gospel of Jesus Christ".
Please share if you can relate to this by email or Facebook. Send any comments to:rhepler52@gmail.com
P.S. I used "I" a lot in this post. To make it clear, "I" didn't have anything to do with this, because if it was just "I" alone, I would never have had the courage or compassion to do it. It was God working through me. "I" was just the conduit of His love to flow through.
Thank you for reading. Go out and show God's love this weekend by "LOVING OUT LOUD".
Rick Hepler
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
What Does She Show Us in Her Giving?
She is mentioned in one of the world's best selling books. Her example of giving has been taught to others for generations. Yet, her name is never given. She is only identified as, a poor widow. (Mark 12:41-44, NKJV)
Jesus sat opposite the treasury and watched the people as they put money in. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and put in two mites. Out of her poverty she put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.
What is missing in the above text? What are her thoughts? Can we know what she was thinking by her mere actions? Let's take a look.
If Jesus saw what they put in the treasury, do you think others did the same? As humans we have the possibility of having an ego. Sometimes, we may do good to please that ego instead of pleasing God. It is a temptation the Devil knows all about. He was banished from heaven because of it, or a form of it. Jesus gives us instructions of how to avoid being egotistical in Matthew 6:1-4. Yes. I have to watch out for this.
This widow was in line with the rich. What could have been her thoughts, seeing others putting in much? Sorry to say, my ego would have been screaming at me to get at the end of the line or wait until everyone else had given and gone home. ( Yes, this is a fault I am working on and I admit, it is hard sometimes to allow myself to be vulnerable as this widow.)
What does this widow show us, without words, by her actions? She shows:
Humility-She is not afraid of being seen as an impoverished widow among those giving more than she could.
Trust-She displayed her dependence on God for her future sustenance. (I wonder if she had heard Christ speak these words in Matthew 6:24-34)
Courage-Would any of those standing in line had the courage to give all they had as she did? (Christ gives us an example of one that couldn't in Luke 18:18-23)
Gratitude-I do not know, as a widow, where she got the two mites to give. I do believe she was grateful she had them to give. (She didn't bury it. She used it to show how thankful she was to have something to give. Do you remember the one talent man in Matthew 25:24-30. He buried his.)
Love for God-The example Christ gives us is she gave all that she had and in this was loving her God with all of her heart, with all her soul, and with all her strength. (Deut. 6: 5-6) Her perfect love cast out all of her fears.
It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor, God is going to look at what is in your heart and not at your possessions or lack of, and we can be grateful for this. We are to display the above characteristics no matter what our place in life is.
These are just my thoughts and opinions on this passage. You may have different thoughts or better than the above. What is amazing to me is Christ noticed what she did and gave us, and those after us, something to think about on the lines of giving to God and trusting in His love and provisions for us.
I wonder if she ever knew Christ used her giving that day as an example for all?
Thank you so much for reading.
Rick Hepler
rhepler52@gmail.com
www.rick-hepler.blogspot.com
https://amzn.to/2M72tZL
Jesus sat opposite the treasury and watched the people as they put money in. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and put in two mites. Out of her poverty she put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.
What is missing in the above text? What are her thoughts? Can we know what she was thinking by her mere actions? Let's take a look.
If Jesus saw what they put in the treasury, do you think others did the same? As humans we have the possibility of having an ego. Sometimes, we may do good to please that ego instead of pleasing God. It is a temptation the Devil knows all about. He was banished from heaven because of it, or a form of it. Jesus gives us instructions of how to avoid being egotistical in Matthew 6:1-4. Yes. I have to watch out for this.
This widow was in line with the rich. What could have been her thoughts, seeing others putting in much? Sorry to say, my ego would have been screaming at me to get at the end of the line or wait until everyone else had given and gone home. ( Yes, this is a fault I am working on and I admit, it is hard sometimes to allow myself to be vulnerable as this widow.)
What does this widow show us, without words, by her actions? She shows:
Humility-She is not afraid of being seen as an impoverished widow among those giving more than she could.
Trust-She displayed her dependence on God for her future sustenance. (I wonder if she had heard Christ speak these words in Matthew 6:24-34)
Courage-Would any of those standing in line had the courage to give all they had as she did? (Christ gives us an example of one that couldn't in Luke 18:18-23)
Gratitude-I do not know, as a widow, where she got the two mites to give. I do believe she was grateful she had them to give. (She didn't bury it. She used it to show how thankful she was to have something to give. Do you remember the one talent man in Matthew 25:24-30. He buried his.)
Love for God-The example Christ gives us is she gave all that she had and in this was loving her God with all of her heart, with all her soul, and with all her strength. (Deut. 6: 5-6) Her perfect love cast out all of her fears.
