Anger and Blame

We all get angry from time to time. Whether it is when someone cuts us off on the highway, from co-workers on a stressful day on the job or to our loves ones at home. But is it OK for a Christian to get angry? Well, anger is a real human emotion.

Many people believe it isn’t Christian to get angry but God got angry at times:

• Jeremiah 21:5: “I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm in anger and fury and great wrath.”

• Deuteronomy 29:28: In furious anger and in great wrath the LORD uprooted them from their land and thrust them into another land, as it is now.
  

Slow to Anger

The key here is, God was slow to anger. "Slow to anger" is mentioned 9 times in the NIV version of the bible. Click HERE

But God sent us his son Jesus Christ to serve and set an example for us on this earth. And yes, even Christ got angry at times too. Here are a few examples:

In Matthew 23, Jesus was angry at the Scribes and Pharisees and he didn't sugarcoat what he thought. Read this chapter and see how many times that Jesus calls them hypocrites, fools, and blind guides. And in Matthew 23:33, he even referred to the Scribes and Pharisees as snakes.

In Matthew 21, Jesus became angry for all the buying and selling that was going on in the temple.

• Matthew 21:12-13: Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves."It is written," he said to them, 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'"

In Mark Chapter 3 Jesus shows visible anger with the Pharisees who doubted him:

• Mark 3:5: “And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.

But Christ’s anger wasn’t over petty things or for selfish reasons. Christ had righteous anger that centered around moral issues (making a mockery of God’s house), leading people to do wrong, refusing to listen to God, for lack of faith, injustice, taking advantage of the poor or due to hardness of hearts.

And most importantly, knowing that we will get angry at times, we are instructed to not sin in our anger and resolve it quickly:

• Ephesians 4:26: "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”

Jesus tells us the importance of forgiving:

• Matthew 6:14-15: "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. "
  
  

So in our busy, hectic lives, we Christians always need to be remember the parameters of anger and how to appropriately deal with it. And also to employ the fruits of the spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23, which are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

The above spirits identify us as Christians.

Self-Control

The key fruit of the spirit in dealing with anger is self-control. Nobody really makes us get angry. We can feel anger but we don't have to show anger. There is an equation for this: Event + Response = Outcome. We may not have much control over the Event but we do have complete control over the Response part of the equation and how we react to an event.

• Proverbs 25:28: Whoever has no rule over his own spirit--Is like a city broken down, without walls.

Whenever we lose self-control and get out of touch with our Holy Spirit, we are inviting Satan into our soul and expect many bad or hurtful outcomes.

Blame

The first human sin recorded in the bible is found in Genesis Chapter 3 when Eve disobeyed God and ate fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. This sin was pride as Eve disobeyed God and thought she could be like Him and gain His knowledge by eating the fruit.

The second sin was blame as Adam took the fruit from Eve and ate it and then tried to blame God--"it was the woman you gave me!"

• Genesis 3:12: The man said, "The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."
  

Likewise, Eve blamed the Serpent (Satan):

• Genesis 3:13: Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
  

Here is a great quote on blame:

"All blame is a waste of time. No matter how much fault you find with another, and regardless of how much you blame him, it will not change you. The only thing blame does is to keep the focus off you when you are looking for external reasons to explain your unhappiness or frustration. You may succeed in making another feel guilty about something by blaming him, but you won't succeed in changing whatever it is about you that is making you unhappy.” -- William Dyer

When we constantly blame others, we give up our power to grow spiritually. We cannot blame other people, other things or Satan for when we stumble and sin. The devil doesn't make you do it, we have to take personal responsibility for our actions because we all will be held accountable to God someday.

• Romans 14:11-12: It is written: " 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

A good concluding scripture:

• Ephesians 4:31-32: Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

A video I recommend that I think can help when you get angry and calm your spirit: Click HERE

Peace be with you,

© Michael J. Cox

Authentic Love

With Valentine's Day drawing near, it is probably a good time to write on the topic of love--not romantic love, authentic love. The kind of love that has no end. Also, picking up from my last blog "Does God Really Exist?" it is a good time to talk about what makes us a Christian since it deeply involves love as well.

I am sure if you are reading this blog that you do believe that God exists. I am also pretty sure that you believe that Jesus Christ exists too. This, unfortunately, doesn't really make us a "Christian." Why? So did Satan.

