Statements Contrary to our Current Political Philosophy

Hmmmmm........ the statements below make perfect sense to me, but I wonder what our "leaders" in Washington, D.C. would have to say about them......

1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity.

2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.

3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.

4. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is the beginning of the end of any nation.

5. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.

NewsWithViews Excerpts Worth Reading

Just catching up some of my email tonight, and I thought I would pass a thought or two (or three) your way from my reading of several articles from the NewsWithViews.com mailing list I received this week. Comments are welcome but I am sure the article authors would appreciate your feedback just as well.... and allow me to say I do not agree 100% with the entire views and language and theology of these authors, but most of the time, they do make me think!!!!!

"SOCIAL JUSTICE" IS NOT CHRISTIAN CHARITY by Paul Proctor
http://www.newswithviews.com/PaulProctor/proctor204.htm

You will find the word “justice” in scripture, as you will the word “gospel” – but you won’t find the word “social” in front of either of them because “social justice,” like the “social gospel,” is the wily work of men, not the Will and Word of God. Jesus Christ did not suffer and die on a cross so we could repair, remodel and rehabilitate a wicked world for Him to rule over, but instead to redeem us from it for a “kingdom not of this world.”

If someone doesn’t speak up and point this out, the issue will be forever confusing, controversial and divisive and the Church will continue to be swayed off course by those with political ambitions.

Scriptures containing the words “justice,” “justly,” and “judgment” that progressives handily quote to try and validate “social justice” as a Christian concept and mandate for the Church are predominately from the Old Testament, which is ironic considering progressives by and large prefer to dismiss or discount much of the OT and its so called “legalism” because it inconveniently clashes with their no-absolutes and no-authority philosophies, theologies and lifestyles. Frankly, it is God’s justice and judgments throughout the Old Testament that confound and offend progressives the most about the Bible resulting in the sleazy greasy grace they preach and practice as “Christianity.”

DOUBLESPEAK: THE LANGUAGE OF DECEPTION PART 4 by Martha West
http://www.newswithviews.com/West/marsha189.htm

Christendom has its fair share of doublespeak within its ranks. Conservative Christian apologists and those involved in the counter cult and discernment ministries who dare to expose apostates are accused of being divisive. For example, if a conservative attempts to combat the spread of the social justice gospel that emphasizes good deeds without the power of the gospel, their liberal critics cry “Pharisee!” Implying that these critics are Pharisees is another way of saying that they are narrow-minded, mean-spirited and unloving -- and yes, even intolerant and bigoted.

Word Faith (false) teachers use “heresy hunter” to define the opposition. But in reality discernment ministries are “truth-seekers.”

Most mature Christians recognize heresy when it rears its ugly head. But when they speak out against prominent false teachers who are leading the Body of Christ astray, their bamboozled followers invariably play the Matthew 7:1 card:

“Judge not, lest you be judged.”

This is doublespeak for: Shut the heck up!

First of all, discernment demands that we make judgments. As my pastor, Stan Way, said in a recent sermon, faithful Christians live their lives in a new center of gravity — the biblical worldview. Serious Christians must stand up and speak the truth with conviction and courage. We must be willing to lose our life for Christ and the gospel. In other words, for truth! Further, we must be willing to be treated with contempt by the world. Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38).

I don’t know about you, but I’m not ashamed and I will not be bullied into shutting up!

INTELLECTUAL BIGOTRY By Coach Dave Daubenmire
http://www.newswithviews.com/Daubenmire/dave187.htm

Bigotry—a stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own.

Am I the only one who is sick of it or are we just so conditioned to sit obediently in the pew that we have forgotten how to stand up and fight? How long are we going to allow ourselves to be treated as second-class citizens in the land for which our fathers fought and died?

My blood boils over the way Christians have permitted the elitists to have silenced us. I can think of no other people-group who has permitted their system of beliefs to be so totally disregarded as those of us who proudly espouse Faith in Jesus.

In America, the new caliphate are the scientists and the academicians. They are the one’s who determine what will and will not be permitted. Anyone who stands on the authority of the Word of God is automatically written off as “religious.” Holding firm to faith in Jesus is secular apostasy and requires censorship so that the public will not be influenced by such fables.

They are very subtle, these secular bigots. They know that they can not get away with attacking the Truth of Christianity, but they can get away with a “reclassification” of Christianity. In their particular form of bigotry it is not that Christianity is “wrong” but that it is “religious” and religious views are not to hold equal sway with “science”. Science is head-knowledge (facts) while Christianity is heart knowledge (faith).

If you even hint of bringing Christian beliefs into the discussion you automatically become the law breaker and deserving of rebuke. “Religious beliefs belong in church, not in public discussion.” The “tolerant” intellectual bigots are only protecting innocent minds from “religious indoctrination” while they preach their secular gospel free of opposition. Soon we will be able to demand a Christian-history month in our schools.

