The following videos are being posted for the sake of the unborn. While I have tried to keep myself a bit distanced from discussing political issues on this blog (such as socialism, 'my rights' being threatened, etc.) I feel I must cry out for the unborn, who by definition cannot defend themselves.
The book of James says that helping widows and orphans is simply "pure religion and undefiled". I believe that, Biblically, speaking up for the unborn falls under the same rubric. Please accept this post in that spirit.
Haven't voted yet? Don't understand the Biblical issue regarding this man? Then view the following very thoughtfully.
Barack Obama likes to call himself "Pro-life" by changing the term to mean something like "I'm in favor of improving healthcare." This is plain deception. He is in favor of unrestricted murder of helpless unborn human beings.
Just a summary:
—Do think 50 million abortions in the US alone are too many?
Obama wants to expand abortions with his freedom of choice act (FOCA)
—Do you think murdering a late term infant by stabbing the infant in the head and vacuuming out its brains is wrong?
Obama wants to bring back the now banned partial birth abortion
—Do you think that parental notification of a minor having an abortion makes sense?
Barack Obama opposes parental notification of minor girls before they abort
—Do you think if an infant survives an abortion, it should be given medical care?
Obama voted 3 times against the Illinois Born Alive Infant Protection Act.
—Do you think tax payers should pay for abortions?
Obama wants taxpayers to fund these abortions.
—Do you think marriage should be defined as between a man and a woman?
Obama voted against the federal marriage amendment
Oh yeah, almost forgot. My name is Tim Brown, and I approved this message.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Born-alive abortion movie stuns viewers
Follow this link to read about and view a clip of a movie based on a true story about a woman trying to save her child from abortionists. Apparently, she yelled for help as she began to give birth in the bathroom of the abortion mill. Seeing the child moving, the abortionists would not help her. After he was dead, they demanded the body.
Nice, huh?
Nice, huh?
A Bit of Political Humor. . .Just Because I Can. . .
Something so simple, even a kid can understand it. . .
Monday, October 27, 2008
The Horror of Hell
Here's an excerpt from a post I found over at "Possessing the Treasure". Thanks Mike.
"To be separated from God is to be separated from anything and everything good. That is hard to conceive because even the most miserable person enjoys some of God’s blessings. We breathe His air, are nourished by food that He supplies, and experience many other aspects of His common grace.
On earth even atheists enjoy the benefits of God’s goodness. But in hell, these blessings will be nonexistent. Those consigned there will remember God’s goodness, and will even have some awareness of the unending pleasures of heaven, but they will have no access to them.
This does not mean that God will be completely absent fro hell. He is and will remain omnipresent (Ps. 139:7-8). To be separated from the Lord and cast into hell does not mean that a person will finally be free of God. That person will be forever separated from God in His kindness, mercy, grace, and goodness. He will be consigned to deal with Him in His holy wrath.
Secondly, hell is a state of association. Jesus says that the eternal fire of hell was “prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41). People were made for God. Hell was made for the Devil. Yet people who die in their sin, without Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, will spend eternity in hell with the one being who is most unlike God. It is a tragic irony that many who do not believe in the Devil in this life will wind up spending eternity being tormented with him in hell.
The third truth is that it is a state of punishment. Jesus describes it as “fire” (v. 41) and a place of “punishment” (v. 46). Hell is a place of retribution where justice is served through the payment for crimes.
The punishment must fit the crime. The misery and torment of hell point to the wickedness and seriousness of sin. Those who protest the biblical doctrine of hell as being excessive betray their inadequate comprehension of sinfulness of sin. For sinners to be consigned to anything less than the horrors of eternal punishment would be a miscarriage of justice.
And that brings us to the fourth truth - hell is an everlasting state. Though some would like to shorten the duration of this state, Jesus’ words are very clear. He uses the same adjective to describe both punishment and life in verse 46. If hell is not eternal, neither is the new heaven and earth.
How can God exact infinite punishment for a finite sin? First, because the person against whom all sin is committed is infinite. Crimes against the infinitely holy, infinitely kind, infinitely good, and infinitely supreme Ruler of the world deserve unending punishment. In addition to that, those condemned to hell will go on sinning for eternity. There is no repentance in hell. So the punishment will continue as long as the sinning does."
