Friday, October 29, 2004

On Religion, the Female Divine, and a Return to Orthodoxy

In case you haven't been keeping up with the news, there has been a flurry of activity recently with the Episcopal Church in America in regards to syncretism, the creeping in of other religions and pagan practices into the church. Most recently, Christianity Today documented that the Episcopal Church was promoting pagan idol worship on its website as a new form of Eucharist liturgy (click here for the Christianity Today link). The site has since removed this liturgy from the web and is spinning this issue for all its worth (click here for continuing coverage on the issue from Christianity Today).

I bring this up to point out some changes that are taking place in the Christian communities.

1. Homosexuality: Our denomination, as well as the Episcopals and the Presbyterians, have struggled over the past several years with the issue of homosexuality on several fronts (i.e. ordination of homosexual pastors; same-sex marriages/unions; etc.).

2. Feminine Divine: The current controversy in the Episcopal Church is related to this trend to "rediscover" the feminine divine. If you read Brown's "Da Vinci Code," you will readily recognize the claims of this crowd, which lead from worshiping the female side of God to worshiping the "mother goddess" to making exaggerated claims about Mary Magdalene.

3. Experiential Worship: There is a trend, especially in the more contemporary churches, to make worship more experiential. A news article on the New York Times today suggested that this changing worship style would probably lead to the end of the normal pastoral sermon, to be replaced by meditation, liturgical dance, or other elements. The sermon might remain, but it would not be a 20-minute expository sermon based on scripture, but shorter sound-bites interrupted with other worship experiences.

So, what is going on? What does this mean for us in the Christian Church who identify ourselves as evangelical conservatives? I think it shows that we should get back to the basics of our faith and stand firm on the Word of God, not on experiences, not on feelings, but on what God tells us in His Word and what has been expressed throughout the Body of Christ over 2000 years.

Change is fine, provided it is in keeping with orthodox biblical principles. We can change worship styles without watering down the message. We can reach out to sinners in a loving way without accepting their sinful lifestyle. Allowing pagan and unbiblical practices into our churches is a dangerous practice that needs to be stopped. This means we need to be more vocal, as individuals and local church bodies, to stand up for Christ against these trends.

One example of a group doing this is are the African Christian Community. Both in our denomination and in the Episcopcal church, the African Christians have been the voice of reason, proclaiming a call back to orthodoxy and traditional biblical principles. Let's pray that this trend continues.

Saturday, October 23, 2004

Is Religion Shaping World Politics?

After discussing the upcoming presidential election with folks in my office at work and with others in church and other social situations, I am beginning to sense that religion is becoming more and more a force in shaping the views of others and the ultimate outcome of elections.

Historically, of course, religion played a large part in politics and world events. The Catholic Church was instrumental in shaping the direction of the world through its papal directives. Differences between Catholics and Protestants redefined royalty in England and determined who would sit on the throne. And people fleeing religious persecution fled Europe for the new land to start a new nation founded on religious freedom.

More recently, we have seen the overt influence of religion on world events, including the events of 9-11, brought about by the religious beliefs of radical muslim terrorists. Similarly, we see conflicts in Ireland continuing today between Catholics and Protestants. We see Christians attacked by Hindu traditionalists in India, and those same traditionalists setting policy for their country.

These events bring up the question, "Is religion currently influencing politics and world events to a greater extent?" I would have to answer, "Yes." Case in point -- the current U.S. Presidential Election.

I have been dumb-founded by the views of some that President Bush is the worst President that has ever walked the face of the earth. I have friends that would vote for anyone that was running, just to keep President Bush out of office. They honestly hate President Bush.

As I was reflecting on their views, I reflected on my own views of John Kerry and Hillary Clinton. Like my friends and their view of Bush, I strongly disagree with the politics of Kerry and Clinton. Of course, I would have to say that I don't "hate" them, but I do not think they are what America needs. But, why? I pondered my views and I pondered my friend's views and have come up with this conclusion.

I propose that our support, or non-support, of candidates is based largely on our religious world-view. I support Bush because I see him as belonging to my religious world-view. While I may not agree with all of his policies, he bases his decisions and his policies on the same principles that I use to make decisions in my daily life. Similarly, because my friends do not share this world-view but tend to look at life from a secular, humanist world-view, they support candidates who make decisions from this perspective. Ergo, like produces like; religion or non-religion, produces candidates for each world-view.

As someone who looks at daily life and politics from a Christian world-view, I can no more vote for candidates like John Kerry or Hillary Clinton than my friends could vote for Bush. And, apparently, this is the case for the rest of our nation and the world. Consider this...

Catholics supported John F. Kennedy in 1960 by an overwhelming margin, simply because he was a Catholic -- he was one of them. However, because John Kerry appears to many to be CINO (Catholic in name only), the majority of Catholics are supporting Bush in this presidential election. They are basing their vote on the candidate most in line with their Christian world-view.

Similarly, most non-religious liberals are strong supporters of John Kerry. The Hollywood crowd, MTV, major media and the like favor Kerry, simply because his policies mirror their own particular world-view.

France, a largely secular non-religious nation, supports Kerry and simply loathes Bush. Britain, ruled by Prime Minister Tony Blair, a devout Christian, is a strong supporter of Bush.

Religion is shaping this Presidential Election.

Understand that this is a general theorem. I know there are evangelical Christians who are going to vote for Kerry. I know that there are secular humanists who will vote for Bush. But generally, our election this year is divided based on religion. What does this bode for the future? We can only wait and see....

