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.

This week’s design is part of the Crossover series of blogs. The design is called “Baby on Board – No Smoking”. It portrays a simple message to those around a pregnant mother. The blue text encircles the mother’s tummy and politely asks smokers not to smoke around the pregnant mother and baby so that the health of both can be protected. It is also a reminder of how precious life is.

It has become commonplace for our country to allow the murder of unborn children under the guise of choice. Instead of killing them, we should be protecting them because they are precious in God’s eyes. On top of that, they are the future of our country and they have rights as citizens even if they aren’t born yet. The “No Smoking” design may be a simple design, but to me it speaks volumes…

http://ateasetees.wordpress.com/

http://www.blogbydonna.com/

http://flyballfever.blogspot.com

http://cafeshoppe.com/TeeHee

http://randomshirts.blogspot.com/

http://skeetzteez.blogspot.com/

http://www.shopkeeperdesigns.com

http://autismshowucare.blogspot.com

http://www.gocamelphotos.blogspot.com/

http://beflip.blogspot.com/

http://tshirtholiday.blogspot.com/

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)!

Saturday’s Newslinks brought to you by At Ease Tees

Health Bill Would Make It Harder to Deduct Medical Expenses, but That Won’t Affect Middle Class, Democrat Claims
(CNSNews.com) – A Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee claims that a provision of the Senate health-reform bill will not make it more difficult for middle-class Americans to deduct medical expenses on their tax returns. But Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) says that is because “most Americans” don’t itemize their income tax deductions.

Pro-Life Democrats May Block Health Bill If Pelosi Won’t Allow Vote on Abortion Funding Ban
(CNSNews.com) - Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), co-chairman of the House Pro-Life Caucus, told CNSNews.com that Democrats who oppose government funding of abortion will try to block the health care reform bill from coming to a vote on the House floor unless House Speaker Nancy Pelosi allows a floor vote on an amendment that would explicitly prohibit abortion funding. “There are many of us Democrats in the House who are philosophically, legally, and morally opposed to public funding for abortions,” Stupak told CNSNews.com in a statement.

Scientists Rebut Claim That Man Causes Climate Change
(CNSNews.com) – A small group of determined scientists gathered in a Senate office building Friday to present evidence backing their claim that climate change is caused by nature, not man, and that carbon dioxide is not a pollutant but the hope for a greener planet.

Clinton Says U.S. Confident That Pakistan Can Control Its Nuclear Arsenal
(CNSNews.com) - Recent terrorist successes in Pakistan, including the weekend attack on national army headquarters – Pakistan’s equivalent of the Pentagon — have raised fresh fears about the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons arsenal, although both the U.S. and British governments are playing down the concerns.

Nobel Decision Seen As Attempt to Steer U.S. Policies
(CNSNews.com) – A Norwegian committee’s decision to award the 2009 Nobel peace prize to President Obama has some people questioning the implications for future U.S. policy. Coming at a time when the administration is grappling with the issue of whether to deploy tens of thousands more troops in Afghanistan and how to deal with Iran if the nuclear dispute is not resolved, the award is seen in some quarters as an attempt to influence those decisions.

President taps lesbian activist to EEOC
President Barack Obama continues to deliver on his promises to the homosexual activist community.

Perspective: Reagan in a dress
Since the moment she burst onto the national scene, Sarah Palin has been subjected to an unparalleled effort amongst the so-called sophisticated elites to destroy her.

Don’t model Obamacare after Massachusetts’ program
Thousands of people will be heading to Boston next weekend to protest government-run healthcare.

Battling ‘climate change’ – an issue of morality?
The president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation is calling on Christians to combat climate change.

Perspective: Consumers need protection – from gov’t
When bureaucrats get authority to determine what is fair, the very people who they supposedly are charged to protect — us — are the ones who get hurt.

Republicans Formally State Their Objections to Senate Finance Committee’s Health Care Legislation
(CNSNews.com) – “Pretty much everything’s been said, and now it’s time to get the job done,” Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) said Tuesday as the Senate Finance Committee prepared to vote on the fifth and final Democratic health care bill to emerge on Capitol Hill. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the ranking Republican, outlined his objections after Sen. Baucus declared the Democrats’ health care bill to be “balanced,” timely and necessary.

