Author Archives: shepherdbryan

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About shepherdbryan

My passion is to disciple and see men discipled in every area of their life to see the multiplication principle actually work in a 100 year generational blessing. As go men in the church, so goes the church. As go men in the nation, so goes the nation. Fortunately, because men have often not taken their spiritual role to the limit, God has raised up many godly women to carry the torch where men have laid it aside. May God rapidly raise up men for the next generation of leaders to the Fourth Generation of spiritual leaders! As men lead in a godly way, women will follow in a godly way and that people will be blessed of the Lord.

Book Review: Church Is a Team Sport by Jim Putman

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In “Church Is a Team Sport”, Jim Putman takes his wrestling background and shows how important the “team” concept is in church ministry.  As a Preacher’s Kid, Jim took off on his own tangent walking away from God, but God brought him back to Himself through Jim’s own pastoring father.  After finishing his schooling, he began in youth ministry and developed a great youth group, because he spent time with them, loved them and took a keen interest in them individually and as a group.  After eight years in a couple youth ministries that were growing, but the adult ministry was not, two couples from northern Idaho asked him to plant a church.  He had no desire to plant a church, but through many obvious events, he returned to where he had roots from his college days.

His plan was simple.  Focus on small groups that had a consistent system for growth.  Coach the people to see they are the players, not the spectators.  Help people see they can lead others and reproduce themselves through small groups.  With coaches overseeing the small group leaders, those coaches provided weekly support and encouragement to the small group leaders.  Those small group leaders looked to reproduce themselves in the people that were growing.  As leaders grew, they were encouraged to serve and look to become disciple-making people themselves.

Jim’s sports background permeates the entire book. The reality is we are made to function on the Lord’s team in His body working together in the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  Whether Jim discusses from the “locker room” to the “board room” or working with the same “playbook” he draws the reader into seeing how God can transform lives immediately, because it’s not based on religion, but authentic relationships in a safe environment of a small group.  He certainly inspires you to want to become a champion disciple-maker.

If you want to continue only attending church and going about your business, I would suggest you not read the book.  The principles are infectious and motivating for any background or ability to rise up and say, “I can do that [discipleship] (in His power).”

Book Review: Truth that Sticks by Avery T. Willis Jr. and Mark Snowden

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In “Truth That Sticks” Avery Willis walks through the change in American culture from a reading society to an oral learning society.  I accept his statistics and points, but am unable to verify them.  I can, however, say that people in my community and church do not read as much as they did 20 years ago.  People seem to be far more oriented to television, the internet and texting.  I also can say that people enjoy stories and always have. 

Avery’s desire is to present “How to Communicate Velcro Truth in a Teflon World.”  God’s truth is the crux of life, but our post-modern society is quick to choose only what it wants and it acts like it is the final judge of what truth is.  Hence, the possibility and importance of telling stories to answer questions for the world.  His appendix, “Why the Johnnys of America Can’t, Don’t, or Won’t Read” provides a good explanation why and how our society has changed in learning style.

People often think telling stories is for children.  I don’t think someone like a Garrison Keillor would agree with them.  Many of you will remember great storytellers like Mark Twain, JD Salinger, Edgar Allen Poe, John Updike, F Scott Fitzgerald, Stephen King and Washington Irving.  I find people normally remember one of my illustrations far longer than they remember an expositional outline.  I would not, however, exchange exposition of God’s Word to proclaim the truth or provide answers to life’s questions.  Yet, could story-telling be an essential ingredient to reaching people AND preparing leaders to multiply in making disciples?

Avery Willis has been working with a church in Post Falls, Idaho, called Real Life Ministries.  They’ve been able to expand a church plant to 700 small groups in ten years in part due to story- telling in their small groups.  They also have a laser focus on their purpose and what they are trying to produce.  People with little to no biblical background are able to read through a passage many times and tell it in a story to a small group and then the group goes back over the story looking at the biblical passage to note what was added or left out and the leader facilitates several questions regarding the story.

