Obama Reaffirms His Christianity

Recently President Obama reaffirmed his Christianity and stated that his faith helped sustain him during the last two years. Hopefully that means the Bible he was sworn in on is also his source of wisdom. However, as with all men, it is what one does and not what one says that confirms one’s agenda. That may help explain why just 34% of Americans believe Obama is a Christian while 43% have no opinion.

“…every good tree bears good fruit…A good tree cannot bear bad fruit…Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” Matthew 7:17-20

The final words of the president’s state of the union speech on January 25th were: “…and may God bless the United States of America.” The president’s Bible provides succinct instructions on how to obtain God’s blessings. The instructions are 4,000 years old and haven’t changed.

“Now the LORD had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country…I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you…’” Genesis 12:1-3

The ‘great nation’ mentioned above would be, is now, and will always be, Israel.

“For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.” Deuteronomy 7:6

Israel’s history of disobedience, past and present, and the related consequences is well documented. However, the promises of a great and everlasting nation were unconditional and are also well documented. The nation of Israel was chosen for a grand multi-faceted mission, i.e. to receive and provide the world with the mind and word of God, to provide the world with the lineage of God’s Son, and to show an idolatrous world that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the one true God. Israel’s mission is irrefutable, irreversible, and everlasting.

“Thus says the LORD, Who gives the sun for a light by day, the ordinances of the moon and the stars for light by night… ‘If those ordinances depart from before Me, says the LORD, then the seed of Israel shall also cease from being a nation before Me forever…If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, says the LORD.’” Jeremiah 31:35-37

Ezekiel, a contemporary of Jeremiah, was given additional aspects of Israel’s future.

“David My servant (David’s descendant, i.e. Christ) shall be king over them…Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob…where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s children, forever…and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore…The nations also will know that I, the LORD, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.” Ezekiel 37:24-28

Those who subscribe to ‘replacement theology’ believe Israel has lost its favor with God due to the continued disobedience of its people and subsequently the blessings promised to Israel have been transferred to the ‘church.’ However, the New Testament adamantly denies such reasoning.

“I say then, have they (Israel) stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall (disobedience) to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Now if their (Israel’s) fall (disobedience) is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!” Romans 11:11-12

“…blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved…” Romans 11:25-26

Therefore, Paul, himself a Jew, states unequivocally that National Israel is still the apple of God’s eye. That means God’s covenant with Abraham stands as written and those who bless Israel will in turn be blessed.

And when President Obama says, “…and may God bless the United States of America” perhaps we should be doing all we can as a nation to bless Israel which in turn elicits God’s blessings on us. When Obama accepted the Nobel peace prize last year and in his recent state of the union message, Israel wasn’t mentioned one time.

During the recent upheavals in Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries, it appears this administration is more concerned with stability in those countries as it affects our own economic interests than with the welfare of Israel.

The possibilities of the Muslim Brotherhood raising its head and implementing its deadly agenda against Israel have been mentioned in the media. How would it have been if our president had responded with a worldwide proclamation that America’s number one priority is the security of Israel? That would parallel God’s priority. In addition, that action would certainly fulfill Obama’s new motto to ‘win the future.’

Israel’s future has been written and it is glorious, with or without the participation of the United States. But imagine the blessings we are missing by not actively taking a stand for God’s chosen people.

Snow is a Gift...Right?

Dear Mrs. Nickles,

Several weeks ago as most of us were homebound because of the snow; you reminded me that snow was in fact a gift from God. As I reflected on your words and perused through my Bible I came to appreciate your insight. Following are some of my findings.

Yes, snow is in fact a gift from God.

“God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth;’ Likewise to the gentle rain…” Job 37:5-6

“He makes peace in your borders, and fills you with the finest wheat…He gives snow like wool…” Psalm 147:16

God Himself considers the snow as one of His sovereign treasures as He rebuked Job for questioning Him.

“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? ...Have you entered the treasury of snow…?” Job 38:4, 22

Snow is also illustrative of purity and cleansing because of its color, or lack of it. The Hebrew base for snow is shalag which means white.

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…” Isaiah 1:18

The Bible recognizes that snow should be anticipated and precautions taken to prevent possible associated consequences such as its accompanying cold temperatures.

“Who can find a virtuous wife: For her worth is far above rubies…She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet.” Proverbs 31:10, 21

As the snow melts, another benefit is realized, i.e. refreshing streams of water.

“Will a man leave the snow water of Lebanon…will the cold flowing waters be forsaken for strange waters?” Jeremiah 18:14

And let it not be forgotten that snow is used to describe the attire of the Ancient of Days and the angel present at Christ’s tomb on the first day of the week.

“I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow…” Daniel 7:9

“And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.” Matthew 28:2-3

And lastly, God’s gift of snow will always fulfill the purpose for which it is intended. God in fact equates His gift of snow with His immutable word.

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10-11

So thank you Mrs. Nickles for sharing your wisdom and insight with me. Now let me share with you excerpts from a poem that I prepared for my children several years ago that apply to the winter season of life, and snow.

The winter solstice paints with care
long shadows on the snow.

The sun adorns the southern sky
then exits with a glow.


Beneath the sparkle of the snow
lie silently at rest

The fading shades of autumn leaves
and seeds of summer’s best.

And so it is, the seasons end.
What promise does it bring?

Those seeds that rest with fallen leaves
will burst to life in spring.

