Taking a few minutes each day to read a chapter is a good way to start. But we should also block out extended periods of time for exploring God’s Word and reflecting on what He is saying to us. The importance of spending much time with something of great value and beauty is illustrated by a quote from the National Geographic magazine about Carl Sharsmith, an 81 year old guide in Yosemite National Park.

“Carl was back at his tent quarters after a long afternoon with tourists. His nose was flaked white and red with sunburn; his eyes were watery, partly from age but also from hearing again an old question after a half century of summers in California’s Yosemite National Park. A lady tourist had hit him with a question where it hurt: “I’ve only got an hour to spend at Yosemite,” she declared. “What should I do? Where should I go?”

The old naturalist-interpreter-ranger finally found voice to reply. “Ah, lady, only an hour.” He repeated it slowly. “I suppose that if I had only an hour to spend at Yosemite, I’d just walk over there by the river and sit down and cry.”

A whole lifetime is not long enough to appreciate fully the beauty and learning and value of the Bible. That’s why we must take time to study its truths and make them real in our lives. (from Elbourne illustrations)

Things are not always what they seem. We see examples of this all the time. Just yesterday I was shocked when I learned that a well-known Houston doctor had been arrested for assaulting his wife. I see this guy on TV all the time, in ads with the punch line that he cares about people just like he cares for his own family, especially the little girl sitting on his lap.

At first I thought maybe he is being falsely accused or maybe he was provoked, pushed over the edge and acting out of character. He seemed like such a nice guy that I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. Then I learned more about him. Mr. Nice Guy had his license revoked in 2006 after he tested positive for cocaine use, which was a violation of a 2002 probation order. Then there were references to his behavior in previous marriages. Turns out that Mr. Nice Guy isn’t so nice–certainly not someone I would want cutting on my body!

The point is–don’t believe everything you hear or see on TV, or anywhere else. Things are not always what they seem to be! The Bible warns us repeatedly about false prophets and teachers, wolves in sheep’s clothing. So, before you go hog-wild and pig-crazy over some hot shot preacher with a charming personality you better get your facts straight. Find out what he believes and pay attention to how he behaves.

Every Christian has a responsibility to weigh every message on the scales of God’s word to see if it is true. If we are to avoid being dupped into believing a lie we must carefully examine everything in the light of God’s Word. We should be like those in Berea who “received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so”(Acts 17:11). Don’t ever believe something just because I, or somebody else, says it is so. Get the facts! Get into the Word and make certain that it is the truth you are embracing. You owe it to yourself to do so.

The devil is smarter than you think. He is skillful in the art of deception. He can deceive even the smartest and most educated people, convincing them to believe a lie. Our only defense is the Bible and a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit who enlightens us. Being deceived about a doctor who deals with our physical body is one thing, being deceived by someone about spiritual matters is another and of far greater importance. Don’t let it happen to you. Think about it!

For many years I’ve been saying, we ought to thank God for the backslidden Muslims, because if they followed the teachings of Islam they would all be killers–that’s what the Koran commands them to do!

I just read an article by Coach Dave Daubenmire that says exactly what I’ve tried to say, only much better. I doubt that you will ever read an article that says it better. PLEASE take a few minutes to read this article:

I continue to be amazed at the gullibility of the average American.

Thanks to the constant drumbeat of the politically correct lamestream media the “War on Terror” is not a “war on Islam” because, they tell us, Islam is a “great religion” and a “religion of peace.”

The same gaggle of media elites who have carried water for the Christ-hating ACLU and their cohorts, repeating their song of siren about “the separation of church and state” are now snuggling up to the “peaceful” Muslims who want to build a monument to terror near Ground Zero. As usual, the secular sycophants in the media are carrying the flag for the Christ-hating Mullahs under the banner of “freedom of religion.”

The good news is that Mom and Pop are finally starting to get it. The unholy trinity of Secularism, Islam, and Atheism has joined forces in their effort to overthrow Christianity in America and despite the cowardly leadership in the Christian community; Paul Revere is riding again, warning of the attack on everything that has made America great.

No true Muslim is a “peaceful” Muslim. Any follower of Islam who does not believe in Jihad is Islam’s version of “lukewarm” Christians. “Cultural Christians” is what my friend Gary calls them. A “cultural Christian” is one who follows the basic tenets of Christianity but has no real idea what the Bible teaches. He/she self-identifies as Christian because they were raised to follow the religious traditions of the faith, but with the exception of church attendance and daily prayer, their life style differs very little from a moral atheist.

