“The Hangover Part II”

I couldn’t help but be shocked and disgusted at the same time when I read an article about a recently released movie, The Hangover Part II.  This weekend it set all sorts of records.  Including “the biggest midnight opening for an R-rated film” and two records for the money grossed on opening day for its genre.  All in all, this movie has broken at least 7 different records over the last several days.

So, why am I so disgusted?  Because of the wicked content of this movie.  Thanks to websites like Kids-in-Mind.com and CommonSenseMedia.com, we are able to know what was in this movie.  The movie has over 150 curse words, very graphic sexual content (including transvestites), drug use, alcohol and drunkenness, partying, etc.  With such a nasty list of “credentials,” it makes it all the more sad that this movie is setting all sorts of records.  Common Sense Media conducted a poll question asking, “Will you see The Hangover Part II?”  73% chose the answer “won’t miss it” (Click Here).

If I were feeling optimistic today, then I would believe that everyone who has seen this movie is a non-Christian.  I would believe that every cent this movie has grossed has come from the wallets, purses, and pockets of non-believing people.  But I know better than that.  Surely there were masses of Christian teens and adults who paid for the outrageous movie tickets, bought the overpriced concessions, and sat to watch this sinful movie over the weekend.  And worst of all, many probably enjoyed it.

We all know what the Scriptures teach about content like this (2 Thessalonians 5:21-22; Matthew 12:35-46; Colossians 3:8; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 15:33; etc).  Yet Christians seem to be compromising their morals, and ultimately their salvation, to be “entertained” by unrighteousness.

Were you planning on seeing this movie?  I certainly hope you will change your mind.  Do you know someone who was planning on seeing this movie?  Tell them about the immoral content and sinfulness of this film.

Paul stated in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”  Certainly none of these qualities can be applied to The Hangover Part II or other movies like it.  This movie has already grossed over 135 million dollars.  Let’s get the word out about this movie and try to halt the millions of dollars of damage it is doing to peoples’ spiritual lives.

Would You Pass a Driver’s Test?

Question: The light just turned yellow, what should you do?  According to a recent study done by GMAC Insurance, 85% answered this question incorrectly.  This study also found out that 18% of American drivers would fail a written driving test today.  Now, you may be thinking, “18% isn’t that much.”  Consider this, 18% accounts for 36.9 million drivers on the roads today.  This means 36.9 million people couldn’t fulfill the basic requirements to earn a driver’s license (get a 70% or higher on the test).  They also found out that the worst drivers, at least according to the written test, were teenagers, drivers in the northeast, and women (sorry ladies). Click Here For Survey.

To be honest, all of these statistics are frightening.  They will certainly make me much more cautious of people on the road.  I was always told growing up, “watch out for the other driver.”  Well, if millions of people don’t know the traffic laws, then we need to watch out more than ever.

This survey got me thinking.  What if God gave us a test on Bible knowledge?  How would you do?  One survey found out that only 63% knew the first book of the Bible (Pewforum.org).  How sad.  God gave us the Bible so we can know what we need to do to go to heaven.  Why do we let it sit and collect dust?  There is no telling how many people are deceived by false teachings every day.  They only way to know the truth is to study the truth (Hosea 4:6; John 8:31-32; 2 Timothy 2:15).

Whether we are talking about driving or Bible knowledge, we can take one of two roads.  (1) We can do nothing, never get better, and remain as we are, or (2) we can improve, make changes, and learn the rules.  It is difficult to do what is right if we don’t know what is right.  We must know the traffic laws so we don’t cause accidents and get tickets.  We must know the Bible so we can get to heaven and combat false teachings (1 John 4:1).  No matter what subject we are talking about, I hope we never get stale in our learning.  Especially in our Christian walk, let’s not get stale (Proverbs 1:7).  Let’s continue to learn God’s laws and read His book.  The “Final Test” on judgment day will be a difficult one (John 12:48; Matthew 7:21-23).  Are you ready?

P.S. The answer to the first question is: Stop if it is safe.

The 2 Causes of Misery

What causes people to be unhappy in this life?  Dr. Jeffrey Bernstein sought to answer this exact question.  Bernstein is a licensed psychologist and has worked with individuals, couples, and families for over twenty years.  It was from this vast experience that he came up with the two main reasons why people were miserable in this life (SOURCE).  Here were his 2 reasons.

1. Overly Wanting What You Don’t Have.
2. Overly NOT Wanting What You Do Have.

Even though these may not be the only two reasons, they certainly include most cause of misery.  If nothing else it, these two points should get us thinking about our own lives.  Every day people are being consumed by unhealthy thoughts about the things they have and desires for things they don’t.  Let’s look at a few common examples.

Overly Wanting…

• Money.
• Power.
• Success.
• Beauty.
• Love.

Overly NOT Wanting…

• Your marriage.
• Your spouse.
• Your children.
• Your home.
• Your job.

