Marvel Not at a Post-Christian America

SCOTUS' decisions on same gender marriages leave those with a biblical worldview troubled. We are troubled at America's steps toward a post-Christian America. This is not the USA's first step on the path toward a post-Christian society. It is the next logical step for her to take.

In the past four decades we allowed the world to dull our senses to righteousness. The world's music, television programming, and spirit of tolerance all desensitized us to their ways and caused the Word of God to slip from our hands and hearts. It is no surprise when one looks toward the cities of the plain, as did Lot, that they end up in the midst of Sodom rationalizing tolerance and embracing unfettered access to the flesh.

The world sang us their songs; we hummed with them. The world displayed their godless lifestyles; we watched. The world offered us a message of tolerance and we assented with our silence. The world demanded our participation in their will, we were absent at the voting places.

Now, the Supreme Court, programmed with this philosophy, rules in favor of what is abhorrent and abominable to God. They do so under the guise of tolerance and fairness. God's word states it simply in Proverbs 14:34, "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people."

A biblicist would do well to recognize the USA is now a post-Christian society. The will of the people is greater than the Word of God. The laws of the people disregard the Word of God. The pleasure of the people ignores the Word of God. (See Genesis 6:5)

The reproach of our society is our Nation's choice to please self with the perverting of justice and judgment. Solomon spoke to this in Ecclesiastes 5:8. "If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they." We tend to marvel at these things, like the Supreme Court's decision. Remember, God is higher than the highest in our land. God's Word states, we must not marvel.

We must speak out, when in the past we were silent. We must stand in the light where we once stood in the shadows. We must share the Gospel where we've been most selfish. We've spent millions to turn the lights on around the world in missions and perhaps never noticed how Satan's ilk were turning off the lights here at home.

The tide of a post-Christian America can be stemmed if the silent speak up, stand up, and show up for duty.

Let's spend less time marveling at the perversion of judgment and justice and spend more time on our mission to declare His glory among the heathen.

From this Day Forward... My Marriage Seminar Notes

I was invited by two churches (Bible Baptist Church - Pickens, SC and Calvary Baptist Church - Statham, GA) to speak on what the Bible says about marriage. The theme was From this Day Forward.

These are the notes from the five sessions.

A Hiatus from the Second ammendment

Groupon, the social coupon site, replied to my inquiry about their recent decision to take a hiatus from offering coupons for things related to guns. 

Groupon wrote me about their policy of not offering Groupons for things with gun safety, gun control, or target practice. 

Read their letter to me:

Hi John,

Thank you for taking the time to reach out to us.

We understand that this is a sensitive topic, and that some of our customers may not agree with our choice to pause the promotion of firearm-related deals. Groupon has always aimed to offer a diverse range of products and services to meet the various tastes and interests of our subscribers. However, at this time, enough customers and merchants have voiced their opinions that we believe a hiatus is warranted.

Please note that we have never sold guns, and Groupons you've already purchased are still valid. This hiatus only applies to firearm-related deals including shooting ranges, clay pigeon shooting, and concealed weapons training classes. We have not made a final determination regarding this category -- we are simply taking a break and may reevaluate in the future.

We genuinely appreciate your opinion and the feedback you've given us. I'll be sure to share your comments with the appropriate people.

Regards, 
Diane T
Groupon Customer Support

I replied to them:

As a Groupon Customer I am disappointed in your decision to stop offering Groupons involved with Gun Safety, Target Practices, Clay Shooting, and Concealed Carry classes. 

If Groupon is interested in not offering gun deals because the purchaser could be involved in a shooting, I ask, would you just be consistent?

- Your food deals allow people to get fat. 
- Your alcohol deals allow people to get drunk, drive, and kill people. 
- Your romantic getaway packages are used by adulterers and the unmarried. Their usage of your Groupon is literally destroying relationships, families, and homes. You are facilitating abortions, unwed mothers, and increasing the use of Welfare, thereby increasing our National debt. 

Your Groupons are sold to flawed people. Perhaps you should just stop selling to people. Maybe you should do background checks on purchasers for every deal.

Romantic Groupon: Do a background check to see if they are married, if so, they can only bring their spouse. If they are unmarried, they can't buy the Groupon. 

Restaurant Groupon: Do a background check for the purchaser's BMI. Is it too high? Don't sell it to them.

Alcohol Groupon: if the establishment serves alcohol do a background check. This would prevent people who have a drinking record from buying the deal. Furthermore, if these people have ever been known to have friends that encourage drinking, they should be banned from purchasing that Groupon. You should get a designated driver to be declared on any deal where Alcohol will be served. 

Dental Deals: you should do background checks on the patients who have used tobacco, alcohol, and acidic foods. They should be exempt from purchasing. 

