Divorce & Immorality

Many Christian couples today are separating & divorcing & getting remarried just like their non-Christian friends.  They may get counseling for their marriage, but they seem to forget what marriage is a picture of.  They forget God's faithfulness & patience with them.

Until Death Do We Part - For Real - by Sam Crabtree

We as Christians need to call sin what it is, but show love - looking to our own lives to not be hypocrites.  Righteous hatred of sin is tempered by the fact we need to hate the sin in our own lives.
Whether it's sexual sin / lust, covetousness, untruthfulness, unrighteous anger, racism, unwillingness  to forgive - we need to stand strong in our battle against sin - without pride & remembering the love & mercy of God toward us.  Saving faith will become evident to us when we & others see the fruit in our own lives. 
Then Christians must stand strong as a light to the lost world & proclaim the Gospel with a clear conscience.  I'm not saying we will be sinless, but if we don't battle our own sins then we are a bad testimony of Christ to others.
(2 John 1:8-9; Galatians 6:1; 2 Corinthians 13:5)

What We Need - Kevin DeYoung

Ukrainian Conflict & The Christian

Russia & the Ukraine have been going through a lot of conflict in recent times as most people already are aware of.

Vladimir Putin has affected a land grab of the Crimea, & pro-Russian groups have been trying to take over the eastern part of the Ukraine for Russia.   This is something that should make every country in that region keep on the alert & be ready.  This may not be the end.

When I was young, I had some Christian Russian acquaintances who immigrated to the U.S.  during the time of “Glasnost” & my parents help support a family of a guy who is doing seminary training of people in the Ukraine.  I believe there are many wonderful Christians both in Russia & the Ukraine.  There are Ukrainians in Russia & Russians in the Ukraine.

It seems like Putin is wanting an old Soviet style control & many people have forgotten what happens when they give up their freedom for imaginary comforts.   This is true of the Russians in Russia itself & not just the Ukraine.  It reminds me of a song Sara Groves did about “Painting Pictures of Egypt.”  It is so like Israel remembering the comforts of Egypt & forgetting the slavery & lack of freedom & hardships.  The KGB may have a new name, but it has resurfaced.  Is this what Russians & Ukrainians really want? 

Also, just because some people speak the same language or have a shared history does not mean they have to join the two nations together.  Canada & the U.S. have relatives & much in common, but that doesn’t mean one has to “annex” part of the other.  There are many sections of the U.S. that have people who came from other countries, but that doesn’t mean those countries should then take over those parts of the U.S. (although some might like to).  Not all of the Ukrainians in Crimea or Eastern Ukraine were Russian born.  The “vote” that “annexed” Crimea was not even considered legal or fair by many.

Already in the Crimea, Christians are having to fear for their safety.  One News Now is reporting a pastor who has said bank accounts, property & church lists have been seized.  (The article is no longer here..)  Baptists were requested to “annex” their churches in Crimea.  This is surely a sign that Russia was trying to control the outcome from day one & the world stood by and watched.  This is how tyranny begins no matter how pleased some may be.

In the eastern part of the Ukraine there has been effects on Christians' safety, although Christians will continue to persevere.  (See this article.) 

What is most important for Christians no matter if we lose our freedoms in Russia, the Ukraine, the U.K.,  the U.S.  -- or places like China, Central Asia, etc. which have already lost much freedom … is still obeying God’s Word over man’s law & proclaiming the true Gospel everywhere.  We cannot trust in man.  Governments come & go, & I believe we can do what we can to effect change in them so long as we don’t disobey God to do it.  However, it is not the highest priority we Christians have during our time here on earth.

“We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.   John 9:4

The Gospel in Russian

Ukrainian: Бо коли ти устами своїми визнаватимеш Ісуса за Господа, і будеш вірувати в своїм серці, що Бог воскресив Його з мертвих, то спасешся,  бо серцем віруємо для праведности, а устами ісповідуємо для спасіння. Romans 10:9-10

The Gospel in English  

(If you want the Gospel in a different language, please let me know & I will try to find something online for you.)
 

Celebrating The Resurrection of Jesus

Every Sunday is a celebration of Christ’s resurrection, but I believe it is a good thing to have a special celebration to give another opportunity to share with the world why we as Christians have hope.
Please check out the following article link explaining why the resurrection of Christ is so important,  & also enjoy the music video below:
Don't Forget The Resurrection



(Note To Christians: In sharing this video of a song written by Chris Eaton & performed by Cliff Richard I am not endorsing Cliff’s errant positions on Catholicism or homosexuality, etc.   I do enjoy his singing voice & this is a beautiful song that I believe goes well with Resurrection Sunday & being reminded of God’s faithfulness.)

