Reading Through the Bible

This morning I finished reading through the Bible in a year's time (I finished a day early). If you've never done this but would like to try, I would recommend using The One Year Chronological Bible NLT (New Living Translation). It is a very readable, yet accurate, version of the Bible, and it helps the reader to understand the events and writings in the order that they actually occurred. To show you what I mean, here's an excerpt of the description that appears on the back cover:

In The One Year Chronological Bible, prophetic books are interwoven with the historical accounts they accompanied. Psalms follow the events about which they were written. Proverbs are placed in the time frame in which they were compiled. The life of Christ is woven into one moving story. And Paul's letters to the young churches in the first century are integrated into the book of Acts.

I have found this to be a helpful way to read through the whole Bible in a year. Another way is to read Scripture straight through in its usual lay-out, book by book, from Genesis through Revelation. This can be done by reading 3 chapters a day for Monday through Saturday, and then 5 chapters on Sunday. Do this, and you'll be done about a week before the year is over (which allows a little time for catch-up, in case you need it).

I only read the Bible through every other year. I like to use the alternate years to read smaller portions of Scripture in greater detail. Sometimes a single verse impacts me more than several chapters. Nevertheless, I always find myself at the end of that alternate year itching to get back to reading the whole Bible through once again.

As I finished up my year's reading this morning, I was deeply touched by the power of God's Word, and its ability to break and build up this fickle heart of mine. Also as a preacher, I realized afresh how powerless I am to change lives by my own words. No wonder Paul told Timothy, "Preach the Word!" That's where the power is. And God has chosen to use the foolishness of preaching (weak man proclaiming God's Truth) to save those who believe (1 Cor. 1:21).

Our Savior reminded us in the midst of His own temptation, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4; cf. Deut. 8:3). May we, like Job, treasure the words of God's mouth more than our necessary food (Job 23:12).

Blessed Be the Name: Part 4

"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold" (Prov. 22:1). The greatest name in all of earth and heaven is Jesus, the Son of God. Scripture affirms that God "has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name" (Phil. 2:9).

The name of God's Son is marvelous in all its dimensions. Each designation is like a cut in a multi-faceted diamond that only further reveals its brilliance. We have been considering four such designations in Isaiah 9:6:

Wonderful Counselor

Mighty God

Everlasting Father

Prince of Peace

We have already examined the first two; now we want to turn our attention to the last two titles.

Everlasting Father: Literally, this reads "Father of eternity." This describes One who is Lord over the ages. Moses worshiped the LORD saying, "Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God" (Psalm 90:2).

What's striking - and potentially confusing - about this designation is that it not only reminds us of God's eternality, but it also refers to the Son as the Father! Kind of reminds me of that song I'm My Own Grandpa (if you know the song, you'll get what I mean; if not, don't worry about it!). Yet Jesus the Messiah clarified the essence of this revelation in His own words when He said, "I am not of this world" (John 8:23), "I came in My Father's name" (John 5:43), and "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). Jesus is the "brightness of [God's] glory and the express image of His person" (Heb. 1:3; cf. John 1:14). As Allen Ross points out in his commentary on this verse, "By taking this title, Everlasting Father, the Messiah is to be known as the One who is the sovereign Lord over the ever changing years--he produces and directs eternity."

Prince of Peace: This designation identifies the Messiah as One who blesses His people with peace. The Hebrew concept of peace (shalom) goes beyond the absence of conflict or war. It is a positive term that connotes the presence of security, prosperity, and well-being. Elsewhere Isaiah the seer envisions Messiah's kingdom as a realm in which the wolf lies down with the lamb, and a toddler plays next to a snake pit. How so? Because "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea" (Isa. 11:6-9). Eventually Messiah will usher in a new heaven and a new earth; indeed, He makes "all things new" (Rev. 21:5)!

Though this ultimate state of peace is yet to come, even now God's people have a "peace that passes all comprehension" (Phil. 4:7) as we rejoice in our Savior and abide in His love.

Yet this peace did not come without a price. It was purchased for us by the Prince's own blood. It was because of the joy set before Him that Jesus endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and is now seated at the right hand of God. The Prince reigns! He is King of kings and Lord of lords! And the wonder of wonders is that He uses His exalted position to bless us with His peace!

