"For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another." Romans 1:26-27a
The righteousness that can avail for us before the Lord must come through faith alone, because of the depravity of Jew and Gentile alike (Rom. 1:16-3:20). In due time, the Apostle Paul will tell us that human beings are depraved because they are in Adam (5:12-21), but at this point in his epistle to the Roman church, he is content simply to state the truth of the human condition, particularly the condition of those without access to God's special revelation in Scripture. Human beings have denied the God who is and have knowingly suppressed His truth, leading to the worship of the creature rather than the Creator (1:18-25).
Such idolatrous worship includes not only the praise of gods resembling men and animals, but also the twisting of the created order and the refusal to live according to the manner in which God has made us. In this context, Paul specifically mentions homosexual activity (vv.26-27). Just as human beings have exchanged the truth of the Lord for a lie, so have they "exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature."
To state the obvious, today's passage is not currently popular in Western culture. The idea that nature itself puts limitations on sexual activity is rejected. Homosexual behavior is less and less seen as a departure from what is good and holy, and calls for us all to affirm it as good and honorable grow stronger everyday. this should not surprise us in one respect. If the Lord gives some people over to dishonorable passions, we should expect those who engage in homosexual acts impenitentlyto demand our approval. Every time we do not do so, we are reminding them of the truth that they are trying so very hard to suppress.
Many people try to get around the teaching of today's passage, interpreting it to mean that Paul is not speaking of those with a "natural" homosexual orientation but of heterosexuals who commit homosexual acts. Others have said the text only concerns homosexual prostitution. Neither view can be substantiated. Even the most liberal scholars who do not like what the Bible has to say about human sexuality will admit that Scripture condemns all sexual activity outside of the heterosexual marriage relationship. In fact, these scholars say that Romans 1 is probably the clearest condemnation of homosexuality in the Bible.
Having said this, we must also be careful to note that while homosexuality is a particularly clear twisting of God's creative intent, it is not the unforgivable sin. Those who turn from this evil and trust in Christ alone also receive the gift of His righteousness.
Witnessing to our culture about God's standards for sexuality takes a good deal of wisdom. We must tell people that the Lord has a design for the sexual relationship, which is a privilege for husbands and wives in the context of a lawful marriage. We must also be clear that sexual sin is not unforgivable sin, and that God forgives all those who turn from sexual transgressions. Let us pray that the Lord would give us a bold, true, and compassionate gospel witness on these matters.
(Tabletalk, January 2014, www.ligonier.org)
Friday, January 24, 2014
Saturday, January 18, 2014
God's Word or man's word??
Letter from Ken Ham
I started to write this letter to you with a heavy heart just before Christmas - with a burden for this nation, including for the church. Now, I'm certainly not discouraged. If anything, I'm more motivated than ever to be as active as we possibly can to reach people with the truth of God's Word and the gospel.
Much has happened in the news over the past few weeks related to biblical authority in America, and I'm sure you are awar of them. Let me summarize a few:
In December, I had the opportunity to be interviewed for a four-minute segment on the "Fox & Friends" TV program (Fox News Channel) concerning atheist billboards popping up all over the country.
I praise the Lord for opening the door for AiG to say what needed to be said in a national program about an intolerant and angry minority, the atheists, who are in positions of influence to impose their anti-God religion on the culture.
I received an overwhelming number of positive responses from Christians after the TV interview. Many of them commented that we need to see more Christian leaders standing boldly and unashamedly and taking an uncompromising stand in regard to the Christian worldview and the authority of God's Word.
At the same time, the atheists went ballistic over the fact I was actually allowed to have a public platform to defend the Christian faith and warn people what was happening in the cuture as it turns away from biblical authority.
A secular professor at the University of Chicago was highly upset by my appearance on Fox, and that this network allowed a biblical creationist to be on the air! According to this evolutionist, because I'm a creationist, I apparently should not be allowed such a national opportunity. The reaction by these atheists certainly shows their increasing intolerance of anything Christian, and exposes the fact that these people don't want freedom of religion - they want freedom from Christianity.
Three days after my Fox TV interview, one of the stars of the popular Duck Dynasty cable TV program was supended by the A&E television network because of statements he made in a magazine against homosexual behavior. Although Phil Robertson used some language I wouldn't use, nonetheless he stood up for Christian morality and biblical marriage, and as a result has been greatly maligned and misquoted by those who oppose the Chrtistian teaching on marriage.
