November 5, 2006
God Gave Them Up
Romans 1: 18-32
I was talking to someone the other day that I had never met before. We were talking about how more and more manufacturing jobs are moving over seas. How greedy CEO’s are running American companies into financial ruin and forcing them to be sold off, while at the same time walking away with millions in their pockets. We continued to talk about the dismal prospects for our nations economic future. We also talked about the increased fears and threat of terrorism. About the possibility of them planning to strike at soft targets here as they are doing in other parts of the world.
Then it struck me, I asked him, “if you were God almighty how would you feel about a nation under your care that you had blessed with prosperity and to whom you had revealed yourself. They outlawed public prayer to you in their schools and were doing everything to stop the public mention of your name in their civic gatherings. Some of them want to take “In You (God) We Trust” off their money. They are killing the most helpless and defenseless of their children in the womb before they are born, even when you commanded “thou shalt not kill”. Sometimes we even wait until they are almost born and punch a hole in their heads and suck out their brains so they are born dead. They are teaching their children that they evolved from monkeys instead of being created by you. They are becoming increasingly greedy, violent and immoral in the way they live. In short they are telling you to “take a hike and leave us alone”. At this point I could tell he was becoming uncomfortable with the direction of my questions, so I stopped and asked the rhetorical question to myself “what would I do to that nation and to those people if I were God?” I could tell he was stunned and silent for a moment and then retreated from the question by bring up “what about all these hypocritical preachers on TV” and he mentioned one that ended up in jail for wrongdoing but is now back on. Well, I started it, so I had to finish it, so I said “if I were God I would take a hike and take my money, blessing, protection and prosperity with me.” In response to the hypocrites on TV I did admit, “yes, some of them are hypocrites, but not all”. I then proceed to mention that I had heard that some of these bigger churches in America have to maintain security staffs because they are afraid of the terrorist threat to them. I was inferring that they also are feeling the effects of what is happening. Anyway he got the point and I sensed I better not press the matter any further with him.
However, I also got the point, as Romans 1:19-32 came to mind. The very striking phrases “God gave them up” and “God gave them over”. These phrases are some of the more frightening words found in the Bible. So we want the mention of God’s name and the Bible forbidden from the public arena, guess what, He will withdraw it Himself. He will give us over to the false “gods” of slavish and degrading false religions, that worship beasts, creeping things, idols, fetishes and demons. So we do not want God telling us “Thou shalt not commit adultery”, (Exodus 20:14), and who declares “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination” (Leviticus 20:13). Then he will give us over to the “gods” of lust and sexual perversion. If I want nothing to do with God at all, He will give us over to the “gods” of “unrighteousness”, “fornication”, “wickedness”, “covetousness”, “maliciousness”, “envy”, “murder”, “debate”, and “deceit”. We will worship the “gods” of “malignity”, and attend the church of the “haters of (the true and living) God”. He will give us up to “gods” who are “despiteful”, “proud”, “boasters”, “inventors of evil things”, “disobedient to parents”, “without understanding (of what is true, good and right), “covenantbreakers”, “without natural affection”, “implacable, and unmerciful”. These “gods” make great neighbors, bosses, parents, teachers, public officials, solders, police officers, and a “marvelous” quality of life. So we do not want “In God We Trust” on our money? Guess what He will take it off Himself. If God cannot be trusted with our money who can? Go for it America, take “In God we Trust” off the money, and see what will happen to the value to the Dollar then! Buy gold now while it is around $625.00 an ounce, because it sure will go up!
It is interesting to note that Paul’s description of mankind being given up to there own sinful desires because they rejected the knowledge of the true and living God in Romans 1, fitted Roman society to a “T”. Paul wrote his epistle to the church at Rome in 56 AD. Rome was once the capital of the Roman Empire, the most powerful, largest and longest-lasting empire of classical Western civilization. However it fell from within from it’s own military, moral and economic weakness. It was sacked in 410 AD and “officially” fell in 467 AD. As we see our own American empire starting to crumble from with in let us pray for a revival of true Christian religion and a return to the knowledge of the living God of the Bible, lest He also gives us up.
Jim Wenger.
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November 12, 2006
“They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee,”
“They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?” Isaiah 14:16 – 17
A Sunday, November 12, 2006 AP. news headline reads, “Washington- The government believes Fidel Castro's health is deteriorating and that the Cuban dictator is unlikely to live through 2007.”
As I beheld the aging face of Fidel Castro, pictured alongside the headline, Isaiah 14:1- 17 came to mind, especially verses 16 &17. In verses 11-15 we see that the person of Satan himself is personified in the King of Babylon. (11.) “Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, [and] the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. (12.) How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! [how] art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! (13.) For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: (14.) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (15.) Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.” The king of Babylon’s fall from power and his being brought down to the earth is parallel to the fall of Satan when he shall be confined to Hell as described in Revelation 20. The picture given is that of the inhabitants of Hell standing up and looking narrowly at Satan and saying to themselves as they see him falling down among them. “… Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; that made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?” It is interesting that most of the kings of the earthi who died while still in power have their own burial place or memorial of some kind. The old question is still jokingly asked “who is buried in Grant's tomb”? The pyramids of the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt are still an architectural marvel and still one of the Seven Wonders of the World. President Kennedy, who died by an assassin’s bullet has an eternal flame burning at his graveside at Arlington National Cemetery. Even some of the more notoriously wicked rulers like Joseph Stalin have an honorable place of burial. His body was preserved in Lenin's Mausoleum until October 31, 1961, when his body was removed from the Mausoleum and buried next to the Kremlin wall. Even Fidel Castro who is notorious for the oppression of his political enemies, the horror of his prisons, the depravation and persecution of the Cuban people and especially the Cuban church, will be honored in his death. His burial will be accompanied with all the pomp and circumstance of a state funeral and he will be laid to rest in a notable burial place of honor, though ill deserved in the minds of many.
