Misleading Comments from a Pastor?

I read the following article in the opinions section of the newspaper this past Sunday and it made me pretty upset.  Now, when reading the opinion section of any newspaper it is usually enough to get anyone upset, but this one really got to me as the article writer, who is supposed to be a pastor, took some verses from the Bible a bit out of context, I believe to help prove his point.  Another thing that made me upset is that many people will read his comments and not even think to look any further into what he is saying.  Why?  Well, because he is a pastor and he should know what he is talking about and most people will tend to trust what a pastor is saying without looking into things themselves (we must remember to be alert, question everything and look into thing for ourselves with God's Word being the source to help determine what is right or wrong).  Now lets take a look at the article to see what is being shared.

Notice the pastor states that Jesus has something to say about those who deliberately confuse or mislead the young that it would be better to have a milestone hung around their neck and thrown into the sea.  Although some of what he is saying is true; however, the way he is using the verse is out of context to support his complaint.  It would appear that we would agree that lying is a sin (as outlined in the 10 Commandments) and wrong to do to anyone, but here in this verse Jesus is really sharing with his disciples about who is greatest in the kingdom of Heaven.  Jesus states one must become like a child and humble themselves in order to obtain the kingdom of Heaven and be the greatest in it (Matthew 18:1-6).  Jesus then goes on to state that if anyone causes the little children to sin that it would be better for that person to have a great millstone tied around their neck and then be thrown into the sea.  The key is the individual leading a young person to sin.  So, what is sin?  In Romans 3:20, we read that sin comes through knowledge of the law (Romans 3:20).  So, what is the law?  The law is the 10 Commandments which is the only law I have read in the Bible that God himself wrote on two tablets of stone (Exodus 24:12).  That's pretty cool, but obviously they are very important if God wanted to write them down with his own finger.  Every other law or commandment God spoke was written down by man (look into this yourself). 

In conclusion, we learn from verse 6 in Matthew that we are not to lead a little one into sin or break any of the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17) for that matter.  Unfortunately, the pastor is using something of this world (the Earth and global warming) as the standard (something they feel is a fact) to determine if one is lying or not.  The pastor's push of his article is to state that global warming is true and that if someone has data showing global warming to be false that they are liars and therefore causing a young one to stumble or sin (it is worth stating that there is information stating global warming is not a fact and/or not true).  However, who is to say that those pushing global warming are not those leading the young astray and lying? 

I believe the real focus here is that someone is lying which is a sin for that individual who is lying (whether they are saying global warming is true or not not matter which audience they are speaking to - one or many) and thus, they are breaking one of the 10 Commandments and as a result they deserve eternity in hell to pay for that sin.  That is unless they repent and place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ to pay for that sin debt by believing in His death on the cross to pay for their sin debt and his resurrection three days later. 

Then, in regards to people sharing whether global warming is true or not to the little ones, has nothing to do with causing them to sin as noted in the article, for by hearing a proposed lie does not cause one to sin.  An individual sins by lying to someone, but not by listening to someone.   So, unless those sharing information to the little ones is going around enticing them to lie or sin (i.e. kinda like the serpent in the garden of Eden when trying to entice Eve to eat of the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil), then yes, it would be better for them to have the millstone tied to their neck and then thrown into the sea.  Although, here I would say a great lie would be telling any young one that the Earth is more important than the one who created the Earth (the being God) and making the issue about keeping the world a clean place when ultimately each one of us is far more dirty and in need of more care, for we are quite dirty and need the blood of Jesus Christ to make us as white as snow (although in order to recognize that we, of coarse, need to humble ourselves and become like a little child).  Fixing the sin problem with the blood of Jesus should be the focus and ones primary concern and not whether the Earth will be around long enough to sustain humanity.  God will take care of the Earth as long as he needs to, but time is short and people need Jesus before they die, because if they don't they will end up in hell forever.  Now, that is where time should be spent writing an article.  Pleading for the souls of those who would be lost forever if they would die without Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Dangerous Deception or Harmless Fun?

Today, perhaps more than ever we need to be alert/aware at what is going on around us and be ready to defend the gospel as the only source for truth, knowledge, comfort and life's answers.  The article below is from the GodQuestions.org website which looks into what the Christian view of Yoga should be.  As many may already know, Yoga is becoming a popular topic in many different arenas today which include the medical field and it is even finding its way into the church.  Why is it a big deal and why should I be concerned about it?  See the answer below.

Question: "What is the Christian view of yoga?"

Answer:  For many Christians in the West who don't understand the history behind it, yoga is simply a means of physical exercise and strengthening and improving flexibility of the muscles. However, the philosophy behind yoga is much more than physically improving oneself. It is an ancient practice derived from India, believed to be the path to spiritual growth and enlightenment.

