Monday, February 24, 2014

This Answers A Lot

As we have been studying the book of Romans as a church, a lot of talk about the Jew and the law have surfaced. It is confusing coming form a Gentile point of view. All we can safely say is that Paul, a former Pharisee dedicated to the law, and Jesus weren’t happy with the law; and neither placed any trust in the law of men. Jesus takes the time to share the truth in love with some Pharisees who had come from Jerusalem to check the Teacher out. They were gathered around trying to find something that they could accuse Jesus of. They didn’t have to wait long, because “Jesus don’t play.” Right off the bat, the Pharisees noticed that Jesus’ disciples were not following their ceremonial law about washing before they ate. However, it is explained to us that this was a law made up by the elders, not a command of God. Throughout the year, the Jews had added oral laws to the commands of God, and had burdened the people with so many laws that they had to listen to whatever the “law-yers” told them to do. Jesus explains how the Pharisees and all the Jews would not eat unless they washed for religious purposes. Furthermore, they had a bunch of other traditions that basically meant keeping a good facade. So, the Pharisees challenged Jesus on why his disciples didn’t keep the traditions of the elders. Jesus immediately juked them pulling out a verse from Isaiah that foretold something about these hypocrites, who give God lip service, but their heart is not right. They just want to look good before man, but God ain’t happy. Jesus followed that with a glaring example to shut them up. He told of how some of them would give an extra big financial gift to God (so they could brag and look good before men), but it was money they normally would have used to help their elderly parents. Because Jesus mentions this, we can certainly ascertain that their motive from the heart was judged wrong by him. God tells us to give all we’ve got to him by whatever means we have. But He also tells us to honor our father and mother. These folks didn’t have welfare, social security, and retirement benefits. Jesus knew that these guys would do anything to look puffed up, including not taking care of their parents which was not merely a tradition for them but a command of God. Jesus told them that they nullified the very word of God by their new tradition of allowing this practice. Plus, he added “and you do many things like that.” In other words, this was just one example, and if they needed more just ask. --- God looks at the heart, not man’s scorecard.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Me, Rob Bell and Oprah

This world has been a bloody mess since sin entered the world. Yes, God made all things beautiful and very good. He gave the stewards of the Earth billions of “you-can-do’s” and only one “don’t-do.” He was so serious He attached a deadly consequence to that disobedience-death. God is good. God is love. But God is also just, and this is what some folks can’t get over. Some want the love of God without the justice. However, I’m pretty sure they want justice when someone does them wrong. I think this God that is full of mercy and grace can properly handle dealing with folks that have rejected Him. But you know, it doesn’t matter what I think, what Rob thinks or even Oprah. ---Right from the beginning when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden the loving God of the Universe shed the blood of an innocent animal, not merely for new clothes now that they knew they were naked. He did it as a foreshadowing of the day that He would send His Son to die for the sin of the world. It was a covering of their sin. For those who will come to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior He will be their covering and much, much more.---Oprah and Rob can’t handle the blood. They want the love, but the truth is you can’t see the love without the blood. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.-Romans 5:8. Just read the Bible. Don’t take my word, Rob’s word, or Oprah’s word. Take God at His Holy Word.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

She Said "Yes"

It is popular as of this writing for grooms-to-be to let their friends know on the social network that the wedding is ON by posting a picture and proclaiming “she said ‘yes.’” Truth-be-told God has been courting many today with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, wooing His people through the Holy Spirit. While pastors preach for a positive response to the Gospel every week, many followers of Jesus get the opportunity to share the Good News of God throughout the week in love and good deeds, and sometimes with words. The message called the Gospel or Good News contains Good News and Bad News. It starts with the Bad News of the obvious, we are all sinners. I have never had a person have a problem acknowledging that one. People know that they are not perfect no matter whose standards they use. However, folks aren’t ready to admit that there is justice and judgment coming for personal sin, even though in the back of their minds they can feel it. There is a reason for that feeling. God has hidden eternity in our hearts, and he has given man a conscience. But mostly, man rejects the Gospel, because he is unwilling to change. He does not want to die to self to live for another, even if that new life has a promise of eternity and abundance. The old ways, the old man is hard to turn from. Nevertheless, the God who sent His One and Only Son to die for the ungodly pursues such men. This is a demonstration of His great love. He has no strings attached, just turn from sin and turn to Him trusting the saving power from the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Just say “yes” to Jesus as Lord of your life.---Many will wait. They will post-pone or put off responding to Jesus. There is a danger one ought to know about this. In that moment when one is considering accepting Jesus and turning their back on the woeful ways of this world, it is none other than the Holy Spirit of God that is calling them to respond. It is a dangerous thing to reject the Holy Spirit over and over. Jesus said that whoever blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. Listen, a person doesn’t accidentally blaspheme the Holy Spirit. Blasphemy is ultimately the rejecting of the Savior the Holy Spirit is advocating for until death. So, Jesus warns of the danger of persistently rejecting the convicting power of the Holy Spirit by not responding to the Good News of God.---The best thing a person can do when feeling the prompting of the Holy Spirit: just say “yes.”

