A Wake Up Call For God's People

Have you heard about the upcoming  A Wake Up Call event on Sunday, September 11, 2011? If you are a Christian, it is very important that you view and/or participate in this event. Ann Graham Lotz and Joel C. Rosenberg have created this special broadcast event so that it can be seen via several venues.

A Wake Up Call For God's People with Anne Graham Lotz and Joel Rosenberg


A Wake Up Call for God's People with Anne Graham Lotz and Joel Rosenberg from AnGeL Ministries on Vimeo.

Event Dates: Sunday, September 11, 2011

Watch as a church fellowship, community group, or on your home computer. This evening of teaching messages by Anne Graham Lotz and Joel Rosenberg, knit together with authentic worship music led by Selah, we pray, will be used by God to wake up His people. Join us as we consider the times in which we live, refocus on Jesus as our Hope for the future, and ask God to re-ignite such an intense longing for His return that we live the rest of our lives with no regrets.

I also recommend that you read Joel Rosenberg's blog on a daily basis. Here is a copy of his latest post:

More than ever, Israel needs leaders like the “sons of Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.” (I Chronicles 12:32, NIV) Israel also needs faithful friends who will show unconditional love and unwavering support for the Jewish people, while also showing love and compassion towards the Palestinians. These are increasingly difficult times for Israel, and Christians around the world need to be even more faithful in prayer for peace and more determined to bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus, as The Joshua Fund seeks to do faithfully every day, with your help.
Evidence of a gathering storm continues to mount in the epicenter. Consider the latest:

• “Recent revolutions in the Arab world and the deteriorating ties with Turkey are raising the likelihood of a regional war in the Middle East, IDF Home Front Command Chief, Major General Eyal Eisenberg warned Monday,” reports Ynet News. “‘It looks like the Arab Spring, but it can also be a radical Islamic winter,’ he said in a speech at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv.”
• “‘This leads us to the conclusion that through a long-term process, the likelihood of an all-out war is increasingly growing,’ the IDF general said.  ‘Iran has not abandoned its nuclear program. The opposite it true; it continues full steam ahead,’ he said. ‘In Egypt, the army is collapsing under the burden of regular security operations, and this is reflected in the loss of control in the Sinai and the turning of the border with Israel into a terror border, with the possibility that Sinai will fall under the control of an Islamic entity.’”
• “Referring to what he characterized as the possibility of a ‘radical Islamic winter,’ Major-General Eisenberg said: ‘This raises the likelihood of an all-out, total war, with the possibility of weapons of mass destruction being used.’”
• A new U.N. report (the “Palmer Report”) investigating Israel’s conduct regarding the Gaza flotilla from Turkey has — surprisingly — actually vindicated the actions of the Israeli military. “Here’s a story for the man-bites-dog folder: The United Nations has conducted another inquiry into an Israeli military operation—and produced a report that mainly vindicates the Jewish state. And here, alas, is a story for the dog-bites-man folder: The Turkish government has responded to the U.N. report by withdrawing its ambassador from Tel Aviv and expelling Israel’s from Ankara. The Palmer report—named for the inquiry’s chairman, former New Zealand Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer—was commissioned by the U.N.’s Secretary General to investigate the May 2010 ‘flotilla incident,’ when six ships sailing from Turkey to Gaza on an alleged humanitarian mission were boarded by Israeli commandos enforcing a naval blockade of Gaza. Nine passengers were killed (and several Israeli soldiers badly beaten) in the ensuing melee, sparking a crisis in Jerusalem’s already frayed relations with Ankara.”
• Yet tensions with Turkey are mounting.
• This week, Turkey expelled Israel’s Ambasador.
• Yesterday, Turkey cut off all trade ties with Israel.
• Meanwhile, evidence continues to mount that Iran is working on nuclear weapons. “The U.N. nuclear agency said Wednesday it is ‘increasingly concerned’ about a stream of intelligence suggesting that Iran continues to work secretly on developing a nuclear payload for a missile and other components of a nuclear weapons program,” reports the Associated Press. “In its report, the International Atomic Energy Agency said ‘many member states’ are providing evidence for that assessment, describing the information it is receiving as credible, ‘extensive and comprehensive.’ The restricted 9-page report was made available Friday to The Associated Press, shortly after being shared internally with the 35 IAEA member nations and the U.N. Security Council.”
• And the Palestinian leadership continues to wage an all-out effort to isolate and delegitimize Israel, while seeking the U.N. General Assembly to vote for unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state later this month.

Please continue to pray for the Lord to protect Israel and give her leaders wisdom at this time. Please also consider making a financial contribution to the work of The Joshua Fund as we educate and mobilize Christians around the world to bless Israel and her neighbors, as well as provide humanitarian relief to the poor and needy in the epicenter.

Dear Readers: If you are planning on viewing this special event and if you think that you may be interested in posting comments about it here at Talk Wisdom, please write a brief comment after this post to let me know. I would like to have an open dialogue blog post up for discussion purposes regarding this Wake Up Call event.

Are YOU AWake?


I would also encourage you to spread the news about this event at your blog, website, via email, Face Book etc. so that more of God's people will become aware of the Wake Up Call event. God bless you!


~ Christine

Hat Tips:

Anne Graham Lotz.com

Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog

The Battle For The Truth [Update 2]

My blogging friend Bill Muehlenberg who writes at the blog Culture Watch has a very thought provoking post up called The Attempted Eradication of Christianity.

Excerpt:

The secular jihadists have declared war against Christianity, and are working overtime to ensure that it is eradicated in the Western world. This site has documented many dozens of examples of this, and each new week provides further case studies in this.

The secular crusaders think all would be sweetness and light in this world if we could only get rid of those pesky Christians and their awful religion. They somehow expect us to believe that utopia will arrive on planet earth when Christianity is gone and secularism reigns supreme.

Yeah right. More people were killed last century in the name of secular humanism than all the world’s religious conflicts put together. The bloody side of secularism is unfortunately a historical reality. And the overwhelming good which Christianity has done for the world is also a matter of historical fact, as I discuss elsewhere: A Review of How Christianity Changed the World by Alvin Schmidt.

Personally, I think that the secular jihadists are hell-bent on attacking Christianity because deep down they know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the truth. Such people war against the truth because it hurts to face the facts contained within the truth of the Gospel. The rebellious nature of unrepentant, sinful men causes them to refuse to give up their soul-destroying error(s). This occurs mostly because they are entrenched in the pride of life and have faith only in themselves. No wonder the world is such a mess!

What I think is ironic is that secular jihadists who hate Christianity find themselves willing to compromise the truth of Christian faith, yet embrace false religions/teachers such as Islam. Thus, they form a kind of unholy alliance with them. Who would have thought that liberal leftist, atheistic progressives could compromise their secular beliefs with Islamists who want to impose Shariah law here in the U.S.? But it's happening! Why? Because both agree on at least one thing - the desire to be persistent viruses attacking Biblical Christianity. You know the old phrase, "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." But don't you wonder why they would submit to compromise in order to commit such dastardly deeds?

I think that it has to do with lies. The lies that atheists/agnostics/skeptics believe against the God of the Bible and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, can work in alliance with the lies of the Islamic religion; as long as they are in agreement about one or more humanistic ideas/principles.

