Government Demands or God's Commands - Whose Authority Rules the Church?

The message that John MacArthur gave on Sunday was dynamite.

One person on social media said this:

I feel like this John MacArthur sermon right now is one we'll read about in church history books.

— Marcus (@ImKingGinger) September 13, 2020

 The list of things churches in California are being expected to do is something that is way overboard!
John MacArthur listed some of the regulations on Sunday.

 

There are other churches out there doing basically the same thing as Grace Community Church (and I won't mention names to draw untoward attention by any government officials).
Sadly, you don't see many well-known evangelical leaders around the country speaking out in support of Grace Community Church or the other churches for that matter.

Those who understand that this situation is about more than an illness at this point will understand the dangers of governments creeping their tentacles into churches to try to control what they do or basically trying shut them down (and this isn't about building safety codes).
Liberal government authorities would love to control the church and ignore that Christ is its Head.

Don Green of Truth Community Church in Ohio did a Q & A last week where he was supportive of Grace. 
I'm very thankful for pastors like him.
TCC Q & A with Don Green

The world is a mess.
The U.S. is a mess right now, and we need Christian leaders and churches to stand up.   
It doesn't mean that people don't use the common sense God gave them when the situation calls for it (like when you have autoimmune issues and other health problems), but it does mean that people need to seek the Lord and pray and turn to Him rather than to trust in governments and our own strength (with virtually impossible regulations).
Shuttering or smothering large churches long term is not the answer.
People in Old Testament times were shown time and time again not to trust in their own strength, and when they did things went very badly for them.

It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in man.
Psalm 118:8 NASB

Freedom Lost & Freedom Gained

Freedom for churches is no longer guaranteed in the U.S.A.

I have read that the Supreme Court ruled against the appeal of a church in Nevada of attendance restrictions that made the allowance of only 50 people in a church regardless of the building size, yet they let casinos have 50% of their capacity.

In California, the governor (Gavin Newsome) has made some restrictions against churches meeting (especially indoors) as indefinite, yet they have allowed massive protests. 

They also have forbidden churches singing indoors.

Some churches are going outside.

John MacArthur and the elders of Grace Community Church at first went along with not meeting for a time due to the civil governments and churches being responsible about health (like Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2), but things have changed.

If you want to read their statement, you can see it HERE.

Here in Tennessee there is more freedom for churches, but there is no guarantee that it will last in this quickly changing nation and world.

This world is not the final home of the Christian.

Our true freedom is found in Christ no matter what happens to us down here.

If we lose our freedom here on earth, we must turn all the more to Christ for our hope and His eternal promises.

People need the Gospel in whatever ways we can get it out, and believers can pray for wisdom and courage for other believers who are making difficult decisions.

Whether or not we are completely certain about all of the decisions, people's consciences toward God to rule their lives (when it's basis is Scriptural) is something that should be considered.

There is a spiritual battle going on rather than solely a physical or political one.

It should not be a matter of a desire for being rebellious or worry about what others call caving in.  

It's a matter of conscience toward God.

People have to look at Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2 as well as Acts 5:29 and Ephesians 5, etc.

We should care for and pray for brothers and sisters in Christ in these times.

Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 

So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 

For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.

Hebrews 13:12-14 NASB

A Shocked Nation

The rapidity of the recent mass shootings in the U.S. has shocked many (in California, Texas, and Ohio).

Many think new laws are the answer to murder.

California has strict gun control laws, and one of the three recent shootings was there.
People will always find ways to kill.
Criminals don't care about gun laws or any other laws you throw at them.
They will find ways around them or create their own weapons.
The problems in this world are not caused by weapons but by the sin reigning in the hearts of sinful people.
No particular group of people has a corner on the market of sin.

Many nations, including the U.S., slaughter innocent babies in the womb or even after birth.
Yes, some allow infanticide (and even sometimes forced abortion).
Some allow for assisted suicide (which is just as sinful).
Some allow murder by intentionally denying water and food to helpless individuals speeding up their death by murder.

And that is just in the countries where people think they are civilized.

