Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | July 8, 2015

Are We Living on Borrowed Time?

239 Years and Counting!

US Flag 2

This past Saturday, July 4, 2015, we celebrated the 239th anniversary of the founding of our nation. On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress declared the 13 American colonies to be independent and no longer a part of the British Empire. History records the British Empire did not graciously accede to this declaration.

The following appears on the website, “http://actionamerica.org/fun/tytler.shtml” and is one of many articles addressing the frailties of a democracy.

An Observation on Democracy
Incorrectly attributed to Alexander Fraser Tytler

The most interesting observation is how closely the US has followed this scenario.

“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves money from the Public Treasury. From that moment on the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the Public Treasury with a result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy always followed by dictatorship. The average age of the world’s greatest civilizations has been 200 years. These nations have progressed through the following sequence:

  • From Bondage to Spiritual Faith
  • From Spiritual Faith to Great Courage
  • From Courage to Liberty
  • From Liberty to Abundance
  • From Abundance to Selfishness
  • From Selfishness to Complacency
  • From Complacency to Apathy
  • From Apathy to Dependency
  • From Dependency back into Bondage

— most commonly attributed to
“The Decline and Fall of the Athenian Republic”
by Alexander Fraser Tytler Lord Woodhouselee (1748-1813)
(Scottish judge and historian at Edinburgh University)

However, this has also been attributed to Benjamin Disraeli, Alexis de Tocqueville, R. G. LeTourneau and others. It is likely that it is actually two quotes, put together. Parts of it show up in printed record as far back as 1950, when the “Fatal Sequence” portion was cited in a speach by Eugene E. Wilson at a special United Nations Convocation at Hillyer College in Hartford, Connecticut. But regardless of the quote’s origin, it is interesting to note how accurate it details the past and how much further we have progressed along that predicted line, since it first appeared in modern recorded history, in 1950.

We urge you not to be concerned with the authorship of this quote, but to focus upon the truth that is in the words. I believe that we can stop this “Fatal Sequence”, but not the way we are going.” (End of article)

How Should a Christian View This?

In earlier articles I have mentioned my mixed emotions as I watch what is happening in the United States today. I feel saddened as I see the United States of my memories disappearing in a sea of red ink and moral degeneracy. If there is any truth to the conclusions being circulated on the web, then we are 39 years over the statistical average for a democracy and that is exclusively by God’s grace!

While it is true this nation was established as a republic, the checks and balances built into the original system have been eroded to the point where our nation is no longer functioning as a republic and has fallen into the mire of democratic politics; it appears the vision for both parties does not include the preservation of this nation as a federal republic.

As Christians we are told of a heavenly home, a New Jerusalem that is our eternal home; we are also told we are ambassadors for Christ. Another reality of our existence is the ongoing spiritual warfare and in this we function as soldiers of God.

As the winds of change blow with increasing strength it is important that we faithfully regard the admonition in 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NLT)  “7 For we live by believing and not by seeing.”

Divine Intervention

There has been a movement for many years promoting the idea of a one-world government. Adherents of this philosophy believe many of the world’s problems arise from the conflict between national interests and the best way to remove those problems is to eliminate national interests by eliminating nations. Progress has been made with the organization of the European Union and further progress is desired with the concept of a North American Union.

There have been problems with the North American Union one of which is the strength and independence of the United States. Proponents of the North American Union have recognized the United States must first be reduced to a point where this union appears to work to its advantage; only then will the North American Union have any hope of success.

Those familiar with Bible prophecy will recognize the pattern for the end times that begins to emerge in this scenario; in the Book of Revelation a world dictator is revealed who will seek to control all things worldwide. The Bible refers to this dictator as the antichrist; a man who will first appear as a benefactor and is later revealed as a brutal dictator.

I find it fascinating to watch how human efforts begin to merge with divine plan; although the objectives are different the results conform perfectly to God’s plan for the end times. It is beautiful to see how God is working all things together after the counsel of His own will.

I’m reminded of Psalm 2:1-6 where it is written,

Psalm 2

1 Why are the nations so angry?
    Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
    the rulers plot together
against the Lord
    and against his anointed one.
3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry,
    “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”

4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs.
    The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then in anger he rebukes them,
    terrifying them with his fierce fury.
6 For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne
    in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.”

