Wednesday, October 29, 2008

The Wonder of Calvary

Last Sunday our choir anthem was “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” As I sang these old, familiar words the message sunk deeper into my heart. A commentary could be written on each line. Read the poem slowly and meditate on Mr. Watts’ hymn.

1. When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
The Prince of glory died for me. The most extravagant, luxurious item that I could ever own could not match the wealth of His sacrifice.

2. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
Galatians 6:14. Am I willing to sacrifice the empty things of earth for the fulness of His Death? I confess there are many things that charm me. Have they become more precious than His blood?

3. See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
There has never been a time nor ever will be when sorrow and love come together like this. Infinite sorrow and perfect love combined. The crown that mocked becomes the symbol of majesty.

4. Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Here is the sober but joyful challenge. If I had everything there was to have in all its immensity it would be infinitely too little to give back. In stead this love, fully understood, naturally demands all my soul, all my life, all my all.

May the Cross always have an attraction and power in my life.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Why keep a good thing secret?

Last week a radio ad was promoting the Masons. The spokesman referred to the importance of mystery and fellowship. He dropped Ben Franklin’s name and made sure listeners heard how much money was donated daily by Masonic groups. The appeal was an invitation to visit local lodges which were apparently open to the public Saturday, October 21, 2008. No one disdains the tremendous work of these men in regard to hospitals. So what is it about Freemasonry that necessitates secrecy? For a Christian, i.e., one who believes that Jesus as God provides the only way to heaven, there is one major reason for Masons to act in secrecy. Freemasonry promotes an inclusivist religion. All religious persuasions are brought together to worship the Great Architect of the Universe (GAOTU) This acknowledgement of a supreme being is required for membership. Every good mason will, after death, dwell together in the Grand Lodge Above (GLA) That demonstrates syncretism- all gods are one. That fact is confirmed by the name JahBulOn which was officially removed from use in 1989. Since everything is a secret who knows if that is true? But the name can be seen to combine Yahweh, Baal, and On for Osiris. Another serious departure from Christianity is the base of authority. The Bible must be laid on the altar of Freemasonry. The altar is where the VSL, Volume of the Sacred Law is found. There you may find any sacred writing from any religion, Koran, Bhagavad Gita, Book of Mormon. Each of these is incompatible with the 66 Books of God’s Word, the Bible. Attempting to cloak the secret handshakes, rituals, and false beliefs under the habit of humanitarian service will not change the heresy. (More information)
“Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light —for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth —trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident.” Ephesians 5: 7-13.

My 10 Simple Rules for Voting

Lamentations 3:37-38, "Who is there who speaks and it comes to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both good and ill go forth?"



I do not believe in wasting my vote. It is my personal statement of conviction. Because of Romans 13, I believe it is against God’s will for me to say yes to anyone in leadership who does not represent the biblical purposes of government. Any leader who punishes good or protects evil is not a minister of God. (For example, that is the reason I will not vote for anyone who allows for any abortion.) Here are some steps I follow when deciding who deserves my vote. Since committing to these standards, win or lose, I have never regretted any ballot I have cast. Nor have I feared any election’s outcome. In fact, because I am free from that fear, I look forward to voicing my choice. Here are my rules for voting.