Click here to read the entire article.
"To be separated from God is to be separated from anything and everything good. That is hard to conceive because even the most miserable person enjoys some of God’s blessings. We breathe His air, are nourished by food that He supplies, and experience many other aspects of His common grace.
On earth even atheists enjoy the benefits of God’s goodness. But in hell, these blessings will be nonexistent. Those consigned there will remember God’s goodness, and will even have some awareness of the unending pleasures of heaven, but they will have no access to them.
This does not mean that God will be completely absent fro hell. He is and will remain omnipresent (Ps. 139:7-8). To be separated from the Lord and cast into hell does not mean that a person will finally be free of God. That person will be forever separated from God in His kindness, mercy, grace, and goodness. He will be consigned to deal with Him in His holy wrath.
Secondly, hell is a state of association. Jesus says that the eternal fire of hell was “prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41). People were made for God. Hell was made for the Devil. Yet people who die in their sin, without Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, will spend eternity in hell with the one being who is most unlike God. It is a tragic irony that many who do not believe in the Devil in this life will wind up spending eternity being tormented with him in hell.
The third truth is that it is a state of punishment. Jesus describes it as “fire” (v. 41) and a place of “punishment” (v. 46). Hell is a place of retribution where justice is served through the payment for crimes.
The punishment must fit the crime. The misery and torment of hell point to the wickedness and seriousness of sin. Those who protest the biblical doctrine of hell as being excessive betray their inadequate comprehension of sinfulness of sin. For sinners to be consigned to anything less than the horrors of eternal punishment would be a miscarriage of justice.
And that brings us to the fourth truth - hell is an everlasting state. Though some would like to shorten the duration of this state, Jesus’ words are very clear. He uses the same adjective to describe both punishment and life in verse 46. If hell is not eternal, neither is the new heaven and earth.
How can God exact infinite punishment for a finite sin? First, because the person against whom all sin is committed is infinite. Crimes against the infinitely holy, infinitely kind, infinitely good, and infinitely supreme Ruler of the world deserve unending punishment. In addition to that, those condemned to hell will go on sinning for eternity. There is no repentance in hell. So the punishment will continue as long as the sinning does."
Click here to read the entire article.
Phil Johnson: The Great Exchange
Since Phil Johnson has been silent over at TeamPyro, I decided it may well be timely to post a series by him which he gave in October of 2007. My understanding is that that this series was presented in Springfield, Illinois, just a few hours drive from my home.
Why doesn't he tell me where he's going? Oh well.
Part One:
Part Two:
Part Three:
Part Four:
Part Five:
Part Six:
Part Seven:
Why doesn't he tell me where he's going? Oh well.
Part One:
Part Two:
Part Three:
Part Four:
Part Five:
Part Six:
Part Seven:
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Why Government Can't Save You
Isn't it just how the Lord works? You work through an issue and finally you get your Biblical convictions all cleared up and that is when something goes plop right in front of you, confirming everything you've arrived at.Such has been the case as I've worked through my convictions on my relationship to political involvement as part of the Body of Christ.
Then early this morning, plop! Thomas Nelson publishers emailed me a link to get the ebook for my Bible software.
After downloading it and unlocking access to it, I've begun the read. So far, so good. Very clear and well argued.
It's a read I am certainly looking forward to.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Here's Some Help. . .
In light of yesterday's post, I thought that maybe it would be good to include a follow-up. And a good follow-up for that post would be something that provides some tools to get you going in the real battle.
One of my main tools are tracts. No, not the old dry "chick" tracts. Not the stereotypical tracts from the American Tract Society although they are sometimes good. I mean something that disarms and informs with the Biblical Gospel.
In a moment, I'll give a couple links. One is to the front side of a tract I created. The second is the text that goes on the back. I have a printer that can do card stock. I print these out, cut them down and give them out. It saves me on having to order and wait. I may pay a bit more because I have to pay for ink, but then I don't have to pay shipping either. And if I run out, I don't have to wait for the UPS guy.
"Wanna see a picture of my ex? It's black and white but I'd like to show it to you."
