The Puritans believed sin is the raw material for the heart's idol factory. Idolatry is really about self as the secular trinity: Me, Myself and I. We were created to worship God, but at the root of sin is the idolatry of self-worship. At the heart of idolatry is the desire to control and/or manipulate people or things for the benefit of self. It supplies self-centered desires and comforts.
In spite of God's warning to Israel not to make idols, idolaters did so in order to worship that which they believed God could not supply. Carving of idols is not limited to wood, metal, stone or other materials, but is the end-product of the spirit of idolatry that begins in the heart. Idols are carved because of the false notion that worship of God cannot supply all our needs. We need something more. The spirit of idolatry is not about the object or the other person; it is about self.
The root cause begins with what "I" see with my "Eyes." "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat..." Genesis 3:6. In the end, idolatry turns us away from the love of Christ to the love of self. We will never understand the true love of our Redeemer until we take the "I" out of our "Eye."
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Skin-Sin
What does summer mean to you? Some think of an exciting vacation, a family holiday or extended weekends, warm weather, swimming and a gorgeous tan. Yet others find the summer a difficult season struggling with “Skin-Sin.”
Whether going to the beach, pool or the local shopping plaza, many men, young and old, struggle with their thoughts after looking at all the skin that is exposed by some women, young and old, some who may be just trying to stay cool.
Some would look to the women for a solution to this temptation and establish a legalistic definition and ground rules for maintaining modesty. Scripture does say “that women (are to) adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” (1Tim 2:9, 10) The questions still remain, what does modesty look like, what is proper, what is reasonable?
One Scripture needed to guide the heart of women can be found in Philippians 2:3,4. Here Paul takes the focus off of oneself and puts the primary focus on loving others. He says, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” If women only knew the temptation their skin had on men, it would go a long way to encourage a different standard for modesty and address this summer problem. Romans
Even though women who are believers can help, men must take responsibility for themselves defeating skin-sin. It might encourage you that Job must have had a similar problem with his eyes and looking at women. He asked God to help him control his eyes and his mind. Men need to be so determined not to commit skin-sin that they make the same covenant with God that Job made. “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?” (Job 31:1)
Paul’s instruction in 2Cor 10:5 places responsibility on men to also control their thought life. Paul told us to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Men, be encouraged. It is possible to take control of our thoughts and not let our mind think whatever comes to it. Paul would not have even asked us to think obediently if it were impossible.
So let’s all work together this summer, women and men, young and old, taking responsibility to doing our part in applying God’s Word. Ask God to help us defeat “skin-sin” in our hearts, families and churches.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
EIGHT THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FAILURE
1. TO FAIL IS NOT THE SAME AS BEING A FAILURE.
One may have many failings and yet still be far from being a failure.
2. TO FAIL IS NOT THE DISGRACE EVERYONE THINKS IT IS.
To err is to do nothing more than to join the human race.
3. FAILURE IS ONLY A TEMPORARY SETBACK.
Failure is never the final chapter of the book of your life unless you give up and quit.
4. NOTHING WORTHWHILE IS EVER ACHIEVED WITHOUT RUNNING THE RISK OF FAILURE.
The man who risks everything to try to achieve something truly worthwhile and fails is anything but a disgraceful failure.
5. FAILURE IS A NATURAL PREPARATION FOR, SUCCESS.
Strange as it may seem to some of you, success is much more difficult to live with successfully than is failure.
6. EVERY FAILING BRINGS WITH IT THE POSSIBILITIES OF SOMETHING GREATER.
Analyze failure under whatever circumstances you choose, and you will discover some seeds for turning failure into success,
7. WHAT YOU DO WITH FAILURES IN YOUR LIFE IS UP TO YOU.
Failure is either a blessing or a curse, depending upon the individuals reaction or response to it.
8. FAILINGS ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN HOW TO DO THINGS BETTER THE NEXT TIME-TO LEARN WHERE THE PITFALLS ARE AND HOW TO AVOID THEM.
The best possible thing to do with failure is to learn all you can from it.
