What of America's Future?

 

Once there was a small town on the edge of a great forest and in the forest lived a herd of wild hogs. The hogs ravaged their crops and made a nuisance of themselves in many ways. The men of the town tried to hunt the hogs down, but the hogs were too wary. Unfortunately, the hogs attacked and killed a small child. The people were enraged and called on a famous hunter to help them. His methods surprised them. First, he put a large pile of corn in a clearing at the edge of the forest. After several days he noticed the hogs had finally come and ate the corn. He replaced the corn and the hogs came back for more. For days, he put fence posts up around the corn supply. Then he added wire and a gate. Finally, early one morning as the hogs were feeding, he slipped up on the pen and closed the gate. The people were amazed that he had caught all the hogs. The hunter shrugged his shoulders and said, “Those hogs were mine when they ate their first mouth full of corn. You see, when a critter takes a free handout, it belongs to the one who gave it. “Do not conform to the world! (Romans 12:2) The world said get tattoos, so they did. The world said drink and do drugs, so they did, until they couldn’t remember who they were. The world said dress the way you want, so they dressed to entice lust and were enticed to lust, but the whole world is doing it so what’s the harm? The world encouraged recreational and casual sex, so they did and became sick in heart and body. The world said forsake your wedding vows, let Hollywood help you see the light, and they did as the world was doing. The children were hurt and they cried out for parents that were no longer there for them. The world said push others out of the way, use them and lose them. And they did as instructed only to find themselves alone in a cold dark evil world. Numbers 32:23 still says, “…be sure your sin will find you out.” And remember, the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). I don’t think anyone wants to hear Jesus say, “…Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire… (Matthew 25:34).

[Proverbs 14:34] “Righteousness exalts a nation; But sin is a reproach to any people.” God has NOT promised to always bless America! God has turned from, and punished, other nations when they abandoned righteous ways and increased more and more in their evil ways. The Bible clearly teaches what is right, good and pleasing to our Father in heaven; as well as specifically, and with concise terms, has identified what is evil, wicked, and totally unacceptable to Almighty God. What do we expect America’s future to be when we allow minority groups to dictate when we can bow our heads in prayer, even in public? What do we expect America’s future to be when we remain largely silent while innocent babies are legally slaughtered? What do we expect America's future to be when we tolerate more and more advances of the Hollywood agenda to force the homosexual lifestyle into our homes via the ungodly programming on television? What do we expect America’s future to be when we are passive toward the aggressive actions of others who are forcing garbage, filth, vile and offensive language into our lives almost everywhere we turn? What do we expect America’s future to be if we put men and women in office who do not value and esteem the Holy Bible, have proven they promote and legalize evil practices causing American’s to further abandon God and His holy and righteous ways? “All that is necessary for the forces of evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing” (Edmund Burke). We should be very careful we don’t sell out for some ticket or trade our freedom for a bowl of soup. May God help us to stand up, speak up and plead for America’s future. Did you vote?

Would You Do Something Great?

 

I needed a laugh this past week and thought I would share some of it with you from an article by an anonymous mother of five titled, “Things I’ve Learned From My Children.” * There is no such thing as child-proofing your house. * A 4-year-old’s voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant. * If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate a 42-pound boy wearing pound puppy underwear and a superman cape. * It is strong enough, however, to spread paint on all four walls of a 20 by 20 foot room. * Baseballs make marks on ceilings. * You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on. * When using the ceiling fan as a bat you have to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit. * A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way. * The glass in windows (even double pane) doesn’t stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan. * If you use a waterbed as home plate while wearing baseball shoes, it does not leak - it explodes. There’s lots more laughs – Google it!

