Evil Dignitaries?
Jul0
According to Webster’s Dictionary the definition of the word dignitaries is, one who possesses exalted rank or holds a position of dignity or honor. Would you say that President Barack Obama holds a position of honer? Now, here is my point. I have had to re-think the way I think about the President, Senators and Congressmen right down to my hometown Mayor. Why? Take a look at 2 Peter chapter 2. In this chapter Peter reminds us of two key figures in our Christian walk of faith, Noah and Lot. Specifically he touches on what the civilization was like during their time here on Earth. You’ll remember that God saw that man was violent and that their thoughts were continually evil, we know this from Genesis chapter 6:5-13. Lot? Well he lived amongst a sexually unclean civilization and we are told that it grieved him to his core, or soul, because of what he had to watch going on around him. Now certainly you and I can relate to both these men, in the sense that we are living in a world that is replicating the lifestyle of their day. Would you not? Is sin abounding? Is sexual immorality a problem? Is violence on the rise? My point, is not to “point” out the similarities of the different ages but rather something else that Peter points out in his Epistle. Look at verses 9 & 10 of 2 Peter chapter 2.
“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.” Stop right there!
Did you see that? Those that despise government and speak evil of dignitaries are lumped into the group of people that not only walk after the flesh but will be punished on judgment day. I don’t know about you but I must confess that my thoughts and speech regarding our Government has been anything but glorifying to the Lord. Am I alone on this one? I am not saying that we can’t be grieved by what we see them doing. But how are we handling it? Are we taking our concerns to God in prayer or are we running around complaining and speaking evil of the Nancy Pelosis, Harry Reeds and yes, even the Barney Franks?
As you move into verse 11 of 2 Peter 2, we learn that the Angels of Heaven do not even speak evil concerning the worlds rulers, and they are higher beings than we. Why is that? Romans chapter 13. The Angels know that all these world leaders are placed there for a reason, time and by the Lord himself? What!?! The Lord? Yes.
Look, I love listening to Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity just as much as the next guy. But the voice we all need to listen to is the voice of our Father in Heaven. The Bible tells us in Romans chapter 13 that God has ordained our leadership and to resist our leadership is to resist our God. Again, I am not saying we lie down and do everything they tell us to do. What I am saying however, is that we need to be careful about what we are saying about our leaders both Spiritual and Carnal.
I can’t speak for you, but I certainly do not want to be lumped in with all those characters lost in the flood or in Sodom simply because I couldn’t hold my tongue in regards to our Nation’s Leaders. Romans 13, which speaks concerning our submission to worldly leadership closes with these words;
“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.”
So, I ask. Could speaking evil of our leaders be fulfilling the lusts of the flesh? Just a thought.
Twosies, twosies.
Apr0
Exodus chapter 8 verse 4 tells us ” And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.” The buzz in the news lately has been the recent discovery of Noah’s Ark by some Evangelicals from China and Turkey. Now at first glance I, as a I am sure you were too, was eager to receive this news with joy unspeakable. Here we have another truth from God’s word springing up from the earth. (Psalm 85:11) I don’t know if this is really “the” Ark, but I would like to believe it is, and based upon what the Bible has said, I really have no reason to doubt that it is in fact our brother Noah’s boat.
Now imagine what the Atheist and Evolutionists are doing right now. You have probably thought of some of the many excuses that they will come up with to reject the truth of God’s word. They will say that somebody planted it, or it was an ancient civilization, or that Mt. Ararat was once sea level before there was some sort of cataclysmic disaster (other than the flood) pushed it up in the air. Whatever they come up with it will be preposterous at best and frustrating at worst. God knows how to save those people and so to worry about their reasons for rejecting Jesus is futile. What we need to be concerned about is all the other scriptures that are just as believable, no, trustworthy, as Exodus 8:4.
Regardless of whether this is the ark or not it’s exciting nonetheless and it will be fun to watch the world try to explain it away, or should I say, explain Jesus away. Check out Foxnews and decide for yourself whether this is truly the Ark and let’s see what the Lord will allow man to find next. Is it any wonder that the Lord has put the Ark back in the front of man’s thinking again? There is another flood coming and there is another Ark for escape, His name is Jesus Christ. My fear is that the very same people that doubt Noah’s Ark will doubt the only escape from what is to come. God gave man 120 years to repent during the building of the first ark and it is His great mercy that has allowed over 2000 years for many of us to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Don’t reject the truth and don’t doubt your Lord. Jesus is coming, it’s not a question of if, but when. Jesus loves you, get on board.
Passover, not passed over.
Apr1
What a wonderful time of year. Not only is Spring finally here but with it comes the sounds of life. Passover is in full swing for the Jews and the Body of Christ rejoices in that we know who is the Passover.
