Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good ; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Oh let Israel say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.” Oh let the house of Aaron say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.” Oh let those who fear the LORD say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.” (Psalm 118:1-4)

You are my hiding place ; You preserve me from trouble ; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah. (Psalm 32:7)

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures ; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul ; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies ; You have anointed my head with oil ; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever . (Psalm 23)

In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge. (Proverbs 14:26)

The name of the LORD is a strong tower ; The righteous runs into it and is safe. (Proverbs 18:10)

Do you not know ? Have you not heard ? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable . He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength ; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. (Isaiah 40:28-31)

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage ; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

 

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (Romans 5:8, 10)

The type of woman that I expected to marry when I was younger (and unsaved) is completely different from what I would look for today. After I got saved, any time someone brought up the subject of marriage, the “proverbs 31” woman was the template of the type of woman that Christian men should look for. The problem is they’re really hard to find. One reason for this is that many women (and men) who are in the church aren’t saved. They can’t be the “proverbs 31” woman because they don’t have the source of her strength. The second reason that “proverbs 31” is hard to find is because I don’t know that we’re supposed to be looking for her. While it would be amazing to find someone like this, the truth is that they are maturing and are at different levels in their spiritual walk and to try and fit them into the “mold” isn’t fair to them.

I thought about this and something struck me. All the focus seems to always be placed on the woman. While she has an important part in the family, she’s not the only one. The majority of verses found in Proverbs 31 do focus on the woman and the amazing things that she does for her family. But, there are some verses that have to do with the husband and they are often overlooked and usually aren’t talked about. Looking at scripture, the woman isn’t the only part of the family and it is important that Christians not only realize this but live it out.

So, let’s look at the few verses that mention the husband:

Pro 31:11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.

The husband of the Proverbs 31 woman has a heart that trusts in her. He shows her grace and knows that she will do what is best for her and her family. Because he trusts his wife, he can focus on the things that he needs to do to support his family. Because of their deep, trusting relationship, the husband carries that deep love they share and it helps drive him on.

Pro 31:12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.

While this just mentions the husband in passing, it still speaks some important things. The man has a wife who does him good. This can only happen when the man fulfills his duties as a husband and treats his wife like a woman of God. Their relationship is lasting because she will do her husband good all the days of her life. There is no wavering in the love they have for one another and it shows in how they act and react to everything that happens.

Pro 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

The gates were where all the important business of the city took place. The judges passed sentence on criminals. They decided the minutest disputes with wisdom and honor; and this husband was a part of all of the business. He displayed wisdom and this allowed him to sit among the elders. This is not something that happened lightly (unlike today).

Pro 31:28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: “Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.”

Here is one thing that I feel safe in saying many husbands don’t do much of. The husband of the woman praises her. Just like her work and love carry him in trials, so his praises carry her. Regardless of anything, his love for her causes him to tell her that while many other wives have been good to their husbands, she has done so much more than they and he wants her to know that. Because of the husband’s treatment of his wife, the children they have together follow his lead and bless their mother for the person that she is.

The portrayal of the husband that is found in Proverbs 31 (if it’s looked for) shows some things that many people overlook. I hope that the husbands who name the name of Christ strive to look like the man found in Proverbs 31. I hope that they treat their wives like this man does and the women strive to be like the Proverbs 31 woman. The men and women who belong to Christ need to live out the truth of marriage in front of their families, their churches, and those in the world. It shows them all how Christ loves His bride and rejuvenates fellow believers by reminding of this love so they can endure.

Is this how your marriage looks? Are you the husband of Proverbs 31 (or 1 Peter, or Ephesians, or Colossians)? If not, let me encourage you to love your wives like Christ loves the church. Are you the wife of Proverbs 31? Are you striving to take care of your family? I’m not talking about making extra money. I’m talking about raising your kids and nurturing them. I’m talking about raising them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. If not, let me encourage you to strive to be more like the bride of Christ and live in truth.

It seems that the definition of what it means to be a man has changed over the last 50 years. When I was growing up, a man was someone who worked hard to support his family, taught his children right and wrong, and disciplined them when they were misbehaving. Men were those who acted with honor, integrity, and dignity. They were protectors and role models and people looked up to them. They knew about sacrifice and were willing to do without so that family, friends, and even complete strangers could be helped. They married one woman for life and, barring death, stayed with her through everything; not just for the sake of the kids, but because he loved her. While this definition of a man still fits some, it seems to be a dying breed.

In America it is common now to see single mothers trying to eke out an existence on their own, working to support their kids and hardly having the time to spend with them to nurture and guide them. While there are the strange cases where the mothers don’t want a man around to help them (which I really can’t figure out…), a large percentage of them are due to the “man” leaving the woman and children to fend for themselves. Marriages are getting to be less common then they were and divorce is rampant (many due to “irreconcilable differences”). Now, “men” go around in fancy cars, designer clothes, and spend a lot of money in an effort to “get the girl” for a few weeks or months and when the newness wears off, they’re out. Some don’t even wait that long. They act like bigger versions of their high school selves with all the drama and tension.

When did men forget what it means to be a man?

Before someone gets mad at me, I’m not saying that all men that have nice cars, designer clothes, or spend a lot of money are boys in bigger bodies. Seriously though, when did men forget what it means to be a man? When did it become “cool” to leave the woman you professed to love yesterday for the new woman you met this morning? When did it become fashionable to leave the kids that need you so that you can go “do your own thing”? When did your word become so meaningless to you that you are willing to break your vows or walk out of a marriage? I just don’t get it. Look, I know that there have always been men that have been adulterers (the Bible shows me that). And I know that there have always been men that have requested divorces from their wives (the Bible tells me that too). I don’t recall there being much talk about what is currently going on though (and it’s not just America). The stories that I hear about many of the “men” in America are appalling. It’s like they’ve never grown up or learned to take responsibility for their actions. It’s like they are still back in high school playing all the little games that the kids play. And then there are the “men” who just don’t care. Where did this all start?

I actually think that I know when and where this all started, at least in America. This all started back in the early sixties when they began removing God from our public lives. When God and the Ten Commandments were removed from the schools, a number of troubling things started happening. Teen pregnacies rose by hundreds of percentage points. Sexually transmitted diseases rose too. Promiscuity and vulgarity weren’t far behind. I wonder how many people know that back in the early days of movies there were actually laws that prohibited the blasphemy of God’s name? They also prohibited profanity and other shameful things that have become commonplace in the “entertainment” industry. Because we removed God, He removed His hand and we’re reaping the results of that. Our kids are growing up in an increasingly immoral society. They are taught (and even raised) by immoral people who came from the same system. Back when it began, there were still reminants of the decency that comes from a fear of God. Now, those things are all but gone. Sins like homosexuality, pornography, fornication, and adultery are not only condoned, they’re celebrated (If that doesn’t sound like Romans 1 then I don’t know what does)! Greed and covetousness rule the political, industrial, and individual lives of many Americans. Murder is nothing to us anymore and to see that someone died is just another “normal” day.

