The Need of the Nation
I was watching the congressman conducting a “town hall” meeting. The subject was the health care bill that had passed the United States House of Representatives. The people speaking seemed almost unanimously opposed to it – and their reasons were many. Not only did they present arguments against the measure, but did so passionately. The congressman responded by saying something along the lines of this plan is “the need of the nation.”
Thirty years ago I studied Francis Schaeffer’s series entitled How Should We Then Live? The present controversy regarding government-sponsored health care is eerie. Could this be the playing out of the warnings delivered by Schaeffer?
Senior adults are living longer. The government programs designed to assist this segment of the population, Social Security and Medicare, are unbelievably strained. The insurance industry is dictating to physicians what they may and may not do if they want payment. It is likely that the government sponsored health plan will have its people doing the same thing. It should come as no surprise that the legislation which passed the House has a provision that every five years Medicare recipients (seniors) will be getting a rap on the door from government representatives. These representatives will be “sharing options” with senior citizens. No one knows what these government trained persons will be reporting back to the authorities, but everyone knows reports will be filed. Perhaps they will, in time, decide who receives additional medical procedures and who does not. This will be only one small step from their deciding then who lives and who should be put to death. Forced euthanasia could easily become reality. This was Schaeffer’s ominous warning to a society that had abandoned God – turned its back on the Bible and its standards. Schaeffer had predicted that a “culture of death” would then arise.
Does this seem impossible? If so, keep three thoughts in mind. First, the forced elimination of people groups has happened in other countries, even well-educated and civilized countries (post-World War I Germany); secondly, the costs of the social programs aforementioned are unsustainable at present rates; thirdly, President Obama has begun talking about “termination of life” issues (July 2009– as reported in the August 21, 2009 The Sword of the Lord, Murfreesboro, TN, page 5). Not “end of life” issues, mind you, but “termination of life”. If this phrase does not send a chill up your spine, you must not have a spine!
As Francis Schaeffer shared over thirty years ago: it is a very small philosophical step from abortion to euthanasia. Both the unborn and the elderly are helpless to stop the strong and empowered from killing them. The elderly, particularly those with dementia, are expensive to society. Furthermore, caring for them is inconvenient. A great deal of tax money can be saved and used elsewhere, so some may be thinking, if only these inconvenient, no longer productive persons would die.
From there, it will be another small philosophical step to eliminate other undesirable persons: those with debilitating diseases, prisoners, Christians, Jews, Muslims, atheists – whoever is empowered and strong will make those decisions.
The Christian must always be mindful and remind others of this: God has created life. He is closely associated with life. Throughout the pages of the Bible God is described as the Source of Life. He calls us to life, eternal life, through Jesus Christ. He provides meaning to life in the present world. He and He alone, should determine when physical life as we know it ends for a person.
Support life. Respect life. Return to the Bible and its standards. Return to God.
This is the need of the nation.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
A Fully Committed Heart
“The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him” – 2 Chronicles 16:9.
Did you ever pause to think that God may be searching for you? Searching to show Himself strong on your behalf and to encourage you?
Just what is He seeking in you?
A heart fully committed to Him. That is, a person of strong faith – willing to trust God in any situation of life.
I was at the hospital bedside of a close friend. He had suffered a massive stroke and lay, unresponsive, in the critical care unit. As I spoke with him, and proceeded to pray with him, my mind went back to the time when he was vigorous. I clearly remember him visiting people, sharing his faith and inviting them to have faith in God also. He was able to trust God fully in life, and I was certain that He would continue to trust God now while facing death.
A heart fully committed in faith to God is beautiful, and it builds a strong person.
How does a person begin this journey to build a heart that is fully committed to Him? You will notice that I deliberately used the word “build”, because this is something we do over time.
First, you have to be available. Are you willing to put yourself in God’s hands, obediently doing what He commands? Can you work God into your schedule, busy as it is, and spend some time with Him? Your time will be well spent as you learn to discern His voice. If you are not certain just what to say, try this: “Lord, here I am. I am available to You today.”