For example, recall in a previous post where I shared that the secular atheist billionaire, George Soros, once approached Qaddafi (leader of Libya) regarding some sort of "deal" that Soros wanted done. I think that it had to do with a green Socialist initiative. When Qaddafi backed out, he became an enemy of Soros. As we know, Soros is the puppeteer (at least one of them) behind the puppet pResidency of Barack Hussein Obama. So it is likely that Soros was the one behind getting the U.S. and NATO involved with bombing Libya during the Arab Spring uprisings. (When I find links to previous blog posts about this I will add them here).

So you see, "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" can quickly devolve into a new kind of enemy.

In John MacArthur's book, The Truth War several of his quotes can easily be applied here:

Uncertainty is the new truth. Doubt and skepticism have been canonized as a form of humility. Right and wrong have been redefined in terms of subjective feelings and personal perspectives.

We have witnessed the appeasement of Islamists by the secularist New York mayor, Michael Bloomberg, who gave approval to a mosque being built near Ground Zero. Yet, at the same time, Bloomberg and others are fighting to refuse to allow the display of the cross at the almost completed memorial - which was formed by girders in the 9/11/01 terrorist attack wreckage. Why? Why was one religious request granted and the other denied? I think that it is because Islam and secular atheism are like two peas in a pod. Both are in error of what God's Word teaches and both are involved with evil.

John MacArthur writes:

The arrogant rationalism that dominated the modern era is already in its death throes. Most of the world is caught up in disillusionment and confusion. People are unsure about virtually everything and do not know where to turn for truth.

BINGO!! MacArthur hits the nail right on the head with that quote! In fact, he mentions Islamic jihad on page 29:

We live in an era when religious fanatics routinely blow themselves up, fly planes into buildings, or commit unthinkable evil acts of barbaric terrorism in the name of religion. The biblical strategy for spiritual warfare has nothing whatsoever in common with the tactics of Islamic jihad.

Scripture is clear that physical force is not a legitimate tool for the advancement of the kingdom of God.

You see, radical Islam is intent on warring against and conquering other religious faiths and nations in order to achieve their end times goals.

As far as Christianity goes, the Truth War has nothing to do with carnal warfare or physical violence. There are, however, times when evil makes warfare absolutely necessary.

John MacArthur notes:

Of course, believers who are policemen, soldiers, or otherwise agents duly authorized by the government must be willing to use deadly force when necessary as part of their duty to the civil government. Scripture nowhere endorses any kind of absolute pacifism.

In fact, Romans 13:1-4 expressly grants governments the authority to wield the sword in order to punish evildoers, defend their national security, and maintain civil peace.

Going to war against those who attacked us on 9/11/2001 was necessary in order to protect our nation and people from further attacks by radical Islam. Unfortunately, the creeping Sharia infiltrating our nation through liberal court judge decisions is making it easier for the false religion of Islam to take hold here in America. We would learn a good lesson if we would heed the warnings from Great Britain where unrestricted Muslim immigration created fierce cultural battles within their nation. They are now seeing that the multiculturalism they embraced over the last few decades is turning against them in cities where Muslim dominance reigns. But that's another subject for another blog post.

In conclusion, John MacArthur instructs us:

The Truth War is not a carnal war. It is not about territory and nations. It is not a battle for lands and cities. It is not a clan war or a personality conflict between individuals. It is not a fight for clout between religious denominations. It is not a skirmish over material possessions. It is a battle for the truth. (emphasis mine).

Paul makes this clear in 2 Corinthians 10:5, where he spells out the ultimate objective of the Truth War: "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." The battlefield is the mind; the goal is the absolute triumph of truth; the priceless spoils of conquest are souls won out of the bondage of sin; the outcome is our willing submission to Christ; the highest prize is the honor given to Him as Lord; and the ultimate victory is completely His.

Hat Tips:

Culture Watch

John MacArthur: The Truth War (Note: Excerpt of book at this link. Scroll down to "Read Excerpt PDF.")

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Update:

Bill Muehlenberg has written a new blog post about multiculturalism:

Force-Fed Multiculturalism

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9/4/11 Update

Be sure to read Noisy Room: The Hate That Never Ended.

Excerpt:

If you are a Jew, they kill you. If you are a Christian, you convert, pay the Jizya tax or they execute you. If you are gay, you will be put to death. Women are property and slaves. Sexual abuse is legal and rampant. Beheading is the preferred method of execution. And the list goes on and on… Imagine a worldwide Caliphate where this is the norm, where a fascist theocracy rules the day and freedom no longer exists. This is what these people bring. They bring evil, slavery, darkness and death.

We are at war with millions of Islamic radicals who believe this. These are the radical Islamists and their hate never ended after 9-11.
It has been going on since Islam began and we are fighting for our lives and our way of life. We better start acting like it if we don’t want something much worse than 9-11 to play out on the lawn of the White House or in some mall in middle America.

The Jihadists need to understand this… We will never submit. We will never forget. We will fight you and the other enemies America faces within and without and we will win. That’s what good does – it wins, it overcomes. We will put an end to your hatred that never ended one way or the other. Evil is stupid and cowardly and in the end – it always loses.

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Update 2:

Bloomberg isn't the only one promoting Islamic mosques and Sharia law in New York. Take a look at this blogpost, 2 videos, and startling article about the New York Times support for Sharia law!

We The People: New York Times is Now Promoting Shariah Law

Excerpt:

The NY Times puts for its drivel following the startling predictions of Avi Lipkin seen in the video below.  Take it for what it is worth my friends, but Sharia hasn’t been creeping through America, it’s been galloping.  Readers of this column are already aware that Sharia Law has been used in Court Cases in 23 States of our United States. 

As the man in the Of Mosques and Men: Reflections of the Ground Zero Mosque video over at Answering Muslims says at the end of the Youtube video:

"Come out of the cave America - it's dark in there."

There Is Healing When You Give Someone Voice

It is my pleasure to present to my dear readers a great Christian friend and sister in Christ, Susan Smith, as our guest blogger here at Talk Wisdom this evening. May her wonderful words of wisdom, brought to us all by the power of the Holy Spirit of God through her, be a special blessing to each of you tonight. I know that what she has shared in this wonderful message has truly blessed me!

Love in Christ,
Christine

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Susan Smith's Newsletter, July 29, 2011


There is healing when you give someone voice. Listening to a hurting heart can be therapeutic when the time is right. Silence can speak volumes, but then again words are powerful too if they come from the Lord via the Holy Spirit. Sometimes it is difficult for me to hear clearly and to see with a pure heart. Often I pray for God to open the eyes of my heart and others who are hurting. I also have learned that pain can draw me closer to God, and when I am hurting deeply it tends to draw me closer to God, almost as though he is watching me closer than before.






The words that are written tell me it is good for me to draw near to God (Psalm 73:28). For me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made him my refuge so that I can tell of all his works. I like David Stern’s translation from Psalm 73:






Whom do I have in heaven but you? And with you, I lack nothing on earth. My mind and body may fail; but God is the rock for my mind and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who adulterously leave you. But for me, the nearness of God is my good.






My friend, you are in the kingdom of heaven now, if you believe the truth. I am not talking about relative or comparative truth that we hear so much about during this season in the world. I am talking about absolute truth. The Messiah is the truth (John 14:6). He is the way we must go in order to come unto the father, and he is the life we must live if we want to choose life instead of death (John 14:6).






When Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan River, there were still wars in the Promised Land. We are in spiritual battles today, every day we breathe. The battlefield is the mind! We are all experiencing the oppression and what appears to be destruction by the enemy in and on the earth today. What can we do? Nothing, we must BE what we are, by his GRACE! When we are focused and following Jesus, then the Lord directs our path.






