Hearing What We Want to Hear

In a recent conversation the subject came up about how children sometimes hear things.  While many names or words are simply hard for children to pronounce, sometimes the problem lies in the fact that how they say it is how they perceive it.  In a sense, they “ hear what they want to hear. ”

As childhood memories go, when I was about five, I thought the hymn “ Jesus Meek and Gentle” was really “ Jesus Meek and Gentile. ”  (Jesus was a Jew not a Gentile).  Someone else confessed that “Low in the grave He lay… ” was to them “ Low in the gravy lay.”  A third person admitted that they thought “ Let’s have a little talk with Jesus… ” was really “ Let’s have a little chocolate Jesus. ”  The list could go on and on.  While these childhood examples may be comical, it strikes me that children are sometimes the best teachers that adults have.  Think of it: how many grown ups suffer the same problem?  Frequently in the religious world people hear the truth preached or taught, but they somehow miss the point, “ hearing what they want to hear. ”  Paul spoke of such in Acts 28:25-28.  Friends, if you will not “ hear ” the truth, you cannot be saved (Acts 11:14; Heb. 4:2; Rom. 10:17). The choice is yours. “ He who has ears to hear, let him hear! “ (Mk. 4:9).

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Adultery and Fornication

Avoiding Adultery and Fornication

Adultery

Adultery is a Sin Against God.

The sin of adultery and fornication is quite prominent in our society today. The media has desensitized its effects by glamorizing it and renaming it into a less harmful word, as an “affair.” Yet, no matter what man may say, God has never changed His feelings about the subject; He still knows the damage and destruction that it causes within families. Thus, Christians should be people with a disposition to avoid such a strong and dan­gerous temptation. Thanks be unto our God that He has revealed unto us a wonderful example of such in virtuous Joseph (Gen. 39). By the providence of God (Gen. 39:2-3), Joseph was a slave in the house of Po­tiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh. In fact, be­cause of the righteous living exemplified by Joseph, Potiphar elevated Joseph to oversee his entire house (Gen. 39:4), giving him a level of responsibility un­heard of at that time (Gen. 39:6). Yet, Potiphar’s wife noticed that Joseph was a handsome man [the phrase “a goodly person, and well favored” (Gen. 39:6) in the Hebrew denotes his physical attractiveness]. Consequently, when one becomes prominent and is good looking, people take notice, and she was among the first in line for Joseph. She tempts his purity by offering herself (Gen. 39:7), but he refuses. His re­sponse and actions thereafter give a wonderful pat­tern in how to avoid adultery and fornication.

First, Joseph recognized her for who she re­ally was—“his master’s wife” (Gen. 39:7-8). Thus, he would respond to her in reference to her husband, Potiphar: “…thou art his wife” (Gen. 39:9). Joseph knew that she did not belong to him. He knew that because Potiphar was married, he had no rights whatsoever to become involved in “a fling,” “an af­fair” or whatever anyone might want to designate. In the heart of Joseph, she was off-limits. He knew, believed, appreciated and obeyed the matrimonial principle that would later become a foundational ba­sis for Israel from God: “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife” (Exod. 20:17). When marriage es­tablishes a man and woman together with God (cf. Gen. 2:24), there is no room for anyone else.

Second, Joseph recognized that Potiphar kept back his wife from him (Gen. 39:8-9). When Potiphar promoted Joseph to be responsible for overseeing his house, he knew that did not include liberties with his wife: “There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee” (Gen. 39:9). Joseph clearly understood that Po­tiphar kept back his wife from Joseph. What a great principle! Husbands need to keep back their wives from others, and wives need to keep back their hus­bands from others. If spouses would work more in such ways, there would be less cases of adultery and fornication, and consequently, less divorce. Spouses need to keep back their mates by continually reaf­firming their love, devotion and loyalty to each other. Spouses need to keep back their mates by assuring that each are dressing modestly in public.

Third, when Joseph initially recognized the temptation, he did everything he could to avoid such (Gen. 39:10). While she did not relent, but kept tempt­ing him daily, he not only verbally refused, but also even made every effort not “to be with her.” It was only when she seized an opportunity when no men were around that she persisted further by grabbing his garment, only to find herself holding an empty gar­ment in hand as he ran away. He exemplified what we find in the New Testament: “Flee fornication” (1 Cor. 6:18). “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteous­ness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:22). When temp­tations of such happen, Christians who value purity will immediately seek to avoid all such encounters. When coworkers make advances, we should avoid such people to the greatest extent possible.

