Depending upon the quality of your air conditioner and furnace unit, air filters need to be replaced as soon as thirty days or as long as six months. The U.S. Department of Energy claims that replacing a dirty filter with a clean one can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5 to 10 percent. Meanwhile, furnace filters should be changed every two to three months depending upon the size of your filter. Whether you live in an apartment, condo or home, basic upkeep is essential to prolonging your appliances.
We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:5.
The Bible refers to a different kind of filter. According to the apostle Paul, the human mind is a spiritual filter. Whenever a thought enters your head, God has given individuals the ability to stop evil from corrupting your body. Before I became a Christian, I was oblivious to the concept of angels, demons and the powers of darkness. Yet, the more that I read the Bible, the more I understand the importance of replacing your filter by making every thought obedient to Christ. This is accomplished by memorizing and meditating upon verses of the Bible to prevent evil from persuading souls to give into temptation.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places, Ephesians 6:12.
While the media attempts to convince the world that certain individuals are the enemy, the apostle Paul corrects the record in the passage above. Sure, there will always be people that rub you the wrong way by getting under your skin. Yet, the Devil uses physical opponents to suppress any joy that you may have in your heart. This is why replacing your spiritual filter daily with biblical principles, God’s promises and truth is essential. The next time strange thoughts catch you off guard, replace the filter in your mind with the Word of God. May this practice renew and transform your mind, Romans 12:1-2.
If you study Old English. tyranny is an expression used to describe a cruel and oppressive government. Whenever people in authority exert undemocratic rule, employ an unreasonable amount of force or suppress the rights of their citizens, rebellion, revolts and uprisings follow. People who survive war or escape tyranny tend to turn to the Bible for answers in life. Perhaps, this may explain why the Bible is the greatest selling book of all time.
“No other book of any kind ever written in English has ever so affected the whole life of a people,” Theodore Roosevelt in 1911.
Theodore Roosevelt is one of four presidents whose face is on Mount Rushmore. The other three presidents are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln. After his tenure as the 26th president of the United States, 1901-1909, Roosevelt made a profound statement about the Bible. While the context of this quote is unclear, Roosevelt understood the power that the living Word of God has on the ability to transform human lives.
“Six days a week we live under the tyranny of the things of space; on the Sabbath we try to become attuned to holiness in time,” Abraham Joshua Heschel from The Sabbath: Its Meaning for Modern Man, 1951.
Forty years later, Abraham Heschel explored the Bible to make the connection between freedom and the Sabbath. Depending upon your work schedule, life is filled with monotony, the mundane and tedious tasks that typical occupations require. Thus, the tyranny of the things in space is a human being running through the rat race called life without any purpose and reason. However, when you apply biblical principles to keep the Sabbath holy, becoming attuned to God, helps souls see how everything else in life is so insignificant. When faith is exercised daily, the Sabbath isn’t merely one day of the week, its a lifestyle that enable Christians to escape the tyranny of the things of space.
If you work for a large company, you will come across various characters, personalities and temperaments. Meanwhile, if you are a regular visitor of social media sites, you can usually decipher those seeking attention from people who simply enjoy connecting with friends. While there are numerous methods entrepreneurs can cash in on today, it’s okay to live a quiet life beyond the spot life. Such is the case of one first century man.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by [the power of] the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her [promised] husband, being a just and righteous man and not wanting to expose her publicly to shame, planned to send her away and divorce her quietly, Matthew 1:18-19.
As a former junior high teacher, teenagers can be cruel. Teens going through puberty can be down right nasty. Imagine if your girl friend shows up to school pregnant and you didn’t have sex with her. These were the thoughts racing through Joseph’s mind when his fiancée returns home from his aunt’s house several months pregnant. Betrayed, confused and distraught, Joseph was on his way to break off his engagement quietly to avoid a messy divorce. When an angel intervened, this forgotten man of Christmas had to wait until Jesus was born to consecrate his marriage.
Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year for the Passover Feast. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the Feast; 43 and as they were returning [to Nazareth], after spending the required number of days [at the Feast], the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. Now His parents did not know this, 44 but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and traveled a day’s journey; and [then] they began searching [anxiously] for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 When they did not find Him, they went back to Jerusalem looking for Him [everywhere], Luke 2:41-45.
Joseph is one of those characters who quickly fades from the forefront, written out of a drama, movie or show after completing his mission. There is only one mention of Joseph in the Bible following the events of Christmas, Jesus’ bar mitzvah, the event to celebrate a Jewish boy becoming a man. This symbolic act enabled Jesus to become a man in God’s house. Joseph likely died of natural causes, assumed to be dead and long gone, out of the picture, by the four gospel authors. Then again, Joseph could have completed God’s will for his life following Jesus’ bar mitzvah. Either way, Joseph is the forgotten man of Christmas, taking a back seat to Emmanuel, God with us in the form of baby Jesus..
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by [the power of] the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her [promised] husband, being a just and righteous man and not wanting to expose her publicly to shame, planned to send her away and divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus (The Lord is salvation), for He will save His people from their sins,” Matthew 1:18-21.
You have probably heard of the 12 days of Christmas, a catechism song published in the 1780’s by oppressed Catholics. Yet, 4 dreams that made Christmas possible, the mass of Christ, are often overlooked. The first dream prevented Jesus from growing up in a single parent household, void of an earthly father. While dreams are a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person’s mind during sleep, the Lord sent an angel from heaven like a scene from a Christmas movie, to fulfill God’s plan for redemption on earth.
Dream #2
Now when they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod intends to search for the Child in order to destroy Him.” 14 So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. 15 He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet [Hosea]: “Out of Egypt I called My Son,” Matthew 2:13-15.
Whenever you have any dream, there are rationale explanations. This could be due to simply day dreaming, mental aspirations, nightmares or stress. However, from a spiritual perspective, there are times when God uses dreams as a form of divine intervention. The second dream of Christmas provoked an immediate response by awakening the soul of Joseph. Just as Old Testament families plotted the deaths of brothers who stood in their way of the throne, Herod attempted to slaughter the king of the Jews. However, babies are hard to identify from one another at an early age. Thus, King Herod devised a plan to kill all babies under the age of 2. This dream enabled Mary, Joseph and Jesus to escape this massacre in a nick of time.
Dream #3
But when Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, 20 “Get up! Take the Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.” 21 Then Joseph got up, and took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel, Matthew 2:19-21.
Most people use an alarm clock to get up each morning. Others use their cell phone to make sure they are not late for work. However, this third dream introduces the concept of keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25. After being on the run, living in a foreign land, another angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream. It’s unclear if God sent the same angel each time, but this dream served as a spiritual alarm clock to get up and go. This dream set the stage for the future king of the Jews to return home to Israel. Although this is only an assumption, after news of Herod’s slaughter of countless baby boys reached Egypt, Joseph likely developed a keen awareness of his dreams. Thus, each night as Joseph went to sleep, he was eager, hopeful and waiting for another encounter with God.
Dream #4
But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod [the Great], he was afraid to go there. Then being warned by God in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee, 23 and went and settled in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene,” Matthew 1:22-23.
The final dream of Christmas varies from the first three. The Lord didn’t need to send an angel to get Joseph’s attention. Rather, by this time in his life, Joseph was in tune with God, like a faithful servant eagerly awaiting his next command. These dreams radically transformed the life of Jesus’ earthly father. Instead of doubting, questioning or becoming a skeptic, Joseph had become a believer in God’s plan. Mary and Joseph may not have understood the impact their son would make on earth, yet they began to walk by faith, not by sight. As Christmas carols take over the airwaves this December, don’t forget to remind people of how God used dreams to protect and ensure this sacred holiday. May these dreams open your mind to the possibility of God speaking to you and me in a similar manner today.