It is also interesting to note that the dissolute Belshazzar the son of Nebuchadnezzar the last king of Babylon was slain the same night that God’s hand wrote on the wall “mene mene tekel upharsin,” interpreted by Daniel as "Thou art weighed in the balance and art found wanting". This writing appeared on the wall during a debauched feast in which the sacred vessels used in the Jewish temple were brought in and over which they drunkenly praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone. Belshazzar went to an unmarked grave and Darius the Mede reigned in his place. This is the Biblical source of the popular euphemism for impending doom that is so obvious only a fool would not see it coming. It also provides the origin for the similar expression "your days are numbered". One wonders, does Mr. Castro realize “his days are numbered”? If he does not repent and seek God’s mercy in Christ, he too will end up hearing with his own ears the other inhabitants of Hell say the words of Isaiah 14:16 & 17 of him. The same words they said of all the other wicked rulers who have descended into the pit before him. If he does not seek God's forgiveness, he himself will say along with all the other wicked kings that occupy the same lower echelons of Hell as they in turn see the Devil himself cast down to where they are; Isaiah 14:16. “…Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; (17.) [That] made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; [that] opened not the house of his prisoners?”
It is also interesting to note that the Devil’s final place of death and torment called "the second death" will be the “lake of fire”. No state funeral or committal service to the “fiery pit”, no pyramid marking the burial place for “the god of this world” the “prince of the power of the air”. The Bible only says, “And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan…”, “And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up….”, “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20: 2,3,14)
Jim Wenger
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Christmas 2006
“Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.”
2 Corinthians 9:11
“Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:11
Why should we be thankful? We could make a laundry list of all kinds of things as average Americans we can be thankful for. The usual things that tops the list might include our health, our family, our friends, our mates, our jobs, our homes, our food, our cars, our personal and national freedoms, and our overall prosperous way of life. We should indeed be thankful for all these things. However, what if we have some holes in our list? We may have developed health problems, lost a friend through death, relocation, misunderstanding, or change. We may have lost a mate through death or a tragically ruptured marriage. The security of our fiancees may now be threatened by the loss of employment or unexpected expenses. Our list may include some gaping holes and may not be as long as we would like. Consequently our gratitude list may also have some holes and be a little short right now.
There is something that every list should have at the top that makes a big difference as to it's length and content. It is a certain title that makes our list so long that even if the gaps are big, there are small compared to it's length. This title is such that the first listed items are written with Divine indelible ink by the gracious hand of God Himself. They are not subject to our earthly circumstances and cannot change with the hour hand of the clock or the turning pages of the calendar. They transcend the circumstances of health, wealth and prosperity, and the ups and downs of our lives. They are abiding constants that never go away and are always the “truisms” of our lives. So often our “thank list” lacks this grandeur and magnitude because it’s title lacks the cause of all the things listed and the One to whom ultimately our gratitude is to be directed. The best and grandest lists, all have the following title, “Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:11.
If our list starts with God and our faith in Him, the first item written is God’s forgiveness of our sins and the hope of eternal life we have in Christ. Paul says in Ephesians 1:7 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace”. In Titus 3:7 the Apostle says “That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life”. Our list would need no second line, but it does not stop there. The list continues to grow as we begin to think of the blessed indwelling presence and ministry of Holy Spirit. The promise of Jesus comes to mind, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (17.) [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (18.) I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:16-18. The list moves on down the page, to thanking God for answered prayer. We are reminded again what Jesus promised us in John 16:23 & 24, “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give [it] you. (24.) Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” The more we remember all the gracious helps, provisions and interventions of God in our lives the pages begin to flip and we must get up and sharpen the pencil. The words of a familiar hymn come to mind “count you many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” “Wow” we say, “I need more paper!” We continue on and are starting to get writer’s cramp so finally in joyful exasperation we sum it all up by singing, “Thank you Lord, for saving my soul, Thank you Lord for making me whole; Thank you, Lord, for giving to me Thy great salvation so rich and free”. Now let us think how can we end this list?
What can we say that will tie it all into one bundle of joyful assurance and gratitude? Let’s try this “Lord, I thank you that nothing can separate us form you love. Thank you Lord for Romans 8:35-39”. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (36.) As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (37.) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (38.) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (39.) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” How is your gratitude list doing as the end of the year approaches? Try working on it with the right title and it will end up being one of the greatest times of worship and thanksgiving you have had in a long, long time.
By the way Christmas is coming do not forget to add 2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks [be] unto God for his unspeakable gift.”
Jim Wenger
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February 11, 2007
The Preciousness of God’s Children.
Malachi 3:16 & 17
The other day I was praying for those who are very dear to me. I was concerned about their welfare and asking God to keep His hand of mercy, provision and protection upon them. I was also looking to God for His guidance in my own life as well. At the same time a C.D. of hymns was playing in the background, “When He Cometh” by William O Cushing.
1.“When He cometh, when he cometh to make up His jewels all His jewels, precious jewels, precious jewels, His loved and His own:”
2. “He will gather, he will gather the gems for His kingdom, all the pure ones, all the bright ones, His loved and His own.”
3. “Little children, little children who love their redeemer are the jewels, precious jewels, His loved and His own:”
Refrain: “Like the stars of the morning, His bright crown adorning, they shall shine in their beauty-bright gems for His crown.”
Then it struck me, we are precious to the Lord; we are the gems and jewels that shall adorn the crown of His coronation when He comes to be honored in his Saints.
“When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” (2 Thessalonians 1:10)
Not that we are the literal jewels of His crown but we shall form a collective crown that will surround His thrown as we declare on bent knee with the rest of the numberless multitude of saints and angles:
“…Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. (11) And all the angels stood round about the throne, and [about] the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, (12) Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, [be] unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 7:9-12)
First, because we are the gems of His crown, it means that we are greatly cherished. We are the priceless gems of adornment that are forever fastened by the omnipotent, loving, selective hand of the Father in the diadem of His only begotten Son. Paul says in Ephesians 1:11&12:
“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.”
Not just any old rocks end up in the Crown of the King of Kings but only the most valuable. That is strange when you think of our humble origins. Paul is not flattering the Saints when he says in 1 Corinthians 1:26-29:
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]: (27) But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (28) And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: (29) That no flesh should glory in his presence.”
But only God can make a gem from a lump of dirt. Only He can make a sinner a Saint, a “no body” an eternal child of the King, an “are not” the glorious adornment of His crown of saving grace. So remember when you start feeling sorry for yourself, remind yourself that you are one of the King’s precious gems embedded in the Son’s crown by the Father’s everlasting love.
