Islam in the News

Ground Zero Mosque…

NYC Muslim Cabbie Stabbed…

NYC Drunk Urinates on Prayer Rugs…

FL Church to Burn Korans…

You’ve probably seen the headlines from the past week or so. I’d just like to pass along a couple of personal observations.

First of all, let’s dispense with the obvious. I am against the building of a mosque at the Ground Zero site. I am against stabbing people. I am against drinking. I am against answering the call of nature anywhere but the appropriate places (the restroom or the woods). Burning Korans doesn’t really hurt my feelings, but it doesn’t necessarily accomplish anything, either.

What angers me is the increasing acceptance of the Islamic religion in our nation. The politicians, the pundits, and most of the preachers all want us to pity the poor Muslims, who are suffering an “explosion” of “hate crimes” against them.

Again, I’m not for anything that has happened in any of those headlines, but do you really think that cabbie was the only guy stabbed in NYC this week? Do you really think that was the only drunk in NYC that did something stupid this week? Do you really think a country book burn is worthy of global attention?

Let’s try to put this in perspective. The MSNBC article on the drunk begins with the line, “In the latest in a spate of anti-Muslim incidents over the last two days…” Really. A spate of incidents? You mean three news items, one of which involves violence? That’s what you’re calling “a crisis level of crimes against Muslims?” “A disturbing trend that will only continue to grow?”

Compare that to the “Ramadan Scorecard.” On the 16th day of Islam’s holy fast, the religion of peace has carried out 103 terror attacks worldwide and accumulated 472 dead bodies. Why haven’t those numbers made internet headlines? One reason and one reason only. They don’t fit the agenda being pushed on and accepted by the people of this country.

Again, a man in FL plans to burn the Koran. The headline claims this “Adds to Tensions.” Would somebody please remind me what started those tensions? Wasn’t it burning – not books – but buildings and the almost 3,000 people inside. Some misguided Muslims (those who actually believe and follow the Koran) burn buildings and bodies. A misguided preacher (who mistakes political activism for serving God) plans to burn some books. Muslims aren’t dangerous. Christians are. The scary thing is that the majority of the people in this country actually buy into that.

Now, let’s put this in a Biblical perspective. I am a Bible-believing Christian, living in America, watching my nation kowtow to a religion intent on taking it over. What is my response?

1. I should check my heart and make sure I am just as angered over the fact that the nation has rejected the true God as I am about the fact that it is embracing Islam. I should be just as angry about the drunkenness, immorality, and idolatry that has crippled this nation as I am about the religion it is accepting with open arms. Right?

2. I should remember that I’m part of the kingdom of God, not the kingdom of heaven. Jesus said in John 18:36, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. One day, Jesus will physical destroy all of His enemies. But His servants now are engaged in a far different fight. We are to earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 1:3). Not the country. Not the land. Not conservative values. The faith. The souls of lost men and women. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

So my course of action as a Bible-believing Christian does not involve protesting a mosque, stabbing a cab driver, desecrating a false house of worship, or holding a bonfire. My calling as an ambassador of God (2 Corinthians 5:20) is to preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). My duty is to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). The truth is that Mohammed will send you to hell just as quick as Buddha or Confucius or the pope or Joel Osteen. Jesus Christ is the only who can forgive man’s sins and save man’s soul (John 14:6), by grace through faith in His finished work (Ephesians 2:8-9). Amen.

Let’s be busy about our Father’s business (Luke 2:49), while we still can (John 9:4).

A Godly Parenting Principle

Ezekiel 6:10 And they shall know that I am the LORD, and that I have not said in vain that I would do this evil unto them.

Lauren and I are about 5 months into this parenting thing and are absolutely having a blast. But we also realize the magnitude of the responsibility we have before God concerning the precious child He has placed in our home. And we want to take that responsibility seriously. By the grace of God, we want to do what the Bible says we should and train up our little girl in the way she should go. We want to bring her up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. We know she has a sin nature and a free will, but we want to do everything we absolutely can to see her live a life that pleases the Lord and will count for something in eternity.

And we need all the help we can get. Books. Magazines. Articles. Advice. Sermons. Examples. We know we don’t have it figured out. But we want to do all we can to figure it out. We know we’re going to make mistakes. But we want to do all we can to minimize those mistakes.

So I came across something in my Bible this morning that reminded me of one of those things I have read, and I wanted to pass along the principle to you, not because you’re not aware of it, but just as a helpful reminder – for you and for me.

And here it is. Empty threats are worse than useless. They hurt you and your child. When God said He would do evil to His people for their disobedience, He did not say it in vain.

If you say you’re going to do something, you’ve got to do it. If you declare a certain action will result in a certain consequence, you must make certain it happens as you have said. If you outline a course of punishment for a certain offense, you absolutely must carry that thing out. Otherwise, you are effectively teaching your child to ignore what you say because you don’t mean it anyway. You are teaching your child to test whatever boundaries you set to see how far those boundaries can be extended.

I know, I know. It’s easy to say. But it’s also biblical. And with God’s help, I want to follow His word. So let’s not make excuses. And by the grace of God, let’s raise a generation that will bring honor and glory to the One who is worthy.

The Deity of Christ

Ezekiel 11:5 And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.

The word of God is chock full of proofs for the deity of Jesus Christ. Someone who denies this fundamental doctrine either (1) just doesn’t believe the Bible or (2) has chosen to ignore the clear teaching of literally hundreds of passages in favor of a few passages taken out of context and misinterpreted.

The verse above makes reference to the fact that God knows our every thought. Now that’s a scary thing to think about and something we ought to keep in mind as we strive to obey 2 Corinthians 10:5. But beyond that, we can add it to the list of things that prove the fact that Jesus Christ, possessing the attributes of deity, is indeed GOD manifest in the flesh.

And here are some references to go along with it, if you’d like to add them to your list.

God knows man’s thoughts. 1 Chronicles 28.19; Psalm 94.11; Isaiah 66.18; Ezekiel 11.5; 1 Corinthians 3.20; Hebrews 4.12-13

Jesus Christ knows man’s thoughts. Matthew 9.4; 12.25; Mark 2.8; Luke 5.22; 6.8; 9.47; 11.17; 24.38; John 2.25

I’m sure there are more along these lines. Send me some references, and we’ll add them to the list.

The Master Servant Relationship II

1 Timothy 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour…

This was a blessing to me. Hope it’s a blessing to you as well.

I AM A SERVANT

Acts 2.18; 4.29; Romans 1.1; 6.16, 18, 22; Galatians 1.10; Philippians 1.1; Colossians 4.12; 2 Timothy 2.24; Titus 1.1; James 1.1; 1 Peter 2.16; 2 Peter 1.1; Jude 1.1

I AM UNDER THE YOKE

Matthew 11.28-30

MY MASTER IS WORTHY OF ALL HONOR

John 13.13; Romans 13.7; 1 Timothy 1.17; Hebrews 2.9; Revelation 4.11; Revelation 5.12-13; Revelation 7.12; Revelation 19.1

Put the aul through my ear, man. I love my Master, and it is well with me as long as I abide in His house (Deuteronomy 15.12-17).

May God help us today to bring honor to our worthy Master all that we think, all that we say, all that we do. May our lives ever bring honor to the one who set us free from sin and gave us allowed us to pull alongside Him in an easy yoke. Amen.