It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor, God is going to look at what is in your heart and not at your possessions or lack of, and we can be grateful for this. We are to display the above characteristics no matter what our place in life is.
These are just my thoughts and opinions on this passage. You may have different thoughts or better than the above. What is amazing to me is Christ noticed what she did and gave us, and those after us, something to think about on the lines of giving to God and trusting in His love and provisions for us.
I wonder if she ever knew Christ used her giving that day as an example for all?
Thank you so much for reading.
Rick Hepler
rhepler52@gmail.com
www.rick-hepler.blogspot.com
https://amzn.to/2M72tZL
Thursday, August 2, 2018
This Greatest Angel Quote Gives Us Hope
"Wow! This must be a God thing". I have heard this quoted many times, but last night I think it may have been a "God thing". I had just gotten home from our Wednesday night church service, in which our guest speaker spoke on John 4:1-42, "The Samaritan Woman at The Well".
You and I have probably read this story over and over. We tend to think it happened long ago and sometimes we dismiss it from our thoughts, assuming the story is irrelevant to us today. At least I have done so in the past. You know the story, a woman has had five husbands and is living with a man not her husband. Her life is void from righteous living and she is the talk of the town. She is laden with internal guilt and shame. A woman needing hope, but hasn't found the way to even find a small amount.
She is much like the woman caught in the act of of adultery in John 8:4. Not only was she guilty, she was now fearing, by the law of Moses, stoning to death. Also, she is like the sinful woman washing the feet of Jesus with her tears and wiping them with her hair. Read about her story in Luke 7:36-50.
All three women above were given no hope by the religious world around them. Guilt, shame, along with the words and stares of others, reminded them daily of their position in life.
This doesn't happen in our Christian communities today. Does it?
Back to last night. I had just gotten home, fixed me a sandwich, and was watching the Cardinal's baseball game. I heard someone talking outside. I looked out and it was coming from a lady with her dog. She was sitting on our porch. I opened the door and walked outside. I startled her. Quickly, I asked her if she was alright. I didn't want her to think I was angry with her for resting on our porch. Two weeks ago, a homeless man rested on the same bench.
I live in the building that used to be my office. People think it is a business and it is okay to rest on my bench. She quickly apologized. She thought it was a business. I assured her it was fine to take a rest here. Then she opened up with her story.
She began to tell me the short version of her story. "The man I let live with me now was released from prison a few weeks ago. He is schizophrenic and threatened to hurt me this morning. I left the house and told him if he was still there when I got back, I was going to call the police. I came to this town a few years ago from Florida, because the man I was married to was abusive and threatened to kill me."
I asked her about her family. She said, "My mother is in the nursing home, my dad is dead, and my only living daughter is in Florida. My other daughter was murdered by her boyfriend a few years ago. I am tired. Very tired."
I believed her, because you can't make stuff up that quickly and she wasn't asking for money, only a place to rest for just a few minutes.
I could tell she was tired. She had on a midriff blouse. I guess that is what you call it. Her belly was showing. She said, her life had been one of pain and suffering. I could see a scar on her stomach. She told me it was from a liver transplant. I don't know. But what I do know, she was scarred, tattooed, and her soul wounded.
She didn't ask me, but I prepared her some food, something to drink, and carried her home. Before I dropped her off in her neighborhood, I had to asked her if she attended church. She said, "I used to". She said she was a Christian, but she didn't go now. I encouraged her to start reading her Bible again, praying, and start attending church again.
Today is no different than when Christ walked this earth. He told disciples after His meeting the Samaritan woman at the well, Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! John 4:35 Christians, they still are.
How can we make it in this sin infested world? Who can save us from Satan's cunning deceptions? All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) With a few wrong choices, anyone of us could be in the same positions spiritually as the women I mentioned above.
We all need hope, love, mercy, and forgiveness. One of the greatest quotes, from an angel, I have read in the Bible is this: Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord". Luke 2:10-11
Look at our world today. Do you and I live like we need a savior? The situation of the woman sitting on my bench, reminded me we all still do need a Savior. The highest gift God ever gave any of us, is a Savior.
Back to my original statement. Was this a God thing? I have been occupied with several of life's struggles lately. You know the kind I am talking about. Those that push you into your own little "pity party". The above turned me from self pity to gratitude, much gratitude, very quickly. The field's in our neighborhoods are really "white unto harvest". I pray for the means, the courage, and the wisdom to go to those fields and harvest what I can. What about you? Is it a God thing this poor lady was sitting on my porch last night? I believe it was. This reminded me I needed to care about her as Jesus does.