We must trust in the Lord with all our corporate heart and lean not on our own individual understanding. In all our ways the ONE body must acknowledge the ONE God of heaven and earth, the ONE God of ISRAEL, and he will make level our individual paths and make them straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).






By God’s grace I am what I am, and his grace towards me was not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:10). We have ONE enemy. We are created in the image of God; therefore, we are spiritual people. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). The spiritual realm is real. We are slaves to the one we obey (Romans 6:16). We must be sober and be watchful. Our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).






In union with the Messiah, through his faithfulness, we have boldness and confidence when we approach God. When we suffer for others, it is for their glory. For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name (Ephesians 3:12-15). There is ONE body (Ephesians 4:4). My prayer this day is that the eyes of your heart and mine may be enlightened, so that we both will know what is the hope of his calling (Ephesians 1:18). Do you have hope this day?






I received a personal phone call from a pastor I love last week. He knew I was traveling to Israel for the three-week study tour, and he called to tell me he missed me in worship the first Sunday I was back. My custom is to worship with several congregations throughout each year. I enjoy the variety of the spiritual food I receive from different circles of worshipers.






It made me feel good to receive the call. I told the pastor I wanted to worship with a congregation that I know loves Israel my first Sunday back. He understood and showed me God’s grace when he said he did not want me to feel pressured to attend the religious service where he speaks most every Sunday unless there is a guest speaker. Then I told him I was very interested in attending the Wednesday night bible study he will be teaching later this year.






The study I hope to attend should show me more of the pastor’s heart concerning Israel. I was pleased to hear him call Jesus the “Messiah” not long ago. The study is called a “Precept Bible Study” and the advertisement for the study says this:






Do you know that our relationship with Jesus Christ is built on an Old Testament covenant with Abraham? Do you know that the Covenant bridges the Old and New Testament? Do you know that our Lord and Savior is the fulfillment of that covenant? Do you know that everyone who is not a part of that covenant is not among God's chosen people? Would you like to learn why God chose you for His Kingdom and not others?






God’s people are beautiful all over the earth and in the world where we live in the flesh today. On the sixth day of creation, God saw all that he had made, and indeed it was very good (Genesis 1:31). I am in love with the family of God, the ONE body. Of course even they can be discouraging and even disappointing at times to my fleshly desires.






You see, the Bible study sounds good to my ears; however my hope is not in the written Word of God. My hope is in the Living Word. When I draw near to him, I realize he is keeping a closer eye on me than ever before. I begin to realize his eyes are like a flaming fire; he is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God (Revelation 19:12-13). It is a fearful and terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31).






Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down nations—“He will break them with an iron rod; shatter them like a clay pot” (Psalm 2:9). It is he who treads the winepress from which flows the wine of the furious wrath of God, the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written: King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:15-16).






As a believer, I am not very interested anymore in learning more facts and what other people might think. I want to know God and the ONE he sent (John 17:3). I want to believe the Spirit of Truth is guiding me into all truth (John 16:13). Hmmm… if God’s chosen people are made in his image and we are ONE body, then maybe somehow, someway we can learn from one another. I believe I am purely and simply following Jesus. Want to join me? After all, we are ONE! (Colossian 2:9-11 and Colossians 3:9-11). Think about these things… ~ Susan Smith

Hat Tip and many thanks to Susan Smith!

Urgency and Necessity of The Truth War

Chapter Three of John MacArthur's book, The Truth War: Fighting for Certainty in an Age of Deception is entitled "Constrained Into Conflict: Why We Must Fight for the Faith."

I have had this book for a long time. Every so often, I go back and read some of the chapters. If you do a search on this blog, you will find at least four blog posts about the book. Recently, I ran across a link to several John MacArthur Videos. Many of them are excerpts from his book The Truth War.

Years ago, I bookmarked the final three pages of chapter three. It is subtitled, "When It's Time To Go To War." I found it very interesting that the verse in Jude 3, which contains the phrase "contend earnestly for the faith" is actually stronger in meaning when translated from the Greek. MacArthur writes:

The expression "contend earnestly" is translated from a strong Greek verb epagonizomai,literally meaning "agonize against." The word describes an intensive, arduous, drawn-out fight. There is nothing passive, peaceful, or easy about it. Jude "exhorted" them - meaning he urged and commanded them - to wage a mighty battle on behalf of the true faith.

So then literally, we are to "agonize against" the falsehoods that creep up into Christianity that often, quite frankly, turn Christian truth into something unrecognizable. I could cite dozens of examples. But two of the most contentious moral problems of our time are the acceptance of homosexual behavior and abortion of children in the womb.

There will always be people who try and twist the truth to their own advantage. Many times it is used as an excuse to cover their sins. But there is only One Provision for the forgiveness of sins - and that is Jesus Christ's sacrificial death on the cross. Christ is the only way to be reconciled unto the Father.

MacArthur continues:

Jude himself says he felt the necessity to write this command. He employs a verb that speaks of pressure. In other words, he sensed a strong, God-given compulsion to write these things. He was not writing them because he took some kind of perverse glee in being militant. He was not responding to a momentary whimsy or personal anger. This was critical, and since the writers of Scripture never wrote by human self-will, but only as they were moved by the Spirit of God (2 Peter 1:21), the extreme urgency of Jude reflects the sovereign influence of the Holy Spirit, and therefore also the mind of Christ.

I love that last line - "This was critical, and since the writers of Scripture never wrote by human self-will, but only as they were moved by the Spirit of God (2 Peter 1:21), the extreme urgency of Jude reflects the sovereign influence of the Holy Spirit, and therefore also the mind of Christ."

I don't know about you, but in my lifetime I have NEVER seen so many liars getting away with their sin and corruption than over the past two and a half years. It seems that ever since the Obama administration got into office, any semblance of a reasonable government was out the window. As one example, we only need to turn on the T.V. each day and hear the bad news about the current debt crisis to understand how fallen man has gotten us into such a mess. Then, in the next news segment we find out that Obama has raised 86 million dollars for his re-election campaign. Why would anyone in their right mind want to re-elect this monster?? Answer: money, power, influence, and the desire to "fundamentally transform America" which is code word for collapsing our Constitutional Republic Capitalist system and bringing in a cesspool combination of communism, socialism, Islamo-fascism and sharia law. What could go wrong? But all of that is for another blog post.

MacArthur continues:

We thus have an urgent mandate from God Himself to do our part in the Truth War. The Holy Spirit, through the pen of Jude, is urging Christians to exercise caution, discernment, courage, and the will to contend earnestly for the truth.

Notice what we are supposed to be fighting for. It is not anything petty, personal, mundane, or ego related. This warfare has a very narrow objective. What we are called to defend is no less than "the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints."

Jude is speaking of apostolic doctrine (Acts 2:42) - objective Christian truth - the faith, as delivered from Jesus through the agency of the Holy Spirit by the apostles to the church. As he says in verse 17: "Remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Notice: no one discovered or invented the Christian faith. It was delivered to us. It was not as if someone mystically ascended into the transcendental realm and drew down an understanding of the truth. We don't need an enlightened guru to open the mysteries of the faith for us (cf. 1 John 2:27). The truth was entrusted by God to the whole church - intact and "once for all." It came by revelation, through the teaching of the apostles as preserved for us in Scripture. Jude speaks of "the faith" as a complete body of truth already delivered - so there is no need to seek additional revelation or to embellish the substance of "the faith" in any way. Our task is simply to interpret, understand, publish, and defend the truth God has once and for all delivered to the church.