It is ours through faith. Through faith we are at peace with God (Rom. 5:1) and experience the peace of God (Phil. 4:7). Thus we can sing,

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Blessed Be the Name: Part 3

We've been studying the four designations for the Messiah that appear in the latter half of Isaiah 9:6. Today's Messianic title for consideration is "Mighty God." Though the Hebrew word for "God" ('el) is sometimes used in the Old Testament to refer to human kings and judges (cf. Exodus 7:1; Psalm 82), Isaiah does not use it that way here - or anywhere else in his prophecy, for that matter. Every time Isaiah uses term "God" he means deity. In fact, Isaiah has just declared in chapters 7 and 8 that this king would be known as Immanu-'el, "God with us." To have a human king among us is one thing; to have God Himself with us is something else!

This Messiah is the "mighty God." There's another reference in the Old Testament where these two words appear together: Psalm 45:3, which says, "Gird your sword, O Mighty One . . . Your throne, O God, is forever and ever." In the New Testament, the author of Hebrews uses this very passage to refer Jesus Christ (see Hebrews 1:8)!

When Jesus came to earth the first time, He appeared as the Babe in Bethlehem, the Suffering Servant, as One who was "despised and rejected of men" (Isa. 53:3). But we must never mistake Jesus' meekness for a lack of might! He was and is the "mighty God"! Just before His ascension back to heaven, Jesus declared, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth" (Matt. 28:18). To catch a glimpse of Jesus' present and eternal glory, read the apostle John's description of the glorified Christ in Revelation 1.

As I meditate on the might of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, my thoughts go to a chorus I learned years ago by Marlene Bigley:

Great and mighty is the Lord our God, -

Great and mighty is He!

Great and mighty is the Lord our God, -

Great and mighty is He!

Lift up your banner, let the anthems ring -

Praises to our King;

Great and mighty is the Lord our God, -

Great and mighty is He!

Our God is mighty to save! And He is worthy of all our praise! Let us bow before Him humbly in worship, thanking Him for rescuing us from our sin and leading us into His heavenly kingdom!

Blessed Be the Name: Part 2

Throughout the rest of December, I'm blogging about the beautiful name of Jesus. The verse we're considering this Advent season is the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 9:6, written 700 years before Jesus birth:

Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given;

and the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.

The Messiah's "name" consists of a four-fold designation, the first of which is "Wonderful Counselor." This name literally translates “a wonder of a counselor.” But what does it mean? Let’s break it down into its two parts.

“Wonderful.” The first is the word “wonderful.” The Hebrew word pala indicates “something uncommon or out of the ordinary.” It reflects “a phenomenon lying outside the realm of human explanation; that which is separated from the normal course of events; some-things which cannot be explained.”

The same Hebrew word is used in Psalm 139:6, which reads, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.” It is something miraculous. The problem is, we tend to have a low view of the miraculous. A high-school student comes out of a classroom holding her exam paper which bears a mark in the nineties--and so she exclaims to her friend, “This is a miracle! I didn’t think I was anywhere near ready for that test.” Or a guy asks a girl out on a date, and when she responds in the affirmative, he thinks to himself, “She actually said `Yes’ -- it’s a miracle!”

In reality, however, these things are not miracles. They can all be explained, though some may take a little more effort to explain than others.

A real wonder is something beyond human explanation. And the prophet Isaiah declared that the coming Child and Son would be a wonder. This not only describes what He does, but who He is. He is wonderful! A wonderful what?

“Counselor.” The second part of this compound description of the coming Messiah is “Counselor.” In its historical Hebrew usage, the word is used to picture a king giving counsel to his people. For instance, the prophet Micah declared the dilemma of the captives in Babylon this way: “Now why do you cry aloud? Is there no king in your midst? Has your counselor perished?” (4:9).

Long before the Christ-child was born, Isaiah foretold that God was planning to send a Counselor for the broken-hearted of the world. In our study of First Corinthians, we read in 1 Corinthians 1:30 that Christ “became for us wisdom from God.” When you take all that we know about Christ, it adds up to a marvelous truth--He is the God who is, and who is called, a “Wonder of a Counselor.”

What is the significance of “Wonderful Counselor” to believers today? How does this “Wonder of a Counselor” give us help? How does He impart unto us His wisdom, and how should we seek it? Through the Word of God. The Old Testament is His story. The New Testament Gospels are the record of His conversations with the people of His day, who had needs not altogether different from ours. The letters of the rest of the New Testament represent the practical application of His teaching to life. The Lord guides us through His written Word. “Thy Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105). “Thy testimonies are my delight; They are my counselors” (Ps. 119:24).

