The Altar
An altar is a place to sacrifice. Many religions have altars. The only altar that is the right, necessary one, is the altar where the Lord Jesus shed His blood for our sins.
Are you a good person? Take the Good Person Test.
Do you realize that you have lied, committed adultery and murder in your heart? There needs to be punishment.
Yet, God in His mercy has provided a way. The penalty was paid by the Lord Jesus. He died, He rose from the dead, and He lives at the right hand of God the Father.
Come to Him, confess your sins, repent (change your mind, attitude, and life), ask the Lord Jesus to forgive you and be your savior.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Word Twisting (Wresting
Word Twisting
Ray Comfort writes:
I am continually being called a liar and a deceiver by atheists because I quoted Stephen Hawking "out of context" (in the blog-header). So here is the entire quote in context:
"In the hot big bang model described above, there was not enough time in the early universe for heat to have flowed from one region to another. This means that the initial state of the universe would have to have had exactly the same temperature everywhere in order to account for the fact that the microwave back-ground has the same temperature in every direction we look. The initial rate of expansion also would have had to be chosen very precisely for the rate of expansion still to be so close to the critical rate needed to avoid recollapse. This means that the initial state of the universe must have been very carefully chosen indeed if the hot big bang model was correct right back to the beginning of time. It would be very difficult to explain why the universe should have begun in just this way, except as the act of a God who intended to create beings like us." Stephen Hawking, A Brief History of Time, p. 127.
So, in context, Stephen Hawking is saying that it would be very difficult to explain why the universe should have begun in just this way, except as the act of a God who intended to create beings like us. That makes sense.
Some one with the persona of Remy-Grace writes a response:
So let me see if I have this right: Stephen Hawking is a creationist and Einstein was a Christian. Wow. The lengths of dishonesty you people will go to just to make your crazy worldviews sound intelligent will never cease to amaze me.
The term "word twisting" means wrest. Wrest has the meaning of
" 1. To distort or twist the nature or meaning of: wrested the words out of context.
2. To divert to an improper use; misapply.
"wrest." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 28 Jun. 2008..
Ray did NOT write that Stephen Hawking is a creationist nor the Einstein was a Christian, but the writer, remy grace, wrested the meaning of the Ray's post to say something he never said and after doing this states, "Wow. The lengths of dishonesty you people will go to just to make your crazy worldviews sound intelligent will never cease to amaze me."
This is dishonest of course and is one of the many ways one can tell a lie. The Bible says, "Do not tell lies about others." (Exodus 20:16). But as it is the truth: Troublemakers listen to troublemakers, and liars listen to liars. (Proverbs 17:4)
There is an example in the Bible. Some of Israel had asked Jeremiah, the prophet, to ask the Lord God what He wanted them to do--to stay in Israel or go to Egypt. Jeremiah prayed and God replied this: "I said to them, "The LORD, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me with your request has said, 'If you are willing to go on living in this land, then I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not pull you up. The destruction I brought on you has caused me great sorrow. Stop being afraid of the king of Babylonia. I am with you, and I will rescue you from his power." (Jeremiah 42:9-11). This then is what Jeremiah told the Israelites.
But the response of the Israelites? Listen. "I finished telling the people everything that the LORD their God had sent me to tell them. Then Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the other arrogant men said to me, "You are lying. The LORD our God did not send you to tell us not to go and live in Egypt. Baruch son of Neriah has stirred you up against us, so that the Babylonians will gain power over us and can either kill us or take us away to Babylonia." (Jeremiah 43:1-3). This was a deliberate twisting, wresting, of the words of God.
Let us be honest with what the Bible says, what we say, and what we do. We do not want to be a liar like remy grace or those who sought Jeremiah's counsel.