While there are some difficult times ahead the Bible assures us of the final outcome. In Revelation 21:1-4 it is written:

The New Jerusalem

21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | July 2, 2015

The Supreme Court Ruling on Same-Sex Marriage

I have the privilege of being a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and share the doctrinal views held by the Seminary. The following appeared today in my mail box and I felt it expressed the Christian perspective shared by many of us on the recent decision by the Supreme Court.

A Response from Dallas Theological Seminary to Today’s Supreme Court Ruling on Same-Sex Marriage
by Mark L. Bailey on June 26, 2015 in News

With the verdict of the Supreme Court today that legalizes same-sex marriage in the United States, we at Dallas Theological Seminary are grieved by this decision that seeks to legally yet wrongfully expand what God established from the beginning to be the divinely designed institution of marriage. We continue to support and adhere to a biblical view of marriage and sexuality because we believe such an approach to life and marriage honors God and makes for fulfillment in life the way God designed it.

In answering the questions of His disciples related to divorce, Jesus went back to creation to argue the original intent for marriage. Marriage was intended from the very beginning of creation to be the covenant union of a man and a woman in a permanent and exclusive relationship (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19: 4-9; Mark 10: 5-9). God’s design for this relationship was for the purposes of procreation, personal pleasure, and the fulfillment of the purposes of reflecting the image of the Creator and His desired relationship with His people (Genesis 1:27–28; 2:18–24; Ephesians 5:31–33). That image involves both male and female with marriage depicting their mutual cooperation in a designed diversity to steward God’s creation.

We believe God has also expressly reserved sexual intimacy and intercourse for heterosexual marriage (Ephesians 5:3, Colossians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 6:9). It is God’s expectation that the married live in faithfulness to their spouse and unmarried should live pure and celibate lives, refraining from sexual intimacy (1 Thessalonians 4:3).

The English translation of our historic Seminary motto from 2 Timothy 4:2 is “Preach the Word.” We intend to keep doing that and to equip others to do so as well. Our current slogan is taken from 1 Timothy 1:5 and that is “Teach Truth. Love Well.” As we approach a culture that does not share our biblical values or standards of conduct we still need to model love and pray for those with whom we disagree. This Jesus also taught (Matthew 5:44). As our culture begins to look more and more like that of the New Testament times, we need to remember and take heart that the message and mission of Jesus was birthed and flourished in such times. May God do it again in our lifetime.

Soberly and Prayerfully,

Dr. Mark L. Bailey
President

I will add one other point to the discussion by directing the reader’s attention to the comprehensive nature of Christ’s work on the cross. As written in 1 John 2:1-2:

“2 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Personal sin is no longer the barrier between God and man that it was before the cross, Jesus Christ died for the sins of the whole world. I think the explanation given in John 3:16-18 tells the rest of the story most effectively.

“16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

The Message of the Church is Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be Saved

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | June 24, 2015

The Triumph of Love

The Results of No Condemnation

There is an old hymn named, “Free from the law – oh, happy condition” written by P.P. Bliss; the first verse has the following words:

Free from the law—oh, happy condition!
Jesus hath bled, and there is remission;
Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall,
Christ hath redeemed us once for all.

It didn’t take long for a new set of words to appear which mocked the thought of forgiveness from sin and changed the second line to :

Free from the law – oh, happy condition!
Sin as you will for there is remission.

The singing of the revised words was intended to bring laughter and nods as each of the hearers imagined, perhaps, some of their favorite sins. Such thoughts and reactions indicate a pathetic ignorance of grace and love but in no wise change the absolute certainty of verses like Romans 8:1-4 which tell us triumphantly:

“8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

One who didn’t understand might well ask, “if all sins are forgiven why not go ahead and sin and then just ask forgiveness? Even though the penalty of sin, death, has been paid for by the shed blood of Christ, there are consequences of sin that must be faced at the experiential level.

God’s objective is to protect us from those consequences by warning us away from activities which can cause us harm; it is like a parent telling a child not to play in the street, the parent understands very well the dangers of passing cars and what injury could be caused the child in the event of an accident.

