Welcome to the Café Logos thought bakery where I assemble the ingredients of my daily experiences to share with our diners.
October 15, 2017 Parable of the Dinosaur I was thinking about dinosaurs the other day after having watched a documentary on their existence. And I couldn’t help wondering why God had made them. Now I know a lot of people are fascinated by these creatures and beauty is in the eye of the beholder; but to me a Tyrannosaurus Rex is an evil looking creature with absolutely no empathy; a relentless killing machine only concerned with filling its own belly. So I asked the Lord, “Why? Why did You create this other world filled with gigantic flesh eating monsters?” The word I received in response was “Parable.” Okay, I get it. The story of the dinosaurs is a parable. They were allowed to develop and roam the planet for a specific season. Then after their brutal, flesh ripping reign, they were eliminated by some cataclysmic natural disaster. This is the moral of the story we are to comprehend from their example. - Whenever mankind begins to descend into behavior that mimics that of the reptilian monsters of long ago; flesh devouring, belly filling, self-centered animals, then there will come along some sort of catastrophic event to eliminate the offending animals. For example, God used a great flood in Noah’s day because the people had become so corrupted, evil and violent, the Lord had no other recourse but to allow them to be destroyed (Genesis 6:5, 17). Likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah received the same judgment because they had descended into unrestrained immorality (Genesis 19:1-28). Looking at the world today, I can’t help but visualize dinosaur heads walking around in business suits, plotting and executing life destroying strategies for their own gain. There is another cataclysmic event prophesied for the elimination of the wickedness that is currently inhabiting this world. This event is the Second Coming, when Jesus returns to gather His people and remove the evil beasts that are preying on others for their own selfish purposes. The monsters are allowed a specific time for their reign. Hopefully, some can be brought to repentance and turn from their flesh tearing, self-centered, belly serving existence. God is merciful – to all of us. Copyright 2017 by H.D. Shively
October 3, 2017 Today's Headline I am writing this in the wake of the mass shooting that occurred in Las Vegas on Sunday. The day before I had been praying and I received this word from the Lord. I felt it was appropriate to share it today. - It’s hard now, children, I know. Things have to get worse before I will make them better. Hold onto Me with all the strength of a trusting child’s hands and I will do the rest. I have no doubt that we are in the latter days, standing on a conveyor belt that is slowly moving us closer to what the Bible refers to as the “Great tribulation.” We need to remember that God knows exactly where all of us are standing in this period of time and He is calling all of us to repent of our sins, and believe that it is His desire to save us. Receive the grace and forgiveness He has provided for us though the sacrifice of His Son and grab on to Him with trusting hands. Copyright 20017 by H.D. Shively
September 9, 2017 Hope in the Storm As I write this, a major hurricane is bearing down on Florida. A few weeks ago, the Lord led me to begin a Bible study on the book of Hebrews, relating it to the times we are living now. The epistle was written to the Hebrew believers in Jerusalem for the purpose of strengthening their faith during a time of persecution. Although the date of the epistle is uncertain, it is believed by many scholars that it was penned during the persecution by Nero. This would place the writing prior to the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus in 70 AD. The author of Hebrews did not know that in a few short years the city would be attacked by the Roman army. It is very likely that some of the people that were the recipients of this epistle would be experiencing the horrific consequences of that event. There was a major storm headed their way and God, through His foreknowledge, was preparing them to face the coming tempest. The weather reports on the news at this moment, are warning people to prepare for impending disaster. While being prepared physically in these situations is very important, it is far more important to be prepared spiritually. For the Christian who has cultivated a relationship with Jesus, there is always hope in the storm. Our souls are protected, encased by His Holy Spirit. No matter what devastations blow our way, we are hidden in the refuge of His abiding Presence. We can walk above the storm waters of this life, knowing that this path we are travelling now is only leading us to something better. God wants to give everyone hope. Hope is the Light in the storm, walking toward us out of the darkness. His name is Jesus. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. - John 3:16 Copyright 20017 by H.D. Shively