The fact that the Bible is the Written Word of God, Jesus is the Living Word of God, and the Holy Spirit of God guides us into all truth allows born again believers in Jesus Christ to "interpret, understand, publish, and defend the truth God has once and for all delivered to the church." How can we spot untruths, heresy, apostasy and lies? By making sure that what is being espoused by any preacher, teacher, or layperson is not contradictory to what the Bible teaches!

John MacArthur explains:

That is what the Truth War is ultimately all about. It is not mere wrangling between competing earthly ideologies. It is not simply a campaign to refine someones religious creed or win a denominational spitting contest. It is not a battle of wits over arcane theological fine points. It is not an argument for sport. It is not like a school debate, staged to see who is more skilled or more clever in the art of argumentation. It is not merely academic in any sense. And it is certainly not a game. It is a very serious struggle to safeguard the heart and soul of truth itself and to unleash that truth against the powers of darkness - in hopes of rescuing the eternal souls of men and women who have been unwittingly ensnared by the trap of devilish deception.

This is a battle we cannot wage effectively if we always try to come across to the world as merely nice, nonchalant, docile, agreeable, and fun-loving people. We must not take our cues from people who are perfectly happy to compromise the truth wherever possible "for harmony's sake." Friendly dialogue may sound affable and pleasant. But neither Christ or the apostles ever confronted serious, soul-destroying error by building collegial relationships with false teachers. In fact, we are expressly forbidden to do that (Romans 16:17; 2 Corinthians 6:14-15; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 2 Timothy 3:5; 2 John 10-11). Scripture is clear about how we are to respond when the very foundations of the Christian faith are under attack, and Jude states it succinctly: it is our bounden duty to contend earnestly for the faith.

I have to chuckle each time I see someones car with the bumper sticker that says "COEXIST" where each letter represents a different religion. It seems to me that the liberal/progressive advocates of such a symbol often hate those who adhere to true Christian faith and they tend not to hide their disdain. Just watch some of the alphabet soup news programs and commentary shows out there and you will see what I mean!

Why is there such hatred for Christians? I think that it is because of what Jesus told us in these verses:

Jhn 15:18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before [it hated] you.

Jhn 15:19 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

Jhn 15:25 "But [this happened] that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, 'They hated Me without a cause.'

Read the entire chapter of John 15. It starts out Jhn 15:1 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser." Jesus is speaking in these verses and He goes on to reveal that Jhn 15:5 "I am the vine, you [are] the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

John 15 is such a comfort these days. Why? Because Jesus has warned us that followers of him will be hated. It is part of the "turf" in the warfare we are in for the souls of men.

John MacArthur continues:

Notice carefully: Jude is not suggesting (nor am I) that Christians should contend among themselves over every petty disagreement or divide into factions over every personality conflict. In fact, that is the very thing the apostle Paul condemned in 1 Corinthians 3:3-7. Divisiveness and sectarianism are terrible sins that hurt the church when major divisions are manufactured out of petty differences over trivial, doubtful, indifferent, or less-than-vital matter (Romans 14:1).

We cannot include differences over abortion or homosexual practice. They are not in the "petty disagreement" categories. Both of them break at least one, if not more of the Ten Commandments. However, a difference over whether a hard Christian rock band sings a Christmas song or a more traditional choir sings it better would be a petty argument. Such a thing is a matter of taste.

John MacArthur continues:

Now, you might think that the difference between a picayune disagreement and a serious threat to some core truth of Christianity would always be obvious and clear-cut. Usually, it is. Most of the time, it is easy enough to see the distinction between a peripheral issue and a matter of urgent and fundamental importance. But not always. And here is where mature wisdom and careful discernment become absolutely crucial for every Christian: sometimes serious threats to our faith come in subtle disguise so that they are barely noticeable. And false teachers like to surround their deadly error with some truth. Therein lies the seduction. We must never assume that things like the teacher's reputation, the warmth of his personality, or majority opinion about him are perfectly safe barometers of whether his teaching is really dangerous or not. We also shouldn't imagine that common sense, intuition, or first impressions are reliable ways of determining whether this or that error poses a serious threat or not. Scripture, and Scripture alone, is the only safe guide in this area.

As Dr. MacArthur states in that last paragraph sentence, "Scripture, and Scripture alone, is the only safe guide in this area."

Amen!!!

The term "Scripture" itself appears in the Bible 32 times!

This is a beautiful verse:

Gal 3:22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Hat Tips:

Grace To You.org - The Truth War pp. 74-77

Blue Letter Bible and all links.

Spiritual Warfare

With all of the chaos, fear, economic crises, tornadoes, tsunamis, floods, illnesses, wars and rumors of wars happening around the world today (with all of such plights increasing at an alarming rate), it should be obvious to most people that there is a huge spiritual warfare going on in the midst of it all for the souls of men.

Dr. David Jeremiah is has a new television series called Spiritual Warfare - Terms of Engagement and he also recommends reading a new book written by Warren Wiersbe entitled, "The Strategy of Satan - How to Detect and Defeat Him" (scroll down at link for book).

At my sister blog, God's Creative Call there is a new post up entitled Ambivalent Confessions? which shares another subtle strategy of Satan that is often used in order to squelch the effectiveness of Christians sharing the Gospel.

Greg Koukl's Stand to Reason website is a library of resources to assist you in your knowledge and defense of God's Word and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You will be trained to become an ambassador for Christ, growing in knowledge, wisdom, and character through all of the resources available at Stand to Reason.

These days, we need all of the resources available to equip us with our Armor of God, and the websites that I have recommended today are two of the best!

~ Christine

With A Firm Reliance On the Protection of Divine Providence

The title of this particular post here at Talk Wisdom today is taken from the final sentence of our Declaration of Independence. You can read the entire Declaration at U.S. History.org - Declaration of Independence

During the debate in New Hampshire between the candidates for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, Michele Bachmann quoted a portion of the Declaration:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness...

Congresswoman Bachmann quoted that section during an answer regarding her pro-life position. What is amazing to realize is that back in 1973, the Supreme Court chose a woman's political rights over and above the unalienable rights of a baby in the womb.

Unalienable rights:

Unalienable rights are natural rights that can not be taken away from you. Such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as stated in The Declaration of Independence of the United States. Rights that are given to you by your Creator. They are considered natural rights and not legal rights.

The good news regarding the abortion "rights" debate is the fact that more and more people are changing their minds from the pro-abortion position to the pro-life position. The question we all must ask ourselves is what would Jesus think about this? I think that there is no question that Jesus is pro-life. After all, he died on the cross to save mankind from their sins in order to be reconciled unto him and to give us life. With confession and repentance from sin, and asking Christ to enter our hearts as Savior and Lord of our lives and to indwell us in the form of the Holy Spirit, we have the assurance of living with him, for him and beside him in the kingdom of heaven for all eternity. He told us that he would never leave nor forsake us! That is the blessed hope that we have when we belong to Christ!

As I read the words of our Declaration today, I could not help but notice how many of the reasons why our Founders and We The People of the Colonies wanted to break away from the tyranny being imposed upon them by the British king. In fact, I noticed several of the reasons being similar to the oppression being inflicted upon us by the gangster government of Obama over the past 2 1/2 years. Can you spot them too?

