Journalism Matters   

A Biblical calling

     Once a journalist myself, I want to share part of an article by Les Sillars, a journalism teacher, now executive editor of WORLD magazine. 

     "For the USA to survive, journalists must be truthful. The journalist's task is to see the world clearly, and help other people see it clearly too. 

     "The Bible is the only authoritative source of key truths about God, humanity and reality. We need it to see the world clearly. A reporter can tell the whole truth about this world as Scripture shapes his or her reporting. 

     "Journalism is a noble and deeply Biblical calling. To do it faithfully requires the gifts of the storyteller, historian, philosopher, theologian, and even scientist or economist. We must understand the times, the culture that shapes us, and the people God calls us to serve and love - our neighbors. 

     "Like Israelites in Babylon, Christians are called to seek the good of the city to which we've been exiled. We have a life beyond this one. We're citizens of heaven first, but we've been called in many different ways to serve our neighbors now. We know that the political realm is often very important, but it's not ultimate. 

     "Christians are supposed to be salt and light. We want to preserve and defend the best parts of our culture. But we never paper over its weaknesses and failures. We must tell the truth."

Three blogs next week: the second most important man in history!

 

A Day is Coming  

     "Galileo, bored during a service in the cathedral, noticed the swinging of a lamp suspended from the ceiling. Using his own pulse to time the movements, he concluded that a pendulum could measure time and he went on to make scientific breakthroughs." 

     If only he had a cellphone to prevent boredom. 

Article by Andree Peterson

     "God said to Daniel that 'the last days...many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.' But what quality knowledge?" 

     Peterson noticed a long line of people in the subway, each person in his or her own space, head bowed, staring at their cell phones. I've seen that same unsociable thing, and so have you. 

     "Who benefits from our infatuation with the screen?" Peterson asks. She answers herself: "labs, app companies, social media titans" and such. 

     She offers "the first battle against any bondage is to admit the problem. AA's first step. The next step, be aware that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity." 

     "A day is coming when no one will be able to buy or sell" without the mark of the beast (Revelation 13:17).  

    '

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   

Crime Rates; Deep Roots 

Coming Monday: What might uproot them

     Your blogger, in high school then college during the 1950s, enjoyed a relatively safe life. A few times I hitchhiked the 200 miles to and from college - to save Dad money, which was precious back then. (Mom did not approve).  

     Then came the 1960s, when blacks understandably began to assert themselves. But inclusion wasn't the reason crime rates climbed and climbed some more. 

     Today's violent crime "would have been alarming in the 1950s," writes Timothy Lamer in WORLD magazine. Every time period has its blind spots and problems, and the 1950s were no different, he says. But Americans didn't shoot, stab, rape and rob each other nearly as much as today. 

     Violent crime rate more than quadrupled over 30 years. At the turn of the century, violent crime fell somewhat as police and incarceration took effect. But 2019 crime rates were still double the 1960 level. Something went terribly wrong, and we haven't recovered.  

     Mr. Lamer claims part answer is the sexual revolution and the decline of two-parent families. Births to unmarried women went from 5% in 1960 to 40% now. So, what caused the decline in two-parent families? In part, welfare programs took the place of fathers as providers. 

     Something else is missing. 

Monday: What is it? 

          Jimmy  

 Wednesday

Peace and War

     Swords and plowshares. The old order of things isn't going anywhere until the age described in Revelation chapter 21. 

     "The nations ... shall beat their swords into plowshares" - Isaiah 2:4. or "Beat your plowshares into swords" - Joel 9:9-10. Which is it? 

     "The Lord is a warrior." - Exodus 15:3-6. "Blessed be the Lord, my strength, which teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight." - Psalm 144:1. "The Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines" - 2 Samuel 5:22-25. 

     It was Solomon, not David, who would build God's holy temple. Although David agreed that "peace is better than war" - Psalm 120. 

     George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four involves a state of perpetual warfare by a totalitarian government for its self-preservation of power. There is mass surveillance, lying propaganda and censorship of free speech. 

Above from WORLD magazine

     How did Englishman Orwell in 1948 know what the Democrats would be doing in 2020-2024? We assume he knew how governments - including ours - are inclined to act. His book became "best seller" in 1984, 35 years after the initial publication in 1949. 