[Colossians 4:2-6] Given the opportunity, what would you do for God? I feel certain that we have all considered it. What would be the limits? If God called upon you to do so, would you build an ark? Would you leave your homeland? Would you lead His people to freedom? Would you stand down giants, lions, and fiery furnaces? Would you be willing to do what Josiah did? Paul? Peter? Whose task would you be willing to take on if you could? How about this: let’s take on our own tasks! Naaman considered himself a great man and many would have agreed. But Naaman had a problem – one of the worst he could have had – he had leprosy – a virtually incurable disease. However, he desired to be healed and was willing to do anything to be cleansed. Well, almost anything. He was advised to approach a great prophet of God (2 Kings 5:1-8). Initially he was put-off by the fact that Elisha wouldn’t meet with him directly (vs. 9-11). After all, he was a great man and a lowly prophet should cater to him. He was more put off by the “prescription” offered by the prophet – to dip seven times in the nasty Jordon River (vs.12). He felt he did not receive the respect a man of his position should receive and he noted that there were much nicer rivers back home he could use. But reason came from his lowly servants who asked, “If the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it?” Well, of course he would. Naaman went to the prophet prepared to do something great to be cleansed. His problem was that he didn’t realize who really does the great things in life. Many great things begin as seemingly ordinary things. When Andrew went to tell his brother, Peter, that he had found the Messiah (John 1:35-42) he had no idea of who Peter would become because of it. He was simply doing what we would think any loving brother would do. When Tabitha made garments for her less fortunate neighbors (Acts 9:36-39) it never occurred to her that her kindness would forever be memorialized in scripture. She was just doing what she knew to do. If Andrew or Tabitha had been told to do something great would they have done it? In actuality, they did! Without thinking, they did the great things they were called upon to do. So, how about you: “…if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you have not done it?” If you want to accomplish great things you must be willing to do what are considered, ordinary things, things that may seem useless at the time. Remember, Jesus declared that true greatness is not found in self-exaltation. It is found in service to others (Mark 10:42). Let’s strive to do the great things that God has for us to do. You may think it a useless thing to do, but your vote does count! Go! VOTE!

Reputation and Character

 

Sylvia Jasper is nine-two years old, petite, well-poised and dignified. She is up and going each morning by eight, with her hair fashionably coifed and her make-up perfectly applied. (Oh yes, she is legally blind). Her husband of 70 years had recently passed away, making the move necessary. After waiting patiently many hours in the lobby, the director of the modest assisted-living facility she had chosen, introduced herself and greeted Sylvia with a warm welcome. Pleasantries were exchanged and she smiled when the director informed her, “Your room is ready.” As Sylvia maneuvered her walker to the elevator, the director provided a visual description of her tiny room, including the eyelet curtains that had been hung on the windows. “I love it!” Sylvia stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented a new puppy. “But, Mrs. Jasper,” said the director, “you haven’t even seen it yet …just wait!” As they rode the elevator Sylvia stated, “That doesn’t have anything to do with it. Happiness is something one decides on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged – it is how I arrange my mind. I have already decided to love it. To be happy is a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice: I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work very well or I can get out of bed and be thankful for the parts that still do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open in the morning, I will focus on the new day and all the happy memories I have stored away just for this time in my life.” What a wonderful attitude to have when entering new or difficult chapters of life.

[1 Timothy 3:7; Romans 5:4] What is the difference between reputation and character? William Hershey Davis wrote the following: * The circumstances amid which you live determine your reputation; the truth you believe determines your character. * Reputation is what you are supposed to be; character is what you are. * Reputation is the photograph; character is the face. * Reputation comes over one from without; character grows up from within. * Reputation is what you have when you come to a new community; character is what you have when you go away. * Your reputation is learned in an hour; character does not come to light for a year. * Reputation is made in a moment; character is built in a life-time. * Reputation grows like a mushroom; character grows like the oak. * A single newspaper gives you a reputation; a life of toil gives you character. * Reputation makes you rich or makes you poor; character makes you happy or makes you miserable. * Reputation is what men say about you on the tombstone; character is what the angels say about you around the throne of God.

There was certainly a difference between Jesus’ reputation and his character. His reputation, according to his own people, was that He was out of his mind (Mark 3:21). The scribes from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons” (Mark 3:22). The rulers of the people charged him before Pilate with, “…perverting the nation” (Luke 23:2). Yet, when Jesus had finished the task his Father had sent him to accomplish it could truthfully be said he was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). The false reputation in the eyes of some and His true character were definitely different. It is certainly easier to work on what people think about us than to work on who we are. Edna McCann observed, “No man knows his true character until he has run out of gas, purchased something on the installment plan, or raised an adolescent.” Are you more concerned about your reputation or your character?

Christianity vs. Patriotism

 

Racism; Patriotism; Capitalism; Supremacy; Football; Protests; Christianity. Maybe by now you are all tired of the rhetoric. Some of it has been unkind, some unreasonable, and some just coarse. I pray that you will find the brief thoughts that follow to be none of those things. * I am a Christian first and a Patriot second. I long for the day when God’s people can be as moved and vocal about Jesus as they can be about the country they love. Are we as upset and vocal when the institutions and doctrines of God are disrespected as we are when our nation’s institutions are disrespected? Are we as willing to speak in defense of the cross as we are in defense of the flag? Don’t get me wrong here – love for our country, its founders and the (God guided) writers of our Constitution of freedom and equality, is the glue that holds our Republic together. But don’t forget - we are all aliens in this world and our true citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:17-21). * Freedom of Speech must be Tempered with Respect. I am thankful for my “freedom of speech” granted me and protected by the 1^st Amendment of our Constitution. But I must keep in mind that this great privilege of freedom must be tempered with respect. For example, I am opposed to the practice of homosexuality, but I will not join myself to groups who share in the same view, when they seek to share that view in a disrespectful way. I, at the same time, must not negate my valid message of love for my fellow man found in the gospel of Christ. Freedom of speech doesn’t license anyone to disrespect others. How and where we exercise our freedom of speech is important (Romans 12:9-21). * Acknowledge the Plight of the Oppressed. We must lose the “get over it already” attitude some people possess. Oppression, injustice, inequality, and discrimination still exists in our country, as it does in most of the world, and to act as if they don’t, because you don’t happen to experience any of them, is ungodly. Godliness lifts the burden from the oppressed, rights the wrongs, and treats all persons equally (Isaiah 1:17; Micah 6:8; Psalm 82:3-4; Matthew 23:23).

