Love Thy Neighbor?

As a minister of the gospel, one thing that irritates me is when people handle the word of God deceitfully (2 Corinthians 4:2) to get something they want without acknowledging all of its commands. Sometimes I deal with pushy panhandlers who insist the Bible commands me to “feed the poor.” I reply by pointing out the Bible also says, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10) 

During a recent vaccine mobilization event in Detroit, Vice President Kamala Harris declared we should all get vaccinated because it is “…the very essence of what the Bible tells us when it says, ‘Love thy neighbor.’ Right?” Wrong! Jesus actually said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Yes, we should look out for the welfare of others. That doesn’t mean we have to neglect our own. If vaccinations are so wonderful, why are vaccinated people still getting COVID-19? Others who have gotten jabbed have experienced side effects and even died!

On a related note, I’m so tired of people using the “love your neighbor” mantra to promote mask mandates. While I wore one on a Southwest flight a few months ago, the pilot announced on the intercom he was wearing a mask for me just like I was wearing one for him. Baloney! The pilot was inside the cockpit, where he is not required to put on a mask.

James 2:8-9 repeats the “love your neighbor” command but then goes on to say, “…if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” Governments and businesses are now offering rewards and perks to the vaccinated. I see this as bribery and discrimination. 

Love doesn’t pressure people to do questionable things that could harm their health. The best way for Christians to “love your neighbor” is not by getting vaccinated or wearing a mask but by obeying the Great Commission, which includes healing the sick.

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature…And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons…they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” - Mark 16:15, 17-18

Should Christians Vaccinate?

This year’s coronavirus pandemic has stirred up debates within the body of Christ regarding churches meeting in person and the moral aspects of wearing masks. Another issue that has come up is vaccinations. Some Christians have talked of getting one for COVID-19 when that becomes available. Others like myself balk at the idea. The financial elite are using this “plandemic” to push a socialist agenda and reduce the world’s population. (For more information on this, I recommend reading “The Phantom Virus” by Rodney Howard-Browne and Paul L. Williams.)

The medical practice of vaccinating has been around for just over two centuries. People in the Bible lived long lives without them. Nevertheless, there are vaccinations necessary in today’s society. I received a few as a boy before starting school. I also recall getting shots in 1985 while being inducted into the U. S. Army. Vaccinations are required to enter selected countries. If I were to go to India, for example, I would need to make sure I’m inoculated for hepatitis A, tetanus, and typhoid.

Many will argue diseases like polio and measles have been contained through vaccinations. However, there are reports of vaccines connected with the spread of autism. A close friend of mine who worked twenty years as a special education teacher can verify this. Recently, a worship leader I know posted a Facebook comment about his intent on getting a COVID-19 vaccine. One woman replied by pointing out her two-year-old niece “was killed by vacs - made me research and was horrified.”

Every winter, I see advertisements for flu shots. That reminds me of a story told by Kenneth Copeland. One time when his children were young, Kenneth gathered his family in the living room and announced it was time to take their flu shots. The kids had concerned looks on their faces until their father clarified to get their Bibles out. They “injected” themselves with healing Scriptures.

God has equipped us with something else to fight off sickness. It’s called an immune system. Our personal decisions can strengthen or weaken it. The few times I’ve gotten sick as a Christian has mostly been the result of eating much junk food. Amish people undergo immunization at a lower rate than the general public but experience lower levels of diseases because of healthier diets. Proper hygiene also stops the spread of germs.

Whether or not you receive vaccinations is between you and the Lord. Christian doctors like Don Colbert approve of some but advise against others that contain harmful substances like mercury. Some vaccines use fetal tissues from abortions. I encourage those of you uneasy about taking a particular vaccination to follow your conscience. Ultimately, Jesus is our healer.

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful” - Colossians 3:15

Check Your Heart

When someone has a physical checkup, the doctor will use a stethoscope to examine their heart. It’s also important for people to know the status of their spiritual hearts. Sometimes when I’m evangelizing, sinners try justifying themselves by saying, “God knows my heart.” Yet Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?” 

Fortunately, one who becomes born again has a supernatural heart transplant. Ezekiel 36:26-27 promises, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”

Believers should still occasionally examine themselves to maintain a clean heart. An excellent time to do that is when taking communion. 1 Corinthians 11:28-29 commands, “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”

Other verses that talk about examining our hearts include…

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting..” - Psalm 139:23-24

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.” 

