Category Archives: Christians

February 1, 2010 · 7:01 am

Why All The Outrage To Pat Robertson’s Remarks About Haiti? (Part 4)

Click on the following for earlier articles in the series: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

Paul said to Festus, “This has not been done in a corner.”

Paul’s remark referred to the ministry, trial, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. You see, everyone in Jerusalem knew about Jesus and His ministry. It was not carried out in secret. Thus, Jesus’ words were trumpeted via Jewish grapevines into every Jerusalem home.

Now, because of this awareness, the apostles and believers had great favor with the people after the ascension of Christ (Spring, 30 AD). The Apostles taught daily at a Temple colonnade and held healing services in the streets.

This tenuous status quo lasted for almost five years. Then, with the martyrdom of Stephen, Saul and Jewish leaders brutally persecuted the Christians. The bloody campaign caused many believers in Jerusalem to relocate to other cities in Judea and Samaria, but the original apostles stayed behind.

The persecution by Jewish leaders lasted for the next twenty-nine years in an on-again and off-again fashion. Ironically, Saul became the Apostle Paul, and then received the heaviest persecution from the Jews for his work with the Gentiles. And the apostles in Jerusalem – Peter, James and John – eventually achieved a peace of sorts with Temple leaders.

From 35 AD until 64 AD, Jerusalem Christians assembled in home churches, but Jerusalem Christianity still had a distinct Jewish flavor about it. Some writers even refer to Jerusalem’s brand of Christianity as “Temple Christianity” to distinguish it from Paul’s Christianity.

As for the Roman leaders, they paid little attention to Christians and considered them a small sect of Judaism during this time period.

All of this changed in 64 AD when Nero began persecuting Christians and in 66 AD when Jewish zealots openly fought Roman armies.

Okay, all of the above history helps lay the groundwork for a powerful prophecy concerning the siege of Jerusalem:

In 66 AD or 67 AD, depending on what source you read, a Christian gave a prophetic word to the Jerusalem church. In the word, believers were reminded of Jesus’ prophecy and warned anew about the upcoming devastation of Jerusalem and advised to move out of the city.

By early 69 AD, all the Christians heeded the prophecy, left their homes, their livelihoods and their Jewish friends, and relocated to Pella (a city sixty miles northeast of Jerusalem) and other Transjordan cities.

The result of this prophecy was that none of the Christians perished in the siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

Let’s look at this prophetic word:

1. Who was the prophecy intended for? People living in Jerusalem.

2. What audience heard the prophecy? Christians.

Remember: According to Josephus, one-third of Jerusalem (population 120,00) converted to Christianity. So, as forty-thousand Christians packed up and left the city, the other eighty-thousand residents watched on.

Even though the prophecy was given to Christians, believers certainly would have explained to their neighbors why they were leaving. They would have mentioned both prophecies and tried to convince their Jewish friends and neighbors to leave, too. The neighbors then would have told others. On and on, until the whole city knew the reason for the Christian exodus: a prophecy about the soon coming destruction of Jerusalem.

But sadly, at the time, the Jewish zealots were winning the war with Rome. And after all, Jerusalem was the City of God and the Jews were God’s chosen people. Thus, very few Jews listened to the Christians.

So, when the Siege of Jerusalem happened in 70 AD, all had been warned ahead of time about the upcoming calamity.

(Continued in Part 5)

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January 27, 2010 · 9:30 am

Why All The Outrage To Pat Robertson’s Remarks About Haiti? (Part 2)

Click on the following for an earlier article in the series: Part 1.

The siege of Jerusalem which I used as a time warp short story in Part 1 is the New Testament’s clearest example of God’s divine judgment being prophesied to a specific people, and then, falling upon them. The actual siege occurred in 70 AD, nearly forty years after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.

Let’s look at the facts as we know them today:

In Jesus’ time, the Romans had already been occupying Jerusalem for approximately ninety years. The Roman rule was harsh and exacted heavy taxes from the Jewish citizens. And of course, the Jews hated the Romans. Prosperity for most Jews would have been measured in the simplest of terms: food and a place to sleep.

The average Jewish male in 30 AD lived to the age of 42 years old while females lived to an average age of 38 years. Half of the Jewish children died before they were five years old. 90% of the people could not read and 95% could not write. Fifty per cent of the people in the Roman Empire were slaves and lived to an average age of 25 years old. Malnutrition was the single biggest threat to health.

Also, there was a religious revival going on. Herod was rebuilding the Temple to its former glory. (This was not fully completed until 60 AD.) And the Pharisees woke up the Jews to the importance of loving God, loving their neighbors and returning to the strict edicts of the Law and Prophets. They were known as the “hope of Israel.”

Josephus, the historian, estimated there were 120,000 people living in Jerusalem and a total of 3-4 million inhabitants in all of Palestine.