People have driven themselves into the deepest pits of misery by focusing on these aspects.  All of this can be summed up in the word “selfishness.”  All of these desires are self-centered.  It is all about what makes “me” happy, and what makes “me” better.  So, how can we combat these desires of ours?  It all comes down to being content with ourselves and what we have.

Paul put it best by saying, “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.  I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13).

Overly seeking something we don’t have can lead to a very miserable life.  Learning to be content is one of the secrets to happiness.  No one is perfect and no life is perfect.  There is always something to improve, but we can’t let those desires consume us.  Let’s learn to look on the positive side.  Let’s learn to look at the good points, and learn to love the blessings God has placed in our lives.

3 Reasons Why Judgment Day is NOT Tomorrow

I don’t know what your plans were for tomorrow or even next week, but if you are Harold Camping, you are not making any.  See, according to Camping, Jesus is coming back tomorrow at 6:00 PM.  Jesus’ return will spark the ending of the world and people either going to heaven or hell.  His bold predictions have generated worldwide attention.  Over the last couple of years he has published adds, put messages on about 2,2000 billboards, and his followers have traveled everywhere handing out fliers and telling others about his prediction.  Despite these predictions, rest assured that Jesus will not come tomorrow.  Here are 3 reasons why:

1. Camping’s Previous Prediction.  That’s right, this isn’t the first time Camping has predicted a Judgment Day.  The last date he predicted was September 6, 1994.  I don’t think we need much convincing that he was dead wrong.  But just like all of the others who have predicted this before him, he claimed it was a “miscalculation.”  I have a feeling another “miscalculation” excuse is right around the corner as well.  Scripture tells us to test prophets and teachers to see if they are from God (Deuteronomy 18:22; 1 John 4:1).  Camping has already disproved himself.

2. Jesus Didn’t Even Know the Time.  Matthew 24:36 says, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”  So, who do we suppose should be included in “no one”?  The angels didn’t know when Judgment was.  Not even Jesus Christ was privy to such information.  So, why does Harold Camping think he is the exception?  The bottom line is, he isn’t.  Camping’s predictions will not come true tomorrow, because no one, and I do mean no one, knows when Judgment Day will be other than God.

3. The Thief in the Night.  1 Thessalonians 5:2 states, “For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.”  As much as we would like to know when a thief will strike, we just don’t.  The Judgment Day will be just like this.  We cannot know when the Lord is coming.  People can tell us which day they think the Lord is coming as much as they like, but Scripture is quite clear on this topic.  Judgment day is going to sneak up and be surprising to many people.  Tomorrow would not be a surprise.  This prediction just doesn’t match with Scripture.

Jesus summed up this entire discussion by simply saying, “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will” (Matthew 24:42-44).

Many people are going to be looking for Judgment Day tomorrow…and they will all be disappointed.  God has stated very clearly that we “do not know when the Lord is coming” and that He will come “at an hour when you do not think He will.”  So, since people are expecting Him to come tomorrow, we know Judgment Day will not be tomorrow.

However, we must continue to remember that we don’t know the day.  It will not be tomorrow, but it could be today.  Or it could be on Sunday.  No matter what day He does come, we must always be ready.  Let’s live our lives ready for that wonderful day when He does finally come.

“Pass It On”

Home improvement is a never-ending battle.  It seems like there is always something to improve and something to fix.  In my latest home improvement project, I had to buy a large piece of wood.  Now, in the past I have had to buy large pieces of wood before and have by some miracle been able to fit them into my tiny 1991 Honda Accord.  Unfortunately, this time I was not so lucky.  So, there I sat in the Lowe’s parking lot, racking my brain for a way to get this piece of wood home.  I thought about putting it on top of my car and backing up the traffic as I made my way down Belleview at a snails pace.  I thought about calling up some friends with significantly larger vehicles.  None of these options were appealing at the moment.  So in the end, I went up to an older couple with a truck and just asked the man if he would mind hauling this piece of wood to my house for me.  He seemed a little hesitant at first, but he agreed.

A few minutes later we arrived outside my house.  I got out of my car, thanked the man sincerely, and offered him some money for his help.  The man threw up his hands, refused the money and said something I don’t think I will ever forget.  He said, “People have done things like this for me in the past.  You just make sure you do something good for someone else.  Make sure you pass it on.”  I don’t know anything about this man, but in the moment this really made an impression on me.  What a great attitude.

As I got to thinking about this, I realized that this is the exact attitude we should have as Christians.  Unfortunately, I have seen men like this have a more Christ-like attitude that people who carry the name “Christian.  We must remember the words of Galatians 6:10: “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”  This Scripture is talking about this “pass it on” type of attitude that we should have.

As Christians, we should seek to help others and “pass it on.” We can make huge impressions on people if we are looking for opportunities to do good.  Hopefully by doing so we can make the biggest impression of all by showing them the good news about Christ.  Let’s always remember to have a “pass it on” attitude.  There is no telling how much good will come from it.

