Boom Boom Baby

CHURCH IN 90 SECONDS

In the Gospel of Luke chapter 18 verse 27, Gods Word says:

“What is impossible with man is possible with God.” NIV

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Corrie ten Boom was a CHRISTIAN.

She once remarked that “if all things are possible with God, then all things are possible to him who believes in Him.”

This wasn’t coming from the Queen of a small nation. This was coming from a Holocaust survivor.

For the uninitiated, most folks that survived the Holocaust had lived through literal hell on earth.

Concentration camp victims’ life expectancy was slim to none.

Any that survived the evil horrors at the hands of the Nazis, lived out their years left on earth with unimaginable
memories.

But Corrie ten Boom rose above it all. She used her experiences to edify others and honor God’s Holy Name.

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What’s my point?

If Corrie ten Boom survived some of the Devil’s worst, most nightmarish, hell-driven atrocities, we can probably make it through a job lay off. Or the fact that not everyone’s kids will get straight A’s in school. Or having to stay late to do the boss a favor.

OMG, what an intrusion into OUR free time. What a burden on our lives!

“The cake I was trying to bake, fell in the oven.”

“My husband got a flat tire on the way to mothers. She’ll be so disappointed that he’ll be late for dinner.”

“I think the paint on my mini van might need waxing. I simply don’t have time for that. What with junior’s ballgame and sissy’s tap dance lessons, I’m stressed enough as it is.”

You’re not serious are you?

What most of us face on a regular basis are small potatoes.

Tough times occasionally?

Yes. For all of us.

But Holocaust-level misery?

No.

As the teenagers say: Get over yourself.

Wanna know what tough times really are?

Read Corrie ten Boom’s biography.

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Copyright 2015 CHURCH IN 90 SECONDS/Joel Harrison. All rights reserved.

The Love Doctor

CHURCH IN 90 SECONDS

In Isaiah chapter 63 verse 9, Gods Word says:

“In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them.” KJV

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I believe with all my heart that faith healing works. I’ve been privileged to be used by God as healing hands several times successfully. I myself have been healed by the laying on of hands.

I have no objection to Doctors. I was literally raised around them. My mother was a nurse. I spent days playing in spare exam rooms and eating dinner at physician’s homes. Wandering the halls of the hospital freely because they all knew me, and I minded my P’s and Q’s;  caused no disturbance. I know what those men and women are made of.

Their commitment.

Their selflessness.

Their untiring dedication to health and life.

To people.

I will never dishonor them or their work.

But there are things they sometimes simply cannot do.

The Great Physician, who made them great physicians, has to take the wheel at that point, and do what they can’t: save us through the power of His Spirit alone.

Could He ALWAYS do it without them? Of course. And He has done without them many times. But He loves to work with and through mankind. To allow us to share with Him. To use the gifts He has given us.

But like any loving, guiding, father, He won’t allow us to fail. He’ll take over at once when necessary.

Unless our arrogance and pride interfere. Then He’ll quietly step aside, and shed a tear for the pain caused by a missed opportunity. A missed chance at wholeness; or a little more life. All drawn up short for lack of Faith.

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Our bodies ARE His temples. Earthbound and elemental. Made from dust, and to dust they MUST return. They are simply housing units for our spirits. His Spirit. One day they’ll be replaced.

In the meantime, we must nourish them and maintain them like good Levites.

Keepers of the temple.

And when necessary, call on His name to make us whole again.

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“See, God has come to save me. I will trust in Him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; He has given me victory.” Isaiah 12:2 NLT

Selah!

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Copyright ©2014 Church in 90 Seconds/Joel Harrison All rights reserved.

 

Tearing the Veil

CHURCH IN 90 SECONDS

In the Gospel of Matthew chapter 27 verses 50 and 51, Gods Word says:

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom…” NASB

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Four inches thick, sixty feet high. Fashioned from blue, purple, and scarlet material, and fine TWISTED linen.

The veil in the Temple at Jerusalem was no ladies sundress.

It was made to be rugged, nearly indestructible, and permanent. It separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Temple.

