I was listening to a Christian radio station earlier today and heard something that got me thinking.
The song, to paraphrase, said that mercy doesn't care what you've done. Obviously, this was intended to say the normal synergistic, "Come as you are to Jesus."
While it is true that we are sinners, and we do not wait until we are perfectly holy to repent and believe, the phrase "mercy doesn't care what you've done," I believe, is not just imprecise, but thoroughly unbiblical.
Why?
First, Jesus, the Son of God, died to pay the penalty for what we've done. So, I'd say he would beg to differ. It does matter what we've done.
Second, we wouldn't need the "mercy" had we not done what we've done. The "mercy" exists, because God loved His people so much that He provided the mercy and payment for the sins they've committed. He gave them that which they did not deserve.
Third, I think the above phrase demonstrates that the writer doesn't understand the wickedness of sin. Ps. 5:5 and Ps. 11:5- Need I say more?
Fourth, God most definitely "cares," because we must REPENT in order to come. What are we repenting of, but that which we've done? What is it that we confess, but that which God has already said about our sin? We confess that we are sinners and rightly condemned for so being.
Finally, what will men be judged for, in the end, but the works done in the flesh?
Please, make no mistake, God does care what we have done and what we do. As Ps. 51 notes, it does matter what is on the inside, but what we do on the outside, comes from within.
You cannot truly come to God without REPENTING for your sins.
Repent, believe and flee the wrath to come.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 The Byrds and the Dogs
Ecclesiastes 3
1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
9What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
10I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 11He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
12I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 13And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
14I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. 15That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
16And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. 17I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. 18I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. 19For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. 20All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. 21Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
22Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
Verses 1 through 8 describe the opposites of life. Man spends a great amount of time doing one to prevent the other, all the while unable to stop the inevitable. How many men have we seen attempt to keep peace, only to find themselves in war? Solomon sees that there will come a time for both, one way or another.
In verse 9, Solomon repeats the mantra, "What profit?" Solomon is questioning what profit there is for efforts of the guy who works for peace only to have war break out on him. There seems to be none, in this life without God.
Verses 10 and 11 describe God’s curse on man, Genesis 3:17, the "travail." God has cursed the ground and put a longing for the afterlife in man. God wants man’s direction to be focused on him and the hereafter.
In verses 12 and 13, Solomon discusses the only profit in this world, enjoying the fruit of your labor and doing your best. This verse shows the "common grace" God has for all men. God allows men to find enjoyment in what they do, even as his enemies. The gifts and talents that unregenerate man has are still yet from God.
Verses 14 and 15 show God’s sovereignty, order and providence. God has done it, it shall be. God has said it, it shall be.
Verses 16 through 21 show the absurdity of trying to find righteous judgment consistently in this life. Solomon longs for a time when God will judge rightly. Solomon foreshadows the Final Judgement, and we can trust that it is sure to come. That will be a comfort to God’s people, but it should strike fear in the ungodly.
Solomon goes on to explain that God is humbling men and showing his power. He is showing that, without him, men would be mere animals who share the same fate with dogs.
We know in our day that some truly advance this, and, as God points out, rightly so, if there is no God. But, they are wrong. God is, and he is the judge of men. He will hold men accountable, especially since they are not dogs. They have been shown undeserved grace, no less than common grace, and have spit upon the giver of it. He will hold them guiltless.
In verse 22, Solomon again points out that the only thing man can do on his own, but not really on his own, is find some pleasure in the work he does.
Christians may also find enjoyment in what they do, seeing how what they do and how they do it are gifts from God. But, Christians should be looking to do things that will matter after this life is over. They should use their gifts and talents to do God’s work, enjoy it and please him.
God gives this very chapter to his people in order to make them aware of the things common to life, so they will not be caught off guard. They will be looking for it and seeing God in it. They will have comfort for life.
1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
9What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
10I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 11He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
12I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 13And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
14I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. 15That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
16And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. 17I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. 18I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. 19For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. 20All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. 21Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
22Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
Verses 1 through 8 describe the opposites of life. Man spends a great amount of time doing one to prevent the other, all the while unable to stop the inevitable. How many men have we seen attempt to keep peace, only to find themselves in war? Solomon sees that there will come a time for both, one way or another.
In verse 9, Solomon repeats the mantra, "What profit?" Solomon is questioning what profit there is for efforts of the guy who works for peace only to have war break out on him. There seems to be none, in this life without God.