Sunday, October 17, 2004

GREAT IS OUR FAITHFULNESS?
Sermon by Gregory W. Lee

Preached 17 October 2004

I. Introduction
-- turn in Bibles to Matthew 25
-- last week my sermon title was "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" -- reflecting on the faithfulness of God to us -- how we can trust in God and in His purposes and His promises and His plan for our lives
-- well, the concept of faithfulness goes both ways -- my sermon title today is a question to you as a person and as a church -- "Great is our faithfulness?" -- you see, just as God is faithful to us, we are called to be faithful to Him
-- this means that we are committed to God -- that when He gives us an assignment we will be trustworthy -- that we will be loyal and dependable and totally faithful to our God and our Savior
-- What does it mean to be faithful -- to be committed -- to God? -- it means that we are committed to His work -- to His body -- and to becoming like Him
-- that is a hard thing -- it's easy for us to show up at church on Sundays and call ourselves Christians -- but it's a hard thing for us to actually show up and be committed to the Lord with all of our lives
-- because of our fallen human nature -- because of the sinful heart that is in us -- we are just not good at being faithful to God or to any institution -- that is why we constantly sin against God -- even those of us who are saved and who have been forgiven for our sins -- we still fail in our commitment to remaining pure in God's eyes
-- if you have any questions about the level of committment and faithfulness in our society today, just take a look around us -- here in America we have a divorce rate of over 50% -- over half of the people who have pledged to be committed to another person for life end up breaking that promise
-- we are not loyal to our jobs -- very seldom will you find someone who starts a job out of school and remains in that job until retirement -- the average worker in America changes jobs 9 times in the course of their adult life
-- we're not even loyal to our sports teams -- this year everybody was following the Braves and the Georgia Bulldogs -- but after last weekend, most of the same people who were touting them all year were booing them as they left the field
-- what has happened to loyalty? -- committment? -- faithfulness?
-- consider the story of 72-year old Kamarudin Mohammed -- married last Sunday for a record-making 53 times -- this is a man with a committment problem -- he said, "if I like a girl, I'll ask for her hand in marriage -- I don't like flings -- I also don't believe in marrying more than one woman at a time" -- I would have to ask what he does believe in
-- Mohammed went on to say that he had nearly as many jobs in his life as he had wives -- let's say he took his first job and his first wife when he was 19 years old -- that means that he had a new job and a new wife every single year of his adult life
-- Mohammed is the poster child for unfaithfulness -- but before you cast a stone at him, look at your own life -- how many times have you broken promises in your life -- how many times have you committed to do something and then either backed out or not prepared as you should have -- how many times have you failed to be faithful to another person, much less your God?
-- I want you to turn with me now to Matthew 25 and let's look at the parable of the talents and let's see what Jesus has to say about being faithful to God


II. Scripture Lesson -- Matthew 25:14-30
-- verses 14-17

14. "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more.

-- here we see the Master getting ready to go on a journey -- the passage said that he called his servants in and entrusted his property to them -- he entrusted it to them -- he trusted them to be faithful with what he gave them -- Jesus gave us this parable to help us see what it meant to be a faithful servant of God
-- to each of the servants he gave a different amount of money -- to one he gave five talents -- which is about $5 thousand dollars -- to another two talents -- about $2 thousand dollars -- and to the third one talent -- about $1 thousand dollars
-- the amount he gave them was based on their individual abilities -- but while the proportion of the amounts was different -- the same commitment was required of all of them
-- after a little while, the master came back to see whether his servants were faithful with what he had given them

-- verses 18-30

18. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. 19. "After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. `Master,' he said, `you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.' 21. "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' 22. "The man with the two talents also came. `Master,' he said, `you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.' 23. "His master replied, `Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' 24. "Then the man who had received the one talent came. `Master,' he said, `I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.' 26. "His master replied, `You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27. Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28. "`Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

-- these verses point out the difference in faithfulness between the servants -- the first two servants were called "good and faithful" -- in the Bible, when you see two adjectives separated like this, the first adjective applies to the second adjective -- in other words, the first two servants were good because they were faithful -- being faithful was the criteria on which their goodness was measured
-- similarly, the third servant was called wicked and lazy -- he was wicked because he was lazy -- he was not faithful -- he had not done what the master asked him to do, so he was called wicked by the master
-- now there's several things in this passage that I want to point out to you that contrasts the good and faithful servants to the wicked and lazy servant

A. Good and Faithful Servants
1) good and faithful servants were committed to doing what their Master called them to do -- they knew what was expected and did it even during His absence
2) good and faithful servants worked as part of the Master's kingdom -- they didn't take the money and go out and earn a reward for themselves -- they worked to get results for the overall good of the kingdom
3) good and faithful servants recognized that their resources and skills came from their master -- they had been shaped by years of service -- they knew their SHAPE (from Rick Warren) and kept themselves ready for work
-- example -- football player sitting on the bench called into the game to win

B. Wicked and Lazy Servant
1) wicked and lazy servant didn't do a thing while the master was gone -- buried his money
2) wicked and lazy servant didn't work with the others or work to futher his master's kingdom
3) wicked and lazy servant wasn't prepared to work -- he didn't trust in the resources and skills the master had given him and hadn't done anything to increase his skills and talents -- he didn't know the master like the first two servants -- the good and faithful servants obviously knew the master and knew what he required and what he was really like -- they strived to serve him to the best of their ability -- but this servant didn't seem to know what the master was like -- he was scared of the master and didn't do anything with the money that was entrusted to him


III. Application
-- so, what can we learn about faithfulness from this passage about the good and faithful servants and the wicked and lazy servant?
-- first, as Christians, we are called to be committed to the work of Christ -- Christ is just like the master in this parable -- he has gone off on a journey to heaven -- we know He's coming back, but in the meantime, He has entrusted to us resources to put to work -- spiritual gifts and talents and abilities -- and He's given us specific orders on what to do
-- great commission and great commandment
-- secondly, we see that we need to be commited to the body of Christ -- that means that we are committed to church -- not to religion -- not to a denomination -- not to an institution -- but to the living body of Christ
-- membership means being a part, not warming a pew -- members of football teams work during practice -- they support the team -- they do what they are called to do -- they don't just show up for the games and occupy a space -- they are there to do what needs to be done

-- Rick Warren says that there are circles of committment in every church:
a. community -- pool of lost within driving distance of church -- unchurched;
b. crowd -- regular attendees -- saved and unsaved -- committed to attending worship service but necessarily to joining church;
c. congregation -- official members of church -- committed to purpose of fellowship;
d. committed -- maturing members of church -- growing spiritually -- committed to three spiritual habits: 1) daily quiet time; 2) tithing; 3) small group activity;
e. core -- smallest group -- committed to doing ministry -- Sunday school teachers, deacons, musicians, etc.
-- which circle of committment are you in?

