Election 2004

        The elections are less than two weeks away and seldom have I seen people "into" politics and policy as I have seen this year. We will choose a president very soon. But I must say that there are many similarities between "Politics and Religion". For instance, issues are debated, policy matters. Today Americans do more than just stomach debates; they seem to enjoy them, as long as they are political debates. Yet, religious debates are almost non-existent anymore, and Divine policies are discarded in place of human ones.
        Both in politics and religion there are elections. In politics we choose, and in religion God chooses. We choose on the basis of what we see in a man and in his words. Therefore we choose the man that best suits our ideals. God sees things much different than we do, for "... the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart" (1Sam. 16:7). God first gave Israel a man after "their" choosing, a man "like all the nations" a king named Saul. Then God chose a man after His own heart, David (Acts 13:22)
        God's election is not over in two weeks, the door is still open to be a part of His elect. Jesus says, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest .... (Mat. 11:28-30). God's election is still open, but you must come to Jesus, He is the way, the truth and the life.
        The election of 2004 will not matter in 2204, all will be forgotten. But God's election will make the difference between heaven and hell. Are you a part of His elect? After we begin to follow Jesus, Peter tells us we need to be "all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble" (1Peter 1:10). What things? Peter said, "faith ... moral excellence... knowledge... self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love," DP

Abortion is sinful

        "Now the word of the LORD came to me saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations" (Jer. 1:4-5). Who formed Jeremiah in his mother's womb? God said He did this. Therefore what God has joined together (the egg and the sperm) let no man put asunder.
        Killing babies has been done from ancient times, "They built the high places of Baal that are in the valley of Ben-hinnom to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire to Molech, which I had not commanded them nor had it entered My mind that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin" (Jeremiah 32:35).
        It is easy for us to read about this terrible idol in Judah and think to ourselves, why didn't they just arise and drive this idol out of their land? But Molech is still around, and worshiped in America at the rate of 1.3 million babies a year.

      "If you chose the unborn child, sorry you're wrong - at least according to the law of the land. U.S.Code, Title 16, Section 668, says the eagle takes precedence. A person, who kills, damages, transports a bald eagle, its egg, or nest is subject to a fine of up to $5,000.00 or imprisonment for up to one year or both (first offense). Whereas, not only is there no penalty for aborting an unborn child, doctors get paid exorbitant fees for destroying the child in the womb." (P.9 Human Life Alliance of Minnesota, 1995). DP

Lost Letters of the N.T.?

        There are at least four inspired writings of the New Testament times that did not make it into our Bibles.

1. Prior to 1Corinthians, Paul wrote a letter that told them to not associate with a brother who lives in sin. "I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people ... But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he should be an immoral person ... (1Cor. 5:9-11). Paul had to explain to the Corinthians what he meant in the previous letter.

2. Prior to our book of Ephesians, Paul wrote them a short letter. "that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief" (Eph. 3:3).

3. Paul mentions the letter he wrote to the church in Laodicea, and tells the church in Colossae to read it. "And when this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. (Col. 4:16).

4. John wrote a letter to a church, but it was likely destroyed. "I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say." (3John 9)

        God told us plainly that He is not going to give us all His words;(Paul in 2Cor. 12:4, John in Rev. 10:4). We can only guess that the other apostles (Andrew, Philip, Thaddaeus, Bartholomew etc.) wrote some letters which we do not have.

        But if we consider what we do have in the NT, much of it is redundant, (and in a good way). Do we not have four accounts of Jesus feeding the 5000? Do we really need a 5th account? Who has not noticed the great similarities between Paul's Ephesian letter and his letter to the Colossians? - - And especially between 2Peter chapter 2 and Jude? In the book of Galatians and in Romans can be read many of the same arguments and sentences. It comes down to this, how many times does God have to say it before we believe it and put it into practice? We each give our own answer to that question daily... by the way we live. I am glad we don't have every sermon that was preached or letter that was written during Bible times. God has given us plenty, our cup/Bible overflows. DP