Bible Inerrancy & What To Do About False Teachers

The Inerrancy of Scripture:  This is something that many liberal “Christians” question or disbelieve.
Next year’s Shepherd’s Conference is scheduled to have some great guests speaking on this topic:


2015 Shepherds' Conference Summit from Grace Community Church on Vimeo.

What To Do About False Teachers & Those Who Slander Godly Men:
In recent times a lot of the people I follow or listen to online have been focusing on false teaching & teachers & bloggers who are in error & those who  have cultic behavior.  I recommend viewing the following sites:
Tim Challies, Denny Burk, CARM,  & Striving for Eternity.
There are a lot of good teachers &bloggers out there who need to be encouraged as well as held accountable, but it is important to avoid the bad ones who slander or lead people away from a right understanding of God’s Word.
When we learn someone is unBiblical, how should we deal with them?
How To Deal With False Teachers – Denny Burk

Kirk Cameron's Unstoppable & Noah

While watching the Kirk Cameron documentary film "Unstoppable" last night, it was fascinating to see him play out what it would be like to try to get the film industry to do a movie about Noah.

In the film, the executive producer types gave all kinds of alternate themes and stories that did not fit the facts of the historical Biblical account.  Kirk was sticking to the Biblical text and theme about God's judgment of the sinful world as well as the details.  That doesn't go over big in Hollywood.

I don't know whether Kirk knew about the 'atheist" produced "Noah"
movie that was going to be coming out this year, but it amazed me the timing and accuracy with which he demonstrated what Hollywood producers would want to do with any movie about Noah.

All of mankind was wicked during Noah's time, and God justly flooded the earth.  He saved just Noah and his family, because Noah believed God. The flood is a picture of future judgment of the world and the ark the salvation of those He has chosen to have faith.  There will not be another flood, but judgment will come again with fire next time. (2 Peter 3:7) 

I found a John MacArthur message that gives details about Noah & the flood. 
The Power of Divine Judgment in the Global Flood

For the full Biblical account of the true historical Noah and the flood, you can read it at the following link.
Noah & The Flood

Cover-Ups & Cases of Disappearing Planes & People

People love mysteries.  Some people are driven crazy if they are not solved, and others prefer that they never be solved (being left to the imagination).  Those personally involved have an entirely different perspective.

What happened to the Malaysian flight that was headed for China?
What is it that Lois Lerner is hiding?
What has happened to kidnapped missionaries overseas?

We think of questions like: Has there been foul play & what would we do in these situations?
How can we find out the answers?
In some cases we are left wondering whether people have survived or who is being protected from shame or justice.
We may never know all of the answers here on earth.

In the case of the Malaysian flight, a person wonders why people were not able to use their cell phones unless something was so sudden or indeed there truly was someone or more than one person keeping them from answering them.  Did the plane truly drop from radar, and did it go on for hundreds of miles?  Is it truly in the ocean, or could it have landed somewhere without being spotted?  Did someone truly see it go down?

In the Lois Lerner case, it seems that she is certainly hiding misconduct whether it is strictly just her own or other people above her.  Will we ever learn the full truth through testimony on whether someone else played a role?
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/11/aclj-lerner-irs-idUSnPnDCz4gzM+161+PRN20140311

Missing missionaries in a country I shall not name:  Whatever became of them?  I am still left wondering.  I realize they are not the only people to have disappeared and to have been held hostage.  Are they still alive?

What would we do if we were targeted or in danger of life or freedom? 
The people on the plane did not know what would happen that day.
Were they ready to die, if they are indeed dead?
Check out the link below to see if you would be ready:
http://shop.onemilliontracts.com/Are-You-Ready-Gospel-Tract-50ct-25x35-075.htm
 

Sail On - Focusing On Christ & Heaven

I grew up listening to a lot of Christian music.
My Dad worked at a radio station at one time & also had a program where music was played along with a Christian message by a friend.  So, even in the following years, my family still listened to a lot of Christian music.  We have matured in theological views and what lyrics we prefer, but we still enjoy the old tunes!

One day not so long ago I heard a song coming from the other room that it seemed like I hadn't heard in years!  It's an old song by the Imperials that has a very catchy tune reminding Christians of God's sovereignty & our eternal home.

I hope you will enjoy this "oldie but goodie."