-- finally, we learn from this passage that we need to be commited to becoming Holy -- commited to expressing the spiritual disciplines in our lives so that we can become more like Jesus -- committed to prayer and Bible reading and the other spiritual disciplines -- hearing the Word -- mutual encouragement -- focusing on Jesus (worship)


IV. Closing
-- Mark Wheeler tells the story of a Roman sentinel who guarded the city of Pompeii -- when the city was destroyed by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, many people were buried in the ruins -- some were found in deep vaults, fleeing in vain from the encroaching destruction -- others were found hiding in lofty chambers -- but the Roman sentinel was found at the city gate where he had been placed by the captain, his hands still grasping his weapon. While the earth shook beneath him, while the floods of ashes and cinders overwhelmed him, he stood at his post -- and it was there that he was found a thousand years later

We are called to be faithful -- to be committed to God -- just like this Roman sentinel
-- as Mark Wheeler says, if you volunteer to serve in the Sunday school program or in the Bible study, you will not be expected to stand still and be buried by volcanic ash -- but you will be expected to be trustworthy and faithful -- you will be expected to prepare and be ready to carry out your assignment
-- if you join a servant evangelism team or a visitation team, you will be expected to do the homework and to be prepard to go out each week and share the gospel
-- if you volunteer to do ministry for someone -- help fix things in their house or take someone shopping or run errands for the elderly -- you will be expected to be on time and do what you said to do
-- you must be faithful -- you must be trustworthy -- you must be committed

-- want to close with this exhortation that I got off the internet -- I want you to put your Bibles down and look at me and listen to these words

I AM A SOLDIER!

I am a soldier in the army of my God! The Lord Jesus Christ is my commanding officer! The Bible is my code of conduct! Faith, prayer, and the Word are my weapons of warfare!

I am a volunteer in this army and I am enlisted for eternity! I will either retire from this army at the Rapture or die in this army, but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out! I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire!

I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable! If my God needs me, I am there! If He needs me to teach children in Sunday School, to work with youth, help adults, or just sit and learn, He can use me, because I am there!

I am a soldier! I am not a baby! I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed, pumped up, picked up, or pepped up! I am a soldier! No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me!

I am a soldier! I am not a wimp! I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His kingdom! No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts! I don't need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to!

I am committed! I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around! I can not be discouraged enough to turn me aside! I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit! When Jesus called me into His army, I had nothing, I will still break even!I will win! My God will supply all my needs! I am more than a conqueror! I will always triumph! I can do all things through Christ! Devils cannot defeat me! People cannot disillusion me! Weather cannot weary me; sickness cannot stop me; battles cannot beat me! Money cannot buy me! Governments cannot silence me! And hell cannot handle me!

I am a soldier! Even death cannot destroy me, for when my Commander calls me from this battlefield, He will promote me to captain and then bring me back to rule this world with Him! I am a soldier in God's army, I will never surrender to the Enemy! I will never turn back! I am a soldier, marching heavenward, claiming victory as I go!

Here I stand! Will you stand with me?

Guess what? If you've accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you're already enlisted!

Question is, which part of the service are you in:

1. ACTIVE DUTY: Serving the Lord faithfully, daily, and on duty 24-7?
2. GUARD STATUS: Backing up the Active Duty group?
3. RESERVE STATUS: Serving only when called upon or twice a year: Christmas and Easter? or4. AWOL! Absent with out the Lord?Let us pray!
GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS
10 October 2004


Focus: Because God is faithful, we can stand on His promises.
Function: To help people struggling through hard times in their life see that God's faithfulness leads to hope

I. Introduction/Struggling Through Hard Times
-- turn in Bibles to Psalm 77
-- the other day, I was watching the Lord of the Rings again -- one of the best movies ever made -- it epitomizes the struggle between good and evil -- in this story, the main characters -- the heroes -- are involved in this great struggle against the evil Lord Sauron -- things are really looking bad -- and the only way they are going to be able to survive is by destroying the ring that gives Sauron control over the whole world
-- in the part of the movie that I was watching, the two main heroes -- Frodo and Sam -- were on the edge of Lord Sauron's country of Mordor -- they were having to carry the ring into the heart of evil in order to destroy it -- it was a hopeless situation -- and they were alone, with no one to help -- it would be like us standing on the edge of Hell and having to sneak in and drop something off right next to Satan's throne -- there was no chance of success and all seemed impossible
-- as I was watching that part of the movie play out, I could really relate with the two characters -- there have been times in my life where I have felt like I was in hopeless situations -- there have been times in my life -- and I'm sure in yours -- where we have stood on what felt like the border of Hell -- without hope -- without courage -- without strength -- feeling lost and alone
-- maybe it was during the loss of a loved one -- maybe it was during a financial crisis -- maybe it was during a sickness or death or divorce or just a heartbreak -- whatever the situation was, it felt like we were standing in a pit with no way out and no one available to lift us out -- totally without hope
-- there was a time in my life when I suffered from clinical depression -- I had gone to the University of Florida for a couple of semesters -- and I had struggled mightily -- I was in a major I didn't want to be in -- I had no friends -- I was trying to balance a full-time college load with a full-time job -- and finally, I just had to punt -- I had to call it quits and come home and start over again
-- but when I got home, I went into a serious depression -- I felt like a failure -- I had never failed at anything in my life -- I had never quit anything in my life -- I felt like I would never make anything of my life -- I felt like I had let down my family and my friends -- I felt like I was worthless -- I remember walking through the day like a zombie -- feeling hopeless -- just walking around in a brown cloud of doom and despair -- it was a dark time in my life -- and I honestly felt like I was in hell -- maybe you know what I'm talking about -- I'm sure that you have experienced times in your life just like this
-- we call these the storms of life and when we're in the middle of one we look at the storm -- we look at the driving rain and the whipping wind and the ferocious waves, and we think to ourselves, "There is nothing I can do -- my end is near" -- we've all had these storms in our lives -- maybe you're going through one right now
-- so, what do we do when we're going through a storm in our life? -- who do we turn to? -- what do we do when it seems as if God Himself has abandoned us and we have no one else to turn to?

