So much for turning the other cheek in Bethlehem this Christmas. The rules of human hierarchies seem to be prevalent in the church today.

Where to Invest in 2012?

There is the story that in 1929 before the crash that a certain Wall St banker, while getting his shoes shined, overheard two shoeshine boys talking about their stocks. This man went and sold every stock he had. He figured that when the shoeshine boys were buying and selling stocks it was time to get out.

A few days ago the Wall Street Journal carried an article about the sudden popularity of North Korean bonds that defaulted 30 years ago. People are buying the bonds with anticipation that a new day is coming in North Korea with the death of Kim Jong Il. I have to think about that.

Do the people buying those defaulted bonds know something the rest of us don't know. Are those bonds preferable to common stocks, corporate bonds, Treasury bills and real estate?

I have been a bear on 401Ks and 403Bs since they started. I knew it would be constant new money pouring into mutual funds dealing in ordinary investments. The same shares of stock would be bought and sold at ever higher prices until the day that more people wanted to sell than to buy. With baby boomers retiring and with no growth and low interest 71 million people will be cashing out.Who will buy their stocks?

I think of the words of Psalms 20 that some trust in chariots and some in horses. This little ditty tells it with graphics.

David Sneed

Discussions

I think that if I had to pick one thing that is most troubling to me it would be those who either will not or cannot be open to a discussion of something where the subject is in some form connected to them. Even just general discussions. Regretfully that includes many Christians. And more regretfully pastors often fall into the statement in the next paragraph.

Upton Sinclair once said "It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary is dependent upon not understanding it." Unfortunately this covers most people in authority at any level. And that includes people who make decisions affecting others.

Outside of where there is a money impact there are so many who take simple discussions, discussions that are not in any way critical, as personal attacks.

I thank God that I am open to a discussion of anything that pertains to me. I suppose a complaint that I have is that I do not get enough criticism. Throughout my career I have always told my clients never to bother me with what is good. Only call me when something is wrong so I can fix it.

Christians are not called to make monuments of past "goods" and to explain past "bads" but to make solutions for the problems we find each day. We are to fix circumstances and heal the wounded. Our God is a God of the second chance. We should do no less. Do more good than was done in the past. And move on from the bad.

End of comments.

David Sneed

Scrooge and Cowboy Safety

Yesterday we went to see Scrooge, the musical version of Christmas Carol, at the Candlelight Dinner Theatre in Johnstown Colorado where we have season tickets. It was a great performance.

What amazes me about this play is that so many Christians do not understand that the theme of Christmas Carol is the opposite of Christianity. Scrooge becomes aware of his sin and his future in hell then decides he can achieve salvation through good works. His deeds are so good that it is easy to see that this must be the best way. In the sequel to the play we might see Scrooge on Monday become the Chairman of the Board of Deacons after making his promised donation of a hundred guineas. Yet no amount of defense can show that Scrooge accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior.

God wants us to acknowledge our sin and get our soul fixed through the blood of Christ. After that we can change our act through His grace. Giving is certainly a Christian act. Born-again Christians would do well to model the acts of Scrooge.

The Bible says that "faith without works is dead." But faith does not come by works. "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. "

David Sneed

A Genesis 21 Coincidence

Last night, my daughter Hannah and her family were over. I had my Bible out and was going to share with my son-in-law Matt some things out of Genesis 21. Cheri and I had read that chapter on Friday morning. Coincidence! Matt and Hannah had just the day before been listening to that chapter on tape.

Genesis 21 is a great chapter.

God's promise to Abraham had come true. Abraham, age 100, and Sarah his wife, age 90, became parents.

Two things we should note.

First the timing was set by God.

Second, the impossible happened. That is why we know it was of God.

God expects us to handle ordinary things on our own. These things are always in the realm of the possible. But God does not expect us to always dwell in the realm of the possible. That is why he gives us vision.

Abraham had disappointed God. Abraham had his thoughts that were very different from God's. Abraham had taken action on his own. In the second half of Genesis 21 we find that Abraham is trying to deal with the results of not trusting God to do what He had said He would do.

George Washington Carver was a poor black man, the son of slaves. Carver took God's promise in Jeremiah 33:3. The rest is history. With God's help Carver discovered many things about peanuts and their uses that modern science had not been able to do.

Oh that we would seek God's will and that we would wait on God's timing.

David Sneed

My First and Hopefully Last Elder Fall

On August 27, a few weeks before turning 65, I suffered a fall. I was backing up my basement stairs moving a piece of furniture. One side of the stairway has no railing. I fell through the opening, over a book case, and landed on my back, about four feet below the top of the bookcase. I don't think I hit my head. I lay on the floor for a while and then got up. Nothing seemed to be broken and no bleeding or swelling.

The next morning I had various pains in my right side. Over the next two weeks the pains became more severe. I did some research. I already knew from my training and experience in Emergency Care that I should seek medical care. Quickly in my new research I learned that right side pain and left side pain usually are not of the same causes. I had some symptoms of internal organ trauma. The same symptoms also could have been something quite minor. In all cases the action needed was to seek medical care right away.

I am a believer in Jesus the Healer. At the same time if something is broken or bleeding I have no problem in getting patched up or sewed up. And certainly I believe in dealing with infections and prevention of infections. To confess sickness no. I have declined the Part B Medicare, the part that covers doctors. Part A, the part that covers hospital expense is automatic, has no costs, is not declinable except to not use the service.

I had a talk with the Lord about the matter. As a result I did not feel a burden to seek any other care. Most of the symptoms went away at that time with no further time elapsed. One pain stayed until yesterday. It was one that could have been several things. I had some doubts about my faith over the past six weeks. Worst case I could have become unconscious and not recovered. I updated my instruction list for my wife. I told my longest running client that in case anything happened to me that Cheri would know who to call as a back-up. In their case I have some special programming skills in an obsolete language. There is someone in their area that can take over should the need arise. Yes we need to rewrite the system and that will be done at some point in the near future.