Ray Comfort writes:
I am continually being called a liar and a deceiver by atheists because I quoted Stephen Hawking "out of context" (in the blog-header). So here is the entire quote in context:
"In the hot big bang model described above, there was not enough time in the early universe for heat to have flowed from one region to another. This means that the initial state of the universe would have to have had exactly the same temperature everywhere in order to account for the fact that the microwave back-ground has the same temperature in every direction we look. The initial rate of expansion also would have had to be chosen very precisely for the rate of expansion still to be so close to the critical rate needed to avoid recollapse. This means that the initial state of the universe must have been very carefully chosen indeed if the hot big bang model was correct right back to the beginning of time. It would be very difficult to explain why the universe should have begun in just this way, except as the act of a God who intended to create beings like us." Stephen Hawking, A Brief History of Time, p. 127.
So, in context, Stephen Hawking is saying that it would be very difficult to explain why the universe should have begun in just this way, except as the act of a God who intended to create beings like us. That makes sense.
Some one with the persona of Remy-Grace writes a response:
So let me see if I have this right: Stephen Hawking is a creationist and Einstein was a Christian. Wow. The lengths of dishonesty you people will go to just to make your crazy worldviews sound intelligent will never cease to amaze me.
The term "word twisting" means wrest. Wrest has the meaning of
" 1. To distort or twist the nature or meaning of: wrested the words out of context.
2. To divert to an improper use; misapply.
"wrest." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 28 Jun. 2008.
Ray did NOT write that Stephen Hawking is a creationist nor the Einstein was a Christian, but the writer, remy grace, wrested the meaning of the Ray's post to say something he never said and after doing this states, "Wow. The lengths of dishonesty you people will go to just to make your crazy worldviews sound intelligent will never cease to amaze me."
This is dishonest of course and is one of the many ways one can tell a lie. The Bible says, "Do not tell lies about others." (Exodus 20:16). But as it is the truth: Troublemakers listen to troublemakers, and liars listen to liars. (Proverbs 17:4)
There is an example in the Bible. Some of Israel had asked Jeremiah, the prophet, to ask the Lord God what He wanted them to do--to stay in Israel or go to Egypt. Jeremiah prayed and God replied this: "I said to them, "The LORD, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me with your request has said, 'If you are willing to go on living in this land, then I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not pull you up. The destruction I brought on you has caused me great sorrow. Stop being afraid of the king of Babylonia. I am with you, and I will rescue you from his power." (Jeremiah 42:9-11). This then is what Jeremiah told the Israelites.
But the response of the Israelites? Listen. "I finished telling the people everything that the LORD their God had sent me to tell them. Then Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the other arrogant men said to me, "You are lying. The LORD our God did not send you to tell us not to go and live in Egypt. Baruch son of Neriah has stirred you up against us, so that the Babylonians will gain power over us and can either kill us or take us away to Babylonia." (Jeremiah 43:1-3). This was a deliberate twisting, wresting, of the words of God.
Let us be honest with what the Bible says, what we say, and what we do. We do not want to be a liar like remy grace or those who sought Jeremiah's counsel.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
The Anchor
The anchor
The anchor is a pretty simple device, so you might think. There are many different designs, and the plan for setting an anchor is a little more complicated than just throwing it overboard.
Designs
The temporary anchors
Basic design consists of a central bar (the shank), a bottom piece (fluke or palm), and a point to penetrate the bottom. Where the shank and fluke (or palm) meet is called the crown. The shank usually has a ring or shackle to attach it to a cable.
Hook design: small fluke with heavy, narrow shank to penetrate rocky, seaweed, coral, or hard sand.
Plough: kind of like the old farm plough. It is a good, general anchor for most bottoms.
Fluke: have a large bottom piece. This is to dig it the bottom and have a lots of resistance to moving.
Sea: these use the water itself to hold a vessel; it is not much more than canvas and a rope.
There are other designs for temporary and permanent anchors.
Placing an anchor
It not just throwing it overboard. You need to know 4 things: 1, is the area for the vessel offer protection from the current and expected weather; 2, is the seabed good for holding the anchor; 3, how will the tide affect the anchorage; 4, is there enough room for the vessel to swing.