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Remember Who Got You Here

The children of Israel had just been rescued from 430 years of slavery. God, Himself heard their cries, and came down to free them. He used the man Moses as the deliverer and appointed his brother Aaron as his side-kick. The people had witnessed God send 10 amazing plagues to get Pharaoh to let the people go. God made the Egyptian people willing to give them gold and other costly items on their departure giving the former slaves massive wealth as they made the exodus. God sent the people on a safe route so they would not encounter warriors along the path for they were workers, not fighters. God sent them on a route that led them to a dead-end between a mountain and the Red Sea as an angry Egyptian army came hard-charging seeking revenge. God did this to show His glory one more time, so that perhaps these sheep would know who God was if they didn’t already get it. He parted the Red Sea for the Israelites and then He brought down the waters to destroy the charging combative Egyptians. The mighty army was slain in the Red Sea with no survivors. The Israelites broke out in song on the sea shore. ---As their travels continued God did amazing miracles in giving them water and feeding them in the wilderness area. And then it was time for them to take a break as their leader Moses went up on the mountain to meet with God. In a short time the people became restless wondering where Moses was. They came to his brother Aaron whining and complaining and they told him to build an idol for them to worship. Aaron caved in and had them bring some of the gold they had retrieved from Egypt and built a golden calf, and they worshiped this golden calf giving it credit for their deliverance.--- God paused in His discussion with Moses and told him that he better get down and check on “his” people. --- You can read the rest of what ensued in Exodus chapter 32 for yourself, and you will find yourself harshly judging these people that surely should have known better. Yet, I caution you to be slow in judgment. For we too have seen God do amazing things in our lives, only to turn easily back to idols. We turn back to what we are familiar with. I think the Bible calls these things “familiar spirits.” Aaron sure did shape that golden image real quick for a guy that was dedicated to God. The people sure slipped into a different mode as they worshiped this golden calf. --- When life gets difficult, and when you are between a rock and a hard place remember Who rescued you last time. Surely this was fresh on the minds of these people. They should have fallen on their knees and had an awesome forty days of prayer meeting. Cry out to the God who saves, not something you can make with your own hands. Remember Who got you here.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

God’s Practical Joke

I’ve said for a long time now that the church is God’s practical joke (of course tongue in cheek, sort of). He brings this group of people from all walks of life with various personalities, throws them together and says “get along.” Actually, He says “love one another”. And more, “bear one another’s burdens,” and more stuff like that. And when we don’t do those things we fall apart, and the world laughs at us. They call it a church-split, but we call it “planting” a new church. Some leave the church to never come back.---God puts us together, tells us to work things out, and oh yeah, change the world! God empowers the church with spiritual gifts to get the job done, however the church has to maintain unity (get along) to maximize those powers and change a world that relishes sin. So, yeah, anything to keep you out of church is a positive for the ruler of the fallen world, Satan.

