As I checked the latest on the stock market this morning and found it nosediving once again, the thought came to my mind: Where is our hope? Chances are if your were to ask the average American where the stock market closes and how it affected their 401K later today, or to recite John 3:16, the knowledge of the stock market would far outweigh the knowledge of the bible. This sad state of our spirituality in America today is a testament to our misplaced focus of where our hope is?
Jesus said we should not lay up treasures for ourselves here on earth, but rather we should focus upon the spiritual and lay up treasures in heaven(Matt 6:19-20). This attitude however does not define us as a people. We are placing our hope in our own competence and our own ability to provide for ourselves when God has already promised to provide for all of our needs(Phil 4:19). Our hope does not lie in financial security.
As we concern ourselves with economic meltdown, ongoing wars, riots in Europe, the constant threat of terrorism, instability in the middle east we are asking our politicians to solve the problems and bring about peace. The bible tells us that true peace only comes through Christ. Their will be no "world" peace until He rules and reigns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We can never know spiritual peace until we first now Him and He knows us as it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit(Gal 5:22-24). Our hope cannot lie in men or politicians.
When we look at what is called God's church and see churches claiming that; church should be fun, entertaining, pleasing to the worshipper and look to so-called spiritual leaders with hope, have we lost sight of what God truly desires from His people. Worship is not about us, it is about God. It is to be reverent, holy, in spirit centered around the truth of God's word. It is not a show! It is not something that pleases us instead of God! If our hope is in a preacher or church, we have misplaced our hope.
Their is only one place our hope can be, and that is with Jesus! Titus 2:13 tells us that we should be "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ." Is this where we are looking? It seems as though we are looking to everyone and everything but Jesus. Friends, do not place your hope in corruptible things....Look To Christ! He is yours, mine and this worlds only hope!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
Do We Approve of God? Polling Shows....
I ran across one of the more comical things I have seen in a while this week. In late July Public Policy Polling, a democratic polling agency, asked 928 respondents what they thought of the job God was doing. 52% of respondents said they thought God was doing a good job. 9% disapproved of the job God was doing. I'm assuming that means 39% have no opinion of how God is doing His job. The poll rejoiced in the fact that God's approval rating was higher than President Obama's and far higher than congress. That's a mighty high standard to hold God to, isn't it?
The polling was even more detailed: 71% approved of God's creation of the universe, while 5% disapproved(they obviously could have done better). 56% approved of God's governance of the animal kingdom, while 11% disapproved(I'm thinking they have a fire ant problem). 26% of those under the age of 65 disapproved of God's handling of natural disasters(I'm assuming they think their should not be any).
A spokesman for Public Policy Polling, PPP, had this to say about the Almighty. "Though not the most popular figure PPP has polled, if God exists, voters are prepared to give it good marks." The margin of error in this poll was 3.2%.
Where to start with this nonsense. The arrogance of this poll is astounding, and you can tell the PPPeople conducting this poll have no concept of who, not what, God really is. God says through His word, that "pride comes before a fall." Who are we to think we can judge God? As God told Job, "where were you when I hung the stars..."
Secondly, I had to at least think the question; What would God's approval rating be of mankind? As I survey the landscape of the world we live in, I cannot see God approving of most of what goes on. I believe God's opinion of the world is best expressed in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self control, brutal, not lovers of God-having a form of godliness but denying it's power. Have nothing to do with them." I wonder what the poll would have shown if the question were; Do you approve of what the bible says?
The thing is, and I pray with all of my heart that the people at PPP, and those who actually thought it was a good idea to judge the Creator of the universe, can somehow comprehend this truth. God does not approve of mankind at this point. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." "There is none good, no, not one." "All we like sheep have gone astray..." But because He cannot approve of the fact we are all lowly sinners, He sent His Son to die for our sins that through Him, they can be forgiven. The message of God to all mankind is: I love you! I've made the ultimate sacrifice for you in sending My Son Jesus to you. All of you can know Me for eternity if you confess and repent of your sins, and come to Me through Jesus. If you have faith that I am capable of doing what I say I have done; raising Jesus from the dead, and that through My grace I will save you, you will be with Me forever.
I wonder what the polling data would be on that. The arrogance of "it," thinking "it" knows more than us and can tell us what to do.
