MERRY CHRISTMAS

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Christmas began in the heart of God...

It is not complete until it reaches the heart of man.

May your hearts be open to the Savior of the First Advent

And prepared for the Lord of Lords and King of Kings of the

Second Advent

Encouraged by Christ.......and you

Les & Barb Young

World News Through the Third Lens: What About the Next Generation?

"Narnia cruises to No. 1 debut with modest $24.5M" declared the banner headline in today's Johnson City Press. While it was number one at the box office this weekend, the figures are less than glowing; in fact they pale in comparison to "Narnia 1's" opening take of $65.6 million and "Narnia 2's" opening which did $55 million. Without delving into the mysteries of Hollywood and the movie industry, I was immediately brought back to some headlines I had read just a few weeks ago. After looking up the details on-line, I can tell you that....

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1 set all-time opening for the franchise with over $125 million," reported Box Office Mojo. Further checking revealed that this Harry Potter release has grossed over $777 million world-wide in its first 3-1/2 weeks. Why would I care about that? I can guarantee you that I not looking to become Roger Ebert's new partner in the movie ratings business. No, there really is a Scriptural connection to these two recent Hollywood blockbusters.

Through the Third Lens of Scripture: In this morning's reading from Our Daily Bread The lesson was drawn from 1 Corinthians 12:14-26 and from the Zebras and Wildebeests of the Serengeti Plain. From the animals we learn that the Zebras and the Wildebeests travel and migrate together because the Zebras have keen eyesight and a poor sense of smell, while the Wildebeests are just the opposite. By traveling together, they are both less vulnerable to predators. From the Scriptures we learn. "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:12). "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don't need you!' And the head cannot say to the feet, 'I don't need you!'" (1 Corinthians 12;21). So while I may come across as a strong exhorter, I understand that God has placed such people in the body of Christ for a reason. While my strong suit may not be mercy, God has placed others in the body who excel in dispensing mercy (see Romans 12:8).

That leads to today's exhortation, which connects back to the opening remarks about two movies and their respective draws at the box office. Both of these movies are filled with fantasy, greatly enlarged by the silver screen. Both depict competing forces which might be labeled as "good and evil" or "light and dark." However, the Harry Potter movie, in fact the entire Harry Potter series, is much more dark than light; much more evil than good. The good displayed in these movies is more of the human variety, and the Scriptures declare, concerning this subject: "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags..." (Isaiah 64:6a). On the other hand, the Narnia movies reveal a different kind of good; a good that is redemptive and that comes from outside of humanity. In these movies, the Lion Aslan is seen as a type of Christ.

So what do we have here? We have a movie which is heavy into magic, both black and white, with little redeeming value grossing 5-6 times as much as a similar movie which, although fantasy, portrays biblical truth in an entertaining format. I would venture to say that 5-6 more children have seen Harry Potter as have seen Narnia 3. And the Scriptures declare: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it" (Proverbs 22:6). I would challenge those parents who think that there is no difference between the two movies to think again. Some of the most dangerous thoughts we can entertain are, "It doesn't mean anything. It's only for fun. It's just an act. It's just entertainment." This applies to music, TV, movies, concerts, etc. Remember, a little bite of a piece of fruit got us all in one big jam.

Yesterday our pastor brought a message entitled, ""Bring the Children" (Developing a Faithful Generation). It was probably the best exposition of Matthew 19:13-15 I have ever heard. That passage reads: "Then little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. When He had placed His hands on them, He went on from there."

I could never hope to do justice to Pastor Hilton's message, but allow me to recap the three main points to his message: 1) Bring the children to Jesus. I dare say that there is a lot more Jesus in the Narnia movie than in the Harry Potter movie. Children must be brought to Jesus, so that in a spiritual sense they might feel His touch. 2) Do not keep children from Jesus. It's one thing to bring them to Jesus, it's another thing to not keep them from Him. Often we adults get in the way by failing to prioritize children, or by being ignorant of their value (this begins at conception). We train by example as well as by instruction. 3) God works generationally. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Someone once said that Christianity is only one generation away from extinction. It is up to us to raise up the next generation in the training and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).

So, let's be good role models to the children. Let's bring them to Jesus, which includes church at the top of the list, but also includes pointing out Jesus in every area of life. It means always being on the lookout for the answer to W.W.J.D.? (What would Jesus do?) As we develop a faithful generation, God has promised great blessing on them. "Praise the Lord. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in His commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever." (Psalm 112:1-3).