          Jimmy 

The Spirit in the Old Testament          

     And afterword, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. - Joel 2:28-29

The Spirit in the New Testament 

     John (the Baptist) said, "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him (Jesus). The man...is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. ...this is the Son of God. - (the disciple) John 1:32-34      

     Years later: When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly, a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 

     They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

     Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: Are not all these men Galileans? Then how is it that each one of us hears them in his own native language? - Acts 2:1-8

Verses 9-11 mention 13 nations and regions.

     ...we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues! Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?" 

NOTE: We find the Spirit in numerous Old Testament books, beginning with chapter 1 of Genesis, verse 2. Later, God may have given Joel a forecast of the Pentecost event, or maybe he was combining that and other occurrences to follow. Only God would know. 

  

One Firey Furnace

     King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, the "head of a statue" in his dream of world leaders, was mighty for sure. Not that he cared for others. Talk about ego! His forces had dragged most of the Jews off to Babylon. 

     When God enabled Daniel's three friends to become administrators, Babylonian officials were jealous. Meanwhile, the king was so egoistic after the dream, he had a 90-foot image of himself erected. When the music began, everyone was to fall down and worship him.

     Not sure where Daniel was, but his three Jewish friends - Babylonian names Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - refused to worship the king. Astrologers went to the king and ratted on them. The king was so furious he threatened to throw his servants into a blazing furnace unless they worshiped him.

     They answered that their God was able to rescue them, but even if he didn't, "O king, we will not serve your gods or worship the image..." 

     The furious king ordered the fire overheated, and the flames killed the soldiers who threw in the men. Then the king in amazement asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men? I saw four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."  

     He called them out of the fire, untouched by the flames and heat. The king immediately gave their God his due and threatened anyone who says anything against him "be cut into pieces and their houses turned into rubble." Just never learned the word "freedom" did he?

What a doctor!  

If God can out-perform a fire, Jesus the Son can heal leprosy, paralytics, the blind and mute, the demon-possessed, and raise a girl from the dead. He also calmed a storm...all in Matthew chapter 9.

Valley of Dry Bones

     People of Israel and Judah were in exile. Their hope had died as they were dispersed among foreigners. The prophet Ezekiel wrote, the Spirit of the Lord set me in the middle of a valley. Beginning at chapter 37:4...

     Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them 'Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin. I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord."

      And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them. Then he said to me, "Prophecy to the breath...'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come from the four winds and breathe into these slain that they may live.'"

     So I prophesied...and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet - a vast army.  

     Ezekiel continues: ...the Lord will bring back "my people and I will put my Spirit in you..." (in the end times).  

Birth of Jesus 

     Matthew 1:18 - This is how the birth of Jesus the Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

If God can grow an army out of dry bones - or just convince Ezekiel that he saw and heard this - he can plant a seed in a virgin. After all, he created sperm in the first place. 

         Jimmy

 

Cave Men 

     That is, men who cave...to cultural approval, or to immature voices, to social media mobs, to activists, to biased, uninformed voters. 

     Empathy is a good thing. But 'go along to get along' leads to mission drift. Hello failure. This is so for leaders in education, religion, government, business and parenting. 

     Nick Eicher in WORLD magazine contrasts compassion - offering a hand to someone drowning - with "untethered empathy," jumping in and getting swept away. 

     He argues many leaders flinch when outrage flairs - whether it's a university giving in to mobs, a church backing off Biblical teaching, or a corporation surrendering to activists. A leadership crisis. Eicher's advice:

1. Leaders must know when they are being tempted to flinch. 

2. Fear God, not man. Only a deep-rooted confidence in God's approval can stabilize a leader challenged by cultural storms.     

3. Maintain mission clarity. Leaders must refuse to be manipulated, resisting the false promise of appeasement. 

     If leaders cave, he writes, they won't keep the peace - they'll just invite more demands. 

Views: We see the difference, currently, in politics. One group is on mission to improve us, fingers crossed, regardless of detractors. The other is a leaderless, hostile bunch, sadly. They don't cave in. They just, as Mark Levin titled his book, "THE DEMOCRAT PARTY HATES AMERICA." 