The Declaration informs us how and why the U.S. Constitution was written the way it was - often called by the supposed constitutional "scholar" - Barack Hussein Obama - as so-called "negative rights" of what the government CAN'T do to its citizens!

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Thank God that We The People are waking up more and more citizens of these United States of America into seeing just how tragically damaging this puppet pResident in the White House, the puppeteers dangling him towards their Islamo-Communist-social "justice" tyranny in this depression, and those who would cover up all of the corruption, abuses, usurpation, illegal activities, and tyranny that is being imposed upon our States and people!

But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Our Founders were geniuses!! The form of government that they gave to us isn't perfect - but ORIGINALLY, the closest thing to a perfect form of government that we might ever experience here on this earth.   Unfortunately, because so many have forgotten God and have drifted away from His Word, we are so far away from what was originally intended for our nation - a Constitutional Republic - that what our nation has become today is almost totally unrecognizable to what it should be!

I was astounded to hear a statistic that only 5% of the world lives in freedom. Did you know that? We can see the terrible effects that Islamic terrorism and tyranny is causing in all of the misnamed "Arab Spring" conflicts going on in the Middle East. The dictators do not want to give up their power over these people. But the people who have been terrorized by their evil leaders and the Arab terrorists living among them now want freedom more than anything else! And many are willing to give their lives for the cause!

I recently watched the movie "The Patriot" again. [Note: Plot described at link. See the movie first if you haven't already seen it.]

Here is just a portion of the plot:

At the beginning of the American Revolution, Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) is a South Carolina veteran of the French and Indian War and a widower raising his seven children. The year is 1776, and Martin is called to Charleston to vote in the South Carolina Assembly whether a levy should be passed in support of the Continental Army. Fearing the consequences of a war with Great Britain, Martin refuses to vote in support of the levy, which is nonetheless unanimous. Ashamed of his father's perceived cowardice, Martin's eldest son, Gabriel (Heath Ledger), enlists in the Continental Army against his father's wishes.

[Note: Additional spoilers ahead.]

At "The Patriot" link, you will read about the horrible sufferings that one particular family (and others) endured during the American Revolution. There is one scene in the movie where the main character (Benjamin played by Mel Gibson) loses his son Gabriel.   In his enormous grief, Benjamin decides not to fight any longer. But then, in one of the best scenes of the movie, we first see a huge American flag rising from a valley area and as the scene continues, we then see Benjamin riding on his horse holding that flag - riding to re-join the Continental Army to fight the British!

The Declaration continues:

To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

That phrase, IMHO, describes Obama and his terrible administration most accurately!!

I have a little research assignment for readers - if you care to participate. Please go through the list of grievances against the king of Britain and in the comment section, relate one or more of the grievances listed there to one or more of the many law-breaking incidences that Obama has done over the past 2 1/2 years.

In conclusion, the Declaration of Independence, in some of the finest words ever written, tells us exactly what we need to do now in order to get out of the mess that America is in [Hat tip to Glenn Beck because he has said this many times]:

And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

Hat Tips to all links.

The Mansion of Heaven

When someone we love passes on, we grieve for their absence from this earth. However, Jesus came to fulfill what couldn't be done by anyone else. Because of his sacrificial death on the cross for our sins, we have a bridge from sinful man back to Holy God.

Jesus told us in God's Word, the Bible:

Jhn 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

He also told us:

Jhn 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we can have the assurance of eternal life through God's provision of mercy and grace via the cross at Calvary. Christ's resurrection to life proves that He is who He said he is, the Son of God, Lord and Savior of mankind.

~ Christine

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The Mansion of Heaven

This world, however beautiful,

was never meant to be

The place that we would call our home

for all eternity.

And though we would not choose to leave,

a loving God knows best,

And in His time,

He lifts us to a place of peaceand rest.

For He has built a mansion

where His children will abide,

Free from pain and sorrw,

forever at His side.

He said He'd never leave us

to face our trals alone,

And though sometimes we fail Him,

He never fails His own.

And even when our choices

are less than He would ask,

He knows when human courage

is unequal to the task.

We cannot judge what happens,

though tears and questions start--

We only see what's visible--

God sees into the heart...

And though there may be many things

that we cannot explain,

We can be sure it breaks His heart

to see His children's pain.

In loving arms,

He bears us to a quiet place apart

Were He mends the wounded spirit

and heals the broken heart.

And though these ones we love so much

And passed into a better world

of majesty and light,

Someday we'll be together

in our Father's home above,

Where we'll thank Him for His mercy

and prase Him for His love.

- http://www.hallmark.com/

Destruction, Control, and Death OR Creation, Submission and Life?

Which of these do you choose? Destruction, Control, and Death OR Creation, Submission and Life? When you really think about it, life on this earth leads to one choice over another. We can choose destruction, or we can choose creation. We can choose control or we can choose to submit to Someone greater than ourselves.  We can choose death or we can choose life. It all leads to a decision.  It all depends on  in Whom one trusts his/her life during one's short, fleeting lifetime on this earth.

I started to think of these contrasts after watching a portion of Glenn Beck's show on T.V. today. Even though I don't agree with everything that Glenn Beck does, says, writes, or theorizes about; I must admit that I am going to miss his T.V. show when he leaves Fox News. He doesn't talk down to his audience. He makes us all think deeply. Often, what he comes up with is quite interesting.  Sometimes, profound.

Glenn's guest today was Michael Scheuer, and their brief conversation was really great and quite educational. Scheuer told the truth. During a discussion about the killing of bin Laden and the sensitivities being bantered about surrounding his death, Scheuer said that the last three presidents have all stated many times that "we are not at war with Islam." However, Scheuer countered that idea with the truth, "Islam is at war with us." That is the truth that so many progressives/liberals just cannot admit. Mr. Scheuer's interview appears in the second segment at "The Daily Beck"  link below. I encourage you to hear the rest of what he had to say.

I also appreciated Glenn's "thinking out loud" segment where he made a circle and fence around our idea of America (which, unfortunately, has been replaced by our "stuff"), and then listed Marxists, Statists, Globalists, and Islamic Sharia law jihadists who want to change what America was, is, and will be in the future. He said:

"We have to stop protecting our stuff. We need a competing idea against all of the above ideologies. Where is the competing idea? They all want to control. We must replace our "stuff" with an idea."

See the second segment over at The Daily Beck for more detail.

Glenn continued,

"All of the outside influences are about destruction and control. That is not what He (God) is about. He (God) is about Creation."

Now, I'm not sure what Glenn will say during tomorrow's show, but I thought that what he pointed out was an in-plain-sight revelation that We The People need to continually realize and utilize as we go through our time on this earth. We will always be battling against "powers and principalities" that are unseen in this world, but we certainly do feel the effects of such wickedness:

Eph 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places].


Eph 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Notice that we are to stand in order to withstand the evil of the day. How do we do that? I know of no other way than by standing with the truth - Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth and the life!

With God's Word as our guide, we can show the world what is most important in this life. The battle between good vs. evil, and creation vs. destruction will go on until Christ returns for His Own. This means that in this world Christian believers can expect to be dismissed, rejected, reviled, ignored, persecuted or even killed. However, the last command of Jesus Christ to all of his followers after his Resurrection from the dead (and just before his Ascension back to the Father in heaven) was The Great Commission. He told them (and us) to go out into all the world and tell all peoples of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Mat 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,


Mat 28:20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, [even] to the end of the age." Amen.