Be encouraged in Christ!

World News Through the Third Lens: What values Are Being Defended in the Afghan War?

"High-level Interests? Afghan Christian convert's case may be the subject of a U.S. meeting" reads the November 30, 2010 banner to a by-line by Mindy Belz of World Magazine.

"The case of Afghan Sayad Mossa, who has been in a Kabul jail since May 31 allegedly for converting from Islam to Christianity, will be the subject of a meeting between Gen. David Petraeus and Afghan President Hamid Karzai, according to legal counsel who arrived in Kabul this week to assist the 45-year old Mossa."

Belz goes on to state in her article that there have been a number of conflicting reports concerning Mossa's case, who had just last week been able to secure legal representation through Advocates International, a faith-based association with 25,000 attorneys in 130 countries. Belz quoted the prosecutor in charge of western Kabul, Din Mohammad Quraishi, as saying that Mossa and another prisoner, Ahmad Shah, are being detained and charged with apostasy: "They are accused of conversion to another religion, which is a crime under Islamic law. If proved, they face the death penalty or life imprisonment."

The article goes on to point out the tenuous situation in Afghanistan, the touchy issues already on the table following Karzai's criticism of NATO troops and the recent leaks from Wikileaks revealing the US's raw frustration with corruption within the Karzai government.

Through the third lens of Scripture: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you." (Matthew 5:11-12). "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony: they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." (Revelation 12:11). How easy it is to post those Scriptures from the comfort of my office. Nobody is persecuting me today because of the profession of my faith in Jesus the Christ. Yet the day is not over, and because I am about to encourage all Believers through this blog to get ready for what may be in our lifetime a time of widespread persecution of Christians, I expect some to be repelled by the message. However, I am compelled, not by a desire to be liked by everyone, but only to hear my Lord say, "Well done, good and faithful servant," to speak what I know to be the truth on what are often disturbing subjects.

There is a mixed message in this country as to whether the church is gaining in influence and popularity or whether the opposite is true. I suppose the answer could depend on your definition of the church: is it the institution with its outward appearance or is it those who have experienced the new birth and have chosen to walk the narrow road that leads to life? Certain segments of the visible church have demonstrated a continuing willingness to go along with political correctness so as to get along with the powers that be. Homosexuality has been redefined from a moral abomination to a legitimate alternative (and thus a civil right); marriage has been redefined from "one man-one woman-for life" to (well....we've already started down the slippery slope so there's no telling where it will end). To stand up for the sanctity of life or biblical marriage will always invite persecution from somewhere.

And now to speak ill of Islam, or our country's ominous war on terrorism is to probably walk on thin ice also. So be it. How can there be any question that our presidents have gotten it wrong when they label Islam as a "religion of peace?" Virtually every nation on the planet where Islam is in the majority, Christians are persecuted to some degree or another. How could the United States of America, with its Constitution (including the First Amendment) expend so many resources (including human lives where are of inestimable value) to free a country from Taliban rule, only to replace it with a government set up to persecute Christians? What values are our service men and women putting their lives on the line to defend? Could it be a portent of things to come where, even in the USA, all manner of religious expression other than Christian is protected? The best way to prepare for and yes, even prevent such an eventuality is to speak and live biblical truth now, at every opportunity.

Be encouraged in Christ!

World News Through the Third Lens: Dare We Speak Against Islam?

Woman in Austria faces prison for speaking against Islamic law (Diana West, Johnson City Press editorial, November 19, 2010). On a recent trip to India (which, by the way, cost our bankrupt nation an outrageous sum) President B. Hussein Obama set us up for the Big Lie when he said, "I think all of us recognize that this great religion [Islam] in the hands of a few extremists has been distorted to justify violence towards innocent people that is never justified." Then why is it that all of the sacred books and schools of Islam say differently? One need not distort the Islamic texts to justify the violence of jihad from Mumbai to Tel Aviv to New York City to Bali to Madrid and beyond.

