SBC=>ENCOUNTERS

CAN YOU SAY THIS?

We are shopping for our last minute gifts.  We are rushing about baking cookies, wrapping presents.  But what are we really doing for Jesus?

War on MEN versus War on Women... Are They Real?

I have a friend/sister-in-Christ on facebook who, I think, exemplifies the vigilant lady we all need to have in our circle of friends.  Yesterday she posted something I felt worth sharing and with her permission, here it is:

"I think there is a war on men, that is being played out on our TVs: men being routinely portrayed as idiots, while a smarter, more capable woman rolls her eyes, shakes her head, and handles the situation, whatever it is. Even in children's TV shows this is the case. In a recent episode of Good Luck, Charlie, on the Disney Channel, when a girl complained to her mother about how her father was teaching her to drive, the mother replied, "Your father has a very limited area of authority around here. Unfortunately for you, teaching you kids to drive is in that area." When the father asked what else was in that "limited area," the wife patted him gently on the chest and said, 'Barbequeing. That's it.'

After I watched that episode with my daughter, I talked with her about the difference between TV and reality, that her daddy is a very smart man, and he is the boss in our family, not only because he is smart, but also because God says that's the way families should be. I don't know that all mothers are taking the time to tell that to their kids, to help mitigate this image of the henpecked father as the norm. What I don't understand is why men continue to portray these dumb characters. Men are directing and producing these shows -- why aren't they standing up for the image of men in society?? Wake up, guys!!" ~Lori Hope Kingston

I believe I grasp Lori's viewpoint here.  As funny as I've found some of the sitcoms like "Everybody Loves Raymond", and "King of Queens", it has definitely made me cringe at times.  I can't help but recognize the scheming, and the dominant roles given to women.  Men are stupid and women are clever.  The Garden of Eden is still open for business. It seems to me, and perhaps, Lori, that with more and more women being the chosen leaders in our society and even our churches, we may, indeed, be seeing a "war on men".  Of course, this is something I've believed since I woke up from the propaganda of the Women's Lib movement and recognized the insanity of the 70's mindset.  As a minister's wife, I often voiced a strong opinion with ladies who felt the Bible's admonition to submit to a husband was archaic and culture-ridden.  Yet, as decades have passed, I watched a trend become a chronic reality.  It is a hard-driven liberal mission for women in power: to want more power.  Women who don't have it, seek it or covet it.  More and more women do not seem to appreciate the role God gave to man.  Many women find men as obsolete and unnecessary as an outdated wardrobe. Consider for a moment the following excerpt from another article:

"Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s recent comment about it being “enough” when all nine SCOTUS justices are women is an excellent case-in-point. Equal opportunity is not enough; the hard left needs affirmation and if necessary, revenge. Regardless, it is interesting to see what Americans think about the radical implications of a more gender-balanced workforce. A heated debate over the proper place of men and women in the economy is long overdue. Women are gaining more influence not only economically, but politically."

So not only do we have the President of the United States pushing a re-election campaign with his "War on Women" rhetoric, we also have two Supreme Court Justices (at least and maybe more), who find it expedient and most preferable that the highest court in our country be filled with Women Only.

Do we not see what has happened in this country?  More women voting in every election--outnumbering men.  More women working in society-- outnumbering men.  More and more women sitting in seats, not vacated by men, but forthrightly "demanded" by women.  Fewer and fewer households where men are the leaders of their children and the protectors and providers.  Less and less spiritual guidance by men, and more and more women assuming the God-ordained role of men.  America is in crisis.  The family is in crisis.  The church is in crisis.

Yes, Lori Hope Kingston, I do think guys need to "wake up".  And I suppose if they can't hear the alarm clock or can't seem to do much more than hit the "snooze button", we ladies who respect the Word of God and see the damage that's been done to our world by the obfuscation of His instructions, must get up, and nudge those sleeping dudes and let them know:  we want men of God to put their pants back on and stand in the gap of the spiritual abyss.  Their authority really does exceed that of "teaching kids to drive" and "barbequeing chicken".  And the usurping of their role in society seems to be taking a toll.