1. Prioritize God’s Sovereignty. The Bible is explicit in this fact: God is sovereign in all things. Nothing happens without His direction or approval. No one comes into power unless He ordains it. Psalm 75:7 “But God is the judge; He puts down one and sets up another.” God is not subject to our whims and wishes. He always does what He wants. He is more interested in His will than ours. Psalm 115:3, "But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases. Psalm 135:6, "Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps." Isaiah 46:10, "Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’" Daniel. 4:35, “And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, ‘What hast Thou done?’ God does what He thinks is right. Jeremiah 27:5 “ I have made the earth, man, and the animals on the face of the earth, by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and have given it to whom it seemed right to Me.” In that case God made Nebuchadnezzar king of the world. It is God who sets up kings and removes kings. Our next president will be whoever God wants our next president to be. Regardless of how the ballots are counted. Daniel 2:21 “And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.” Daniel 4:25b “And they shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He will. Unfortunately to many Christians voting is like gambling, you take a chance on the lesser of two evils. Interesting, isn’t it, that God even has that covered? Proverbs 16:33, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.”
2. Do not vote in fear of man. God has not given His people the spirit of fear, 2 Timothy 1:7 This noun for fear is used only here. It means cowardice. The verb is used in John 14:27. “ Do not let your heart be troubled nor let it be fearful.” When the disciples were with Jesus in a boat and a great storm came He told them not to be ‘cowardly’ Matthew 8:26 He contrasts that fear with faith. I refuse to be intimidated by the news, ads, proposals, threats and claims of any Party or candidate. Rather I vote in the fear of God. He says that righteousness exalts a nation. Paul tells believers to expose the things done in darkness. I would rather demonstrate reverence for God by supporting righteousness and exposing evil than compromise my vote and allow unrighteousness and evil to continue.
3. Trust God. The references above clearly prove that God can be trusted, must be trusted. Jeremiah 32:27, "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?" Psalm 2: 12 “Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him.” If I think that when I vote somehow God’s will may be affected I am not trusting God. Isaiah 45:5-7, “I am the Lord, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known Me; That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun That there is no one besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other, The One forming light and creating darkness, Causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these." Psalm 33:10, “The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples.”
4. Always vote my convictions. James warns against the dangers of being compromised in our thinking. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:8. “You will never get what you want if you do not vote for what you believe.” H. Phillips God can change any man’s direction. Proverbs. 21:1, “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord. He turns it wherever He wishes.” Rev. 17:17, "For God has put it in their hearts to execute His purpose by having a common purpose. . .” That verse is speaking of His enemies.
5. Remember every politicians’ chief objectives. These are a. to get reelected or b. to get elected to a higher office. They do not want my opinions, ideas, or allegiance. They only want my vote. (Present example. How can the absolute denial of Americans’ protests against the bail-out otherwise be explained? The three Senators running in the current Presidential election all voted against their constituents! Not because it was right but because they were pressured by outside interests. For that reason alone none of them deserves another pat on the back.) This is what distinguishes a statesman. He believes in principles that are profitable for all Americans and will stand by these principles consistently.
6. Do not watch or listen to the MSM (Main Stream Media.) The chief purpose of all television and radio is to amuse. ( A/muse = ‘not think’) Consequently, we will gain much information there but very little knowledge. Some may protest, “but I only tune into Fox News.” Does Fox News really report and let us decide on every candidate? Are the reporters there truly ‘fair and balanced’ when it comes to all the details of each candidate? Every news agency edits. Fox simply leaves out the news that casts moderate candidates in a bad light. Rarely is a true conservative ever mentioned. Therefore it cannot claim the title fair and balanced.
7. Do not rely on Christian political, cultural ‘ministries’ for all the answers. Some of these organizations are doing a needed job in areas where the church has become silent. But they, too, put much emphasis on fear and not enough on trust and conscience.
8. Do your own homework. If you want to vote intelligently and morally you must learn for yourself. Refuse the temptation to study the issues presented by a candidate. Examine each candidates’ past voting record, life choices, circle of friends and enemies. What a man does is far more relevant than what he says. But if you want to learn that you will have to do your own homework. MSM or Christian MSM will not give you what you really need. Only what they want you to know so you will vote for the candidate they prefer. I compare every candidate to the Bible and the Constitution. I normally do not have to go much further. No candidate will ever line up fully with either but I do not believe there is any other consistent standard of evaluation.
9. Consider that when you vote for a candidate, unless you have the opportunity to personally clarify it otherwise, you give tacit approval to all his or her positions. That assumed approval the candidate uses for political gain. If I vote for a candidate who supports any abortions or partial gun control or more taxes I am approving those acts.
10. Compare every candidates’ plans and past decisions to the Constitution. Hold them to account by these documents, either state or Federal. If you do not do this it will not be done. I guarantee you that neither of the MSM’s really care about that.