This is not about dumbing down the truth or helping people become lazy regarding Bible study. It’s about reaching the world of people who need a leader to help them become disciples of Jesus Christ.  It’s also about helping people remember the content of holy Scriptures in a way that they see their role in multiplying disciples of Jesus Christ to reach the world

Book Review: So…What Happens Next? Exploring Biblical Prophecies to Make Sense of Today’s Chaos by Jeremy Stevens

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In “So…What Happens Next?” Jeremy Stevens adeptly approaches biblical prophecy with a fresh, contemporary perspective.  He is dispensational, historical and current.  He draws upon a tremendous background of world history to present the potential layout of world history leading up to the Tribulation. 

Jeremy Stevens is historical.  Using prophecies drawn from Ezekiel, Daniel and Revelation, Stevens weaves current geo-political history into a prophetic newspaper of events.  Many people delineate how the United States must be out of the picture for Tribulation events, but Stevens demonstrates that some kind of USA structure could easily exist and must exist for the Anti-Christ to rule over the end time ten world kingdoms. 

Stevens describes the need of a United States entity to protect the global system through military superiority, technology, communications, language, economic interdependence, global cooperation and a single super-power.  This is necessary to protect the Western-European system for the rise of the Anti-Christ persona.  Following this are the potential inevitabilities of the Russian, Turkey, African, Middle East and Eastern power block engagements into biblical prophecy.  He examines each region politically, economically and historically for their roles in events leading up to the Tribulation.  One key is Russia’s urgency to act soon before it weakens nationally and slides into being a third world nation that could not invade Israel. That potentially would delay prophecy for hundreds of years. We’ll find out in the near future if that is God’s plan.

Jeremy Stevens is historical, but he is also humorous (should I say “hysterical”?).  His wit permeates the entire book making the analysis engaging and enjoyable.  I imagine his students enjoy his teaching in history.

He slips in six events that must precede the Tribulation.  While he holds the Rapture is imminent, he adroitly delineates six events that have biblically taken place and will take place prior to the initiation of the Tribulation period.  This section could have been expanded and reiterated with Scriptural references. 

You will have to decide on his overall analysis, but his fresh approach is significant and potentially very accurate. 

One Lie

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There are many philosophies on how we ought to get along.  Some of them are lies.  One lie is Socialism.  Socialism actually intends to do well.  It intends to help man.  It intends to lift people up from their despair, helplessness or oppressed condition.  The problem is it depends on man’s philosophy, ability and techniques rather than on the absolute truth of God’s Word.

Socialism is a lie, because it establishes comparisons between me and my neighbor and I need the government to help mediate equality between us.  It’s a lie, because that is not the role of the government, nor the goal of man (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Cor. 10:31).  Socialism taunts and bashes the success of some, declaring they are evil while stealing from those who “have” to give to the “have  nots.”  Granted, the government merely calls it a tax, but it is stealing.

Anyone who has a business is considered well off and workers are poor.  A business owner might be scraping by to get the business going and the worker is living off the manipulations of some power hungry labor union (Unions had their place at one time, but the greediness of business has been surmounted by the greediness of some labor unions).

Unfortunately, Socialism establishes class warfare that as long as there are others “who have more than me,” I should have the government working for me to work for my equal rights.  It’s a lie.  It won’t happen.  It’s like a drug that people think will help them, but in fact, will hurt them.  It will not help me not feel small compared to what I think others have.

David Noebel writes, “[Socialists] believe that capitalism eventually destroys itself as it exploits more and more peole until everyone has been reduce to worker status”  Understanding the Times, 9.4.3. Socialism seeks to stop that perceived fall and safeguard the people by its own devices, albeit controlled by “Elites.”

People foolishly think that it will be those “above me” economically will be the ones pulled down “to my level,” when in fact everyone will lose.  Socialism thinks that the free-market system is top-down managed system to hold workers down, when it fact it is a bottom-up system that works according to the decisions of everyone in the system making decisions about what they want to buy or not and who can provide the best product at the best price.  IN FACT, Socialism is controlled by “Elite people” who think they know what is best for everyone.