Suzanne Venker asks, in her article War On Men: "...what if the dearth of good men, and ongoing battle of the sexes, is – hold on to your seats – women’s fault?" Suzanne, "author of three books on the American family and its intersection with pop culture", offers some insightful information on this subject and the fact that while modern women still want marriage, there is a reason men don't:

"I’ve spent thirteen years examining social agendas as they pertain to sex, parenting, and gender roles. During this time, I’ve spoken with hundreds, if not thousands, of men and women. And in doing so, I’ve accidentally stumbled upon a subculture of men who’ve told me, in no uncertain terms, that they’re never getting married. When I ask them why, the answer is always the same.

Women aren’t women anymore." ~Venker

Why don't older Christian ladies heed Scriptural admonition to teach the younger women that it's really not a man's world; it's our world?  that it's God's world.  There is an order God sees that best serves the world He created.  If modern women truly want to have men in their lives, they need to be women, too.  If not, then take another bite of that proverbial "apple" ladies.  Let the war rage on.  See where that takes you.  selahV

A SIMPLE GOSPEL by Hariette Petersen

Sometimes I think we complicate the simple.  There are so many writings to interpret, so many doctrines to argue, so many people to engage, so many apologies to present.  Hermeneutics is a very complicated thing-- especially to a person like me.  I find the theological arguments and apologies and interpretations of preachers, professors and doctors and Christian leaders to be confounding.  Often I find them beyond perplexing.  Seems the more people try to explain the obvious, the less obvious it becomes.  The more questions they answer, the more questions are posed and the less answers are given. Don't you agree?

Yesterday, I encountered a circumstance that I felt worth sharing with my readers at SelahV Today.  It's my main blog where I write about all kinds of stuff: devotional, slice of life, and opinions.  Since Tony Kummer switched off my SelahV Today blog from the feed of SBC Voices, it hasn't gotten the views from my Southern Baptist brethren it once garnered from SBC Voices.  And, well, I really do think it is a worthwhile read for my fellow Southern Baptist brothers and sisters-- as well as this blog, SBC Encounters.  Therefore, today...

I thought I'd share one particular post with you here as well as to my devotional, slice-of-life reading audience at SelahV Today.  I think you'll find A Simple Gospel, presented by a six-year-old worth your time to read.  It's short...got pictures and all.  And you know the old saying, a pictures's worth a thousand words-- well, I've posted two.  selahV

IN GOD WE TRUST... NOT Government, Court Systems, OR Church?

It's not trustworthy.  Sad part about the world.... it is influenced and powered by the evil forces of Satan and his minions.  And while we want to believe and trust our world, we cannot.  We try.  We sometimes relax our guard and believe that our judges will make the right decisions.  Sometimes they do: Tynedale Bible publishers.  Sometimes they don't: Hobby Lobby.  For stories: LINK.

We watch our soldiers, marines, airmen and navy go to war and watch the people they are trying to help turn on them and murder them on their bases: link.  We pray for them and pray the leaders lead by example.  Sometimes they fail us: example/link.  But most times, our military women and men are exemplary and honorable.

We approve of and send Ambassadors to foreign countries and we trust our government to protect them and other Americans.  Sometimes they fail miserably: example?  Ambassador Christopher Stevens, and three other Americans left to die in Benghazi, Libya.  We cannot trust the government for the truth.  The Secretary of State, our CIA Director, our Secretary to the UN, our President of the United States.  They lie to us.  We cannot trust them.

You'd think we'd learn.  You'd think we'd know this world cannot be trusted.  People trust in many things.  They trust their clergy, their church leaders.  Sometimes they fail.  Miserably, sometimes.  They break the trust of the people, or parents, or children.  One of many examples: sexual abuse of children.

And then there is this little sidebar slice of life in my own life:

Eight-year-old Haylee to me: "Mommy lost her cell-phone at church tonite."

Me:  "No, sweetie, someone stole Mommy's cell-phone at church tonite."

Haylee:  "Oh, no, Grama; people don't steal in church."

Me:  "I wish that was true, but there are some people who steal things everywhere you go, sweetheart.  Even at church."

