The Holiness of God

“And one called out to another and said, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory.’” Isaiah 6:3

In his book, The Holiness of God, R.C. Sproul points out some revealing and enlightening information concerning the triple use of the word “holy” which is found here in Isaiah.

The trishagion is a Hebrew literary device. To emphasize something they would often repeat it two or three times. Today we use underline, boldface, or italic type, or make use of quotation marks.

Sproul makes the point that no other characteristic of God is given this repetitive treatment in Scripture.

Many of us are fearful even to seriously contemplate the issue of God’s holiness. We recognize our own sinfulness and it causes us to shrink in disgust and self-condemnation.

We also have another response. Because of our sinfulness we are drawn to God’s holiness. When we experience the first touch of God on our lives, it creates a hunger for which God alone can satisfy.

Worship Him, for He is Holy and has called you into holiness.

God is Faithful

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

The faithfulness of God is one of His characteristics which speaks with the greatest assurance to the heart of man.

And He’s faithful to us today. Look at what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able...”

Now, that is a big promise! And by some people’s experience, it looks as if God can’t possibly keep this promise, therefore He isn’t faithful all the time.

Look again. Paul says “He is faithful.” To do what? He will keep temptation from running you into the ground. He will set a limitation on the temptation you face. Plus He will provide and exit for you to take, one which will release the pressure of temptation, without giving in to its force.

Friend, if you doubt the faithfulness of God because you continue to fall to temptation, here are your options: (1) either God is a liar and isn’t faithful, or (2) you are not looking for His “out.” as we have already discovered, God is Truth. Now let Him prove Himself faithful and able to deliver.

Our Unchanging God

“For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6

If you asked the average fifth grader for a definition of the word immutability, you would more than likely get a blank stare. It simply means that God does not change.

Even that definition raises some questions though, doesn’t it? These are the unchanging qualities of God:
▸ God’s existence does not change. As Creator, God has always been. He is from eternity past to eternity future.

▸ God’s character does not change. You can be assured that God will act today as He did in any part of Scripture. James 1:17 tells us that with Him “...there is no variation, or shifting shadow.”

▸ God’s ways do not change. He always acts in accordance with His character.

▸ God’s truth does not change. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever” Isaiah 40:8. His truth is His Word; His expression to humanity; His revelation of Himself.

▸ God’s purposes don’t change. Regarding His plan for Israel, Balaam prophesied, “God is not a man, that He should lie... has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” Numbers 23:19

God is unchanging.

The Mercy of God

“The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.” Psalm 145:8

Where would we be if God did not respond to us in mercy? How dreadful it would be if any of us got what we deserved.

Paul conveyed to the Ephesian believers that because of His great love for us God, Who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. Ephesians 2:4-5

Take heart, Christian, in David’s words of praise in Psalm 103:8-11: “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. He will not always strive with us; nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.” That’s mercy.

“This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23

The Power of God

“...saying, ‘We give Thee thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who art and who wast, because Thou hast taken Thy great power and hast begun to reign.’” Rev. 11:17

How often, after reading a biblical account where God moved mightily in the nation of Israel or the early church, have you caught yourself thinking, “I would never doubt God if I had an experience like that”?

The whole narrative of the Bible is packed with illustrations of God’s mighty power. From Genesis to Revelation we are confronted with the power of God from creation to final judgment and ultimate rule over all the earth.

The Bible is not a book of tales and myths. It’s God’s inspired Word about Himself; and we know that He cannot lie.

“But how do I experience God’s power in my life today?” we ask. Do we look for exhibitions of His power? Do we ask for His power to be displayed in our circumstances?

Probably our greatest hindrance to experiencing God’s power is that we want Him to do something for us. When once we get a glimpse of God’s majesty, we will be awestruck with wonder, and our only response can be like those around the throne crying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!” Rev. 19:6

Do you want to know the power of God? Stop focusing on your circumstances. Look at Who is on the throne.

Where is Your God?

