Monday, July 27, 2015

7/27/15

We have a flagpole located near the entrance of our worship center on the Crossroads Christian Church property.  On that flagpole we prominently display an American flag.  I am glad.  It is representative of our loyalty to our motherland.  Our national constitution was originally founded upon God-honoring truths and convictions.  In addition, we have hundreds of military veterans that are a part of our church family.  And we are deeply indebted to the hundreds of thousands of men and women who have sacrificially served in all branches of the military for nearly two and a half centuries to preserve our freedoms.  The display of the American flag is a reminder for us not to take these cherished freedoms for granted, but rather to receive them with gratitude as God’s blessing.  As a church, we are unapologetically patriotic… with only one qualifier. “… our [priority] citizenship is in heaven.” [Philippians 3:20]
 
Now, there is a widespread practice with which I have never been entirely comfortable.  And that is, flying the flag of the United States of America above the Christian flag on flagpoles located on church property.  I know it may be evidence of my slight bent toward OCD [obsessive compulsive disorder], but still… it feels to me like the placement of the Christian flag is out of order. Now, I do know that it’s what’s in the heart of each individual that matters most.  But I wonder about the passive statement that is made when the Christian flag is in a subordinate position.
 
The U.S. Code, article 175c, specifically states that… “No other flag or pennant should be placed above the flag of the United States of America, except during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea, when the church pennant may be flown above the flag.”  Because I clearly understand daily life to be worship, I wonder whether this is enough of a concession.
 
Recently, in North Carolina the decision was made to remove the confederate flag from the state house.  I think that was a wise move; although some, with pure motives, passionately object.  These flag issues may be more a matter, not so much of right or wrong, but of good and better.  For me, the better statement is to elevate the tangible symbol of the government of God above the tangible symbol of the government of men. 
 
Just thinking out loud this morning and Speaking the Truth in Love…
 
Pray with me… Father God, when the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more, and the morning breaks eternal bright and fair; when the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore… there will be no more nations or flags or armies or war. But there will only be the new heaven and the new earth in which righteousness will forever dwell.  Your Word promises Your eternal kingdom will stand.  And we desire, above all else, to be part of it along with as many people as we can take with us to the place that Jesus is preparing.  In His Name we pray… amen.

Blessings,
Pastor Ken

Monday, July 20, 2015

7/20/15

We all get them, sometimes monthly and sometimes annually; but no one likes to receive them!  They typically come in the mail, in plain white, legal-sized envelopes, with a clear widow on the front that displays our name and address.  I am talking about ‘due bills.’
The due bill is a printed statement that documents and details an amount owed by a buyer to a seller for merchandise received or services rendered.  It includes a stated timeframe, which obligates the buyer to send a check or other form of payment to fully satisfy the balance owed, or some acceptable portion of it, by a certain date.  Failure to pay a due bill, for whatever reason, will have ultimate consequences in the form of repossession of goods, loss of credit, a lawsuit [resulting in greater financial liability], bankruptcy or even imprisonment.  I have personally never put this to the test.  I have disputed/refused payment on a few rare occasions.  Unfortunately, that has usually not usually ended with my vindication.  As a result, I typically wound up paying to protect my witness as a Christian, or my credit rating!
 
Last evening I read about the due bill that has come in for one… Mr. Bill Cosby.  His name and reputation have been universally vilified in recent weeks as details have surfaced about his sexual victimization of over 40 women [and counting].  Even the President of the United States took time in a press conference about an unrelated national security issue, to indict his character.  Cosby, once called ‘America’s favorite dad’ has been exposed by his own confession in a 2005 deposition for drugging and assaulting multiple victims.  The due bill for his past admitted immoral and criminal behavior has arrived.  Let it be a lesson to thinking people. 
 
Numbers 32:23 says, “…you may be sure that your sin will find you out.”  It’s just true… the things done in secret will be shouted from the housetops. 
Luke 8:17, “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.”
 
Ecclesiastes 12:14, “For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
 
Sobering passages… but so important to remember as we live our lives each day and make value judgments and decisions that will be the rewards we receive or the consequences face in the future. 
 
Pray with me… Father God, we know that everything is open, all things are known and laid bare before your eyes.  We humbly promise to confess and forsake our secret sin to receive your forgiveness and live in your grace day by day.  In the name of the One who makes this possible by His death and resurrection… Jesus, thank you for paying our sin debt in full on the cross.  Amen.

