Category: Uncategorized

I’ll tell you what I know about sin, it is the most destructive force on the planet. Sin will destroy and kill more people on this planet this year then the top 5 leading diseases that will kill countless millions. You don’t have to live very long on the planet to see the devastation that sin can cause. I have personally seen it destroy families, churches, people, and now, even a nation is on life support due to the affects of sin. Sin is deceptive and feeds our sense of pride which glorifies oneself above all else. As a professor once told me, “Sin is cosmic treason against a Righteous God.”

And even though you and I know the destructive power of sin, somehow we continue to choose it over the life God offers without sin. “As it is written there is no one righteous, no not one.” (Romans 3:12) “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) We can’t possibly be able to have our “best” interest at heart when we realize and admit how broken we really are.

But God does have our best interest at heart. His perfect life for us is a life free of the entanglements of sin. His Laws and His Word provide the framework and reveal to us the life we were meant to have, a life of freedom found in Him. When His laws don’t seem to make sense realize you are still seeing through a broken heart. It is in these times we must see Him through faith and believe. Remember “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah55 :9) “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, lean not on your own understanding and He will make your way straight.” (Prov. 3:5, 6)

The recent Supreme Court ruling sparked much debate on the subject of marriage. In fact, the outrage that has surfaced on both sides of the issue illustrates the importance that marriage has for all of us. For many, it is a dream they hope is fulfilled. Perhaps it is “built” within us the desire to love and be loved. For many, they may be surprised that marriage was originally instituted by God Himself in the 2nd chapter of Genesis. In fact, there are 3 things that you might not know about this institution we call Marriage.

#1 — God performed the first marriage.

On Day 6 of creation, God reached down and created man out of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nose the breath of life, and man became a living soul. (Gen. 2:7). In Genesis 2:18 God said that it is not good for man to be alone and from the rib of man God created woman. He brought both Adam and Eve together in the Garden of Eden and in Gen. 2:24 it reads, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

#2 — God defined the Marriage Relationship

Some may be surprised to know that marriage is not a cultural institution created by mankind. Though marriage has been “hijacked” by different cultures and governments, ultimately, marriage was originally defined by God. Throughout Scripture not only is the union of one man and one woman for a lifetime given, but even the roles of each. Found in Ephesians 5 we see the responsibilities of both the husband and wife. When marriage is followed by the definition God has set forth then it can become one of the most God-honoring activities we can take part in. When done outside of His boundaries we not only dishonor God, but we put our own lives (and others) in ruin.

#3 — Marriage was instituted even before Sin entered the world.

I think it is important to note that the institution of marriage was given even before sin entered into the world, making this one of the most pure institutions given to the world. Marriage is not a reaction to the sin of the world, but part of God’s original plan for mankind. Though the culture and popular media often make fun of marriage and though governments try to “redefine” this God-given union, know that this institution was given for mankind’s enjoyment, but it was ultimately given to glorify God.

Syrians fleeing ISIS crossing into Turkey

I saw this picture on CNN.com and it truly broke my heart. I don’t know the individuals in the picture, but my heart truly does go out to them. I have 4 children, including a 5 month old son, and I can’t even imagine having to flee for my life in such a way. I truly don’t care if this is a Muslim family, a Buddhist family, or if they don’t believe there is any god at all; my heart goes out to this family and every family who only seek to live in peace.

As believers, and as the Church, I pray that we are doing all we can to help. May we pray for them and their path to freedom as well as their relationship with God. There is one thing I do know, and that God loves the people in this picture, and all who are fleeing for their lives, as much as he loves me.

As Americans we are so often narrow minded and forget that there is a big world out there filled with people whom God created. May we see this world as God sees it.

” I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.” Revelation 6:9

I realize the verse above refers to a future event where world-wide hatred for followers of Christ is empowered by Satanic passion, but has anyone noticed the smaller scale of hatred for Christians here in 2015. I am horrified by the pictures and videos of Christians being slaughtered in the ISIS controlled areas. Recently, in Kenya’s Garissa University 148 Christian students were martyred by Islamic terrorists. In a time where tolerance is the “catchphrase”, persecuting Christians is becoming “en vogue.”

I am also tremendously humbled. These men and women around the world who have died are my Christian brothers and sisters. I am amazed of their faith and the “reckless” abandon of their own life. They understood that this life is passing and the greater reward is found in the afterlife.

May we remember the words of Jesus,

If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you. ¹⁹ If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. ²⁰ Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. ²¹ But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not Him that sent me. ²³ He that hates me hates my Father also. (John 15:18-23)

” I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.” Revelation 6:9

I realize the verse above refers to a future event where world-wide hatred for followers of Christ is empowered by Satanic passion, but has anyone noticed the smaller scale of hatred for Christians here in 2015. I am horrified by the pictures and videos of Christians being slaughtered in the ISIS controlled areas. Recently, in Kenya’s Garissa University 148 Christian students were martyred by Islamic terrorists. In a time where tolerance is the “catchphrase”, persecuting Christians is becoming “en vogue.”

I am also tremendously humbled. These men and women around the world who have died are my Christian brothers and sisters. I am amazed of their faith and the “reckless” abandon of their own life. They understood that this life is passing and the greater reward is found in the afterlife.