The above is said with an appropriate dose of sarcasm. But, hopefully you see the flaws in your approach. You can't control what people do with your deals. 

I purchased a Concealed Carry class because I wanted it. Criminals are not taking concealed carry classes. Criminals are not taking gun safety classes. Criminals are not taking clay shooting classes. 

Groupon, while on this hiatus, perhaps you could think on the silliness of your decision. I think you're allowing your local crisis in Chicago to influence your decision to take a hiatus.

You can follow along on Facebook too:

https://www.facebook.com/groupon/posts/10151402536140821?notif_t=like

Doubtless: 411 words from The Treasury of David to inspire you

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. He leaves his couch to go forth into the frosty air and tread the heavy soil; and as he goes he weeps because of past failures, or because the ground is so sterile, or the weather so unseasonable, or his corn so scarce, and his enemies so plentiful and so eager to rob him of his reward. He drops a seed and a tear, a seed and a tear, and so goes on his way. In his basket he has seed which is precious to him, for he has little of it, and it is his hope for the next year. Each grain leaves his hand with anxious prayer that it may not be lost: he thinks little of himself, but much of his seed, and he eagerly asks, “Will it prosper? shall I receive a reward for my labour?” Yes, good husbandman, doubtless you will gather sheaves from your sowing. Because the Lord has written doubtless, take heed that you do not doubt. No reason for doubt can remain after the Lord has spoken. You will return to this field—not to sow, but to reap; not to weep, but to rejoice; and after awhile you will go home again with nimbler step than today, though with a heavier load, for you shall have sheaves to bear with you. Your handful shall be so greatly multiplied that many sheaves shall spring from it; and you shall have the pleasure of reaping them and bringing them home to the place from which you went out weeping. This is a figurative description of that which was literally described in the first three verses. It is the turning of the worker’s captivity, when, instead of seed buried beneath black earth, he sees the waving crops inviting him to a golden harvest. It is somewhat singular to find this promise of fruitfulness in close contact with ret urn from captivity; and yet it is so in our own experience, for when our own soul is revived the souls of others are blessed by our labours. If any of us, having been once lonesome and lingering captives, have now returned home, and have become longing and labouring sowers, may the Lord, who has already delivered us, soon transform us into glad hearted reapers, and to him shall be praise for ever and ever. Amen. ~Spurgeon

A Tale of Feathers

I was at breakfast with a few Pastor friends. One of them told a summation of this anecdote. It is a wonderful word picture from Chasidic writings. It is copied here from JewFaq.org

A man went about the community telling malicious lies about the rabbi. Later, he realized the wrong he had done, and began to feel remorse. He went to the rabbi and begged his forgiveness, saying he would do anything he could to make amends. The rabbi told the man, "Take a feather pillow, cut it open, and scatter the feathers to the winds." The man thought this was a strange request, but it was a simple enough task, and he did it gladly. When he returned to tell the rabbi that he had done it, the rabbi said, "Now, go and gather the feathers. Because you can no more make amends for the damage your words have done than you can recollect the feathers."

May I go a lifetime without recollecting feathers.

When you can remember...

“The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.” Proverbs 10:7 

God allows us this wonderful tool of memory. The ability to recall events, emotions, and the friends associated with those thoughts is a gift from God. 

Can you imagine if you had no ability to recall something, someone, or somewhere? Can you envision a life that existed only in the present and without any recollection? Can you fathom what a life without memories would be?

I am grateful that God allows us to sort through fond and precious recollections of dear ones who’ve completed their earthly sojourn. The recollection of friends who’ve gone before us is like taking a few steps up into our mind’s attic to reflect on memories shared and moments experienced. Your moment to reflect upon friends may bring smiles, laughter, tears, and warmth. These recollections are precious.

The Holy Spirit made clear to us in this verse that, “The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.” I am glad that the fond recollections of your friend are blessed recollections; it indicates they were just. Conversely, a wicked person's name rots with them. 

If you reflect fondly upon a friend, family member, or colleague, remember this, you're able to do so because they were just. Thank God for the gift of memory. Thank God also for the influence your loved one had on you and yours.

God's Christmas Card

Read Luke 2:1-16

The passage I read in your hearing is the inspiration for many Christmas cards. images of mangers, stables, angels, shepherds, livestock, hillsides, stars, and cityscapes of Bethlehem.

I love Christmas cards. Well, most Christmas card: (No glitter, no seasons greetings or happy holidays) 

Christmas cards capture on one small object the hope and blessing of Christmas. 

An artist with graphics or words will depict a message or an image that sparks hope, joy, peace, family, and friendship.