Verses 10 and 11 describe God’s curse on man, Genesis 3:17, the "travail." God has cursed the ground and put a longing for the afterlife in man. God wants man’s direction to be focused on him and the hereafter.
In verses 12 and 13, Solomon discusses the only profit in this world, enjoying the fruit of your labor and doing your best. This verse shows the "common grace" God has for all men. God allows men to find enjoyment in what they do, even as his enemies. The gifts and talents that unregenerate man has are still yet from God.
Verses 14 and 15 show God’s sovereignty, order and providence. God has done it, it shall be. God has said it, it shall be.
Verses 16 through 21 show the absurdity of trying to find righteous judgment consistently in this life. Solomon longs for a time when God will judge rightly. Solomon foreshadows the Final Judgement, and we can trust that it is sure to come. That will be a comfort to God’s people, but it should strike fear in the ungodly.
Solomon goes on to explain that God is humbling men and showing his power. He is showing that, without him, men would be mere animals who share the same fate with dogs.
We know in our day that some truly advance this, and, as God points out, rightly so, if there is no God. But, they are wrong. God is, and he is the judge of men. He will hold men accountable, especially since they are not dogs. They have been shown undeserved grace, no less than common grace, and have spit upon the giver of it. He will hold them guiltless.
In verse 22, Solomon again points out that the only thing man can do on his own, but not really on his own, is find some pleasure in the work he does.
Christians may also find enjoyment in what they do, seeing how what they do and how they do it are gifts from God. But, Christians should be looking to do things that will matter after this life is over. They should use their gifts and talents to do God’s work, enjoy it and please him.
God gives this very chapter to his people in order to make them aware of the things common to life, so they will not be caught off guard. They will be looking for it and seeing God in it. They will have comfort for life.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Seminary President Better At Politics Than Politician
You can check out the whole article, but I will just show the similarities between the Ergun Caner cover-up and this one.
The article reads:
"Since McKenna's report went out last week, Vaughn has gone step-by-step through the political crisis playbook. His first step was to deny, deny, deny. The delegate insisted to McKenna that he was signed as a free agent in 1980, despite evidence to the contrary. A single, ambiguous newspaper clipping was his only proof."
#1: Deny, using weak counter evidence- been there done that.
"Next up was the tried and true method of distraction with inconsequential facts. Vaughn said he was a member of the NFL Players Alumni Association, a group whose eligibility requirements seem to be only that you have a working credit card. If you'd like, you can join too for $150. "
#2: Distraction- Misstatements, "Their evidence proves I was a Muslim!"- been there done that
"Then Vaughn tried to blame the issue on someone else (the webmaster who made his site), pulled the offending sentence (he says he removed it immediately; McKenna claims he waited six days), released a damage control statement blasting the City Paper's report (it was "unresearched (sic) and inaccurate"), basically blamed the media for all of society's ills ("this incident demonstrates the growing problem that we have in the 24/7 media culture") and, finally, vowed to "explore" how the error was made in the first place. "
#3: Have we heard it is an EXTREME Muslim and EXTREME Calvinist plot?- been there done that too --Didn't we also hear this from supporters? Tim Guthrie.
"But if the report was "unresearched and inaccurate," then what's he exploring? "
#4: Hasn't he already apologized? But he is also innocent, isn't he?
"And why did he take the sentence about playing for the Cowboys off his bio? "
#5: What happened to the debates all over the place?
"Either McKenna is right and Vaughn didn't play for them or the bio was right and Vaughn did. "
#6: Border of Iraq or Ohio? Training centers, where?
"Later on Vaughn admitted he didn't play for three years but that he practiced with the team for five months, yet he's still exploring something. The delegate doth protest too much methinks.
There hasn't been any political fallout yet in Vaughn's district, possibly because the story hasn't gained enough traction with major media outlets or possibly because voters are satisfied with the delegate's performance and don't care about a white lie on a website. That's what makes Vaughn's reaction so bizarre; if he had removed the Cowboys blurb and moved on, nobody would be talking about it. By extending the story, he's running the risk of having more of his constituents hear about his penchant for tall tales. "
#7: Had Ergun Caner truly confessed and repented, it would be over.
"We've gotten away from the most important question though, which is why someone would lie about playing for the Cowboys, especially in the D.C. area? ... Or putting an easily disputed fact on your website and getting into a fight with the media four months before an election. In other words, not too smart. "
#8: Exactly, did Ergun not think anyone would check his facts?
The similarities are striking.
May God bring this to a close.
