Tag: Old Testament

The Untold Consequences of Sin

As I was reading the book of Numbers chapter 22 awhile back, I came upon an instance that puzzled me. The verse in question is 28, where God causes a donkey to yell at his own rider, Balaam, after he had beaten his donkey three times.

The verse says that the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth. The key word for me here is “opened.” Before sin entered the world, I believe Adam, and eventually Eve, could talk to animals, which may be why a serpent talking didn’t surprise Eve when she was being tempted. When God opened the mouth of Balaam’s donkey, I believe He removed a barrier that allowed the donkey to speak.

I kept that instance in the back of my mind and have since found many more examples of animals speaking (or understanding words) to convince me that they once had the ability to talk. I also believe one more thing… When it says, “…every tongue confess Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11), it means animals too.

Here are some videos I’ve found that enhances this belief (and for your amusement too):

Cat talking

Cat understands “feisty”

Cat understands words

Cat understands “Why are you doing this?”

Cat understands “cat toys”

Cat understands a question

Dog understands barking quieter

Dog understands words from TV

Dog understands math

Money’s Corruptible Power

Not to sound like Captain Obvious, but money is very powerful. It can shape how we make decisions, how we see the world, the jobs we take, how we treat others, how we vote, even our identity. Are these facts good or bad? It depends how we use them. Let’s see what Scripture has to say about both sides.

Many people see money as evil. The Apostle Paul wrote, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” —1 Timothy 6:10 NIV

Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for money: “Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?’ So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.” —Matthew 26:14–15 NIV

We also see how money corrupted Israel leaders in the Old Testament, and the subsequent consequences:

“11 Her leaders judge for a bribe,
her priests teach for a price,
and her prophets tell fortunes for money.
Yet they look for the Lord’s support and say,
‘Is not the Lord among us?
No disaster will come upon us.
12 Therefore because of you,
Zion will be plowed like a field,
Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble,
the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets.” —Micah 3:11–12 NIV

But money is not inherently bad. Whether it be one trillion dollars or simply one dollar, that money is still a tool. Money is a lot like power. In November of 2021, Pastor Ben Stuart of Passion City Church DC gave a great explanation of what power does to a person in a sermon titled, “Inconvenient Obedience.” In it, he says, “Power is an accelerator of what’s already there in you.”

The same is true when we acquire large amounts of money. That’s why the formation of character is so critical before acquiring money because if you don’t know how to control it, it will control you. A more modern example of this corruption is Donald Trump. This can clearly be seen in three different ways:

1) The title of his niece’s book about him, Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man by Mary L. Trump, Ph.D.;

2) The decor of his Florida estate Mar-a-Lago: ‘Gold, gold, gold’: A look inside Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate and $100 million New York City penthouse; and

3) Charging the Secret Service “exorbitant” hotel rates to protect the first family.

So, how can you make money good and pleasing to God? Live by some money principles God has already outlined in His word. Here are 7 Money Principles from the Bible. Also, be content with what you have so that if money or wealth is added to you, it won’t change how you live your life.

Morality

I want to start this post off with a true story that explains why I stress and talk about morality so much. Years ago, I volunteered for a California police department. During my time there, I rode in about 20 ride-alongs. One day in the briefing room, the officer I was going to ride with grabbed a dictionary for the word of the day.

They held it while I closed my eyes. I opened it and, still having my eyes closed, put my finger on the page. It landed straight on the word “moral.” Even before that instance, I remember watching “Walker, Texas Ranger” and being inspired to pursue justice, morality, and righteousness by the theme song. 

So why do I talk about it so much? Because I believe I’m called to talk about it. I truly believe the world in this day and age is sorely lacking in and starving for it. I also believe the church corporately and individually is failing miserably in preaching on the subject and living it out. Because of this, America and the world are suffering spiritually.

What Is Morality?

One definition of morality by Merriam-Webster is, “conformity to ideals of right human conduct.” Another definition by The Oxford English Dictionary is, “of or pertaining to the distinction between right and wrong, or good and evil, in relation to the actions, volitions, or character of responsible beings.” The Apostle Paul gives examples of these definitions in 1 Timothy 3.

While those are good definitions, the one I’ve always remembered (and have strived to live by) is The Golden Rule: “Treat others as you want to be treated,” which is also echoed by Jesus in Matthew 7:12: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you…”

What Morality Is Not.

