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Jump or Fry
By
Doug Post
Feb
11,
2007
Do you have an unsavory memory you can’t get rid
of? A picture or an image firmly imprinted in your mind? I do! It
has ever been present since 9/11. On that day, while watching TV, I
witnessed people jumping from the Twin Towers. Fox News carried the
whole thing live. The camera man zoomed in on one man in mid air.
That picture has been with me ever since.
Why? Why did these people jump? Why
take that fatal leap? They didn’t jump because they felt confident
they would survive. They didn't jump because it seemed like a good
idea. They didn't jump because they thought it would be
intellectually intriguing. They didn't jump because it was a
personal growth experience. They jumped because they had no choice –
not wanting to die in such immense heat.
And so it is in
the spiritual realm; in order to grow and mature in the faith (2
Peter 2:2), we must leave the security of our current position and "plunge
into the darkness" so-to-speak (Genesis 12:1-4). That's scary
and uncertain, but it is an imperative if we are to lay hold on
eternal life. Pay attention to Abraham's example: "By faith
Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he
would afterward receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not
knowing where he was going...for he waited for the city which has
foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Hebrews 11:8,10).
Brethren, remaining in the building of spiritual
inactivity and immaturity is not an option. The price of
staying there is far too high. It's either jump or fry (Revelation
3:15,16; Genesis 19)!
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A Danger to Democracy
by Stan Mitchell
I ran across a survey recently that polled American leaders in
business, politics, and the media. They were asked what groups
constituted the "greatest danger to democracy" today. Fourteen
percent fretted about the dangers posed by racist groups such as the
Klu Klux Klan and neo-Nazis.Interesting, you might say. But here's
the shocker. Twenty-four percent said that they viewed Evangelical
Christianity as a threat to democracy!
Allow that to filter through
your thinking for a moment. Greater than power-hungry politicians,
greater than the attempts of the politically correct to dictate
their views and vocabulary to the rest of us, greater than a
one-sided, eager to "educate" media, greater than those pathetic,
hate-filled skinheads. Bible believing, conservative churches are a
greater threat to democracy than these! Don't be afraid of media
moguls who brainwash us with PC thinking. Be afraid of a Gospel
Preacher in a church Sunday morning; be afraid of churches that
stand up for scripture.
A recent book even
suggests that some prominent spokespersons for Christianity are
"fascists"! What are they saying? What does this tell us?
To begin with, this sort of thing is as silly as Letterman after his
bedtime. Conservative church groups are simply not a threat to
democracy and free thinking. Curbing their right to enter public
discussion, robbing their ability to express themselves, tearing the
Ten Commandments off court walls, removing the very name "God" from
our pledges and commitments -- now that would be a threat to
democracy!
What it tells us is that
the world is still, and relentlessly, the implacable foe of what is
right, and godly. Why are we surprised? Did we forget?
Scripture provides a reality check on the attitude of society to
Christianity. "Dear friends," we are reminded, "do not be surprised
at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange
were happening to you" (1 Peter 4:12). The threat they feel is not
to their democracy, but to their deviance from God's will. Many
object so strongly that they will even remove our democratic right
to take a stand!
The world has always hated us for
that. Don't be surprised.
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Master, Here I Am"
"Master, here I am,
but don't send me; Despite the whitened harvest of opportunity. I know
the Great Commission, but I fail to see why I must personally fulfill it
if I would please Thee."
"Master, here I am, but don't use me; You've given me much
talent, but truthfully I'll never use it anyway, I'm so busy. Let
someone else go labor in my community."
"Master, here I am, but don't count on me; I may show up for
worship if I find that I am free. I'll eventually do my part and be
found actively, working for You, Master, but let's just wait and see."
"Master, here I am, but don't watch me; I have some lifestyle
choices that you just shouldn't see. Please turn Your head, so I can sin
in secrecy; Perhaps you will not notice my insincerity."
"Master, here I am, but please don't leave me! Sickness, trials,
heartache all are pressing steadily. I promise to be faithful if these
ills will flee. Oops... Did I say promise? I think I meant, 'Maybe.'"
"Master, her I am, and please Lord, forgive me! I haven't been a
servant, I've lived so selfishly. Unless I turn to righteousness, my
life hurts Thee; So I'll read Your word and trust each day, and follow
faithfully!" (Isaiah 6:5-8)
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Abel
Neal Pollard
Abel is one of
the first true victims of the Bible, if not the first hero. In fact,
he is the first character about whom there is only good spoken in
the Genesis record. Abel comes onto the scene offering God
acceptable worship and he leaves life as a martyr for his righteous
conduct. However, writers as late as John and Hebrews look back on
his life near the beginning of time to make distinct, New Testament
points. He is a vital biblical character from whom we learn at least
three important things.
We see the importance of Abel's offering
(Gen. 4:4). It was his firstlings. The Lord has respect unto
Abel's offering. John would write, "For this is the message that ye
heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as
Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And
wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his
brother's righteous" (1 John 3:11-12). Abel worshiped God the way
God wanted to be worshiped, and how does He want to be worshiped?
Jesus plainly answers, "God is spirit, and they that worship Him
must worship Him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24)
We see the importance of Abel's blood
(Heb. 12:24). Blood sacrifice has seemingly been an intrinsic
part of man's spiritual relationship with God since the dawn of
time. Blood is vital to life. Giving of blood is the greatest
expression of sacrifice. Abel died as the result of innocence and
righteousness. That blood even "cried out to God" after Abel's
murder (Gen. 4:10-11). Yet, Abel, as righteous as he was, was a
sinner. Moreover, his blood saves no one from sins. As important as
his shedding of blood is to the unfolding of history, Jesus' blood
is superior (Heb. 12:24). He was perfectly innocent, and His death
was an offering of the just for the unjust (1 Pet. 3:18). His
sacrifice is also the means whereby man is saved from his sins (Eph.
1:7).
We see the importance of Abel's faith
(Heb. 11:4). Among the mighty in faith throughout the ages,
Abel's name is prominently etched. "By faith Abel offered to God a
better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony
that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through
faith, though he is dead, he still speaks." Herein we see that
Abel's faith was--(1) active, (2) saving, (3) notable, and (4)
influential. First, his faith acted. He offered a sacrifice. Next,
his faith was productive. God counted him righteous as the result of
his faith. He did not earn that recognition, but God granted it as
the result of his faith. Then, his faith is noteworthy. It was such
faith that God testified of Abel's sacrifice, the product of his
faith. Finally, his faith is influential, as it is still upheld
nearly six thousand years later as an example for us to follow.
Though he is dead, his faith is still living and leading people
today. Thereby, one today can learn and should imitate the type
faith Abel had.
Abel is a total hero for the ages. He can be
described by such adjectives as faithful, righteous, innocent, and
better. Let us learn from and imitate this patriarchal giant so we
can shine as a beacon of faith, sacrifice, and obedience even after
we depart this life!
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