The article reads:
"Since McKenna's report went out last week, Vaughn has gone step-by-step through the political crisis playbook. His first step was to deny, deny, deny. The delegate insisted to McKenna that he was signed as a free agent in 1980, despite evidence to the contrary. A single, ambiguous newspaper clipping was his only proof."
#1: Deny, using weak counter evidence- been there done that.
"Next up was the tried and true method of distraction with inconsequential facts. Vaughn said he was a member of the NFL Players Alumni Association, a group whose eligibility requirements seem to be only that you have a working credit card. If you'd like, you can join too for $150. "
#2: Distraction- Misstatements, "Their evidence proves I was a Muslim!"- been there done that
"Then Vaughn tried to blame the issue on someone else (the webmaster who made his site), pulled the offending sentence (he says he removed it immediately; McKenna claims he waited six days), released a damage control statement blasting the City Paper's report (it was "unresearched (sic) and inaccurate"), basically blamed the media for all of society's ills ("this incident demonstrates the growing problem that we have in the 24/7 media culture") and, finally, vowed to "explore" how the error was made in the first place. "
#3: Have we heard it is an EXTREME Muslim and EXTREME Calvinist plot?- been there done that too --Didn't we also hear this from supporters? Tim Guthrie.
"But if the report was "unresearched and inaccurate," then what's he exploring? "
#4: Hasn't he already apologized? But he is also innocent, isn't he?
"And why did he take the sentence about playing for the Cowboys off his bio? "
#5: What happened to the debates all over the place?
"Either McKenna is right and Vaughn didn't play for them or the bio was right and Vaughn did. "
#6: Border of Iraq or Ohio? Training centers, where?
"Later on Vaughn admitted he didn't play for three years but that he practiced with the team for five months, yet he's still exploring something. The delegate doth protest too much methinks.
There hasn't been any political fallout yet in Vaughn's district, possibly because the story hasn't gained enough traction with major media outlets or possibly because voters are satisfied with the delegate's performance and don't care about a white lie on a website. That's what makes Vaughn's reaction so bizarre; if he had removed the Cowboys blurb and moved on, nobody would be talking about it. By extending the story, he's running the risk of having more of his constituents hear about his penchant for tall tales. "
#7: Had Ergun Caner truly confessed and repented, it would be over.
"We've gotten away from the most important question though, which is why someone would lie about playing for the Cowboys, especially in the D.C. area? ... Or putting an easily disputed fact on your website and getting into a fight with the media four months before an election. In other words, not too smart. "
#8: Exactly, did Ergun not think anyone would check his facts?
The similarities are striking.
May God bring this to a close.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Ecclesiastes 2:1-26 You may be wise. You may be a fool. But, without God, your similar end is despair.
Ecclesiastes 2
1I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. 2I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
3I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life. 4I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: 5I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits: 6I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees: 7I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: 8I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
9So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. 10And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. 11Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. 12And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done. 13Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. 14The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all. 15Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. 16For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool. 17Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 18Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. 19And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity. 20Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun. 21For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil. 22For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun? 23For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity. 24There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. 25For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I? 26For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
Why is it that there are so many suicides in the United States of America? The wealthiest country in the world. Why does home or business ownership not satisfy?
Here are some statistics:
U.S. Suicide Statistics (2001)
-Actual Suicides-
1.3% of all deaths are from suicide.
On average, one suicide occurs every 17 minutes.
On average, an elderly person dies by suicide every 1 hour and 37 minutes.
On average, a young person (age 15-24) dies by suicide every 2 hours and 12 minutes.
Suicide is the eleventh leading cause of death for all Americans.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people aged 15-24 year olds.(1st = accidents, 2nd = homicide)
Suicide is the fifth leading cause of death for young people aged 5-14 year olds.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students.
Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death for males.
Suicide is the nineteenth leading cause of death for females.
More males die from suicide than females.(4 male deaths by suicide for each female death by suicide.)
More people die from suicide than from homicide. (Suicide ranks as the 11th leading cause of death; Homicide ranks 13th.)
73% of all suicide deaths are white males.
80% of all firearm suicide deaths are white males.
Among the highest rates (when categorized by gender and race) are suicide deaths for white men over 85. (54 per 100,000)
http://www.suicide.org/suicide-statistics.html\
The category for the highest rates of suicide are white men over 85. People who have outlasted friends and family, who have no doubt worked, in one way or another, their whole lives are the most likely to commit suicide. Why is that?
