Mark 3:1-6 NASB He entered again into a synagogue; and a man was there whose hand was withered. (2) They were watching Him to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. (3) He *said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and come forward!” (4) And He *said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?” But they kept silent. (5) After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He *said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. (6) The Pharisees went out and immediately began conspiring with the Herodians against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.

• What motive is presented in this conflict? Is this new (according to Mark)?
• Who were “They”? (verse 6)
• What did Jesus do before he healed the man?
• How did “they” respond to Jesus question?
• What was Jesus feeling, according to Mark? Discuss who he is angry with? Do you recall Jesus getting angry with the gentiles? (Mark 3:4, Mark 10:14-16, Mark 11:15-17)
• How did the Pharisees respond to Jesus healing the man?
• How do you respond to this incident?

Mark 3:7-12 NASB Jesus withdrew to the sea with His disciples; and a great multitude from Galilee followed; and also from Judea, (8) and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and beyond the Jordan, and the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon, a great number of people heard of all that He was doing and came to Him. (9) And He told His disciples that a boat should stand ready for Him because of the crowd, so that they would not crowd Him; (10) for He had healed many, with the result that all those who had afflictions pressed around Him in order to touch Him. (11) Whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they would fall down before Him and shout, “You are the Son of God!” (12) And He earnestly warned them not to tell who He was.

• Consider that people were coming from around 150 miles to see and touch Jesus (see figure below).
• Why were people coming to him? Is that why he came?
• What were the unclean spirits saying and what was Jesus’ response? What does this tell you about Jesus’ mission?

Mark 3:13-20 NASB And He *went up on the mountain and *summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. (14) And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, (15) and to have authority to cast out the demons. (16) And He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter), (17) and James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which means, “Sons of Thunder”); (18) and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot; (19) and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him. (20) And He *came home, and the crowd *gathered again, to such an extent that they could not even eat a meal.

• As the crowds become larger, what does Jesus do?
• What is your impression of the size of the crowds?

Mark 3:21-30 NASB When His own people heard of this, they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, “He has lost His senses.” (22) The scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons.” (23) And He called them to Himself and began speaking to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? (24) “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. (25) “If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. (26) “If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but he is finished! (27) “But no one can enter the strong man’s house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house. (28) “Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; (29) but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”– (30) because they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.” (Mat 12:32)

• How did Jesus refute the Jerusalem scribes claims that Jesus was possessed by Satan and casting out Satan’s demons?
• What did Jesus mean about blaspheme the Holy Spirit? What is the consequence? Why?

Mark 3:31-35 NASB Then His mother and His brothers *arrived, and standing outside they sent word to Him and called Him. (32) A crowd was sitting around Him, and they *said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You.” (33) Answering them, He *said, “Who are My mother and My brothers?” (34) Looking about at those who were sitting around Him, He *said, “Behold My mother and My brothers! (35) “For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother.”

• Who is involved and where are they?
• What would have happened if Jesus responded to His mother and brothers request?
• What was Jesus response?

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Mark 10:14-16 NASB But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. (15) “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” (16) And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.

Mark 11:15-17 NASB Then they *came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; (16) and He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. (17) And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE NATIONS’? But you have made it a ROBBERS’ DEN.”

Matthew 12:29-33 NASB “Or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. (30) “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters. (31) “Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. (32) “Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. (33) “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit.

2Ch 16:9 NIV For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.” This verse is taken from the story of Asa, the king of Judah. During his reign, King Baasha of Israel attacked Judah. Baasha was fortifying Ramah in order to keep anyone from entering or leaving Asa’s territory in Judah. Baasha was creating a blockade and strangling king Asa. Then, in order to put pressure on Baasha, Asa took gold and sliver out of the temple and sent it to a foreign king Ben-Hadad, king of Aram ruling in Damascas. God had told his people not to align with those who were not of the chosen people (Isaiah 31:1-3, Psalm 146:3-6) and also not to trust in man over God (Jer 17:5-6). Instead, God tells us to rely on Him as our savior through difficult times. He is strongest and has proven himself worthy of our trust because of the work he has done in our lives and in the lives of our people ( 2Ch_13:18, 2Ch_32:7, 2Ch_32:8; 2Ki_18:5; 1Ch_5:20, Psa_9:9-10, Psa_37:39-40). However, Asa struck an agreement with Ben Hadad and broke the blockade of his territory and sent Baasha retreating. His decisive action saved the day, but that wasn’t the end of the story. In verse 9, we hear from a “seer” who explains to Asa that he made a serious error. Instead of trusting the Lord to strengthen him, he sought alliances with men. Consequently, he will know nothing but war for the rest of his days. The trouble is how much? The above verses suggest that we are to take refuge in God. But when is taking refuge in God merely an excuse for doing nothing and hoping that the worst just passes by. Asa, in our reference verse, was actively trying to deal with his situation. In fact, the only other source of trust on this earth that he could run to (his own people) were attacking him. What else was left to him but to ally with a gentile nation and king. The question that haunts me is “Who makes the first move?” When do I act and when do I wait for God to act? When I first prayed about this passage, I thought it seemed best just to do nothing but pray that God would intervene. That seems to be the safest approach since if we do anything at all, we have a chance of doing something wrong and angering God. If we do nothing, and just wait on God, then we are safest. But that didn’t seem right. On closer examination of God’s word to Asa through the seer, we see that waiting isn’t the answer. The verse suggest that God’s eyes are ranging throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. I noticed three things about this passage:

1. God is initiating
2. God will strengthen us
3. His strength is given to those whose hearts are fully committed to him

Let’s look at the first point first. God is initiating. Is this a characteristic of God? Is He the initiator in His relationship with men? As I pray about that, Genesis comes to mind. In Genesis, God’s word creates the universe. His breath brings life to Adam (Gen 2:7). He sees that it isn’t right for Adam to be alone (Gen 2:18) and since there was none in all God’s creation suited to be Adam’s helper, God created a new life – woman (Gen 2:20-22).

God selected Israel as his people (Deu 10:15) to love them and bless them and the whole world through them. God initiated the relationship with Abram to draw him from his family to be a new people under God. (Gen 12:1) God chose Joseph who would draw His people to Egypt so they would survive a terrible famine (Gen 45:5-8). Joseph didn’t volunteer for this role. In fact, he was betrayed by his own brothers and taken as a slave, imprisoned, lifted up and served as a leader in Egypt; all according to God’s plan.

God chose Moses and performed many miracles that freed His people from the tyranny of Egypt and into their own land (Deu 4:37). Moses was selected and given the responsibility to lead the Jews out of Egypt despite his own reservations and unwillingness.

Finally, Jesus’ own words reveal that God is again the initiator when He tells the disciples that He chose them; He was the initiator (John 15:16). It was the custom during Jesus time that Rabbis would choose their disciples if they had proven themselves worthy. Jesus turned this custom completely around and chose his disciples instead. (Mar 1:16-20)

Paul understood this well when he told the Thessalonians how God chose those who would be his from the beginning (2Th 2:13). So, we see that God is the initiator.

Next, let’s look at the concept of predestination. This concept has been a struggle for me over the years and what I write now reflects what I have learned and am still struggling with. The key issue for me was whether we have free will or whether all our days are numbered

Therefore, it is clear that God makes the first move. But what is supposed to happen next? Our verse from 2 Chronicles suggest that God’s purpose is to give strength. The first question that comes to mind is that if we were to do nothing but wait, why would God give us strength? It is true that sometimes it requires great strength to wait when our very fiber tells us to do something … anything. But I don’t think that’s the end of it. The verse that brings clarity to this point of strength for me is in Isaiah 40:31 AMP “But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.” Those who hope in Him will have strength and their power renewed. They will rise up as eagles; run and not grow weary; walk and not faint. There is absolutely action here, isn’t there. There is running, walking and even rising up. But the strength to do all this is renewed by God, Himself. But it depends on something very important. Those who “wait” or hope in the Lord.

This leads us to the last point. That God is looking to strengthen those whose heart is fully committed to Him; those who hope in Him. Now, I have to understand what it means to hope in the Lord, or to have my heart fully committed to Him. Asa didn’t learn. He contracted a foot infection (2 Ch 16:12). The scripture explains that he eventually succumbed to this disease because he only sought the help from physicians. Even to his dying breath, he did not first seek help from the Lord but from men. Exo 15:2 (NASB) “The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will extol Him.

Abortion is the taking of an innocent life. Taking a life is the act of killing an otherwise healthy being. Few will dispute that taking the life of an innocent is especially heinous. However, many of those same people will defend abortion as the privilege of the mother over her own personal autonomy and sovereignty.

However, the baby in a mother’s womb is not the mother’s. It is a separate person that depends on the mother’s body for nourishment and protection. There can hardly be a more innocent being than an unborn baby. They have had no opportunity to commit any indiscretion or selfish act, they have not harmed any other. They are completely dependent on another for their life. Abortion is the betrayal of that Holy responsibility of the mother to protect and defend the baby.

Psa 139:13-16 You created the deepest parts of my being. You put me together inside my mother’s body. (14) How you made me is amazing and wonderful. I praise you for that. What you have done is wonderful. I know that very well. (15) None of my bones was hidden from you when you made me inside my mother’s body. That place was as dark as the deepest parts of the earth. When you were putting me together there, (16) your eyes saw my body even before it was formed. You planned how many days I would live. You wrote down the number of them in your book before I had lived through even one of them.

New International Version

Often, abortion defenders who are eager to rationalize their position based on a religious foundation, refer to Exodus 21:22 as proof.

(Exo 21:22) “If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows.

New International Version

Some translations replace prematurely with miscarriage or, as in the King James Version, it is translated “…so that her fruit depart from her…”. In this case, the abortion advocates suggest that the unborn baby is valued less than a real person. They argue that a miscarriage due to a fight is only penalized with a fine rather than a similar case that might require a life for a life. Unfortunately, Exodus 21:23-25 dispute that fact.

Exo 21:23-25 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, (24) eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, (25) burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

New International Version

Reading two more verses clearly suggests that if there is serious injury to the baby, there are to be equally serious consequences.