Thank you so much for reading today's blog post. Many of you read my posts. I try to teach and encourage with the words I write, but the best way I can teach and encourage all of you is by living what I write. I am accountable to God and you for doing just that. I am so grateful I have a Savior.
Please send comments to: rhepler52@gmail.com and please share with others.
Always remember we have hope because we have a Savior.
God's word provides solutions to our problems. We just need to trust Him.
You may go to:http://amzn.to/1Mi2AXW to read about His solutions for slaying those giants that taunt us.
Thank you!
Rick Hepler
You and I have probably read this story over and over. We tend to think it happened long ago and sometimes we dismiss it from our thoughts, assuming the story is irrelevant to us today. At least I have done so in the past. You know the story, a woman has had five husbands and is living with a man not her husband. Her life is void from righteous living and she is the talk of the town. She is laden with internal guilt and shame. A woman needing hope, but hasn't found the way to even find a small amount.
She is much like the woman caught in the act of of adultery in John 8:4. Not only was she guilty, she was now fearing, by the law of Moses, stoning to death. Also, she is like the sinful woman washing the feet of Jesus with her tears and wiping them with her hair. Read about her story in Luke 7:36-50.
All three women above were given no hope by the religious world around them. Guilt, shame, along with the words and stares of others, reminded them daily of their position in life.
This doesn't happen in our Christian communities today. Does it?
Back to last night. I had just gotten home, fixed me a sandwich, and was watching the Cardinal's baseball game. I heard someone talking outside. I looked out and it was coming from a lady with her dog. She was sitting on our porch. I opened the door and walked outside. I startled her. Quickly, I asked her if she was alright. I didn't want her to think I was angry with her for resting on our porch. Two weeks ago, a homeless man rested on the same bench.
I live in the building that used to be my office. People think it is a business and it is okay to rest on my bench. She quickly apologized. She thought it was a business. I assured her it was fine to take a rest here. Then she opened up with her story.
She began to tell me the short version of her story. "The man I let live with me now was released from prison a few weeks ago. He is schizophrenic and threatened to hurt me this morning. I left the house and told him if he was still there when I got back, I was going to call the police. I came to this town a few years ago from Florida, because the man I was married to was abusive and threatened to kill me."
I asked her about her family. She said, "My mother is in the nursing home, my dad is dead, and my only living daughter is in Florida. My other daughter was murdered by her boyfriend a few years ago. I am tired. Very tired."
I believed her, because you can't make stuff up that quickly and she wasn't asking for money, only a place to rest for just a few minutes.
I could tell she was tired. She had on a midriff blouse. I guess that is what you call it. Her belly was showing. She said, her life had been one of pain and suffering. I could see a scar on her stomach. She told me it was from a liver transplant. I don't know. But what I do know, she was scarred, tattooed, and her soul wounded.
She didn't ask me, but I prepared her some food, something to drink, and carried her home. Before I dropped her off in her neighborhood, I had to asked her if she attended church. She said, "I used to". She said she was a Christian, but she didn't go now. I encouraged her to start reading her Bible again, praying, and start attending church again.
Today is no different than when Christ walked this earth. He told disciples after His meeting the Samaritan woman at the well, Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! John 4:35 Christians, they still are.
How can we make it in this sin infested world? Who can save us from Satan's cunning deceptions? All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) With a few wrong choices, anyone of us could be in the same positions spiritually as the women I mentioned above.
We all need hope, love, mercy, and forgiveness. One of the greatest quotes, from an angel, I have read in the Bible is this: Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord". Luke 2:10-11
Look at our world today. Do you and I live like we need a savior? The situation of the woman sitting on my bench, reminded me we all still do need a Savior. The highest gift God ever gave any of us, is a Savior.
Back to my original statement. Was this a God thing? I have been occupied with several of life's struggles lately. You know the kind I am talking about. Those that push you into your own little "pity party". The above turned me from self pity to gratitude, much gratitude, very quickly. The field's in our neighborhoods are really "white unto harvest". I pray for the means, the courage, and the wisdom to go to those fields and harvest what I can. What about you? Is it a God thing this poor lady was sitting on my porch last night? I believe it was. This reminded me I needed to care about her as Jesus does.
Thank you so much for reading today's blog post. Many of you read my posts. I try to teach and encourage with the words I write, but the best way I can teach and encourage all of you is by living what I write. I am accountable to God and you for doing just that. I am so grateful I have a Savior.
Please send comments to: rhepler52@gmail.com and please share with others.
Always remember we have hope because we have a Savior.
God's word provides solutions to our problems. We just need to trust Him.
You may go to:http://amzn.to/1Mi2AXW to read about His solutions for slaying those giants that taunt us.