Look at the young people statistics. Those cause my heart great grief, as do all the statistics of this issue. Especially kids and young adults with, as the world sees them, bright futures, i.e. college students, makes this passage very relevant for today.
These statistics show that amassing things like knowledge, wealth or longevity, in the end mean nothing compared to what really matters. This is totally backwards from what the world would have us believe.
Yes, Solomon points out wisely that enjoying your labor and the fruit of your hands is not wrong. No, it is from the hand of God, so enjoy.
Solomon says, "24There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. 25For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I? 26For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God."
The young despair of life fearing the future, possibly sensing the futility of life without God. The aged despair of life looking back on a life spent without God, finding they have nothing at all in the end.
Solomon begins teaching us here that we must be good in God's sight, in order to truly enjoy life here and hereafter. Exodus 15:26 Says, "And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee."
But, how can we possibly be found in that position? Only in Christ. Philippians 3:8-10 Says, "8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;"
We must seek Christ and his glory in order to truly live life to the fullest. Christ and the glory that awaits us will keep us from despair. May God be with our families. May God be with our children and keep them from the darkness of despair. May he light their paths.
1I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. 2I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
3I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life. 4I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: 5I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits: 6I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees: 7I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: 8I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
9So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. 10And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. 11Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. 12And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done. 13Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. 14The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all. 15Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. 16For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool. 17Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 18Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. 19And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity. 20Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun. 21For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil. 22For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun? 23For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity. 24There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. 25For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I? 26For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
Why is it that there are so many suicides in the United States of America? The wealthiest country in the world. Why does home or business ownership not satisfy?
Here are some statistics:
U.S. Suicide Statistics (2001)
-Actual Suicides-
1.3% of all deaths are from suicide.
On average, one suicide occurs every 17 minutes.
On average, an elderly person dies by suicide every 1 hour and 37 minutes.
On average, a young person (age 15-24) dies by suicide every 2 hours and 12 minutes.
Suicide is the eleventh leading cause of death for all Americans.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people aged 15-24 year olds.(1st = accidents, 2nd = homicide)
Suicide is the fifth leading cause of death for young people aged 5-14 year olds.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students.
Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death for males.
Suicide is the nineteenth leading cause of death for females.
More males die from suicide than females.(4 male deaths by suicide for each female death by suicide.)
More people die from suicide than from homicide. (Suicide ranks as the 11th leading cause of death; Homicide ranks 13th.)
73% of all suicide deaths are white males.
80% of all firearm suicide deaths are white males.
Among the highest rates (when categorized by gender and race) are suicide deaths for white men over 85. (54 per 100,000)
http://www.suicide.org/suicide-statistics.html\
The category for the highest rates of suicide are white men over 85. People who have outlasted friends and family, who have no doubt worked, in one way or another, their whole lives are the most likely to commit suicide. Why is that?
Look at the young people statistics. Those cause my heart great grief, as do all the statistics of this issue. Especially kids and young adults with, as the world sees them, bright futures, i.e. college students, makes this passage very relevant for today.
These statistics show that amassing things like knowledge, wealth or longevity, in the end mean nothing compared to what really matters. This is totally backwards from what the world would have us believe.
Yes, Solomon points out wisely that enjoying your labor and the fruit of your hands is not wrong. No, it is from the hand of God, so enjoy.
Solomon says, "24There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. 25For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I? 26For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God."
The young despair of life fearing the future, possibly sensing the futility of life without God. The aged despair of life looking back on a life spent without God, finding they have nothing at all in the end.
Solomon begins teaching us here that we must be good in God's sight, in order to truly enjoy life here and hereafter. Exodus 15:26 Says, "And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee."
But, how can we possibly be found in that position? Only in Christ. Philippians 3:8-10 Says, "8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;"
We must seek Christ and his glory in order to truly live life to the fullest. Christ and the glory that awaits us will keep us from despair. May God be with our families. May God be with our children and keep them from the darkness of despair. May he light their paths.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Can you say Amen at the end of a testimony filled with lies?
This blog really goes in depth into the heart of why the Gospel is hindered by lies relating to a person's testimony. We must not mix truth with lies, especially the ultimate truth.
Please take a moment to consider.
Please take a moment to consider.
Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 Can you have an iPod big enough?
Ecclesiastes 1
1The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. 3What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? 4One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. 5The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. 6The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. 7All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. 8All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 9The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 10Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. 11There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.
I like the way Solomon sets up his argument in Ecclesiastes: "All is vanity."
