Scripture Verse for today

The Wise And Foolish Builders

Luke 6:46-49

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

Episode 3- The Secret Life of the American Teenager

Week three has brought more conversation on sex. It is the primary topic on the show. Grace's reaction to her father's death has shook up the whole crew. Pastor Pappas (Jack's step-dad), talks with Grace this week. This was the most outrageous and upsetting part of this week's episode. He definitely does not know the Word of God because in an effort to console Grace and persuade her in going to her dad's funeral he discusses things about God that simply are untrue. It is shameful that this program would have a character who is to be a spiritual authority of God's word on the show present this untruth about God. Wow! the liberal agenda is truly making head ways that are so deceptive to our children. Any young person watching this show could be seriously deceived if they did not know the word of God. The pastor states that he does not think God has a problem with pre-marital sex under the right circumstances- it really depends on the circumstance, situation and age. He states that he feels God made the no-sex provision because of how women were viewed as property. He said sex is complicated and was probably just too complicated for young people but older people are probably more equipped to handle such situations.

Lies, Lies, and More Lies. God is a holy and pure God. He does not condone pre-marital sex under any circumstance at any age. I have discussed in the past that there is not a double standard between young people and single adults or married adults for that matter. Christians and Pastors are to know what the word of God says about pre-marital sex which is defined as sexual immorality in the bible. We are to live the faith for Jesus and there most certainly is not a double standard for anyone according to the Word of God.

I Corithians 6:13b
"The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body."

Isaiah 6:3
And they were calling to one another:
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."

Michael Jackson- has the world made him an Idol?

You cannot turn on any news outlet without seeing long-term coverage of Michael Jackson memorial services replayed and analyzed even a day after his memorial service . I have not seen anything like this. Was he a great entertainer? Yes, but it is concerning to me that the world seems to put so much emphasis on his life, death and memory. It is not healthy. No one, but our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, should be idolized like this- Jackson was just a man and he was not perfect.

Last week, we were having our weekly bible study with the senior youth girls at church. One of the girls was astonished and confused that so many people seemed to like him after so many years of people calling him a "Freak" and a "Child Molester." She did not understand the switch. She is right because many were conflicted about his life. The first part of his life people loved him and the second part of his life they saw a transformation that was well lets just say majorly different. We have a whole generation of young people who saw a different Micheal Jackson than my Generation X and other generations before did. However, looking back at his life. it is nothing to worship or idolize by any means at any time. Why? He was a human and made mistakes just like the rest of us.

The word of God says in Exodus 20: 3-6
" You shall have no other gods before me."
"You shall not make yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them: for I , the Lord your God, and a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments."

The world has placed too much emphasis on this man who is not a King and not God. There is only one who deserves our praises and worship and that is Jesus Christ, our King and Messiah.

Scripture Verse for today

Freedom in Christ
Galatians 5:1, 13-14

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Let us remember this day that our freedom was at a cost. God gave his only son up on the cross that we might have eternal life if we believed in his son Jesus Christ. Let us take up our cross daily and be bold and passionate for our Christ. Our liberty here in America came at a price as well. Many died that we might have religious freedom. Our nation was founded on Christian principles based on the Bible. Our Christian freedom is being tested and we will have to choose who we will serve. We must fight for this even if it costs us our life here on earth. America has been blessed because we were a Christian nation in the beginning. However, things are rapidly changing here in America. Our President says to the world that we are not a Christian Nation but a nation of citizens. This is concerning, but in line with the word of God. The line is being drawn, which side will you be on?

Acts 4: 19: But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God."

Scripture Verse for today

Galatians 5:6b-9, 16, 19-23

"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth. That kind of persuasion does not come from the who calls you. A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough."

"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature."

"The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

As I reflect on this scripture, I think how hard it is to operate in the spirit and not in the flesh. However, as Christians we are called to live and walk in the Spirit. We must put our focus on the Lord daily, by praying, reading his word and commiting it to memory so that it becomes a part of our daily walk. We have a choice as Christians, but the lost do not. We can to choose to operate in the flesh and sin like the lost in the world or we can choose to live through the Spirit. When we live in the Spirit, our life will be so much more rewarding in Christ and our testimony will grow stronger in the Lord daily. Choose to live the faith for Jesus so the world can see our light shine so that our Father in heaven will be glorified and they too will desire salvation in Christ Jesus.

More Confessions from Gov. Mark Sanford

Governor Mark Sanford continues to make confessions about his extra-marital affair with his mistress and now states he crossed the lines with a handful of women over the last 20 years of his marriage. Not only did he commit adultery, he did it with tax payers' money. Mr. Mark Sanford should resign his position as Governor because he has shown himself not only to be unethical but unfortunately a hypocrite of his faith. He talked the talk but did not walk the walk. He condemned the liberal agenda and their representatives for doing the very thing he does. This is why so many people no longer have respect for the Christian faith. When I think about the situation with Mr. Sanford, I think of the bible verse in Isaiah 7:9b, "If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." Remember fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, if we are going to preach the truth then we must live the truth in our own lives too. I hope this situation challenges fellow lawmakers, politicians, and Christians to live the faith for Jesus.

Grace's Tragedy- Thoughts on Last Night's Episode of The Secret Life of the American Teenager

Last week's episode of The Secret Life of the American Teenager showed Grace's tragedy of where she decided to have sex against her father's wishes and her father was later killed in a plane crash with this issue unresolved. Last night's episode showed Grace in a depressed and angry manner towards everyone, but especially toward herself. She blamed herself for her father's death and believes this was the punishment from God for having sex before marriage.

This is very normal that when something bad occurs following a major sin in our life that we naturally blame ourselves for the grievous circumstances that has occurred and think it is a punishment from God. Last week we discussed that God is love but this does not mean he condones premarital sex or sin of any kind when his word says otherwise. This week's episode put major emphasis on the fact that Grace felt her father's death was a punishment from God for her sin. So this will be what I focus on today. Does God punish us for sin in this way? Does he take loved ones away from us when we commit sexual sin or sin of any kind?

The answer is no. When it is someone's time to die, it is their time to die no matter what is going on with us personally. The sin that Grace committed was between God and her. What does scripture say about this particular situation between Grace and her dad on the show? The word of God commands us in Exodus 20:12, "Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." Grace did not honor her parent's wishes to wait about having sex, but chose to live a life in the flesh. The word of God also says in I Timothy 4:12 : "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." For as Christians, we are called to live a life in the spirit. One of the fruits of the spirit is self-control. Therefore, we are to exercise self-control in our relationships through the power of the spirit.. Remember that sex can be all about lust or it can be done in the confines of marriage where there is God ordained love and commitment to God and your spouse. There is no shame in marital love and the act of marriage- sexual intimacy. One last thing I want to stress. Where does Grace go from here? She goes to her father in heaven on her knees and prays and asks forgiveness and re-commits her life to him and chooses to not have sex until marriage. As Christians we are to live the faith for Jesus- so stand firm and live life abundantly.

1 John 1:9 says "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."