Blog Entry January 1, 2019

In Today's Blog

1) Quotables

2) “God Knows”, a poem

3) Mini Message

4) Shocking Video For Children: Abortion, “All part of God’s plan”

5) Sermon: “You can’t handle the truth!”

Quotables

- "Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle." (President George Washington)

- GRACE: God's Riches At Christ's Expense." (Author Unknown)

- “For the human race is, more than any other species, at once social by nature and quarrelsome by perversion.” (Augustine, City of God)

- “Our true wisdom is to embrace with meek docility, and without reservation, whatever the Holy Scriptures have delivered.” (John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion)

'God Knows'

A poem by Minnie Haskins

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:

“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”

And he replied:

“Go out into the darkness and put your hand in the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night. And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.

Mini-Message

“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18).

1. All things, all the different kind of things were created by God. Everything that “is” was brought into existence by God. Not by accident or without purpose. God is pure act. His creations are premeditated to suit His purpose. There is no such thing as creation by accident or creation without God. God can create something out of nothing, such as the heavens and earth. God can also create something from something, such as when He formed man out of the dust of the earth.

2. Reconciliation is the grace of restoration. And just like every other grace, the grace of reconciliation is a gift meant to be given, not just held. Reconciliation is meant to be paid forward. The restoration process of mankind is to be spread around!

Man is forever sin-stained. But Jesus was sent to be our propitiation for sin through faith in Him.  Propitiation is a covering, just like with the mercy seat and blood to atone the people of their sins. Jesus is in act and intent the very same thing for us. Jesus is our covering for sin. We are made acceptable in God’s eyes when we are in Christ and Christ in us. We are to spread this good news of reconciliation and restoration through Jesus to everyone. We are to share this saving grace that God has afforded us. Christ our savior has come!

Abortion Video For Children: “All part of God’s plan”

An absolutely shocking pro-abortion video has just been released that not only teaches children that abortion is OK, but goes so far as to say that abortion is, “All part of God’s plan.”

This stunning indoctrination video entitled, “Kids Meet Someone Who’s Had an Abortion” was produced by Amelia Bonow, founder and author of the book, “Shout Your Abortion”. The video was posted at their Facebook page, “Kids Met” this past week.

Below is the video in its entirety. In it you’ll hear things such as having an abortion is like going to the dentist and that an unborn child is like a sea cucumber. Runtime is 8:13.

Today’s Sermon Message

Truth: “You can’t handle the truth!”

I have some observations and comments about those adamant about truth, those who portray themselves as not caring who or how someone is impacted by truth they speak. You know the person, those firm fisted folks who are “just telling it like it is”!

Observations of the Adamant Purveyors of Truth

“I’m just telling you like it is”.

“It’s the truth. Deal with it!”

“You can’t handle the truth!”

“I’m just being truthful”.

“No one speaks the truth around here except for me”.

1. These purveyors of truth are hurting inside. They are angry and usually carrying around an open wound.

2. They wield truth like a sword, with the full intent of cutting someone. But these folks never quite grasp the fact that truth is a double edge sword that cares not in whom it comes in contact with and cares not in whom possess it.

3. Truth is used as a defense mechanism. The idea is to cut first so you will pull back from them, unwilling or unable to do anything to hurt them.

Warnings and justifications need not ever be attached or associated with truth, for as the Apostle Paul said, “We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” (2 Corinthians 13:8).

Truth is self-evident. It needs no introduction or preamble.

Those who give warnings and justifications are in reality telling you that they are going about the business of hurting you. But truth with the intent to hurt is done so void of love. Truth minus love can be very dangerous.

The warning could be a self-defense mechanism, in an attempt to protect an open wound.

That’s what we as Christians need to look for. Although the purveyor of truth is on the attack, we must peer around their shield to see what wound they are protecting.

The next part is tricky. Anyone (or anything) wounded tends to be dangerous. Sometimes it’s in your best interest to just walk away. Never lose yourself in the attempt to save another.

But in case of a loved one, someone near, dear and special we simply must help. Understand that sometimes the wounded will strike the closer we get to them. We must be patient, loving and willing to forbear. Speak the truth in love, always uplifting and edifying. These are all characteristics and actions of a Christian.

Emotions come from the heart and mind which means emotions come from the spirit and soul. Yes, this is a spiritual matter so lean not onto your own understanding, but rather that of Christ and His word.

Truth is not always evident to all people. Pontius Pilate was staring Truth in the face when he asked Jesus, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). This is where it is essential for a Christian to lead with love and follow through with understanding. And always, always having patience for the adamant purveyor of truth.

Of all the wounds we will confront with purveyors of truth, the most common and most dangerous will be pride and ego.

James tells us in Chapter one of his epistle that we are to be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath and that we are to be doers of God’s word, not our word.

Peter makes it clear that we are to be, “clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5-6)

When we are truly humble, God will empower us with His grace to handle the proud. How that grace and power will manifest, I don’t know. But I do know that the fruits of the Spirit include, “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, (and) temperance” (Galatians 5:22-23). Those alone are most powerful weapons against anything.

“You can’t handle the truth!” No, the reality of the situation is that these purveyors of truth can’t handle the truth. All they are trying to do is fend off additional hurt or are attempting to protect an open wound. Christianity is always an outward vision and a forward motion. We must look past our own offence by these surly truth purveyors and love our neighbor, love them until they put love back into truth.

Bill Hitchcock

Post Scriptum

All content original material by me, Bill Hitchcock unless otherwise noted. Please feel free to post comments, questions and/or concerns below. Consider sharing this Blog site with friends and discuss the topics!!

God Bless,

Bill Hitchcock