Christian Beliefs - Expect Persecution

Christian Beliefs

“Expect Persecution”

Note: I will be posting the responses referenced below in the near future.

In response to a letter to the editor which I wrote, “Gay Marriage or Civil Union: Is That the Issue”. Recent responses “All or Nothing”, “Tu Quo Que!” , “There’s No Defense for Bigotry”, and “Countering Bigotry”, have suggested a variety of derogatory terms to describe me and the Bible. I want to assure you that I am not intentionally homophobic, racial, prejudiced, bigoted, intolerant, ignorant, etc., human, yes, perfect no! I am certainly not against anyone’s civil rights. I am a sinner saved by the shed Blood of Jesus Christ. “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…,” (Romans 3:23) I also “….am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,” (Romans 1:16). It is not my responsibility to convict, (ministry of the Holy Spirit) judge, (ministry of Jesus Christ) or lay a guilt trip (deception of satan) on anyone. However, I will continue to defend, proclaim and preach the whole Gospel of Jesus Christ. My intent is not to harm anyone, but to proclaim what I believe to be truth. What if the Bible is true? Jesus commanded His disciples to,” Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” (Matthew 28:19-20). I expect that many will be offended and will oppose the Bible and the one proclaiming it (John 15:20; Romans 12:14); that is their choice – civil right. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. Fortunately, I still have the freedom to proclaim the Gospel in love – not to bash, hate, or coerce (Matt.22: 37-40). In as much as I am able I want to show the love of Jesus Christ to all. All have freedom of choice but choice involves consequences. If you really thought that someone was going to jump from a tall building wouldn’t you attempt to stop them? To set the record straight, I believe: The Scriptures are the inspired, authoritative, infallible Word of God (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21); There is only One True God–revealed in three persons...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22); In the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. As God's son Jesus was both human and divine; In His virgin birth, (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31; Luke 1:35); In His sinless life, (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22); In His miracles, (Acts 2:22; Acts 10:38); In His substitutionary work on the cross, (1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21); In His bodily resurrection from the dead, (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:4); In His exaltation to the right hand of God. (Acts 1:9; Acts 1:11; Acts 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3); That though originally good, Man Willingly Fell to Sin–ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world, (Genesis 1:26,27; Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:6; Romans 5:12-19); Every Person Can Have Restored Fellowship with God Through 'Salvation' - accepting Christ's offer of forgiveness for sin, (Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11; Titus 3:5-7); Sanctification Initially Occurs at Salvation and is not only a declaration that a believer is holy, but also a progressive lifelong process of separating from evil as believers continually draw closer to God and become more Christ like, ( Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12; Romans 6:1-11; Romans 6:13; Romans 8:1,2; Romans 8:13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12,13; 1 Peter 1:5) ; The Church has a Mission to seek and save all who are lost in sin using love, not hate, bias or bigotry. I believe 'the Church' is the Body of Christ and consists of the people who, throughout time, have accepted God's offer of redemption (regardless of religious denomination) through the sacrificial death of His son Jesus Christ, (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19,20; Mark 16:15,16); A Final Judgment Will Take Place for those who have rejected Christ. They will be judged for their sin and consigned to eternal punishment in a punishing lake of fire, (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 21:8). For additional information on my beliefs go to our website at http://www.cryinginthewilderness.org/. For additional information on what the Bible says about homosexuality visit http://www.sbministries.org/. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. … He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed …”(John 3:16-18). Consider (Ezekiel 3:16-21). What if the Bible is true?

If not me who? If not now when? As the Body of Christ and His chosen representatives if we don't bring the message - Who Will????

WHAT DOES GOD THINK ABOUT GAMBLING

(Ref: What Does God Think About Gambling? By Gene Gregory www.sermoncentral.com)

Brothers and sisters, we have been chosen to be the light and the salt (Matthew 5:13-16)

– to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. Our message has never been a popular one – but guess what – God has chosen us, He has equipped us, and He will hold us responsible. If not me who? If not now when? Edmund Burke said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” Rise up good men and do something!

Those who would cater to the lusts of the flesh would say “Play Responsibility” – “Have Safe Sex,” “Drink responsibly”. Such warnings – may justify the conscience of those involved in promoting social ills but does little to prevent or heal the harm caused to families, children and communities.

With gambling so prevalent in our country and our state and perhaps soon to be in Sullivan County, it is time we stopped to ask, “What does God think about gambling?”

I. GAMBLING IS NOT LOVING OTHERS AS YOURSELF

Mark 12:28-31

“And one of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, "What commandment is the foremost of all?" [29] Jesus answered, "The foremost is, 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; [30] and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' [31] "The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

Jesus commanded us to “Love our neighbors as ourselves.” When you gamble or encourage gambling, you do not love your neighbor as yourself. You are trying to take something from your neighbor, for yourself, and he is getting nothing in return. For you to win at gambling, others must lose.