What constitutes being a Christian? Generally speaking, holding to Christ's teaching and loving him enough to obey him. And praying to him and asking for forgiveness when you have failed (i.e. having a relationship with Christ).

• John 8:31: "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples."

• John 14:15: "If you love me, you will obey what I command"

Does doing good things for people who are good to you (family and friends) make you a Christian? While it certainly displays kindheartedness, read what Christ says about this:

• Luke 6:33: "And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that."

Jesus also wants us to help the poor and unfortunate. God gave us two hands, one for receiving and the other for giving. Read Matthew 25:

• Matthew 25:40: "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
  
  

Jesus taught us a lot about love when someone asked him which is the greatest commandment:

• Matthew 22:36-39:"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

Love God Above All

This is why our priorities in life should be: 1) God, 2) Spouse, 3) Children, 4) Career. When these priorities are out of order, expect disharmony in your life. Trust me, I have experienced this myself and seen it in other couples lives. Jobs come and go, children eventually grow up and leave the nest, careers hopefully end in retirement but your spouse is someone you've made a lifetime covenant with.

Love Your Neighbor As Yourself

Loving your neighbor is the second greatest commandment. Who is your neighbor? Everyone.

If you love your neighbor as yourself, you want the best and greatest thing for that person: that is heaven and eternal life. You also wish for them to find love and happiness. God is love (see 1 John 4:16) and God is the source and summit of real sustained happiness. Things of this world only provide short-lived happiness. You will keep wanting more and more things, but you will find as many have, that you cannot substitute the happiness and love you get from the Lord.

We fail to love our neighbor when we don't take a stand on political issues that leads others away from God's love and mercy such as abortion and gay marriage.

Did you know that the woman in the famous court case Roe vs Wade that legalized abortion is 100% Pro-Life today?

Yes, Norma McCorvey (aka Jane Roe) is now totally against abortion and is a vocal member of the Pro-Life movement. She also turned away from a lesbian lifestyle and is now a converted Catholic. As a surprise to many, she also never had an abortion but was used politically by feminist abortion activists. Here is a link to many interviews and articles about her: Click HERE

McCorvey found like many, God is love and God is the truth. When we run from the truth, we run from God's Love and Mercy. Norma McCorvey wrote a book about her life experience, titled "Won By Love"

Our Failure To Love

We fail to love anytime we confirm someone in their sin by silence or approval. We should love the sinner and hate the sin.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines our obligation.

CCC 1868 Sin is a personal act. Moreover, we have a responsibility for the sins committed by others when we cooperate in them:

1. by participating directly and voluntarily in them;
2. by ordering, advising, praising, or approving them;
3. by not disclosing or not hindering them when we have an obligation to do so;
4. by protecting evil-doers.

Being a Christian means following Christ and helping build his Kingdom on earth and leading others away from traps set by Satan.

Jesus didn't say: "Come follow me and I will make you oblivious to sin."

Jesus said:

Matthew 4:19: "Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

And when you take a stand on these issues, expect to be hated. Jesus warned us:

• John 15:18-19: "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."

Do Not Judge?

When you take a stand on the above issues, expect to hear the "Do not Judge" or "He who is without sin, cast the first stone" arguments. This is sometimes the brilliance of Satan. The bible tells us that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) but Satan hopes to confine us as slaves to sin. Satan is the master deceiver who wants to exchange the truth for a lie. "Do not Judge" is used by Satan as "Do not Love."

When Jesus said "Do not Judge, or you will be judged" he really meant not judge (condemn) anything before its time and not to be hypocritical (committing the same sin but judging others who commit it). See Romans 2:1.

God will judge everyone on judgment day, not man. However, we do know what the bible says about who will not inherit the Kindgom of Heaven (See: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and Galatians 5:19-21). And we certainly should call sin as a sin and try to lead ourselves and others away from it and grow in holiness. If we hold eachother accountable, we will all grow in holiness.

When Jesus said, "He who is without sin, cast the first stone" he made this comment about a woman caught in the act of adultery to the Pharisees who were ready to stone her to death. And even then, after he saved the woman from the stoning, he said to her: "Go and sin no more."

Jesus said for us to judge with righteous judgment.

• John 7:24: "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
  

Greatest Example of Love

What is the greatest example of Love?

• Romans 5:8: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
• 1 John 3:16: This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

Christ laid down his life for us in the most brutal and humilating fashion. Why? Because of sin and so that sins may be forgiven and also so that he could understand our pain and suffering. What is the depth of your faith and how much do you really love your neighbor if you don't try to lead others away from sin?

