Turning the Knob

Turning the Knob

The story is told of a boy who came home from school one day and noticed that all the vehicles were gone.  Realizing that no one was home he just sat on the steps.  Soon it began to rain and he got soaked. When his mother came home she asked him why he didn’t go into the house.  He said, “You weren’t home, how could I?”  She said, “Honey, the house was unlocked.  Did you try turning the knob?”

Great understanding awaits for those willing to use the knob.

Great understanding awaits for those willing to use the knob.

Sometimes we make things more difficult than they need to be simply by failing to be observant.  This is especially true with regard to the gospel of Christ. Holding a closed Bible, a young man asked a visiting preacher, “How in the world could anyone understand the Bible?”  The preacher immediately responded, “Did you ever try opening your Bible in an effort to understand it?”  The young man quipped, “I don’t need to.  My preacher tells us what’s in it – but I still don’t understand it.”  That is truly sad, for if the young man had searched the Scriptures himself he could have found what he was looking for (cf. 2 Tim. 3:14-17).  Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matt. 7:7).

Friends, the door of the gospel is unlocked.  Try turning the knob.

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Fossils, Man, Dinosaurs

Fossils, Humans – Wrong Time, Wrong Place

Billy believed that it was simply just another old rock. But right before he gave it a good hard kick he noticed something unusual. This “rock” had a peculiar shape with weird ridges on it. As he reached down to pick it up he stopped momentarily—as it looked like this “rock” might be alive. As it turned out, Billy had stumbled across a trilobite fossil. This creature, believed to be extinct, allegedly lived over 500 million years ago, long before dinosaurs or man walked the Earth. Or so the story goes.

Fossils and man, what is the story? Ask scripture.

Fossils and man, what is the story? Ask scripture.

Trilobites look similar to horseshoe crabs, and have been found all over the Earth. They are believed to be extinct today, and evolutionists contend these creatures lived 500-600 million years ago.  In fact, evolutionists use the trilobite as an index fossil. They believe that anywhere a trilobite is found is indicative of the age of that strata layer. Thus, if a trilobite is found on the side of a mountain then that strata must be roughly 500 million years old.

After carefully placing the fossil in his pocket, Billy ran home to reveal his prized discovery to his parents. He was excited about his new find, and was anxious to identify the bizarre creature. Unfortunately, his parents did not share his interest, and instead they remained focused on bills, bank accounts, and bonuses. But Billy was not disheartened. He decided he would ask his teacher at school about this unusual fossil. Unlike his parents, Billy’s teacher showed a great interest in the fossil, showing Billy’s discovery to the entire class. She went on to inform her students that trilobites “lived on the Earth 500 million years ago, long before man ever existed.” Thus, a seed was planted into the minds of Billy and his fellow classmates—a seed that would germinate over the next few years—as Billy slowly began to accept and put his faith in the evolutionary theory. Sadly, Billy’s parents never even realized their son’s soul was in jeopardy—for they were still too busy worrying about bills, bank accounts, and bonuses.

The fossil record has caused many Christians to question the Bible. In many cases, honest and sincere hearts absorb media propaganda and turn skeptical toward God’s Word. After all, these scientific findings couldn’t be wrong—could they? Many times the inspired Word of God is forfeited as men blindly cling to manmade theories.

Christians need not compromise when it comes to harmonizing God’s Word with science. God is the Author of science, and as such, valid science will always point directly toward a Creator. [Christians must realize that individuals who have stiffened their necks against the idea of a Supreme Being are going to report their data through biased lenses—lenses that reject a Creator and only support the evolutionary theory. But their “interpretation” does not change the Truth.] For instance, while many textbooks still use a trilobite as an index fossil, we know today that this creature does not fit neatly into the evolutionary timeline. On June 1, 1968, William J. Meister, an amateur fossilologist, was out looking for trilobite fossils near Antelope Springs, Utah, when he made a discovery that is rarely discussed in biology classrooms today. Meister (joined by several friends who served as witnesses), worked his way up the side of a mountain slope and broke open a slab of rock with his hammer to investigate it for fossils. Indeed, he discovered trilobite fossils—imbedded in the sandal print of a human being! According to evolutionists, man has only been on the Earth for the last 3-5 million years, so how could a creature that supposedly existed “before the dinosaurs” be discovered in the sandal print of a human? A close inspection of the fossil reveals the intricate stitching of the sandals. The physical evidence is there. The only question is how can 500 million old trilobites coexist with humans if we’ve only been around for the last 3-5 million years. The owner of the fossil has been offered millions of dollars by evolutionists in exchange for the fossil. They have told him very bluntly their only intention is to destroy it.