A lot can be said here, but I want to address a certain aspect of the passage: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
Do you have an iPod? How many songs do you have on it? How many podcasts have you downloaded? How many movies do you rent or how many have you downloaded?
I have over 40gb of info on my iPod, which is probably laughably small, and you know what? I am tired of listening to most of it. Songs that were great and fresh have become nauseating. Movies have become predictable and jokes have lost their sting. They have become empty.
Solomon has caught on to the fact that God has designed us to only be fulfilled in him and the fact that the curse not only wears down our bodies but also everything we try to find pleasure, rest or escape in. As Isaiah says: Isaiah 40:8The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
Solomon knew that conclusion and describes what is not vain, after laying out his arguments and evidence in the rest of the book.
I am reminded of the truth of Genesis every time I put clothes on. May God remind us of our frailty and true purpose when our pleasures fade. May God help us to find satisfaction in him alone.
1The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. 3What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? 4One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. 5The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. 6The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. 7All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. 8All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 9The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 10Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. 11There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.
I like the way Solomon sets up his argument in Ecclesiastes: "All is vanity."
A lot can be said here, but I want to address a certain aspect of the passage: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
Do you have an iPod? How many songs do you have on it? How many podcasts have you downloaded? How many movies do you rent or how many have you downloaded?
I have over 40gb of info on my iPod, which is probably laughably small, and you know what? I am tired of listening to most of it. Songs that were great and fresh have become nauseating. Movies have become predictable and jokes have lost their sting. They have become empty.
Solomon has caught on to the fact that God has designed us to only be fulfilled in him and the fact that the curse not only wears down our bodies but also everything we try to find pleasure, rest or escape in. As Isaiah says: Isaiah 40:8The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
Solomon knew that conclusion and describes what is not vain, after laying out his arguments and evidence in the rest of the book.
I am reminded of the truth of Genesis every time I put clothes on. May God remind us of our frailty and true purpose when our pleasures fade. May God help us to find satisfaction in him alone.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Harvest House says to Ergun Caner, "respond."
Great to hear that a company did not hide or try to deny the issue in an effort to save their publishing dollars.
This shows integrity, and I am glad. It shows that if the book says fiction, it's fiction, but if it says non-fiction, it had better be non-fiction!
I also agree with them: Set it straight soon Ergun, please?
Harvest House statement:
"We are saddened by the controversy that has risen as a result of the self-contradictory statements made by Ergun Caner over the years. And, we are concerned that the allegations surrounding his statements have not yet been adequately addressed by him, and we are hopeful that he will personally respond to them soon."
This shows integrity, and I am glad. It shows that if the book says fiction, it's fiction, but if it says non-fiction, it had better be non-fiction!
I also agree with them: Set it straight soon Ergun, please?
Harvest House statement:
"We are saddened by the controversy that has risen as a result of the self-contradictory statements made by Ergun Caner over the years. And, we are concerned that the allegations surrounding his statements have not yet been adequately addressed by him, and we are hopeful that he will personally respond to them soon."
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Ergun Caner on Archive.org
Mkhan used this site to find "factual statements that are self-contradictory."
This schedule of speaking engagements may lead to more information.
Use it well.
This schedule of speaking engagements may lead to more information.
Use it well.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Does Romans 5 Teach Arminianism?
The Arminian:
Romans 5:1-2 - It is through faith that we are made a part of Christ.
Romans 5:1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Response: Let’s look at the rest of the context and see what we can see.
3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. 12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
For all of the above limitations on scope, we, us, our and many, there are a few places the Arminian will cite, v. 6 “the ungodly” and v. 18 “free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”
First, v. 6 does not say “all the ungodly.” It is further clarified in v. 8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” It says to us, while we and for us. Not for everyone. The reference to “the ungodly” is to us “while we were yet sinners.” As v. 6 says, while WE were without strength.
Second, v. 18, cannot have the Arminian meaning. It is either universal, or must be taken a different way. Why? Because of the words “unto justification.” If all men are not justified, then this verse cannot mean what the Arminian says.
For instance, are these contradictory?
12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned
19For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners,
One verse says all have sinned and the other says many were made sinners. There is no contradiction, the verses are not intended to convey the same exact message. Nor is the many to be taken as merely a subset of the all. No, they are intended to convey different things.
What does this passage teach?