Fortunately, we don't have to be nailed on a cross and die for anyone. All we have to do is help give the world life. Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6). We can give life by taking a stand for Christ in the world and in the voting booth.

And those closest to us, to speak the truth in love to help set the captives free:

• Romans 6:6: For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.
  
• John 8:31-32: To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

There is no end to God's love, only many beginnings

I love you all,

© Michael J. Cox

Does God Really Exist?

Whether it is a family member, co-worker or friend, everybody knows someone who is either agnostic or athiest. I can appreciate those who are skeptical. As a pharmacist, I have to guard against and be leary of false claims about the benefit of drugs from Over-The-Counter drug manufacturers. I was also born in the "Show-Me" state of Missouri--so just "Show-Me."

The real stumbling block on issues of faith is that man has a finite ability to comprehend infinite things. God is infinite and God is reality.

I suggest watching this YouTube video: Click Here

We can all agree that Albert Einstein was a genius and one of the greatest minds of the 20th Century.

I remember a pastor who lived across the street from me long ago that seemed concerned when I told him that I was going to college and taking science courses for pharmacy school. I think he was worried that I would discount God in favor of science.

But just like Einstein, seeing the order in the Periodic Table, studying physics, seeing how amazing the human body works in harmony all the way down to the Krebs Cycle...the more I delved deeper and deeper into science, the more I knew there had to be a God. Science confirmed my belief in God because you can see the brilliant architect behind it all.

Science and religion do mix. As a Catholic, the Dan Browns of the world negatively and erroneously try to protray the Catholic Church out to be anti-science. Do you all remember hearing about the Big Bang Theory in high school science class? Did you realize that the "Big Bang Theory" (origin of the universe) was formulated by a Belgian Catholic priest?

Yes, Monsignor Georges Lemaître. Click HERE to read about it.

Einstein believed in God but he didn't believe in a personal God. My reasoning is that his parents were Jewish. He did not believe that Christ was the son of God. Our "personal God" is Christ. And Christ himself says that you cannot know the Father except through the son:

• John 14:6-7: Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
  

So why does God allow bad things to happen in the world?

Why does He allow evil?

Many athiests and agnostics always raise this question. And it is good question. It has made me think at times. But once again, we have a finite ability to understand an infinite God. We define our life too much on the seen and on THIS world--without knowledge of the greater world beyond called heaven.

As Father John Corapi says, just take a look at The Cross if you want the real answer for why God would allow bad things to happen. The Cross represents the greatest evil (the created kill the creator) and the greatest good (Christ willingly dies for our sins).

So in summary, why does God allows bad things to happen? Simple: To bring about a greater good.

Christ came into the world to turn it upside down. He brought a New Covenant of Love and Forgiveness to replace the "Eye-for-an-Eye" Old Covenant. Jesus Christ willingly laid down his life for all of us for the forgiveness of sins. He did so in a humiliating and brutal fashion. He experienced pain and suffering. Why? So that He could truly understand the pain and suffering we all go through in life.

The next good question that even Christians raise at some point in our lives: Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? Why does God allow suffering? Because He is a loving God. God knows us better than ourselves and He knows what we need. God tests our faith from time to time. He tested Job, didn't he?

• Hebrews 12:6: because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.

• Hebrews 12:10: Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.

• Luke 24:26: "Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"
  

What is the danger of not believing in Christ or making things of this world your god?

John 8:21-24: Once more Jesus said to them, "I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come." This made the Jews ask, "Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, 'Where I go, you cannot come'?" But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins."

Faith

Faith is something that even Christians struggle with at times. But least we forget this these scriptures:

• 2 Corinthians 5:7: We live by faith, not by sight.
• Acts 14:22: ..."We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God."

Help the victims of the massive earthquake that hit Haiti this week. Below is a link to donate especially for the cause through Catholic Relief Services. Click HERE

• Galatians 5:14: The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
  

Peace be with you,

© Michael J. Cox

Gone Fishing

I started this blog almost a year ago. According to my blog stats, I get over 1200+ page views per month and have over 250+ regular readers. My July 2009 blog titled The Mystery of The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved had a record high 437 page views in a day. Some of the readers are family and friends but many of the readers are those in CyberWorld that I do not know. Guess what? I love you all.

