NRBC Blog

Well, the election in on the road. Both the Republicans and the Democrats will be vying for our votes for the next two months, and before it’s all over with, we’ll just be glad when it’s over!

So, now that the decision is in our court, how do you decide who will get your vote? Well, I like to be biblical, so I wondered if there might be some biblical precedent for choosing a leader. As I gave it some thought, I remembered how Paul always had to gain respect as an Apostle. He wanted to lead the churches with credibility, and he knew that meant gaining the confidence of those he was leading. How did he do it?

In Philippians 3, he began by pointing to his past record. There was tangible evidence in the way he had lived his life to show his sincerity even before he became a believer. After he met Jesus, that sincerity became a fervent desire to serve the Lord no matter the cost. And, cost him it did! He paid dearly for the privilege of knowing Christ and being His follower.

Next, he shared his personal goal of setting aside the past with a firm resolve to sacrificially fulfill the mission to which he had been called. With that, he could say, follow me.

Now, if I use the biblical model, what do I discover when I examine the track record and resolve of the candidates running for the U.S. presidency? For me, it’s a no-brainer!

If ever there was a time when we needed to set rhetoric and stage presence aside and examine both the lives and the convictions of the candidates, it is now. So much is at stake. We must take our responsibilities seriously and seriously examine how we will cast our vote. Of course, that means vote, and that, too, is a no-brainer!

So, Michael Moore has decided there is a God! Speaking on MSNBC, the director of "Fahrenheit 911" said, "I was just thinking, this Gustav is proof that there is a God in heaven… To just have it planned at the same time, that it would actually be on its way to New Orleans for Day One of the Republican convention, up in the Twin Cities, at the top of the Mississippi River."

What a surprise! But, whose candidate advocates the freedom of choice to terminate the life of unborn, even partial birth abortion? And, who advocates the legitimacy of homosexual marriage as an acceptable lifestyle? Who is it that mocks the very Book which reveals why God casted out the previous inhabitants of Canaan; that infanticide, idolatry, and sexual perversion are an abomination to Him? (Deu 9:4-5, 12:31-32; Lev 18)

Mr. Moore, I fear there is a storm coming, but its course is not just towards Louisiana! Ring the bell; blow the horn; sound the alarm! God is alive, and He has not changed. He will not forever endure the obstinance of a people who ignore Him.

The liberal cries of liberal politicians are just another indicator that man is slipping to the lowest depths of sin. “Who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” (Ro 1:32)

In my devotional reading last week, I came across an interesting translation of 1 Corinthians 3:1-3. The Message has, "But for right now, friends, I'm completely frustrated by your unspiritual dealings with each other and with God. You're acting like infants in relation to Christ, capable of nothing much more than nursing at the breast. Well, then, I'll nurse you since you don't seem capable of anything more. As long as you grab for what makes you feel good or makes you look important, are you really much different than a babe at the breast, content only when everything's going your way?"

Is that contemporary or what! "…what makes you feel good… makes you look important… content only when everything's going your way?" When was the last time you saw church members acting like that?

We all have opinions, likes, dislikes, and preferences. Who gets their way? Do you cast lots, take a poll, or have civil war and see who wins? You can always just close and lock the doors and everybody go their separate ways! But, isn’t there something better than everyone trying to have it their way; a higher purpose that brings us all together and puts us all in sync?

Yes, and Paul knew what it was. It is partnering with God to build His church. Notice, it is "His" church! It’s not ours, yours, or mine! It’s His. He is the Architect, and we are builders working for Him.

Now, wouldn’t it be a hoot if a work crew started arguing among themselves because they didn’t like the tools others were using. "You shouldn’t use that new hammer; old ones are better. Put that ‘electric’ saw down! Use a handsaw." Or, suppose some started complaining because the carpenters were not hammering with a certain rhythm and others were not "in uniform!" The work would never get done; and, in most churches, we aren’t doing what we were called to do!

Babies! That’s what he calls them. They’re whining when they ought to be winning; bellyaching when they ought to be building. Paul implies that the church nursery is full but not populated by the children of prospective families. It’s full of church members who ought to be functioning at the university level.

Paul’s call echoes down through the centuries and challenges us to stop choosing sides and start filling seats. We must stop arguing among ourselves and start working together for the greater good; serving the Master and building "His" church!

Michael Phelps did it! I have not heard how many were watching when he broke the Olympic gold medal record, but I imagine it was a lot. I had to Tevo it myself. In fact, I recorded two events, Phelps and the Saddleback interview of Obama and McCain. I have watched Phelps win, but the other… I’ll have to get around to it!

Does that mean that I am not interested in the current political scene? Absolutely not! I care very much about the next presidential election; however, a man representing America who was about to put our nation in the record books… It commanded my attention more. We tend to rally when someone commands national attention.

Now, that prods my imagination. We are a nation in love with “self”, and materialism is the order of the day. Even the election is polarizing many who are looking for “what is best for ‘me’!” But, for one brief week, we had our eyes drawn to China and glued upon a man swimming in eight races. And, why did we want him to win? Because we are Americans, and he represented America.