Ludwig von Mises wrote, “The entrepreneurs and capitalists are not irresponsible autocrats.  They are unconditionally subject to the sovereignty of the consumers.  The market is a consumers’ democracy.”    http://mises.org/humanaction/chap15sec4.asp

The very complaint many have against successful people – greed – is really at the heart of those who resent their success – they are also greedy.  The fact is they want someone else, the government, to make sure they get to see falsely established success.  Then when politicians promise benefits and give gifts, people foolishly vote for the benefits rather than the principle.  If American continues toward socialism, it will eventually kill the means by which America became great.  Socialism depends on man controlling the economy.  Free market is, as Adam Smith wrote in his book The Wealth of Nations (1776), is guided by the invisible hand of the decisions made in the market place.  It eventually evens out.

Will you trust the sovereignty of God?  Will you work if you can so that you can eat?  Will you trust in the Lord and trust His provision?

The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich. (Proverbs 13:4)

For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10) [For those in genuine need, the church has the responsibility to help immediately and help the person get on his feet so he can feed himself.  The person must humble himself and want the help).

Pursue God and trust His Word and He will provide what you need.

 

Strong Delusion – Part 2

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As I  quoted from Paul yesterday, “They did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie”  (2Th 2:10-11) This will actually be fulfilled during the Tribulation, but because of the falling away of Christians in the last times, we will see this even during our days.

We revealed in the election that we are rejecting God as a country.  We are rejecting a personal relationship with God, God’s design for marriage, who is sovereign in our lives and the gift of life from God.  Our moral compass is slowly spinning around and does not know how to orient to Truth.

Decisions made Tuesday reveal several things about our attitude toward God.  First, we do not want God in our lives.  The Democratic Platform almost left God off the platform, until the committee heard enough backlash from constituents to force a voice vote to reinstate God into their platform.  I still believe the voice vote went in favor of leaving God off the platform, but the chair knew the right answer was to keep God at least written into the platform.  We want what we want rather than submitting to God’s Word.  Many are warning America is heading for a fiscal cliff when the real problem is we have reached the tipping point of the spiritual cliff.  The fiscal cliff is only a tangible sign of the spiritual and moral cliff we are falling off.  We don’t trust in God; we as a nation trust in government. 

You might think that we Christians already know this.  Most know this, I realize.  Yet, I am ashamed of fellow conservatives and Christians who did not vote.  Complacency and lack of understanding biblical responsibility caused many to think their one vote would not count.  That foolish thinking could have changed every race.  Some who did not vote are thinking, “But I prayed for the election.”  That is foolish.  Get off your seat and get on your feet and vote for biblical principles.  A Christian who did not vote, but could have, does not have God ruling in his life.

Secondly, we think we know about love and marriage better than God.  Same-sex proponents are no longer quiet about their lifestyle.  They are open, brash and hardened about it and not desiring the freedom that can be acquired in Jesus Christ. Scripture warns repeatedly that marriage is between one man and one woman from the beginning to the end.  The issue is not whether love exists between two people, but whether God exists between two people.  For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.  Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.(Rom 1:26-27)  I don’t hate those who choose a lifestyle contrary to God’s design.  I want to help them see how they can experience the joy of God’s design. 

We are merely living out what Paul wrote in the last days, But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:  For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good…” (2Ti 3:1-3)  I’m no better than anyone else, I just know I need to pursue God’s design for the best way to honor Him and experience the blessing of what He designed.

Thirdly, we think government will best be able to care for us.  Government is put in place by God to insure external and internal peace so that we can worship Him, live in peace and extend His reach in peace to other nations of people. (Rom. 13:1-7)  The local church was intended to care for people.  We have failed over the last twenty centuries to do that.  It’s no wonder why people look to and are dependent on the government.  That is indicative of our failure to disciple people to Jesus Christ’s mandate of making disciples of all the nations.