We need to build our faith in all areas. Healing is most important. We need to grow in grace and knowledge. We need to experience healing in small ways so that we can have the faith for the major things that can happen. It is quite possible that I did not experience a serious physical event. Since I did not seek medical attention I do not know. I did experience a serious spiritual event because my faith was not as strong as it should be. I have grown in that arena in the last two months.

I thank God for a healing.

David Sneed

Strange Things Today

Something really "strange" (Luke 5:26) happened one day in Capernaum when Jesus was teaching. There was a big crowd. Some men brought in a man who was sick of the palsy. The only way they could get the man into the presence of Jesus was to lower him on his bed through the roof.

"And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee." Luke 5:20.

The scribes and pharisees viewed that statement as blasphemy.

"But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?" Luke 5:22.

"Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?" Luke 5:23

"But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he saith unto the sick  of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house." Luke 5:24

"And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that wheron he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God." Luke 5:25.

"And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, "We  have seen strange things today." Luke 5:26.

Mediate on those verses.

Have you ever been to church and seen pastors assuring people that they are saved when in fact they may not be? I don't know about you but I don't want to one day be standing in hell next to an unsaved pastor.

Jesus told his disciples that they would do greater works than  he did. I know I'm saved by faith but if my pastor is not healing the sick I want to know why. I don't want to be judgmental or do anything incorrect in my Christian walk. If I had been there in that house in Capernaum and Jesus had not healed the man I would might not have wanted to be a disciple of Jesus.

Jesus has the power.

Enough said?

David Sneed

When Do You Dream?

Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that all was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, and make it possible.  - T.E. Lawrence


Faith is action. It is not talking about something. It is not symbolism over substance.


I had a debate this week with someone who took exception to my statement that his denomination is good on salvation and good on Bible reading yet in effect teaches a rolling salvation where God did things in the past, will do things in the future, and does nothing today. My statement was not mean to be judgmental. What his church needs is for someone to step out in faith. Instead of "I have now completed all of my treatments and the doctor says I am well Thank God for His healing" it should be that "I have these symptoms, it is probably X, yet I am confessing healing with my mouth." 


"Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today and forever. " Hebrews 13:8.


Whatever Jesus did yesterday he will do today. He healed yesterday. He heals today. Yesterday in Nazareth he could not heal when there was lack of faith. Today he cannot heal when there is lack of faith. 


David Sneed

Will God Cover the Same Need More Than Once?

I have had a type of dialogue with someone this week who believes that in a case where he is a steward, does not follow a scriptural procedure and causes a loss, that he can impose on others to make up for his losses as a steward. What makes this so problematic is that the ones he wants to make up the loss would be the very ones who had warned him that he might not be a good steward and was risking a loss.

I have always had the view that I can refuse aid to you if I had told you where to get it or showed you that you had it, you ignored me, and the time ran out to use the aid. If I give you a shovel and tell you that you can dig all the potatoes you like from my field do I have to give you money for potatoes if that is your choice? If I say no can you impose on my children to give it to you?

Every corner and exit ramp seems to have someone with a sign "Will Work for Food," "Travelling need gas" or whatever. One of my daughters offered to fill a man's tank if he would bring his vehicle to the pump. He left the scene rapidly. He must have had a full tank. God had provided already. Would my daughter have been a bad steward if she had given him the money that he requested?

I have heard from folks in groups such as the Salvation Army that money should not be given to these "will works" as there are plenty of available resources to provide them. The money will often if not always go to support a substance abuse habit.

I have always thought that an expressed need should not be questioned. I have been stuck many times on this principle. I made the mistake of making a cell phone call to my wife while standing on the street in Seattle. A street person asked me for money for food. She wanted to buy a sandwich at the Subway across the street that was advertised on the window at $5. I gave her $5. She moved on up the street asking others for money. Then she got on a bus. Stupid me. I should have said I'll cross the street and buy it for you.

As the Body of Christ how do we do as Jesus would have us to do? Does God cover the same need more than once? Do I have a duty to give money in all cases or can I provide the items requested? If the steward causes a loss do I have a duty to  make up for his loss?

Any thoughts? I'll have to meditate more on this.

David Sneed

Is Anything Impossible?

Luke 1:37 is a simple and most interesting statement.

"For with God nothing shall be impossible."

If you take that verse and expect to win the lottery you will be disappointed. If you take that verse and misuse your resources you will be disappointed. If you want to do things your way you will be disappointed.

If you pray the will of God and move in His way you will not be disappointed.

God can make ways that you never thought possible. And when He does make a way it can appear to be something that happened by chance or would have happened to anyone. Faith is needed to believe in something that is not. Faith is also needed to believe in the Divine origin of something that is. God will allow us to believe the possibility that we created the answer to prayer.

David Sneed

Not As Obsolete As It May Sound

If you are not familiar with the King James version of the Bible, conversation means behavior in today's English.

"Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation." I Peter 2:12.

In the New International Version it reads, "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."

David Sneed

When Risk is Not Risk

At Thy word I will let down the net. Luke 5:5.

The deeds and miracles of Jesus are
         not actions of the past.
Jesus is waiting for those who are
 still prepared to take risks at His word
because they trust His power utterly.

The above, in English and German, is inscribed on a plaque at Capernaum in Israel. I have found it to be most inspirational. 

David Sneed

What is A Simple Definition of Faith?

Faith is

Believing it is so
When it is not so
Until it becomes so
Because God says so

source unknown

The Opening and Closing of Doors

The concept of opening and closing of doors is both a secular and a Christian concept albeit with different meanings.

In 207 B.C. in the Battle of Julu, Xiang Yu ordered the Chu army to cross the river to attack the Qin army that numbered about 300,000. The Chu army numbered less than 50,000. After crossing the river Xiang ordered his men to burn their boats and destroy all but three days rations. To make up for their weakness Xiang utilized a bit of motivation. He closed one of the two doors. The Chu army did succeed in conquering the Qin army. They had no choice if they wanted to survive.

Today we are often powerless because of a belief that we should keep options open. If we fail we like to know that we can go back to where we were. Even Christians will do this.

The natural man wants to have it all. In being his own God he actually does close doors of his own volition. Time spent at work means time away from spouse and children. Moving to a new location means leaving another. Every decision about material things means closing a door. In the material world there are unlimited desires and limited resoures. This is true of both time and money.