• God guides us through prayer. “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (Jam. 1:5).
• God guides us through people. Proverbs 11:14 says there is safety in a multitude of good counselors. The wise person listens to the advice of other godly, mature Christians.
• God guides us through our circumstances. C. S. Lewis is the one who perceptively wrote: “God speaks to us in our pleasures and shouts to us in our pain.”

Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” God sees what you’re going through, and He uses life’s circumstances to lead you along the path of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Christ, however, is able to give us the needed direction for life. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on yur own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” How thankful we should be that Isaiah spoke of a “Wonderful Counselor.”

Do you regard Jesus as such? Is He your Counselor?

Blessed Be the Name: Part 1

“What’s in a name?” Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet made this question famous. These two teenagers fall in love before learning that they bear the names of rival families. Romeo and Juliet would sooner deny their own family name than abandon their love for one another.

In other settings, the family name would be more important. Several years ago, business deals were conducted and agreed upon by a gentleman’s word and a handshake. As a man was faithful in keeping his promises and paying his creditors, he furthered his credibility and testimony of integrity in the community. Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is to be more desired than great riches.”

Yes, names are important, particularly in Scripture. Nowhere is this more significant than in Matthew 1:21, where we read words attributed to an angelic messenger speaking to Joseph in regard to Mary: “And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.” The name Jesus means “Jehovah our Savior.” It is the New Testament equivalent of the Hebrew name Joshua, Yeshua, or Hoshea. While others wore these names in honor to God, Jesus bore His name as an expression of the Savior-God that the New Testament says He was.

It is the name by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 says, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.”

It is the name that sets the tone for everything a Christian does. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Col. 3:17).

It is the name at which every knee shall bow. The apostle Paul wrote: “Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11).

It is quite clear, however, that many people have ignored or dismissed altogether the tremendous significance of Jesus’ name. In the days of His childhood, Jesus’ neighbors knew Him as nothing more than the son of Joseph the carpenter. In our generation, many of our neighbors know Jesus only as an expression of anger, alar, or profanity. Many more have only a casual understanding of the scores of additional names given to Him in the Bible.

Throughout this Christmas season, I'll be blogging about the beautiful name of Jesus. Specifically, I want to consider the four designations that appear in Isaiah's prophecy nearly 700 years before Jesus' birth:

Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given;

and the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.

- Isaiah 9:6 -

As we consider these divine designations over the next few weeks, keep in mind that while others use aliases to veil their true identity, the Scriptures use many names for the Son of God in order to display His glory to the world He came to save!

Next week we'll look at this verse in more depth. In the meantime, why not commit it to memory?

Bringing Christ into the Conversation

God has called each of His children to be an ambassador for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20). As believers, we are to "do the work of an evangelist" (2 Tim. 4:5). Jesus Himself said, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses. . ." (Acts 1:8).

In light of Jesus' instructions and the promise of spiritual empower-ment, the apostle Paul prayed for two things: opportunities to speak, and the boldness to speak as he ought to speak (Eph. 6:19-20). If God answers the first request, He will most certainly answer the second as well. But this requires walking by faith and not by sight. For instance, my guess is that you have often been aware when opportunities have arisen, yet you have lacked the boldness to share the gospel. So you don't say anything. Am I right?

I know I am, because I've been there myself! Yet I've discovered something else, too. If I see a witnessing opportunity as an answer to prayer, and then I begin to speak believing in the power and promises of God, I actually get the boldness once I start to speak - but rarely before then!

I wonder how many times we have missed golden opportunities because upon recognizing them, we have not acted on them in faith, trusting God to overcome our fears by His Spirit. If you have been guilty of this (and I think we all have at times), why not make a fresh start right now to be a faithful witness for Jesus Christ. The Christmas season especially presents many opportunities to witness for our Lord.

