Sunday, May 12, 2024

As if We Needed A reason

Please read this online article regarding President Biden’s threat to withhold all military aid from Israel if they attack the Hamas forces that are hiding behind the Palestinian civilians in Rafah: The West will soon pay for Biden’s betrayal (msn.com)

We have multiple reasons to vote Joe Biden and the Democrats out of office in November.  Yet, if this latest blunder were the only reason, it would be enough.

Saturday, May 11, 2024

New Life in Christ

There are days when we feel like we have lived too long and seen too much.  We grow weary of our struggles with life’s troubles, and we long to be in heaven with the Lord. 

There is good news!  Jesus has overcome this world and the problems of our old life. (John 16:33)  Believers have a new life in Christ, and we are seated in Him at the place of honor at the right hand of God the Father in the heavenlies. 

The burdens we carry now may become tiresome, but we can lay them down at Jesus’ feet.  Having done so we can rejoice in the new life He has given us.  Praise the Lord! 

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4 NIV) [1] (See also, Ephesians 2:6)


He Hideth My Soul

By

Fanny J. Crosby (Lyrics) and William J. Kirkpatrick (Music)  

  1. A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
    A wonderful Savior to me;
    He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
    Where rivers of pleasure I see.

o    Refrain:
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life in the depths of His love,
And covers me there with His hand,
And covers me there with His hand.

  1. A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
    He taketh my burden away,
    He holdeth me up and I shall not be moved,
    He giveth me strength as my day.

o   Refrain

  1. With numberless blessings each moment He crowns,
    And filled with His fullness divine,
    I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God!
    For such a Redeemer as mine.

o   Refrain

  1. When clothed with His brightness transported I rise
    To meet Him in clouds of the sky,
    His perfect salvation, His wonderful love,
    I’ll shout with the millions on high.

o   Refrain [2]

 

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Humility

Christians have the mind of Christ. (1Chrinthians 2:16)  When we put our self out of the way, we can think as Jesus thinks.  The way we think in our hearts, molds who we are. (Proverbs 23:7 NKJV)  It is only when we are yielded to the mind of Christ that we can emulate His humility. (1John 2:5-6) 

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,  complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.  Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,  who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,  but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,  so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:1-11 NASB) [1]

Saturday, April 27, 2024

Useful Idiots

In December of 1966, the rock group Buffalo Springfield recorded a song by Stephen Stills called, “For What it’s Worth.”  The song was written in response to what were called curfew riots, which were happening on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles.  Young people had been gathering on “The Strip,” and curfew and anti-loitering laws were passed to discourage it, resulting in demonstrations and riotous behavior. [1] 

The song was often regarded as a protest anthem, especially by the growing anti-Vietnam war movement.  I was a freshman in college at the time, and I was in R.O.T.C.  I aspired to a military career after graduation.  I took a lot of grief from my friends.  The girls I dated just couldn’t let go of questions like, “How can you be a part of an unjust war?” 

We had anti-war demonstrations in those days, which were composed for the most part of young people, and especially of college students.  The anti-Israel demonstrations that are happening at many of our universities now remind me of the divisiveness and acrimony that we had in the ‘60s demonstrations. 

The Tet offensive in 1968 was a military defeat for the Vietnamese communists.[2] The NVA and Viet Cong forces were decimated, and they fled into sanctuaries in Cambodia.  Because of the widespread anti-war sentiment then, Congress would not approve pursuing the NVA and Viet Cong into Cambodia and the increased troop levels needed to do it.  Instead, the Johnson Administration asked for peace talks, which was like snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. 

After a peace agreement was reached in Paris, the United States withdrew the lion’s share of our troops from South Vietnam.  Not long after that, the North Vietnamese communists violated the peace agreement and attacked.  The South Vietnamese were holding up pretty well until Congress bowed to anti-war sentiment and refused to fund additional military aid to South Vietnam.  The South Vietnamese lost because they lacked the war material they needed to continue to resist.  Sound familiar?  I am still ashamed of Congress for abandoning South Vietnam. 

So, What’s the point?  A useful idiot is defined as “a naive or credulous person who can be manipulated or exploited to advance a cause or political agenda.” [3] In former times, hard core communists, particularly in the USSR, used the term to describe Marxist and leftist sympathizers in the Western Democracies.  THE POINT IS that the useful idiots who are demonstrating against Israel, and for the Hamas terrorists in Gaza, are playing into the hands of forces that want to destroy – not only Israel – but the United States as well.  Further, the useful idiots would be among the first to get their throats cut if Iran and its proxies were ever to take control of the United States. 

These kids have been indoctrinated and are being manipulated by people who want to take America down, destroy it, and remake our country into something our founding fathers wouldn’t even recognize.  The demonstrators were wrong in the 1960’s, and they are wrong again now.  Back then we gave up the fight when we almost had it won.  Now, the Biden Administration is pressuring Israel to give up the fight when they almost have it won. 

Fellow citizens, a (silent) majority of us support Israel.  Please elect people to national office who share that support in November. 

