By now I'm sure many of you are familiar with the horrific story of brutal murder that has come ringing out of Philadelphia, PA. If you haven't read the story, take a look at it here. Kermit Gosnell, a 69-year-old family practitioner posing as an abortion doctor, was recently charged with the murder of a 41-year-old woman and seven infant children. If you read the report of the Pennsylvania DA on the case, you are actually led to believe that Gosnell was responsible for the murder of hundreds more babies and at least one more adult. Without getting too graphic, Gosnell would fully deliver the babies, jab a pair of scissors into the back of their necks, and cut their spinal cords. As wicked as partial-birth abortion is, it seems to pale in comparison to this.
Of course, it's unthinkable that this kind of murder could happen in the United States of America. But did these horrific events take place in a vacuum? In other words, what circumstances created an environment where this type of murder could take place? Clearly the legalization of abortion in 1973 opened the floodgates to some of the grizzly practices we're seeing today. While I'll admit that illegal abortions were commonplace in America before Roe v. Wade, I think it's clear that legalized abortion has done very little to clean up what is a barbaric, abominable act in the eyes of God.
Here's what really gets me in this whole conversation. How can we say that a child inside the womb has fewer rights than a child of the same age outside the womb? Do people really believe that a child outside the womb is a human being, but that one inside the womb is not? You can dress it up, clean it up, and call it whatever you wish, but God's Word calls it the shedding of innocent blood (cf. 2 Kings 21:16). In Bible times, Judah was judged because it shed so much innocent blood during the reign of Manasseh. What makes us think that America will somehow avoid the judgment of God for committing similar sinful acts?
There's no question that abortion has created quite a slippery slope here in America. Legalized abortion led to partial-birth abortion and now this. Is there any end in sight? Only if God sends us the revival we so desperately need. My prayer is that revival will begin in each of our hearts, that it will transform our families, and that it will so move upon the houses of God across this land that finally our culture will be radically changed for the glory of Christ. Then, and only then, will the slippery slope of death be transformed into a holy pursuit of life.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Just Because Mom & Dad Can Doesn't Mean They Should
I am still a relatively young man (or at least I like to think so). I feel blessed that God has given me opportunities to serve him in a number of different ways - as husband, father, pastor, coach, etc. While attempting to serve the Lord in those capacities, I have noticed a disturbing trend among those of my generation. Why is it that many in my generation continue to remain dependent upon their parents? Maybe I'm off base, but it just seems to me that more and more young people are having to rely on their parents to pay their bills, raise their children, and provide for their livelihood.
I mentioned how blessed I have been to serve God in a number of ways. I am also blessed to have two of the greatest parents who have ever lived. I understand that not everyone can say the same thing, so I thank God often for the wonderful parents he blessed me with. I'll never forget the wise counsel my parents gave me when I was considering marriage. I had just bought an engagement ring for my soon-to-be fiancee and I was so excited to bring it home and show it to mom and dad. I remember them both looking at it and agreeing that it was a lovely piece of jewelry.
But what they did next helped to provide me with one of the great lessons of my life. They explained to me that when I got married, no longer was I going to be supported by them. Rather, I would then be self-supporting as it would be up to me to "man-up" and seize the responsibility that marriage/parenthood brings. I thank God that I have two parents who loved me enough to teach me about marriage and responsibility.
And yet as I look at the trends of our culture, I wonder if there were some in my generation who never had that conversation with mom and dad. Perhaps they did, but maybe they just didn't listen to mom and dad's instruction. As a coach, I see more and more children being brought to the ballpark by grandma and grandpa - not because they're helping to give the grandkids a ride, but because they have custody of them. When the parents do show up, sometimes they are high, drunk, or obviously just in no position to raise children.
So, this is a challenge to all those in my generation: It's time for us to step up and take responsibility for ourselves and our families. Just because mom & dad can afford to support us doesn't mean that they should. In fact, many parents can't afford to support their children and grandchildren, yet they often feel pressured to bail them out. We should not be putting this kind of pressure on the people who raised us.