"How do I do that?" you may be wondering. Well certainly you want to rely on the Holy Spirit, trusting Him to give you the words to say in any given moment. Keeping that principle in mind, there are some practical ways we can bring Christ into a conversation. Christian author Don Whitney shares ten questions that can help us move from small talk to "big" talk, the biggest subject of all - the Gospel. All of these questions are not original with Whitney but he has found them to be wonderful segways to sharing the Gospel:

1. When you die, if God says to you, 'Why should I let you into Heaven?', what would you say? Are you interested in what the Bible says about your answer?
2. If you were to die tonight, where do you think you would spend eternity? Why? Are you interested in what the Bible says about this?
3. Do you ever thing much about spiritual things?
4. How is God involved in your life?
5. How important is your faith to you?
6. What has been your most meaningful spiritual experience?
7. Do you find that your religious heritage adequately answers your questions about life?
8. Do you have any kind of spiritual beliefs? If what you believe were not true, would you want to know it? Well, the Bible says....
9. To you, who is Jesus?
10. I often like to pray for people I meet; how can I pray for you?

How about giving one or more of these questions a try? Remember: ask God for opportunities to share the Gospel and the boldness to share as you ought, then step forward in faith by bringing Christ into the conversation! Who knows? Maybe in days and weeks to come, you'll be able to add a few of your own additional questions to this list!

(For more useful articles on evangelism and other matters related to the Christian life, visit Don Whitney's website at www.spiritualdisciplines.org.)

Put Away the Plastic Forks!

Where have all the biblical preachers gone - those with a true prophetic tone to their preaching? For the last couple of weeks I've been immersed in the first twelve verses of Matthew 3, which present a snapshot of the ministry and message of John the Baptist. In our day of syrupy, sentimental, superficial, "Chicken Soup for the Soul" kind of sermons (oh, and short, too - excuse the alliteration), hard-hitting Gospel preaching is hard to find.

Oh, sure, occasionally you'll come across the stereotypical "hell, fire, and brimstone" preacher who belittles his hearers to build up his own ego and uses his pulpit as a whipping post. I'm not referring to that sort of preaching - a sermon that's "all heat and no light." I'm talking about real Gospel-oriented, Christ-centered, soul-stirring, heart-convicting preaching in the power of the Holy Spirit.

When it comes to penetrating people's hearts, there is no substitute for Scripture. "For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires" (Hebrews 4:12). What else in the world can do that? Answer: Nothing! As my good friend Steve Lawson, a passionate expositor himself, likes to say to fellow preachers: "Put away the plastic forks, and unsheath your sword!"

Here is a great example of that. Don't focus so much on the graphics, and certainly disregard the typographical errors. Concentrate instead on the preaching. Listen to the words ... the urgent tone ... the voice of authority ... and the plea for repentance. The preacher whose voice you'll hear just retired after 46 years of faithful preaching and pastoral ministry. May we, too, be unwaveringly committed to the uncompromising truth of God's holy word.

"Truth" Video

Thumbs Way Up for "UP"

On Monday evening before dinner, a friend swung by the house to drop off a video that he thought we'd enjoy seeing. It was the latest Disney-Pixar movie, "Up," an animated comedy adventure about a 78-year-old man who ties balloons to his house and flies away, with an 8-year-old stowaway. My friend's timing was perfect. Our older boys had other commitments for the evening, so I snuggled down on the sofa with my ten-year-old son to watch the 90-minute film. Our family had enjoyed previous Pixar productions, so we were anticipating another good film this time around.

We were not disappointed! Maybe it was the mood I was in, but this seemed to have all the wholesome qualities one would want in a family film. The plot was simple enough for kids to follow, yet enjoyable enough to keep adults engaged. Same case with the humor.

But what I really liked about this movie is that it went beyond humor and cool computer graphics to incorporate the serious and meaningful realities of life. (I want to be careful not to print any spoilers here!) There are some sad moments in the film that touch the hearts of children and adults alike. The characters experience not only adventure, but disappointment; not only fun, but loss. Sentimental ties collide with unexpected circumstances which lead to difficult decisions. These tensions are not only real to each person, but they also create balance in our lives.

What I especially appreciated about the film is its strong affirmation of wholesome family values, i.e. the blessings of lifelong fidelity in marriage, the tragic effects of divorce, the joy and freedom that comes from putting the interests of others above our own. In this film, black is black, and white is white. The lines of morality are not blurred but clear - and, sadly, that seems to be so rare nowadays, even in children's films.

There are few films that, after watching, I can get up off the sofa and say, "Now that was a great movie!" This was one of them. Be sure to get it and watch it with your kids. You'll be glad you did.

