Christ and Common Sense

Thoughts from a Central Valley Pastor

Category: Common Sense (Page 2 of 6)

Seek Wisdom!

January 2, 2023 /

Raise your hand if you could use more wisdom in your life! I know I could. Life is difficult. Every day brings different challenges and concerns that require guidance and skill to complete successfully. Every new year brings an opportunity to recalibrate our hearts and minds to the truth of God’s word so we will are able to handle the trials that are bound to come.

The type of wisdom I am writing about is biblical wisdom. In the original Hebrew of the Old Testament the term often used for wisdom was “hakam.” It refers to skill in living. This type of wisdom is not just understanding knowledge and facts. It is learning to put truth into practice. The Greek word that is often used in the Bible for wisdom is “sofia” and it refers to “the capacity to understand and function accordingly.” (BDAG) The measure of a wise person is not in how much information they know. It is found in how well they can put the truth of God’s word into practice.

There are many passages that talk about this kind of wisdom, but I want to focus on one verse that I will be preaching on this Sunday. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

I like to think of this verse as rungs on a ladder. The first step to seeking wisdom is to humble yourself. If you are going to seek Godly wisdom, you have to first admit that you are lacking in wisdom. This is an important step because it makes sure that each person is seeking wisdom with the right attitude. If you read James 1:5 and think, “I’m not lacking in wisdom” then you don’t understand this kind of wisdom. This kind of wisdom can never be fully attained in this lifetime because every situation is different. Every trial presents another opportunity to put God’s word into action. Every year will bring difficulties that will take time and truth to discern. We have to stay humble before the Lord in order to seek wisdom with the right attitude.

The second rung of God’s wisdom is the command “Ask God.” It is important to notice that James does not say “seek wise counsel.” He goes right to the source and says, “Ask God.” This is a clear command for all Christians to ask God for wisdom.

This is similar to Proverbs 2:2 where Solomon encourages the reader to “Make your ear pay attention to wisdom, Incline your heart to discernment… Then you will understand the fear of Yahweh and find the knowledge of God.” (Legacy Standard Bible)

The Christian life is not one of seeking a life that is passive and pain-free. No, the Christian life is one of passion and the pursuit of God. It is spent asking God for wisdom. Jesus said, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” (Mt. 6:33)

The third rung emphasizes the character of God. Verse five says, “Ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” The reason the believer should be motivated to ask God for wisdom is because God is a generous God. He pours out his wisdom upon those who seek after him.

James may have had Matthew 7:7 in mind where Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

The Father is generous and he gives without reproach. The Greek word used here means that God gives wisdom without looking for fault. He doesn’t look for reasons to withhold wisdom from people. He is not capricious or vindictive. He is just and He is generous.

This leads into the fourth rung, which is also the last rung of the wisdom ladder. James 1:5 says, “and it will be given to him.” Aren’t you glad this is a short ladder? There is no red-tape or bureaucracy to pursuing the wisdom of God. God doesn’t tell wisdom seekers to “Go on a pilgrimage first.” Christianity can not be confined as a traditional religion that requires certain rituals be performed in order to reach a higher level of devotion. No, Christianity is a relationship with the God who created the universe. It is a life-long pursuit of knowing God and living the way he created us to be.

Psalm 34 sets the tone for seeking Godly wisdom. The Psalmist writes, “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.”

May this coming year be one of seeking the wisdom of God. May our lives be guided by His word and may they be full of the richness and pleasure and joy that comes from living the way God intended.

The Story Behind Christmas Trees

December 19, 2022 /

Have you ever wondered about the origins of our Christmas tree traditions? It is a fascinating story and one that I hope will encourage you to keep your focus on Christ this holiday season. 

I became interested in Christmas traditions when my wife and I were first married and we had to decide which traditions we would bring into our yuletide celebrations. Someone gave us a copy of Ace Collins’ book Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas and we have been using that as our textbook ever since. 

In his research on Christmas trees, Collins found that the first people to bring trees into their homes were actually Scandinavian people from the modern countries of Norway, Sweden, and Finland. The reason behind domesticating wild evergreen trees was that during the Middle Ages the people were deeply superstitious and they thought there was special power in the trees that could stay green during the harshest days of winter. By bringing the trees into their homes, they were able to find “hope and strength” for the long winter months. 

