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A Brainwashed Church?

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 10:00:00 PST

When God sovereignly gave Jehoiakim to Nebuchadnezzar, it wasn't the complete obliteration of the city of Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar was determined to maintain his rule over Jerusalem with complete military action being a last resort. One of his methods was that he would take the best and the brightest from the conquered people, retrain their minds, get them to think like a Babylonian, then use them to help control their own people. And so the book of Daniel begins with this account.

Satan is not always blasting trumpets to rally the troops for a frontal assault. More often he is subtle in his approach, slowly leading astray with small compromises. Our culture today is driven by him to do exactly what Nebuchadnezzar did 2500 years ago

Is This Us?

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:00:00 PST

Revelation 3:4-22

"Blessed are the Lukewarm!" Jesus never said that, but from the lackadaisical attitude of many of His followers, you would think that was one of His beatitudes.

That is the attitude of our Western Civilization and cultural Christians. That was the attitude of the church of Laodicea. They wore the name Christian without actually practicing the faith; didn’t actually believe it; didn’t get excited about it.

"Blessed are the Lukewarm." The world wants our religion and faith to be lukewarm because then we don’t create problems. Then we don't take a stand against abortion or sexual immorality or homosexual practice, or government that wastes our nation’s resources and represses righteous teaching and practice.

Where Is God's Church Headed?

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:00:00 PST

Some thoughts to consider:

Where are we going?

What do we care about?

Let us consider the important work of God in Maine and the world. This work includes the eradication of evil, (including homosexuality and abortion), the cessation of looting and violent crime against men, women and children, the establishment of peace and the end of war, wiping out poverty and hunger across every continent, the evangelism of nations, the revival of multitudes, and the redemption of humanity – all resulting from the activity of the Church.

Some might say, "Now, wait just a minute . . . my church doesn’t have the capacity, skill, influence, power, presence, patience, or perseverance to make the slightest difference in these problems. What can we do that will make any difference in this broken world?"

Is The Church Salty?

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:00:01 PST

Salt is the most effective and most widely used of all food preservatives - Medieval and ancient societies used salt as a preservative for food because they didn’t have refrigeration to keep it from spoiling - one source said that it is included in Egyptian mummy preservation - it is an antiseptic and a flavor enhancer.

What did Jesus mean when He said, "You are the salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:13 NIV)?

John MacArthur writes: "Christians are a preserving influence in the world; they retard moral and spiritual spoilage" (MacArthur’s New Testament Commentary: Matthew).

With that in mind, just think about what would happen if every true Christian disappeared off the face of the planet. What would happen to our American government?

Happy Birthday, USA - Part 2

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 10:00:00 PST

[This edition is a re-print that was published at an earlier time]

Last week, we looked at the incredible sacrifices our founding fathers made to create a nation that honored God and the family. We noted the beginning of telling God we didn’t need Him and the removal of prayer from our public schools. Today we continue with the account of this history.

In 1853 a movement was started in which a group petitioned congress for the separation of Christian principles from government, a separation of church and state. For nearly one year the Senate and House Judiciary committees reviewed and studied the petition to see if it would be possible to separate Christian principles from our civil government. Both returned almost identical reports.

Happy Birthday, USA

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 10:00:00 PST

[This edition is a re-print that was published at an earlier time]

The 4th of July is a special day in our country but not just for the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Many special things have happened on this day.

Three American presidents died on the Fourth of July, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe. Monroe was ready to die several days before but doctors kept him alive with drugs just long enough so that he could die on the fourth of July. Why did they do that? Because the fourth of July meant something.

Is it Okay To Judge?

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 10:00:00 PST

A Lion, unable from old age and infirmities, to provide himself with food by force, was resolved to do so by savvy or wit. He returned to his den, and lying down there, pretended to be sick, taking care that his sickness should be publicly known. The beasts expressed their sorrow, and came one by one to his den, where the Lion devoured them.

After many of the beasts had thus disappeared, the Fox discovered the trick and presenting himself to the Lion, stood on the outside of the cave, at a respectful distance, and asked him how he was.

Fathers Today

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:00:00 PST

This article appeared in an eariler edition of the Pastors update

Ephesians 6:2

This Sunday is Father's Day when we honor our fathers who helped give us life and have nurtured us through life.

THE MEN’S THESAURUS (men don’t always say what they mean) – excerpts:

- When a man says: "IT’S A GUY THING" - He means: "There is no rational thought pattern connected with this, and you have no chance at all of making it logical."

- When a man says "CAN I HELP WITH DINNER" - He means: "Why isn't it already on the table?"

- When a man says "UH HUH, SURE HONEY," or "YES, DEAR" - He means: Absolutely nothing – It's a conditioned response.

- When a man says "IT WOULD TAKE TOO LONG TO EXPLAIN" - He means: "I have no idea how it works."

- When a man says "TAKE A BREAK, HONEY. YOU ARE WORKING TOO HARD" - He means: "I can't hear the game over the vacuum cleaner."

[read full article for complete list]

Flag Day

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 10:00:00 PST

Jeremiah 50:2 "Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces."

In this verse there is a reference to setting up the standard. Scholars tell us that the word used here can mean a rallying point, a signal, a banner or a flag. And to set up the standard simply means to raise the flag.

A flag can tell us a lot about a nation or its people. A flag becomes a symbol of that body. It can become so revered, that it can cause men and women to fight to their death for its cause. And a flag is usually on a pole at a high or prominent place to let everyone know who has occupied the place.

Stand Up!

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 11:50:33 PST

Standing up for God in a less-than-friendly society often involves our willingness to stand alone. Two well-known examples found in God's word about men of courage who stood alone are Elijah and Jesus. No one was more of a man; no one was more willing to stand alone than Jesus was. First let's look at the story of Elijah and his confrontation with the prophets of Baal.