The fact that our nation has thrown out its morals is the reason that we no longer see men being men. Now our many of the “men” in this nation are monsters, animals (which is what they’ve been taught through the evolutionary indoctrination they get from public school – so much for public schools being religion free…), or effeminate. They have become nothing like the men who used to be here. And the saddest part of all of this is the fact that more often than not, these same “men” are in the church! Some of them are actually leading “churches”. The church is full of men who let their sexual desires run rampant with no concern for themselves, the women, or God. It is full of boys in mens’ bodies who think they know what it means to be a man and are really nothing but a shadow of what they could (and should) be. It is filling up with “men” who love other “men”, “men” who have denied the way that God has defined them and chosen to let their depraved minds lead them down a path of sin. Marriages are torn apart by “men” who spend more time looking at pornography than they do with their wives trying to build their marriage up. Is it any wonder that our country is like it is when the “men” of the church are playing the roles they should be? I think that it’s somewhat amusing that there are many inside and outside the church who talk about what it means to be a man and each of them have their own definition. Oftentimes, these definitions contradict one another, but who cares right? I mean, as long as my definition of a man fits me and appeals to me, what else is there? What these “men” don’t realize is that it’s not their definition of what a man is that counts. The atheists, evolutionists, and secular humanists can talk all they want about how man is just a glorified monkey, but that definition isn’t true. Other’s talk about how a “man” is the one with the biggest house, the newest car, and the most money/toys; but that’s not the true definition of a man either. See, in our post-modern world, we’ve been taught that we can define everything however we see fit. If we don’t like something, we can redefine it. We see this is everything from public schools to the presidency. But that’s not how things work.

If something already has a definition, then that is how it is defined, whether I like it or not. A square is defined as a geometric shape with four sides that are all the same length. If I see a shape that has five sides then it’s not a square. If I see another that has four sides of differing lengths then that’s not a square either. The only things that are truly squares are those things that fit the definition of a square, regardless of how hard or how many times we try to redefine what a square is. The same is true for men. While we can try as hard as we want to define what a man is so that it suits us, if it doesn’t fit the true definition of a man, it’s not one. The true definition of a man is found nowhere else but in scripture. The Bible tells us exactly what a man is and what it’s not. If the “men” in our country don’t fit that definition then they aren’t men. Period. They can talk all they want, they can whine about it and how it’s not fair, but that doesn’t change the definition of a man. God has defined what man is and that’s that.

So what is a man? Here are some scriptures that will help make the definition of a man clear:

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (Genesis 1:26-7)

-Man is made in the image of God. This means that we are like Him in many ways. It also means that while we are in His image, we are not exactly like Him. Unlike what many of the prosperity preachers seem to think, we are not “little gods” or “god’s with a little ‘g’”. We cannot create anything from nothing. We can’t “speak things into existence” or command wind and waves like God can. We can be relational. We can communicate and even create.

“Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man.” (Gen. 9:6)

-Here we see that God values the life of man. If God values the lives of men (and women and children), then a true man will too. They will protect the innocent and the defenseless.

He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord. (Deut. 8:3)

-Regardless of what some “scientists” and other mockers of God say, every person on the planet owes their very life to God. A true man knows this and respects God.

 Every man is to give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you. (Deut 16:17)

-A true man is generous. He gives as much as he is able to help those in need because he wants to. He doesn’t have to be forced to give or guilted into giving. He doesn’t hoard the things that he has because he knows that God has given them to him and can just as easily take them away (Job 1:21).

Blessed is the man that does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scoffers, but his delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (Psalm 1)

-A true man will not give an ear to the wicked. He will keep himself from their schemes and the calamity that comes with them. He will not live his life in a way that will keep sinful man from coming to repentance. While he will be truthful and call things as they are, he will not mock or scoff like so many boys do. A true man meditates on the Law of God and keeps it in front of him day and night that he may not sin against the Lord.

What is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, and You crown him with glory and majesty! (Psalm 8:4-5)

-A true man recognizes his place and does not see himself any higher than he should. While confident, a true man is humble enough to see his shortcomings and admit them.

A man will not be established in wickedness, but the root of the righteous will not be moved. (Proverbs 12:3)

-A real man does not depend on wicked deeds or schemes to build his life. Instead, he does those things that are right in God’s eyes, knowing that it is these things that will keep him strong in the toughest trials and worst storms.

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. (Proverbs 13:22)

-A true man thinks of his wife, children, and family before himself. He endeavors to leave his children better off than he was. He doesn’t do this just with material things because he knows that those things are fleeting. He leads his family in the way of the Lord, teaching them the things of God so that they spend their lives glorifying Him.

A good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. (Matt. 12:35)

-A true man knows that his heart is the source of evil things like murder, adultery, theft, fornication and other sins (Mark 7:21). He understand that his heart must be changed by God so that it will bring forth the good treasure that he and those around him need.

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith;  as it is written, “The just man shall live by faith”. (Rom. 1:17) 

-A true man does not live by his intelligence alone. He knows that this is foolishness because his heart and mind can deceive him. Becasue of this, he lives by faith, not in himself, but in the truth as revealed to Him in the scriptures of the Bible. This faith is not blind, but is the 20/20 vision that he needs to see through the veil of lies the world weaves.

Blessed is the man who’s sin the Lord will not take into account. (Rom. 4:8)

-A true man knows that he is forgiven. He knows that no work that he has done has merited him the free gift of salvation (Eph. 2:8-9). He understands, through the cross, the manifold grace and mercy of God that has been directed toward a sinner like him.

When I was child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; but when I became a man, I did away with childish things. (1 Cor. 13:11)

-A true man knows that maturity is one of his hallmarks. He doesn’t think like a child. He thinks like a mature adult. He doesn’t use the reason that he used to because he’s grown up and gained knowledge and wisdom. He has respect for God and for others and because of this, he does away with childish speech, thinking, and reasoning.

Do not be deceived,  God is not mocked; whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. (Gal. 6:7)

-A true man is not deceived. He is honest about himself and others. He knows that his actions have effects not only in his life, but in the lives of those that he loves. He knows that his actions can hurt others and therefore strives to live like God calls him to live so that he blesses those around him.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12)

-A true man understands that although he strives to live holy before God, trials come to test him and glorify God. He understands that others actions and choices can affect his life and takes everything that happens to him in light of the scriptures so that he can walk in righteousness.

While these scriptures are no exhaustive, they are an indication that the definition of a man does not come from anatomy alone. According to God’s definition, the definition of a man has nothing to do with the money that he makes or any other material thing. Instead, a man by God’s definition is so much more. The definition that the scriptures give for a man is not something that will be easy to live up to. It is something that will cause a man to choose difficult things and make him look at himself in the purest light. But a true man will make those choices becasue he loves God, loves his family, and loves the lost.

If our nation is to become a place that we desire our children to grow up in, then it will need men to act like men. The church needs the same thing. It is time for the “men” in church to grow up and stop playing. It is time for them to act like men as defined in scripture so that their children will grow up to do the same.

If you think that this is ust about men, you’re wrong. This is about women too. Women need to be women. They don’t need to try and fill the roles that men do. They have their own roles to fill and can find many graces and blessings in doing so. It won’t be until men are men and women are women (inside and outside the church) that things will truly change.

Play the man (or woman)!

A few weeks ago, Republican Senator Joe Wilson made the news when he shouted “You Lie!” during a speech given by the President to Congress. The news media was all over this and, because they are pretty much a liberal bunch that blindly follows the current administration, made a lot of noise about what Senator Wilson did. To them, it was an “outrage” that anyone would do that to the President of the United States. Of course they forgot how the Democrats treated George W. Bush while he was in office, calling him a “liar” and other derogatory terms without respect for his office or remorse after they did it. I can’t say that I’m surprised that this is how they looked at it, but that’s not what I want to talk about.

While I understand that there is a certain decorum in the government and that a certain measure of respect should be maintained for everyone (if not for the man, then at least for the office), I have to admit that I found it refreshing that Senator Wilson did what he did. For decades (if not longer), there has been a well-known, tired joke that you can tell when a politician is lying because his lips are moving. While many politicians have embodied this to some degree, no one has embodied it better than our current president. He has lied about everything. His facts and numbers are never right, what he tells the American public about his plans are lies to try and pacify the American people while he pushes his socialistic agenda, and he shows no remorse or shame for the way he speaks out of both sides of his mouth. He has even been bold enough to contradict himself once or twice in the same speech! This is “change”? The sad thing is that this is what has become the norm in politics today. Gone are the days when men and women acted out of concern for their fellow Americans. Gone are the men and women who put honor and integrity above their own personal gain.