What is the Passover?
Remember the Jews were in exile, slaves to Egypt. They had moved there during the days of Joseph due to the famine that God had revealed to Joseph in a dream. Those days were now long gone by and the new Pharaoh knew nothing of this once great Jewish man that was second in command of Egypt. The joy they experienced under his command was now passed. All that lay ahead of them was burden anguish and woe. But, the Lord heard their cry. Moses was raised up for such a time to lead God’s people out of bondage and onto the promised land into liberty. Moses was sent time and time again to plead with Pharaoh to let Israel go, but over and over again he declined. If Pharaoh had but inclined his ear unto the Lord and yielded his will and let Israel go, the firstborn need not to have died. Or, did it?
The Bible tells us that before the world ever began God the Father and His son Jesus made a covenant to redeem fallen man. That covenant required the the death of Jesus Christ. You see, sin entered in to Gods creation back in the garden. God wanted to right mans wrong, for man, out of love. Christ had to die but He being the firstborn and only begotten son of God was the only firstborn that needed to die.
What do you think of when you hear the word passover? Now certainly many of us have been passed over in this life. Maybe you were not picked for the job, the team, the position or as the adopted child. Not so with our Lord. Because of the Passover we will never be passed over again.
Is it not like our Lord to cause the festival of Passover to land at this time of year? The long, dark, cold, dank of winter is over, soon the lifeless limbs of foliage will begin to move sap, the songbirds have returned to give praise to their Creator and the warm fresh air of a brand new year and endless possibilities is here, old things are passed away behold all things are new. Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this Son. Happy Resurrection!
True Olympic Gold
Feb0
WOW! How refreshing to hear this young athlete’s view on life. Would that more young people would follow her lead and find the fulfillment and direction that Elana Meyers has found because of Jesus Christ, and to think she represents our great country. Go USA!
Washington White Out
Feb0
Against all the votes of good people in some 30 states, the Homosexual lobbyists continue to ram their agenda down the throats of the American people. On December the 19th D.C. Mayor Fenty signed the “Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009” or another Same Sex Marriage Bill. I watched with interest and sadness as a crowd of people gathered together in the All Souls Unitarian church in Mount Pleasant for the “historic” event. One could not help notice all the signs hanging in the church referencing the word love. Love? Are you serious?
Last week the Alliance Defense Fund along with the Stand4marriageDC group petitioned the Board of Elections to open this issue to the voters. On Thursday February4th the BOE denied their request. I find it interesting that on the very next day Washington DC was hit with one of the greatest snow storms in history.
Think it’s a coincidence? The ADF has reminded the BOE that the D.C Charter guarantees the voters the right to vote on any act passed by the D.C Council. How about the civil rights of those opposed to the redefinition of marriage? Think the ACLU will come to their aid? Don’t hold your breath. I think the Lord is trying to get the attention of someone there in our Capital. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow. Isaiah 1: 18
Hate Haiti?
Jan1
Psalm 109:2-4 “For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause. For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.”
As you watch the video below and come to your own conclusions about what Pat Robertson said please note the constant messages that flash across the screen and listen closely to what Mr. Robertson says and ask yourself this question. Does Pat Robertson hate Haiti or does he want the Haitians to come to salvation?
I know as a Father I desire to protect my children from danger. If I tell my children not to play with fire, it is only because I love them. When they get burned because they refused to listen, my love is there to comfort them, care for their wounds and remind them of their need to listen to my word. So too our Heavenly Father is there for the people of Haiti. Now I am not suggesting that God has sent this earthquake specifically to Haiti and I don’t believe Pat Robertson said that either. But what I am saying is that if God did send the earthquake to the Haitians, of which 50% are practicing Voodoo and 80% claim to be Christian, is God not a God of love? If this causes them to turn back to the Father that they might get the comfort and care they need and experience freedom, prosperity and fulfillment, is that a bad thing?
Certainly continue to pray for the people of Haiti and visit Samaritan’s Purse to find out what the Lord is doing in the name of love.
Happy New Year.
Jan1
Well, here we are in 2010. Hard to believe isn’t it? Remember when the world was coming to an end in Y2K? Many Christian leaders were even getting caught up in the whole fiasco, but now here we are a whole decade later. God be praised. If you are like me you have probably been thinking about what this New Year holds for you. Maybe you have new career ventures, maybe the current economic crisis has you concerned. Is the Health Care bill really going to help and is global warming a serious issue? Now some of you probably could care less about all those issues because your issues are the more pressing. We all have issues facing us in the unforeseen future and no amount of planning, when it comes right down to it, can prepare us for it. The only thing we can count on is the sure mercies, faithfulness and love of the Lord.