“‘Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, He is God.’ And all the people answered and said, ‘That is a good idea.’” 1 Kings 18:24

One of the foundational beliefs which Christians hold is that God is ever present - everywhere.

The key to the contest on Mount Carmel was that question: “Where is your God?” Elijah could mock and make fun of the prophets of Baal and Asherah because he knew their gods were made of wood and stone. Who would make light of the God of Israel? None after Elijah was finished with his high-stakes contest.

The common feeling of the Israelites before the contest was “who cares?” But once the outcome of that prayer meeting became clear, their response was a unanimous vote of confidence; “The Lord, He is God.” 1 Kings 18:39

What about your life today? Has God brought you face-to-face with your own “Mount Carmel” experience?

It may be that God wants to repeat the “Mount Carmel” contest again in our lives. The question is, do we have enough courage to face a scoffing, unbelieving world with nothing but raw faith and confidence in the holiness of God?

Friend, God wants to make Himself known to everyone, and the mystery is that He chooses to do it through people like you and me.

The God Who Knows

“O Lord, Thou hast searched me and known me. Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up; Thou dost understand my thought from afar. Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down, and art intimately acquainted with all my ways.” Psalm 139:1-3

Do you realize that God is never surprised by anything you do? He knows the kind of person you are. David’s expression in this Psalm comes not from a heart of pride or egotism, but from a heart filled with the wonder of God’s infinite care over each created being.

An uplifting quality about the God we worship is that He is intimately acquainted with us and is concerned about each of us. Those who are a part each of us. Those who are a part of His forever family through faith in Christ’s redeeming death can be confident that they are never out of His care.

How comforting to know that while in an inhumane prison, under the worst conditions, Christians like Corrie ten Boom were never for a moment outside of God’s awareness. “Yes, but what about God’s power to rescue people from circumstances like that?” you may be asking.

He knows it all. We must admit to being very limited in the depth and breadth of our experience and understanding. What a tremendous difference there is between our infinite minds and His infinite knowledge and wisdom.

Do you trust Him? He has your best interest at heart.

God has a Plan

“...also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will...” Eph. 1:11

When Paul writes about the fact that we have been “predestined according to His purpose,” it instantly gives the reader confidence in God - He has a plan, and that plan is being worked out in our lives.

Look again at the religions of the world. Their worship often centers around the teaching of dead spiritual leaders. Many never give any hope of a better afterlife. Some give a method of reaching some better station, but this life must be totally given up in toil and struggle in order hopefully to secure that “better life.”

How tragic that millions have gone into a Christless eternity. How tragic that many believers do not recognize the extent of God’s amazing grace extended to those who believe in Him. We are not redeemed so that we may simply enjoy peace and prosperity. God has an eternal plan which He is working out through the lives of every obedient child.

We worship and serve a God Who indeed is worthy of our praise - of our life. He not only has conquered the power of death and hell, but has empowered each of His children in order that all of mankind would learn of His redeeming love.

The Mystery of God

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” John 14:26

Are you a child of God through faith in the atoning work which Jesus Christ did on the cross? Are you aware of the presence of His Spirit within you?

The three roles of the Godhead lend to the mystery - the wonder of God. Eternity holds the answers which our minds cannot grasp.

Instead of the Trinity being a hindrance to faith, it should draw us to worship and wonder. All the religions in which men and women engage are based upon answering the mystery of God.

Think about this - Who would worship something or someone they completely understood? There must be some mystery, wonder, or unanswered reason to evoke awe and worship.

God has revealed Himself to us through the tender and compassionate presence of Jesus Christ here on earth. We learn to a great degree about God the Father through the person and work of Christ Who claimed, “I and the Father are one.” John 10:30

Do not let the mystery of the Trinity lessen your wonder concerning God. It really ought to enhance your realization that God is worthy to be worshiped and worthy of the surrender of your life.

You are most alive when fulfilling God’s purpose - worship.

Explain Him

“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him,and have seen Him.” John 14:7

Don Richardson, author of Peace Child, relays the challenge of communicating ideas to those of another culture and language. Working with a primitive group of people previously unreached by Christian missionaries, Don explained the gospel message. As God’s Spirit began to convict the people with the message of salvation, they responded by showing a desire to express faith in God.