Baucus Health Bill Could Prevent Medical Expense Deductions: Wheelchairs, Chemotherapy, Seeing-Eye Dogs
(CNSNews.com) – The health care reform legislation outlined by Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and the Senate Finance Committee includes a provision that would raise the threshold for deducting costly medical expenses from income tax returns–meaning that people who do not meet the threshold could see their taxes rise. The exemption, used by cancer patients and those with other costly, chronic diseases, allows people to deduct a variety of medical expenses that are not covered by insurance.

Baltimore Schools Embrace Anti-Meat Movement with ‘Meatless Mondays’
(CNSNews.com) – The first graders lining up for lunch at Arlington Elementary School in Baltimore, Md., on Monday could pick a cheese sandwich or cheese lasagna along with vegetables. They could not, however, have meat for lunch now that cafeterias throughout the school district have adopted “Meatless Mondays” — a national and international movement with ties to animal rights activists.

Obama: Homosexual Relationships ‘Just as Real and Admirable’ as Heterosexual Marriage
(CNSNews.com) - President Obama delivered an unprecedented message to the Human Rights Campaign, a homosexual advocacy group, on Saturday night. Sounding more like a homosexual activist than a sitting president, Obama went well beyond his expected message of “I’m here with you” on the homosexual agenda. Even Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese was stunned at the breadth of Obama’s statement, calling it “something quite remarkable.”

EPA to Wrap Up First Phase of Controversial Hudson River Toxic Dredging Project in November
(CNSNews.com) – The Environmental Protection Agency and General Electric are preparing to shut down for the winter their controversial project to dredge contaminated sediment from the bottom of the Hudson River. The EPA claims the project is a success, and the panel charged with reviewing the operation before it moves into its next phase will not consider canceling the dredging. Dredging skeptics worry that the next phase will targt PCB “hot spots” that may contaminate surrounding “clean” areas.

White House Says Catholic Bishops Have Misinterpreted Law Banning Federal Funding of Abortion–And Its Application to Health-Care Bill
(CNSNews.com) – One day after the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops vowed to “vigorously” oppose the health care bill under consideration in Congress if it is not amended to explicitly prohibit federal funding of abortions, the White House for the second time in a week said the bishops are wrong to assert that the bill permits funding of abortion. White House Spokesman Robert Gibbs told CNSNews.com the bishops do not understand the existing law restricting federal funding of abortion.

U.N. Chief Now Supports Move to Reopen Debate on ‘Israeli War Crimes’ Report
(CNSNews.com) – U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon now supports Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ attempt to reopen debate at the U.N. Human Rights Council on a report accusing Israel of war crimes, his spokeswoman said Monday. Reopening debate could lead to Israel’s referral to the International Criminal Court over its military offensive against Hamas in Gaza last winter.

Hillary Clinton Says She Will Not Run for President Again
(CNSNews.com) – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says she has “never” wished that she could be the one making the decisions facing President Obama, and she insisted she will not run for president again. It is believed to be her first unequivocal, public disavowal of still harboring presidential ambitions.

NAE Head Opposes Federal Health Care Coverage for Illegal Immigrants

Calif. Conservatives ‘Disappointed’ with New Harvey Milk Day

Has Obama Ushered in a New Era for LGBT Rights?

Caritas Report Calls for New Global Ethic on Climate Change

‘Brick Testament’ Illustrates Over 400 Bible Stories with Legos

Forget the people – ram healthcare bill through
One healthcare reform expert says Democratic leaders in Congress who are seeking to pass healthcare legislation before Thanksgiving are “deceiving themselves into thinking they know what’s best for the American people.”

Perspective: Show me the bill!
When the healthcare bill comes up today, senators will be voting on something that does not even exist yet. Are you angry yet?

Montana judges smack down parental rights
The Montana Supreme Court has granted parental rights to a non-parent.

Flip-flopper governor signs ‘Harvey Milk’ bill
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a law designating May 22 as “Harvey Milk Day” for public school students.

