Encouragement for the day...
Then David said in his heart, "Now I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul..." (1 Samuel 27:1a ESV) The mind is an amazing thing. It can influence us in such a way that it moves us away from truth, prosperity and happiness. However, God put us in charge of our minds (Rom. 12:1-2). David was at a point that he allowed himself to believe a lie. It was not God's plan for him to perish under Saul and he didn't. Often I see people being short-changed in life, myself included, because of stinking thinking. Your encouragement today is to guard your mind and fill it with the truth of God found in His Word and in prayer.

What about Chick-fil-A?

For what I believe is biblical reasons I have always avoided the temptation to rally against popular social whims that come along. I believe politics should stay in the social and patriotic realms of discussions and that our foundation and center should always be biblical Christian values. However, when the clash happens where government steps into the areas of Christian doctrine and creates waves that affect our centricity of Jesus Christ and His teaching then I must do my job to exhort, encourage and edify the body of Christ.

Recently the press is taking a Christian business man and Christian values and making it something of a mockery to the Almighty God. I also resist being a prophet (not preaching but predicting the future) however, I firmly believe these type challenges will get much worse. So what is the big deal with Chick-fil-A? Associated press said they have become a political symbol and make light of the stand this company is taking. The US cities of Boston and Chicago said the national food chain is NOT welcome in their cities with the mayor of Chicago stating “Chick-fil-A values are not Chicago values.”[i]  The issue at hand is homosexuality and gay marriage to which Chick-fil-A has taken a stand.

So what is the big deal? The big deal is that homosexuality is an abhorrent sin that God does not take lightly; in fact He calls it an abomination. (Lev. 18:22) For some this brings up the question that all sin is equal and that concept is not biblical. In the light of evangelism we have truthfully taught that any sin big or small separates us from God and that is perfectly true. However, throughout Scripture there are certain sins that attract God’s attention very quickly and homosexuality is one of them. It was primarily for this sin that brought God to rain fire and brimstone on two cities in the Old Testament called Sodom and Gomorra. (Gen. 19:23-29) Paul spoke boldly about this sin in Romans 1:24-25 stating that God gave them up or turned these people loose in their sin for whatever or wherever the evil one wanted to take them. This is very serious.

This sin creates a ripple effect that touches other doctrines and also will touch other areas of life, like social issues, confusion on truth and the paradox of where do you draw a line. By the way we always have to have lines or else we become conformed to the world. (Rom 12:1-3) The most effected ripple effect is the doctrine of marriage. The doctrine of marriage is extremely clear in Scripture to be between one man and one woman. (Gen. 2:24, Eph. 5:22-33) The doctrine of marriage was instituted by God not by the government, though that is where we have allowed it to go. The doctrine of marriage is special, it is sacred because of the Inventor, the Almighty Creator God! Anything less than what God has set forth in Scripture related to this very important doctrine of the church is sin and will bring judgment on the churches, people and Christians that conform to the world. I believe that church history will show that the primary cause of the Roman empire was this very sin and (again not to be a prophet but…) I believe will be the primary cause of judgment on the United States of America.

Where further challenges come is what we do about this. First, we must go to the basics. God instructs us to love all people as this is the second greatest commandment. (Matt. 22:39) However, we have to learn to love the people while hating the sin. We have to learn how to love the people and work hard at drawing the appropriate lines appropriately not confirmatively. We have to show the love while not falling in to accepting the sin. We have to learn to show the love while keeping the center move of Scripture, repentance, grace, reconciliation and restoration.  It is a challenge but we have to do it or else we will be judged, we will fall short of what God expects of us and we will let our Lord and Savior down, big time!

Further I must say, due to the importance of this issue and the importance of the doctrine of marriage and the doctrine of family, as long as Steve Bennett is pastor of Fairview Baptist Church this will be the stand we take. I am confident and adamant about the Truth and the calling to hold to the Truth. Are you with me?

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[i] “Chick-fil-A Sandwiches Become a Political Symbol” Associated Press, July 26, 2012 accessed July 27, 2012.

Why does bad things happen to the Redeemed of God?

I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. (John 17:15 ESV) In Jesus' prayer to His Father just before His crucifixion, He makes it clear that we (the redeemed) are not to be taken out of the world. Then the same author writes, ...the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. (1 John 5:19b ESV) This can seem as a paradox when evil unleashes its power on the children of God. Why can't we be delivered? Why can't we be protected. Answer: 1. We are to be a witness in good times and bad. 2. Forgiven does not mean extracted from sin at least not immediate, we will when it is the perfect time of God. The yielding to the lies of the evil one is what caused and causes sin. We must persevere by faith until it is time for us to be delivered from the curse we submitted to. Encouragement? Jesus knew, Jesus knows, Jesus cares, Jesus is always and will always be with us because He is our great Advocate to the perfect, holy God.