Just yesterday, the Religious Freedom Coalition reported that in the past week there were 30 Islamic terror attacks in 12 different nations with 83 dead and over 200 wounded. RFC also reported that two weeks earlier and Islamic terror attack on a Syriac Catholic church in Baghdad left 58 dead and 78 wounded. Not a week goes by but what multiple events like this happen, most of them not reported by the media. Asia Bibi, a 45 year old Christian woman in Pakistan (supposedly one of the USA's partners in the war against terror) has been condemned to death for insulting Islam. You can click this link to get a first-hand report on what conditions are like in Afghanistan, a country where our military have been laying it on the line for the past 9 years - for what? http://video.foxnews.com/v/4348748/daanger-of-missionary-work-in-afghanistan

All that is backdrop for the case of Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff, the Viennese mother and housewife who will go to trial on November 23, in which her home country of Austria will attempt to send her to prison for as long as three years for "hate speech" against Islam, very similar to those I've just written. Her statements were not without foundation based on personal experience and intense study. From living as a child of an Austrian diplomat stationed in Iran during the 1979 Islamic Revolution, to working in the Austrian embassy in Kuwait at the time of the Iraqi invasion, to working at the Austrian embassy in Libya on 9/11, she has seen wide-spread fanaticism on display. She has studied the Islamic texts, commentaries, apologetics and critiques at length and eventually decided to exercise her God-given right to free speech and begin educating others.

In seminars promoted by the Association of Vienna Academics and the anti-Islamization Freedom Party, since 2008 she has been educating Austrians about Islam, the Koran and Shariah law. It so happened that one of the seminar attendees was a journalist for the left-wing publication NEWS, who branded the seminar as a "hate school." This caused a huge uproar in the establishment, and one bishop, who never attended a seminar, weighed in with, "One must never speak about any religion the way Ms. Sabaditsch-Wolff did about Islam." Elisabeth's husband, a military surgeon and her father (a career diplomat) know the truth and support her 100 percent.

Through the third lens of Scripture: It appears to me that Elisabeth is about to stand trial because she is a courageous proclaimer of the truth - something which threatens all states of denial. He plight mirrors that of Paul with the Galatians, where he said, "Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?" (Galatians 4:16). I know experientially how quickly this can happen within the Body of Christ; therefore it's no surprise how one's own country can turn against some of its best and brightest citizens. I'm not a doomsayer, just an encourager - be prepared all of you Christian patriots.

And when it comes to confronting false religion, Jesus was the Master, and He warned His disciples, "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved....A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master....If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!" (Matthew 10:22, 24-25). I don't have time in this article to point out all of the places where Jesus confronted false religion. Here are just a few examples: Matthew 23; Mark 7:6-13; John 7:23.

No confrontation with false religion would be complete without exposing the truth. To begin with, every Muslim who claims to have no affiliation with jihad, terror, or Shariah does not have far to go to remove themselves from Islam. And the "fanatics!" Well, they already have what it takes to become zealous Christians. We must remember that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was the full and satisfactory payment, not just for our sins, but for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2). And so let us not be afraid of sharing the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ, even with those who would appear to be its greatest enemy. Just reread Acts 7-9 for a refresher.

Caesar is still Caesar

I don't know what election year this particular image is supposed to depict, and I don't know exactly how yesterday's election changed the colors; but one thing I do know is the CAESAR IS STILL CAESAR. There is a lot of celebrating in the US of A today, and rightfully so. Liberty, freedom, the Constitution, free enterprise, government of, by and for the people have all made their voices heard in the polling places around the country. Messages have been sent to the establishment. In some cases, righteousness has actually won the day. I praise God for this, even as I know that CAESAR IS STILL CAESAR.

It matters some whether Caesar is colored red or blue, for the heart of the king (Caesar - whether he be self-appointed or democratically elected) is in the hand of God and He turns it whatsoever way He wills, even like the rivers of water. (Proverbs 21:1). A righteous king (or government) brings blessings to the land and its people and they rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan (Proverbs 29:2). Changing a state's color from blue to red doesn't automatically establish righteousness in government. The people have to desire righteousness and pursue it.

CAESAR IS STILL CAESAR and he will make his demands on the people, and the people must give to CAESAR that which is his. Glory and worship are not CAESAR'S no matter how much he may portray himself as a god. As it is written, "Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only." (Matthew 4:10). In worshipping the One True God and serving Him only, one is constantly challenged. Yesterday in Colorado, the home of a number of large, well-known ministries (i.e. Focus on the Family) there was an item on the ballot entitled "Amendment 62." If passed, it would have declared personhood to begin at conception (which is biblically correct and therefore righteous), conferring to babies in the womb all of the rights and privileges granted to any other person under the Colorado Constitution. The measure failed to pass by about 70% to 30%.