Secondly, reach out to someone. Call a discouraged person, visit someone who is hospitalized or disabled, send a note or card to someone in need. Reaching out to a person is Christlike and pleases God. He will notice these acts of love and compassion.
Thirdly, decide right now that you really don’t know everything. A spirit of humility, admitting that you are not always right or that you know everything, will enable the Holy Spirit to teach you through His Word and through others how your life may be more effectively used by God.
Fourthly, make a decision that you will be faithful. Be faithful to God, be faithful to truth and be faithful to the church. Being faithful is the great virtue promised by Christ to be recognized at the Judgment Day – “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord” – Matthew 25:21. God desires to see this determination above all else.
Here is a building project very much worth the effort:
a fully committed heart.
“The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him” – 2 Chronicles 16:9.
Did you ever pause to think that God may be searching for you? Searching to show Himself strong on your behalf and to encourage you?
Just what is He seeking in you?
A heart fully committed to Him. That is, a person of strong faith – willing to trust God in any situation of life.
I was at the hospital bedside of a close friend. He had suffered a massive stroke and lay, unresponsive, in the critical care unit. As I spoke with him, and proceeded to pray with him, my mind went back to the time when he was vigorous. I clearly remember him visiting people, sharing his faith and inviting them to have faith in God also. He was able to trust God fully in life, and I was certain that He would continue to trust God now while facing death.
A heart fully committed in faith to God is beautiful, and it builds a strong person.
How does a person begin this journey to build a heart that is fully committed to Him? You will notice that I deliberately used the word “build”, because this is something we do over time.
First, you have to be available. Are you willing to put yourself in God’s hands, obediently doing what He commands? Can you work God into your schedule, busy as it is, and spend some time with Him? Your time will be well spent as you learn to discern His voice. If you are not certain just what to say, try this: “Lord, here I am. I am available to You today.”
Secondly, reach out to someone. Call a discouraged person, visit someone who is hospitalized or disabled, send a note or card to someone in need. Reaching out to a person is Christlike and pleases God. He will notice these acts of love and compassion.
Thirdly, decide right now that you really don’t know everything. A spirit of humility, admitting that you are not always right or that you know everything, will enable the Holy Spirit to teach you through His Word and through others how your life may be more effectively used by God.
Fourthly, make a decision that you will be faithful. Be faithful to God, be faithful to truth and be faithful to the church. Being faithful is the great virtue promised by Christ to be recognized at the Judgment Day – “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord” – Matthew 25:21. God desires to see this determination above all else.
Here is a building project very much worth the effort:
a fully committed heart.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Purity
Purity.
I was thinking about Philippians 4:8-9 two days ago, “Whatsoever things are true, whatever is noble, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is a good report, whatever is virtuous and worthy of praise, think on these things…and the God of peace will be with you.”
I was interested in the phrase, “whatever is pure”. This “freedom from anything that taints, impairs or infects” means more than sexual activity outside the bounds of marriage. It is the tainting of the mind with any ungodly thought: lust, envy, greed, revenge. The point seems to be: think upon purity and you will live purity.
It is hard to be pure in an impure world. Do you know what? The world is no more impure now than it was in the days of Paul, otherwise the admonition to think upon purity would have no meaning. The world has been impure since the days of Cain (Genesis 4), and will remain impure until the return of Jesus Christ. So we may learn from the example of others, even if those others lived long ago.
There are examples given in the scripture of person who focused on pure thoughts and whose lives reflected it. Daniel is such an example.
Daniel lived a pure life in a society that would make Times Square blush. The raw, open hedonism and violence of ancient Persia and Babylon is appalling. Yet, here was Daniel, choosing to think upon and live a life of purity. Amazing! Well, maybe not so amazing – for when we read the story of Daniel’s life, it is said, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…” There it is – “he purposed in his heart.” He had determined to not eat food that had been offered to idols. This determination was extended to other areas of his life as well.
The lesson here is clear. A person must make a determined decision that he or she will focus on that which is pure.