1. The love of God is shed abroad in our (Christian) hearts.
2. When we (Christians) were without strength, Christ died for the ungodly.
3. God commended his love toward us (Christians.)
4. While we (Christians) were sinners, Christ dies for us (Christians.)
5. We (Christians), having been justified, will be saved.
6. While we (Christians) were enemies, we (Christians) were reconciled.
7. Since we (Christians) are reconciled, we (Christians) will be saved.
8. We (Christians) have received atonement.
9. They which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness (Christians) shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.
There is no room for a universal redemption and no room for a discourse on conditional election. God did it all.
1. God shed his love in our (Christians) hearts by the Holy Ghost.
2. Holy Ghost is given to us (Christians.)
3. Christ died for “the ungodly,” clearly referring to us (Christians.)
4. God commendeth his love toward us (Christians.)
5. Christ died for us (Christians.)
6. Christ justified us (Christians) by his blood.
7. Christ will save us (Christians) from wrath.
8. By Christ’s death, we (Christians) were reconciled to God.
9. By Christ’s life, we (Christians) will be saved.
10. Christ gave the atonement to us (Christians.)
If you do not see that the pronouns limit this to Christians, then all of those refer to men in general. Then you see all men are given Holy Ghost, God commends his love toward everyone in that Christ died for everyone. Everyone is justified by his blood. Christ will save everyone. Christ reconciled everyone. Christ atoned for everyone.
The only consistent conclusion is either universalism, which is not remotely true, or the Calvinist view. The context demands the Calvinist view.
Yes, we (Christians) are justified by faith and by faith we have access, but this is not inconsistent with Calvinism.
Where does faith come from? Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Every man does not refer to every man who ever lived, it refers directly to the “every man that is among you.” (Christians) No universalism here either.
Monergism. It is all of God.
Romans 5:1-2 - It is through faith that we are made a part of Christ.
Romans 5:1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Response: Let’s look at the rest of the context and see what we can see.
3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. 12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
For all of the above limitations on scope, we, us, our and many, there are a few places the Arminian will cite, v. 6 “the ungodly” and v. 18 “free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”
First, v. 6 does not say “all the ungodly.” It is further clarified in v. 8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” It says to us, while we and for us. Not for everyone. The reference to “the ungodly” is to us “while we were yet sinners.” As v. 6 says, while WE were without strength.
Second, v. 18, cannot have the Arminian meaning. It is either universal, or must be taken a different way. Why? Because of the words “unto justification.” If all men are not justified, then this verse cannot mean what the Arminian says.
For instance, are these contradictory?
12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned
19For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners,
One verse says all have sinned and the other says many were made sinners. There is no contradiction, the verses are not intended to convey the same exact message. Nor is the many to be taken as merely a subset of the all. No, they are intended to convey different things.
What does this passage teach?
1. The love of God is shed abroad in our (Christian) hearts.
2. When we (Christians) were without strength, Christ died for the ungodly.
3. God commended his love toward us (Christians.)
4. While we (Christians) were sinners, Christ dies for us (Christians.)
5. We (Christians), having been justified, will be saved.
6. While we (Christians) were enemies, we (Christians) were reconciled.
7. Since we (Christians) are reconciled, we (Christians) will be saved.
8. We (Christians) have received atonement.
9. They which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness (Christians) shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.
There is no room for a universal redemption and no room for a discourse on conditional election. God did it all.
1. God shed his love in our (Christians) hearts by the Holy Ghost.
2. Holy Ghost is given to us (Christians.)
3. Christ died for “the ungodly,” clearly referring to us (Christians.)
4. God commendeth his love toward us (Christians.)
5. Christ died for us (Christians.)
6. Christ justified us (Christians) by his blood.
7. Christ will save us (Christians) from wrath.
8. By Christ’s death, we (Christians) were reconciled to God.
9. By Christ’s life, we (Christians) will be saved.
10. Christ gave the atonement to us (Christians.)
If you do not see that the pronouns limit this to Christians, then all of those refer to men in general. Then you see all men are given Holy Ghost, God commends his love toward everyone in that Christ died for everyone. Everyone is justified by his blood. Christ will save everyone. Christ reconciled everyone. Christ atoned for everyone.
The only consistent conclusion is either universalism, which is not remotely true, or the Calvinist view. The context demands the Calvinist view.
Yes, we (Christians) are justified by faith and by faith we have access, but this is not inconsistent with Calvinism.
Where does faith come from? Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Every man does not refer to every man who ever lived, it refers directly to the “every man that is among you.” (Christians) No universalism here either.
