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On Fire

11/27/2017

 
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Hollywood and Washington DC are on fire!​

Daily we learn of new accusations of sexual misdeeds against actors, members of the media, and politicians.  Living in a self-made world absent of absolutes, the perpetrators of these acts are undoubtedly shocked to find the court of public opinion has turned against them.  

How can this be?  How can a society that discarded the idea of absolute truth suddenly agree there is such a thing as right and wrong?  How can a society that praises the likes of Hugh Hefner denounce the likes of Harvey Weinstein?  How can a society that scoffs at the notion of morality claim to take the moral high ground?  The inconsistencies and hypocrisies are breathtaking.

As Abraham viewed from a distance the columns of smoke rising over the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, we observe as the careers of guilty celebrities and public figures go up in flames and down in ashes.  The irony of the whole thing is stunning.  Those who sought to influence and govern the way we live have failed the test in their own lives.

So how did we arrive at this point?  Rejecting the concept of absolute truth, people have lived without rules of any kind, especially rules regarding morality.  Casting aside traditional mores as puritanical, narrow-minded and archaic, modern society has embraced the same error of ancient Israel, “In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes” (Judges 21:25).

For years people have lived without boundaries.  They have colored outside the lines and have been swift to condemn anyone who called attention to the fact as judgmental.  But the winds of public opinion have shifted and many are learning the lesson Christians have known all along, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).

In the crazy world of relativism, what used to be unacceptable can become acceptable.  What used to be acceptable can become unacceptable.  The rules can change in the middle of the game and without notice.  Penalties are then enforced not only for future, but past infractions.  It all depends on the changing climate of popular opinion.

As guilty as they may be, it is sad to watch as people come up against the hard reality of Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”  Paul said, “But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all” (1 Corinthians 12:31).

The best way is God’s way which is based on absolute truth.  Embracing absolute truth isn’t just smart, it’s safe!  Right is always right.  Wrong is always wrong.   Don’t depend on Hollywood, the media, or Washington DC for a definition.  When it comes to absolute truth, there is only one place to look, “All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal” (Psalm 119:160). 

Build your life on the sure foundation of the God’s Word.  It never changes, and it never fails!

Pastor Todd Weston

A changed mind

11/20/2017

 
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Have you ever changed your mind?  People do it all the time.  I was going to do this, but decided to do that.  I was going to go here, but decided to go there.  I was going to wear this, but decided to wear that.  We change our minds on a daily basis.


Even Jude tells us he originally planned to write on the theme of salvation, but decided (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) to deal with the subject of contending for the faith (Jude 3).  I was going to write an article today on the subject of prayer, but changed my mind. 

I believe it’s agreed that we change our minds on multiple occasions and on multiple subjects.  But what I really want to know is if you have ever changed your mind.  Have you changed the way you think?  Have you experienced a changed mind?

In Philippians 4:8 Paul talks about our thinking.  He does so because the way we think effects the way we live.  The proverb writer said it, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). 

Having just told us to worry about nothing but pray about everything (v6), and how God’s peace will protect our minds (v7), Paul follows it up with this, “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” (v8).

Among other things, that verse says God has given us the gift of choice.  We have the God-given ability to choose not only what we are going to think about, but how we are going to think.  We can choose to think about what is true, as opposed to what is false.  We can think about what is right, as opposed to what is incorrect.  We can dwell on what is pure, as opposed to what is impure.  We have the ability to look on the bright side rather than the dark side.

To the believers in Rome Paul gave this command, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).  While I do not have the power to transform myself, I do have the ability to change my mind.  I have the ability to obey the command of Philippians 4:8 and “think about such things.” In this way the command of Romans 12:2 is obeyed, for a changed mind results in a transformed life.

It’s been said that there is nothing more powerful than a changed mind.  Obey the command of Philippians 4:8.  Change your mind, and God will change you.