When people cannot go to a church dinner without someone stealing another person's phone off the table when a person goes to throw away her trash, then life is getting really, really sad.  We are praying for whoever took my daughter's phone to have an attack of conscience and return it.  However, our faith in humanity is a whole lot smaller than the size of a mustard seed.  Our faith is in the Lord.  As my daughter goes to buy a new phone today, I am reminded that we are still living in a fallen world.  A world full of people with depraved nature who follow their own evil, selfish desires at the expense of others.  It's life.

Yet, do we stop trusting people?  Can we?  I say, "No."  We cannot.  We must not live in such fear that we cannot believe in others.  However, we cannot let our trust in humanity be what guides our confidence.  Nor can we expect humanity to be perfect in all decisions, behavior, doctrines, beliefs and viewpoints.

In the final analysis, we live in the world.  We trust in the Lord who is sovereign over the world.  We must be vigilant.  We must guard against the lies that people tell. We must take care and discern the spirit of others who seek to manipulate our minds and emotions.  We must guard against the wiles of the devil.  We must resist the desire to hate as others hate us.  We must pray for blessing upon our enemies, that God will open their eyes to Truth... to Life... to the Way.  Jesus.  Only He can be completely trusted.

Only God's Word is sure and infallible and inerrant.  Man is full of good intentions.  Man is verbose in promises.  But man is fallible.  Man is subject to failure.  And the more I witness the failures of man, government, judges, and churches, the more I trust in the Most High God.  And I am grateful for His grace and mercy and steadfast love in spite of my own failings.  Are you?  selahV

"This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD."  Jeremiah 17:5

"It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man."  Psalm 118:8

Is It Futile to Pray?

Sometimes it feels like it.

Scripture tells us to pray for those who despitefully use us... to pray for our enemies.  We are told to pray for those in authority over us.  We are told to pray for our daily needs, forgiveness of our sin, and wisdom.  We are told to pray for healings, to intercede on the behalf of our brothers and sisters.  We are told to pray for God's will to be done.  Then when we see an outcome that fails to measure up with our thoughts of what needs to be done, we question God's permissive will.

Most folks I know are devoted Christians.  Many are calling for us to pray for the president of our country-- no matter how we feel about his election.  They cite scripture passages that command us to pray for our leaders.  Most folks I know are eager to pray for their president and the leaders in authority over them.  I prayed that President Obama gets wisdom from God and heeds the wisdom he receives-- that his heart would fall in love with Jesus.  That is what I said I would continue to pray for him for the next four years.  What Obama does with the wisdom from God is up to him.  We all have the free will to obey or ignore God's direction.  I cannot pray for Obama's success as a leader because I do not agree with the majority of his policies.  His thoughts are not my thoughts and I do not believe from his actions that they are very close to God's thoughts.

So, yes; I do wonder sometimes if it is futile to pray for this man.  It seems as though, with all the Christians who have prayed for him in the past four years, that he has ignored all wisdom from God.  Then again, it may be me.  Maybe it is the many Christians I know who have it all wrong.  I don't think so.  As I struggle, along with my brothers and sisters in Christ, on how to pray for our president, I found a more specific way to pray for him which does not violate my conscience, nor does it conflict with a sincere prayer from my heart as a Christian.  Perhaps others can benefit from what Janice Harvey, wrote on a facebook post to Joe McKeever, regarding how she would pray for the president:

"Bro. Joe, you well know how I have opposed the re-election of this president. I feel he has hurt us and divided us more than we have been since the Civil War. It has been a sort of torture to get my mind and heart right to pray for him these past four years after watching him use backdoor tactics and knowing what he has endorsed that is clearly in conflict with the Word of God. I also question his respect and adherence to our Constitution and Bill of Rights. These are fundamental and very difficult "struggles" for me with this one president...I've never questioned the actual patriotism of any other president before. I am being sincere and expressing what causes some of the real problems with Barack Obama. Here's what I can and will pray for President Obama:

~I will pray that the Holy Spirit commands Barack Obama's attention every day and that if he is not in personal relationship with the Lord, that he will be drawn toward Christ in a mighty way (and soon).

~I will pray that he can demonstrate-with no more question- his true love of country, his absolute allegiance to our Constitution and Bill of Rights.