What's the answer? First and foremost, let's make sure that we've surrendered our lives to Christ. We will never do an adequate job of assuming responsibility in our homes until we have placed our faith in the Savior. Furthermore, let's decide that we're going to pursue a close walk with our Heavenly Father. Remember, the favor of God comes "by humility and the fear of the Lord" (Prov. 22:4). Finally, we should let the words of Ecc. 9:10 ring in our hearts and minds each day: "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might."
Mom and Dad raised us to be big boys and big girls. Now I pray we'll trust God and act like it.
I mentioned how blessed I have been to serve God in a number of ways. I am also blessed to have two of the greatest parents who have ever lived. I understand that not everyone can say the same thing, so I thank God often for the wonderful parents he blessed me with. I'll never forget the wise counsel my parents gave me when I was considering marriage. I had just bought an engagement ring for my soon-to-be fiancee and I was so excited to bring it home and show it to mom and dad. I remember them both looking at it and agreeing that it was a lovely piece of jewelry.
But what they did next helped to provide me with one of the great lessons of my life. They explained to me that when I got married, no longer was I going to be supported by them. Rather, I would then be self-supporting as it would be up to me to "man-up" and seize the responsibility that marriage/parenthood brings. I thank God that I have two parents who loved me enough to teach me about marriage and responsibility.
And yet as I look at the trends of our culture, I wonder if there were some in my generation who never had that conversation with mom and dad. Perhaps they did, but maybe they just didn't listen to mom and dad's instruction. As a coach, I see more and more children being brought to the ballpark by grandma and grandpa - not because they're helping to give the grandkids a ride, but because they have custody of them. When the parents do show up, sometimes they are high, drunk, or obviously just in no position to raise children.
So, this is a challenge to all those in my generation: It's time for us to step up and take responsibility for ourselves and our families. Just because mom & dad can afford to support us doesn't mean that they should. In fact, many parents can't afford to support their children and grandchildren, yet they often feel pressured to bail them out. We should not be putting this kind of pressure on the people who raised us.
What's the answer? First and foremost, let's make sure that we've surrendered our lives to Christ. We will never do an adequate job of assuming responsibility in our homes until we have placed our faith in the Savior. Furthermore, let's decide that we're going to pursue a close walk with our Heavenly Father. Remember, the favor of God comes "by humility and the fear of the Lord" (Prov. 22:4). Finally, we should let the words of Ecc. 9:10 ring in our hearts and minds each day: "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might."
Mom and Dad raised us to be big boys and big girls. Now I pray we'll trust God and act like it.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
How Does a Christian Live in Faith?
This is a huge question and one that there appears to be much confusion about. Unfortunately, religion has done very little to clarify the matter. In many cases, religion has only added to the confusion that already exists. Some would have us to believe that living in faith means that you know exactly what God is going to do. For instance, there are many who teach that if a person is sick, all he has to do is believe that he is going to be made well. Essentially, that man's faith forces the hand of God - if he only believes strongly enough, things will happen just as he thought they would.
But I ask you, is that really how faith works? As with all other matters, we'll want to see what God's Word has to say about our question. It will help us first to define what faith is. Thankfully, the Bible provides us with a very straight-forward definition of faith: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). Fair enough, but what does that mean? The context of this verse has to do with the promises of God; namely His promise of salvation and the truths of His Word. So essentially the author of Hebrews is telling us that a man of faith believes the Word of God. Having been fully persuaded of God's truth, he then orders his life accordingly.
So how does it work? Again, it will aid us to consider the examples provided in the Bible. One awesome example is provided in Romans 4. In that amazing chapter of God's Word, Paul teaches us about the faith of Abraham. He said that it was by faith alone that Abraham was saved: "Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness" (Rom. 4:3). How do we know that the righteousness of God equals salvation? Because Paul would later go on to write that "the Lord shall not impute sin" to those who have placed their faith in Christ (Rom. 4:8).
So we know that Abraham was saved through faith, but how did he live by faith? The Bible answers this question too. It says that Abraham was "fully convinced that what (God) had promised He was also able to perform" (Rom. 4:21). Please don't miss this! Faith doesn't mean that you know what God is going to do. Rather it means that you are completely persuaded that God has the power to do anything you ask or anything He has promised.