I'm a Poppa!!!

We received a call from my oldest daughter early this past Saturday morning telling us it was now time!!!!! We have been waiting patiently for the past nine months plus almost one full week for the birth of our first grandchild!!! Well, after a quick trip down to GA in almost record time, we quickly became the proud grandparents of baby Clint!!!!!

If you are interested, please click on the link below to my daughter's blog which posts pictures of Clint's arrival plus his introduction to his new family. Of course, I believe he is just as handsome as his grandpoppa!!!!! : ) : ) : )

http://courtneyscontemplations.blogspot.com/2010/03/hospital-pics.html

Has Anyone Missed Me???

I have been out of commission for several months now, mainly due to a "dead" computer, but at the same time, simply taking a rest from the blogosphere environment. At times, it can be so much work and a period of desparation searching for a quality posting; and that is not fun at all. Blogging is supposed to be a time of enjoyment....

I am waiting for a phone call from GA anytime now announcing that my daughter is headed to the hospital to give birth to her first child, thus allowing me to enter the new stage of life of being a grandparent!!!!! That means even more gray hair for this "young at heart" man still married to the prettiest and most Christ-like "help meet" in the whole world!!!!!

I hope you are off to a great start here in 2010 continuing to serve our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. We have much to be thankful for even though the world around us continues to become darker and darker in these last days..... even more reason for us to share the light of Christ with all those we encounter each and every day. God is good.... ALL THE TIME!!!!!

A PREACHER’S BROKEN HEART FOR HIS COUNTRY

(This was posted by a preacher earlier this week who has given me permission to share with others.... Pastor Danny Bezet of Baytown, TX)

We stand as free Americans today, though there is turmoil in our land
God help there to be a prayer on our lips, thanking Him for a land so grand

My heart still pounds as I see our flag, it’s beat quickens beneath my hand
I owe a great debt to so many, who for freedom took a stand

In anger I gaze upon those that would divide, self and power is all that they can see
It will take courage to stem the tide, but America’s still worth it, seems to me

It’s not skin color or a a party line, it’s a nation of free people and their desire to remain
While some fight, blame, accuse and whine, the brave and true will look to God again

It is sad that we have to protest and take to the streets or get on the TV
With our future at stake and our faith put to the test. Its time for good men to agree

We have dismissed our God and ignored His call and wonder why we are in such a mess.
His Word is rejected or not heard at all, such a people, such a nation, He will not bless.

It’s time to stop and take a long look, at where we once were and where we have come
To pick up the Bible, And lift our eyes to Heaven, where mercy and help is from

The enemy is not a leader that is a louse, nor is the enemy those that distort the news
The enemy is not the Godless in the White House, Its the blind that sit in our Church pews

While we wait to see what will be, let us do what we should have done before the race
Ask the God of Heaven for another opportunity to humble ourselves and seek His face

Let us plead for God to protect our birthright, and to give us courage that knows no gender
To walk in His Word and the power of His might and stand for right, and never surrender

Look past your stomach and pocket book, pray for God to smile on our nation again
Give God and your children a fresh look, and God's favor to regain

These are fearful days I must confess, and what will happen I cannot tell
I can only trust and in the Lord rest, and know that He does all things well

Our own will and way put us in this place, a place of deep sorrow and dreadful shame
I bow before my God and trust His grace and I suggest that you and yours do the same

Out of Commission!!!

I know that I have very few regular readers of my blog, but in case you have wondered where I might be...... well, it seems as if I have been hit by a computer breakdown; well, my HP is just over six years old, and it has seen many numerous uses during the days of raising six children and finding valuable coupons and "specials" for my darling wife. Now, I have back-upped some valuable files in the past, but that only works if you are able to retrieve the actual CD with the copied files.... now I know it is around here somewhere. Anyway, I have lost all my email addresses so I cannot contact anyone.... unless of course you send me your address by means of a comment. I will not post the comments publicly if they contain that kind of information. I'd love to hear from you if you get a chance. I will get my valuable files off the hard drive when I can afford it; I have many Bible studies and discussions and notes that I miss being able to access, but in time, I will get these things back.

Some things of interest since I have been gone.....