You can imagine Don’s concern, then amusement, as the chief expressed his desire in words other than those we would use at such a moment. Instead of “asking Jesus into his heart,” this chief looked intently into Don’s eyes and said, “what you say makes my liver quiver!”

Jesus Himself used words and phrases which upset (seldom entertained) the religious folk of His day. His startling statement that “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30) caused the religious leaders to begin their plot to do away with Him.

Jesus chose His words with great care and obviously planned His statements in such a way as to reveal the eternal relationship between Himself and God the Father.

If all you know about God is what you can explain - your God is too small.

His Name Is...

“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in holy array.” Psalm 29:2

Remember the chorus “His Name Is Wonderful”? How often have you sung it lately?

The name of Jesus evokes a response from us. Napoleon spoke well when he said, “If Socrates would enter the room, we should rise and do him honor. But if Jesus Christ came into the room, we should fall down on our knees and worship Him.” Indeed, His name bears the imprint of His presence.

How does His wonderful name affect you? Do songs which magnify and lift the name of Jesus stir you and cause you to worship Him? What effect does His name have on you when it is uttered in a curse?

I once heard a friend remark to someone who used Christ’s name as an exclamation point, “I would appreciate it if you would not talk about Jesus Christ that way. He is my best Friend!”

Christian friend, it ought to cause you pain to hear His precious name abused by the unbelieving world, but how many professing Christians thoughtlessly use a shortened version of that very name in casual conversation and never think about it? How sensitive are you to that Wonderful Name?

Today get your memory going and recall the chorus “His Name Is Wonderful.” Sing it worshipfully to the Lord.

The Wonder of God

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” Romans 11:33

Where do you begin when your subject of study is God? How do you even approach such a subject? It ought to strike at least a small amount of apprehension - even fear - in our hearts when we attempt to get to know the God of the Bible.

Look back in your experience. Have you noticed that those people whom you’ve considered to be godly have had a unique and common quality about them - they feared God. They had an awe, a reverence for God which superseded everything else in their lives.

In his book, Real Worship, Warren Wiersbe spends much of the reader’s initial time setting the stage with the importance of developing a sense of wonder. To many, it is already a lost art. It is not something you can manufacture or buy off the shelf. It has no plastic, artificial quality. It is an absolutely necessary element of our response to Almighty God, however.

Have you lost the ability to be overcome by the wonder of God? Do you have all the answers? Are your theology and beliefs set in concrete so that not even God Himself can change your way of thinking?

Dare to go beyond your comfort zone with God.

Come on Home

“But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight”’...And he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him, and kissed him.” Luke 15:17-18, 20

A basic definition of sin is anything we do in an independent spirit - with no regard for God. When we exhibit an independent streak, we give evidence to the rebellion of our heart toward the authority, the Lordship of Jesus Christ. That is sin.

One of the evidences of spiritual maturity is a life which is dependent upon God.

Are there signposts along life’s way to indicate a warning to us when we have strayed from God’s pathway? I not only have His Word as “a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105), but I have His Spirit within me to convict me of sin and to approve when I do right.

When we stray from God’s intended pathway for us, we’ll begin to notice that it takes us in a steady downward direction - never up. We’ll notice too that we have departed from the familiar pathway. We’ll know we are in a strange land, going a strange way.

Disappointment is the unavoidable companion to departure. It does not take long for it to turn into despair - a place where hope is a faint, fleeting promise.

The power of God is revealed in that no matter where one may be, they are never to far from the restoring hands of the loving Heavenly Father. Come on home.

A Positive Thought

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends, if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you. This I command you, that you love one another.” John 15:13-17

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring, and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He’ll listen. He could live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart. What about the Christmas gift He sent you in Bethlehem; not to mention that Friday at Calvary. Face it, He’s crazy about you.

And He wants us to love one another. So today, tell someone you love them - text them or email them, but let someone know you care. You’re loved; don’t forget it!

