Beliefs and disagreements

Mark 10:7-12 (NLT)

7 This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife 8 and the two are united into one. Since they are no longer two but one, 9 let no one split apart what God has joined together.” 10 Later, when he was alone with his disciples in the house, they brought up the subject again. 11 He told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery against her. 12 And if a woman divorces her husband and marries someone else, she commits adultery.”

In these verses Jesus discusses the institution of marriage. Jesus said it was God’s intent for a man and woman to be joined together as one in marriage. When asked about divorce Jesus said it was God’s intent for man and woman to remain married, but Moses allowed divorce because of the hardness of people’s hearts. And the act of divorce and marrying another was committing the sin of adultery.




Dan Cathy, president of Chick-fil-A, told the Baptist Press that he and his company are "guilty as charged" when it comes to a stance on traditional family values and, namely, a stance against gay marriage. Cathy says in the Baptist Press that he doesn't run a "Christian business" per se, but that the organization is run on Biblical principles. In a statement to CNN, Chick-fil-A spokesman Don Perry said that the company's intent, though, is to leave the debate over gay marriage "to the government and political arena."

Chick-fil-A has a long history of exhibiting its Christian values. The chain's 1,600 stores are closed on Sundays nationwide. It's hardly the only fast-food company in the United States to exhibit those values, though. Since the early 1980s, In-n-Out Burger has printed references to Bible verses on its packaging.

I have often said Christians must stand firm in their faith. I am proud of Dan Cathy for taking a public stand on Marriage, because not only is it his right to do so, it is also his calling as a Christian. There are those who want to call this intolerance, but I submit those same people are being intolerant to a Christian’s belief. They want to call personal belief’s hatred. This is not hatred, but a belief of faith. If Dan Cathy believes marriage is between one woman and one man that is his right to believe. It is also his right to instill those principles in the company he owns; just as other companies have a right to instill their work ethics and values.

I believe as Chick-fil-A’s spokesman Don Perry said, the debate over gay marriage should be left to the government and political arena. After all, a single individual or company cannot enact laws to govern others. We all have a right to express our own personal belief and let those beliefs take place in our legislative process. We all have a right to vote on these matters when they are presented before us. Having an opinion is not hatred; it’s an opinion no matter what side you are on.

I support all people who want to vote and express their opinion. We all have our own beliefs and it’s our right to take them to the voting poll. Instead of name calling, spewing hatred -- get out and vote. Call your local representative and voice your opinion so you may be heard. If you feel that strong about your belief support those who agree with you.

I also want you to know whoever you are; Jesus said I should love all people. I try to follow that belief and love everyone no matter what their difference of opinion may be. It’s ok if you disagree with me because I may disagree with you, but I promise to still love despite the disagreement.

Godly and moral values

2 Peter 1:2-7 (NLT)


2 May God bless you with his special favor and wonderful peace as you come to know Jesus, our God and Lord, better and better.3 As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness! 4 And by that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that you will share in his divine nature.5 So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better.6 Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness.7 Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone.

In these verses the Apostle Peter writes about living a godly and moral life. Moral excellence leads to a better understanding of God, which leads to one’s own self-control, which then leads to genuine love for others.



I think most people would like to say they try to live a godly and moral life, but what is that? A godly and moral life is where someone holds onto religious convictions and values of what they believe to be right or wrong. These values help us decide our actions in life. The Bible gives us some of the best examples of moral beliefs. The Bible also points out that which is considered to be against the nature of God, such as in Galatians 5:19-21 where it says, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such. If I am to hold onto a godly and moral life then I believe in what is right and I am opposed to what is wrong.

Even Ephesians 5 tells us to live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved us and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away our sins. It then goes on to say, let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God's people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes--these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.

Most of us know these are true moral values and they are meant to inspire each of us to live good lives. We hold them close to our heart so that we might learn how to love one another the way God intended. However there are some who try to distort this truth by saying when you hold onto a moral value you hate anyone else who does not hold that same value. That is so far from the truth. Remember the purpose of having godly and moral values is so we grow to have genuine love for everyone.

I believe it is wrong to lie, but I can be honest and say I know I have lied before. I know it is wrong to hate, but there have been times I could not control my feelings. I know it is wrong to talk about others and yet I have done that too. It is why I have compassion for those who struggle against what is considered to be godly and moral. We might know what is right, but we often don’t do it. We might know what is wrong, but we do it anyway.