What is the Age of Accountability?

Christian tradition holds that if a child dies before they have the knowledge and opportunity to choose between right and wrong, or to accept or deny the Biblical teaching relative to salvation, they will automatically go to heaven. The key word thus far is ‘choose.’ The relative question really is who chooses and when is the choice made. The Bible is very clear on the matter and the Bible must trump tradition.

Let it be said right up front that everyone who will spend eternity in God’s presence has been chosen by God before they were born. That definitely means before a child has the knowledge and understanding to make that choice.

“As it is written, ‘Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.’ (For the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), it was said to her (Rebecca), ‘The older shall serve the younger.’” Romans 9:11-13

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command in the Garden of Eden, they were actually rebelling against their Creator. That rebellion separated them from God as evidenced by their being sent out of God’s presence from the Garden. That original sin of rebellion was subsequently passed on to all mankind, i.e. everyone born of the flesh would by nature rebel against God.

“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” Psalm 51:5

“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God…there is none who does good, no, not one.”
Psalm 14:1-3

“For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin.” Ecclesiastes 7:20

“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” Romans
3:23

Therefore, everyone born in the flesh since the Garden of Eden was condemned to eternal separation from God. Man had quite a dilemma because he was impotent to rectify the consequences of his rebellion. A holy and just God demanded that such rebellion be paid for with the offender’s life, eternally.

The fact that anyone is reconciled to God is an act of mercy and grace on God’s part. A merciful God chose many to spend eternity with Him by paying their sin debt for them with the vicarious death of the sinless Christ. Not all, however, would accept that free gift of eternal life and God knew who they would be.

God’s choice of those to spend eternity with Him is called election. Recall that God’s election is in perfect harmony with man’s free will, i.e. all who God elected, or chose, for eternal life with Him would respond to His calling. Likewise, those who He didn’t choose were those who would have rejected His gift of eternal life when presented with the remedy for their own sin debt.

There are some who cry ‘foul!’ They claim that it’s not fair for God to choose some for eternal life with Him and not others. In other words, they are saying that God should overrule those who reject His remedy and force mercy on those who despise it.

“…Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! …You will say to me then, ‘Why does He still find fault? ...But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why have you made me like this?’ Does not the potter have power over the clay…one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory…” Romans 9:14-23

This passage confirms that no one is treated unfairly. While some receive the justice they deserve, others receive mercy in lieu of the justice they deserve.

We’ve established that God’s choice, or election, of individuals was made before they were born. How long before they were born?

“…He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will…” Ephesians 1:4-5

“…brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation…” 2 Thessalonians 2:13

Thus the age of accountability tradition is exactly that and is not confirmed in the scriptures. And while that tradition may be a comforting notion to some it should be more comforting to know that a holy and just God has, from before the foundation of the world, extended mercy to all who would respond to His offer of grace whether three score and ten years of age, in the womb, or pre-conception.

What in the World are we Thinking?

One of the major myths prevailing today is that the world is becoming a better place. According to the Bible, however, the world as we know it is on the way out. The primary definition of ‘world’ as found in the New Testament is from the Greek kosmos which connotes that which we can touch and is transitory vs. that which is spiritual and eternal. The first part of this definition is confirmed by the law of physics which states that all elements have a half-life, i.e. all elements will over time decay, or are corruptible. Spiritual things, however, are eternal, i.e. incorruptible.

The disciple Thomas was absent when the resurrected Jesus appeared to the other disciples and couldn’t believe Jesus was actually alive and had been transformed from the corruptible to the incorruptible.

“…unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put by finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe…” John 20:25

Eight days after Thomas’s statement Jesus appeared in a room with locked doors and invited Thomas to touch Him to prove that it was indeed Him. Thomas did so and proclaimed his belief.

“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed.’”
John 20:29

Therefore, the Bible teaches that those who place their trust only in that which is transitory, or visible, and not on the eternal, or invisible, have missed the great truth. So much for ‘seeing is believing.’

As would be expected then, there is constant warring between the worldly and the spiritual. Jesus warned repeatedly about the ruler of this world.

“And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe…for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me…” John 14:29-30

The Apostle John reveals the identity of the ‘ruler of this world.’

“We know that…the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.” I John 5:19

The wicked one is of course Satan, the ruler of this world, who hates the spiritual and perpetually seeks their demise.

“…Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” James 4:4

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” I John 2:15-17

And what is the defense against the ruler of this world?

“You are of God, little children... He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” I John 4:4

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Romans 12:2

And what is the future of the ruler of the world?

“Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.” John 12:31

The ruler of the world is the same one who originally deceived Eve and will continue to draw men away from the truth by offering those things that appeal to the senses.

“So when the woman saw that the tree…was pleasant to the eyes, and…desirable to make one wise, she took…and ate.” Genesis 3:6

The Bible reveals that as time progresses men will continue to lean towards worldly wisdom and move further away from the things of God. For example, what percent of the recent state of the union message was focused on eternal issues? The Bible further reveals that men will be oblivious to all warning signs which will simply hasten God’s righteous judgment.

“And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank…they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot…they bought, they sold, they planted, they built…but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.” Luke 17:26-30

“For if God…did not spare the ancient world…bringing in the flood on the world…and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes…making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly…” 2 Peter 2:4-6

Therefore, the pervading question, i.e. what in the world are we thinking?