Pastor Todd Weston

Fake News

11/13/2017

 
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We hear a lot today about “fake news.”  Fake news is just that - false information.  In journalism it is deliberate misinformation.  Misleading stories.  Entirely fabricated news intent on deceiving readers and damaging people, organizations, or causes.  

While no one really knows who invented the term, the Bible tells us who created the practice.  Satan himself is the author of fake news.  According to Jesus, “[Satan] has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44 NLT).  Satan is the father of fake news and has employed this devious strategy since the beginning of time.

The first fake news ever propagated by Satan was against God Himself (Genesis 3:1-5).  Sadly, the fabricated story was believed!  Since then the enemy has lied constantly about God’s people.  This stands to reason for Satan (adversary) is also known as the devil (accuser). 

Revelation 12:10 tells us that Satan is the accuser, and believers are the accused.  Satan never accuses his own.  His fiery arrows are aimed exclusively at Christians.  As for the accusations, they are endless.  Satan accused Job of having artificial faith (Job 1:9-11), and Joshua the high priest of being unfit for service (Zechariah 3:1).  

Satan not only accuses us before God, but before the world as well.  Think of all the fake news the enemy has spread about Christians.  According to hell’s press Christians are the most hateful, bigoted people on the planet.

But the accusations don’t stop there.  Satan also accuses us to ourselves.  He loves to remind us of past failures.  He replays the sinful moments.  He tells us our faith isn’t real.  As the adversary, Satan’s accusations are meant to bring us down because he is against us.

Sometimes Satan’s accusations are entirely false.  Sometimes they contain an element of truth.  But Satan is incapable of telling the truth as truth.  When he makes use of the truth it’s only to add a sense of credibility to his story.

Thankfully, we are not left alone.  We have a Defender with a capital “D”!  Satan the accuser is defeated by Jesus the Advocate (1 John 2:1).  Satanic lies wither under the bright light of God’s truth!  And even when there is an element of truth in the accusation, Revelation 12:11 says we overcome by the blood of the Lamb (our covering) and the word of our testimony (our confession).

While we may not be able to stop Satan from spewing fake news, we can overcome it.  “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

Pastor Todd Weston

Second Place

11/6/2017

 
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He is the forgotten man in the parable of the talents that appears in Matthew 25:14-30.

“The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. 
He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. 
He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, 
and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. 
He then left on his trip” (Matthew 25:14-15).

Our attention in the parable is usually drawn to the highly talented man who did well and soared to the top, or the single talent man who ended up wasting what opportunities he was given.  Somehow we skip right over the guy in the middle — the two-talent man.  That is strange because I believe most of us can relate to him.

I realize that statement runs contrary to the ideology of our humanistic society that pushes everybody to be #1 and looks askew at anyone who fails to achieve that lofty goal.  But the plain truth is that a lot of people fill the ranks represented by the two-talent man.

We see this in the Bible.  What do Aaron, Jonathan, John the Baptist, Andrew, Barnabas, and Silas have in common?  They were all second-place men.  While their prominence and talents were not as great as the gifted leaders they were associated with, their success was relatively equal because they faithfully fulfilled their role. 

There are dangers unique to the two-talent calling that must be avoided.  The first is resentment at the thought of being passed over for first place.  Another danger is self-pity which imagines some injustice has been done.  And then there is the danger of resignation.  The parable warns of the consequences of giving up and burying your talent.

So what is the answer?  The answer is to realize that while there may be an inequality of talents and opportunities in life, we are all gifted with something.  We all have a special role to play; a unique task to perform.  Just remember that it is faithfulness that counts in the long run!  As one writer observed, “It is not brilliancy, not genius, not popular acclaim, but utter and absolute devotion to duty, faithfulness without applause, and without recognition that counts.”

Whether you are called to be king, or a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord, embrace with joy that which God has entrusted to your care.  Give it your best and you will hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”​

Pastor Todd Weston

    Pastor Todd

    Lead Pastor
    River of Life
    Assembly of God

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