- 2 Corinthians 13:5

“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.” - Galatians 6:4 (NIV)

The late John Paul Jackson stated, “We are life long students of the ways of God...trouble starts when we think we have graduated.” If the Lord reveals you’ve been doing things for the wrong motive, there’s no reason to feel condemned. Just repent and move on.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” - Psalm 51:10 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition) 

March Madness

Every year at this time, fans flock to college basketball tournaments often referred to as March Madness. However, a new kind of craziness has affected this and other events. For the last few days, the airwaves have been dominated by reports concerning the coronavirus. Sporting events have been canceled. Schools are closing. Flights to the U. S. from Europe have been halted. Stores are being depleted of toilet paper and other necessities. I can imagine things like this happening after the church is raptured.

Some churches have canceled services in response to political leaders discouraging large gatherings of people. However, believers who know their authority in Christ can resist all diseases including the coronavirus. Back in 1910, a plague swept through portions of Africa. An American missionary named John G. Lake went over there to help and the plague never touched him. A doctor asked Lake what he’d been doing to protect himself. Lake replied…

“Brother, it is the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus. I believe that just as long as I keep my soul in contact with the living God so that His Spirit is flowing into my soul and body, that no germ will ever attach itself to me, for the Spirit of God will kill it.”

Lake invited the doctor to take the foam from the lungs of a deceased plague victim and put it under a microscope. The doctor found masses of living germs. Then Lake told the doctor to spread the deadly foam on his hands. The doctor did so and the germs died instantly!

President Trump has declared today a national day of prayer. Instead of repeatedly sharing problems the coronavirus has created, let’s glorify the Solution to all this madness.

“Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling” - Psalm 91:9-10

Unplanned: A Review

As previously stated in this blog, I don’t go to many movies. Still, I want to be supportive of quality faith-based films being shown nationally. Pure Flix previously released a number of successful motion pictures including the “God’s Not Dead” series. Their latest production “Unplanned” came out last weekend and finished fourth at the box office. It grossed $6.1 million from only 1,059 theaters. I went to see it two days ago.

“Unplanned” is based on the memoir of Abby Johnson, a young Texas woman who worked at Planned Parenthood for eight years. During her tenure there, Abby went through a divorce and two abortions. Later after remarrying, Abby surprisingly found herself pregnant despite using birth control. Although her supervisor suggested otherwise, Abby went through with the pregnancy and gave birth to a daughter.

Often when Abby arrived at work, anti-abortion demonstrators had gathered outside her clinic's fence. A few of them made harassing remarks while holding “Abortion is Murder” signs. However, one woman reached out to Abby in friendship. Marilisa soon married a man named Shawn who became the leader of a ministry now known as 40 Days for Life. 

Through the persistent prayers of her parents and many of the demonstrators, Abby began to have second thoughts about her work. One day she found the file of one of her unborn children that was aborted at the clinic. The turning point came after watching a client’s abortion on ultrasound. Abby soon resigned from Planned Parenthood and has since helped others leave the abortion industry.

“Unplanned” is rated R for “disturbing bloody images” (reminiscent of what happened to “The Passion of the Christ” fifteen years ago). That shouldn’t stop anyone from seeing this movie. Looking at blood isn’t a pleasant sight but it shows the reality that abortion is the taking of innocent human life. Instead of calling abortion providers and their clients “baby killers” as one man did in the movie, pro-lifers wanting to make a difference need to reach out to them in love.

I know a few people who consider themselves “pro-choice.” Hopefully, they will take time to see “Unplanned” and be inspired to choose life. After all, their mothers did.

“If you are willing to advocate for abortion, but unwilling to actually see what you support, then you and your tiny bun really have no relevancy in this conversation.” 

-  Abby Johnson

Too Many People?

The U. S. Census Bureau estimates there are now over 7.5 billion people in this world. In recent years, numerous individuals have expressed fear about this planet becoming too crowded. Dr. Eric Tayag of the Philippines’ Department of Health said, “We should really focus on the question of whether there will be food, clean water, shelter, education and a decent life for every child. If the answer is ‘no,’ it would be better for people to look at easing this population explosion.”