Morality is not legalism. I once attended a Christian church for a few weeks to see what it was like and if I would be a good fit there. I agreed with most of their messages and all of their beliefs until I had one question. I went to the pastor and asked him if the church would ever talk about morality, to which he responded, “No, we will never talk about legalism.” With that, I knew that church wasn’t for me.

While that church did emphasize God’s grace, I can only guess what the pastor defined as morality. But if it’s at all like Merriam-Webster’s definition, they probably thought that “right human conduct” meant abandoning God’s grace for the Law of God only. But I see this as flawed reasoning. God’s grace gives us the power to adhere to His Law when we can’t on our own. He wants us to love Him and obey His commandments without forgetting His Throne of Grace lest we become legalists like the Pharisees.

In chapter four of his book, The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance—Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters, Sinclair B. Ferguson cites Geerhardus Vos, author of The Self-Disclosure of Jesus and The Kingdom and the Church, who says, “Legalism is a peculiar kind of submission to God’s law, something that no longer feels the personal divine touch in the rule it submits to” (page 82). I think that exactly describes the Pharisees’ conduct (John 9:26–28, John 18:19–24), but what Jesus has freed us from!

It is truly a shame that the Church avoids talking about morality and its companion traits (e.g., character, integrity, honesty, etc.) because the key to understanding the Laws of the Old Testament and Messages of the Prophets (and much of the New Testament) is to first understand morality.

How is this the key? Because the latter part of that verse from Matthew above is, “…for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” And most of the laws of the Bible revolve around the morality of relationships (e.g., our relationship with God, husband/wife, family, workers, neighbors (Luke 10:25–37, Exodus 20:16–17), foreigners, etc.) and practicing the aforementioned companion traits.

Why Is Morality So Important?

It helps us understand the ways of God. What do I mean by that? God is moral. He defines in His Word morality, immorality, and their consequences. Moses saw God perform all kinds of miracles in Exodus but still didn’t know God, so He asked to know Him through His ways. Scripture, and thus God’s ways and thus God Himself, is actually easier for me to understand because I’m seeing His Word through the eyes of morality.

Fed Up with the Church for Supporting Trump!

I began writing this last year as I continued to see the American church on NBC News*, CBS News, and elsewhere supporting, and continuing to support, Trump despite his immorality. I have also struggled with completing this post because I’ve been trying to find the existential threat posed by the evil and vile man that is Trump. (Side note: As I typed that last sentence, the word “existential” jumped out at me. More on that below.)

In this post I’m basically asking one question… “Why should we care about Trump’s immorality?” After all, the Trump-supporting Church (the institution and its members), which is supposed to follow Jesus Christ and represent His highest standard of righteousness, is more concerned about political policies, their bank accounts, gun and religious rights, and nationalism, among other worldly things.

Well, I believe we should care deeply about Trump’s lack of character even more than his Presidential decisions because of the January 6th insurrection. THAT is the existential threat. Why? Because I believe that God values justice so highly that He’ll revoke the independence of the nation He blessed.  This will happen when it fails to serve justice (impeachment AND removal) to the leader of the free world for blatant high crimes and misdemeanors (incitement of insurrection). What the Lord gives, He can take away (Job 1:21).

I know these opinions (and previous posts) are not popular with many in the Church today, but I wholeheartedly stand by them.  I also wanted to write this because I can imagine there are many within the Church who love Christ dearly but are afraid to speak up against Trump, his lack of character, his detestable words, and his blatant immorality because they fear being ostracized and shunned.  I do fear that myself, but I also feel if I stand up for what is right, true, and just, the consequences are worth it. 

I can also imagine there are likely many people in the world who don’t want anything to do with the Church or God because of what they see His people supporting. There are even some evangelicals who are known for biblical ethics such as Wayne Grudem who acknowledge what is plain and clear of Trump’s lack of character and still said he was the “morally good choice” in 2016. In that article, Grudem calls candidate Trump a “flawed candidate,” but in my opinion, calling Trump a flawed candidate is the equivalent of Richard Nixon saying, “I made my mistakes” in his 1973 “I’m not a crook” speech. The words downplay and minimize their lack of character and crimes. 

Also around 2016, many supporters of Trump wanted him in office because they thought he’d “drain the swamp” in Washington, D.C., what they failed to realize was Trump is the swamp with an unsatisfying lust for power, money, and relevance.