If all 4 points are agreeable, you need to drop the anchor. It should be down wind or down current; choose whatever is stronger. The vessel needs then to stop, the anchor dropped until it touches down, and the cable let out under control to keep it straight. Sometimes in a storm a weight needs to be placed on the cable/chain to lower the angle and act a shock absorber in difficult weather conditions. Some other methods in heavy weather include two anchors set at 45 degrees or even 90 degrees so the vessel will face the strong winds. There are other method also.
All this is interesting. The anchor is necessary equipment. But what about people and storms of life that we face. Some face tremendous difficulties. What anchor is there for them? Our hope in the Lord Jesus is our anchor. He said, "I will NEVER leave or forsake you." And in Hebrews it is written, "God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed. We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. In fact, hope reaches behind the curtain and into the most holy place. Jesus has gone there ahead of us, and he is our high priest forever, just like Melchizedek." (Hebrews 6:18-20)
The anchor is a pretty simple device, so you might think. There are many different designs, and the plan for setting an anchor is a little more complicated than just throwing it overboard.
Designs
The temporary anchors
Basic design consists of a central bar (the shank), a bottom piece (fluke or palm), and a point to penetrate the bottom. Where the shank and fluke (or palm) meet is called the crown. The shank usually has a ring or shackle to attach it to a cable.
Hook design: small fluke with heavy, narrow shank to penetrate rocky, seaweed, coral, or hard sand.
Plough: kind of like the old farm plough. It is a good, general anchor for most bottoms.
Fluke: have a large bottom piece. This is to dig it the bottom and have a lots of resistance to moving.
Sea: these use the water itself to hold a vessel; it is not much more than canvas and a rope.
There are other designs for temporary and permanent anchors.
Placing an anchor
It not just throwing it overboard. You need to know 4 things: 1, is the area for the vessel offer protection from the current and expected weather; 2, is the seabed good for holding the anchor; 3, how will the tide affect the anchorage; 4, is there enough room for the vessel to swing.
If all 4 points are agreeable, you need to drop the anchor. It should be down wind or down current; choose whatever is stronger. The vessel needs then to stop, the anchor dropped until it touches down, and the cable let out under control to keep it straight. Sometimes in a storm a weight needs to be placed on the cable/chain to lower the angle and act a shock absorber in difficult weather conditions. Some other methods in heavy weather include two anchors set at 45 degrees or even 90 degrees so the vessel will face the strong winds. There are other method also.
All this is interesting. The anchor is necessary equipment. But what about people and storms of life that we face. Some face tremendous difficulties. What anchor is there for them? Our hope in the Lord Jesus is our anchor. He said, "I will NEVER leave or forsake you." And in Hebrews it is written, "God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed. We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. In fact, hope reaches behind the curtain and into the most holy place. Jesus has gone there ahead of us, and he is our high priest forever, just like Melchizedek." (Hebrews 6:18-20)
Answer to Capt Howdy
Sassy chic writes this to answer a writer named "Shunted" on Ray Comfort's blog "The Soapbox":
Shunted said: Why is it just to punish an innocent man on my account but it isn't OK to just forgive everyone without a sacrifice being made? Since God is omnipotent then it isn't correct to answer this question by saying, "A sacrifice must occur to atone for sin." It doesn't have to be that way because God is omnipotent. Because we serve a God of justice and order. He created us with a will of our own. When Adam chose to disobey God in the garden we were placed under a curse, in order for that curse to be broken and us to have eternal life with God we have to pay the price. The sad thing is that we are not capable of paying that price so Jesus chose (mercy in steps ) to become the sacrifice, God didn't require that of Him. Yes God is omnipotent but He operates within the laws and principles He set forth. I don't really think that you have thought this through either because to override everything would also mean to override your free will and you probably get upset when someone cuts you off in traffic. It would really tick you off to lose your free will. We are talking about mercy when we talk about salvation. Justice is what you will get if you refuse God's mercy, given to you through Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross.
I replied:
To capt howdy
You said, "First you say you serve a God of "justice and order." In the very next breath you describe how God punished the entire human race for the actions of two people. So, my question to you is: How do you figure that collective punishment is "justice"? When one of your kids steals a cookie, do you punish them all? Do you believe Andrea Yates should have been punished for drowning her kids? I mean, she just did on a small scale what God did on a global scale, true? Maybe she was just trying to be more Godlike. Man, I'd hate to be one of your kids!"