What is most important, however, is the knowledge that we have sinned against God, the one who loved us so much He sent His only begotten Son to die in our place on the cross.

The Triumph of Love

When there is love for another there comes an overwhelming desire to avoid hurting that someone; a desire to protect that someone from harm of any nature. Whether that someone is a person or an animal the desire to protect is deep and profound.

My wife and I have two cats which we both love very much, Tom Boy and Abby who are special members of our family. They have the habit, especially at meal time, to get underfoot and use all of their feline charms to compel us to hurry in the preparation of their next meal. In the process of doing this they will sit at our feet and curl their tails around our feet in such a way the least misstep would cause us to step on their tails causing them a great deal of pain.

At times like that we have learned we must look down and take extraordinary care to step to a spot where there are no tails at risk and sometimes that gets tricky especially as their tails are constantly in motion. The point being our loving concern for their well being demands our careful steps at times like that.

This simple illustration though demonstrates a much more profound truth; our love for the Lord Jesus Christ and our gratitude for the sacrifice he made to provide salvation demands we do our best to avoid doing more of that for which He had to die. Sin, in all its variations, becomes ugly and distasteful and something to be avoided as completely as possible. We try to avoid sinning because it is against our Lord and we love Him too much to want to grieve Him by our sin.

 The Joy of Fellowship with God

The last verse in 1 Corinthians 13 tells us:

“13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.“

There are many reasons love is the greatest but one particular reason is the way it shows us how God loves us. I believe God’s love for His children surpasses our ability to even understand it; all of us may feel, from time to time that it seems almost too much to ask to think that we could be loved by God that much. We know all too well those awful hidden things of which we have been forgiven but which still lurk in our knowledge of the past.

Unbidden memories, unwelcome thoughts can rob us of the joy of our fellowship with God, we feel dirty and unworthy of His love; this is our sin nature trying to compromise us as soldiers in the spiritual warfare and must be resisted with the shield of faith.

There is a precious hymn that describes a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins” I visualize my sin and its memory sinking out of sight into that wondrous fountain. The words of this hymn are so powerful I’ve included them all.

THERE IS A FOUNTAIN FILLED WITH BLOOD

There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.
Washed all my sins away, washed all my sins away;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.

Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its power
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.
Be saved, to sin no more, be saved, to sin no more;
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.

E’er since, by faith, I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.
And shall be till I die, and shall be till I die;
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.

Then in a nobler, sweeter song, I’ll sing Thy power to save,
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave.
Lies silent in the grave, lies silent in the grave;
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave.

Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared, unworthy though I be,
For me a blood bought free reward, a golden harp for me!
’Tis strung and tuned for endless years, and formed by power divine,
To sound in God the Father’s ears no other name but Thine.

William Cowper, 1772

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | June 17, 2015

“Is it right for you to be angry?”

When God Insists

Bible 006

Jonah had been having a really tough time of it since God had decided to start moving in the lives of the Ninevites. For reasons unknown to Jonah, God had decided to use him as His messenger to that savage people; Jonah didn’t want to have any part of that plan but God insisted so Jonah went to Nineveh and you know the rest of the story.

Jonah was angry at the way things turned out and God posed the question, “Is it right for you to be angry?” I bring up this question now because I have found some anger in myself at the way things are going in the United States. I am angry with the government for getting us into this financial mess we’re in; I’m angry at the moral decline in this nation which seems to permeate it throughout. I’m angry with the way the things of God are being denied and demeaned and the name of Christ being denounced.

From what I read and hear I have a lot of company; there seem to be many who share my feelings of anger. Then the question comes to mind; do I have a right to be angry at these developments? I am devoted to the principle that the Bible is the word of God and can be trusted as a source of spiritual guidance; since that is the case then what does the Bible tell me about my attitude of anger; is it right for me to be angry?

God is in Complete Control of All Things!

I think often of Ephesians 1:11 where it is written, “11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,” The scope of that verse is overpowering if one meditates on it to any extent at all. God is working everything in conformity with the purpose of his own will? Everything doesn’t leave anything out as far as I can understand the meaning of the word.