-- this morning I want to look at Psalm 77, because the Psalmist here is going through a very similar situation -- and I want us to look at how he handled the situation in his life because it will help us see how we should face our own storms in our lives

-- look with me now at verse 1
1. I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.

-- in this opening verse we see the state of the Psalmist -- he is in the middle of a bad situation -- all looks hopeless to him -- so he does the only thing he can think of -- he calls out to God -- he called out with all of his heart and his soul for God to hear him and help him -- but nothing happens

-- that seems to be the case a lot, doesn't it -- when we're in the middle of a storm it just seems like God is distant -- we cry out and it seems like no one is answering -- we pray for help and it seems like our prayers never go past the ceiling -- it seems like we are alone
-- think about Job for a moment -- as you know, when Job was afflicted by Satan he called out to God for answers, but the heavens were silent -- what do we do when the heavens are silent? -- when God appears to not care?

-- look at verse 2

2. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted. 3. I remembered you, O God, and I groaned; I mused, and my spirit grew faint. Selah 4. You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.

-- how many times have you been in the place where this Psalmist is right now -- how many times have you been sleepless in the middle of the night because of your troubles -- how many times have you lain awake at night and cried out to God, not believing that He would hear or do anything -- that's exactly what is going on with the Psalmist in this passage
-- I like the way Eugene Patterson parapharased this in the Message -- he said "I found myself in trouble and went looking for my Lord -- my life was an open wound that wouldn't heal -- when friends said, "Everything will turn out all right" -- I didn't believe a word they said -- I remember God -- and shake my head -- I bow my head -- then wring my hands -- I'm awake all night -- not a wink of sleep -- I can't even say what's bothering me"
-- problems seem worse at night, don't they

-- verse 5
5. I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; 6. I remembered my songs in the night.

-- the Psalmist says that in the midst of the storm he looked back and thought about the good times -- why couldn't things be like they used to be? -- life used to be happy -- now look what is going on -- nothing will ever be right again

-- verse 6b
My heart mused and my spirit inquired: 7. "Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? 8. Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? 9. Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?" Selah

-- it's reached the point where the Psalmist begins to doubt about whether God even cares any more or not -- he's reached what we call the crisis of belief
-- this is what the disciples faced when they were in the boat with Jesus in the middle of the storm

-- this is what the nation of Israel faced when they had their backs to the Red Sea with an army of Egyptians coming against them
-- and this is what Paul faced when he faced the Lord Jesus Christ on the Damascus Road
-- it is at this point that we have to make a decision -- what do we believe about our God? -- what do we believe about His power in a situation? -- in every storm you walk through, you will face such a crisis of belief, and how you respond will tell you a lot about your faith

III. Facing the Storm with God
-- several years ago, I had to fly out of the Valdosta Airport on a rainy stormy day -- it was horrible -- the winds were blowing -- the rain was coming down -- I was already a little concerned about the flight -- I trusted God, but at the same time I knew that his word said, "Lo, I am with you" -- I wasn't sure if that included being high in an airplane or not
-- but I got on that plane and we took off -- you couldn't even see out the windows for the water streaming down on the glass -- the plane was being rocked back and forth by the wind -- without a doubt this was the worst flight I have ever been on
-- but the pilot kept on guiding the plane upwards -- we started going through the clouds -- and then all of a sudden we broke out through the clouds into bright sunlight and blue skies -- I looked down and I could see the storm below me -- but where I was it was calm and beautiful and safe
-- you see, the pilot knew where safety and security existed and he trusted that if he just endured through the storm for a little while, that we would enter into a safe place
-- well, that's exactly what should be going on in our lives when we are in the midst of a storm -- we need to trust in God -- we need to trust in His person -- and His power -- and His purpose -- God is faithful and can be trusted in all things
-- in the book of Lamentations, Jeremiah is in the midst of complete and utter desolation -- his nation is under siege and the people are being carried off in captivity -- but in the midst of this storm, he has this to say in Lamentations 3:18-22

18. So I say, "My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the LORD." 19. I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. 20. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. 21. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 22. Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

-- when Jeremiah was in the middle of his storm -- when he was faced with his crisis of belief -- he remembered that on the other side of the clouds was sunshine -- on the other side of the storm was God

-- look back at verse 10 in Psalm 77
10. Then I thought, "To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High." 11. I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. 12. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. 13. Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? 14. You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. 15. With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Selah 16. The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. 17. The clouds poured down water, the skies resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. 18. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. 19. Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. 20. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

-- the Psalmist closes his Psalm by recalling past instances of God's faithfulness in his life and in the life of his people
-- God is faithful -- we can trust in Him -- in His person -- in His power -- in His promises -- and in His presence
-- if you look back in your life like the Psalmist did, then you will see times where God has worked in your life and brought you safely through other storms -- while we may not see God directly, we can see the fingerprints of God in our lives and in the lives of those around us -- that is why we have a time of praise in the morning -- so we can see evidence of how God is working in us and in our family and friends
-- these are spiritual markers -- Ebenezers -- foundations that we can lean on during the hard times -- if God was there in the past, we can trust that He will be there in the present and in the future -- even if we are in the middle of a storm right now, we can trust God is with us because He has been in the past -- God always keeps His word -- He is faithful and just and has said that He will never leave us or forsake us