When I hear someone standup and say, “This is a moral value I believe in”, I’m not hearing them say they hate anyone or wish to do them harm. I’m hearing them say this is what I believe best for me that I may learn to love in the manner my God wants me to love.

Give praise

Psalm 8:3-4 (NLT)

3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers--the moon and the stars you have set in place--4 what are mortals that you should think of us, mere humans that you should care for us?

Psalm 8 dwells on the glory of God and His greatness. It acknowledges God’s creation of the universe and gives thanks that He allows us to watch over that which He has created.



When I was a young child my grandfather would wrap me up in a blanket on a cold night and take me out on the back porch to point out the constellations. It is a comfortable memory I still cherish. I loved looking at the heavens, observing the twinkling stars, and listening to my grandfather talk about the different ones. It’s been many years but I still look at the sky when the stars are out and think of those wonderful evenings just being there with my grandfather, sitting, looking and listening.

It is comforting to think God loves us so much that He gave us His creation to watch over, enjoy, and to use. God has blessed us with many things we often take for granted. Stop a moment today and give God thanks for the little things in your life. Praise God for the blessings and the good memories.

Keep enduring

James 1:3

 

1:3 For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. (NLT)

James chapter 1 starts out with these 2 verses – (1) this letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is written to Jewish Christians scattered among the nations. Greetings! (2) Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. Then James leads into verse 3 to say when Christians face adversity, difficulties, pain, problems, issues, tough decisions, sickness, etc. – the endurance of your faith has an opportunity to grow.

 

 

I can relate very well to James 1:3 these past several months. I understand the struggles and adversity that come into life. Looking back at the past 3 months these are some of the issues our family has been dealing with.

 

• My single mother had a mini-stroke.
• I was in a car accident and totaled my car.
• As a result of the accident I have been dealing with physical pain.
• Medical bills have been pouring in one after another.
• I had to purchase a new car – the other was paid for but the new one has payments.
• My mother fell and started having dementia.
• Our washing machine only 6 years old had to be replaced after it malfunctioned.
• My future son-in-law, a chef, lost his job and is now trying to find a new one.
• Our daughter is trying to obtain a home and now there are legal issues with the sale.
• My mother had to be moved from the hospital to assisted care – a costly expense.
• My daughter has had to take time off work due to a chronic illness she has.

These are a handful of the most pressing issues we have dealt with as a family in recent months, but there are also the regular day to day issues we face as well. I won’t say I’m perfect at keeping a smiling face. I won’t say there aren’t nights where I don’t sleep well. And I can’t say there aren’t days when anxiety tries to overcome me. However I can say I know Christ is watching over me and encouraging me to face the trials. I am blessed to have Christian friends I can turn to and ask for prayer. I am blessed we are managing even though it’s a struggle. I am blessed I wasn’t killed in the auto accident, which would have left my wife to face these trials alone. I am glad even though it’s a struggle we can help our daughter and her future husband. God tells me I am to be thankful for all things that come our way, even the difficulties in life. And because of these trials I am learning I can endure and my strength to endure grows with my faith in Christ.

 

 

 

Let me encourage you! If you are facing the trials of life stay strong in the power of The Lord. You may be weak, but Christ is strong. Allow Christ to lead you, guide you and show you how to keep faith in Him. May God bless each and every one of you giving you the hope to face each new day that arises.

 

Loving grace of God

Romans 8:1 (NLT)

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

It is God’s will that His people should be comforted. In this verse the apostle reassures us there is no condemnation to those who belong to Christ Jesus, having repented of their sin and shown a desire to follow after the Spirit of God. The commentary of Matthew Henry tells us, “He does not say, "There is no accusation against them,’’ for this there is; but the accusation is thrown out, and the indictment quashed. He does not say, "There is nothing in them that deserves condemnation,’’ for this there is, and they see it, and own it, and mourn over it, and condemn themselves for it; but it shall not be their ruin. He does not say, "There is no cross, no affliction to them or no displeasure in the affliction,’’ for this there may be; but no condemnation. They may be chastened of the Lord, but not condemned with the world. Now this arises from their being in Christ Jesus; by virtue of their union with him through faith they are thus secured. They are in Christ Jesus, as in their city of refuge, and so are protected from the avenger of blood. He is their advocate, and brings them off. There is therefore no condemnation, because they are interested in the satisfaction that Christ by dying made to the law. In Christ, God does not only not condemn them, but is well pleased with them.”