But there is a much deeper issue here than someone being suspended from a television program - a MUCH deeper one:
As Dr. Al Mohler, Jr., president of TheSouthern Bapist Theological Seminary (Louisville, KY) and who spoke at our Creation Museum a few years ago, stated on his December 19 blog: "So the controversy over Duck Dynasty sends a clear signal to anyone who has anything to risk in public life: Say nothing about the sinfulness of homosexual acts or risk sure and certain destruction by the revolutionaries of the new morality. You have been warned."
Steve Deace, a syndicated radio host and another friend of the Creation Museum, wrote this in an opinion piece for USA Today (December 19): "Especially in an era when government believes it has the power to compel a Christian baker to make wedding cakes for homosexuals, compel a Christian photographer to photograph a homosexual union in a state that doesn't even recognize them, and tell a Christian company it has to provide birth control to its employees in violation of its owner's moral conscience, we have reached the point where government believes it gets to play God."
And I could add - a government that has dictated that the religion of naturalism be taught to students in the public schools, and has allowed Christian symbols to be removed from society and public education facilities. At the same time, U.S. and state governments have dictated that symbols like illustrations of ape-like creatures evolving into people be allowed in schools. This endorsement forces the religion of naturalism (atheism) on generations of students. So much for the secularists' claim of a supposed separation of church and state - the state is now dictating a religion of atheism on the culture.
Christians want to continue to enjoy freedom of religion, as the Founding Fathers intended. But the intolerant elitist like those referred to in the USA Today opinion piece want freedom from Christianity and freedom of speech only for those with whom they agree.
It is really a battle of worldviews because it's a struggle over two main religions - God's Word or man's word.
(Ken Ham, Answers in Genesis newsletter, Jan. 2014, www.answersingenesis.org)
I started to write this letter to you with a heavy heart just before Christmas - with a burden for this nation, including for the church. Now, I'm certainly not discouraged. If anything, I'm more motivated than ever to be as active as we possibly can to reach people with the truth of God's Word and the gospel.
Much has happened in the news over the past few weeks related to biblical authority in America, and I'm sure you are awar of them. Let me summarize a few:
In December, I had the opportunity to be interviewed for a four-minute segment on the "Fox & Friends" TV program (Fox News Channel) concerning atheist billboards popping up all over the country.
I praise the Lord for opening the door for AiG to say what needed to be said in a national program about an intolerant and angry minority, the atheists, who are in positions of influence to impose their anti-God religion on the culture.
I received an overwhelming number of positive responses from Christians after the TV interview. Many of them commented that we need to see more Christian leaders standing boldly and unashamedly and taking an uncompromising stand in regard to the Christian worldview and the authority of God's Word.
At the same time, the atheists went ballistic over the fact I was actually allowed to have a public platform to defend the Christian faith and warn people what was happening in the cuture as it turns away from biblical authority.
A secular professor at the University of Chicago was highly upset by my appearance on Fox, and that this network allowed a biblical creationist to be on the air! According to this evolutionist, because I'm a creationist, I apparently should not be allowed such a national opportunity. The reaction by these atheists certainly shows their increasing intolerance of anything Christian, and exposes the fact that these people don't want freedom of religion - they want freedom from Christianity.
Three days after my Fox TV interview, one of the stars of the popular Duck Dynasty cable TV program was supended by the A&E television network because of statements he made in a magazine against homosexual behavior. Although Phil Robertson used some language I wouldn't use, nonetheless he stood up for Christian morality and biblical marriage, and as a result has been greatly maligned and misquoted by those who oppose the Chrtistian teaching on marriage.
But there is a much deeper issue here than someone being suspended from a television program - a MUCH deeper one:
As Dr. Al Mohler, Jr., president of TheSouthern Bapist Theological Seminary (Louisville, KY) and who spoke at our Creation Museum a few years ago, stated on his December 19 blog: "So the controversy over Duck Dynasty sends a clear signal to anyone who has anything to risk in public life: Say nothing about the sinfulness of homosexual acts or risk sure and certain destruction by the revolutionaries of the new morality. You have been warned."
Steve Deace, a syndicated radio host and another friend of the Creation Museum, wrote this in an opinion piece for USA Today (December 19): "Especially in an era when government believes it has the power to compel a Christian baker to make wedding cakes for homosexuals, compel a Christian photographer to photograph a homosexual union in a state that doesn't even recognize them, and tell a Christian company it has to provide birth control to its employees in violation of its owner's moral conscience, we have reached the point where government believes it gets to play God."