In addition to the material goods lost, gambling hurts homes and families in many other ways. In areas where casino gambling has been legalized, it has been reported that:

• Gambling plays a part in 1/3 of divorces
• Domestic abuse cases increased over 300% in a 4-year period
• Calls to one Gulf Coast Women’s Center crisis line in Florida doubled within 3 years after the introduction of Casinos.

The National Gambling Impact Study Commission reported, “Children of compulsive gamblers are often prone to suffer abuse, as well as neglect, as a result of a parental problem or pathological gambling.”

After they legalized casino gambling in the state of Mississippi, pawn shops became the fastest growing business in the state, as people pawned their possessions to pay their gambling debts.

In Kansas City, the number of pawn shops increased from 4 to 38 after casinos came to the area (Judy Thomas, “Pawnshops, Casinos thrive in KC Market,” The Kansas City Star, August 21, 1995, A1).

These are only a few of the devastating statistics.

Can we really say, “I love my neighbor when we are willing to contribute to the legal destruction of his life, the life of his children and family and the corruption of the community in which he lives?

What does God think of gambling?

He hates it because it does not show our love to our neighbor.

II. GAMBLING PREYS ON THE POOR

Proverbs 14:21

He who despises his neighbor sins, But happy is he who is gracious to the poor.

Proverbs 14:31

He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.

The Bible makes it very clear that we are not to oppress the poor. Gambling preys on the desperation of the poor:

According to The National Gambling Impact Study Commission:

• Those with incomes less than $10,000 spend more on lottery tickets than any other income group.

• On the national average, lottery gamblers with household incomes under $10,000 bet nearly 3 times as much on the lottery as those with incomes of more than $50,000.

• High school dropouts spend 4 times as much as college graduates.

• When the lottery was introduced in Kentucky, the stores in one community reported a 17% drop I grocery sales.

• Gambling, and lotteries in particular, are a tax on those who can least afford it.

What does God think about gambling?

He hates it, because it preys on the poor.

III. GAMBLING LEADS CHILDREN ASTRAY

Luke 17:1-2

“ And He said to His disciples, "It is inevitable that stumbling blocks should come, but woe to him through whom they come! [2] "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.”

The Bible, God’s Word, says that we have a responsibility to teach children correctly, and that those who lead children astray will pay a terrible price - gambling hurts children.

George Meldrum of the Delaware Council on Gambling Problems says, “This is the first generation of kids growing up when gambling is legal and available virtually nationwide.”

The result?

According to a Florida high school gambling survey in 1995:

• 90% of all teens surveyed reported gambling at some time in their life. 6.6% of them are already problem or compulsive gamblers.

• Nationally, 1 in 10 teenagers have a gambling problem and 1 in 8 college students do.

What does God think about gambling?

He hates it, because gambling leads children astray.

WHAT YOU DO SPEAKS SO LOUDLY

I CANNOT HEAR WHAT YOU ARE SAYING

IV. GAMBLING IS BASED ON GREED AND COVETOUSNESS

Exodus 20:17

"You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

1 Tim. 6:9-10

“But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. [10] For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang.”

Why do people gamble? In a recent national poll, 2/3s of respondents stated that the reason they gamble is to win money. The Apostle Paul specifically warns us about the love of money, and God specifically forbids coveting what others own.

Gambling breaks both of those commands. In addition, gambling also displays a lack of trust in God’s provision and dissatisfaction in what He has already provided.

What does God think about gambling?

He hates it because it is a root to other sins and because it shows a lack of trust in Him.

As Christians, as those called to be light and salt what do you suppose we should do?

1. Refuse to gamble

Isaiah 5:20

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;

Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness;

Who substitute bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

2. Vote against it and let your representatives know how you feel and why According to the Bible the God-ordained purpose of government is to protect the welfare of its citizens and to suppress evil. State-sanctioned gambling does the opposite.

Romans 13:1-5

“ Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. [2] Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. [3] For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same; [4] for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil. [5] Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.”

3. Pray (talk to the Father) about it

Matthew 18:19

"Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.”

What does God think about gambling?

Who has been called to be light and salt?

If not me who? If not now when?

Is Gambling A Moral Issue?

Nothing is politically right that is morally wrong.

