Strange, I just wrote the following article yesterday and then noticed this a few minutes ago —“Obama Signs Executive Order to Detain Americans With “Respiratory Illnesses”. Now, here is what I wrote earlier:

The anger is building, the gap is widening, and the discontent is growing. I’m talking about the great divide in America — the right and left in our population. We are sitting on a powder keg and it’s only a matter of time until some fool lights the fuse. I’m convinced that’s exactly what some on one side wants to see— a crisis that will enable them to gain greater control and take us further down the road of their ideology— away from what is commonly called “The American way of life”. So don’t be surprised when they light the fuse— although they will try do it in a way where there isn’t any evidence that they are the cause.

While the thought of this grieves the flag-waving, red-blooded, God-fearing American, little is actually being done about it. A great many don’t even care enough to vote. Part of the problem is that too many folks don’t see “the” problem. They see “a” problem and they know the country is divided, but as to the nature of “the” problem they don’t have a clue. And if you tell them they won’t believe you. So, what do we do?

Some would say, “It is what it is and there’s nothing we can do about it. Others say, “We must fight on”, but what they really mean is “keep complaining”. Hey, I’m just  telling you what I see, because nothing constructive is happening. So the future doesn’t look too bright. Let’s face it, the kind of man we need at the helm is not the people’s choice. In fact that’s the last thing most people want. That’s why we keep hearing this statement–“Well at least he is better than—“. As though the lesser of two evils will make everything alright. With an attitude like that I have reason to believe that although we install new leaders we will basically get more of the same. But, that won’t / can’t  go on for ever. There will come a time when someone pushes the envelope too far and we will reap what we have sown.

By their own admission, the Obama administration loves a crisis, and they are looking for one. After all, “global warming”, “the carbon footprint”, “gun control”, “fatty foods”,etc. will take you only so far. Even the “border crisis” isn’t big enough for them to complete their mission. There is evidence that they knew about the recent influx of children crossing the border months before it happened– proving it was intentional. But they need something bigger—remember Obama’s glee when speaking of “executive orders”? He loves it when he can cram something down our throat. Now we are hearing about the threat of Ebola. What would happen if it came to America on a large scale? Or even if we just perceived it to be on a large scale? Could it be that someone wanting a crisis would actually manufacture one by introducing that dreadful disease to our people. We all know that is possible, but is it plausible? You can already guess what I think. Think about it–if the crisis were large enough Obama would drain his pen of ink signing executive orders so as to impose his will on the people. By the way, I’m still not convinced that there won’t be some sort of crisis before 2016 that will cause him to declare a state of emergency, take control, and do away with term limits. Crazier things have happened and we are ripe for the picking. I can’t prove I’m right and I hope I’m wrong, but assuming it can’t happen puts us in grave danger.

Every true student of the Bible knows what America’s problem is, and every student of history can see where we are headed. But none of us know what exactly will happen. One thing is for sure, if we don’t see the possibility of such dangers and prepare for them we are doomed. We keep wondering about the government stockpiling ammunition, building detention centers across the country, and invading our privacy, but when are we going to put two and two together and see what awful things could happen. What we see is just the tip of the iceberg. If we could be a fly on the wall eves-dropping on those who are charting a course for the destruction of America we would be shocked and more than a little bit frightened. What the crisis, that creates the chaos for them to complete their plan, will be is unknown to me. However, unless God intervenes, it is coming. If it isn’t one thing it will be another. Don’t expect them to give up anytime soon. Neither should we!

Listen. I’m as tired of writing and speaking about this as you are of hearing about it, but ignoring it isn’t the answer. That’s one of the things that got us where we are. Just believing everything will turn out okay doesn’t mean it will. As Pearl Buck said, “When good people in any country cease their vigilance and struggle, then evil men prevail”. As we’ve all heard–“The price of liberty is everlasting vigilance”. Wake up America!

The world just keeps getting weirder and weirder. Here’s an example of a new fad— “Fun Funerals”. Really! How about a funeral with a magician, tombstone cookies, or a chocolate-covered casket? Here’s the link if you care to read the story—http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/05/fun-funerals_n_5551967.html. Who knows, you might like it and get some ideas for your own funeral— yeah, I’m kidding!