Secondly, because we are the gems of Christ’s crown we will never be lost, stolen or forgotten. Only in the shifting fortunes of the lives of earthly kings and queens do the royal gems get pillaged, plundered, buried and lost. There are no treasure hunts for buried royal jewels in Christ’s kingdom, the Good Shepherd Himself finds and eternally binds us to Himself. He assured us in John 10:10, 27-30:
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly.” “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (28) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. (29) My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father's hand. (30) I and [my] Father are one.”
Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 2:3&4:
“If so be ye have tasted that the Lord [is] gracious. (4) To whom coming, [as unto] a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, [and] precious,”
So you “worthless lump of clay” of a Saint, don’t forget you are one of Christ’s royal jewels, one of the countless “gem stars” that adorn the crown of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Jim Wenger.
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March 11, 2007
“The Godless Dollar”
A recent news headline reads “U.S. Mint goof creates 'Godless dollars' ”. It goes on to say, “An unknown number of new George Washington dollar coins were mistakenly struck without their edge inscriptions, including "In God We Trust," and are fetching around $50 apiece online.” The question that needs to be asked is why is the inscription “In God We Trust” missing? Was it really “a goof” or a deliberate attempt to leave it out? If certain people in our nation have their way it would already be gone.
See: http://www.petitiononline.com/igwtrfc/petition.html
To: The U.S. Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing
We, the undersigned, petition the Bureau of Engraving and Printing of the United States’ Treasury to remove the statement consisting of, "In God We Trust" from all future currency created in the United States of America. It is our firm belief that it is unconstitutional to force ones thoughts of God, or a god upon another American. We have the right to religious freedom, as well as the right of freedom from religion. For those who are not believers in God, or a god should not have to feel as though it is a wrong belief due to the symbolism on our money. Nor should they be made to feel out of place due to the forcing of the idea of a god onto them. The American society has more faiths then Christianity and other deity based beliefs, so the American citizens shouldn’t be forced or stereotyped as being one. Many people come to this country so they can be free to express themselves religiously, and to place the comment on the back of the currency we feel is going against our right, and to remain fair to all other beliefs it shouldn’t have a place on our money. Unless you want to make a different currency for each belief it would save many problems and contrasty if the line were simply removed from the U.S. currency. Sincerely,
See also the site "AMERICAN ATHEISTS":
( http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/igwt1.htm )
The challenge I would like to put forth to the “Godless Dollar” crowd is go ahead “I dare you”. The assumption the “Godless Dollar” people make is there is no God, so why invoke His name on our money? They assume that America’s financial greatness and prosperity have nothing to do with God’s presence or blessing upon us as a nation. Let’s have a showdown with the prophets of the “Godless Dollar” like Elijah the prophet did with the prophets of Baal.
“And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD [be] God, follow him: but if Baal, [then] follow him. And the people answered him not a word. (22) Then said Elijah unto the people, I, [even] I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets [are] four hundred and fifty men. (23) Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay [it] on wood, and put no fire [under]: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay [it] on wood, and put no fire [under]: (24) And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.” 1 Kings 18:21-24
To the Godless Dollar” people I quote God’s Word.
“The {fool} hath said in his {heart}, [There is] no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, [there is] none that doeth good. (2) The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, [and] seek God. (3) They are all gone aside, they are [all] together become filthy: [there is] none that doeth good, no, not one. (4) Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people [as] they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD. (5) There were they in great fear: for God [is] in the generation of the righteous.” Psalm 14:1-5
“And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (29) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (30) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (31) Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: (32) Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Romans 1:28-32
The "godless money" people are the same ones who want to eradicate the mention of God’s name from all areas of public life. They want to be free to impose upon us their own form of moral anarchy. Where every man does that which is right in his own eyes as did the Israelites of Judges 17:6 “In those days [there was] no king in Israel, [but] every man did [that which was] right in his own eyes”.
George Washington, our first President said in his first Inaugural address: http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres13.html
“I dwell on this prospect with every satisfaction which an ardent love for my country can inspire, since there is no truth more thoroughly established than that there exists in the economy and course of nature an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness; between duty and advantage; between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous policy and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity; since we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained; and since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered, perhaps, as deeply, as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.”
Let’s go with the “Godless money” and see what happens to our economy. Lets us see how the value of the “almighty dollar” stands up without “In God [Almighty] We Trust” against the currencies of the world. Let us see who is the real source of our prosperity. If the “Godless money” people have their way let me recommend the following web sites to witness this show down with the prophets of Godlessness:
To watch the New York Stock Exchange:
http://www.marketbrowser.com/mbzz001a.asp
For the “In God We Trust” people I would recommend the following web site to buy gold if the "Godless money" people have their way:
Blanchard and CO.:
http://www.blanchardonline.com/?content=18668274314
You might also want to head for the Hills:
United Country Real Estate: http://www.unitedcountry.com/
I know I am being a bit "tongue and cheek" here but I am afraid I am not too far off base. Let us hope that we are not foolish enough to deliberately take “In God We Trust” off our money. But I fear we will, like we are trying to eradicate His name from all other areas of public life. "The wicked shall be turned into hell, [and] all the nations that forget God". Psalm 9:17
Jim Wenger
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“The Godless Dollar, II”
In my first posting on the “Godless Dollar” I cited a recent news headline that reads “U.S. Mint goof creates 'Godless dollars' ”. It goes on to say, “An unknown number of new George Washington dollar coins were mistakenly struck without their edge inscriptions, including "In God We Trust," and are fetching around $50 apiece online.” I noted that if certain people in our nation have their way it would already be gone. This is domonstrateable by the web site:
http://www.petitiononline.com/igwtrfc/petition.html
Also the "American Atheists" site:
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/igwt1.htm.
This is only to mention one of a number of objectors of the inscription “In God We Trust” being stamped upon our money such as the infamous ACLU:
http://www.cultureandfamily.org/articledisplay.asp?id=358&department=CFI&categoryid=cfreport.