Disney elevates homosexual to studio chief
Pro-family activist Peter LaBarbera says he’s not surprised that the Walt Disney Company has named an open homosexual as studio head.

Climate Change Will Be Its Highest Priority, Says U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(CNSNews.com) – According to its new “action plan” released last month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is charged with protecting fish, wildlife and plants, will focus first and foremost on global weather. “Climate change must become our highest priority,” says the agency’s new action plan.

FCC Commissioner Says Diversity Chief’s Ideas for Regulating Free Speech Are ‘Troubling’
(CNSNews.com) – Federal Communications Commissioner Robert McDowell said Tuesday that statements about regulating freedom of speech in broadcasting made by FCC Chief Diversity Officer Mark Lloyd are “troubling.” McDowell said everyone should be concerned when federal regulators have the power to impact freedom of speech.

Finance Committee Health Bill Includes $507 Billion in New Taxes and Fees
(CNSNews.com) – The health-care bill that the Senate Finance Committee passed Wednesday will cost a total of $829 billion over 10 years, with $507 billion of that cost being covered by new federal taxes and fees, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Here’s a look at some of them.

One Republican on Senate Finance Committee Voted for Baucus Health-Care Bill
Washington (CNSNews.com) – Only one Republican — Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine — voted in favor of the Senate Finance Committee’s version of the health-care reform bill. The liberal Republican, however, said she agrees with her Republican colleagues that a health-care bill should not increase government intervention or create new bureaucracies. She said her one yes vote on Tuesday does not guarantee another one later.

Despite Obama Administration’s Hopes, Russia Giving No Ground on Iran Sanctions
(CNSNews.com) – Hopes that Russia might be more accommodating following the Obama administration’s missile defense shift appeared premature Tuesday, when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton found no support at the Kremlin for tightening sanctions against Iran. “Clinton Fails to Advance U.S. Case on Iran,” declared the Moscow Times.

Pro-Life Activists Speak Out Against Pro-Abortion Leaders in U.S., Spain
(CNSNews.com) – As President Barack Obama met with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodríguez Zapatero on Tuesday, pro-life activists gathered on Capitol Hill to condemn both leaders’ pro-abortion policies, including Zapatero’s support for a Spanish law awaiting approval by Parliament that would make abortion available on demand to women 16 and older.

Bible verse ban spawns ‘wave of support for Christ’
A controversial school policy in northern Georgia has compelled many students to passionately defend their free-speech rights and proclaim their Christian beliefs.

State custody step for Rifqa ‘just a guise’
A Florida-based organization believes immigration papers may be the only thing that will prevent a 17-year-old Christian convert from Islam from being returned to her Muslim parents in Ohio.

Parents voice opposition to Obama ‘praise’ song
New Jersey school officials responsible for having elementary school students sing an anthem of praise to President Obama remain under fire from parents who accuse the district of political indoctrination.

Suspended 1st-grader can return to school
A Delaware first-grader who was facing 45 days in an alternative school as punishment for taking his favorite camping utensil to school can return to class after the school board made a hasty change granting him a reprieve. POLL: What’s your take on ‘zero-tolerance’ policies?

Homosexuality ‘not a civil right’
The chairman of the Orange County (California) Board of Education says she is “appalled” that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is asking schools to set aside a day to honor a controversial homosexual activist.

Former CBO Chief Calls Obama Administration Fiscal Policies ‘Laughable’
(CNSNews.com) – A former Republican congressional budget chief called the Obama administration’s claims to fiscal responsibility “hypocritical” and “laughable,” noting in particular the mounting unemployment numbers (9.8 percent nationwide) despite the $787-billion stimulus plan enacted in February. Douglas Holtz-Eakin said the stimulus package said was poorly designed.

Hillary Clinton Now Viewed More Favorably Than Barack Obama, Especially Among Republicans
(CNSNews.com) – Among Republicans, 35 now have a more positive view of Hillary Clinton than they do of Barack Obama (19 percent). Compare that to a Gallup poll in January, when Republicans’ views of Obama were more positive (60 percent) than those of Clinton (35 percent).