            Jimmy

Where do I put my confidence?

Fellow Christians: I think I'm doing pretty good. Then I read the apostle Paul's humble letter to the Philippians, chapter 3, verses 7-14. 

     "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.

     "I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 

     "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his suffering, becoming like him in his death, and to attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Romans 6:3-5; 8:17). 

     "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 

     "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." 

😌

Musk Goes to Washington    

     Andrew Carnegie went to Pittsburgh and New York City (see Monday's blog). Elon Musk, the current wealthiest person in the world, has gone to Washington. 

     A private businessman himself, like President Trump, Musk is praised by Republicans and hated by Democrats. He is appointed, without pay we understand, to clean up fraud and waste in government. 

     Musk leads the new Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE. Classified as a "special government employee," he works in the White House complex, where DOGE teams branch out to federal agencies, to gain information and recommend whatever.

     One agency that Musk calls a radical-left, political "psy op" (military psychological operation) is the U.S. Agency for International Development. He blames USAID for a "crazy waste of money." President Trump wants to freeze funding and essentially shut down the $43 billion agency. 

*

NEWS FLASH: The Supreme Court on Wednesday voted 5-4 to agree with a judge who ruled the administration cannot do what the president might decide about USAID. We don't know the facts. But how can a judge rule over an administration agency when no laws have been broken?  

*

     Democrats despise anything Trump and his appointees do. If the administration miraculously provided peace, good health and prosperity to every soul in the world, Dems would find something to criticize. Rep. Raskin, D-Md. said, "we don't have a fourth branch of government called Elon Musk." Silly. But his voters will buy it. 

     Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said Musk is, "working around the clock to root this out and end it. And it's exactly what President Trump was elected to do."  

     Dems and some Republicans went to Washington for themselves. President Trump went there for all Americans, including Democrats. 

            Jimmy

 

World's Wealthiest Man 

     He was born in Scotland, where his family had basically a one room house. No wonder they immigrated to America in 1848. He was 12. He worked in a Pennsylvania cotton mill, 12 hours a day. That's not how he became wealthy. His pay was $1.20...a week! 

     Next as a messenger boy, spending his Saturdays at the library. From there, he became a telegraph operator, and eventually, superintendent of Pennsylvania Railroad. 

     By age 30 he was a rich investor, a major player in steel production. He invested in railroads, bridges and oil during the Civil War.  In 1901 he sold Carnegie Steel to J.P. Morgan and retired as the wealthiest man in the world. In retirement he gave 90 percent of his wealth to charities. 

Hunger for knowledge led Andrew Carnegie to fund 2,800 libraries in the U.S. and seven other nations. He believed in opportunities for education among common people. His Pittsburgh property on the river is now the site of Heinz Field, Pittsburgh Steelers. 

     Pittsburgh has a Carnegie Science Center, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University and a Carnegie Mansion. My dad parked and we walked past Carnegie Library to attend Pirates baseball on Forbes Ave. You see where our interest was. 

     Carnegie funded famous Carnegie Hall in New York City, where he lived for a time, and spent summers in Scotland. He delayed marriage to care for his aging mother, later married at age 51, and died in 1919. His wealth was estimated to be $372 billion.  

     Elon Musk's net worth is only $357.54 billion.  

        Jimmy  

Apocalyptic Calamity? 

     Your blogger remembers the new Cold War in the 1950s, when the threat of Russian atomic bombing had Americans conducting drills and building shelters. Some of us teens went to the USO to call in any airplanes flying over our small town. Ho hum. There weren't many. I do recall being somewhat afraid.  

     In the early 1960's JFK called for public fallout shelters. Interest in survival skills and such grew to a multibillion-dollar industry.

     Today, Cold War heritage, some 23 million U.S. adults are stockpiling and working on survival skills. Billions are spent annually on portable generators, gas masks and windup radios. Some preppers are motivated by common sense. Others have apocalyptic fear. Then there are those of us who question the desire to preserve life here when something much better awaits.