One may have many failings and yet still be far from being a failure.
2. TO FAIL IS NOT THE DISGRACE EVERYONE THINKS IT IS.
To err is to do nothing more than to join the human race.
3. FAILURE IS ONLY A TEMPORARY SETBACK.
Failure is never the final chapter of the book of your life unless you give up and quit.
4. NOTHING WORTHWHILE IS EVER ACHIEVED WITHOUT RUNNING THE RISK OF FAILURE.
The man who risks everything to try to achieve something truly worthwhile and fails is anything but a disgraceful failure.
5. FAILURE IS A NATURAL PREPARATION FOR, SUCCESS.
Strange as it may seem to some of you, success is much more difficult to live with successfully than is failure.
6. EVERY FAILING BRINGS WITH IT THE POSSIBILITIES OF SOMETHING GREATER.
Analyze failure under whatever circumstances you choose, and you will discover some seeds for turning failure into success,
7. WHAT YOU DO WITH FAILURES IN YOUR LIFE IS UP TO YOU.
Failure is either a blessing or a curse, depending upon the individuals reaction or response to it.
8. FAILINGS ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN HOW TO DO THINGS BETTER THE NEXT TIME-TO LEARN WHERE THE PITFALLS ARE AND HOW TO AVOID THEM.
The best possible thing to do with failure is to learn all you can from it.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Different By Divine Design
The Christian life is to be a condition of the heart that shows up in a lifestyle. Throughout Scripture, God commands us to keep a right heart with Him and to live a lifestyle that pleases Him. Yet, many Christians today seem to believe, “God doesn’t care what I do, so long as my heart is right on the inside!”
God desires for His children to have a biblical lifestyle. I challenge other Christians not to separate “who you are” from “how you behave.” If Christ has truly changed us on the inside, we should live very differently from the world and from today’s “pop-culture.” We are to “walk worthy” —to live in a way that outwardly honors the Lord —to allow our relationship with Christ to flow into every act, every word, every thought, every deed, and every attitude of life.
“Have it your way” Christianity is empty, frustrating, self-centered, fruitless, and pointless. God teaches us in His Word that we are to be different — by His design! A godly life is a different life, and God’s way of living is still the best way!
God desires for His children to have a biblical lifestyle. I challenge other Christians not to separate “who you are” from “how you behave.” If Christ has truly changed us on the inside, we should live very differently from the world and from today’s “pop-culture.” We are to “walk worthy” —to live in a way that outwardly honors the Lord —to allow our relationship with Christ to flow into every act, every word, every thought, every deed, and every attitude of life.
“Have it your way” Christianity is empty, frustrating, self-centered, fruitless, and pointless. God teaches us in His Word that we are to be different — by His design! A godly life is a different life, and God’s way of living is still the best way!
Friday, July 3, 2009
A Philosophy Contrary to the World
A philosophy is a sum of beliefs or ideas. A Christian’s beliefs are based on the Word of God, while the world’s system of values is rooted in their own exaggerated intellect and foolish imaginations, inconstant and varying with the whims of society. In the Bible, we read, “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools... [they] became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened…[they] changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man.” (Romans 1:22, 21b, 23a) Corroboration of this passage is as near as the newspaper on your desk. Saturated by the world’s philosophy—a liberal slant in practically every commentary—it contains hardly any evidence that our nation was founded on Biblical principles.
The Environment and Animal Rights - The environmentalists and animal rights activists are hurting more than helping America. Three decades ago, the population of the country was approximately 200 million. Now, 33 years later, the population is over 300 million. People need places to live; churches, schools, stores, and other facilities must be developed and built to accommodate the growing populace. Yet so often, projects toward this justifiable purpose are inundated with costly requirements relating to the study of endangered animals on the premises or some other superfluous factor. Rather than relocate the animals or determine a reasonable solution regarding their habitation, the world’s philosophy dictates that the families be displaced instead. The world would have us believe that the animal supersedes man or, at least, is his equivalent. Certainly, we should tend to what God has created for man and be aware of how our daily routines might adversely affect or pollute the environment. We should, as we read in the book of Proverbs, regard the life of a beast. Yet I remind our readers that the Lord created man as the most superior in all His creation. Man is to “have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:26b) The earth was given to man, not to the animal.