Separated Gods’ dwelling place from man.

NEARLY indestructible is the key phrase. No power in Heaven or on Earth can compete with Almighty God.

The tearing marked the moment when God’s Presence left the Holy of Holies. When Jesus’ work was finished. When sin could no longer separate man from God.

Everything changed right then and there. At that moment.

“It is finished.” Isn’t that what Jesus said? His mighty work was done. The task complete forevermore.

Once. For all.

All what?

All time. All sin. All mankind.

Torn from “the Top”, (Almighty God); to “the bottom,” (us).

No separation of any kind, anymore.

ALL sins washed away. ALL impending sins instantly expunged with the bending of the knee and a contrite heart.

NOTHING can separate us from the love of God.

The devil’s best work circled the drain at that precise moment, a complete failure.
What Satan had intended for evils’ ultimate triumph, was revealed for what it had always been: powerless, meaningless, nothingness.

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Shortly after the Death and Resurrection of Christ, the Holy Spirit came not only among us, but IN us. God’s new Holy of Holies, the one in our hearts, was revealed, not re-veiled.

His inner presence is the hypersonic highway to the throne room of God.

You don’t need a ticket, or a Rolls Royce.

Just take your old junker and get on the highway.

Before you know it, you will be all restored and running like new.

Selah! Meditate on this.

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Copyright 2015 CHURCH IN 90 SECONDS/Joel Harrison. All rights reserved.

Don’t Be Dumb

CHURCH IN 90 SECONDS

In Proverbs chapter 19 verses 20-21, Gods Word says:

“Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
There are many devices in a man’s heart; But the counsel of Jehovah, that shall stand.” ASV

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You and I have friends that come up with really good ideas sometimes.

Don’t we?

We ourselves may even crank out a decent brainstorm occasionally!

But on a scale of 1-10, how do our ideas compare in quality to God’s? (His being a ten.)

Three maybe? Four?
That’s probably being generous.

What if the Einsteins among us started knocking out some 7’s and  8’s?

Still not a ten right?

“Man’s ways are foolishness to God.”

 

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Copyright ©2014 Church in 90 Seconds/Joel Harrison All rights reserved.

 

My Country Tis of Thee

CHURCH IN 90 SECONDS

In 2 Chronicles chapter 7 verses 1 and 3, God’s Word says:

“Now when Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the house. All the sons of Israel, seeing the fire come down and the glory of the Lord upon the house, bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave praise to the Lord, saying,’Truly He is good, truly His lovingkindness is everlasting.'”
NASB

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On September 25,1789, Elias Boudinot proposed something that George Washington supported whole-heartedly.

A national Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving.

Here’s what Washington said:

“Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor….. Now, therefore, I do recommend….that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country….. And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions…to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue.”

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Check this out.

2 Chronicles 6:31says:

“that they may fear (respect and honor) You, to walk in your ways as long as they live in the land which You have given to our fathers.” NASB

Shabang baby!

This was part of Solomon’s prayer of dedication of the Temple.

Similar in tone to George Washington’s proclamation for a Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving in the USA, don’t you think?

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King Solomon and President George Washington. Two great leaders and men of God.

Both opining similar and intertwining sentiments and direction for their respective nations.

I am humbled that the people both CHOSEN by God, and the people that CHOSE God, have similar attitudes towards Him.

All glory and honor are His.

Selah!

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Copyright 2015 CHURCH IN 90 SECONDS/Joel Harrison. All rights reserved.

I Thought My Father Was There

CHURCH IN 90 SECONDS

In the Gospel of Matthew chapter 28 verse 20, Gods Word says:

“…..And lo, I am with you always…. ASV

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If they’d made the basketball hoop the size of a wash tub, I might’ve had a chance at swishing one. But alas……

Same with baseball. I couldn’t throw, catch or hit the ball. Not much hope of making the team.

But football baby-That was a different story!

God built me like a gorilla, and just as strong. When the quarterback handed me the ball, I didn’t bother trying to outrun those defensive backs- I knew they were faster- I just ran AT them, and ran them over.