I generally say that and give one to someone I've talked to for a few seconds, at least. I have given them to women at the check out counter. It never fails to get them to chuckle. And it always gets them to think. I gave one to a guy in the parking lot at the local "GoodWill" store recently. He laughed out loud when he saw the front but as I walked away, he was reading the back very intently.
So, are you ready? Wanna see a picture of my ex? Here's the front. Here's the back. Print on both sides and cut it down. Four per sheet. Card stock is best of course (durability) but plain paper is better than nothing.
Wanna see a picture of me on a cruise? Or how about a man eating fish? I have those too. I'll get them online later along with whatever new stuff I put together.
Other ideas? Get some "Postit" note pads and scribble "www.needgod.com" by hand on a bunch of sheets as if you are writing a note to yourself. Go to a place where there are public access computers. Leave one stuck to the monitor. Let people see that and wonder what they are missing. Leave them at the drive through at the local McDonalds. You know, on the ledge of the shelf at the drive through window so the next customer will see it. And give some tracts to the employee. Better yet, do as this young woman does!
Again, the battle we fight is spiritual, not carnal. We are in a spiritual war for the souls of lost men and women, not a carnal war over the protection of our "rights".
May we be proven faithful.
One of my main tools are tracts. No, not the old dry "chick" tracts. Not the stereotypical tracts from the American Tract Society although they are sometimes good. I mean something that disarms and informs with the Biblical Gospel.
In a moment, I'll give a couple links. One is to the front side of a tract I created. The second is the text that goes on the back. I have a printer that can do card stock. I print these out, cut them down and give them out. It saves me on having to order and wait. I may pay a bit more because I have to pay for ink, but then I don't have to pay shipping either. And if I run out, I don't have to wait for the UPS guy.
"Wanna see a picture of my ex? It's black and white but I'd like to show it to you."
I generally say that and give one to someone I've talked to for a few seconds, at least. I have given them to women at the check out counter. It never fails to get them to chuckle. And it always gets them to think. I gave one to a guy in the parking lot at the local "GoodWill" store recently. He laughed out loud when he saw the front but as I walked away, he was reading the back very intently.
So, are you ready? Wanna see a picture of my ex? Here's the front. Here's the back. Print on both sides and cut it down. Four per sheet. Card stock is best of course (durability) but plain paper is better than nothing.
Wanna see a picture of me on a cruise? Or how about a man eating fish? I have those too. I'll get them online later along with whatever new stuff I put together.
Other ideas? Get some "Postit" note pads and scribble "www.needgod.com" by hand on a bunch of sheets as if you are writing a note to yourself. Go to a place where there are public access computers. Leave one stuck to the monitor. Let people see that and wonder what they are missing. Leave them at the drive through at the local McDonalds. You know, on the ledge of the shelf at the drive through window so the next customer will see it. And give some tracts to the employee. Better yet, do as this young woman does!
Again, the battle we fight is spiritual, not carnal. We are in a spiritual war for the souls of lost men and women, not a carnal war over the protection of our "rights".
May we be proven faithful.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
A Newscast from the Future That We Could Very Well See...But So What?
I'm not recommending you get immersed in this link, but I felt that it raised an issue worthy of addressing. See, it was a few days ago that I ran across this article by Janet Porter at "Faith2Action". It was just one of those articles I just had to see. You know how it goes. Curiosity gets you. I didn't watch the video. I just read the transcript and said "enough".
It is a piece that includes the script and the "newscast" of a possible future scenario should a certain candidate become President this January. And it paints a very bleak picture, to say the least.
Now, I'm not denying or supporting the article or saying that certain things may or may not happen. As far as I know, things could get worse no matter which candidate wins. And I am not supporting either one with my vote, but someone else.
Regardless, my point is one of "on what shall we focus?". To be precise, as one who has put my trust in Jesus Christ, Who is the Sovereign Ruler of all, just what place does something like this article have in my life? Yours?
We have a decision to make.