That verse alone tells me all that is happening today in the United States is in conformity with the will of God. There are other verses which support that thought regarding governments and leaders; in Romans 13:1 it is written:

“13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.“

and then in Daniel 4:17:

“17 “‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’

Those verses tell us the truth, the reality of what is happening today in the world; God is in complete control and is working all things after the counsel of His own will.

None of This is Catching God by Surprise

It is impossible for us to imagine knowing the future as well as we know the past but this is exactly what God knows; He knows the future with infinite perfection and nothing comes as a surprise to Him. Everything that is happening in the world today has been known to God from eternity past and is a perfect reflection of His sovereign will.

Since God is working all things after the counsel of His own will; what right then do we have to be angry with what is happening? The answer to that question is we have no right at all to be angry; God is in control of all of these things and what happens represents what God has decided should happen.

The Bible tells us of two episodes with Nineveh, the first time, when Jonah prophesied, Nineveh repented and was spared; but that repentance didn’t last and about one hundred years later Nineveh was totally destroyed. Today, as I look about our nation, I see no evidence of national repentance; no evidence of a turning from the wickedness that permeates our society.

My anger is a reflection of my concern for the deterioration of the country of my birth; I am saddened and angered by what I see happening to it. If this is God’s will then is not my anger inappropriate and misplaced? Should I not recognize God’s hand of judgment and acknowledge His right to judge a wicked and rebellious people? In Galatians 6:7-8 it is written:

“7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.“

Nationally we are sowing to please our flesh; we can know that destruction will surely follow. As I’ve mentioned before, the United States is conspicuously absent from Bible prophecy of the End Times; I believe we continue to see the reason for that playing out before our eyes.

The Object of Our Attention

The Bible never tells us to rejoice in circumstances but it does tell us to rejoice in the Lord. I love Philippians 4:4-9 where it is written:

“4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

While that should be our attitude, we also have a message of hope to the world which is summarized in Romans 10:9-10:

“9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | May 27, 2015

Why is All This Happening Now?

What’s Going on in the World?

Hardly a day goes by that some new jarring headline announces something that flies in the face of decency and order. A headline recently came to my attention:

“Girl Scouts Reverse Stance and Accept Little Boy Who Wants to Join!”

The little boy in question is seven years old, has an older sister, and likes to play with girl toys at this point in his life; to use this as an opportunity to start him on such a destructive path is irresponsible to say the very least. The article mentions no father so it would appear a single mom, who has a different last name, is permitting, if not encouraging, her son to follow a path which is not likely to be sustainable. As one male observer pointed out once this seven year old boy reaches puberty his interest in girls and girl things will likely take a big shift.

Demographic and Other Forms of Decline

According to demographic studies a national birth rate below 2.1 births per woman will result in a steadily shrinking population. The birth rate for caucasian women in the United States is 1.9 births per woman which is well below the replacement rate of 2.1.  The only thing that has given the United States a demographic edge is immigration, which is sustaining the overall population at a marginal level of growth.

Back to the original question, “Why is All This Happening Now?” I believe there is a simple answer to that question; we are living in the last days as described in the Bible and watching the problems associated with that era unfold before our eyes.

In 2 Timothy 3:1-5 the Apostle Paul cautioned Timothy about the last days that would come when he wrote:

“3 But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, 4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people!”

Exposure to these kinds of thoughts can come in many forms including personal contact, TV, reading materials, and movies; it is important that Christians use discernment in what they do and watch. What we must also do is to recognize these symptoms as the signs of the times and not let them cause us to lose hope.

Establishing Our Priorities

I think many of us have deep feelings of sadness as we watch the United States slide down the slippery slope of moral decline. In the eyes of many, Christianity and Christ have become politically unacceptable because of the absolute moral standards insisted on by the Christian faith which tells us everything is not acceptable, everything is not OK and actions must be measured according to the moral standards established in the Bible.

To say that only by faith in Christ can one escape eternal damnation is to condemn every other so-called faith as false and becomes very politically incorrect by contemporary standards. The very mention of God has become offensive to many who feel any such reference is offensive and hurtful to them.