The polling was even more detailed: 71% approved of God's creation of the universe, while 5% disapproved(they obviously could have done better). 56% approved of God's governance of the animal kingdom, while 11% disapproved(I'm thinking they have a fire ant problem). 26% of those under the age of 65 disapproved of God's handling of natural disasters(I'm assuming they think their should not be any).
A spokesman for Public Policy Polling, PPP, had this to say about the Almighty. "Though not the most popular figure PPP has polled, if God exists, voters are prepared to give it good marks." The margin of error in this poll was 3.2%.
Where to start with this nonsense. The arrogance of this poll is astounding, and you can tell the PPPeople conducting this poll have no concept of who, not what, God really is. God says through His word, that "pride comes before a fall." Who are we to think we can judge God? As God told Job, "where were you when I hung the stars..."
Secondly, I had to at least think the question; What would God's approval rating be of mankind? As I survey the landscape of the world we live in, I cannot see God approving of most of what goes on. I believe God's opinion of the world is best expressed in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self control, brutal, not lovers of God-having a form of godliness but denying it's power. Have nothing to do with them." I wonder what the poll would have shown if the question were; Do you approve of what the bible says?
The thing is, and I pray with all of my heart that the people at PPP, and those who actually thought it was a good idea to judge the Creator of the universe, can somehow comprehend this truth. God does not approve of mankind at this point. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." "There is none good, no, not one." "All we like sheep have gone astray..." But because He cannot approve of the fact we are all lowly sinners, He sent His Son to die for our sins that through Him, they can be forgiven. The message of God to all mankind is: I love you! I've made the ultimate sacrifice for you in sending My Son Jesus to you. All of you can know Me for eternity if you confess and repent of your sins, and come to Me through Jesus. If you have faith that I am capable of doing what I say I have done; raising Jesus from the dead, and that through My grace I will save you, you will be with Me forever.
I wonder what the polling data would be on that. The arrogance of "it," thinking "it" knows more than us and can tell us what to do.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
The State Newspaper and Same Sex Marriage
For the first time this past Sunday The State newspaper of Columbia published the marriage of a same sex couple in their wedding announcements section. The 2 men were married out of state, as clearly South Carolina state laws neither allow nor recognize marriage between same sex couples, but nonetheless The State is now choosing to "honor" in spirit the marriage of 2 men or 2 women. What does this mean for us as a culture and state?
Being a Southern Baptist pastor my understanding of same sex marriage is based upon the principles of the bible. Never in recorded history dating back to the days of Adam and Eve has marriage between same sex couples been recognized, that is, until the last 10 years. Anyone who reads the bible with intellectual honesty understands that God calls this lifestyle sin. Their are many arguments in our society that people are born with a natural inclination to be attracted to someone of the same sex, of this I cannot be sure. What I do know is that like heterosexual carnal relationships, any sexual relationship between 2 consenting adults, is a choice. And God says, just like He does of any hetero encounter outside of marriage, or of stealing, lying, and any number of things, that homosexuality is a sin. It is a choice to enter into this type of relationship. We do have the power to say no.
So what does it say that the largest newspaper in our state is now choosing to honor same sex marriages our state does not legally recognize, and that God calls immoral and sin? Sadly, it is simply another step in the moral decline of our nation. We live in a culture and society that is clearly and undeniably becoming numb and indifferent to the word and ways of God. Things that a generation ago were a scandal and primarily kept private, are now flaunted and paraded before all of us under the banner of equal rights. Whether it be divorce, adultery, fornication, or homosexuality, all of which God calls sin, they are now commonplace.
Now let me go on record, and many may disagree with me on this, but its is my opinion. I do believe some sort of legal transaction should be enacted to give homosexual "partners" rights regarding property, Social Security benefits, health insurance, etc. I do not say this because I condone the lifestyle, but because I do believe equal legal rights are guaranteed under our constitution. But the legal issues are far outweighed by the moral ones when it comes to God and His word.
Whether we wish to acknowledge the truth or not, sin is defined by God, not by us. Because the world says something is permissible, and our culture accepts and often embraces something, does not make it acceptable in God's eyes. God loves the sinner, but hates all sin. And when we practice lifestyles of sin, according to His word(1 Cor. 6:9-11, Gal 5:19-21, Eph. 5:1-7, Rev 21:8) we show ourselves as someone who has not been truly born again; is not a "new creation in Christ;" not someone regenerated and converted; someone who will "not inherit the kingdom of God."