If we will seek to follow the guidelines that Joseph demonstrated, we may protect our marriages and homes, and adultery and fornication will only be a problem in the world where people do not respect divine matrimonial laws.

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Guilty! What do you say?

What Can You Say When You Are Guilty?

Joseph’s brothers were in dire circumstances when they stood with Benjamin and were questioned by the most powerful man in Egypt (Gen. 41:40-42). This was not the first time they had been there to buy grain. The first time, they left and all their money was given back to them and hidden in their sacks of grain. This time, when they left and opened their sacks, they again found their money but also the royal cup of Joseph had been placed in Benjamin’s sack.

They were guilty and stood helpless before Joseph. Judah was the spokesman, but he had no defense. He said, “What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how shall we clear ourselves” (Gen. 44:16)? Their guilt was obvious to the ruler, Joseph, and it was obvious to them. What defense can there be? Hear his words, “What shall we say?”

These same words were spoken by Ezra who was part of the restoring of Israel after their seventy years in Babylon. The temple had been rebuilt by Zerubbabel, and with the return of Ezra, the priest, the people focused even more on living according to what God taught. The leaders came to Ezra and spoke of the unlawful marriages the Jews had made with the pagans. They said, “The holy seed is mixed with the people of those lands.” When Ezra heard of this he tore his garments and literally pulled hairs from his head and his beard in despair. At the time of the evening sacrifice, he fell on his knees before God and spread out his hands.

In his prayer he confessed their sins. They were guilty and stood before the holy God as sinful men. Ezra said, “O our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken Your commandments” (Ezra 9:10). God knew they were guilty. They knew they were guilty. The words of the priest sum it all up—what shall we say?

These are not just two interesting Bible stories, for both illustrate the plight of all mankind who someday shall stand guilty before a holy God. To picture that day as a courtroom scene robs it of reality. In a courtroom, men stand before their peers. On that day, they will stand before the Almighty One. Those who are lost will know their destiny as they stand there. There will be no legitimate excuses. God knows they are guilty, and they know their guilt. Think about the question which could be asked, “What can we say?”

We must not forget that we shall be there. The petty excuses we offer to ourselves today will be meaningless. Faithful Christians will stand in awe with hopeful expectation. Sinful men and lukewarm Christians will cower in fear before the Almighty.  If you are lost now, you will be lost on that day. You are guilty. “What shall we say to our Lord?”

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John 3:16 and God

John 3:16 Means What it Says

From the time we were small children most of us have known this beautiful verse. Unfortunately many in the world have twisted and corrupted this beautiful text failing to accurately portray God’s love for mankind and leaving countless souls hopelessly lost to what God expects of all those He loves. So just what does this verse say?

God

God So Loved The World…

First of all it says that “God,” the one and only true deity, who created all things and who has in His power the salvation and condemnation of His creation, “ so loved the ‘kosmos,’” every man. This word in its context means “ the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human race .” Since humanity, in its totality, has sinned and separated himself from God and life (Isaiah 59:1 – 2; Romans 3:10, 23; 512), God in His infinite love, chose to do something in order to redeem mankind and offer him a second chance.

What was that? “…he gave his only begotten Son.” The second person of the Godhead agree to take on the role of Son and Savior; and was “made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (Hebrews 2:9). The Father sent His son, the only begotten Son of God, to die for our sins. He was the only sacrifice worthy to pay the price and sanctify us. Now if the verse stopped right there then we would not have to do anything and the non – religious, who want to live any way they choose and claim God’s Son as a universal, unconditional sacrifice, could continue on in the way they are going.