As we watch this change in national attitude we are called upon to re-evaluate the placement of our priorities. Can it be the extent of our sadness is in direct proportion to the degree of misplacement we’ve allowed in our lives? To what extent have we seen the United States as home as opposed to our heavenly home? To what extent have we seen ourselves as citizens of the United States rather than ambassadors for Christ in a land that is not really our own? That is a hard question to ask and an even harder question to answer.

I love Texas and I love the United States but is that a love for my home or a love for my mission field? Intellectually there is a clear answer to that question; emotionally I’m not quite so sure.

Change Seems Inevitable

Like it or not there is change in the air; the winds of change are blowing and it is only in the Bible that we find some clues as to what the nature of that change may be. The United States is conspicuously absent from Bible prophecy; how can it be that the preeminent world power will be gone during the last days described in the Bible?

Despite the widespread efforts to attack Christ and Christianity there are an extremely large number of Christians in the United States. What if all of those people were suddenly removed simultaneously in an instant? The chaos in this country would be unimaginable throwing it into an extreme crisis.

The rapture of the church will accomplish exactly that and will leave this country in a shambles. Those of you who have heard me teach on unfulfilled prophecy know I believe the rapture can be the catalyst that triggers the Battle of Psalm 83. Although Israel will have God’s protection no such protection is promised to the United States and I believe attacks on the United States, triggered by the rapture, will reduce the United States to the level of a third world country. It would be naive to think there are no Muslim sleeper cells awaiting orders to attack.

The destructive impact of an EMP burst a few hundred miles above the United States could wipe out the electrical and electronic infrastructure upon which so much in this country depends throwing us back into a 19th century economy. There are several nations with the ability and willingness to do that if they thought they could get away with it; the rapture could be seen as the opportunity for which they so earnestly seek.

Uncertain Timing

While the certainty of these events is clearly stated in the Bible, the timing is not clear at all. I have no idea whether I will go home to the Lord by death or by the rapture; only the Lord knows. Fortunately I have complete peace with that arrangement; I’m delighted to leave that sort of thing to the Lord Jesus Christ.

“20 He who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.”

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.” Rev. 22:20-21

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | May 13, 2015

Living on the Plus Side of Life

The Magic Transition Point!

I would like to take the liberty of announcing that I am now living on the plus side of life!

The truth dawned on me gradually; it took time for me to finally realize what had happened to me. Over a period of time though, the reality of my new existence finally hit me; I was now living on the plus side of life, I had finally arrived!

As I look back on this voyage of discovery it also became apparent that my actual transition to plus living had taken place several years before without my even realizing it. Over those years I had observed certain signs, certain changes that should have provided important clues that something was in the works but I hadn’t put it all together yet.

It has only been within the last two weeks that all the pieces of the puzzle finally fell into place; I have been living on the plus side of life for over twelve years without realizing it. Twelve wasted years during which I failed to enjoy the full benefits of plus living; what a shame!

What is Plus Living?

I thought you would never ask; all kinds of wonderful and amazing things happen when you enter the plus living phase of your life. For one thing you stop getting older, your age is forever frozen at 65+; once you’re 65 or over age is no longer a factor; you are now 65+ for the remainder of your life regardless of how long or short that may be.

The moment I realized that I was only 65+ I immediately felt more youthful and invigorated. That moment of elation, coupled with the realization that I would always remain 65+ was exhilarating; my 82 calendar years no longer counted, I was only 65+.

The source of my recognition of this discovery was a website which offers a series of product surveys to members. When the member signs up for a survey most often the survey will ask the age of the participant. It will carefully break down age ranges until age 65 is reached and then one finds only one remaining age range, 65+; anyone over 65 is lumped together into one category, 65+.

When I noticed that omission the first time I was mildly annoyed; after all I had earned the right to be 82 one year at a time and I was proud and grateful that I had made it to 82. Later I began to see the humor in it and decided to have some fun with it, hence the blog.

The Practical Reality of Plus Side Living

I retired in September, 2004 and my wife and I have had a wonderful time enjoying my retirement. God has blessed us with a deep love for each other and we take great pleasure in just being together. I think we both agree this has been one of the most enjoyable phases of our life.

I think often of a few lines from a poem by Robert Browning which appear below. The truth of those lines has certainly rung true in our lives and may they ring true in yours.

