Biblical Values and the Election

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Pam

Biblical Values and the Election
By: Mike Stokes

Well, the American people have chosen to reject Biblical values. This goes deeper than the election of certain people to office, it was a barometer of the soul of America, and America is in critical condition. America has made the wrong choices.

For those of us who seek to live according to the Word of God by the power of the Holy Spirit, these election results should cause us to fear and fervently pray and grieve for our nation. Morally our country is spiraling downward, my heart is heavy with this burden.

Colorado has legalized recreational use of marijuana, while Massachusetts, Maryland, and Washington have legalized it for medical usage. Voters in Washington, Maine, Maryland and Minnesota endorsed same sex marriage. President Obama is the first president in our history to publicly support same sex marriage. During his first term in office he instructed the Department of Justice not to defend the Defense of Marriage Act, and he also repealed the military Don’t ask, Don’t Tell policy. It has been made clear that in every instance where Biblical values were up for a vote, the American people have chosen to reject them.This is an election where America has tossed out the window all Biblical values.

We are entering a period of darkness, and as the darkness grows the light that only the people of God knows will shine brighter. This dim light of optimism will soon fade as we face things most of us have never experienced before. We are seeing now the political correctness, tolerance, celebrated and promoting diversity, will soon move into a radical agenda that attempts to silence those who speak out against sin and the evil that dwells in the heart of man. Those who refuse to be silent will be branded as religious extremist and relegated to the fringes of society. Two of our most sacred rights, Freedom of Religion, and Freedom of Speech, will be chipped away at until we will no longer recognize the country we were born in. We are as Judge Bork said, “Slouching Toward Gomorra.”

Has The World Gone Crazy? Part 5

Posted on May 27, 2012 by Pam

Has The World Gone Crazy? Part 5

By: Mike Stokes

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning.” Isaiah writes of this once-great angelic being who became the Devil. “For thou hath said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God … I will be like the most High” (Isaiah 14: 12-14). Satan has his own idea about what is good, what is evil, how the universe should operate. Satan hates humans and is trying to destroy us. “He was a murderer from the beginning”; He is the father of lies, Jesus explained in (John 8: 44). He loves terrorism, violence and bloodshed.

The vicious attack on marriage and family is authored by this miserable fiend. He hates marriage and families because they are so central to God’s master-plan for humankind. This great dragon has flipped the family structure on its head because he hates authority and loves anarchy.

God tells children to obey their parents and honor older people, so Satan encourages them to rebel against their parents and mock the aged. Satan pushes the impression that the mind-boggling impressive material creation exists by mere happenstance, that there is no order or purpose for any of it.

That old serpent disagrees with everything God thinks, because his thinking is so twisted up with hate. The longer people refuse to submit themselves to the righteousness of God, who is the true lawgiver, who alone determines right from wrong, the more haywire this crazy world will become.

Thankfully, the Bible promises that Jesus will return and set this world right-side up. The Apostle Peter called this “the times of refreshing” and “the times of restitution of all things” (Acts 3: 19-21). Jesus instructed His disciples to pray, “Thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” So, if the current state of affairs is any indication, something much better is on the way.

Has the World Gone Crazy? Part 3

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Pam

Has The World Gone Crazy? Part 3

By: Mike Stokes

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.” Isaiah lamented. “Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight” (Isaiah 5: 20-21). What kind of world is Isaiah describing in these verses, if not the crazy world I have been talking about in this series of articles?

There is much more evidence for my theses, for instance: Hamas, a terrorist government that runs Gaza, next door to Israel, is a theocratic state; it silences decent; it allows no religious expression outside radical Islam; it uses terrorism to advance its foreign policy, which is to annihilate Jews. On the other hand, Israel, by contrast, is a democracy; it has an independent judiciary and an independent press; it protects religious freedom, even for the 16 percent of its citizens who are Muslim.

Which of these two do you think the majority of nations including Western elites consider political partners, and which as a villain? It is completely bizarre, how people who value political freedom and respect for human life to defend the terrorist cause? Absolutely crazy to overlook the barbaric acts of murder, that plagues radical Islam culture? And why is the world so unforgiving and unsympathetic as Jews try to defend themselves against it? These are questions that are left unanswered.

In the crazy world of downtown Manhattan, a retail store damaged by shrapnel from the 9/11 terrorist attack was leveled to the ground, in order to make room for a new 13-story mosque. “In the ruins of a building reduced to rubble in the name of Islam, a temple to Islam will arise,” said author Mark Steyn.