In the seventh century, a monk by the name of St. Boniface, was sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in the region of modern day Germany. Many people living in this area of Europe were also superstitious and they believed there was something special about evergreen trees. St. Boniface was able to use the evergreen tree as an illustration of God to the people in the region. He described how the God who created the evergreen was more powerful than the tree and he used the three points of the tree to point to the reality of the triune God, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. 

Later during the middle ages, many Catholic Churches would install an evergreen tree in front of the church during December. They were called “paradise trees” and would explain the story of Adam and Eve to children. It wasn’t until 16th century that fir trees became known as Christmas trees. Many people in the small country of Latvia had developed a tradition of putting a small fir tree on a table in their home during the Christmas season. The idea became popularized when it was introduced to European royalty. 

It wasn’t until later in the 16th century that the Christmas tree tradition as we know it became established. I found it fascinating that Martin Luther, the great pastor of the German Reformation, is said to have started the tradition of putting lights on an indoor Christmas tree. He tied candleholders onto the evergreen branches and then lit candles in them. He taught his family that the tree “represented the everlasting love of God.” Unfortunately, many homes were caught on fire because of this dangerous tradition, but the idea of putting lights on a Christmas tree was established. 

The Christmas tree tradition was introduced in America during the revolutionary war, but it didn’t catch on until around the time of the civil war when Americans saw the tradition become popular in England. In 1851, a business man named Mark Carr, realized that people would pay for pre-cut Christmas trees. So he took a huge sled and brought trees to the citizens of New York. People loved having a fresh tree in their home and so the tradition took off. 

Collins’ writes how in the 1880s, “Christmas trees were so popular that many worried the seasonal rush to obtain them would make fir trees extinct.” That is when artificial trees were made to keep up with the demand. 

There is still a strong debate today about whether a family should use an artificial or a real tree. Understanding the history of Christmas trees reminds us that the form of the tree is not what is the most important. It is the symbol behind that tree that matters. For our family, we love to talk about how the tree represents the Triune God and how the lights point toward Jesus Christ, who came to take away the sins of the world. John 8:12 makes it clear that he understood this when he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 

My prayer is that we would all take the time to carefully consider the Christmas traditions we keep and make sure that we are keeping the focus on Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. 

We Celebrate Reformation Day!

November 3, 2022 /

Ephesians 5:8-11 says, “Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” (English Standard Version) The longer I meditate on this passage the more convinced I am of the need to call Christians to rethink the ways we have let Halloween influence our homes and families. 

One reason I know this is a needed reminder is because a few years ago I had to change my mindset about the holiday. My wife and I had just returned from working in Europe. We had been living in Albania and North Macedonia and we noticed that the people did not celebrate Halloween the way Americans do. People’s home’s were not covered in spiderwebs and spiders, witches and warlocks, tombstones and skeletons. We came back to the states in 2018 and we were shocked to see how much the culture had become infatuated with this holiday of death. 

Before coming back, I was somewhat ambivalent about the holiday. I thought Christians could dress up and enjoy trick-or-treating as a fun, American tradition. Once we came back I began rethinking the holiday in light of Scripture. As Christians we are to “walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true).” It doesn’t take long to realize that the foundations of Halloween do not fit that criteria. All you need to do is to go into a local Halloween costume store and look for how many of the costumes are focused on dark themes of death and horror. 

So what are Christians to do on Halloween? When I was young my parents turning the porch lights off and carving pumpkins and making candied apples. It was a fun way to pass the time, but it always felt like we were missing out. I started thinking about this and it became clear that my family needed something positive to replace the negative aspects of Halloween. That is one reason I was so glad to learn that there is a profound Christian event that is celebrated on the same day, October 31st. 

Reformation Day is celebrated on October 31st to commemorate the day in the year 1517, when Martin Luther, a German priest, reportedly nailed a list of religious concerns to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. One reason we believe he posted the list on October 31st was because he knew many people would be coming to the church the next day, which was All-Saints Day. Martin Luther knew the list, called the 95 Theses, would cause a stir, but he had no idea it would lead to a wide-spread religious movement referred to as the Protestant Reformation. 