However, Jesus continued and said, “that whosoever believeth in him should not perish.” There are three important things for us to notice here: 1) There is a burden placed upon every man ( whosoever ) who has ever lived since the death of Jesus. The word “believeth” here means to “place your faith and trust in.” It is more than just a mental affirmation that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for the sins of all men. It means that we have to listen, heed, obey, and be faithful to His teachings. 2) The English phrase “should not” is rendered from the single Greek word which means that this is the ONLY way (John 14:6) to keep from perishing eternally. 3) The word “perish” indicates a foundational biblical principle; as long as we are joined to God in a spiritual relationship we have spiritual life. But since sin separates us from God, that sin brings forth spiritual death, if we die physically, separated from God, we have eternal death (separation). The only hope we have is Christ.

So the natural, logical, and honest question would be the same as it was on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:28), for Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:6), or of the Philippian Jailor (Acts 16:30), “What must we do in order to be saved?” Obviously God’s love shown to us in the sacrifice of His Son demands a reciprocal love from us. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). He asks us even today, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

Repent of your sins (Acts 17:30); confess Jesus with your words and with your life (Luke 9:26); and do what those men on Pentecost, Saul of Tarsus, and the Philippian Jailor all did. “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41). “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). “And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway” (Acts 16:33).

But then remember, this is only the beginning, not the end! One must “…observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20), and “be thou faithful unto death” (Revelation 2:10).

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Sex Education & Children

Want to know why porn is so popular among 12-year-olds?

[Warning: The following article contains graphic words—but nothing our children are not getting in their sex ed. classes.]

Sex Education

Sex Education Should Not Be Taught by Public Schools.

I would normally apologize for using graphic language in an article—but friends, if they can teach it to our elementary school children, then it’s time we talk frankly about it! The Bible is crystal clear that purity is not just a suggestion, but a command from our Creator. We are told to flee sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18). In Paul’s letter to the church at Thessalonica he admonished, “abstain from sexual immorality” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). He observed impurity as a work of the flesh that would keep one out of heaven (Galatians 5:19-21). I could list another 15-20 Scriptures that remind readers to remain pure and set our minds on things above.

Intellectually we understand this principle. We may even “Amen” it from our pulpits. I believe that on a basic level we understand why God puts such an emphasis on purity. But somewhere between the brain and our mouth/actions there is a major disconnect. We know what the Bible says, but we continue to justify our kindergarteners participating in sexual education.

Friends, they are five to six years old. Let me say that again—five and six. They are still learning to read and spell. Yet, because we are so married to the public school system and feel like we can’t do anything about it, we justify this atrocity, claiming “some children won’t get it at home.” Allow me to bluntly ask you: Have you actually looked at what they are “getting”?

In the Clark County school district (Las Vegas) they are considering requiring sex education for kindergarteners. According to Katherine Timpf, “Under the new curriculum, children ages 5 through 8 would be taught that “touching one’s genitals to feel good is called masturbation” (see http://www.nationalreview.com/article/389095/school-district-considering-sex-education-kindergartners-katherine-timpf). Again, they are teaching this to kindergarteners!

But Las Vegas is not the first. Literally all across the country there is a push to expose children to sexual images, sexual content, and homosexual tolerance starting at a very young age. In 2013 children in Chicago joined this illustrious club. One news report noted, “Kindergarteners in Chicago public schools will soon be given sex education. The Chicago Board of Education approved the program, which includes discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity.” (http://www.10news.com/news/watercooler/chicago-school-board-approves-sex-education-program-for-kindergarten-030113)

This follows a 2010 report from Montana where they proposed teaching 5th graders the different ways people have intercourse and first graders about “gay love” (http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/07/14/montana-sex-education-proposal-draws-outrage-graders-learn-gay-sex/). Gay love? In the first grade?!

Allow me to stop right here and “read your mind.” Most individuals reading this with children in the school system right now are probably thinking, “That won’t happen at our school.” You are right—because if FoSE (Future of Sex Ed) has their way with your school system, it will probably be much worse. Elizabeth Harrington wrote on the new national standards in 2012: “Ideally, comprehensive sexuality education should start in kindergarten and continue through 12th grade,” says the “National Sexuality Education Standards” report, drawn up by a range of advocates, academics and public education officials. The Future of Sex Education (FoSE), an initiative started by sex education advocates, developed the standards “to create a strategic plan for sexuality education policy and implementation.” (http://cnsnews.com/news/article/begin-sex-ed-kindergarten-says-new-national-standards-report; see also http://www.futureofsexed.org). Just a quick glance of the scrolling “news” headlines on their websites gives you a pretty good understanding of what they are teaching:

And these are the people who want to set the standards! While we in the church are busy arguing about whether this is acceptable, they are having strategic planning sessions on the future and implementation of sexual education. They are three steps ahead of parents, many of whom have yet to even acknowledge this battle for the heart, purity, and soul of our children. For you see, the homosexual agenda met all the way back in the early 1990s and made sexual education one of their agenda items. Ask yourself this question: Who are these individuals coming in teaching children about gay love and anal intercourse?