The Seven Up’s

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”
Eph. 5:15-16

1. Wake Up!
...and decide to have a good day. “This is the day which the Lord hath; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

2. Dress Up!
...the best way to dress up - is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance, bu the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

3. Shut Up!
...say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. “He who guards his lips guards his soul” Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up!
...for what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything. “Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good...” Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up!
...to the Lord. “I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up!
...for something higher. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up!
...your prayers. “Do not worry about anything; instead pray about everything.” Philippians 4:6

An Invitation

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me.”
Rev. 3:20

It’s a daily ritual for many of us. Pull out the mail. There it is. The handwritten envelope heralds the arrival of a “personal” letter. Rip open and pull out the contents. Immediately you recognize the “packaging” of a wedding announcement, and invitation to attend a grand occasion.

What’s this? A little card and envelope are included. “Please RSVP,” it says. A response is requested. Will we attend? Can they plan on us being there?

Not in our mailbox but through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, all who are separated from God receive an invitation to attend the greatest wedding of all time - when the bride of Christ (the church) meets the Groom (Christ) and they are forever united.

You have received that invitation. How have you responded? Have you casually laid it aside, thinking you will deal with it tomorrow? Have you callously thrown it away rejecting this holy offer? Or have you gladly, immediately sat down and filled out the RSVP card and mailed it back, so to speak?

We have two choices. We can choose or refuse. Do not grieve the Father’s heart any longer. Accept His invitation to life.

Scripture says - Today, if you hear his voice, harden not your heart. It was D.L. Moody who said, “The way to be saved is not to delay, but to come and take.”

Are You Listening?

“The Lord God has given Me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.” Isaiah 50:4

Often in the business world, one of the weakest areas of contact between departments or between the company and the clients is the area of communication. We talk a lot. We convey many ideas, but does all our talk qualify as meaningful communication?

Obviously there are points at which communication breaks down. Orders are filled improperly. Directives are misunderstood. Often we realize that what was said was not clearly understood.

How receptive am I to God’s communication with me? Is my spirit so sensitive to Him that I immediately understand and align my thinking and my action with His will? Do I hesitate and resist when His way runs counter to my way?

Usually God communicates with us through any or all of these methods:
His Word - Readily available to most people is a copy of the Bible. Do you recognize yours as God’s Word to you?

His Spirit - Each Christian is indwelt by God’s Spirit. “...we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:16

Circumstances - Through these, God often gets our attention or gives direction.

Others - Listen. You will gain godly advice from others’ perspective.

The question, then, is not if God is speaking, but are you listening?

Hope

“And the angel answered and said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going before you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.’ And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.” Matthew 28:5-8

I don’t believe you can give a desperate person any greater truth than a sincere, honest, truthful word of hope.

“Things are going to get better.” “Things are going to change.” “God does have an answer.”

The angel’s word to the women who had come to Jesus’ tomb sparked a flame of hope that became a mighty fire of expectation.

The hope that Jesus brought to them at His resurrection is the hope you and I need every day of our lives.

When Jesus came out of the grave, His action affirmed once and for all in the believer’s heart that we have been accepted in the eyes of God the Father. Our acceptance is not due to our behavior, our works, or our promises but is due to the shed blood of His Son Jesus Christ.

Hope - that’s the encouraging message of the cross.

You ask an elderly saint who understands the truth about the gospel and who believes that Jesus rose from the dead, who is walking in the Spirit, “Is it difficult to grow old and know you will soon face death?” Their answer will often be: “The best is yet to be!”

Do you have a confident hope in God’s plan and provision? Let your hope blossom into faith.

A Prophet!

“Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, and give attention that you may gain understanding, for I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my instruction.” Proverbs 4:1-2

It’s amazing to me how much our forefathers understood when this country was formed. I’ve always said history surely repeats itself, and we never seem to learn. Read what Thomas Jefferson wrote and think about where we are today.

1. “When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe.”

2. “The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.”

3. “It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.”

4. “I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.”

5. “My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.”

6. “No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.”