The Protestant Reformation started from a desire for Christians to see the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) reformed. At the time, the church allowed funds to be raised by selling something called an indulgence. In his book A Modern Guide to Indulgences, Edward Peters describes an indulgence as “a way to reduce the amount of punishment one has to undergo for sins.” The RCC taught that an individual could reduce the punishment for a specific sin by doing certain things, such as reciting a prayer, visiting a holy place, or performing an action the church declared could pay for sin. These indulgences were official documents that attested to the punishment for sins being reduced. 

By the time Martin Luther served as a priest, there was wide-spread abuse of indulgences. They were being sold to the ignorant masses who were taught salvation came by works, not by faith. The indulges raised funds that helped build massive cathedrals. Martin Luther was keenly aware of these abuses and so in 1517 he decided to voice his concerns. While reading the 95 Theses, it becomes clear that Luther’s main concern was to show that the Bible did not teach salvation through buying indulgences. He wrote, “Those who believe that they can be certain of their salvation because they have indulgence letters will be eternally damned, together with their teachers.” 

Martin Luther’s actions on October 31, 1517, are remembered today largely because of the printing press. Someone took Luther’s 95 Theses and began printing it on a press that was likely modeled after the Guttenberg press. Luther’s writing was circulated far and wide, and the Roman Catholic Church was compelled to address his complaints. The situation became more and more concerned with Martin Luther’s belief’s about salvation being by faith alone. This all culminated in a dramatic court case, called the Diet of Worms (a gathering that took place in the German city called Worms), where Luther was ordered to renounce all his writings. He refused, and as a result he was excommunicated by the Roman Catholic Church. 

The story goes on to have a happy ending for Martin Luther. He realized the Bible does not forbid clergy to marry, and so in 1523 he married Katharina von Bora, a former nun, and had six children with her. He went on to do groundbreaking work in translating the New Testament from Greek into German, and with the help of the printing press distributed God’s word to the masses. 

Our family has been celebrating Reformation Day for the last five years and it has come to be a fun, cherished family tradition. We usually recount the story of the Reformation and read some passages in the Bible that emphasize that salvation is by faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-10). We always include some games and the big finale is when we make a dessert called “Luther’s Rose”. It is a delicious snack that illustrates some of the most important parts of Luther’s beliefs in the Bible. 

We always start with a strawberry shortcake shell that reveals a yellow ring, which symbolizes the joy of eternity with God in heaven. Next we fill the shell with white whipped cream, which symbolizes the purity of the angels and heaven. Then we use blueberries to make a ring that represents the sky and the future hope of heaven. A strawberry is sliced in half and placed in the middle of the dessert to represent a heart. We usually use chocolate syrup to draw a cross on the heart to show that faith is in the work of Christ alone.

As our kids grow and mature their understanding of the significance of the Reformation grows as well. Initially they just think about the fun games and the sweet dessert, but as time goes by their appreciation for God’s work in human history grows as well. I hope you will consider adding a Reformation Day celebration to your family traditions. Soli Deo Gloria! For the Glory of God Alone! 

Preoccupied with the Supernatural

October 15, 2022 /

I have lived in many different places, but I’ve never lived in a place where so many people are preoccupied with haunted houses and supernatural superstitions. I’ve had several conversation with people here in Kings county who think there are many buildings that might be haunted. This is strange to me and I am sure there is some reason why it is such a common theme, but I still don’t know for sure what the reason is. I would be curious to hear from our readers what they think the reasoning is.

My hunch is that there is a connection between celebrating Dia de los Muertos and a fascination with death and the afterlife. Usually, I wouldn’t consider this topic worth mentioning except that we are now in October and I can tell that many in our community are looking forward to Halloween and the different traditions that surround it.

One of the traditions that seems particularly strange to me is that of haunted houses. Some Christians see no problem with going to haunted houses. They might justify them thinking there is nothing wrong with kids having fun walking through a scary home or a macabre maze. Some people say they enjoy being scared because of the adrenaline rush or the sensation of being in danger. The thoughtful Christian needs to take a moment to consider what the Bible says about the spirit world, so they can make informed decisions for themselves and their children.