     The terrorist attacks of 9/11 prompted new safety measures. By 2010, half of all Americans had preparedness on the brain. Prepping isn't cheap. Americans spent some $11 billion to be prepared in 2022. Today it is as much personal choice as it is emergency prep. Conservatives feel strongly about gun ownership. 

     Preparedness is wise. We were educated a few years ago when there was a rush on toilet paper...trucker strike, I think. You never know. And we don't trust the mainstream media's every word.

         Jimmy

 

Abraham Believed God 

     And Jesus his descendant, his offspring, more or less, also obeyed God, his Father, allowing himself to be nailed to a cross, suffering the penalty we all - including Moses, Jacob, Joseph, Abraham and Washington, Lincoln and Trump - deserve. 

     Miraculously, Abraham and Sarah bore a child (Isaac) after they were way beyond the possible age. Jesus, miraculously born to a virgin, miraculously rose from the dead, revealing his wounds to his disciples. 

     He later became a curse for us, that the blessing given to Abraham might come also to Gentiles. And not just a blessing, but supernatural strength by the indwelling Holy Spirit. God.

     The law came centuries after Abraham. Not as a road map to heaven, but a prison of sorts, until the risen Christ won over his incredulous disciples and others. World history thereby burst in all directions...the invitation to accept Jesus' as Savior and Lord, sins forgiven, eternal life offered.

     Missionaries and other believers who spread the good news to Jews and Gentiles are still at work, the world often hostile to those who speak of miracles. 

     We say it again: Neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female. We can be (spiritually) heirs of Abraham, forgiven souls who trust and obey the One who experienced human life, without sin, shedding his blood that we might respond to his heavenly love.

😇

     

How Can Anyone Be Saved?

     Obey the law? Be a descendent of Abraham? Human effort?

     In Galatians chapter 3...relying on the law leaves people "cursed." If we obey it perfectly, welcome to heaven. But none of us can do that. Neither can any of us be holy enough to pass through the "pearly gates." 

      If we're "children" of Abraham - that is, like him in faith and obedience, no matter what - we are blessed, closer to the promise. Not home yet (as a home run doesn't count until the batter crosses home plate). There was considerable disobedience and disbelief during the centuries of Jacob/Israel's descendants. God allowed - or led? - the Romans to scatter "his" people. 

     Today, there are still Abraham descendants who are not believers. Maybe the Holocaust resulted in unbelief. Understandable. Then again, the horrible Holocaust led survivors to reestablish the nation of Israel ... believers or not ... three years after the war.  

      What did God say to Abraham? Translated from Hebrew into English, through your offspring, all nations on earth (or, believers in all nations) will be blessed (eventually) because you have obeyed me. - Moses, in Genesis 22:18.  

     God didn't say the "descendants." He said "offspring" (as translated). (Offspring could be plural. In this case...?)     

     In the New Testament, Galatians 3, Paul wrote, "The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and announced the gospel (good news) in advance to Abraham - verse 6.    

     In verse 16: The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed (One version of ancient Hebrew has a word translated offspring or seed). The Scripture does not say "and to his seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed, meaning one person, who is Christ. 

 To be continued Wednesday

Faith or Works? 

     So many particulars: Belief. Obedience. Promises. Obligations. Commitment. Human effort........? 

     The lives of men. What about women? From Canaan to Israel. What about America? 

     For answers we will turn to Galatians chapter 3, tying the Old and New Testaments together. Remember Saul, 100 percent Jewish, who persecuted Christians that were leading Jews into a mistaken faith, or so he believed. Jesus spoke to him from heaven, gave Saul the name Paul, and the rest is history. 

     But first, let's go to Genesis chapter 3. The clever devil posed as a serpent, duping Adam and Eve into disobeying God (the world's first sin; eating forbidden fruit). God told the serpent he would put "enmity (hostility) between him and the woman" (all humanity). The serpent "will strike the heal of the enmity (Christ on the cross) and he (Christ) will crush your head" (yet to occur).

     We are living in that warfare today. Now, to Galatians 3. 

     Paul told Galatians to remember Abraham (father of Isaac, father of Jacob - renamed Israel). This was centuries before Moses and the law. When God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son, he prepared to do so, until the Lord told him to put down his knife. 

     God declared, "Because you have done this and have not withheld your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars...and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed because you have obeyed me." 