The best game I ever played was one where I thought I saw my father in the stands. I wanted daddy to be pleased with me, so I played my best for him.

I was on fire that game. Nearly unstoppable.

Turns out daddy never was at the game. I was mistaken when I thought I saw him in the stands.

My pops had a drinking problem in those days and wasn’t the most reliable person in my life at that time.

But just the hope that he might be there was enough to catch me on fire.

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We all have a Father who really IS there.

All of the time.

Wherever “there” may be. At school, at work, at home, or at ANY event or situation in our lives.

He NEVER leaves us or forsakes us.

Lo, HE is with us ALWAYS.

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I had a great game that day when I THOUGHT my father was there.

Now I can have a great day every day, because I KNOW my Father is there.

You can too.

 

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Copyright ©2014 Church in 90 Seconds/Joel Harrison All rights reserved.

The Divine Right of Kings

CHURCH IN 90 SECONDS

In the Book of Exodus chapter 15 verses 2-5, Gods Word says:

“The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will extol Him. The Lord is a warrior; The Lord is His name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea; And the choicest of his officers are drowned in the Red Sea. The deeps cover them; They went down into the depths like a stone.” NASB

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If a man is ignorant and does something stupid, he’ll pay for it despite his lack of knowledge.

But woe be to the man who is a tyrant and KNOWS the right way to go!

King James 1 of England was just such a man in 1604. Thoroughly educated at court in the Bible, he above all others not so privileged, knew his limitations as a man.

Upon ascending the throne of England he rapidly ascribed to the theory “The Divine Right of Kings”.

Did I say ascribed?

I meant to say he invented it.

James 1 had ultimate power. Ultimate power does indeed corrupt ultimately and thoroughly.

James had convinced himself that God had given him the right to rule in any way he chose.

On January 16, 1604, speaking in regard to Puritans, this is what he said:

“I will make them conform themselves, or else harry them out of the land…or else do worse.”

The “or else do worse” part came to pass.

The Puritans were not “harried out of the land.”

They were hunted down like dogs.

Contrary to his own ravings, dissenters were not free to stay OR leave. They were condemned to eradication.

God’s irony for King James 1, was that all James managed to accomplish was to fortify the resolve of the very people he intended to eradicate!

Just like in the case of Pharaoh in ancient Egypt, first the Chosen people of God, and then the people who CHOSE God, were snatched from the jaws of a tyrant.

The people James 1 intended to eradicate, the Puritans, ultimately went on to settle and form what would become the country which is the only country in history EVER to be dedicated to God from its very beginnings:

The United States of America.

The establishment of the freest nation ever on earth was set in motion by a tyrant who was merely a puppet in the hands of God.

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Is there a “Divine Right of Kings”?

No. But there is a Divine Right of the King of kings.

HIS will WILL be done on earth, as it is in Heaven.

Tyrants or not.

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Copyright 2015 CHURCH IN 90 SECONDS/Joel Harrison. All rights reserved.

Three Times Infinity

CHURCH IN 90 SECONDS

In the Book of Genesis chapter 1 verse 22, Gods Word says:

“Be fruitful and multiply.” KJV

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A finite object can be quantified-it has a beginning and an end, and can be added too, subtracted from,  multiplied or divided.

An infinite object cannot be dealt with in this manner. It has no beginning and no end. How can one multiply something that is already limitless? Or subtract from something unlimited?

Our God is infinite.

But HE loves to multiply!

Take an apple seed.
One seed can grow an apple tree. One. That apple tree will produce enough apples to make 225 apple pies a year, EVERY YEAR, as long as the tree lives.

Wouldn’t it be nice if everything worked like that? Money, for example.

Well it does!

A farmer plants a crop. He doesn’t run out the very next day after sowing his seed and check for the harvest.

It’s not up yet. But the farmer KNOWS that in due season, it will be.

The farmer tends the crop. Fertilizes. Weeds. Sprays for insects. Wards off deer and other scavengers. Watches the sky for rain. Waters if necessary.

