Gods of Luck

Visual Manifestation That He Alone Is God

An American tradition is that if you have a rabbit’s foot good luck will come your way. I am not sure where this idea originated, but mankind has so often looked to find a magic potion or icon of some sort that will help them in times of trouble—think of four-leaf clovers or crystals as examples of this.

Have you been calling upon "Lucky gods"?

Have you been calling upon “Lucky gods”?

The Jews thought they had the ultimate item to help them in the midst of trouble. When the Philistine army came against the Israelites, the Jews were losing the battle. What was their “rabbit’s foot”?  It was the Ark of the Covenant designed by God and which contained those tablets on which God had written the Ten Commandments. They brought it into the camp of Israel, believing it would help them win.

It didn’t work! “The ark of God was captured” (1 Sam. 4:12). That ark had its purpose, but God never wanted it to be thought of as a good luck charm.

The Philistines could not decide what to do with the ark, but they finally decided it should be taken into the sacred house where their god, Dagon, was kept. The next morning their idol, Dagon, was found lying face down “bowing” itself before the ark of God. So, they stood Dagon upright again. Early the next morning they came into their temple, and this time Dagon had fallen again and his head and both of his hands were separated from his body. The only thing which remained was the torso of Dagon (1 Sam. 5:1-5). God then brought a plague of tumors on the Philistines, so they immediately sought to return the ark to the Jews.

Is there any significance to this story? Perhaps the words of Psalm 115 and 135 give insight. David described the folly of worshiping idols when he said, “They have mouths but they do not speak; eyes they have, but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear; nor is there any breath in their mouths.” Dagon’s shattered head and helpless hands visually showed the foolishness of idolatry.

What does this have to do with us? While we may not think of America as having idols, Paul showed that whatever we covet after becomes our idol (Col. 3:5). It is tragic to see our nation thinking that a man’s life consists of how many material possessions he can get (check Luke 12:15). Houses, cars, luxurious clothing, electronics, traveling and vacations have become the gods of so many around us. These dominate our society so much we become like those who unknowingly are idolatrous.

Has not our God shown so many in the recent hurricane that these gods are unable to help us in the midst of the storm? By the way, just remember that the rabbit’s foot did not help that crippled rabbit who still has three lucky charms!

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“Jesus: The Reason For The Season,” …Really?

“Jesus: The Reason For The Season,” …Really?

It’s early December. The message on the local denomination’s sign reads, “Jesus: The Reason For The Season.” As I drove by and saw it, I sadly wondered how many really still believed that.

From where do your motivations come this time of year?

From where do your motivations come this time of year?

Do people really still believe, that in a world where a fully-clad, four foot tall caricature of a plastic virgin mother hovering over her pure and innocent baby boy lying in a meager, manger, bed of wood and straw, is somehow far, far too offensive to put in a public place such as perhaps a shopping mall, but how at the same time, that so many and countless larger than life posters of air-brushed, hours-posed supermodels clad in the absolute scantiest of clothing permissible, peeking at passers-by from every possible angle in the same mall is somehow far more acceptable and proper, that Jesus is really still “the reason for the season?”

Does anybody really still believe that in a world where seemingly more and more people are arbitrarily pushing almighty God out of their lives every single day; where more and more people are claiming no church affiliation or desire for any whatsoever; and where most congregations are therefore suffering a graying and declining membership as the current and upcoming generations decide that God is neither wanted, needed, or relevant in their lives anymore… that Jesus is really still “the reason for the season?”

The fact is that Jesus never really was “the reason for the season” to begin with. Originally it was Catholicism. Today it is capitalism. Just imagine for a moment: In today’s moral, monetary, and societal climate, what would happen if all of the sudden, no one was allowed to make any money whatsoever on anything for Christmas. No presents, paper, or decorations for anyone or any reason could be purchased. No tax-exempt donations could be given or allowed for. What do you suppose would happen then? Would a pure and simple, overwhelming love amongst the masses for the Lord Jesus Christ – the supposed “reason for the season” – cause Christmas celebrations and “season’s greetings” to go right on completely unabated and unaffected? You know as well as I do that it would probably be as outlawed as bible studies and morning prayers in public schools before you could say “Black Friday.”

If Jesus were, in reality, all that important to “John Q. Public,” he’d have spent enough time studying his bible to know that Jesus’ date of birth is never once mentioned therein (it could just as possibly have been November 3rd, April 10th, or any one of 364 days other than December 25th); that we don’t know how many “wise men” there were (all we know is that there was more than one – Matt. 2); and that the wise men NEVER actually came to the manger that night with the shepherds to see the newborn baby Jesus (Lk. 2:16), but that they came some time later on to see the young/little child Jesus, after Joseph and Mary had moved into a house (Matt. 2:11).