1. My beautiful daughter Courtney, married last October, is expecting..... yep, this young fellow who writes this blog is about to become a PaPa!!!!!
2. Stephen and Becky are continuing to enjoy their newly married lives and are staying active in our church.
3. Joshua has left home recently to attend a Bible college located in Iowa, praying for wisdom and direction for the Lord's will in his life.
4. Rachel and I are beginning our 20th year of homeschooling with our other three children, with Caleb in the 12th grade, Bethany 8th, and Anna 5th.
5. We enjoyed Bro. Stinnent Ballew preaching a Missions Conference at our church several weeks ago... our Faith Promise giving committment increased from just over $1200/week to just over $1800/week.
6. Things are picking up at the mine, especially our export business during the last few months and looking to hold steady here in September; I'm looking forward to returning to five day work weeks and full pay after being on four days since the middle of February. However, even at reduced salary, God has supplied our every need for my family, just as He promised He would..... we serve a Great and Good God!!!!!

I hope to be able to return to some regular postings soon..... I pray that all of you and your families are doing well.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by from time to time and read my blog!!!!!

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?

(Here is an article by Coach Dave Daubenmire published this week in NewsWithViews for your review....)

You are the one who chooses the shepherd under whom you sit. Explaining to our Lord that you followed the advice of some Christian CEO will not hold much sway in Heaven’s Hall’s of Justice. Although works are not necessary for salvation, the Apostle Paul makes it very clear that works are the fruits of salvation.

Do you have any fruit? You, I’m talking about. Not your church, not your pastor. You.

On the awesome moment when you stand before Him and cast your crown at His feet, will there be any jewels in your crown?

Listen folks, the arrival of Jesus Christ into the earth realm transformed the Faith of our Fathers from a religion to a personal relationship. No longer do you access The Christ through Rabbis, Priests, and Pastors, but through the Spirit of the Living God given on the Day of Pentecost. He lives in you. It is to Him that you will give account.

With that in mind, let me ask a question that is intended to pierce your conscience. Some my call it harsh, some will complain that I am too direct, but I pray that this question will serve as a floodlight into your heart.

What have YOU done?

Don’t tell me you have prayed. Praying is not doing. In the Garden Jesus prayed…but He got up and went.. Where would man be today if Jesus had not been spurred to action? What if he had never gotten off of His knees? What if he has counted on others to do the dirty work?

For God so loved the world that HE DID SOMETHING….what about you? I ask you again…what have you DONE?

• About the slaughter of 50 million little baby boys and girls.
• About the pornography gushing down the streets of our cities.
• About the homosexual indoctrination of children in your government school.
• About the laissez faire attitude towards divorce in the church.
• About the spiritual abuse doled out by church leadership in some “churches.”

What have you done?

• About the legal terrorism directed at those who publicly proclaim Christ.
• About the promotion of “self-help” books over the Bible in your “church.”
• About the transformation of the Constitution to nothing more than toilet paper.
• About the lies of humanism superseding the Truth of the Scriptures.
• About the perpetuation of war in the name of peace.
• About the loss of liberty in the pursuit of comfort.

WHAT have you done? What HAVE you done? What have YOU done? What have you DONE?

The Scriptures teach us that one day we will all stand before the Lord and give an account for the deeds we have done in the flesh. That we will be responsible for things we have done, and things we have left undone. It is our ACTIONS that will be on trial; Not our thoughts, not our wishes, and not our intentions.

“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” When was the last time your church CEO told you that?

If I understand the concept correctly, the jewels in your crown represent the souls you brought to the Lord, the things you did for the sake of the Gospel.

What a shame to stand before the Lord with only a dime-store tiara to cast at His feet.

So tell me….what have you done?

THE RUSH TO RELEVANCE IS THE ROAD TO RUIN

(Here is an article by Paul Proctor published in the NewsWithViews for your review....)

I’d love to know who sold Christians and clergy the bogus notion that the church somehow needs to be more “relevant” to the culture in order to win it for Christ. You can hardly escape the word in Christian circles today. It’s absolutely everywhere believers are, and is used incessantly alongside other trendy terms like “connect,” “passion,” “purpose,” “awesome” and “tolerance” – flying out the mouths of church leaders as if it were some sacred biblical principle that should be worn like a phylactery on our foreheads and proclaimed from the rooftops lest we forget and, Heaven forbid, be a contrast to the culture in which we live.

The word “relevant” is not even in the Bible – except in one so-called bible version and verse – if you can bear to call The Message a Bible. But, the amazing irony of its brief appearance there, is that it points out perfectly why Christians should avoid being relevant:

"Don't be flip with the sacred. Banter and silliness give no honor to God. Don't reduce holy mysteries to slogans. In trying to be relevant, you're only being cute and inviting sacrilege.” – Matthew 7:6

Does that not accurately describe the relevant church today: cute, flippant, silly and full of slogans and sacrilege? Sounds just like the seeker-sensitive, purpose driven and emerging church to me!

Throughout scripture, in both the Old and New Testament, God’s own are repeatedly referred to as a “peculiar people.” (Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 14:2, 26:18, Titus 2:14 & 1st Peter 2:9) I’ve written about this many times over the years.