June 24, 2017 A Political Disclaimer On this website I tend to write a lot about God’s care for the poor, and how Christians and governments should respond to the needy in our midst. For this I have been viewed politically as a Democrat here in the United States. I would like to take this opportunity to assure everyone who wants to write me off as a political heretic, that I am not a Democrat. I’m not a Republican either. I am a Biblican. My purpose is to educate Christians on what the Bible says and that’s it. If the Democratic Party favors the poor in its agenda, it is to their credit and it’s about the only thing they are doing right. Many Christians don’t have a clue about what the Bible teaches about the poor. The Word of God actually contradicts much of what the Republicans believe and this is a very dangerous place for them to be spiritually. My position is on the sidelines, holding up God’s Word on the issue, hoping the Light of it will break through and align those who profess faith in God with the Truth His Word proclaims. I am an ambassador for the Lord (II Corinthians 5:20) and here I have no continuing city, but I seek one to come (Hebrews 13:14). In other words, my politics are not of this world, they are directed by God and I vote for Jesus on a daily basis. There will be no political solutions for today’s problems unless the Bible is consulted and it cannot be interpreted through the eyes of any man-inspired political agenda. What the Bible says regarding God’s commands concerning the poor cannot be neglected or avoided. If we fail to respond to the poor in our land as God requires, then we risk duplicating ancient Israel’s failures in this same area which ultimately contributed to her devastating captivity. Please check out our most recent devotional – “Always” – and have a nice day. Copyright 20017 by H.D. Shively
May 4, 2017 Opinions I had an interesting encounter while I was shopping the other day. While helping an elderly woman locate a particular face cream she used to help her hold back the advances of time on her face, (she was ninety something, and I must say, she looked pretty good for her age), we got into a conversation. We delved into a variety of subjects, and being the evangelist I am, I brought the conversation around to Jesus. She saw herself as a Christian. She told me she had attended the Episcopalian church and wound up with the Unitarians. Any attempt I made to explain God’s Word as the absolute truth was reduced to being my “opinion.” Thus, this woman really didn’t believe in anything when it comes down to it, it’s all just someone’s opinion. For example, relating to her a statement by the Apostle Paul, she responded, “That’s his opinion.” Quoting Jesus initiated the same response. “That’s his opinion.” Any miracles I mentioned, including some that happened to me personally, were dismissed by, – “How do you know it was God?” At least she believed in “God,” but by her own standards, her God was probably a figment of her own opinion. There is such a concept known as “Fact.” It is a fact that, according to the writings of Moses and the Prophets in the Old Testament, they all believed that there is One True God. Likewise in the New Testament, Jesus is revealed as the image of the One True God of Israel. “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” (II Corinthians 5:19). Jesus is “God manifest in the flesh”…( I Timothy 3:16), according to the “opinions” of the New Testament writers. But the fact remains that they all believed the same thing as did their predecessors. The testimony of their words shows us that they also believed that there is One True God of Israel. If there is One True God, then there can only be two opinions about Him; right ones or wrong ones. Jesus stated an absolute truth when He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except by Me,” (John 14:6). The Bible was given to us to show us Truth. The keys to eternity are contained within its pages. Unless the beauty of those words is taken as absolute truth, then we run the risk of alienating ourselves from the God who seeks to save us – in my opinion. What’s yours? Copyright 20017 by H.D. Shively
April 22, 2017 A Celebration Everyday They had just witnessed the love of their lives crucified and laid to rest in a stone covered tomb, ushering in a long night of aching grief and despair. Then morning came with light shining upon the door of the empty grave. Joy revived at the feet of the risen Messiah and bounded forth unfettered from sorrow, free to proclaim the Gospel of hope to all who could hear. Twice a year, the world is reminded of the reality of God in the life of His Son through the celebrations of His birth and His death and resurrection from the dead to save them. The world can turn its back and refuse the truth, and wait until the brief candles of celebration are extinguished and business resumes as usual. But for the Christians, the ones in whom Christ is in, the celebration never ends. The resurrection day is every morning when the light arrives anew to remind us we have been given the gift of eternal life and a brand new beginning. The celebration of Jesus’ birth, is made daily in the heart as we express our gratitude to Him for the new birth He has made possible in our souls. And as the evening descends once again, we think of those dark hours He spent suffering for our sins and we are grateful that because of Him we can endure the darkness until the morning returns and we begin the celebration all over again. The joy and exhilaration that was experienced by the first disciples, needs to be duplicated now in those who are called to bear the torch of God’s truth. Celebrate the Resurrection Day every day children, and let your zeal light the path to Him for others to find and join the celebration.