Conversely, Steven Mosher of the Population Research Institute points out that people are “not just consumers, but producers.” He also stated, “Every stomach comes with two hands attached and every mouth is backed by a creative intelligence equipped to leave the world a better place.”

Steven knows firsthand the devastating results of population control. In 1979, he was invited to Mainland China by the Chinese government and got to witness women being forced to have abortions under that nation’s “one-child policy.” At the time, Mr. Mosher had been a pro-choice atheist but reconsidered his convictions and became a practicing, pro-life Roman Catholic. 

Twice in the first chapter in the Bible, God commanded man to “be fruitful and multiply.” (Genesis 1:22, 28)  Psalm 127:3 (NLT) says, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” Verse 5 from this same chapter proclaims, “How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!” Malachi 2:15 says that the Lord “seeks godly offspring.” God obviously likes large families.

For those of you still concerned about overpopulation, keep in mind the world will experience significant population decreases before Jesus sets up His millennial reign. First of all, millions of Christians will disappear during the rapture. Then during the seven-year tribulation period, many people will be killed for refusing the Mark of the Beast and from numerous plagues. Revelation 9:18 says, “By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths.”

I once heard a preacher point out that if all the world’s wealth were evenly distributed, every man, woman, and child on this planet would have approximately $10 million. Therefore, hunger and poverty are not the result of too many people and limited resources. One reason is wealthy individuals hoarding up things.

Don’t let the lies of organizations like GrowthBusters and Planned Parenthood stop you from having a large family if that’s your desire. God will provide for you and your children if you put your trust in Him.

“The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.” - Psalm 24:1

Women's Rights?

44 years ago today, the U. S. Supreme Court issued the infamous Roe vs. Wade decision that legalized abortion in this country. Since then, over 55 million unborn Americans have been killed. Fortunately, we have a new president who is pro-life and plans to appoint conservative judges. Other politicians have campaigned to defund Planned Parenthood, an organization that uses taxpayer funds to terminate pregnancies.

Nevertheless, abortion advocates continue raising their voices. Yesterday in our nation’s capital, the Women’s March took place. Thousands of women protested in Washington and other cities for their “right to choose.” Prior to this march, a group called New Wave Feminists was removed as an official sponsor because of their pro-life stance. 

Much misinformation is spread by women’s rights groups. Many of them claim “the pro-life movement is anti-women.” A 2010 Rasmussen poll revealed that 58 percent of women believe abortion is morally wrong in most cases while 49 percent of men agree with the same statement. In other words, women are less supportive of abortion than men.

If you’re one who considers yourself “pro-choice”, then I recommend making better choices than fighting for the right to kill babies. First, I urge you to invite Jesus Christ to become your Lord and Savior. That will hopefully result in you receiving the revelation that all children (born and unborn) are precious to God. Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” It wasn’t until after becoming a Christian that I recognized abortions as morally wrong.

Secondly, choose not to have sex outside of marriage as the Bible clearly forbids fornication. I rarely hear of married women having abortions. Still, if you find yourself facing an unplanned pregnancy, prayerfully consider contacting an adoption agency. Many childless couples have been on waiting lists hoping to adopt one. You could be a great blessing to prospective parents…and your child.

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live” - Deuteronomy 30:19

Disabled for Christ?

A friend of mine once sent me an email that intended to be a praise report. Due to personal health issues, he was approved to receive disability payments. This man became (as he called it) “disabled for Christ.”

In one way, it was good news my friend started receiving a consistent income stream. From the time I’ve known him, he’s struggled with finances and keeping a steady job. I can identify with creative individuals who have difficulties finding their niche in the workplace. Aside from that, my friend prefers to be in ministry and occasionally does volunteer work in that area.

On the other hand, I don’t consider being “disabled for Christ” a praise report. Immediately Philippians 4:13 came to my mind, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Sadly, there are people who don’t want to be healed for fear of losing money and people’s sympathy. It reminds of a joke I heard years ago…

A Republican with a hunched back entered a restaurant one afternoon and asked the waitress for a cup of coffee. He shuffled over to a booth, painfully sat down, and glanced across the restaurant and asked, “Is that Jesus over there?”

The waitress nodded, so the Republican said to give Jesus a cup of coffee, his treat.