So, with these facts, we can better understand that when Jesus preached the gospel and performed miracles, the Jews were looking for an earthly king. One who would deliver them from the Romans and their everyday miseries.

However, Jesus preached a heavenly kingdom. A message which was so simple; and yet so hard for most Jews to swallow.

As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. (John 6:66)

Still, Josephus estimated that one third of Jerusalem and Palestine converted to Christianity during this time period. Plus, a large number of Pharisees were converted.

These facts should help us have a clearer understanding of the divine judgment carried out on Jerusalem in 70 AD.

(Continued in Part 3)

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January 25, 2010 · 6:40 am

Why All The Outrage To Pat Robertson’s Remarks About Haiti? (Part 1)

Let’s begin with a time warp short story looking back at the year 70 AD from today’s perspective:

The CBS Evening News opened with a shot of Katie Couric sitting at a desk, checking a laptop computer. As the camera zoomed in for a close-up, Couric turned and looked into the camera. Her face lacked its usual toothy smile, noticeable creases appeared under her blue eyes. She was not her usual bouncy self.

“Hi everyone, I’m Katie Couric,” she said. “Well, it’s over. The siege of Jerusalem has finally ended. For more on this tragic story, we go to our CBS Middle East correspondent, Lara Logan. ” Couric pivots to look at a TV monitor, sitting next to the laptop.

A beautiful blond woman, dressed in combat fatigues, appeared on the TV screen. She stood near a demolished wall, holding a microphone. “This is Lara Logan. I’m standing not far from what was the Jewish Temple, the center of Judaism. Earlier today, Roman soldiers under the command of General Titus, stormed the Temple and burned it to the ground.”

She paused as pictures were shown of grisly scenes. Fires burning out of control. Bodies stacked in heaps. Roman soldiers looting and plundering. Other soldiers toppling walls so that not one stone remained atop another.

“Josephus, the Jewish historian, stated that peaceful, unarmed Jewish citizens raised their arms in surrender to the onrushing Roman soldiers, but were butchered anyway. Pregnant woman had stomachs slashed open and their babies ripped out, and then the babies were smashed against walls. Men, women and children of all ages were slaughtered,” said Logan. “All in all, Josephus estimates that the destruction of Jerusalem resulted in 1.1 million people, mainly Jews, being killed or starved to death during the five-month long siege. Another 95,000 Jews were taken captive, to be used as slaves.”

The CBS Evening News switched back to Couric, sitting at her desk. “International leaders today have voiced their disapproval to the barbarity of this slaughter by the Roman soldiers. And at this moment, the U.N. Security Council is voting on a joint resolution, condemning Rome,” she said, looking down at her notes for a moment.

“But one Evangelical leader, Pat Robertson, is taking heat for his remarks about this tragedy,” she said as her eyes narrowed.

Then, a video appeared on the TV screen showing Pat Robertson talking to a young woman on the 700 Club program. “And you know, Christie,” said Robertson, “something happened a long time ago in Israel and the people may not want to talk about it. They were under the heels of the Romans and made a tough decision. And ever since, they have been cursed by one thing or another. They need to have a great turning to God. And out of this tragedy, I’m optimistic that something good may come. Right now, we are helping the suffering people and the suffering is unimaginable.”

Once again, the camera switched back to Couric. “How insensitive and sad for a so-called religious leader to paint Jerusalem and a whole nation as godless and deserving of destruction in one off-the-cuff statement,” she said, shaking her head. Then she added, “But you know, Robertson has a history of controversial statements like this.”

She collected her notes and looked at the camera. “Thanks for joining us and that’s the news for August 1o, 70 AD. Good night.”

So, in this time warp short story, was Pat Robertson insensitive and over the top with his remarks?

(Continued in Part 2)

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January 2, 2010 · 12:48 pm

Got Humor?

On one occasion a friend burst into President Abraham Lincoln’s office to tell him that a brigadier general and twelve army mules had been carried off by the Confederate Army.

“How unfortunate!” said Lincoln. “Those mules cost us two hundred dollars apiece!”

President Lincoln was a serious man who had a sense of humor. He once stated, “If I couldn’t laugh, I wouldn’t be able to last in this office for fifteen minutes.”

I agree with President Lincoln.

Yes, America has serious problems such as terrorism, unemployment, economics, wars, etc. And many of these may come crashing down on our heads, but this does not mean we should just sit around, waiting with long faces and sour attitudes. Yipes!

It’s healthy to laugh, especially at ourselves.

Maybe politicians can’t laugh (especially at themselves) because they’re worried how the media will report their actions. And maybe other leaders have the same fears.

Well, phooey on them. We don’t have to follow their examples. Each of us can learn how to cultivate a sense of humor now. It will pay huge dividends in the months and years ahead.

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. (Proverbs 17:22 NLT)

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December 31, 2009 · 3:12 pm

2009 Sucked! How’s 2010 Look?

The day after 911 occurred, several ministry leaders announced, “This is a judgment from the Lord…because of America’s sins of abortion and homosexuality.”