-- what do we do when we face the storms in our life? -- we need to reflect on God's faithfulness and stand on the promises that He has given us in His word
-- reflecting on God's faithfulness should lead to hope in our lives -- believing in God's faithfulness helps us to trust Him in the midst of anything we are going through -- it gives us endurance -- strength -- God's faithfulness is a rock that we can lean upon
-- in times of desolation -- in the middle of the storm -- we cannot depend on feelings -- we may feel like God has left us (as in the Psalm) -- we may feel like God does not hear our prayers (as in the Psalm)
-- but if we depend on God -- if we believe in His unchanging character and His faithfulness to us -- then we can trust that His presence is with us and His purposes will be worked out through what we are going through
-- we need to navigate by revealed truth rather than feelings, especially in times of crisis
-- God's faithfulness is a like a compass that we can trust to steer us through the storms and into the sunlight

-- the faithfulness of God to the believer is expressed in many ways in the Bible
-- The faithfulness of God to forgive sin -- 1 John 1:9 -- "if we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"
-- the faithfulness of God in times of pressure -- 1 Cor 10:13 -- "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
-- The faithfulness of God in providing for us in His Son Jesus Christ -- 1 Cor 1:9 -- God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
-- The Faithfulness of God in keeping His promises to us -- Heb 10:23 -- Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
-- The faithfulness of God to us in times of suffering -- 1 Peter 4:19 -- So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
-- the Faithfulness of God in providing for the believer's eternal future -- 1 Thess 5:24 -- The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

-- maybe you are in the midst of a storm right now -- maybe you are being buffetted by the winds and the rain and you don't see any hope at all -- maybe you feel like you are all alone and that no one cares
-- regardless of your feelings, you need to stand firm in the knowledge that God is there with you -- He has promised to never leave you or forsake you, and He is there in the midst of the storm
-- He has been with you in the past and He is with you now and will be with you in the future -- If you are in the midst of a storm -- if you feel like you are in a pit with no way out -- look back at the times God has worked in your life and in the lives of those you know and in the lives of those in the Bible, and stand on the Promises that He has given you to be with you and trust that He will calm the storm and lead you safely through to the other side
-- let us pray

Friday, October 15, 2004

Conservative Christianity vs. liberalism

I have included a link here for an excellent discussion between a World Magazine blogger (the conservative Christian) and a devout liberal. It is well worth reading, especially right before the election. As I pointed out in an earlier post, this election, more than any other in past memory, is really an election based on worldview. This discussion makes that clear.

Thursday, October 14, 2004

Over 70 Christian leaders affirm statement on the Bible and ethical issues
in the election (see names below)



The Bible speaks to several ethical issues in this election:

Many Americans seek guidance from the Bible for important issues of life, while
we recognize that many others do not. With thankfulness for the freedom of all
Americans to believe whatever they think best regarding matters of religion and
ethics, we offer this statement of our personal understanding of the teachings of
the Bible for the thoughtful consideration of all who are interested in how the
Bible might speak to ethical issues in the current election.


1. Supreme Court justices: People don’t often think of the appointment of
Supreme Court Justices as an ethical issue, but it clearly is now because several
decisions of the Supreme Court have imposed on our nation new policies on
major ethical and religious questions.


A small majority of our current Supreme Court, and lower courts that follow their
example, have gone beyond their Constitutionally-defined task of interpreting
laws passed by Congress and state legislatures, and have in effect created new
"laws" that have never been passed by any elected body. By this process they
have imposed on us decrees that allow abortionists to murder unborn babies
(contrary to Exodus 20:13 and Romans 13:9, "you shall not murder"), that protect
pornographers who poison the minds of children and adults (contrary to Exodus
20:17, "You shall not covet ... your neighbor’s wife; see also Matt. 5:28), that
redefine marriage to include homosexual couples (thus giving governmental
encouragement to actions that Romans 1:26-28 says are morally wrong), and
that banish prayer, God’s name and God’s laws from public places (thus
prohibiting free exercise of religion, and violating Romans 13:3 which says that
government should be "not a terror to good conduct, but to bad"). In taking to
itself the right to decree such policies, the Supreme Court has seriously distorted
the system of "checks and balances" intended by the Constitution between the
legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.


It is unlikely that any elected body such as a city council, state legislature, or the
U.S. Congress, would have decreed policies like those mentioned above, for
such groups are accountable to the will of the people. Not so the Supreme Court,
which is appointed for life. And democratically-elected members of Congress
and state legislatures are helpless to change those Court-mandated policies
unless the makeup of the Supreme Court is changed. We believe the ethical
choice is for a President and for U. S. Senators committed to appointing judges
who will follow the original intent of the Constitution and just interpret law and not
make it, rather than for candidates who have often voted to block such judges in
votes in the Senate.


2. Defense against terrorists: A fundamental responsibility of government is to
"punish those who do evil" (1 Pet. 2:14) and thus to protect its citizens. We now
face a unique challenge, because terrorists who will sacrifice their own lives in
killing others cannot be deterred by the usual threat of punishing a criminal after
he commits a crime. While Jesus instructed individuals not to seek personal
revenge but to turn the other cheek (Matt. 5:39), the Bible teaches that
governments are responsible to "bear the sword" (Rom. 13:4) and thus to use
force to oppose violent evil. We believe the ethical choice is for a candidate who
will pursue terrorists and, when necessary, use force to stop them before they
strike us, not for a candidate who only promises to respond if we are attacked
again.


3. Abortion: The Bible views the unborn child as a human person who should
be protected, since David said to God, "You knitted me together in my mother's
womb" (Psalm 139:13; see also Psalm 51:5; 139:13; Luke 1:44), and strong
penalties were imposed for endangering or harming the life of an unborn child
(Exod. 21:22-23). We believe the ethical choice is for candidates who believe
government should give protection to the lives of unborn children, not ones who
believe government should allow people to choose to murder their unborn
children if they wish.


4. Homosexual marriage: The Bible views marriage as between one man and
one woman, for "a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his
wife, and they shall become one flesh" (Gen. 2:24; Eph. 5:31). Because our
courts have shown a troubling tendency to overturn the laws that have already
been passed concerning marriage, we believe the ethical choice is for candidates
who support a Constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man
and one woman.