Chamber of Commerce Says Private Sector, Not Government, Will Create Jobs
(CNSNews.com) – U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue says that people, not government, will create the jobs needed for economic recovery. He spoke Wednesday at an event to launch the Chamber’s new campaign to promote the American free enterprise system.

Hoyer Now Says Health Care Legislation Will Be Changed in Committee Before House Votes on It
(CNSNews.com) – One day after the Senate Finance Committee passed its version of health-care reform, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said the health-care legislation under construction in both the House and Senate will ultimately need to go to a conference committee to work out the differences between the versions of the bill crafted in each chamber–a process that will prolong congressional consideration of the bill and give the public more time to analyze what Congress is drafting. Previously, Hoyer told CNSNews.com that he would not rule out the possibility that the House would vote on the Senate bill without amending it, allowing it to go straight to the president for his signature.

Despite Violating U.N. Resolutions, Lebanon to Get Security Council Seat
(CNSNews.com) – Lebanon is expected Thursday to be chosen to serve on the U.N. Security Council for the 2010-2011 period, despite signs in the country of ongoing violations of Security Council resolutions calling for Hezbollah to be disarmed. Resolution 1701 requires “the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, so that … there will be no weapons or authority in Lebanon other than that of the Lebanese state.”

Poll: Mexicans say Mexican-Americans Owe Loyalty to Mexico Over U.S.
(CNSNews.com) - Nearly 70 percent of Mexicans surveyed said that Mexican-Americans — including those born in the United States -– owe their primary loyalty to Mexico, not the U.S., according to a Zogby poll commissioned by the Center for Immigration Studies. The in-person poll, taken during August and September, sampled 1,004 Mexicans across the country on subjects related to illegal immigration and amnesty in the United States.

Japan Wants to Change Agreement on Relocating U.S. Marine Base Ahead of Obama’s Upcoming Visit
(CNSNews.com) – Eight months after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton signed an agreement in Tokyo mapping out the realignment of U.S. troops in Japan, plans by the country’s new left-leaning government to change it up are causing friction ahead of President Obama’s visit next month. More than half of the 47,000 U.S. troops stationed in Japan currently are on Okinawa, and their presence there has long drawn opposition from some quarters – for safety, environmental and ideological reasons.

Lieberman pushing pro-homosexual measures
Senator Joe Lieberman is working hard to advance two top legislative priorities of homosexual activists in Washington.

Student sues for right to wear pro-life shirt
A Pennsylvania boy is in a legal battle with his school over his pro-life T-shirt.

Baucus’ bill not the end-all
The top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee says the healthcare legislation currently working its way through the Senate will dramatically drive up healthcare costs and further increase the strain on the budgets of American families. POLL: Should healthcare reform be top priority? VOTE

Nobel for Obama injurious to America and its allies?
In the wake of President Barack Obama’s winning of the Nobel Peace Prize, concerns are being expressed that the award may mean bad news for both Israel and America’s efforts to bring about a secure Afghanistan.

Iran – not Palestinians – primary culprit in Middle East
A former Israeli ambassador to the U.N. says many people in the United States and Europe are mistaken in believing that the key to achieving stability in the Middle East is to solve the Palestinian problem.

Pastor Offers a Third Way Beyond Emerging and Traditional

ELCA Bishops Urge Obama Stay Committed to Mideast Peace Efforts

‘Twitter Bible’ Converts Scripture into Mini Messages

‘Save the GMA’ Event Raises Over $350K

NIH Head Francis Collins Appointed to Vatican’s Scientific Academy 

Lawyers Call for Changes in International Law to Help ‘Climate Exiles’
(CNSNews.com) – International law dealing with refugees should be amended to cover people affected by disasters attributed to climate change, environmental lawyers are arguing. The London-based Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development says ‘climate exiles’ need help dealing with “statelessness and compensation.”

Sex Ed Should Not Promote Only Marriage or Heterosexual Relationships, Advocates Say
(CNSNews.com) – A coalition of liberal sex education advocates says the Obama administration and the Democrat-controlled Congress will end support for abstinence-only programs that emphasize marriage and heterosexual relationships. Liberals claim that emphasizing marriage and heterosexuality is discriminatory.