When the crop comes in, the farmer harvests. The corn or other crop doesn’t jump off the stalk and into the corn crib.

But it’s there; and the farmer can COUNT on that. That’s why he sows.

“As long as the earth remains there WILL BE seed  time and harvest.”

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“As you sow, so shall you reap.”

If you sow bountifully, you will reap bountifully. If you sow a little, you’ll reap a little. But you always reap.

If you sow corn you’ll get corn. If potatoes, potatoes. If you sow money, you’ll get money.

Some ten, some thirty, some one-hundred fold return.

Try it, you’ll like it! Give to an orphanage. A home for widows. A church.
A Christian school.  It will help them, AND you. Multiplied back to you, the giver. A person simply cannot out-give God.

Only God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit can multiply Infinity.

Imagine what They can do with YOUR finite seed!

HALLELUJAH!

This is the God we serve.

 

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Copyright ©2014 Church in 90 Seconds/Joel Harrison All rights reserved.

Honey or Vinegar?

CHURCH IN 90 SECONDS

In 2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 18,
Gods Word says:

“But all things are of God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave unto US the ministry of reconciliation.” ASV

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Is the verse above talking about JUST Christians being reconciled to God through the finished work of Christ on the cross?

NO! It’s speaking of the reconciliation of the WORLD to God.

But aren’t they on a Hell bound train? Of course. But it is the goodness of God that draws men to repentance, not some raving religious nut on the corner screaming “you are all going to Hell”.

THAT guy pushes the worldly folks farther away from God. Love and reconciliation (the GOODNESS of God) draws the world in towards the Father.

Read further: “We are ambassadors therefore on BEHALF of Christ, as though God were entreating BY us: WE beseech you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:20 ASV

It’s OUR job to let the fallen world know that the gates of Heaven were opened wide 2000 years ago by Jesus death on the cross. He paid the price for ANYBODY and EVERYBODY to march on in just as soon as they accept Him as their Saviour.

Many people think that they aren’t good enough to get in to God’s Kingdom. That past mistakes will keep them out, so why bother trying?

Good gosh, if that was the case, NONE of us could get in!

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. If ANYBODY will accept that fact, they are literally, instantly, Heaven bound.

The Holy Spirit will clean them up on their life journey toward Heaven, but they do have their ticket punched immediately, and are on the train heading toward eternal life with the King of kings! Yippee!

Goodness gracious people, TELL somebody that today won’t you?

We’re running out of time here!

 

Bowing to the Wrong King

CHURCH IN 90 SECONDS

In the Gospel of John chapter 16 verse 33, Gods Word says:

“These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me ye MAY have peace. In the world ye HAVE tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
ASV

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The legendary folk/pop singer Joni Mitchell released a tune in 1969 called “Both Sides Now”.

In it she said: “I’ve looked at life from both sides now…..It’s life’s illusions I recall. I really don’t know life at all.”

If you find yourself in the same predicament, you may be unintentionally bowing to the wrong king.

Jesus said in the world you HAVE tribulation. The Devil is the ruler of this world.

And we’re IN it.

But we don’t have to be OF it.

Jesus said that in Him, we MAY have peace. We have His PERMISSION to have peace if we so choose. In addition, we have been given the AUTHORITY to choose.

In Deuteronomy 30:19-20, we have also been given the COMMAND to choose:

“I have set before you life and death….. So choose life in order that you may live, you AND your descendants, by loving The Lord  your God, by obeying His voice, and holding fast to Him…” NASB

The formula is pretty simple: choose life in Jesus Christ.

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Like Joni Mitchell, I’ve looked at life and love from both sides now.

Having been made miserable by the illusions of this World (which ultimately lead to eternal death and a pretty sucky existence on this planet in the meantime), I finally clocked in and chose the life-giving Love found in Christ Jesus.

Now peace does indeed flow like a river in my life, and I am of good cheer, because I finally started bowing to the right King.

SELAH! (meditate on this)

 

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Copyright ©2014 Church in 90 Seconds/Joel Harrison All rights reserved.