So even where the people have spoken (the people in CT for example do not have a right to speak as did the people in Colorado), unrighteousness still prevails. Unfortunately, little babies in the womb are being killed in red states as well as blue states. Every state in the union runs red with the blood of innocent babies. So Christian, you and I have a lot of work to do and it should include the following:

1. PRAY. Paul did not distinguish which kind of king merited our prayers; he just said, "Pray." "I urge you first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for every-one--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

2. Live godly and holy lives, whether we can do that in peace or not, remembering these other words from Paul, "...everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12) There will always be those who persecute the godly. It's a terrible thing when its the government that is doing the persecuting.

3. In godliness and holiness we must cry out in behalf of those who have no voice. David was able to cry out to God to save him from bloodthirsty men because he had a voice. He was able to declare, "Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice." (Psalm 55:17) Babies in the womb often have no voice but yours and mine.

4. Jesus has not yet put a halt to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Continue to proclaim the Good News with your life and with your words. When they are in harmony, the song is beautiful. When you stand as a witness in front of an abortuary, you are not just proclaiming the sanctity of life, but you are offering hope, love, forgiveness and salvation to troubled Moms and Dads as well. Thousands of salvations have taken place in the vicinity of the killing places as the theology of the church becomes the biography of the streets.

5. Stay involved. Find was to practically apply the words of Jesus when He said, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl, instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house." (Matthew 5:13-15)

That should keep us busy until the next election.........

Be encouraged - No matter who thinks they are king, Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

World News Through the Third Lens: The Value of a Life

Today being the ninth anniversary of the 9-11-01 attacks on American soil, there has been much written and said about what happened that day, vis-a-vis the degree to which religious tolerance is part of the bedrock of this nation, the proposed burning of the Koran by a small Florida church and the planned construction of a mega-mosque within two blocks of Ground Zero in Manhattan. I do not think for one second that I can compete with the rhetoric that has been expended on these topics. Yet I am stirred in my heart to write something that might be of value to someone. In my attempt at that, I will be abandoning the normal format of this blog in favor of stringing together some thoughts which in total I pray might glorify God and encourage the soul of a fellow pilgrim.

Ground Zero has taken on an aura of holy ground over the years, probably because of the magnitude of the tragedy that occurred there nine years ago. That's usually the case with us fallen people; we tend to place some unknown value on a human life, and then multiply it by the number of lives lost. Yet this leaves us with just a "bigger" unknown value, but because it is "bigger," more honor should be given. Consequently, when almost 3,000 people died on September 11, 2001; in the following years a complicated formula would be devised to determine the value of each particular life.

Much has been said of those who died that day: innocent, hero, unlucky, in the wrong place at the wrong time, selfless. With the exception of the 19 individuals who hijacked the 4 aircraft, everyone else probably was innocent with respect to having done nothing which justified the taking of their lives by another. Bible truth declares however that "There is none righteous, no, not one..." (Psalms 14:1; Romans 3:10); "....for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." (Romans 2:23). And then, "For the wages of sin is death...." (Romans 6:23a). So no one who died on that die could claim innocence in the sense that they deserved to avoid death.

So the innocence of those who died should not have been a factor in their worth. It must have been the huge numbers. Because over 300 firefighters died that day, their individual lives must have been worth more than the lives of the three who died a week or so earlier while fighting a fire. (I hope you sensed the sarcasm). The families of the three collected maybe $150,000 - $200,000 total while the value of each one who died on 9-11 was worth well in excess of $1,000,000. This just shows how flawed the human system is. The Bible states clearly that every soul is of equal value to God. It's apparent in perhaps the most well-known passage of Scripture in the New Testament: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16).

"Whoever" is the word which clearly indicates the value of each and every life. The Bible says that God "...is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9). This repentance involves acknowledging our own personal sin and that Jesus is the only one who can save us. "Nor is there salvation in any other name under heaven given among men by which men must be saved." (Acts 4:12). Allah cannot save; Mohamed cannot save; Buddha cannot save; and man surely cannot save himself. If this sounds condemning, please listen to the words of Jesus. "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:17-18).