Thank you!
Rick Hepler
Monday, July 30, 2018
From Rock Bottom Physically to Abraham's Bosom
His day was like all the others. The hours were filled with hoping and wondering. Hoping for a few pieces of food to fall from this man's table and wondering when it would be.
I do not know if he had any family. Those that placed him in front of the rich man's house each day, could have been his friends. I am just assuming they were beggars also, if not they could have fed him with crumbs from their tables.
He was lame, since he was placed in front of this man's house. So, he was dependent on someone for his food, transportation, and everything else, to keep him alive. He was so weak, he couldn't keep the dogs from gathering to lick his sores. Although this could have soothed his pain, I do not know. This was written for us to realize the magnitude of his suffering.
His pain each and every day was from hunger, thirst, diseased infested flesh, loneliness, weather conditions, and dwindling hope. I think this fully describes his rock bottom. I do not know if his rock bottom was a result of his wrong choices or just being born with an affliction.
The man I am writing about is a certain beggar mentioned by Christ in Luke 16:19-31. His name was Lazarus.
The past few month's I have met some people very close to being at this extreme rock bottom. They want to turn their lives around, but they do not have the means, discipline, family, and friends to help them do so. 100 percent are facing rock bottom, as a result of very bad choices they have made in their lives. It will be hard for them to find much success on this earth, unless they have a burning desire to do so.
Why did Christ tell those listening to Him about this beggar Lazarus and why was it written down and protected all of these years for us to read?
This is the extreme of rock bottom in this fallen world. Lazarus's hope of being any better in this world was depleted, but I believe he knew God and was living with a faith that someday would become sight.
Why do I believe this? Lazarus died and the angels came and carried him to Abraham's bosom. What was this? Lazarus was now with Abraham in the paradise side of Hades, waiting for the final judgement. Why did Jesus choose to mention Abraham? The Jews believed Abraham died a righteous man, who trusted God.
The most beautiful part of this story is Lazarus had nothing to give anyone. His life was miserable, but he still believed and trusted in God or Christ would not have said, he was in Abraham's bosom. He still awaits there today. On judgement day, he will go to heaven. There he will find the treasures he laid up by believing and trusting in God on earth.
He was the perfect example of being at rock bottom, while here on earth, but his soul was still healthy and prosperous.
This is the eternal hope we have. Even if we hit rock bottom as Lazarus, we still can have a soul that is successful, in Christ.
What if you were the richest person on this earth, but your soul was lost and at rock bottom. Your riches would only benefit you a maximum of 100 years and at death, your soul would be in torment, away from God, for all eternity. What are you willing to make this trade for? The whole world? (Matthew 16:26)
I noticed that Lazarus never complained or asked God why he suffered so, while on earth. He never asked Abraham to send someone back to tell his family about the paradise he was in and for them to love and obey God so they could join him someday.
God wants all of us to be in heaven with Him someday. We will be there, if we love Him and abide in His will. He doesn't want any to perish. (John 3:15-21)
God is not slack in His promises to us. He is longsuffering toward us and not willing that any should perish, but all come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9)
Jesus wants us to go everywhere to teach this good news, that God wants to save us and that Jesus died in our place. We must teach them to believe it and then be buried with Him in baptism, putting on Christ, and burying the old man of sin. Then their sins will be forgiven and they will be saved. (Mark 16:15-16)
This is the reason we should go out and teach those who are suffering. Many get back in to drugs, because they believe they have no hope. We need to tell them Lazarus was in a bad shape, having no hope of success in this life, but he trusted and believed in God and is now and forever will receive the crown of life.
This is why I write. I see so many hurting people being deceived by the evil in this world. We all need to be faithful unto death and we will receive the crown of life. (Revelations 2:10) Christians, we are the only ones designated and commissioned to tell them the good news.
We will see a difference in our communities, when we do as Christ commanded.
If you have any comments or are approaching rock bottom, send me an email to rhepler52@gmail.com
You can purchase my book: The Heart Behind the Stone:Develop a Giant Slaying Heart, by going to: http://amzn.to/1Mi2AXW
Thank you for reading and please share with someone who is hurting.
Rick Hepler
I do not know if he had any family. Those that placed him in front of the rich man's house each day, could have been his friends. I am just assuming they were beggars also, if not they could have fed him with crumbs from their tables.
He was lame, since he was placed in front of this man's house. So, he was dependent on someone for his food, transportation, and everything else, to keep him alive. He was so weak, he couldn't keep the dogs from gathering to lick his sores. Although this could have soothed his pain, I do not know. This was written for us to realize the magnitude of his suffering.