Rabbi Ben Ezra

By Robert Browning

Grow old along with me!

The best is yet to be,

The last of life, for which the first was made:

Our times are in His hand

Who saith “A whole I planned,

Youth shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid!”

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | May 8, 2015

The Destruction of the Fourth Kingdom

Early Evidence of the Coming Destruction

Headlines today are filled with news of disasters, wars and rumors of war. Attacks on Christians are increasing all over the world as world events begin to conform to Bible prophecy for the End Times. Although the Bible lays out an end time scenario it does not mention the specific timing of these end time events with one notable exception, the Tribulation which is divided into two three and one-half year periods.

At the time of the First Advent of our Lord, he spoke harshly to those who refused to see the signs that were given; let us take care that we do not ignore the signs being given concerning His Second Advent.

God’s Plan and the Times of the Gentiles

In Luke 21:24 the Lord tells His disciples, “They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” The big question now is how close are we to the fulfillment of the times of the Gentiles?

We are introduced to the times of the Gentiles in Daniel 2; King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and demanded his astrologers tell him the dream and its interpretation. Had it not been for Daniel’s God all would have been killed. God, in His grace to Daniel, revealed the king’s dream and its interpretation to Daniel so he could tell the king the meaning of his dream.

The dream involved a large statue with a head of gold, arms and shoulders of silver, a belly and thighs of bronze, and legs of iron with feet and toes of a mix of iron and clay. In Daniel 2:

“31 “In your vision, Your Majesty, you saw standing before you a huge, shining statue of a man. It was a frightening sight. 32 The head of the statue was made of fine gold (Babylon). Its chest and arms were silver (Medo-Persia), its belly and thighs were bronze (Greece), 33 its legs were iron (Rome), and its feet were a combination of iron and baked clay (European Union?). 34 As you watched, a rock was cut from a mountain, but not by human hands. It struck the feet of iron and clay, smashing them to bits. 35 The whole statue was crushed into small pieces of iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold. Then the wind blew them away without a trace, like chaff on a threshing floor. But the rock that knocked the statue down became a great mountain that covered the whole earth.”

Illustration by Stephen Bower Used by permission of the artist Copyright © 2015

Illustration by Stephen Bower – Used by permission of the artist – Copyright © 2015

The above illustration shows the beginning of the destruction described in verse 34 where it is written, “34 As you watched, a rock was cut from a mountain, but not by human hands. It struck the feet of iron and clay, smashing them to bits.” While we are not yet to that point in history I believe it is very close.

The times of the Gentiles will finally come to a close at the Second Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ when Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, will return and finally bring peace to Jerusalem.

The End of the Church Age, the Age of Grace

Israel was set aside, for an unspecified number of years, but still has seven years to accomplish the things described in Daniel 9:24 where it is written:

“A period of seventy sets of seven has been decreed for your people and your holy city to finish their rebellion, to put an end to their sin, to atone for their guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.”

The seventy sets of seven refer to 70 periods of 7 years each which totals 490 prophetic years. In verse 25a we are told, “25 Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler—the Anointed One—comes.” Sixty nine periods of seven years each totals 483 years and came to a close the very day the Lord Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem.

At the time of Jesus “Triumphal Entry” Israel was being set aside with seven of their promised years unrealized. It was only after Israel had been set aside that the church was brought into existence at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit indwelt believers for the first time. Israel’s remaining seven years will not start until the church is taken out of the way by the Rapture, the removal of the church from earth. The Rapture is the very next unfulfilled event on God’s prophetic calendar and could happen at any time. Even so, come Lord Jesus!

While the very next event is the Rapture, there are other unfulfilled prophetic events that will take place in the end times; the Battle of Psalm 83, the Battle of Gog and Magog, and the seven year Tribulation period which will signal the beginning of Israel’s last seven years.

The Second Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ

The return of the Lord to earth will signal the end of the times of the Gentiles and will be followed shortly afterward by the beginning of the Millennial Reign of the Lord Jesus Christ. At the end of the Millennium unbelievers will be resurrected and judged at the Great White Throne judgment and the present universe will be destroyed and replaced by a new heaven and earth.

The new heaven and earth will be perfect and free of sin; a summary description is given in Revelation 21:1-4

“21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

How Bad will Things Get before the Removal of the Church?