Prominent founding fathers argued that the United States Constitution should not be ratified as it failed to protect the basic principles of human liberty. This led James Madison to propose amendments to the constitution. These amendments known as the Bill of Rights were inspired by George Mason’s 1776 Virginia Declarations of Rights, the 1689 English Bill of Rights, works during the Age of Enlightenment pertaining to natural rights and the Magna Carta, 1215. Ironically, the Magna Carta would inspire American colonists a few hundred years later to declare independence from Great Britain. Roughly one-third of the provisions in the United States’ Bill of Rights draw from the Magna Carta, particularly from its 39th clause.
“The fundamental basis of this Nation’s law was given to Moses on the Mount. The fundamental basis of our Bill of Rights comes from the teachings that we get from Exodus and St, Matthew, from Isaiah and St. Paul, ” President Harry S. Truman, 1950.
The 33rd president of the United States goes one step further, claiming that the foundation upon which the United States has based its laws comes directly out of the Bible. As a World War I veteran and the Vice President to FDR, Truman who took office following Roosevelt’s death. Under Truman’s leadership, World War II ended following the use of two atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Less than a month after dropping these bombs, Japan surrendered. Sometimes you have to use drastic measures to end worldly conflicts. While Truman is still criticized today for this controversial decision, few will remember this president for his quote listed above. Although modern historians glance over, ignore and suppress biblical influences on the founding of America, the Bill of Rights borrows from civil law within the ten commandments.
“Honor (respect, obey, care for) your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged in the land the Lord your God gives you.13 “You shall not commit murder (unjustified, deliberate homicide).14 “You shall not commit adultery.15 “You shall not steal [secretly, openly, fraudulently, or through carelessness].16 “You shall not testify falsely [that is, lie, withhold, or manipulate the truth] against your neighbor (any person).17 “You shall not covet [that is, selfishly desire and attempt to acquire] your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor,” Exodus 20:12-17.
The ten commandments contain two separate categories, loving God and loving your neighbor, Matthew 22:36-39. The first four provide instructions on how individuals can honor and please the Lord. The final six focus on civil laws or as Jesus details in Matthew 22, loving your neighbor as yourself. This is the foundation of the Golden Rule, “treating other people as you want to be treated.” In this day and age, educators, lawyers and politicians often try to make the simple complex. Yet, Jesus simplifies the fundamental basis for law so that even a young child can understand. Every day God offers free will, giving people the option to love or hate, forgive or hold grudges, overlook offenses or magnify sin. The choice is yours, but I pray that the Holy Spirit inspires you during this Christmas season to develop an overwhelming desire to love God and those you come in contact with daily.
In the 1988 film Scrooged, Bill Murray plays a selfish, cynical television executive who is haunted by three spirits bearing lessons on Christmas Eve. Bitter, disappointed and frustrated, Murray’s character came to the conclusion that Christmas was a fraud. Far worse than Ebenezer Scrooge, Murray is visited by the ghost of Christmas past, present and future. These shocking encounters convict Murray’s heart like the wealthy man in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The only difference is that Murray is still alive while the rich man in the story below died.
So the rich man said, ‘Then, father [Abraham], I beg you to send Lazarus to my father’s house—28 for I have five brothers—in order that he may solemnly warn them and witness to them, so that they too will not come to this place of torment.’29 But Abraham said, ‘They have [the Scriptures given by] Moses and the [writings of the] Prophets; let them listen to them,’ Luke 16:27-29.
Parables are meant to be analogies, hypothetical scenarios to illustrate spiritual truths. Within this particular story, Jesus details a conversation between Abraham who is in heaven with a desperate rich man pleading his case from hell. This man asks to be sent back to his family on earth in the form of a ghost, similar to the concept of the ghost of Christmas past. Despite this man’s concern to save his family from the same eternal fate he is enduring, Abraham vehemently denies this request. While Abraham references the importance of listening to and studying the words of Old Testament prophets, his reason for saying no is clear. You must walk by faith, not by sight.
He replied, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent [they will change their old way of thinking and seek God and His righteousness].’ 31 And he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to [the messages of] Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead,’” Luke 16:30-31.