That means we ought to be viewed by the world around us as distinctive. But how can Christians be both distinctive and relevant? And just how does one “connect” with a culture and not be “unequally yoked” to it?

Being distinctive is what being sanctified and set apart for God is all about. We’re not suppose to look and act like the rest of the world. We’re not called to blend in.

We’re called to “come out from among them” and stand out as a testimony to God’s power and presence in a corrupt kingdom! You see, if we don’t look or act any different from the world around us, then we’re probably not any different.

But the church isn’t teaching sanctification anymore because it’s an unfashionable, unpopular and outdated word that scares sinners and separates Christians from the culture of cool. No, today’s church has, instead, set its heart on being more relevant to the culture than righteous before God in a prideful and egregious effort to help Jesus get the numbers up.

“Go ye into all the world and be relevant?”

I don’t think so.

In my estimation, the word “relevant” was simply another devilishly dialectic term marketed to the church as a clever way to help Christians appeal to the flesh of the lost and buddy-up to the Beelzebub Club without appearing to compromise one’s Christian faith. But, that’s exactly what it does. And the more relevant one becomes to the enemies of Christ, the more irrelevant they become to God.

A preacher at a local megachurch my wife and I recently visited proudly told me a few days ago that he’s known as the pastor of the “coolest church in town” – using the word “cool” in various forms repeatedly in his email message, as if that would somehow impress me and make membership there more attractive. Unfortunately, he didn’t realize that it would actually have the opposite effect. So, he was a little surprised and offended when I told him that “cool is not a fruit of the Spirit.”

If Christians have any relevance to this world, it is that we currently share it with unbelievers, who, like us, have a sinful nature. That’s all the relevance to this world Christians need in order to bear witness of the saving grace that came by Jesus Christ. It certainly isn’t necessary that we seek out more relevance than we already have.

Shall we now imitate more perfectly the hell-bound culture we were saved from as a means to win its favor, cooperation and participation? That’s not evangelism – that’s capitulation.

Being sanctified means we belong to Someone else now – Someone Who has forgiven our trespasses and sins and called us out of our old lives of depravity and rebellion to be “a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God.”

Suffice it to say, our time as Christians would be better spent swimming upstream against the currents of compromise and corruption than finding some fashionable flotilla with which to comfortably fit in and ride the rapids of relevancy over the falls to our spiritual demise.

“And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” – 1st Kings 18:21

© 2009 Paul Proctor - All Rights Reserved

Five Consequences for a Nation that Rejects God

THE ROMAN ROAD TO WRATH

Ideas, and the actions they product, have consequences, and the Bible is very specific about what a nation will reap when it rejects God. Lawlessness and disorder have their roots in our continually snubbing the God of the Bible.

Chapter 1 of the book of Romans in the Bible delineates five specific national consequences for denying God. Paul's warnings written here in this passage as given to him by God are so explicit and frightening relevant to what is happening in America today.

1. The nation that continually rejects God becomes a nation of fools. Rom. 1:21-22 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. Men will go to all kinds of extremes in order to justify their sin and false beliefs about God. Situational ethics, moral relativism, and postmodernism are all methods used to justify rebellion against the character and nature of God.
2. The nation that continually rejects God accepts pagan spirituality. Rom. 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. Pagan spirituality centers on the worship of nature and the planet Earth, yet its ultimate goal is to sidestep feeling guilt, for anything. Our world has moved from theism to atheism to pantheism.
3. The nation that continually rejects God accepts homosexuality as normal. Rom. 1:26-27 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. Acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle as "normal" is pushed as a priority during the past several years as evidenced in our nation's schools, television programs, movies, music, and even in some churches.
4. The nation that continually rejects God becomes debased and violent. Rom. 1:28-31 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
5. The nation that continually rejects God produces judicial, legislative and executive branches of government that approve of and encourage immorality and corruption. Rom. 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

My point is outlining these five indications of national moral failure is not that I want God to judge our nation. I fear His wrath too much for that. However, there is hope in knowing that a just judge is in charge and that He will not wink at sin. He holds everyone accountable which means that all have the potential to repent. We can pray God's judgment will cause people to turn from their sins and trust in Jesus Christ. We can also pray that His call to accountability will purify the church and ultimately take our country on a new road to God's glory and honor.

Excerpted from a longer article written by Brannon S. Howse and published in WorldViewTimes.

Taking A Stand

Whatever the specific issue, vigilence is always the price of freedom. Here are three recommended questions a Christian should ask themselves if current conditions in their life require them to take a stand.

1. Am I taking the right stand? The right stand always lines up with the Word of God.
2. Am I standing in the right way? The right stand must be done in a way that pleases God.
3. Am I standing with a right spirit? The right stand must always be put forward with a Christ-like spirit that God can bless.