May we remember the words of Jesus,

If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you. ¹⁹ If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. ²⁰ Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. ²¹ But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not Him that sent me. ²³ He that hates me hates my Father also. (John 15:18-23)

“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:36

When priests of old wrote the Scriptures and came to the Name of God they would get a new pen, write His Name, and then break the pen. His Name reflects who He is. He is completely other than you or I. He is all-powerful. He is all-present, He is all-knowing. We are bound by time, and He is outside of time. He is the King, the Creator, and Sovereign over angels, humanity, even nature. God was not voted on by the Universe to be the King. He was, He is, and always will be the Lord of lords.

Unfortunately, within our culture today it is popular to defame the King. We curse His Name. We deny His authority, and some have even built grandiose philosophies to exclude Him. His commandments have been considered old fashioned and so we now redefine who God is to justify our sinful desires. Reverence for God has hit an all-time low, and our moral compass distorted by relativism and a lack of absolute truth. It is not our job to decide what command we will obey, but submit to His authority in all things.

I echo the preacher who once said that if he had 1,000 lives he would give every one of them to the LORD. Believers shouldn’t cower in the face of adversity, with the King on our side we should rise to the occasion. May we reflect our God in everything we say and do. Live for Him and love Him with all of our heart, mind and soul. May we be servants worthy of His Name.

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” Philippians 3:20

For anyone who knows me, you might be surprised to hear that I don’t believe Christians should automatically vote Republican. I do believe that for the follower of Christ there is a right or wrong way to vote though. Remember you are bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20), and everything (including your vote) belongs to God. Ultimately, whomever you vote for should be done after prayer asking God for which candidate your vote should be cast for, and not, who you personally believe should receive your vote.

With this in mind, I believe there are principles in God’s Word that should help the Christian determine where your vote should be cast. First of all, I do believe that our government needs to be fiscally responsible. God has given resources to our great country and we should use them wisely. Constantly moving our country into more and more debt is insanity and we leave our children a debt they will never be able to repay. However, I don’t care how much money a politician believes he can put in my pocket, I will never vote for a candidate solely on this basis.

I believe for the follower of Christ the vote should be determined based on morals and biblical values. “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.” (Prov. 14:34) I will never vote for a candidate who supports the death of unborn babies. Life is the primary aim of God. Jesus came that “we might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) Abortion is the blight on our country today as slavery was in the 18th and 19th centuries.

I will never vote for a candidate who does not support the biblical, God ordained definition of marriage. Marriage is a God-given institution, and therefore, He is the One who defines it. We do not have the right to change that definition, especially so that we can satisfy our sinful desires.

Many believe you should not mix politics with religion, and I do believe that the government should not have the right to meddle in the affairs of citizens and tell them how to worship God. The issues above are not religious in nature (as some would make it to be), but morally grounded in what is right. As believers we worship God and one of the ways we can do this is through our vote. God will bless our country, but only to the extent that we are obedient to Him.

“Whoever commits sin is a slave to sin…If the Son therefore shall make you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:34b, 36.

A preacher once said that “Sin may promise you paradise, but it will only deliver you a prison.” For the believer who seeks to follow Jesus the lie of sin is even more twisted because sin tries to deceive and make you believe you aren’t free. The message of sin is that God is keeping you from freedom. You would have so much more happiness, and things, if you would only give in to the temptation. Does this not define the philosophy of our world today? Unfortunately, the fruit of sin’s message is becoming clear and more people are addicted to drugs, pornography, sex, gluttony, vanity, and a host of other ills, and we couldn’t stop them even if we wanted to. Our society is enslaved to sin. In sin’s wake are broken homes, destroyed lives, and in essence, we have created Godless communities, does this sound like freedom to you?

“The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus) am come that they may have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) You need to know that though you may be enslaved to sin today; you can have freedom through Christ. You may have fallen for sin’s lie of freedom, but you now find yourself imprisoned by it. Freedom can be found in Christ. There is no sin that is greater than His love for you. There is nothing you can do that will turn Him away from you. He can, and will, free you from the prison and bring you to a life filled with joy.

I can’t choose life for you; I can only point the way (John 14:6). I truly have never met a soul who late in their life wished they had taken part in more sin, only those who had wished they had given more of their life to God. Choose Christ and choose life for yourself and for your family, and experience a life free from the enslavement of sin.

If you were to go out at night and look up into the starry night you would see little pin points of light, however if you were an astronomer you could look up at the same sky and name the planets and the stars. The captain sailing the sea could see those same stars and the constellations formed and navigate an ocean. All of this, from the same lights that are scattered across the sky.

What do you see when you see God? Do you see an old man in a rocking chair who is oblivious to the matters here on earth? Do you see Him as a tyrant or the boy who has a magnifying glass trying to light ants on fire and cause you pain?

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will truly see God. I want to see God for who He truly is. If He is a God that I make up from my sinful heart then He is no God at all, but limited to my own imaginations. The pure in heart, they will see Him for who He truly is. They will see Him as a loving Father who brings purpose in our lives. He has our best interest at heart and wants to live in relationship with us. Purify your hearts today and see God for who He is, and not what you have been told He is or even what you hope He is.