The second patron to enter the restaurant was a Reform Party supporter on crutches. He hobbled over to a booth, sat down and hollered, “Hey there, sweet thang, how's about gettin' me a cold glass of Coke!”

He, too, looked across the restaurant and asked, “Is that God's boy over there?”

The waitress nodded, so he said to give Jesus a cold glass of Coke, on his bill.

The third patron to come into the restaurant was a Democrat in a wheel chair and he asked the waitress for a cup of tea. He also looked across the restaurant and asked, “Is that Jesus sitting over there?”

The waitress nodded “yes,” so he told her to give Jesus a cup of tea on him.

As Jesus got up to leave, He passed by the Republican, touched him and said, “For your kindness, you are healed.”

The Republican felt his back straightening up, and he rose up his hands, praised the Lord and did a series of back flips as he went out the door.

Then Jesus passed by the third party guy, touched him and said, “For your kindness, you are healed.”

The man felt the strength come back into his legs, got up, and danced a jig out the door.

Then Jesus walked towards the Democrat. Suddenly the Democrat jumped up and yelled, “Don't touch me...I'm drawing disability!”

I’m not saying it’s wrong to receive any form of government assistance. Personally I would like to see more done for our military veterans who sacrificed their lives to protect the freedoms we often take for granted. As a young Christian, I briefly collected unemployment benefits but didn’t feel comfortable with that. Once I submitted an application for subsidized housing but later found a place to live through a pastor I know. I felt this was a reminder believers should avoid looking to the government as their source of supply.

God wants to be our provider as well as our healer.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases.” - Psalm 103:2-3

Fat City

At the Lutheran church I attended during my childhood, comic strips from the local newspaper were posted on a bulletin board. One in particular I remember was Hägar the Horrible sitting at a table with his first mate Lucky Eddie. They had the following conversation... 

Eddie: “Is gluttony a sin?”

Hägar “Is it fun?”

Eddie: “I think so.”

Hägar: “It’s a sin.”

Of course, God is not against us having fun. 1 Timothy 6:17 says He “...gives us richly all things to enjoy.” That would include food. But like most other things, eating can be abused when done in excess. Scripture has a few things to say about those who eat too much...

“So that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah (which means ‘graves of gluttony’) because there they buried the people who had craved meat from Egypt.” - Numbers 11:34 (NLT)

“But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked; You grew fat, you grew thick, you are obese! Then he forsook God who made him, and scornfully esteemed the Rock of his salvation.” - Deuteronomy 32:15

“Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat. For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.” - Proverbs 23:20-21

“For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.” - Philippians 3:18-19

We’ve all probably heard preaching against smoking and drinking. I heard one Christian comedian point out how some preachers put down men with long hair and yet they themselves have a weight problem. When was the last time you heard a sermon on gluttony?

I have friends who would be considered “fat.” Therefore, my intent with this article is not to bring condemnation but to remind everyone the importance of taking care of our bodies. 1 Corinthians 3:17 in the New Living Translation says, “God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” Verses 19 and 20 from Chapter 6 goes on to say, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

One website for skeptics has a page titled “What the Bible says about Fat People” in an attempt to point out contradictions in Scripture. The King James Version’s use of the word “fat” doesn’t always refer to overweight people. Sometimes it describes God’s blessing. For example, Proverbs 13:4 (KJV) says, “The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.” The New King James Version renders the second part of that verse, “...the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.” 

God’s word does not contradict when rightly divided. Luke 15:23 mentions killing a fatted calf to celebrate the prodigal son’s return. On the other hand, Leviticus 3:17 and 7:23 commands us not to eat the fat itself.

Organizations such as the American Medical Association have labelled obesity a disease. I disagree with this assertion. More people today willingly eat too much of the wrong types of food plus don’t get enough exercise. I’ve been guilty of this and have put on extra pounds when I sat around too much working on my computer. One thing that helps me keep the weight down is going for prayer walks (during which I often evangelize). Fasting also helps the body eliminate unnecessary fat and toxins.

By the grace of God, all of us can exercise self-control and enjoy the fat of the land (Genesis 45:18) without being fat ourselves.