THAT is what matters most folks!

Our time on this earth is fleeting, but eternity lasts forever. Where one spends eternity depends, ultimately, in how one answers Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?"

Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,


Eph 6:15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;


Eph 6:16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.


Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;


Eph 6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--


Eph 6:19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,


Eph 6:20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

He Is Risen!

Just as he said!

I love the fact that Jesus told his disciples, in advance, that he would rise again three days later after being crucified. On the dreadful day when Jesus was beaten and nailed to the cross at Calvary, his followers must have been in deep grief. But even in this, he told them that their grief would turn to joy! And it did!! On that first Resurrection Day almost 2,000 years ago, the promises of Jesus came to fruition and we can have the ultimate confidence that all he has promised in the Scriptures regarding his second coming will also be fulfilled!

Today's message at church discussed 1 Corinthians 15:14-25, Within these verses is the fact that if Christ had not risen, then our faith is futile. But the fact of history is that Christ did rise from the dead, so our faith is secure and absolute truth. Whether a person believes this or not is up to him/her. Free will and all that.

1 Corinthians 15:20-28 - 20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27For he "has put everything under his feet." Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.

It's All For Him

Today is Good Friday. In previous years, I have written posts that have discussed
 What Was So Good About It?,
 Utter Darkness (or so they thought),
 Calvary,
 Good Friday and

 The Power of Christs' Cross.


Once again, I have found an intriguing devotional in the December-January-February 2003-04 "Our Daily Bread" booklet that gives us a glimpse of God's own interpretation of history. 

I love this phrase, "Jesus is the final and complete explanation of everything."

When we study the Bible and think about that phrase, we come to realize that "It's All For Him."

 I would like to share it with readers today.

~Christine

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It's All For Him

Read: Colossians 1:13-20

All things were created through Him and for Him. - Colossians 1:16

It's a little phrase of just two words at the end of Colossians 1:16 - "for Him." Yet that little phrase gives God's own interpretation of history. In those two words He affirms that Jesus is the final and complete explanation of everything.

All that has happened and ever will happen is moving through time toward that climactic hour when every tongue will confess the lordship of Jesus Christ. Every knee, whether in grateful adoration or under compulsion, will then bow to Him (Philippians 2:10-11).

British historian H.A.L. Fisher apparently did not share that view. He sadly confessed, "Men wiser and more learned than I have discovered in history a plot, a rhythm, a predetermined pattern. These harmonies are concealed from me. I can see only one emergency following upon another as wave follows upon wave...nothing but the play of the contingent and the unforeseeable." [Note from Christine: Isn't that an utterly sad way to think and live??]

What about you? Are you overwhelmed by what seems to be the aimless sequence of events? If so, look once more at Jesus--His life, death, resurrection, and promised return. Your troubled heart will be filled with hope and confidence as you realize that there's meaning and purpose for everything in the world--when you live "for Him." - Vernon Grounds

One life to live for Christ my Lord,
One life to do my part,'One life in which to give my all
With fervency of heart. - Brandt

Christ showed His love by dying for us; we show our love by living for Him.

Hat tip:

December-January-February 2003-04 "Our Daily Bread" booklet; Thursday, Dec. 6, 2003.

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As we fast, pray, and attend our Good Friday services around the nation remember this awesome portion of Scripture:

Jhn 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

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More Good Friday blog posts:

Thinking Christian: Death Defeated

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Looking Back, Looking Forward

Looking Back, Looking Forward

. . . saying, “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”
Luke 24:7  

Recommended Reading Matthew 16:21-28

  
Suppose someone told you of two unlikely events that would happen in the future—one in a few days, the other at an undetermined time in the future. In spite of the details he gave about each event, you found it hard to believe that he could predict the future with that kind of accuracy. Within a few days you learn that the first predicted event took place exactly as the man said. How would that change your thinking about the likelihood of the second event?

It would probably change your thinking radically. Strangely enough, even though Jesus Christ predicted His own death and resurrection on the third day—both of which were fulfilled in detail—many people don’t take seriously His promise to return to earth. On the same occasion in which Jesus told His disciples of His impending death and resurrection, He said, “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works” (Matthew 16:27).

It would be unwise to look back at Christ’s death and resurrection in belief, and not look forward to His Second Coming with expectation.

The future is as bright as the promises of God. Adoniram Judson

Read-thru-the-Bible 
2 Kings 18:1 - 20:21

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Today is Holy Thursday, a.k.a. Maundy Thursday. It is the day where Christians commemorate the Last Supper when Jesus shared the Passover meal with his disciples on the night before he was crucified.


Tomorrow is Good Friday, which is the day we remember and commemorate when Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross to save mankind from their sins. Upon confession and repentance of sin and belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives because of what he did for us on the cross of Calvary, we can be united to our Savior and ask for the Holy Spirit of God to indwell our hearts. The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth, helping us to read and study the Bible, do good works because we love God, and have the desire to please and serve him.  The Holy Spirit helps us to discern good vs. evil.


While reading through the March/April/May, 2002 devotional booklet called "Our Daily Bread" this morning, I was trying to decide which daily devotional to present on my blog today. I had bookmarked at least five of them as possibilities, until I turned the page once again and found THE ONE that I thought was perfect for this time of year. After reading through the devotional, I started to turn back the pages to find out the name of the author so I could give credit to him. You see, typically only the initials appear at the end of each devotional, but the authors are listed at the beginning of the booklet so we can know who they are. When I turned back, I noticed that I had skipped one page (two devotionals) that I may have most likely chosen to share today. They are so good - as are most of the devotionals - but because the pages stuck together, I didn't see them at first. One is called "Murphy's Laws," the other "The Good Life." Needless to say, I can always present them here at a later date. The one that I already made up my mind to share  (or, maybe the Holy Spirit's leading brought me there?) is the one that is best for today. It is called "Compelling Love."
~Christine

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Compelling Love

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:9-15

The love of Christ compels us.
-2 Corinthians 5:14

I read a story some time ago about an aspiring young golfer who spent hours in his backyard practicing his golf swing. He wasn't allowed to use a real golf ball close to the house, only a plastic, practice ball.

One day, when he thought both his parents were gone, he longed to hear the sweet click of a club head meeting a real golf ball. So he went outside, teed one up, took a mighty swing, and accidentally hit the ball through his parents' bedroom window.

I'll let him tell the rest of the story: "I heard the glass shatter, and then I heard my mother cray out. I ran into the house and up the stairs to her bedroom. She was standing there in front of the broken window and she was bleeding. I started to cry and I couldn't stop. All I could say was 'Mom, what have I done! What have I done! I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!' Her response was to hug me and say, 'It's all right; every thing's going to be all right.' After that I never wanted to take a real golf ball into the backyard."

When we think about our Lord suffering for us on the cross, we want too live "for Him who died for [us] and rose again" (2 Corinthians 5:15). After we've heard His words of forgiveness, there are things we just never want to do again--in the backyard, or in any other place. - DHR (David H. Roper)

Down from His splendor in glory He came,
Into a world of woe;
Took on Himself all my guilt and my shame,
Why should He love me so? - Roth

 WHEN WE PONDER CHRIST'S LOVE FOR US,
WE'LL WANT TO LIVE FOR HIM.

Hat Tips:

David Jeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread Devotional, March/April/May 2002, May 22nd reading.

