On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand....

On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand,  All Other Ground Is Sinking Sand

I glanced over the news headlines this morning and noticed a variance of events happening,  locally and worldwide.  Stressful, to say the least.

I'll list just a few of them:

1.  A champion teen runner disqualified after helping rival in medical distress
2.  A student forced to deny her faith or receive a failing grade
3.  Russian Ruffle, Putin's bombers buzz US carrier, Navy jets respond
4.  Anonymous says it will ID up to 1,000 Klu Klux Klan members
5.  Russia flying Iranian weapons shipments into Syria, sources say
6.  Suspect confesses to killing refugee child, rescuers search for victims of boat sinking
7.  China says it will use "all necessary" means to respond to future US patrols

I'm not sure the next one is newsworthy, but, understanding the state of our present government, I understand why it is included...

8.  Pumpkin Peril, Feds: jack o'lanterns can cause global warming.

That's just a short list of what is happening in our world.  Very short.  In the midst of all of this ruckus - I need a solid foundation in order to stand strong and function as a healthy person while in this life!  And, I found it !!

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand!!!  All other ground is sinking sand!  Yes, and Amen!

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

JESUS is my Supernatural Stone.  Forget everything else for a minute and focus on Him.  Focus on the faith that JESUS taught - it is profound enough to keep me established on this earth until He returns in the clouds to take me home to be with Him throughout eternity!

I Peter 2:4-9 "...Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."

This anchors my values, solidifies my hope, and guarantees my eternal future in Heaven.  YES, ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK I STAND.... all other ground is sinking sand!

You were built to live forever!  Stand on that Solid Rock, Christ Jesus!

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HALLOWEEN AND CHRISTIANS...

It's that time of year again.  And ... again I'm struggling with this particular holiday.  I read an article this morning on FB - "Should Christians Celebrate Halloween" and I'm still struggling.  Then I wondered, why is this holiday still alive in our Christian culture?
I believe it is because:

*  it's an industry, a money-maker
*  it's entertaining for parents and children
*  children see other children in costume & receiving bags of candy
*  churches use it for an "alternative celebration"
*  churches draw huge crowds on Halloween festivities
*  churches simply rename the event
*  adults (believers) would be viewed as "weird" if they opposed involvement

The article stated that there's no lasting benefit to ignore a holiday that exists around us ... but it also does harm to celebrate Halloween as it has originated and grown over the centuries....so, they suggest... Christians should be teaching children that evil is from Satan and there's a spiritual world filled with goodness from God - that christians have power over darkness....etc....

The author says that we counter the evil influence by joining together and celebrate the reality of heroic Christian saints ...and rather than 'hide' from this day, we should create a positive and uplifting alternative.  Make it heaps of fun!

How does the celebration affect or draw us closer to Christ or keep us in the highway of holiness?  

Anton LaVey quotes:
"I'm glad that Christian parents let their children worship the devil at least one night out of the year"
"But the average person doesn't have that much imagination.  They just want to be entertained."
"Satan has been the best friend the church has ever had, as he has kept it in business all these years!"

Ouch! ....you may ask, "Are you saying that I allow my child to worship the devil on Halloween?" No.  But I am saying that we are keeping the holiday alive and the merchants prosperous.   It seems the holiday is not diminishing, but thriving, thanks to christians and churches.  I dare say that any pastor who refused to give observance on this day would be tarred and feathered by the holy saints on his pews.

I Thessalonians 5:21-23  "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.  22)  Abstain from all appearance of evil   23) And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be presented blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayerfully read Matthew Henry's commentary on these verses.

The doctrines of human infallibility, implicit faith, and blind obedience, are not the doctrines of the Bible.  Every Christian as and ought to have, the judgment of discretion, and should have his senses exercised in discerning between good and evil, truth and falsehood, Hebrews 5:13,14.

We must not always be seekers, or fluctuating in our minds, like children tossed to and from with every wind of doctrine.  Abstain from all appearance of evil (vs. 22).  This is a good means to prevent our being deceived with false doctrines, or unsettled in our faith; for our Savior has told us (John 7:17) "If a man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God."

Corrupt affections indulged in the heart, and evil practices allowed of in the life, will greatly tend to promote fatal errors in the mind; whereas purity of heart, and integrity of life, will dispose men to receive the truth in the love of it.  We should therefore abstain from evil and all appearances of evil, from sin, and that which looks like sin, leads to it, and borders upon it.  He who is not shy of the appearances of sin, who shuns not the occasions of sin, and who avoid not the temptations and approaches to sin, will not long abstain from the actual commission of sin.

I know....we are not blatantly or knowingly teaching our children to sin by dressing them up in a costume and bringing home a treasure of candy,  BUT.... DO CHURCHES:

* enhance the holiday
* fuel the industry
* deny evil
* present Jesus

NOTE:  Wicca proclaims this as one of their very special 'holy' days.