His pain each and every day was from hunger, thirst, diseased infested flesh, loneliness, weather conditions, and dwindling hope. I think this fully describes his rock bottom. I do not know if his rock bottom was a result of his wrong choices or just being born with an affliction.
The man I am writing about is a certain beggar mentioned by Christ in Luke 16:19-31. His name was Lazarus.
The past few month's I have met some people very close to being at this extreme rock bottom. They want to turn their lives around, but they do not have the means, discipline, family, and friends to help them do so. 100 percent are facing rock bottom, as a result of very bad choices they have made in their lives. It will be hard for them to find much success on this earth, unless they have a burning desire to do so.
Why did Christ tell those listening to Him about this beggar Lazarus and why was it written down and protected all of these years for us to read?
This is the extreme of rock bottom in this fallen world. Lazarus's hope of being any better in this world was depleted, but I believe he knew God and was living with a faith that someday would become sight.
Why do I believe this? Lazarus died and the angels came and carried him to Abraham's bosom. What was this? Lazarus was now with Abraham in the paradise side of Hades, waiting for the final judgement. Why did Jesus choose to mention Abraham? The Jews believed Abraham died a righteous man, who trusted God.
The most beautiful part of this story is Lazarus had nothing to give anyone. His life was miserable, but he still believed and trusted in God or Christ would not have said, he was in Abraham's bosom. He still awaits there today. On judgement day, he will go to heaven. There he will find the treasures he laid up by believing and trusting in God on earth.
He was the perfect example of being at rock bottom, while here on earth, but his soul was still healthy and prosperous.
This is the eternal hope we have. Even if we hit rock bottom as Lazarus, we still can have a soul that is successful, in Christ.
What if you were the richest person on this earth, but your soul was lost and at rock bottom. Your riches would only benefit you a maximum of 100 years and at death, your soul would be in torment, away from God, for all eternity. What are you willing to make this trade for? The whole world? (Matthew 16:26)
I noticed that Lazarus never complained or asked God why he suffered so, while on earth. He never asked Abraham to send someone back to tell his family about the paradise he was in and for them to love and obey God so they could join him someday.
God wants all of us to be in heaven with Him someday. We will be there, if we love Him and abide in His will. He doesn't want any to perish. (John 3:15-21)
God is not slack in His promises to us. He is longsuffering toward us and not willing that any should perish, but all come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9)
Jesus wants us to go everywhere to teach this good news, that God wants to save us and that Jesus died in our place. We must teach them to believe it and then be buried with Him in baptism, putting on Christ, and burying the old man of sin. Then their sins will be forgiven and they will be saved. (Mark 16:15-16)
This is the reason we should go out and teach those who are suffering. Many get back in to drugs, because they believe they have no hope. We need to tell them Lazarus was in a bad shape, having no hope of success in this life, but he trusted and believed in God and is now and forever will receive the crown of life.
This is why I write. I see so many hurting people being deceived by the evil in this world. We all need to be faithful unto death and we will receive the crown of life. (Revelations 2:10) Christians, we are the only ones designated and commissioned to tell them the good news.
We will see a difference in our communities, when we do as Christ commanded.
If you have any comments or are approaching rock bottom, send me an email to rhepler52@gmail.com
You can purchase my book: The Heart Behind the Stone:Develop a Giant Slaying Heart, by going to: http://amzn.to/1Mi2AXW
Thank you for reading and please share with someone who is hurting.
Rick Hepler
Friday, July 27, 2018
He Broke Out of The Box of Traditional Thinking
There were twelve of them. They were sent by Moses to spy out the land of Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey. They were gone forty days. The land was truly fruitful as God promised, but they saw some giants. Ten of the twelve reported to the people the giants viewed them as grasshoppers before them and they even viewed themselves as grasshoppers in their own sight.
The ten spies had the traditional fears with "in the box" thinking of, they are bigger and stronger. Even though God promised them the land, their fear was larger than believing God. Joshua and Caleb did not identify with these thoughts and were ready to go, possess the land, and defeat any of its inhabitants, because God said He would be with them.
Results of in the box thinking, ruled by traditional fears, were to those who complained, twenty years old and above, would die in the wilderness wandering of forty years. Only Joshua, Caleb, and those under twenty years of age would go to the promised land, but they to had to wander forty years with their fathers.
This is an example of herd mentality. They had previously seen God's miracles in their deliverance from Egypt, but their fears overcame their belief and trust in God. These ten men swayed the others to do the same.
