Friday, July 31, 2015

How Can We Remain Silent?

Since the infamous Roe v. Wade, in 1973, nearly 60,000,000 (that's sixty million!) babies have been murdered here in the USA, and this holocaust continues with the sanction of the state, and the seeming approval of most who profess to be Christians! Silence is NOT golden in cases such as this!

I know that many "people of faith" disdain anything to do with the political arena, their loud protests of "you can't legislate morality" become a facade behind which they take refuge, while the ungodly continue to legislate their brand of morality!

I want to share some Holy Writ that has direct bearing on the abortion issue. From Proverbs 24:11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;

12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

If we are disciples of Jesus Christ, then we have a mandate to be salt and light in the place where the Lord has planted us! We are here to proclaim the word of God in its entirety- and that certainly includes much pertaining to the sanctity of life!

This is an hour wherein the true colors of organizations such as Planned Parenthood have been revealed for what they truly are- merchants of death! The secular news media would love to let these stories die out, but we can refuse to let that happen if we will use the means at our disposal to keep spreading the message; posting the pictures and the videos; simply and prayerfully, yet passionately pleading the case of the unborn, that they are really people! Little human beings that are being ruthlessly torn apart, crushed- killed in monstrous fashion, before their voices can be heard!

Will you call, write, email- in some fashion or in many fashions, contact your elected representatives and voice your objection to this American tragedy? Or will you remain silent while the innocent continue to be slaughtered and bartered on the death markets of this and other nations?!

God says, in the verses above; "if you fail to deliver those appointed to death, I am keeping records, and you will give account in the day of judgment."

What will you do to help stop the slaughter?

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

We've Come A Long Way!

Recently, as I was reading in the book of Acts, I came to a portion of chapter 5 that grabbed my attention. In fact, I just keep thinking about it. Here are the verses:
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

I have read this passage more times that I can recall, and I have noted these verses before, but it seems that, for some reason, they really stood out to me yesterday.

I began to consider the lengths that many churches go to nowadays in an attempt to get "sinners through the doors". For years I have been uneasy about many of the methods, many of which have obliterated any line of demarcation between the church and the world.

It seems that these first generation Christians chose to simply preach "Christ crucified", and trust the Spirit of God to use that message as a sword to pierce the hearts of the hearers! There was no consideration of what genre of music might attract sinners; no shying away from the straightforward call to make a clear decision to follow Christ and turn one's back on the things of this world; no wishy-washy sentimental "we just have to love them in" thinking that by carefully avoiding anything that might offend the sinner that they would somehow get them saved- they just loved the Lord with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength, and loved their neighbors enough to speak of eternal consequences for their choices!

Verse 13 says that no man dared to join himself unto them. There was a recognition that these Christ followers were different! They had witnessed some of their friends and family undergo transformation as they followed this Jesus! They had seen miracles take place as His people prayed in His name! And this "Holy Presence" in the church brought a reverent fear into their hearts!

Yet, as these saved souls pursued the Lord's will and embraced holiness of life, rather than trying to compromise to accommodate and attract the world, the Lord added to the church such as should be saved! In fact, "multitudes" were added!

I'm inclined to believe that the Biblical pattern still works! Pray with me that churches will discard many of their Church Growth manuals and pray through to a state of revival wherein people are saved, sanctified, filled with the Holy Ghost, healed and set free from all bondage! After all, unless the Spirit of the risen Christ is actively moving with His divine giftings in our midst, are we really a part of THE church that we read about in the word of God?

The command of Jesus is not "Attract crowds!", He has clearly told His church to "Make disciples!".

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Are We Ready?

The Bible is rich in promises from the Lord; promises that pertain to all areas of life- but greater than this is the fact that we have promises that go beyond this present world! We, as born-again children of God, have a home eternal in the heavens! We will have a glorified body that will never be touched by disease or racked with pain! Doesn't this sound like a place worth pursuing!

But I haven't even touched upon the most glorious aspect of this eternal place; the most glorious reality is that we shall behold our Lord and Savior face to face! No longer will we be limited by the frailties of this flesh, but we will see Him with our eyes, touch him with our hands, we will eternally enjoy His presence in a place that He has prepared for His own! Praise God!!

But this prepared place is for a prepared people! I know that we are saved by grace, through faith, and that our works do not merit forgiveness; but I also see in the Bible this admonition: "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Cor. 7:1).

So, Are We Ready? Are we, as the old song asks, "walking daily by the Savior's side?". In other words, are the things that we involve our lives in- places we go, entertainment we choose, words we speak, things we think upon- are these compatible with the nature of the Holy Spirit Who lives within us, if we are truly saved?

I guess the thing that prompted me in this direction is some recent social media interaction where Christians were all excited about a particular concert that they were attending. I wondered what the attraction was, so I did an online search on "lyrics to the top country music songs." Some of which were by the main attraction at this particular event. Not being a listener to such, I was more than a little shocked by the lyrics, but more so by the fact that Christians deem this as acceptable fare.

The main three themes interwoven throughout most of the song lyrics that I saw were sex, booze, and partying, pretty much in that order.

Do you think that just maybe it's time for this whole WWJD thing to be taken a bit more seriously?

I ask again: Are We Ready? The Bible tells us that without holiness (separated from the world, unto God)no man shall see the Lord. Do we really believe that?

One crucial question to consider is this: Why don't we feel conviction over that which the Bible says is wrong? Have we allowed our heart to grow hard toward His voice? Have we ever truly come out of the world? Are we truly ready for His coming?

My friend, of all the things that you make preparation for as you journey through this life, be sure, above all else, that there stands nothing between your soul and your Savior!

May the Lord grant us ears to hear and hearts to receive His word.

Monday, July 27, 2015

Well, it's time to resurrect this blog and post a few thoughts that, hopefully, will challenge the saints to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I have, for some time, been posting on Facebook, and will continue to do so; but I figure that if you come here, you probably want to hear what I have to say.

My intentions are to update here at least twice weekly- sharing just some brief thoughts pertaining to this walk of faith, and the Christian's responsibility to live as an Ambassador of Jesus Christ! Remember this world is not our home; and, His coming will be for those who are looking for Him!

Keep your heart with all diligence! Guard your mind against the pollution of this untoward generation! Set your affections on things that are above, not on the temporal things of this world!

The coming of the Lord will be without warning! We have been told of the the signs of the times that would herald the nearness of His return, which are unfolding all around us! Do not let that day come upon you as a thief! Do not be lulled into a state of compromise such as has snared multitudes today! The doctrine of Balaam is entrenched in the church world today!

The great news is that if we will hear His voice, if we will follow Him in paths of holiness, then we have no need to fear! He knows His own, and if we are caught up with living for Him when He comes, then we will be "caught up" with Him in clouds of glory, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

God bless and strengthen you as you walk with Him today!