Just because you believe God is going to do something, does that mean He is bound to do it? Of course not! That's not faith, that's presumption. Consider this example. Let's say you've got a huge debt that needs to be paid and you don't have the money to pay it. Presumption believes that God is going to pay off all my debts. Faith believes that God is able to pay off all my debts. Does faith require that He will? No, in fact faith may require that God will provide you with a job that will allow you to pay all your debts.
Bottom line: Living by faith means living each moment in full confidence that the all-powerful God of heaven and earth "is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or think" (Eph. 3:20). Don't ever presume to know that God will do; just live your life in full confidence that He is more than able to do all things for the glory of His name.
But I ask you, is that really how faith works? As with all other matters, we'll want to see what God's Word has to say about our question. It will help us first to define what faith is. Thankfully, the Bible provides us with a very straight-forward definition of faith: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). Fair enough, but what does that mean? The context of this verse has to do with the promises of God; namely His promise of salvation and the truths of His Word. So essentially the author of Hebrews is telling us that a man of faith believes the Word of God. Having been fully persuaded of God's truth, he then orders his life accordingly.
So how does it work? Again, it will aid us to consider the examples provided in the Bible. One awesome example is provided in Romans 4. In that amazing chapter of God's Word, Paul teaches us about the faith of Abraham. He said that it was by faith alone that Abraham was saved: "Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness" (Rom. 4:3). How do we know that the righteousness of God equals salvation? Because Paul would later go on to write that "the Lord shall not impute sin" to those who have placed their faith in Christ (Rom. 4:8).
So we know that Abraham was saved through faith, but how did he live by faith? The Bible answers this question too. It says that Abraham was "fully convinced that what (God) had promised He was also able to perform" (Rom. 4:21). Please don't miss this! Faith doesn't mean that you know what God is going to do. Rather it means that you are completely persuaded that God has the power to do anything you ask or anything He has promised.
Just because you believe God is going to do something, does that mean He is bound to do it? Of course not! That's not faith, that's presumption. Consider this example. Let's say you've got a huge debt that needs to be paid and you don't have the money to pay it. Presumption believes that God is going to pay off all my debts. Faith believes that God is able to pay off all my debts. Does faith require that He will? No, in fact faith may require that God will provide you with a job that will allow you to pay all your debts.
Bottom line: Living by faith means living each moment in full confidence that the all-powerful God of heaven and earth "is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or think" (Eph. 3:20). Don't ever presume to know that God will do; just live your life in full confidence that He is more than able to do all things for the glory of His name.
Monday, December 20, 2010
The Encouraging Word - 12/19/10
Can we really be sure that Jesus is God's Messiah? Thank God that the Bible answers that question. Check out the answer here. Have a very Merry Christmas as you celebrate the birth of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
The World That John Lennon Imagined
On December 8, 1980, John Lennon was killed outside his home in New York. Naturally, yesterday marked 30 years since the singer's death. By all popular accounts, John Lennon was perhaps the brightest light in a supergroup that changed the course of modern history. That being said, I'll have to confess I'm not much of a Beatles fan. Their music has never really appealed to me, but I certainly acknowledge the fact that the Beatles are adored by many others. For that reason, I know I run the risk of angering a few folks with what I'm going to write, but it's a risk I'm willing to take.
On October 11, 1971, John Lennon released what may be his most popular song of all-time. The song Imagine soared to #1 in both Canada and Australia, and it would go on to reach #3 on the US Billboard charts. Even Lennon himself hailed the song as being just as good as anything he'd ever written with the Beatles. I just want to ask a simple question: What exactly did John Lennon imagine? Read the lyrics for yourself:
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...
John Lennon imagined a world of "no religion" - a world devoid of any concept of heaven or hell. Since heaven and hell are both biblical doctrines, I don't think it's a stretch to say that John Lennon would've eagerly invited a world without the Bible. And of course, in a world with no religion it appears that all references to God would no longer be necessary because apparently no God exists. It's no wonder then that Lennon envisioned a world where all the people were "living for today."