***Offspring? Monday's blog will be the most important in my 11 years***

Have You Heard? 

     Someone wants to build a home for you. You won't have to pay for it. No worry about a mortgage, taxes or utility bills. 

     Your home will have no mold. No leaky roof. No rotten wood. No pests. No disease. No storms. No crime. No traveling salesmen.

     NO KIDDING! 

     The Master Builder's name is Jesus. 

     Have faith to join the Builder's family while there is still time. Be warned. We don't know when "time's up!" 

     The Book says it's heavenly there. The sun doesn't shine, but a certain glory provides all light. We hear the music is out of this world. And the fruit is so good! 

     All the people you meet will be loving, like you. 

     Get ready for this: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all in one in Christ." - Galatians 3:28  

     In eternal life, you can roam the "new earth," with adventures and friends far beyond our worldly existence. And you will never, ever get hurt physically or emotionally again. 

     Is our short life on earth so awesome we say "no" to salvation in eternity?

Friday: How can we know?

 Then and Now - Same Issue 

My letter to Congress, 3-18-93

Hon. Sen. George Mitchell:

     "We will be as brief as possible, but we hope our words somehow express the depth of our conviction.

     "Amazed by polls that claim so many Americans support the president's (Clinton) tax proposals, we conclude that there are millions of good-hearted patriotic citizens who are easily impressed by an eloquent public speaker. 

     "We don't know how to operate such a massive government, our neighbors don't know, and Washington knows we don't know. We don't want Washington to patronize us about offering our suggestions, so that we'll feel good and be more inclined to up our taxes.

     "We have elected many men and women, and are paying them generously, to manage the considerable tax money we already are providing. 

     "The debt is proof that something is not being managed well. Further, increased spending has followed and even exceeded previous tax increases. We don't know why grown men and women are even debating more taxes.

     "Let the government cut billions and tens of billions out of programs that aren't giving us our money's worth - before debt destroys us all - if it isn't already too late. Then, in a few years when the government has proven it is fiscally responsible, approach us about new taxes, if indeed they are still necessary." 

32 years later, someone is responding

- if it isn't already too late

         Jimmy 

Hope, or Hopeless? 

     More than 5.6 billion people around the world are living without the hope that comes from knowing Jesus Christ. 

     This may be a faceless crowd to us, but each one is a soul - precious to God - for whom Christ died. 

In his great mercy he has given us new birth in a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 

     Millions look to the internet for answers to their hurts and longings. Google alone sees millions of queries in search of hope.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 

     More than 55 million Americans ages 12 and older abuse or are addicted to drugs or alcohol. 

You are precious in my eyes ... and I love you. Isaiah 43:4

     More than 23 million Americans struggle with depression, and over 49,000 commit suicide each year. 

You answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth. Psalm 65:5 

     Some 40 million people in the U.S. feel trapped or crippled by fear.

Fear not, for I am ... your God and will ... help you. Isaiah 41:10  

     An average of 165,000 people go into eternity each day, the majority are lost.

Without hope and without God in this world. Ephesians 2:12

     Last year, hundreds of thousands of people found new life in Jesus Christ through the Ministeries of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. BillyGraham.org

Hope does not put us to shame. God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us. Romans 5:5

# 

 The Full Moon

...bring it on!

     Here in Florida, we just had a bright, full moon for two nights. That means the sun in those hours is below earth shining on the moon above the earth. 

     We also know that nighttime can be moonless, as when one or the other goes down in the West and the other follows it down. When the sun and moon are positioned in other ways, we get half-moons and every other angle.

     Politically, America has been almost moonless for several years. Today, we see increasing light, and there is hope for even brighter days and nights to come.

     Pastor Jim Cymbala reminds us that the apostle Paul urged people to pray for government leaders. Paul's goal wasn't to support a political party, but "that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth" - 1 Timothy 2:2-4.

     With Jesus now in heaven, his disciples "received power when the Holy Spirit" came upon them. Cymbala wrote, "The power to be salt and light came by being in God's presence, praying and waiting" - Acts 1:8. 

     "We need to be salt and light as the answer to society's ills. Elijah was a human as we are, and he prayed earnestly, and God answered."