Ok, what is love and who should we love? Christ said we should love everyone, including those who hate us.

• Luke 6:32: "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them."
  
• Luke 6:27: "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you."

And as a Christian, you will be tested because you will be hated and misunderstood. Christ warned us:

• Matthew 10:22: "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved."

And God will test you, He chastises every son he loves:

• Hebrews 12:6: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."

Back to the concept of what love is. Is love doing good things for people? Yes, that is a part of it but listen to what Christ says:

• Luke 6:33: "And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that."
  

The Ultimate Form of Love

So what is the ultimate form of love? Can we all agree that if you truly love someone, you would want the best and greatest thing for that person? Yes?

Well, the ultimate form of love is when you desire the best and greatest thing for that person. That is: Heaven and Eternal Life.

• Matthew 13:44: "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."
  

It is undeniable. It is love in the highest degree. Heaven and Eternal Life are forever. And just like the song says, "Forever is a mighty long time."

And this is why I started this blog: Out of love. A love for you and a love for God. I am a sinner just everybody else but God loves me just as he loves you. God gives each one of us certain talents and one of mine is writing. I have authored one book: Masten Gregory: Totally Fearless. It got a movie option from James Chressanthis and it helped get Gregory into some motorsports Halls of Fame. I could spend my free time writing another book for its monetary reward. But I have all that I need and have the most important thing that brings true happiness: Christ's love and forgiveness.

So I choose to use my talents and some of my free time in helping build Christ's Kingdom on earth by writing these blogs. I don't know if my blogs have made a difference in anyone's life. I get a few e-mails of encouragement from time to time. But if my blogs help one person and get them on the path of God... if they help save one soul, then it is worth any money I could get from putting my talent and time into some other selfish pursuit.

I took Christ literally when he said:

Mark 1:17:

"Come, follow me,"

"and I will make you fishers of men."

You can't be a fisher of men any other way than following Christ. As Christians, we need to be IN the world, not OF the world, and it is our moral obligation to point other lost souls towards the light--not to confirm them in a life of darkness.

• James 5:19-20: Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

And so we all need to go fishing, being fishers of mankind. Christ tells us why:

• Matthew 13:47-50: "Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

When the nets get pulled up someday in the future, don't you desire yourself and those you love to be good fish that don't get thrown away?

That is the ultimate form of love, when you desire the best and greatest thing for that person. To be with Christ someday, the greatest example and source of love we have ever known.

• 1 John 3:16: This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

So go fishing instead of just a wishin'. Because in the end, you and those you love will be one of two things: a good fish or a bad fish. A winner or a loser.

A new song I love. Click HERE

Peace be with you,

© Michael J. Cox

Marriage, Depression & New Year's Resolutions

It is that time of year, the time of year that depression sets in for many. Shorter days, colder weather, large credit card balances from Christmas spending and maybe failed expectations from your loved one this holiday season. Time to reflect on the year and maybe your relationship/marriage has soured or isn't what you had hoped it would be and you just been trying to get through the holidays.

Well, just so you know, the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence. It is always greener where it gets watered.

Contrary to what many people believe, there is no such thing as a Mr. or Mrs. Right for us. Want in on a divine secret?

God puts people in your life for a reason, it is up to you to make the relationship Holy or allow Satan to tear it apart.

In in his book "Laugh your way to a Better Marriage," author Mark Gungor says:

“The truth is, a successful marriage is not the result of marrying the “right” person, feeling the “right” emotions, thinking the “right” thoughts, or even praying the “right” prayers. It’s about doing the “right” things -- period."

Truth

Nothing in the bible tells us that God has a chosen one for us. Why? As Gungor says, "Because He knows that His principles of love, acceptance, patience, and forgiveness work, and they work all the time, every time — no matter to whom you are married.”

I wrote a blog in October titled "Important Questions Jesus Asked Himself" that goes into depth of these same principles.

Ever want to become a priest or nun and devote yourself to the Lord? Well, marriage is even a higher calling. Marriage is a Holy union between man and woman instituted by God, it provides the framework to add more children to God's Kingdom.

Marriage will test your faith and be a testament of your faith to make it work. Why? Because marriage forces you to become more selfless and Christlike on a daily basis--being single doesn't. Marriage forces you to grow up and to think less about self. To make a relationship work, you have to be less self-centered and more Christ-centered.