America’s churches are filled with them. Moderate Christians…moderate Republicans…moderate conservatives. According to the dictionary, a moderate is a person who is “opposed to extreme views and actions.” Today, following the Bible is extreme.

Jesus called “moderates” lukewarm and warned that their association with His Name did not classify them as true believers. Calling oneself a Christian does not make it so. Moderate Christianity makes Jesus ill.

Most Muslims are “moderates” as well. “Lukewarm” Muslims are not thought very highly of by the more zealous followers of Mohammed. “Radicals” is what the media calls them. In fact, the “radical” Muslims promote violence even against their more “moderate” fellow believers.

Take a look around. In almost every aspect of American life it is a small element that wields all of the power. Oh, they let us vote in order to give the appearance that we are in control, but all major decisions are made by a small group of leaders. Have you noticed what is going on in the American government? Do the views of the White House represent the views of Mom and Pop America?

It is true in politics, it is true in the media, and it is true in religion. It does not matter what the majority think. The ultimate decisions are made by a group of leaders whose opinions hold sway over the majority. Everything that gets done in America is done by a committed, unrelenting, minority.

“It does not take a majority to prevail … but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.” Sam Adams, the “Firebrand of the Revolution.”

So, here is the scoop. Most Muslims are “moderates” just as most Christians are “lukewarm.” Content to live and let live, they are a danger to no one. Lukewarm Muslims pray to Allah but they are not true followers of him. Lukewarm Christians pray to Jesus yet fail to follow His most basic teachings.

The more closely one follows Jesus the more willing he is to lay down his life. The more closely one follows Mohammed the greater is his desire to kill.

“Radical Islam” has declared war on the followers of Jesus. We may not be at war with them…but they are at war with us. Failure to realize this will cost us our children.

The very word Islam means “submit.” Most Americans are ignorant of Islam and its violent history. Today there is not one nation in the universe where Islam and Christianity peacefully co-exist. There is no freedom of religion in Islam. In 27 countries around the world where Islam rules, the church IS the State. No other religion is tolerated.

Islam is more than religion. Islam has religious, legal, political, economic, social, and military components. They gain freedom in America by hiding behind the “freedom of religion” facade.

It is important to understand that in some countries, with well under 100% Muslim populations, such as France, the minority Muslim populations live in ghettos, within which they are 100% Muslim, and within which they live by Sharia Law. The national police do not even enter these ghettos. There are no national courts, nor schools, nor non-Muslim religious facilities. In such situations, Muslims do not integrate into the community at large. The children attend madrasses. They learn only the Koran. To even associate with an infidel is a crime punishable with death. Therefore, in some areas of certain nations, Muslim Imams and extremists exercise more power than the national average would indicate. Read this chilling article

The “radical” Muslims direct the “moderate” Muslims. The history of Islam is 1400 years of death, destruction and conquest. “Radical” Muslims hate Christians; they hate Jews; they hate homosexuals; they hate women. They win converts at the point of a sword…convert or die.

That is what is coming to America. The Ground Zero Mosque is where they stick a flag in the ground. It is their beachhead for the Islamization of America. As Islam grows in America the “lukewarm” Muslims will be controlled by the “true followers” of Allah. Lukewarm Islam will disappear. So will lukewarm Christianity. Convert or die.

Christianity and Islam cannot co-exist. That is Truth. That is the battle America faces. Most writers don’t have the courage to say it. I just did.

Saudi Arabia owns America. They have bought off Congress; they own Fox News, and they have their man in the White House.

Our president has three Muslim names. He was trained in a Madrassa. He can recite the Koran from memory. He bows to Saudi Princes. He brags about the greatness of Islam and refuses to take part in the National Day of Prayer. He wants to build a Mosque at Ground Zero. Do you believe your eyes or do you believe what CNN tells you?

My friend Flip Benham recently wrote, “Religion is Islam’s cover (its beard) by which it gains entrance into nations where the “freedom of religion” is sacrosanct. It then takes this freedom afforded to it and begins its insidious takeover. Like a python, slowly moving upon its prey with almost imperceptible and hypnotic movement, it begins to coil around its victim until it squeezes out every last breath of air. When dead the victim is swallowed whole. Just look at the nations Islam has swallowed whole.”

“Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the earth…” Gen 3:1

England is gone. America is next. Islam is on the march. The Ground Zero Mosque is the canary in the mine. If we don’t stand up now our grand daughters will be wearing burquas.
When push comes to shove will your “lukewarm” Muslim neighbor be faithful to America or to Mohammed…to the Constitution or to the Koran?

Perhaps we should ask the French.