Modern-Day Martyr

As most of you know, this past Sunday, November 8, was the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. In my morning sermon on Revelation 2:8-11, I alluded to the martyrdoms of the apostles. Hundreds of other accounts throughout church history are recorded in Foxe's Book of Martyrs, a book that every Christian should read. (You can read it online by clicking here.)

But it occurred to me that despite our religious liberties here in America, every now and then Christians suffer persecution to the point of death. One such incident occurred exactly eight months ago this past Sunday. I blogged on this tragedy back at the time it occurred, and in light of this Sunday's emphasis on the persecuted church, have posted it again today. Here's the original post from March of this year:

Before heading off to prayer meeting last evening, I checked my e-mail and logged on to the Internet. My home page is Fox News, and the cover story was about Fred Winters, a pastor in Illinois who was gunned down in the pulpit while preaching in morning service. You can read all about it here.

I checked out the church website, and from everything I've seen, this pastor was a godly man who was utterly committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ and to the authority of God's Word. He had a great love for the Lord and for people. Supposedly, as the gunman walked down the aisle toward the pastor in the middle of the service, the pastor said to him, "Can I help you?" - something that another pastor on staff did not find surprising at all. Here's the video clip this morning from Fox News:

Yesterday morning started out like just any other Sunday morning for this preacher. He simply got up behind his pulpit and started preaching God's Word to his flock. As a pastor, I am reminded of how important it is for me to "to preach ... as a dying man to dying men" (Richard Baxter). And certainly all of us should pray, as Moses did,

Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.

- Psalm 90:12

What are the practical implications of this verse for us as believers? Perhaps they are best stated in the following two resolutions of Jonathan Edwards:

1. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
2. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

By all accounts, Pastor Fred Winters finished well. God help us to do the same.

Here's Lookin' at You, Christians

In the Nov. 7 issue of World magazine, Joel Belz shared some new and rather interesting statistics from the Barna Group on how those in the 16-29 age group perceive evangelicals. Those surveyed were classified as either "Non-Christians" or "Churchgoers." Here's a chart summarizing the results:

What are we to make of these statistics? Well, first of all, we need to define the term "evangelicals." First, Barna considers evangelicals to be "born again Christians" which may be defined as

people who said they have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life today and who also indicated that they believe that when they die they will go to Heaven because they had confessed their sins and had accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior.

In addition to meeting the born again criteria (described above), evangelicals also meet seven additional conditions, which include:

1. saying that their faith is very important in their life today;
2. believing they have a personal responsibility to share their religious beliefs about Christ with non-Christians;
3. believing that Satan exists;
4. believing that eternal salvation is possible only through grace, not works;
5. believing that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth;
6. asserting that the Bible is accurate in all that it teaches;
7. describing God as the all-knowing, all-powerful, perfect deity who created the universe and still rules it today.

It should also be mentioned that, according to Barna, being classified as an evangelical is not dependent upon church attendance or the denominational affiliation of the church attended. Also, respondents were not asked to describe themselves as "evangelical."

So keeping all the above criteria in mind, what do you make of the above chart? How do you read these numbers? Are you surprised, pleased, angered, saddened or confused? As we sift through and try to make sense of these statistics, here are - according to Joel Belz - two related questions that thoughtful evangelicals should consider:

When is it that our own clumsiness and klutziness leaves people alienated from the truth that we think should be so attractive? And when is it that the very essence of God's truth drives people away?

As I think through these questions in light of the above statistics, I am reminded of a quote I heard years ago from C. Sumner Wemp, while I was a Bible college student:

If the Gospel is an offense, praise God.

If I'm an offense, that's sin.

So what, in your opinion, are evangelicals in general doing right? What are we doing wrong? Where do we go from here? Please share your thoughts.

"Good Without God"?

This was the theme of the Tuesday evening broadcast of Chronicle HD on Boston's Channel 5 (ABC). Several atheists were interviewed, including Greg Epstein, who serves as the Humanist Chaplain at Harvard University. Epstein has written a book entitled Good Without God, which Channel 5 obviously borrowed as their label for last night's program. Epstein declares, "God is the greatest literary character we as human beings ever invented."

In describing his own spiritual journey, Epstein says that while he grew up wanting to believe in God, he eventually came to the realization that "what I really wanted was not a God to care for me, but for other people to care for me." Epstein says that miracles and other things pertaining to the supernatural are "no longer helpful." He believes that people have an inclination toward morality because they're aware that they get only one shot at life, and they need to make it count for good.