As Christians we view that Jesus is our salesman, our guide, our mentor, and our counselor. At least we should view it that way. While He can close doors we must be careful not to commit the sin of "tempting" God by asking God to close a door if that choice is not His will. I often cringe when I hear "God closed a door" used so casually. We view a closed door as a loss and so we want to place blame somewhere.

More properly we should look for God to open doors. When we recognize this to happen we can close a door and not feel a loss.

I know that I am not listing scriptures right now. There are not direct scriptures to establish a door close door open doctrine. There are plenty that allude to it. And there are plenty of examples, with Paul and Jonah to name two, where there were choices and where God made His intentions clear. Perhaps door close door open becomes a way for us mortals to understand seeking God's will. At the same time it can become a source of much sadness and regret. God may open a door for us that leads us where we go backwards materially. Trials and persecutions may come. Or we may simply wish we were back where we were before. "God did I make a mistake in going through this door?"

We need to grow as Christians. This will often mean we give up something that we once had. We may no longer need the financial security that we thought was so important.

This is not intended as a substitute for scripture but I remember that it was Janis Joplin who once said "Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose." She had a point there.

There is an old story about the man who figured out how he could take his wealth with him. After he was checked in at the gates of Heaven with his bags of gold and moved on in one of the angels said to another "Why is he carrying all that paving material?" We laugh but it is so true.

As we get older we can look back on things we dragged around at a younger age and can have regrets that we spent so much time and money on something that was of no real value.

Maybe you can tell me your thoughts.

David Sneed

A Real Example This Day Today of God's Type of Giving

Someone made a comment about my entry of Wednesday August 24. The comment was related to where I said "God does not need anyone's money." The comment was to explain why the concept of tithing is so rampant.

Tithing today is an unintended con game by men who do not know their Bible, who may not want to know their Bible, and who Paul called "disorderly" in II Thessalonians 3:6-15.

To say that tithing is a requirement and that we should turn a tenth of our income over to our pastor in the offering plate we have to commit the blasphemy of saying that God changed his mind. First there are three tithes: the tithe for the festivals, the tithe to maintain the Levites and the temple and the tithe every three years for the poor. That's 23 1/3 percent. More important is that the Bible is quite clear that the tithe is to be paid to the Levites, the sons of Levi, who own nothing. Does your pastor claim to be a descendent of Levi? Does your pastor own any property in his own name? If he is so concerned about fulfilling the Bible, does he perform the required blood sacrifices at the altar? If he answers no to any of these questions, where is his scriptural basis to change the tithe to 10%, have it paid to him so that he does not have to get a job to support himself, and possibly use your tithe to buy luxuries for himself? If the duty of the Levite has been transferred to him why does he not do the other duties of the Levites that are closely tied to the tithing? What is his scriptural basis for doing the Levitical duty of collecting the tithes yet changing the requirement of owning nothing?

The Macedonians were desirous, quite possibly after much prayer, of giving money to Paul to aid in Jerusalem. There was no sermon of requirement to do so. We do not know the whole story but we do know that the Macedonians were poor and quite likely their own needs were met in ways that were miraculous but which could have been explained away as something that would have happened anyway.

Today I went to a hot air balloon festival in Loveland Colorado. I went with my daughter, her husband Matt, and the children Amber, age 10 and Jacob almost 2. We arrived early. Many people were already there. A truck with a balloon trailer arrived and parked right in front of us. The driver, a balloon pilot, did not see his ground crew. He asked for someone to help. Matt volunteered. The man could have waited for his crew or he could have searched for people who had already volunteered to help. Matt got in the truck and he and the pilot went to another part of the park. After watching a balloon ascend, Amber walked over to where Matt was helping. The pilot made an offer to take Amber in the balloon. There was himself and another adult. He did not have room for another adult due to weight yet he could take a child. Amber got her first balloon ride. Let's look closely at what happened.

1. Balloon rides were being offered for $200. This man was not selling rides because he was sponsored to display an ad.
2. There were volunteers already on a list to assist as volunteer ground crews.
3. This pilot happened to stop right in front of us. He needed help. There were 14 other pilots there.
4. Matt volunteered with no other motive than to be of assistance where he could. He gave of his ability to move things with his hands.
5. Matt was able to provide an opportunity for Amber that was worth $200 yet the pilot did not lose as he had already been paid.
6. Amber walked over to that balloon rather than staying with the rest of us. Normally she might not have done that. Had she not gone over to be with Matt the balloon pilot would not have known of her.

It is possible to explain away these circumstances as coincidence and chance. I believe that God provided a giving opportunity for both Matt and the balloon pilot. This is an example of God's type of giving. Matt could have easily paid for her seat but of all the 15 balloons a seat on this balloon was not for sale at any price.

This example also becomes a way of answering the person who made the comment.

David Sneed

God's Economy: Poverty + Joy = Adequate $

Look at II Corinthians 8:2. In King James it reads "How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their generosity." 


What was going on was that Paul was telling the Corinthians about the Macedonians. Even though they had little they wanted to give to aid the people at Jerusalem who had lost all to the Romans. 


Paul was not commanding them to give. That would have been a type of taxation. The people were actually begging Paul to take their offerings. The actual amount they had to give was not large. These people gave according to their ability. 


God does not need anyone's money. The One who spoke the world into existence can speak anything into existence at any time. 


When giving is done freely the resource is adequate to meet the needs. 


We all know what happens to taxes. Someone once said that government is taking money from the left pocket, transferring it to the right and losing half of it on the way. Taxes are never adequate to meet needs. 


Giving from the heart is God's plan. And it is not just money. Giving can be of whatever resource one may have. Yes this is a great mystery. 

David Sneed

God's Economics vs Man's Economics

Economics is defined as the science of matching unlimited needs with limited resources.

In a simple way we can all understand that no matter how much money is available there is never enough to buy what we want. There is something worse.

We all know people who want more and more money. They give up their life for the accumulation of money. They have much more money than they can ever spend.

God's economy works differently. God's economics is defined as the matching of unlimited resources with what is actually needed.