Friday, February 7, 2014

Taking the Garbage Out and Seeing God

I’m certainly not that important, but I have hit the ground running hard this new year. It seems like there has been a meeting of some sort almost every night, so this past Thursday I was elated when I saw nothing on the calendar. My wife was a little under the weather, so we just chilled out at the house watching some comedies on the tv. ---After indulging in some good laughs, it was time to call it a night. I prepared to take the garbage out to the road by putting on my jacket, a ski hat and some gloves. It was freezing outside, but that was probably a little over the top for a thirty second walk to the end of the road. As I got to the end of the road on this mindless but purposeful trip, something from the northwestern sky caught my eye. In a clearing between the trees and right beneath an ominous cloud, a beautiful nearly full moon was juxtaposed on a jet black sky. It was beautiful. I wasn’t looking for it. It lurked out from the scenery and caught my attention. This would have been an award winning painting selling for millions if a man had painted it. It was a little thing, yet a big thing. It was as if God was saying, “Hey, what’s up? This has been here all night. This is what I do.” I felt a little sheepish for chilling out by watching a couple of hours of tv on this particular night, when God was doing something big outside. It was something much more entertaining and graceful.It’s beauty was unmatched. I was now thankful that I had put on warm clothing, as I stopped and looked straight up at all the stars that were visible on this night. I spotted Orion and that one star that shines brighter than all the others, you know ole whatchamacallit. I stood and gazed as I took it all in. It was after midnight, and we’re at the end of the street...so it’s me and God. I looked around to see if anyone else was out as I was gawking at God’s beautiful artistry. Wow! What was supposed to be a not even routine, but instead a mundane 15 second trip turned into a God-moment. I love it when God comes near...when He makes His presence known in the little things at unexpected times. It reminded me that God has made himself plain to us in His Creation. Man certainly is without excuse.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Bill Nye vs Ken Ham Debate

Considering we just spent several weeks going through the first book of Romans, the Bill Nye vs Ken Ham debate between Evolution and Creation Science was quite timely. Both men acting pretty professional, and avoided most rhetoric associated with the two sides. It was good to see how an actual debate is to be run instead of the political circus debates that we’re used to. At the end of the day, a debate is standing up for the truth that you believe in. There is no place to hide. ---Both men held their own giving their explanations for fossil records, the dating of the earth and that sort of thing. The only two things that the opponents threw at each other that the other left undone or forgot to answer (although they were not required to) were the following: 1.) Bill showed a picture of a bunch of skulls and asked Ken for an explanation (however, Ken does deal with that and thousands of tougher questions on his website: answersingenesis.org) 2.) Ken made a statement saying that the rock that evolutionists used to date earth at 4.5million years was part of a meteorite and not even earth rock. Bill chose not to respond. Those were just a couple of jabs that were left undone.--- Bill tried to act like christianity and science were incompatible. It was basically the old “christians check you’re brain at the door”, except he focused on Ken as to not offend the rest. In the limited time given, Ken showed a few creation scientists who have done remarkable work to combat that. However, Ken gave scientists that were atheists their due as well. Bill portrayed himself as a “reasonable man” totally suggesting Mr. Ham was not. In fact, a few times he called creation science “Ken Ham’s model”, attempting to isolate him from the scientific world.--- Bill’s main attack was to belittle Mr. Ham and the Bible, thus why should this world listen to such a silly man. Ken differentiated historical science and observational science. The origin of the earth and the origin of man fall under the first category. Evolutionists have to make up amazing arguments based on all kinds of assumptions. Creationists go unapologetically to the record in Genesis. Ken stated on more than one occasion how the Gospel and Creation go together. You really can’t separate the two. Perhaps many reject Creation, because they’re rejecting the Gospel. Bill pointed out that he has a bottom-up view, while Ken has a top-down view; which is probably the most enlightened thing said all night (even though I am sure he didn’t mean to do it). In that statement my mind raced directly to Romans 1The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.(18,19)--- Ken spoke clearly about what God has plainly revealed to man. No, we weren’t there to see it, but neither were Bill Nye and Carl Sagan. Bill’s view is a man-made intellectual only...”I can figure it out myself” view. Ken’s view is based on divine revelation or “because God has made it plain to them.” I do appreciate Bill Nye coming out to debate, because many were telling him not to. By staying mum, they are able to easily suppress the truth. It is two belief systems. No one was here in the beginning, so we all start with a belief or presupposition. The Laws of Nature are God’s Laws. Things work in an organized fashion, because God made it that way. To find a watch in the middle of nowhere, and pretend that just happened to form is ludicrous. That sir is checking your brain at the door. ---Just admit it. You believe in evolution, because you reject the Gospel of God. Science is good, but it’s not revelation. We need divine revelation to know how we got here, and what our purpose is. Most of all, we need divine revelation to know Christ our Savior. --- The saddest part of the evening was Bill Nye saying that exploring and trying to figure stuff out was the joy of life(that’s fine, but nothing after this life?). He was most interested in children becoming scientists and taxpayers. Where is the hope? What a dud-ending it will be! *To see the debate go to debatelive.org as it will be archived for about five days.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Fantastic