I have been guilty myself of hoping that things will actually get better in our World. Time and time again however, God’s word reminds me, that is the furthest thing from the truth. We are going to see the Nations of the World continue their revolt against the God of love and salvation. We are watching our very Nation do exactly what the Bible tells us “They frame mischief with a law,” Psalm 94:20. We have been watching our rulers ignore the American people when it comes to health care, global warming, abortion, prayer in school and homosexual marriages and it is only going to escalate as we see the return of the Lord drawing closer. But I did not want to write this to discourage, but rather to encourage.
The very God that has brought us to 2010 will be faithful to bring us to the end of the age. His promises have not failed us yet and there is no reason to believe that they will in the coming year. I want us in this New Year, rather than making resolutions, to simply resolve ourselves to be more like Christ. Often times when I think of being like Christ I focus many times on His ministry to man, His example, His holiness and the way He treated other people. However, this year, let us focus on His relationship with the Father. The Lord Jesus trusted the Father implicitly. The Lord Jesus did nothing without first checking with the Father. The Lord Jesus did those things that were always pleasing in His sight, (John 8:31)and because of that Christ knew His prayers would always be answered. Going into 2010, don’t you want to have your prayers answered? I do. I would venture to say that more than ever we need to have our prayers answered and we also need to take the time to pray. You and I are going to face uncertain times but we serve the God of time. We serve the one who knows the end from the beginning, the God of all comfort and care. Resolve to rely on the Father who has His everlasting arms underneath us and if His hands span the universe, think how big and strong those arms are. May you have a wonderful Christ like, Christ centered New Year. God bless you.
Beauty In The Fall
Oct2
Every time Fall comes around I am reminded of the beauty and the tragedy of the Cross. It is a beautiful picture of what Christ has done for us and wants to do in us as we take up our cross and follow after Him. (Romans 6:6-11) Have you ever thought about that?
As you look at the colors of the leaves, be mindful of the beauty of your life in Christ. People are watching you, they want to see this Jesus you speak of and Christ desires to reveal Himself to them, through you. As you daily die a beautiful array of colors will explode from your life. They won’t be tangible colors, but they’ll be there spiritually, and the beauty of Christ in you will be on display for the world to see. For those that are searching for Jesus, it will truly be a sight to behold. So, this fall, don’t think of Summer being over and don’t be sad about the trees losing their leaves but rather think about the way you can demonstrate the colors of Christ in you.
Look at the reds this fall as symbolic of His blood, the forgiveness for you and for others and the price He paid to secure eternity for you. Think of the golds and the yellows as a picture of His Deity and the glory that He wants to reveal to and through you. May the purples remind you of His royalty as King, a royalty that He not only wants to reveal but to share as well. (1 John 3:2) Remember that He is a faithful King and will provide all of your needs according to His riches. How many riches does He have? The browns remind us of His humanity and His bruising, symbolic of His desire to identify Himself with us and familiarize Himself with our sufferings. Remember that is pleased the Father to bruise Him. Are we willing to identify with Christ and suffer persecution and be bruised for Him? Also, amidst the various colors of the dying leaves remember that the trees are not dying but rather preparing themselves for the long cold Winter and it’s storms. Are we preparing our selves for the storms ahead? And all the while the deciduous foliage is falling there are the ever present Evergreens, symbolic of our lives, we who were once dead in trespasses and sins, has He now quickened. (Ephesians 2:1-6) Last thought. Just think about Fall and then think about the Fall of man. The two are closely related, one is a result of the other. Is it a coincidence that the most colorful season has to do with death or do you think the Lord wanted to remind us of the beauty of His life, death and resurrection? Just a thought, what do you think?
Happy Halloween. Treat, Or Trick?
Oct0
Well it’s about that time again. Time for all good little ghouls and boys to dress up like “harmless” little creatures, superheroes and yes, even Bible characters. What are we to do about this pagan holiday or is it Christian? Should we be celebrating it? What do you tell your children when they ask you if they can partake of the festivities? Is it really just harmless fun?
Let’s deal with the latter question first, because if we can determine whether or not Halloween is harmless then the other questions are pretty much moot. If it really is harmless then we should celebrate it, no? If it is not, well we’ll discuss that later. I am hoping that you will have a few things to add to this post and we can dialogue.