I also laid down the challenge “go ahead and take it off”, and let us wait and see what happens to the value of the dollar and our economic future as a nation. I did not mean to infer that because in a large part we do not trust in God as a nation we should therefore go ahead and take it off. The question needs to be asked do such token inscriptions really mean anything? It is to this question I would now like to speak.
The inscription “In God We Trust” reflects the fact that there was a time as a nation we indeed did trust in God and that is how it got upon our money to begin with. For a history of the inscription please reference the following sites.
http://www.ustreas.gov/education/fact-sheets/currency/in-god-we-trust.shtml http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_God_We_Trust
Our Christian Heritage is a well-established fact that any honest student of American history and culture must acknowledge. It reflects the fact that God from our national inception up until the present, has bless us above all nations of the world with the light of the Gospel, religious freedom and a social order that to some degree still reflects the ten commandments. For further reference material, I would recommend Newt Gingrich’s book “Rediscovering God in America, Reflections On The Role Of Faith In Our Nation's History And Future”:
http://www.newt.org/backpage.asp?art=71
The continuing war on our Christian religious heritage and public God consciousness on the part of America’s political and yes, “religious” left, is further proof of its historic dominance. As you travel throughout most of the nation, just note what buildings surround any given downtown public square. You will see beside the town hall and library, a historic Christian church, two or even three, sitting on the same square. If we were not established as a Christian nation, what is a Christian church or two doing also sitting on the town common? Though in some cases these churches may have moved away form the Biblical orthodoxy on which they were established, they still bear a powerful testimony to the role that the Christian faith played in our nation’s history, politics and culture.
The significance of removing “In God We Trust” from our money represents the fact that we as a culture are rejecting the same God in whom at one time we did trust. We are rejecting the very God who gave us the light of His Inspired Word. The touchstone of our religious freedom has been the freedom to worship God in accordance to our conscience and the light of His Word. The assertion has been made that America is not like Old Covenant Israel and therefore not as accountable to Him as she was. But the fact is, Divine revealed truth is it’s own Covenant. God is a self-revealed God, which means that the revelation of Himself and His will is a sovereign act of condescension and mercy. God is under no obligation to reveal Himself to any one, and yet He has done just that. The knowledge of God and His will as is revealed in His Holy Word is the greatest blessing He could bestow upon a nation, a people and an individual, Matthew 13:9 –16, but especially Matthew 13:12:
“For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.”
Revealed truth is its own covenant in that all that hear it are duty bound by it. God’s revelation carries with it an inherent obligation to be believed, and obeyed. By virtue of the fact that God has gone to all the trouble to reveal Himself, you had better be assured He expects us to hear, believe and obey what He has revealed. The Bible teaches that God is going to judge and condemn even those who have not received His written revelation on the bases of their rejection of the revelation of Himself in creation and conscience, (Romans 1:18-23). How much more judgment will come upon those who reject the revelation of His Inspired Word, (Roman 2:11-16; Hebrews 1:1-3, 2:1-4)?
“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard [him];” (Hebrews 2:3)
What is so frightening, is that as we analyze church history, there is probably no nation upon the face of the earth apart from Israel herself that has had more Divine revelation and Gospel light. A Godless dollar represents a Godless nation rejecting a God who has poured out upon us the boundless abundance of His blessing and truth. The Bible is very clear, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, [and] all the nations that forget God”, (Psalm 9:17).
Jim Wenger
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Easter Boasting
Galatians 6:14
As Easter approaches and Christians once again set aside this time for the celebration of the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, the church engages in much religious activity. There is Palm Sunday and the waving of the Palm branches to commemorate the triumphant entry of the Lord Jesus Christ into the City of Jerusalem (Matthew 21:7-9). Some churches have a Palm Sunday breakfast and a special worship service and children’s program. Easter is commemorated with the customary Sunrise service, special musical cantatas and the Special Easter Sunday worship service to which even if you do not attend church all year, you at least go on Easter Sunday. We usually put on our best dress and families gather together for a special meal and some form of family celebration. Regardless of the Easter Bunny and candy, it is a religious holiday where to one degree or another, we commemorate the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. On Easter our Christianity is truly on parade with our entire once a year dress, religious pomp, ceremony, palms, music, feasting, family and friends. On Easter even the nominal Christian is proud to celebrate the Christian faith.
In all this religious pomp and celebration, let us not forget the words of the Apostle Paul in Galatians 6:14: “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” As we focus on the cross of Christ and his death, burial and resurrection, instead of making us proud it should humble us and remind us of certain things.
First that we are sinners and the only way God can forgive and justify us, is through His own Son becoming our sin as He hanged upon the cross, dying and rising again for our justification.
“For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Secondly, we must be reconciled to God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ who died upon the cross for us.
“And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)
Thirdly, all religious boasting and self-righteousness is excluded. The cross says that God had to come down in the person of His dear Son to live a perfect life and die a sacrificial death in order to save us. Apart from the cross of Christ, there is no other way that we can lay claim to God’s salvation and possess the hope of eternal life.
“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; (22) Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (24) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (25) Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (26) To declare, [I say], at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (27) Where [is] boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. (28) Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” (Romans 3:21-28)
This Easter should find us humbly bowing at the foot of the cross with no religious pretense, thanking God for His dear Son who died and rose again on our behalf. We should say again with the Apostle Paul; “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
Jim Wenger
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Complaining About the Weather, Part I
As I am writing this post here in Woodstock , CT., we are experiencing a cool April rain that is mixed with sleet and snow. As our expectation of warmer Spring weather is again being put off, I am reminded of how often we complain about the weather. Mark Twain is quoted to have said "We all grumble about the weather, but--but--but nothing is done about it." He also said about New England weather in a speech he gave 1876 entitled “The Weather” that:
“I reverently believe that the Maker who made us all makes everything in New England but the weather. I don't know who makes that, but I think it must be raw apprentices in the weather-clerk's factory who experiment and learn how, in New England, for board and clothes, and then are promoted to make weather for countries that require a good article, and will take their custom elsewhere if they don't get it.”
(http://www.twainquotes.com/Weather.html)
It is also accredited to him to have said about New England weather “if you do not like the weather, just wait a few minutes and it will change”.