But of course, an obvious lack of biblical knowledge, adherence, and obedience – along with massive and countless contextual contradictions – are the one, glaring similarity that Christmas shopping at the mall and attending most man-made denominational churches share in common. Denominations which teach that one is saved by saying a so-called “prayer of faith” (which is NEVER once seen as the process by which any lost sinner had their sins forgiven and were thus saved and converted to Christ in the Scriptures); that one cannot “fall from grace” (when Gal. 5:4 and a multitude of other passages show that one can); and that baptism is not necessary for salvation when the Scriptures absolutely say it is (Acts 2:38, 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21), show their lack of biblical knowledge to be as glaring as that of any average – and/or even atheist – mall shopper… in any season! In fact, tragically, man-made denominations and their doctrines both deny and defy Scripture just by their very existence (See: Matt. 15:7-14; Mk. 7:5-13; Jn. 4:23-24, 17:20-23; Ro. 16:16-18; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 4:17, 7:17, 11:16, 12:12-27, 16:1; Gal. 1:6-10, 3:26-29; Eph. 1:22-23, 4:4-6; Phil. 1:27; Col. 1:13-2:23; & etc…!). But, I digress…

Anyone to whom the Lord Jesus is truly top priority and therefore loved the way He’d ought to be, either will now, or will have, surely studied their bibles enough to know that while He NEVER commanded, hinted, or even remotely suggested that He was “the reason for this season” wherein we now thus celebrate His birth as so many biblically unknowledgeable believe they are actually and obediently doing on December 25th (Perhaps that’s the reason he never gave us the date?), He did very clearly, both inform and command us, as to exactly how He DOES want us to remember him (Lk. 22:17-20 – please particularly notice the latter part of verse 19); how often (Acts 20:7); and how important it is that we thus obey and remember His death – and not His birth per se (Lk. 6:46-49; Jn. 14:15-24).

In 2016, Christmas, the catholically originated and capitalistically celebrated holiday of December 25th, happens to fall right exactly on the final Lord’s Day of the year as it occasionally does. And when it does, where will you be? Will you, like so many other faithful Christians to whom the Lord is so all-important, perhaps open a few gifts from loved ones and/or enjoy a big dinner as you share precious time with beloved friends and family on either Friday, Saturday, Monday, or even New Year’s Day (because, after all, any other day could be set aside for that day) so that you can be in attendance with your blood-bought brethren to lovingly, gratefully, and obediently celebrate communion with your Lord and Savior along with them just as they have been doing during the other 51 Lord’s Days of the year? Because after all, this one will be no different or less important to Him than those were.

In closing, just let me say that God is indeed, the reason for this and every other season (Ps. 104). And as such, that we all should be “ready in season and out of season” (2 Tim. 4:2) “to reason,” with everybody about Him, His truth, and His Son Jesus (Acts 17:2-18:19), so that they too, may truly come to know, celebrate, and worship, “in spirit and truth” (Jn. 4:23-24)!

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Those Words are Missing in My Bible

Those Words are Missing in My Bible

I once heard of a Christian having a Bible study with a friend about what one must do to be saved. He opened his Bible and urged the friend to read several passages which clearly revealed God’s plan of salvation. The friend’s reply was, “There are none of these verses in my Bible.” She went and got her Bible, and she was exactly right. She had literally cut out every one of the verses from her own Bible and thrown away those which she did not like.

Are their Word's from God missing in your life?

Are their Word’s from God missing in your life?

As strange as it might seem, this was not the first time this ever happened.  Less than 20 years before Jerusalem was destroyed and taken into Babylon, Jeremiah was pleading for all men, even the king, to change and return to God. A copy of the book of Jeremiah was brought to King Jehoiakim and read in his presence. “And it happened when Jehudi had read three or four columns, that the king cut it with the scribe’s knife and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the scroll was consumed in the fire” (Jer. 36:23).  His view was that if you do not like what God says just cut it out of the Bible.

Human nature does not change that much. While no one is actually cutting verses out of the Bible, their actions show that their hearts are so much like Jehoiakim. There are several ways to “cut verses out of the Bible.”

There are some who, knowing that God would not approve of what they are doing, simply just never read the Bible. When encouraged by others to come to worship, they are adamant in the way they respond. They just cut God out of their lives.

There are also those who read the Bible trying to find verses which justify what they have decided is right. The Bible talks of those who read the Bible and then twist it to suit their own ideas (2 Pet. 3:16). While they do not literally have the scribe’s knife in their hands, they have one in their hearts.

Do you want to know His will for your life? Come to His word and “…hunger and thirst after righteousness” (Matt. 5:6).  Remember His promise, “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13). Jesus said it this way, “If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine” (John 7:17).

Our hearts must be so different than the heart of Jehoiakim. Paul speaks of that person who, with an open heart, comes to the Bible and reads about Jesus. As he looks at the image of Jesus, he is changed into that very same image by the Holy Spirit of God (2 Cor. 3:18). Do you want God to change you? Then open your Bible and honestly seek Him, but make sure you do not have a scribe’s pen in your hand!