One of the duties of every believer is to reflect God’s moral characteristics in everyday life, and to call out and stand against the extremely vile and evil people of the world such as Trump. “If you love good, then you must hate evil. To not hate evil is to show no compassion for those whom it hurts.”-Unnamed Pastor, Psalm 97:10, Romans 12:9

I believe this duty applies to Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:14 when He says, “You are the light of the world…” and also when John the Baptist called out Herod the tetrarch in Luke 3:19 for taking his brother’s wife, “…and for all the evil things that Herod had done.” We also see in the Old Testament prophets calling on the leaders and the people to repent when they were rebelling against Him (Jeremiah 7:1-11, visual).

Anyone who believes in Christ and follows Him should be hating evil and wickedness because that is exactly what the Scriptures say about Jesus: “But about the Son He [Father God] says, ‘…You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.’”—Hebrews 1:8-9, Psalm 45:7

Fast forward to a week after the insurrection, we can find Franklin Graham, son of the famous evangelist Billy Graham and President of Samaritan’s Purse, posting on Facebook January 14th twice shaming Republicans who voted to impeach Trump saying, “After all that he has done for our country, you would turn your back and betray him so quickly?” 

As if our representatives swear an oath to Donald Trump instead of the Constitution before taking office. Also in that post, Graham talks about a litany of things that are all about issues under the Sun, not what is more important… “seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”—Matthew 6:33 KJV

Those who believe in Jesus as their Savior are citizens of Heaven (Philippians 3:20), and thus we should be supporting those of godly and moral character.  Because without God, nations decay and eventually collapse (Jeremiah 6:15), and I believe America is seeing the consequences of its immorality and godlessness across its land.

*Pastor Ken Peters, seen in the NBC News link, is different than Prophet Ken Peters, who I frequently reference.

Why Did Man Fall [in the Garden of Eden]?

The inspiration for this post (and “Why Is A Man Saved?” to follow) comes from the Prophet Ken Peters, who gave these prophetic questions from the Lord Jesus in January 2019.

The story of the Fall of humanity in paradise described in Genesis 3 is one of the most widely known stories in human history.  We often reference it when trying to explain to others how and why the world we live in has all the suffering, pain, death, evil, and shame in it.  But unraveling the story and gaining an understanding of the craftiness of the Devil/Satan, aka the serpent (Genesis 3:1, Revelation 20:2), and how he would distort the character and words of God, is a bit more complex.

The command the Lord gave Adam was, “And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.'” (Genesis 2:16-17, NIV)  

The serpent’s deviousness comes in chapter 3 verse 1, when it twists God’s command and makes it a question.  Compare the command: “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden…” to the question:  “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”  

The woman does remember God’s commands in verses 2 and 3, but the serpent first lies in verse 4, and then “assault[s]… God’s generosity and His integrity”, as Sinclair B. Ferguson writes in “The Whole Christ” (page 68).  The serpent was then saying God was “restrictive” (also page 68), implying that “being like God, knowing good and evil” was a good thing for her.  

This deception also created a kind of tunnel vision where she focused on the fruit of the tree instead of God’s commands and the rest of the trees in the garden.  She forgot she didn’t need to be like God, only with God.  Jesus demonstrated this during His Earthly life because He was Emmanuel (“God with [man]”) and “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,…”.

Another critical point I believe can be missed is that God’s Word means what it says.  We cannot interpret it to fit our own understanding or desires, and we certainly cannot dismiss it as if it’ll never happen.  God will do what He says, including save those who believe He came to die for all of their sins, and rose again from the grave to bring them back into life with Him.  I hope you’ll believe that truth and come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Why Being Gay Is Not From God

I know that title looks bigoted, but it’s not. I’m writing this for the same reason I wrote point number five in the introduction to my previous post, “Who Is The Anti-Christ?”… to warn people of the second death (Revelation 21:8) that awaits them if they don’t turn back.

Unfortunately, many churches, denominations, and religious leaders have accepted the homosexual lifestyle justifying it as “that’s just who they were created to be.” But why would God create a lifestyle that is contrary to His very Word and intentions for humanity? After all, there are numerous verses God gives in His living Word to tell us this was and is not His will for anyone (Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, 1 Corinthians 6:9, Romans 1:26-27, Jude 7). Another clear example of why homosexuality was never His intention for humanity is what He told Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:28 to “Be fruitful and multiply…” Why would He create someone for a lifestyle that is biologically impossible for His very command, and thus would lead to the extinction of humanity?