The corruption of the federal government has grown exponentially over the last year and it shows no signs of stopping. When our nation was founded, it was founded by men and women who feared God and showed Him the respect and reverence He deserved. These same men and women forged a nation who did the same. They understood that God was the source of their every provision and that they couldn’t do anything without Him. Now, to speak about God in public brings attacks from the ACLU (incorrectly named the American Civil Liberties Union) and various atheistic groups who hate the Christian God. Our public schools have become temples to atheism and secular humanism (another excellent reason to homeschool your kids…) where they publicly profess “no God” and “separation of church and state” (which is NOT in the Constitution) while proselytizing the coming generations and feeding them a multitude of lies in the form of “education” (all of which is supported by our government).

I can completely understand why Senator Wilson called the president a liar; because he is one. When you tell people that illegal aliens (let me just draw even more attention to the fact that they are called ILLEGAL aliens) will not have health care under the president’s plan when he knows that they will and those in the Congress know that as well, then the president is a liar. He has purposefully been untruthful about his plan, which makes his admonition to others about bearing false witness extremely feeble. Why shouldn’t the people who have been elected to represent the American public call other elected officials who are also supposed to be representing the American public out when they are lying (or stealing, or cheating on their taxes, or any number of other illegal – there’s that word again – activities?). This is part of the problem in our country. We can no longer find honest men to lead us because we’ve abandoned the God of truth. Our schools no longer teach the Ten Commandments (by the way, the ninth one says “you shall not lie”) and it shows. We multitudes of generations coming up with no morals and we can’t figure out why our nation is on the fast track to hell. Hmmm…let me think…

While I would love to blame this all on the government, I can’t. I really am torn between crying and screaming at the top of my lungs. As I look at the problems that our nation faces (which are echoed in the majority of countries around the world), the trail of blame always seems to lead back to the church. It all seems to scream that the church is failing at what it’s supposed to be doing. Instead of teaching kids morals and how to grow in holiness, we tell them cute little stories with coloring pages and help them to feel all warm and fuzzy inside. That’s not what the church is for! If we would stop playing around and start actually teaching the kids what they should be learning, we could see many of the problems in our country stop within a couple generations. If we would stop entertaining the mindless masses and start equipping them to fight the battle, we could see souls saved and the tide turn. But that’s just not something that we really care all that much about. Instead, we dance and sing and build “ministries” that will “bring people into the church” (which is really all about numbers and bragging rights). Instead of preaching the truth with fire and brimstone and compassion, we “dialogue” with those in our “flock” and help them to learn “new paradigms” and help them to feel good about themselves where they are (without the coloring pages). Nowadays, we spend so much money on entertaining ourselves that we don’t have the time or money to actually evangelize people.

Our churches are no longer led by men who fear God and are willing to be stoned to death because they preached the truth. They are now “facilitated” by spineless, heartless “men” who are only looking to build “the greatest church” with the most people, the best sound system, and the largest number of false converts (well, they may not admit that last one but…). Gone are the days when men thundered from the pulpit about the truth of the fires of hell so vividly that the congregation shook with fear. Gone are the days when the children were taught the morals of the faith by the age of six and were in ministry by their teens. Do you realize that the youth of days gone by were working by their teens? Do you understand that Charles Spurgeon, often called the prince of preachers, was preaching in his own church by age fifteen? How many youth in America could do that today? I would have to honestly say that I don’t believe there are more than I can count on one (maybe two) hand(s).

Today, we have entire denominations that openly embrace sin in their congregations. Homosexuality is condoned and even encouraged as natural and ok (even though Romans 1 says that it’s not). Lying, cheating, stealing, adultery and idolatry are practiced by “men of the cloth” and no one bats an eye anymore. Hundreds of “pastors” fleece their flocks to poverty levels in the name of “sowing seeds” instead of sacrificing their own lives to do whatever they can for those that God has entrusted to them. “Youth pastors” spend more of their time lulling their charges into a false sense of security and using worldly pursuits and entertainments to compete with the world. All the while, these same “Christian youth” are fornicating, lying, and living in complete debauchery! The pride, arrogance, and attitude given off by those youth who claim to be Christians are much worse than what I’ve received from complete heathens when I witness to them! What a wonderful witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ… There are no more Joe Wilsons who are will to stand up for the truth and holler “You Lie!” in the churchhouse anymore. No one is willing to be bold enough to call out the liars and thieves in the church any more. I wonder if it’s because we are scared or if we really just don’t love God like we say we do…

The Bible says that judgment starts in the house of God (1 Peter 4:17). If it isn’t already happening, it is coming, and I don’t think that it’s going to be pretty. I keep going back to the picture in Ezekiel 8 where God’s glory left the church. Before God left, He called to Himself a man with an inkhorn and six destroying angels. God first told the man with the inkhorn to go through the city of Jerusalem and mark the head of all of those who are truly worshipping Him. He told the six destroying angels to follow after the man “utterly slay old men, young men, maidens, little children, and women” but they were not to “touch any man on whom is the mark”. Then, God told them where to start: “And you shall start in My sanctuary” (Ezek. 9:1-6). This is horrifying for a couple reasons. One, it’s horrifying because it means that God has been betrayed by His own children. Those who profess to be His have turned their backs on Him and sinned against Him. Their rebellion is so atrocious to Him that He says: “Is it too light a thing for the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they have committed here, that they have filled the land with violence and provoked Me repeatedly? For behold, they are putting the twig to their nose. Therefore, I will indeed deal in wrath. My eye will have no pity nor will I spare; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, yet I will not listen to them.” (Ezek. 8:17-18) Second, it’s horrifying because the people that should know better more than anyone else are the ones that God is destroying. What hope is left for someone who knows the truth and turns their back on it?…

To find out what made God so angry, we need to look at the beginning of chapter eight. God gives a vision to Ezekiel while he was sitting in his house with the elders of Judah. The vision is of the elders of Israel worshipping false gods and creeping things and beasts in the temple of God! They were worshipping the sun, they worshipped Tammuz, they were idolaters. Remember, these weren’t the heathen nations around Israel, these were the chosen people of God who were worshipping idols. Now before you say that this was way back in the Old Testament and things are different now, I challenge you to take a look around. Many of the largest churches in America are teaching false doctrine. People like Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, Rob Bell, Kenneth Copeland, Jesse Duplantis, Brian McLaren, Bill Hybels and a host of others have decided to toss the wonderful Word of God aside in favor of “church growth methods”, prosperity, and social works. They have ignored the warnings of adding to or taking away from scripture and have twisted certain verses out of context in order to support their heresies. They have promoted themselves above the Lord Jesus and have portrayed Him as their servant instead of their Lord. Add to this those churches who are actively and openly praising Barack Obama like he is the Messiah and you have just the tip of the idolatrous iceberg.