(These guidelines are detailed and recommended by the Christian Law Association.)

And the World Wept

(Here is an article by Jeff Straub submitted in the newsletter "In the Nick of Time" published by Central Baptist Theological Seminary for your review and meditation.... )

I was about to board a plane for Budapest, Hungary, to teach for a week in Arad, Romania, when my eyes were drawn to the TV monitors across the JFK airport. Every monitor that was not giving passenger information was carrying the story—Michael Jackson was dead. From my accommodations here in Romania, the TV news (Romanian) carries the story as a lead feature, showing video clips from London, Paris, India, the Philippines, Japan, and finally, the National Stadium in Bucharest, Romania, where Jackson once performed. The flowers and candles are piling up, and the tears are flowing. There have even been reports of fans committing suicide. The world weeps at the loss of the “King of Pop.”

Jackson’s death will likely be a major story around the world for at least the next few weeks, and maybe longer. Perhaps some think that the death of one so detached from Christianity is of little consequence. After all, people die. I wondered how many others died in the world the day Michael Jackson died—Farrah Fawcett, at least, and hundreds more, no doubt. And why should the Christian even care?

It behooves believers to pause and reflect on this cultural phenomenon, especially in these days. I don’t know where Jackson is today. To my knowledge, he never professed faith in Christ, without which, no man can stand justified before a living God. But his death does remind us of several things that we would all do well to ponder. I pen these few words for believers to stop and consider, amidst the world’s fixation with the death of such an iconic figure.

1. For most unbelieving humanity, death is the inevitable and certain conclusion to life. The majority of the human race―now numbered at more than 6.25 billion―has little hope of bypassing this ultimate end, and many face their approaching demise with a great sense of foreboding. As of this writing, coroners have not determined the cause of Jackson’s death, so whether he had sense of death’s imminence, none can say. But when one so well known dies so young (he was 50), many of those still left living are filled with a greater sense of fear and uncertainty because they realize just how tenuous life really is. Death appears certain and all, it seems, will face it. For the world, this is a frightening reality. At this juncture, believers ought to hear the Word of God echo in their ears: “it is appointed unto men once to die” (Hebrews 9:27) which, in turn, should remind us of Gen. 3:19, that we come from dust and to dust we will return. Death is the great certainty in this life, especially for those who live without divine grace. It is approaching, it cannot be avoided, and it is a thing to be feared.
2. Death is the great equalizer: rich and poor, famous and obscure, male or female. Death, when it hits, brings the same physical end to all of humanity. The brain quits, the heart stops, and life, as humans define it, is over. Not even one’s personal fortune or social status can bring relief of this destiny. Again the Word of God ought to echo in our ears: “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). Since all of us have sinned (Rom. 3:23), all of us can expect to receive the due recompense—the cessation of life itself. No one lives forever . . . at least not in life as we know it now. The world intuitively knows this despite all protestations to the contrary.
3. Physical death is not the end of all things; it is only the beginning. For the believer, death is the beginning of life eternal, when we are ushered into the presence of God to enjoy Him forever. For the unbeliever, death is the beginning of unparalleled judgment and unending chastisement. Though a great debate rages today on the existence of future punishment, the Bible portrays the prospect for the lost as never ending torment, “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” (Mark 9:48). If the Bible is true, then the greatest tragedy is not physical death itself, but a failure to get ready for the inevitable and to die unprepared. How many of those in our acquaintance stand at the threshold of death, even now, unprepared? Life is short, and judgment is certain.
4. Finally, God is the measure of all things. Regardless of who dies or what the circumstances of one’s death are, the final assessment of one’s life rests not in the accolades we receive from those who survive us. It comes from the perfect and final judgment of One who knows the end from the beginning. Hebrews 9:27 reminds us that judgment is coming, and Rev. 20:12 describes that judgment at which the unconverted, small and great, will stand. It will be a fearful day, for none may avoid it. Hades yields up its occupants, and even the sea cannot contain all whose remains were lost in its vastness.

We must remember and proclaim that death is certain, it equalizes, it brings judgment, and that God is the final arbiter of life. The world will weep in the days ahead because they have lost an icon. Believers should not merely sit by and gawk, or worse, turn away in apathy. We too should weep. We weep not because we lost someone dear to us. We weep for those Jackson left behind—for the world itself. Most of humanity is fixated on the wrong things. The great tragedy in all of this is not that Jackson is dead, though that is a sad fact, especially if he failed to prepare to meet the Lord. The great tragedy is that so many fail to see the hand of God in all of this; so many have failed to submit their lives to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Who, then, should be weeping?

A Tale of Two Murders

(Here is an article published June 5, 2009 in The Washington Flyer that is an interesting read; I had thought of the same thing earlier this week..... I wondered about the difference in response?!?!?!)

