In the Beginning . . . - Genesis 1:1

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. - Genesis 1:1

    Once again there has been a recent spate of astronomical and cosmological reports stating that the evidence for extraterrestrial life is “out there.” I’ll say it is. We are constantly being presented with images of the possibilities, from pictures of the lifeless and desolate landscapes of Mars to a pock-faced moon of Jupiter where, they claim, vast oceans roar about beneath it’s hammered crust.
    As for the Mars Rover’s pictures (literally hundreds of thousands which have been steadily streaming to us since 2012) none of them show the slightest shred of credible evidence of life on that dead planet either now or in the past. There isn’t even a single picture of anything that “could have been something that might have been some form of life!” In fact, the greatest amount of “evidence” for extraterrestrial life comes from . . . here,  right here on earth. Various meteorites, geological anomalies, radio signals, etc., found here on earth tend to bolster the imaginings of the purveyors of this nonsense more than does the actual evidence gleaned from space exploration. In the end the results continue to be the same - zero, nada, zip, nothing, no life anywhere but here on earth. So while the scientists and dreamers continue to exploit the natural world here and in space hoping to find life elsewhere, the bible reveals the truth to us. “The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed.” - Genesis 2:8.
    Scripture never mentions God creating any other from of life anywhere else in the universe. None! The rest of creation is merely a backdrop for God’s plan for mankind here on earth - “Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” - Genesis 2:15.  It was God’s plan that mankind tend to issues here . . . on earth, not in the heavens.
    But then we witness the Fall. What then becomes important is the story of our redemption through the blood of Christ Jesus. The rest of the 66 books of holy scripture are decidedly focused on the Fall and subsequent salvation of mankind from perdition. It is man and man alone whom is saved. Neither horses, dogs, lions, or frogs will enjoy the benefits of salvation, primarily because animals cannot and do not sin. That is the exclusive purview of mankind.; therefore it is mankind which must be saved - mankind alone and no other life form.
    For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” - Romans 10:13. Notice the verse says, “whoever,” not “whatever.” Albeit, I have even heard it suggested that extraterrestrial life forms didn’t sin so they don’t need salvation. However scripture tells us most pointedly : “ . . .because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.  For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.” - Romans 8:21-22. All of God’s creation was effected by the Fall yet only man requires and is capable of experiencing salvation. Since all of God’s creation was effected by the Fall everything within God’s glorious creation awaits renewal. Man is spoken of specifically because those whom are saved will reap the rewards of God’s grace. Invaders from Mars are not even alluded to . . . because they don’t exist! There is nothing out there . . . period
    From Genesis 3 to the end of Revelation the entire Bible focuses on Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for mankind. Referring back to our title verse it is clear that God made the heavens and the earth and all further references to creation involve geological and atmospheric development and the formation of life - plant, animal, and human.  
            Certainly we will hear from the “eccentrics” (the best euphemism I could come up with . . . trust me) about beings who fell from heaven, the Nephilim, “sons of God,” fallen angels,  etc. I would suggest that they spend a little more time on the concepts of soterology and theology rather than on briefly mentioned minor entities. Suffice to say, I will paraphrase Alexander Pope: the proper study of mankind is man . . . in relation to God, his Creator, Sustainer, and Savior.
    May we spend our time seeking God’s truth as it applies to mankind rather than wantonly spending that time (and financial resources better spent here on earth) seeking futile explorations into the fantastic.
                                          

Christian Posers - 2 Timothy 3:2-5

For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,  having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! -
 2 Timothy 3:2-5