In the Bible in II Kings 4:1-17 we have the story of the widow with a great need. Her husband had died. There was an unpaid debt and the creditor was planning to take her two sons to work off the debt. She cried out to Elisha. He asked what she wanted him to do. She told him that all she had was a pot of oil. Elisha told her to go and borrow empty vessels from her neighbors. "Borrow not a few" he said. Then he told her to go into her house, shut the door and begin to fill the vessels from her pot. She filled them all. When all the vessels were filled her pot was still full. She went to Elisha and he told her to sell the oil, pay the debt and then live off the rest. This woman first had a need. She had nothing to fill that need. She was desperate when she went to Elisha who she knew was a man of God. She was in dependence on her husband's fear of the Lord. She did as she was instructed and was delivered. It is important to note that she stopped borrowing vessels before greed set in. Then she was alone in her house, away from Elisha, and alone with God. There with what resource she had God dealt with her need.

Why is that principle so difficult to understand and to obey? We live in fear of not having enough money. Money becomes our deliverer. Government exploits that knowledge by promising us more money, money that can only be obtained by taking from someone else.

 God is our Provider if we but trust Him. He can do the impossible if we seek Him and not view Him as a genie in a pot ready to grant our wishes. He can take whatever resources we have and multiply them if we but bring those resources to Him and seek Him in faith.

David Sneed

Are You Dealing with Effects Rather Than Causes?

Today my wife and I read I Kings Chapter 18. It is long but a captivating story.

Ahab was a man who dealt with effects and not causes. He solved problem symptoms and accused Elijah of making the problems.

In this chapter we see that Elijah was confident of his God and of his relationship with God. He knew that his God was the only God. He did not do as many preachers do today. He did not say that all religions are valid. He did not do comparative sermons. He did not suggest tolerance. Elijah was not looking for the approval of men.

What Elijah did was set up a test of which God was real. When Baal did not respond he mocked those who believed in Baal. At the end he killed the priests of Baal.

I won't spoil it for you but go read the chapter and think of how confident you are in solutions that you have been sold. Look at what Ahab was doing. Look at the steps that Elijah took and commanded. Think of what you believe about God. If Jesus is the one are you putting all of your confidence in His words? Or are you worshipping other gods and following them?

David Sneed

Why Giving is Better

There is a story in the Financial Times of Aug 20/21 titled "The 600 Million Dollar Man." It is about Robert Wilson who has given away $600 million in the past 25 years much of it to conservation and preservation. Why conservation and preservation? "The idea of 'But for my money it would be gone forever' appeals," he says.

"Yabbut he has a lot of money," many will say. Let's try it another way.

Megan McArdle is a writer for the Atlantic. In one of her recent articles she wrote "When I was interviewing for my first job with the Economist, they asked me flat out why an MBA would be wiling to take a job that paid $40,000, Part of the answer was, of course, that I needed a job. But that's not what I said. What I was was also true: 'I'm only going to be on the planet for a few short years. I want to do something that's a lot more important to me than making money.' I got the job. It now occurs to me that I might not, if my answer had sounded anything like I need a job."

By giving we can get so much more.

David Sneed

How to Bargain With Life

This is an oldie. Author unknown.

"I bargained with Life for a penny,
And Life would pay no more,
However I begged at evening
When I counted my scanty store.
For Life is a just employer,
He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages,
Why, you must bear the task.
I worked for a menial's hire,
Only to learn,dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of Life,
Life would have willingly paid."

Why the Golden Rule?

Everyone knows the Golden Rule. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." This rule appears in eight religions. Why should we do this?

Go to Luke 6:38 in the Bible. "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

Plain and simple whatever you do unto others will be done unto you only more so.

David Sneed

Free Education Plan

There is a free education plan that was used by George Washington Carver to be able to know all about peanuts and bring to the world uses of peanuts that had not been known.

The plan is succinctly described in the Bible in Jeremiah 33:3:

"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. "

David Sneed

Passing Through Deep Waters

Often in life the floodgates of distress are suddenly opened and we are overwhelmed by trials. We echo with new understanding the words of the psalmist as he exclaimed in anxiety, "Save me, O God for the waters are come in unto my soul." (Psalms 69:1) Yet we need not fear for our loving Heavenly Father holds the waters in the hollow of His hand. He measures them out in sufficient quantities to cleanse us, but He will never allow them to drown us. In our time of grief, we are never without His abiding presence and constant help.

Not long after arriving in the New Hebrides as a pioneer missionary, John G Paton and his wife rejoiced in the coming of a baby son to gladden their home. But the joy was short-lived. Soon death took both his wife and child, and Dr Paton had to dig their graves and bury his loved ones with his own hands. In writing of this experience he testified, "If it had not been for Jesus and the fellowship and grace He afforded me, I am certain I would have gone mad or died of grief beside their lonely graves." Marvelously strengthened from above, the bereaved servant of God found that the promises of the Word were able to sustain him through the heartache and sorrow of his tragic loss.

Have you been going through deep waters, Christian? The Lord is near and He beckons you to walk close to Him. His sovereign purpose in these trials is not to let you drown but to help you pass through the waters of woe and on to higher ground! H.G.B

In His Word there is a promise
Like the promise in the bow
That however deep the waters
They shall never overflow.
Anon.

There is nothing like the high tide of trial to test our spiritual stature.

This particular piece helped to sustain my wife and me during a time of grief many years back.

David Sneed

Is this the Great Commission in Practice?

When Jesus gave the Great Commission, Matthew 28:19, did he intend that we dress up dark-skinned people in warm climates in coats and ties, and teach them to sing white country gospel songs from the 50s in English?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikpiRn0MyXg

Good Question from Jay Leno

"With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control,
mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms 
tearing up the country from one end to another,
and with the threat of swine flu 
and terrorist attacks.
Are we sure this is a good time 
to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?"



Jay Leno

This Does Not Bother Me As A Christian

I read something in a letter to the Editor in the Wyoming Tribune Eagle on July 29, 2011. It could all be false. I don't know. It's part of a subject that bothers many Americans, Christian and otherwise.