5. Embryonic stem cell research: Creating more human embryos for their stem
cells is making the beginnings of little babies for the purpose of harvesting their
parts, contrary to the command, "You shall not murder" (Exod. 20:13). There is a
good alternative: using adult stem cells for medical research, because this does
not destroy the life of the adult whose cells are used. We believe the ethical
choice is for a candidate who has decided he will not allow government funds to
be spent to create more human embryos just to take their stem cells.


6. Natural resources: God put human beings on the earth to "subdue it" and to
"have dominion" over the animals (Gen. 1:28). We value the beauty of the natural
world which God created, and we believe that we are called to be responsible
stewards who protect God’s creation while we use it wisely and also seek to
safeguard its usefulness for future generations. The Bible does not view
"untouched nature" as the ideal state of the earth, but expects human beings to
develop and use the earth’s resources wisely for mankind’s needs (Gen. 1:28;
2:15; 9:3; 1 Tim. 4:4). In fact, we believe that public policy based on the idealism
of "untouched nature" hinders wise development of the earth’s resources and
thus contributes to famine, starvation, disease, and death among the poor. We
believe the ethical choice is for candidates who will allow resources to be
developed and used wisely, not for candidates indebted to environmental
theories that oppose nearly all economic development in our nation and around
the world.


7. Should Christians speak out and try to influence our nation on these
issues? God’s people in the Bible often spoke about ethical issues to
government rulers. Daniel told the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar to practice
"righteousness" and to show "mercy to the oppressed" (Dan. 4:27); several Old
Testament prophets speak to foreign nations about their sins (Isaiah 13-23;
Ezekiel 25-32, Amos 1-2, Obadiah (to Edom), Jonah (to Nineveh), Nahum (to
Nineveh), Habakkuk 2, Zephaniah 2); and Paul spoke to the Roman governor
Felix "about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment" (Acts
24:25).


As Christian leaders we agree that the primary message of the New Testament is
the good news about salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. But the primary
message is not the whole message, and another significant part of the New
Testament teaches us how people should live. With respect to issues like these
we have mentioned, the Bible also teaches us about what kinds of laws
governments should have.


The laws of a nation have a significant influence on the nation’s moral climate, for
good or for ill. This is because laws can either restrain evil or encourage it, and
because laws also have a teaching function as they inform people about what a
government thinks to be right and wrong conduct.


Therefore we urge pastors and Bible study leaders to teach on these crucial
ethical issues facing our nation. We urge all Christians that they have a moral
obligation to learn about the candidates’ positions, to be informed, and to vote.
We urge all Christians to pray that truthful speech and right conduct on both
sides would prevail in this election. We also encourage Christians to consider
doing even more for the good of our nation, such as giving time or money, or
talking to friends and neighbors, or even serving in office themselves. Such
influence for good on the direction of our country is one important way of fulfilling
Jesus’ command, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt. 22:19).


[The signatures below represent only the personal views of those signing
and not the views of their churches or institutions, which are added for
identification purposes only. Permission is hereby given to reproduce and
circulate this statement]


Pastors and Christian Leaders
Dr. Daniel L. Akin, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake
Forest, NC
Dr. Randy Alcorn, Director, Eternal Perspective Ministries, Gresham, OR
Kerby Anderson, National Director, Probe Ministries and host, Point of View
radio, Dallas, TX
Dr. Neil T. Anderson, Founder and President Emeritus, Freedom in Christ
Ministries
Jack and Kay Arthur, CEO and Founders, Precepts Ministries International
Dr. Barry Asmus, Senior Economist, National Center for Policy Analysis, Dallas,
TX
Ted Baehr, Chairman, Christian Film & Television Commission, Camarillo, CA
Dr. Mark Bailey, President, Dallas Theological Seminary
Gary Bauer, President, American Values
Joel Belz, Founder and Publisher, World Magazine
Tal Brooke, President/Chairman, Spiritual Counterfeits Project Inc.
Dr. E. Ray Clendenen, Executive editor, Bibles and Reference Books,
Broadman & Holman Publishers
Rev. Eugene Clingman, Executive Administrator, International Church Council
Project, Hathaway Pines, CA
Dr. Darryl DelHousaye, President, Phoenix Seminary and Senior Pastor,
Scottsdale Bible Church, Scottsdale, AZ
Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Author, Host of Revive our Hearts radio
Dr. Lane T. Dennis, President and Publisher, Good News Publishers/ Crossway
Books and Bibles, Wheaton, IL
Dr. James Dobson, Chairman, Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO
Dr. Bert Downs, President, Western Seminary, Portland, OR
Dr. Tom Elliff, Pastor, First Southern Baptist Church, Del City, Oklahoma, and
past president, Southern Baptist Convention
Dr. Steve Farrar, Founder and Chairman, Men’s Leadership Ministries, Frisco,
TX
Dr. Ronnie Floyd, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church – Springdale, AR and The
Church at Pinnacle Hills – Rogers, AR
Dr. Tom Fortson, President, Promise Keepers
Dr. Jack Hayford, Chancellor, The King’s College and Seminary, Van Nuys, CA
Dr. Jim Henry, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Orlando, FL, and past
president, Southern Baptist Convention
Dr. R. Kent Hughes, Senior Pastor, College Church in Wheaton, Wheaton, IL
Susan Hunt, Author
The Hon. Don Hodel, President, Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO
Charles W. Jarvis, Chairman, USA Next-United Seniors Association
Dr. David Jeremiah, Founder, Turning Point Radio and Television Ministries and
Senior Pastor, Shadow Mountain Community Church, El Cajon, CA
Dr. D. James Kennedy, Chancellor, Knox Theological Seminary, Fort
Lauderdale, FL