    I have recently come under attack by “Christian Posers.” I call them that because the only indication that they are truly Christian is that they pose as Christians. To the point: they generally accost me with two charges - (1) God tell us to love everyone; and (2) we're all sinners too. Hard to argue with either of those two points of contention. Both are at the very root of New Testament doctrine; however, there is no divine command to love the sin of the sinner, and that is what they say I should do. Scripture denies this ill-conceived notion.“He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.”- Proverbs 17:15.
    I argue that we are, in fact, called upon to dissuade our brothers and sisters from the very act of sinning. Matthew 18:15-17. What the Bible charges us NOT TO DO is to encourage, advocate, suggest, support, endorse, assist in, sustain, maintain, bolster, abet, aid, favor, sponsor, promote, foster, nourish, feed, cultivate, nurse, further, advance, facilitate, accommodate, second, commission, authorize, cheer, elevate, or otherwise tolerate anyone’s sin. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;  who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” Romans 1:28-32.
    Oh, believe me; I hear it as constantly as the pealing of a loud rancorous bell - “I just believe that we should love one another; we’re not supposed to judge others . . . blah, blah, blah!” And while the Biblical truth about loving one another is rock solid we are encouraged to
 “ . . . judge with righteous judgment.” - John 7:24.
    I am then informed that some sins are not truly sins at all. I am told that the Ten Commandments were written by men and that they are obviously outdated. Imagine my surprise! It then becomes apparent that these defenders of iniquity have convinced themselves (and are hoping to convince me) that their “designer god” has all the authority of the God of the Bible. The ridiculous positions espoused by those who claim to be people of faith are no more credible than those of people who proudly declare “there is no God.” And realistically, there isn’t a dime’s worth of difference between either of their views. Both are liars as they deny the existence of the one true God of Creation and the Holy Scriptures. “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.” - Romans 1:19.
    And while individuals may often represent the face of sin to us we are cautioned not to hate the face but to hate the sin itself. What God has shown us through His revealed will specifically commands us to hate the sin of sinners. “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.” - Romans 12:9. We are commanded by God to hate sin as He hates sin and no amount of cajolery or intimidation by these liars will ever replace the truth of God’s holy position on sin. God does not allow sin; He hates it! He hates it today as He hates it in the Old Testament and nothing that sin’s apologists can ever say will ever change that fact. God hates lies; He hates theft; He hates adultery; He hates murder. He hates anything that is a transgression against His holy standards. Many will feel I have overused the word “hate” in this post; however, I could use it a thousand times more and never approach the level of abhorrence God holds for sin. He has always hated sin and He will forever hate sin and that is the simple truth of the matter.
    May we always be strengthened by God Almighty to fear not the agents of political correctness but to carry the truth forward despite the world and its vile ways.
                                           

For This Reason - Genesis 2:24

 

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. - Genesis 2:24

    With all the recent uproar over the insane concept of same-sex marriage I think it would be prudent to take another look at the very reason that marriage was originally intended to be between one man and one woman.
    God’s plan for man and woman was profoundly ordained from our very beginnings. Man and woman were specifically designed to complement one another as described in the Book of Genesis. It was, in fact, the first human institution.
    Now many opposing voices come forward and say, “Marriage isn’t a religious institution. If it were then why can a couple be married by a civil magistrate?” To those I would say that marriage held a uniquely religious status long before the civil magistrates were even thought of. In fact, it was John Calvin’s “Marriage Ordinance of Geneva” (1546) that first laid out the five requirements for marriage which included the state’s recognition of the marriage-
1.    Mutual Consent
2.    Parental Consent (when needed)
3.    Two Witnesses
4.    Civil Registration
5.    Church Consecration
    In England, “The Clandestine Marriage Act of 1753,” also known as Lord Hardwicke’s Act initiated statutory regulation in England and Wales, requiring a formal ceremony for marriage.
    So Calvin’s 16th Century and Lord Hardwicke’s 18th Century civil involvement in matrimony were the first forays of the State into the ordinance of marriage originally prescribed in Genesis 2. Prior to those initial “civil assaults,” marriage (for the most part) remained deeply rooted in religious observance. Even the apostle Paul reiterated - “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”
 - Ephesians 5:31. Christ, Himself, repeated the ordinance from Genesis in Matthew 19:5!
    In point of fact, the very reason for the creation of woman was to be, as God put it, “a helper fit for him (the man).” Genesis 2:20. It was “for this reason” that woman was created - to be a companion for man! There was no other reason according to Genesis. God had created the world and everything in it, including all the beasts of the air, earth, and seas. There were certainly plenty of other forms of life that Adam had in his world but none that was a helper fit for him . . . so God created woman! For this reason! God didn’t create another man; he created a woman to complement man; to complete him, that through marriage, God’s ideal union of man and woman and the children that union produced, they would become “one flesh.” Same-sex marriage doesn’t accomplish that. It doesn’t even offer the possibility.
    Even if the union of man and woman didn’t produce children it was still God’s plan that man and woman join together in an inseparable union. One man and one woman - that was and IS God’s plan. That was and is God’s proclaimed will   
    Insofar as whom one may leave an inheritance to or whom one might make their legal car-giver or whom one might assign power of attorney to or whom might choose to insure those are all legal assignations that can be and should be relegated to the State for approval. The definition of marriage does not need to be redefined to ensure civil rights for anyone. Nor should it be. Marriage is, from its inception, an ordinance of God and should not be besmirched by the notion that it can somehow be redefined to include sinful liaisons between members of the same sex. One man and one woman - May the will of God be preserved and defended here on earth as it is in heaven.