For What it’s Worth

By Stephen Stills

 

[Verse 2]
There's battle lines being drawn
And nobody's right if everybody's wrong

Young people speaking their minds
Are gettin' so much resistance from behind

[Chorus]
It's time we stop
Hey, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down


[Verse 3]
What a field day for the heat
A thousand people in the street
Singing songs and a-carryin' signs
Mostly say, "Hooray for our side" [4]

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Spiritual Warfare

There is a spiritual realm that is invisible to us unless the Holy Spirit reveals it.  There are powers and authorities in the spiritual realm that oppose our Lord, and that oppose those who belong to Him.  The world-wide persecution of Christians that is now taking place is driven by evil operating in the spiritual realm, and our warfare is against these evil spiritual powers.

We cannot stand against these malevolent influences on our own – in our own strength.  We must stand strong in the Lord and in His strength.  Truth, God’s righteousness, the peace that Jesus gives us, the faith that our salvation is secure, the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and prayer in the Spirit are our weapons and defenses. 

In my life, I have noticed that I come under spiritual attack whenever I get closer to God … whenever I begin to really walk as Jesus walked ... whenever I feel most blessed in vital spiritual union with Christ.  Things go wrong, and I get discouraged. I encounter opposition from others.  I backslide and fall into old sins that I thought were long since put behind me.  I watch the news, and the wicked seem to be winning out on every front.  People tell me that they enjoy being on friendly terms with me, but they don’t want to talk about “religion.” 

Our struggle is against the evil that is being motivated by forces in the unseen spiritual realm.  Until we realize that evil is real, where it is coming from, and how to oppose evil in the Lord’s strength, we will have difficulty being effective in our opposition to evil.  The Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to write: 

"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.  Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere." (Ephesians 6:10-18 NLT) [1]

 

Sunday, April 21, 2024

A Call for Unity in the Church

Therefore I (Paul), a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.  Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.  Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.  For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.

    There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
    one God and Father of all,
    who is over all, in all, and living through all.

However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. [1] (Ephesians 4:1-7 NLT) (Parenthetical added for clarity)

 

The Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to urge the church imitate the unity of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.  We must humbly rely on the Holy Spirit to hold us together.  It is all God … all the time.

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

It Still Figures

This quote appeared in Lamp in a Corner, in a post titled “It Figures,” on 30 October 2023: 

“The world is calling for de-escalation and a ceasefire, thus denying Israel the right to defend itself.  It figures. It happens over and over, every time.  

When Israel continues to pursue its attackers, the United Nations (UN) steps in.  Sooner or later, the UN usually passes resolutions condemning Israel, and demanding an end to the fighting.  Nations and private individuals boycott trade with Israel.  Investors divest themselves of their investments in Israel.  Some nations, like Iran, threaten to join in attacking Israel. 

Eventually, when they are on the cusp of victory, the Unites States (US) pressures Israel into breaking off their counterattack and withdrawing from “occupied” areas.  The result is that the underlying conditions that are perpetuating the ongoing, sporadic warfare never get resolved, and the cycle repeats itself.” 

It didn’t take a genius to look at Israel’s recent history and foresee that it would happen ... and it is. 

To date, Israel’s leaders are standing strong.  They are resisting terrific pressure from most of the world’s nations individually, from the United Nations, and from within Israel itself for a ceasefire in their war with Hamas.  Israel is correct to continue the hostilities until the ability of Hamas to conduct organized activities is destroyed.  We applaud Israel’s courage and hope they will continue to fight to defend themselves. 

As a loyal American citizen, I have been ashamed of the actions of Democrats like Sen. Chuck Schumer, President Joe Biden, and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who have called for the people of Israel to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and force their government to end the hostilities in Gaza.  It is an inexcusable interference in Israel’s internal affairs, and aid the United States is providing Israel for its defense does not justify doing it. 

Benjamin Netanyahu is a hero.  He is one of the greatest leaders in the world.  There have been many times when it has been clear that we Americans would have been better off if Mr. Netanyahu was President of the United States - rather than some of those we have had. 

We cannot say that the families of the hostages are to blame for advocating for their release.  It is impossible for someone who hasn’t gone through it to understand the horror of having a loved one held hostage by terrorists.  However, dear friends, think about why Hamas takes hostages in the first place.  They do it because they fully intend to use the hostages’ release as a lever to deter the consequences for atrocities like the barbarism they committed on 7 October 2023.  To capitulate to their demands for a ceasefire and unreasonable demands for an unequal exchange of hostages for terrorists imprisoned in Israel, will only encourage more hostage taking in the future. 

Israel, we urge you to continue the fight.  Find, fix, close with, and destroy Hamas.  Please, do not relent until you have victory – until you destroy Hamas’ will and ability to conduct further terrorist activities. 

Israel’s leaders, not all of the tactical considerations affecting your decision about when to begin subduing Rafah are available, and we are certain that your reasons for delaying are valid.  We ask only that you consider that the longer you wait to go into Rafah, the more opposition to it you will have to endure.