According to the letter, one Jean Paul Ludwig emigrated from France to the United States in 1924. About March of 1977, while he was residing in Connecticut, Ludwig was assigned social security number 042-68-4425. Several of my children got their social security cards in Connecticut and their cards have the same first three digits. The numbers are assigned based on location where issued. This Ludwig spent the last few months of his life living in Hawaii. He never collected social security benefits and so his death was not reported to Social Security. One Madalyn Payne Dunham worked in the Probate Office in the Honolulu Hawaii Courthouse and had access to the social security numbers of the deceased. Dunham is the grandmother of Barak Obama. Obama, according to the letter, has that same social security number though he never lived in Connecticut. Did his grandmother provide him a number because he could not get one?  If Obama has a social security number starting with 042, he could explain. Investigations of this are not being done officially. Eyes are blinded for a reason. As a Christian I don't have a problem with this.

Good or bad, Obama and anyone else can only be President if God allows it to be. There is good reason to believe that our elected officials of both parties are leading us to ruin by voting us money from the public treasury albeit borrowed money. There is some reason to believe that Obama is leading the United States to ruin at a faster rate than anyone else might do it. If it is so it is not because of him being a legal citizen or an illegal alien but of God allowing him to be in that position. The United States could well be under judgment. The uniqueness of all the circumstances around Obama could possibly be so that God is letting us to know that He allowed it. If this is so then God may have given us enough clues so that we could take steps to deal with our sins before total destruction ensues. God gave Ninevah a second chance.

Jonah arrived in Ninevah and let the people there know that God would destroy them in 40 days. The people believed God and were spared because they repented.

The Northern Kingdom of Judah was destroyed by the Assyrians because God allowed it to be.

I cannot predict the future nor do I know God's plan for the United States. I do know that if God does not judge the United States then perhaps He owes apologies to Sodom and Gomorrah, to the Northern Kingdom of Judah and to others.

If Obama leaves The United States in ruin, as Clint Eastwood in the High Plains Drifter did to the town that did not repent, history could well show that the United States had the opportunity and the legal means to stop it.

David Sneed

Global Warming Anecdote

I read an article recently that described global warming as "the unbeliever's last days." I thought it a cute saying until I thought about it. Those who believe in global warming are believers and don't know it.

To the global warming folks, every environmental and geological abnormality is caused by the activities of modern man, predominantly white, using technology and industry. Indigenous people and poor people are victims.

Let's don't debate the so-called cause right now. Let's look instead at where the damage occurs.

The ocean is at the exact right level until man interferes.

The temperature of the air and the oceans is at the exact right level until man interferes.  

Hurricanes, tornados, typhoons and other storms were manageable until man  interferes.

There is a balance conducive to plant and animal life until man interferes.

I could go on and on.

To the global warming advocate the earth was perfect until there was interference from man. Do these folks believe that the earth was created perfect for man and mankind is fallen? THey certainly must not believe that it all just happened.

They are believers and not unbelievers up to a point.

They believe that salvation comes from government.

David Sneed

A Current Comment on Healing

I had a recent case of someone telling me that healing is not for today. I needed to give a quick answer. I decided to find a way to agree with him.

"Do you know that there is a scriptural basis for what you say?" I asked.

Hebrews 13:8 tells us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." If we want to know what Jesus is NOT doing today then all we have to do is see what he did NOT do yesterday. I could sense the man felt he was in trouble.

"In Matthew 13:58 the Bible says "and he did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief." The account in Mark 6:5 is that "And He there did no mighty work save laying His hands upon a few sick folk and healing them."

Yesterday Jesus could not heal because of unbelief. Today he cannot heal because of unbelief.

David Sneed

Healing of Old Age

For some time going back to the latter part of 2010, I had been developing pains in my back,buttocks and legs. The pain was not consistent in location or intensity.

I was told that by those older than me that it was a sign of old age.

I remember the joke of the man at the doctor complaining of pain in his right leg. When the doctor told him that it was old age he said "But Doc my other leg is the same age and it doesn't hurt!"

In studying the Word I was led to the passage where Elijah was discouraged. He had performed a great miracle to prove his God. Instead of being converted, the people had blamed Elijah for making their God look bad. Elijah asked God to take his life. In reading the whole context of what he did and what God had him do, I can see that Elijah may have had the leg pains as a manifestation of his discouragement.

The Lord healed me of my pains. They will not be back. And there is more.

Yesterday I went on my first hike since I was healed of leg pains. The hike was to a waterfall. Some in my party had been there numerous times. Others had not been at all. The distance total was about five miles. It was 95 degrees. Normally the day after a hike I am tired and sore. Not so today. Not only am I not tired and sore I am rested and feel good.

God will test our faith. There were four people along the way, other hikers to whom we talked, who made comments to me that seemed strange. "Are you ok?" "How can you hike wearing cowboy boots?" "Are you doing all right?" I told Cheri about it. "Do I look like an old man?"

I praise God for his mercies.

David Sneed

The Geographic Will of God

Often Christians stop at the positional will of God. They can, at least intellectually, accept the position that God wants us to have in Him. John 3:16 is comprehendible.

The geographic will of God, the GPS location if you will, is an important part of being in the will of God.

God is omnipresent. He can be everywhere at once. We are mono-present and can only be in once place at at a time. So to do what He wants us to do and to receive His blessings we must be where He wants us to be. The concept should be easy to understand. If someone is out of work, they will not get a job by siting at home watching TV.

Abraham was told to leave his people and go elsewhere. Philip was told to go to a certain spot on a certain road south of the city. Three men were sent from Caesarea to see Peter in Joppa. Jonah was told to go somewhere and he went elsewhere. God brought him back.

Jesus delayed in going to a certain feast. Jesus also delayed two days after hearing of the death of Lazarus. So there is also the when of geography and not just the place.

We should always be seeking where God wants us to be and when He wants us there. There are things He wants us to do. So how do we do this? Can I move to Bora Bora and and live on the beach? Surely God would want me to do that!

We should seek God's geographic will for us in the same way we do all parts of his will. Study of the Word, prayer,counsel of elders,evaluation of circumstances,and our motivation.