7. “The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.”

8. “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”

9. “To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieve and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.”

Very Interesting Quote...

In light of the present financial crisis, it’s interesting to read what Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:
10. “I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.”

We are almost there!

I Liked This

“A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own mind.” Proverbs 18:2

A United States Marine was attending some college courses between assignments. He had completed missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of the courses had a professor who was an avowed atheist and a member of the ACLU.

One day the professor shocked the class when he came in. He looked to the ceiling and flatly stated, “God if You are real, then I want You to knock me off this platform. I’ll give You exactly 15 minutes.”

The lecture room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop. Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, “Here I am God. I’m still waiting.”

It got down to the last couple of minutes when the Marine got out of his chair, went up to the professor, and cold-cocked him; knocking him off the platform.

The professor was out cold. The Marine went back to his seat and sat there, silently. The other students were shocked and stunned and sat there looking on in silence.

The professor eventually came to, noticeably shaken, looked at the Marine and asked, “What the heck is the matter with you? Why did you do that?”

The Marine calmly replied, “God was too busy today protecting America’s soldiers who are protecting your right to say stupid stuff and act like an idiot. So, He sent me.”

Moral of the story: If you don’t know God, don’t make stupid remarks!!!

Proverbs 17:28 says, “Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is counted prudent.”

The Lord is Good

“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100:1-5

Today is Sunday - it is the Lord’s day, get up, go to church, and worship Him. Leave your agenda outside the worship center and enter with a heart to worship the Risen King. Surrender your heart, mind, and being. Go to meet Him and you will.

Have a great day!!!

The Peril of Disregarding the Past, Part 2

“And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” II Tim. 2:2

One of the best exponents of this was G.K. Chesterton. In his book, Orthodoxy, he wrote, “Tradition means giving a vote to most obscure of all classes, our ancestors.” And he wrote that “tradition asks of us not to neglect a good man’s opinion, even if he is our father.”

It’s not only respect for tradition that’s involved here - it’s prudence. These institutions and arrangements have helped to preserve the moral order, which is first duty to maintain. They have been shaped by people who took into account the world as it is - filled with fallen human beings - instead of an imaginary utopia filled with perfectible people.

This respect is why true conservatism is a disposition, not an ideology. It doesn’t seek to reinvent man and his world - its concerns are about what T.S. Eliot called the “permanent things.”

In contrast, perverted modern liberalism, which includes many who call themselves “conservatives,” is about innovation, breaking from the past, upsetting the established order, and maximizing individual autonomy.

But this is precisely the world view that has brought us to the economic crisis we face today. People of all stripes - bankers, bureaucrats, and John and Jane Q. Public - all cast off those stuffy old virtues like thrift, avoiding debt, delaying gratification, and they “reoriented” themselves and all of us into a global recession.

Whoever said that world view doesn’t matter?

The Peril of Disregarding the Past - Liberalism and Conservatism

“And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” Deut. 6:6-7

In a recent New York Times column, David Brooks told a story that perfectly captured the divide between what I call “traditional conservatism” and liberalism - “liberalism,” which historically is a good term, but has been perverted.

He quoted a report by a Harvard faculty committee, which read,
The aim of a liberal education...is to unsettle presumptions, to defamiliarize the familiar...and to disorient young people and to help them to find ways to reorient themselves...”

The report helps us understand why higher education has been corrupted, and why we are producing a generation of barbarians.

The language Brooks quotes goes far beyond teaching critical thinking or even encouraging students to, as the old bumper sticker used to say, “question authority.”

As Brooks rightly argues, the report describes “an entire way of living.” In this way of living, “individuals should...be skeptical of preexisting arrangements...break free from the way they were raised...[and] discover their own values.”

This disregard for the past seems even natural in our day because, as Brooks notes, our cultural norms exalt the individual over the institution - so much so that appeals to things such as institutional memory are regarded as primitive.

Thus, we are increasingly unable to understand ideas such as those expressed by former Chicago Cub, Ryne Sandberg, at his induction into Baseball’s Hall of Fame. He spoke of the respect due the game, his teammates, opponents, and, most of all, those who had played the game before him.