First of all, I used to listen to VCY America. I had given up on Moody Radio because they seemed to be into the "Purpose Drivel" Rick Warren Frenzy. And I got tired of listening to the Chafer-ian easy-believeism espoused by many of the teachers on MBN. So I went to VCY America via the internet. Sadly, going there got me a strong dose of Janet Folger (Porter) with her program "Faith2Action". It became obvious that, over time, I was being burdened to spend more and more of the time God has given me to call my elected officials to "protect my rights".
And I got a belly full of it. The "alarms" constantly going off. The constant hand-wringing. So, eventually I switched off VCY America and forced myself to remember what's important while my blood pressure went back to normal. Finally, I got coherent enough to realize why I was so upset. I was being driven by fear. Fear of something that hadn't even come to pass. And all along the Lord tells us, essentially, "don't go around worrying about what will happen tomorrow. Just be concerned with today. Tomorrow has enough evil of its own!".
In a discussion some time ago about the socialization of Canada, a native Canadian blogger shared with me the common efforts to "stop the decay" in that country. But decay came anyway. And, of course it can be seen coming here.
Now, am I saying that a Christian should never let his voice be heard? No. Not at all. But I think that there is a certain level of panic that these programs and articles generate. And that is really not "faith" that generates real "action" that builds the Kingdom. And I think the column by Janet that I linked to at the top of this post fits that category.
Phil Gramm got alot of political heat a few months back by saying that "we've become a nation of whiners". Well, I think the heat was unjustified because I believe Phil Gramm was completely right. And I think that today's church fits that description as well. We want to sleep on. We want to be able to "go to God's house" (God doesn't live in a building made with human hands, remember?). We want our little Christian "Club" mentality so we run to the government and beg them to have mercy on us. I'd say it's a security blanket issue but it's actually more akin to the cloth that they lay over the face of a corpse at a funeral.
Let me say this as clearly as I can, ok? "Faith" that must remain in a "pro-Christian social incubator" is no real faith at all.
Tell me. What are we here to do? Specifically, what did our Lord tell us to do? Change the government from the outside in? Get all the lost sinners to adopt our worldview? Make the country like us so we can play church in safety and remain in our slumber?
And what of the apostles? Did they seek to reform their government for more "Christian Friendly Environment"? No. Not at all!
No. The answer is the Gospel. It always has been the Gospel. It will always be the Gospel. And, of course, that is something I never heard on any of those kind of programs. Never. Not one word about heartchange. Just lots about legislation.
Psalm 20:7 says "Some trust in chariots, some trust in horses. But we trust in the name of the Lord our God". (My paraphrase).
In other words, some trust in human tools and methods to get things done. We put our trust in God's character. That God is Who He says He is and that He can be trusted. Some want to trust in their swords and other human physical contrivances. But we trust in the God we know is in control of history as it unfolds.
Let's take a few minutes for a reality check and one good question or more: Is God sovereign? I believe He is. That means who is in control? God, the Lord God. Jehovah God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Has the Sovereign Lord of the Universe given us any indication of how history will unfold? Certainly. Read Revelation.
Could it be that what we see going on could be Revelation ready to be revealed? Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe next year. Maybe in ten or twenty. The fact is we don't know. But will it happen? Eventually, yes!
What I am sure I see happening is those who call themselves Christians being motivated by fear, not faith. And that is not Biblical. It is -- dare I say it? -- sin!
You say "how is that?". Simple. Again, motivation by fear. And "without faith it is impossible to please God." Secondly, remember what our Lord has already said about taking on the worries of "tomorrow"? To do so is disobedience. And disobedience is sin!
One final reason. It's a rabbit chase. It gets us off track. It gets the professing church off it's "talking points" which is the message of sin, righteousness and judgment which is what the Holy Spirit uses to convert the human heart. And if hearts aren't converted, they still go to hell even if we get them to agree with an outward righteousness. Rabbit chases are one of the Devil's ploys.
Want to have superficial change? Call your representatives in government. Want to see real change? Call your friends and neighbors and give them the gospel. We need to stop the panic and start exercising even that little bit of faith that will result in obedience to almighty God. We need to stop all the gamesmanship and the bait and switching that goes on in the name of "getting someone into a church" and just give them the Gospel!