The City To Come - Hebrews 13:14

  For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. - Hebrews 13:14

    Watching the news these days is a form of terrorism all its own. How can a Christian not be intimidated by the various stories that permeate the media. From the lawlessness and riots in our own cities to the current push by government agencies, the schools and the media to endorse and support the homosexual agenda to the mass murder of innocent lives in the abortion clinics of hometown America to the ISIS-controlled towns and villages in the Middle East we see nothing that encourages us. Nothing gives us hope. It would seem that all is lost. Fatalism infects the singular heart as it does the entire world!
    This may be true for many people but we Christians do have hope. A hope that is guaranteed to us by the words of Holy Scripture. - “But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” - Hebrews 11:16.
    True to His word, God has prepared a place for us. We know this because He has told us as much. Jesus revealed His plan to his disciples - “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” - John 14:2.
    It is true: we have no continuing city here. All of life in the world is straw . . . stubble that will be burned away in the end. Nothing here will last. Neither the good here nor the bad. So why do we fret and worry over things we know will come to an end?
    Sin has always ruled this fallen world. As long as we live here we are forced to accept the tolerable and the intolerable. We have no choice. It is, as they say, “the way of the world.” The way of the world has made all of us merely “wanderers.” Like the Israelites who wandered the desert for forty years we too wander our own desert called “the world.” It is no true home to us; it is no true sanctuary for us. Our home, our sanctuary awaits us as promised us just as surely as the land of Canaan awaited the twelve tribes of Israel.
    We can look past the desert where we wander. We can look past the miseries that engulf us. We can look past the death and the terrible machinations of men to a better place; to a Godly place where such things will never occur. “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,” - Hebrews 12:22-23. And we will find ourselves in a place where “ . . .God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” - Revelation 21:4.
    May we all persevere by faith and by faith continue to rest in our hope for the city to come.

It Is What It Is?? - Ecclesiastes 1:9

That which has been is what will be,
That which is done is what will be done,
And there is nothing new under the sun.
- Ecclesiastes 1:9