It did not take me long, thanks to the Internet, to determine that the roots of this festive holiday were deep, long and anything but harmless. My first stop was History.com. One of the beliefs of this celebration is that the ghosts of the dead return to Earth and wreak havoc on the living. Hmmmm sounds like fun. Not. I’m sorry but since when did it become fun to have the dead come back, not to life as Jesus would do, but still dead? That doesn’t sound like a celebration to me. Now, the business of the costumes are all part of placating the evil spirits by making oneself look like them. After all, what could make the dead even angrier then to see a bunch of healthy living human beings walking around enjoying themselves? The Druids, or Celtic priests were the ones to really kick this thing off. They would have the children dress up in costumes and perform what was known as “souling.” That is the poor people would go door to door begging for “soul cake,” or food in exchange for prayers to the dead on All Souls Day. Once Rome conquered the World, to include much of the Celtic territory, it was only a matter of time till the some of the festivals naturally blended together. Eventually, All Souls Day came to be known as All Saints Day. On the surface it sounds good, after all it is the celebration of the departing of the faithful saints. The purpose for this post is not to give a history lesson because, frankly, I don’t have the knowledge to do that. What I do have, and you do too, is the Word of God. And so I would like to hear what you think about Halloween. Are you going to take little Johnny out dressed as Moses or little Susie adorned as Ruth? Will your neighbors recognize your children dressed as Bible Characters or as little Al- Qaeda operatives? What does the Bible say? Do we know what God’s Word tells us? Better yet, do we believe it and are we willing to obey? I’ll be honest, as a father, the pressure is great from my children and sometimes I don’t have the answer as to why we don’t or why we do certain things. So let’s talk, honestly, kindly and lets see what the Lord would have us do as we look into the Word. If you tune in to WZXV for the month of October you are sure to hear some teachings on this subject. There is also a great resource available at the Chapel Store called The Facts On Halloween by John Ankerberg and John Weldon. I would encourage you to get a copy for your library. I look forward to growing with you as we “rightly divide, faithfully abide.”
Here Is Where We Stand.
Oct1
The Gates of Hell Cannot Prevail.
We first obtained our original construction permit in March of 2005 if that gives you any indication of how long things take in the broadcast industry. Certainly we have made some Minor Modifications to the original application but most of the delay has been caused, by what we believe to be enemy opposition to the Gospel, through either spiritual or physical entities. We have been met with roadblocks when dealing with a local television station in regards to tower space. We have been met with bureaucratic red tape in regards to zoning not to mention other various attacks on the sidelines to get us to either back down or cower in fear. If God be for us, who can be against? It has been a long venture but one we know God will honor in the long run because of His great name sake. You may or may not know by now, but come the end of October, Lord willing and should nothing happen, we will be on the air in Buffalo on 93.3FM.
Here are some things to think about.
The Lord has provided an opportunity for us that we just can not pass on. Our desire here at WZXV is to reach out to the lost and encourage believers to keep on keeping on. In order for us to do that we need to make sure we are being wise with our resources; frequencies and finances. That being said, let me tell you of our opportunity. We have been approached by another brother in the Lord that happens to own a tower near Ithaca and an AM Station. He has asked us to pray about trading him our Penn Yan translator for rent free space for life on his tower. He wants to broadcast his AM station over our FM translator in Penn Yan. This would mean that we could then apply those rent resources, that we are paying now for Penn Yan and Ithaca, to our Buffalo translator. Now while we understand that there will be many listeners in Penn Yan that will greatly miss the Word here on WZXV, we would like you to be mindful of the potential listeners in the downtown area of Buffalo. According to the Census data of 2000, the population of Penn Yan is 5,219 while the 2006 Census data for the city of Buffalo is 276,059, so you can see the potential, and that does not include those commuting into the city for work reasons. We see this as the hand of the Lord.
Here are some things to pray about.
We have a translator in Bowmansville and due to FCC regulations, we are currently re-broadcasting the signal of another great Christian Broadcaster. What we need is the Lord’s wisdom on what to do with and His provision for this frequency. Would you please intercede on our behalf and ask the Lord to provide a buyer or maybe another situation like we have in Ithaca? Also, please keep praying for the move in Syracuse, pray that it will happen and soon. I can tell you we have been in contact with WTVH and it would seem that it is still moving forward, but you never know. Let me explain what it will mean for Syracuse. The move will not make our signal stronger but it will get our signal higher and possibly further and without much interference as we go higher up in the air. Imagine if you will an open umbrella, if you were to hold it close to your head only you could fit under it, but as you hold it higher more people could stand under it with you. That, basically, is what it will do with our signal hopefully getting us further into the city and onto the thruway East and West.
Here are some things we’re thankful for.
We want to thank you for all of your support. You will never know, in this life, what your prayers, financial gifts and your kind words mean to us. I can tell you that it helps to keep us going and our prayer is that we keep you going also. May the Lord bless you and keep you and cause His face to shine upon you as you look into His Word, on WZXV.