David Sneed

Two Types of Knowledge

In the Bible in Hosea 4:6 we read that "My people perish for lack of knowledge..."

We know that people perish from lack of goals. But goals achievement requires knowledge.

There are to types of knowledge, explicit and tacit.

Explicit knowledge is the very specific. It may be called book knowledge. Encyclopedias,  dictionaries, and atlases contain explicit knowledge. I remember years ago one of my uncles telling me that he wishes he had the money back he had spent on an encyclopedia. Why did he say that? Because he had gained the tacit knowledge that explicit knowledge by itself would not bring him happiness or success.

Tacit knowledge is not easily transferred. Often it is only gained through experience.

I remember the old story of the machine that was not working. The owner of the machine was desperate as his entire business depended on that machine. A repairman came in. He examined the machine and then turned a certain screw. His bill was for $400. He was asked to itemize his bill. "All you did was turn one screw." The itemization came back. Turning screw $1. Knowing which screw to turn $399.

We need vision. We need goals. We need specialized knowledge. Then we need to gain explicit knowledge.

David Sneed

How Can Faith Be Used in the Real World?

The best definition of faith is in Hebrews 11:1.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Faith is now. The man at the Pool of Bethesda had lain there for 38 years waiting for his chance. Jesus explained faith ti him., He got up and walked away.

According to the Bible, faith is a substance, It is very real. While we cannot see what we are hoping for faith is the substance of it. Faith is the evidence of things not seen.

God calls things that are not a though they were. He has always rewarded faith.

The world says show me and I will believe. God says believe and I will show you.

In Jeremiah 33:3 we read "Call unto me and I will answer thee and show thee great and might things that thou knowest not."

David Sneed

Did God Make a Mistake with Hannele Cox?

Five years ago Hannele Cox, now 13, was diagnosed with a rare bacterial infection. Even rarer, the specialists determined that the bacteria had infected her bones and hand amputation would be required.

She was sent to National Jewish Health in Denver where she was examined. she has been sent home to be treated for a nerve problem. "After reviewing all available information, including a thorough review of previous medical records, physical examination, new imaging and blood tests, and consulting with an orthopedist, radiologists and physical therapists, infectious disease experts at National Jewish Health have determined that there is no evidence of an active infection in Hannele Cox's hand," a news release stated. "She does not require surgical treatment and no additional antibiotics at this time." 

Frequently we hear that God heals through doctors. Did God make a mistake with Hannele Cox? For five years she has suffered and has been forced to give up on her desire to be a gymnast. For five years she has been given treatment and has been told of the continuing progress of the bacteria into her bones. She went to Denver expecting to lose her hand. 

Doctors can do great things. That does not mean it is God at work.

The Bible tells us in Hebrews 13:8,  "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever." To know what Jesus does today and will do tomorrow we can look at what He did yesterday. 

The Bible has instances of Jesus healing. In one case He was not even present when the healing occurred.  

Jesus healed yesterday. He heals today. 

In Matthew 13:58 we read that "He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. " Yesterday when He did not heal it was because of unbelief. Today when He does not heal it is because if unbelief. If you go to a doctor for healing it is not because Jesus changed his way of doing things. 

If you do not believe Jesus about healing is it possible that you do not believe Jesus about salvation?

David Sneed

Timber for Solomon's Temple

I Kings 5:6-12

This is a simple story of a deal between Solomon and Hiram to provide wood for the temple that was to be built. Solomon requested Cedar. Hiram modified the order to include Fir as well as Cedar.

Solomon recognized that the Sidonians were much better hewers of wood than his people. This would indicate that the product to be delivered was more than just cut lumber.

Transportation would be to float the timber on rafts to a point that would be the closest to Jerusalem. At that unloading point payment would be made.

The payment was 20,000 measures of wheat and 20 measures of oil. A measure of grain was roughly what a man could hold in both hands. A measure of wheat would make a small loaf of bread.

What is somewhat puzzling at this point is the transaction itself. It sounds like this was a multi-year project. There is some indication of a measure of wheat being the pay for one man for one day. Overall the point is that there was an orderly plan and that there was a friendly arrangement to exchange what each party had for what the other party needed.

In use of the Bible for application to current times we should meditate on even such mundane things as the way the wood was secured for the temple. Everything in the Bible has a purpose. It may be too that John 6, the feeding of the five thousand, has a spiritual meaning connection to the timber contract fulfillment.

David Sneed

The Feeding of the Five Thousand

Read John 6:1-14.

What really happened at lunchtime on that day? There have been many speculations. The feeding of the 5,000, actually more because that was just the count of men, is described as a miracle. The feeding of the 5,000 and the resurrection are the only miracles recorded in all four gospels.

There are questions.

Why did Jesus and the disciples not plan ahead? Apparently they did not expect the people to follow.

Did the people have food? Jesus approached it as if they did not.

Philip knew how much money they had and knew it would not be enough.

Andrew noted that a boy had five loaves and two small fishes. That would certainly not be enough. Possibly no one else had food.  If the people had food then  Jesus would not have needed to be involved. 

There was a need and there was no visible means of filling that need. The solution to that problem is certainly worthy of a report in all four gospels.

The spiritual principle involved is that God cannot meet a surplus. He can only meet a need.

How often do we ask God for a solution when we already have it? That is a most serious lack of faith.

I am going to be doing some entries on God's economy. We all, starting with me, need to get more into that subject.

David Sneed

Safety from 1014 B.C.

Cowboy Safety goes way back.

This morning I ran across a new reference from 1014 B.C. It is from the Bible. I use King James. Here is I Kings 4:25:

"And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon."

I could write a book about this. So could you.

This definition  of safety is easy to understand.

There is nothing complex. There is no equipment. No training. No licensing.

If you have ever been to the Mediterranean countries you can understand even better. There are vines and fig trees and olive trees and other types of plants. They provide shade and shelter. I love going to a restaurant. The tables are outdoors under the vines. RElax. There is no rush. Have a cold beer or a glass of wine. In Greece you would at least start with Raki that is already on the table. What would you like to eat? The proprietor is there. He or she will get it for you? "Have you got fish?" "Sure. Come in the kitchen and pick out what you want. My son just caught it this morning right over there." Do you get the point? This is the way to live all the time.

