Respect – I remember as a child that children were respectful of all adults, with Mr. or Mrs. before their last name and never called by their first name. It was always “Yes or No Ma’am or Sir” regardless of who they were – they were adults. And every Mom on the street was a Mom to all kids. I also remember reciting a phrase, “Good Morning Mrs. such-n-such (The Teacher); we’re all in our places with bright shiny faces!” And we were mindful of her position too. Being sent to the Principal’s office made you out to be a “Bad Boy or Girl,” and your Mom and Dad were called to let them know why you were sent there.
I cannot say for all the other kids, but I knew I would get a spanking and be put on restriction for at least a week, and that was bad stuff too! Missing “Capt. Kangaroo” and then “The Howdy-doody Show” was worse than death, or at least us kids thought so! Never forgetting to mention “The Mickey Mouse Club show!” Oh man! To miss seeing Annette Funicello would make your heart hurt! Or at least it would to me, ya know!
And there were so many others like “Gunsmoke” and the one my Parents loved, The Lawrence Welk show; of course I really liked the Lennon Sisters. Although I liked my toys, I would be stuck in my Room all alone. I was not allowed to go anywhere, as with my Friends; so being on Restriction was really Bad!
I also remember one time when I had to stand at the chalk board and write 100 times, “I promise I will never talk during class again.” Humiliating stuff! Then I got stuck cleaning the chalk board after school as well, but…all in all…we learned respect for others through it all. I do believe I had some sort of affliction back then; I was always getting a spanking for one reason or another. And I know today, I deserved them too. Was it tough growing up back then? You bet it was! Still, I believe I turned out to be a better person for all of it than the kids of today! Today, the kids have too much time on their hands; they get bored and then get into trouble.
Here’s another thing that I have noticed lately. There are no “Love Songs” today like there were way back then. What is up with that? And then Parents read the Bible and see where it talks about “For the Love of many will wax cold.” I have to wonder if they fully understand what they are reading. How are people supposed to Love one another…if they have never known what Love really is? That is simply uncanny to me!
Matthew 24:12 “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.“
Whoo we! Let that sink in a little bit! Then you will notice the word “Iniquity” (SIN), and it shall abound. Wow! Sin will abound and thus LOVE will grow cold. That is astounding to say the least! So now we see why there are no more Love Songs anymore. It sort of speaks volumes about these generations and just how close we presently are to the “Rapture of the Church of Jesus Christ!” Selah.
And also, the people nowadays rioting in the streets for one reason or another, usually about Politics. Turning over cars and breaking into stores and stealing, shooting one another – and all of this for what? Does it ever strike you that they are upset or unhappy about things? Is this how we are to show respect for each other? And then everyone wonders why there are so many in our Jails and Prisons?
Don’t say to me anything about “Incarceration!” Say it like it really is – “In Jail or in Prison!” You became a criminal for your actions; you were caught, went through the court and were found guilty; now you’re an “Inmate in Prison!” Well… that is until you get out, and then you’re an “Ex-Con” (Ex-Convict) because you were tried and found guilty and spent time in Prison as a “Convicted Criminal.” There is a consequence for your actions…right? Oh, I’m sorry! How Politically Incorrect of me…right?
Of course, you already know there was always a better alternative for you, but like everything else in Life, it’s your choice. What are you going to say to Jesus Christ as you stand before HIM? If you are sad now, just wait! You will be called to stand before the Lord and make an accounting of your actions while here on earth. And guess what? There won’t be any excuses available.
Here is the Crux of the matter. God Almighty knows what you do and HE knows before you ever had that thought… WHY? Because HE is God! HE knew every single one of us long before HE created the Universe. HE knows the number of hairs on our head! Of course, I have to wonder, is that before that hair falls out…or after? Ha Ha Ha! I am not trying to be flippant, just a little levity here and there.
Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.“
There it is, my Friends, in Black and White! The Truth be told, from the Holy Word of God! Having the Lord God saying this, it tells us that HE knows everything about us, all the Where, When and Hows of every action we make while alive. That being the case, the Blood of Jesus Christ becomes all the more important in our daily walk. We must turn to Him as our Savior and ask for HIS forgiveness of our Sin, or there will not be any Heaven for you… ever.
So now the question is, where do you stand with Jesus Christ? Do you belong to HIM or not… No Jesus…no Heaven. I am telling you what the Holy Word of God says.
Our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, or the lack thereof, is the most important thing to each and every one of us. Because if there is NO Jesus Christ in your life…you will see Hell and later the Lake of Fire. Thing is…it’s YOUR choice and only for you! Everyone gets that choice to make for themselves. No one can Pray you into Heaven. Absolutely No One! You will NEVER be “Good Enough” Jesus stated.
Matthew 19:17 “And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.“
We have heard it so many times, “Oh she was such a good person!” I believe that contradicts what Jesus stated in the verse above…don’t you?
Isaiah 64:6-7 “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities (Sins), like the wind, have taken us away. And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities (our Sins).“
Again, my Friends, I did not say this; the Lord God said it in HIS Holy Word, the Bible.
It is so often heard, “Don’t tell me how wrong I am; you’re no better!” And they are correct. The difference is, we who are Born-Again through the Blood of Jesus Christ…are simply forgiven! Those last three words mean the difference between Heaven or Hell for Eternity. For the Born-Again Believer, there is Hope here on earth…there is NO HOPE once you’re in Hell. Ya gotta chose, y’all… that’s all there is to it. After you live this life on earth…your Choice while here…says where you end up in Eternity. In other words, y’all, ya gotta choose before you’re gone from here!
Sometimes I do not understand how anyone can miss this part. Truthfully speaking, there are maybe one or two people that would choose Hell. Everyone else wants the comfort and Peace of Heaven. So why have you never made that choice? Why would you turn your Back on the Offering By Jesus Christ? I am sure you understand that Eternity is far longer than this life here on earth…Right? Do the right thing and make that choice right now. You never know when you will take that last breath of air or Heart Beat…am I not correct?
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.“
There’s the best offer you could ever want or need. Now that you know this, it’s all up to you. Choose well, my Friends… your Eternity hangs in the balance!
One more thing if you will. James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.“
What is a Fervent Prayer? That is a Prayer that is a groaning from your Heart, a Prayer that is bursting from a heart in great need, and well thought out. A Great need indeed! That is a Prayer that the Lord God does hear and enjoy! Make it so, my Friends.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.“
All Scripture comes from the King James Version of the Bible