But today's world seems to cut-and-run in relationships when the going gets tough as Gungor says: “Then the unwise voices of modern convention scream in their minds: ‘If things are bad, you married the wrong person.’ ‘It’s not supposed to be this hard.’ ‘You’ve made a mistake.’ ‘God doesn’t want you to feel unloved.’"

But any relationship is hard work and God has to be the center of it. Perhaps this scripture tells it best:

• Proverbs 14:4: Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.

And where there are oxen, there will be ox poo.

As with anything in life, whether it be your job or marriage...

• Colossians 3:23-24: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

And marriage requires two people serving eachother for the Lord. I know that I want to be treated like a King. Not that type of King, like Christ who is the King. Wives, treat your husbands like Christ the King. Husbands treat your wives like Christ did the church.

Divorce - What did Jesus Say?

Mark 10:2-8: Some Pharisees came and tested him (Jesus) by asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" "What did Moses command you?" Jesus replied. They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away."

"It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law," Jesus replied. "But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one."

Mark 10:9: "Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

"Let man not separate." This means: divisive friends or family, marriage counselors that don't view marriage as a sacrament, greedy attorneys and the hard-hearted prideful spouse.


Advice From Christ

Luke 21:34-36: "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."

Can't think of a New Year's Resolution for 2010?

How about living a more Holy life and being more Christlike to those around you.

And judging from divorce statistics, make a resolution to work harder in your relationship and be a better parent and spouse.

• John 13:34: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
  
  

Its all Faith Plus Love. And when you have these, you have Hope.

A video I recommend, click HERE

Peace be with you,

© Michael J. Cox

Is there going to be a Christmas this year?

Is there really going to be a Christmas this year? Will the real spirit of Christ be present this December 25th or will many celebrate a commercialized holiday "of the world"?

Will you celebrate the birth of our savior or will many continue to celebrate a false god of worldy things--materialistic goods that bring short-term happiness?

Remember what Christ said in John 6:48:

"I am the bread of life."

We are all hungry. We all hunger for love, peace and happiness in our lives. Christ feeds this hunger and he truly is the bread of life.

Christ was born in Bethlehem. Bethlehem in Hebrew means "House of Bread."

In John 6:51 Christ says: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."

Is there any coincidence that the Christ child was first laid in a manger, a feeding trough?

In John 6:53-58, Christ goes on to say:

"I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever."

But many did not believe Christ then or today...

John 6:60: On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"

John 6:61: Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them: "Does this offend you?

Knowing that he was still alive and in the flesh, Jesus sets the table for Holy Communion later and "Do This In Remembrance of Me" on the night of the Last Supper when he says:

John 6:62:

"What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before!"

In John 6:643-65, Christ goes on to say: "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."

Sadly,

John 6:66: From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

John 6:67:

"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.

Have you turned your back on Christ or strayed away from him?

The Humble King

Christ was born in the humble setting of a stable, not a royal, lush palace of your typical king. He said came to serve--not to be served.

• Mark 10:45: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
  

He taught us to put others first and ourselves last.

• Mark 9:35 Christ said: "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and a servant of all"

He taught us not to value material possessions.

• Luke 12:15: Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
  

Will the real spirit of Christ be in you this Christmas?

Will your heart be filled with Christ's love, humility and forgiveness?

That is how you can truly celebrate Christmas. For Christ to be alive in your heart so that he was not born and did not die in vain.

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Lets remember the greatest gift of all.

A recommended video to watch, click HERE

Peace be with you,

© Michael J. Cox

2012

There is a new movie out called 2012, in which the world as we know it comes to an end on December 21st 2012. As dissatisfied as I am with most of the movies being churned out of Hollywood for its promotion of moral relativism and violence, at least this movie has some religious symbolism and overtones.

And this movie may make many people think...

In the past, I remember a few Christian evangelists stirring up fear that there were all these signs that the end of the world was near on a specific date. Well, if have read your bible well, you will remember what Christ said about this, that even Christ himself doesn't know the day or hour:

• Mark 13:31-32: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

The premise of the movie 2012 is not bad if it causes one to look at their own mortality. December 21st 2012 is only 25 months away. If we all had 25 months left to live, how would you live it? What is most important to you now? Would they be as important to you if you knew you had 25 months to live?

Since the world as we know it comes to an end in the plot of 2012, I can see how this coming Sunday's gospel from John Chapter 18 relates. When Jesus Christ's life is on the line and he comes before Roman Governor Pontius Pilate to face charges against him, Jesus Christ says to Pilate (John 18:36):

"My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."