It would seem that if we have nothing else to complain about at least we can complain about the weather. We can also be glad that God does not let us have our way when it come to the weather or it would indeed change every minute. The owner of the ski resort would have it snowy and cold year around. On the other hand the owner of the beach resort would have it sunny and hot every day. The umbrella manufacturer would have it raining too much and the coat manufacturer would favor the cold. The trucking contractor who makes big money when all his plow trucks are on the road loves big winter storms. If the weatherman of “Channel l3” was in charge, he would end up becoming a “weather tyrant” because he could please no one. The farmer would probabily give us the best weather but let’s hope he is a God fearing man. If it were not for what Jesus said in Matthew 5:43-45 your garden might wilt if it is to close to his cornfield.
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. (44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (45) That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:43-45)
Let us be glad that it is a wise merciful God who is in charge of this world’s weather. God’s providential sustenance of our world in the giving of rain and the maintaining of the seasons in which we grow food and in which his creation is renewed, is a testimony of His power, goodness, faithfulness and mercy. Paul said to the People of Lystra who were about ready to worship him as one of the god’s because he heal a crippled man:
“…. Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: (16) Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. (17) Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:15-17)
In Acts 17:28 Paul also said:
“For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” The Bible also teaches that it is Christ who upholds all things, including His creation, by the Word of His power and that by Him all things are literally held together. “Who being the brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” (Hebrews 1:3)
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:16 & 17)
The next time we are tempted to complain about the fact that it rained on our day off or the game of our favorite team was rained out, we are complaining about the good, merciful, sustaining providence of God. When we complain about our cookout being forced indoors because of a thundershower or our new suit or dress being soiled by the rain, remember it could be worse. We could have the continuous sunshine of a drought, or the torrential down pour of a flood. In a prolonged drought the cattle die from which we get our burgers and the crops die from which we get the makings of our salad. When the floods come, our home can float away with our new suit and dress. Try being stranded with just the cloths on our backs and no roof over our heads. When we grumble about the minor interruptions of normal weather patterns we are demonstrating our ingratitude to a good God who sustains our lives by these very weather changes.
Also remember the next time we are inconvenienced by a snowstorm, remember snow is also called “the poor man fertilizer” because it adds nitigron to the soil. The next time you go to the Supper Market and pick up that bundle of carrots or beets or head of lettuce, thank the Lord for rain and snow “the poor mans fertilizer”.
(http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/cabarrus/staff/dgoforth/newsart/ncycle.html).
Jim Wenger
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Complaining About the Weather, Part II
In my last post I talked about the fact that God has given us a witness of His goodness and mercy in the normal changing patterns of our weather quoting Paul’s words in Acts 14:17,
(17) “Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”
The next question that needs to be asked, does God bear witness to His holiness, righteousness, justice and wrath against man’s sinfulness by means of severe weather resulting in the destruction of the Earth’s environment? Any honest student of the Bible would have to answer in the affirmative. The foremost act of divine judgment resulting in the destruction of the Earth’s environment by a severe weather change that should immediately come to mind, is the universal flood of Genesis 6. God told Noah to build a huge boat and to collect on board all the different species of animals, birds and creeping things, pairs of male and female of every kind. Also he was to lay in store all the necessary food to feed these animals as well as his immediate family that included his wife and three sons and their wives. The flood was so great that the top of the highest mountain on the face of the Earth was covered and every living thing outside the Ark perished (Genesis 7:19-24). The fountains of the deep were broken up and it rained for the first time non-stop for forty days and forth nights. The waters prevailed upon the Earth for a hundred and fifty days. When Noah and his family finally descended from the ark they were like the second Adam and Eve. No matter who we are, we all descendence from that family that got off that great boat, Noah’s Ark, from it’s voyage over the greatest ocean there ever was or ever will be. As God beheld the results of his terrible act of judgment and smelled the sacrifice offered by Noah, He vowed to never again judge the earth by means of a universal flood. Instead he promised to sustain it until He Himself destroys it in judgment by other means.
“And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. (21) And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart [is] evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.” (Genesis 8:20–21)
He also made a covenant with Noah and all of his descendants to never again completely destroy the earth with a universal flood.
And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. (12) And God said, This [is] the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that [is] with you, for perpetual generations: (13) I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. (14) And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: (15) And I will remember my covenant, which [is] between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. (16) And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that [is] upon the earth. (17) And God said unto Noah, This [is] the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that [is] upon the earth. (Genesis 9:11-17)
The next time we see a rainbow after a thundershower remember God’s promise that it represents.
It is interesting to note that with all the dire worldwide judgments predicted in the Seals, the Trumpets and Bowls of Divine wrath of the book of Revelation, none involve the judgment of massive universal flooding. This is not to say that local floods are not “acts of God” as we saw in the destruction of Hurricane Katrina and the Tsunami that hit in the Indian Ocean. However, whatever God does in the way of the acts of judgment on a worldwide scale in the days that lie ahead they will not involve the destruction of a universal flood. Why? Because He promised. “And I will remember my covenant, which [is] between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.”
It is the acts of Divine judgment that he has promised in His word that we really need to be concerned about. Acts of judgment that have and will in the last days destroy much of the Earth’s environment as well as human life, because they will not repent and acknowledge God. Revelation 16:9 says “And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.”
Jim Wenger
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"My Times Are in Thy hands"
"But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou [art] my God. My times [are] in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me." (Psalm 31:14 & 15)
When your boss makes unreasonable demands upon you in the work place or you find yourself without a job, do you think you are solely in the hands of your employer? When a difficult family member makes life unbearable at times, do you think you are in their hands? When being wheeled into the operating room is your life completely in the hands of the surgeon? Despotic rulers seem to have the power of life and death in their hands. Or you may be one of those people who think you have life at your fingertips and in the palms of your own hands. As we observe life on the surface it would seem it is in the hands of those who seem to be in charge at any given time. Yes, we are in the hands of our employers, the surgeon, other family members, neighbors, government officials as well as our own hands. But David sees the hand of Divine Providence as the one who ultimately turns the hands of the clock of our lives. David’s prayer that he be delivered from his enemies is based upon his firm convection that his times and the events of his life are in God’s hands. "…My times [are] in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me."