If our nation is going to ever return to what it once was, it will not be because of evolution, atheism, or “going green”. It will be on the backs of those who fear God and obey Him. It will be because of the hearts of those who strive to be more and more like Jesus. It will be due to the voices of those who are willing to take a stand for the truth and call out the liars and thieves who masquerade in sheep’s clothing. It will be through the efforts of those who have denied themselves, taken up their cross, and followed Him…

Today is one of the holiest days of the year for the children of Israel. If you don’t know, today is Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur means “Day of Atonement” in Hebrew. It is a very special day, with a lot of meaning for both Jews and Christians. Some of you may not understand why this is important to Christians, but I hope to explain that.
To understand what the Day of Atonement means, we have to look at what happened on that day and what its purpose was. When Yom Kippur was started, it was as Israel was traveling through the wilderness after leaving Egypt. It was the beginning of the second year and Moses had just set up the tabernacle (Exodus 40:17). When the tabernacle was finished, the glory of the Lord descended and no one could enter the tabernacle. The Lord called to Moses from the tent of meeting, and over the next month, laid out exactly what was expected from His people and His priests. He explained the offerings and how they were to be done. He gave them laws about cleanliness, diet, and morality. He also made sure that they knew how serious this was. When two of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, came to God with strange fire, He incinerated them on the spot and told Aaron (through Moses) that He was to be treated as holy (Leviticus 10:1-3).

The priesthood was a big part of life for Israel. They were the doctors, judges, and intercessors for the entire nation. Unfortunately, it seems that the church has forgotten that it is also a royal priesthood . The high priest was the one who spoke for God and on behalf of the people. Even though he held this honor, not even the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies. It was here that the Ark of the Covenant was kept. Here, God’s presence abided in the midst of His people. There was only one day when the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies and stand before the presence of God. This day was Yom Kippur.
On Yom Kippur, the high priest would prepare the offerings for his sins as well as the sins of the entire nation. No one else could do this. First, he would put on the holy garments of his office and bathe in the bronze laver, bring an offering for his own sins (a bull that was without blemish) and offerings for the sins of Israel (two goats for the sin offering and a ram for the burnt offering – Lev. 16:5). The two goats would be brought before the tent of meeting and the high priest would cast lots for them. The one that lost would be the goat offered to the Lord for Israel’s sins and the other would be the scapegoat. This goat would bear the sins of Israel on it and be released into the wilderness. He would then offer the bull for his own sins and take the blood as well as some of the incense into the tent of meeting. The incense would be placed on the Altar of Incense so that the cloud of smoke would cover the mercy seat of the ark and the high priest wouldn’t die. He would then sprinkle some of the blood from the bull seven times on the mercy seat (and in front of it). The goat for the sin offering would then be slaughtered and its blood would also be sprinkled on the mercy seat. The high priest would then atone for all of the fixtures and utensils in the tabernacle. Then, he would place his hands on the live goat, intone all of the sins of Israel, and then send the goat away into the wilderness. He then removed the holy garments, bathed himself, put on his clothes and offered the burnt offering of the people to make atonement for him and the people. All of the remains of the animals used for the atonement in the holy place were burned outside the camp. All of this happened on the tenth day of the seventh month and was to be a permanent statute. No one in Israel was to do any work at all.
Yom Kippur was a very vivid reminder to Israel of the consequences of their sins. As Christians, we don’t sacrifice bulls and goats for sin because the blood of bulls and goats cannot wash away sin (Hebrews 10:4). Even so, there is a wonderful picture of God’s saving grace in the Day of Atonement. The book of Hebrews says that Jesus Christ is our High Priest. He is the One that did the things necessary for the atonement of our sins. What is amazing is that while Jesus is our High Priest, He is also our sin offering. God made His pure, perfect Son the sacrifice for the sins of the world. He poured out His life’s blood for us so that we may be spared from the wrath of God and the eternity in hell that awaits all of those who die in their sins because they’ve transgressed God’s law. Even more, Jesus is our scapegoat who bore our sins upon Himself that we may be cleansed. In the Old Testament, only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies and that was only once a year. Now, because of what Jesus Christ did, all of those who believe in Him may enter the Holy of Holies at any time and make requests before God. This is so wonderful! Also, while the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins, the blood of the spotless Lamb of God can and will cleanse our conscience as well! We can be free of the guilt and shame of our sins. To have our sin and guilt removed, it will cost us something. When the atonement was made for the children of Israel, they were required to offer two goats and a bull. They were called on by God to humble themselves (Lev. 16:31).
While the method may have changed, the expectations of God have not. We must still humble ourselves if we are to have the atoning sacrifice of the Lamb applied to us. We must also repent of our sins and confess them before God. Then, we must put our faith in Jesus alone to save us. If we will do this, the Bible says that we will be born again (John 3). We will be made new creations and all of the old things will pass away. If you are filled with pride, you will not be saved. You must come humbly before God and see yourself the way that He sees you. You must agree with Him. When you can do that, then you are ready to receive the free gift of salvation that comes through Jesus. I would love to see everyone do this. I would love to see the entire world saved and reconciled to God. But, I would be remiss if I didn’t warn you. If you are to follow Christ, then the world will hate you. They will mock you, attack you, and maybe even kill you. True, biblical Christianity isn’t about being part of a club or clique. It’s about being forever changed by the grace and mercy of God. It’s about being filled with the desire to see others know the same thing regardless of the cost. It is not about a building or a denomination.
It is my prayer on this Day of Atonement that you would truly consider your life in respect to the law of God. If you have broken the law, then you are guilty before God. If you haven’t repented of your sins, then you will not see heaven. If you have been pretending or playing because it was the “right” thing to do or because it is what you’ve always done, then please consider the fact that you are not promised tomorrow. Understand that I’m not asking you for money, I’m not asking you to join a church, and I’m not asking you to run out and act like a lunatic to look different. I’m asking you to be completely honest with yourself and look past all of the facades to see where you truly stand with God. And then, if that place that you stand is not in repentance and you’ve not truly been saved, then I’m asking you to let go of your pride, admit that you are a wretched sinner (like everyone else!), and cry out to God to save you. It will happen and it’s the only hope that any of us have!

Sometimes I look at the different things that are happening in Christendom and I just shake my head. Some of the beliefs that are being touted like they were always there and scripturally sound are sad. There are many who are proclaiming a false gospel. They twist the scriptures to make them say what they want (always out of context) and are misleading many who name the name of Christ. (Notice I didn’t necessarily say they were Christians…)While this makes me mad to say the least, what gets up my nose even more are the things that are spouted or passed on in ignorance. Many of the things that we take as “gospel truth” or “tradition” have no basis in scripture whatsoever.  And yet, we keep regurgitating them like they are. Worse than that, it seems that we don’t want to be bothered with checking the scripture to see if they’re actually in there.

This is one major area that the church has failed. We no longer require those who preach or teach in our churches to be scripturally sound. They can be wishy-washy, progressive, or down right heretical and I don’t think that anyone would know or care. Our kids have no idea what hermeneutics are because the parents don’t know either. Sadly, many of the people who attend church today couldn’t break scripture down verse by verse if their life depended on it. But boy can they rattle off the platitudes!