~I pray he will not hesitate any longer to proudly stand with Israel regarding any threat to them and honor them as our greatest allies in the Middle East.

~I pray that he will do a much better job in the next four years to unite us and inspire us in love and caring for one another and that he will have the strength, energy, and desire to let his ego slide in favor of working with Congress to make the better and best choices for our future.

~I pray for his character and example...for his motives...that they will be in the favor of righteous things.

~I pray that he will read, learn and trust in the Bible and that he will have daily fellowship with godly people who pray with him, teach him, and love him to do the best he can during these next four years.

It would be a great, great joy at the end of these next four years, if we who were so opposed to so much we see in him could say, "Thank God for the profound work the Lord has done through him." God can and will do these kinds of things in a man, if that man is pliable and willing. I pray our president will be."  ~Janice Garner Harvey (with permission)

We can pray.  We can pray all the right things.  And things may not change.  People may not change.  Our world may not change.  Our prayers may all seem futile.  But that does not mean it is futile to pray.  God seeks us to be dependent upon Him and rely on Him.  He is sufficient to meet our needs... not the government, not the president, not the political parties.  ~selahV today

Now That Your Chicken Is Digested One Pastor Asks...

The television networks are abuzz and the internet websites are in a flurry as reports come in on the Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day.  One newspaper offers readers another way to handle the support for Chick-Fil-A: Sally Quinn urged gays to infiltrate the Christian business (check out her article/link).  In part, Quinn writes:

"Gays and lesbians could start applying for jobs at Chick-fil-A. Get in there. Become managers, take over the places.  Gays could begin patronizing Chick-fil-As and I don’t mean carry out. Make the restaurants the gay hangouts of the community.   Gay partners and Married gays could begin taking their children there. They could start having birthday parties for their kids. They could have Gay pride events there. (They have an events manager – just call)  They could even have gay weddings there."

New Mexico pastor, Howell Scott, published a piece his blog about the whole thing but it was one statement he wrote in the comment streams that grabbed my attention and made me think deeper on the matter.

"It will be interesting to see how Christians respond in the days ahead, now that the hoopla surrounding the National Day of Appreciation for CFA has passed. Will we go back to our unengaged lives and become oblivious to the subtle and not-so-subtle attacks on our religious liberty and free speech that take place on a daily basis? Will we become complacent? Or, will we continue to “contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints?”"  Howell Scott of From Law 2 Grace

It does make one wonder if all the ruffled feathers in the "hoopla" are simply a one-time emotional outpouring of ire or another wake-up call to Christians everywhere.  In my thinking, the incident is not so much about whether gays are boycotting Chick-Fil-A or hetero-sexuals are supporting the restaurant in counter-protest.  It's about the subtle, but continual battering upon the walls of Christian beliefs, religous freedom, and civil liberties.  For example, what if Christians had said they were going to, not only boycott JC Penney, but the mayors of Louisville, Dallas, and Atlanta announced they were not going to allow JC Penney to open a business in their cities because their CEO supports gay-marriage?  What if?

As far as I can tell, this is the wishbone of the chicken this debate.  This is the position that we all must consider in our free America.  After the bones are picked clean, who is going to get the short side of the bone?  Are we to assume that one person's personal views should dictate the right to open a business within the parameters of the law?  Has there been some new amendment to the U.S. Constitution that exempts Chicago and Boston from complying with the law of the land?  If mayors who dance with the president have the authority to keep businesses to come into their cities and sell chicken sandwiches, what next?  Churches that preach that homosexuality is a sin?  Private schools that promote marriage is between a man and a woman?  Will licenses be refused to Christians who want to open all businesses?  Will there be some kind of vetting to get a license to operate a Christian business: a Mardel's, a Hobby Lobby, an Interstate Battery store?  Will anyone who owns a business be forced to shut up or be shut down?  Must they be politically correct, or lose an opportunity to feed their family?  Will they turn off Christian radio stations and television programing?

If you think not, then think again.  They may not be able to legally do it, but they can make business so difficult for Christians that they will be silenced.  The mayors of Chicago and Boston boldly proclaimed there was no way Chick-Fil-A could do business in their cities.  Sure, these businesses can fight it in the courts, but at what cost?