Safety is all about how to always feel that way where everything is what you want when you want it with no trouble.

Cowboy Safety is the technique for how to get it for yourself and your business and how to give it to others.

David Sneed

What is a Christian?

Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” To look at some “Christians” one would think that they believe in someone who said “I am come that they might have DEATH and have it more abundantly.” These people are dead in spirit and they are just biding time until their body is dead and their soul is cast into Hell.

According to the Bible, Christians were first called Christians at Antioch. And not by a church committee or a pastor. They were called that by the unbelievers. They were called that because they lived their life totally by “What would Jesus do?” The word Christian means “little Christ.” It was a derogatory term. “Who do you think you are anyway, Jesus?” the unbelievers would say. They knew what Jesus did. They knew that he taught and did differently from the world.

“Why are you so different?” the world will say. “Because of what Jesus did.” That is the reply of  a Christian, a “little Christ.” “What did Jesus do?” “He died for me and then he rose from the dead.”

The Bible says that we should “confess with our mouth.” According to the Roman Catholics it means to recite the Apostles’ Creed in church along with everyone else. Outside of church you may say “I believe in God.” According to the Bible, so do the devils “and they tremble.”

A Christian can say to unbelieving family, to believing family, to friends, to co-workers and to everyone, “I live because of what Jesus did for me.” A Christian will say that not just because people ask why they are different but because they want others to know.

Jesus went to the man at the pool of Bethesda. “Do you want to be healed?” he asked. The man did not say yes or no. The man gave Jesus an argument. After Jesus explained to him a better way the man got up and walked away healed. He knew that 38 years had been wasted doing things his way. That is repentance. Many so-called Christians today of all denominations continue to let their pride rule and they continue to sit by the pool unhealed.

“I hit him because he hit me.” “I took from her because she took from me.” “Why should I do that?” With that attitude no one will dare call you a “little Christ.” Unfortunately many churches today will call you a Christian particularly if you go to their meetings and give them money.

“Servants obey your masters.” “Children obey your parents.” “Wives obey your husbands.” “Obey all those who have authority over you.” These are commands from the Bible but they are not Christianity. Christianity starts after these things are done.

Teenager, when your parents say “Clean up your room.” Do you argue and talk back? That is not Christianity. Do you go clean up your room? That is not Christianity. Do you clean up your room, ask God to forgive you for letting it get so bad that your parents had to tell you, and resolve to keep it neat?  Do you apologize to your parents for the mess? After you clean your room do you then go to your brother or sister and offer to help them clean up their room? “Say… who do you think you are, Jesus?”

You work at Burger King. Do you smile at customers, wipe down the counters, bring out more cups, help a co-worker wait on a customer? Or do you slouch around with a frown and do as little as possible?

Do you parents say “work for me for one hour” and you argue about it and maybe refuse to do it? Or do you say “how about if I work two hours?” Say..who do you think you are, Jesus?”

He does bad to you. You willingly do good to him. That is Christianity.

Your sister takes your clothes. You say “That sweater really looks good on you. Why don’t you keep it?” That is Christianity.

George Washington Carver was a believer. He had to endure the humiliation that was the condition for Negroes and for the poor. But Carver read Jeremiah 33:3 and could believe for great knowledge and works. He walked 100 miles to get to college. He slept on a shed floor and did all the menial jobs that no one else would do. “Carver, why do you do that?” “Because of what Jesus did for me”

A farmer is standing by the fence and a passer by says “God sure gave you a beautiful farm.” “He did” says the farmer. “But you should have seen it when He had it all to himself.”

One time Martin Luther was working in his garden. Someone came by and said, “What would you do if you knew that Jesus was coming back at 5:00 this afternoon?” “Well,” said Luther, “the first thing I’d do is finish weeding this garden.”

It is one thing to do rituals and call it Christianity. That is why we have so many different churches. In Jesus’ time as a man, there were only two denominations. He explained to the woman at the well that the Father did not distinguish churches. “The Father is looking for those who will worship in spirit and in truth.” Said Jesus.

I can get up and give a lecture on all the things that Zeus, Thor and other “gods” did. But no one will call me their follower. That is because those “gods” have not made a difference in my life.

If I truly believe that Jesus died for me and then his death made a difference to me I am a Christian. If I truly believe that what He did on the cross is important then I can tell others and I can tell others that Jesus did it for them. Like Paul, I will do whatever I have to do and even do it more so as an example to others. That is being a Christian.

 David Sneed

All things are possible from Brother Lawrence

“That all things are possible to him who believes; that they are less difficult to him who hopes; that they are more easy to him who loves, and still more easy for him who perseveres in the practice of these three virtues.”

Brother Lawrence

Does God Heal Through Doctors?

The thought that God heals through doctors prevails today. But we should be careful about this doctrine because the Bible says rough things in Revelation 22:18-19 about anyone who adds to the word or takes away from the word.

In Genesis 50:2 we read that Joseph called a physician to embalm his father.

In 2 Chronicles 16:12 we read that Asa “was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians.”

In Luke 8:43, we read that “a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any.” The account in Mark 5 also says that there were “many physicians” and that she “rather grew worse.”

In Colossians 4:14 we read that Luke was a physician. But in Luke’s account of the visit to Melita in Acts 28:8-9 it was Paul who ministered healing. “And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed and laid his hands on him, and healed him. So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:”

Where is a there any scriptural basis that God heals through doctors? Did someone receive a special revelation that God had a new plan?

When Eve was approached in the garden she saw (Genesis 3:6) “that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat,”  The serpent convinced Eve that God must want her to eat it or it would not have been there.

Just because something seems right does not make it right. The Bibles says (Proverbs 14:12) that “there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

The medical profession seems to be the right thing. Not a week goes by that we do not hear of some new drug or some new procedure. Does that mean that the medical profession is God at work? Let’s see if the medical profession has the characteristics of God.

God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). But the medical profession is a respecter of persons. If you are a white American male with private health insurance or if you are  wealthy you can have the best treatments available.