There are many passages in the Bible that warn God’s people about dabbling in the occult. Leviticus 19:31 explains why, “Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the LORD your God.” As believers, we are to seek the Lord, not be fascinated with darkness.

The term “haunted house” does not appear in the Bible, but there is a historical account of someone going to a home that was visited by the spirit of the prophet Samuel.1 Samuel 28:3-25 records how king Saul made the fateful decision to visit a witch who was located outside of ancient Israel, in the city of Endor. The king told his servants to find a spirit medium because he wanted to have her predict the outcome of the next day’s battle against the Philistines. He had to travel outside of Israel because he had made a decree that all witches be removed from the land. 

The Bible records how king Saul disguised himself so that no one would know he was going to the witch. He and two other men made the trip to her home in the dead of night. Once they arrived they had to promise her that she would not be punished for connecting them with the spirit world. She asked them, “Who should I bring up for you?” And Saul said, “Bring up Samuel.” She did what they wanted and when the spirit of the Samuel came up king Saul fell facedown on the ground. 

The Bible’s account goes on to reveal that the prophet Samuel was actually the one who spoke first. He said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul told him that he was in great distress and he needed to know what was going to happen in the battle. Samuel rebuked Saul for consulting him and he gave him news that completely terrified Saul. Samuel said, “The Lord will deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also give the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.” 

Saul’s response was one of abject horror. He realized that he had just heard his own death sentence. He and his sons would die on the battle field the very next day. 1 Samuel 31 records how Samuel’s prediction came true. The Philistines attacked the Israelites and were able to kill three of Saul’s sons. King Saul was wounded by an arrow and as the fighting grew fierce around him he decided to end his own life. His visit to the witch’s home in Endor led to him having his mind filled with terrifying thoughts that had a dramatic impact on his own life. 

Whenever I read this story I wonder how Saul’s life would have been different if he hadn’t visited the witch’s haunted house. The Israelites would have still been defeated, but Saul wouldn’t have dreaded the outcome. He could have entered the battle with his head held high, trusting in God regardless of how the fighting ended. He never should have gone to the witch’s home because he knew it would fill his mind with evil and wickedness. 

The Bible makes it abundantly clear that Christians need to be careful about what they fill their minds with. Philippians 4:8-9 says, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Instead of being entertained by rooms full of evil and the occult, Christians should fill their minds with what is true and good. 

From a spiritual perspective, nothing good will come from visiting a haunted house, whether it is filled with an actual spirit or fabricated fears created to scare people for a cheap thrill. The Bible gives a helpful contrast, “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” Christians are to fill their minds with what is good and flee from what is evil. 

Taking a Tour of the Creation Museum

October 1, 2022 /

This article is a continuation of last week’s story about my family’s trip to Kentucky to see two of Answers in Genesis (AiG) attractions: the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum. We have already looked at the former so this week I will give a summary of the latter. 

The Creation Museum is located less than an hour north of the Ark Encounter. I was expecting a smaller campus that would be made up of a parking lot and several buildings. I had no idea  the grounds of the Creation Museum would be so nice. It reminded me of other botanical gardens I have visited in southern California and Europe. The different gardens, the lake, zip lines, and a large playground provide an enjoyable context to the actual museum. 

The Creation Museum starts with an exhibit about dragons. This is somewhat surprising because the Bible has so little to say about them. Clearly someone at AiG is fascinated with these mythical beasts. Personally, I think it works as a creative way to draw visitors in to a museum which is like no other on the planet. 

The main hallway has an impressive interior with a huge skeleton of a wooly mammoth. The entrance opens up to a planetarium, gift store, and a 3D theater. Someone at our church was kind enough to give us guest passes to the museum so we were able to see the exhibits and the planetarium for free. 

