WHY ARE WE SO AFRAID?

Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause....

Psalm 25:3

One message has been impressed upon me since the Good Friday service I preached it early this year, and that is the theme of "Faith vs Fear". It happened again on Memorial Day weekend, when I was a guest preacher at a beautiful country church in Auburn, Illinois. What started off as a prepared word about the great Memorial Stones of Joshua 4:1-7, led back to the same theme - "Faith vs Fear".

Sure enough yesterday, I was having the same conversation now, three days in a row with different people from three different churches! The reason why this keeps coming back is so many good people are not just genuinely afraid by what they are experiencing in daily life, but they see and hear no hope coming from any of the places you would expect it from - churches, small groups, community organizations etc. No one I know really look up to political, academic or celebrity leaders and nobody should either. 

As we see traditional institution after traditional institution fall - whether it is the late great Boy Scouts of America; or perverted movies, books or music...or whether it is one mega-church pastor falling after another or so-called responsible adults indoctrinating our public school children with graphic sex 'education' instead of math and science - the wheels have come off the bus. One would be tempted to say "who can blame even Christians for being fearful about the present and the future".

Just this past month, the Barna Survey confirmed what we have been observing. The amount of "Nones" - those who have no faith in any belief system, has increased five fold in the past 50 years.  Because of the type of churches we run, we have run off our youth when they "escape" at age 18 as they see pastors more concerned with maintaining their fiefdom and holding on to tithers, than addressing the true needs of the congregation. The scary high numbers of those who say they will never return to church...and who have in fact, walked away from Jesus Christ, will be blamed in part on these church leaders - locally and nationally.

The gist of this brief post is not to bust on those who are falling short to teach the Sufficiency of Scripture to the flock, but to embark on, no matter how small, a drive to show us that we can be concerned without being fearful. The first thing we need to do is realize WHOSE we are.

First of all - are we even saved, redeemed and rejuvenated by the Holy Spirit...that is, are we born again? I can't even remember hearing a preacher use the word "rejuvenation" in the recent past...but this is what MUST happen. 

Secondly, after this fact is confirmed, we have to stand on the Fact that WE BELONG TO CHRIST! We do that by ensuring the Lordship in our lives. The cheap grace people have it all wrong and are in mortal danger unless they too bow to the Lordship of Jesus Christ because if He ain't Lord of your life, He ain't your Lord at all!

Thirdly, with that sense of belonging, we must stand on the verse above, which the Lord gave me as I began writing this - Psalm 25:3.  These three steps can begin the assault on reclaiming our Faith from Fearfulness because we arestanding up on the Rock of Christ!!!! We say we are "waiting on the Lord" (Isaiah 40:31), but then we clam up and act like Peter (who denied Christ three times) when things get heated up at the office, or the soccer/baseball field etc....when we should boldly proclaim WHO we are. I did not say be brash and obnoxious! Anyone studying the Life of Christ could NEVER say He was anything but gentle, kind and loving while being firm, powerful and Just!

But if we have these three things and are NOT ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the Power of God unto Salvation, God will take care of the second part of Psalm 25:3, which says "Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause!" Ultimately, those are the ones who should be both ashamed and fearful - not us! They do not know it yet, but God has appointed a day when this too will be addressed!

So why are we so afraid? Well, because we are human! This is why Jesus Christ, the Creator of the World, poured Himself out of His Throne in Heaven and humbled Himself to be born as the GodMan, so He could identify with our emotions! This is why He sent His Own Spirit to live inside of us! You know it, I know it - He lives within my spiritual heart! We should be afraid for those who refuse to turn to the Lord as their Savior, but that is different from turning away from the One Who said "Remember, for I am with you, even unto the ends of the age (Matthew 28:20).

MILLSTONE NECKTIE COMPANY EXPANDS TERRITORY

 

The Collins English  World Dictionary describes a Millstone as  a pair of heavy flat disc-shaped stones that rotate against each other to grind grain. It was used for thousands of years until the modern day of grinding wheat etc into flour. A millstone is also "a heavy burden". It is something that weighs or crushes a person down - as in the saying "his credit card debt was like a millstone around his neck". The implication of such a statement is that the crushing weight of such a heavy debt is so intense that it takes a person down further, and you never get rid of it!

This is exactly what Jesus meant when he said in Mark 9:42 that “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea"! In the original language, here is what Jesus LITERALLY and FEARFULLY to those who practise this evil, said "THOSE WHO OFFEND AND CAUSE SHOCK TO THE SMALLEST OF THOSE WITH WHOM I HAVE BEEN ENTRUSTED, IT WOULD BE BETTER FOR THAT PERSON IF HE/SHE WERE FITTED FOR THE BOTTOM PART OF THAT MILLSTONE (SEE THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PHOTO ABOVE)....AND THEN THAT PERSON WERE DROPPED INTO THE SEA!"