“Work Will Make You Free”

We are all very familiar with the Holocaust and the horrifying events that happened.  However, I came across another detail today that really stood out.  Within several of the Nazi concentration camp (Auschwitz I for example), posted up for everyone to see were the words, “Arbeit macht frei.”  These words translate as, “Work will make you free.”  What a mockery!  What lies!  I can’t imagine how shallow and spineless these words must have appeared to the millions that were eliminated in these concentration camps.  Working hard did not grant the prisoners their freedom.  Yet, these were the poisonous words people in these concentration camps saw every day.

We are grateful that this sickening period of time is over, but as we begin to look around spiritually, there is a very sad realization.  Satan and this culture has put up bright, flashing signs that say things like, “Work will make you free,” “Your job will make you free.”  Others say, “Being a good person will make you free” or “Money will make you free.”  And still others say, “Fame will make you free” or “Beauty will make you free.”  While these may provide some sort of “freedom” from poverty or mediocrity, they are all missing the point.  People everywhere are being imprisoned by their sins (Romans 6).  This is what we need freedom from!

So this begs the question, “How can we be free from sin?”  Jesus answered this in John 8:31-32, “…If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”  The truth is that Jesus is the Son of God and by continuing to obey His words in the Bible, we will be free from our imprisonment to sin (Romans 6; 1 Peter 3:21).

Let’s not be deceived by what our culture says about freedom and happiness.  In the end it is nothing but lies.  The only thing that can truly grant happiness and freedom from the imprisonment of sin is Christ Jesus and His sacrifice.  Let’s continue to follow what we know to truly give freedom: God’s Word.

Shining the Light

For months now our congregation has been emphasizing the “Think Souls” motto.  We have had many classes, sermons, articles, retreats, and lectureships to help us be more evangelistic.  However, sometimes we can get caught up in all of the details of getting Bible studies and inviting friends to church that we forget about one of the most evangelistic tools of all, just being a good Christian example.

At one point Benjamin Franklin was trying to interest the people of Philadelphia in street lighting.  He didn’t just persuade people by talking about it though.  What he did was hang a beautiful lantern in front of his home.  He would keep the glass clean and polished and made sure to light it every evening.  People noticed this light from far away and would walk in the light to help avoid obstacles.  People quickly saw the benefits of such lighting and began putting lanterns outside their homes as well.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Let’s remember that when people see a genuine Christian example, they are going to be drawn to the light we are shining.  When people look at us and see the peace, joy, and hope we have, hopefully they will want to have that as well.  The ultimate goal is for others to see our example and decide to glorify God in their lives as well.  However, is our example consistent with what we want other people to do?  Let make sure we are “Thinking Souls” in all we do, especially in the way we “Shine the Light.”

The Little Things

An unknown author said, “Nothing is too big for my God to accomplish, and nothing is too little for Him to use in accomplishing it!”  It’s amazing how true this is.  Throughout Scripture we see situations where people were met with what seemed like impossible odds.  But then God takes something small and insignificant and does something amazing.

One example of this is with Gideon (Judges 7).  Gideon was going after a very mighty army.  Notice what Judges 7:12 says about this enemy, “Now the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the sons of the east were lying in the valley as numerous as locusts; and their camels were without number, as numerous as the sand on the seashore.”  Clearly this enemy was massive in number, but God used the little things to win the battle.  God took 300 men and had them carry a trumpet, a pot, and a torch.  Using these trivial objects, the 300 men sent the enormous army into a panic and they began killing each other.  Soon after, the huge army was taken down by some allies as they fled.  God took trumpets, pots, torches, and 300 men to take down an army that was “as numerous as the sand on the seashore.”

Another example of this is with David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17).  There was no one in the camp of Israel who had the courage to stand up to Goliath.  He was as fearsome of an enemy as there ever was.  But what did God use to provide the victory?  A rock.  All it took was one rock and Goliath was down.  Seeing their champion was down, the Philistines began running for their lives, many of the Philistines were killed as they ran, and Israel ended up winning a great victory over a though enemy.  God took a rock to take down Goliath and to give the Philistines into Israel’s hand.

A final example is with Christ (John 19).  As we all known, our dear Savior was ridiculed, tortured, and killed on the cross.  Christ’s death is the single most significant event of all time.  It is because of Jesus’ sacrifice that people are able to be saved from sin and eternal punishment (Romans 5:8-9; 1 John 1:7; John 3:16).  But what did God use to accomplish something so astounding?  A cross.  God took some wood and nails, and used them to win the greatest victory ever, the victory over sin.

Truly, “Nothing is too big for my God to accomplish, and nothing is too little for Him to use in accomplishing it!”  God has taken small and insignificant items and used them to accomplish things that are eternally significant.  Nothing that we go through, or problems we have, are ever too big for God to handle.  Let’s have greater trust and faith in the Lord, because our God is an awesome God!