The word "yoga" means "union," and the goal is to unite one's transitory (temporary) self with the infinite Brahman, the Hindu concept of "God." This god is not a literal being, but is an impersonal spiritual substance that is one with nature and the cosmos. This view is called "pantheism," the belief that everything is God and that reality consists only of the universe and nature. Because everything is God, the yoga philosophy makes no distinction between man and God.

Hatha yoga is the aspect of yoga which focuses on the physical body through special postures, breathing exercises, and concentration or meditation. It is a means to prepare the body for the spiritual exercises, with fewer obstacles, in order to achieve enlightenment. The practice of yoga is based on the belief that man and God are one. It is little more than self-worship disguised as a high level of spirituality.

The question becomes, is it possible for a Christian to isolate the physical aspects of yoga as simply a method of exercise, without incorporating the spirituality or philosophy behind it? Yoga originated with a blatantly anti-Christian philosophy, and that philosophy has not changed. It teaches one to focus on oneself instead of on the one true God. It encourages its participants to seek the answers to life's difficult questions within their own conscience instead of in the Word of God. It also leaves one open to deception from God's enemy, who searches for victims that he can turn away from God (1 Peter 5:8).

Whatever we do should be done for God's glory (1 Corinthians 10:31), and we would be wise to heed the words of the apostle Paul: "Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise" (Philippians 4:8, NLT).

May we be diligent by abiding in God's Word alone and be like the Bereans descibed in the book of Acts: "Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." Acts 17:11

Happy Birthday Jesus! Merry Christmas to All!

Please take a moment to enjoy the video/song above to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas!

I love you Jesus!

Who is the Strongest?

Now, you're going to think that I just love 20/20 or just happen to watch it a whole lot, since I'm showing another clip from a recent episode. Although, that is not the case, I just happen to catch moments on 20/20 that happen to have very teachable moments or in this case are just so cute. Now, shouldn't this be our response to all things (see clip below).



Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them." Mark 10:13-16

Perfection Required for Eternal Life?

The clip below is from a 20/20 episode which aired this past Friday (11-25-11) and a comment at the 14:15 mark specifically stuck out to me regarding what one needs to do to go to Heaven. Are they really correct? It that really what God's word says? See clip below (I recommend watching from the beginning of the clip to the 14:14 mark).



Well...I guess all I really needed to do since being born was be perfect and then I would be able to go to heaven. Wouldn't that be obeying God's word? Because if I didn't obey one part of it then I be in sin and not able to go to Heaven and my desiny would be Hell. You see, the only problem with obeying God's word in order to go to heaven means my salvation would be based on what I do. Which is being perfect by obeying God's word and thus not sinning; however, there is a problem...Roman 3:23 (for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God). So, it is really not by being perfect by obeying God's word that enables me to go to Heaven, it is by having faith in the grace God offered me through His Son Jesus Christ, not the result of anyting I did or could do (Ephesians 2:8–9). Those poor kids, please keep them in your prayers.

Oh, by the way, I could not even enter this world sinless because I was born of Adam's seed which is how sin is passed down from one generation to the next (Romans 5:12), so it is true that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We all need a Savior in order to go to Heaven and that is Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12).

Now...What Changed Their Minds?

Today is finially the day that the "180" movie is released and we have an opportunity to see what has changed all of these peoples minds regarding abortion. I mean you just can't change peoples minds and so quickly, comeon'. Please take some time to view the free movie below to find out what was shared that made do a 180. Now, I just watched it and it is about 33 minutes long, but I'll tell you that I feel it is well worth every minute. I found it shocking, enlightning, frightening and in some ways disturbing; however, I feel this is information that we all need to be reminded of so we do not end up repeating history. Or, is it already too late? Have we already repeated history?

Again, please take time to watch the video below and you determine for yourself if it is too late or not. Is it too late for the Jews, is it too late for humanity, is it too late for babies in the womb or is it even too late for you? My answer would be that it is not too late as long as we or you still have breath. It is not too late to make a difference and make a decision that will not only save many lives and/or many babies, but perhaps even your life for eternity. After viewing the movie, please feel free to visit www.heartchanger.com for more information and please be forwarned that the movie below does contain some graphic images that may be disturbing for some viewers.

Pro-Choice to Pro-Life...in Seconds.

This is an important announcement to help spread the message of "180" by Ray Comfort of Way of the Master.  Please take a moment to watch the short two-minute trailer below and then know that a free full version of this shocking, award-winning documentary will be available at the www.180movie.com website on September 26, 2011. How cool is that? 

This is a great tool to pass along and share with anyone you feel appropriate (from those who do not know Jesus as Savior to those who know Jesus as Savior and need a tool to help share Jesus). May God Bless you as you are reaching out to share the good news of Jesus Christ!