Every Christmas, pastors, priests, reverends and teachers attempt to share a fresh approach to Christmas, coming up with an unique angle or spin. Of all of the sermons I have heard at Christmas Eve and or Christmas Day services, Abraham’s exchange with this rich man in hell is not one of them. Human nature makes individuals think, “if I only saw a ghost, speak to the dead or witness a miracle, then I would believe.” Yet, in reality, you shouldn’t have to experience the death and resurrection of Jesus to believe. The author of Hebrews references this in Hebrews 6:1-6, supporting Abraham’s excuse for denying a first century visit from the ghost of Christmas past.
Modern scientists tend to gravitate toward atheism, trusting only that which they can prove via science. Others follow a similar path to C.S. Lewis, abandoning a childhood faith, encouraged by higher education professors who do not believe that God exists. A more recent example is Lee Strobel, a former reporter for the Chicago Tribune and Daily Herald, eager to prove that Christianity is a fraud. Strobel’s testimony can be found in the book and now movie The Case for Christ. Regardless of what so called experts, the media and scholars proclaim, the answer to the meaning of life is within the grasp of the human mind.
“Those laws (of nature) are within the grasp of the human mind; God wanted us to recognize them by creating us after his own image so that we could share in his own thoughts,” Johannes Kepler in 1599.
During a trip to the new Museum of the Bible in Washington DC, I found this to be true. On the second floor, Level 2, this exhibit is entitled the Impact of the Bible. Like a living history book, there are hundreds of quotes from Colonists, Pilgrims, founding fathers, former presidents and past leaders of the United States. Yet, other displays extend beyond our borders, documenting famous individuals in their fields throughout the world. Two of the most intriguing comments come from a former astronomer and mathematician listed above and below. Without mentioning scripture, each man appears to be referencing the invisible qualities of God, Romans 1:20.
“If the sacred scribes had had any intention of teaching people certain arrangements and motions of the heavenly bodies… then in my opinion they would not have spoken of these matters so sparingly, Galileo Galilei in a 1615 letter to the Grand Duchess of Christiana.
During his own letter to the church of Rome, the apostle Paul suggests that no should claim, “I didn’t know?” Rather, the creation of the world reveals God’s invisible attributes. A sunrise, the sun setting over an ocean and a rainbow following a storm are clear signs of a mastermind. C.S. Lewis devotes the first section of Mere Christianity eluding to the Law of Human Nature. While Lewis does highlight objections to this law, his words support what Galileo and Kepler have written. If only human beings slowed down this Christmas season and stopped what they are doing for a moment, Psalm 46:10, the answers to the meaning of life are within the grasp of the human mind. This revelation is just a prayer away.
While sharing the parable of the shrewd manager, Jesus makes an interesting observation. Even in the first century, followers of Jesus did not treat one another as well as non-believers. Perhaps, competition, immaturity and judgmental spirits began to cause infighting within the body of Christ. Instead of demonstrating the love of God as salt and light, Matthew 5:13-15, religious leaders afraid to let go of Judaism stunted the spiritual growth of many new converts.
And his master commended the unjust manager [not for his misdeeds, but] because he had acted shrewdly [by preparing for his future unemployment]; for the sons of this age [the non-believers] are shrewder in relation to their own kind [that is, to the ways of the secular world] than are the sons of light [the believers], Luke 16:8.
In the passage above, Jesus refers to non-believers as the sons of this age. To certain extent, many of these individuals would be categorized as amoral, not knowing right from wrong. Yet, the parable of the shrewd manager illustrates that it’s never too late to change. Despite whatever misdeeds you have committed in the past, God uses conviction to elicit repentance. When the man in this story was fearful his position would be lost, a sense of desperation produced a series of business transactions to save his job.
And I tell you [learn from this], make friends for yourselves [for eternity] by means of the wealth of unrighteousness [that is, use material resources as a way to further the work of God], so that when it runs out, they will welcome you into the eternal dwellings, Luke 16:9.
