40 Years After Roe vs. Wade

On January 22, 1973 the U.S. Supreme Court decided to enact one of the most outrageous and controversial laws ever to be passed - the legal right for a woman to choose life or death for an innocent unborn child. Never in the history of America, aside from the death penalty, has our country supported a decision such as this. In the forty years since this law has been passed it has been estimated that over 55,000,000 children have been murdered inside their mothers' womb which is the safest place for the unborn child. Today we have elected leaders who are in favor and support of this very issue. Many of these politicians have been voted back in office time an time again. Those who are opposed to abortion are scrutinized and looked upon as evil. Our president has also been in favor of infanticide, a practice which is performed in many foreign countries already. "This is the intentional killing of infants. Neonaticide, killing within 24 hours of a child's birth, is most commonly done by the mother whereas infanticide of a child more than one day old is slightly more likely to be committed by the father. In many past societies, certain forms of infanticide were considered permissible. In some countries, female infanticide is more common than the killing of male offspring, due to sex-selective infanticide." 1
See article on the president's views on this issue: http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/08/23/President-Infanticide-Dem-Plank-Partial-Birth

I wachted a movie this week called "180movie" produced by Ray Comfort who is well known for his program "The Way of the Master" which can be seen on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) and other Christian television networks. "The Way of the Master" (WOTM) is a United States-based Christian evangelism ministry, founded in 2002 and headed by American former child actor Kirk Cameron, New Zealand-born evangelist Ray Comfort, and American radio host Todd Friel. The organization produces a television show, a radio show, books and tracts, an online course in evangelism, small-group training courses, and a website. The ministry's logo incorporates the letters, WDJD, standing for "What Did Jesus Do?" and a reference to Mark 16:15: "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." 2

In "180movie" Ray Comfort goes to the streets of California asking questions about Adolph Hitler, the Holocaust and abortion. He makes a direct parallel with the Holocaust and abortion which most of the people asked were unable to see the similarities until he began making comparisons to the killing of innocent Jews and killing of innocent unborn children. I would encourage you to watch the full movie to understand the power of this message. I will say that many of those he spoke with changed their minds after making the connection between the Holocaust and abortion.

I would encourage you to check out these websites in connection with Ray Comfort and the 180movie:
http://www.livingwaters.com/
http://www.wayofthemaster.com/
http://www.180movie.com/
http://www.onthebox.us/


1 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infanticide
2 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Way_of_the_Master

Can you hear it?

I was reading today in a book called "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper about passion. He says,
"God created me and you to live with a single, all embracing, all transforming
passion - namely, a passion to glorify God by enjoying and displaying His
supreme excellence in all spheres of life...If we claim to enjoy His
excellence and do not display it for others to see and admire, we deceive
ourselves, because the mark of God-entralled joy is to overflow and expand by
extending itself into the hearts of others. The wasted life is the life
without a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all
peoples."
After reading this passage from his book and especially after writing it down and meditating on what it actually says, I had to stop and ask myself if I really demonstrate a passion for Christ in my life. I have to say that I don't. Then next is the kicker, then why don't I have that passion and zeal for Christ and demonstrate that to others so much that it "overflows and expands by extending itself into the hearts of others?" You want reasons? Well I got reasons, honestly excuses, truthfully idols. Let's see there is pride, stubbornness, selfishness, self-pity, must I go on? These are barriers and strongholds in my life that weaken the Spirit of God in my life. No, the Spirit of God is not weak, but my flesh and the inner man are weak. If I depend on the inner man or my own willpower, I will most always fail. The Apostle Paul says that the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
Look at the example of the apostles life. What did he have to live for besides Christ? He said for me live is Christ, but to die is gain. He viewed death as a benefit to being born again. He also viewed life as living for Christ. Who has given us life? God. Who has given us our health, our families, our positions in life, our wealth, our homes, our very breath? God has given us all things. "For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created through Him and for Him" Colossians 1:16. A great passage in the Bible that talks about His knowing us and creating us is Jeremiah 1:5 - "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." Of course God was talking to the prophet Jeremiah and confirming that He was the one chosen to go before the nations to proclaim the prophecies of God Almighty. Wow, to be the one chosen to proclaim the gospel. Wait a minute, that's what we are called to do as Christians, to present the gospel to the nations (Matthew 28:18-20). God knew even before the creation of the world that Jeremiah, that you and I, would be his appointed ones the sons and daughters of the kingdom.
God created me and you to live with a single, all-embracing, all-transforming passion...to glorify Him by enjoying and displaying His supreme excellence in all spheres of life. This is our calling - to enjoy his supreme excellence and to share that with others. He is the King, the Almighty God, Emmauel, Messiah, Abba Father, and Eternal Lord.
The key is to be in tune to the Spirit of God. How do we do this? Listen to Him. It may be difficult to hear Him above all the noises and distractions that are part of our daily lives, yet lack of time and various other excuses does not negate being lax in reading and meditating on His Word. We all have time! I believe that we can all find a slot of time in our busy schedules to spend time with Jesus. He gave His life for you and me.
I pray that this was a blessing to you.

