Showing posts with label correct. Show all posts
Showing posts with label correct. Show all posts

Sunday, September 27, 2020

Let God Be God

How do you respond if a fellow believer proclaims something that’s in error? There are times we need to rebuke others. But no matter how you speak the truth in love, some people won’t receive correction. In those situations, it’s best to back off. God can send someone else who will possibly get through to them. You have to let God be God.

A Christian writer I met a few years ago recently posted a quote on his Facebook page supporting his belief in universal reconciliation. First, I responded by reminding him of Revelation 20:15, “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Later, I posted a quote about the reality of eternal punishment for the unsaved and then added the comment: “Love warns.” This writer repeatedly defended himself by posting links to blog articles he wrote. I glanced at only one of them. I’m cautious not to absorb teachings that misinterpret the Bible. I could have posted more corrective comments but opted not to. I cannot be someone else’s Holy Ghost. You have to let God be God.

This past week, another minister wrote many critical posts against a well-known worship leader for saying certain things. I was more disturbed by this minister’s ongoing attacks. So I wrote a comment on his Facebook page asking if he tried reaching out to this worship leader. This minister wrote a response asking me to clarify what I meant. I then questioned him having (at that time) eight posts against this worship leader. He defended his right to post whatever he wanted and then told me to “Scram Bro.” So I unfollowed this minister to avoid seeing his critical posts in my newsfeed. You have to let God be God.


When evangelizing, I often meet followers of other religions promoting ideas that conflict with Scripture. As a general rule, I’ll share two Bible verses countering their errant beliefs. For example, Muslims believe Jesus was only a prophet and that God has no sons. So I often quote to them John 14:6 and John 3:16. Usually, that won’t result in an immediate conversion. Still, I planted a couple of seeds. More laborers will hopefully water those seeds so the Muslims will someday recognize their need for salvation. 1 Corinthians 3:6 says, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.”


Once again, you have to let God be God.


“As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him…” - Titus 3:10 (ESV)

Sunday, June 14, 2020

Lighten Up, Doc!

As a boy growing up in the 1970s, I preferred watching older cartoons on TV because they were funnier and had better animation. Most of the newer cartoons then were lifeless by comparison. During the late 1980s, animators seemed to run low on ideas. Miniaturized versions of established characters came out like “Muppet Babies”, “The Flintstone Kids”, and “A Pup Named Scooby-Doo.” By the 2000s, all the major networks ceased airing cartoons on Saturday morning. A few were still seen during prime time such as “The Simpsons.”

Occasionally, reboots of classic cartoons have been released. Earlier this week, the streaming service HBO Max announced it will show new “Looney Tunes" cartoons except the characters won’t have guns. A sample posted on YouTube shows Elmer Fudd chasing after Bugs Bunny with a scythe. One man tweeted: “Elmer Fudd without his gun, is like Yosemite Sam without a mustache.” This appears to be an attempt by left-leaning producers to undermine support for the Second Amendment. The politically correct crowd sure has a way of ruining everything.

It reminded me of something involving my favorite cartoon character. The canine superhero Underdog wore a ring that contained a super energy pill. Sometimes I noticed scenes of him eating the pill edited out. This was due to fears of it influencing children to take drugs. Yet in some episodes, Underdog referred to it as an “energy vitamin pill.” Most parents wouldn’t object to their children taking vitamins.

Over the years, some have argued cartoons promote violence. While I never cared for violent TV programs, kids are smart enough to know cartoons aren’t meant to be taken seriously. Even when you see characters trying to shoot or blow each other up, the good guys usually win. The Road Runner never gets caught by Wile E. Coyote. The same is true with Sylvester’s failed attempts to eat Tweety.

Of course, I now endorse animations used to promote Biblical values. I remember watching my share of “Davey and Goliath” episodes on TV but would prefer the more entertaining “VeggieTales.” Christians wanting to reach children with the gospel need to come up with Biblically accurate materials that aren't corny and boring.

As Bugs Bunny stated in one cartoon: “Don’t take life too seriously. You’ll never get out of it alive.”

“He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.” - Job 8:21

Sunday, July 29, 2018

Spelling Matters

I can understand how non-English speaking people would have a hard time learning my language, particularly the spelling. It’s a bit tricky with the different pronunciation of vowels and letter combinations. Years ago for a high school writing assignment, one of my classmates composed a satirical commentary titled “I Hāt English.” It described how our language has so many rules like “I before E except after C.”

Nevertheless, as a writer, I tend to quickly notice spelling and grammatical errors. Often I see people write “to” when “too” should be used, “weather” for “whether”, “there” instead of “their”, and “loose” in place of “lose” (or the other way around). I don’t mean to be critical but it surprises me to see a large number of online writing errors despite the many computer apps available to detect and fix typos.