You say "Gamesmanship"? Yes, I mean gamesmanship. You know how it works. Kind of like playing pool and you want to get the 7 ball in with a three bank shot, hitting the 6 and 4. And if you finesse it enough, the 7 ("unchurched Harry") will go in the corner pocket (church).
And of course, if they "get in the church", they "may" hear the gospel. Someday. Somehow. If they put the pieces together right.
What a load of work! Why not just walk up to the person and say something like "You know, I've been holding out on you for some time. You're my friend and I've not asked you something very important. Do you mind if I ask you a question about something very important?". It's not hard. It just takes an effort. And you'll be shocked when they don't laugh at you, get angry or walk off. You are showing that you care -- even if they end up saying they disagree.
Yes, I understand the stress of the times. The waves are higher out there. But as I've said in a previous post, our Lord is in the boat with us.
What if? What if things do get ugly here? What if? What if openly sharing the gospel means the possibility of jail time? Will that stop you? Examine your faith! What if? What if sharing the Gospel with a homosexual ends up being called a hate crime? Will you shut your mouth? If so, how have you loved your neighbor who has need of the Gospel?
But people, we can't get sidetracked with our "rights". Please now, follow along with me: Slaves - have - no - rights! If you and I are really converted, we are the "doulos", the "bondservants" of the Lord Jesus Christ! We are not here for our own comfort. We are here to do one thing and do it well, offer up ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12) which is our reasonable duty of service. Comfort is a non issue. We have a stewardship to our Lord, Who has entrusted us with the Gospel and we are to deliver that Gospel unadulterated to those who need it.
How would you like it if the next time you go out to dinner your waitress or waiter goes to get your food. You see them pick it up. The chef has carefully prepared it. You expect them to bring it directly to you, but they don't. They start messing with it. Adding a little of this, a little of that. And perhaps this person has no idea as to what items taste good together! It gets all squirreled up. No, you want them to bring you the food, as the chef prepared it. And we need to be good stewards of the Word and the Gospel in God's Word.
Dark days coming? You bet. Someday. Maybe sooner, maybe later. But they are coming. And you know what? I almost hope for them. It'll cut the game playing out. Hate crime laws? It'll show who's really preaching the Gospel. And the real Body of Christ will be driven underground. And it will grow. It will separate the wheat from the tares. It will be a purer Church. It will be a focused church. And the pseudo-christian clubs will continue on, going along and getting along. Nice and fuzzy and in a word, dead.
Remember Exodus. How God's people grew in number in spite of the oppression they were under because of Pharoah. It was a purifying fire. It forced individuals out of their lukewarmness. We are no different. And the real "church growth" is going on in places like China where the persecution is hot and heavy. Underground pastors going to prison for having a page out of the Bible. But their faith is pure. They have died to the things of this world.
We are in for choppy seas. High waves. But our Lord Jesus Christ is in the boat with us. He's allowing the waves to lap over the edge of the boat and test our faith. But we don't need to mess with the earthly "Coast Guard". As my mother says, we need to "simplify, simplify, simplify". . ."get back to basics". And the basics here are we aren't here for fun and games. This is a spiritual war. And our weapons are not fleshly but spiritual.
Again, "Faith" that must remain in a "pro-Christian social incubator" is no real faith at all.
Put your spiritual armor on and make sure you aren't trusting in chariots and horses, ok?
It is a piece that includes the script and the "newscast" of a possible future scenario should a certain candidate become President this January. And it paints a very bleak picture, to say the least.
Now, I'm not denying or supporting the article or saying that certain things may or may not happen. As far as I know, things could get worse no matter which candidate wins. And I am not supporting either one with my vote, but someone else.
Regardless, my point is one of "on what shall we focus?". To be precise, as one who has put my trust in Jesus Christ, Who is the Sovereign Ruler of all, just what place does something like this article have in my life? Yours?
We have a decision to make.
First of all, I used to listen to VCY America. I had given up on Moody Radio because they seemed to be into the "Purpose Drivel" Rick Warren Frenzy. And I got tired of listening to the Chafer-ian easy-believeism espoused by many of the teachers on MBN. So I went to VCY America via the internet. Sadly, going there got me a strong dose of Janet Folger (Porter) with her program "Faith2Action". It became obvious that, over time, I was being burdened to spend more and more of the time God has given me to call my elected officials to "protect my rights".