There are six things which the LORD hates,
Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:

Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,

A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that run rapidly to evil,

A false witness who utters lies,
And one who spreads strife among brothers.
Proverbs 6:16-19 NASB

Everyone comes into this world a sinner, and all kinds of sinfulness is exalted in this world...not just murder.

God turns people over to sin when they rebel against Him (Romans 1). 

Increased violence is a symptom of what's in the hearts of mankind.

The only thing that changes hearts is a right relationship with God.

We as humans cannot fix things.  We need to turn to the God who created us.

You might think, "I've never killed anyone."   

Have you ever hated anyone?

Do you love & worship the God who made you?  

Have you ever lied, lusted, wanted something that you couldn't have, or stolen anything?  

Have you had physical relations that was not within the relationship of a Scriptural marriage?

Have you loved anything or anyone more than God?

Please visit the following post on my blog:

Are You Guilty or Innocent?  

Parents Abuse 13: Should Homeschooling Families All Be Suspect?

Most of us have heard something about the Turpin family.  The couple who had 13 children that were malnourished and reportedly abused. 
Some guy wrongfully proposes checking up on all homeschoolers after this, but that is absolutely ridiculous. 
I sincerely think that people who suggest that kind action are actually anti-homeschooling and are looking to take more control. 
They will use any excuse to get into the home and take away freedoms.
The kinds of people who homeschool are varied, but I believe the majority of homeschooled children do quite well.
It is not something to be afraid of. 
If you were homeschooled, don't be ashamed just because criminals exist.
Public schools have plenty of their share of criminals.
While we all want criminals caught, going into all homeschooling or other homes without probable cause is an abuse of authority just like the Turpin parents abused their God-given authority over their own kids.
It seems to me that there was some probable cause in the case of the Turpin family, but the warning signs seen by neighbors and relatives were not heeded and acted upon.

There was another family in another state that had their kids taken away (wrongfully I believe in their case) due to suspicious people, and they had a nightmare of an experience to get their kids back. 
Thankfully they did get their kids back eventually. 
When I do an online search, it seems this kind of thing has happened to others who are suspected just for not being cookie-cutter families. 
People seem to be suspicious of parents simply for homeschooling and not being what others think they should be like, and that's nonsense! 

People should learn to discern between true neglect and abuse by parents, and loving hands-on parenting.
Not wanting your kids to be taught false value systems that go against Scripture, phony theories as facts or the acceptance of immoral lifestyles is not something that should make parents be treated like criminals to have their kids stolen away. 
Wanting your kids to not be distracted from their education and to have a better learning experience can also be positive.

I was homeschooled in the days when it seemed very few kids my age were homeschooled. 
We usually stayed inside until the time when those who weren't homeschooled would be out due to fear that someone would wrongfully think we were truants or be suspicious of us.
We did our schoolwork inside, and we lived pretty normal lives.
Yes, we didn't have a TV for most of my growing up years, but we had the radio, books, music, and did other fun things.
I went to public school through the 3rd grade and did homeschooling and Christian schooling at various times in my life. 
My parents didn't starve me, abuse me, or keep me from having any friends in the neighborhood or at church. 
We moved around a lot, but that had nothing to do with homeschooling.
I had Lebanese friends in one place and Jewish in another. 
Yet some people fear what is different from what their own experience.

Criminals are in every walk of life because sinners are everywhere.  It isn't a homeschool issue.  Evil is a humankind issue.

Some children who legitimately need to be protected from true abuse (spanking that doesn't cause serious injury is NOT abusing) and those kids end up in the foster care system.
Foster care has it's share of problems as well.  Some foster homes are abusive, and some are truly loving homes.  Sometimes decisions are made that emotionally harm both the kids and the foster parents who genuinely love them.
I have never done foster parenting, but I hope to write a little from an outsider's perspective in a future post.

