The Gospel According to Horton

As a child, I read many books by Theodor Geisel, an author better known by his pen name Dr. Seuss. Some of his stories became animated TV specials. One of which was “Horton Hears a Who” (which also became a motion picture years later). Recently I found that on YouTube and watched it again.

For those of you unfamiliar with the story, Horton is an elephant who finds a dust speck inhabited by the Whos, a tiny race of people who live in Whoville. Other animals in the jungle think Horton is crazy for talking to beings they cannot see or hear. They tie him up and come close to boiling Whoville in a pot of oil. The Whos cry out in desperation, “We are here!” They weren’t heard by the outside world until a little boy hollered, “Yopp!” 

There are spiritual truths that can be gleaned from “Horton Hears a Who.” Sometimes it takes just one person to do something to usher in a move of God. Psalm 8:2 says, “Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger.” God often uses the foolish things to confound the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27).

Horton repeatedly said, “A person's a person, no matter how small,” Believers have used this phrase for pro-life causes. Sadly, Dr. Seuss didn’t approve of that and even threatened to sue a ministry for printing that on their stationary. After the author died in 1991, his widow Audrey Geisel donated money to Planned Parenthood. Unlike the Whos in Whoville, unborn children cannot cry out, “We are here!” 

Atheists think it’s crazy for talking to a Being they cannot see. Yet they believe in other unseen things like gravity. I used to question God’s existence until giving my life to Him nearly thirty years ago. So if you don’t know the Lord, cry out to Him. He knows you are there.

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” - Jeremiah 33:3

Dead Raisers Come Forth!

One of the worship leaders at Bethel Church in Redding, California recently experienced a tragedy. The two-year-old daughter of Kalley Heiligenthal suddenly died. For a while, Kalley and her husband Andrew plus the leadership of Bethel asked everyone of faith to pray that little Olive would be raised back to life. Unfortunately for them, that didn’t happen. I was disturbed to see mostly nasty comments in response to a CBN News article about the Heiligenthals. If those critics had a child that just died, wouldn’t they want to see him or her come back to life? 

Raising the dead is mentioned several places in the Bible. However, many Christians scoff at the idea of modern-day resurrections. A few years ago, I got together with an old friend for coffee. Her interest in going to Germany prompted me to show her photos from the times I went there. Some were from a Reinhard Bonnke meeting in Berlin. During which, a Nigerian pastor testified of being raised from the dead. My friend’s attitude suddenly changed as she called that “satanic” and said, “I’ll bet you a million dollars this is not true!” When I mentioned Jesus’ commandment in Matthew 10:8 to “raise the dead”, she said that was for the Jews only.

I found out my friend believed “Paul’s gospel” and claimed the apostle didn’t raise anyone from the dead. I reminded her of the incident of Eutychus falling out of a window. My friend insisted it was Peter who brought that dead man back to life. Not wanting to debate doctrine with my friend, I changed the subject but later at home read the following verses in Acts 20…

9 And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 

10 But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.” 

11 Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. 

12 And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.

The next day I got together with my then-pastor for a prayer meeting. When I told him what happened the night before, he reminded me of Paul himself coming back to life in Acts 14…

19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 

20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

Raising the dead was also done by Elijah (1 Kings 17:17-22) and twice by Jesus (Mark 5:41-42 and John 11:43-44) not counting His own resurrection.

This past June, a man I knew spent the night in the same house with me in Massachusetts. The next morning, Michael was found dead in his bedroom. He was only 52 years old. Our host encouraged me and another man named Thomas to pray over Michael’s body until the police and paramedics arrived. We called for life to come back into Michael. Thomas thought he felt something but no resurrection happened. Our host soon heard from the Lord that Michael was with Him now.

Just because some Christians don’t receive their healing doesn’t mean healing isn’t for today. Likewise, there are reasons why dead people don’t come back to life despite others praying for them. Individual wills are involved. Once you experience the glories of heaven, you wouldn’t want to stay on earth. Then again, I’ve heard testimonies of people the Lord sent back from heaven because their work on earth wasn’t finished. Jesus said in John 5:21, “For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.”

One minister involved in numerous resurrections during the early 20th century was Smith Wigglesworth. His wife Polly passed away around the time the Englishman began full-time ministry. Smith immediately rebuked the death and her spirit briefly came back. The Lord spoke to him saying: “This is the time that I want to take her home to Myself.” So despite a breaking heart, Smith released his wife to be with the Lord.