My son Matthew had urged me and his mother to watch this show with him, because scheduled to appear on it was another atheist named Zachary Bos, whom Matthew had met while doing open-air evangelism at Boston University with his friend Kaleb and two evangelists from our church (along with a few others who joined them). Zachary Bos is the Director of Boston Atheists and refers to himself as the "friendly neighborhood atheist."

"Aggressive atheism" is on the rise. Books denying God's existence have become best-sellers (e.g. The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins, and Letter to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris). "Over the last 20 years," said Alan Wolfe of Boston College, "the number of people willing to tell people in surveys that they don't believe in God have pretty much doubled." Even Congress has its first self-professing atheist, Rep. Pete Stark (D-California).

Celebrity atheist Christopher Hitchens, while a guest on "Good Morning America Weekend Edition," said that American believers should recognize they live in a secular state. Says Hitchens,

It would be better for them if they didn't give themselves false conciliation. My challenge is really to say, "Can you name me a moral action or a statement that has been made by a believer that couldn't have been made by a non-believer?"

To that question the Bible provides a ready answer, a response that more than meets the challenge and gets to the heart of the matter:

For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

- Romans 2:14-16 ESV

Far from disproving the existence of God, Hitchen's challenge actually affirms what the Bible teaches about man's sense of morality, how it originates from God, and how it renders man accountable to God.

When confronted by atheists - or any other advocate of false religion - we can respond with confidence, knowing that what we are giving them is not the word of men but the word of God. Atheists resort to mere rational arguments aimed at the head, whereas believers declare God's Truth which penetrates the heart (Heb. 4:12). The sword of the Spirit is infinitely more powerful than the plastic fork of human rhetoric. Therefore, precious believer, remember:

who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

- 1 Peter 3:13-16 ESV

I praise God not only for our open-air evangelists who boldly proclaim the Gospel in the public square, but also for those believers who speak the truth of God in love in their classroom, place of employment, with their neighbors, hair-dresser and whoever else. "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17).

People Who Make a Difference

The elders here at First Baptist Church have been reading through the classic missionary book, Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret. We have been moved by Taylor's passion for God and his heart for China. That, coupled with this weekend's missions conference - the theme of which is "The Challenge of a World in Crisis" - brought to mind a 7-minute video clip of John Piper that every Christian teenager, senior, and everyone in between should watch. Listen carefully to this passionate plea. Don't waste your life. Be a person who makes a difference in the lives of those that you can impact for God's glory.

Jesus Christ, the Only Way

Pluralism has polluted not only our society, but also the church. As one theologian lamented, there is no place for the truth in this age of tolerance.

Yet if we are to be faithful ambassadors of Jesus Christ, we must proclaim Him as the only way of salvation. "Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Now I am committed to this truth and to declaring it unapologetically, regardless of what the world may say. But I confess that there have been times when I have been committed to it volitionally without being moved by it emotionally.

Yesterday a colleague sent me a link to the following video by R. C. Sproul who expounds on the exclusivity of Christ by telling a 7-minute story - the story of redemption and God's offer of salvation. Listen to this message. It could be the most meaningful seven minutes of your day. And you may very well want to pass it on to a loved one who does not know Christ, as this is one of the most tender presentations of the Gospel I've heard in a long time.

Ten Questions to Ask Your Christian Brothers and Sisters

Today I came across some great questions that help to generate spiritual and mutually encouraging discussions among Christians. Here they are:

1. How is your ministry going?
2. Where have you seen the Lord at work lately?
3. What has the Lord been teaching you?
4. Have you had any witnessing opportunities lately?
5. Have you had any obvious answers to prayer?
6. What have you been reading?
7. What have you been reading in the Bible?
8. How can I pray for you?
9. How are you growing spiritually in your life right now?
10. What are you passionate about right now?

These are great questions to be asking. Yet there's some tragic irony as to how I came by this list. I got it off the website of a pastoral colleague who recently confessed to having an adulterous relationship and has been removed from ministry. This young man is married with two little children. He was part of a close-knit fellowship of pastors (there are ten of us - now nine - in this particular network), who engage in a conference call once a month for the purpose of edification. In light of this tragic incident, our topic for today was on guarding our hearts (Prov. 4:23).

Yes, let us guard our hearts "with all diligence," as the above Scripture verse reminds us. Moreover, let us do everything we can to "encourage one another daily" (Heb. 3:13) through Christ-centered conversations which should often include heart-searching questions.