All of this thinking (and the accompanying headache and irritation) got me thinking about something that I’ve heard the whole time I’ve been in church. When I’ve wrestled with sin and was losing, or I’ve been striving to do something productive that glorifies God and it’s not working out right, I’ve had a number of people tell me to “look to the cross”. If you’re down and beaten and you have nothing left to fight with, “look to the cross”! (I think I’ll use that to write a new CCM song…) As I kept thinking about this, something was bothering me. It wasn’t a nervous, “I messed something up” kind of bothering; it was more of a “something just doesn’t sound right” kind of bothering. I continued to meditate on the thoughts and then it hit me like a ton of bricks… Hebrews 12:1-2:

Therefore, because we have so great a cloud of witnesses surround us, let us lay aside every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Do you see it?!?! If not read it again. It’s ok, I’ll wait. Ok, I’m done waiting. But, before I go into what I’m trying to get at, let me explain a little. The witnesses that the writer of Hebrews is talking about are all of those listed in chapter 11 (the “faith chapter”). The list starts with patriarchs and people familiar to us and ends with all of those who have been beaten, bruised, and even killed for the sake of the gospel. The writer then says that because we have so many people that have come before us who were willing to die for the sake of the gospel, we should be encouraged by their example to run our race with endurance. Then it gets interesting. It says that we should fix our eyes on Jesus…who is sitting at the right hand of the throne of God. It doesn’t match the “look to the cross” that many people give does it? What’s funny is that one of the many worn out platitudes that Christians continue to use on each other is the oldie but goody “you can’t live in the past” or “don’t look to the past, look to the future!”. (I wonder if these people ever take their own advice?) Ok, now I know that I can be a little dense at times ( the rest of the time I’m stubborn…) but didn’t the event of the cross take place in the past? Was it a one time thing or does it continue to happen like those in the Roman Catholic Church believe? From what scripture says, the event of the cross happened one time and its effects are still going on. Again, correct me if I’m wrong but doesn’t scripture say that Jesus died on the cross, was taken down and buried in a tomb? Doesn’t it then go on to say that He rose from the dead three days later? I mean really, this is the Resurrection Day story! And then, I think if we look in the book of Acts, we’ll find that Jesus actually ascends into heaven. Hmmm, Christians keep telling me to “look to the cross” and scripture tells me to fix my eyes on Jesus who is seated at the right hand of God’s throne. What should I do?!? I know! I’ll listen to what scripture says! I’ll keep my eyes fixed on the Advocate of my life.

Ok, that last little bit was a little snippy, but I get irritated by stuff like this. Why would you tell people to look at the cross when Jesus isn’t there anymore? Why should I look somewhere that Jesus is not when scripture tells me exactly where to look? I am guessing that some of you (out of the tens and tens of people that actually read this) are thinking that I’ve missed it. We tell people to look at the cross because of what it stands for. I understand that, I really do, but I’ve got a question. Couldn’t I look at the risen Lord Jesus, who still bears the scars of the crucifixion, and see that and more? Do I have to go back to the bloody cross to understand what happened there? I don’t think so. I’m not saying that we should completely forget about the cross. We shouldn’t. The cross is one of the most amazing and devastating things that has ever happened in all of history. But, if we’re talking to people who are soundly saved, we should be telling them to fix their eyes on Jesus, not “look to the cross”.

By looking to Jesus while He’s seated at the right hand of the throne of God we get the whole picture. We see the Lamb of God who was slain for the sins of man. We see His power over death, hell, and the grave. We see in His bodily resurrection hope for ourselves as well. We see the majesty and power of both God the Father and God the Son. We get a wonderful contrast of the wrath and justice of God with the mercy and grace of the same God. And, we are reminded that while He is currently sitting down, He will not remain that way. One day, known to Him and the Father, He will stand up and come back down to earth to both gather those that are His and mete out judgment to those who rebel. This thought should cause us to both tremble and fear for those who are not saved. It should cause us to get a serious desire to see as many people as possible hear the truth of the gospel. And it should cause us to repent for allowing the glorious gift we’ve been given to be neglected so badly and ignored in favor of church growth methods and ear tickling stories for our kids.

Don’t forget the cross. It is a significant in history as well as in the life of every person who has acknowledged their sin, repented of it, and put their faith completely in Jesus. But, when you’re troubled by the things that you’re facing, don’t look to the cross; fix your eyes on Jesus as He sits at the right hand of God’s throne and gaze upon your conquering Lord…

I’ve heard many times over the years how David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam. 13:14). Any time the heart of God is mentioned, invariably you’ll hear about David as well. As I recall all that I’ve heard about David being a man after God’s own heart, I don’t seem to remember anyone really going into why he was this way. Usually, this sentiment is just stated as fact and the rest of the sermon is spent encouraging the listener to do everything necessary to be just like David was.

The problem is that without an understanding of what made David a man after God’s own heart, no one can do the things David did to be that way. All they are left with are shallow platitudes or “7 steps” that produce nothing more than a fuzzy feeling and certainly no lasting change. Often, when we think of David, we see the young man who was willing to face a giant of a man with a sling and a stone. Or, we see a king who was not where he should have been and ended up sinning against God by committing adultery and murdering a man to hide the sin. The first instance is usually used to inspire the youth in the church that they can do anything and the second is usually used to (sadly) soften the guilt and shame of sin. “If the king of Israel, a man after God’s own heart sinned and was still accepted by God, then the rest of us can be too!” I wonder what would happen if people actually took the time to look at David the way that scripture says he saw himself.

It’s often said that you can best tell what someone’s character is when they are in a horrible situation. It’s the whole tea bag in hot water cliché. During his life David found himself in a number of bad situations. From the lion and the bear, to the showdown with Goliath, to the numerous times that Saul (his father-in-law) tried to kill him, David faced tough times. And he faced them all the same way.  David was convinced that God would protect him and help him. He had faith that God would keep his promises. There is one time though that I think truly shows David’s heart and why God chose to call him a man after His own heart.

One year, while David was king, Israel was going off to war to fight the Ammonites (2 Sam. 11:1). There was one problem: David, the king of Israel, stayed behind in Jerusalem when he should have been with his army fighting. Evening came and David walked along the roof of his house. While he was walking he saw a beautiful woman bathing. David asked about the woman and was told that she was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite (who was one of David’s mighty men).  He sent for her, and proceeded to commit adultery with her. Not long after, she told the king that she was pregnant. David sent for Uriah and tried everything that he could think of to get the man to spend the night with his wife, but Uriah was too noble for that. He wouldn’t do that while his brethren were fighting a war. David even went to the point of getting him drunk and Uriah still wouldn’t do it. Finally, David sent Uriah back to the war with a note to Joab, the commander of the army. Sadly, Uriah didn’t realize that he was carrying his own death sentence. The note was a plan to make sure that Uriah was killed in an attack on the Ammonites. After Bathsheba heard about her husband’s death, she mourned for the appropriate time and then the king took her as his own wife. Shortly thereafter, the prophet Nathan came to David and told him a parable about a rich man who had many sheep and took the only ewe lamb of a poor man to use in a feast for a guest. David was outraged…until Nathan told him that he was that man. God, through Nathan reminded David of all the He had done and all that He promised him. He also told the king what would happen because of his sin. When David heard all of this, he immediately repented of his sin. But David’s sin would still have consequences. The child that Bathsheba was carrying would die because of the sin David committed.

This is a sad tragedy in the life of any man or woman. And it should always be remembered that this is the result of man’s sin. But we’re looking at the character of David and why he was a man after God’s own heart. As most people know, David wrote many of the Psalms. He poured out his heart and soul into them and expressed everything that he was feeling. In Psalm 51, we see his response to his sin with Bathsheba and get a window into the character of a man that we are always encouraged to be more like:

Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness, let the bones which You have broken rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You.

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation; then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise. For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

By Your favor do good to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem. Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices. In burnt offering and whole burnt offering; then young bulls will be offered on Your altar.

As soon as David was confronted with his sin, he repented. He saw things for what they were and took the steps he needed to take to be reconciled with God. This was only possible because David knew some things that allowed him to come before God correctly and allowed God to immediately say (through Nathan) that his sin was forgiven.

First, David understood himself. He knew that he was a sinful man from conception. He knew that if he were left to himself, he would constantly rebel against God because of the man that he was. Instead of expressing his own goodness and trying to make himself feel good about who he was and what he was doing, he was truthful. He knew that there is nothing good in him.