The Planetarium is unlike anything I have ever experienced. It is a large room with a concave ceiling that doubles as a projector screen. Instead of hearing about a universe that is billions of years old, the planetarium show explains that God created all the stars and planets on the fourth day. The projector shows awe-inspiring images of galaxies and stars that exist all over the universe. The show ends with a dramatic depiction of a camera zooming in on the earth from the very farthest part of the universe. Watching the solar system stream past my eyes was a powerful reminder of how limitless l the creator of the universe is. There is no way to grasp how many stars exist, which is a fitting illustration of how there is no way to grasp the grandeur of our God. I wish every church could have a similar exhibit to show people just how small we are in comparison to the world that God has made. 

After seeing the planetarium we started in on the exhibits. We saw some fascinating depictions of the six days of creation. I never get tired of trying to grasp how God could have created the world in such a remarkable way. The museum does an excellent job of giving a literal interpretation of Scripture. It highlights the importance of marriage as a supernatural institution that God gave to humanity from the very beginning. There is also a powerful exhibit that casts doubt on the evolutionary theory that humanity evolved from apes. The exhibit is done in a very tasteful way that does not lambast other theories. It reveals an alternate explanation that is much more positive and encouraging than the popular view that dehumanizes people into a type of animal. 

My daughters really liked the exhibit called the “Miracle of Life”. It shows detailed images and models of how a human life comes into existence. Seeing high definition images of a baby boy or girl at 30 days after conception is incredibly powerful. The museum is planning on expanding that section in the coming months and I think it will become one of the most visited sections of the museum. 

My sons really enjoyed the section on insects. It is remarkable to see beetles, bugs, and insects from all over the world. The amount of detail required to design each of them is difficult to grasp. Once again the glory of God is seen in his creation. I was especially impressed with the butterflies and moths. Some of the colors are so vibrant it seems impossible that they could come into existence naturally. The same is true with the camouflage of some of the insects. There is no way to explain the perfect complexity of the designs by saying it came from evolutionary changes over time. I much prefer the Creation Museum’s explanation of an infinitely powerful God who lovingly created an earth with unique qualities and colors. 

After finishing the exhibits and viewing the gift store, we took time to walk around the garden. I was grateful that AiG has invested in top quality playgrounds at both locations because all of our kids spent a considerable amount of time running, jumping, and riding down the slides and zip lines. If we had more time I would have loved to go on the climbing courses and zip lines that are available about both locations. 

Sola Deo Gloria

In summary, my main takeaway from both parks was that they exist to glorify God. The Ark Encounter is a dramatic landmark that shows a strong belief in a literal interpretation of Scripture. I agree with Ken Ham’s statement that the first eleven chapters in Genesis are foundational to the rest of Scripture. If a non-literal interpretation is chosen for the beginning of the Bible, then the confidence of the reader is quickly eroded. Visiting the Ark is an encouraging exercise in faith building. It reminds the visitor that Biblical faith is not blind. Those who believe in the Bible are not trusting in fairy tale depictions of the Flood. They are using scientific observation to study what has been revealed in the Bible to interpret what can be seen in the world around us. 

The same thing is true at the Creation Museum. When the visitor sees the universe depicted on the screen there is no doubt that someone greater that humans had to create it. How else could something so expansive come out of nothing? The Creation Museum gives a reasonable case for how a creative God made the universe and that is not something that can easily be dismissed by believer and skeptic alike. 

The Need for Repentance

July 22, 2022 /

One of the most important teachings in the Bible is that people need to repent of their sin. If we deny that someone is living in sin, then we deny the power of the gospel to save the person from their sin. Do you remember when the Pharisees became upset at Jesus for attending a meal with tax collectors? They asked him, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:30-32). 

What would you say to a physician who never told his patients the truth about their physical problems? Would you say the doctor was helping the situation or making it worse? Common sense tells us that there is great danger in withholding information from a patient. The patient is required to know the truth of the situation so they can understand the problem and look for a solution. 

The same principle is true regarding someone’s spiritual health. If their soul is in danger of serious, eternal consequences for their sin, then they should be able to learn the truth of the situation and seek a solution. Hiding the reality of sin from people would put them in a serious disadvantage. The Bible lovingly communicates the reality of sin in the context of God’s holiness. The bible teaches that God is holy and just and thus he must judge all sin. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” It only takes one sin for someone to become sinful. It doesn’t matter if it is lying or stealing or lustful thoughts. It is all sin in God’s sight and must be dealt with. 