Three Meals a Day
March 26, 2017 The Night Comes I was reading some letters from missionaries on a bulletin board at a church I was visiting recently. One letter was from a missionary who ministered in Europe and Russia. He was sharing how there was much concern over Russia’s new anti-terrorism law. Under the guise of combating terrorism, the law “…prohibits sharing your faith anywhere other than a government recognized church. Declares house churches and the rental of properties for worship illegal. Threatens violators with a fine of up to 50,000 rubles – six weeks salary.” The leader of the Russian protestant church has said, “This is the most repressive law since Nikita Khrushchev declared he would eliminate Christianity from the Soviet Union.” There is an effort being made to encourage Putin to revise the repressive elements in this new law. I remember a prophecy I heard years ago that said a door would be opened in Russia for evangelism, but it would be for a season and then it would close. The Christian church in Russia has enjoyed considerable freedom since the fall of the former regime. Apparently the door of freedom is beginning to swing shut. Jesus said, “I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night comes, when no man can work. – John 9:4. This statement has two applications. The night of death can come upon an individual at any time. Therefore we must take advantage of those living daylight hours to work for the salvation of souls and the resulting expansion of God’s kingdom. The second application, I believe, relates to the spiritual climate of the world in these latter days. The emerging world system that hates the life giving message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, will and is seeking for its destruction. Before the door of freedom to share the Gospel slams shut completely, believers must make the most of our time and work diligently to share Jesus with as many as we can, for as long as we have daylight.
March 10, 2017 The Prophecy of Anton Sawyer Approximately twenty-five years ago I was privileged to hear Anton Sawyer speak at a large church in California. She was a prophetess from South Africa who was sent by the Lord to the United States to counter the prosperity doctrine, the “name it and claim it” distortion of Christianity. Her theme was “What have we done with God’s Word?” She was the real deal. She would get Ezekiel type visions, many of them she did not understand. One of them I remember very clearly. She described a tornado that was headed toward some people who were having a party. With them was an elephant. In between the party people and the tornado was a small, run down shack. The Lord told her in this vision to go into the shack which was directly in the path of the oncoming tornado. She obeyed Him, and went into the shanty. The tornado went around her and she was safe. Then the tornado continued on a direct path toward the party people. I was never a political type person. I was so out of it, for the longest time I thought Obama was Irish. (Just kidding). When I first heard Anton’s vision, I did not know what the people having the party with the elephant meant. I do now. She was obviously being shown the Republican Party whose symbol is an elephant. Why would God send a tornado to the Republicans, especially when so many of them are professed Christians? The Republicans are known for their willingness to cut entitlement programs that help the poor. Anton was being shown that the Republican Party will invoke God’s disfavor if they pursue a compassionless agenda regarding the needy. Anton was protected in the vision by her obedience to God’s word. The shack represented the poor. Likewise, those who obey God in regards to caring for the poor will escape judgement in this area. God’s favor is on the poor. In His word, there are more Scriptures concerning His desire for His people and secular governments to care for the poor than any other moral issue in the Bible. I am sharing this because I also have been shown prophetically what will happen to the United States if it pulls the entitlement rug out from under the ones who need our help. I do not want myself or any Christian to be targets of those tornados of judgement. I encourage everyone to study God’s word and get a spiritual education about what matters the most to God. And please do it quickly, children, time is running out. The storm clouds are gathering, believe me.