The Wiccan, Pagan and Witchcraft year runs from Oct 31st through Oct 30th

*  Oct 31st is Samhain - their 3rd and final harvest
*  symbols are: gourds, apples, black cats, jack-o-lanterns, besoms
*  the mundane laws of time and space are temporarily suspended and the Thin   Veil between the worlds are lifted.  
*  communicating with ancestors and departed loved ones is easy at this time, for they journey through this world on their way to the Summerlands.  
*  it's a time to study the Dark Mysteries and honor the Dark Mother and the Dark Father, symbolized by the Crone and her aged Consort...

Perhaps my problem ... my struggle with Halloween exists mainly because we still recognize the holiday ... as do the Wiccans ... and, I'll admit, I am suspect of just how much Truth is actually taught to our children during the celebration.

Yes, I still struggle with this ...

    

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Why Society Hates the Ten Commandments

In the dark of night and under tight security, men worked secretly to remove the Ten Commandments from the Oklahoma state capitol grounds.  According to the AP, the state paid a contractor $4,700 to remove 10 "Thou Shalt Nots", which were given to Moses by God.  Obviously, our society now has a huge disdain for anything written by God.

 A 4,800 pound piece of granite, 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide, costs about $1 per pound to remove from state grounds to a conservative think tank, The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs offices, just blocks away.

Why does our society hate the Ten Commandments?

The answer to this question is best described from a Feb. '07 article: "Why liberals are right to hate the Ten Commandments" by, Michael Medved.  Go to townhall.com and search for the article.  You will appreciate his view on each of the Commandments.

Medved states that in the last five years alone, the tireless fanatics  of ACLU invested tens of millions of dollars and countless hours of legal time in lawsuits to rid states of the Commandments.  States as: Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Montana, Georgia, Iowa, Washington State, Nebraska, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Florida.  Recently Dixie County, Florida was not cooperative.  The ACLU failed to proceed with litigation because they couldn't find a single (not even one) resident to lend their name as plaintiff in the law suit!

I am listing three of my own reasons the Ten Commandments are so despised by our society.

1.  These are God's Laws.

The Ten Commandments reveals sin, shows us that we are all guilty, stops us in our tracks as we justify a sinful life and lastly, these 10 laws will lead us to Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Savior.

2.  Our society refuses to hear that they are sinners.

This could prove they are guilty of abortion/murder.  They would have to hear that homosexuality is a sin.  Idolatry would convict them.  Taking God's Name in vain hits between the eyes.  Adultery, stealing, liars, coveting.... ah,  this is hard to digest for a sinful society!

America is busy protecting and promoting the Gay society, even to the point of punishing businesses who refuse them service.  Schools are beginning to indoctrinate our children with Islam and deny everything Christian.  Allegiance to our country, our military is a reproach to liberals. Our freedom of expression is in danger.

3.  Our CHURCHES have replaced the Ten Commandments with HYPER-GRACE.

a.  "Sin" is a rare word from the pulpit.  If listeners are offended with sermons on sin - they might withhold tithes and even leave the church!  Heaven forbid!
b.  "Righteousness" isn't popular.  Leaders/workers in the church are not called to accountability and are leading carnal lives.
c.  "Hell" is not a popular subject.  Yet, Jesus taught on hell more than on heaven.  If you teach on hell - then you could be in a position to lead them in repentance.  This makes the people uncomfortable!  Stay away from this topic!
d.  Sexual immorality / drunkenness - and loose living is preferred.
Preachers deliver sermons 'to please the listener' and not offend their sinful lifestyle.   So, sermons are designed to make people feel good about themselves, comfortable in church, give them a present/future of wealth, health, and prosperity.  Just leave out the Ten Commandments when you mention the blessings of God!
e.  Repentance / deep conviction is a no-no.
How long has it been since "conviction" swept over a congregation, bringing people to their knees before a Holy God?  How long?

SADLY, our society wants everything to do with Jesus Christ removed from our nation.  BUT THE GREATER TRAGEDY is that many of our churches are following their leading.

Matthew 3:1, 2  - In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.    (New Living Translation)

The Mission and Message of John the Baptist as he came from the wilderness was to Repent and Turn.  Have we lost the Mission and Message of John the Baptist?  Yes.

The Ten Commandments... one by one...exposes an irreconcilable conflict with the deranged, anti-christ, dysfunctional philosophy/choices of those in America who choose socialism and accept Satan's lies over Truth of the Word and Righteousness of God.  Their hostility makes perfect sense to them.

LET'S GET BACK TO THE MISSION AND MESSAGE OF JOHN THE BAPTIST:   REPENT for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

God help America, please!