The first time we see Elijah is in 1 Kings 18. He is told by God to go and announce that there will not be rain on the land until he says so. Baal worship had become common and Baal was thought to be the god of rain, so what better way to put that to rest than to stop all rain.

Memorial Day Weekend

Fri, 28 May 2010 10:00:00 PST

In 2 Samuel 23:8-23:21 we have the record of David’s "Mighty Men."

The Spirit of God moved the writers of Scripture to include the names and exploits of the freedom fighters of Israel in this book to give honor where honor is due. He wanted us, thousands of years later, to know them and respect them for their efforts to preserve His plan for the ages.

A long time ago a woman named Moina Michael wrote this short poem:

"We cherish…the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies."

HEFTY - HEFTY - HEFTY

Fri, 21 May 2010 10:00:00 PST

Remember the commercial? Hefty, hefty, hefty - wimpy, wimpy, wimpy. One storage bag company claimed that theirs was the toughest and would not break under pressure. That is the kind of "tough" Christianity that has been handed down to us.

JAMES 1:12

Is It Time To Get Radical?

Fri, 14 May 2010 10:00:00 PST

A young police officer was taking his final exam for the police academy and was given the following problem to solve.

"You are on patrol in the outer city when an explosion occurs in a gas main in a nearby street. On investigation you find that a large hole has been blown in the footpath and there is an overturned van nearby.

Inside the van there is a strong smell of alcohol. Both occupants - a man and a woman - are injured. You recognize the woman as the wife of your Chief of Police, who is at present out of town.

A passing motorist stops to offer you assistance and you realize that he is a man who is wanted for armed robbery.

Suddenly a man runs out of a nearby house, shouting that his wife is expecting a baby and that the shock of the explosion has made the birth imminent.

Another man is crying for help, having been blown into the adjacent canal by the explosion, and he cannot swim.

Describe in a few words what actions you would take.

The young man thought for a moment, picked up his pen and wrote, "I would take off my uniform and mingle with the crowd."

What Leaders Can Learn From Mothers

Fri, 07 May 2010 10:00:00 PST

Pastor Dallas Henry

[This article appeared in an earlier edition of the Pastors Update]
2 Timothy 1:5 "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also."

The importance of the role of motherhood is being questioned these days. Those whose voices are often given the most credibility in our society advocate the relinquishing of child-rearing to professionals. Many of these so-called experts are calling for the suspension of parental rights. Measures to this effect have been pushed through the United Nations and are being considered in the U.S. Congress.

But despite these things the importance of godly mothers is still clear. When asked of the greatest need in France, Napoleon responded emphatically, "Mothers!"

Fight To The Finish

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 10:00:00 PST

II Tim. 4:6-8

Paul, in writing to young Timothy, is very straight forward in what he has to say. His words seem to be filled with encouragement and assurance that he can and should finish the course.

1) 2:1 "Be Strong"
2) 2:3 "Endure Hardship"
3) 2:5 "Strive"
4) 2:10 "Endure all things"

The finish line is just ahead and we are going down the stretch. We have made many sacrifices and faced many battles. Everything that we have done up until now will all be in vain if we don't finish the race.

Should Christians Fight?

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:00:00 PST

We all know that Satan will do everything in his power to destroy the family. Some may not know that we are to fight him every step of the way. If we don't fight him, there won't be much of a state or a nation left for future generations.

We must ask ourselves if we are willing to settle for a place where the slaughter of millions of unborn children is accepted or a country that denies born again believer’s the right to a public display of faith.

Maine and America: Return to God

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 10:00:00 PST

Judges 1-2 records the history of the nation of Israel for 305 years after the death of Joshua. Israel declined, backslid, and got away from God. There are many frightening parallels between Israel and America.

Israel was established by God Himself, and God gave Himself to them. He also gave them the law - the Ten Commandments and the covenant. And He gave them Canaan, the best land of the earth at that time. And so God gave them the Lord, the law, and the land.

The Courage to Stand

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 10:00:00 PST

Esther 4

Charles Swindoll once told about a test that was conducted by a university where ten students were placed in a room. Three lines of varying length were drawn on a card. The students were told to raise their hands when the instructor pointed to the longest line. But nine of the students had been instructed beforehand to raise their hands when the instructor pointed to the second longest line. One student was the stooge. The usual reaction of the stooge was to put his hand up, look around, and realizing he was all alone, pull it back down. This happened 75% of the time, with students from grade school through high school. The researchers concluded that most would rather go along with the crowd, and be wrong yet safe, than to have the courage to risk standing alone on what they know to be right and true.

Jesus demonstrated the courage to stand on that first Good Friday.

THE UNIQUE COME BACK

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 10:00:00 PST

This article appeared in a former Pastors Update

Jesus makes Christianity unique because He is both fully God and fully human. He is unconventional. He tells us who He is. He came to die for us. He rose again. It would be convenient if Jesus fit neatly into the kind of categories we construct for people and things so that we can be comfortable. But He doesn’t and that is one of the things that makes Him unique.

GENDER IDENTITY DISORDER (G.I.D.)

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:00:00 PST

Gender Identity Disorder or GID is a classified mental disorder in the Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders from the American Psychiatric Association. One can type in Gender Identity Disorder in any search engine on the internet and discover the information. To make it simple, GID is the mental condition that causes men to act and dress like women and women to act and dress like men.

With GID being a mental disorder, it is breathtaking that the state of Maine has attempted to accommodate the disorder first by passing laws that favor it and more recently when they revealed they were giving serious consideration to changing the use of public bathrooms and also locker rooms in public schools.