There has been a lot of discussion about homosexuality and I have noticed there is confusion about whether it is a sin. The Bible addresses the issue at the thought level (Matthew 5:27-28). It doesn’t matter if someone is having lustful thoughts in a heterosexual or homosexual way. If they are indulging in thoughts and actions that only belong inside of marriage between a husband and wife, then the person is in sin and needs to repent. 

A person struggling with homosexual thoughts might convince himself or herself that everything is fine because they heard someone say the Bible allows for that behavior. Aside from that being a misunderstanding of the Bible, I would have to ask “How could the person be washed clean of their sin if they never admitted they are in sin?” Paul wrote, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) 

Jesus is referred to as the Great Physician because he is able to save people from their sin. One of the vital aspects of His saving work is that He requires that people acknowledge their sin and come to repentance. The word repentance is incredibly powerful! It means to feel a deep sense of remorse and to acknowledge you have done wrong and that you need to be saved from your sin. If you deny that you have sinned then you cannot be saved. It would be like a patient who is not willing to acknowledge the presence of a sickness. The patient cannot be helped until they admit there is a problem that needs to be cured. 

Admitting that we have sinned is an important part of understanding the Gospel, the Good News, that Jesus Christ came to save sinners like you and me. If we deny that certain thoughts and actions are sinful, then we are denying the power of the gospel to save people from their sin. In fact, Scripture says “If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:10) Those who reject the clear teaching of Scripture, will be punished for their folly. They will lose the moral foundation needed to navigate the trials and difficulties of this life and more importantly, they will be in danger of sealing their fate for eternal life as well. 

May God give us the humility and honesty to recognize our sin so that we may cry out to God to be saved! 

Common Sense Reborn

July 22, 2022 /

Last Friday’s Supreme Court ruling on Roe vs. Wade was a win for the life of the unborn and for common sense. It dealt a shattering blow to the fictional argument that a woman has a constitutional right to abortion. The court’s ruling was in agreement with what the Bible has been communicating for thousands of years, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:13-14 

The Christian response to the June 24, 2022 ruling can be one of praise and thanksgiving. We can praise God for creating human life in his image and for allowing justice to be upheld, and we can thank him for graciously allowing the series of events to transpire that made the ruling possible. 

I have been reflecting on Proverbs 21:11 which says, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” Having closely watched the nomination and confirmation of justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett, I can give first-hand testimony to the fact that God was clearly involved in bringing a conservative majority to the court, which made this ruling possible. Soli Deo Gloria!

The court’s ruling reads as follows, “The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion. Roe and Casey are overruled, and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives.” As a constitutional originalist, it is incredibly refreshing to read that the Supreme Court is referring to the constitution in this ruling. This should be a common practice, but for the last sixty years the activist mentality of many justices resulted in the court functioning like the legislative branch instead of the judicial branch. Friday’s majority opinion was a dramatic course-correction, effectively stating that the Supreme Court’s role is to interpret and apply the constitution and the law, not legislate on issues that oversteps their purview. 

The ruling also states that Roe and Casey are overruled. The significance of that statement is hard to overstate. The ruling means the court’s conclusion on Roe and Casey were wrong! Christians have known this to be true for half a century, but it was finally confirmed by the Supreme Court. 

Another key point of the ruling is that the question of abortion will now be returned to the courts of each individual state. It says, “The authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives.” This has common sense written all over it. Each state has the constitutional authority to decide these issues, not the Supreme Court. This is how the question of abortion was addressed before Roe vs. Wade, and thankfully, this is how it will be addressed in the future. This means the battle against abortion will continue to be waged in each state. At this point the abortion debate has divided the states into three different groups: twenty states will activate some type of ban on abortion, ten other states are still uncertain on the outcome, and the remaining twenty states will work to protect abortion.