The Sanctity of Human Life - The word is pro-choice, advocating rights for the expectant mother; yet the word deceitfully veils a deed nearly unparalleled in depravity—the murder of unborn babies, numbering in the countless millions. For over thirty-five years, we have witnessed the world’s philosophy ingrain itself into how a people regard life, resulting in a culture of death. Our children are being taught that human life is valueless as they learn of abortion, euthanasia, and suicide—and we wonder why our young people are involved in so many mass murders. If a child is not protected in what should be the safest place in the world (a mother’s womb), then why would it be important for a man or woman, boy or girl to consider the life of another person or even his own?
Psalm 139:13-16 “… thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret…”
Jeremiah 1:5a “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee…”
The Welfare System - We find a number of illustrations in the Bible of people caring for those in need—King David cared for a handicapped Mephibosheth when he could not provide for himself, a good Samaritan assisted a fallen traveler, Stephen and six other men helped the widows, and others. The recipients of these benevolent acts could not help themselves at the time because of one circumstance or another. Thousands of years later, the belief of helping those in need has been distorted by the world’s philosophy. Rather than being a help to others, people want to be helped and believe that they are entitled to that help in whatever form and by whatever avenue. In II Thessalonians 3:10, we read, “…that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” The philosophy of the world nurtures idleness and indolence, resulting in a self-serving people unwilling to work. Why, then, should it come as a surprise when we learn of those considering the financial advantages of having children out of wedlock or participating in multi-million-dollar embezzlement scams?
The Home - In Genesis 5:2, we read, “Male and female created he them.” Before the establishment of kingdoms and government, God had already defined the institution of marriage—one man with one woman (Adam and Eve). The world views homosexual marriage as a matter of personal rights and presses for laws to be passed to allow for those rights; but the right to define what constitutes a marriage belongs not to man or to government but solely to God. The media is strongly pushing the world’s philosophy, proposing that holding the Biblical position of marriage be classified a hate crime.
Wicked Kings - The Bible is clear about not negotiating or collaborating with godless kings, leaders, presidents, and authorities. How foolish it is, then, to think that we can negotiate peace with other countries when the foundation of peace is not there. (A foundation is not a glass of wine or a signed document.) Furthermore, I am sickened as I see our nation apologizing for what we are and what we believe. The God of America is the God Jehovah, not Allah or Buddha. I praise the Lord that our Supreme Court has thrice declared that America is a Christian nation. I certainly do not believe that everyone in our nation is a Christian; but in reading the founding documents and history of our nation, one can arrive at no other conclusion except that America was founded as a Christian nation.
Isaiah 57:21 “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.”
Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
The Answer - The New Testament churches are the answer for our nation. A church that preaches the gospel and warns people of an impending judgment called Hell and a wonderful place called Heaven can bring about only good in a community. A preacher of the gospel is far more important than a new bank, a gas station, a sports team, a restaurant, or any other business or program that can be brought to a city. I believe that the Flat Rock Missionary Baptist Church was a great addition in 1951 to the city of Flat Rock, Michigan. Eternity will reveal how many crimes were not committed, how many lives were changed, how many sorrows were avoided, how many homes were salvaged, and how many children’s lives were saved as a result of the preaching of the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ. Oh how many more we need to reach!
The world’s philosophy will continue in its downward spiral, threatening to destroy America at every turn. So much the more ought we to give ourselves to the things of Christ and be prepared for the days that lie ahead.