Now moving forward many years, we see God's people dealing with a giant named Goliath. Did their ancestors instill in them the same fearful thoughts of facing giants as they had? You know after causing their children the hardships of wandering in the wilderness, they had to picture the giants as large and ferocious. They had to come up with some excuse for their cowardliness and not trusting in God. Was this told from generation to generation implanting this fear in their subconscious minds?
Now we come to a point in time, where the descendants of those in Numbers chapter 13 are facing one giant, Goliath. We can again see the same fear. In 1 Samuel chapter 17, we can read of the retreating of God's armies as those in Numbers 13.
When Goliath approached them morning and evening for forty days, king Saul and all Israel were dismayed and greatly afraid. When they heard him they fled. Their "in the box" thinking was to fear all giants.
However, there was one among them, who was to show them, with God, you can erase those traditional thoughts of fear.
The young shepherd boy, David, was about to teach them a lesson, and us, of "out of the box" thinking. He had developed "God confidence" and not self confidence. Being alone with God and those few sheep in the wilderness, had made him into a man after God's own heart.
David's mission was to bring supplies to his brothers that day. He didn't come to face a giant, but he had already let God prepare him for any task, large or small.
David immediately identifies his "cause" with this question, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine , that should defy the armies of the living God?".
He is now faced with a barrage of traditional "in the box" thinking.
First, his older brother, Eliab, accuses him of being prideful and disrespectful. He also tries to humiliate him by referencing he is only a shepherd boy, overseeing a few sheep, and who does he think he is by coming and questioning the armies of God.
Secondly, King Saul tells him, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth".
Finally, Saul clothed him with his armor and put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail and fastened his sword to his armor. This was the best weaponry of the times.
Let me summarize this traditional "in the box" thinking.
1. You cannot question others more experienced, when you have less "status" in life than they. That is powerful and keeps many today from doing the purpose God created them to do. I believe this is the first, most powerful, resistance we have in overcoming the traditional "in the box" thinking. If we don't overcome this one, the others following will never test us.
2. You do not have the experience. You are too young. You cannot do what others have been doing since their youth and are now older being well experienced in what they do. If you can even make it to this number two line of thought, this one has a very large success rate of sending those who try back to their old pattern of thought.
3. You do not have the specialized equipment for the task at hand. This is strike three. This presents the final road block between you and following your impossible dream, of doing your best with the talent God has given you. This delays the work on your dreams, and for many, I mean very many, buries their dreams in the grave with them, never to influence or to help those left behind.
David had "an out of the box, God confident, thinking". This thinking led him to do many, above average, activities. How could he have this and none of the other men of Israel have it? Their thinking was based on man made thoughts and David's allowed his thoughts to be formed by thinking God's thoughts.
David believed in God by seeing His glory in creation every day. He valued God's word and God's commandments as to be more desired than fine gold and sweeter than honey. And David wanted to be pleasing to his God. Please reread Psalm 19.
David's faith and trust in God was seen by the Philistines and all Israel. The influence of this faith, manifested by killing Goliath, caused the armies of God, who once fled from the enemy, to actively pursue the enemy.
David thinking "out of the box", was needed to show God's glory at a time when the enemies could see it and all of Israel.
Has our traditional "in the box" thinking today, limited our service to God and spreading the Gospel? We can't put God in a box and we must break out of the box of thinking as the world thinks.
I hope you can think outside the box to do great things for God and not have any regrets buried with you.
Thank you so much for reading. Please share with others on Facebook or send me your thoughts at rhepler52@gmail.com.
Also, if you haven't read my book, please go to: http://amzn.to/1Mi2AXW to purchase.
Please do not let the wrong "in the box thinking" keep you from serving and loving God.
Thank you.
Rick Hepler
The ten spies had the traditional fears with "in the box" thinking of, they are bigger and stronger. Even though God promised them the land, their fear was larger than believing God. Joshua and Caleb did not identify with these thoughts and were ready to go, possess the land, and defeat any of its inhabitants, because God said He would be with them.
Results of in the box thinking, ruled by traditional fears, were to those who complained, twenty years old and above, would die in the wilderness wandering of forty years. Only Joshua, Caleb, and those under twenty years of age would go to the promised land, but they to had to wander forty years with their fathers.
This is an example of herd mentality. They had previously seen God's miracles in their deliverance from Egypt, but their fears overcame their belief and trust in God. These ten men swayed the others to do the same.
Now moving forward many years, we see God's people dealing with a giant named Goliath. Did their ancestors instill in them the same fearful thoughts of facing giants as they had? You know after causing their children the hardships of wandering in the wilderness, they had to picture the giants as large and ferocious. They had to come up with some excuse for their cowardliness and not trusting in God. Was this told from generation to generation implanting this fear in their subconscious minds?