In 1900, the church was the center of people’s lives.  Today, church is a drive-thru place where I can get my spiritual fix and move on to more important events in my schedule.  When the church gets back to true discipleship and an orientation where each person understands his/her role in discipleship, the church can be restored to her rightful place of being the Bride of Jesus Christ. In the meantime we’ll likely continue following “everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judg 21:25)  The solution is always to seek what is “pleasing to the Lord.” (2 Cor. 5:9)

Fourthly, we think we can control life.  Whether we think we can end a baby’s life in the womb and call it a choice, or we can spend our way to prosperity with fake money, God will have the final say.  One day, “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  (Phi 2:10-11)  As you and I look and depend on Him, only then will we experience His life and the life He intended for us (John 10:10).

Yesterday, I said I was disappointed.  Yes, I didn’t know how much the outcome would affect me.  I’m actually excited to see how God is going to work through the details of these events.  I’m excited to see how people will respond.  I’m excited to see how His power will inspire us to press to the objective of the upward call in Christ Jesus.  I know in whom I believe.

I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.

Refrain

But I know Whom I have believèd,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.

I trust you will join me in that endeavor to press on!

Strong Delusion – Part 1

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          Paul says it well, “they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie”  (2Th 2:10-11)  I rejoiced that Mike Pence will become Governor Mike Pence for Indiana, but regarding many of the other elections, I admit that I’m disappointed.  I’m thankful that history never depends on man and I will never trust in man.  Jeremiah warned Israel, “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, And shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.  For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.  (Jer 17:5-8)  When Jeremiah prophesied, Israel was in a downward spiral to her fait accompli.

I’m not disappointed in those who achieved personal victory, even if I didn’t vote for some of them. I’m disappointed in where my country is spiritually.  I realize today how deluded we are in our thinking.  We Christians have not fared well in living out the gospel message and discipling people to a saving faith in Jesus Christ and to holiness in spiritual discipleship.
 
The vote tells me several things about my country.  First, we are more concerned about self than principle.  We would rather get what we can get for free than live principles of hard work and doing what is best for our community.
 
It has been alleged that Benjamin Franklin wrote, “When the people find they can votethemselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.”  Whether he said it or not, it’s a true statement.  As the political pundits discussed why some won and why others lost, the bottom line is a spiritual issue.  People are selfish and would put aside principle and vote for freebies they can get.  Fifty percent of American people pay a total of 3.4 percent of the federal income tax receipts.  Forty-seven percent are receiving food stamps.  I am troubled by much of the greed of the wealthy, but I’m also troubled by the entitlement mentality of my less well off brethren.
 
Ron Paul lives on principle and many of his ideas should have been adopted by both of the parties.  He said,
“People do not want anything cut…They want all the bailouts to come. They want the Fed to keep printing the money. And they don’t believe that we’ve gone off the cliff or are close to going off the cliff. They think we can patch it over, that we can somehow come up with some magic solution. But you can’t have a budgetary solution if you don’t change what the role of government should be. As long as you think we have to police the world and run this welfare state, all we are going to argue about is who will get the loot.”
 
 
 
 
Secondly, we care about present personal rights than biblical ethics.  A majority of youth, women, those in labor unions and non-whites in America voted for President Obama and only white males voted in majority for Mitt Romney.  I’m not anti-any-group.  Jesus died for every person.  There are clear biblical principles that are more important than my “rights” or desires.
 
I can learn from anyone and I need others to complement what God has given me to do on earth. Yet, as a country, we’re more concerned as a nation about personal rights like women’s rights than the right of the unborn baby.  We’re more concerned about who will pay for my education of reconstructed history than someone who wants students to learn true constitutional history.  We’re more concerned about creature comforts, vacation, high pay for mediocre work than a system that allows people to be rewarded for excellent hard work.  We’re more concerned about getting the golden eggs from the government for free because we came from a country of oppression than following the guidelines everyone else has to follow.
 