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Deceptive Advertising

Deceptive Advertising

A number of years ago a particular satellite television provider was running a very attractive special on monthly rates for new subscribers. We had lived long enough to know that anything that seemed too good to be true probably was. And so, because we were still somewhat skeptical regarding hidden extra costs and fees, we continually sought – and gained – the salesperson’s repeated assurances that the price as quoted, would be the price we paid. And so, we bought in. And it was then that the nightmare began!

Do you live your life as advertised?

Do you live your life as advertised?

  It seemed like every couple of months our bill would increase slightly as some new charge was subtly inserted into our total amount due. I recall one case where they added a couple of new, “free,” complimentary channels… and ironically, our monthly premium still went up for some “mysterious” reason. I remember having to call and correct them on a regular basis because of some new phantom cost-increase or “special offer” we had neither wanted nor requested. Suffice it to say that when that contract ended, so did our experience with that satellite provider – forever.

Fast forward to a week or two ago. My wife and I were out shopping when approached by a salesman from a different satellite provider. He was polite, polished, and well-prepared. Although very leery, weary, and as skeptical as ever, we actually gave him a few minutes to present his pitch. We explained our previous bad experience with his company’s competitor – to which he of course reassured us that his company was not like that at all. We considered it. His company’s package was very good; the price was competitive; and it was locked in for two full years, after which we could cancel it at any time. More than once we sought – and received – assurances that these were the facts. Then came the actual phone call with the company to set it all up. All of the sudden we learned there would be an additional – and heretofore unmentioned – $20 shipping charge for equipment. Okay, understandable. And then came the kicker. The quoted price was locked in for 24 months – but only if we purchased additional services from their home company within the first 12 months of the contract. Otherwise, the final 12 months of that agreed to 24 month contract would see a 50% price increase per month. And while he later insisted that we had previously covered and understood that, neither Karen nor I remember his having said anything whatsoever about that.

This is sort of like the car insurance company’s commercials that promise that they won’t raise your rates after your first accident – that is, if you’ve already purchased their additional coverage in advance (if I understand it correctly); or, to put it another way, if you’ve already been paying ahead of time for any potential first accident you may or may not ever even have to begin with!

It also seems somewhat similar to all of those medication commercials which show smiling, active, high spirited people who supposedly represent those who’ve taken those medications – medications the side effects of which are far more often than not, far more devastating, far-reaching, and in some cases even fatal, than even the worst of what they’ve been taken to correct.

In such an environment and society, and with all of the well-disguised, other-wise hidden, and often outright misrepresented prices, products, and presentations, is it any wonder whatsoever that people are so skeptical when we try to present to them even something as pure and unadulterated as the absolute truth of the two-thousand year old biblical gospel? Not really. It’s where we are at as a society. Everyone knows and expects that the french fries at the fast-food drive-through window are not going to look anything whatsoever like they do in their golden brown, “all points north in their packaging” commercials.

So, what is the answer to conducting effective evangelism in such a skeptical and “deceptive packaging” conditioned society? Simple. We must so transparently live the truth we will one day seek to convey to them, each and every day before them, each and every day prior to that – living the gospel in such a way daily – that others will actually ask us questions regarding why we are so different from everyone else around them. They must see and know from the lives we have been living before, around, and amongst them, that this Christianity as we profess it, is the real thing, “as it is written.” Truth, sincerity, integrity, and transparency; Christ-like love, obedience, trust, concern, and compassion, constantly and continually. It’s what the apostle Peter’s first epistle is all about! Re-read it and see! And then, let’s continually seek to live it and see what happens as well! And when we do occasionally make those inevitable mistakes, which we all eventually will, let us repent, rely on the Lord to help us get back up, and then continue to try once again to be the best and most biblical Christian we can possibly be! God bless!

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Thankfulness and Trust

Thankfulness and Trust

Beginning in Numbers chapter 11 and reading through chapter 15 we notice how the Israelites complained, cried, wept, were ungrateful, murmured, were disbelieving and disobedient. The same could probably be said of the people of our society, especially in the past couple of weeks. There are many great lessons we can learn about the one true and living God and from the history of the children of Israel. Indeed, Paul’s inspired pen was correct when he wrote, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and com-fort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

Does being thankful describe your behavior?

Does being thankful describe your behavior?

Here are just a few things for us to consider as we approach this new week:

1) Be content. Hebrews 13:5 says, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Contentment doesn’t necessarily mean satisfied. But carries with it the idea of thankfulness and a focus on how God has blessed us. So…

2) Count your blessings, look for the good in every situation, and be thankful. The Psalmist said, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4). Colossians 3:15 instructs us to “let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” And lastly…

3) Trust in the Lord. While in the history of God’s people God recognizes both sins of ignorance and sins of presumption He still calls both of them sin. And there are consequences for both. Ignorance of the law was/is no excuse. And the only hope we have is to trust in Him and obey His commands (Psalm 37:3). Have a blessed week and be faithful!

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