Dr. Gary Kinnaman, Senior Minister, Word of Grace Church, Mesa, Arizona
Dr. R. T. Kendall, Bible teacher, Author
Bob Lepine, Co-Host, FamilyLife Today
Dr. Robert Lewis, Pastor at Large, Fellowship Bible Church, Little Rock, AR
Dr. Crawford W. Loritts, Jr., Author, Speaker, Radio Host, Atlanta, GA
H.B. London Jr., Vice President, Church, Clergy & Medical Outreach; Focus on
the Family
Dr. James MacDonald, Senior Pastor, Harvest Bible Chapel, Rolling Meadows,
IL
Josh McDowell, President, Josh McDowell Ministries
Len Munsil, President, Center for Arizona Policy
Dr. Joel Nederhood, Director of Ministries Emeritus, Back to God Hour,
Christian Reformed Church
Dr. Marvin Olasky, Editor-in-chief, World Magazine
Rod Parsley, Founder, Center for Moral Clarity
Dr. Paige Patterson, President, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft.
Worth, TX, and past president, Southern Baptist Convention
Ron Prentice, Executive Director, California Family Council
Dr. Dennis Rainey, President, FamilyLife, Little Rock, AR
Dr. Phil Roberts, President, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas
City, MO
Jeff Schulte, Teaching Pastor, Fellowship Bible Church, Nashville, TN
Alan E. Sears, President, Alliance Defense Fund, Scottsdale, AZ
Dr. Joseph M. Stowell III, President, Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, IL
Dr. Joseph Wasmond, President, Freedom in Christ Ministries, Knoxville, TN
Dr. Stu Weber, Senior Pastor, Good Shepherd Community Church, Gresham,
OR
Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman, American Family Association
Professors at Christian colleges and theological seminaries
Dr. Gregg R. Allison, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY
Dr. James A. Borland, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA
Dr. Gerry Breshears, Western Seminary, Portland, OR
Dr. Harold O. J. Brown, Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, NC
Dr. L. Russ Bush, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest,
NC
Dr. Fred Chay, Phoenix Seminary, Scottsdale, AZ
Dr. Richard C. Chewning, Baylor University (Emeritus), and John Brown
University, Siloam Springs, AR
Dr. Jack Cottrell, Cincinnati Bible Seminary, Cincinnati, OH
Dr. Kendell Easley, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, Germantown,
TN
Dr. Wayne Grudem, Phoenix Seminary, Scottsdale, AZ
Dr. Howard G. Hendricks, Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, TX

Dr. George W. Knight, III, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary,
Taylors, SC
Dr. J. Carl Laney, Western Seminary, Portland, OR
Dr. David E. Lanier, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest,
NC
Dr. Steve Lemke, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, New Orleans, LA
Dr. Daniel R. Heimbach, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake
Forest, NC
Dr. Mark Daniel Liederbach, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake
Forest, NC
Dr. Tom J. Nettles, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY
Dr. Dorothy Kelley Patterson, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft.
Worth, TX
Dr. Alvin L. Reid, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC
Dr. Leland Ryken, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL
Dr. Wayne G. Strickland, Multnomah Bible College and Seminary, Portland, OR
Dr. Steven R Tracy, Phoenix Seminary, Scottsdale, AZ
Dr. Bruce Ware, The Southern Baptist Seminary, Louisville, KY
Dr. Paul Wegner, Phoenix Seminary, Scottsdale, AZ
Dr. Robert W. Yarbrough, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, IL
Additional Signers
Dr. Brent Aucoin, Southeastern College at Wake Forest, Wake Forest, NC
Dr. William E. Brown, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake
Forest, NC
Dr. Emir Caner, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC
Dr. Gerald Cowen, Southeastern College at Wake Forest, Wake Forest, NC
Dr. Allan Moseley, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest,
NC
Dr. Waylan Owens, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest,
NC
Stephen R. Prescott, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest,
NC


Additional note: The following legal opinion regarding this statement has been
given by a prominent, highly knowledgeable tax attorney:
It is the opinion of an Arizona tax lawyer of long experience, that the
enclosed statements, if made from the pulpit or by a church
representative, do not violate the prohibition against political advocacy by
a tax-exempt organization. The reason is that this memorandum deals with
issues rather than candidates or parties. Tax-exempt organizations,
including churches, are not prohibited from expressing views on moral and
other issues. This paper deals with issues.

Wednesday, October 13, 2004

Thoughts on the Presidential Debates and the Upcoming Elections

Having watched all three presidential debates and the single vice presidential debate, I remain firm in my commitment to the candidate I have chosen. Speaking solely for myself, I support President Bush in the upcoming election. However, I would like to share some thoughts on the debates and the elections.

1. I have not been pleased at the way both candidates have resorted to denigrating the other candidates. Regardless of what we have heard during the debates and in the campaign ads, I do not believe that either Kerry or Bush are evil incarnate. I do not believe that either candidate is set to ruin our great nation. I would have preferred to see the candidates focus more on what they propose to do rather than on how the other candidate is wrong.

2. I think that the one thing that has come from the debates is that America can clearly see a difference between the two candidates in regards to their world view and vision for this nation. President Bush clearly comes across as a candidate influenced by a conservative Christian world view. He appears to see his administration's actions as attempts at implementing the social justice principles in the Bible. Senator Kerry clearly comes across as a candidate influenced by liberal policies and not by any religious world view. With this view, he promotes a more tolerant view of religion overall and bases his administrative proposals on how society and government should act in a civilized world. Which is right? It would depend on your own personal world view.

3. The Environment. If there is one area that I have to fault President Bush, it is in this area. While I understand that his main concern since taking office has been to reverse the recession that has impacted the nation, I feel that more could have been done to promote environmental policies that were compatible with business practices.

4. The Economy. There is a clear difference between the two candidates in this area. President Bush is focusing on less government and more economic incentives to businesses to grow the economy. Senator Kerry believes that the economy should be handled by increased Government programs designed to spur economic growth. Clear cut conservative economics vs. liberal economic policies. Generally, the same holds true for healthcare and jobs.