This discovery does not even begin to touch the hem of the garment. There are literally thousands of “geologic anomalies” that do not support the evolutionary theory. [Cremo and Thompson’s book Forbidden Archeology is an excellent resource book that documents many of these discoveries, and is available on our Web site at www.Focuspress.org]. Consider the following “anomalies” for which organic evolution cannot account.  Coal was allegedly laid down during the “carboniferous period” roughly 250 million years ago—predating man by approximately 245 million years according to the evolutionary timeline.  However, Ivan Sanderson reported a unique find in the Morrisonville, Illinois, newspaper, the Illinois Times, on June 11, 1891.

A much greater enigma is presented by the items that have been found in coal. This substance has been deposited on the surface of this earth at various times but most notably in what is called the Carboniferous which is calculated to be from 270 to 230 millions of years old…. From it several items have appeared that confound just about everything we believe. For instance, it has been reported that in 1891 a Mrs. Culp of Morrisonville, Illinois dropped a shovelful of coal in transferring it to her cooking range, and a large lump broke in two, disclosing a lovely little gold chain of intricate workmanship neatly coiled and embedded.

A close examination revealed that the chain was ten inches long and made out of 8-karat gold. Who—according to evolutionary timescales—was around 250 million years ago to be making “little gold chains of intricate workmanship”?

Or how do evolutionists explain a human handprint found in Cretaceous rock that is allegedly millions of years older than humans? The fossil handprint is so specific that it displays impressions of the thumbnail, impressions of the tissue webbing between the thumb and index finger, and the impression left by penetration of the middle finger into the mud. This is strong evidence that evolutionary dating methods are erroneous and not to be trusted. The conclusion that is easily drawn from this discovery is that humans have been on the Earth from the beginning of creation.

Another discovery was reported in Scientific American, in an article titled “A Relic of a Bygone Age.” This discovery discussed a metallic vase that was blasted out of rock that was allegedly millions of years older than man. The article stated:

A few days ago a powerful blast was made in the rock at Meeting House Hill, in Dorchester, a few rods south of Rev. Mr. Hall’s meeting house. The blast threw out an immense mass of rock, some of the pieces weighing several tons, and scattered fragments in all directions. Among them was picked up a metallic vessel in two parts, rent asunder by the explosion. On putting the two parts together it formed a bell-shaped vessel, 4-1/2 inches high, 6-1/2 inches at the base, 2-1/2 inches at the top, and about an eighth of an inch in thickness. The body of this vessel resembles zinc in color, or a composition of metal, in which there is a considerable portion of silver. On the side there are six figures or a flower, or bouquet, vine, or wreath, also inlaid with silver. The chasing, carving, and inlaying are exquisitely done by the art of some cunning workman. This curious and unknown vessel was blown out of the solid pudding stone, fifteen feet below the surface…. There is not doubt but that this curiosity was blown out of the rock, as above stated; but will Professor Agassiz, or some other scientific man please tell us how it came there? The matter is worthy of investigation, as there is no deception in the case (1852, p. 298).

The editors of Scientific American followed up by stating: “The above is from the Boston Transcript and the wonder is to us, how the Transcript can suppose Prof. Agassiz qualified to tell how it got there any more than John Doyle, the blacksmith. This is not a question of zoology, botany, or geology, but one relating to an antique metal vessel perhaps made by Tubal Cain, the first inhabitant of Dorchester”

While these geologic “anomalies” do not substantiate the evolutionary timeline, they do fit neatly with the Creation account. The physical evidence indicates man has been here “from the beginning of Creation” (Mark 10:6)—just as Christ himself indicated.

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Do You Love God?

Do You Love God?

Is your definition of Love the same as God's?

Is your definition of Love the same as God’s?