Franklin Graham's Recent End Times Comments + Other News

Surprisingly, Bill O'Reilly chose to create a poll about Franklin Graham's recent comments in reference to his worries about all of the turmoil going on in the world today. Franklin shared how quotes from the Bible and the prophecies regarding the second coming of Jesus indicate why such things are occuring.

Here is the link to the Youtube video clip:

Youtube: Franklin Graham: Pinhead or Patriot? (3.21.11)

From Bill O'Reilly.com:

Franklin Graham says he's worried about the state of the world and quotes the Bible and the second coming of Jesus as reference to why. For bringing that up, is he a Patriot or a Pinhead.
Go to Bill O'Reilly.com to record your vote.

I VOTED PATRIOT!!!

After voting, you will see this message:


Thank you for participating in the Pinheads & Patriots Poll. Your response has been recorded.
Bill will reveal the results on The O'Reilly Factor after the voting period has closed. Watch The O'Reilly Factor or check back here on BillOReilly.com for results.

It will be interesting to see how the public votes on this issue.

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In other news, check out Patriot Action Network: LIBERAL DEMOCRATS IN UPROAR OVER LIBYA ACTION..... KUCINICH ASKS FOR IMPEACHMENT.

Did you ever think that you would hear the demand for the impeachment of Obama coming from the far leftist loons??

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Nice Deb: Video of Sarah Palin in Israel

What a great photo at the link of the Palins and the Netanyahus!

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Update on Franklin Graham statement. Here is a link to Newsmax video interview.

Keeping On Jesus' Message

In a previous comment thread, some questions regarding Jesus' Transfiguration on the Mountain came up. See what Luke wrote about this event:

Luk 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and [in his] Father's, and of the holy angels.


Luk 9:27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.


Luk 9:28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.


Luk 9:29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment [was] white [and] glistering.


Luk 9:30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:


Luk 9:31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.


Luk 9:32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.


Luk 9:33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.


Luk 9:34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.


Luk 9:35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.


Luk 9:36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept [it] close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

It is interesting to note that in the NIV version, Luke 9:33 is stated as:

"As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did not know what he was saying.)"

Peter "did not know what he was saying."

The notes tell us more:

When Peter suggested making three shelters, he may have been thinking of the Feast of Tabernacles, where shelters where set up to commemorate the exodus, God's deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Peter wanted to keep Moses and Elijah (Elias) with them. But this was not what God wanted. Peter's desire to build shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah may also show his understanding that real faith is built on three cornerstones: the law, the prophets, and Jesus. But Peter grew in his understanding, and eventually he would write of Jesus as the "chosen and precious cornerstone" of the church (1 Peter 2:6).

When the voice of God the Father (verse 35) came from the cloud, He was telling the disciples to LISTEN to Jesus. Why? Because He proclaimed him to be His Son. Jesus has been given the authority, from God Himself, to have such power and authority.

Unfortunately, there are many "false teachers, false prophets, and false Christs" in the world today. They appear to be lovers of God and His Christ, but they are actually "wolves in sheep's clothing." This tells us that they will lead those who follow such men (or women) astray. My blogging friend Neil over at Eternity Matters has a post up describing a man who could be described as a perfect example of a false teacher.

So, how does one not get caught up in a cult, or the teachings of someone who would cause a person genuinely seeking God's Truth to drift (or be dragged) away from the Man of Truth - Jesus Christ?

It's easy, actually. Just remember that if a person's teaching is true, it will agree with Jesus' teachings. TEST EVERYTHING YOU HEAR AGAINST JESUS' WORDS, AND YOU WILL NOT BE LED ASTRAY.

This serves as a warning not to seek advice or guidance from merely human sources. Knowing God's Word, the Bible through having studied it yourself with the guidance of the Holy Spirit (which happens once you are born again in Christ) will keep you on message - on Jesus' message, that is!

God the Father Himself told Peter and all the others standing there - each of them in awe of what they had just seen (The Transfiguration) that they were to listen to Jesus and not to their own ideas and desires. This is crucial, folks! There can be many secular, well-meaning people out there (Oprah comes to mind) who follow the "politically correct" ideas of the world (i.e. all "faiths" worship the same God) and think that they are doing good and a service to those seeking the truth. But watch out!! Humans are fallible beings! They like to think that a concept such as the "coexist" movement is pleasant, loving, and deserving of admiration. But if such a movement leads you away from Christ, what good is it?

Jesus himself said:

Luk 9:24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.


Luk 9:25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?


Luk 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and [in his] Father's, and of the holy angels.

Being born again gives one the ability to follow Jesus. This gives us the confidence about who he is. When we believe that he is God's Son, then we will want to do what he says!

Hat tip:

Eternity Matters

Through the Lens Of God's Word [Update]

Received the March issue of Coral Ridge Ministries' "Impact" newsletter in the mail yesterday. These newsletters are brief but often very informative.

This morning, there was a spam post in my comment box. It was an invitation to link my blog with someone who posts about astrology. I politely declined the invitation, but welcomed the spammer to continue reading here at this blog. It is my hope that she, perhaps, will be inclined to read the Bible and learn about Jesus Christ.

On the back of the Impact newsletter, there was a commentary that was adapted from Dr. James Kennedy's (who is now deceased) message entitled: "The Christian World and Life View." I would like to share that message with readers today.

In the center of the essay, there is a box that reads:

"A biblical worldview is one in which all of life is viewed through the lens of God's Word."

What a great quote! And you will most likely notice my title for this post came from that quote.

As you read Dr. Kennedy's message, I would like to challenge you to think about all of the turmoil that is now going on here in the United States as well as all around the world. Also, for those who have been following the Glenn Beck** program and conservative talk radio, see if you don't see a distinct repetition of a pattern emerging from what Dr. Kennedy mentions in history. Has communism suddenly become "cool" to our young people who have been brainwashed by liberal/progressive/socialist/communist "red diaper doper babies" of the sixties who became today's majority of professors in thousands of liberal colleges and universities around our nation? Can you recognize how being "divorced from God" has created a moral vacuum in the hearts and minds of many people today?

I can't even imagine living apart from God in today's world of chaos. The Bible has warned us of what is to come "at the end of the age" and we are witnessing an enormous amount of Bible prophecy coming to fruition over the past 60 years. Israel rising again as a nation was prophesied in the Bible hundreds of years before it happened. Almost all of the 300 or so prophecies which were given by the Old Testament saints in reference to the coming Messiah were fulfilled by Jesus Christ. The remainder of those prophecies will be fulfilled at His Second Coming.

The Bible tells us:

Mat 28:17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.

Jesus informed us:

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.


Mat 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,


Mat 28:20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

What could be better than knowing that Jesus Christ, is "with you [us, me] always, even to the end of the age?"

In contrast, the non-believer, who lives apart from God often experiences what Dr. Kennedy describes here:

"...man finds himself in a state of morbid decay and despair. He becomes nihilistic as he becomes aware of the logical consequences of his view. He concludes that life is not worth living. There is a deep void in the pit of his soul."

But let's start at the beginning of Dr. Kennedy's essay:

The Christian World and Life View
Commentary from Dr. Kennedy

Weltanschauung--that is probably not a phrase one would be intimately familiar with, and yet everyone has a "Weltanschauung." It's a German term which means world and life view. Simply put, a world and life view, or worldview, is a set of assumptions or presuppositions that determine the way we look at the world and our place in it. It determines how we view reality and everything that comes down our path.