    One of the most constant quips we hear in nearly any set of circumstances sets the tone of this post: It is what it is. Is that really the attitude people take away from life experiences? It is what it is? What a fatalistic and dark view of the world and our experiences in it. Do we not understand that if we place our trust in God we never need accept the satanic notion that “nothing can be done about it?” God is always working behind the scenes and He will complete His work through us. “ . . .  being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ . . .” - Philippians 1:6.
    Can we all not see that everything that happens is part of a greater picture? Is it truly that hard to see that everything that takes place is like a series of small cogs working within a greater pattern? We don’t (can’t) necessarily see the connections but believe me - everything is connected to God’s greater plan for His universe. Do things always work out in our best interest? The answer to that depends upon whether your definition of best interest is defined and confined by our limited humanistic view of life or seen by God’s eternal, unsearchable, and elusive holy standard.
    We are so used to seeking accountability in life-happenings that whenever something tragic or seemingly unfair takes place we immediately want a an account of who, what, when, where, and how. We want answers . . . and we want them now. And when we are unable to get those answers there is always one wry individual who is quick to quip: “It is what it is.”
    Perhaps we’re simply not looking in the right place for the answers we seek. And in the broadest sense, perhaps we’re simply not entitled to some answers, regardless of how determined we are to solve the issue. This again falls under the purview of God’s unrevealed or “sovereign will.” Be that as it may, whether our circumstances are tragic or blessed we must always and everywhere give praise to our holy God. “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.” - James 5:13.
    We all to often simply dismiss many of the events and circumstances of our lives with a flippancy that amounts to irreverence. For the unbeliever this is to be expected but for the true believer this attitude reflects our lack of faith, our lack of trust. When we display an attitude of “it is what it is” we are saying that even God doesn’t seem to be able to influence what is taking place around us or in our lives. We are saying that neither prayer nor praise will impact the outcome of these circumstances when, in fact- we have no idea what kind of blessings God has in store for us until He actually bestows them upon us. Yet we doubt. Is that what we are called to do? “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” - Colossians 3:17.
    Let us never forget that all our circumstances and all our experiences, both the great and the tragic, are all part of God’s ordained will for us. He alone knows the outcome of our blessings and our reversals - “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” - Matthew 6: 9-10. No, something which affect our lives, either positively or negatively, is NOT “what it is.” What it is . . . is God’s will. We do have an option - unconditional faith in God! And we need to keep that in the foreground of our lives - praise and prayer should be in our hearts both in times of peace and times of pain.

Secret Sins - Joshua 7:19

 Now Joshua said to Achan, “My son, I beg you, give glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession to Him, and tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.”. - Joshua 7:19

    Following their astounding victory over Jericho the Israelites were poised to strike at the insignificant town of Ai. And what did they have to fear: God had been with them during the seven days they marched around Jericho and finally delivered the town into their hands. But then the inexplicable happened - the Israelites lost 36 men and were routed in their attempt to conquer Ai. But how could this be?
    Joshua was beside himself. His very confidence was shaken to the core. Why? How could God have allowed this tragedy to take place? God responded - “So the Lord said to Joshua: ‘Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them.’” - Joshua 7:10-11. It suddenly became clear to Joshua why the battle had been lost. Because of unconfessed and hidden sin in the camp.
    How many of us remain with hidden sin in our lives? How many of us have sewn fig-leaves together to cover the nakedness of our sins? How many of our heart aches, failures, and defeats have come to us because of undisclosed and unconfessed sin? Can we even admit to the reality, the truth, of our hidden iniquities? Mind you - it is not simply sin in our lives; we all have sin in our lives. It is the sin within. It is the unconfessed secret sins that we fail to disclose. These are the sins in our camp. These are the sins that bring us defeat!
    We must realize that God truly knows all our secrets . . . nothing eludes Him. All our thoughts, words, and deeds come into the clarity of His holy light.  “You have set our iniquities before You, Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance.” - Psalm 90:8.
    In Achan’s case he had no idea that he, his family, the tribe of Judah, indeed all of Israel would suffer because of his sin. This is a common effect of undisclosed sin in our lives. Those we least expect to suffer will often suffer greatly upon the revelation of such hidden sins. Our spouses, our children, our family and friends often suffer because of the sins we believe are secret . . . known only to ourselves.  “But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out.” - Numbers 32:23.
    There will always be a price to pay for our sins. Even confessed sin will reap its own consequences. None are spared some payment for their sins. “Then Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the garment, the wedge of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had, and they brought them to the Valley of Achor. And Joshua said, ‘Why have you troubled us? The Lord will trouble you this day.’ So all Israel stoned him with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones.” - Joshua 7:24-25.
    Had Achan but confessed readily and openly to his sin how much pain and suffering would have been prevented? His family and tribe would have been spared the embarrassment; Joshua would have been spared the rebuke of the Lord; Israel would have been spared the disillusionment brought on by their defeat. By virtue of Achan’s forthright confession the whole of Israel would have seen the reason for their humiliation at the hands of the warriors of Ai. No one would have questioned the motives of God! But Achan, having been given opportunity after opportunity to come forward and confess his sin doubled-down and sat pat until the lot came down to him. His “confession” was not one of repentant sorrow; he confessed only when he had been discovered. How many of us are holding out? How many of us are dreadfully awaiting the discovery of our own secret sin?
    Would all of us not benefit from confession to our sovereign Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? How much pain and consternation could we spare those around us if we were but to confess our secret sins, now before the light of God’s omniscience falls on us? “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9 Yes, God is faithful to forgive us all our trespasses if we but come to him with a repentant heart. “I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.” - Psalm 32:5.  May we all lay our sins at the Lord’s feet and pray for His forgiveness.

