3/14/2021

Today, I read an article dated 2/11/2021 from Lifeway research about “Same-Sex Marriage” and how the opinions of some “pastors” have changed over the last decade. They broke it down to three groups: All Protestant pastors, Mainline, and Evangelical. Now I was raised that “Thus saith the Lord” deals with every verse in the Bible and therefore if the Bible states something is wrong then all pastors should be against it.

The other day in my Bible reading I ran across Romans 4:3a which states: “For what saith the scripture?” We are to pattern our lives after the Bible, God’s Holy Word. If we have any questions or doubts, then we are to go to the Bible and see what it says on the matter. Now I know that in some areas, there is no black and white, yes or no to be found. Then we have this area where we find a yes or no, black and white type of answer.

Romans 1:25–28 (KJV)

²⁵Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. ²⁶For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: ²⁷And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. ²⁸And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Read the article and see what you think.

https://lifewayresearch.com/2020/02/11/mainline-pastors-drive-growth-in-pastoral-support-for-same-sex-marriage/?ecid=PDM232624&bid=645240251

3/7/2021

While reading the book Earth’s Last Empire, by John Hagee, I found a quote that spoke to me. It is a quote by Elie Wiesel and talks about the opposite of love, beauty, faith, and life. The opposite of these is not what you think according to Mr. Wiesel, it is indifference.

I have heard preachers many times over the years preaching on having passion, being excited about Christ and what He has done for us. I have even made the statement about people losing their passion for Jesus. They are becoming indifferent.

We do not hear about great revivals being held by great Evangelist like Billy Graham and Jimmy Swaggart anymore and it makes me wonder if it is because the Christians are indifferent in their witnessing to the people around them. If we have such apathy that we do not share the truth about God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost then it is understandable that no one would want to go hear someone talk about God, when we do not talk about the wonderful things that he has done for us.

Ask God if you are indifferent to what He is doing in your life. If the answer is yes, then get your passion back. Get the thrill of your salvation again. Start sharing the Gospel with others.

"The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of beauty is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, but indifference between life and death." (Interview with U.S. media, 1986)

https://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/elie-wiesel-quotes-survival-spirituality-humanity-article-1.2697132

2/28/2021

As Christians, we know that we live in a fallen world. When Adam and Eve disobeyed the commands of God, they brought sin, death, and brokenness into the human world by rending the relationship they had with the triune God. The first part of 1 Corinthians 15:22 reminds us as much, saying, “For as in Adam all die…”

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought out the worst of this fallen humanity and displayed all the callous and proud hubris that fills the twisted hearts of humankind.

For example, a recent Wall Street Journal article indicated that China refused to give the World Health Organization access to raw data on COVID-19 cases at the beginning of the global pandemic. [1] Burying this information might have led to the unnecessary deaths of thousands of people and caused untold pain and heartache.

Do the Chinese government officials feel any guilt for their callousness? Probably not. Have they been punished for their jingoistic attempts to prop up the image of their despotic government? Like before, the answer is probably not.

If you want further proof, look to the United States, where New York Governor Andrew Cuomo hid data that indicated the pressure his administration exerted on nursing homes to take COVID-19 patients likely contributed to deaths and illnesses as the contagion spread through the facilities. Cuomo’s former aide admitted that they hid the data out of fear it would “be used against us.” [2]

Has Cuomo received any genuine retribution for the consequences of this obviously stupid decision? No. Has he been punished for trying to hide the disastrous results of his actions? Also, no.

Even normal expectations of basic decency are all-too-often lacking. For instance, despite promising to fire anyone who was known to be abusive, President Joe Biden’s administration Just announced that they would merely be suspending a week’s worth of pay to TJ Ducklo, despite his threatening a female reporter who outed one of his affairs with a different journalist. [3]

Often, Christians lament the folly of evil people, wondering how it is that they do not receive any apparent retribution for their actions. They are not alone in this lament. The prophet Jeremiah expressed similar sorrow over two millennia ago in Jeremiah 12:1. The prophet boldly interrogates God with his own perceived injustices: “You are always righteous, Lord, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?”

Despite the apparent wrongness of this impunity, Christians would be wise to remember God’s promise in Ecclesiastes 12:14 “For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” In Johnny Cash’s haunting track God’s Gonna Cut You Down, he roughly croons a version of this message: “You can run on for a long time/Sooner or later God'll cut you down.”

It is also important to remember that there is hope beyond this world. Although the first part of 1 Corinthians 15:22 reminds us that Adam’s sin has condemned our world ("For as in Adam all die…”), the second part offers us hope “…so in Christ all will be made alive.”

No matter how dark or bleak the world seems. No matter how evil humankind becomes. God will ultimately hold the wicked accountable. He will save those who trust in His son’s name.

Foundations of Truth hereby waives all claim of copyright (economic and moral) in this work and immediately places it in the public domain; it may be used, published, edited, and distributed in any manner whatsoever without any attribution or notice to Foundations of Truth.