The Word of God is God’s Christmas card to the world.  Heaven’s Christmas Card

Depicted on Heaven’s Christmas card is a Mural. 

It begins on the far left with a Garden and ends on the far right with a Garden tomb.

The mural has images of Patriarchs, Psalmists and Prophets. 

• On this mural you'll see Satan strategies. 
• On this mural you'll see Man’s messes
• On this mural you'll see God’s Grace. 

On this mural you'll see:

• You will see Mothers with checkered pasts.
• Children who failed.
• Dad’s who succeeded and Dad’s who failed. 

Let me walk down this mural, which is a timeline of 4000 years of God’s grace.

The mural begins in a Garden. It will end in a garden too. A garden with an empty tomb.

The story of Christmas began in a Garden on the worst day in human history. The day Adam chose to disobey God’s Word. He took the fruit offered by his wife after she was deceived by the serpent. The day they ate they died and, with that eternally fateful decision, all of humanity died with them, spiritually.

Yet, on that day God held up a His Christmas card, as a mural, for us to see 4000 years ahead to a day where God would SO love the world of sinful man He would give a Son, His Son.

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15

And with that fateful decision, the battle was in full array on the battlefield of God’s divine plan for humanity. 

Over the next 4000 years, Satan would attempt to thwart the plan of God to prevent the moment where the Seed of the Woman would come. 

Throughout the OT, Satan would attempt to thwart the plan of God to redeem man to Himself. However, God’s guiding hand was at work. God was simply working out His plan. He would redeem man. Israel would receive promises and punishments throughout the 4000 year period. 

Throughout Scripture God’s man would stand with heaven’s Christmas card and say, He’s coming. Whether in hard times or hurting times, God would remind humanity, I have a plan. 

Patriarchs, (Jacob) Priests, Prophets, (Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zechariah, Micah, Hosea, Malachi) and Psalmists, would stand and hold heaven’s message before humanity. They would place the card on the mantle for the family of man to see. 

The Patriarch, Jacob, before his death, told his sons, God’s plan was still at work. 

“The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” Genesis 49:10

Prophets would stand in hours of despair and gloom and remind them of Heaven’s Christmas Card, a view or image the God’s plan was still at work. Isaiah’s words made it clear God’s zeal would perform this.

Just two single out two popular prophets, Isaiah and Micah would stand before Israel in the darkest of days: 

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–7; Micah 5:2

After 4000 years of displaying the zeal of the Lord of hosts and reminding Israel of God’s plan, He become silent with recorded prophecy for 400 years. 

The next time we see Heaven’s Christmas card, was when the Angel arrives to Joseph and Mary. The world has slept long enough. It’s time to raise the Christmas card that would change the world.

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,” Galatians 4:4

God makes it clear. I’m choosing you and your espoused. Mary would bear the child of the Holy Ghost. Joseph would raise Jesus, the Seed of the women.

Both Matthew and Luke get us started by telling us the heritage lines of Jesus. Both Mary and Joseph were in the royal line of David.  

Matthew lists 42 generations. Matthew starts with Abraham and goes to Jesus.

Luke gives 76 names. Luke with Adam. Luke starts with Jesus and goes to God.

Mary is clearly the mother. Joseph is not his father. 

Matthew speaks of 5 women. Two were prostitutes, one an adulterer, one a foreigner, and the fifth one, Mary, in the place of grace, was highly favored. She is Mary of whom Jesus was born.

How this all came to be is God’s Plan that He Himself performed with the zeal of the Lord of hosts.

God’s plan for redeeming mankind is what Christmas is all about. 

Now an angel in their rooms speaking of what has been promised. Prophet’s dreams, visions, and prophecies all intersect in this moment. 

Allas, according to the prophecies, humanly speaking, Joseph and Mary are not in the right place. 

But, remember, the hearts of kings are in God’s hands. He will use the greed of leaders to mobilize this unlikely couple to Bethlehem. 

They arrive to Bethlehem to find the oft-rehearsed and poetic moment of there being, no room in the Inn. 

Could the plan of God not have included a reservation at the Inn? 

But, this birth would be marked not by opulence and splendor. No, His birth would be marked with humility and simplicity. 

This birth would be fitting for the Lamb of God. A Manager. 

In just moments, heaven’s chorus of voices will arrive to unlikely group of shepherds who will get a personal view of Heaven’s Christmas card. They would rush to see this site. The Lamb of God’s announcement would come to shepherds who will be first to herald this news.

Hundred of miles away wise men just saw a star. It’s star is unlike any other star. They mount up and journey toward Israel. They will travel from the Northeastern regions of Babylon. All within the plan of God to get the family from Bethlehem to Nazareth, thereby, fulfilling prophecy.