As I see our state jerk radically left in the last election cycle, I’m feeling discouraged and apprehensive about what comes next. Our state’s left party has spent the last 4 years under our Republican Governor submitting hundreds of costly and radical bills that, thankfully, our Governor vetoed. In the 2025 legislative session, he vetoed 157 bills, amended 159 and signed 599 into law (making him the Governor with the most vetoes in the last 30 years). Now, our state is facing an impending constitutional amendment put forth by the Democrats that will make abortion a constitutional right. This goes to vote in the next few years, now under Democratic majority control. Republicans attempted to include in the amendment proposal provisions that required doctors to give life-saving care to aborted babies who were still alive. However, as you might have already guessed, the Democrats voted it down. So the amendment will enshrine in the constitution the right to abort babies and make sure they die even if they are still alive after the procedure.

Facing even greater egregious actions and laws from the newly radicalized Democrat Party, I’m sick in my spirit. Thankfully, when this happens, I have a place to go. After feeling despair and anger for a few days, I finally decide to look to God for answers. I know, I should have done that first, but my typical cycle is to wallow in my own self pity and anguish for a while before I do what I should have done first. So, in this spirit of redirecting my attention to things of heaven, here is what I found. I pray this helps you, too.

Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s

Mark 12:13-17 is particularly poignant to me because, as the Pharisees were asking Jesus their questions about paying taxes to Rome, they were a militarily occupied nation. They had a foreign ruler claim dominion over their nation and were asking Jesus to take a position on that foreign rule. Can you imagine how we would feel having Russia as our rulers and they demanded that we pay taxes to Russia? Not just taxes, but often onerous taxes. The Romans hired Jews to collect taxes. The Roman employed tax collectors would add their preferred profit to the Roman taxes which yielded a system of corruption, graft and extortion; making the taxation matter even worse (Zaccheus – Luke 19:1-10).

Jesus, when asked if the Jews should pay taxes to the occupying Romans, said to give to Caesar what is his and to God what is his? Let’s break that down. What is Caesar’s? To better understand the biblical lessons for that, I took a look at Daniel 2:19-21. There, Daniel is challenged to tell the King, Nebuchadnezzar, his dream and its meaning. Again, Israel is occupied and the Jewish leaders and their children are taken captive into Babylon. The King is trying to groom these Jewish leaders into the ways of the Babylonians and to lose their Jewish identities. Daniel is compliant with the King. He lives in Babylon but retains his identity as a Jew. He worships his God, he observes God’s law, but obeys the earthly rule of the King. He does this because he knows that God removes Kings and appoints Kings. God is in charge of the times and gives wisdom to the wise; no matter what country or party.

Application

So, it seems that God has a plan and that plan will happen. He will use all of us to his good purpose. He expects us to obey the earthly leaders that He appoints (whether we agree with them or not) but He expects us to obey HIM FIRST. He is the top of our kingdom and all other leaders and concerns are below Him. If earthly leaders expect us to violate God’s law and will, we respectfully disobey (just as Daniel did).

Work within the government to cause change

Esther, a Jewish girl, became Queen of the lands between India and Ethiopia. She didn’t behave as Daniel did but rather settled in to the role of Queen. There is no mention of her obedience to God. In fact, the book of Esther never mentions the word God at all. Instead it unusual coincidences and circumstances behind the scenes to show God at work.

Esther held her own people in high regard and, with coaching from Mordecai, she risked her life and position (as her predecessor Vashti had done) by working within the norms of her position to effect great influence and impact. She arranged for private meals with her King and her adversary, Haman. She did not disobey government authority but worked within it to allow her people to defend themselves against the threatening edict sponsored by Haman. (Esther 7:1-4)

Application

We, as citizens of our country are under obligation to obey its laws. We are to be gentle as doves but wise as serpents (Matthew 10:16 as Esther). She worked within the limited options she had available under Persian law to have great influence. In this way, we are able to participate in political structures to guide them to God’s truth and to protect our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Joseph

It’s all about God, not just politics

Elijah is an amazing example of trusting God. Through his prophetic life, he spoke God’s word to his people, trying to bring them back to him. Elijah’s greatest challenge was during King Ahab’s rule. Ahab and Jezebel were high examples of Israel losing their way and welcoming idol worship. Elijah, through God’s prophecy proclaimed that no rain would fall in Israel unless by his word (1Kings 17:1-5). When he later met the King Ahab (who had the right to have Elijah killed) welcomed Elijah with “Is this you, the cause of disaster to Israel?” (1Kings 17:17). Elijah then challenged the prophets of Baal (those whom Jezebel and Ahab supported) to bring two oxen. One will be offered to Baal and the other to the God of Abraham. He told them to not bring fire so that the true God will bring his own fire for the sacrifice. The 450 prophets of Baal prayed prayed, called out, raved, limped about their sacrifice and cut themselves to no avail (1Kings 17:26-29). Elijah even trash-talked the Baal prophets, taunting them along the way. Elijah then prayed a simple prayer to God… “Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. Answer me, Lord, answer me, so that this people may know that You, Lord, are God, and that You have turned their heart back.” (1Kings 17:36-37). God answered with fire that consumed the oxen and the water soaked stones and wood.