It is interesting to see that Daniel’s determination to think upon the pure and to live that way kept him in a spirit of prayer. Actually, of all the lessons we can learn in studying Daniel’s life, the lesson of prayer’s importance is primary. One thing is for certain in Daniel’s life: he did not consider prayer to be wasted time. He did not just work it in to his busy schedule. He understood that through prayer, he was inviting Divine strength into his soul.
The lesson here is clear also. Prayer invites God’s strengthening presence into our souls. A person can not think pure thoughts and live a pure life apart from God’s help. Prayer is calling to God for this help – a Divine strengthening.
Want to think pure thoughts and live a pure life? Determine that you will focus on the pure, and eliminate the impure. Then pray for Divine strength, inviting God’s morality into your choices.
You will discover God’s peace when you choose…
Purity.
Purity.
I was thinking about Philippians 4:8-9 two days ago, “Whatsoever things are true, whatever is noble, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is a good report, whatever is virtuous and worthy of praise, think on these things…and the God of peace will be with you.”
I was interested in the phrase, “whatever is pure”. This “freedom from anything that taints, impairs or infects” means more than sexual activity outside the bounds of marriage. It is the tainting of the mind with any ungodly thought: lust, envy, greed, revenge. The point seems to be: think upon purity and you will live purity.
It is hard to be pure in an impure world. Do you know what? The world is no more impure now than it was in the days of Paul, otherwise the admonition to think upon purity would have no meaning. The world has been impure since the days of Cain (Genesis 4), and will remain impure until the return of Jesus Christ. So we may learn from the example of others, even if those others lived long ago.
There are examples given in the scripture of person who focused on pure thoughts and whose lives reflected it. Daniel is such an example.
Daniel lived a pure life in a society that would make Times Square blush. The raw, open hedonism and violence of ancient Persia and Babylon is appalling. Yet, here was Daniel, choosing to think upon and live a life of purity. Amazing! Well, maybe not so amazing – for when we read the story of Daniel’s life, it is said, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…” There it is – “he purposed in his heart.” He had determined to not eat food that had been offered to idols. This determination was extended to other areas of his life as well.
The lesson here is clear. A person must make a determined decision that he or she will focus on that which is pure.
It is interesting to see that Daniel’s determination to think upon the pure and to live that way kept him in a spirit of prayer. Actually, of all the lessons we can learn in studying Daniel’s life, the lesson of prayer’s importance is primary. One thing is for certain in Daniel’s life: he did not consider prayer to be wasted time. He did not just work it in to his busy schedule. He understood that through prayer, he was inviting Divine strength into his soul.
The lesson here is clear also. Prayer invites God’s strengthening presence into our souls. A person can not think pure thoughts and live a pure life apart from God’s help. Prayer is calling to God for this help – a Divine strengthening.
Want to think pure thoughts and live a pure life? Determine that you will focus on the pure, and eliminate the impure. Then pray for Divine strength, inviting God’s morality into your choices.
You will discover God’s peace when you choose…
Purity.
Friday, August 7, 2009
World-Changers
I have been pondering Deuteronomy 7:6 – “For you are a special people who belong to the Lord your God.”
The Lord has His special people on the earth – and you can be one of them! Bill Bright called these special people “world-changers.”
Romans 4 from the Bible tells me that any one who chooses to be a follower of Jesus Christ is a “special person” who can become a world-changer.
What is one of God’s “special people”, a world-changer, supposed to do?
Last week I was watching members of a local high school football team work out –doing exercises and running through drills in preparation for the upcoming season. It dawned upon me that these young fellows were “special people”. They are members of the football team, and will be representing the local school in athletic competition this fall. They are different, set apart from the remainder of the student body. Their time is spent differently: in practice after school hours, in games on Fridays and in watching film on Saturdays. Their exercise habits are different: they go through grueling practices every week day. Their eating habits are probably different, also: eating lots of protein for muscle-building and carbohydrates for energy and stamina.
God’s special people have also been set apart from the rest of humankind, and represent Him before the watching world. God’s special people make a difference in their world. That is what makes them world changers.
Don’t you love the thought of being a world changer?