This past week Americans profiled two horrific acts of violence as Dr. George Tiller, known for his heinous acts against the unborn, was murdered in his church. A day later, America also witnessed a United States Army recruiter be murdered and another seriously injured, as they were fulfilling their duties in the great country they serve. Both acts of violence were horrific and unacceptable, yet the difference in response to both incidents is perhaps even more chilling. Within hours of the announcement of George Tiller’s murder, the President appropriately released a statement:

“I am shocked and outraged by the murder of Dr. George Tiller as he attended church services this morning. However profound our differences as Americans over difficult issues such as abortion, they cannot be resolved by heinous acts of violence.”

Attorney General Eric Holder also dispatched U.S. Marshals to protect “appropriate people and facilities around the nation,” in response to the murder of George Tiller. While authorities believe Tiller’s murderer acted alone, precautionary steps were taken.

In response to the murder of a U.S. Army Private, William Long, on home soil, the President stated absolutely nothing. Attorney General Eric Holder also made no comment and no U.S. Marshalls were directed to other recruiting stations, despite authorities, including the FBI, unsure if the suspect, a newly converted Muslim, acted alone or as evidence may be suggesting had ties with other domestic terrorists.

It was not until three days after the attack and an outcry from conservative media links and American citizens alike, that the President released this statement:

“I am deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence against two brave young soldiers who were doing their part to strengthen our armed forces and keep our country safe. I would like to wish Quinton Ezeagwula a speedy recovery, and to offer my condolences and prayers to William Long’s family as they mourn the loss of their son.”

Understanding the busy schedule of the President, it is still difficult to believe a simple statement or condolences to the family were not a priority. In fact, the President was even given a superb opportunity to denounce the actions of the perpetrator and give his respects to the soldiers and their families not even 24 hours after the attack when he announced the new Secretary of the Army. Again, nothing was said or mentioned. Some critics believe the President did not make comments regarding the attack earlier, fearing its impact when he traveled to the Middle East later in the week to reach out to Muslims.

While the President may not have made his remarks as hastily as many would have hoped, others were perturbed even further by the choice of words the President used and his ignorance to denounce the reasons behind the attacks. Bloggers criticized his word usage in response to the attack on the recruiters claiming “senseless act of violence” was a ignorant view of the evidence that suggests the actions were not senseless but rather planned and operated with a goal in mind. The President’s comments of being personally “shocked and outraged” when learning of the death of an abortion doctor compared to his “deeply saddened” statement of the attack on the U.S. soldiers also seemed a bit out of touch with many Americans.

Benjamin Franklin once stated, “Words may show a man’s wit, but actions his meaning.” While the President addressed both horrible incidents in words, his actions to remain silent for three days when a soldier was murdered by a terror suspect, compared to his rapid response to the murder of an abortion doctor have brought some questioning of his meanings.

The Fear of the Lord

There have been about a dozen mass-shootings in the United States in recent months, and secular experts are still trying to piece together the profiles and common denominators of these murderers. However, every one of them had one thing in common. They all lacked a fear of God. If someone fears God they won't lie to you, steal from you, or commit adultery with your spouse. They won't even lust after them. They won't hate you, harbor anger or be bitter towards you, and they certainly won't kill you.

Prov. 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

One of the major reasons this nation lacks the fear of God is that it's rarely preached from the modern pulpit. Think of what Nathan did with David. He put the fear of God in him by saying "Thou art the man. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight?" (see 2 Sam. 12:7-9). Without such a reproof David would have simply remained an unrepentant man who made an unfortunate choice in life. But the reproof revealed that he was a criminal who had despised the moral Law, and that God's wrath hovered over him for his terrible transgression.

We need to be Nathans to this nation and faithfully preach the Word, in season and out of season. We must "reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." and the well-spring of our words must be love for sinners. We cannot let fear stop us from showing them that they have despised the Law, and that they have personally sinned against God, as Paul did in Romans 2:20-24.

Rom. 2:20-24 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.

An excerpt from Ray Comfort's Living Waters weekly newsletter

One Day as a Thousand Years

2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

It is very sad in today's time period that many Christians are so eager to appear intellectual that they are willing to compromise God's clear revelation found in His Word in order to do so. God has made it very clear in very plain words:

Ex. 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Yet because evolutionary "science" has alleged that the earth is billions of years old, multitudes of evangelicals have fallen in line, rejecting God's plain statement of fact and then trying to find some interpretive loophole to hide behind.

The verse listed above at the beginning of the article is perhaps the key verse of the so-called "progressive creationists" who try to correlate the days of creation in Genesis with the supposed 4.6 billion year system of evolutionary geological ages, by citing Peter as agreeing that "one day is a thousand years."