Dr. Al Mohler has been following the issue of abortion and the rights of the unborn for decades. I don’t agree with all his viewpoints, but when it comes to the issue of abortion I find his writing very helpful. This is what he said in last week’s podcast, “I have to tell you that another of my favorite sentences and sections from the Alito majority opinion is this, ‘Roe, however, was remarkably loose in its treatment of the constitutional text. It held that the abortion right, which is not mentioned in the constitution, is part of a right to privacy, which is also not mentioned.’ Now, that’s subtlety, but frankly, it’s not all that subtle. Here, you have Justice Alito saying that Roe v. Wade was built upon an artificial argument, that was built upon an artificial argument, that was built upon an artificial argument.” 

The artificial arguments supporting abortion have been brought into the light by the Supreme Court’s ruling. I think this is what was the most shocking part of this entire story. Many people following this case were not alive when Roe vs. Wade was originally handed down. We have scratched our heads trying to understand how such a controversial practice could be said to be constitutionally protected. Now we can have clarity on this issue. It never was a constitutional right, and it never should have been supported in that way. 

The Need for Godly Fathers

July 22, 2022 /

I remember being amazed at my dad when I was growing up. We were sitting around the breakfast table having our daily devotion before going to school. Like usual, one of us would read a passage and then we would discuss it. I remember being surprised because my dad seemed to have every passage memorized. It didn’t matter what the topic was, he was familiar with the passage and could often quote a verse that was connected with it. That made a big impact on me because I realized the Bible was important enough for my dad to memorize and put to use in every aspect of his life. My trust in God’s word deepened and my faith in God grew because of the example of my father. 

The Bible speaks highly of fathers and their role of raising children in the “discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4) The book of Proverbs is full of encouragement for the younger generation to learn from their fathers and mothers. The very first chapter starts with these words, “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.” (1:8) Children who wear the biblical advice of their parents will be protected from many of the traps and tragedies of this life. 

A father’s love for his children means he will be willing to warn them of the danger of disobedience. Proverbs 4:1 says, “Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight… Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many.” Those who reject their father’s advice will fall into temptation and trials. They will have their life cut short by the folly of their decisions. Proverbs 6:23 says, “For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life.” That last phrase gives the biblical perspective on a father’s loving discipline. He is to warn his children so that they will walk in the way of life! 

The need for loving fathers is closely tied to the need for discipline. This is not a a man-made convention that was imposed on patriarchal societies as they evolved over time. No, the need for loving discipline is actually tied to the character of God. Proverbs 3:11-12 says, “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.” This principle of loving discipline is important for fathers and their children to grasp. Some parents seem to believe that love has no place for discipline. The Bible teaches the opposite. It actually teaches that a loving parent is the one who is willing to discipline their child. 

The author of Hebrews quoted from Proverbs when he wrote, “It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?… We have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:7-11) 

The need for loving discipline is a key part of being a good father because the Biblical model of fatherhood comes from our heavenly Father. He is the perfect Father who always does what is best for his children. He is the good Father who lovingly warns his children and disciplines them so they will walk in the path of life. 

Being a good father is not an easy job in our society because there are many different models and philosophies being touted as acceptable ways of being a father. The Christian father does not need to be confused. The model he needs to pursue is that of our Heavenly Father. He is the perfect father who loves his children. God is the loving father who encourages and teaches his children who He is and how they are to live. 

Watching Our Words

July 22, 2022 /

Do you remember singing the words to that song when you were little? “For the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little mouth what you say.” What a great reminder! It doesn’t matter how old we are, we all need to reflect on the fact that our mouths were made to glorify God. 

The Bible says, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29) The apostle Paul wrote, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Colossians 4:6) And Jesus gave a startling warning when he said, “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” (Matthew 5:22) 

God’s word has a sobering way of reminding us of God’s perspective on issues. We were made to glorify Him and that means we are to be thoughtful about how we speak. Are we using our mouths for their intended purpose or are we degrading them by filling them with foul speech? Are we using them to tear others down and to lift ourselves up? These questions are important to ask because the society we live in is constantly pushing the envelope with coarse language. Christians have a reason to speak differently and we need to remind ourselves of that and recognize the difference between how we speak and how the world speaks. 