Monday, July 6, 2015

7/6/15

Thirty years ago, in 1985, I delivered a cautionary message to the Christian college where I served as president.  It was about my deep-seated concerns for the destructive influence of the Humanist Manifesto.  The Manifesto was an intellectual product of over 30 secular minds articulating and documenting a developing point of view in the American culture that has radically changed our values and behaviors over the last several decades.  The Manifesto has gone through two additional revisions [1973 & 2003], taking our culture even further down the road of selfishness and godlessness.  Here are a few of the basic tenants of the Manifesto:            -The universe is ‘self-existing’ and not created by God.            - Mankind is a part of nature and not the special creation of God.            - Man’s religious culture and civilization are determined by his social heritage and interaction, not Divine revelation.            - Religion must formulate its hopes and plans with accountability to science.            - Fulfillment must be experienced in the here and now, since there is no hereafter.            - Religious emotions must be expressed in a heightened sense of personal life and efforts to promote social well-being, not    belief in God.            - Learning to face the crises of life depends on our education and customs, not unreal hopes and wishful thinking.            -  The joy of living depends on creativity and achievements, not ‘faith.’            - The goal of humanism is a free and universal society in which people voluntarily and intelligently cooperate for the common good.  Humanists demand a shared life in a shared world. Of course this is all so high minded and sophisticated.  But, any young Christian, with an elementary faith could shred the logic found in these tenants that are based on presuppositions that require far more blind faith than the reasoned faith revealed in scripture!The Manifesto describes a utopian society designed by ivory tower, pseudo-intellectuals who live in perpetual denial about the existence of good and evil in a fallen world, marred by sin and desperately need of Divine intervention in order to be redeemed.  The Manifesto looks good on paper.  Just one problem… it does not work when applied in real life!  As these tenants are given a wider embrace, and are applied at both a national and personal level, everything begins to come apart. Proverbs 16:25 says, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”  The flawed and naive logic represented in the Manifesto has influenced decisions by Supreme Court judges, themes in books and movies, lectures delivered by college/university professors and the teaching of impressionable young minds at both the primary and secondary levels.  The ‘trickle-down’ affect of humanistic doctrine is being felt in virtually every family.  As the teachings and values of the Bible are rejected or marginalized, the culture will run downhill.  And it is happening fast in this generation!   Pray with me… Great God, our Father… You have revealed Yourself to us in nature, in Jesus and in Your Word, the Bible.  Thank you Father, for letting us know You, love You worship and serve You while we live.  We pray for more and more people to have the eyes of their hearts opened so they may know the joy of living in Your grace day after day.  Thank you for the knowledge that we can be forgiven, that we can be empowered to live abundantly, that we can live with purpose daily and that we can live with the hope of heaven in the greater life.  In the Name of Jesus, amen.

Blessings,Pastor Ken

7/4/15

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.” Romans 13:1, 7
 
Lord, we live in a nation that is free to elect those chosen for public office. We confess that the servants who are chosen are there with your approval. Let us faithfully support those elected to office, giving honor to their position. Let us help them fulfill the obligation and responsibility of our nation. With prayer and understanding, let us unite ourselves to the one purpose of living a life in which “In God We Trust.”  In the name of Jesus, amen.

7/3/15

“Hear a just cause, O LORD, 
Attend to my cry;
Give ear to my prayer 
which is not from deceitful lips.
Let my vindication come for your presence;
Let your eyes look on the things that are upright.
Uphold my steps in your paths, 
That my footsteps may not slip.”
Psalm 17:1-2, 5
 
 
Lord, we cry out to you with hearts that need your blessings. Give us wisdom to make right decisions that will bring honor to you and will purify our hearts. Let the words that wee speak draw us closer to your presence. We recognize, O Lord, that you are in control of all things. Help this nation to hear your voice, protect us from evil, and lead us in the path of righteousness for you name’s sake. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Thursday, July 2, 2015

7/2/15

“Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the low of the LORD, 
And in his law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.”
Psalm 1:1-3
 
 
Lord, your word has given us counsel on how we should relate to and act toward on another. May we be steadfast and immovable in our commitment to you and to one another. Let our roots go deep into your word to praise and glorify your name. May our weakness be your strength and our purpose in life be to honor you. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

7/1/15

“I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel;
My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. 
I have set the LORD always before me;
Because he is at my right hand I shall not be moved.”
Psalm 16:7-8
 
 
Father, we humbly ask for your blessing. Help us to listen to your counsel when we are alone with you. Speak to our hearts each moment, for you are the anchor of our souls, and we will rest in your presence. It is you alone that we desire, and no one or no thing can take your place. In the name of Jesus, amen.