Sassy chic gave a pretty good answer.
If someone breaks a law, they must be punished for it. This is called justice.
God is orderly. The universe is orderly. If though you're an old God-that-you-don't-believe-in-hater, you got to admit this universe we live in is orderly. This is called order.
If you are the lawgiver, we go by your laws. If we break them, we get punished. If congress passes a law, the president signs it, it goes through the courts for years and passes muster, it is law. If that law is broken, the lawbreaker must be punished.
You have trouble understanding this?
If my child steals a cookie, they will be punished. How? Probably won't get desert tonight.
God told Adam, "If you eat from this tree, you will die." Pretty simple isn't it? Adam knew if he ate it, he would die.
What about the "Noah's" flood (I guess you're referring to this)? They knew what was coming. All they had to do is enter the ark. So it's their own foolish fault for not doing so. Noah told them about it for 120 years. If they're so foolish not to enter the ark, what's the problem with you?
You will be praised if you are wise, but you will be disgraced if you are a stubborn fool.
(Proverbs 3:35)
I'd say Capt Howdy is the stubborn fool. He has been told how to avoid God's wrath yet refuses.
I'm still prayin' for ya Cap't.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Scientists who believe in creation
The movie "Expelled" was very unpopular with evolutionists. Evolutionist/atheists very often make the charge that there are no "real" scientists who believe in creation. Let me introduce you to Dr. Jerry Bergman. He was also expelled. You'll have to read the whole article. Here's an introduction."Dr. Gerald R. "Jerry" Bergman is an adjunct associate professor at Medical University of Ohio and an instructor in the Division of Arts & Sciences at Northwest State Community College in Archbold, Ohio. He teaches biochemistry, biology, chemistry and physics. He has taught at the college level for 35 years including 7 years at Bowing Green State University, 6 years at the university of Toledo, and 20 years at Northwest State. He started as a graduate student in biochemistry at Medical College of Ohio in 1985, and was later hired as an adjunct instructor and research associate in the experimental pathology department and he still is still on the faculty at MCO (now named Medical University of Ohio). He has also worked for several years as a therapist at various psychological clinics including Arlington Psychological Associates in Toledo, Ohio.
Bergman now has nine academic degrees."
Here you can read the whole article.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Open-minded?
Evolutionist claim they are soooo open-minded. Are they? In this opinion piece Kyle Butt shows the evolutionist's true belief.
"The evolutionary community wants people to think that it is objective. Evolutionists consistently paint the picture that they are the ones who are open-minded and honestly seeking the truth. At the same time, they suggest that religious “fundamentalists” (their word) who believe the Bible, are narrow-minded and impervious to rational criticism. Atheist David Mills, in Atheist Universe, stated: “The religious individual tends to hold his beliefs rigidly, fanatically and with a closed mind—never seriously questioning the accuracy of his Church’s teachings. The scientist (read that, atheistic, evolutionary scientist—KB), however, is eagerly and open-mindedly searching for new theories and for evidence to topple old theories” (Mills, 2006, p. 155)."
Read it all here.
"The evolutionary community wants people to think that it is objective. Evolutionists consistently paint the picture that they are the ones who are open-minded and honestly seeking the truth. At the same time, they suggest that religious “fundamentalists” (their word) who believe the Bible, are narrow-minded and impervious to rational criticism. Atheist David Mills, in Atheist Universe, stated: “The religious individual tends to hold his beliefs rigidly, fanatically and with a closed mind—never seriously questioning the accuracy of his Church’s teachings. The scientist (read that, atheistic, evolutionary scientist—KB), however, is eagerly and open-mindedly searching for new theories and for evidence to topple old theories” (Mills, 2006, p. 155)."
Read it all here.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Think you have it rough? Consider this guy.
This is new to me even though it has been around awhile. God can take care of us. Some might ask, "Why this suffering?" Hear this man's answer.