Thirdly, we get sucked into hype and misinterpretation rather than truth.  The two senator hopefuls from Missouri and Indiana made comments that were distorted and likely caused their losses. Todd Akin from Missouri, made the comment about “legitimate rape” which was extremely an unfortunate choice of words, much like Richard Murdock’s comment, “even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that is something that God intended to happen.”  Murdock’s statement is easily misunderstood if people don’t listen to understand. Akin did not speak well and did not handle things well.  Murdock was blasted by the viral threat of digital gossip.  The situation was indicative of where our country is spiritually.  But I don’t put my hope in people or my country.
 
My hope is in nothing less that Jesus Christ.  This vote merely means there are many more opportunities to penetrate the world with the gospel and I need to use every day for clear thinking and effective discipleship. The following words are my hope:
 
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
 
            Let me address specifically tomorrow, how my country has revealed that its eyes are divided and away from Jesus Christ.

Book Review: Who Moved the Goalpost? By Bob Gresh

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Book Review: Who Moved the Goalpost?   By Bob Gresh

The best part of being a human being is experiencing all the sensory experiences God has created.  The worst part of being a human being is experiencing all the sensory experiences God has created.  The difference is known by God’s truth and discernment of wisdom.

There are many books highlighting the challenges of being godly in a temptation-filled world of lust.  Bob Gresh has put together a great set of winning strategies for men, especially men in the younger years.  The world has seized the hearts of young men down to ten and eleven years old and tantalized them with the blatant imagery, false promises and empty experiences of pornography.

Bob exposes Satan’s three sex lies that set young men up for a world of frustration, misery and pain.  Sex is not a four-letter word, you are not here alone and it (lust) won’t go away when you get married.  But men believe those lies and fail to enjoy the sex that God designed to be enjoyed between one man and one woman in marriage.

Bob then describes three truths that can give a young man hope if he waits on the Lord for the right person.  God’s way is so much more fulfilling than anything the world has to offer.  The flesh doesn’t want to wait or be restricted, but the reward is spectacular.

Bob finally lays out seven strategies for success on preparing for a lifetime of enjoyment in marriage and how to finish strong.  Guys, we need to teach young men in Middle School and High School these principles.  Moms, if you have boys and you are parenting alone, then you’ll have to grab hold of this and help prepare your boys. 

Parents, your boys are going to learn about sex and you don’t want them to learn on their own or from the world.  Too many marriages are struggling and are being destroyed, because young men have not been taught God’s view for biblical sex.  The enemy is destroying too many lives by his quick fix solutions.  God’s way is always best.  Bob Gresh presents this serious material in a well constructed way and includes good-young-men-humor along the way.  You can help young men not miss out on what so many men are not able to enjoy, because they didn’t learn God’s way of enjoying sex.

Pulpit Freedom

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10 years ago, if I said marriage is between a man and woman, few would disagree.

30 years ago if I said that homosexuality is not acceptable before God, few would disagree.

40 years ago if I said that abortion is wrong, few would disagree.  But now people will say I’m too political.

It was on July 2, 1945 that Lyndon Johnson faced a tough campaign against a couple individuals who used 501(c) 3 secular organizations.  Johnson authored the Johnson amendment to congress that imposed restrictions on 501(c) 3 organizations from making political speeches, comments and commentary.  It was not intended to restrict churches, but the devil used it to hinder and stifle churches from speaking their conscience. 

I have always considered you wise enough to make solid biblical decisions, so I have not from the pulpit made significant appeals, proclamations or exhortations regarding how you should vote.  I still believe you are wise enough to understand biblical mandates and truth, however, I speak today as an encouragement for you to realize your  Christian responsibility to vote.