Let’s say that a survey taker decided to make it his goal to stand outside of every church building  in America each Sunday and ask every person who left the building if they loved God.  How many do you think would answer in the negative?  My guess would be that the overwhelming majority of churchgoers would gladly and sincerely profess their love for God, and I am thankful for that.  It is due to their love of God that they are attending church in the first place.  It’s because of their love of God that they own a Bible and peruse through it from time to time.  Their love of God is a major reason why they love others and help others in their time of need.  Professing a love of God is an important first step.

“’First step’?” you might ask.  “What do you mean, ‘first step’?  I thought loving God is the ultimate, the pinnacle, the highest we can achieve!”  That is true, but consider this.  We say that we love God…but does God agree?  Does God think we love him?  Does God define us loving him the same way that we define loving him?  We might be tempted to assume that he does, but God’s Word suggests otherwise (Is. 55:8-9).  In fact, Jesus said that there would be religious people who call him “Lord” and are involved in many good works who would still be condemned at judgment (Matt. 7:21-23).  Obviously, those who call Jesus “Lord” and do many good things in his name would also gladly say that they love him…so why are they being condemned?

The answer lies in finding out how God defines our love for him, and the way to do that is to go to his Word.  This makes sense when you think about it.  Consider your spouse and your closest friends and the love you have for them.  When you think about it, the love you have for them and they have for you is based upon your mutual knowledge of each other.  You know each other well, you understand each other, and that’s what causes your love for each other to grow more and more.  It’s the same with our relationship with God.  The more we come to know God, the more we will love him…especially when we grow in our understanding of just how much he loves us!  (John 3:16; 1 John 3:16).

But how do we come to know God?  The only way that will happen is by going to his Holy Spirit-inspired Word (2 Pet. 1:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).  After all, no one knows the mind of God except the Spirit (2 Cor. 2:9-11), and the Spirit revealed the mind of God to the writers of Scripture (John 16:12-15; 1 Cor. 2:9-13; Eph. 3:3-5; 2 Pet. 2:19-21).  When we study and meditate upon God’s Word day and night (Ps. 1:1-3), we grow in our knowledge of God and how he looks at things.  We also grow in our knowledge and understanding of how God defines our love for him.

So just how does God define loving him?  Over and over again, the Scriptures correlate love of God with obeying God (John 14:15, 21, 23-24; 1 John 5:3).  In fact, obeying God is how we come to know him as well as to love him (1 John 2:3-5).  Even in the Old Testament, God always defined the concepts of loving him and obeying him interchangeably (Deut. 6:4-5; 7:9; 10:12-13; 11:1).  So if you obey God, you love him.  If you choose to unrepentantly disobey God, you don’t love him.  If you love him, you obey him.  If you don’t love him, you will not obey him.  It’s that simple.

With this in mind, go back to Matthew 7:21-23.  Why did Jesus condemn some even though they called him “Lord” and did many good things in his name?  He tells us why.  “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”  They weren’t doing the Father’s will.  Perhaps they were doing some of it, but they weren’t obeying him in all areas of their lives.  That’s why he called them “workers of lawlessness.”

Do we love God?  Sure, we might say we do.  We might sincerely think that we do, and perhaps in some areas of our lives we do.  All of that is good and shouldn’t be ignored.  Like I said earlier, it’s an important first step.  However, ask yourselves this.  How well do you know God?  How well do you know the Bible?  How often do you go out of your way to study his Word in depth?  Furthermore, are you obeying his Word?  Are you doing so as best you can in all areas of your life?  Are you willing to obey God even if his revealed will in the Scriptures goes against your most cherished belief?  Are you willing to put God above even family, even above self?  When you disobey him, are you willing to repent?  Are you willing to obey him no matter what?

That, and that alone, shows how much we truly love God.

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Piercings and Tattoos

Are Piercings and Tattoos Wrong?

When you get a tattoo with what are you associating?

When you get tattoos with what are you associating?

Not too many years ago in our society, one would not have expected to publicly encounter many individuals with odd body piercings or an assortment of tattoos. The few tattoos that one saw were either related to military service or biker gang association. Such, however, is not the case today. Just about anywhere you go now, you will encounter someone with a plethora of tattoos and/or body piercings. It’s quite faddish, in fact. The question naturally arises in the mind of the conscientious Christian as to what God’s word says on the subject. Is it wrong? Is it bad judgment? Is it a good thing? What do the scriptures say?