The Psychology of Hypocrisy
Are You A Hypocrite?
Here is an interesting article. I like his thoughts "Lonnie Lee Best's Hypocrisy Formula is Hypocrisy = Beliefs - Actions."
I don't agree with everything obviously, but there are some things to think about.
The Bible is the best source of truth and false.
A hypocrite is a liar.
No liar will live in my palace; no hypocrite will remain in my presence. (Psalms 101:7)
Beware of flatters
A hypocrite hides hate behind flattering words. (Proverbs 26:24)
Outward show of religion
"So when you give something to a needy person, do not make a big show of it, as the hypocrites do in the houses of worship and on the streets. They do it so that people will praise them. I assure you, they have already been paid in full. (Matthew 6:2)
Man made rules and words but no heart towards God
You hypocrites! How right Isaiah was when he prophesied about you! 'These people, says God, honor me with their words, but their heart is really far away from me. It is no use for them to worship me, because they teach human rules as though they were my laws!' " (Matthew 15:7-9)
Seemingly innocent questions
The Pharisees went off and made a plan to trap Jesus with questions. Then they sent to him some of their disciples and some members of Herod's party. "Teacher," they said, "we know that you tell the truth. You teach the truth about God's will for people, without worrying about what others think, because you pay no attention to anyone's status. Tell us, then, what do you think? Is it against our Law to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor, or not?" Jesus, however, was aware of their evil plan, and so he said, "You hypocrites! Why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin for paying the tax!" They brought him the coin, and he asked them, "Whose face and name are these?" "The Emperor's," they answered. So Jesus said to them, "Well, then, pay to the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor, and pay to God what belongs to God." When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away. (Matthew 22:15-22)
Teaching a false gospel
"How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You lock the door to the Kingdom of heaven in people's faces, but you yourselves don't go in, nor do you allow in those who are trying to enter! (Matthew 23:13)
There is only one hope
Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners! Purify your hearts, you hypocrites! (James 4:8)
But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing. (1 John 1:9)
Here is an interesting article. I like his thoughts "Lonnie Lee Best's Hypocrisy Formula is Hypocrisy = Beliefs - Actions."
I don't agree with everything obviously, but there are some things to think about.
The Bible is the best source of truth and false.
A hypocrite is a liar.
No liar will live in my palace; no hypocrite will remain in my presence. (Psalms 101:7)
Beware of flatters
A hypocrite hides hate behind flattering words. (Proverbs 26:24)
Outward show of religion
"So when you give something to a needy person, do not make a big show of it, as the hypocrites do in the houses of worship and on the streets. They do it so that people will praise them. I assure you, they have already been paid in full. (Matthew 6:2)
Man made rules and words but no heart towards God
You hypocrites! How right Isaiah was when he prophesied about you! 'These people, says God, honor me with their words, but their heart is really far away from me. It is no use for them to worship me, because they teach human rules as though they were my laws!' " (Matthew 15:7-9)
Seemingly innocent questions
The Pharisees went off and made a plan to trap Jesus with questions. Then they sent to him some of their disciples and some members of Herod's party. "Teacher," they said, "we know that you tell the truth. You teach the truth about God's will for people, without worrying about what others think, because you pay no attention to anyone's status. Tell us, then, what do you think? Is it against our Law to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor, or not?" Jesus, however, was aware of their evil plan, and so he said, "You hypocrites! Why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin for paying the tax!" They brought him the coin, and he asked them, "Whose face and name are these?" "The Emperor's," they answered. So Jesus said to them, "Well, then, pay to the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor, and pay to God what belongs to God." When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away. (Matthew 22:15-22)
Teaching a false gospel
"How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You lock the door to the Kingdom of heaven in people's faces, but you yourselves don't go in, nor do you allow in those who are trying to enter! (Matthew 23:13)
There is only one hope
Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners! Purify your hearts, you hypocrites! (James 4:8)
But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing. (1 John 1:9)
Job 20:5 Expanded Part B
Part B
The wicked are defined as those who rebel against God. It is those who are evil in principle. These get into positions of power and start to force others and society into accepting their evil ways.