Around this time last year, I was in Canada on vacation with family. The local news station did a story about a woman of faith talking about how she had been “duped” by mainstream evangelical Christianity into believing being gay and/or the homosexual lifestyle was not a sin (Audio not great, use headphones, apologies): Sadly, she has been duped by today’s culture into accepting homosexuality as natural.

What Should Christians Do?

Many evangelical Christians and the Church did not handle this question correctly. I believe there’s a stereotype around that Christians would just yell at gays that they’re going to hell (see the infamous “Westboro Baptist Church”) or that they’d beat you over the head with a Bible, or any other extreme and ridiculous behaviors that most likely make God weep. I also believe that those evangelicals that didn’t do those things failed to stand their ground when God’s perfect Word said it was unnatural, and they lost the argument. Years ago, I accepted this lifestyle based on my conservative political views until I was deeper into God’s Word and prayer, and He showed me His view of the lifestyle.

What Should Have Been Done?

-In brief encounters, loving prayer for the person trapped in the lifestyle and a desire to seek God’s holy heart, face, and nature.

-Relationships. Being an example to the gay lifestyle that the Christian faith is about life and that Jesus came to give it more abundantly.

Why President Trump Will Never Make America Great Again

It’s been a while since I’ve made a blog post (but I have more in the works…).  Whether or not Donald Trump is removed from office by the Senate after recently being impeached by the House of Representatives and whatever he does in the present, future, or legacy with the highest title in the free world, President Trump will never “Make America Great Again.”  I say this with one thing in mind that most people don’t look too hard into as a reason… his character.  At this point in his presidency, most have come to expect that Donald Trump is going to say or tweet something so abhorrent that it makes us Americans wonder how he made it to the final vote in 2016.

Back when he was initially elected, I tried to make another blog post titled “Morals over Money.”  However, I never published it simply because his lack of morals, integrity, character, etc. is so screwed up that I felt I couldn’t do any type of justice with mere words in any post I wrote.  (Even “screwed up” falls vastly short.)  That being said, if I can’t address his morals specifically or in detail, I can try to write about his most well-known slogan on his red hat… “Make America Great Again.”  Whether he wins or loses in the 2020 presidential election, one thing I’m sure of—he can never make this country great again.

Some of his supporters might say, “Look at the economy or the strengthening of the military” while others might simply ask, “What are you talking about?” I’m talking about something different… righteousness.  I believe America is tearing apart at the seams because of a lack of God, and no policy, politician, or law can fix it.  The problem lies in our very hearts, hearts only the Lord Jesus Christ Himself can mend by the blood of His forgiveness, essence of His unconditional love, and power only He possesses (2 Chronicles 7:14).

If President Trump spoke any form of truth or righteousness, people would take notice. But as it is, he only brings forth evil (Matthew 12:35) and every fruit contrary to that in Galatians 5:22-23.  The last Scripture I want to give is why America, or any nation, is not immune from God’s wrath… “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.”-Proverbs 14:34 NIV

For a deeper look at the gross immorality of President Trump, and why his immorality is incompatible with Christian principles, please see the much-discussed lead editorial by Mark Galli of Christianity Today titled, “Trump Should Be Removed from Office.“

Faith and Endurance

I’ve been wanting to write on this topic for a while, especially in these times when America’s future is uncertain and morality and true faith are a breath of fresh air.  When times (personal or external) are tough and you feel like one thing after another is causing you heavy burden, the most precious thing we have to hold close is faith!

Now, I know that may sound much easier said than done, but when trying times burden my heart (making anxiety even worse with my OCD), I still know the Lord loves me and my future is in His all-powerful Hands.  Before I came to know the Lord through His Word and a personal relationship with Him, faith was hard because without a relationship with God or a grasp of His character, faith is baseless.  I’ve had a relationship with the Lord for a few years now, but only made this relationship connection a few months ago, and ever since then trusting in God has given me peace where I would not truly have it!

Isaiah 26:3 (NLT):

“You will keep in perfect peace
    all who trust in You,
    all whose thoughts are fixed on You!”

But Psalm 34:19 and John 16:33, respectively, told us trials would happen… “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers them from them all.” (ESV) and “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (NIV)

What is most important is how we react (who we lean on and trust in) when these trials come!  But when we do come out unscathed on the other side (Daniel 3:28-29 (visual)) and, eventually meet the Lord when He either calls us home or calls His church home, our faith will be tested by the fire and glorifies the Lord Jesus to the world (1 Peter 1:7).