God’s Christmas card, this mural, is not just about images. 

You see this huge mural, like most Christmas cards opens to a message within it. God’s Christmas card has a message: John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

What is the message on God's Christmas card? 

It is the message that:

1. God Loved.
1. God loved a world that sinned.
2. God loved a world that strayed.
3. God loved a world that sank.
4. God loved the places in the world.
5. God loved the people in the world. 
6. God loved the potential in the world. (looked beyond our fault)
   
2. God Gave. The first Christmas gift was the first missions offering. 
1. God gave a precious gift.
2. God gave a priceless gift.
3. God gave a personal gift.
4. God gave a powerful gift.
   
3. God Promised.
1. God Promised to deliver for whosoever.
2. God Promised to deliver from death.
3. God Promised to deliver to everlasting  
   

What about you today? Are you aware that God loved, God gave, God promised?

He gave to you. Whom He loved is you. What He promised is everlasting life.

This message was preached 12/23/2012.  They are unedited narrative notes provided to those who requested them. If you find them helpful, you are authorized to use them in anyway except to sell.

Mary's Christmas Carol

Mary, bearing the news of a lifetime, began the 25-mile journey south to the hill country of Judah. The angel told her that her cousin Elizabeth too was expecting a child. Here an old woman and unlikely to be with child and a very young unmarried girl both find solace in each other’s company. Both women with the most unusual of circumstances are brought together. Perhaps this news brought the two of them closer than they were before. The relationship between them was now more than of family; it was also a relationship of faith. 

Mary had plenty of time to think as she made the usual eight-hour walk to Elizabeth’s. She arrived in record time, haste marked her footprints from her home to Elizabeth’s. There was much to ponder and the walk did her good. This trip was more exercise of the spirit and soul that day than it was physical exercise. 

She had time to consider the Angel’s message; there was so much to consider, certainly she pondered these things she journeyed. He had said, she was “…highly favored… blessed among women.” He told her the Lord was with her and she had favor with God. The angel spoke of God’s choice of a mother for His Son. He foretold His gender, name, and His Kingship on earth and of the eternal. The angel told of Jesus’ length of reign as King and His virgin birth. 

The moment of arrival came, Mary came to the door, and Elizabeth was in hearing distance. The six months of being with child were telling on her older cousin’s body. The sound of Mary’s voice made the forerunner of Jesus leap in Elizabeth’s womb. Elizabeth was delighted to hear from Mary. 

Elizabeth knew this was the Mother of her Lord. Both of these women knew what was going on in each other’s lives. It was proper they be together. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Ghost, spoke loudly. Elizabeth spoke of Mary’s favor, Mary’s faith, and Mary’s fruit. Mary must have listened in amazement as she received confirmation of the angel’s message. Elizabeth is the first person recorded in Scripture to accept Mary’s account of being with child of the Holy Ghost. 

Scripture records no words from Mary since the angel’s departure, save for her salutation being mentioned. Her first words represent the meditation of her heart and the inspiration of her spirit. “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God, my Saviour.” She spoke with such clarity, conviction, and courage. 

Here this lovely young woman, selected on earth by Joseph and in Heaven by God, tells her account of the Christmas story in 138 words. There was no manger yet, just a Mother being used by God. No shepherds yet, just the announcement of the Lamb of God. No wise men on their way, just a Mother worshipping God. Emotionally, Mary was affected by it all; yet, God gave her great clarity as she spoke to Elizabeth. You could see the Angel’s message touched her soul; his message moved her spirit. This was more than a warm and fuzzy moment; God had kept His word and sent the Messiah to His people and Mary knew it. 

Mary’s words reveal her knowledge of scripture and her understanding of God’s eternal plan for His people. For Mary this was a moment of reflection, rejoicing, and redemption. Mary’s innermost person, her soul, magnified the Lord as she recalled His goodness, His grace, and His glory. Mary’s spirit responded with rejoicing; God had remembered Israel with His strength, supply, and security. Mary's relationship with God was changed because of this moment. His Spirit was the Father of the child in her womb and the child in her womb was her Savior. 

This moment, captured in time for all to see, show how Christ’s story should touch us. For Mary, this was her heart’s testimony of reflection, rejoicing, and redemption. God’s plan for Man’s redemption led to this moment. When she considered it all she said, “My Soul doth magnify the Lord.” (The focus in on His person) “My spirit hath rejoiced in God.” (The focus in on His power/position) “My Savior” (The focus in on His Pardon)

When you consider it all this season, is this a time where the testimony of your heart is revealed? Is Christmas the time where your heart reflects upon His person, His power and His pardon? Or is it the people, the presents, and the parties?

Think about it...

John M. O'Malley