The next thing that helped David was the fact that he understood sin. He knew that sin was ultimately against God and Him alone. While certain sins may involve other people (willingly or unknowingly); all sin is an open rebellion against God. It is a full frontal assault on His character and nature by His own creation. Sin has been man’s doing from the beginning and will continue to be so until all is said and done.  David also understood his need to be cleansed from sin. He knew that he couldn’t be reconciled without having his sin removed. This (along with other Psalms) also shows that David understood the truth about the Messiah and the Christ’s role in the salvation of men. David’s understanding of sin also includes the knowledge of what sin does to us and our relationship with God.

David also understood God. Look at how much David focuses on God and His character. He knows that God is gracious, merciful, and compassionate (v. 1) in the act of removing sins. He understands that God is able (and willing!) to wash him of his sins. Not only that, but David understands that God is completely right in what He says and blameless when He judges sin. David understood that God IS moral perfection and therefore His judgments against sin are also perfect. We may not understand them, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t correct. David didn’t just see God as the Judge though. He also saw Him as the One who could restore him and create a clean heart in him. He saw Him as the One who could renew his spirit and create a clean heart in him. David longed for God and it shows. He didn’t want God to take away His Holy Spirit or cast him away from His presence. It wasn’t only about what God could do for him, it was about God Himself. He knew that the Law had its purpose but that the Law didn’t satisfy God and neither did the sacrifices of bulls and goats. He understood what God desired from man and what would allow man to be cleansed of his sin and restored to God. But, there is one more thing that he knew and it is this that I believe truly shows David as being a man after God’s own heart.

David wasn’t just concerned about himself! He didn’t focus on just his own trouble, he was concerned about others. He tells the Lord that when he is cleansed he will teach other sinners the ways of God and they will be converted to Him. That is the heart of God. While He knows that men will sin and that many will reject the free gift of salvation offered through Jesus Christ, it is not His wish that any perish but that all come to repentance. David understands the need for those who do know Christ to go out and tell others who don’t know about Him the truth of the gospel and what truly saves men from their sins.

While all of this is interesting and it’s wonderful to see what scripture says, now comes the hard part. Are you like David? Do you truly understand yourself? Do you recognize that you are a wretched sinful person who needs a Savior daily? If you’ve been saved, do you understand where you (should) stand in regards to sin? Do you stand there? Do you understand that sin, transgression of the Law (Ten Commandments) is a horrible action worthy of death and hell in the sight of God? Do you understand that if you die without your sins being paid for that you will find yourself in hell for eternity? Do you understand your need to be cleansed from your sin and that the only One that can do this is God Himself? Do you understand who God is? Do you see Him as the just Judge of the entire universe or is He just some “doting Daddy” who has no backbone or gives in to everything (which is idolatry, by the way). Do you understand that He is angry at sin and that His wrath abides on those who practice it? Do you understand that there is nothing that you can do in and of yourself to bring about your own salvation? Do you understand that God is holy, just, righteous, and perfect and expects the same from those who follow Him? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to be that way, even if it means changing or letting go of friends, family, or objects that God shows? Do you long for God like David did, wanting Him and His Word more than anything else in existence? Does it concern you that others around you may be on their way to hell because their sins aren’t forgiven? Does the plight of others concern you so much that you are willing to do whatever you can to tell them the truth of the gospel, even if it means going out and witnessing to others; teaching them the ways of the Lord? Or, are you content to just sit back and pray that someone else does it because you’re too shy or it just won’t come out right or you don’t know enough (which are all cop outs by the way)? Is the comfort of your own salvation keeping you from being a laborer working to see souls saved from an eternal hell?

This is not something to be taken lightly. The Bible makes it clear that we only have on chance on the earth and that none of us are promised tomorrow. What are you doing? Are you a man/woman after God’s own heart? Are you someone who sees and understands God, sin, yourself and the need of others to be saved? If you are, and you are going out into the world proclaiming the true gospel of Jesus Christ, then let me both commend and encourage you. Do not give up the fight! It is vital to those you are witnessing to that you continue even when things get hard. If you understand these things and you are not going out to tell others, then please consider what you are doing. You are basically keeping what other need to yourself. Instead of giving them the one answer that will help them escape the wrath of God and the eternal punishment for sin, you are turning a blind eye to them. Can you honestly say that you love them? If you do not understand these things at all, then you need to look at your life and make sure that you are saved. Have you repented of your sins? When? How do you know? Does you life look differently now? If you haven’t repented – why? What makes you think you’re a Christian if you haven’t repented? This is a literal life and death situation and each of us holds the key in our own hands. Either we will see ourselves in truth and run to the One who can save us, repenting of our sins and putting our trust in Him alone; or we will continue to delude ourselves into thinking that we’re ok and we don’t need saving, eventually causing us to go straight to hell.

Who’s heart are you after?

Today, President Barack Obama gave a speech to a number of school children around the country for “President Barack Obama’s Back to School Event”. And while I didn’t hear the speech itself, I did read the transcript. If his teleprompter showed exactly the same thing as the transcript, then this speech wasn’t as political as it could have been. Somehow I have a hard time believing that he stuck to the script, seeing as he hasn’t done that yet. Adding to the controversy is the supposed lessons that were to go along with the speech. With all of this, I can’t help but be skeptical.

Even so, a quick read of the transcript shows a shallow but somewhat encouraging speech. The problems come when you look deeper and compare what he is saying to reality and to the president’s own agenda. From the beginning, the president plays on emotion (like he always does) to “touch” people. I wonder if the president realizes that the state the nation is in is “no picnic for any of us” and that everything he plans on doing will only make it worse.

His supposed purpose for the speech is to remind the kids of what’s expected of them. That they are to be responsible. He told them that they are responsible for their own future. Amazingly, I actually agree with the president on this point, but later on in the speech he tells the kids that the goverment is doing all it can to help. I find talk about responsibility pretty funny coming from a man who doesn’t seem to know what the word means (along with the words transparency, freedom, and justice). He tells the children they are responsible for their own education and if they fail, then they not only fail themselves, they fail the country. Maybe the president should start with his own responsibilities and actually fulfill those before he tries to tell others what they need to do. It is because the president has failed to be responsible that we are in the situation we’re in. He has already spent more money than all the other presidents combined and he hasn’t even been in office a year yet. Much of the money has been wasted and has failed to produce any positive effect on anything. The president has failed to be responsible to America by allowing the bills he supports (those meant to stave off “catastrophe”) to be rushed through Congress and avoiding any kind of debate on the issues. The bills have been passed in the dark of night by Congressmen (who are supposed to represent you and I) who didn’t read them at all (and at an average of 1000 pages each, who would want to?). How is that responsible? How does the president expect people to be responsible when he continues to push them to depend completely on the government for everything? On top of that, the man has taken vacations that would make Robin Leach jealous (some costing $35,000 a day!) on the taxpayer’s dollar! Tell me again how that is responsible when there are now millions of people without jobs and the economy is suffering?

He tells the children that if they want to have a good job and help the nation, they will have to work hard and train for it. How much training did Mr. Obama have for his job? Does Sal Alinsky’s book really teach the things that the president of a free republic needs to know? I doubt it… He then lists a number of jobs that they need an education for. If they want to be a doctor they will need an education. He fails to tell them that if his healthcare plan gets passed, there will be no need many doctors because the government will be deciding who gets to practice, what they get to practice, and where they get to practice. They will need an education to be a teacher. But, the president fails to tell the kids that teachers are so overworked and underpaid that it’s not funny. He doesn’t tell them that the public (government run) schools are so bad in many places that teachers fear for their lives. The teacher’s union doesn’t make things any better…Another job they’ll need an education for is police officer. What he forgot to tell the kids is that if they actually do their job, they will be labeled racists or worse (I mean, really, how many beer summits can the president have anyway?). Maybe they want to be nurses, architects, lawyers, or be part of the military. Out of the entire list, the only ones that may make money are the lawyers. There is a shortage of nurses, but in many places even those nurses who are working are having their hours cut because of the economy. Architects are feeling the crunch of the economy as well. And for those going into the military, he forgot to mention that he cut the defense budget. This means that the soldiers we have (and the new ones coming in) will have to do without more than they already do and still do the same job (reminds me of Pharoah taking away the straw…). All of this on top of the fact that they are fighting his war in Afghanistan.