And I could add - a government that has dictated that the religion of naturalism be taught to students in the public schools, and has allowed Christian symbols to be removed from society and public education facilities. At the same time, U.S. and state governments have dictated that symbols like illustrations of ape-like creatures evolving into people be allowed in schools. This endorsement forces the religion of naturalism (atheism) on generations of students. So much for the secularists' claim of a supposed separation of church and state - the state is now dictating a religion of atheism on the culture.
Christians want to continue to enjoy freedom of religion, as the Founding Fathers intended. But the intolerant elitist like those referred to in the USA Today opinion piece want freedom from Christianity and freedom of speech only for those with whom they agree.
It is really a battle of worldviews because it's a struggle over two main religions - God's Word or man's word.
(Ken Ham, Answers in Genesis newsletter, Jan. 2014, www.answersingenesis.org)
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Do Not Fear
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 1st Peter 3:12-14
We do not fear what the world fears, but we do fear that which the world does not fear and that is where our paths separate.
The world does not fear the Lord nor try to walk in His ways. As a result, the things that they have tolerated and even approved have now begun to bear fruit and they are fearful of where it is leading. Ungodly living habits, legalized pornograpy, uncensored TV violence, and the rejection of God's word have all resulted in a world of violence that is getting out of control.
We do fear the Lord and although we recognize the mounting dangers in our world we do not fear because we know that our future does not depend upon the world or it's leaders. God made the world, declared it good (Genesis 1:31) and placed men in charge but holds men accountable. It is about time to audit the books and it doesn't look very promising for mankind in general.
Men recognize the danger but cannot or will not, admit to the cause. I remember a comic strip of many years ago called "Pogo" in which the little imaginary creature announced, "We has met the enemy and he is us!"
Contrary to the claims of some politicians, lawyers, judges and special interest groups, God is not the problem, God is the solution. Men's own conduct, behavior and rejection of God is the problem.
Paul spoke of such a time and said, in part, "....Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know." (The reason) "There is no fear of God before their eyes." (Romans 3:15-18)
We recognize the danger but as those who "fear the Lord" we see beyond the coming judgment to the solution and we are not afraid.
But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice; let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them; let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. Psalm 5:11 KJV
(Pastor Bill Cummins, Sheridan, Wyoming, drbc@bresnan.net)
We do not fear what the world fears, but we do fear that which the world does not fear and that is where our paths separate.
The world does not fear the Lord nor try to walk in His ways. As a result, the things that they have tolerated and even approved have now begun to bear fruit and they are fearful of where it is leading. Ungodly living habits, legalized pornograpy, uncensored TV violence, and the rejection of God's word have all resulted in a world of violence that is getting out of control.
We do fear the Lord and although we recognize the mounting dangers in our world we do not fear because we know that our future does not depend upon the world or it's leaders. God made the world, declared it good (Genesis 1:31) and placed men in charge but holds men accountable. It is about time to audit the books and it doesn't look very promising for mankind in general.
Men recognize the danger but cannot or will not, admit to the cause. I remember a comic strip of many years ago called "Pogo" in which the little imaginary creature announced, "We has met the enemy and he is us!"
Contrary to the claims of some politicians, lawyers, judges and special interest groups, God is not the problem, God is the solution. Men's own conduct, behavior and rejection of God is the problem.
Paul spoke of such a time and said, in part, "....Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know." (The reason) "There is no fear of God before their eyes." (Romans 3:15-18)
We recognize the danger but as those who "fear the Lord" we see beyond the coming judgment to the solution and we are not afraid.
But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice; let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them; let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. Psalm 5:11 KJV
(Pastor Bill Cummins, Sheridan, Wyoming, drbc@bresnan.net)
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Several Items of Interest
Malady of the Soul
"A generation of Christians reared among push button and automatic machines is impatient of slower and less direct methods of reaching their goals. We have been trying to apply machine-age methods to our relations with God. We read our chapter, have our short devotions, and rush away, hoping to make up for our deep inward bankruptcy by attendingt another gospel meeting or listening to another thrilling story told by a religious adventurer lately returned from afar.