Prop 8 News, Liberalism in The Church, Peter Furler News

• Proposition 8 goes to the Supreme Court likely on March 26 or 27.  Yes, this is the California Constitutional amendment that I voted for before moving from California, and a family member went around getting people to sign to help get it on the ballot.  Marriage is a union defined by God representative of God's relationship with the church.  It is not about unhealthy sinful physical relationships that are against nature and God's character. http://townhall.com/news/religion/2013/02/04/supreme-court-in-upcoming-marriage-cases-urged-not-to-disqualify-religious-conviction-n1504992

• Enemies At The Gate - Phil Johnson did a great seminar message at the 2013 Shepherds' Conference that we listened to on Wednesday.  It's about how liberalization happens in the church.  The first generation can be strong for the truth - ready to die for it.  The next generation may believe in truth, but they aren't ready to die for it.  After that it goes downhill.  I recommend downloading and listening to the message!                                 http://www.shepherdsconference.org/media/details/?mediaID=7627

 

• (Peter Furler is also working on a CD - reported on Twitter in December)

   

Giving to Help Save the Unborn Children

You now care about the preborn children or perhaps you have cared for many years, and maybe you want to know some ways that you can help.  You may already pray and do some things, but perhaps you would like to know places that you can give to help save a life.   Well, that interests me as well.  I have given to one organization at times that counsels women who are in crisis pregnancies, and from some other pretty reliable sources I have come across some other places that people can give to.  I hope to give to the others myself at some point, although I cannot give a lot.  I know there are many good places to give!  Some of these I have likely shared before, but I hope that this list will be helpful.  This will likely be a reference point for me though for giving for the unborn.  You can check them out too and see what you think.

1. This first one is linked from a site recommended by Randy Alcorn from my recollection (you will see the organization name when you go there - about China): https://www.denarionline.com/DonorServices/TEMPLATEPAGE.ASPX?COMP_REF=_CHAID&CONTENT=GOSOLG&DS_GO_REF=B3E0C65BFA

2. Avenues Pregnancy Clinic -  This is one that I've given a little to over a number of years.  Someone from a church I went to was involved there as well (in California):
http://www.avenuespregnancyclinic.com/

3.  Speak for the Unborn - Recommended by Denny Burk (in Kentucky):
http://speakfortheunborn.com/

4.  180 Movie - Project 180 General designation:
https://www.livingwaters.com/partner/donation180.php

Excellent Links I Hope You Won't Want to Miss

Once again I'm sharing some links that I think are really excellent.


You Don't Use the Whole Horse (This one is really about Rick Santorum.)  - Douglas Wilson
This blog post points out some important issues to think about when making your decision about who to vote for.

Proposition 8 and the New Standard of No Standard  -  Robin Schumacher
I really thought this did a fantastic job of explaining how people make a judgment on moral issues and what should be the basis of our standards and laws.

Introverted - Tim Challies
Really this describes me pretty well, only I may be even more introverted that Tim.  I do not believe I have the talent that he has for writing and blogging, but that's okay.  I'm just me.  This posting he did is really interesting to listen to or read.  Yes, there is an audio version choice.  Please check it out.

Are Roman Catholics Christian - Matt Slick
This is excellent, and it's something that I think a lot of people need to think about.   I find it difficult to respond to people who are Catholics, and I realize I need to be careful now in how I state things.  I do try to be careful generally, but I can make mistakes about commenting my assumptions when I've seen others do the same...like stating for a fact someone isn't a Christian.  Normally I'm fairly careful, but I did have to backtrack just a little recently by letting it be known that I hoped that the person was (and that the person would leave the church if the person was). I still believe what this article mentions about people who hold to the official teachings.  My mistake was stating something as fact.  Still, everything else I said was true, and I need to just be careful not to say as fact what I just think is true.

Two Christian Conferences You Might Want To Attend

There are a couple of Christian conferences coming up next year that I find interesting, even though I won't be going myself. I couldn't sit that long with my pain.   Still, they sound interesting, and perhaps someone reading this blog will want to attend one of them.  One is for single men and women and the other is for married and single women

One will be held at my old church back in California.  It is the one for unmarried men and women, but it's not about dating.
 Find out more with the link below and the video clip.

http://undividedconference.org/main.html

The other conference is a women's conference to be held in Florida.
It is called "The Gospel Coalition’s 2012 National Women’s Conference." Please click on the link below or on the ad to learn more about it.

http://thegospelcoalition.org/conferences/2012-womens/#overview