Now, I’ve conducted a lot of funerals over the last 48 years, but I’ve never seen what I would call a “fun” funeral. I’ve seen laughter, rejoicing, and celebration during funerals, but a “fun” funeral never. I’m not convinced that funerals should be “fun”. Of course,you can  plan whatever type of funeral you please, but the fact remains that if anyone loves you they will grieve when you are gone. Trying to avert the grieving process by having cheers instead of tears doesn’t help—-IMHO. I’ve heard people say, “Don’t cry for me when I’m gone”— I might have said that, but get real, you don’t really expect that do you? It’s just natural that we mourn the loss of a loved one. Even if we rejoice that they are in heaven and out of suffering, we miss those we love when they’re gone.

It is my firm conviction that the time at the funeral would be better spent preaching the gospel, rather than denying the seriousness of death. Turning the funeral into a three-ring circus to make the living feel better doesn’t change the destiny of the deceased, nor impart hope to the living. If you are intent on planning your own funeral and truly concerned about how it will affect your loved ones, you need to make sure you leave a testimony of salvation and live so as to be missed. Think about it!

“E for Effort”— we’ve all heard that— probably more often than we should. While that might be an appropriate phrase in some situations it doesn’t cut it when it comes to spiritual things. As another old saying goes, “Close only counts in horseshoes”. When it comes to our relationship with God trying isn’t good enough– we have to be right!. Yet, in this politically correct, pluralistic society in which we live we tend to give people a pass rather than challenge their beliefs— as though we were doing them a favor.

Just because a person says, “I love Jesus” doesn’t mean they do, nor does it mean they are right with God. But, sadly, sincerity is all that matters to some folks. God, however, isn’t so easily pleased. He insists that we believe certain things and behave in certain ways. Nothing less will satisfy Him. I raise this issue because it is common to see young Christians, new Christians, and immature believers, who appear to love the Lord, error regarding certain important truths. They have zeal, but lack knowledge. They speak in glowing terms about their love for God, but have never learned the truth about important doctrines. They are sometimes involved in “Christian service”, but are off-track in their manner of life. They are doing things, but aren’t doing things right. And it matters to God.

Think about it. Can you imagine the Old Testament Jews worshiping as they pleased without any regard for the instructions God gave? What if they had decided for themselves what kind of temple to build, or where to place it, or to not build one at all? Suppose they decided to use different animals for sacrifices than what God prescribed, or to make no sacrifices at all. Get the picture? We all realize that those things would be unacceptable to the Lord. Why then do some of you feel that it’s okay to depart from the New Testament pattern that God gave? It isn’t for us to decide what to do or how to do it. God alone has the right to make those decisions.

Here’s something that I’ve noticed—-In watching these folks is seems that the doctrine of the church is always involved. They either don’t know or don’t care what the Bible teaches about the nature, purpose, and mission of the church. With many the attitude is, “As long as I am right about salvation nothing else really matters”. Really? What if it matters to God? And how can you call yourself a “Christian” and not care about pleasing Christ?

One of the best ways to discover error is to find out what the person believes about the church. Many well meaning believers are in error because they know nothing about it. That, however, doesn’t excuse them. The doctrine of the church is laid out in the New Testament and they can read it for themselves. Dear friend, “E” not only can stand for “effort”, it can also stand for “error”. It makes no difference how sincere you are or how much energy you expend in religious activity if you are wrong you are wrong– you error. And that is costly. To be crowned we must strive lawfully (2 Tim. 2:5; 1 Cor. 9:24).

While we all, no doubt, error in some way, we should do our very best to avoid it. Many are wasting their lives simply because of their lack of understanding. Worse yet is that many are unsaved and do not know it (Matt. 7:21-23). Sincerity and good works won’t work.Salvation is “by grace” and “through faith” alone (Eph. 2:8). Only “the truth shall make you free”(John 8:32). Even if you are truly saved, you have no right to disregard what the Bible teaches and live as you please. Being right about salvation doesn’t mean it is okay to be wrong about everything or anything else. Making an effort to serve the Lord doesn’t mean we are serving Him. To avoid failure we must find and finish God’s will— in all matters. Think about it!