"The tragic results of this spirit are all about us. Shallow lives, hollow religious philosophies, the preponderance of the element of fun in gospel meetings, the glorification of men, trust in religious externalities, quasi-religious fellowships, salesmanship methods, the mistaking of dynamic personality for the power of theSpirit; these and such as these are the symptoms of an evil disease, a deep and serious malady of the soul."
A. W. Tozer
Some Scientific Facts:
Rejecting the Creator results in moral depravity (Romans 1:20-32). The Bible warns that when mankind rejects the overwhelming evidence for a Creator, lawlessness will result. Since the theory of evolution has swept the globe, abortion, pornography, genocide, etc., have all risen sharply.
The fact that God once flooded the earth (the Noahic Flood) would be denied (2 Peter 3:5-6). There is a mass of fossil evidence to prove this fact, yet it is flatly ignored by most of the scientific world because it was God's judgment on man's wickedness.
Vast fossil deposits anticipated (Genesis 7). When plants and animals die they decompose rapidly. Yet billions of life forms around the globe have been preserved as fossils. Geologists now know that fossils only form if there is rapid deposition of life buried away from scavengers and bacteria. This agrees exactly with what the Bible says occurred during the global Flood.
The continents were created as one large landmass (Genesis 1:9-10). Many geologists agree there is strong evidence that the earth was originally one super continent - just as the Bible said way back in Genesis.
Continental drift inferred (Genesis 7:11). Today the study of the ocean floor indicates that the landmasses have been ripped apart. Scripture states that during the global Flood the"fountains of the great deep were broken up." This cataclysmic event apparently resulted in the continental plates breaking and shifting.
Ice Age inferred (Job 38:29-30). Prior to the global Flood the earth was apparently subtropical. However shortly after the Flood, the Bible mentions ice often - "By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen" (Job 37:10). Evidently the Ice Age occurred in the centuries following the Flood.
"A generation of Christians reared among push button and automatic machines is impatient of slower and less direct methods of reaching their goals. We have been trying to apply machine-age methods to our relations with God. We read our chapter, have our short devotions, and rush away, hoping to make up for our deep inward bankruptcy by attendingt another gospel meeting or listening to another thrilling story told by a religious adventurer lately returned from afar.
"The tragic results of this spirit are all about us. Shallow lives, hollow religious philosophies, the preponderance of the element of fun in gospel meetings, the glorification of men, trust in religious externalities, quasi-religious fellowships, salesmanship methods, the mistaking of dynamic personality for the power of theSpirit; these and such as these are the symptoms of an evil disease, a deep and serious malady of the soul."
A. W. Tozer
Some Scientific Facts:
Rejecting the Creator results in moral depravity (Romans 1:20-32). The Bible warns that when mankind rejects the overwhelming evidence for a Creator, lawlessness will result. Since the theory of evolution has swept the globe, abortion, pornography, genocide, etc., have all risen sharply.
The fact that God once flooded the earth (the Noahic Flood) would be denied (2 Peter 3:5-6). There is a mass of fossil evidence to prove this fact, yet it is flatly ignored by most of the scientific world because it was God's judgment on man's wickedness.
Vast fossil deposits anticipated (Genesis 7). When plants and animals die they decompose rapidly. Yet billions of life forms around the globe have been preserved as fossils. Geologists now know that fossils only form if there is rapid deposition of life buried away from scavengers and bacteria. This agrees exactly with what the Bible says occurred during the global Flood.
The continents were created as one large landmass (Genesis 1:9-10). Many geologists agree there is strong evidence that the earth was originally one super continent - just as the Bible said way back in Genesis.
Continental drift inferred (Genesis 7:11). Today the study of the ocean floor indicates that the landmasses have been ripped apart. Scripture states that during the global Flood the"fountains of the great deep were broken up." This cataclysmic event apparently resulted in the continental plates breaking and shifting.
Ice Age inferred (Job 38:29-30). Prior to the global Flood the earth was apparently subtropical. However shortly after the Flood, the Bible mentions ice often - "By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen" (Job 37:10). Evidently the Ice Age occurred in the centuries following the Flood.
Monday, January 6, 2014
National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday Coming January 20
With the National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday coming up on January 20, I'd like to ask: What do government-required health insurance and abortion have in common?
The propaganda poster from Communist China provides a hint. Its caption translataes to: "Carry out family planning. Implement the basic national policy." That "national policy" is, of course, the infamous "one child" policy - enforced and maintained to a large degree by abortion.