Only God knows how bad things will get before He calls His children home. We can always count on one thing and that is God’s love for us and His grace and mercy to us. Times are already tough for Christians in some countries and things will likely get tougher here too. We need to keep in mind Paul’s words to the church in Rome as they lived under a tyrannical dictator where in Romans 8:18-22:

“18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | April 29, 2015

God Has the Answer to Your Biggest Problem, concluded

How Does That Work?

Last week I compared the fever blister virus with the sin virus and commented on the suppressive effect that lysine has on the fever blister virus. This week we will consider God’s spiritual lysine that can help suppress the effects of the sin virus.

First it might be helpful to identify the symptoms of the sin virus and that can be summed up by the second part of one verse, Romans 14:23b where it is written: “and everything that does not come from faith is sin.” Just think on that a moment, wouldn’t you agree that covers a vast amount of territory? I’m a retired Christian grandfather and I can potentially sin like crazy just sitting at my desk alone. Do you have fears, doubts, concerns, anger, irritation, impatience; do you think these are of faith? The sin virus is much more devious and deadly than the fever blister virus and can manifest its symptoms in ways one might not expect.

The starting point in dealing with any disease is a proper diagnosis; humanity’s diagnosis is very simply explained in the Bible, we are born with the disease of sin and it will never leave us as long as we are in these mortal bodies. The penalty of this disease is death and that has been paid for by the shed blood of Christ so the only remaining problem is dealing with its symptoms during our lives on earth.

In Galatians 5:19-21 some of the most obvious symptoms of the sin virus are described and to those listed you can add everything that is not of faith:

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

In Galatians 5:22-25 we find a summary of life displaying the symptoms of a Spirit led life:

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

A Spiritual Lysine

God has graciously provided what we need to control and suppress this sin virus if only we will avail ourselves of the therapy He has provided. The reality of our situation is when the Holy Spirit is in control of our lives the sin virus is suppressed, when the sin virus is in control of our lives the power of the Holy Spirit is suppressed.

Both the Holy Spirit and our sin virus are with us as long as we inhabit these mortal, unredeemed bodies; when we are resurrected we will receive new, heavenly bodies that will be free of the sin virus; I long for that time.

God knew our lives would be filled with tactical struggles against sin and gave us a way of winning them. The pattern is described in 1 John 1:8-10 where it is written:

“8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.”

Confession of sin is like spiritual lysine, it is to be used every day to control the sin virus and if we feel sinful thoughts coming into our mind we need to confess them quickly before the thoughts becomes actions. By doing this we can suppress the sin virus and retain the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

God’s word can be trusted, this really works!

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | April 22, 2015

God Has the Answer to Your Biggest Problem

Regardless of Who You are or Where You Are You Have Problems!

Problems are a way of life as we live our lives on this troubled world. We’ve all heard the old saying which goes something like this, “You’re either in the middle of a problem, just emerging from a problem, or getting ready to encounter a problem in your life.” The longer we live the more readily we can see the truth of that statement.

While problems can take many forms there is one problem that we all share and that is the problem of sin; when we are born of human fathers we inherit a racial virus called sin.

Have You Been Infected?

The short answer is yes, you have the virus and although the symptoms can be controlled, you will have this virus as long as you live in the mortal body you now occupy. The virus of which I speak is called the sin nature, a plague on humanity that we have inherited as a part of being a member of a fallen race.

We have previously discussed the removal of the sin barrier by the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. Although sin is no longer the same barrier it was before the cross, the problem with personal sin and quality of life remains. Salvation is resolved by faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, the Christian’s daily life, led by the Holy Spirit is another matter. Although the Christian’s salvation is secured by the power of God, the Christian’s moment by moment fellowship with God is totally dependent on a daily Spirit-led life.

I have noted many times before, as regular readers of this blog may recall, that all mankind born of human fathers are born spiritually dead. There are no other options, we died in Adam when Adam disobeyed the one commandment God had given to him; this is referred to as “the Federal Headship of Adam.”

