Showing posts with label Mother Earth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mother Earth. Show all posts

Friday, April 29, 2011

Our Country's Current Flood

My last Bible study was on Noah and the flood. God said He never again would destroy the earth because of man's wickedness, as He had done in Noah's time. However, He still sends us warnings to turn us back to Him. Some people have viewed "the God of the Old Testament" as a cruel punishing God. They felt the message of the Old Testament was "Do as God says, or else!" and in their rebellion, have rejected that message. I think that is another lie of Satan to try to get us away from the truth of God's love. In recent years my study of the Old Testament has shown me God's love and mercy even then. Through His judgments, He was constantly trying to turn the people back to Him where the blessings were. What so many people don't understand is that punishments are not always a direct action taken against an evil deed, but sometimes the result of the deed itself. You reap what you sow. Consider this:

A country that kills future generations through abortion finds it doesn't have enough workers and therefore money in the Social Security fund to pay all the promises it has made to the people. Now it takes over healthcare so that it can ration it which means death panels will decide who lives and who dies. Actually, there is only one Author of life, but death panels will take it upon themselves to try to make those decisions because they believe population control is needed for the salvation of the planet. As if they can really save the planet!

A country that embraces homosexuality, what God called an abomination, is a country saying, "We really don't care what you think, God!" God doesn't have to strike us dead because of it. We'll do it to ourselves! How do we be fruitful and multiply and have blessings on the earth when we practice the thing that will bring the exact opposite result?

Because people love "Mother Earth" more than their Creator God, they do stupid things that actually endanger the earth! In times past, God's nature could take care of itself. The occasional forest fires created natural breaks that would protect residential areas from the next fire. Now "protected" forests provide fuel for fires that cannot be stopped! The terrible fires of late may not be a striking punishment of God, but a result of our own actions.

Mother Earthers have kept us from drilling for oil in our own country which would provide jobs and a release from dependence on countries that hate us and want to destroy us. Therefore we have constant wars with those countries. We have so much regulation because of the EPA that it kills small businesses and forces them to go overseas for cheap labor and cheap parts that further destroys our economy because we can longer afford to produce here or hire here.

We turned our backs on God and decided that it really didn't matter if we had a president who killed babies and promoted what God called an abomination and purposely eliminated Him from his quotes of our founding documents and even covered up symbols of Him where he had to make a speech. That didn't matter because this man was bringing us HOPE and CHANGE! And we needed hope and change! So we turned away from our only Hope and the source of our REAL change! And God let us have what we wanted. And it is destroying us.

One quick look at today's headlines and you can see the flood of disasters we are currently experiencing. The storms and tornadoes are devastating, and may be the only thing that is not purely of our doing. Many "enlightened souls" will say we have caused global warming that is causing increased storms and earthquakes, but they will only look for more regulation, government control, and even population control, that will obviously destroy us further. There is so much more unrest and fighting in the Middle East that I believe is completely attributable to Obama's weakness that emboldens our enemies. He tells them constantly that the US is not a country they need fear. Latin America is a place we didn't have to worry about nearly as much as we have since Obama took office and threw our Latin allies under the bus, so that no one is really fighting the drug cartels anymore. Then there have been the fires in Texas. There's news they want to breach a levee on the Mississippi to ease flooding in Illinois, but it will flood fertile farms in Missouri. What might that do?

We are destroying ourselves because of our own choices! God doesn't have to do it! But He tells us He will heal our country if we turn back to Him on our knees, repenting and changing from our evil ways. How is it that we cannot recognize that the God of the universe holds our lives and blessings in His hands? How is it we can still be so flippant about the things of our Lord? May the dear Lord have mercy on our country and not give us what we deserve!

Friday, March 18, 2011

What Will Be the Sign of Jesus's Coming and of the End of the Age?

It was the exact question of the disciples to Jesus:

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" - Matthew 24:3

The following were some of Jesus's answers:

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. - Matthew 24:6a

For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. - Matthew 24:7

And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. - Matthew 24:10

Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. - Matthew 24:11

And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. - Matthew 24:12

These do appear to be perilous times that could quite well be the end times of which Jesus spoke. The news this entire week reported things that could very well fulfill the prophetic words of Jesus. The horrific earthquake, the tsunami, Libya, the nuclear fears, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen, all the Middle East for that matter, and all the protests and strife and violence in our own USA; has there ever been a time when things seemed so close to the end times? I know there have been times in our history when it must have seemed horrific and close to the end. The 60's must have seemed horrible; also I can't imagine living through Nazi Germany and the WWII era. It must have seemed near the end then. But I believe we have now come much closer to fulfilling other prophecies of the end.

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. - Matthew 24:14

The same answer to the same question of when the sign of the end will be, reads this way in Mark:

And the gospel must first be published among all nations. - Mark 13:10

Also consider the scripture in Daniel where the words of the prophetic vision are to be shut up until the end time:

But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase. - Daniel 12:4

There was undoubtedly a time when the Bible had been printed in all languages and then as missionaries were taking the Word all over the world, even into the most remote tribes, that this scripture seemed to have been fulfilled. But now with the addition of the internet and i-phones, you don't even need the missionary! Knowledge has certainly increased when we have an instant and currently updated encyclopedia at our fingertips in even some of the most remote areas of the world! We have instantaneous news! We can teach, share the gospel, and engage in Bible study in real-time all over the world in a way not seen in eras before now.

There has always been Christian persecution, that is persecution of those followers of Jesus Christ, as a sign of the end times:

And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. - Mark 13:13

But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. - Luke 21:12-13

I believe as the gospel is spread farther and wider all over the world and Christianity grows, persecution increases, because it is being spread in areas hostile to Christianity. Take for instance, the Christian church in China, which is mostly underground, but reported to be now larger than the Communist Party in China. What about the spread of Christianity in Middle Eastern countries where many Muslims believe they must "kill the infidel"? Surely the spread of the gospel would necessarily increase persecution, but there is more.