This month, not only are we reminded of the 41st anniversary of Roe v. Wade in the United States, but we are at the outset of a new nationally required purchase of health insurance coverage, an important provision of which is abortion. The link between government-required health insurance and communist policy is quite noteworthy.
While abortion became legal in the United States in 1973, Communist Russia in 1920 became the first country in the world to officially legalize abortion in all circumstances. The Bolsheviks did this as part of their "Decree onWomen's Healthcare", resulting in abortion on request and at no cost.
In communist societies, atheism is the officail religion of the state. Faith in God is greatly discouraged, and evolution is seen as vindicating their worldview. It should then come as no surprise that communist societies have led the world in extinguishing human life - the very image of God.
Indeed, from communism to humanism and pleasure-seeking hedonism, evolution is foundational to so many bad ideas and so much bad morality. Evolution is justification for survival of the fittest, for godlessness and for disbelief in the Bible. It is at the heart of a culture war that can be summarized as "a cluture of death vs. a culture of life".
Communism may have been beaten back in the Cold War against the Soviet Union, but radical "progressives" have continued to promote the philosophy and theology of Karl Marx. They have been successful in muting the Christian heritage and emphasis in modern civilization. The push for government-controlled healthcare is simply another suppression of personal freedom and responsibility in favor of an all-powerful secularist state.
These new Marxists seem to be content with incremental socialism - by slow evolution rather than by revolution. Their creeping godless vision still wants government ownership and control along with the abolition of absolute morality founded on religion. Lower moral standards, moral relativism, outlawing God from the public square and from the interpretation of history - this is where they are pushing us. We are not supposed to argue anything on the basis of moral principle but only on the basis of pragmatism. Why? Because God, they say, is not "scientific" while godlessness is.
Evolution is fundamentally an anti-God philosophy that has fueled other anti-God philosophies.
It is a pseudo-science masquerading as true science. Because of our sin nature, people suppress the truth that the God of the Bible is their Creator, Judge, Savior and Lord (Romans 1:18). They desire to be lords of the world unto themselves - often justifying their unbelief and action, consciously or subconsciously, with evolutionism.
Yes, evil will someday be put in its place, but there is still so much that needs to be done NOW.
( Mark Cadwallader. Board Chairman, Creation Moments, Inc. www.creationmoments.com)
The propaganda poster from Communist China provides a hint. Its caption translataes to: "Carry out family planning. Implement the basic national policy." That "national policy" is, of course, the infamous "one child" policy - enforced and maintained to a large degree by abortion.
This month, not only are we reminded of the 41st anniversary of Roe v. Wade in the United States, but we are at the outset of a new nationally required purchase of health insurance coverage, an important provision of which is abortion. The link between government-required health insurance and communist policy is quite noteworthy.
While abortion became legal in the United States in 1973, Communist Russia in 1920 became the first country in the world to officially legalize abortion in all circumstances. The Bolsheviks did this as part of their "Decree onWomen's Healthcare", resulting in abortion on request and at no cost.
In communist societies, atheism is the officail religion of the state. Faith in God is greatly discouraged, and evolution is seen as vindicating their worldview. It should then come as no surprise that communist societies have led the world in extinguishing human life - the very image of God.
Indeed, from communism to humanism and pleasure-seeking hedonism, evolution is foundational to so many bad ideas and so much bad morality. Evolution is justification for survival of the fittest, for godlessness and for disbelief in the Bible. It is at the heart of a culture war that can be summarized as "a cluture of death vs. a culture of life".
Communism may have been beaten back in the Cold War against the Soviet Union, but radical "progressives" have continued to promote the philosophy and theology of Karl Marx. They have been successful in muting the Christian heritage and emphasis in modern civilization. The push for government-controlled healthcare is simply another suppression of personal freedom and responsibility in favor of an all-powerful secularist state.
These new Marxists seem to be content with incremental socialism - by slow evolution rather than by revolution. Their creeping godless vision still wants government ownership and control along with the abolition of absolute morality founded on religion. Lower moral standards, moral relativism, outlawing God from the public square and from the interpretation of history - this is where they are pushing us. We are not supposed to argue anything on the basis of moral principle but only on the basis of pragmatism. Why? Because God, they say, is not "scientific" while godlessness is.
Evolution is fundamentally an anti-God philosophy that has fueled other anti-God philosophies.