Currently in Mexico, there’s a missionary named David Hogan who has raised many people from the dead. Reinhard Bonnke’s ministry produced the video “Raised from the Dead” featuring the Nigerian pastor’s testimony. There’s also a documentary titled “Deadraiser” that explores resurrection stories from around the world (portions of which can be seen on YouTube). Among those interviewed was a medical doctor named Chauncey Crandall who made this powerful statement: “Christ doesn’t sit with the sitters. He goes with the goers. So put down your Starbucks and go to the front line of battle in Jesus’ mighty name!”

Those who claim raising the dead is satanic seem to have more faith in the devil doing supernatural things than God Almighty. Although Revelation 13:12 suggests the Antichrist will experience a resurrection, his power is inferior to God’s. Raising the dead may not be the norm in contemporary Christianity but I believe we will see more of that before the Lord returns.

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”  - John 11:25

Making God Famous

On this day thirty-nine years ago, musician John Lennon was shot to death outside his apartment in New York City. Years before as a member of the Beatles, John made the infamous remark, “We are more popular than Jesus.”

To some people, the Beatles are still more popular with them because they don’t know the real Jesus. That’s why God needs His people to go into the world and share the full gospel with others. Unbelievers need to hear about a Jesus that will heal their broken hearts, cure their diseases, and of course, forgive all their sins.

There was a time when John Lennon had a genuine interest in Jesus. According to Steve Turner’s book The Gospel According to the Beatles, John became a regular viewer of that era’s most influential TV preachers. In 1972 he sent a letter to Oral Roberts that the evangelist later shared publicly. Here are some of the comments Lennon wrote…

“The point is this, I want happiness. I don't want to keep on with drugs. Paul [McCartney] told me once, ‘You made fun of me for taking drugs, but you will regret it in the end.’ Explain to me what Christianity can do for me. Is it phony? Can He love me? I want out of hell.”

Five years later, Lennon told friends he had become a born-again Christian and went so far as to write several Christian songs. Unfortunately, that disturbed his wife Yoko Ono who eventually influenced John to abandon his newfound faith and embrace New Age practices.

I heard one minister say his goal in life was to make God famous. Let that be your daily mission as well. Open your mouth. Tell others about what the Lord has done in your life and that He loves them as well. Then Jesus will become more popular with them.

“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?  And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?” - Romans 10:14

Spiritual Hunger

Once I witnessed to a man promoting hunger awareness. This man didn’t believe in the existence of heaven or hell. Therefore, he thought feeding the hungry was more important than preaching the gospel. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:3, “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” A nonbeliever’s good works won’t matter if he’s lost for eternity.

Is it important to feed the hungry? Absolutely. Scripture exhorts us to do so (Psalm 146:7, Romans 12:20). The miracles of Jesus included multiplying loaves and fishes to feed the thousands who gathered to hear His word. In recent years, I’ve gone out of my way to give food to panhandlers as well as the gospel.

Although food is a basic necessity, we should focus more on cultivating and satisfying our spiritual hunger. My former pastor Mac Hammond taught a series on that. He pointed out we can build an appetite for anything that consumes our thought life. While serving in the Air Force, some of Mac’s fellow platoon members played cribbage. Initially, he didn’t care for the card game but soon developed an addiction for it.   

When I witness to someone who’s already saved, I often ask, “When’s the last time you read your Bible?” I’ve heard a variety of answers. One young Christian told me he hadn’t read his Bible in two months. So I asked him, “Who would happen if you went two months without eating food?” Our spirits become malnourished unless we consistently feed on the Bread of Life.

Burger King once sang in their commercials, “Aren’t you hungry?” The King of Kings said in Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.” I want to be hungry for His word and His presence. How about you?

“For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.”

- Psalm 107:9

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

The Lord Likes to Party

One of the things that repelled me from Christianity during my youth was seeing religious folk look unhappy and speak against those wanting to have fun. It’s unfortunate some God-fearing people don’t know how to enjoy life. That’s why I appreciate fellow ministers like Jesse Duplantis, Rodney Howard-Browne, and John Scotland. Their meetings are often filled with joy and laughter. 

My birthday is coming up in two weeks. That got me reflecting on how as kids most of us got excited when we turned another year older. Perhaps relatives and friends celebrated with you while you ate cake and ice cream plus opened up presents. Sadly, some children are deprived of these things. Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t celebrate birthdays at all (as well as Christmas and other holidays). The Watchtower calls that a pagan practice. However, the Bible does not say anything against observing birthdays. 

The truth is the Lord likes to party. The Bible mentions various feasts and celebrations the Israelites had such as the one following the drowning of Pharaoh’s armies in the Red Sea. Exodus 15:20 says, “Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.” Unfortunately, they had a different kind of gathering seventeen chapters later. While Moses received instructions from the Lord on Mount Sinai, the children of Israel corrupted themselves during a feast in which they worshipped a golden calf (Exodus 32:7).