Y.O.L.O? - Galatians 5:19-21

 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,  idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,  envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. - Galatians 5:19-20

    There is a popular mantra among young people today that is referred to as Y.O.L.O, or “you only live once.” You’ll see the letters emblazoning hats and tee-shirts. This ridiculous mantra now stands as the rationale behind one of the leading causes for hospitalization and death among these impoverished souls. Researchers from CDC´s “Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention” refer to a number of “games” played by young people as “Risky Youth Behavior,” (ya think?). Here is a short list of some such games (Note: I am merely going to list them. Google them for more detail as I don’t have the stomach to describe them here.)
1.    Choking Games
2.    Cinnamon Challenge
3.    Huffing volatile chemicals, paints, or fuels.
4.    Car Surfing
5.    Drinking Hand-Sanitizer
6.    Vodka Eyeballing
7.    Salt & Ice challenge
8.    Condom Challenge (You wouldn’t believe me if I told you . . .)
9.    Fire Challenge
10.    Gallon Challenge

    Apparently, many young people engage in such self-destructive behavior for the very same reason some of their parents did: there is an emptiness inside them that could only be properly filled by the word of God. And what a sad world-view to adopt as one’s personal mantra - You only live once? Really? Are their hearts so empty and destitute that risky behavior is the only balm they imagine will soothe them? Our title verse accurately reflects that mind-set of those who engage in risky behavior. These are people, both young and old, who have no concept of the love and mercy of God. They have no concept (or they don’t care) about the blood sacrifice Jesus made for them and unless they repent and believe in Christ before their natural physical death they will also die “the second death” - “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” - Revelation 21:8. Make no mistake about it: they will all die a second time when they are finally and eternally separated from the mercy, grace, and love of God!
     I’d like to clue my young brothers and sisters into another mantra which is a far cry older than theirs - “Born once; die twice - born twice; die once.” Look at John 3:3 - “Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’”
Rather than face an eternity where “their worm does not die and their fire is not quenched” I would implore these young people to come away from the world that inspires their risky behavior and seek Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior. So that rather than face the second death they can confidently look forward to everlasting life! “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Your lives are valuable to God; they should be valuable to you to and if they are valuable to you then treat them that way!
    Most of the irrational games these young people are playing are called, “Challenges.” I challenge them to do the unthinkable, the impossible, the unheard of . . .  I challenge them to seek God with all their heart and all their mind and all their strength. Let us all pray that our young people see the Way, the Truth, and the Life . . . rather than live only once just to die a  second death.