And I got a belly full of it. The "alarms" constantly going off. The constant hand-wringing. So, eventually I switched off VCY America and forced myself to remember what's important while my blood pressure went back to normal. Finally, I got coherent enough to realize why I was so upset. I was being driven by fear. Fear of something that hadn't even come to pass. And all along the Lord tells us, essentially, "don't go around worrying about what will happen tomorrow. Just be concerned with today. Tomorrow has enough evil of its own!".
In a discussion some time ago about the socialization of Canada, a native Canadian blogger shared with me the common efforts to "stop the decay" in that country. But decay came anyway. And, of course it can be seen coming here.
Now, am I saying that a Christian should never let his voice be heard? No. Not at all. But I think that there is a certain level of panic that these programs and articles generate. And that is really not "faith" that generates real "action" that builds the Kingdom. And I think the column by Janet that I linked to at the top of this post fits that category.
Phil Gramm got alot of political heat a few months back by saying that "we've become a nation of whiners". Well, I think the heat was unjustified because I believe Phil Gramm was completely right. And I think that today's church fits that description as well. We want to sleep on. We want to be able to "go to God's house" (God doesn't live in a building made with human hands, remember?). We want our little Christian "Club" mentality so we run to the government and beg them to have mercy on us. I'd say it's a security blanket issue but it's actually more akin to the cloth that they lay over the face of a corpse at a funeral.
Let me say this as clearly as I can, ok? "Faith" that must remain in a "pro-Christian social incubator" is no real faith at all.
Tell me. What are we here to do? Specifically, what did our Lord tell us to do? Change the government from the outside in? Get all the lost sinners to adopt our worldview? Make the country like us so we can play church in safety and remain in our slumber?
And what of the apostles? Did they seek to reform their government for more "Christian Friendly Environment"? No. Not at all!
No. The answer is the Gospel. It always has been the Gospel. It will always be the Gospel. And, of course, that is something I never heard on any of those kind of programs. Never. Not one word about heartchange. Just lots about legislation.
Psalm 20:7 says "Some trust in chariots, some trust in horses. But we trust in the name of the Lord our God". (My paraphrase).
In other words, some trust in human tools and methods to get things done. We put our trust in God's character. That God is Who He says He is and that He can be trusted. Some want to trust in their swords and other human physical contrivances. But we trust in the God we know is in control of history as it unfolds.
Let's take a few minutes for a reality check and one good question or more: Is God sovereign? I believe He is. That means who is in control? God, the Lord God. Jehovah God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Has the Sovereign Lord of the Universe given us any indication of how history will unfold? Certainly. Read Revelation.
Could it be that what we see going on could be Revelation ready to be revealed? Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe next year. Maybe in ten or twenty. The fact is we don't know. But will it happen? Eventually, yes!
What I am sure I see happening is those who call themselves Christians being motivated by fear, not faith. And that is not Biblical. It is -- dare I say it? -- sin!
You say "how is that?". Simple. Again, motivation by fear. And "without faith it is impossible to please God." Secondly, remember what our Lord has already said about taking on the worries of "tomorrow"? To do so is disobedience. And disobedience is sin!
One final reason. It's a rabbit chase. It gets us off track. It gets the professing church off it's "talking points" which is the message of sin, righteousness and judgment which is what the Holy Spirit uses to convert the human heart. And if hearts aren't converted, they still go to hell even if we get them to agree with an outward righteousness. Rabbit chases are one of the Devil's ploys.
Want to have superficial change? Call your representatives in government. Want to see real change? Call your friends and neighbors and give them the gospel. We need to stop the panic and start exercising even that little bit of faith that will result in obedience to almighty God. We need to stop all the gamesmanship and the bait and switching that goes on in the name of "getting someone into a church" and just give them the Gospel!
You say "Gamesmanship"? Yes, I mean gamesmanship. You know how it works. Kind of like playing pool and you want to get the 7 ball in with a three bank shot, hitting the 6 and 4. And if you finesse it enough, the 7 ("unchurched Harry") will go in the corner pocket (church).