Carved on the ceiling of the Missouri Senate Chamber

The Democrat (Dec 21) reported that Les Kristt, Secretary of the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce, “said there were only two issues with gambling; morals and economics. He argued that gambling is no longer a moral issue, as churches and synagogues have long paid their bills through bingo. New York State has every conceivable lottery game available.” Are we to believe that church and state approval decides morality? With this kind of reasoning we should all approve: abortion, prostitution , gay marriage, violence, sex and profanity on TV, pornography on the Internet, genicide and euthanasia - each of these is approved by some government and/or church. Perhaps another standard should be considered. Just because some church (religion) or a government or the people approve does not mean that God approves. Greed, lust, pride, selfish ambition and envy are often motivators for each of these. If you do not believe in God look at the facts! Countless studies have shown that gambling destroys individuals and families, increases crime, promotes prostitution and drug use and has long lasting harmful effects on children. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure this one out. Check it out - http://www.ncalg.org/; http://laplaza.org/~totem/gam1.html. Perhaps it is time for a class action lawsuit. Are we a society where there is no “right” or “wrong”? Where there is no “truth”? Where everyone does what is right in his own eyes? With freedom comes responsibility. Our representatives are expected to be responsible. “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” ( Edmund Burke) Rise up good men and do something! What if the Bible is true?

Bob Paquet
Crying in the Wilderness Ministry

Gay Marriage or Civil Union is That The Issue?

What follows is based on my opinion and my belief that the Bible is the inspired, infallible, authoritative Word of God. Should gays be allowed by law to marry or to join in a civil union? (Semantics?) Has this anything to do with civil rights? Are these the real issues? Gays can and do live together and they can legalize their relationship. It is as illegal to commit a crime or discriminate against a gay person as it is against a heterosexual. Should society legalize this relationship; approve and call it acceptable (right), teach our children it is acceptable (right), and call it intolerant and illegal when contrary opinions are expressed? Should the Bible be outlawed as a hate book because it speaks out against homosexuality? Legally, we can do whatever the laws of man allow us to do. Man cannot make enough laws to control all the possibilities and when he tries “experts” called lawyers can find loopholes and judges can reinterpret what was intended. Of greater importance is the standard by which man makes laws. Hitler made laws, Saddam Hussein made laws – just because something is legal is it therefore right? Does might make right? Each of us has been given the freedom to choose – not by the government but by the Creator, and with each choice we are responsible for the consequences, not only to ourselves but also to others. (“Am I my brother’s keeper?”). The real issue is not the right of gays to marry or civil liberties. The real issue is one of righteousness, values and morality. At one time our nation outlawed abortion and called it murder, discouraged divorce and made it difficult, outlawed sodomy and called it a crime; prostitution was a crime in Nevada, gambling was unconstitutional in New York and Civil Unions were unheard of in Vermont. Man’s laws have changed that.. Today we are to believe that truth is relative, freedom of choice is more important than responsibility and the meanings of words may be changed to justify our desires. There is no standard; each man (nation) does what is right in his own eyes (Judges 17:6; Proverbs 16:2). When the laws of man are contrary to the laws of God a choice has to be made by some (Acts 4:18-20). Sadly, I believe we are “weeping and will weep for what we are sowing”. It is not my job (thank God) to force people to believe as I do, or to “bash” anyone. However, as a follower of Jesus Christ, He is my Lord and Savior, I have a responsibility to proclaim the truth of the Gospel in love. I do not hate anyone. I have many gay friends, how they live is their choice. I believe that the greatest commandment is, to love God and to love my neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). The Bible has some pretty intolerant statements in it. If you have a problem with what it says check with the author. There are a number of Bible verses that speak about homosexuality. Consider these Biblical responses to some arguments for the approval of homosexuality. (Ref. www.wheregraceabounds.org) God made me gay; for me being gay is not unnatural. God made us male and female with the intention of people of the opposite gender relating to each other sexually. (Genesis 1:26,27 & 2:18-25). Our "natural" way of being is in direct contrast with God's plan for our lives (Romans 6:19-20, 7:5). It may feel natural and normal to be intimate with the same gender but that does not make it right. The Bible doesn't prohibit homosexual sex. The Bible specifically prohibits homosexual behavior in both the Old Testament (Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13) and the New Testament (1 Corinthians 6:9, Jude 7, 1 Timothy 1:10, 2 Peter 2:6-8). When Paul listed homosexuality as a sin in his letters he was just borrowing a "vice list" from the culture that he was in. Homosexuality is in this list because the culture of the time prohibited gay relationships, not because God sees it as a sin. In Romans 1:26-27, homosexual behavior (both male and female) is clearly pictured as a sin. This letter was written to the Romans who at least condoned, if not openly accepted, homosexuality; they had no cultural prohibition against gay relationships. In this verse, homosexuality is presented as a form of idolatry that Paul is admonishing the believers from engaging in. Finally, each of us makes his own choices – a gift from our Creator. Just because the Bible says something does not mean you have to do it. Many things are legal in the world that are contrary to the teachings of the Bible. However, we may want to consider our choices in light of the three great truths: (1) the longer you live the older you get; (2) if you live long enough you will not get out of this alive; and (3) the death rate among humans regardless of race, nationality, color, sex sexual orientation, religion, education, wealth, etc. is 100%."For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God”. (John 3:16-18) Consider the ministry given to Ezekiel (Ezekiel 3:16-21). What if the Bible is true? Now you have heard it you are responsible! The choice is yours.