He then tells the kids that their classes will help them get the skills they need to “meet our greatest challenges in the future”. They will need math and science to gain problem solving skills needed to find cures for AIDS and cancer. Of course, we need to ask if it is really science or if it is the evolutionary trash that they are talking about? Or maybe it’s the “climate change” pseudo-science? Not only that, he doesn’t tell them that their cures will be rationed to the people that the government determines are most needed and viable (which kind of ignores the whole Hippocratic oath doesn’t it?). They will also need these skills to develop “new energy technologies” (except nuclear power) and protect our environment (from things like global warming – oops! – I mean climate change). They will also need critical thinking skills from things like history and social studies to “fight poverty and homelessness, crime and discrimination, and make our nation more fair and free”. What history will they be taught Mr. President? Will it be the revised one that removes much of the truth that liberals have been pushing for decades or will it be the true history of our country that includes the faith of the founders and their dependence on God? Will it be the one that shows how atrocious things get when the government takes control of things or will you leave those parts out because they don’t fit your agenda? Will is show how lazy and complacent people get when they depend on the government for everything or will the oversized, “big brother”, federal government be painted as the hero? Will they have to fight poverty by stealing from one who is successful (which could very well be them!) and giving it to someone who has no desire to do what it takes to acheive anything? He also tells the kids to develop their creativity and ingenuity so that they can start new companies and “boost our economy” but fails to tell them that his administration (and those like him) is destroying small businesses through taxation, legislation, and the erosion of the free market.

He tells the children that we need every single one of them to help solve our most difficult problems, but what about the millions of unborn children who were not fortunate enough to make it to school age because they were unwanted and aborted? Don’t we need them too? Don’t we need the senior citizens to teach up and coming generations what made this country great, how to live within their means, and what honor and integrity are; instead of pushing for “end of life care” and euthanasia to eliminate them (except the ones in Congress of course…)? He talks about the stuggles that many of the kids face but fails to admit government’s role in many of them. Are those situations tragic? Yes! Should they be addressed? Yes! But, it should be with something that works and the government isn’t that something.

He calls on each child to set goals for themselves and meet them. He doesn’t tell them that they’ll be fighting the government every step of the way. Maybe they’ll get involved in extracurricular activities or voluteer in the community (like with ACORN Mr. Obama?). Maybe they’ll stand up for those being bullied and teased because of who they are and what they look like (unless they’re Christians – because we can tolerate everyone but them…). The president says that he believes that every child deserves a safe environment to study and learn in (provided they make it out of the womb alive). I agree with the sentiment but I don’t think that a public school classroom is that place.

He tells the kids that being successful is hard (and it is) but they can do it if they persevere. He tells them that they shouldn’t let their failures define them. Instead they should learn from them. Sadly, his own words and actions don’t line up. He says that failures should teach us but completely ignores his own failures, continuously lies to defend them, or attacks those who point them out for what they are. His stimulus package just had to be passed  but it has failed to keep the unemployment rate below 8% (which was promised), it has failed to produce millions of “shovel ready” jobs to boost our economy(another promise), it wasn’t debated or put up for 5 days so the public could read it (still another promise), and it has failed to responsibly spend the taxpayers money (yet another promise). Not only that, it saddles the children he talked to with about $100,000 in debt before they can ever make a dime (and he’s not done yet). He claims that no one is born good at things, but he sure acts like he is (hence the Messiah title given to him by some of his followers).

He says that the kids should be afraid to ask questions, but I can’t help but wonder if he set up an email where other kids could rat them out if the questions they asked were “fishy”? Why should the kids ask questions if they will only get the same tired “party line” or be reprimanded for actually disagreeing with the administration? He tells them to go to others to ask for help, but who should they go to Mr. Obama? You mention family, teachers, and coaches. Family would be best (if they have that option), but teachers don’t often have the time (or don’t have the right things to say) and coaches can get in severe trouble if they give what is deemed to be Christian advice (you know, that whole separation of church and state thing that’s not even in the Constitution…). He does mention counselors. Does this mean that he’s planning on setting up a new government department (there’s those shovel ready jobs!) so that kids can call an “anonymous” hotline for help?

He then tries to tie in history (which is something that he hasn’t been too good at) to his agenda, telling the kids that out country’s story is one of people who never quit when things got tough. They loved their country “too much to do anything less than their best”. I find it ironic that the people from 250 years ago he’s talking about were fighting against a bigger than life, tyrannical government that wanted to take away their individual liberties and freedoms (kinda like the current administration!) They fought oppressive government who failed to represent them and tried to tell them exactly what they could and couldn’t do. Not only did many of them fight for their freedom, many died for it too. How far have the American people fallen. Today, if the government offers us the same old thing in a shiny new wrapper, we jump all over it and seem to forget that they’ve continually lied to us for decades. Today, we don’t vote for elected officials based on character, honor, and integrity. Instead we vote for them based on party affiliation, charisma, and rhetoric. The people who were there 75 years ago overcame a Depression that was made worse by constant, ill-conceived government intervention by a government that was larger than it had ever been up to that point. It was a raw deal complete with numerous wasteful government programs (basically the ancestor of the current administration). They destroyed crops at a time when people were starving (and still do!). It destroyed the economy and the job market, leading many to commit suicide. The world war we fought was something that our nation didn’t need to be in and something that the president of the time (Woodrow Wilson) promised the country he would keep them out of. We may have changed the way we communicate, but unless we’re telling each other the truth, nothing has really changed.

So, what has the president contributed? He’s contributed to the national debt, mocked our nation, lied to the American people on numerous occasions, surrounded himself with people who promote everything that America has always been against, and enlarged the federal government to a size that defies the Constitution. He hasn’t solved any of the country’s current problems (it’s hard to do that when you’re always on vacation) and has added numerous new problems to the pile. If there is a president in the next 20/50/100 years, I hope that he sees this generation as the one who said they’ve had enough and turned back to God and the Constitution. Mr. Obama says that he’s trying to fix the classrooms but that’s not his job. He tells the kids to get serious, but he fails to do the same. He then adds what has become a cliche in America: “God bless you, and God bless America”. Which God are you talking about Mr. Obama? Is it the god of Islam? Is it one of the gods of Hinduism? Or is it the God of the Bible? If it’s the latter, then he is just deluding himself (or trying to delude us). Barack Obama neither knows or has seen the God of the Bible. If he really had, then the things that he does and says would be much, much different.

If we’re going to see true change in our country, we have to so something other than what we’ve always (recently) done. We have to go back to our moral foundations. We have to start living by the word of the Lord. We have to teach our children to fear God and obey what the Bible says. We have to restore the traditional (Biblical) family to its position of prominence in our nation. Proverbs says, “Train up your child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will never depart from it”. We’ve stopped training our children in the way they should go and we’re paying for it. We’ve have ignored God’s wisdom and it is now catching up to us. The only ones we have to blame are ourselves…

In America today, there seems to be a horrible disconnect with the rest of the world concerning persecution. Many children and adults who grow up in the American church have no idea or understanding of what persecution really is. Sadly, many don’t even realize what is happening to Christians outside the U.S.

