Marriage: Yes or No 

     One of the goals of Marxist Democrats is to end the institution of marriage in America. Of all their weapons - disguised under pretend devotion to our constitution - marriage doesn't get much press. 

     At one time, 81 percent of Americans ages 23-38 were married. The number dropped to 53 percent for Generation X, and in 2020 the rate was 44 percent.  Brad Wilcox wrote a book, Get Married, Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families and Save Civilization.

     Wilcox sees a "decline in well-being for adults, children and society itself." 

     He shows that "married folks are happier, less lonely, and wealthier than the unmarried. Children from intact families have fewer problems in school, are less likely to be abused, or go to prison as adults. The happiest Americans are those married with children." 

     "Asians from India set a good example for others of us." 

     Surprisingly, Wilcox didn't get much pushback. There may be more recognition that something is wrong with family tradition. There are problems: "The young American dating culture...a lack of maturity among young men...and a radically progressive view of marriage among young women." 

     The Left he says has "encouraged women not to marry. And now their message is for men. In a weakened culture, it will be difficult to convince young Americans that the responsibilities of marriage and family leads to more happiness for most." 

       Jimmy 

Worked for me, on the second try

PS. America will be great again when families are great again

     

Is God Good?

     "There is scriptural evidence that God created animals to amuse himself," writes Lynn Vincent in WORLD magazine. "All the creatures show us his delight, his imagination, his limitlessness." 

     "He is the master engineer, the One who made the octopus which can disguise itself, deep-sea creatures that make their own light, and the caterpillar that reorganizes itself as a butterfly." 

     For his invisible attributes, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived - Romans 1:20. 

     God first revealed himself to us with the sevenfold, And God saw that it was good. God made children for his glory (Isaiah 43:7) and the heavens declare his glory (Psalm 19:1). 

     Lynn is ''thrilled'' to think God is so overflowing with goodness that He chose to create the planet. That He is so full of love, joy, compassion, grace, creativity and beauty that He had to share it. 

     She writes, "We know His grand plan will end in ultimate good, even if He allows savagery, betrayal, disease and death because of our corruption. The road to glory is paved with the blood of the Savior who reconciles us." 

    For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth...as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies - Romans 8:22-23.

Revelation 19 reveals God's anger with those who refuse to trust and obey: With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 

            Jimmy

     

Joy to the World 

     Every Christmas, growing up, we sang this hymn. Decades later I learned this hymn is all about Christ's return to earth - not His birthday - to rule a thousand years. Believers then in heaven will come with Him. 

     No more sins and sorrows...nor thorns...He comes to make His blessings flow...far as the curse is found... 

     In a bookstore, looking for a book they didn't have, I settled for Dr. David Jeremiah's latest book, The Coming Golden Age. How fortunate I was. Thirty-one short chapters, hundreds of Bible verses.

     Scattered over the Bible, God promises blessings. In the wonderful 8th chapter of Romans, verse 19, Paul wrote: For the creation waits in eager expectation... 

     The coming tribulation will be followed by Jesus' return to Jerusalem for a thousand years...the "golden age"...sandwiched between history and eternity (Revelation 21 and 22. 

      It will be the most blessed time since Eden, which was a glorious beginning erased by our sins, starting with Adam. Meanwhile, the Son of God came to earth, born to a virgin. Beyond his teachings and miracles his primary purpose was to take upon himself the penalty for our sins. Itself a curse to reverse the age-old curse on mankind. 

     When this good news reaches the ends of the earth, He will return to Jerusalem and the Millenium will begin. A golden age the world over. 

     Believe in Him, trust and obey Him, and sing, Joy to the World. We joyfully recommend Dr. Jeremiah's book.

         Jimmy    

Who Is Our Savior? 

     Donald Trump? He's off to a great start in restoring limited, common-sense government, with safety, peace and opportunity for all who want safety, peace and opportunity.

     Then there is Lara Trump, who told a rally that her father-in-law "is the one who will save, not just our country, but will save the entire world!" 

     What a relief. The president is working seven days a week to right the wrongs and end all wars. We didn't know Iran, Russia and China were going to lay down their arms and copy our constitution. 

