Sunday, September 26, 2021

Stand and Pray Revisited

 Over a year ago in the midst of the Covid pandemic, I made an appeal that those fans who were still attending sports events, and those fans who in the future would return to attendance make a change.  During the playing of the national anthem, I suggested that fans simply stand and pray, rather than sing the national anthem or stand silently.  No need to protest some various social issue.  The simple act of standing and praying meets all needs.

You can pray for the 600,000 plus people in the United States of America who have died from Covid.  You can pray for those who refuse to wear a mask or get vaccinated during this pandemic.  You can pray for kindness to be the first choice of people.  You can pray that countries take care of people so they do not have to flee to another country just to have a decent life.  You can pray for a political system that does what it is supposed to do.  You can pray that we act as caretakers of the planet Earth, and protect the resources it provides us.  You can pray for peace so we do not have to send people off to fight senseless wars where at the end, no one has "won".  You can pray that each of us acknowledge the fact that there is a Creator, a God, or whatever label you have assigned.  The list of what you can pray for goes on, and on, and on.  You know what to pray for.

So I ask you to act.  During the national anthem, please Stand and Pray for those items most closest to your personal walk in this world.   #StandAndPray.



Friday, September 3, 2021

A rebuttal to the concept of humanism versus the existence of God

 


To those following a new wave of humanism and not believing in the existence of God.  I was going to create a response, but found that the responses already exists in the bible.  These specific scriptures are from the New Living Translation version.

For deciding to go to humanism. Luke 23:34  Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.

How can you find the truth?   2 Chronicles 15:2c  Whenever you seek him, you will find him.  But if you abandon him, he will abandon you.

Why you should not turn to humanism?  Psalm 118:8  It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust people.

The danger of human answers.  Matthew 16:23  Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me.  You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Why keep seeking the truth?  Matthew 7:7-8  Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for.  Keep on seeking and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives.  Everyone who seeks, finds.  And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

Why is the easy solution of humanism not the right answer?   Matthew 7:13  You can’t enter God’s kingdom only through the narrow gate.  The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.

Have you ever thought about how the human definition of “beginning”  just does not make sense?  You can’t explain the notion of beginning without a spiritual foundation.

Why Christians should speak boldly about the Word in the bible?

The world provides no answers or solutions.   1 John 2:15  Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.  For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions.

Who do you trust?  Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Who guides you?   Psalm 16:7-8  I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.  I know the Lord is always with me.  I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

Ask for guidance in speaking boldly.  Psalm 25:4-5  Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.  Lead by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.  All day long I put my hope in you.

Asking God for wisdom to speak boldly.  James 1:5-6   If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.  He will not rebuke you for asking.  But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.

Psalm 32:8-9  The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you.  Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle  to keep it under control.”

Humanistic ideas are a call to service for all who believe in God.  To speak boldly about the Word.

Hebrews 12:1  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.  And let us run with the endurance the race God has set before us.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith,

James 1:2-4  Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Ephesians 6:13  Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.  Then after the battle you will be standing firm.

It's time to get to work.