Speaking of which, is it well with your soul?

Havoc

On Saturday morning, while I was sitting in on a Bible conference session at our church, a "major catastrophe" occurred across the street in the backyard of our home. Our above-ground pool, which is 26 feet in diameter and holds 13,500 gallons of water, busted wide open! The force of the water gushing forth mangled the metallic structure of the pool, broke our neighbor's fence, and sent debris floating every which way. Here are a few pics for your viewing pleasure:

The pool burst forth through the panel containing the return line, which has had a slow perpetual drip. We had seen some rust develop on the panel that had caused us some concern. So we had sanded it, done our best to patch up the leak, but the drip was still there. At the start of the summer, we had some water delivered to top off our pool. At that time we showed the delivery man the leak, and he said, "Oh, I wouldn't worry about it. I've seen a lot worse. You'll be fine."

I'd like to send him some of the above pictures!

As I look out over my back yard at all the damage caused by this "catastrophe", I'm reminded of the destruction that often occurs on a far greater scale in the spiritual realm. Often there is a leak in one or more areas of our life where something is not right in our walk with the Lord, and a slow, steady erosion is taking place. We see that there's a problem but don't recognize how serious it is. We tell ourselves that it's not that big of a deal, even as we take halfway measures to "patch up" the problem. But we don't deal with it thoroughly - simply because we don't see the catastrophe that lies ahead and the destruction it will cause. For if we did, we would deal with the matter abruptly, doing whatever it takes to fix the problem before it's too late.

Nothing can be done to fix our pool. The damage is far too extensive. Likewise, sin devastates our life and the lives of those around us. God in His grace can make "all things new", but some things cannot be undone; some relationships cannot be restored. Credibility lost is seldom, if ever, fully regained. How important it is, then, for us to "fix the leaks" before catastrophe strikes at an unprepared moment.

Learn a lesson from our pool:

That man or woman is a fool

Who will not fix the leaks of sin

Causing corrosion deep within.

Sooner or later all will give way -

Catastrophe could occur today!

So take the matter before the Lord;

Confess your sin and obey His Word.

Do it right now - you won't regret it;

But sin will destroy you, if you let it.

Letterman's Affair Not Funny

On Thursday's 'Late Show', host David Letterman acknowledged that he had sexual relationships with female employees.

Why did he come forward with this information? Because someone tried to extort $2 million from him, threatening to go public with proof of the affair by writing a screenplay and a book about Letterman unless he was given money. Letterman ended up writing him a phony check, which inevitably led to the arrest of the would-be extortionist.

Letterman, who just six months ago married his longtime girlfriend Regina Laso, confessed the affair to his 'Late Night' audience, mixing in jokes while telling the story. Author Peter Barnes, in an article titled "What! Me? A Sinner?" wrote,

In twentieth century England, C. S. Lewis noted that, "The barrier I have met is the almost total absence from the minds of my audience any sense of sin." And in 2001, New Testament scholar D. A. Carson commented that the most frustrating aspect of doing evangelism in universities is the fact that students generally have no idea of sin. "They know how to sin well enough, but they have no idea of what constitutes sin."

Respected Christian author Jerry Bridges, who included this quote in his book Respectable Sins, went on to say, "The whole idea of sin has virtually disappeared from our culture. Unfortunately, the idea of sin is all but disappearing from many churches as well."

Bridges' book is designed to impress upon believers that there are, of course, no true "respectable" sins. Attitudinal sins like unrighteous anger, impatience, selfishness, pride, etc., tend to become acceptable to us over time, unless we conscientiously allow God's Word and His Holy Spirit to tenderize our hearts on a consistent basis.

I'm so glad that seventy-plus women in our church are undertaking a study of this immensely helpful, Scripture-saturated book. Only as we refuse to make excuses for our sin and instead apply the Gospel in all its fullness to our failures - for both forgiveness and victory - will we be able to show the world what it's so desperately missing: a relationship with and salvation through Jesus Christ.

And that's no joke.

The Death of Kennedy and Disillusionment of Catholicism

When Senator Ted Kennedy died, the media was all over the story, and understandably so. Few public figures have been so notable as the Kennedy family, especially with the assassinations of Ted's two brothers - John (while serving as President) and Robert (while serving as Senator). Obviously the deaths of John and Robert were sudden and unexpected. But such was not the case with Senator Kennedy. He knew that he was dying from brain cancer and did not have long to live.