With that being said, it's strange to me that some Christians are attracted to the music of John Lennon. Do we share John Lennon's worldview? If so, then there's no way we can call ourselves followers of Christ. In regard to heaven, Jesus said it was a very real place where He was going to prepare a place for all those who believe in Him (John 14:2). And as for hell, Jesus also said it was a very real place of fire and brimstone - a place where "their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:44, 46, 48). And while Lennon may have longed for a world without religion, James (the brother of Jesus) called all Christians to demonstrate pure and undefiled religion: "To visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27).
I don't know what kind of world you imagine, but I hope you'll join me in rejecting the world that Lennon envisioned. While peace and sharing are both qualities that we should desire in the world today, we are naive and just dead wrong if we think lasting peace and sharing are going to come apart from Christ Jesus. Everywhere the socialist/communist overtones of Lennon's imaginary world have been tried, they have failed miserably (Nazi Germany, Red China, USSR, etc.). But where the grace of God has been offered through the preaching of the Gospel, souls have been saved, lives have been changed, and the entire world has been transformed.
Lennon once opined: "Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue with that; I'm right and I will be proved right." 30 years after his death, Lennon is gone but our Lord Jesus remains. His Gospel continues to ring out all over the world. And someday soon, Jesus will come back to rapture all those that belong to Him. "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" (Rev. 22:20). The coming Kingdom of Christ - that's the world I'm imagining.
On October 11, 1971, John Lennon released what may be his most popular song of all-time. The song Imagine soared to #1 in both Canada and Australia, and it would go on to reach #3 on the US Billboard charts. Even Lennon himself hailed the song as being just as good as anything he'd ever written with the Beatles. I just want to ask a simple question: What exactly did John Lennon imagine? Read the lyrics for yourself:
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...
John Lennon imagined a world of "no religion" - a world devoid of any concept of heaven or hell. Since heaven and hell are both biblical doctrines, I don't think it's a stretch to say that John Lennon would've eagerly invited a world without the Bible. And of course, in a world with no religion it appears that all references to God would no longer be necessary because apparently no God exists. It's no wonder then that Lennon envisioned a world where all the people were "living for today."
With that being said, it's strange to me that some Christians are attracted to the music of John Lennon. Do we share John Lennon's worldview? If so, then there's no way we can call ourselves followers of Christ. In regard to heaven, Jesus said it was a very real place where He was going to prepare a place for all those who believe in Him (John 14:2). And as for hell, Jesus also said it was a very real place of fire and brimstone - a place where "their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:44, 46, 48). And while Lennon may have longed for a world without religion, James (the brother of Jesus) called all Christians to demonstrate pure and undefiled religion: "To visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27).
I don't know what kind of world you imagine, but I hope you'll join me in rejecting the world that Lennon envisioned. While peace and sharing are both qualities that we should desire in the world today, we are naive and just dead wrong if we think lasting peace and sharing are going to come apart from Christ Jesus. Everywhere the socialist/communist overtones of Lennon's imaginary world have been tried, they have failed miserably (Nazi Germany, Red China, USSR, etc.). But where the grace of God has been offered through the preaching of the Gospel, souls have been saved, lives have been changed, and the entire world has been transformed.
Lennon once opined: "Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue with that; I'm right and I will be proved right." 30 years after his death, Lennon is gone but our Lord Jesus remains. His Gospel continues to ring out all over the world. And someday soon, Jesus will come back to rapture all those that belong to Him. "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" (Rev. 22:20). The coming Kingdom of Christ - that's the world I'm imagining.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Is Jesus Coming Back on May 21, 2011?
According to Harold Camping, President of Family Radio, that is precisely the date that Jesus is going to come back to rapture His church. He also opines that God will destroy the world on October 21, 2011. You can check out all his predictions and pronouncements by clicking here.
