How is there a devaluing of the holiness of God today?

The truth of the Bible is under attack as not being the inspired Word of God and by association, the holiness of our God! Sad enough that some think that Allah and the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are the same, now a new Bible translation that doesn’t offend Muslims. Included in the controversial development is the removal of any references to God as "Father," to Jesus as the "Son" or "the Son of God." One example of such a change can be seen in an Arabic version of the Gospel of Matthew produced and promoted by Frontiers and SIL. It changes Matthew 28:19 from this: "baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" to this: "cleanse them by water in the name of Allah, his Messiah and his Holy Spirit.”

To quote one of the contributors to the raptureready website, “ it is quite ironic that people like Brian McLaren and Rick Warren mock the Bible’s predictive prophecy, but are mum on the Iranian eschatology.’

Then we have the diva of the New Age, Oprah Winfrey. Oprah speaks and millions listen as she promotes homosexual as normal, the liberal agenda and New Age philosophies. Oprah is leading her fans through the wide gate that leads to destruction.

Some Mormons claim they are Christians. However their theology has Jesus as the brother of Lucifer and states that as man is, god once was and as god is, man can become. Also, like the Muslims, the Mormons have their own book, “The Book of Mormon” likewise given to them by an angel and both degrade the deity of Christ Jesus. Actually, the Jesus of the Quran is reminiscent of the False Prophet of the Book of Revelation.

It’s bad enough that other religions and cults degrade the Word of God, however and in my opinion, even more unforgivable are those who claim to be Christians but deny that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. The cross is being thrown out and “covered by the blood of Christ” is so politically incorrect. While some television evangelic pastors present a Bible based message, many sound like motivational speakers. Too often the sermons sound like the feel good New Age all roads lead to god false theology. How can the viewer feel good if the pastor talks about sin and that none are good enough to go to Heaven without the cross? There are those who preach that everyone will eventually be allowed into Heaven.

I have a very devoted Catholic friend who believes that we can pray people out of Purgatory. As for me, I believe that once you draw your last breath your eternal destination is determined. Hopefully those who are unsaved will repent at the end of their lives and accept the gift of grace provided by Jesus.

Question, What is the central message of the Biblical Text and how is that being attacked today?

The Bible is the inspirited Word of God; Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” God created the earth and everything in it, period! The first two chapters of Genesis deal with creation and the rest of the Bible deals with the restoration of the earth and mankind after the fall. God created a paradise for our enjoyment asking only obedience. Not much to ask for compared to all that our original parents were given. However, man was given free will and it would seem has the same flaw as Lucifer, pride and the desire to become like God. Lucifer asked the same question then as now, “Did God really say…”Dr. Missler’s explanation of how his watch came together over billions of years is great satire on the theology of evolution; that this complex universe was some kind of a cosmic accident. God said He made man in His image. Those who say that we evolved from nothing demean the human race and, even worse, make God out to be a liar. And if God lied about creation, the rest of the Bible must be false.

The Bible is certainly under attack today by believers as well as unbelievers. Some who call themselves Christians claim much of Genesis is fables. Further, that many prophesies were written after the fact. If Genesis is mostly fables then evolution must be true. So if we came from nothing what does it matter if we kill each other or the tiniest victims of evolution, the millions of unborn babies sacrificed on the altar of abortion?

The Quran twists events in the Bible to fit their theology and often I hear the statement that Allah is the same god as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. As for me, I take Revelation 22 seriously. The Quran is a total distortion of the Bible, however, there are other religious books that attempt add to or take from the Bible. Like the Quran, “The Book of Mormon” was by revelation to one person by an angel. The Quran was given by a series of visions and The Book of Mormon came from gold plates. Both demean the divinity of Jesus and the Jesus of the Quran is much the same as the False Prophetic of The Book of Revelation.

In addition to unbelievers attacking the Bible there is a watering down of the Word of God by the PC Christians. Throw out the cross and don’t even think of saying that we are saved by the blood of Christ. Some churches even claim we can pray the departed into heaven. It’s time for Christians to put on the “Full armor of God” and take a stand for the inerrant Word of God.

My thoughts about Israel’s Gaza withdrawal?

Israel’s Gaza withdrawal also known as The Gaza Disengagement was completed in August, 2005. The then PM Sharon said “The disengagement will allow us to look inward. Our national agenda will change. In our economic policy, we will be free to turn to closing social gaps and to waging a real fight on poverty. We will advance education and increase the personal security of every citizen of the country.” I can remember the videos of the hard working Jewish settlers being forced off their land by their fellow countrymen, Israeli soldiers. The settlers had made the desert bloom only to lose it. And of course, peace was not a result.