First David sees God as the master of time. No one can escape the march of time, as it drags all in its wake. None can lag behind; none can quit its ranks but all must walk in lock step to its drum beat. There are no time machines apart from God that would enable us to escape the grip of the present circumstances of our lives. The Bible is very clear God is the sovereign master of the events of time, God is "Father Time".
"Who [is] he [that] saith, and it cometh to pass, [when] the Lord commandeth [it] not? (38) Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?" (Lamentations 3:37 & 38)
"Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: (14) Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (15) For that ye [ought] to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that." (James 4:13-15)
Whatever happens in the changing circumstances of our lives, we can be assured that God is the one who has permitted it.
Secondly, David sees God as having the power to deliver us from the times of evil circumstances. "But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou [art] my God… deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me." If God has the power to give us over into the hands of adversity, He also has the power to deliver us. It is upon the bases of God’s sovereign power we are taught to pray.
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." (Matthew 6:13)
When we find ourselves in the clutches of the hands of adversity, do not question the deep theological imponderables of the origins of evil or the inscrutable ways of Divine providence. Instead we should not hesitate to appeal to the one who alone posses all of creation as His kingdom, who is all-powerful and the One to whom we should give all the glory for our deliverance. Just remember our times are in God’s hands and He alone has the power to turn the hands of the clock of our life to the hour of our deliverance.
Also remember this mighty powerful God is our Father, our God, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son.
Jim Wenger
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The New Heaven and New Earth
2 Peter 3:10-13
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (11) [Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness, (12) Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? (13) Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”
As we continue to view the wreckage of the Minneapolis, Mississippi River Bridge that collapsed into the water, we mourn for those who lost their lives. We shake our heads with dismay as we see more bodies being pulled from the wreckage in the water. We ask ourselves how can something so massive and strong just collapse like that? This should remind us again that no matter how big, how powerful, how massive, and how permanent something might seem to be, it all will come to an end sooner or later.
Peter teaches that even this earth and the universe, as we know it, are going to be completely destroyed by fire. God is going to replace it with new heavens and a new earth of beauty, perfection and holiness. All that makes up our old fallen world and the present universe itself shall melt away. It will be replaced with the glorious creation of the Eternal State with the city of God the New Jerusalem. John the Apostle describes it as such:
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (2) And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (3) And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God. (4) And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (5) And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. (Revelation 21:1-5)
On the day of God’s final judgment, not only will bridges collapse, but also skyscrapers shall crumble, cities shall vanish and all the works of man including the thrones and palaces of kings, the pyramids of Egypt and the ruins of the Roman Coliseum. The mountains shall disappear into smoke, the seas shall dissolve into steam, and this old globe itself shall disintegrate into dust and ashes along with the moon the sun and the stars of the heavens. This is why Peter tells us to live our lives with the realization that this present world will pass away. God alone does not change and the only future which is certain is the one that He shall bring to pass. Let us not get too attached to the bridges, buildings, houses, things and places of this world, as they shall all in the end disappear. Let us remember we can only take into eternity the things we have done for God. John says:
“Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (17) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (1 John 2:15-17)
Do you want to see the pearly gates and jeweled walls of the New Jerusalem, the glorious mountains and valleys of the New Earth? Do you want to see the magnificence of the throne of God and bow in worship in His glorious presence? Then you must repent of your sins, believe in Jesus Christ His only begotten son and seek to do the will of God as revealed in His Holy Word the Bible. It is only to those who believe in Christ that He has promised in John 14:2&3
“In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.”
Jim Wenger
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Loving Christ
“If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha” 1 Corinthians 16:22
This text sometimes is just regarded as one of Paul’s closing statements at the end of one of His epistles. First, nothing in God’s Word whether it is words of introduction or salutations are of less importance. All of God’s Word is inspired and profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteous (2 Timothy 3:16).
What I Corinthians 16:22 is teaching is what amounts to the true essence of saving faith. If you have received Jesus Christ as you personnel savior it means that you love Him and you are looking forward to His Second Coming. The phrase “let him be Anathema Maranatha”, means let the one that does not love Christ be accursed at His coming. Easton’s bible dictionary says of the word “Anathema”:
“The word therefore carried the idea of devoted to destruction (Num. 21:2, 3; Josh. 6:17); and hence generally it meant a thing accursed. In Deut. 7:26 an idol is called a _herem_ = _anathema_, a thing accursed”.
“The anathema in 1 Cor. 16:22 denotes simply that they who love not the Lord are rightly objects of loathing and execration to all holy beings; they are guilty of a crime that merits the severest condemnation; they are exposed to the just sentence of ‘everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord.’ ”
Regarding the word “Maranatha” Easton says:
“(1 Cor. 16:22) consists of two Aramean words, Maran'athah, meaning, "our Lord comes," or is "coming." If the latter interpretation is adopted, the meaning of the phrase is, "Our Lord is coming, and he will judge those who have set him at nought." (Comp. Phil. 4:5; James 5:8, 9.)
The Bible clearly teach that we are to love God in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament the great commandment that sums up all of the commandments is:
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God [is] one LORD: (5) And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. (6) And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: (Deuteronomy 6:4-6)”
“And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, (Deuteronomy 10:12)”
Jesus in His teachings repeated the great commandment:
“And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? (26) He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? (27) And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. (28) And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. (Luke 10:25-28)”
At Jesus’ trial Peter denied Christ three times, his third and last denial was with an oath. Mark 14:71 says: “But he began to curse and to swear, [saying], I know not this man of whom ye speak.”
After Christ’s resurrection our Lord appears to the Disciples and asks Peter three times “…lovest thou me…”. The third time Jesus asked Peter:
“He saith unto him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep (John 21:17).”
The Bible also teaches there is no middle ground. Either we love Christ or hate Him. Either we serve and work for Him or we scatter and work against Him. “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” (Matthew 12:30)
The Apostle Paul says in Romans 8:6-8 that we are either carnally minded or spiritually minded.