If anyone think this is a picnic, they are sadly mistaken. This is the FIERCE WRATH of the CREATOR OF ALL THINGS, THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF HEAVEN'S ARMIES, THE REAL BOSS OF THE CLIMATE AND THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF ETERNITY AND THE EXECUTIONER. Yet, evil people continue to pollute this country with filth and degradation, ad nauseum. It does not matter if it is Victoria's Secret marketing inappropriate underwear to little children or Abercombie and Fitch's catalogs or MTV or NBC TV or....any number of music, movies or books.

Now we have people in government saying children from 15 years old can buy an abortion pill over the counter - the same kids who cannot take a Tylenol to school...or in some cases a Bible. Now some liberal politicians in the Illinois State House have rushed a Sex Education mandate through the Illinois House into the Senate to force some of the most vile sex teaching upon kids as young as 10 years old into all kinds of weird sexual indoctrination. Here is what Laurie Higgins of the Illinois Family Institute wrote in part (read the entire article here):

.......What’s shocking is that during the House debates, no research was provided. State Representatives Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) stated and Camille Lilly (D-Chicago) concurred that “numerous studies show that comprehensive sexual health education that stress abstinence as well as provides information on prevention results in positive health outcomes for teens and young adults,” but neither representative cited any study.

In addition, they didn’t claim that these numerous studies proved that comprehensive sex ed reduced the rates of teen pregnancy or STDs. Even more troubling, neither Gabel nor Lilly claimed that these numerous studies proved comprehensive sex ed is more effective than SRAs in reducing rates of teen pregnancy, STDs or even in “positively affecting health outcomes.”

Lilly claimed that a Center for Disease Control (CDC) study had concluded that “comprehensive sex ed is more effective than abstinence only,” but she did not identify that study. I could find only two CDC studies on this topic, one from 2009 and one from 2012, both of which concluded that there was insufficient data to make a determination about the efficacy of abstinence curricula. In addition, she didn’t explain what the alleged CDC study claims comprehensive sex ed is more effective at doing.

Supporters in the House repeatedly emphasized the requirement in this bill that information in sex ed must be medically accurate. That is a point with which no one disagrees. The concern of many is with the ambiguous terms “age-appropriate” and “complete.” Typical comprehensive sex ed curricula include information regarding sexuality that many parents and educators consider age-inappropriate.

Similarly, the term “complete” is woefully ambiguous. Who decides what constitutes a “complete” curriculum? We now have campus clubs at the University of Chicago and Harvard dedicated to sadomasochism. Does a “complete” curriculum address the importance of “safe” words for those teens who may engage in sadomasochistic sexual activities? After all, some teens are engaging in these kinds of activities, so shouldn’t we ensure their “safety”? ....

Not satisfied with having the worst public school system in the midwest (to which they won't even send their own kids to), these Chicago-area liberals are also promoting a book which should outrage parents and WILL bring those promoting this to the Lord's attention. David Smith of the Illinois Family Institute wrote the following about a most troubling part of the Chicago-land Sex Ed HB2675 mandate to the Illinois schools:

[**WARNING: content of this article is not suitable for children.**]

.....When you hear the term “comprehensive” as a way to describe legislation, you can be sure the government has big plans to invade a new corner of your life.  “Comprehensive sex education” for public schools is no exception.  That’s why it’s critical HB 2675 be stopped!

HB 2675 would mandate that  highly objectionable sex ed material be forced on our public schools and into the impressionable minds of our children.   HB 2675 has already passed in the Illinois House and has moved to the Illinois Senate. Lawmakers must fully understand the type of curriculum this bill would mandate.

And we need your help to inform them and to safeguard children’s innocent minds!

For an good exposé of what our children are being taught and the rationale behind these types of curricula, which often come from organizations like Planned Parenthood, watch this video from American Life League.  [**WARNING: the content of this video is not suitable for children.**]

We know for certainty that one of the books mentioned in the video, It’s Perfectly Normal, is being used in Illinois schools.  It’s Perfectly Normal is written with 10-yr-old children in mind.  If the “comprehensive” sex education bill, HB 2675, is passed, it will establish a one-size-fits-all approach to sex education and remove local community control over choosing true “age- appropriate” curriculum, another term used in the bill.  (See what the national organization for “comprehensive” sex ed curricula, SEICUS, deems as “age-appropriate.”)

If HB 2675 is passed, young children will be exposed to graphic sexual information to which most parents would find highly objectionable and inappropriate. And teaching books like It’s Perfectly Normal will become more prevalent state-wide.  

According to HB 2675, children as young as eleven years old would be required to define sexual orientation using the so-called ‘correct’ terminology, such as ‘heterosexual, gay, and lesbian.’  Masturbation would be taught as normal and that everyone does it, with step-by-step instruction. Not just the biology of sexual reproduction would be presented, but explicit details of sexual intercourse. Slightly older children would be ‘educated’ on how to use condoms, obtain contraceptives or even an abortion without parental consent or knowledge, and would be encouraged to experiment with ‘alternative’ sexual behaviors.  