And of course, if they "get in the church", they "may" hear the gospel. Someday. Somehow. If they put the pieces together right.
What a load of work! Why not just walk up to the person and say something like "You know, I've been holding out on you for some time. You're my friend and I've not asked you something very important. Do you mind if I ask you a question about something very important?". It's not hard. It just takes an effort. And you'll be shocked when they don't laugh at you, get angry or walk off. You are showing that you care -- even if they end up saying they disagree.
Yes, I understand the stress of the times. The waves are higher out there. But as I've said in a previous post, our Lord is in the boat with us.
What if? What if things do get ugly here? What if? What if openly sharing the gospel means the possibility of jail time? Will that stop you? Examine your faith! What if? What if sharing the Gospel with a homosexual ends up being called a hate crime? Will you shut your mouth? If so, how have you loved your neighbor who has need of the Gospel?
Do I sound harsh? Good.
Uncivilized? I hope so. That's my intention.
Ranting? Maybe. But that's ok with me.
Uncivilized? I hope so. That's my intention.
Ranting? Maybe. But that's ok with me.
But people, we can't get sidetracked with our "rights". Please now, follow along with me: Slaves - have - no - rights! If you and I are really converted, we are the "doulos", the "bondservants" of the Lord Jesus Christ! We are not here for our own comfort. We are here to do one thing and do it well, offer up ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12) which is our reasonable duty of service. Comfort is a non issue. We have a stewardship to our Lord, Who has entrusted us with the Gospel and we are to deliver that Gospel unadulterated to those who need it.
How would you like it if the next time you go out to dinner your waitress or waiter goes to get your food. You see them pick it up. The chef has carefully prepared it. You expect them to bring it directly to you, but they don't. They start messing with it. Adding a little of this, a little of that. And perhaps this person has no idea as to what items taste good together! It gets all squirreled up. No, you want them to bring you the food, as the chef prepared it. And we need to be good stewards of the Word and the Gospel in God's Word.
Dark days coming? You bet. Someday. Maybe sooner, maybe later. But they are coming. And you know what? I almost hope for them. It'll cut the game playing out. Hate crime laws? It'll show who's really preaching the Gospel. And the real Body of Christ will be driven underground. And it will grow. It will separate the wheat from the tares. It will be a purer Church. It will be a focused church. And the pseudo-christian clubs will continue on, going along and getting along. Nice and fuzzy and in a word, dead.
Remember Exodus. How God's people grew in number in spite of the oppression they were under because of Pharoah. It was a purifying fire. It forced individuals out of their lukewarmness. We are no different. And the real "church growth" is going on in places like China where the persecution is hot and heavy. Underground pastors going to prison for having a page out of the Bible. But their faith is pure. They have died to the things of this world.
We are in for choppy seas. High waves. But our Lord Jesus Christ is in the boat with us. He's allowing the waves to lap over the edge of the boat and test our faith. But we don't need to mess with the earthly "Coast Guard". As my mother says, we need to "simplify, simplify, simplify". . ."get back to basics". And the basics here are we aren't here for fun and games. This is a spiritual war. And our weapons are not fleshly but spiritual.
Again, "Faith" that must remain in a "pro-Christian social incubator" is no real faith at all.
Put your spiritual armor on and make sure you aren't trusting in chariots and horses, ok?
Monday, October 20, 2008
Rabbit-Chasing Christians
We've all fought it, at one level or another. Distractions. A billion and one things that get us off track. And in a political year such as this it is especially tempting to get caught up in the fray. And the times we face now are no different.
Our Lord Jesus Christ put us here in the times in which we live. The times serve as our crucible. The comfort is knowing that the Sovereign Lord of the universe not only knew it but He engineered it! And it is to serve as a testing of our souls.
Yes, I've made the rounds. I tend to visit conservative news sites such as FoxNews and WorldNetDaily. And it's easy to get rattled. Not just over all the deception going on in the political realm but over the totality of everything that is happening these days. And it's even worse if you visit the poll threads and forums.