Elijah’s courage even extended after Jezebel called for Elijah’s death. He fled to the desert to die because of his great fear of Jezebel’s wrath. This proves the reality of the risks he took in standing up for God in the face of the pagan leadership and culture of Israel at that time. Elijah then prayed to God who whispered to him that God had more for Elijah to do. At that, Elijah got up left there. (1Kings 18:15-19)

What a great demonstration of standing in courage against ungodliness. Elijah stood strong, spoke the word of God and did as God commanded. Even when he was down and afraid, Elijah sought God, listened and obeyed Him. That is a model for us. We need to stand against ungodliness and hostility toward God by showing those around us the power and glory of God. We have even more than Elijah had, we have the Holy Spirit in each of us who raised Jesus from the grave and we have our brother, Jesus Christ seated at the right hand of God on our behalf. Let’s act like that and bring His good news to those around us.

Romans 2 is a wonderful chapter that contrasts with Paul’s description of unrighteous men. He articulates all the sins and ungodly behavior or those who do not honor God (Romans 1:21). Then, in Romans 2, Paul explains that we have no excuse. Every sin has been clearly laid out as detestable and worthy of God’s judgment. Every sin is we, His creation, missing the mark of what God wants for us. Sin feeds on sin to capture mankind and keep him separated from God. What strikes me, is Paul particularly calls out those of us who judge (Romans 2:1). We condemn ourselves when we pass judgment on those who commit the very sins that we commit.

First, Paul attacks one reason why we may do this. Do we suppose that when we judge others for the same sins that we commit, that we will escape God’s judgment (Romans 2:3)? If we accuse another of lust while lusting ourselves, that somehow God will not notice that same sin in ourselves? Maybe, as Paul suggests, there’s another justification. Perhaps, we presume on God’s kindness and forbearance? We are counting on God’s deep well of patience with us that he will just keep that patience flowing no matter what we do and no matter how long we do it (Romans 2:4). Paul explains that God’s patience and kindness to us is meant to turn us to repentance. Repentance means that we turn away from the sin we submitted to and walk away from it. Our God is not going to spring judgment on us at the first moment of weakness that we show. No, he is patient so that we can repent and change our path.

I’m struck when I think about this hitting me in my life. I have no excuse because I know what I’ve done and how my deeds are sinful. I have repented of those sins and continue to repent but I sometimes find myself right back in that same sin again; having to repeat the cycle. However, when I see another committing a sin that I’ve chosen to forget in my own life, I can be so indignant. My attitude has been critical and judgmental of another because I so clearly see their sin but forget that I have done the same, maybe worse. It takes a Godly relationship in my wife to remind me, “Don’t you know that you did the same thing? Don’t you remember?”

I am crushed. That is the hand of God touching me and reminding me of where I come from so I can be a better Christian to those around me. That is my Nathan (2 Sam 12:1-7a) moment. It is so easy to be self-righteous. Just like David, I need to have Godly people in my life reminding me that I am nothing without Jesus and His Holy Spirit in me. Even Jesus asked the question “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” (Mark 10:18). If Jesus said that, who am I to make any claim to be good?

Unfortunately, all too often, teachings stop here. We learn how weak, wrong, and reckless we are without seeing the other side of the coin. Sure, that is all true but don’t forget who we are IN CHRIST; those who have accepted Jesus as their savior and who give Him Lordship over their lives (from: https://onlyjesusministry.com/who-we-are-and-what-we-have-in-christ/):

• You are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• You are complete in Him (Ephesians 2:5)
• You are God’s masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10)
• You are a child of God (1 John 3:1, John 1:12)
• You are righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 5:19)
• You are dearly loved by God (Colossians 3:12, 1 John 3:1)
• You are forgiven of all your sins (Eph 1:7, Col 2:13, 1 John 1:7)
• You are accepted in Him (Ephesians 1:6)
• You are redeemed from the curse of the law (Gal 3:13-14)
• You are blessed (Galatians 3:9, Ephesians 1:3)
• You are chosen (1 Thessalonians 1:4, Ephesians 1:4)
• You are called (2 Timothy 1:9)
• You are more than a conquerer (Rom 8:37)
• You are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19)
• You are sanctified (1 Corinthians 1:2)
• You are being changed into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18)
• You are set free (John 8:31)
• You are healed by His wounds (1 Peter 2:24)
• You are free from condemnation (Romans 8:1)
• You are a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)
• You are free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2)
• You are an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20)
• You are reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:18, Romans 5:10)
• You are joint-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17)
• You are under grace (Rom 6:15)
• You are dead to sin (Rom 6:2)
• You are alive with Christ (Eph 2:5)
• You are a slave to righteousness (Romans 6:18)
• You are seated with Christ (Eph 2:6)
• You are the light (Ephesians 5:8, Matthew 5:14)
• You are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13)
• You are one with Christ (John 17:21, 1 John 4:17)
• You are strong in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10)
• You are strengthened with all power (Colossians 1:11)
• You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)
• You are victorious (Revelation 12:11)
• You are enriched in everyway (1 Corinthians 1:5)
• You are never alone (Heb 13:5)
• You are owned by God (1 Cor 6:20)
• You are zealous for good works (Titus 2:14)
• You are priests and kings (1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6)
• You are sealed by the Spirit (Ephesians 1:13)
• You are under God’s training and loving discipline (Hebrews 12:4-13, Titus 2:11-12)
• You are God’s possession (Ephesians 1:14)
• You are bought with a high price and the precious blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Peter 1:19)