No pastor knows it all, but most have a far better understanding of the Bible than the average church member. That, of course, is as it ought to be. But we live in a day when just about everybody thinks they are an expert. The other day I was listening to a popular radio talk show when the host went off on a tirade about something related to the Bible. He basically issued a challenge to his listeners warning them that they don’t dare debate him about the Bible because of his great knowledge of it. Based on the foolish things he had said, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I thought about calling to take him up on the debate, but I remembered what Prov. 26:4 says–“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him”. But Mr. Always Right isn’t the only one with this problem. Many actors, athletes, etc. speak as though they are experts on any given subject including the Bible. Their popularity gives them a platform from which to speak and they think just because people listen that they must be experts. The same thing could be said of many singers, musicians, and song writers. Someone writes/sings a popular Christian song and the next thing you know they are acting as though they were a theologian. They assume the position of an authority figure in churches. But it doesn’t end there.

At this point we could go in a lot of different directions, but I want to focus mainly on the subject of worship. Again, I remind you that no pastor knows it all, although a few might think they do, but most have a far better understanding of the Bible than most, and they want to help. Although most pastors welcome questions and open for discussion, and patient with those who differ, it is sometimes very difficult.

One of the things in this regards is a young person who thinks they have it all figured out and aren’t willing to listen to wise counsel. To hear them talk you would think they are indeed theologians, even Hebrew and Greek scholars. In their mind they know it all, or they are following some one who does, and they refuse to listen to anything that conflicts with their beliefs or desires. This is never more apparent than it is when the subject is worship. Their mind is made up and they don’t want to be confused with the facts.

The truth is that some people don’t have a clue as to what constitutes true worship. They know what they like and that’s all that matters to them. Observing what’s going on in many churches and it’s obvious that they want chills without commitment, thrills without truth, emotion without edification, happiness without holiness, excitement without effort, worship without works, attention without adoration, etc. In other words, although they talk about God, it is all about them rather than Him. All they think about is what they get out of it, not what God gets from it. No wonder they’re never satisfied. They fill themselves with a cheap substitute and then wonder why “worship” isn’t more thrilling. In some cases true worship bores them to tears, so they invent something to their own liking— something as close to the world as possible. And you will notice that these folks are always pushing the limits, looking for something new, going to greater extremes, never content.

It isn’t the purpose of this message to debate all the different styles of worship or to convince everyone that my favorite songs should be their favorites. My purpose is to challenge you to base your decisions on the truth rather than personal preference or popularity. Every Christian, regardless of age, should learn all they can about the Bible and follow it as closely as possible. If more did that there would be a lot less debate regarding worship wars, and everything else. Think about it!

We hear a lot today about the past generations of Christians being too somber and how church should be more fun and exciting. But, here’s a thought— perhaps the previous generation had a greater hatred of sin and a greater love of holiness! Could it be that they wept more about their failures rather than laughing out of fun. Could it be that the preachers in the past denounced sin in such a way that it made sinners miserable, rather than entertaining people as the modern preachers do? Have you ever thought about that? Just asking–after all if you are going to condemn those who did so much for the cause of Christ shouldn’t there be some scriptural justification for your charges? By the way, you might also consider that those from “the greatest generation” were not raised in the lap of luxury as was this generation. Going through the Great Depression and WW ll tends to make you think differently.

Considering the sad sinful condition of the average church today it seems to me that,  until confession is made, tears would be more appropriate than cheers. Only repentance will bring the kind of rejoicing that is appropriate. Those who refuse to repent have no right to rejoice. And I see little evidence of repentance today. Were we as sensitivity to sin as we should be there would be a lot more weeping and a lot less laughing. Tossing out the hymns, stepping up the beat, pumping up the volume, using strobe lights, and shouting the rafters down doesn’t mean you’ve had a good worship service. What you might refer to as a dead, dull, boring service just might actually be far more spiritual than anything you’ve ever experienced— you just failed to recognize it as such. Catering to the flesh and stirring up the emotions might make you feel good, but that doesn’t mean God is pleased. I suspect not many church folks today would have enjoyed services with the persecuted saints in the catacombs, but I have no doubt about which generation was the most dedicated to God. They turned their world upside down for Christ. What have you done! So, criticizing a church for being dull and boring just might be an indictment against you rather than a fault with them. Think about it!