[Colossians 3:5-14] It doesn’t take much to get a dog to wag its tail – just a pat on the head, a smile on your face, maybe a bowl of food or a softly spoken word of praise. Children react in much the same way. Kindness has a language all its own and a child is quick to understand it. When considering all my past associations I can recall that some of the roughest characters I’ve known have also been the kindest. As we follow the life of Jesus we are struck by the great consideration with which he treated all persons. No one could doubt his sincerity. For those who knew Jesus intimately, his friendship was a great enveloping love. The fickle crowds turned back to him again and again. The Lord yearned after them as a shepherd after his sheep. Toward his enemies, Jesus evidenced a great and abiding patience. Even toward those whom he condemned he showed no malice. Surely, love suffers long and is kind. What is the flavor of our lives? Do the dogs and even the children slink away when we come near? Are we harsh in our judgments and do we let bitterness creep into our relationships with others? Do we really follow Christ Jesus, our Lord? Jesus told his followers: “A new command I give you - Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35). Your love, or the lack thereof, is showing all the time. May your love be such as to glorify God the Father within this evil world lost in sin. Share with all the saving grace of God that awaits everyone baptized into Christ and his resurrection (Romans 6:1-14).

Attitude and Apostasy

 

Many reasonably good people seldom, if ever, “go to church”. Meeting with others to study the Bible, God’s word, and to publicly worship Him is something easily ignored in our busy world. To these, church is where one goes to a wedding or a funeral, but little more. The early Christians didn’t just “go to church” - they were the church. Still today, we are the ekklesia, the “called-out-ones” - called out of the world by the gospel of Christ to be a light to the world. We are a community of believers, commonly referred to as “the body of Christ” and even “the bride of Christ”. In Christ we are bound together in “one body” with one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all “…who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6). As such, to not meet with other Christians to encourage one another and jointly express our devotion to the Lord is not considered an option. The Lord said, “…where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them” (Mathew 18:20). His directive for the partaking of the “Lord’s supper” was, “…do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:17-22; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). From the first to today, the church, consisting of penitent baptized believers, “…continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, in the fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers (Acts 2:42). Acts 20:7 tells us that, “…on the first day of the week …the disciples came together to break bread.” It wasn’t long before some Christians were becoming neglectful in their assembling together and were admonished, “…let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25). Christians are not called to be “lone rangers” in our world hostile to God, but to be bound together with brothers and sisters in Christ in a common struggle. Sharing together in worship and in the Word of God should be something much desired by those who love the Lord.

[Psalm 51:7-13] “Do your own thing” seems to be the motto of many people today. But if we look around us and witness the news of everyday events, we know that our society is coming apart at the seams. Our culture shows the sure signs of coming destruction and anarchy because so many people are enslaved to sin and caught up in doing things their own way. The only hope for the survival of our society is a change of attitude and a turning to God by individuals who recognize their need of God’s help in order to live successful lives. Before we can change our bad attitude, we have to admit to it and seek the needed strength to change. Having a good attitude means getting rid of bad attitudes. Paul says it is a process of putting off our enslavement to sinful practices by putting our confidence in the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:8-13). This involves dying to the influence of sin in our lives by realizing that Jesus died in our place, for the wages of sin is death for the sinner (Romans 6:23), so that we could be freed from sin and have life with Jesus (Romans 6:1-14). Many people will not admit they are enslaved to sin, and many have no desire to be servants of righteousness. Noah had a good attitude. He believed God and followed God’s instructions in building the ark which saved eight righteous souls from death when God cleansed the earth of sin (Genesis 7). The church is an ark of sorts. Peter said that mankind is saved today by having an attitude like Noah and obeying God (1 Peter 3:20-21). God is patiently waiting as the church is being built. Apostasy is culturing doom. Are you obeying God?