Liberal Editor Suggests Making the Recession ‘Worse’
(CNSNews.com) – Emily Douglas, Web editor for The Nation magazine, said Wednesday that making the “recession worse” and making goods “more expensive” for Americans are ways to reduce consumerism and preserve the environment. She later defended her comments as ‘tongue in cheek.’

Nation’s ‘Long-Term Fiscal Outlook Remains Unsustainable,’ GAO Says
(CNSNews.com) - Weaknesses in the economy and financial markets–and the government’s response to them–have helped boost federal deficits, and the government faces even larger fiscal challenges that will persist long after the return of financial stability and economic growth, says a new GAO report.

Despite Widespread Contraceptive Use, One Third of Pregnancies in France ‘Unplanned,’ New Study Confirms
(CNSNews.com) – While the number of unplanned pregnancies in France has declined since the 1960s as the number of planned pregnancies has increased, according to the study, the large number of “poorly planned or unwanted births” is high “and confirms the fact that no contraceptive method is totally reliable.”

Does Obama Support or Oppose Amendment to Prohibit Abortion Funding in Health Bill? White House Isn’t Saying
(CNSNews.com) – Does President Obama support or oppose an amendment sponsored by Rep. Bart Stupak (D.-Mich.) that would explicitly prohibit federal funding of abortion in the health-care bill now being considered in Congress? As of now, the White House isn’t saying. On Wednesday, the White House did not respond to CNSNews.com’s direct written question on the matter. At Tuesday’s White House press briefing, spokesman Robert Gibbs declined to specifically address Stupak’s amendment.

Israelis Took Unprecedented Steps to Safeguard Civilians, Says British Officer
(CNSNews.com) – In its offensive against Hamas in Gaza last winter, the Israeli army “did more to safeguard the rights of civilians in a combat zone than any other army in the history of warfare,” the former commander of British forces in Afghanistan told the U.N. Human Rights Council on Friday. Col. Richard Kemp was speaking on the second day of an emergency “special session” called by pro-Palestinian governments aimed at endorsing a report accusing Israel of war crimes during the operation.

Will Rangel ever step down?
The powerful chairman of the tax-writing committee of the U.S. House is being urged to step down from his post for, among other things, failing to pay taxes. POLL: What if Charlie Rangel was a Republican? VOTE

Ministry leader: Obama ‘loathes’ Israel
A Messianic Jewish leader and Israel supporter is outraged that an Obama website recently published an article comparing Israelis to Nazis.

Perspective: MTV’s ‘dark side’ on display
During last month’s MTV music video awards ceremony, actor Jack Black urged the audience join hands and pray to “dear dark lord Satan.”

Dems’ healthcare ideas ‘all increase the deficit’
Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker says the healthcare bill approved by the Senate Finance Committee is bad for the economy, bad for the deficit, and doesn’t provide better healthcare.

Mom wants baby after trying to have it killed
Utah’s legislature will be asked to deal with a loophole in homicide law that allowed a teenager to be set free after hiring someone to beat her to cause a miscarriage.

This week’s design is something that is dear to me. The design is called Free to Preach. It shows the American flag with embers at the end of it. Next to the flag is part of the first amendment to the Constitution. This amendment provides for both freedom of religion and freedom of speech. Sadly, both of these freedoms are under attack today. The freedom of religion is grounded in the history of the United States. When the first settlers came to this land, it was because they desired to worship the God of the Bible they way they felt the scriptures told them to and not how the state told them to.