The Apostle Paul also tells us to be “…joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer”—Romans 12:12 (NIV) and that we should “3 rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”—Romans 5:3-5 (ESV, visual)

In his last letter and when he knows he’s about to die, Paul tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:8 (NLT) what awaits those who endure to the end in victory… “And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His appearing.”

One of my favorite lines about faith came back in 2013 when “The Bible Series” aired.  In the first episode, right before God calls Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, the narrator says, “After years of struggle, Abraham has learned that to be chosen by God is a blessing—and a test. He must prove his faith—again, and again.” (The Bible Series (2013),”Beginnings, Part 1,” 34:26 time marker)

If you needed any more reason to have faith in trials, there is a reward.  In Revelation 3, Jesus has nothing to correct or discipline with the church in Philadelphia, but commends the church that they’ve “kept His command to endure patiently” and promises to “keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth” (3:10), which is most likely the Great Tribulation, or “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7).

The Apostle John, also called the “Beloved Disciple” (John 20:2), had “patient endurance” (Revelation 1:9) and was given the privilege of seeing and writing what God had concealed for ages.  I truly believe that enduring patiently (trusting God and having faith) is the other side of the reward coin God promises!

Counting the uncountable: God’s love for us!

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve longed for friendship with people.  If someone mentioned or talked about me in a good way, it always uplifted and made me feel warm.  Why wouldn’t it?  This mentality even extended into areas one might not think of.  If my name was used as a character’s name in a book, I would get giddy because I would think if someone I knew by chance read my name, they might think of me.

But I’ve come to realize that my priorities were out of place.  Even that last example was a far stretch because it was “by chance.”  Even if we consider our spouse, significant other, parents, or kids who think about us all the time (or vice versa), the quantities and depths of thought and love they give us is absolutely minuscule compared to the way God feels and cares for us.

In Psalm 139:17–18 (NIV), David says:

17 How precious to me are Your thoughts, God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
    they would outnumber the grains of sand—
    when I awake, I am still with You.

That’s the love God has for us!  The gravity is overwhelming and the amount is incomprehensible—and the only natural and proper reaction is to fall on our face and worship at His nail-pierced feet!

Photo by Khadeeja Yasser on Unsplash

Homosexuality vs. God’s Word

The Canadian Parliament recently passed a law that nullifies the statute of criminalizing gay sex and homosexuality and reverses all convictions therein. While I do not believe that criminalizing such acts is the right course of action, I cannot and will not support gay sex or homosexuality. Today’s societal norms are far more accepting of homosexuals as equals under the law than in previous generations. They go so far as to convince churches that gay behavior is acceptable.

Homosexual attraction—a feeling of attraction toward a person of the same gender—is not a sin because we are not held responsible for our feelings or desires; we are held responsible for acting on those desires. While lust (mentally embracing and meditating on those desires for sin), pornography, and sexual actions outside marriage are sinful, the attraction, desire, or feeling is not. When I was in high school, and even up until a few years ago, I was also in favor of homosexuality because of my politically based belief in our country’s freedoms.

Recently, however, I have come to change my beliefs. I have come to a point in my life where my internal standards have shifted such that I no longer live for anything of this world, but rather for God’s eternal Kingdom of righteousness. I have even heard many believers cite Scripture of the Old Testament, using it to justify to others that homosexuality is now okay because that was a different era. The reason I am changing my decision is because of what is clearly stated in the Old and New Testaments, with supporting evidence found within current testimonies of visions of hell given by the Lord Jesus Christ.

1st Scripture: “26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.”-Romans 1:26-27

2nd Scripture: “8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality…”-1 Timothy 1:8-10

3rd Scripture: “9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men”-1 Corinthians 6:9

4th Scripture: “22 “‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.”-Leviticus 18:22

5th Scripture: “13 “‘If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.”-Leviticus 20:13

The Church is to love as Christ loves, therefore, we are to love the sinner but hate the sin. That being said the Lord Jesus Christ is not coming back for a financially prosperous church or a compromising church, as are many churches in America which condone homosexuality, He is coming back for an obedient and Holy (which means “sacred, divine, like God”) church, one that keeps His commandments and endures to the end.