Mr. Camping now stands in a long line of others who have predicted the time of Christ's return. To see just one list of failed predictions, check out this website. What's amazing to me is that people are still trying to predict the date of Christ's return, even after so many failed attempts. What's even more amazing to me is that people are still listening to those that would attempt to predict the time of Christ's return.
What does the Bible say about the time of Christ's coming? Here are just a few samples from Scripture:
"Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect" (Matt. 24:24).
"Therefore, if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or "look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be" (Matt. 24:26-27).
"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only" (Matt. 24:36, emphasis mine).
"Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming" (Matt. 24:42).
"Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" (Matt. 24:44).
"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming" (Matt. 25:13).
All of these passages can be found in what is commonly referred to as "the Olivet Discourse" - an extending teaching by Christ in which He spoke specifically to believers concerning the end of time. Clearly, if Christ wanted us to know the date of His coming, He would've surely given it to us somewhere within these verses. Not only did Jesus refrain from providing us with a date, but He said time and again that no man would know the time of His coming. I could've also written out a number of other passages that indicate the very same thing: Mark 13:32, Acts 1:7, 1 Thess. 5:2, 2 Pet. 3:10, and a host of others.
Probably the most often used illustration of Christ's coming employed by Jesus and the other writers of Scripture is "a thief in the night." Has your home, car, etc. ever been broken into? If you had known when the interloper was going to break in, you probably would've been there waiting on him - guns locked and loaded. That is precisely the point that Jesus made in Matt. 24:43. Just as you didn't know when the thief was going to come and steal your things, so we don't know when Christ will come and rapture His church.
So, if you ever hear anyone offer a prediction about the coming of Christ (other than the fact that He is coming), be sure to turn him off as quickly as possible. He is a false teacher and you will be misled if you continue to ingest his false teachings. While we don't know the day or hour of Christ's coming, we praise God that He will return: "This same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). When the Day of Judgment comes, I earnestly hope you are counted among those who "have loved His appearing" (2 Tim. 4:8).
Mr. Camping now stands in a long line of others who have predicted the time of Christ's return. To see just one list of failed predictions, check out this website. What's amazing to me is that people are still trying to predict the date of Christ's return, even after so many failed attempts. What's even more amazing to me is that people are still listening to those that would attempt to predict the time of Christ's return.
What does the Bible say about the time of Christ's coming? Here are just a few samples from Scripture:
"Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect" (Matt. 24:24).
"Therefore, if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or "look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be" (Matt. 24:26-27).
"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only" (Matt. 24:36, emphasis mine).
"Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming" (Matt. 24:42).
"Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" (Matt. 24:44).
"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming" (Matt. 25:13).
All of these passages can be found in what is commonly referred to as "the Olivet Discourse" - an extending teaching by Christ in which He spoke specifically to believers concerning the end of time. Clearly, if Christ wanted us to know the date of His coming, He would've surely given it to us somewhere within these verses. Not only did Jesus refrain from providing us with a date, but He said time and again that no man would know the time of His coming. I could've also written out a number of other passages that indicate the very same thing: Mark 13:32, Acts 1:7, 1 Thess. 5:2, 2 Pet. 3:10, and a host of others.
Probably the most often used illustration of Christ's coming employed by Jesus and the other writers of Scripture is "a thief in the night." Has your home, car, etc. ever been broken into? If you had known when the interloper was going to break in, you probably would've been there waiting on him - guns locked and loaded. That is precisely the point that Jesus made in Matt. 24:43. Just as you didn't know when the thief was going to come and steal your things, so we don't know when Christ will come and rapture His church.
So, if you ever hear anyone offer a prediction about the coming of Christ (other than the fact that He is coming), be sure to turn him off as quickly as possible. He is a false teacher and you will be misled if you continue to ingest his false teachings. While we don't know the day or hour of Christ's coming, we praise God that He will return: "This same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). When the Day of Judgment comes, I earnestly hope you are counted among those who "have loved His appearing" (2 Tim. 4:8).
The Encouraging Word - 12/5/10
All of us will probably finish life in one of two ways - with integrity or in disgrace. Would you like to know what will keep you from finishing in disgrace? If so, click here.
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