The passage above urges readers to avoid legalism which stifles faith. Instead of analyzing this or that, don’t be afraid to use earthly income to make friends for eternity. While this context contradicts other passages above money, Jesus wants people to realize that material resources purchased by wealth furthers the work of God. Essentially, what Jesus is saying is the sons of this age are like a harvest waiting to be picked. However, the workers with the right mentality are few. Thus, if you want to become fishers of men, set your heart and mind on things above.
The term controversy refers to a prolonged disagreement often resulting in heated public debates. These discussions are marked by emotional expressions of opposing views. Altercations take place daily on cable news, college campuses and social media as world views clash. This war of words involves an exchange between two or more parties, wrangling to expose the flaws of their opponent. When someone becomes offended by another belief, comment or post, these words quickly become the center of controversy.
But avoid foolish and ill-informed and stupid controversies and genealogies and dissensions and quarrels about the Law, for they are unprofitable and useless, Titus 3:9.
Based upon my observations over the past decade, it appears that three main groups determine, define and dictate what is considered controversy and what is not. Academia, entertainment and the media combine forces to police speech in America. A growing number of universities once focused on higher education, now seek to create safe spaces for their student body. Meanwhile, Hollywood stars are using their platform to become social activists, speaking out against points of view they deem controversial. To avoid being hypocritical, disclaimers are presented before any movie or show, pre-warning audiences about their content. Finally, the media controls news stories to denounce, excite or outrage audiences, hoping to persuade viewers to embrace their side of an argument.
After a first and second warning reject a divisive man [who promotes heresy and causes dissension—ban him from your fellowship and have nothing more to do with him], 11 well aware that such a person is twisted and is sinning; he is convicted and self-condemned [and is gratified by causing confusion among believers], Titus 3:10-11.
During one of his many messages, the reverend Billy Graham once said, “the Bible will always be the center of controversy.” Whoever opens up this book will be challenged to alter their life style. Thus, when an outsider hears commands, decrees and precepts from the Bible, many will be offended. Often responding back with words like “I can’t believe you said that.” The shrewd will reply, “I didn’t, I just quoted God.” Meanwhile, other religions continue to object to Jesus’ own words, “there is only one way to heaven,” John 14:6. Perhaps its time to follow in the footsteps of Hollywood by placing a disclaimer inside each cover of the Bible. Warning this book will radically transform your life if you have ears to hear and eyes to see. No matter what Christians do, atheists, liberals and progressives will continue to refer to the Bible as controversial. Nonetheless, as long as modern believers strive to be salt and light to the world, quiet godly character will be more persuasive than getting caught up in a long winded controversial dispute.
During a 1952 sermon, the reverend Billy Graham provided a prophetic message about the United States of America. Using the passage of 2 Chronicles 7 to serve as his context, Graham compared the Israelites in the Old Testament with America. When families, individuals or nations experience the misfortune of hardship, your degree of character will be revealed. Thus, during times of disaster, drought or death, America is only as strong as her moral and spiritual forces.
If I shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or if I command locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence and plague among My people, 2 Chronicles 7:13.
Ten years following this statement, the Supreme Court removed prayer from public education using the separation of church and state as it’s rationale. One year later, public Bible readings over the morning announcements was also banned from public education. Using each of these cases as predetermining factors, other states followed these rulings to weaken moral and spiritual forces in America. By 1980, atheists, liberals and progressives waged war against the ten commandments, having these civil and ethical standards also removed from public schools.
And My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear [them] from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land, 2 Chronicles 7:14.
When you turn on cable news, follow social media sites and or listen to talk radio, current events are a by product of these past judicial decisions. Instead of focusing on doom and gloom as society edges closer to the verge of lawlessness, the best course of action is to humble yourself before the Lord. As you do, confess and pray for positive results, that revival will sweep across this land. Billy Graham devoted 58 years of his life, from 1947-2005, traveling the globe to conduct 417 Bible Crusades in 185 countries. This wasn’t done for selfish ambition or self promotion. Rather, Billy Graham understood that America and the world is only as strong as her moral and spiritual forces.
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