Over the last few months, I’ve seen various social media comments that state something like this:

America has lost it’s mind because:

• People who say there’s no such thing as gender are demanding a female President
• Boys can compete with girls and win as long as they think they are girls
• Universities that advocate equality discriminate against Asian Americans in favor of African Americans
• Criminals are caught and released but stopping them while robbing stores is bad because it’s a violation of their rights
• One president demanded and got quid pro quo from Ukraine while another who suggests it is impeached
• Immigrants with TB and polio are welcome but Americans have to prove they are vaccinated from COVID-19 to keep their jobs
• Five billion dollars for border security is too expensive but one and a half trillion for free healthcare is not
• If you cheat to get your kid into college you go to prison, but if you cheat to get into the country you go to college for free

While we may debate some of these points, I think it is fair to say that our American liberal culture does seem to have lost its collective mind. What does the Bible have to say about this?

I think Paul addresses this in Romans 1:16-22a. He explained that believers in Jesus have the righteousness of God; revealing truth. Unfortunately, those whose ungodliness produces unrighteousness ultimately suppress truth. They are under the wrath of God. Without accepting Jesus, they are subject to their own artificially created righteousness which leads to depravity, sin and foolishness. Those who reject God and continue to reject Him, He gives over to their own lusts, impurity, dishonor. This is where Paul gets into the detail of the fruits of unrighteousness including sexual immorality of women with women and men with men (Romans 1:26-27). God also left them to exist with a “debased mind” so they would do whatever should not be done including evil, covetousness, malice, gossip, slander, hating God, insolence, pridefulness, boastfulness, inventors of evil, disobedience to parents, foolishness, faithlessness, heartlessness and ruthlessness. Most relevant to what we see now, Paul describes that, even though they know the fruits of this behavior is death, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them (Romans 1:28-32). One simple example of this is PRIDE month; celebrating and honoring the debasement of men, women and children.

This behavior is not unique to our country today, but was also symptomatic of Christians during Paul’s time who lost their way and rejected God. Even though Paul is describing the God-rejecting people of his time, it sounds like he is giving a sermon about today. There’s nothing new to see here but something we must learn about from history. We must not reject God and his son Jesus Christ or just look around to see the consequences.

So what should we learn from this? I learn that I should not look to this world for hope. There are wonderful, righteous Christians around me and I am grateful to God for them, but I cannot expect the worldly systems to change unless they accept Jesus. I tend to get angry or overwhelmingly sad when I see such injustice and foolishness from the media, political leaders, Olympics, even some Church leaders. Anger won’t help. My job is to help them to see Jesus as their only hope. No laws, policies, or regulations will help. The only solution is for them to turn to God and our savior Jesus Christ, repent from their sin and seek His face. “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14). That is a promise from God that will only come when WE (believers in God; not the unbelievers) call on Him, humble ourselves, pray and seek His face. He won’t respond with healing the land when we vote, boycott, protest, yell, get angry. No! He promises to respond when we humble ourselves and pray to Him.

That helps me SO MUCH. I pray it helps you, too.

As federal election season comes to the United States, I ponder what Jesus taught us about our responsibility and engagement in politics. I feel drawn to state my opinion about political candidates in order to share what I believe are Christian tenants that should drive election choices. I thank God that we have the privilege to vote for our preferred candidates in the United States and that we still have freedoms to enjoy and exercise in our country. However, I am also called to model my life after my Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, so here it goes.

During Jesus time on earth, Rome, a pagan country occupied Jerusalem. Consequently, Jews didn’t live under the Laws from Leviticus and Deuteronomy but rather under Roman law. Many Jews thought a Messiah would save them from foreign occupation and become a king for their land.

As Roman citizens, Jews were under excessive Roman taxation. The tax collectors or publicans were Jews who bought the right from Rome to collect Roman taxes. In fact, Matthew was a publican. These tax collectors earned their living by taxing Jews above the Roman tax rate and pocketing the difference (Luke 3:12-13) (Luke 19:1-10). Jews hated paying taxes to the Roman government but that was the law of the occupying power. So, as a Jew in the politically pagan non-Jewish government of Rome, should Jews pay taxes to a government that oppressed them?

When the Heridonians (those Jews who were in favor of Herod and the Roman Empire rule over Israel) and the Pharisees (those Jewish leaders over the religious lives of the Jews) asked Jesus if he agreed with Roman taxation of the Jews, they were trying to trap him (Mark 12:13-14). If Jesus said no, don’t pay taxes, then he was defying Roman law and the Herodians would go to Caesar and complain about his illegal behavior. If he said yes, then he was against the Pharisees and the Jewish religious leadership. They thought he couldn’t win. Instead, Jesus said “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Mark 12:17).