“But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” - 1 Corinthians 9:27

Not On My Bucket List

The latest Internet craze to go viral is the Ice Bucket Challenge. By dumping a bucket of cold water on their heads, people from all walks of life have raised awareness and funds to fight Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. ALS (also known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”) is a progressive degeneration of the central nervous system, leading to the weakening of muscles and paralysis. 

My friends have expressed mixed reactions to the Ice Bucket Challenge. Some have participated believing it’s for a worthy cause. Others oppose it because many ALS organizations conduct embryonic stem cell research, which results in the killing of pre-born human life. A few God-fearing participants of the challenge have specified their donations go to pro-life organizations like the John Paul II Medical Research Institute in Iowa, which uses adult stem cells.

As for myself, I’ve chosen not to participate in the Ice Bucket Challenge. I’d rather give my time and money to organizations that minister divine healing. God can heal all kinds of diseases including ALS like what happened to one Michigan woman.

Incidentally, this is not meant as an attack on the medical community (I have an uncle who’s a doctor). Medical research can be beneficial to society when done ethically. However, it should be pointed out that during Jesus’ earthly ministry, He never referred anyone to Dr. Luke or some other physician. Whenever someone came to Him for healing, Jesus healed that person directly without the use of drugs. When Jesus hung on the cross, He was offered a type of drug to ease His pain but refused it. 

Under the New Covenant, believers are commanded to heal the sick. While healing can still manifest through doctors and medicine, I believe it’s God’s best for His people to walk in divine health. In 2 Chronicles 16:12-13, King Asa died because he sought help from the physicians instead of the Lord.

One Facebook friend offered this challenge that I will embrace: “Let’s spend one hour a day in the morning with Jesus and pray, worship and seek Him and He will dump a bucket of oil on your head.”

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.” - Psalm 23:5

Rise Up and Walk!

A few years ago in Virginia Beach, Virginia, I attended a conference where Gordon Robertson (one of the hosts of “The 700 Club”) ministered on the importance of intercession and then instructed us to pray for each other.  At one point, a man in a wheelchair named Clay was handed the microphone and gave a few words of knowledge.  Clay called out the names of various diseases and people came forward to receive their healing.  Throughout the service, several people prayed for Clay to be healed from cerebral palsy.  The thought kept going through my mind, “Why won’t he just get up and walk?”

The Lord then instructed me to approach Clay.  After hesitating for a while, I finally went up front and told Clay I had a word for him.  Then I opened my Bible and read from Acts chapter 3 about the lame man at the temple gate…

3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.

4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.”

5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.

6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

Three people helped Clay get out of his wheelchair and take a few steps.  Although Clay didn’t walk under his own power, he commented that this was the loosest his muscles ever felt.  When Clay returned to his wheelchair, I shared with him how as a young man Kenneth E. Hagin was healed from a crippling disease.  Kenneth made a decision to believe God’s word, climb out of bed by hanging onto the bedpost, and then walk around in his room before he felt confident enough to go downstairs boldly proclaiming to his relatives that he was healed.

James 2:20 and verse 26 both say, “…faith without works is dead.”  Some healings won’t manifest until sick people take corresponding action to indicate they received the answer.  So if you find yourself in a wheelchair but believe God has healed you, don’t just sit there.  Rise up and walk!

“You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works.” 

- James 2:22

Obamacare vs. Jesuscare

This past Thursday, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (often referred to as “Obamacare”) is Constitutional. Unless this law is repealed or modified, virtually all Americans will be required by 2014 to have health insurance or face fines imposed by the IRS. Personally I am disgusted with this legislation because it gives the government more power over individual liberties. Obamacare could also set the stage for the Mark of the Beast being introduced to this country.

No, I don’t believe Barack Obama is the antichrist. But I am grieved that the President professes to be a Christian while continuing to promote policies contrary to Scripture. Obamacare could fit in this category since it encourages people to look to doctors first instead of Jehovah Rapha. It would be advisable for President Obama to read 2 Chronicles 16:12-13, “And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians. So Asa rested with his fathers; he died in the forty-first year of his reign.”

On the other hand, some Christians have the idea that if you go see a doctor, then you lack faith. It’s not wrong to seek medical help when necessary. After all, one of the gospel writers (Luke) was a doctor. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 9:12, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” The Lord can work through doctors and medicine. But physicians are not God and should not be viewed as such. There is only one Great Physician.

“who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” - 1 Peter 2:24