Sanctification Process

I think a Christian life is a purification opportunity. The intent and desire of God is that we become more like him and the two primary characters of God are complete holiness and love. It is like a glass of water that was at first totally toxic but at salvation enough purity is applied to be called water, yet nowhere near pure. Additionally, God is in control of the process and thus controls the amount of change (i.e. some get more purification at salvation than other). Then as we allow He does more purification which is difficult and sometimes a very slow process. The reason it is difficult is for multiple reasons: (1) It hurts, purification means removing the bad, which means pain. (2)  We are accustom to the toxic stage, it is a part of our nature. (3) We like the toxicity and mediocrity is more favorable than purity. This way we can have some of both worlds. (4) More purification means more responsibility and we feel overwhelmed with responsibility now. Additionally, responsibility to God is viewed as both massive and demanding. (5) More purification seems to mean we invest more time (a coveted commodity today). Living in a microwave world creates a tension with spending quiet time with God. (6) We either lose sight of the overall purpose of God and our eternal destination with him or have not learned it (lack of discipleship).

It is a purification opportunity because (1) God wants us to be pure (holy) like Him and (2) an opportunity because God desires us to want (love) to be like Him. Thus both of the primary characters of God is at work in us. This is good and yet difficult. The danger comes in the fact that we have a certain amount of control (freedom/opportunity). This is the only reason the process is slow and the slowness of the process is not God’s fault at all. It is an opportunity because God has allowed us a certain amount of time in this world (error of time) to complete this process and prepare for the next error of time (eternity/heaven/etc). This is also a danger because we tend to lose sight of the truth of eschatology (doctrine of end times). We also have a tendency to put things off and get distracted from the real and important things that are more futuristic in our minds. Let us not forget that God promises rewards in eternity yet the primary reason we are to want to be more like Him is because we love Him.

All these things are worth pondering. We have such an opportunity if we see it. We have such a wonderful and loving heavenly Father who has a purpose for us. Could I encourage you today to make some major commitments to your sanctification process? It will be the best investment you will ever make.

The Value of Compassion

³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 (ESV)

How important is it to show compassion? Last week Jeannine and I were on our way to Lexington to spend some time with the kids. On our way we stopped at a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in Mount Vernon. I was a bit hungry since it was some past noon.  At first the counter people seemed to be on track as shortly after we walked in they opened another register to serve us. We gave our order, with special requirements as usual like potatoes with no gravy and plenty of honey for the biscuits. Our meal was prepared promptly; we are still on track for a good experience. Then it began to deteriorate. They pushed the food onto the counter and walked away. They didn’t tell us it was our food, they didn’t call our number; they were done. First I notice mashed potatoes with enough gravy to kill a cat. We stood at the counter both with the saddest look we could express on our faces hoping for someone to give us some attention. Finally Jeannine called for help to one of the non-interested ladies. They traded our potatoes and off we go to find a table.

After getting to the table I noticed no honey. When I went back to the counter the same familiar experience began, no one was interested in my sad face. Finally I got a nod and I asked for honey. She reached under the counter and handed me three small packs. Obviously they didn’t recognize we were not only hungry but we were southern country folks that really needed more honey. After obviously running out of the much needed sweetness Jeannine had to go back and try again.

Ever have a similar experience? What was the main issue? I think the bottom line is that we really want someone to care. These people working out their pay on a Saturday afternoon had some care because of their training. Yet as soon as the training was completed in their minds they was on to other things to think about. I remember while we were waiting they were laughing and talking among themselves. Yes, I must confess I am a stickler when it comes to customer service for a lot of reasons both business based and Bible based.

We wanted someone to care for our needs because we came there to fulfill a need. Now let me move our minds to the everyday world in which we live. You meet people every day that have needs. Most of their time they don’t want to know how much you know, they just want you to care for them. They want you to care about their issues, their problems and their needs. Jesus cared deeply for people. His compassion for people just flows out of the stories in the Gospels. He is the perfect model in how we are to develop a lifestyle of compassion. Do you care for people like Jesus? Next time you have an experience like ours think about your compassion for others and it may change the way you feel about how you are treated.

Lord Jesus, help us to have compassion for others as You are our ultimate role model. Amen.

