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IF YOU DO WELL

January 7, 2019

2019 is off to a rough start.  As you read this, I am on my way back from California having attended a dear friend’s funeral.  I am also aware of three families that have experienced a significant loss already.

Occasionally, I will share how I go through my Life Journal. This from Wednesday 2nd:

Scripture: Genesis 4:7 – If you do well, will you not be accepted?  And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door.  Its desire is contrary to you but you must rule over it.

Observations:  Adam and Eve had two children; Cain and Able.  Presumably after the fall, and after the two were adults (100 years or so?) they began to worship God and offer their own sacrifices.  They both offered from what they had, however God had no regard for Cain’s offering.  Somehow Cain was aware of this and he became angry.  There is no explanation given as to why his sacrifice was not accepted, which has led to much discussion.  God spoke to Cain, asking why was he angry and telling him how he could offer and acceptable sacrifice.  Too bad Cain did not listen.

Application:  I do not believe that whatCain offered was unacceptable, I do believe what made the sacrifice unacceptable was howit was offered.  We are told that the Lord loves a cheerful giver (2Cor 9:7).  Perhaps Cain made the sacrifice because he felt obligated to do so, or he could have done it to draw attention to how “spiritual” he was, or even because he expected God to give a greater gift back.  I am equally certain what Cain was felling had a negative impact on what he gave.

Prayer:  Father, when I give I hope I never do it improperly.  You have given me so much and I pray that I show it when I give back to You

Posted by Bill Killion.

 

Christmas Tree

December 17, 2018

Martin Luther is most famous for beginning the Protestant Reformation when he posted his 95 Theses on the church doors in Wittenburg, Germany in 1517. While he did help start an entirely new branch of Christianity, Martin Luther was also great lover of the Christmas season.

One German legend claims that Martin Luther was responsible for introducing the use of Christmas trees in the home, in Germany. According to the legend, on his way home one evening, Martin Luther was so overcome by the be...


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Posted by Bill Killion.

 

St. Nicholas

December 10, 2018

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made bishop of Myra while s...


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Posted by Bill Killion.

 

Reality

December 3, 2018

I realize we should be talking about Jesus’ birth, but I just read the end of Matthew and made a discovery.  Jesus was killed, and the Jews posted guards at His tomb because they were afraid His disciples would come and take His body and claim that Jesus was alive, like He said He would be.  These guards were on duty Sunday morning, the earthquake happened as an Angel appeared and rolled away the stone in front of Jesus’ tomb.  They saw it happen, and then they fainted (who would blame th...


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Posted by Bill Killion.

 

Glamour Instead of Glory

November 26, 2018


Therefore, brethren, standfast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 2 Thessalonians 2:15

One ominous sign in the social structure that surrounds us is the false attitude toward anything that can be called "ordinary." There has grown up all around us an idea that the "commonplace" is old-fashioned and strictly for the birds!

This existing mania for glamour and contempt for the ordinary are signs and portents in American society. Even religion...


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Posted by Bill Killion.

 

Doctrine without Love

November 19, 2018


My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

—1 John 3:18

The blight of the Pharisee's heart in olden times was doctrine without love. With the teachings of the Pharisees Christ had little quarrel, but with the pharisaic spirit He carried on unceasing warfare to the end.

 

It was religion that put Christ on the cross, religion without the indwelling Spirit....An unblessed soul filled with the letter of truth may actually be worse off than a...


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Posted by Bill Killion.

 

God Is Our Leader

November 13, 2018

No matter what you think about the results of the election, I would remind you of two things:

First:  As Christians, we are obligated to pray for the government and our representatives (1Tim 2:1-4).  A friend of mine once told me; “I cannot pray for the current administration because I do not agree with them.”  I told them that when I disagree with those who are charged as our representatives, I pray even harder.  The thing is God has never given us the choice to pray or not.  We are ins...


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Posted by Bill Killion.

 

How Paul Handled Trials

November 7, 2018

While I was reading Acts this week, I was impressed with how Paul handled the trials he had.  These were not trials as in difficult times, they were real trails, before a judge, with witnesses, etc.  At one-point Paul exercises his right as a Roman Citizen, to be tried in front of Cesar himself.  Before he could be sent to Rome, Paul has one more day in a local court – this time before King Agrippa.  Paul recognizes that the king is familiar with the Jewish culture and customs and begins to...


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Posted by Bill Killion.

 

I Will Rejoice

October 29, 2018

I Will Rejoice!

Though the fig tree does not bud

and there is no fruit on the vines,

though the olive crop fails

and the fields produce no food,

though there are no sheep in the pen

and no cattle in the stalls,

yet I will triumph in the Lord;

I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!—Habakkuk 3:17–18

 

At times it seems that everything around you is collapsing. Endeavors you invested in may fail. People to whom you minister may disappoint you. The business or career you worked hard to build may cr...


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Posted by Bill Killion.

 

Times Like This

October 22, 2018

A very dear friend of ours does not have long to live.  Pat and her husband Dennis have been friends since we went on staff at Hayward Church in ‘96.  Pat has a brain tumor, and nothing has been effective in treating it. 

It is times like this that I remind myself of something I learned a long time ago:  We really do not understand death.  Aside from my belief that death is not natural (not the way it was supposed to be), it is universal, but not natural.  Someone at Bev’s older brother...


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Posted by Bill Killion.

 
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Bill's Blog

Bill Killion
Elko, Nevada

Bill Killion I am the Pastor of Greater Life Church, Elko, NV. Husband, father, grandfather, regular guy who happens to believe that Jesus has great plans for all of our lives and we need cooperate with Him in order to see those plans happen.

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  • IF YOU DO WELL
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  • Glamour Instead of Glory