Pat Robertson was widely criticized for making the comment that “Mr. Sharon was dividing God’s land, and I would say woe unto any prime minister of Israel who takes a similar course to appease the European Union, the United Nations or the United States.” Today Pat is alive and well and sadly former PM Sharon is in a vegetative state years after the Gaza withdrawal.

Here in the United States several presidents from both parties have bullied Israel to give up land that not only did God say was their but they won it after being attacked. I can’t remember any of our presidents offering to return Southwestern US to Mexico. Every time I hear our politicians refer to any of Israel as “The Occupied Territory” I visualize God recording it as one more black mark against our country.

John P. McTernan has written a very interesting book; “As America Has Done to Israel.” Time and again we have pressured Israel to give up the land given to them by God. Starting in early August 2005 and continuing through September, the United States put enormous pressure on Israel to withdraw from twenty-one settlements in Gaza and four in Samaria. The hurricane season of 2005 is history and the area has not recovered to this day. Before that there was “"The Perfect Storm" in 1991. During the Madrid Peace Process, the elder President Bush was very clear that Israel was required to surrender parts of the covenant land for peace. Interestingly enough, President H. W. Bush own home was affected by the storm. There was far more destruction to follow and many times the United States seemed to come under God’s judgment.

There are many parallels between The Gaza Disengagement and Katrina. The US government told residents to evacuate their homes prior to the hurricane and Israel ordered a mandatory evacuation of the settlements. Jews took to their roofs to delay the eviction, and thousands in New Orleans went to their roofs to keep from drowning. Jews had to re-inter their dead in cemeteries outside Gaza and Katrina uncovered hundreds of bodies from Gulf coast graveyards. These were just a few of the events in America that mirrored those in Israel.

When will we learn that God says what He means and means what He says.

DQ#1 What is the Abrahamic Covenant and how is it being challenged today?

“And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” (Genesis 17:7-8).

The Bible clearly shows that this was an unconditional and eternal covenant and God passed this covenant on to Abraham's son Isaac and his grandson Jacob and each time the covenant was renewed, it included their descendants, the Jewish people. God made seven promises including to bless the Jewish people and to bless those who bless them and curse those who curse them. Plain and simple, God gave them the land and those counties pushing Israel to give up land, including the United States, will and are facing judgment for this. And asking Israel to give up part of Jerusalem after taking it back as prophesized, unthinkable! Don’t people read and/or believe the Bible?

Abraham was far from perfect and lost patience while waiting for God to provide the “son of the spirit.” So Abraham had a son “of the flesh” of whom God said in Genesis 16:12,“He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.” True then and so very true today.

Israel has so little land today and yet Israel is under great pressure to give up land for peace. Every time Israel gives up land rather than peace it brings the rocket launchers closer to their cities. Hal Lindsey presented a very informative report; Myths and Facts about Palestine and Israel:

http://unitedwithisrael.org/myths-and-facts/

It amazes me that there is so much hatred towards Israel today as well in history, Satan at work? The United States has been guilty for years of bulling Israel into giving up land. And the United Nations is a disgrace as it accuses Israel of near genocide against the Palestinians. It seems today that it is very PC to support the Palestinians and Condemn Israel. However, God says what he means and means what he says. Let those who harm "the apple of God's eye" fear God and return to the Word!

What does it mean to you to be a “disciple”?

To be a disciple of Jesus one would have to be Jesus-absorbed rather than self-absorbed. Jesus said to his disciples, “Come” and they came. Later Jesus said “go” and they went out into the world and made disciples. He chose rather common and mostly uneducated men, men who saw something so powerful and righteous that they followed in his footsteps. A Jewish Rabbi with Jewish disciples. Of his 11 original and loyal disciples, only John was not martyred. However, John survived torture and long-term imprisonment.

Before Jesus stepped out of eternity for His earthly walk there were the Old Testament disciples/prophets such as Elijah and Elisha. Elijah called on God in his challenge to the prophets of Baal and later had to run for his life. Elisha answered the call to serve by cutting ties to his possessions:
1 Kings 19:21
“So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.” No questions asked just complete obedience to the call.

James and Jude, the half-brothers of Jesus did not believe Jesus was who He said He was until after the Resurrection. Both became church leaders and authored books of the Bible. They do not mention that they are Jesus' brothers. Rather, they humbly describe themselves as His servants. Josephus reports that priestly authorities executed James around the year AD 66.

So many bigger than life followers of Jesus! Paul wrote shortly before he was beheaded:

2 Timothy 4:6 “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.”

Disciples often are required to give that last measure of themselves, their very lives. The publication “Voice of the Martyrs” speaks to the sacrifices made by today’s disciples.

