There is a long string of biblical problems with the contemporary church movement. There is confusion over which Bible to read. There is confusion over the importance of the church in general. The biggest problem might be the issue of separation.

To debate that America was founded upon biblical principles is liberal blindness.  Not all were Christian, but our founders and framers were knowledgeable of the Scripture and believed the morality and life principles found in the Bible were a good basis for all American values and laws. For this reason, we see Bible verses quoted in the majority of speeches, and Bible principles are the root of most laws.  

These thoughts are needful, but not easy to accept.  If you watch television or follow the media more than you read your Bible, it might be best to skip this lesson and pick up another day.   

We used to say, “Close only counts in hand grenades and horseshoes." Close has been a long-term weapon of Satan.

We often consider children innocent or unaccountable for their actions, but that may not always be true, depending upon the age of the child. I want to point out from the Scriptures that children can make spiritual decisions, that children are accountable for their behavior, and that God is actively involved in the lives of children for better and for worse.

Everything we purchase has a price tag. Some high-end stores that cater to rich people who do not pay attention to price tags may not have a tag, but the average person considers the price tag when buying something.

Matthew 16:23 “But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men."

While reading through the books of Exodus and Leviticus, we will find many instructions that may wear out a reader: take off the head of this dove, put the blood here, put the other sacrifice on the altar, take the ashes out of the altar, and then change your clothes and take the ashes to a clean place. If the priest uses a ceramic pot to cook the meat, then the pot has to be broken, but if it is a brass pot, then it has to be scrubbed.

The reason I left home to attend Bible college is because I wanted my life to make a difference. I believed that God had a purpose for me. I believed that somehow, in the eternal perspective, my life mattered. As such, I knew I must get trained to be able to do what God designed me to do.

Genesis 6:2 “That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.”

There are endless religious, political, and philosophical ideologies scattered across the globe, but my question is, what do you hope for?

Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." 

The Bible speaks much about the faithfulness of God:

Isaiah 29:20 “For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off:”

One of the most challenging things to find today is someone with convictions. Someone who truly believes something will still believe it, even if it affects their life, whether it has a positive or negative effect on them.

Psalm 36:1 “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.”

I was thinking about my pastor and the influence he had on so many people. I decided to take a moment today to challenge you to “believe God.”  Pastor Blue was definitely a man who believed that God would do great things for those who sought after Him.

Deflection may not be the term some use; it may be referred to as “passing the buck,“ or “the blame game.” The reality is, since the Garden of Eden, people have been trying to blame others for their wrongdoing. God asked Adam about eating the forbidden fruit, and the first thing Adam did was blame the woman that God had given him. He blamed the woman and God.  Notice that God did not try to defend Himself in the least. Everyone knew the truth, and God was not going to allow Himself to be on trial or examined by this pitiful man. Then God asked the woman about Adam’s blaming her, and she deflected blame to the serpent.

Being nice is the culturally appropriate behavior for Christians.  In light of helping everyone stay sharp, I bring another thought that is not all that nice.

John 14:6 tells us that Jesus is the One Who gives us access to God, not a preacher or priest, and certainly not Mary.  Once we receive Christ, you and I can enter into the presence of God on our own.