In His Awesome Love.

The sin which so easily entangles us

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress (so easily entangles us). And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.

In February many of us watched tuned our televisions in to watch the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. There was much anticipation we watched some our favorite events. There were some Olympians who had high hopes of winning the much sought after gold medal in their event. In the ice skating arena, there were performers who fell as they were going into a spin, but got right back up and finished with the crowds cheering in the stands. Why did the fans cheer for them? Because they didn't give up. They continued as if nothing happened. 

As I was thinking about this verse of scripture I couldn't help thinking of how silly it would look for an Olympic runner step up to the line wearing heavy clothing and carrying a bag on his shoulders. Every piece of clothing adds weight and effects the speed of each stride.

What is the weight or the besetting sin that so easily entangles you? You cannot run the race of life carrying extra baggage and holding onto sins that constantly bring you down. Is lust a problem for you? If so, what are some ways of stripping off this weight? If it entraps and entangles you easily, it must mean that it doesn't take much for you to become ensnared. Satan doesn't have to do much work because you are your worst enemy. Maybe its something that when life doesn't go your way, you turn to this besetting sin as a way of dealing with your problems. You will be ineffective for Christ if you do not deal with this sin. This passage goes on to say that you have not strived against this sin to the point of shedding blood. I don't necessarily think that the writer is saying that you must cut yourself or do harm to yourself over this sin, but it must be dealt with, and the question is do you really want to be rid of this sin in your life. Before you repent of something that you have done wrong, you must first evaluate whether this is something you are ready to let go of. Because if you intend to confess and repent of a sin, but then you are only doing this out of guilt but not out of fear of who God is and the power of the cross, then you are ready to confess it. I John 1:9 says If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If there is no remorse and disgust for the sin that so easily entangles us then is the confession of the sin really meaningful. Let's say for instance you are an alcoholic. If we confess our sins - Lord I am an alcoholic and I have a weakness in this area. I want to be free from the addiction to this poison. It has been a burden to me for many years and has hindered my relationship with you. In my weakness I know that you are strong and are ready to forgive and restore my relationship with you. Please give me the strength just for today, just for this moment even to not be tempted and not give in to alcohol. Now consider this same individual confessing his addiction to alcohol. Lord I am an alcoholic, and I know my weakness to alcohol, I also know that when I am tempted I will probably give in to drink again because I do not have the willpower to quit. I want to quit but I still like the taste of it. I confess this to you but I want to continue drinking. I don't want to give this lifestyle up, but I want to have a blessed life and be free from this sin.

Now obviously, there is a difference in the confessions. One is truly repentant and ready to surrender to his besetting sin. The other is not ready to surrender to Christ. He still wants to drink. So is the second confession complete or incomplete. If you are not ready to surrender or if you intend on committing the same sin over, then you are not really confessing your sins, you are just going through the motions.

