What is your ambition?

II Corinthians 5:9--Therefore we make it our aim(ambition), whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.

     In the context of this passage the words present and absent deal with our physical position on this earth.  If we are absent, we are physically dead; if present, we are alive and well.  In both scenario's, Paul states that it is His aim(ambition) to be well pleasing to the Master.  It is obvious to say, that once in Heaven our whole-hearted desire will be to please Him, but what about our time here on earth?  Is it our ambition to please Him now, while living?  Do we consider our actions and ponder His perspective of us?  Today, I would like to give you three areas you can practice, knowing that by doing so, you are pleasing Him.

     Have faith.  Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."  Not only must we believe that God is God and able to do all things, we must also believe that He will reward those who diligently seek Him.  Jesus states in Luke 18:8b, "...when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth."  Do you have genuine faith in Christ?  That He can provide all of your needs?  Do you spend time worrying and fretting, or trusting and waiting?  By having faith, you can be assured that you are pleasing Him.

     Don't be entangled.  II Timothy 2:4 says, "No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier."  Our commander has enlisted us as His soldiers.  To be effective, we must not allow the things of this world to weigh us down and choke out our life.  Hebrews 12:1 tells us to,"... lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that is set before us." Luke 8:14 explains that the cares of this world, the desire for riches and the pleasures of life can choke out our growth.  To please Him, we must submit to His directing, allowing Him to aid us in being whole-hearted disciples.

     Obedience.  John 8:28-29 says, "Then Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.'" Jesus always pleased the Father, by always doing what God desired.  Jesus did nothing of Himself, but only what He was directed to do.  As we listen for the leading of God through His Word and prayer, we are to follow.  Its not our will, but His be done.  He must increase as Lord and we must decrease.  Understanding that the standard of perfection is unattainable continually, we must be quick to ask forgiveness and turn from those sins.  By doing so, the Father will be pleased, knowing we are desiring to stay in constant communion with Him. 

     May it be our continual ambition to please the Father in all that we do.

    

President Obama...True Christian?

 

Matthew 7:19-20--Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

 

     Deception.  It comes in many different forms, but has the same agenda...lead people away from God and His Son Jesus Christ.  Spirituality is one form of deception that is running rampant in our current culture.  It leads people to believe that they are safe from destruction because they have some form of faith.  It has caused many to call themselves "Christians" or "followers of God"  when in reality their future residence is hell.  I must be clear, it is not my desire, nor aim to begin stating who is and who is not a born-again believer(that is God's role).  My aim is to take people's fruits (words and deeds) and see if they line up with God's Word.  I will show three areas that cause major concern, bringing into question the thought that President Obama is a true Christian. 

 

     One way to heaven.  In a 2004 interview with Cathleen Falsani, Obama said, “I believe that there are many paths to the same place.” Obama also said, “All people of faith—Christians, Jews, Muslims, animists, everyone knows the same God.” Is this possible?  When God's Word states in John 14:6 that Jesus is the, "way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" is there room for many paths?  Is it possible to believe that Muslims worship the same God as Christians, when Jesus is only looked upon as a prophet by the Muslims, but God by the Christians?  There is only one God and one Mediator, between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.  I Tim. 2:5 
 

Homosexuality is sin.  As you have probably read or heard, Obama has attempted to twist selective scriptures to advance the non-Biblical lifestyle of homosexuality; using the golden rule to justify supporting such behavior.  Romans 1:18-32 is very clear that those who practice homosexuality are unclean, dishonoring their bodies, have a debased mind, are shameful and will receive the penalty of their error.  I Corinthians 6:9-11, Ephesians 5:3-5, Galatians 5:19-21 and Revelation 21:8 are very clear that those who practice unrepentant homosexuality will go to hell, having no inheritance in heaven.  No matter what man, or what society says, God's Word is clear that homosexuality is sin, and those who call themselves Christians, must believe the same.

 

Abortion is murder.  President Obama has stated,“I have consistently had a 100% pro-choice rating with Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America.”  Choice.  That is what we desire.  We desire the ability to do as we please, act as we want, with no regard to God's law.  President Obama seems to follow that train of thought here.  God's view of the child in the womb is much different than those supporting abortion.  God says he forms the child, making he/she something special (Jer. 1:5), others say the baby is just a glob of cells.  No matter how you slice it or try to describe it, abortion is murder and should be stopped.  Again, God hates it, but our President, who claims to be a "Christian" endorses it.  That is a problem.

To close, my aim is to encourage each of you to take the light of God's Word and use it as a guide against those claiming to be followers of Jesus.  If there words and actions do not match up with the Standard and there is no desire of repentance for such failure, beware.  Deception is all around.  Be not deceived. 

 



Pope Francis...True Humility?

 

 

     Possibly, you've seen the picture of Pope Francis washing the feet of 12 inmates on Maunday Thursday, reenacting Jesus' actions for His disciples.  You may also have seen headlines that described the Pope as humble and servant-minded.  My aim today is to take the actions of the Pope and the Catholic church and compare them to Scripture, seeing if humility is truly the correct label.

    

     Matthew 6:1 says, "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them.  Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven."   Upon seeing this photo, my first thought was not directed towards the act, but the approach.  While feet washing is a wonderful display of humility and servitude, doing so in front of photographers and videographers is anything but.  Colossians 2:18 warns us to beware of those who take, "delight in false humility."  False humility has an appearance of righteousness, but inwardly is destructive pride.  Do not be deceived, any human (even the Pope himself) who does his good deeds to be seen by men, is not walking in the steps of Jesus.

     Luke 20:46 says, "Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces. the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts."  Do any of these descriptions fit Catholic leaders?  The attire that is worn and objects that are carried by Popes and other church leaders is appalling, especially when they are to be the picture of Christ and humility.  To see people bow to the Pope and kiss his ring, as though he were some god, cause me concern.  Have we not read how Paul and Barnabas responded when those in Lystra began to worship them?  Acts 14:15a says, "Men, why are you doing these things?  We also are men with the same nature as you."  Even the angel in Revelation 22:9 would not accept such treatment, saying, "See that you do not do that.  For I am your fellows servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book.  Worship God."  It would do us all well to remember such words.  God alone is to be worshipped and bowed down to.  All others are men, fallen men, who are worthless without our Savior.
    
     We must open our eyes to understand what true humility and servitude is and what it is not.  Without the aid of Scripture we can and will be easily misguided.  Neither the Pope nor the Catholic church promote Scriptural meekness, but a pride that is veiled in false humility.  May your eyes see clearly to discern right from wrong. 

Protecting our children from judgment by preparing them to be friends of God--Gen. 18