One of my Facebook friends recently posted something about “Tammy Baker.” I’ve often seen Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker’s last name misspelled. Baker is the more common spelling of that name. However, I thought it was contradictory (and even humorous) that my friend proclaimed “I am a Prophet with 100% accuracy” but didn't spell a well-known minister’s name correctly. I remarked about that on his wall and he briefly unfriended me, misinterpreting my comment as hateful. Eventually, we reconciled.

I find it hypocritical when heresy hunters nitpick ministers for (in their opinion) incorrect doctrine and yet don’t even pronounce certain minister’s names correctly. Joyce Meyer is often referred to as “Meyers.” Her publications and website clearly show there is no “s” at the end of her last name. (On a related note, the last book of the Bible is referred to by many as “Revelations”, even though every translation I’ve seen calls it “Revelation.”)

How do you think Jesus would feel if one misspelled His name as “Jeesus” or “Jezus”? Perhaps it wouldn’t bother Him but I would find that disrespectful. Occasionally, people misspell my first name as “Tod”, even though that name is almost always spelled “Todd.”

All of us make mistakes. Still, we should be teachable and thankful when someone points out (in love) where we missed it. I welcome correction as I don’t want any of my messages to mislead people or have typos that make me appear less intelligent. One time I posted a YouTube video mistakenly titled “The Sermon of the Saugages.” A pastor who appeared in that video pointed out my spelling error. I uploaded that video again with the corrected spelling of “sausages.” 

Some spelling mistakes may be harmless and funny but others can create confusion. In extreme cases, they can cost millions in missed sales and job opportunities plus have the potential to ruin relationships due to misunderstandings. 

I once read a story about a man who left the snow-filled streets of Chicago for a vacation in Florida. His wife was on a business trip and planned to meet him there the next day. When he reached his hotel, he decided to send his wife a quick e-mail. Unable to find the scrap of paper on which he had written her e-mail address, he did his best to type it in from memory. Unfortunately, he missed one letter, and his note was directed instead to an elderly preacher's wife, whose husband had passed away the day before. When the grieving widow checked her e-mail, she let out a piercing scream and fell to the floor in a dead faint. Her family rushed into the room and saw this note on the screen: “Dearest Wife, Just got checked in. Everything prepared for your arrival tomorrow. P. S. Sure is hot down here!”

Proverbs 18:9 says, “He who is slothful in his work is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.” God wants us to have a spirit of excellence in everything we do. That includes the notes and emails we write to others. Just as we need to be watchful with the words we speak, we should also be watchful with the words we write. 

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” - Colossians 3:17

Sunday, March 6, 2016

The Name of the Lord

In Matthew 1:21, the angel Gabriel told Joseph (regarding his wife Mary), “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” The Amplified Bible further states that Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name for Joshua (“Yeshua”), which means Savior.

Occasionally I meet people who prefer to call the Son of God by alternative names. A few years ago while in New York City, I visited a church where the Lord was usually referred to as Yeshua. If I'm witnessing to a Jewish person, I'll use the name Yeshua. Otherwise, I call Him Jesus.

Isaiah 9:6 says, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” I believe the Lord doesn't mind His people calling Him by different names if done reverently. Married people refer to their spouses by a variety of names: “Honey”, “Sweetheart”, “Dear”, “Darling” and possibly some other nickname in addition to their actual first name.  

When it comes to receiving salvation, it’s important to call on the one name that makes this possible. Some people told me they will only pray to God and not mention Jesus at all. That’s like trying to drive a vehicle without any fuel in the tank. Acts 4:12 says, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Later in verse 18 of this same chapter, religious authorities commanded Peter and John “…not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.”

In today’s politically correct society, military and police chaplains have been pressured not to pray in the name of Jesus. Again that short-circuits the power of God from flowing in a person’s life. Their prayers simply won’t work. Look at what Jesus said in John 14…
  
12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 
13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 
14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

Strangely enough, I’ve met individuals who object to the name of Jesus simply because the letter “J” didn’t come into existence until about 500 years ago. But regardless of what language a person speaks, there is power when the name of the Lord is spoken with boldness. One morning I was lying in my bed when I suddenly heard a voice speaking in my left ear. Initially, the voice repeated the word “attention.” Then it uttered all kinds of profanity at me. After putting up with it for about five seconds, I hollered, “Satan, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus!” Then the demonic voice stopped.

Another time while evangelizing on the streets of Minneapolis, I approached two girls who told me they worshiped Satan. When I started sharing the gospel with them and mentioned the name of Jesus, one of the girls ran away screaming!  

Never let anyone try to discourage you from using the name of Jesus. It’s one of many weapons God has given us to maintain victory over the enemy.

“that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” - Philippians 2:10-11

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Twas the Month Before Christmas

Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
The politically correct police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
"It might hurt people's feelings," the teachers would say
"December 25th is just a 'Holiday.'"

Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penney's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, diversity
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree"
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday!

- Author unknown