So the Senator sought to get ready for his dying day. He wrote a private appeal to Pope Benedict XVI in July - a letter that was hand-delivered by President Obama - in which Senator Kennedy requested a final papal blessing. Cardinal McCarrick - a close friend of Kennedy - read the appeal during the memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery on August 29. Here's what Senator Kennedy wrote in part:

I know that I have been an imperfect human being, but with the help of my faith, I have tried to right my path. I want you to know, Your Holiness, that in my nearly 50 years of elective office, I have done my best to champion the rights of the poor and open doors of economic opportunity. I've worked to welcome the immigrant, fight discrimination and expand access to health care and education. I have opposed the death penalty and fought to end war....

I have always tried to be a faithful Catholic, Your Holiness, and though I have fallen short through human failings, I have never failed to believe and respect the fundamental teachings.

The Cardinal proceeded to read excerpts from the Pope's response, keeping some parts private. Yet here's how it ended:

Commending you and the members of your family to the loving intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Father cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of wisdom, comfort and strength in the Lord.

In Senator Kennedy's appeal we see the basis for his plea, and that is the good works he did or at least attempted to do. In the first paragraph alone, there are nearly a dozen references to himself ("I" or "my") and none to God, let alone Jesus Christ.

Compare Senator Kennedy's appeal - made to the Pope - versus Augustus Toplady's appeal to the Lord Jesus Christ:

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

Catholicism saves no one; Christ alone can. Jesus - not Mary - is the one Mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5). The Pope is powerless to grant what God alone can give through personal faith in Christ who redeemed us to God by His blood. "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9).

Don't die in a state of delusion. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved..." (Acts 16:31).

Adoption Day!

This past Tuesday, Kaleb Perez, a ninth grader in our church, was formally adopted by Lou Perez, one of our elders and husband to Janine.  This family has been waiting for this day a long, long time.  Many obstacles had to be overcome along the way, but in the end their dream came true.

Later that same day that Kaleb was adopted, I asked him to recount what was going on in his heart and head as the ceremony was taking place.  Kaleb was delighted to do so.  Here's what he had to say:

This was a wonderful day from the start!  There has been a sense of nervous excitement for a few weeks leading up to today, wondering what good work the Lord was going to do for me and my family. While on the drive we were all nervous and our faith was being tested if we would get there on time! (We ended getting there 45 minutes early.) We got to the court room after being moved around to all five! 

The judge sat us down and was extemely friendly. My nervousness was gone, and I was filled with pure joy and excitement - much like right after I got saved! The judge asked me where I went to school and what I did for friends (because I'm home-schooled). He said that this [ceremony] was the easy part; all the hard work was done. I thought again of my spiritual adoption by my heavenly Father.  Just as before salvation the Lord had already done the difficult work in softening my heart.  (Nothing is too hard for the Lord!)  

As the judge wrote down the date and signed his name, he said that this made the adoption "official and irrevocable."  The same is true when our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life!  Instantly I was filled with peace, comfort, and an unexplainable warmth and joy - much like holding a warm cup of soup or hot water when you are cold. I felt exactly the way I did the instant I professed my faith in Christ. For me it was standing up and denying pride. "For if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved" (Rom. 10:9).  

There was such gladness and comfort in that courtroom! I will never forget it. I have been reminded all day of Romans 8:15-17:  "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.'  The Spirit Himself bears witness with our Spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together."

Now that I am officially adopted, I get all the legal rights that my brothers have as my Dad's children. I also legally have the responsibility of the oldest child. My adoption is so official that they gave me a new birth certificate with my Dad's name on it. I am still filled with joy and excitement, barely able to believe what has taken place - an awesome gift from God.  I have always known that my family loves me, and that no relationship would be changed when I was adopted. For them it may be the same, but not for me!  What I mean to say is that I've always felt at home with my dad, but now i feel like I really BELONG somewhere! I have stepped into my own special place in the family.  I'm a real piece in the puzzle!  It's a special warm feeling that is EXACTLY the way I felt when I got saved a year and a half ago.

Thanks for sharing this wonderful testimony, Kaleb!  We rejoice not only in your adoption this past Tuesday but in the reminder of our own adoption in Christ!  "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God!  And that is what we are!" (1 John 3:1).