Jesus clearly answered their question by giving authority to Caesar and to God. It is God who removes kings and establishes kings (Dan 2:21). Since God establishes kings, then we are to respect and be obedient to them. He uses all the world for his good purpose. In fact, God has even used evil nations to reprove his own people (Habakkuk 1:5-6).

Consider what the Bible teaches where followers should draw the line. It teaches that where the laws of men defy God’s laws and Jesus instructions (Acts 5:27-29), follow God. Not just in the New Testament but also in the Old. Babylon besieged and took over Jerusalem. The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar ordered to capture members of the royal family and bring them into Babylon in order to indoctrinate them for three years (Daniel 1:3-4). Notable among them were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (Daniel 1:6-7) who were given new Babylonia names, the first step to make them into Babylonian leaders. Although they were Jews, they were respectful of their occupying leadership but drew a bright line in their obedience when the Babylonian king issued orders that were against God’s laws.

• They didn’t eat ceremonially unclean foods (Daniel 1:8-16) because of Lev 3:17, Lev 11:41-42, Deut 14:21, Lev 11:3
• They did not worship the golden image of king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (Daniel 3:10-12) because of Exodus 20:4-6
• Daniel would not stop praying (Daniel 6:12-13) because of Jeremiah 29:12, Prov 15:8, Psalms 16:6, Psalms 142:2, Psalms 102:17

Ultimately, Paul describes a Christian’s responsibility to the government in Romans 13:1-7. That we are to acknowledge that governments authorities are put in place by God, who is over all things. Since the governing authorities are put in place by God, they are to be obeyed, no matter what they may establish. This is a hard word but know that, according to Daniel, this does not give government laws superior authority over God’s laws. However, we are to acknowledge the sovereignty of God and that He raises up and brings down kings according to His plans.

In early 2021, the Biden administration passed a 1.9T “American Rescue Plan” meant to ease the impact of COVID-related shutdowns. Then, on November 5, 2021, they passed a 1.2T “infrastructure spending bill” that the Democrats heralded as a key part of their “Build Back Better Plan“. This bill was 1.75T less than they originally wanted but was a compromise result of 13 House Republicans voting for the plan.

After this unprecedented spending spree, the inflation rate rose from its .7 – 2.4% range between 2012 and 2020 to 7% in 2021 and 7.5% so far in 2022. When the 2021 numbers came out, after Biden’s first year in office, the administration was quick to suggest it was transitory and only recently admitted that transitory probably wasn’t the right term to use. This admission started to reveal that the administration really had no handle on what to do about inflation since the government has begun spending recklessly.

One key contributor to this inflation is energy prices. For the first time since at least 1949, the US became a net oil exporter in 2020. Just after taking office, Biden withdrew permits for the Keystone Pipeline that would have provided high quality crude oil to the US. Biden also closed federal lands to oil exploration and increased the “social cost of carbon” to make using federal land for oil and gas drilling too costly. Then, after US District Judge James Cain of the Western District of Louisiana issued an injunction against using that “tax”, Biden issued an order to pause new federal land leases for oil and gas drilling; bypassing the judges’ ruling. The Biden administration has aggressively made the US more energy dependent on foreign sources (namely Russia) in the name of controlling climate change.

Now, after Putin invaded the Ukraine, this US energy policy is clearly even more unwise. In an address before the Bundestag (the German Parliament) the German prime minister Chancellor Olaf Scholz, announced a complete turn-about in military and energy policy. The energy policy will strive to be more independent by sustaining nuclear and coal power plants indefinitely and working to increase renewables. Former German Chancellor Angela Markel’s legacy left Germany dependent on Russia for 60% of their natural gas, 50% for their coal, and 35% for for oil while also attempting to foster renewable energy sources. She also worked to approve the NordStream pipeline that would have doubled the Russian dependency on natural gas. Former President Trump hailed it a mistake and imposed sanctions on the NordStream pipeline. However, President BIden immediately supported it by removing all sanctions after taking office.

However, US policy isn’t changing at all. In fact, sanctions against Putin include removing Russian banks from the SWIFT bank electronic exchange network except for Russian banks associated with oil and gas financial transactions (the prime revenue source to fund Russia’s war machine). Additionally, demonstrating the complete ignorance of current events, John Kerry (Biden’s climate envoy) stated that he hoped, despite the Ukraine invasion and other sanctions, Putin would “stay on track” in the fight against climate change.

Meanwhile, I just read a very prescient comment from a most unlikely source; George Takei (net worth $14M), former Star Trek actor “Sulu”. This comment revealed what I believe to be the key democratic party strategy for the coming mid-year election cycle. Despite the series of policy and economic blunders of this administration that has resulted in inflation at levels not seen since the 1980’s and a reversal of the first time the US has been energy independent since 1949, the message is this: “Americans need to endure higher food and gas prices in order to hurt Putin”. It seems like the Left is creating a focus on the Ukraine invasion at least partly because it will become a rallying cry that distracts from the current administration (and the democratic party in general) utter failure to govern.