People are panicking out there. And even worse, it is so easy for so many of us who know Christ to get sidetracked by the "non-issue issues" of this world. We make it all about being in control. "We have to do what we can to change this or that". No, God hasn't called us to "do what we can" to "change this or that". He has called us to repentance, trust and obedience. Not blind efforts to preserve a decaying earthly system.
And, if you haven't noticed, it is decaying. And I'm not talking about the 2008 election although that is part of it. Natural disasters are up. Man abuses his neighbor all the more. Corruption. Greed that brings massive financial downfall. Things are most definitely winding down.
And you know what? Save some miraculous work of the Spirit of God to bring repentance and brokenness to our society, it's only going to get worse. Guaranteed. 2 Timothy 3:13 tells us that "...evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." James declares in chapter 4:
" 1What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?
We must remember that the problems we face are, at their core, spiritual. And a spiritual problem calls for a spiritual solution.
As Paul told Timothy, God has not given us a Spirit of fear but one of power, love and a sound mind. And God has given us "all things pertaining to life and Godliness"!
The waves are huge out there. But we who know the Lord are in the boat. How many times have we read that story of our Lord calming the waves and thought "You guys! Hey! Why are you so worried?"
So, why do we worry? We have the same Lord and Master. The one who "holds all things together by the word of His power." And He doesn't worry. So why should we?
Listen. I'm not saying anything to you, dear reader, that I haven't had to preach to myself. I think we all deal with it from time to time. And I think it's part of the reason why Hebrews tells us to not forsake assembling together but rather to do so even more so now because "the day is approaching". These are perilous times.
Our first priority? To love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. How does that work out? By prioritizing what matters. Keeping our eyes on what God is doing, not the Devil. And reaching out to the lost with the Gospel.
And in that we should find our sufficiency.
Our Lord Jesus Christ put us here in the times in which we live. The times serve as our crucible. The comfort is knowing that the Sovereign Lord of the universe not only knew it but He engineered it! And it is to serve as a testing of our souls.
Yes, I've made the rounds. I tend to visit conservative news sites such as FoxNews and WorldNetDaily. And it's easy to get rattled. Not just over all the deception going on in the political realm but over the totality of everything that is happening these days. And it's even worse if you visit the poll threads and forums.
People are panicking out there. And even worse, it is so easy for so many of us who know Christ to get sidetracked by the "non-issue issues" of this world. We make it all about being in control. "We have to do what we can to change this or that". No, God hasn't called us to "do what we can" to "change this or that". He has called us to repentance, trust and obedience. Not blind efforts to preserve a decaying earthly system.
And, if you haven't noticed, it is decaying. And I'm not talking about the 2008 election although that is part of it. Natural disasters are up. Man abuses his neighbor all the more. Corruption. Greed that brings massive financial downfall. Things are most definitely winding down.
And you know what? Save some miraculous work of the Spirit of God to bring repentance and brokenness to our society, it's only going to get worse. Guaranteed. 2 Timothy 3:13 tells us that "...evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." James declares in chapter 4:
" 1What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?
2You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.
3You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
4You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
This is nothing we can manufacture. It is nothing that any politician can bring. FEMA can't fix it. Economic redistribution won't faze it in the slightest. Only the Spirit of the Living God.We must remember that the problems we face are, at their core, spiritual. And a spiritual problem calls for a spiritual solution.
As Paul told Timothy, God has not given us a Spirit of fear but one of power, love and a sound mind. And God has given us "all things pertaining to life and Godliness"!
The waves are huge out there. But we who know the Lord are in the boat. How many times have we read that story of our Lord calming the waves and thought "You guys! Hey! Why are you so worried?"
So, why do we worry? We have the same Lord and Master. The one who "holds all things together by the word of His power." And He doesn't worry. So why should we?
Listen. I'm not saying anything to you, dear reader, that I haven't had to preach to myself. I think we all deal with it from time to time. And I think it's part of the reason why Hebrews tells us to not forsake assembling together but rather to do so even more so now because "the day is approaching". These are perilous times.
Our first priority? To love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. How does that work out? By prioritizing what matters. Keeping our eyes on what God is doing, not the Devil. And reaching out to the lost with the Gospel.
And in that we should find our sufficiency.
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