     "It doesn't matter how small or weak we are, if we are connected by prayer to God, then he will move on our behalf. That doesn't mean God rescues every believer who prays in trouble. But the Lord will > give us endurance, or > change the circumstance."

     

      

Democrats in Bible Times

     Well, what'd ya know! 

     In Paul's letter to the Romans, chapter 16:17-18, he wrote:

     I urge you brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the minds of naive people.

      We should not be surprised - people 20 centuries ago were thinking and acting like many people today. Human nature has not changed since Adam and Eve. Our toys are much advanced, but our belief and behavior are what Jesus wants from us. First of all...

A Godless Age

     As above, Jim Cymbala, senior pastor at The Brooklyn Tabernacle, says our culture today mirrors what Timothy saw in Ephesus. "We live now in a mostly non-Christian country. When society is essentially godless, how should Christians respond?" 

     "Think of the Ephesian culture," he wrote. "There was no moral majority. Yet, Paul said, 'First of all, let the church be praying...for kings and those in authority.' Cymbala adds, "We are to pray for our leaders, whether they be Republican or Democrat."  

     Jesus said, "My house will be called a house of prayer" (Matthew 21:13). First of all. Why? "Because prayer brings God onto the scene."

            Jimmy

      

Will Our Constitution Survive?

The War on Warriors

Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense

     "In today's military we can rightly speak of the loss of our fundamental purpose, our common creed - our covenant. The mission creep is inside our ranks, as our original purpose as warriors and servants of the Constitution has transformed into an austere bureaucracy hell-bent on ideological conformity and societal change. 

     "The story of Gideon is a good reminder that readiness means nothing without God. God chose 'unready' men to accomplish his purposes. Strength is nothing without righteousness. Just as America's military might is nothing without an unwavering commitment to the Constitution and the defeat of our enemies, internal and external. 

     "The fundamental purpose of every elected officer, judge, law enforcer or warrior is to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic. This book ... is about how the military allowed itself to go woke. 

     "When we lose sight of the fact that the primary responsibility of the president of the United States is to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, then everything else falls apart.

     "Our covenant is broken. Our next president has one last chance to repair it." 

Pray for President Trump

Monday: Democrats in Bible times 

Our Covenant is Broken 

     As God made a covenant with ancient Israel in the time of Gideon, our founders signed a covenant uniting the 13 states on July 4, 1776. Freedom required war, and some of the signees paid with their lives.

     Our constitution with 25 amendments - ink on paper - is the understanding, the law, that has held us together for 248 years (our civil war excepted) regardless of faith, origin and finally, race. 

     In his book, The War on Warriors, chapter 13, Pete Hegseth, now our Secretary of Defense, wrote, "When we maintain our covenant, we are Gideon - God on our side. But what if we ignore our covenant? We turn our backs...on each other." 

     "America today is in a cold civil war. Our soul is under attack by a confederacy of radicals. They wish to erode our institutions by making us question our purpose." 

     "Gideon first had to sacrifice his own name and reputation. He had to learn how to be faithful. He had to brave the slings and arrows of his own people, his own tribe." 

     "This is our journey today. 'One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.' As a veteran, I read the story of Gideon, and I reflect on the values that Gideon shares with a warrior. His story reminds us that we are not only fighting a battle against foreign enemies." 

     "Sometimes (it must) begin with a struggle against domestic enemies: those who would violate the Covenant that binds us as a community of faith and ... blessing."

Conclusion on Friday

Submission to Authorities 

     Romans 8:13 updated:

     Everyone must submit himself to governing authorities (national, state and local), for there is no authority except that which God has established. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against ... God ... and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

     For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do what is right and God's servant will commend you. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for (the president, governor or mayor) does not (arrest suspects) for nothing. They (by their justice departments) are God's servants...to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 

     Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 

     So ... Let us behave decently, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Views: Did recent American authorities follow Paul's warning/advice? Did they release wrongdoers repeatedly? Did they arrest and otherwise harass political opponents, orderly abortion demonstrators, and threaten U.S. Supreme Court justices? And millions (two for sure) who wanted President Trump dead. 