No, Peter is saying that "one day is with the Lord as a thousand years!" In other words, God can do in one day what might by natural processes take a thousand years. In context, the apostle is condemning the last day uniformitarians (those who teach that "all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation") as "willingly ignorant" of the tremendous significance of the historical facts of Creation and the Flood (see 2 Peter 3:3-6). Real written records only go back a few thousand years, and to attempt to calculate any date before that requires use of a premise which, in context, the Scriptures have just condemned!!! God says the uniformitarians are willingly ignorant and then urges those who believe His Word to "be not ignorant." The only way we can know the date and duration of creation is for God to tell us, and He says He made all of Heaven and Earth in six days, and not so long ago!!!

2 Peter 3:3-6 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

MAKING ROOM FOR THE SAVIOR

Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Joseph and Mary had made the trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem, where they were obliged to report. While they were in Bethlehem, the Christ child was born that the prophecy of the Scripture be fulfilled. Because all the lodging places were occupied, the Savior of the world was not born in a clean comfortable room, but in a manger, a crib where cattle were fed. There is something so majestic in this scene. Our Lord came to this earth to love and liberate hurting people. He did not come to magnify Himself or impress us with His glory and grandeur. His persona was always of humility and meekness. Jesus identified more with the common people than the elite. Simplicity marked His ministry. He wrote in the sand, rode a borrowed donkey, and slept under the stars. His birth epitomized His mission. He laid aside that which He was entitled to as the Almighty God. He is the Creator of the worlds and commands angels, and yet He condescended to live in our world that He might redeem us from our sin. Jesus was not intrusive or demanding, but rather content and unassuming. This character of our King moves us to love Him and worship Him, not because He came to this earth demanding it, but because in every way, He deserves it. Jesus does not force Himself into our lives. There was no room in the inn for Joseph, Mary, and the soon to be born King. In a very similar way, there is little room for Jesus in many lives today. Schedules are too full to find time to honor Him, seek Him, or serve Him. Jobs, as well as recreation and leisure, take precedence over the house of God. Hearts are too crowded with other affections to love and worship the King of Glory. Budgets are so full there is no thought of giving to Him. Minds are so distracted that they have no time to meditate on His wonder. There is just no room for Jesus in the experience of so many. However, for those of us who know and love Him, we want to make room for Him. If we do nothing else, we want to adore and worship Him. He is to have first place in our hearts and our schedules. Our Lord is looking for those who will make room in their lives for Him. May the Shepherd of our souls always know we genuinely welcome Him.

A devotional thought by Pastor Smith of Mt. Zion Baptist Church

HE CAME TO SAVE SINNERS

I Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

At this time of the year, many are busy celebrating the miraculous birth of Christ, but too few remember why He came. What does it mean? Why did He come? It is not important whether He was born in December. The important thing is that He was born. God became a man. Deity was robed in humanity. The eternal Creator died for sinners. Our text reminds us that he “came into the world to save sinners.” This is the Gospel or good news. When Mary was informed of God’s plan for her to give birth to Christ, she was instructed in this way, “thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Her Son would be the Savior. Her baby would be the Lamb of God that would take away the sins of the world. He came to save sinners. When the angels announced His birth to the shepherds, they said, “unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). The Christ child is the Savior. He came to save us from our sin. He came to pay our sin debt that we might be forgiven, reconciled to God, and born again. We must personalize the Gospel. Jesus did not come to die for sinners in general, but to die for individuals. Paul says in our Scripture, “of whom I am chief.” Of all the sinners that Jesus came to save, Paul felt that he was the chief of them. He considered himself the foremost of all sinners. Who did Jesus die for? He died for you. He died for me. Undeserving does not begin to describe the desperate condition of our souls. We were without hope and without God in the world. We were lost and undone, turned to our own way, on the broad road of destruction, with an eternity in hell awaiting us. He came to save us. He came to this earth on a mission. His love for you and me and all mankind motivated His supreme sacrifice. He came to redeem us from our sin and bondage. He came to pay our sin debt. He came to ransom us. He took our sins on His own body on Golgotha’s cross. He died in our place and then rose triumphantly from the grave offering eternal salvation to all who will receive Him. What a Savior! What a Friend of sinners! We could never love Him as He deserves.

A devotional thought by Pastor Smith of Mt. Zion Baptist Church

That's My Saviour!!! Have You Seen Him??? Are You Telling Others???