Islam is a lie, and none who follow it will be saved from sin and allowed to enjoy eternal life. Buddhism is a lie, and none who follow it will be saved. Secular humanism is a lie, and none who follow it will be saved. I'm not going to make a statement that Christianity is the truth and all who follow it will live because Christianity exists today in many aberrant forms. I will say what Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6). True Christians follow Jesus as both Savior and Lord. When it comes to the lordship of Jesus Christ it is important to remember His words: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." (Matthew 7:21).

True repentance involves a yielding of ones ways to the ways of God. It is a false belief within false Christianity that you can profess Jesus as Savior and wilfully say "No!" to Him as Lord. You can be forgiven every sin, big or little, when you come to Him in repentance; but you cannot use a cloak of "Christianity" as a license to do whatever you want. While it is the truth which sets people free, it is complete futility (or worse) to try to stamp out everything that is opposed to the truth. Truth will always stand on its own. So Christians do not fight Islam by burning the Koran (a book of lies) but rather by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with Muslims. Christians do not fight abortion by shooting abortionists, but by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with them and those who seek their services. Christians do not fight the assault on the sanctity of marriage by degrading gays, but by sharing with them the Good News of Jesus Christ.

What is the value of a life? Every human life is so valuable that, "inasmuch then as the children [you and me] have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself [Jesus Christ] likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." (Hebrews 2:14-15). Now Jesus is able to say, "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen." (Revelation 1:18). His life and His death and His resurrection alone are able to save. It is this truth which needs to be spoken and lived.

World News Through the Third Lens: America's Problems Are Moral, Not Financial

A posting from the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform (CBR)stated today that America's problems are moral, not financial. They then went on to cite the Tea Party Movement (TPM) as being a reflection of America's discontentment with the the direction this country is going, while stating that the TPM doesn't go far enough. They stated that with few exceptions, the TPM fails to address the greatest human-rights tragedy of our day - the abortion of pre-born children. I agree completely with this statement.

CBR went on to say that this September they are going to be displaying large photos of aborted pre-born babies on truck mounted billboards in key gubernatorial and Senate states, such as Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, and Ohio. Fr. Frank Pavone, Director of Priests for Life and a CBR board member is wholeheartedly behind this effort. I applaud this effort as well as the efforts of such dedicated organizations as Operation Save America. Please God, may the shedding of innocent blood end in this country, now!

Through the third lens of Scripture: The Bible is so clear and simple on this issue that it sounds almost trite to restate it; yet I declare this to be the absolute truth as revealed by the Holy Word of God - life is sacred from conception until natural death. In fact the idea of death of any sort is so contrary to the will and nature of God that in His great love for the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life.

Regarding life in the womb, God has this to say: Speaking to Jeremiah as He called him to be a prophet of Israel, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5) King David was given this divine insight which he penned as follows: "For you [God] created my inmost being; you knot me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well....your eyes saw my unformed body..." (Psalm 139:13-14,16)

God, the author and creator of all life has made it clear; it's not a lump of tissue; it's not a problem; it's not a woman's right to privacy' it's not a reproductive health care issue; IT'S A BABY! And this is a very important issue. God states clearly that He detests those who shed innocent blood (Proverbs 6:16-17) and He will exact vengeance because of the shedding of innocent blood (Jeremiah 22:17-19). While abortion may top the list of egregious national sins, it is still a symptom of the wholesale abandonment of righteousness that has occurred in the USA in the past 50+ years. "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people." (Proverbs 14:34). God bless the people who don't shy away from controversial issues but who seek to promote righteousness on a community and even national level. It has become a huge task and is much more than one issue. Consequently (and this is not a criticism of them), but CBR hasn't gone far enough. The church, the body of Christ, hasn't gone far enough. The standard of truth, which is Jesus Christ and His Gospel has been entrusted to the church but what have we done with it? The answer to that is, "Apparently, not enough!" and is a subject for another day.

In closing, I can only encourage those who claim to be followers of Christ to take up your cross daily, and in denying yourself, make a difference in your world. Bring the truth of the Gospel to bear on an issue that burns in your breast. Our country's problems are many, and like Israel in Jeremiah's day - we may have crossed the line and can only expect judgment. That's not my call - my call is to speak and live the truth as well as I can, by the grace of God....and so is yours.