http://ow.ly/iAHl8 ^WC Count me cooky but there has been much noise about this sequestration and how it would hurt the country. Well, all the hype has been proven to be false but if cuts were taken to the attached item it seems we would be on better footing. Maybe its time we held our leaders accountable?
Author: Dr. William James Carter, I
I am a simple (though complex) person that has a desire to see all men to the foot of the cross. I enjoy preaching and hearing good preaching. My dedication to Godly matters is insurmountable as is my dedication to what He has called me to.
Part of that dedication is seen through my growing company "The Christian Perspective". While my monthly goal is my print voice there is nothing more exciting than seeing people delivered by reason of the verbal deliverance of the Word of God. As such, I am available to anyone needing a guest speaker for any occasion. So, tell everyone as we all work together in bringing men back to the foot of the cross.
On the business level, please do not use this material without my consent. Please consider copy write laws. However, if you wish to re-blog help yourself. Thanks for your cooperation.
There is Hope
When looking around the country today there is no wonder that many Christians seem to be in despair. Last year in Chicago at least five hundred people were murdered. Every day in this nation untold numbers of people are aborted before they even have a chance at life. Wrong has become right and right has become wrong. The sacred institution of marriage has now been stigmatized by reason of same-sex unions. Worshippers of God are told that they are not allowed to speak in certain public areas while Muslims are given an open mike in any desired venue. Yes, things seem bleak for the Christian but there is hope.
The prophet Jeremiah also lived in times that seemed hopeless. He preached and people did not heed his warnings. Still he would not relent on being God’s mouthpiece. Even when Jeremiah became discouraged and decided that he would no longer preach God’s Word he found that being still and being quiet was not an option. The Word of God was so embedded in him that it was impossible for Jeremiah to hold his peace. The Word of God was like fire shut up in Jeremiah’s bones (Jeremiah 20:9). He could not ignore that which was in him and so Jeremiah continued in preaching despite the negative reaction or inaction of his audience.
Like Jeremiah we live in an evil day. Politicians pretend to care for the disadvantaged while they continue to raise taxes on the nation. In less than four years this country has seen the loss of about five million jobs even while some politicians tout the success of economic policies that have increased welfare rolls, food stamp recipients, the loss of the country’s triple “A” rating and a national deficit quickly closing in on seventeen trillion dollars – seven trillion of which are a result of the financial policies of the past few years. Yet the concern is over whether or not females should receive free contraception when all they need to do is go to the local drug store to buy whatever they desire. Even more perhaps the best contraception is abstinence for those who are not married. But that is a side note. Our country is in a state of spiritual decadents much like in the time of Jeremiah but realize that all hope is not lost.
As Jeremiah lamented the trouble of the day in which he lived he was able find hope with these words in Jeremiah 17:17: “Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil.” Now, this word “hope” falls from normal thinking as to what hope normally is. This word is like unto shelter or refuge. It suggests protection from those things that would seek to harm were it not for the Protector. Jeremiah looked to God as his Hope in that God protected him and gave him shelter in the face of spiritual and perhaps physical opposition. The people would neither hear his warnings nor heed the utterances of the man of God. Yet Jeremiah rested in the hope presented by the only One that could protect him from the oppressiveness of a godless people.
The fact of the matter is that the Christian is not promised an easy life but that he is guaranteed protection in the face of those that seek to harm him. This idea is validated in Isaiah 59:19 where God promises “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” The hope is in the standard because the standard is protection directly from God. More specifically this “standard” is indicative of a wind that will cause the enemy to flee. And while there is more to this term, for instance God standing between the enemy and the godly, the very fact that God works on behalf of the faithful indicates that there is hope for the Christian.
Be not dismayed. Be not afraid. There is hope. The winds of immorality and disarray serve only to strengthen the resolve of God’s people. Don’t worry about the name calling and teasing. The lies and misrepresentations are part of the flood. But consider the flood that Moses passed through when leaving Egypt. The flood seemed insurmountable yet with hope in the Omnipotent One all Israel safely crossed the sea. Moreover God stepped between the Israelites and the Egyptians giving God’s people hope.
Not all is lost. If we simply stand fast on the Word of God and trust that His Word is true then we have hope. Our hope is that God will provide us refuge in the presence of our enemies. Not only that God will vindicate us by reason of the truth. Now, all does seem dismal but remember that “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed”. Yes, there is hope.
No Time for God
Considering the fact that Genesis 1:1 begins the creation narrative all too often the fact of the term “beginning” is elusive to many. It should be noted that this term is not indicative of the start of time at large rather it is noting the beginning of recorded time. Said a bit differently time did not begin with Genesis 1:1 but that time, like God, is eternal. Moreover God does not operate within the confines of time simply because time is His idea. Now, this may sound like a bunch of senseless rhetoric but it is significant that God, the One not influenced by time stepped inside of time in order to redeem mankind.
Fast forwarding to John 1:1 the same term “beginning” is found and its implications are the same as those found in Genesis. This time two members of the Godhead are specifically identified as “Word” and “God.” Creationism is addressed in little further in the Johannine text but then John moves on to discuss the reason Christ, the Word, came. John 3:16 clearly shows that the incarnate Christ came that eternal life would be made available to mankind. That is the Second Person of the Godhead laid down some of His attributes, stepped outside of eternity in order to bring sinful man back in right relationship with the Godhead.
But His work went way further than simply becoming incarnate. He took time to mature as a human inside the womb of a woman and humbled Himself to the extent that He obeyed His earthly parents. He took time to grow in His earthly body and took time to learn how to live as a mere man. The God of time took the time to walk with man as man walked with Him. In this walking Immanuel took time to learn how to use His hands as a carpenter among other things that men do. Even more this Christ took time to minister to all that had need of healing whether it was physical, emotional or spiritual. Even at this Christ was not done.