God’s gifts cannot be purchased. In Acts 8:20, Peter said, “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.”  The Bible says in Revelation 22:17 that “whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” But medical care takes money. And the more money you have the better off you are.

God’s gifts are appropriated through faith. But doctors are selected by sight for their reputation. The Bible says “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). A common church dinner conversation involves people bragging about the excellent coverage they have on their medical plans.

God does not take away a gift. In Romans 11:29 we read “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Then why do Christians complain when some treatment is no longer covered by their plan?

God calls his ministers through his gospel (Ephesians 3:6-12.) Medical practitioners are often unbelievers. The Bible says in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” Are these unbelievers also his sheep?

God set gifts of healings in the church (I Cor 12:28).  Medical profession healings are licensed by the government and often paid for by taxes collected by the government or by tax subsidies and deductions allowed by the government. If you’ll watch your newspaper almost daily, medical profession deficiencies are dealt with by the Congress and the Legislature and not by prayer.

God does not change. But medical care keeps changing. In Malachi 3:6 we read “For I am the Lord, I change not.” In Hebrews 13:8 we read “Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, today, and forever.” In Ecclesiastes 3:14 we read “I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken away from it:”

If you believe that God heals through doctors and if you have had your life extended through medical procedures then when you give your testimony you should be sure to thank God that you are a white American and not like those such and such people in some country. You should thank God for noting how worthy you are to be able to afford such good surgeons who you believe are the ministers of God.

In Matthew 8 when Jesus was making some comments about how the Centurion was more of a believer than the church people, Jesus said “But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Read the Bible and you’ll see that he was talking about church people who don’t believe in healing by God’s ways.

The Bible says in Psalms 103:3, “who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases.” If God now heals through heathen doctors maybe he now saves through some heathen practice. Maybe salvation is now of works.

If you run to your doctor when you’re sick maybe you’re closer to him than you are to Dr. Jesus. Maybe you don’t really believe in eternal salvation either. 

David Sneed

Is Healing for Today?

Much of the teaching we hear is that God did things in the past,  will do things in the future, but at some unknown point quit doing it. Hebrews 13:8 says “Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, today and forever.” If you want to know what God is doing today look at what he did yesterday.

A woman with an issue of blood for 12 years spent all of her money on doctors and was not made any better (Luke 8). Somebody (with faith) told her about this man Jesus who had healed others. The woman went and the place was crowded. “If I can just touch his clothes” she said. When she touched, Jesus asked, “Who touched me?” His disciples answered, “Who touched you? Everyone’s touching you”  He turned and saw the woman and said “Thy faith hath made thee whole.” That’s how Jesus healed then and that’s how he heals today. If you’re such a good Christian, have you told anyone that Jesus heals? Do you believe in Hebrews 13:8?

Was it different then because she could touch his clothes and we can’t do that today? The Centurion in Matthew 8 told Jesus that his servant was sick and needed a healing. Jesus said he would go to the house and heal him. The Centurion said “I’m not worthy to have you come to my house. But speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. Jesus said, “as thou hast believed so be it done unto thee.” The servant was healed in the selfsame hour. As you go about as a disciple of Christ do you ask Jesus for healing of unsaved people who have no faith? Do you have the faith of the Centurion (who was not even of Israel or a child of the kingdom)?

But that healing was just for that one person you say. Well the Bible says in Matthew 4 that Jesus healed everybody that wanted to be healed. The only time that Jesus did not heal everybody was when he went back to Nazareth. The Bible says “And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief (Matthew 13:58). If you are not seeing healing is it Jesus’ fault? The disciples in Matthew 17 could not cast out a demon and they asked Jesus why they could not. “Because of your unbelief” (verse 20). Jesus told them that they needed to pray and fast.

In Matthew 8 when Jesus was making some comments about how the Centurion was more of a believer than the church people, Jesus said “But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Read the Bible and you’ll see that he was talking about church people who don’t believe in healing.

But, you say, my church does believe in healing. But we also believe that God calls people home. A few weeks ago we had Sister Jones on our prayer list. She wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t come to church. Then the next week we prayed that when she went for tests that they would come back negative. Then the next week we prayed that she would get through surgery ok. Then the next week we prayed for her full recovery. This week the Lord called her home and we had her funeral.

Well since your church is such a strong believer in healing why didn’t it do what the Bible says? James 5:7-15 is talking to church people. “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”

Most churches ignore this command. If this command is followed it’s usually done as a religious ritual while the “believer” is under the care of a doctor. The church did not teach Sister Jones about this scripture because it really does not believe it does any good. The church today has lost the power of the early church but it is not because Jesus changed. There is so much carnality in the church today that like in Nazareth, Jesus can do no mighty works “because of their unbelief.” For sickness it’s much safer to publish a list in the church bulletin even when the sick person didn’t ask for it.  So what if it’s not scriptural. It seems ok and we’ve always done it this way.

I heard one woman say, “We used to preach it and we went to the altar and didn’t get healed.” In other words she no longer believes that God heals. Maybe the churches no longer believe God saves. Maybe that’s why many of them have quit giving altar calls for salvation.

I’ve been to healing services where people didn’t get healed. But I’ve been to many more evangelistic services where people didn’t get saved. That does not mean that salvation is gone.

Psalms 103:3 says, “who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases.” If God does not heal any more maybe he does not forgive sin any more either. You say you believe in Jesus in John 3:15 when Jesus says that “whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Why do you not believe in Jesus when he says “as thou hast believed so be it done unto thee.” Why do you not believe him when he says that you fail “because of your unbelief?” In Luke 17:5 the disciples said “Lord, increase our faith.”

Today we hear that God heals through doctors. I have yet to see any scriptural basis that God now works through a system that is flawed and constantly changes. The Bible says rough things in Revelation 22:18-19 about anyone who adds to the word or takes away from the word. It also says (Proverbs 14:12) that “there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

Some say that Jesus healed then because of all the unbelievers. We’ve got more unbelievers today than there were then. If there was ever a time that healing was needed to show God’s power it’s today.

In Malachi 3:6 it says, “For I am the Lord, I change not”

God has not changed. He still heals and he still saves.

What do you believe? 

David Sneed