“For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. (7) Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”
It is not enough to just go to church and try to be a nice person, we must also have a love for and faith in the Triune God. We are to love God the Father who in his goodness and love chose us and called us to faith in His Son (John 3:16; John 6:44; Ephesians 1:3-5). We are to love Christ who died upon the cross for our sins and rose again for our justification (Romans 4:25). We are to love the Holy Spirit who indwells us by faith and reveals the Father and the Son to us (John 14:17, 16:13). And we are to love and look forward to the second coming of Christ who shall establish His and His Fathers eternal Kingdom (1 Corinthians 15:22-28). Titus describes a Christian as one who is seeking to live a godly life and is eagerly awaiting the Second Coming of Christ.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:11-14)
Jim Wenger
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What Kind Of A Wineskin Are You?
Matthew 9:14-17
“Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? (15.) And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. (16.) No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. (17.) Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.” (Matthew 9:14-17)
The disciples of John asked our Lord, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?” It can be observed from the answer that our Lord gave to them that His disciples were feeling pretty good about the status of their new found faith in Christ. They were experiencing the impact of the life-changing dynamic of our Lord’s teachings. They were full of wonder and exhilaration as they saw the power of His miracles. They were indeed “children of the bridechamber” rejoicing at the “feast” (Luke 5:34) of their newly found Messiah. When the seventy came back from their two by two ministry of announcing the coming of Christ’s kingdom (Luke 10:17-20), they were rejoicing over the spiritual authority they exercised over Satan’s kingdom and that the demons were subject unto them. The Lord had to remind them:
“Not withstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)
The Lord was saying that while He was with them it was not the time and circumstances under which it was appropriate for his disciples to fast and mourn. On the other hand the Lord compared the disciples of John and the Pharisees and their ritual prayers, fasting and mourning to old cloaks and old wineskins. Their present religious activity was the old wine of their unbelief.
The old wine bottles of the Pharisees were their hypocritical, self-righteous legalism and their distortions of the true religion of the Old Covenant. They strained at the gnats of their own man-made laws of ceremonial cleansing and purity, but swallowed the moral camels of the lack of justice, love and mercy towards their fellowman. They attributed the obvious works of God wrought by Christ to the Devil and only saw Him as a threat to their own authority as religious leaders. In the entire record of the Gospels, Jesus was the harshest in his judgment of the Scribes and Pharisees. In His scathing indictment of them recorded in Matthew 23, he pronounced eight different woes upon them, called them hypocrites four times, and twice he called them fools. In Matthew 23:33, He also called them “serpents”, a “generation of vipers” who would not “escape the damnation of hell”.
The disciples of John the Baptist represented the old wineskins of just the reformation of the faith of the Old Covenant. They followed John in his preaching of repentance and reform, but still were stuck in a religion that was now passing away. They needed to move beyond the message of just reformation and embrace the new King and His kingdom that John also announced. They still had not grasped that they must put their faith in the Lamb of God who was going to usher in the Kingdom of the new birth and the power of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist’s ministry was the bridge between the Old Covenant of the Law and the New Covenant of the Lamb of God. John’s message was that of the coming Messiah who would offer the forgiveness of sins and eternal life through faith in His person and His sacrificial death on the cross. He would baptize His followers with the new baptism of the power, fullness and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire:” (Matthew 3:11)
Let us be careful that we do not filter the spiritual experiences of others solely through the prism of our own and miss the new work that God may be doing just because we are still stuck in the spiritual past. Yes we should be concerned about being lead astray by those who claim new movements, experiences and works of God. However we should never be of the mind set that God can never do a new work, but when His does, it will always be in accordance to His revealed Word.
“Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.” (Isaiah 42:9)
What John the Baptist taught about Christ and what Christ said about Himself all can be found in the Old Testament. The new birth of John 3:3 is the “new heart” and “new spirit” that God would substitute for “the heart of stone” spoken of in Ezekiel 11:19:
“And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: (20.) That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.” (Ezekiel 11:19-20)
When Nicodemus asked Jesus “…How can these things be” (John 3:9) regarding being “born again”, John 3:10 says “Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?” Christ the messiah, the Lamb of God was none other then the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22. Jesus said in John 5:39:
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me”
John the Baptist said that Christ would baptize all his disciples with the Holy Ghost and with fire. This Baptism is the outpouring of the Spirit that Joel prophesied of in Joel 2:28-32, which began at Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2 and continues today to be poured out upon the church. When the Lord appeared to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, Luke says:
“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself (Luke 24:27).
However before He began expounding, he rebuked them:
“Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: (26.) Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? (Luke 24:25-26)
As is so often our problem we get hung up on pointless questions about faith and practice and will not embrace new truth, because we likewise are “slow of heart to believe” all that God has spoken in His Word. In the case of the Pharisees and their disciples (Luke 5:33) they remained entrenched in their unbelief unto their own condemnation. In the case of the disciples of John we can hope that most of them actually did move ahead and put their faith in the Lamb of God that John announced. In the case of our Lord’s disciples their faith is the new wine and wineskins that goes from faith to greater faith in one's walk with the Lord.
Let us not forget, that as we grow in grace and in the knowledge of God, He will reveal to us old truths that we have forgotten as well as new truths that will move us into new orbits of faith, understand and spiritual experience. Jesus said in Matthew 13:52:
“Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe [which is] instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man [that is] an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure [things] new and old”.
Peter said in 2 Peter 1:12:
“Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know [them], and be established in the present truth.”
What kind of wineskins are you?
Jim Wenger
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The Certainty of Death, Taxes and Salvation
Luke 2:1-7
“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (2.) [And] this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. (3.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. (4.) And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) (5.) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. (6.) And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. (7.) And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn”.
Benjamin Franklin said in a letter addressed to Jean-Baptiste Leroy:
“Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes".
As Benjamin Franklin looked at our Bill of Rights based upon, as Lincoln said in the Gettysburg address, “the proposition that all men are created equal”, perhaps he sensed that at best our Republic is a temporary experiment in the annals of the history of nations. Instead the predictable story of nations is that of “the divine right of Kings” and the few "haves" ruling, taxing and oppressing the many “have-nots” up until they draw their last breath.
In Luke 2:1-7 we read that even God used the certain and frequent practice of Roman taxation to place Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem in order to fulfill the Messiah’s birth in accordance with Micah 5:2.
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he come forth unto me [that is] to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from of old, from everlasting”.