Only hours later, every ministry leader recanted of his statements.

Why did they withdraw their words? Was 911 not a judgment of the Lord? Or was it not a judgment on abortion and homosexuality? Which was it?

Last year, a ministry head prophesied that 2009 would be a disastrous year for the American economy and employment. Then he added, “The economy and employment picture will turn around at the end of the year.”

Why did he add that the economy and employment picture would straighten out at the end of 2009?

The answer for all of the above questions can be expressed in one word: money.

The leaders’ views concerning 911 stopped the phones from ringing. No more kaChing at the cash registers. So, in order to keep fighting the good fight (with money in hand), they stuck their tails between their legs and recanted.

And how much money would you donate if you believed the economy was sliding into a depression without any hope in sight? Not much, right? Thus, the leader added some light at the end of the tunnel. “Keep those checks coming folks! Because everything will turn out well toward the latter part of 2009!”

Hey, all of the secularists and pagans have labeled us church-going Christians as money-hungry whores for years, haven’t they? And guess what? For the most part, they’re right!

2009 sucked, right? And the biggest reason was that finances were sucked out of the economy for not only the present time period, but also for our futures. Trillions of dollars gone!

So what about 2010? How’s the year look?

2010 will make 2009 look like the good old days. You remember the good old days, don’t you? That’s back when everything was much, much better than now!

America’s economic slide will continue in 2010. Many trillions more will be sucked out of the economy. Churches and ministries by the thousands will close their doors – not enough kaChing to keep their engines running.

You see, 911 was a judgment of the Lord, but not on the sins of homosexuality and abortions. It was a judgment on the American Church.

And sadly, the Church has not repented of our money-hungry ways as yet.

For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17)

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December 24, 2009 · 8:18 am

Want To Make A Difference Today?

Everyone loves heroes; and I’m no different. But my heroes don’t dribble basketballs, swing baseball bats or act in movies. Mine are those who actually make a difference in other people’s lives.

Mark and Christine Pedder are two such heroes for me. These Aussies live and work in BASECO, a 60-acre slum located in Manilla, Philippines. One look at the above picture will tell you it’s not prime real estate.

If you want more information on the couple’s ministry, check out Mark’s blog; and be sure to look at the pictures. They will grab your heart.

Now, the purpose of this article is to ask you to pray for Christine. She is facing major surgery in January.

So, if you can, take a moment and pray for a miracle healing for Christine.

Remember the Poor This Christmas

On September 5, 1997, Mother Teresa of Calcutta died. Her legacy of how one believer – backed by God – can make a difference in the world is still something to ponder on today.

Something Beautiful for God, by Malcolm Muggeridge, describes Mother Teresa’s first act as a missionary to the poor in Calcutta.

She was walking down a Calcutta street, wondering where she should go and what she should do. She glanced toward a gutter and saw a dying beggar being chewed on by rats. Other people walked past the man and ignored his agony.

Mother Teresa chased off the rats, picked up the man and carried him to a hospital. There she was told that the hospital did not care for dying indigents. She was ordered to leave. Refusing to obey their commands, she caused such a ruckus, the hospital decided to make an exception that one time. The man ended up dying on a clean bed with Mother Teresa sitting next to him.

It was this experience which framed her ministry for her next forty-nine years.

Mother Teresa’s quotes still inspire believers today:

“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.”

“Each one of them [the poor] is Jesus in disguise.”

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.”

“It is a kingly act to assist the fallen.”

“We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.”

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December 19, 2009 · 11:56 am

Charles Finney’s Words Still Ring True Today

Charles Finney (1792 – 1895) was the most well-known preacher of the Second Great Awakening. His use of extemporaneous preaching and the “anxious seat” were innovative evangelistic tools for his day.

When the revival fires died down, he became a professor, and later the president of Oberlin College. It was his abolitionist influence which caused the college to be among the first in America to co-educate blacks and women with white men.

In 1857, Charles Finney was asked what he thought of the Businessman’s Prayer Revival. His words still ring true today:

We have had preaching enough, now it is time to pray. (Charles Finney)

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December 17, 2009 · 8:31 am

A Great Quote From An Awesome Lady of God

Kathryn Kuhlman (1907 – 1976) is an example of a believer who fearlessly paid the price to walk in the service of the Lord.

Her unique ministry shifted the focus of the Church from the outward show of the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit back to the Giver of the Gifts, the Holy Spirit.

She was known as the “woman who believed in miracles.”

My favorite Kuhlman quote is:

“Lord, if you can use nothing, then use me. (Kathryn Kuhlman)

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December 15, 2009 · 9:04 am

Can One Person Make A Difference?

Claire at One Passion One Devotion listed the following video on her list of a Thousand Things. It is about one man who made a commitment to do something for the Lord. It’s awesome!