There are those who believed their sin is so horrendous God cannot forgive them. They believe even though Christ gave His life for their freedom from sin that it does not exclude them from God’s punishment. I have heard it and you may have heard it said, “God is punishing me for my sins.”

Satan wants us to believe that lie. If Satan cannot have us then he wants to render us ineffective to serve God by having us believe our sin is unforgivable. I heard a man recently say he once believed sin he had not confessed was so great God brought sickness upon one of his children. Let me clear this up, God does not punish us for our sin when we have placed our faith in the salvation of Jesus Christ.

I want to say one more time, “God does not punish us for our sin when we have placed our faith in salvation of Jesus Christ.” There are consequences resulting as of actions we take. We may commit a sin as a direct result we may suffer a consequence, but it is not God’s doing we suffer the consequence, but a result of the actions we took.

For instance if I steal, I may be arrested and imprisoned as a consequence, but God is not going to punish a member of my family for my actions. If anything my own actions would cause them harm. The sin I committed was forgiven long ago when Christ put sin to death upon the cross. Therefore God does not punish me, my family or anyone close to me. Instead I brought my own consequences, which is not punishment from God.

Hopefully you will see the truth in this message and allow yourself to feel the forgiveness, grace and mercy Christ offers. Hopefully you will no longer believe Satan’s lie, but instead trust in the loving grace of God.

The Dominance of Sin

Romans 7:21-25 (NLT)


21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

Prior to these verse the apostle says, “And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.” The Apostle wants to please God, but he knows sin is against him, dominating him and trying to hold him a slave. Thankfully he knows Jesus Christ is the answer to his struggle with sin. Jesus Christ provides the forgiveness, the mercy and the grace to move past the grip of sin and look to the love of God.



In J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Bilbo Baggins passes on to Frodo a coveted ring. Gollum, one of the original owners of the ring, was twisted and monstrous, but he had not always been so. The longer he possessed the ring, however, the more the ring distorted his body, mind, and soul. He so loved the ring that he referred to it as "my precious." Bilbo Baggins steals the ring from Gollum. Bilbo does not fully appreciate the hold this ring has upon him until he attempts to turn it over to his cousin Frodo. Like Gollum, Bilbo has taken to referring to the ring as "my precious," and though he understands the danger and corrupting power of the ring, he is reluctant to let it go.

What happens is we are reluctant to let go of sin. Just like the ring, sin corrupts, ensnares, and even endangers the one that harbors it. Sin destroys and make our lives grotesque. Sin is hard to relinquish and that is why we need the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Allow Jesus Christ to work in your life to remove the dominance of sin.

What is Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)


4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

The Apostle Paul said in verse 3, “If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.” In other words love is the most important thing when it comes to people. So the apostle continued in verses 4-7 to define love. The essence of love is summed up in the verses above.



Sadly there are many people in the world that don’t know love or love as it was meant to be. I remember a story a friend told about a neighbor who was knocking on their door at 1am in the morning. The neighbor’s husband had beaten her black and blue and she was pleading for help. My friend called the police while his wife tried to comfort her. She kept repeating, “He says he loves me, but what kind of love is this?”

I remember the testimony of a woman who had been a prostitute. Her pimp had rescued her from the street. He provided a place to live, food to eat, clothes to wear and even a share of the money. He forced her into situations she was not comfortable with. Yet all the while he told her he loved her and if she loved him she would do these things for him. She did those things believing she was doing it out of love for him.

Even in the news lately we have heard and seen the results of the Sandusky trial. Perpetrators such as Sandusky will often reassure their victims they love them. They do things for them, which they say is out of love. Then they abuse and molest also saying that is part of love.

The examples above are not examples of love, but instead examples of sin. For The Bible tells us when we follow the desires of our sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these.

Let’s put aside sin in all of our lives no matter how small it may be so that love may abound. Let us never think our sacrifices are enough, but let us understand the full extent of love and show love to others as it is intended to be shown.