Richard Craig, Author at GraceAndWorks - Page 26 of 59

Slam dunk is a term used in basketball when a player throws the ball through the hoop. It’s an automatic score. Or is it? Sometimes it bounces off the rim or is blocked by another player. No score–no slam dunk. We are getting ready to go to an interview for a new job. We’re dressed for success, did our research on the company, have our resume updated, showed up a little early. We’re thinking this job is a slam dunk. Now it’s time for the interview. It’s going well and the interviewer seems to like me. All information and questions are answered. Now I go home and wait for the call that says they want me. I’ve got this, I’m thinking this is a slam dunk. Or is it? I wait for nearly a week and no call. Finally I call them only to find out they had hired someone else. No score–no slam dunk. We’ve found that perfect house. Real Estate agent is wonderful and says we should have no problem with our purchase. My credit score is good, I’ve filled out all the paper work, down payment is intact, and I think all is good. I’ve got this, it’s a slam dunk. Or is it? I get a call from my agent and they sold the house to a cash buyer that offered more money. No score–no slam dunk. There are many examples we could use, but, I think you’ve got the point. Nothing in life is a slam dunk.

Our salvation is the same. We’re going along fine. Life is good and we’re doing the best we can. We read the Bible occasionally, believe in God and Jesus, once in a while we may go to church, we take food to the sick or the bereaved, we give money to our favorite charity, etc. We’re thinking we’ve got this, salvation’s a slam dunk. Or is it? God says, “Obey my commands AND I’ll prepare for you a place.” Wait!! I have to do what God says, and not just believe in Him and Jesus? Yep, that’s what the Bible teaches.

Some of those commands are:

A) Don’t spread hate, but, love one another.

B) Don’t forsake the assembly of the Saints–Attend Worship services

C) Believe AND be Baptized. Repent AND be Baptized.

D) Be humble and think more of others than we do ourselves.

E) Seek first the Kingdom of God. Everything else takes second place.

I’ve got this, it’s a slam dunk. Or is it? In the end, God’s Grace is what will save us. In the mean time, do what God says!!

I want to challenge everyone out there to read this. It may appear to be more of a rant than an actual blog. There are many things we can be obsessed with such as, drugs, alcohol, sex, jobs, sports, etc. Today I want to talk about the obsession people have with politics and this election.

Social media is filled with everything that is wrong with Hillary and Trump. Can we see some things that are good points instead of all the bashing? Oh, I get it, there is nothing good to post about either one, or it seems. To quote a friend, “These two are just bad, Heaven help us.” There is so much hate being spread right now, it just boggles my mind. I see shares how we need to get this Country back to God and then the very next post is something about hate on Hillary or Trump. When there is so much hate, how are we ever going to get back to God? We go to Bible classes to learn about God and His love, then go home and spread hate. I just don’t understand!! We tell the preacher what a good job he did with the sermon, then proceed to do as we want. I just don’t understand!! Where and when will the hate stop? I will venture to say that when this election is over, whichever candidate wins, people will nit-pick every thing done and continue to spread hate. “Heaven help us!!”

Throughout the Bible, there have been good leaders and bad leaders. It is what it is. I just hope that in the next 4 years there isn’t damage beyond repair. Then maybe we will have viable candidates to choose from. We can only hope and PRAY.

You want this Country to be a Godly Country? Stop spreading the hate. Instead of sharing political “garbage”, how about sharing a Bible verse. I post one every day. There is a new blog each Monday, mostly dealing with God and life. Share one of those instead of hitting the share button on negativity about Hillary or Trump.

God says that love is the cure for all things. STOP the hating and show some love!! In the New Testament, James tells us to look in the mirror and take stock of ourselves. Some of you will read this and say that doesn’t apply to me. Go look in the mirror and take stock to make sure.