Spiritual life comes when each individual receives Christ as Savior but sadly our sin nature remains in us. Our lives have, in effect, become a spiritual battleground between good and evil. We have, in these mortal bodies, the residual sin nature we inherited from Adam, and the Holy Spirit which we received when we were born again. Although the battle has been ultimately won by the Lord there are tactical conflicts involving us which may go well or go badly.

An Example

Like so many others I get fever blisters which means I have the fever blister virus with which I will have to live all my life. Although I know exactly where my sin virus came from I have no idea how I got the fever blister virus. All I do know about it is it is with me all my life and there is nothing I can do to rid myself of that virus.

One thing I have learned is to successfully control the symptoms of that virus. Somewhere along the line I discovered the power of lysine to control the virus. It appears the amino acid arginine promotes the growth of the virus and the amino acid lysine suppresses it. I have learned to limit my intake of foods high in arginine and take a lysine supplement every day. If I get the familiar feel of an oncoming fever blister I drastically increase my dosage of lysine and usually the symptoms go away without ever getting the pesky fever blister.

Now why do I burden you with all of those details? Because the same principle applies to the sin virus; it can be controlled by following God’s instructions on dealing with the sin virus. There is, as it were, a spiritual lysine that can help control the virus of sin which is humanity’s universal problem; personal sins are only symptoms of the basic problem.

Next time, “How Does That Work?”

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | April 15, 2015

How is Your Christian Life Working for You?

Ask Yourself a Question About You

After all, you are the world’s leading authority on you; no one else even comes close when it comes to knowing who you are and what you expect from life. Has your life met your expectations, do you feel your life has gone well or are there some loose ends you would like to address?

As an online missionary for Global Media Outreach I respond to requests for help from Christians all over the world. There often seem to be areas of concern about the nature and quality of their lives that are common to many; concerns about their failure to resist sin, feelings of fear and doubt, concerns that they are wandering away from God and no longer feel the power and joy of His presence in their lives, some even questioning if they’re saved at all.

All of these symptoms are evidence of serious spiritual malnutrition; these people are starved for spiritual food, the word of God.

It might be well to ask ourselves in the privacy of our own minds how are we faring spiritually? How do we measure up to the Biblical standard as set, for example, in Galatians 5:22-25?

“22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

What percentage of your waking hours could you honestly say your life is characterized by these qualities? This is completely between you and the Lord, of course, and no one else need be told. I’m sure we would all like to say these qualities characterize our lives 100% of the time but how true would that be for you?

A Timely and Most Excellent Sermon

This past Sunday, April 12, 2015, our pastor, Barry Jeffries, preached an excellent sermon on 2 Peter 1:1-11:

“1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: 2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

The Big Problem in Many Christian Lives

As you read this passage from 2 Peter you should notice the prominence of one word, knowledge.

2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge

everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge

make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge

Knowledge of Bible doctrine, and the faithful application of this knowledge to one’s daily life experiences is the secret to a Spirit led life filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit. There are no substitutes, there are no alternatives that will work!

A Vitally Important Distinction!

As Christian men and women we exist on two levels, our eternal spiritual level and our mortal earthly level. Peter addresses this distinction in verse one where he writes, “To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours“

We have been given the gift of faith which has resulted in our gift of salvation; in Ephesians 2:8-9 it is written:

“8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.“

This gift of salvation is an unconditional gift and will never be taken away from us; we have been justified and forgiven by the shed blood and holy righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ and that will never change. Spiritually we have been blessed beyond measure as is pointed out in Ephesians 2:6-7:

“6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”

The mortal lives we now live on this earth are an entirely different matter; although the Lord might have called each of us home at the point of our salvation; He has chosen instead to leave us on the earth with a mission to perform. While we share certain responsibilities such as soldiers of the cross, ambassadors for Christ, Royal Priests, we each have our own special ministries given to us by our Lord and must find and pursue these ministries as enabled by our Lord.

Our Solid Foundation of Bible Knowledge

Unfortunately a solid foundation of Bible knowledge on which we can base our lives does not come automatically; it is something we must diligently and systematically work to acquire! This is why Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15:

“15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Would you be an effective workman for the Lord? If your answer to that question is yes then there is no substitute for studying, learning and faithfully applying Bible doctrine to your life experience every day!

Bible 006

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

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