Steubenville, Ohio is removing the cross and a chapel silhouette from their city logos to avoid a lawsuit by one disgruntled citizen in their town.  People are demanding the removal of crosses from graves of soldiers in military cemeteries.  The law of the land forces religious institutions to provide drugs to support abortions for people they insure.

There is more to chew on than a chicken nugget these days.  There is more than one day of appreciation at stake.  Much more. And when business owners stop and count the cost, they may find it more than they can handle.  We shall see.  selahV

We SHALL OVERCOME Because He Has Overcome the World

Ever wonder how much longer the world, as it is, will last?

Scientists constantly research ways they think the world will end.  Ironic in a way.  Especially since the same scientists are constantly hammering home the idea that man can protect the planet from destruction.  Green products: light-bulbs, solar panels, windmills, hybrid vehicles.  My husband told me some gas stations are beginning to install natural gas pumps because many truckers are going to be switching over from diesel-powered 18-wheelers to natural-gas powered semis.  I find that so interesting.

On one hand, man and science seek to protect our environment as if we can avoid earth's destruction. On the other hand they research and report about mega-asteroids, solar flares, and monstrous volcanoes that threaten to annihilate the human race and millions of earth's species--an admission of sorts.  Mankind inevitably cannot protect itself. Of course, science explains it one way, and the Bible another.  Man without God cannot overcome the inevitable.  Yet, we who know Jesus shall overcome because Jesus has already overcome the world: 

4For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" Biblos  1John 5:4-5

It's especially calming and comforting to know that being born of God grants us the power to overcome the world and its trial and difficulties.  Through Christ, we have the strength, the faith, the hope we need to meet each volcanic threat, each solar flare, each astronomical crisis that comes our way.

We can overcome the world.  As we take the first step of faith and respond to the Lord's voice to come, to go, to do, to obey, to stand, to be courageous, He gives us what we need to meet the challenge or obstacle in our our path. Sometimes man tries to pull himself up by the bootstraps, or fix his own life.  I've met people who think that they have to change their lifestyle in order to come to Jesus.  In order to know God, they think they must correct themselves.  They look at themselves and their own inadequacies, weaknesses, and failures and cannot imagine how they can ever change.  They have that a bit backwards.  When we hear the gospel, and are convicted of our sin against a holy God, then respond in faith, we take the initiative through the Spirit of God's empowerment.  In "My Utmost For His Highest", Oswald Chambers writes it this way regarding "the inspiration of spiritual initiative":

"When the inspiration of God does come, it comes with such miraculous power that we are able to arise from the dead and do the impossible thing.  The remarkable thing about spiritual initiative is that the life comes after we do the "bucking up".  God does not give us overcoming life; He gives us life as we overcome.  When the inspiration of God comes, and He says--"Arise from the dead," we have to get up; God does not lift us up.  Our Lord said to the man with the withered hand--"Stretch forth thy hand," and as soon as the man did so, his hand was healed, but he had to take the initiative.  If we will do the overcoming, we shall find we are inspired of God because He gives life immediately." Feb 16th

"God does not give us overcoming life; He gives us life as we overcome."  This little sentence reminds me of the Israelites walk into the Red Sea.  It did not part till Moses stretched forth his hand. {Exodus 14:21-31] The Jordan River did not part till the men who carried the ark of the covenant stepped into the water. {Joshua 3]  Naaman did not get clean until he dipped himself in the river 7 times. {2 Kings 5:14] The ten lepers were not cleansed of their leprosy until they turned to go to the priests.{Luke 17:11-19]  The lady with the bleeding malady was not healed till she reached out and touched the hem of Christ's garment. {Mark 5:25-29]  Faith led the way.  Again and again through Scripture, in the Old Testament and through the New Testament, we see the faith that results in the power of God to act and overcome all situations.

Before I believed that God would change me, I had to recognize I could not change myself or my circumstances, and then believe He could.  I had no idea how He would do that, but the step of faith I took carried me forward into His everlasting presence and unfailing strength.  When God quickens the spirit within a spiritually dead person who turns to Him in faith, He fills each with His Holy Spirit and empowers each to believe His promises, and know His Son in a personal way.  The more we grow in our faith, we more we are able to overcome what seems impossible to endure.  And the greater the peace we have in our lives.