My primary objection to gaining medical benefit when I am otherwise completely healthy is that all vaccines available in the US today are developed (during research, production and/or validation) from the cells of aborted children. I believe that all lives matter and those without an ability to defend themselves are the most needing representation. By refusing to take all the current COVID 19 vaccines, I am hoping to encourage the medical industry and big pharma to do better by not choosing to develop medicine based on the cells of children whose mothers chose to kill.

Life begins at conception

The US Federal government health division and the medical industry states that life begins at conception. Since life matters, is precious, and the vulnerable need to be represented, I believe that the harvesting of cell lines from aborted children as ethically and morally bankrupt.

US Federal Health and Human Services states life begins at conception

According to the US Federal Health and Human Services 2018-2022 strategic plan:

HHS is the U.S. Government’s principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. HHS accomplishes its mission through programs and initiatives that cover a wide spectrum of activities, serving and protecting Americans at every stage of life, from conception

https://www.hhs.gov/about/strategic-plan/introduction/index.html

American College of Pediatricians supports life beginning at conception

Moore’s 1974 edition of a human embryology textbook states that development is a continuous process that begins when an ovum is fertilized by a sperm and ends at death.  It is a process of change and growth that transforms the zygote, a single cell, into a multicellular adult human being. Moore’s 2008 edition emphasizes that development does not end at birth but extends into early adulthood. Professor Emeritus of Human Embryology of the University of Arizona School of Medicine, Dr. C. Ward Kischer, affirms that “Every human embryologist, worldwide, states that the life of the new individual human being begins at fertilization (conception).”  Even authors who philosophically lean towards not attributing the same value to human life at the one-cell stage as they do to later stages of development admit that “As far as human ‘life’ per se, it is, for the most part, uncontroversial among the scientific and philosophical community that life begins at the moment when the genetic information contained in the sperm and ovum combine to form a genetically unique cell.”

https://acpeds.org/position-statements/when-human-life-begins

Biblical Basis for life beginning at conception

My faith holds life as precious. God created all living things and, with that creation, elevated men and women as “in his image” Genesis 1:27. Other passages of scripture point to God’s unique role in creating us and how precious He considers that creation.

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. … Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them”

(Psalm 139:13, 16)

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” 

Jeremiah 1:5 

“your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb.” 

Isaiah 44:24 

Paul states that God “had set [him] apart before [he] was born.”

Galatians 1:15

“The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”

Job 33:4

Given these references, abortion is the taking of a life. However, there is legal dispute as to whether this unborn life is a person. For instance, according to the National Conference of State Legislators:

Currently, at least 38 states have fetal homicide laws: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. At least 29 states have fetal homicide laws that apply to the earliest stages of pregnancy (“any state of gestation/development,” “conception,” “fertilization” or “post-fertilization”)

https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/fetal-homicide-state-laws.aspx

However, under current US Federal law, a pregnant woman can, with premeditation, kill this life even up to and including the point of viable birth in some states (e.g., New York, Colorado, New Mexico) (see this article)

All current COVID vaccines exploit the abortion of a child for the medical benefit of healthy adults

All versions of currently approved (FDA and Emergency Use) COVID-19 vaccines are developed with the benefit of cell lines derived from aborted babies (some abortions proven to be voluntary).

The Johnson and Johnson Vaccine uses PER C6 cell lines for production and manufacturing phase of their vaccine. The AstraZeneca vaccine also uses aborted fetal cells in development and testing.  Moderna and Pfizer used HEK 293 cell lines for research and validation of their mRNA vaccines. (https://www.nebraskamed.com/COVID/you-asked-we-answered-do-the-covid-19-vaccines-contain-aborted-fetal-cells)

It is against my Christian belief to benefit in any way from the sacrifice of babies, let alone in order for an otherwise healthy adult to reduce the probability of getting sick. All life is precious, particularly the life of those who are innocent and vulnerable. I understand that HEK 293 cells are used quite often in drug development and I believe that to still be an immoral act. I believe that unless people stand for their closely held religious beliefs, the medical industry will not invest in innovation that moves away from this terrible practice of harvesting cells from sacrificed children for financial, personal or social benefit.

But the Pope and Billy Graham say it’s OK…

On August 18th 2021, the Pope called receiving the vaccine an “act of love” while the Archdiocese of New York sent a letter to area priests in which they stated that there was no basis for a religious exemption for the vaccine. When addressing the use of fetal cells in production and research, the Vatican says that the evil associated with abortion is remote so it is allowed. The remoteness of the evil seems to be of some debate since the Johnson and Johnson vaccine uses cells from aborted babies in production while the others use similar aborted baby cell lines in research or validation.

Billy Graham also supports the vaccine saying “I believe it is consistent with scripture that we protect our lives and do whatever we can to save life” and that “Jesus would have made reference to and used” vaccines if they were available during his time.