I’ve been thinking about this recently because of the rise of foul language being used in public. Have you noticed it as well? It has been especially apparent to me in youth sports. In the past people would have watched their language around children, but this last year it was significantly worse. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t overreacting so I did a little research to see if anyone else had written about this topic. 

Anne Marie Chaker wrote an article for the Wall Street Journal last year that addressed this issue. She referenced research done on Facebook and Twitter that showed a clear rise in foul language online. Another article from last year, which appeared in The Guardian, quoted from a study that concluded people are using more swear words in common speech now than they were five years ago. There was a generational difference as well. Those over 55 years old were less likely to swear in public, while respondents who were ages 18-24 were more likely to do so. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/jun/10/swearing-on-rise-but-parents-still-dont-want-kids-hearing-it-report-finds

There has been a rise in foul language and as Christians we need to be aware of it and we need to make sure that we are not getting sucked into the habits of our culture. We need to have a realistic view of our speech, one that is informed by passages in the Bible like James 3:8-10 “But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” 

James’ insight is honest and perceptive. All humans struggle to tame their tongues because all humans are naturally selfish and proud. To really get to the heart of the problem of foul speech, each person must be humbled and realize that they will never be able to speak the way God intended unless they repent of their sin and trust that God made a way for their sin to be paid for. The solution to sin is the cross. Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for our sin. If we repent and put our faith in the atoning work of Christ then our sins will be forgiven and we will be spiritually born again. Once that happens, the Christian has a new outlook on life. He has a new reason to live. He is not living for his own praise and glory. He is living for the glory of God and that affects every word that comes out of his or her mouth. May God help us live and speak in a way that is pleasing to Him. 

The Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength

May 6, 2022 /

The prophet Jeremiah knew a thing or two about where to find strength for the difficulties of life. “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 9:23 ESV)

Jeremiah knew that certain people are drawn to finding strength in their own wisdom. They think if they can outsmart others, they will get away with their schemes and win the day. The longer I live the more often I read about criminals being caught for crimes they thought would never be discovered. Beware of boasting in your own wisdom because one day it is going to run out. 

The prophet Jeremiah also knew that people are tempted to boast in their power and influence.

The history of the kings of Israel and Judah are full of tragic examples of kings whose pride blinded them to the folly of war. King Jehoiakim rebelled against Babylon, one of the super-powers of the day. Jeremiah predicted that Jehoiakim would be punished for his pride and within a few years the king was dead and Jerusalem attacked (Jeremiah 25, 2 Kings 24). 

The third and last false hope that Jeremiah mentioned was that of riches. Proverbs 11:28 says, “Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.” The Prophet Isaiah gave a strong rebuke against King Hezekiah because he made the mistake of showing off all the wealth of Jerusalem to emissaries from Babylon. Isaiah prophesied, “Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the LORD.” (2 Kings 20:17) 

The Lord has a way of making sure his people do not trust in their own wealth, or strength, or wisdom. He wants them to only trust in Him! 

When the Jews were exiled to Assyria and Babylon, they were keenly aware that they had put their trust in the wrong place. By the grace of God, after seventy years, they were allowed to return to Jerusalem. Later, with the help of Ezra and Nehemiah, they were able to rebuild the city and restore temple worship. In Nehemiah 8:10, the governor of Jerusalem encouraged the people, “Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” 

Nehemiah was able to galvanize the people to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. He did so in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. How was he able to re-establish his people’s capital in enemy territory? It was because he did not trust in his own strength, or might, or riches. He trusted in the God who defines strength and might and who owns all riches! 

Nehemiah had discovered the simple truth that so many of the leaders of Jerusalem had ignored. The strength of man comes from resting in the power of God. This principle has proved true throughout human history. Those who make the mistake of trusting in human strength are always disappointed. The money will run out. Human power and ingenuity will fail. The only source of supernatural strength comes from God. The sooner we can learn this lesson, the sooner we will learn to live in a way that is pleasing to God. Romans 8:28 is a fitting summary of this principle, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” We can trust that God will provide because he is in control. He knows the end from the beginning. He is the one who should receive all our trust and praise and worship! The joy of the Lord is our strength! 

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