Theres more: Last year authorities foiled a bombing attempt in New York’s Time Square. As always happens when a Muslim commits or try to commit a terrorist act, politicians and the press disregarded facts, threw out the religious connection and searched for a cause by reporting, the would-be bomber’s struggle to pay his mortgage. New York’s mayor speculated that he was probably a right-winger, or somebody with a political agenda that doesn’t like the health care bill. It turns out the perpetrator was on orders from the Pakistani Taliban. The mayor responded to the news by praising his city’s Pakistanis and gravely stated, “We will not tolerate any bias or backlash against Muslim New Yorkers.”

Oh for political correctness, a bramble-bush of self-contradicting doctrine. I don’t think Isaiah could have possibly described the crazy world we live in with more penetrating precision.

Has the World Gone Crazy? Part 2

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Pam

Has The World Gone Crazy? Part 2

By: Mike Stokes

In our crazy world common sense appears to be turned on its head. Nothing is really as it is said to be. We are caught in the grips of a mass derangement, for instance: There is mountains of evidence that show the benefit of traditional marriage to both husband and wife, as well as society at large, and the high cost of its disintegration. The evidence prove the enormous advantages to children, in terms of: Personal safety, academic performance, financial well-being, emotional stability, self-respect, and assimilation into law-abiding adult life. There simply is no way to quantify the benefits of growing up under the same roof with both biological parents, a living arraignment built upon a strong, stable relationship.

But because this evidence contradicts the secularist agenda, it is routinely overlooked, ignored, dismissed and scorned. This crazy world keeps cranking up the pressure to popularize deviant sexuality, while removing pressure on singles to marry, removing pressure on married people to remain together, and removing pressure on children to view their parents as authority figures.

Evidence prove that strong societies begin with strong marriages and families, yet intellectuals continue heedlessly striking blows at the pillars of family life. In this upside-down world families are bottom-up: Children rule, and parents take orders. Under the guise of protecting children from abuse there are hostile efforts to undermine parental authority and dismantle family structure. For instance: All physical discipline, an indispensable tool that the Bible commands parents to use to correct bad behavior, is considered cruel and abusive; Wrong headed people are convinced that children thrive better when parents’ abdicate their duty to educate their children spiritually; Public school teachers are unable to discipline students, classrooms increasingly become hatcheries of rudeness and rebellion. Apparently the students’ right to misbehave in school is more important than their right to actually learn.

The ominous vision of the Prophet Isaiah is now a reality: “I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them…The children shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honorable” (Isaiah 3: 4-5). There is a glaring irony here: While crazy legal minds work to empower children at their parents’ expense in many areas, there is one issue on which they stand firmly, even belligerently, with parents over their children; They passionately defend parents’ right to kill their own children before they are born.

The Problem of Death – Part 3

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Pam

The Problem of Death: Part 3

By: Mike Stokes

In this final article on the subject of death I want to focus on two final questions: Prayer and baptism for the death, and the question about deathbed repentance.

(6) What about prayer and baptism for the dead?

Some offer prayer for the dead in hope of making their destiny brighter. There is no scripture basis in support of this belief. There is a reference to such a belief in one Apocryphal book (2 Maccabees), not accepted as part of the cannon. Baptism for the dead is in the Bible; 1 Corinthians 15: 29. Christians in Paul’s day were under extreme persecution, they often experienced martyrdom just after being saved, without being baptized. It was a concern of Christians in the church at Corinth, some represented those who were killed by being baptized for them. Paul acknowledges this practice, he neither condemned or encouraged it. His point is, unless one believes in the resurrection, what’s the point of such a practice.

(7) What about deathbed repentance? (Luke 23: 39-43)

If Christ meant this to be the only case like this, seems he would have quietly said to the thief, don’t let anyone else know but, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” No, he spoke for all to hear, neither would it have been written in the Bible, but he had this wonderful grace reported in the daily news of the gospel record, because he intended to repeat it. He would never have encouraged hope which he cannot fulfill. This is a remarkable case, the thief had no gospel message preached to him except the gospel he heard from Christ’s enemies, for they said, “He saved others” (v35), the thief must have thought, perhaps he can save me too. Some might say, but, he was not baptized, or took communion, or joined a church. He could do neither; and that which God regards impossible for us he does not demand of us. So, what did the felon do? He confessed the Lord, and that publicly, that is the very essence of baptism. He makes a full confession of guilt, speaking to his partner in crime says, “And we indeed justly; for we received the due reward of our deeds” (v41). He did all he could (wish I could say the same about myself). Note, he only ask to be remembered but he received a surprising answer, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (v43), implying he and the criminal will walk in together. This is a wonderful example of the grace of God, but one should not depend to heavily on this example for their own case. It is true, the Lord will accept all who repent, even if it is at the last hour, but how do you know you will repent? It is true one thief was saved–but the other was lost.