Luke 2:1-21 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

The Night Before Jesus Came

‘Twas the night Jesus came and all through the house
Not a person was praying, not one In the house.
The Bibles were left an the shelf without care,
For no one thought that Jesus would come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And mom In her rocker with baby in her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.
When out of the east there rose such a clatter,
I Sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and lifted the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here!
The light of His face made me cover my head-
It was Jesus returning, just as He said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said, “It’s not here” my head hung in shame.
The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound
While all the rest were left standing around.
I fell to my knees, but It was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, If only I’d known that this was the night.
In the words of this poem the meaning Is clear;
The coming of Jesus is now drawing near.
There’s only one life and when comes the last call
We’ll find that the Bible was true after all.

-- Written by Margie Knight

Ten Commandments of Christmas

I. Thou shalt not leave “Christ” out of Christmas, making it “Xmas.” It may be true that the “X” is the Greek letter that stands for “CHRIST’ but to most, “X” is the unknown.
II. Thou shalt prepare thy soul for Christmas. Spend not so much on gifts that thy soul is forgotten and the souls of others are ignored.
III. Thou shalt not let Santa Claus replace Christ, thus robbing the day of its spiritual reality. The merchants have commercialized this season until giving is forgotten and getting is foremost.
IV. Thou shalt not burden the shop girl, the mailman, and the merchant with complaints and demands. A Christian Testimony is required from us everyday as well as Sunday.
V. Thou shalt give thyself with thy gift. This will increase its value a hundred fold, and he who receiveth it shall treasure it forever The preciousness of personal commitment is worth more than any treasure.
VI. Thou shalt not value gifts received by their cost. Even the least expensive may signify love, and that is more priceless than silver and gold.
VII. Thou shalt not neglect the needy. Share thy blessings with many who will go hungry and cold unless thou art generous. We all have more than we deserve.
VIII. Thou shalt not neglect thy church. Its services highlight the true meaning of the season. And, the joy of fellowship is untold by words.
IX. Thou shalt be as a little child. Not until thou hast become in spirit as a little one art thou ready to enter into the kingdom of Heaven.
X. Thou shalt give thy heart to Christ. Let Him be at the top of thy Christmas list His gift to us is paramount in our favor.

Anyone keeping these commandments is sure to have a blessed and meaningful Christmas.

Not on the First Christmas

Many people’s impression of the first Christmas, when Jesus was born, is not from the Bible. People get what they believe happened at Christ’s birth from television shows, movies, artists’ renderings, or an inaccurate story told to them. Much of what they see or are taught is not according to the Scriptures. So what do the Scriptures say?

The wise men were not there when Jesus was born. According to Luke 2, the shepherds were there. After Christ’s birth, more of His young life is revealed in Matthew 2. There it mentions that the babe was in the “house” (Matthew 2:11) when the wise men arrived, not in the manger.

It is possible that Jesus was up to two years old at the time the wisemen arrived. Herod, the king, heard that the “King of the Jews” was born, and to eliminate someone that could usurp his position on the throne, he had all the children two years old and younger killed. If Jesus had just been born, Herod would not have picked that age range to assure Jesus would be killed.

Also, to get the scene biblically correct, the Bible never mentions that there were three wise men. They did bring three different kinds of gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The Bible never mentions that there were exactly three packages as many pictures portray. There could have been a multitude of packages of the three different kinds of gifts. The cash value of these items may have provided the finances Joseph and his family needed to escape the genocide of all the children Herod sought to murder. Thus, the wisemen may have paid the way to keep the young Saviour from being killed.

There was no special star shining at His birth. According to the Matthew account, the guiding star was used to lead the wise men to where Jesus was; so since they came when He was in His house, there was no star at Christ’s birth.

Although Christ’s birth is celebrated on the 25th of December, it probably did not occur then. His birth was most likely at the end of September. At Christ’s birth, the shepherds were “abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock.” Since the winters today are much like they were 2,000 years ago, it was too cold for grass to grow. The flocks usually grazed in the fields from April to October.

Also, Joseph and Mary went to pay their taxes (not partaking in a “census” or “registering” as many of the modern Bible perversions retell it). The taxes were probably collected at the end of the harvest, not when the average temperature was too cold to travel (average temperature was about 29 degrees in December). The tax turnout would not be full if it were too cold to travel.

A Christmas tree was not part of His birth. Nowhere in the birth of Christ is a Christmas tree indicated. The only decorated tree mentioned in the Word of God is found in Jeremiah 10:3-4, and it was part of a heathen custom.

The birth of the Saviour, over 2,000 years ago, was the most important birth of all time. That birth brought into this world God’s only son; who over 33 years later would die on a cross to pay for the sins of all that accepted His payment. Although the ideas of many concerning Christmas may be unbiblical, it is wonderful that many still stop their busy lives to remember His birth, at least once a year. Misconceptions of any Bible information should teach us that the only way we will ever know the truth is to read God’s Word for ourselves, and not to rely on other sources that may not be accurate.

An article written by Bill Brinkworth found in The Bible View published 12/18/08.