A biblical worldview is one in which all of life is viewed through the lens of God's Word. There are many worldviews arrayed against this Christian view.

Naturalism, for instance, is the idea that nature is all there is--that there is nothing in the universe but matter (materialism). This worldview was promoted by Carl Sagan, an evolutionist and naturalist. On his famous ten-part educational TV series entitled Cosmos, Sagan made this clear statement: "The cosmos is all there ever was, or is, or is to be." That worldview is purely naturalistic, materialistic, and atheistic.

Chuck Colson in his book, How Now Shall We live? says that many of the battles in our culture stem from a conflict between worldviews. He says, "The culture war is not just about abortion, homosexual rights, or the decline of public education. These are only skirmishes. The real war is a cosmic struggle between worldviews -- between the Christian worldview and the various secular and spiritual worldviews arrayed against it."

One worldview that rages against the Christian view, and which has arisen since the French Enlightenment of the 1780's, is rationalism*--the idea that reason is the only source of knowledge and understanding. It rules out entirely any faith in God or His Word.

Additionally, Charles Darwin's The Origin of Species, published in 1859, provided a comprehensive worldview in evolution that made atheism palatable for the first time. Darwin's evolutionary view has been promulgated in Western society in the last 150 years like few things have.

This Darwinian worldview helped set off World Wars I and II; gave rise to communism, which, according to The Black Book of Communism, put to death some 100 million people, and fueled Nazism and Fascism.

While the atheistic worldview says "down with God," humanism says, "up with man"--but the end is the same: man is elevated in place of God, and God is abased.

That counters what Christians have always believed--that God is the measure of all things; that God tells us what is good and bad, right and wrong. He directs the very course of our life. In humanism, man is divorced from God. And that has led to catastrophic consequences.

Because he lives apart from God, man finds himself in a state of morbid decay and despair. He becomes nihilistic as he becomes aware of the logical consequences of his view. He concludes that life is not worth living. There is a deep void in the pit of his soul.

How far removed that is from the Christian world and life view, which says God has made us in His image; that He has placed eternity in our hearts and has given His own Son to redeem us from our sin. We have a glorious calling "to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever," and to be co-workers of Christ in the redemption of the world. Life is filled with meaning and purpose. This Christian worldview is glorious beyond understanding. I pray it is yours.

- Adapted from Dr, Kennedy's message: "The Christian World and Life View."

Hat tip:

Coral Ridge Ministries

* Some thoughts to consider about "rationalism." Logical reasoning is not an absolute law which governs the universe. Logic is not a set of rules which govern behavior. When one's view only explains how to use logic, you must decide whether logic is the right tool for the job. There are other ways to communicate, discuss, and debate.

** Some of my Christian friends have expressed some concern about my interest in Glenn Beck's TV program. There is no need for this concern. I am well aware that Glenn is a Mormon (and as Brannon Howse in this video link states), could also be guilty of EMBRACING NEW AGE THEOLOGY and possibly be deemed as A UNIVERSALIST.

I see Glenn as a news analyst who has an uncanny ability to discover and share what is going on in our current political world. I DO NOT EMBRACE HIS RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.

But at the same time, Beck has given a voice (on several episodes of
his show) to some genuine biblical Christian leaders, pastors, and authors (for
example, promoted Dr. David Jeremiah's book "The Coming Economic Armaggeddon").
At least that is one good thing that is happening as a result of his large TV
audience.

However, the fact that he also embraces Ghandi and universalistic
ideas shows that he himself is probably not a biblical, born again Christian.

We can continue to pray for genuine salvation through Jesus Christ for Glenn. We can also appreciate what he contributes to our nation through sounding the alarm bells about Obama's dangerous socialist agenda and why we cannot let such terrible policies stand or continue past 2012.

I am grateful to Brannon Howse and his indepth analysis and warnings about Glenn's religious beliefs in the video he created at the above link.

Remember Who Holds You Today

I once heard a descriptive quote in the cartoon movie called "The Prince of Egypt" that described what God is building here on this earth can be seen as a beautiful tapestry, perfect in every way, from the perspective of heaven. Yet, here on earth we can only see the underside of jumbled threads, colors and knots that cannot reveal the finished product. I thought that was a great description of our imperfect, sinful, human struggles here on earth. Yet, in eternity, all of the "whys," "what ifs," "how comes," "why me," "why not me," "why him/her," "hows," "whens," "wheres" and "whats" that we encounter in this life that often become questions for God; will be finally revealed to us. We just have to remain patient, even when we do not comprehend or understand all of the "whys" of this world.

You can be sure that evil, sin, and death are the causes of much pain, grief, sadness, crying and suffering. Whatever we, as Christian believers, can do to alleviate such sufferings for the sakes of others, can be counted as good. But we can't expect to do it all. It would be way too overwhelming. What we can do within our sphere of influence, should be done for the sakes of those who are in our lives at the moment and those in need around us who need help.

In the chapter entitled, "Remember Who Holds You" in Max Lucado's book, Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make a Difference, Max writes:

Frightening thing, this pride. It would rather kill the truth than consider it.

Doesn't it sneak up on us? We begin spiritual journeys as small people. The act of conversion is a humbling one. We confess sins, beg for mercy, bend our knees. We let someone lower us into the waters of baptism. We begin as self-effacing souls. Timid children who extend muddy hands to our sinless God. We relate to the thief on the cross, identify with David's forgiven adultery, and find hope in Peter's forgiven betrayal. We challenge Paul's claim to the chief-of-sinners title, wondering if anyone could need or treasure grace as much as we do.

We come to God humbly, no swagger, no boasts, no "all by myself" declarations. We flex no muscles and claim no achievements. We cup sullied hearts in hands and offer them to God as we would a crushed, scentless flower: "Can you bring life to this?"

And he does. He does. We don't. He works the miracle of salvation. He immerses us in mercy. He stitches together our shredded souls. He deposits his Spirit and implants heavenly gifts. Our big God blesses our small faith.

[We] need a big God because we've made a big mess of our lives.

Boy...ain't that the truth! Who hasn't had to admit that they have "made a big mess" of something in their own lives? We all have had one or more experiences where we say, "I should have," "I could have," "I wish I did this, or that," or "I wish I DIDN'T DO THAT," haven't we? Some choices are much more profound than others and bother us for not having listened to the urging of the Holy Spirit guiding our lives. Been, there, done that. We suffer from guilty feelings.

Max Lucado goes on in that chapter to say that "gradually God changes us." It certainly doesn't happen in one felled swoop.

As God gradually changes us, we find that we don't want to do the sins that we used to do quite frequently in the past (and probably without guilt feelings before being saved.) But after being saved by Christ on the cross, His sacrifice for our sakes changes us forever. There is no turning back to that "old lifestyle." This isn't forced upon us, because we still have that sin nature and free will to carry it out if we want to. But our desire to please Him changes us and we look towards His righteousness to guide our lives. We look heavenward more.

Max goes on to say that our good deeds then can often get recognized by more people and if we aren't careful, can result in pride. The Bible warns us, "pride comes before a fall." We should never forget who brought us here. Max describes it this way:

"We think we're shaking up the world when actually we're just along for the ride."

Take time to remember. "look at what you were when God called you" (1 Cor. 1:26 NCV). Remember who held you in the beginning. Remember who holds you today.