I wonder, what will it take for us to want what is best for America rather than what is best for “me”? What would God have to do to strip our eyes off ourselves so that we could get back to our original focus of “God, Family, and Country”? Would He have to remove the “things” that are now preoccupying us? Like the “Walton’s”, would we have to endure a Great Depression in order to again see the value of family, family values, and national pride? And, if He did, would it be so bad?

Every year, we are moving further away from those who remember soup kitchens and bread lines. They tell me it was a difficult time but also a time filled with good memories. They didn’t have much, but neither did anyone else! It was enough to have a plate of food, a place to sleep, a change of clothes, to have a family, and to be Americans!

Michael, you did well! Too bad that we will soon forget how great it was to root for you.

Last night, I was teaching from Daniel in my in-home small group. You probably remember the story about Nebuchadnezzar’s dream; how he demanded that his counselors first reveal the dream prior to giving their interpretation. When they were unable to comply, the king gave the order to have all the counselors killed. Then, Daniel shows up. He and his three friends had taken their case before God, and He had revealed the dream.

As Daniel met with Nebuchadnezzar, the king must have listened with stark amazement. Someone had actually been able to honor his demands. Prophecy prognosticators love to expound upon the dream and its past and future events, but there is one statement in Daniel’s record that has previously escaped by notice. In verse 37 of chapter two, Daniel tells the king, “You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory.” Notice, “God did this, not you!”

What’s so important about that statement? Well, had Nebuchadnezzar listened to and believed that one statement, he would have been spared seven years of insanity! You see, if you fast forward to chapter four, you read about his second dream. In verse 25, Daniel warns Nebuchadnezzar that “They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”

Get the point? In that first dream, Nebuchadnezzar had been given the opportunity to know and place his faith in the One, True and Living God; but, he was so interested in the interpreter that he missed the interpretation!

Are we any different? We are so caught up in our expectations, demands, and preconceived ideas that we often miss the message when God speaks. We attend Sunday morning services with such a desire to “have it our way” that we miss God’s revelation of His way. Yet, whenever God speaks, He holds us accountable. Meeting with Him is serious business! Nebuchadnezzar missed his day of opportunity, and he ended up paying the price.

God is speaking. Are we listening? If not, what is blocking the reception?

In preparing for my Sunday message on “Church Government,” I was reminded of how God’s people have departed from Him in the past. It was Ezekiel who saw in a vision the abominations of the Israelite leaders and heard the Sovereign Lord of the Universe say, “…have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the room of his idols? For they say, ‘The Lord does not see us, the Lord has forsaken the land.’ ” (Ezekiel 8:12)

Can you believe it? “The LORD does not see us!” Idols have eyes but do not see; ears, but they do not hear; but, God is never in the dark! As David learned, you can neither go high enough nor low enough to get away from Him. He knows!

How uninformed and ignorant those Old Testament characters were! Couldn’t they learn a few things from our own age of “enlightenment?” Or, could they?

Recently, I preached on the unbiblical practice of anonymous letters that criticize, condemn, and bellyache! I pointed out that God’s plan calls for “face to face” communication that characterizes people who really love one another. Sure, we get crossways and disagree. We even offend on occasion. But, Matthew 5 and 18 are clear on how God demands that we handle such differences. Then, I hear from a friend that he received just such a letter the following week; no name, no love, no obedience to God’s directive. Does God not see? Does He not know?

Who do we think we’re dealing with? Has God changed, or is He still the One Who inspired the words, “It’s a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God!” (Hebrews 10:31) Sooner or later, his anger breaks out, and those who ignore Him are quickly swept away!

It appears that we are not as enlightened as we would like to believe! The sins of the fathers have been past down to the sons and daughters. Many are ignoring the God they say they know, and are being driven by the flesh rather than the Spirit. How we need an “awakening”; an old fashioned encounter with God! It’s time for those who SAY they believe the Bible to start LIVING the Bible they say they believe!

Opra, Opra, Opra, what have you done now! I never cease to be amazed at how gullible the public is. Just because someone has visual notoriety, has made a lot of money, and has achieved the title, celebrity, suddenly they are supposed to be an authority on everything. They can memorize a few lines and look good on camera, so they become political spokesmen. And, in Opra’s case, a theologian! Of course, she is a “Christian”, and was raised a Baptist. What more do you need to be an occult leader. Unfortunately, in our day, who is speaking is more important than what is said!

What was that famous comment, “If it walks like a duck…?” They didn’t say, “If it calls itself a duck…” Opra can call herself a Christian all she wants to, and certainly I am not her judge; but, it was Jesus who asked, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” The label, Christian, always meant “follower of Christ.” To say that you are a “follower of Christ” and then say Jesus is not the “only Way to heaven” is to call the One you say you are following a liar! Again, it was Jesus who demanded, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one goes to the Father except through Me.” And, it was the Apostle Peter who preached, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (John 14:6; Acts 4:12) Who’s right, Jesus and Peter or Opra?

Hopefully, the windows are now open and people will be able to see the fallacy in joining Opra’s religious band. Maybe they will even chance to pick up a Bible and find out what it really says. I would certainly like to think so, but, then, I think I hear another actor criticizing the president and extolling the virtues of his/her presidential choice. And, I think I see the dust of another host of mindless followers trailing along behind! Where will all this lead?