The present administration did inherit a mess, but the mess is even greater now in several areas.  Morality is spinning out of control, economics are sliding off the chart, infrastructure is failing, and the family is becoming weaker.  The US security is weaker across the world, the flag is disdained by most countries and the US is targeted by radicals by a three point plan to dismember our strength to bring us under Sharia law.  The reason for all of this is because we as a nation are turning from our spiritual moorings and worship of Jesus Christ.   We saw this in our study of Chronicles time and time again when God raised up enemy forces to cause Israel’s attention to return to the Lord.

I have read most of the GOP and DNC platforms. 

Let me give you four issues for you to consider:

1)      I believe Scripture teaches that life begins in the womb and any party or person promoting ending that life at the choice of a person, even the mother, shows a complete disregard for our Creator God.  The Republican platform only demands that the 75 million tax payer portion of the Planned Parenthood 1.1 billion budget not be provided by the government or the taxpayers.  The DNC “strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman’s right to make decisions regarding her pregnancy, including a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay,” i.e. Abortion on demand supported by the government

2)      The DNC platform promotes same sex marriage – and will not enforce the DOMA – Defense of Marriage Act, which is a union between one man and one woman.  The DNC platform “support marriage equality and support the movement to secure equal treatment under law for same-sex couples.”  This is completely incompatible with the Word of God.

3)      The GOP platform emphasizes a handle on fiscal responsibility.  The DNC wants the government to continue funding help to the allegedly disadvantaged.  I’m not sure what to do about 47 million on food stamps, but that number is beyond my understanding.  The recent QE3 to infinity will not only increase the national debt, but hamstring seniors who depend on a fixed income and destroy a solid monetary based for the poor who will suffer as prices increase, and they will increase.  There have been more “Acts”, whether the Recovery Act, the American Jobs Acts, Affordable Care Act, Lilly ledbetter fair pay act, paycheck fairness Act, and many others, that have been written in the last four years.  Each one brings more people under the economic handout of the government and therefore control of the government.  People are not working toward freedom, they are sliding into slave dependency on the government rather than the Lord.  I don’t condemn people who are caught in very difficult situations.  Use the situation to provide for your family so that you can get out and become independent of the government as soon as possible.  If someone is caught in a lifetime dependency on the government, I don’t condemn them.  We must understand, the government has never produced anything.  It only takes money from people in order to buy things from enterprise.  The President has stated before his presidency that he is for redistribution of wealth, a socialistic mechanism.  The DNC asks people to pay their fair share.  Fair share would seem like an equal percentage.  I do agree with both parties that loop holes should be closed so that no person in a higher income bracket can have enough loop holes to not pay taxes.  Simplify everything to a few taxes and you’ll shut down all the loopholes.  If someone controlled the present government waste, like the 500 Million that went to a company like Solyndra that shuts down within months, we would have fewer problems.  Someone must return the money to the tax payers.  Few of the recent administrations have done well in this.

4)      The right to bear arms.  The DNC platform states, “We believe that the right to own firearms is subject to reasonable regulation.”  This may lead to Judicial expediency vs. the constitution.  I am very concerned about where the DNC might take this in the future.  You have the right to protect yourself, not with bow and arrows, but with protection that you can afford and not cause harm on other innocent people.    


I won’t even bring up the problem that the DNC wanted God removed from the platform and the voice vote, while said by the chair that it was clear, seemed clear that a majority were louder in keeping God off the platform.

It’s not about politics; it’s about principle.  It’s not about race, it’s about righteousness.

Is the answer with the Republican party?  I don’t believe they have the answers in total either.  I don’t see how they will bring our economic problems under control any time soon.  My problem is I saw the previous Republican administration expand the national debt, grow the government and cause more people to become dependent on the government subsidies.  That’s all about power and control.  The government has just a few responsibilities and they are outlined in Romans 13.  The citizens have responsibility to feed themselves.  So what do you do about the greed inherent in free enterprise?  I despise that.  There is greed there, but also in power politics and control. That is there because we Christians, for 150 years, are not discipling our children and neighbors before God.  We are too comfortable and we are content with growing problems in our neighborhoods and communities, as long as it doesn’t affect us. 