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Do you have a dilemma you cannot solve?  Have you lost hope?  Is the world you've trusted dissolving around you?  Turn in faith to Christ, He has overcome the world. selahV Today

We Need a New Heart and Jesus Gives Us One

Let Jesus Come Into Your Heart...the invitation goes.  Some argue today that this is not possible.  That it is superstition to suggest such a possibility.  Dr. Steve Gaines preaches a sermon which covers the issues of the heart in Scripture.  It's worth sharing with anyone you know.

What OBAMA Evolution Means to Southern Baptists

I've watched as Barack Obama's personal opinions catapulted from professing that he believed the Bible, yet rarely attends church, but basically thinks:

...that the words of Jesus mean the rich are responsible for the poor (even those who choose not to work);

...that determining life's conception "is beyond his pay-grade", but can end at the time a woman chooses to end it;

...that the government has the right to force religious institutions to supply medical procedures that compromise and are totally against their core beliefs and doctrines;

...that Romans has an "obscure passage" which is immaterial for the position he should take on homosexuals marrying people of their own sex...

...that the "Golden Rule" supercedes the entire Bible, and trumps all commands for holiness from the Author of the Bible;

...that faith has no place in government (as in supporting the observance of the National Day of Prayer)...but that government has a place in religion.

I wonder.  How does this affect the average Southern Baptist?  Well, let's just look at the "Golden Rule" a bit: “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:21

I don't know about you, but I do not "wish that others" should commit sin in the presence of my family and friends and call it sinless and expect me to approve of it.  I do not "wish that others"  commit an abomination unto the Lord and lie to my grand-children and tell them it is "good".  I do not "wish" that people promote sin as healthy and holy and God-approved behavior.  I no more "wish that others" sanction homosexuality than I "wish others" to cuss, lie, steal, get drunk, commit adultery, murder people, take God's name in vain, and burn churches.  Neither, do I "wish for others" to deny me the right to speak the truth of God's entire Word and call it "some obscure passage from Romans" that is meaningless in order to promote a political and personal agenda. [see Romans 1]

So, Mr. President, the "Golden Rule" cuts both ways.  When Jesus was preaching to the people, as recorded in Matthew, He answered a question about the greatest commandments:

"Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40

The "first and greatest commandment" is to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."  The first and the greatest.  Loving the Lord is more than lip service.  It is honoring Him and the commandments and by living a life holy and acceptable to Him.  To love the Lord God with "all your mind" does not give us the freedom to rewrite commandments in the Bible, to ignore a passage because we consider it "obscure" and not validating a president's "personal opinion" or position.  Jesus also said:

"Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfill." Matthew 5:17

Dr. Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Dallas, refuted Obama's personal "evolution" opinion:  Jeffress said that the Lord Jesus spoke clearly on the issue of marriage in Matthew 19, and it is between a man and a woman. [Fox News 5/10/12]

The President and Vice President of the United States have weighed in that two men and two women should have the legal right to be married if they want.  This is the first time in the history of our nation that the two most influential men of politics in the free world have made such an anti-Biblical proclamation.  This my friends, in my opinion, is where removing the Ten Commandments from the school systems has taken us.  This is where the government forced political correctness in our public school systems has brought us.  As we seek to share what Jesus died to save us from (namely SIN), sin is being watered down and made null and void in the sight of man and government.  Next thing we know, we shall be using the "golden rule" to approve and condone the pedophile.  Why should some little "obscure passage" in Corinthians have any power over the "golden rule"?  After all, did Jesus specifically say pedophilia was wrong?  don't pedophiles say they are just "loving" that child?  should they not have equal rights, too?  For that matter, did Jesus say not to commit incest?  have abortions? dance naked in the streets?  No, but Jesus did say:

“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.  The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."  Luke 6:43-45

And what do we hear the mouth of President of the United States speak?