It was so bad in Israel that it was said, "" LORD, our crimes against you are many. Our sins accuse us. We are well aware of them all. We have rebelled against you, rejected you, and refused to follow you. We have oppressed others and turned away from you. Our thoughts are false; our words are lies. Justice is driven away, and right cannot come near. Truth stumbles in the public square, and honesty finds no place there. There is so little honesty that those who stop doing evil find themselves the victims of crime." The LORD has seen this, and he is displeased that there is no justice."
(Isaiah 59:12-15)
What an indictment, accusation against those in Israel, but what about today? Truth has been redefined. It is no longer judging something against a standard; it is now what society says it is (or more likely the courts or legislature). The wicked seem to win and may, but we, who know the one and only true God, know that this is temporary. The triumphing of the wicked is short, as in short lived.
The verse goes on to say, "the joy of a hypocrite but for a moment".
The time comes when they are found out.
Let us pray for one another, first, to take courage that the triumphing of the wicked is short, and secondly, to not be a hypocrite. A hypocrite might not only deceive others but also himself.
"Reeds can't grow where there is no water; they are never found outside a swamp. If the water dries up, they are the first to wither, while still too small to be cut and used. Godless people are like those reeds; their hope is gone, once God is forgotten. They trust a thread---a spider's web. If they lean on a web, will it hold them up? If they grab for a thread, will it help them stand?" Evil people sprout like weeds in the sun, like weeds that spread all through the garden. Their roots wrap around the stones and hold fast to every rock. But then pull them up--- no one will ever know they were there. Yes, that's all the joy evil people have; others now come and take their places. (Job 8:11-19)
Are you evil or a hypocrite? You can find out here "Are you a good person?"
The wicked are defined as those who rebel against God. It is those who are evil in principle. These get into positions of power and start to force others and society into accepting their evil ways.
It was so bad in Israel that it was said, "" LORD, our crimes against you are many. Our sins accuse us. We are well aware of them all. We have rebelled against you, rejected you, and refused to follow you. We have oppressed others and turned away from you. Our thoughts are false; our words are lies. Justice is driven away, and right cannot come near. Truth stumbles in the public square, and honesty finds no place there. There is so little honesty that those who stop doing evil find themselves the victims of crime." The LORD has seen this, and he is displeased that there is no justice."
(Isaiah 59:12-15)
What an indictment, accusation against those in Israel, but what about today? Truth has been redefined. It is no longer judging something against a standard; it is now what society says it is (or more likely the courts or legislature). The wicked seem to win and may, but we, who know the one and only true God, know that this is temporary. The triumphing of the wicked is short, as in short lived.
The verse goes on to say, "the joy of a hypocrite but for a moment".
The time comes when they are found out.
Let us pray for one another, first, to take courage that the triumphing of the wicked is short, and secondly, to not be a hypocrite. A hypocrite might not only deceive others but also himself.
"Reeds can't grow where there is no water; they are never found outside a swamp. If the water dries up, they are the first to wither, while still too small to be cut and used. Godless people are like those reeds; their hope is gone, once God is forgotten. They trust a thread---a spider's web. If they lean on a web, will it hold them up? If they grab for a thread, will it help them stand?" Evil people sprout like weeds in the sun, like weeds that spread all through the garden. Their roots wrap around the stones and hold fast to every rock. But then pull them up--- no one will ever know they were there. Yes, that's all the joy evil people have; others now come and take their places. (Job 8:11-19)
Are you evil or a hypocrite? You can find out here "Are you a good person?"
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Job 20:5 Expanded Part A
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment? (Job 20:5)
Is the world becoming more evil?
How does one define evil?
1. Behavior that is not acceptable.
If this was the only definition, each would have their own subjective decisions about objectionable behavior.
2. Something that causes harm to another.
If this was the only definition, each would offer the excuse, "Well, it didn't hurt anyone".
3. Something decided to be morally wrong in principle or practice.
If this was the only definition, a standard is needed.
That standard exists. It is the Ten Commandments.