If we get tired of taxes, let us at least take comfort in the fact that even the Son of God was born under its ever-present, oppressive reality. Let us also remember He was born to die a sacrificial atoning death on the cross. The purpose of Christ’s first coming in the incarnation was primarily redemptive. As the angel assured Joseph about Mary’s unexplainable pregnancy:
“Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. (21.) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:20-21).”
Jesus said in Matthew 20:28:
“Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many”. As we attend a funeral, pass a cemetery or read an obituary in the newspaper, we are reminded again of the certainty of death. Psalm 89:48 says: “What man [is he that] liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah”.
However Jesus was not born just to die like the rest of us. His death upon the cross was to abolish death itself and grant unto all that believe in Him eternal life. Peter said in 1 Peter 3:18:
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”
Jesus promised Mary in John 11:25-26:
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (26) And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this”?
As we once again celebrate the birth of Christ and the approach of the New Year, let us remember that not only are death and taxes certain but also Salvation and Eternal life in Christ. Let us not forget the promise of John 3:16-17:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
Let us also remember that even taxes will come to an end when Jesus comes again to establish His Millennial kingdom. We shall feast at His table (Revelation 19:9), “…and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose” (Isaiah 35:1), and “…the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water” (Isaiah 35:7). “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them” (Isaiah 11:6).
Again I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Jim Wenger
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The Ebb and Flow of the Body Politic or a Tidal Wave?
Luke 23:27-31
The events of November 4, 2008 were interesting to say the least. The outcome is evidence that the paradigms of traditional voting demographics have made a fundamental shift. As we were watching the outcome on TV, the news anchorman asked one of the “experts” present “have we moved from voting ‘right’ to ‘center’ to ‘center’ to ‘left’”? Of course he was alluding to the fact that a whole new voting base is now emerging in the United States. Yes, the outcome of November 4th's election is evidence that the body politic in the United States has made a basic shift from “right” to “center” to “center” to “left”. Also, no longer is a candidate’s ethnicity as much of a contributing factor nor his position on some of the defining traditional social issues of our day, however concerns over the state of the economy were.
First to talk about the economy, this writer is not a “financial expert”, to say the least, but it is still his opinion that who ever had won the November 4th election, will soon be facing an economic crises beyond any single national leader’s ability to handle. This is regardless of whether he is politically “right”, “center”, “left” or ethnically “white”, “black”, “red” or “yellow”. Before it is all over, John McCain and Sarah Palin may end up being eternally thankful they were not the one’s left holding the bag of America's failing economy. Although Sara Palin is already coming out with her “Sara Palin for ‘Blank’ 20_ _” T- Shirt. On the other hand poor George Bush may want to think about retiring to a ranch in the Australian Outback instead of Texas, as he will continue to be blamed for all our nations economic, political and military ills long after he is out of office. However, the economic problems we now face are the result of the mistakes, greed and excesses of the governance of both parties over many years. Both political parties have been guilty of creating a national debt so large that we soon will no longer even be able to pay the interest, let alone pay down the principal. This is in the face of shrinking tax revenues resulting from a worsening economy, unemployment and the resulting disintegration of America’s industrial and retail base. Also add to this, the record number of baby-boomer retirees now going onto our government’s Social Security payroll. In addition to the credit and housing crises and a frightening roller-coaster stock market, is the very real possibility of the demise of Ford, GM and Chrysler, as well as retail giants like Sears and JC Penny to name a few.
As our nation, along with the rest of the world, seems to be heading down the slippery slope toward what may prove to be, not a recession, but a global depression of catastrophic proportions, we need to remind ourselves of a past history lesson(1). It was out of the wreckage of the American stock market crash of 1929 and the resulting Great Depression both here and in Europe, that the events which lead up to WWII arose. It was from the rubble of Germany’s disgraced national pride from WWI, her national debt and reparations payments, runaway inflation, unemployment, soup lines and the empty pockets and stomachs of it's citizens, that the brown shirted, jackbooted thugs and storm troopers of Adolph Hitler arose. How could an educated, civilized, industrialized nation that was the cradle of the Reformation set the world aflame with two world wars and be guilty of one of the most awful, systematic genocide’s recorded on the pages of modern history? Is it because, apart from the grace of God, the worst times can bring out the worst in people? Jesus warned that if the Jewish nation would crucify Him, their miracle working Messiah, in a “green” time of peace and stability, what would they do when the “drought” of the desolation of war and divine judgment would come upon them?
“But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. (29.) For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed [are] the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. (30.) Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. (31.) For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?” (Luke 23:28-31)
At a time of an increasing national economic crises, the American people have made the momentous decision, for better or for worse, to place in the highest office of the land the candidate of their choice. We have also now given this same president and his party an almost overwhelming filibuster proof majority in Congress. Rarely in the history of our nation have we come so close to such a one party rule. However, what really matters is not this president's particular party affiliation but where does he and his party and now our nation stand on those political, social and moral issues as they relate to God’s law and the revelation of Himself and His will in His Word. The Bible is very clear:
“The LORD is known [by] the judgment [which] he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. (17.) The wicked shall be turned into hell, [and] all the nations that forget God.” (Psalm 9:16-17)
What Jesus said about an individual is also true of a nation. They that do not obey God’s law and do His will, are like the foolish man who built his house upon a foundation of sand and great will be it's destruction when the storms of life come.
“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: (25.) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. (26.) And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: (27.) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24-27)
Among the many things we know about this president elect and his party is, they do not value the sanctity of human life in the womb. They also do not uphold the sanctity and Biblical character of traditional marriage and the family (2.), the foundation of God ordained social order (Genesis 2:18-24, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:21-32). These issues alone have, can and will bring down upon our heads the judgment of almighty God.
If our nation hopes to survive the coming economic storm with all the corresponding possible scenarios of political and social chaos, we need to repent of our sins as a nation now and seek the Lord’s gracious intervention, mercy and forgiveness. If we do not repent, the same rhetorical question that our Lord asked must be be asked again, “For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?”
Jim Wenger
1. http://www.moneyandmarkets.com/starting-now-americas-second-great-depression-3-28428
2. http://www.democrats.org/a/communities/glbt_community/
http://www.ontheissues.org/Barack_Obama.htm#Abortion