There are two key points I want to make in this scripture. The first, Christ says his kingdom is "not of this world." Have you made things "of this world" too important?

We all like money but have you made money your God?

• Luke 16:13: "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

Is working long hours in order to afford a nicer home and nicer car more important than your relationship with God, your spouse and children?

• Matthew 16:26: What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Is your career and perceived success more important than God and your family? Are you trying to climb the corporate ladder instead of climbing the long stairway to heaven and eternal life? And are you living by the standards of this world?

• Colossians 2:20: Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules

The second point I want to raise in the John 18:36 scripture, why did Christ say his Kingdom was not of this world?

"If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews."

This quote gives rise to some important questions:

Are you fighting to build and be apart of Christ's Kingdom today to those around you and those who serve you politically?

Or are you silent and ashamed of your faith?

• Luke 9:26: "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels."

Have you left Christ handcuffed, preventing his open arms of love?

• John 14:13-14: "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

Have you held Christ captive and at a distance in your life when the reality is that you are being held captive by this world?

• Galatians 5:1: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

What the Movie 2012 Should Teach Us

It should teach us the real value of material possessions, that will someday end up being recycled or buried in a junkyard.

• Matthew 6:19-21: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
  

It may show you where your heart has been.

It should teach us the most important things in life are relationships, our relationship with God, Christ and those closest to us.

It should also teach us the most important thing we leave behind on this earth are memories, both good and bad. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and with Christ's great example of love he left behind on this earth, may you always leave behind good memories and a legacy of love.

What the Movie 2012 Didn't Teach Us

The movie 2012 didn't teach us a few things but these three verses sum it up best:

• 1 John 2:15-17: Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

Peace be with you,
© Michael J. Cox

A Halloween To Be Remembered

On October 31st 1517, four hundred and 92 years ago yesterday, Catholic monk Martin Luther pinned his 95 Theses on the front door of a Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. This officially started the Reformation Period which centered mainly around Luther's dissatisfaction with the abuse of indulgences within the Catholic Church.

Luther must have had some valid points, because in Pope Leo X's Papal Bull, he only asked Luther to recant 41 sentences in all of his writings within 60 days or risk excommunication. Luther also received a summons from Rome to answer for his 95 Theses. For whatever reason, Luther never went to Rome. He publicly burned Pope Leo's Papal Bull thus resulting in his excommunication.

What was the end result of this today? There are now over 25,000 different Christian denominations, many sending conflicting messages of salvation. With so many denominations, subsets of denominations, different practices and beliefs within Christianity, it is no wonder that there are so many agnostics. Confusion is the work of Satan, not of God:

• 1 Corinthians 14:33: For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

Why did all of this happen? It was the work of Satan. Let me explain:

In Luke 12:51 Jesus Christ said:

"Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division."

Unfortunately, Satan, the Master Deceiver, has the same objective. The division Christ sought to bring in the above scripture was the division the New Covenant would bring. The "Turn-the-Other-Cheek" New Covenant was radically different than the "Eye-For-An-Eye" Old Covenant. Christ wanted to Divide and Conquer the World with Love.

Satan is a Master Tactician who wants to Divide, Conquer and Destroy:

• 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18: But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan stopped us.
• 2 Corinthians 2:10-11: If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

The division Satan seeks is unsurping God and taking great pleasure in destroying lives, our Kingdom on earth and dividing Christians. Anything Holy and good, you can bet that Satan will seek to destroy it.

Satan understands this scripture quite well:

• Matthew 12:25: Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand."

When researching the history of Christianity, this knowledge, is one of the reasons that led me to the Catholic Church, which origins can be traced directly to Jesus Christ and the Apostles and not to a man (Luther, Calvin, Wesley, etc).

Since Martin Luther broke off the the Catholic Church in the 16th Century, so many different Christian churches have formed and most have seen their own divisions.

Apostle Paul warned about church division

1 Corinthians 1:10-12: I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."

If Apostle Paul wrote this epistle during the 16th Century, the last line in this scripture might read like this:

One of you says, "I follow Luther"; another, "I follow King Henry the Eighth"; another, "I follow Calvin"; still another, "I follow Christ."

As Paul brilliantly points out in the next verse:

• 1 Corinthians 1:13: Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?