Briefly, this is the 10.
1. No God but Yahweh
2. No images of God
3. Using God's name in any unholy sense is wrong
4. The Sabbath is holy
5. Honor parents
6. Murder is wrong
7. Adultery is wrong
8. Stealing is wrong
9. Lying is wrong
10. Coveting is wrong
Breaking these laws is evil. No man made standard can compete.
(Here is an interesting entry regarding the Ten Commandments in the history of the USA.
I don't necessarily endorse this site, but the document itself is interesting.)
Evil then needs to be known by a standard of right and wrong. The bottom line is me. How do I measure against this standard? Check it out if you are a good person or not.
Is the world becoming more evil?
How does one define evil?
1. Behavior that is not acceptable.
If this was the only definition, each would have their own subjective decisions about objectionable behavior.
2. Something that causes harm to another.
If this was the only definition, each would offer the excuse, "Well, it didn't hurt anyone".
3. Something decided to be morally wrong in principle or practice.
If this was the only definition, a standard is needed.
That standard exists. It is the Ten Commandments.
Briefly, this is the 10.
1. No God but Yahweh
2. No images of God
3. Using God's name in any unholy sense is wrong
4. The Sabbath is holy
5. Honor parents
6. Murder is wrong
7. Adultery is wrong
8. Stealing is wrong
9. Lying is wrong
10. Coveting is wrong
Breaking these laws is evil. No man made standard can compete.
(Here is an interesting entry regarding the Ten Commandments in the history of the USA.
I don't necessarily endorse this site, but the document itself is interesting.)
Evil then needs to be known by a standard of right and wrong. The bottom line is me. How do I measure against this standard? Check it out if you are a good person or not.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Choices
Choices
We are have choices to make--everyday of our life. We need to make right choices. The pictures here are of a young woman 1.5 years apart. She used meth, and it ruined her. Some choices are not so obvious, but they are bad choices. Consider these:
Bad Choices
Ananias and Sapphira
They choose to lie.
But there was a man named Ananias, who with his wife Sapphira sold some property that belonged to them. But with his wife's agreement he kept part of the money for himself and turned the rest over to the apostles. Peter said to him, "Ananias, why did you let Satan take control of you and make you lie to the Holy Spirit by keeping part of the money you received for the property? Before you sold the property, it belonged to you; and after you sold it, the money was yours. Why, then, did you decide to do such a thing? You have not lied to people---you have lied to God!" (Acts 5:1-4)
Judas
He choose money instead of the Lord Jesus.
Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Jesus to them. They were pleased to hear what he had to say, and promised to give him money. So Judas started looking for a good chance to hand Jesus over to them. (Mark 14:10-11)
Felix
He choose to wait instead of believing the Gospel.
And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you." (Acts 24:24-25)
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Good Choices
Mary, the mother of the Lord Jesus
She humbled herself.
Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
(Luke 1:38)
Man with sick child
He believed the Lord Jesus
When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to go to Capernaum and heal his son, who was about to die. Jesus said to him, "None of you will ever believe unless you see miracles and wonders." "Sir," replied the official, "come with me before my child dies." Jesus said to him, "Go; your son will live!" The man believed Jesus' words and went. On his way home his servants met him with the news, "Your boy is going to live!" He asked them what time it was when his son got better, and they answered, "It was one o'clock yesterday afternoon when the fever left him." Then the father remembered that it was at that very hour when Jesus had told him, "Your son will live." So he and all his family believed. This was the second miracle that Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee. (John 4:47-54)
Remember
The Bible, God has given us, has the standard of right and wrong; let us follow it.
I have chosen to be obedient; I have paid attention to your judgments. I have followed your instructions, LORD; don't let me be put to shame. I will eagerly obey your commands, because you will give me more understanding. Teach me, LORD, the meaning of your laws, and I will obey them at all times. Explain your law to me, and I will obey it; I will keep it with all my heart. Keep me obedient to your commandments, because in them I find happiness. Give me the desire to obey your laws rather than to get rich. (Psalms 119:30-36)
Sunday, June 1, 2008
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