""I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or Marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don't Ask Don't Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married,"  President Barack Obama, Huffington Post

He talked to friends, family and acquaintances.  He talked to his little girls.  And Barack Obama comes to the conclusion that what the Bible says is not valid.  Well, friends, I do not have to give an account for what the President of the United States says when I stand before the Most High and Holy God.  No, I only have to answer for what I say.  And you only have to answer for what you say.  I choose this day to stand with God and what He says; and God says marriage is between a man and a woman, not between men and men and women and women.  What say ye?  selahV

Bruce H. commented on this post and it was, in my opinion, a powerful commentary worth considering in this conversation.  Therefore I'm adding it to the post to better ensure it being read:

"Seeing who President Obama has counseled with tells the story. America has a president that seeks the counsel of the "ungodly". He sought counsel from his friends, family, neighbors and homosexuals. He never mentioned that he sought counsel from pastors, theologians or God. Under this man, here is our fate:

"Blessed [is] the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly [are] not so, But [are] like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish." Psalms 1:1-6 " Bruce H. from the www.

Baptists and Eternal Security, or Once Saved Always Saved; Part 1 of 3 by David Brumbelow

[David Brumbelow is a pastor in Highlands, Texas. Below is his post and link to part two of three posts on Baptists and Eternal Security.]

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy". -Jude 24

Baptists are known for believing in “Eternal Security,” or, “Once Saved, Always Saved.”

More humorously it has been put, “Methodists believe in falling from grace, and Baptists practice it.” Also said, “Arminians know they have it (salvation), but they’re afraid they’re going to lose it. Calvinists know they can’t lose it, but they’re afraid they don’t have it.” In my humble opinion, most Baptists have it just right. We know we are saved, and we know we can’t lose it.

There are good Christian folks who believe you can lose your salvation.

I believe, however, the Bible teaches eternal security or, once saved always saved, for the following reasons.

Note:  First, a quick explanation. I am referring to someone who has really, truly placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Just because someone says they are saved, does not mean they are saved. The Bible teaches there are those who falsely profess to be believers (Matthew 7:21-23; 1 John 2:19).

1. Everlasting Life Cannot Be Lost. John 3:16

If it can be lost, then it is not everlasting.
If you have it for a year, and then lose it, it is one year life, not everlasting life.

2. Everlasting Life is something the saved person has right now. John 3:16; 5:24

Well, you say, “Everlasting life may be everlasting, but you do not receive it until you get to Heaven.” No, it is something we possess right now.

John 3:16 - “have” is present tense
John 5:24 - “has” (or “hath”) is present tense

Everlasting life is something the saved person has right now.

3. We are sealed until the day of redemption. Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30

When a king sealed a document, it was as good as already done. No one could break the seal until the proper time.

You yourselves write a decree concerning the Jews, as you please, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s signet ring; for whatever is written in the king’s name and sealed with the king’s signet ring no one can revoke. -Esther 8:8

4. We have been given the Holy Sprit. His is the “guarantee” (or “earnest”) of our inheritance. Ephesians 1:13-14

Guarantee - deposit, earnest money.

When you buy a house you are asked to put down “Earnest Money” to guarantee you are serious and plan to buy the house. The Holy Spirit is our Guarantee of even more things to come when we receive our full inheritance in Heaven. You don’t give a “guarantee” and then take it back.

5. If you could lose your salvation then salvation would be of works. Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:28

Someone says, “No, we are saying that salvation is of grace, and then you have to keep yourself saved.”
Then you are making salvation part of grace and part of works. But for the grace of God AND your good works of keeping yourself saved, you would not make it to Heaven.
Instead of singing “Jesus Paid It All” you would have to sing:
“Jesus paid a part,
Some to Him I owe.
Sin hath left a crimson stain,
We washed it white as snow.”

But salvation is all of grace, not of works lest anyone should boast.

6. You never cease to be a child of your parents. John 1:12

You may disobey your biological parents, but you never cease to be their child. Disobedience hurts your fellowship; but it does not affect your relationship. You are still their child.
After we become children of God, the same is true. You can’t be “un-born again.”

7. Paul said that we have been adopted into the family of God.
Romans 8:14-17, 23; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5
Adoption meant you became, in every legal sense, a part of the family. It was viewed as a permanent relationship.
(to be continued) Part 2
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 17, AD 2012.