If greater humility and love was displayed on both sides, the Protestant Reformation may have never happened--at least not with the magnitude that is has today that has fragmented and divided the Christian faith.

Luther was once a humble monk but he did not so much want to reform the Catholic Church as he wanted to establish his own church and teach his own theology. Luther developed and promoted his own beliefs of Sola Fide (by Faith Alone), Sola Scriptura (by Scripture Alone), Sola Gratia (by Grace Alone), Solus Christos (by Christ Alone), and Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God Alone).

Discussing the validity to the Five Solas Luther promoted is a topic for another blog. But I will say that I place greater faith in theological interpretations of a group of Holy men, the Magisterium of Catholic Church, than any one man's theological interpretation and theories. Many beliefs have been debated and discussed for centuries within the Catholic Church. Some beliefs, for example, whether every soul having a Guardian Angel, is accepted by many but has yet to become Catholic dogma.

With any theological teaching or interpretation, it is always important to consider the following scriptures:

The danger of private interpretation:

• Acts 8:30-31: "So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him."
• 2 Peter 1:20-21: "knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

The necessity of testing the spirits:

• 2 Peter 3:15-16: "as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures."
• 1 John 4:1: "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

When you review the life of Luther and his writings, you can see a lot of anger, that he had a problem with his temper, you can see his animosity towards the Pope and a lack of humility.

Luther's Anti-Semitism

The most upsetting of Luther's writings was his treatise "On the Jews and Their Lies" written in 1543 where Luther's wrote about the Jews:

"First to set fire to their synagogues or schools and to bury and cover with dirt whatever will not burn, so that no man will ever again see a stone or cinder of them... Second, I advise that their houses also be razed and destroyed..."

For anyone who is Christian, they will recognize that this doesn't jive with Christ's Turn-the-Other-Cheek teachings. And no, this is not Catholic propaganda, the Lutheran Church acknowledges and denounces Luther's anti-Semitic remarks but cling to his final and more Christian viewpoint towards Jews. See source below.

Source: http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=2166

Overall, Luther deserves credit for bringing some necessary changes to the Catholic Church. However, "The Father of Protestantism" was no saintly man and Pope Leo X was never canonized a saint either. However, despite the wrongdoings within the Catholic Church at the time, Luther seemed to be filled too much with anger, hatred and lacked necessary humility for me to be a spirit to follow.

And does wrongdoings in the Church justify many new theological teachings? It is not like Luther recreated the Catholic Church. He took seven books out of the Old Testament, placed them in the back of his bible and said they were useful reading but not inspired by God (apocrypha). Today, these seven books have slowly disappeared from most versions of Protestant bibles.

In some of Luther's statements and actions towards the Pope and the Catholic Church, and how Pope Leo X handled Luther, it brings to mind a couple of scriptures:

• Hebrews 13:17: Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you
• 1 Peter 2:17: Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
• Philippians 2:1-3: If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

And always remember that no church is free from those tempted and succumbing to Satan, not even when Christ walked the earth:

• John 6:70-71: Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!" (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)

Perhaps, someday we Christians will be united again.

Until then, we have to work together and be united front on many issues adversely affecting the world today.

Peace be with you,

© Michael J. Cox

Once Saved, Always Saved?

There is a belief among some Christian denominations, that once you are saved, you are always saved--that it is impossible to lose your salvation. This misguided, dangerous line of thinking was never part of the early church and seems to have originated in the 1500s with John Calvin, a French theologian and pastor during the Protestant reformation. The Father of Protestantism, Martin Luther, didn't subscribe to this theory.

So who do you believe? A theologian 1500 hundred years after the fact? Or Jesus Christ and the apostles?

Those who believe in Once Saved, Always Saved (OSAS) use the following scriptures to support their belief:

1) John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

"Believes" is not past-tense word. It is ongoing and we have to believe EVERYTHING Christ taught and demonstrate it through our actions and words. When we slip up, stumble and sin, as we often do on a daily basis, we have to confess our sins, repent and ask for forgiveness. And forgive those who sin against us as well.

If our salvation was a guaranteed event, how close would it make us in our relationship with Christ?

2) John 5:24:"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."

This is the danger of choosing a few scriptures to build a theory while ignoring other scriptures. You want the WHOLE Truth so read ALL of the Holy Bible. Christ also said:

• John 15:5-6: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

3) John 10:28: "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."