The questions and answers in this series of articles are not exhaustive, but I hope they are helpful to those who have questions about, “The Problem of Death.”

Has the World Gone Crazy? Part 1

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Pam

Has the World Gone Crazy? Part 1

By: Mike Stokes

In this world, everything seems to be twisted in knots. For instance: the solution to the debt problem is increased spending; the solution for government waist is more government; in certain political circles balancing the national checkbook is a radical idea; freedom of speech is used as a shield for vulgarity and filth and a club against godliness and virtue. Its a world where truth is trashed and lies are praised. Where the honorable are despised and the depraved are accepted. Where sound morals and strong character are relentlessly mocked, while immorality is praised, paraded and protected.

The Apostle Paul recorded a scathing rebuke that has shown itself to be remarkably prophetic: He describes scholars and academics “Who change the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever” (Romans 1: 25). These are characteristics of this deranged world: Truth changed to lies; material things exalted above the God who made them; plain, clear, scripture understanding scorned and irrational human reasoning worshipped. These traits represent a fundamental hostility to sound reason. Yet they are manifestly present in the supposedly irreproachable, objective realm of science. Consider the evidence in the blacklisting and excommunication of scientist who so much as acknowledge the possibility of the elegant and predictability of the material world suggest intelligent design.

The scientific establishment abruptly closes the door on anything that challenges the ridiculous notion that there are no answers whatsoever beyond matter itself. As a result, the establishment must turn its back on a great many facts and simultaneously embrace some ludicrous fiction. Bewildered by the majesty of life, and the impossible perfection of the earth to support it, scientist have entered the realm of fantasy in order to sustain their belief in a godless universe.

Famous atheist zoologist Richard Dawkins, who delights in ridiculing religious believers and calls faith “A virus of the mind” says he believes, “life may have been deposited on earth by beings from outer space.” So, in this crazy world, superintellegent green men from some great beyond (The origins of which is not elaborated on), is easier to believe in than God.

The Apostle Paul put it this way; “Professing themselves to be wise, they become fools” (v22). In their substituting for the being of God, they actually thought they were wise. The word “Fools” in v22 is a translation of the Greek word [moros]. We get our word moron from this–which means a stupid person.

The Problem of Death – Part 2

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Pam

The Problem of Death: Part 2

By: Mike Stokes

In the first article in this series, we focused on three questions concerning the subject of death: What does God mean by death? What happens with the body, soul and spirit at death? What about cremation? In this article, I want to explore two more questions about the problem of death:

(4) What about the death of small children?

That is, those who live for a short time, or, a few years, but who are not able to discern right and wrong. The term, “Age of accountability” is a relative term, referring to an unknown number. It might help to consider Matthew 19: 13-14, where we discern the attitude of the Lord towards little children, and their part in the Kingdom of God (Heaven). He takes them [The babies] in his arms and blesses them, in doing this, it is inconceivable that all he wanted to do was to inform us that grown people must become childlike to enter the Kingdom of God. The implication is that the kingdom of heaven belongs to children as much as anyone else. In 2 Samuel 12: 15, 23, seems to verify Matthew 19. David’s son died, an act of judgement against parents; David viewed the child as being secure with the Lord at death.

(5) What about Suicide?

Suicide is the second biggest killer of young people. Believers and nonbelievers have taken their own life. There are several examples in the Bible: 1 Samuel 31: 4, 2 Samuel 17: 23, Matthew 27: 3-5. In two of these examples there was direct demonic activity involved. In a weakened state even believers can become so emotionally distressed that they can murder themselves. A question many ask is; do Christians who commit suicide loose their salvation? Many have had their grief unnecessarily compounded by unbiblical ideas that suicide is an unpardonable sin. Suicide is a sin, the murder of self. Adultery and murder of someone else are equally gross sins. We know King David committed both, but he did not loose his salvation. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin, including suicide (1 John 1:7).

Next time, we will explore the questions about: Prayer and baptism for the dead, and deathbed repentance. I hope this will be helpful to those who have questions about–The Problem of Death.