So as we see here in conservative, buckle of the bible belt, South Carolina, one of the leading media outlets in our state now recognize same sex marriage. Let us understand the real battle we face. It's not equal rights, it's salvation and souls. Just like with other national sins like abortion, legal remedies are not the answer. Jesus, and the salvation and power to overcome sin that comes only from Him, is. This is a Spiritual war, not a legal or cultural one. Friends, just as Christ did with all of us, we must love the sinner. But we must be honest with people regarding sin, and the consequences of sin and a failure to repent. Romans 6:23 tells us, "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Friends, we cannot claim Jesus as Savior, and not follow Him as Lord. Jesus, the Word, God; author of the bible through the Holy Spirit, consistently from beginning to end tells us homosexuality is sin. Pray for these 2 men, and any other people you may know, that they realize, in spite of what I'm sure are genuine emotions and feelings for each other this undeniable biblical fact. It is God who says, you cannot live this way. And forgiveness of our sins comes only on His terms, through Jesus.
Being a Southern Baptist pastor my understanding of same sex marriage is based upon the principles of the bible. Never in recorded history dating back to the days of Adam and Eve has marriage between same sex couples been recognized, that is, until the last 10 years. Anyone who reads the bible with intellectual honesty understands that God calls this lifestyle sin. Their are many arguments in our society that people are born with a natural inclination to be attracted to someone of the same sex, of this I cannot be sure. What I do know is that like heterosexual carnal relationships, any sexual relationship between 2 consenting adults, is a choice. And God says, just like He does of any hetero encounter outside of marriage, or of stealing, lying, and any number of things, that homosexuality is a sin. It is a choice to enter into this type of relationship. We do have the power to say no.
So what does it say that the largest newspaper in our state is now choosing to honor same sex marriages our state does not legally recognize, and that God calls immoral and sin? Sadly, it is simply another step in the moral decline of our nation. We live in a culture and society that is clearly and undeniably becoming numb and indifferent to the word and ways of God. Things that a generation ago were a scandal and primarily kept private, are now flaunted and paraded before all of us under the banner of equal rights. Whether it be divorce, adultery, fornication, or homosexuality, all of which God calls sin, they are now commonplace.
Now let me go on record, and many may disagree with me on this, but its is my opinion. I do believe some sort of legal transaction should be enacted to give homosexual "partners" rights regarding property, Social Security benefits, health insurance, etc. I do not say this because I condone the lifestyle, but because I do believe equal legal rights are guaranteed under our constitution. But the legal issues are far outweighed by the moral ones when it comes to God and His word.
Whether we wish to acknowledge the truth or not, sin is defined by God, not by us. Because the world says something is permissible, and our culture accepts and often embraces something, does not make it acceptable in God's eyes. God loves the sinner, but hates all sin. And when we practice lifestyles of sin, according to His word(1 Cor. 6:9-11, Gal 5:19-21, Eph. 5:1-7, Rev 21:8) we show ourselves as someone who has not been truly born again; is not a "new creation in Christ;" not someone regenerated and converted; someone who will "not inherit the kingdom of God."
So as we see here in conservative, buckle of the bible belt, South Carolina, one of the leading media outlets in our state now recognize same sex marriage. Let us understand the real battle we face. It's not equal rights, it's salvation and souls. Just like with other national sins like abortion, legal remedies are not the answer. Jesus, and the salvation and power to overcome sin that comes only from Him, is. This is a Spiritual war, not a legal or cultural one. Friends, just as Christ did with all of us, we must love the sinner. But we must be honest with people regarding sin, and the consequences of sin and a failure to repent. Romans 6:23 tells us, "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Friends, we cannot claim Jesus as Savior, and not follow Him as Lord. Jesus, the Word, God; author of the bible through the Holy Spirit, consistently from beginning to end tells us homosexuality is sin. Pray for these 2 men, and any other people you may know, that they realize, in spite of what I'm sure are genuine emotions and feelings for each other this undeniable biblical fact. It is God who says, you cannot live this way. And forgiveness of our sins comes only on His terms, through Jesus.
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