The LORD raining down fire and brimstone to destroy the twin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah...come on! That’s a little too fantastic, right? Or better yet, that story of Jonah and the big fish, isn’t that a little out there? The parting of the Red Sea ought to be on the crazy list people are supposed to believe God did. ---Well, look around. If you open your eyes, you witness a little bit of God’s fantastic-ness every day. We can put a period after each one: the Grand Canyon. Niagara Falls. the Great Smokey Mountains. the Gulf of Mexico. the Swiss Alps. the Great Barrier Reef. the power of the ant. the gorgeous fish on coral reefs in the Caribbean. the powerful volcanoes around the world. the migration of birds. the constellations in our galaxy. the vastness of outer space. a sunrise or sunset anywhere and the fact that sun shows up day after day. the cry of a new-born baby. Oh, God has wowed us in many ways in His Creation. So we shouldn’t be surprised when he harnesses it for His purposes.--- Man is God’s crowning achievement...we might argue that considering our own imperfections; but it was after God created man that He said that His Creation was very good, instead of plain ole God-good. Man has made some pretty amazing things. He was created in the image of God after all. He should be a chip off the old block. But the stuff man makes can be defective, can be broken, and can be destroyed. The Eiffel Tower could be taken down with one bad quake. We’ve unfortunately seen the destruction of billion dollar planes, etc. ---Man has tried to hurt the planet God created, but if one were to pay close attention; there is some kind of preservation built into this planet. Not long ago, man tried to ruin the Gulf of Mexico. The bad news was horrendous. It looked like a hopeless situation. Yet, like a daddy picking up the pieces after his child broke something; God has proved to be bigger than our mistakes. This world is indestructible by man. Read the book, God has a plan for a new heaven and a new earth, and that will happen in His time table. ---But the world does need to be redeemed. It has been corrupted, not by a massive oil spill or atomic bomb, but by sin. God’s got this. God the Father sent His One and Only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ was with God from the beginning. He sent the indestructible Jesus among men to save men and redeem the planet. Men put God to the test. They killed Jesus. But God, who is infinitely more fantastic than we can ever realize, raised Jesus on the third day. There was a purpose for all this. With all these fantastic things God lets man witness, it leaves man without an excuse when it comes to plainly knowing that He exists, that man is sinful in need of a Savior; and God has sent that Savior in broad-daylight---Jesus!---You’ve seen enough. And if that’s not enough, God says in the Scriptures, “If you will sincerely seek me, then you will find me.” The key word is sincerely. If you have an open mind, then you will believe what you already know in your heart. It’s in your heart, because God put it there. If you haven’t done so, check into the whole Jesus story. You don’t have to go to a mystical place or smoke some plant to experience God. Merely open your eyes to what is before you. Man is without excuse. Jesus came and died for the ungodly, because He loves us. He had to die, because we sinned. He asks us to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” for salvation. Again, you’ve seen enough. Phone a friend if you still have questions. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is not just Good News, it is fantastic news to a world that has been exposed to a fantastic God.

Monday, February 3, 2014

I Don't Know

For some things “I don’t know” simply is not a good-enough answer. Shortly before Jesus would be betrayed and nailed to a cross, he had a triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The people were praising him, singing “Hallelujah” and all that. He enters the temple and cleans house a little bit. Then, he heals all the blind and lame people that are brought to him. He then began to teach those that were eager to listen to the amazing Jesus. But the chief priests and elders interrupted the teacher to ask where his authority was from. ---Jesus answered their question with a question of his own. They were stunned. He told them that if they answered his question, then he would give them a straight answer. This should have been simple. All they had to do was simply answer his question, and then he would tell them by what authority he did what he did. ---Instead, the guys fumbled the ball. Honestly, they really didn’t want to know the truth. So, the answer often given when we already know the truth, but don’t want to say it is “I or we don’t know.” If there is one thing we need to be sure about, it is eternity. Don’t you think? Don’t you know? ---I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to share the Good News about Jesus Christ with many people one on one. Sometimes they accept Christ right then. Sometimes they have to do some more thinking. Sometimes they flat out reject the offer of salvation. However, I am saddest the most when I ask someone who has plainly heard the Gospel “Since you believe about Jesus, God, the death, burial and resurrection; why not accept Him now as Lord and Savior?” And they respond with “I don’t know.”--- The chief priests and elders had seen enough. We’ve seen enough. In fact, Paul writes “man is without excuse.” I don’t think “I don’t know” is going to make the cut. Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you this authority?" Jesus replied, "I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John's baptism--where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?" They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' But if we say, 'From men'--we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet." So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Then he said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.---Matthew 21:23-27