As immorality rises, Christianity must be squashed. How can you have same-sex marriage and adoptions by homosexuals if homosexuality is wrong? How can you tolerate abortions if you believe it is the murder of the most innocent? You could ask many such questions. That is why there has been a deliberate push for a long time to remove God and prayer from the schools and the public square. This adds another level of persecution we are seeing now. Christians must be demonized and even criminalized in order for some formerly unlawful acts to be accepted. Christian parents are being jailed right now in Europe because they don't want their children exposed to pro-homosexual teachings. It's at our doorstep in this country. Mother Earth must replace Father God in order for environmental madness to rule. Darwin's theory of evolution and natural selection must replace creation by the Creator God whose plan was for man to have dominion over the earth and the animals. Only this way can "death panels" and population control techniques be implemented to "save the planet" and for the "greater good".

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, - 2 Thessalonians 2:3

The apostle Paul talks about a "falling away" that will come before the antichrist appears on the scene. First there was the spreading of the gospel all over the world. There is no excuse for anyone not accepting the Truth. We have proof of God and His plan of salvation, but people choose to turn away, to fall away. Paul describes the process:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. - Romans 1:18-19

For 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, 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. - Romans 1:20-21

Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. - Romans 1:22-23

Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. - Romans 1:24-25

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. - Romans 1:26

Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. - Romans 1:27

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; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 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. - Romans 1:28-32

How can anyone read those scriptures and not see our present culture? A culture that does not revere God, with people who become futile in their "wise" thoughts. Think of all the foolish new age doctrines promoted by the likes of Oprah, Hollywood, and many mega-churches. Think of the Mother Earth, oneness with the earth, and all living things are equal to man teachings. There are pagan religions where people pray to animals. Are these things not the very illustration of what the above scriptures describe? People who worship the created things rather than their Creator? People who change the truth of God for a lie? God gives them over to their vile passions. And next is that not the very description of homosexuality, a practice that is definitely growing by leaps and bounds in our culture? And then follows all sorts of godlessness. And note that not only are the people who practice such things deserving of death, but also those WHO APPROVE OF THOSE WHO PRACTICE THEM! No matter how much we are told we just need to accept it and live and let live, that is not what scripture says!

It's quite remarkable and incredible, really. People know God, they know what they are doing is deserving of eternal death, yet they choose to do it anyway. It's as if this culture is shaking its fist at God and saying, "We don't care! We don't care what You said; we are going to do what we want to do! We are doing what WE think is best!"

What I continually wish and pray is simply that people would read their Bibles and let God show them His truth. My simplistic advice has always (or at least for a long time) been, "Just read your Bible!" I know if people will do that, God will take it from there. But sadly, these verses show that people ALREADY KNOW GOD, KNOW THE TRUTH, and just turn away.

BUT there is good news in Jesus's prophecies of the end times!

But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. - Luke 21:12-13

In the midst of the persecution, there will be occasion for testimony and some people will, no doubt, come to salvation in the midst of persecution. In the midst of earthquakes and disasters, there will opportunities for testimony. Shortly after Katrina, I met a displaced victim of Katrina who wound up in our small town in East Texas. She was giving thanks to God for getting her out of New Orleans and her life there! Imagine, what many people thought was a cruel act by God, was actually His saving grace in action!! Praise God!

Sunday, January 31, 2010

First Recorded Pro-Active Pro-Lifers!

I love my Bible study this morning! It was the first account I know of in the Bible of really pro-active pro-life midwives who defied the command of the king to save the lives of newborn babies.

Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah; and he said, "When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live." But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive. So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, "Why have you done this thing, and saved the male children alive?" And the midwives said to Pharaoh, "Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are lively and give birth before the midwives come to them." Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them. - Exodus 1:15-21

The midwives feared GOD rather than the king. As God always does in the Bible, He always reaffirms something He wants us to remember. He said that a thing will be established by the mouth of two or three witnesses, not just one lone comment. He follows that pattern whenever He speaks to us in the Bible, and you'll always find a precept described at least twice. Therefore, if an obscure scripture seems to contradict another, rest assured that if it is truly the Word of the Lord and translated correctly, it will be confirmed by another scripture.

One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established. - Deuteronomy 19:15

This will be the third time I am coming to you. "By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established." - 2 Corinthians 13:1

God reaffirms the moral instruction that we are to obey Him rather than our rulers when those rulers contradict the laws of God.

But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men." - Acts 5:29

What a beautiful and clear example we have for defending the lives of babies! The midwives defied the king and even lied to him, and God blessed them!

Oh, I can hear the liberals now trying to twist scripture to make a moral issue out of global warming or population control for the "good of the planet", but that doesn't fly. Or deceived Christians trying to rationalize their voting for the likes of Obama and other anti-life and anti-family candidates because they will help the poor or help save the earth. In context you can only acquire by reading ALL of your Bible, you will find that God values the lives of the most innocent and His own commandments over the planet and created things. Jesus Himself said that we would have the poor with us always, but not so Him. There are many precepts in the Bible instructing us on how we should give to the poor, not the least being with our tithes. If everyone gave God His first 10% as they should, the poor could be taken care of with these funds. If everyone followed their Lord as they should, they would give to others as they should. The poor do not rank above the Lord; but by following our Lord first, the poor will be cared for.

For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. - Matthew 26:11

For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. - Mark 14:7

God ranks above worship of the planet and His people are ranked above the lives of animals for food. However, He describes what will happen, and what IS happening in our world today with the green and vegetarian movements and the homosexual movement, as well:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For 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, 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. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 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; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 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. - Romans 1:18-32