Monergism. It is all of God.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Did Job Sin With His Lips? Arminians say, "Yes."
Job 2
1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.
2 And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.
7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.
9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
Did Job sin with his lips when he said, "What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?"
1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.
2 And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.
7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.
9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
Did Job sin with his lips when he said, "What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?"
Did Job Charge God Foolishly? Arminians say, "Yes."
Job 1
1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.
3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:
15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
Did Job charge God foolishly when he said, "the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away?"
1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.
3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:
15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
Did Job charge God foolishly when he said, "the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away?"
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Hate the iniquity or the one working iniquity?
Psalm 5:5
The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
Psalm 11:5
The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
Psalm 11:5
The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Don't put up with liars...If they confess, forgive them.
I will refer you to this article "Don't put up with liars"
This article shows, again, how important it is for your actions and words to be the same. Not that we don't fall, for our theology says as much, but that when we do, we confess and seek forgiveness. And, quickly.
I will insert one quote from the article that says it all:
"These three appear to have fallen prey to the oldest temptation in the world, to not be completely truthful about themselves. We should be able to understand that perfectly, even if we can't condone it, because we've all done the same. But in their case, the sin is worse because they are leaders, and they have a greater responsibility to the truth.
Big Daddy tells Brick how to deal with mendacity: "You've got to live with it. There's nothin' to live with but mendacity. Is there?"
No, evangelicals themselves and the public at large aren't going to put up with dishonesty in their leaders. Souders has faced his consequences. We'll see if Rekers and Caner will face theirs."
This article shows, again, how important it is for your actions and words to be the same. Not that we don't fall, for our theology says as much, but that when we do, we confess and seek forgiveness. And, quickly.
I will insert one quote from the article that says it all:
"These three appear to have fallen prey to the oldest temptation in the world, to not be completely truthful about themselves. We should be able to understand that perfectly, even if we can't condone it, because we've all done the same. But in their case, the sin is worse because they are leaders, and they have a greater responsibility to the truth.
Big Daddy tells Brick how to deal with mendacity: "You've got to live with it. There's nothin' to live with but mendacity. Is there?"
No, evangelicals themselves and the public at large aren't going to put up with dishonesty in their leaders. Souders has faced his consequences. We'll see if Rekers and Caner will face theirs."
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Sound familiar?
Another example from the political world should teach Christians something.
It DOES matter whether what you say is true or false!
See Richard Blumenthal
Either you were in Vietnam or you were not. To say that you were, more than once, when you were not is not to misspeak, it is a lie.
Either you grew up in Turkey or you did not.
Same thing.
And yet, Richard Blumenthal is addressing the issue more quickly than a Christian seminary president.
It DOES matter whether what you say is true or false!
See Richard Blumenthal
Either you were in Vietnam or you were not. To say that you were, more than once, when you were not is not to misspeak, it is a lie.
Either you grew up in Turkey or you did not.
Same thing.
And yet, Richard Blumenthal is addressing the issue more quickly than a Christian seminary president.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
How sad indeed...
I found this excerpt from the Huffington Post, one of the more anti-Christian, news outlets:
"For months, Liberty University refused to investigate Caner's background. Now that local press and even the Associated Press have written about the controversy, the school has set up a committee to investigate the allegations. If they excuse his behavior, they risk tarnishing their credibility. If they punish him, they risk provoking the anger of the evangelical community.
An unrepentant Caner maintains his innocence, saying that he "never intentionally misled anyone." He blames the campaign to discredit him on Calvinists and their Muslim interlocutors. At the same time, many of his duped followers are refusing to accept reality. They are taking their anger out on those who have exposed the fraud and not on the charlatan himself."
Please, excusers of Caner, not defenders, yes excusers, please see that it is not the men who had the courage to hold Caner accountable that have given the unbelievers the occasion to blaspheme. No, it is the unwillingness to deal with the issue properly and promptly that has caused this.
It is indeed sad to see this story on the Huffington Post. It is truly sad to see that it has taken unbelievers bringing light to the issue, when Christians had been attempting to set things right first.
Please, call on Ergun to end this. Please, call on Liberty to end this.
Again, may God help us all to repent quickly, when we are confronted with sin, and, indeed, may God help us to repent even more quickly when we sin.
I know sometimes, to us, it is not enough that God sees our sin, but it should be. God's eyes should be the only eyes we fear to have our sins exposed before.
May God help us and May God forgive us all for our sins.