[1] Jeremy Page and Drew Hinshaw, “China Refuses to Give WHO Raw Data on Early Covid-19 Cases,” Wall Street Journal (February 12, 2021), https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-refuses-to-give-who-raw-data-on-early-covid-19-cases-11613150580

[2] Bernadette Hogan, Carl Campanile and Bruce Golding, "Cuomo aide Melissa DeRosa admits they hid nursing home data so feds wouldn’t find out.” New York Post (February 11, 2021), https://nypost.com/2021/02/11/cuomo-aide-admits-they-hid-nursing-home-data-from-feds/

[3] Jen Psaki, “Thread,” Twitter (February 12, 2021), https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1360284954165448711

If you are interested in more article from the Foundations of Truth go to the following link.

https://www.foundationsoftruth.com/post/why-do-the-wicked-prosper?inf_contact_key=95edad836837053b066ecbcf5144124516358d5485884e2f31e6019a0d26c8b0

2/7/2021

There are some terms that we need to make sure we know what they are and what they mean. They deal with God’s attributes, understanding the Truth, and in reference to salvation. Some you may have heard of others many have never been mentioned in your presence. In fact last October I talked about this same article. Nevertheless, when God puts it on my heart I have to listen to Him. Someone needs this now. Besides it brought it home to me one more time.

Most Pentecostal’s believe in a triune God-head. Where God, the Father, along with God, the Son, and God the Holy Ghost are all in agreement with each other. Kind of like a married couple, where in Matthew19:5, it states that a man shall cleave to his wife and they shall be one flesh. They are separate yet in many causes and ways they act as one. The three aspects of God are separate, yet They are joined in Their plans for mankind; They want everyone to go to Heaven to be with Them.

They have three attributes: Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent. These words mean that God is all knowing, has all the power and is everywhere. Kind of hard to get your mind around if you do not want someone to know all your business and everything you do. However, to a Christian it is very reassuring to know that God is with you all the time and has the knowledge and power to help you in all the situations that you get yourself into.

God leads us in two main ways: general revelation and special revelation. The Bible is a good place to find general revelation about your life. However, a special Revelation is something that pertains to you. It may be a hidden thought, act, or deed that no one knows about and God wants you to change that part of your life. Maybe it is a word that tells you that you need to prepare yourself for a certain trial that you will be facing.

The final grouping of these terms is in regard to your salvation. According to an article that is found on the website listed below this article are justification, sanctification and glorification. Justification means that at the point of salvation or your surrender to Jesus, He washes your sins away. You have a clean slate.

A lot of people do not like the term of sanctification because it means that you have to quit doing somethings so that you can get closer to God. Kind of like if you want to lose weight, you have to eat less and exercise more or if you want to put on some muscle, you have to workout more to make what muscles you have become bigger. It takes some effort on our part to do any of these three things.

Then there is the final term: Glorification. I have only recently, in the last few years heard of it being called this. All it means is that God has called us to His presence and clothed us in our robes of white and given us our new body that will know no pain or grow old.

It is an interesting article, read it and see if you learn something new.

https://factsandtrends.net/2020/10/06/8-theological-terms-church-leaders-should-be-teaching/?ecid=PDM228592&bid=338067397

C.I. Wilson

1/24/2021

Flags have represented nations, kingdoms, and even companies forever for a long time. They tell what the nation, kingdom or company stand for; by using colors, symbols, and or wording.

            Let me give you an example. Our American flag consists of three colors. Red, which says that we are hearty, & have valor. Blue represents vigilance, justice, and endurance.

            The way a lot of our people have lost their respect for Old Glory. They burn the flags, dishonor what we stand for, and fight against its principles by destroying property, and disrespecting its churches, government and those who believe in them.

The things that we, the people, have suffered because of those who are against the American way of life. We have seen where they have blown up businesses, looting, burning our property, and murdering those who hold fast to America’s principles.

            America was built on biblical principles; we were given unalienable rights as citizens of the United States of America. The Bill of Rights. We hold these truths.... They have tried to change them, remove them & even tried to annul parts of them. Millions have given their lives to keep these truths.

            There is another flag, or banner, if you will, that they are trying to get rid of it and it's influence and that is the banner of the cross on which Jesus gave his life for the ransom of all sinners who will receive his free gift, salvation, to those who sincerely ask and believe.

            John 3:16 states; For God so loved the world (cosmos - mankind) that he gave his only begotten son and whosoever believeth shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

            God gave man a free will. If you choose to serve him or not, it is your choice. But, you will pay the piper, so to speak. At the end, if you have not made it right you will pay for you final choice. Do not wait until it is too lateto pray. Romans 6:23 states; For the wages of sin is death (eternal separation from God, in hell.); but the gift of God is eternal life (in heaven with him) through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

          When God created humans there was only one commandment. In Genesis 2:17 the Bible states: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. In the end, without Jesus, you will be eternally separated from God, in hell. John 3:17-18. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saves. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

            Today, there is still only one commandment that will, by your choice, send you to hell. If you do not believe and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. While if you believe as a fact that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and accept him as your personal Savior, then live by his word, as found in the Bible, and rely on the promises that are found in the Bible.

Older Websters dictionary. {Believe that Jesus is virgin born, he is the Son of God, that will help you with every aspect of your life and he came and lived as a man, suffered and died on the cross of Calvary to pay the ransom to redeem sinners who believe.} Acts 3:19, 4:13, Repent & be converted (be saved)

            Remember that Jesus paid the price, not only for salvation of man, but that included the Spirit of God, which will help you in every aspect of your life, if you will ask him and let him. This is not the Baptism; however, he is the same Spirit. The Baptism is the fulness. That is a different teaching.

Rev. Gennevieve Hebert