Under the Old Covenant, there was at least one type of body piercing that God approved. This was in the case where a master and slave had such a good relationship that the slave desired to give his entire life and the life of his family to his master. Under the Old Law, slaves were supposed to be set free during the Year of Jubilee (See Leviticus 25). However, the slave who did not want to be set free was to have his ear pierced to signify his desire to remain with his master ( Deuteronomy 15:17).

The Old Covenant wasn’t so generous, however, when it came to tattoos. Leviticus 19:28 states, “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.” Most scholars believe that this prohibition was given as a mark of separation of the Israelites from the nations around them who practiced various forms of idolatry and which tattooing was related to their idolatrous practices. Israel was to be holy to the Lord ( Leviticus 20:7) and maintain their separation from heathen practices ( Exodus 33:16, Leviticus 20:24).

Needless to say, we are not under the same restrictions of the Old Covenant today ( Acts 15:10, Galatians 5:1). Hence, our pattern for living comes from the example of Christ and also from the teachings of the apostles in the New Testament. While we have no direct prohibition for either piercings or tattoos within the New Testament, we have some principles that would regulate such conduct. Let’s examine a few of those things.

First, there is the principle of modest behavior. In 1 Timothy 2:9 as well as 1 Peter 3:3 the apostles teach us that flamboyant or gaudy attire does not become the modest Christian woman. Multiple body piercings, elaborate tattoos, and any other such kind of showy personal expressions would fall under this category of immodesty. The Christian is not to call attention to self for the sole reason of promoting self. Often body piercings and tattoos are obtained just for this reason. The attitude of humility would preclude such in the life of the Christian ( Philippians 2:3).

Second, there is the principle of separation. God’s desire for the Israelites to be separate from the nations around them extends to Christians today as well. Paul tells the church at Corinth, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” ( 2 Corinthians 6:17). The Christian is not to engage in worldly activites as such is indicative of loving the world ( 1 John 2:15-17). James says that friendship with the world is enmity with God ( James 4:4). Inasmuch as tattoos and piercings represent worldliness we ought to have nothing to do with them.

Third, there is the principle of sound speech. Titus 2:8 says that the Christian’s speech ought to be irreproachable. Tattoos and body piercings speak volumes. Many tattoos represent things that the Christian repudiates such as warmongering, fornication, addiction, and bondage. Piercings may also have sexual connotations and Like the improper use of the tongue, the Christian who employs tattoos and piercings may be sending mixed messages. James (3:11) says, “Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?” Hypocrisy, in any form, is sinful ( James 3:17).

Finally, there is the principle of purpose. In everything we do as Christians, our purposes must be pure and holy; all must be done to God’s glory ( 1 Corinthians 10:31). Those who obtain piercings and tattoos must ask themselves what their motives are for so desiring such. Does one desire to rebel against parents? Such is a sinful motive ( Ephesians 6:1). Does one desire to show one’s sexual promiscuity? Again, a sinful motive ( 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7). Does one desire to use their body art to support anarchy or rebellion? Let not be seen in the life of the Christian ( Jude 1:8-10).

While there may not be anything inherently sinful in having one’s body pierced or having a tattoo engraved upon one’s skin, there are so many things that one need take into consideration to avoid evil, one would be better off not to obtain them. Moreover we certainly would not want to place a stumbling block before our brother ( Romans 14:21) and as there are so many other ways that a Christian may honorably express himself, there seems nary a reason to be tattooed or pierced. On this subject then, “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another” ( Romans 14:19).

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Daily Christian Walk

Daily Christian Walk

Walking daily in the Lord will keep you fit!

Walking daily in the Lord will keep you fit!

1.  Daily Prayer: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplica-tion with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Phil. 4:6). “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17).

2.  Daily Bible Study: “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (Jn. 5:39). “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).

3.  Daily Evangelism: “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:42). “And Saul was con-senting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apos-tles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, enter-ing into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word” (Acts 8:1-4)

4.  Daily Exhortation: “But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:13). “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden. Let him that is taught in the word com-municate unto him that teacheth in all good things” (Gal. 6:1-6)

5.  Daily Ministration: “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the He-brews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of hon-est report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:1-7). “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10)

6.  Daily Cross-Bearing: “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Lk. 9:23). “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matt. 10:37).

7.  Daily Results: “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47) “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matt. 28:19-20)

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