God’s Letter to You

²⁴ But the word of God increased and multiplied. Acts 12:24 (ESV)

Wow, we just completed a detailed study on the Bible, the origin, the progression, the translations and how to study this tangible document of immeasurable value. Think about God’s Word in your hands. Think about God’s Word in available to you anytime and every day. What does that mean to you? Let’s begin by thinking what it means to say God’s Word. The most likely first cognitive response is the Bible, the book that is placed somewhere in your home and carried (or should be carried) to church on Sunday. But think deeper this is the very Word of God. If you was to read a book written by Steve Bennett or even more practical and contemporary as you read this blog there are thoughts, ideas, concepts and messages being transferred from my mind to yours. That is the same thing that happens when you read the Bible. The very words of the Creator God is transferred from His infinite mind to yours in portions that you are able to handle.

In our study we discovered that some of the Word of God was penned by God Himself, no scribe, no inspired writer, by God. When Moses went to a mountain called Sinai God wrote a portion of the Bible and give it to His man. Wow, and you many, many years later get to read what the Creator of the Universe, the One who holds everything in His hand wrote! We are so blessed. I encourage you to stay in the Word, God’s Word, God’s Message to you. He wrote it, preserved it even gave you the means to own it. Give Him thanks for this wonderful gift and provision. Bless Him by reading it every day. If the president of the United States sent you a personal letter would you read it? Of course you would, you would be honored to receive it. God is much more valuable that any human being and He wrote you a wonderful love letter, be sure to read it again and again.

Lord Jesus show us more and more of the value of this precious love letter we call the Bible. Amen.

Walking Away

¹⁰ And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. ¹¹ And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. ¹² And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. Matthew 24:10–12 (ESV)

According to a recent article from Fox News, singer Katy Perry makes the statement that has left her strict religious upbringing and that upbringing has kept her “from having a childhood.[1]” It is obvious that Christian values and Katy Perry are not synonymous at this point in her life. This statement plastered on the front page of FoxNews.com as well as other video and printed publications can tell Believers various things if we look to what is really truth.

First, Believers have a problem with Katy’s statement due to the fact that Jesus said He came to give abundant life (John 10:10). The message from Ms. Perry, along with other highly influential people today, seems to contradict what Jesus has said and only one can be truth. Is the Christian life robbing our young people of experiencing abundant, full, enjoyable life? To widen the gap, Jesus used the Greek word (perissos) , (translated abundant in the ESV) which can also mean exceptional, superfluous and even with special advantage.

I feel like I would be safe in saying that most young people would vote for Ms. Perry rather than Jesus in this contest. However, it is not true! One may argue that this verse only applies to the afterlife and this life is to be filled with Godly sorrow due to sin and the opposition of sin by God and Christians. I would argue differently, I think there is a perspective to consider in this equation. What the world calls abundant life is not true abundant life even in not considering the difference in the eternal promises that totally separate the two. Abundant life can only be found in a daily, growing walk with the Almighty God, nothing less. This is proven in Scripture over and over like in Psalms chapter 23. Yes there will be tribulations but are they not also tribulation to the other side as well? Let’s be fair in the comparison. There is also other logic to support this argument. Marriages are stronger on Jesus’ side. Statistics prove that Christians live longer and happier than the other side. Church history, specifically the martyrs, show the abundance of life on Jesus’ team.

Second thing to consider is the method of parenting skills that was used in Ms. Perry’s life. She made the statement that “she was not allowed to say things like ““deviled eggs”” or ““Dirt Devil”” to listen to secular music or read any other books but the Bible. There is a balance between grace and law clearly taught in the Bible. There is also a balance between grace and law and as well as explanation as to “why” in parenting. Children want to know. I wish I had spent more time lovingly explaining the “whys” to my children. Someone once said that children spells love, t.i.m.e. I think they are absolutely right. Putting a child in a glass house will not properly train the child in the way they should go. Show them the value of the Christian life realistically and tell them of the consequences of not following Jesus.

This brings us to the third thing we need to consider. According to the article Ms. Perry has not only left the faith but now has an open mind to false religions. Her husband, Russell Brand, is introducing her to Hindusim. The spiral downward continues. She states that “at this point,” she is “just kind of a drifter.” Biblically this is extremely dangerous for Ms. Perry but also for the thousands of people (probably mostly young people) that follow her and believe her.

Bottom line as parents and as Bible teaching Christians we have a major responsibility. Sure Jesus said in the last days there will be a great falling away and we surely see it now more than ever but can we be propelling this? I think so. With apathy and meisum (pronounced me’-isum) being so rampant in our churches we are traveling the wrong road. We need to teach parents how to be parents. We need to teach the Word of God to young people and to all people. 

Lord Jesus, forgive us for being lax and help us to know how to reach our youth and those that need more of You. Amen.

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[1] Katy Perry: Strict Christian Upbringing Kept Me From Having a Childhood, Fox News viewed online at http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2011/05/03/katy-perry-strict-christian-upbringing-kept-having-childhood/?test=faces accessed 5-3-11.