If this brings to mind the biblical phrase “the great cloud of witnesses,” it should. What Brooks wrote about institutions is in accord with Christian ideas about the role and importance of tradition.

Continued Tomorrow...

A Foolish Decision

“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; there is no one who does good.” Psalm 14:1

Rejecting protests by Christian groups, Britain’s advertising watchdog agency has given the go-ahead to a campaign to plaster atheist signs on hundreds of buses and other vehicles across the country. The Advertising Standards Authority ruled that the campaign, which uses the “no God” slogan, was unlikely to mislead or “cause serious or widespread offense.”

The ASA is a powerful regulator set up as a self-governing agency for the nation’s advertising industry, with the authority to take its cases to the government’s Office of Fair Trading. As such, its decisions are rarely, if ever, challenged.

The British Humanist Association sponsored the $100,000 ad campaign, with signs that say: “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” The ads will be placed on some 200 buses in London and on 600 other vehicles in England, Scotland, and Wales.

So you put a sign on a bus and say there is no God...do you really think that will create a life that is worry free? I am reminded of the saying,
“No God, No Peace – Know God, Know Peace.”

May the grace and peace of the living God be yours today.

I Told You So

“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21

I told you back in the fall that Proposition 8 wasn’t about marriage. It was about sexual freedom and expression and the right to redefine sexuality and morality. I also told you that if it failed to pass, it would not stop at marriage. Well, this just came out of Canada...

By Douglas Todd, Religion News Service
“Vancouver, British Columbia (RNS) - a landmark court case will test whether Canada’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage also justifies the practice of polygamy.

The defense lawyer for a British Columbia man who openly admits to having multiple wives will argue that Canada’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage broadens the definition of marriage to include multiple spouses.

Blair Suffredine, lawyer for Winston Blackmore, who prosecutors claim has 19 wives, said he will argue in court that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects polygamy under the principles of equality and religious freedom.

When the Canadian parliament made same-sex marriage legal in 2005, members of the Conservative Party of Canada argued that changing the definition of marriage would open the door to court challenges from people who wanted polygamous unions.

Canadian evangelical Christians also opposed making same-sex marriage legal on the grounds that it could permit immigrants from countries where polygamy is legal to maintain multiple spouses in Canada. Some Muslim countries allow polygamy.”


There is a reason for Biblical morality, and when you open the door to immorality, the consequences are tremendous. Pray for revival.

Put Christ First

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

In a Berlin art gallery is a painting by German painter Adolf Menzel (1815-1905), only partially finished. It was intended to show Fredrick the Great speaking with some of his generals.

Menzel painted the generals and the background, but the left the king until last. He drew the outline of Fredrick in charcoal, but died prior to finishing the painting.

Many Christians come to the end of life without ever having put Christ into his proper place; center stage.

Today, put Christ first in your life. Don’t go out the door until you do. Tomorrow, do the same thing, and then every day following. You will be amazed how your life will change when your priorities do.

Ask, Seek, Knock

“For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened. Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” Luke 11:10-13

The idea here is not just to ask, but to keep asking, to keep seeking, and to keep knocking. Prayer is hark work, but for any prayer to be answered, it must first be made.

The late John R. Rice wrote in Prayer: Asking and Receiving, 1970, about once visiting a home in Chicago, where he saw an “electric horse” exercise machine. Since he had long experience of riding horses in his youth, the evangelist was easily persuaded to try out this mechanical version.

“It got on,” he wrote, “pressed the button, and presto, I galloped a fine imitation of the gallop of a horse.” But then, he recorded, that after he pressed the stop button, “I got off exactly where I got on! I had not been anywhere at all!”

Then Dr. Rice commented: “That is exactly like the prayer of [so many] - purely for exercise, not to get things from a prayer-hearing, prayer-answering God.”

I find it amazing how so many people talk about prayer and how so few practice prayer. We have a God who will answer. The problem is, we do not have people who will pray.