February 7, 2017 "I Work!" I was talking to a Christian friend about the need for the government and the church to take care of the poor and her immediate response was, “I work!” She was a bit indignant and the implication was why should she give her hard earned dollars to people who don’t work. Her attitude was based on the assumption, that if you are poor, it is because you are not working. This is a myth I would like to take this opportunity to destroy. There are millions of people in the United States who are working very hard but are still poor because of the rising costs of housing, food and fuel. I met a relatively young woman who told me that she had a stroke from working so many jobs just to keep a roof over her head. She didn’t have any children, and could not qualify for low income housing, at least not until she had the stroke. That’s quite a price to pay to get housing you can afford. A distressed woman walked into a food bank and told the workers there, “It doesn’t matter how many jobs I work, I still can’t make ends meet.” Then she broke down sobbing. I have been there and because I am in ministry totally dependant on the gifts of others, sometimes I am still there and I know the feeling very well. I don’t care what anyone says, if we do not have compassion, we do not have Christ and we can’t pretend we know Him and turn our backs on people we know are in need. - But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? - I John 3:17. If we are going to survive as a nation, the policies of our government and the church in this country must never turn against the poor for any reason. It is a Biblical principle that when we give to the poor, God protects - Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies –Psalm 41: 1,2. When we turn our backs on the poor, He withdraws His protection, and this country has many enemies. Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar to -break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor” and God would “lengthen his tranquility”. Daniel 4: 27. The government has stopped purchasing surplus from the farms. This surplus was the provision of our food banks. Now many of them are struggling to stay open in a time when more and more families are in need. May I make a suggestion to those of you who have been blessed with adequate paychecks? Take a little bit of your abundance and donate it to your local food bank, or purchase some extra food and give it to them. It may help prolong your prosperity in these unstable times. Sharing the wealth is not socialism, it is true Christianity – Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.- Acts 4: 34,35.
January 4,2017 Mary's Road to Bethlehem I had a lovely, quiet Christmas this year; a much needed time of rest and reflection. Contemplating the events surrounding the birth of our Messiah Jesus, I found myself once again thinking about Mary’s arduous journey to Bethlehem, the God appointed prophesied location of Jesus’ birth. Mary was almost nine months pregnant when she had to mount a donkey and begin the one hundred mile trek back to Joseph’s birth place to register for a government required census for the purpose of taxation. I can’t imagine being that far along in a pregnancy and having to make such a strenuous journey. But no matter what hardships Mary had to endure to arrive at her appointed destination, the result was worth the many miles and the long nights she had to spend sleeping on the ground. The trial of the journey and the agonizing pain of labor resulted in the means by which God would birth salvation for multitudes through Mary’s Son. The birth of just one very special soul made a difficult and hazardous journey worth every mile. Likewise, those of us who labor in ministry endure hardships for the same purpose; to reach our God-appointed goal of birthing souls into God’s kingdom, even if all the hardships of a lifetime result in the birth of just one. This thought reminded me of one of my favorite missionary stories. Two couples from Sweden traveled to the Belgian Congo in 1921 to minister to the natives in the jungles there. After being rejected from settling in the local villages, they were forced to build huts in the jungle. The only soul one of the wives was able to minister to was a little boy who came to sell them chickens. The woman was never really sure he understood what she shared with him about Jesus. The woman, whose name was Seva Flood, gave birth to a baby girl and then died shortly afterward from malaria. The other couple had previously returned to the mission station. Seva’s husband, grieving and embittered by the loss of his wife, returned there also with his two year old son and left his infant daughter with them, unable to care for both children without his wife. He returned to Sweden and went into business. He turned his back on God, thinking the entire time they had spent in the jungle and the loss of his wife was a fruitless waste. He eventually became an alcoholic and his son followed his father’s example. His daughter, whom he had left behind in Africa was eventually taken to the United States. She grew up and married a minister. One day she received a magazine in the mail that recounted the story of her mother. It was from that article, the daughter Aina, learned that her mother was greatly revered by the African Pentecostal churches as being instrumental in the spread of the Gospel in Zaire. After Aina had received the magazine that told about her mother’s spiritual victory in Africa, she went back to Sweden and located her father. She was able to assure him that their time in Africa had not been wasted. As a result, he came back to the Lord just weeks before he died. Aina eventually returned to Africa with her husband. At a meeting there she approached one of the speakers who was at the time, the superintendent of the Pentecostal church in Zaire. When he found out that Seva Flood was her mother, his eyes filled with tears. He told her that he had been the little boy who came to sell chickens, and her mother had shared the Gospel with him. He embraced her and said, “Thank you for letting your mother die so that we can live.” Sometimes our labors for the Lord may seem like one long, strenuous marathon run. Be faithful in your ministry, trust God for the results, and someday when the race is over we will hear our Lord say, “Well done.”
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