God gave us free will. Satan and the fallen world can tempt us but we choose to jump from the hand of Christ or abide in Him.

4) Romans 10:9: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

But Jesus Christ himself said:

• Matthew 7:21: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. "
• Matthew 7:22-23: "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"
  
  

Why was Paul unsure of his own salvation?

• 1 Corinthians 9:27: No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

This verse above, the last in Chapter 9, provides a very good transition to First Corinthians Chapter 10.

Who Judges, Man or The Lord?

This "Once Saved, Always Saved" concept is the equivalent of man prejudging himself and others who enters the Kingdom of Heaven.

Apostle Paul wouldn't judge himself, he knew such power belongs to our Lord:

• 1 Corinthians 4:3-5: But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

If we are saved and always saved, why does Christ tell us that we have to stand firm to the end to be saved?

• Mark 13:13: "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved."
• Matthew 10:22: "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved."
  

In the Second book of Timothy Chapter 2, the following passage below tells us that if we disown Christ, He will disown us. However, Christ will be faithful when we are faithless because He cannot disown himself:

2 Timothy 2:8-13: Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him, we will also live with him;

if we endure, we will also reign with him.

If we disown him, he will also disown us;

if we are faithless, he will remain faithful,

for he cannot disown himself.

Another scripture to ponder:

• Romans 13:11: And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
  

If our salvation was already earned as a believer in Christ, how could we be nearer to it?

If Salvation was as simple as accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and only a past-tense guaranteed event, they why this scripture?

• Philippians 2:12: Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

If our Salvation was a guaranteed event, there would be no need to work out anything.

We Do Have Hope...

• Romans 8:24: For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?
  

So be strong in Faith and Love...

• Jude 1:21: Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Peace be with you,

© Michael J. Cox

Also be sure to check out the videos I uploaded from Father Corapi's Dinner Speech. Click Here

Important Questions Jesus Asked About Himself

In a discussion on marriage, my parish priest, Father Jim Taranto, brought up three important questions we should think about regarding our spouse or spouse-to-be. Jesus was asked many questions, He answered many questions and raised many questions in order to teach his followers. But Jesus asked very few questions about himself. Here are three:

1) Who do you say I am?

In Matthew 16:15, Jesus asks Peter: "Who do you say I am?"

We all have perceptions of who we really are. But how does the people closest to us perceive us?

Peter answered Jesus: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

We are not. We are all made in God's image. We may be Christian but we all sinners, we are all mortal and make mistakes. Have you forgotten your spouse's good qualities? Have you forgotten the many things they are to you? Who do you say they are to friends and family?

Also remember, with the people we love and are closest to, we tend to focus on the 20% not-so-good qualities in them instead of the 80% good.

2) Do you truly love me?

• John 21:15: When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
• John 21:16: Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
• John 21:17: The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

Although it hurt Peter's feelings, Jesus asked him three times if he loved him. This parallels the three times Peter would deny Jesus the night he was arrested (Matthew 26:69-75).

Even Jesus needed reassurance how much he was loved. So why we would be any different?

3) Will you leave me too?

In John Chapter 6, Jesus said:

"I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever."" John 6:53-58

On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" John 6:60

Sadly,

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. John 6:66

"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. John 6:67

When your spouse loses a job, loses popularity or says something that is difficult for you to accept, are you going to leave them physically and/or emotionally?

Two More Important Questions

In addition to the three above, I came up with two more important questions

4) Why have you forsaken me?

When Jesus was dieing on the cross

• Mark 15:34: And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

When we are in pain, when we are sick or if we are ever stricken with a terminal illness. Or when the world comes toppling down on your spouse's head: Will you be there for them? In sickness and in health and until death do us part?

5) Who touched me?

• Luke 8:45: "Who touched me?" Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you."

In this instance, a woman with a bleeding disorder sought out Jesus in a crowd. She had been to many doctors and suffered with this bleeding disorder for 12 years. She touches Jesus's cloak and was healed instantly.

In times of peril and troubles in your marriage, remember who came into your life in this crowded world we live in. Remember who touched you.

And what Jesus did say to the woman with the bleeding disorder?

• Luke 8:48: Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace."

Remember who can heal all wounds and stop the bleeding.

And remember who had faith in YOU.

I guess the most important question to ask yourself about your spouse or spouse-to-be:

Do you see Jesus in them?

Peace be with you,

© Michael J. Cox