The Environment and Animal Rights - The environmentalists and animal rights activists are hurting more than helping America. Three decades ago, the population of the country was approximately 200 million. Now, 33 years later, the population is over 300 million. People need places to live; churches, schools, stores, and other facilities must be developed and built to accommodate the growing populace. Yet so often, projects toward this justifiable purpose are inundated with costly requirements relating to the study of endangered animals on the premises or some other superfluous factor. Rather than relocate the animals or determine a reasonable solution regarding their habitation, the world’s philosophy dictates that the families be displaced instead. The world would have us believe that the animal supersedes man or, at least, is his equivalent. Certainly, we should tend to what God has created for man and be aware of how our daily routines might adversely affect or pollute the environment. We should, as we read in the book of Proverbs, regard the life of a beast. Yet I remind our readers that the Lord created man as the most superior in all His creation. Man is to “have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:26b) The earth was given to man, not to the animal.
The Sanctity of Human Life - The word is pro-choice, advocating rights for the expectant mother; yet the word deceitfully veils a deed nearly unparalleled in depravity—the murder of unborn babies, numbering in the countless millions. For over thirty-five years, we have witnessed the world’s philosophy ingrain itself into how a people regard life, resulting in a culture of death. Our children are being taught that human life is valueless as they learn of abortion, euthanasia, and suicide—and we wonder why our young people are involved in so many mass murders. If a child is not protected in what should be the safest place in the world (a mother’s womb), then why would it be important for a man or woman, boy or girl to consider the life of another person or even his own?
Psalm 139:13-16 “… thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret…”
Jeremiah 1:5a “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee…”
The Welfare System - We find a number of illustrations in the Bible of people caring for those in need—King David cared for a handicapped Mephibosheth when he could not provide for himself, a good Samaritan assisted a fallen traveler, Stephen and six other men helped the widows, and others. The recipients of these benevolent acts could not help themselves at the time because of one circumstance or another. Thousands of years later, the belief of helping those in need has been distorted by the world’s philosophy. Rather than being a help to others, people want to be helped and believe that they are entitled to that help in whatever form and by whatever avenue. In II Thessalonians 3:10, we read, “…that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” The philosophy of the world nurtures idleness and indolence, resulting in a self-serving people unwilling to work. Why, then, should it come as a surprise when we learn of those considering the financial advantages of having children out of wedlock or participating in multi-million-dollar embezzlement scams?
The Home - In Genesis 5:2, we read, “Male and female created he them.” Before the establishment of kingdoms and government, God had already defined the institution of marriage—one man with one woman (Adam and Eve). The world views homosexual marriage as a matter of personal rights and presses for laws to be passed to allow for those rights; but the right to define what constitutes a marriage belongs not to man or to government but solely to God. The media is strongly pushing the world’s philosophy, proposing that holding the Biblical position of marriage be classified a hate crime.
Wicked Kings - The Bible is clear about not negotiating or collaborating with godless kings, leaders, presidents, and authorities. How foolish it is, then, to think that we can negotiate peace with other countries when the foundation of peace is not there. (A foundation is not a glass of wine or a signed document.) Furthermore, I am sickened as I see our nation apologizing for what we are and what we believe. The God of America is the God Jehovah, not Allah or Buddha. I praise the Lord that our Supreme Court has thrice declared that America is a Christian nation. I certainly do not believe that everyone in our nation is a Christian; but in reading the founding documents and history of our nation, one can arrive at no other conclusion except that America was founded as a Christian nation.
Isaiah 57:21 “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.”
Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
The Answer - The New Testament churches are the answer for our nation. A church that preaches the gospel and warns people of an impending judgment called Hell and a wonderful place called Heaven can bring about only good in a community. A preacher of the gospel is far more important than a new bank, a gas station, a sports team, a restaurant, or any other business or program that can be brought to a city. I believe that the Flat Rock Missionary Baptist Church was a great addition in 1951 to the city of Flat Rock, Michigan. Eternity will reveal how many crimes were not committed, how many lives were changed, how many sorrows were avoided, how many homes were salvaged, and how many children’s lives were saved as a result of the preaching of the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ. Oh how many more we need to reach!
The world’s philosophy will continue in its downward spiral, threatening to destroy America at every turn. So much the more ought we to give ourselves to the things of Christ and be prepared for the days that lie ahead.
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