Maybe God saw to it that Trump survived, not to Make America Great Again, but to demote Democrats who don't read Romans chapter 13, or anything else in God's Word. 

              Jimmy 

Glory Comes Later 

     Wednesday's instructions from Paul might puzzle you, because most of us don't hear much about the Holy Spirit. God's connection with the spirit of believers is the real deal. In chapter 14 Paul explains that the kingdom is not a matter of (our preferences) but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 

     In Romans chapter 8. Jesus "intercedes" for us (connecting with our spirits). Awesome! Paul asks, Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Trouble? Hardship? Persecution? Famine? Danger? Sword?

     Paul, who endured all this himself, wrote, We are sheep to be slaughtered. (Psalm 44:22) 

     But: We are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Neither death nor life nor angels nor demons nor the present nor the future nor any powers neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God...that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

     Most Americans don't suffer what other believers might experience around this wicked world. That doesn't mean we are loved more. Our spirits and all that goes with us - mind, soul, etc. - are considered already alive in heaven forever more. 

Monday: President Trump in the Bible?

It is Finished! 

     On Monday, we wrote from Romans chapter 8 the law of sin and death, and the law of the Spirit. While still alive on the cross, Jesus said, "It is finished." What was finished? His life? Yes, but he rose again and spent 40 days witnessing to his disciples, his half-brother, and many others.

     Ten days later, the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples and other God-fearing Jews in Jerusalem. Read Acts chapters 1 and 2 for the thrilling account. 

     The sacrifice of the Son of God himself sets us free from the law of sin and death...if...Jews and Gentiles alike, believe, confess and turn from our sinful ways, be they small or great.

     God sent the Holy Spirit - all over the world - to connect with our spirits, setting us on the narrow road of growth and obedience until he takes us home (to heaven). 

     Sounds easy enough. But God allows Satan (see Genesis chapter 3) to lie and deceive). While we seek freedom through the law of the Spirit of life, this war continues. We are on one side or the other. 

     John the Baptist (Jesus said, "he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he") baptized people in water, but baptism in the Spirit results in power to follow, trust, obey and witness. It is the Great Commission. 

     What to pray for? The Holy Spirit intercedes for us in accord with God's will. As Christ became an "heir of God," we become "co-heirs" with him. Amazing. We don't have to be beautiful or highly skilled or rich. In fact, the humbler we are, the more we will conform to his likeness.

     If God is for us, who can be against us? - Romans 8:31

Friday: 

      We are sheep to be slaughtered, yet more than conquerors.

   

What is Truth?  

...the Roman governor sniffed

     Two laws are more critical than all laws passed by all governments over all the centuries. Read on...

     Nature. The world and our inclusion in it. What about it? Nature can be beautiful, harmful, changeable and deceptive. What happened to the Garden of Eden?

     We were conceived in a mother. Ideally, we were born with two parents. In some cases, we are adopted. If not, is there no teacher?  

     Whatever the circumstance of our birth, we are weakened by our sinful nature. No matter how good we or others think we are, our nature is Adam and Eve's nature. For simply biting into a fruit their Creator forbid, they were evicted from the awesome garden. They hadn't killed or robbed anyone. They believed in God. They disobeyed. 

     Animals, birds and creatures of the sea don't need to be taught. We do. Who will teach us?  

     God exists in his forever realm, called heaven, unseen. He created the world we do see and live in. So, how does Almighty God communicate with this inferior world, and how can we reply? 

     He provides the WAY! In scripture, he says he is Spirit. He gives each human - along with a soul, mind, emotion, etc. - a spirit. This is the necessary connection, if we choose to believe, trust and obey. And pray.

     God calls our sinful nature "the law of sin and death." Our only escape is "the law of the Spirit." And what is that?

     God himself in the person of Jesus was born to a virgin. In his early 30s he underwent severe testing for 40 days. He presented himself to the people of Israel. Performed miracles. He died a horrible death on a cross, suffering the law of sin and death in our place...and returned to life, appearing to some 500 people over another 40 days. We then acknowledge our guilt and allow him to be our Lord in "new life."