It is a pseudo-science masquerading as true science. Because of our sin nature, people suppress the truth that the God of the Bible is their Creator, Judge, Savior and Lord (Romans 1:18). They desire to be lords of the world unto themselves - often justifying their unbelief and action, consciously or subconsciously, with evolutionism.
Yes, evil will someday be put in its place, but there is still so much that needs to be done NOW.
( Mark Cadwallader. Board Chairman, Creation Moments, Inc. www.creationmoments.com)
Friday, January 3, 2014
God's Word is Indestructible
All Scripture is quoted from The Living Bible.
The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the Word of our God shall stand forever. Isaiah 40:8
Don't ever forget the wonderful fact that Jesus Christ was a man, born into King David's family; and that He was God, as shown by the fact that he rose again from the dead. It is because I have preached these great truths that I am in trouble here and have been put in jail like a criminal. But theWord of God is not chained, even though I am. 2nd Timothy 2:8,9
There are some things that cannot be done! Speaking through the Old Testament Prophet, Isaiah, God said that there is no power that can prevent His spoken word from accomplishing whatever he decides. "So also is My Word. I send it out and it always produces fruit. It shall accomplish all I want it to, and prosper everywhere I send it." (Isaiah 55:11) Every Federal Judge in America may rule it unconstitutional but heaven does not recognize their authority in the matter.
Paul could be chained but God's word cannot be chained or destroyed It has been tried but it can't be done. If God's word could be destroyed or chained, robbed of it's ability to work, we would have no Christian church today. The ministers have been killed but the "Word" remains.
There are more organized assaults being made on the Bible today than ever before in our National History, but don't be anxious, the Bible is not on the "Endangered Species" list. The printed pages could be, and have been, destroyed but the message is indestructible.
The above Scriptures are referring primarily to the power of the word of God to change the hearts and lives of mankind and to restore them to fellowship with their Maker. Men have long disputed and tried to prevent this transformation from taking place in the lives of men and women but it can't be done.
In ages past the Book was burned but now the endeavors are to confine it, legislate against it and keep it out of the courts, out of the schools and out of the workplace. God allows men to continue in their foolish efforts up to a point but He has His ways. In spite of the opposition, more people now are hearing God's word and more people are accepting Jesus Christ than at any time in history.
The message cannot be contained and it continues to find receptive hearts and accomplish what God desires, which is to change lives and prepare men and women for heaven.
(Pastor Bill Cummins, Sheridan, Wyoming, drbc@bresnan.net)
The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the Word of our God shall stand forever. Isaiah 40:8
Don't ever forget the wonderful fact that Jesus Christ was a man, born into King David's family; and that He was God, as shown by the fact that he rose again from the dead. It is because I have preached these great truths that I am in trouble here and have been put in jail like a criminal. But theWord of God is not chained, even though I am. 2nd Timothy 2:8,9
There are some things that cannot be done! Speaking through the Old Testament Prophet, Isaiah, God said that there is no power that can prevent His spoken word from accomplishing whatever he decides. "So also is My Word. I send it out and it always produces fruit. It shall accomplish all I want it to, and prosper everywhere I send it." (Isaiah 55:11) Every Federal Judge in America may rule it unconstitutional but heaven does not recognize their authority in the matter.
Paul could be chained but God's word cannot be chained or destroyed It has been tried but it can't be done. If God's word could be destroyed or chained, robbed of it's ability to work, we would have no Christian church today. The ministers have been killed but the "Word" remains.
There are more organized assaults being made on the Bible today than ever before in our National History, but don't be anxious, the Bible is not on the "Endangered Species" list. The printed pages could be, and have been, destroyed but the message is indestructible.
The above Scriptures are referring primarily to the power of the word of God to change the hearts and lives of mankind and to restore them to fellowship with their Maker. Men have long disputed and tried to prevent this transformation from taking place in the lives of men and women but it can't be done.
In ages past the Book was burned but now the endeavors are to confine it, legislate against it and keep it out of the courts, out of the schools and out of the workplace. God allows men to continue in their foolish efforts up to a point but He has His ways. In spite of the opposition, more people now are hearing God's word and more people are accepting Jesus Christ than at any time in history.
The message cannot be contained and it continues to find receptive hearts and accomplish what God desires, which is to change lives and prepare men and women for heaven.
(Pastor Bill Cummins, Sheridan, Wyoming, drbc@bresnan.net)
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