Morals? Or No Morals?

MORALS OR NO MORALS

Oral arguments of four same-sex marriage appeals were argued on May 31st before the State of New York Court of Appeals. Deputy Solicitor General Peter Schiff argued that it's up to the state Legislature, not the courts, to determine whether marriage should be extended to same-sex couples. When asked by the Hon. Carmen Beauchamp Ciparick, “We can’t make choices on moral or religious grounds?” He responded, “Absolutely not!” (The webcast can be viewed at http://www.nycourts.gov/ctapps/ -1hr 42min into the webcast)
Apparently some of our law makers believe in Ethical relativism - that when two individuals or two cultures disagree on their moral views of an act, both can be right. The post-modern ethic which teaches “there are no absolute truths” and “there is no right or wrong” is upon us. “In those days...; every man did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6) “There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12)
In the words of Alan Charles Raul in, “How legalizing gay marriage undermines society's morals” (http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/1209/p11s02-coop.html)
“We must recognize that what the Massachusetts court has done is not preserve liberty but merely substitute its own moral code for that of the people. This damage is not merely inflicted on government, trampling as it does the so-called "separation of powers." It does much worse, for when judges erode the power of the people's representatives to set society's moral compass, they likewise undercut the authority of parents, schools, and other community groups to set the standards they would like to see their children and fellow citizens live by. Indeed, it is a frontal assault on community values writ large.”
On June 5^th the US Senate considered the Marriage Protection Amendment (S.J. Res. 1) which states: “Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this Constitution, nor the constitution of any State, shall be construed to require that marriage or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon any union other than the union of a man and a woman.” Apparently our law makers did not consider "marriage" important enough to approve this amendment and let the people decide. Contact your representatives and express your opinion and desires. (www.citizenlink.org click on “Action Center”) You choose – Morals? Or No Morals? What if the Bible is true?

Click on the image below
to find out more about what
the Bible has to say about
marriage.

Wake Up Church!

What I have written below may be considered by some to be extreme or provocative. If you are offended I ask your forgiveness but I feel that the time is short - that we must decide very soon whom we will serve - The Lord God or Baal.
I am requesting that you give your church leaders a copy of this. I pray that the Lord will have mercy on us and provide a window of opportunity!
Please do not be offended. As I sit here I feel so strongly that we who call ourselves followers of Jesus Christ have been playing games for to long inside the walls of our comfortable churches. We are commanded by scripture to be light and salt to the world - yet all around us perversion is happening (homosexuality, gambling, abortion, indoctrination of our youth, violence, child abuse, etc) and we seem to be silent and non committal (like an ostrich with its head in the sand) - are we afraid of losing our IRS status or how others may react? Are we so concerned with our "religion and our own earthly welfare and our denominations and our "church building" and with pleasing of man and our own selfish ambition that we have come to the place where we are no longer effective as light and salt. Are we serving God or man? Body of Christ wake up! Casino gambling and the lottery is about to take over our country, Christian Schools are struggling to survive, drugs are all around us, homosexuality is rampant, child abuse, abortion and pornography are everywhere. We need to preach the gospel of salvation and repentance with the love of Christ to the LOST - we will not be judged for whether or not they listen and we have not been called to force anyone - but we must SHOUT the message and warn them! Yet, to my knowledge, very few in the Body of Christ seem to care - no letters to the editor, no ads, no unity to combat evil - Brothers and sisters, WE ARE IT! WE HAVE BEEN CALLED! WE ARE TO BE THE LIGHT AND THE SALT! WE ARE THE "ROYAL PRIESTHOOD"! HIS WITNESSES! THE PEOPLE CALLED BY HIS NAME! I have been studying Jeremiah - take a look at Chapter 1 and 7 and ask yourself - has God changed - will He somehow wink His eye as we play church? I fear that we will be held responsible - for we are the called out ones! I sense so urgently that it is imperative that we stand up for righteousness NOW or we and all around us will "weep what we have sown!" If any of you have the same feelings please let me know. Perhaps we can become part of John 17:23! If not us who? If not now when?
Jesus did not start a denomination or a church – He said we should follow Him. Are we?