So, Governor Pilate, that's the Truth

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Culture Infiltrates Churches

     "In America today, even among evangelicals, God has been domesticated. He's made more sin friendly. Americans don't mind saying they believe in 'God' as long as they can choose the god they believe. This god turns out to be their own consciousness."

Erwin Lutzer, 83, former pastor 36 years of Moody Church in Chicago, in his latest book, The Eclipse of God, calls Christians to return to the God of the Bible, prayer and repentance. Next week on Views, a sure path to recovery.

     Lutzer says, "this book is to help people understand where this eclipse of God, this darkness, came from, and why we must get back to the Biblical concept of God and not the gods of popular culture." 

     "I think we find ourselves in the presence of a god who exists for us, not God whom we need to fear. In the New Testament era, it's emphasis on the love of God, which needs to be preached." 

     "But where's the wrath of God? There are two doctrines that destroy the church: the goodness of man and the tolerance of a nonjudgmental god. The drift began in Europe during the Enlightenment. It gave people the confidence that reason alone is all we need."

     "Love and truth are not enemies. Sometimes the most loving thing is to tell people some very hard things. There's a difference between music that has dignity and much of the modern music...trying to popularize the gospel through songs. People think they are Christians, but they are only cultural Christians."  

     "Cultural Christianity ultimately falls apart, unless we get back to a Biblical view of the gospel and God, that provides the basis for a common Christian culture."   

     "If you don't have truth, justice can become whatever people want it to be. Truth is based on the revelation of God. If we drift toward a nation without God, without heritage, we could easily move into a totalitarian society. There would be ways to force churches out of business. We certainly seem to be on the way."

The cure: Romans chapter 8, all next week

The Patient Survives. Time for Healing

     To summarize Monday's impressive transfer of power, President Trump restored some of his own first-term executive actions. He issued directives regarding our borders, the federal workforce, energy and trade. 

     He declared our borders to be a "national emergency," and seeks cooperation from Canada and Mexico. 

     Trump pardoned more than 1500 January 6, 2021 prisoners. We hope it is the innocent. And he removed the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord. (We thought that had already been done.) 

     In his inaugural address, the president promised to "end unfair weaponization of the Justice Department." He paused a TikTok decision for 75 days, and he terminated the Diversity Equality Inclusion (DEI) agenda, which is Marxist based, in government. Many corporations have already ended DEI activity. Some climate programs also bit the dust. 

     Outgoing President Biden had a big day also. He preemptively pardoned a number of people who haven't been charged. True. > Anthony Fauci, Chairman Mark Milley, Biden's brother, sister-in-law, sister, and brother-in-law, minutes before his term ended at 12 Noon. Biden had already pardoned his son Hunter. 

     We've long known that the Bidens were milking $ millions from other nations, without delivering on promises. Yet, in 2020 we elected the chief "milker" to the presidency. 

     Pardons should be given only for convicted people. Otherwise, this undermines our legal system. If there is no consequence for criminal activity, what's to prevent the Biden family from continuing to milk? Thankfully, father Biden no longer has power to sell for profit. 

     Innocent people don't need pardons.  

            Jimmy

This is the Day! 

     People usually recover from various troubles - sickness, financial loss, broken marriage, accidents, etc. 

     Today is the day the United States begins to recover from government abuse, corrupt and partisan prosecutors, politicians and judges. From Deep State lies and corruption. From war on our First Amendment and other civil rights. From those who call Right to Life groups "terrorists." From criminals and foreign agents the outgoing administration allowed to cross our borders. 

     Our incoming president and cabinet, and many other appointees will have much to clean up, from damage to education, to justice, to our military readiness. Some recent history can't be reversed, probably, but integrity, fair, responsible governance can flourish going forward. Foreign relations look promising. 

     Woke discrimination, abuse of power, mutilating surgeries for minors, transgender policies, DEI in the military...all this and more must end. 

     Tom Fitton of Judicial Watch hopes..."we enter a pro-transparency and anti-corruption era under the new administration." 

     We hope our leaders will be Americans first, Republicans and others second. Pray for those in authority, Paul wrote, keeping in mind that the Son of Man, Jesus, has ultimate authority. 

     By the way, President Trump did not ask for my advice. 😢

             Jimmy