After His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane Christ stood in time to be falsely accused of crimes He could not have committed. After conviction the innocent Christ remained in time to be beaten, mocked, whipped, have his beard pulled out and so much more. Yet this Christ, this Immanuel, refused to pull from the limits of man as He was paraded down the Via Dolorosa en route to Golgotha. He took time to hang on that old tree with hands and feet nailed firmly in place. At the right time the crucified Saviour took time to give up the ghost and found himself confronting our enemy. He left the confrontation victorious in that Christ took from Satan the keys, or the authority, of death, hell and the grave. Even after this Immanuel took time to rise from the dead and walk on earth for forty days and minister to others.
And He is still not done. Christ now sits on the right hand of the Father making intercession for us all. He is taking time to present us spotless to the father countering the accusations of the enemy. Yet many have no time for God. There are things far too important than to take time out for the Saviour of mankind. You see there is no way some will go to church on Sunday and the car is dirty. It will take at least three hours to properly clean the car so there is really no time for God. But after the cleaning of the car the all important ballgame will be on. This game must be watched so God will just have to wait. The game is far too important and so God will simply have to understand.
Wait a minute! Perhaps the issue could be resolved by reading just a few versus of Scripture before getting started with the day. No, no, there is no time for that. Breakfast has to be made and eaten, the kids have to get off to school, the job is waiting and to others those talk shows and soap operas have to be taken in. No, there is truly time for God in this busy world. Besides dinner has to be cooked and that party has to be prepared for. Who has time for God with all this going on? Besides those college studies are extremely important so God will just have to wait. There is simply no time for God.
What if God had no time for us? What if He stopped taking time to love man even in his sinful state? What would happen of God stopped time and allowed man to be swallowed in the abyss of his sin? What if God did not take time to care? Undoubtedly those who have no time for God now would suddenly find time for Him. Unfortunately that may well be too late because time is winding up and Christ will take time to step off His throne to receive the Church unto Himself. At this point time will not matter to those who chose not to take time for Him.
If there is anyone who has no time for God you might be well advised to take time to consider your ways before time runs out. Yes, there is a reason to make time for God.
^WC I wasn’t going to but feel that I ne
^WC I wasn’t going to be feel that I need to. This sequester is not the end of the world. In fact it is far from it. Should it kick in our President has absolute authority as to what get’s cut. Moreover there will be no cut in spending rather a decrease in the continual rise of the rate of spending. Also most teachers and first responders will not be impacted – they are paid largely by local and state governments. Grandma will not be pushed of the cliff nor will kids lose their lunch. I’m just saying.
Diametrically Opposed
There are just some things that have to be taken personally. For instance, when one goes on to marry another it is not for the benefit of the population at large rather marriage is a matter that is personally relative to those involved. Marriage is a matter of personal relationship and dedication between one man and one woman. It is a matter of personal choice to which both parties should be diametrically opposed to interference from any and all other forces. This is much like the relationship between Christ and the Church.
The relationship between Christ and the Church becomes even more personal considering the relationship between Christ and the individuals that make up the Church. It is a choice made by the individuals and Christ. It is a matter of personal choice. Yet there seem to be many that would like to intrude on the relational aspects enjoyed by Christians with Christ. With this, I must make it personal because I am diametrically opposed to those that choose to tell me how I should celebrate my Saviour and those that think it OK that I should condone things that are clearly challenges to my relationship with Christ.
One such matter is that of abortion. The Word of God clearly states that there should be no taking of innocent life (Proverbs 6:16-17; Deuteronomy 5:17). How much more innocent can anyone be than the unborn? I am diametrically opposed to the murder of those that never had the opportunity to defend themselves yet they are continually being snuffed out. Yes, I have heard all the arguments even while Planned Parenthood and like agencies really should be renamed Murder on Demand.
I know that my opposition to abortion may get some feathers ruffled so I might as well continue to ruffle feathers. My stance against sexual immorality is just as strong. I could outline a number of sex sins such as premarital sex, extra-marital sex, gender reassignment, and pedophilia but I will limit this discussion to the hot button issue of the day which is same-sex marriage. While I have absolutely no agreement with homosexual interactions I am diametrically opposed to the very notion of same-sex marriage. The very term is a paradox but that is an issue for another essay.
Yes, I have heard the bleeding hearts say things along the lines of a person’s inability to choose who they love. While I could easily take issue with that very statement I will further this discussion by saying that just because you love a person does not mean that you have to have sex with them. Nor does it mean that you have to marry them. The fact of the matter is that the Word of God clearly provides instructions stating, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). It is interesting that at no point is there a suggestion that people of the same gender should marry. Further, I Corinthians 7:2 further advises “to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” I am diametrically opposed to same-sex marriage because it tears at the very heart of Christianity. It tears at the very relational aspect of marriage between Christ and the Church.
But these are not the only contemporary matters to which I am diametrically opposed. There are some, even some so-called “Christians,” that think it OK to lie as long as it is for a good reason. Yet the Word clearly shows that “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). And the list of things to which I am diametrically opposed goes on right to the idea that all “religions” are basically the same as long as you believe in some abstract “god.” Well, once again there must be a simple reading of the Word of God which shows that there is “One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:5-6). Additionally, Jesus stated, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
The thing is that I am growing weary of what some would like to see as an “anything goes” Christianity. There are some remarking that they have evolved into believing that wrong is right while right has become wrong. Others declare that the Christian, standing on the Word of God, has no compassion even though compassion is rooted in the truths of the Word of God. It is these truths to which I lay my allegiance and causes me to be diametrically opposed to anything that positions itself against the Word.
preachercarter 