There are other issues with the platforms. Let each one decide by his/her own conscience how they should vote. There are complicated issues. The main issue is America is walking away from her spiritual moorings. The answer is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ, not in a particular party. Unless the country returns to its foundation it will spin down the spiral into a third rate country.

Vote for the candidate who endorses the constitution and amendments as they were originally written.

 

 

 

Gladiator Games

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I hate to be a fly in the ointment, but America is showing its true color again.  I admit the call was wrong on Monday night between the Packers and the Seahawks.  I didn’t catch it until the review videos are out, but, “America, are you for real? You are ready to take a knee, voice emotions about deleting a commissioner, etc. etc. ”
The world mocks us.  We’re becoming like the Romans in their gladiator games.  Entertainment and technology have become our idols, or should I say gods?

Yet, talk about the Lord Jesus Christ, pray publically at a sports event, or try to put “God” in a Party Platform and people boo.  We are losing our bearings.  What is our focus in America?  I’m not going to reach that many people with my plea, but let’s get back to what matters. 

Get worked up about preparing to talk about Jesus Christ.  Get worked up about going over and talking to people about Jesus Christ.  Get worked up about your community not praying publically.  Get worked up about personal sin.  Get worked up about obedience to the Lord.  Get worked about reconciling with others.  Get worked up about denying personal desires for the sake of helping others. Get worked up about taking the time to listen in order to understand. Get worked up about what matters.

Now, go and enjoy the game this weekend, but keep it in perspective.

Peer Pressure – Part 4

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Most people like to fit in with others.  Peer pressure can easily cause us to walk down the wrong road.  David understood it well, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.”1  David said you will be blessed if you don’t walk in ungodly counsel, or stand thinking about the way the sinful walk or considering their lifestyle, nor sit contemplating or being pressured into listening to the scornful or mockers of God.   Yet, when you look at the society and culture around you, you see this all the time.

There are many temptations in which peer pressure can influence you wrongly.  We saw the drinking scenario in the last segment.  Unfortunately the age at which young people are having sex is becoming younger and younger according to surveys, of which peer pressure is a huge influence.  Peer pressure influences people to any kind of immoral or abhorrent behavior.

You have to decide what you are going to do.  If you give into peer pressure, you’ll become a follower, just like Adam became a follower in the Garden of Eden.  He should have been leading Eve and protecting her from the deception of the serpent, but he was standing idly by and foolishly accepted the fruit and ate it in direct disobedience to the Lord.2  As you consider how you are in dealing with peer pressure, ask yourself these questions and spend some time thinking through the Scriptures:

·         Do I realize how much other people can influence me?   Proverbs 1:10-13

·         Do I realize my decisions are often based on how others influence me?  Proverbs 1:15-19

·         Do I listen to the voice of Scripture? Proverbs 1:20-23

·         Do I know my own strengths and weaknesses? Proverbs 1:24-28

·         Do I love God’s Word more than what friends say, even good friends? Proverbs 1:29-30

·         Do I understand the consequences of my decisions? Proverbs 1:31-33

·         Do I trust myself? Proverbs 5:6

·         Do I know how to say no? Proverbs 5:7-9

·         Do I know how to practice self-control? Proverbs 5:12-14

·         Do I know my own sin patterns? Proverbs 5:20-23

Do you know who you can talk to about peer pressure?  Are your parents open?  Do you have a church leader who is willing to listen in order to understand?  Maybe you need a trusted friend.  While everyone wants to have friends, it’s far better to have a few good friends than attempt to fit in with everyone.  There is ultimately one person you need to please in life and that is the Lord Jesus Christ, “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.3

When you know who you are in Jesus Christ and are positionally already complete in Him, you’ll stand up to the peer pressure and it will back down from you.4

1Psalm 1:1; 2Genesis 3:1-6; 32 Coriinthians 5:9; 4Colossians 2:9-10