This bill has already passed the Illinois House, and is now being considered by the entire Senate. Please join us in trying to stop this terrible bill!  This sensitive topic should be controlled by parents and teachers, not groups who are in the business of selling sex to make a profit.....

This is the kind of stuff we expect out of those people in Sacramento, California which is sinking further into the cesspool of sin. If you have to put a warning about a warning, why are so called adults pushing this on schools to "teach" to children?! It all boils down to a this - our society has completely lost its Fear of the Lord, which we, the Remnant know, is the beginning of wisdom. But no one has ever accused those people of being wise. Let us then resolve to keep praying for our children - ALL our children - who are under assault by those who could care less about their immortal souls and their physical well-being. Our mission should be to share the love, power and transforming Grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Who will deal with all this other stuff, on the Appointed Day.
Amen

THINK ON THESE THINGS - TUESDAY

PARENTS, BE ON THE ALERT: NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO TEACH 10 YEAR OLDS ABOUT PORNOGRAPHY AND BESTIALITY!

"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea..."Mark 9:42 (NASB)


This is more of a warning than a devotional. Can you imagine the very Heart of God over His little ones when He sees the perversion being committed on little children in New York City.


Here is part of the news story from New York City's NBC TV News says on October 24, 2011: "Middle school students will be assigned "risk cards" that rate the safety of different activities, the paper says, from French kissing to oral sex. The workbooks for older students direct them to a website run by Columbia University, which explores topics such as sexual positions, porn stars, and bestiality. The lessons explain risky sexual behavior and suggest students go to stores to jot (down) condom brands and prices".


These "workbooks" were obtained by the New York Post newspaper. Even more outrageous are  "risk cards" handed out to 10 and 11 year olds in these middle schools! These “risk cards” graphically names a variety of solitary and mutual sex acts and children are encouraged to disregard what Parents told them about sex, and to rely instead on teachers and health clinic staff members...in these evil New York city public school liberal systems, according to NBC New York!


There is nothing good about any of this. The opposite of good is evil, period. The fact that New York city politicians and their liberal education establishment knowingly perpetrate this on innocent children is vile and disgusting. They are marked for eternal judgment as Christ promised in the verse above. Just as horrible here is what the New York City Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs (who commended the return of mandatory sex ed)  says "We want to help kids to delay the onset of sexual activity, and if they choose to engage in sexual activity, to do it in a healthy way!" ....A HEALTHY WAY!


This is mandatory! People's 10 -14 year old kids have to learn about porn stars, bestiality and more...and parents have no choice. Woe to those people who have done this evil!

Even worse, woe to the parents of New York City, who are complicit in their silence over this outrage. They tolerate filth in their parks from demonstrators and remain silent while their own children are corrupted by their own liberal counterparts. They are just as guilty as the teaching establishment and politicians who pervert their children. A recent NYC poll found that 81% of their own voters approve of sex education for their children! These people are knowingly allowing their children to be corrupted. But this is not surprising for a city where only 1% of the population call themselves practicing Christians!

This should not surprise anyone. While this just revealed example from New York is the latest outrage, this is spreading across America and will overrun your local schools if real parents and decent citizens do not become the last line of defense.  Each public school is run by a local district and you can have influence on that board. This is also a good reason why schools should remain under local control and NOT Federal or state!

But the bigger is SIN. These human beings (and I used those words loosely) who wrote and developed these "workbooks", "risk cards" and curricula and then have them endorsed by Mayors and school superintendents are living examples of Romans Chapter 1 (See below for the relevant portions of Romans 1 and the Judgment against these kinds of people. God said it, I believe it).


While Sin is hardly talked about in churches anymore, you would be hard-pressed to find any mention of the Total Depravity of man. This kind of message does not preach very well, because some wealthy tither might take his money from your church and go to the next Laodecia Christian Church down the street! Man is vile, sick and evil. But man is also in need of a Savior. As sickening as this story about the New York City Sex Ed Mandatory Classes are, if these school officials were to repent and ask God forgiveness and then try to make all of this right by speaking out against it, THEY TOO WILL BE SAVED! THIS IS THE GRACE OF GOD!


In the absence of this Life Changing Repentance and Turning from Sin, Mark 9:42 stands ready to be enforced  against ANYONE, from priest to professor, who has said or done anything, which has led one of God's children astray.


In the Name of Jesus, amen.


ROMANS 1: 28-32
God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness
 
¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. ²⁰For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, ²¹ because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Professing to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
²⁴ Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, ²⁵ who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
²⁸ And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; ²⁹ being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, ³⁰ backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, ³¹ undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; ³² who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

(Image courtesy Google Images)