In England, the church and the crown were closely tied together and often oppressed the common people. When the Constitution was ratified, a few states only did so with the condition that the Constitution would be amended with certain rights spelled out. The fact that freedom of religion is one of them speaks volumes on the focus of our founders. The founders were not out to “separate church and state” like so many today seem to think. They were out to keep the government from telling them how they could or couldn’t worship. Unfortunately, any time someone mentions freedom of religion, the “separation of church and state” invariably comes up, even though it’s not in the Constitution. The phrase is in a response by Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists. The Baptists were concerned that the proposed amendment would allow the federal government to impose whatever rules and regulations they desired onto the beliefs of the people. Jefferson assured the Baptists that the amendment would insure that the freedom to worship God would not be hindered by the federal government. Sadly, the very thing the Baptists were worried about has come to pass. The federal government now controls much of what is said and done by Christians. In today’s time, you can promote any religion at all, except Christianity. Muslims can teach their doctrines in schools, Hindus are promoting yoga in kindergarten classes, and Atheists can teach evolution without fear of reprimand; but if you are a Christian and you try to promote Jesus Christ, you are attacked from every side. Bible clubs have a hard time getting recognition or allowance to exist, biblical evidence for the origins of the universe aren’t allowed to even be discussed (even a purely scientific critique of evolution is not allowed – what are they afraid of if their “theory” is so watertight?), and the moral laws of God cannot be promoted (even though they are exactly what our country needs and the only thing that will help our nation stop it slide into complete darkness).

Why is it that this only happens to Christianity? Why is it that the majority of Christians are fighting an uphill battle to regain the freedom that all other religions so readily enjoy? The answer is actually quite simple. While people have no problem talking about Buddha, Allah, Brahma or any number of other false “gods”, they are simply afraid of Jesus Christ. Of course they won’t admit it. To do so would admit that He’s real while the others are not. But their refusal to admit that they are scared of Jesus doesn’t make it any less true. Why do you think that the atheistic scientists on every level fight so vehemently to keep creation out of schools? Because they know that if their so-called “theory” comes up against the truth, they won’t stand a chance. And when their “theory” disintegrates into the fairy tale that it is, they will be faced with the truth that God exists and that they are accountable for all of their sins. Why do Muslims so violently attack Christians for the smallest of imagined offenses? It’s because they know that if they don’t continuously fight against the truth with blind rage and anger, they will have to stop and think about that truth and they don’t want to do that. If they did, they would be forced to admit that they have been chasing a lie their entire lives and they are too proud to do that. Why do homosexuals mock Christians and speak out against them so much? They have to. If they didn’t attack Christians so relentlessly, they would have to admit that their entire lifestyle was an abomination to God. They would no longer be able to live in the sinful lifestyle they have created for themselves. And they love that sin more than they love anything else. So they attack the representatives of the God that they can’t ignore in hopes that their barbed words and injurous actions will placate their guilt ridden consciences. And on and on it goes. The Hindus, the Buddhists, the post-moderns, the Mormans, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the secular humanists, and the false converts all join in with the others to attack Christianity. They do so because they can’t hurt the God they hate. Instead, they hurt His children.

The grace of God has told us through scripture that those who truly belong to Christ will be hated by everyone else. Those who speak the truth about sin, hell, and judgment will be mocked, attacked, and even killed for what they believe in. This is somewhat reassuring to those who are being persecuted for their faith (how small are the numbers in America?) and it should be a source of concern to those who claim to belong to Christ and are not persecuted at all…In America we are still Free to Preach…for now…are you preaching?

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…

This week’s design is called No Fear. It’s a wonderful reminder to those in Christ that regardless of what we are going through, God is there for us. Numerous places in both the Old and New Testaments, God has told us that He is our refuge and strength. He is the One we should run to when we face any problem or trial.

If you aren’t born again, you have nowhere to run. The troubles and trials of life may be put off by drugs, alcohol, sex or other vices, but they cannot be solved without God. What’s worse, if you’re not born again, on top of all of the other problems and trials that you face, you also have God’s wrath abiding on you because of your sin. If your sin is not dealt with, you will find yourself in hell for eternity. At that point, there is nothing that you can do about it. If this is where you stand, please consider what you’re doing and repent of your sins.

If you are already saved and are struggling with issues and things that seem out of control, please cry out to God. He is mighty to save and will do what is right every time. It is necessary to remember that what is right to Him may not seem to be right for us, but it is always right. Those who are in Christ have no reason to fear anything including death because we can know that we have the gift of salvation through the precious blood of Christ our atoning sacrifice!

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!