5. The War on Terror. Once again we see a clear difference between the two candidates in this area. President Bush tends to view the war on terror as America's responsibility, and if the world wants to help, great. If the world doesn't want to help, we'll do it on our own. Senator Kerry tends to take the more liberal approach of building a consensus with other nations and approaching the war on terror as a global problem. If we do not have the support of the other countries, then we should respect their opinions and not engage unilaterally. [The funny thing here is that on the issue of Korea, the two candidates flip-flop views.] I think both candidates have still failed to recognize the spiritual aspects of the war on terror, and until they do so, we will continue to fail in winning the war. We may win battles, such as in Afghanistan and Iraq, but the war will continue to be in doubt. Another area of concern I have is that we continue to approach the war on terror with a western perspective. Until we recognize and realize that we are fighting an enemy with a different world view and with a different perspective, we cannot win. That is why WWI and WWII were so decisive, but wars with Asian and Middle Eastern countries (Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, etc.) remain difficult.

So, how should a Christian vote? What would Jesus do in regards to this upcoming election? WWJVF (Who Would Jesus Vote For?)? This is not a question that is easy to answer, but let me give you some principles that I use to guide my vote:

I try to hold up a candidate's view of issues to my own interpretation of the Bible, knowing that I approach the Bible from a literal conservative Methodist perspective. In that regards, I tend to vote for candidates that are pro-life, pro-family, and pro-civil justice. I tend to vote against candidates that support abortion and same-sex marriages.

I do not believe that Christians should base their vote solely on economic issues. Christ told us that we cannot serve two masters -- money being one of the masters that He mentioned. Whenever we use economics, even our own financial security, as the sole factor in deciding who to vote for, we may end up compromising our integrity in other areas.

I personally do not favor Government welfare or social security programs. I contend that the existence of these programs demonstrates the failure of the church. Jesus gave us the responsibility to care for widows, orphans, elderly, and the outcast. He did not give that responsibility to the Government. I would rather see fewer Government programs and more faith-based programs that originate from the church with church funds. I tend to vote for candidates that support fewer Government programs.

That said, let me make one more final point. I believe it is a God-given responsibility for Christians to vote. God has placed us in this great nation and has given us the right to elect our leaders. His word tells us to submit to the authorities placed over us, and I think that means exercising our right to vote. Christians should vote their conscience, basing their vote on biblical principles and not on political or solely economic principles, and certainly not along party lines. God is neither a Republican or a Democrat, and I believe He would have us vote for the person rather than the party.

Sunday, October 10, 2004

On Rockets and Spirits

The following article was posted in the Vero Beach Press Journal on Monday of this past week:

"Hurricane Makes Explosive Discovery
Monday, October 04, 2004

Residents of a Florida coastal community found something interesting in the wake of Hurricane Jeanne - a World War II-era missile, complete with live warhead, buried under a driveway.
"We have seen other bombs and depth charges wash up before, but that is unusual to find it underneath the driveway," Pat Schulke, who lives across the street in an unincorporated part of Indian River County, told the Vero Beach Press Journal.

The pounding waves generated by Jeanne washed away most of the beachfront driveway, revealing several feet of a rocket poking out of the sand, tail fins and all.

"[Bombs] have washed up in the past, but not usually found within a community," said Detective Joe Flescher from the county sheriff's office.


Experts from Patrick Air Force Base up the coast identified the rocket as a "Tiny Tim," a 10-foot-long air-to-ground missile carrying a 500-pound bomb.

Flescher explained that 60 years ago, the barrier island opposite Vero Beach was a training ground for the U.S. military.

Ordnance disposal personnel from the Air Force base determined the warhead was live, and moved it elsewhere for detonation.

"It sounded like a large firework going off," said Lt. David Dangerfield of the Indian River County Fire-Rescue department, who was about half a mile away. "Dirt shot right up in the air, and I felt a minimum percussion from it. The bomb was live.""

This is what happens in our life when the storms of life come upon us. God uses these storms to pound away at our flesh and at everything else that hampers us in our walk with Him. The waves and the wind and the surf strip away our pride and our arrogance and our sin until we reach the point where all we can do is trust in Him. It is at that point that the hidden power of God is made manifest in our life, just as the bomb lay hidden for years under a beach-side driveway was exposed following a storm. As the Word of God says, the Holy Spirit inside of us is like dunamis -- dynamite -- power. We just need to reach the point where we allow His power to manifest through us.
I AM A SOLDIER!

I am a soldier in the army of my God! The Lord Jesus Christ is my commanding officer! The Bible is my code of conduct! Faith, prayer, and the Word are my weapons of warfare!

I am a volunteer in this army and I am enlisted for eternity! I will either retire from this army at the Rapture or die in this army, but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out! I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire!

I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable! If my God needs me, I am there! If He needs me to teach children in Sunday School, to work with youth, help adults, or just sit and learn, He can use me, because I am there!

I am a soldier! I am not a baby! I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed, pumped up, picked up, or pepped up!

I am a soldier! No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me! I am a soldier! I am not a wimp! I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His kingdom! No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts! I don't need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to!

I am committed! I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around! I can not be discouraged enough to turn me aside! I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit! When Jesus called me into His army, I had nothing, I will still break even!

I will win! My God will supply all my needs! I am more than a conqueror! I will always triumph! I can do all things through Christ! Devils cannot defeat me! People cannot disillusion me! Weather cannot weary me; sickness cannot stop me; battles cannot beat me! Money cannot buy me! Governments cannot silence me! And hell cannot handle me!

I am a soldier! Even death cannot destroy me, for when my Commander calls me from this battlefield, He will promote me to captain and then bring me back to rule this world with Him! I am a soldier in God's army, I will never surrender to the Enemy! I will never turn back! I am a soldier, marching heavenward, claiming victory as I go!

Here I stand! Will you stand with me?

Guess what? If you've accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you're already enlisted!

Question is, which part of the service are you in:

1. ACTIVE DUTY: Serving the Lord faithfully, daily, and on duty 24-7?

2. GUARD STATUS: Backing up the Active Duty group?

3. RESERVE STATUS: Serving only when called upon or twice a year: Christmas and Easter? or

4. AWOL! Absent with out the Lord?

From: "Schnippert, William A." <5331WAS@jaxsheriff.com>