In America, we consider persecution to be when people attack us verbally for our beliefs. We see anti-Christian groups like the ACLU and various atheistic groups as persecutors when they try to get Christmas images removed or when they try to get “Under God” removed from our money. To many, persecution is covering up images of Moses in the government buildings in Washington, D.C. or it’s seeing our ability to speak out against issues like homosexuality or abortion slowly eroding away. For Americans, persecution is uncomfortable and disconcerting because it removes some of the things we take for granted or bursts our little bubble of warm fuzziness.

In the real world, persecution is much different. While verbal attacks are noted as persecution, even by Jesus, that is not the extent of persecution. Throughout history, Christians have been a favored target of blame for governments, radical groups, and other religions. From its inception, Christianity has been a divisive and exclusive religion. That may sound bad, but it’s really not. Jesus said that what He taught would divide nations, people groups, and even families; and it has. It is divisive because of its stance on sin. When Jesus came, His message divided those who heart it. Either they believed what He said and repented, or they ignored it and kept rebelling. Because the call to repentance is so radical a change from what is considered “normal” by the world it causes division. Those who love their sins end up hating those who have forsaken them. The Jews sought to stone Jesus numerous times for what He said and they finally crucified Him…

So, what does this have to do with persecution? Jesus said that those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness are blessed (Matthew 5:10). In the next verse, He says that those who are insulted, persecuted, and have evil things said about them are blessed. Later, Jesus warns His disciples that they are being sent out as sheep in the midst of wolves (Matthew 10:16). They were to “beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues”. Jesus said they would be “hated by all” because of His Name. This is repeated in the Gospel of John as well as 1 John. Jesus told His disciples that the hates Him because He testifies that its deeds are evil (John 7:7). He also warned His disciples that in this world they would have trials and tribulations (John 16:33a). John understood real persecution. He was boiled in oil three times, and when he wouldn’t die, he was exiled to the island of Patmos.

If you are truly born-again, the world hates you. It hates you because you preach the truth about sin, hell, and judgment. It hates you because you testify of its evil deeds. It hates you because it hates Jesus and He abides in you. This brings up a couple of interesting thoughts. First, what if the world doesn’t hate you? Does it mean that you’re not saved It could be a very good indication of that. If you look, talk, and act like the world, you’re not truly saved (see last week’s blog for more). If you preach the gospel and live a holy and righteous life according to the scriptures, then the world will hate you. On a bigger level, thinking about this has caused me to wonder about the “megachurches”. If the world flocks to them, what are we supposed to think about them? Many of those who “lead” a “megachurch” proclaim a false gospel. Joel Osteen does it. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him preach about sin and death once in all the times I’ve heard him on TV. All of the prosperity preachers do it. Men like Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn, Jesse Duplantis, Kenneth Hagin, T.D. Jakes, and Creflo Dollar (along with a cast of thousands) all preach a false, worldly gospel focused on materialism and unscriptural ideas. Not to be outdone, women like Paula White, Cathy Duplantis, Gloria Copeland, Marilyn Hickey, and Juanita Bynum preach the same message. There are others who preach a message of social works replacing the gospel. Rick Warren and his P.E.A.C.E. plan is the most well known of these. There are “seeker-sensitive” churches like Willow Creek who preach whatever message non-Christian attendees want to hear. And then, there are those “preachers” who preach a message that is completely contrary to the scriptural gospel. They incorporate universalism, practices from other religions like yoga, and just plain strange doctrine labeled as “new paradigms”. Men like Brian McLaren, Rob Bell, Tony Campolo, Donald Miller, Jim Wallis, and Greg Boyd embrace anything but true Christianity and try to repackage it as “emergent”.

Now, why would I go into a list of false prophets and preachers? I do this because I do this because 1 John 4 says that many false prophets have gone out into the world. It says that they speak as the world and the world listens to them. If the world is listening to them, it is not good. It is also not the gospel. If these men and women and preaching the truth, the world would hate them, but it doesn’t. Instead, they are embraced as being tolerant because they make everyone feel good. Christians seem to keep forgetting that the gospel ISN’T ABOUT FEELINGS; it’s about what is true. I don’t care if a sermon “tugs at your heart strings”. The question is: Is it true? The gospel and Christianity are based on the truth laid out by God from the beginning. If you’re preaching this truth, you will be persecuted! It is a promise from Christ Himself (John 15:20).

So what does this persecution look like? To start, you could read Hebrews 11:32-40:

And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (. And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect. men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground

To build on this you could read Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. In the book, you would read about all of the horrible things that Christians went through from the beginnings of their faith. They were stoned, sawn in two, and dragged through the streets. They were tied down to iron grates and had red hot metal plates placed on sensitive areas. They were burned at the stake, beheaded, and speared. They were forced to take part in the Coliseum events where they were eaten by alive or gored by animals or were cut down by gladiators. They were placed in clothing of wax, tied to posts, and lit on fire to illuminate garden parties for the Emperor Nero. They were massacred by Romans, Muslims, and others who hated their message by the hundreds and thousands. And nothing has changed in the centuries since. Over the last 2000 years since Jesus Christ walked the earth, there have been more Christians murdered for their faith than any other people or religious group on the planet. Atheistic leaders, Muslims, Hindus, and other groups and nations who hate them kill them. In Sudan, three young children were out looking for food and were found by Muslim radicals. The radicals surrounded the young boys and lit on fire the grass they were standing in. One of the boys had third degree burns over forty per cent of his body. All of them were Christians. Others have watched as radicals slaughter their family members; rape their mothers, daughters, wives, and sisters; and burn down their entire villages. Christians in North Korea and China have to hide in houses and basements to worship their Lord and read scripture. If they are found they are imprisoned, tortured, and even killed for their faith.

Compare all of these things going on around the globe to what is happening in America today. The majority of “Christians” in America consider themselves under persecution when people ridicule them for their beliefs or attack their ideals. When the truth actually gets preached by those who profess Christ people attack their stance. While Jesus does call verbal attacks persecution, it’s not the only type. In America, it is extremely rare to hear about someone being killed for being a Christian. And while Christians are being attacked by others who hate them and trying to get them silenced through government endeavors, they don’t often see physical attacks or death. The Christian church in America has no clue as to what their brethren in other countries are going through most of the time. There are some who know that their brothers and sisters are dying for their faith. They support ministries that reach out to those who are suffering. Unfortunately, the majority of Christians don’t seem to care. More and more, the church of America has turned in to itself and focused on their own buildings and whatever they can do to please themselves. They focus on what makes their members happy and the efforts they need to make to grow their church, regardless of whether or not they’re saved.

If the persecution that the rest of the world is seeing right now comes to America, it will become obvious who the true followers of Jesus are. Many of those who follow false gospels preached by those listed above (and others) will end up falling away because they have no solid foundation to stand on. When the prosperity ends and they are threatened with death for their faith, how many will still stand by the Lord? I doubt it will be many. Instead, I wouldn’t be surprised if many of those who profess Christ and follow a false gospel helped to attack those who truly follow Christ. When faced with the option to lose their lives or recant their “faith”, many will recant and turn on those they once called brethren. This may sound like a doomsday type thing, but it’s happened throughout history. Above all that, Jesus said it would happen. We haven’t seen true persecutions in America like they are going on around the world yet, but they are coming unless our nation repents and turns its eyes back on God. What will you do when this happens? Will you recant your “faith”? Will you try to stay out of it and hide from it all? Or will you stand up and proclaim the true gospel of Jesus Christ all the louder?