Now we come to a point in time, where the descendants of those in Numbers chapter 13 are facing one giant, Goliath. We can again see the same fear. In 1 Samuel chapter 17, we can read of the retreating of God's armies as those in Numbers 13.
When Goliath approached them morning and evening for forty days, king Saul and all Israel were dismayed and greatly afraid. When they heard him they fled. Their "in the box" thinking was to fear all giants.
However, there was one among them, who was to show them, with God, you can erase those traditional thoughts of fear.
The young shepherd boy, David, was about to teach them a lesson, and us, of "out of the box" thinking. He had developed "God confidence" and not self confidence. Being alone with God and those few sheep in the wilderness, had made him into a man after God's own heart.
David's mission was to bring supplies to his brothers that day. He didn't come to face a giant, but he had already let God prepare him for any task, large or small.
David immediately identifies his "cause" with this question, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine , that should defy the armies of the living God?".
He is now faced with a barrage of traditional "in the box" thinking.
First, his older brother, Eliab, accuses him of being prideful and disrespectful. He also tries to humiliate him by referencing he is only a shepherd boy, overseeing a few sheep, and who does he think he is by coming and questioning the armies of God.
Secondly, King Saul tells him, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth".
Finally, Saul clothed him with his armor and put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail and fastened his sword to his armor. This was the best weaponry of the times.
Let me summarize this traditional "in the box" thinking.
1. You cannot question others more experienced, when you have less "status" in life than they. That is powerful and keeps many today from doing the purpose God created them to do. I believe this is the first, most powerful, resistance we have in overcoming the traditional "in the box" thinking. If we don't overcome this one, the others following will never test us.
2. You do not have the experience. You are too young. You cannot do what others have been doing since their youth and are now older being well experienced in what they do. If you can even make it to this number two line of thought, this one has a very large success rate of sending those who try back to their old pattern of thought.
3. You do not have the specialized equipment for the task at hand. This is strike three. This presents the final road block between you and following your impossible dream, of doing your best with the talent God has given you. This delays the work on your dreams, and for many, I mean very many, buries their dreams in the grave with them, never to influence or to help those left behind.
David had "an out of the box, God confident, thinking". This thinking led him to do many, above average, activities. How could he have this and none of the other men of Israel have it? Their thinking was based on man made thoughts and David's allowed his thoughts to be formed by thinking God's thoughts.
David believed in God by seeing His glory in creation every day. He valued God's word and God's commandments as to be more desired than fine gold and sweeter than honey. And David wanted to be pleasing to his God. Please reread Psalm 19.
David's faith and trust in God was seen by the Philistines and all Israel. The influence of this faith, manifested by killing Goliath, caused the armies of God, who once fled from the enemy, to actively pursue the enemy.
David thinking "out of the box", was needed to show God's glory at a time when the enemies could see it and all of Israel.
Has our traditional "in the box" thinking today, limited our service to God and spreading the Gospel? We can't put God in a box and we must break out of the box of thinking as the world thinks.
I hope you can think outside the box to do great things for God and not have any regrets buried with you.
Thank you so much for reading. Please share with others on Facebook or send me your thoughts at rhepler52@gmail.com.
Also, if you haven't read my book, please go to: http://amzn.to/1Mi2AXW to purchase.
Please do not let the wrong "in the box thinking" keep you from serving and loving God.
Thank you.
Rick Hepler
Sunday, July 22, 2018
The Cowardly (Fearful) Christians Will Be There Too!
Fear can keep you from danger, hurt, pain, and suffering. It can also keep you from some of God's richest blessings. It caused the children of Israel to wander in the wilderness for forty years, Peter to deny his Lord three times, the one talent man to be cast into outer darkness, and many today to follow a sinful, least resistant life path, ending in being lost eternally.
The scriptures below were overlooked by me for several years. Self righteously pounding my chest, I was sound in doctrine, and my name was not and would never be on that list. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son, but the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Revelation21:7-8, NKJV)
Notice the first word on the list above is cowardly. The King James version says, "the fearful". In this verse, cowardly is referring to Christians who, through cowardice, give way under persecution and apostatize.-(Thayer's Lexicon) Confessing Jesus was the Son of God, could get you killed in those times. In some places in the world today, it still can.
What does this word mean to you and me today? If we say we are Christians, are we strong or cowardly Christians? Is this serious? You betcha! You ever heard a sermon on the topic of "being cowardly"? Do you really think the Devil wants you to?
What does God want? He wants us to believe in Him and trust Him. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV) God does not want us to doubt Him nor not trust in what He promises or commands us to do.
The definition in Strong's Lexicon for the above faith is: belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or Christ, springing from faith in the same. You and I must trust God and believe who He is.