As for me, my best efforts will likely be to partner with faith based organizations, tithe, pray, blog and like Paul, “long for His appearing.”

How is our nation today "post-Christian?

In my continuing studies with the Koinonia Institute, here is my answer to the question, How is our nation today "post-Christian?

God was thrown out of our schools two generations ago and has been and is under constant attack. Grace such as the salvation provided by Jesus is being given something we don’t deserve. Mercy is not getting something we do deserve. How long will God’s patience continue, how long will He continue to show us mercy? America was founded mostly by men of faith, a fact that is being denied today even by many in high office. Perhaps believers who are working to restore faith in America are helping to postpone God’s final judgment on America. As an example, through his website WallBuilders, David Barton presents the truth of America being founded on Christian principals.

Are we in the United States so far removed from the worship of Baal? How much blood of the innocent unborn has been shed on the “alter of a woman’s right to her body”? It seems that anything goes today in our hedonist society. Homosexuality is promoted as normal as is same sex marriage. Can the abomination promoted by NAMBLA, North American Boy/Man Love Association, be next to be considered normal? Individual sin is individual sin, however, when we as a country approve of it, we are all guilty. For now perhaps God is showing mercy to us as he did in Sodom; God would not destroy Sodom until Lot and his family were removed. However, given the state of our economy, etc, it seems to me that we are coming under the judgment of God.

And our churches, so many are becoming politically correct places of entertainment. Are we now the Lukewarm Church of Laodicea? Sin often is not acknowledged in many of these “feel good”, all paths lead to God, prosperity oriented churches. Chrislam is being promoted by some mega-church leaders. Some even support the false claim that the god of Islam, Allah, is the same as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. As an aside, the so-called Jesus of the Quran most resembles the False Prophet of the Book of Revelation.

Then there is our pulling away from Israel and pushing her to give up more of the little land she has. Have we forgotten God’s promise in Genesis 12:3 "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

Believers such as Tim Tebow are ridiculed for kneeling and giving thanks to God on the football field. As predicted would happen as we approach the “End Days”, good is being called bad and bad is being called good. So yes, in my opinion we are mostly a “post Christian” nation, however, God is in control. With evil running rampant in our country, revival is needed and still possible. Or, perhaps the Rapture of the Church will happen soon.
Revelation 22: 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

My Favorite Book of the Bible and Bible Story

  DQ #1. Share how you approach the study of God’s Word and something about your devotional life. What’s your favorite book of the Bible and Bible story?

  As I posted in DQ #2 " With prayer and passion! Prayers of thanksgiving for the Word and the gift of Grace. Passion for the Word of God. Passion to share the Word. Passion to immerse myself in the Word. I have several electronic tools that are very helpful not only in my walk but also in backing up the truth of the Bible when discussing it with skeptics which seems to be a mission with me.

  As to my favorite Book of the Bible, so many with Genesis likely being number one. But then there are the Books of prophecy and then the Books in the New Testament telling of their fulfillment. The Gospels are wonderful in detailing the walk of Jesus. The Pauline letters are great, 2 Timothy 4 is so moving: ⁶ For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. So many, so very many...

Come quickly Lord Jesus.

My favorite story is Ruth. There is Ruth’s devotion to Naomi:

¹⁶ But Ruth said

“ Entreat me not to leave you,
Or to turn back from following after you;
For wherever you go, I will go;
And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;
Your people shall be my people,
And your God, my God.

  There is the love story between Ruth and Boaz. However, there is so much more. The story of Naomi and her family going to Moab is well known as is the loss of her husband and sons. So Naomi and her gentile daughter-in-law Ruth returned to Bethlehem. Eventually Ruth and Boaz are married.

So much in this short book:

o Names of all have special meaning

o Law of Gleaning
o the Unnamed Servant as a manifestation of the Holy Spirit
o 6 measures of barley
o Levirite Marriage
o Kinsman-Redeemer – Boaz was second in line but prevailed

Boaz is the Kinsman-Redeemer as Jesus is our redeemer.

Naomi represents Israel

Ruth is the Gentile Bride

  As a Kinsman-Redeemer Boaz had to be a kinsman, able to perform, must be willing and must assume all the obligations.

  Boaz and Ruth were in the line of Jesus. Boaz was the son of Salmon and Rahab who was said to be a prostitute. Boaz and Ruth had a son they named Obed who had a son named Jesse and in turn Jesse had a son named David, later known as King David. So a prostitute and a Gentile in the line of Jesus, what a redemption!

  The Book of Ruth is prophetic of Jesus as the Kinsman-Redeemer and the Church as the Gentile Bride. As Boaz redeemed Ruth as his bride and Naomi her land, Jesus has redeemed the Church and He will redeem Israel.