I Then Shall Live

One of the most beautiful songs of this century is one written by Gloria Gaither titled "I Then Shall Live." This song has such a powerful message that when heard or read it will bring such a feeling of indebtedness and love to our Great Savior, Jesus Christ. I believe that the whole of Christ's message is contained in the three verses of this hymn.


I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven;
I’ll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.
I know my name is clear before my Father;
I am His child, and I am not afraid.
So greatly pardoned, I’ll forgive my brother;
The law of love I gladly will obey.

I then shall live as one who’s learned compassion;
I’ve been so loved that I’ll risk loving too.
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges;
I’ll dare to see another’s point of view.
And when relationships demand commitment,
Then I’ll be there to care and follow You.

Your Kingdom come around and thro’ and in me,
Your power and glory let them shine thro’ me.
Your Hallowed Name, O may I bear with honor,
And may Your living Kingdom come in me.
The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor,
And may You feed a hungry world thro’ me.


Francis Shaeffer, who I would refer to as one of the greatest philosophers of this century, wrote a book entitled "How Should We Then Live." In this book Shaeffer covers centuries of history showing how from the generation after generation of people have turned away from the One who loves, saves, and redeems, and looks to other answers to lifes complicated questions.

What's your passion

Have you ever sat in a room in complete silence? No appliances running, no TV, no radio, just complete quietness and stillness? The only thing that you can hear is the tick-tock, tick-tock of the second hand on the wall or mantel clock. That tick-tock, tick-tock is like your passion. With all the other sounds and noises going on, can you even hear the beating of your passions and desires, that one passion that drives and motivates you?
How does that clock tick? Steady, consistent, and sure, keeping time. That was the purpose and design for the clock, to keep time.

You were also designed for a purpose, you were created with a passion and desire; a clear and set purpose, steady consistent and sure. The Creator made us with a clear purpose - In His Image, in His likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea,k over the birds of the air, over the fish of the sea, and the cattle and over all the earth... And God created man in His image, in the image of God He created him, man and woman, He created them.

To understand this, we need to look first at what being created in God's image means. We are image bearers as redeemed, beloved of God. First of all God is One. His beloved are one also. They are part of the One, but yet still one. God is God, God is Spirit, God is the Christ, but still One.

To completely undestand this we would have to have a perfect mind. Isn't it beautiful to just believe? To fully comprehend the love the Father has for us, is that a concept we can truly understand? We can comprehend God and His love from a human perspective. But that is where it stops. Only on a human level can we grasp or fathom how deep the Father's love is for His children. And what a better way for Him to come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel, dwelling with us - to live and dwell among us as one of us, but yet not born from the same descendents. That's why He is called the LAST Adam. I Corinthians 15:45 - The first man, Adam, became a living person.” But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit.

What was the passion of Christ? Christ demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He made Himself for us - emptied Himself. His passion was to give us life, the free gift of eternal life. his passion was for you and me. To see you and me be partakers of the glory yet to come - Future Glory!!! His whole life was lived for this one purpose, this passion.

He heard the ticking of the clock. There were no other noises, no other distractions to take Him off track. His passion was to have fellowship and communion with His creation. Let's see, was there unlimited fellowship and communion with God in the Garden before sin entered into the world? Indeed. There is a reason to believe that Adam walked and talked with God in the garden. Whether this is figurative or literal doesn't matter. There were no boundaries. Walking and talking with the Creator with unrestrained communion and fellowship. How Awesome!! Walking about the with the Living God!! Can you imagine the conversations that took place? Do you remember when I created you? Do you remember your first breath? God could have been in heaven with His angels surrounding Him, singing praises and worshiping Him. But He wanted our praises and worship.

Can you hear the ticking yet? Or maybe you want more. Feast on His Word. Come and dine with the Christ. Come and celebrate the victory we have in Him.

What is your passion? Better yet, what is God's passion for you. What were you created and designed for? What's your purpose?