If I act fearfully or cowardly, I am afraid of losing something. I am still fearful, although God has said, He will never leave me nor forsake me. What am I afraid of losing? I believe the number one fear is losing favor with friends, peers, and family.
If I live a cowardly Christian life, I will not only take my place in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death, I will take my peers, friends, and family with me.
I want to be a Christian with a courageous love for God and you, my neighbor. If I love you as I love myself, we will both make it to heaven. And it doesn't matter neighbor, if you are scarred, tattooed, or wounded, I want to show God's love to you by my love for you. This will change us both, back to the image and likeness we were created in.
I believe you will agree, the people in this great land need to focus on loving one another, instead of all the hate we see each day on the news.
--Rick Hepler
The scriptures below were overlooked by me for several years. Self righteously pounding my chest, I was sound in doctrine, and my name was not and would never be on that list. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son, but the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Revelation21:7-8, NKJV)
Notice the first word on the list above is cowardly. The King James version says, "the fearful". In this verse, cowardly is referring to Christians who, through cowardice, give way under persecution and apostatize.-(Thayer's Lexicon) Confessing Jesus was the Son of God, could get you killed in those times. In some places in the world today, it still can.
What does this word mean to you and me today? If we say we are Christians, are we strong or cowardly Christians? Is this serious? You betcha! You ever heard a sermon on the topic of "being cowardly"? Do you really think the Devil wants you to?
What does God want? He wants us to believe in Him and trust Him. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV) God does not want us to doubt Him nor not trust in what He promises or commands us to do.
The definition in Strong's Lexicon for the above faith is: belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or Christ, springing from faith in the same. You and I must trust God and believe who He is.
If I act fearfully or cowardly, I am afraid of losing something. I am still fearful, although God has said, He will never leave me nor forsake me. What am I afraid of losing? I believe the number one fear is losing favor with friends, peers, and family.
According to The Center for Study of
Global Christianity, in 1970 the United States had 90.9 percent of
its people professing to be Christians and that number declined to 69.4
percent in 2010. It is projected to be 66 percent in 2020.
In the mid 1960s and early 1970s in this country,
in my opinion, there were seeds planted that have now produced uncontrollable
giants. The anything goes sexual revolution, prochoice movement,
and removing God's name, and any form associated with it, from every public institution, seemed to test our
society. Only a small number started this and the uniformed went along with it.
Did the 90.9 percent professing to be Christians catch your attention? Is this telling me that the 9.1 percent not professing to be Christians, in that same time period, had more power than those professing to be Christians? What happened? The salt lost its flavor and the light was hidden under a basket. You and I, professing Christians, lost it. We ran and hid, as did David's brothers, along with God's army, when Goliath challenged them morning and evening for 40 days.
David was the only one who had a cause and a backbone to go with it. He was the only one to have a pleasing faith toward God. One young man, slayed a giant, causing God's army to come out of hiding and defeat the army of the Philistines. God was with David and he knew it. God was with us in the 70s, but evidently we didn't know it.
Today, July 22, 2018, the three giants have grown to an uncontrollable strength. The approximately 68 percent of those still professing to be Christians are weaker than the 90.9 percent in the 70s. Of these only a small portion will worship God in spirit and truth this Sunday.
The "light of the world" is hidden not under a basket, but under the roof of multi-million dollar "church" building and the "salt of the earth" is in this same building as salt in a salt shaker, not yet to be shaken.
Ezekiel, in Ezekiel 3:16-21, warns God's people and we are warned against being cowardly in Revelation 21:8. You and I can't go back and start a new beginning, but we can begin today and make a new and better ending.
Being lukewarm in our faith is not going to get the job done. (Revelation 3:14-17) You and I need to examine our faith, because our children and grandchildren are watching. Do we want them to go to heaven?
Thanks for reading. Comments can be sent to rhepler52@gmail.com .
You can go to: http://amzn.to/1Mi2AXW to purchase my book, "The Heart Behind the Stone:Develop a Giant Slaying Heart". I tell about the three giants mentioned above and what we as Christians can do to defeat them.
Rick Hepler.
If I live a cowardly Christian life, I will not only take my place in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death, I will take my peers, friends, and family with me.
I want to be a Christian with a courageous love for God and you, my neighbor. If I love you as I love myself, we will both make it to heaven. And it doesn't matter neighbor, if you are scarred, tattooed, or wounded, I want to show God's love to you by my love for you. This will change us both, back to the image and likeness we were created in.
I believe you will agree, the people in this great land need to focus on loving one another, instead of all the hate we see each day on the news.
--Rick Hepler
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