These are compelling and well thought-out arguments for taking the vaccine from those who are or who are seen as leaders of Christians. However, I have two key issues with these statements:

• The Pope seems to be compromising by creating a theoretical philosophy that suggests that evil isn’t evil as long as you are some conceptual distance from it. I find this very creative but not very compelling.
• Billy Graham suggests that life is precious, which it is, but ignores the fact that these companies have built their highly lucrative drugs on the flesh of aborted innocent babies. I suggest that the baby’s life is also precious and must be protected.

If these people wish to take the vaccine, I have no moral or ethical standing to suggest they should not. I also have no concern for them sharing their personal belief and philosophy. Their statements and comments are worthy of consideration to anyone who believes in Jesus as their Savior.

Nevertheless, they are both created beings doing the best they can to guide and teach on behalf of the creator. I also rely on the Holy Spirit, Scripture, and prayer to guide me. If pastors and church leaders are speaking in ways that I believe are inconsistent with the teachings of the Holy Spirit, Scripture and prayer, their words have no weight for me.

I also don’t expect them to force their decisions on me any more than I would force my decisions on them.

I pray that this humble article serves as insight and information for you as you choose the best way you know how. Please make your decision based on the leading of the Holy Spirit, Scripture and prayer and do not let others pressure you.

Maranatha!

References:

A guide to human fetal cell lines from aborted children used in vaccine development

Fact checking the fact checkers: Yes, New York does allow abortions up to birth

What you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccines

PER C6 & HEK-293

For an excellent summary of the current vaccines and their use of tissue from aborted babies, see this: https://lozierinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/CHART-Analysis-of-COVID-19-Vaccines-02June21.pdf

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/how-cells-taken-decades-old-fetal-tissue-are-used-covid-n1242740

https://www.nebraskamed.com/COVID/you-asked-we-answered-do-the-covid-19-vaccines-contain-aborted-fetal-cells

https://www.health.nd.gov/sites/www/files/documents/COVID%20Vaccine%20Page/COVID-19_Vaccine_Fetal_Cell_Handout.pdf

I have found myself enthralled with the latest unfolding drama in the US since the most recent presidential election. Every day, I read something newly shocking about our federal and local government decisions and choices. Celebrating partial birth abortion laws, celebrating and encouraging sinful behavior, sanctioning and funding terrorism both domestic and foreign are just a few of the most recent shocks. Then, on top of that, we are hearing Christian religious leadership promoting one world religion with statements that all world religions are “Meeting God In Different Ways” and that all people in the various world religions are “Children of God”. Those same leaders are calling Fundamentalism (the belief in absolute truth) a scourge.

Furthermore, our government gives the free, advertising-based services owned by an elite set of young men and women in California the complete authority to arbitrate truth. If you say anything they don’t agree with, you are banned. If you mention the new COVID-19 vaccines in any way that might be interpreted as questioning it or sharing unflattering facts, you are banned. If hate groups post to your prayer page because they hate what you stand for, your prayer page is banned. If you encourage citizens to make their voices heard, you are permanently banned (or for at least 2 years but likely more).

Then, the new race philosophy of “Critical Race Theory”, derived from the Marxist class division philosophy is becoming the new institutional orthodoxy. This anti-white racist philosophy leads people to make surprising choices like the white schoolteacher who decided she was being racist by teaching Spanish to her students and, consequently, canceled herself.

With all this happening, my first reaction is to document and try to make sense of what is going on. I analyze the different sides of the stories, I roll the decisions and data through my brain and come to the conclusion that this is CRAZY! How could all this be happening? How can people, generally rational and intelligent people, come to these conclusions and make these choices?

Today, I was praying about this and felt 2 answers from God. First, I felt he said “It is good you don’t understand these things.” That, to me, meant that I shouldn’t be agreeing with these things but to refuse to accept them. Second, through a study my wife has been doing through Revelation and Daniel, we heard a pastor say “The answer is in Revelation 17:17”.

For God has put it in their hearts to execute His ^[a]purpose ^[b]by having a common purpose, and by giving their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God will be fulfilled.

Revelation 17:17 New American Standard Bible

As I prayed about this today, I realized that one clear explanation for this irrational behavior is that it fits into God’s plan. He is arranging these things to happen before He returns. These things must pass so that people realize that their plans for a utopian society, as a form of salvation, are fruitless and foolish. I realized that I was fighting against God’s plan by trying to document and make sense of all that was going on. We are living in the “End Times” and God is alive and working. I never dreamed that I would be living to see the unfolding events in Revelation; but I think I am. Now, instead of trying desperately to make sense of what is going on around me, I pray that God’s will be done and that He gives me boldness to proclaim the Gospel to those he places in my path. I also pray that this is a comfort to anyone who reads it.

God is on His throne. He is not sleeping or on vacation (1 Kings 18:27) during all this craziness. He is allowing this craziness so people recognize the foolishness of playing God. He is arranging these things to bring about the events found in the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Please read and study Revelation. God gave us this book because he wanted us to recognize the things that were coming so we would not fear but be prepared.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and ^[a]communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, ² who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, everything that he saw. ³ Blessed is the one who reads, and those who hear the words of the prophecy and ^[b]keep the things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Revelation 1:1-3 New American Standard Bible

May Jesus’ peace be in you….