What has happened to abstinence and purity? Oh that’s right they were considered religious by the courts, and therefore aren’t supposed to be taught in the government schools. In Kendrick vs. Bowen 1987, the court ruled: “The harm of premarital sexual relations…[is] elements of religious doctrine. It is a fundamental tenet of many religions that premarital sex…[is] wrong. In short, [teaching premarital sexual abstinence] has the primary effect of advancing religion…. [T]he inescapable conclusion is that federal funds have been used… to teach matters inherently tied to religion.” [KENDRICK v. BOWEN; 657 F. Supp. 1547, 1562, (D.D.C. 1987)].

Just how far have we sunk? I refuse to show you some of the graphic images they show our children. But consider these examples of where our school systems are in terms of sex and purity:

  1. Provincetown, Mass decided to make condoms available to first graders in 2010 (http://www.wcvb.com/Condoms-For-Elementary-Students-Yes-Says-Mass-Town/11288760)
  2. In Red Hook, NY middle school girls were instructed to “role-play lesbian relationship” and ask female classmates for a kiss as a part of an anti-bullying exercise (http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2013/04/middle_school_girls_told_to_ask_for_a_lesbian_kiss_in_anti-bullying_workshop.html)
  3. In Fayetteville, AR thirteen year old Chloe Rubiano was ordered to remove her shirt because it said “Virginity Rocks.” Chloe and her mom believed the shirt sent a positive message, however school officials told her that she had to put on something else. (http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes/top-stories/school-orders-girl-to-remove-virginity-rocks-shirt.html)
  4. In Shawnee, Kansas one set of parents found out that the “abstinence-based curriculum” that they’d been told the school was using was far from it. Todd Starnes reported:

A Kansas father said he was shocked after he discovered his 13-year-old daughter’s health curriculum included references to vaginal intercourse, anal sex, and touching each other’s genitals. “I got furious,” Mark Ellis, of Shawnee, Kan., told me. “And I’m still worked up about it.” Ellis’ daughter is an eighth grade student at Hocker Grove Middle School in the Shawnee Mission School District. Last week, she came home from school and showed her parents a photograph she had taken of a poster on a classroom door. “How do people express their sexual feelings?” the poster read. Underneath the question was a list of possible answers. Some were G-rated, like hugging, holding hands and talking. But there were also some NC-17 answers like “vaginal intercourse, anal sex, touching each other’s genitals, oral sex, sexual fantasy and caressing.” (see http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes/?s=sex+ed)

In an article titled “Obama: Sex Ed for Kindergartners ‘Is the Right Thing to Do’” Terence Jeffrey observed, “At a Planned Parenthood convention at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, D.C., on July 17, 2007, a teenage girl who said she worked as a sex-education ‘peer educator’ in the D.C. public schools asked then-U.S. Sen. Obama what he would do to encourage the teaching of ‘medically accurate, age-appropriate, and responsible sex education’ (see http://cnsnews.com/news/article/obama-sex-ed-kindergartners-right-thing-do).

Christian parents, its time you reclaim your children and teach children that sexual relations were created by God—and are only good in the context of marriage. It’s time we as a church learn how to do the job correctly, so our government will stop perverting the hearts and minds of our young. It’s time we admit there is a major problem out there and begin discussions on what to do about the problem.

What’s even more unsettling is that the information in this article is really just the tip of the iceberg. I strongly encourage you to check out our latest book, “Failure: What Christian Parents Need to Know About American Education” by Jack Wilkie, which devotes a whole chapter to exposing the dangers of modern sex education and takes an in-depth look at all of the challenges to the Christian faith in American schools. Click the “Failure” tab above for more info or click the link to order your copy.

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