"For months, Liberty University refused to investigate Caner's background. Now that local press and even the Associated Press have written about the controversy, the school has set up a committee to investigate the allegations. If they excuse his behavior, they risk tarnishing their credibility. If they punish him, they risk provoking the anger of the evangelical community.
An unrepentant Caner maintains his innocence, saying that he "never intentionally misled anyone." He blames the campaign to discredit him on Calvinists and their Muslim interlocutors. At the same time, many of his duped followers are refusing to accept reality. They are taking their anger out on those who have exposed the fraud and not on the charlatan himself."
Please, excusers of Caner, not defenders, yes excusers, please see that it is not the men who had the courage to hold Caner accountable that have given the unbelievers the occasion to blaspheme. No, it is the unwillingness to deal with the issue properly and promptly that has caused this.
It is indeed sad to see this story on the Huffington Post. It is truly sad to see that it has taken unbelievers bringing light to the issue, when Christians had been attempting to set things right first.
Please, call on Ergun to end this. Please, call on Liberty to end this.
Again, may God help us all to repent quickly, when we are confronted with sin, and, indeed, may God help us to repent even more quickly when we sin.
I know sometimes, to us, it is not enough that God sees our sin, but it should be. God's eyes should be the only eyes we fear to have our sins exposed before.
May God help us and May God forgive us all for our sins.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Will Liberty Do the Right thing or the RIGHT thing?
In my first blog, I would like to address the Ergun Caner/Liberty University issue.
If you have been following this, you know that you can find the evidence that Ergun Caner has been changing his past, depending on where or when he is speaking.
We all have or have spoken to someone who has embellished a story. Some of us may even know a seminary president. But, I doubt, we know a seminary president, who has stayed such, after rewriting his past with embellishments and deceit.
You can find the Caner evidence here and here with further links provided.
Now, as to the title, my question is, "Will Liberty do what is God-honoring or what the Right-Wing usually does?"
Liberty could have and can handle things the way God wants us to, i.e. I John 1:9, James 5: 19, 20 and 1 Peter 4:7-9.
But, they seem to be handling the issue as Bob Jones University handled its no interracial dating policy in 2000.
Instead of immediately taking the God-honoring course, BJU had to be pressured into giving up the policy by the secular media. Liberty, basically, gave the same reason, the secular media, in their statement on the Dr. Caner issue.
The one thing Christians should know is that we shouldn't be doing things just because the media wants us to. Secondly, and more importantly, it should not take the mainstream media to shame us into confession. We should be ready as David, when confronted by Nathan, to admit our guilt, 2 Samuel 12:13.
My hope is that Dr. Caner will confess as necessary, Liberty will take the proper action against Dr. Caner, because God requires it, not because of the media, and Dr. Caner will receive forgiveness. Whatever the consequences, the unbelieving, especially Muslim, world is watching and needs to see that Christians do stand for truth, even against our own. May Paul be our example in this, i.e. Galatians 2:10-12. May God be praised.
If you have been following this, you know that you can find the evidence that Ergun Caner has been changing his past, depending on where or when he is speaking.
We all have or have spoken to someone who has embellished a story. Some of us may even know a seminary president. But, I doubt, we know a seminary president, who has stayed such, after rewriting his past with embellishments and deceit.
You can find the Caner evidence here and here with further links provided.
Now, as to the title, my question is, "Will Liberty do what is God-honoring or what the Right-Wing usually does?"
Liberty could have and can handle things the way God wants us to, i.e. I John 1:9, James 5: 19, 20 and 1 Peter 4:7-9.
But, they seem to be handling the issue as Bob Jones University handled its no interracial dating policy in 2000.
Instead of immediately taking the God-honoring course, BJU had to be pressured into giving up the policy by the secular media. Liberty, basically, gave the same reason, the secular media, in their statement on the Dr. Caner issue.
The one thing Christians should know is that we shouldn't be doing things just because the media wants us to. Secondly, and more importantly, it should not take the mainstream media to shame us into confession. We should be ready as David, when confronted by Nathan, to admit our guilt, 2 Samuel 12:13.
My hope is that Dr. Caner will confess as necessary, Liberty will take the proper action against Dr. Caner, because God requires it, not because of the media, and Dr. Caner will receive forgiveness. Whatever the consequences, the unbelieving, especially Muslim, world is watching and needs to see that Christians do stand for truth, even against our own. May Paul be our example in this, i.e. Galatians 2:10-12. May God be praised.
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