     And we didn't know that our president will send Satan and friends to the "fiery lake of burning sulfur" - Revelation 19:20. 

     Okay...common sense and pragmatism...we'll take it. As for same-sex marriage and late-term abortions...we'll suffer it. America's history of Biblical standards...might not be revived. 

     "Many Christians," says Janie Cheaney in WORLD magazine, "see the Trump administration as a reprieve in a long-term slide." A pastor wrote: "Trump...will give the church four years to prepare for a secular and hostile world." 

     Cheaney adds, "We Americans don't know what real pessimism is. We haven't been ground down by centuries of poverty, oppression and godlessness. Secularism may spread and hostility may grow against the church - or maybe the Lord will send revival, and many will turn from their worthless idols." 

     "A true Golden Age is waiting. Donald Trump won't save the world. But we know Who will."

            Jimmy

Wednesday: Golden Age?

Light 

     Following our blog on salt, we turn on the light. 

     Jesus, who said Israelites are the salt of the earth, added: You are the light of the world - Matthew 5:14. 

     Centuries after creation the Israelites were going to the promised land. Moses wrote, Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps burning before the Lord. He didn't mean fire to light their way. Rather, This is to be a lasting ordinance among the Israelites for generations - Exodus 27:21. 

     Much later, in Isaiah 60:1,3, Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. Nations will come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn. (still in the future)

     In verse 19, ...the sun will no more be your light by day nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again and your moon will wane no more. 

     Isaiah wrote of the new heaven and new earth when God and the Lamb will be the everlasting light of his people - Revelation 21 and 22.

     Years after Jesus' resurrection, the disciple John wrote: In him was light and that light was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world - chapter 1:4, 5, 9. 

COMMENTARY: The light of Christ shines in an evil world controlled by Satan. Christ illumines all who hear his gospel by imparting a measure of grace and understanding. There is no other light by which we may see the truth and be saved. 

     Jesus said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. - John 8:12. 

     If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free - John 8:31

Salt and Light...trust and obey

SALT and Light 

     So, the theologian asked, "What has happened to salt and light?" 

     Well, we salt (40% sodium, 60% chloride) our food, and we have sunlight part of each day. Salt and sunlight are vital to civilization. 

     Moses wrote of salt that is vital to our eternal life: Whatever is set aside from the holy offerings the Israelites present to the Lord...It is an everlasting covenant of salt before the Lord for both you and your offspring - Numbers 18-19. 

     Centuries later, Jesus addressed the Israelites:

     You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? - Matthew 5:13.

     Later, Paul wrote to the Colossians (chapter 4:6). Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. 

COMMENTARY: As table salt is valuable to give flavor and to preserve, believers and the church must be godly examples in the world and resist the moral decay and corruption in society. 

Christ severely warns the church about spiritual lukewarmness. He invites the church to repent and be restored to a place of faith, righteousness and fellowship. 

To churches that overcome he will come to them in blessing and in the power of the Spirit, opening a door that no one can shut. 

Salt in the Bible represents preservation and permanence.

Friday: Discussion on light. Don't miss it.

 What Is It?

     On Friday we summarized part of Timothy Lamer's article about our crime rates ... in 2019 more than double the 1960 number. And that doesn't account for our free-for-all the last four years. He partly cites welfare and the decline in two-parent families. 

     Something else is missing. Lamer quotes British theologian John Stott: "We should ask, 'What has happened to salt and light?'"

     In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, modernists began taking over American seminaries and pulpits. They called themselves Christians but preached a religion that taught the goodness of man and rejected Christ's messianic claims, his miracles and need for atonement. They took over entire denominations.

     Lamer: "When churches stop preaching about sin and repentance, bad things happen. The worship of God suffers. Eternal souls go unsaved. Sin gains an easier foothold. Differences in different communities, but it will never look good. In America, decades of liberal preaching softened up society for the sexual revolution."

     "Theological descendants of the modernists celebrate each new frontier and attempts to redefine the family despite documented harm to children and society. Untethered from the Bible, liberal churches become active agents of decay instead of preserving salt." 

     He concludes, "Remember how much lower the crime rate was in the past and could be today if Christians would produce more salt and light."

What is salt and light? Views Wednesday and Friday.

        Jimmy