What makes a party good or bad is its purpose. Scripture has many warnings against gatherings that promote fornication, drunkenness, and gluttony. For example, 1 Peter 4:3-4 says, “For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.” 

On the other hand, Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding feast in John chapter 2 (I believe the wine used here was non-fermented but that’s another sermon). In the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15, the father killed the fatted calf and threw a party to celebrate his son returning home. In this same chapter Jesus said in verse 10, “...there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” So if you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then a birthday party occurred for you in heaven the day you got born again. 

In recent weeks, I’ve received numerous notifications of Facebook friends having “watch parties.“ Tomorrow night many people will celebrate the arrival of a new year. I’m looking forward to a greater celebration that will take place in heaven prior to the Lord’s return on earth...the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19). That will be the ultimate party.

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” - 1 Corinthians 10:31 

Was Jesus Born Again in Hell?

As Christians, we should stand for biblical truth. Unfortunately, some defenders of the faith are too quick to judge certain ministers as heretics. A few months ago, a Facebook friend blasted a well-known preacher for proclaiming at a local church, “Jesus was born again in hell.” I was at that same service. The “born again in hell” comment generated question marks in my mind. Other than that, I didn’t hear this preacher say anything that would be considered heresy. 

While walking into the bathroom at this church, I pondered the “born again” comment. Suddenly, Romans 8:29 came to my remembrance: “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Jesus is also referred to as “the firstborn” in Colossians chapter 1 verses 15 and 18.

Those of you familiar with the Apostles’ Creed will recall the phrase of Jesus descending into hell. Scriptures supporting that concept include…

“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” - Matthew 12:40

“…he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth.” - Ephesians 4:9

“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades [“hell” in the KJV] and of Death.” - Revelation 1:18

The Greek word Hades and the Hebrew word Sheol are often used interchangeably with hell. One dictionary defines Hades as “the underworld; the abode of the spirits of the dead.” Prior to the Resurrection, Hades had two separate compartments. One was for the wicked such as the rich man in Luke 16. The other (sometimes referred to as “Abraham’s Bosom”) was inhabited by Old Covenant saints such as Lazarus. 1 Peter 3:18-19 says, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison.”

I would disagree with some ministers claiming that Jesus suffered in hell. Before they both died, Jesus told the thief on the cross, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) He went on to say,  “It is finished!” (John 19:30) It was on the cross Jesus received the punishment for sin that we all deserve. It also says in Psalm 16:10, “For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.”

Perhaps religious watchdogs think the doctrine of Jesus “born again in hell” minimizes His deity. Personally, I don’t believe this is worth bickering over. Sinners don’t really care about the terminology used to describe what happened to the Lord during the three days following His crucifixion. They need to hear the Good News about the Risen Christ so they don’t have to suffer for eternity themselves.

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” - 2 Corinthians 5:21

Acts of God?

A fellow evangelist I know used to be employed by the U. S. Postal Service. I heard him talk about a time when a massive winter storm prevented coworkers from showing up on the job. Some of them were atheists but still marked “an act of God” on a form as their reason for missing work so they could get paid. One dictionary defines act of God as “an instance of uncontrollable natural forces in operation (often used in insurance claims).” 

Many people who won’t live for God still blame Him for disasters such as tornadoes and floods. Obviously, the Lord has some control over the weather. Jesus said in Matthew 5:45, “for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” However, I don’t believe killer storms are “acts of God.” Keep in mind we live in a fallen world largely ruled by Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4) who comes to “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” Jesus came to give us life and “have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Self-appointed prophets have labelled the recent hurricanes hitting the U. S. “divine judgments.” You think God would allow His judgments to be predicted by weathermen and warn people to flee? That would mean judgment is upon those without the means to evacuate. Also Jesus rebuked a storm at sea. If the storm was from God, wouldn’t Jesus be going against His Father's work? I personally know people who saw storms disappear after speaking to them.

Sometimes Christians have to go through difficulties because of bad decisions made by people above us. One example in Scripture is the Apostle Paul getting shipwrecked in Acts 27 despite warning the ship’s authorities of pending danger. In recent years, storms often resulted when the U. S. Government enacted unfavorable foreign policy toward Israel. Then again, when the ten plagues in Exodus afflicted the Egyptians, God kept His people safe.

Natural disasters are from the enemy…not “acts of God.” So until these current storms pass, I'm praying nonbelievers affected by them will realize there are more important things than their earthly possessions. That's their eternal destinies!

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." - John 3:17

Heavenly Rewards

Occasionally people ask what movies I’ve seen. The last one I watched in a theater was “Rogue One” even though I’m not a big “Star Wars” fan (a friend invited me and offered to pay for my ticket). In recent years, I’ve probably attended two or three movies per year. With rare exceptions such as “The Passion of the Christ”, I will not watch Rated-R flicks. It’s bad enough many PG-13 movies nowadays have an increasing amount of profanity.