I just read this from some forwarded e-mail. “Then ask yourself if you, your children and grand children can afford for you to make a mistake in voting.” The point of that sentence is to intimidate. But if I vote according to my biblical convictions, respecting the character and sovereignty of God, in response to the Constitution I will be voting correctly. It would be a mistake to vote otherwise.


There is only one presidential candidate who is actually presidential. I believe Chuck Baldwin lines up more closely with the Constitution and the Bible than any other candidate. I will have to write his name on the ballot but he will have my vote. Please consider him. www.baldwin08.com

Friday, October 3, 2008

A Tale of Two Sarahs

Here is the hook line from a news article appearing on-line today. "Imagine Sarah Palin as a role model for millions upon millions of young girls around the world." Let's do that. Imagine Sarah Palin as a role model for millions of young girls.
Consider her history. Beauty pageant contestant, sports reporter, outdoorswoman, mayor, governor, vice-presidential candidate. And of course, wife and mother. A remarkable and exciting life. A born again, and as far as we know, evangelical Christian to boot. Sarah obviously possesses great skills. She has been gifted by God. But what role does she model?
You must admit that her professional and public life has had the preeminent place. She is not well-known because of her work in the home. So how will young girls who wish to emulate this Sarah grow up? Undoubtedly looking for success in any of the public roles Sarah played. But is this what Christians should really encourage our young girls to do. Should millions of young girls choose this Sarah as a role model?
Consider another Sarah, Abraham's wife. Her complete story is told in Genesis. But it is Peter in the New Testament that explains her character and role most specifically. 1 Peter 3:1-6. Likewise, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, so that if any do not obey the Word, they may also be won without the Word by the conduct of the wives, having witnessed your chaste behavior in the fear of God. Of whom let not be the adorning of garments, or outward braiding of hair and wearing of gold, or of putting on clothing, but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, the meek and quiet spirit, which is of great price in the sight of God. For so once indeed the holy women hoping in God adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands; as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose children you became, doing good and fearing no terror.
Note that the adornment of women like this Sarah is a meek and quiet spirit. This is not the kind of woman who "takes the gloves off' to attack an opponent. As disreputable as he may be. Is it possible to wear a meek and quiet spirit while campaigning for political office? Or conversely has Governor Sarah forfeited that which is of great price in the sight of God to pursue the dream of man?
Paul tells us through Timothy that the Christian women to be honored most are those who have a reputation for good works, who have been one man women, (not at all flirtatious) who have brought up children (not necessarily their own,) have shown hospitality to strangers, washed the saints feet (acted in service to others,) assisted those in distress and devoted themselves to good works. (1 Timothy 5:9-10) The priority of this kind of woman is the home and family.
Consider the role of women described to Titus, especially 2:5. They are to be "sensible, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands." All that and the preceding verses for this reason- "that the Word of God will not be dishonored." Would this Titus 2 type woman leave her pregnant teenage daughter to spend hours- days- away from home to pursue her own interests? Would she leave her Downs Syndrome infant in the constant care of others, hoping to establish a maternal connection by proxy? Which Sarah most closely follows this biblical pattern? Which Sarah runs the risk of dishonoring the Word of God?
Ah yes, but what about Proverbs 31? Here is a 21st century type woman. Did you notice when you read that passage last that the chief operational sphere of this excellent wife is her home? Household is mentioned three times. There is nothing in this chapter that suggests she is running a business for profit or even looking outside the home for anything that will not assist her in her role as wife and mother. Her husband sits at the gates as a town leader and praises her for her work at home. That parallels exactly the New Testament.
Perhaps the church should share some of the criticism. Has not the evangelical church become so distant from political affairs that it simply trusts the Republican Party to do the right thing? Or take its cue from culturally and politically active Christian organizations. You know as long as they use Christian and family or Christian and legal in their names they certainly can be trusted. So if the Party or its partisan followers approve of Sarah Palin, she must be okay. But it comes down to this. What does the Bible say? That is the only God-inspired message available. And the only message needed for all the issues of life.
Which Sarah should we want to be a role model for our little girls? The political Sarah or the praised Sarah? I do not believe the Bible leaves open the possibility of both.