God’s special people possess the indwelling presence of God himself, the Holy Spirit. This Presence reveals itself from time to time, especially in difficult moments. God’s special people possess a wisdom (derived from knowledge of the Bible), an inner strength (derived from the Lord’s presence), and a positive outlook (derived from faith, hope and love). These are qualities all people desire, but only the believer has them in abundance and perpetually.
The world changer also has a God-given desire to serve. His or her motive is to glorify God and provide benefits to mankind. Consequently there is service in the community and friendship extended to others, especially those deemed undesirable by society: the poor, the elderly, the widows and orphans. God’s special people, the world-changers, desire to see certain virtues, as expressed in the Ten Commandments, prevail in society. The world-changers are convinced that the practice of these virtues will promote liberty and justice, eliminating tyranny and oppression. World changers will conduct gatherings to offer worship and praise to the God who has birthed them to eternal life. They teach illiterate people how to read and write. They teach healthy practices and establish hospitals in remote areas of the earth. They teach primitive tribal groups modern agricultural practices and proper nutrition.
Most amazing of all is the perspective on life these special people possess. They speak of another world yet to come, even while serving effectively in this world. . This other world is called “heaven”. These special people speak of dwelling in the actual presence of God forever in this coming world and actively solicit others to join them. They quote Jesus, for example, who said “What will it profit a person if he should gain the entirety of this (temporal) world, yet lose his (eternal) soul?” from Matthew 16:26.
Yep, for sure God has His special people.
And for sure they are world-changers.
I have been pondering Deuteronomy 7:6 – “For you are a special people who belong to the Lord your God.”
The Lord has His special people on the earth – and you can be one of them! Bill Bright called these special people “world-changers.”
Romans 4 from the Bible tells me that any one who chooses to be a follower of Jesus Christ is a “special person” who can become a world-changer.
What is one of God’s “special people”, a world-changer, supposed to do?
Last week I was watching members of a local high school football team work out –doing exercises and running through drills in preparation for the upcoming season. It dawned upon me that these young fellows were “special people”. They are members of the football team, and will be representing the local school in athletic competition this fall. They are different, set apart from the remainder of the student body. Their time is spent differently: in practice after school hours, in games on Fridays and in watching film on Saturdays. Their exercise habits are different: they go through grueling practices every week day. Their eating habits are probably different, also: eating lots of protein for muscle-building and carbohydrates for energy and stamina.
God’s special people have also been set apart from the rest of humankind, and represent Him before the watching world. God’s special people make a difference in their world. That is what makes them world changers.
Don’t you love the thought of being a world changer?
God’s special people possess the indwelling presence of God himself, the Holy Spirit. This Presence reveals itself from time to time, especially in difficult moments. God’s special people possess a wisdom (derived from knowledge of the Bible), an inner strength (derived from the Lord’s presence), and a positive outlook (derived from faith, hope and love). These are qualities all people desire, but only the believer has them in abundance and perpetually.
The world changer also has a God-given desire to serve. His or her motive is to glorify God and provide benefits to mankind. Consequently there is service in the community and friendship extended to others, especially those deemed undesirable by society: the poor, the elderly, the widows and orphans. God’s special people, the world-changers, desire to see certain virtues, as expressed in the Ten Commandments, prevail in society. The world-changers are convinced that the practice of these virtues will promote liberty and justice, eliminating tyranny and oppression. World changers will conduct gatherings to offer worship and praise to the God who has birthed them to eternal life. They teach illiterate people how to read and write. They teach healthy practices and establish hospitals in remote areas of the earth. They teach primitive tribal groups modern agricultural practices and proper nutrition.
Most amazing of all is the perspective on life these special people possess. They speak of another world yet to come, even while serving effectively in this world. . This other world is called “heaven”. These special people speak of dwelling in the actual presence of God forever in this coming world and actively solicit others to join them. They quote Jesus, for example, who said “What will it profit a person if he should gain the entirety of this (temporal) world, yet lose his (eternal) soul?” from Matthew 16:26.
Yep, for sure God has His special people.
And for sure they are world-changers.
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