As a former employee of Billy Graham’s World Wide Pictures, I can appreciate good filmmaking. Sadly, most movies and Hollywood actors nowadays promote values inconsistent with Scripture. For that reason, I had no interest in watching last Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony. Oscars are often given to movies I consider trash (reminds me of the like-named character on “Sesame Street”). Other earthly awards such as Olympic medals don’t mean a thing from an eternal perspective.

Of course, it’s nice to be recognized for artistic and athletic accomplishments. Romans 13:7 talks about giving honor to whom honor is due. As a teenager, I won a few bowling trophies that are now collecting dust at my parents’ house. While serving in the U. S. Army, I earned a sharpshooter badge but don’t recall what happened to that. I’m now more interested in receiving rewards from the Lord than the accolades of man. 

Christians who are truly obeying the Great Commission should expect blessings along with temporary persecutions. Jesus said in Matthew 5:11-12, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” He also said in Mark 10:29-30, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.”

The Bible talks about five types of crowns believers can receive when they enter into heaven…

Crown of righteousness - “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8)

Incorruptible crown - “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.” (1 Corinthians 9:25)

Crown of life -“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12)

“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)

Crown of glory - “and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” (1 Peter 5:4)

Crown of rejoicing - “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” (1 Thessalonians 2:19)

Not every Christian will have the same status in heaven nor receive the same amount of crowns. Things we do for the Lord with the wrong motive will be burned up (see 1 Corinthians 3:12-15). When I appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ, I want to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” 

What about you?

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 3:14

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

Rest in Peace

This past Monday, Bobby Vee died at 73 of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. Although I wasn’t a big fan of the singer, his death hit close to home. Bobby’s first concert in February 1959 (following the plane crash in Iowa that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper) was five blocks from the house in Moorhead, Minnesota where I spent most of my childhood. At that time my dad went to Fargo Central High School with Bobby and shared an art class with him. 

Another famous singer who died this past week was Pete Burns of the English band Dead or Alive. They are perhaps best known for their 1985 hit “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)”, a song I used to play as a nightclub disc jockey.

Whenever people die, those who care about them will often say “rest in peace.” Sometimes the initials R.I.P. are engraved on real headstones as well as Halloween decorations. R.I.P. originated from the Latin phrase “requiescat in pace.”

The truth is that all dead people are not resting in peace. When a person dies they either experience great joy in heaven or eternal torment in hell. There is no in-between place such as purgatory. Hebrews 9:27 says, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”

One doesn’t magically change into an angel or get a free pass into heaven just because they had a rough life or were “good.” The Lord said in Isaiah 48:22, “There is no peace…for the wicked.” The wicked are not select individuals the world considers “bad people.” All of us have broken God’s laws and need a Savior. 

If you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Once you do that, then you can truly have rest and peace in this life and the next.

“For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.” - Isaiah 57:2 (NLT) 

Life is a Vapor

Three days ago a friend of mine along with two companions started on a road trip from Minnesota to Texas. Halfway through the trip, one of those companions learned her father was in a motorcycle accident. The three of them made a U-turn back to Minnesota. Shortly afterwards, the motorcyclist died after being taken off life support. Fortunately he professed to know the Lord.

This reminded me of an incident last year involving another female friend. Ironically she also lived in Minnesota but traveled down to Texas with her new husband. One day the two were in a motorcycle accident. My friend was critically injured but has since recovered. Her husband died at the scene.

An estimated 54 million people die every year. That’s almost 150,000 every day. Many of these deaths are sudden and without warning. Scripture describes just how fragile life really is…

“For we are only of yesterday and know nothing, Because our days on earth are [like] a shadow [just a breath or a vapor].” Job 8:9 (AMP)

“Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah” - Psalm 39:5

“Surely every man is vapor. Selah” - Psalm 39:11

“Surely men of low degree are a vapor, men of high degree are a lie; If they are weighed on the scales, they are altogether lighter than vapor.” - Psalm 62:9

“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher. “Vanity of vanities! All [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity [futile, meaningless—a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes, merely chasing the wind].” - Ecclesiastes 1:2 (AMP)

“whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” - James 4:14

Psalm 91 does have the promise of a satisfying long life but only for those who dwell “in the secret place of the Most High.” God can steer His people away from tragedies if they listen and obey His voice. On the other hand, Satan lies to nonbelievers by saying they can wait and get right with God at a time of their choosing. 

So before your life becomes vaporized, make sure you’re born again. Don’t roll the dice with eternity.

“Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation.” 

- 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NLT)