Nuclear Crisis In Japan Increases

Continuing news from Japan reveals that the nuclear aspect of the disaster is worsening by the day with yet another reactor catching fire and more radiation escaping into the atmosphere. The danger of exposure to this can be harmful and of course deadly. But beyond that, it is always a reminder of the explosive power of the atom as seen in an atomic bomb – ironically only seen in the war with Japan back in August of 1945.

The Bible speaks about the atom in 1 Corinthians chapter fifteen in the context of Christ’s soon return for His church. Verses 51-52 read, “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed - in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.”

The word ‘moment’ is derived from the Greek term ‘atomos’ from which the English word 'atom' comes. It refers to a time so short as to be literally indivisible or unable to be cut. That is the speed at which those who know the Savior will be ushered into His presence someday soon and away from all of the woes of a fallen world filled with increasing agony and trouble.

Pray for the people of Japan as reports show that only about 5% regard themselves as Christians. Pray for the suffering believers there, that they might be able and willing to share their faith with those whose hope has been literally washed away. And pray that those who escaped death during the recent events will turn to Christ and be ready to meet Him in the air when that seemingly nearing ‘atomos’ time of Christ comes!

In Revelation 22:12 Jesus declares, "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me." The word ‘quickly’ means shortly, suddenly and by surprise – and will be more shocking, more drastic and far more powerful than even the greatest earthquake or tsunami the world will ever know.

“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20)

Bill Breckenridge

The World’s Richest Man Dies

He lived in a relatively struggling nation economically speaking and yet that did not prevent him from becoming the world’s wealthiest individual. But on March 9th, 2011, he entered eternity and today is literally penniless!

His name was Carlos Slim, a Mexican tycoon whose telecommunications and mining businesses placed the 71-year old at number one, according to Forbes magazine. To put his wealth into perspective, his reported $74 billion dollar fortune was nearly twice the projected 2011 gross domestic product of Lebanon – the nation from where Slim's father fled to Mexico in 1902 to escape Ottoman rule.

Just as others in his category, like Bill Gates of Microsoft Corporation and Warren Buffet, Slim was involved in some philanthropic causes. But apparently he kept a tighter rein on his fortune, most of which was controlled by his family. He often stated, “Businessmen do more good by creating jobs and wealth via investment and not by being Santa Claus."

The spiritual condition of Carlos Slim’s heart is unknown – at least to me. But a good percentage of students of the Scripture will have one verse surface when thinking of the death of a man possessing worldly wealth that is nearly incompressible. The passage is, of course, the sobering words in question from the Savior’s own lips in Matthew 16:26-27. “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul.”

Also, in Luke 12:16-21 Jesus, by use of a parable, declared the ultimate need to avoid being consumed by economic gain and affairs and thereby being fully unprepared to face eternity, perhaps in an unexpected moment like so many in Japan this past week.

In verse 16 He began, "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?' So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry." But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

Then too, in Mark chapter twelve, the Lord spoke to the real issue of true philanthropic motivation and rewards. In verse 44 we read, “Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."

Then there comes the warning seen in Proverbs 23:4-5 concerning wealth in general. The wise author cautions all using the following words. “Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease! Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven.”

Those who possess earthly riches and material goods, on all levels, will all someday leave them behind when they ‘make wings toward heaven’ as Proverbs puts it. And when this life ends, all thinking will instantly turn to one's eternal dwelling place. It will be about arriving or not arriving in heaven - something depending only on possessing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. (1 John 5:12) That, and that alone, will fully dominate every second forever. And along side of that most critical truth comes God's advice and principles on matters of material wealth and worldly goods to those who know and love Him:

1. Seek treasure in heaven, and not on the earth, where rewards are both important and fully secure. (Matthew 6: 20-21)

2. Attempt to help others and do good in God’s name now – especially if you have been blessed in the financial sphere (Galatians 6:9-10)

3. Never forget Paul’s words to Timothy that the ‘love’ of money is the source of all kinds of evil and troubles that can easily lead to numerous and unanticipated sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:9-10)

4. Attempt to adhere to and apply the words of Jesus in Mathew chapter six concerning life’s ultimate practice and priority. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

5. Hold dearly onto the proper spiritual perspective concerning what is real, worthy and lasting wealth as spelled out by in 2 Corinthians 8:9

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich."

Bill Breckenridge

Good News

I recently attended the National Religious Broadcasters convention in Nashville, TN. It included encouraging reports from internationally significant speakers who understand the Gospel and its stupendous spiritual impact of global outreach.

Among the speakers was Jay Sekulow, founder of the American Center for Law and Justice. Sekulow recounted victorious legal proceedings in which he has had a part. Years ago, he argued before the Supreme Court in protecting the rights of Jews For Jesus to freely distribute gospel literature in public places. He also argued before the International Court at the Hague in securing the safety and departure from Gaza of the family of a Christian bookstore operator who had been assassinated for operating that bookstore.

Sekulow also told about a number of cases he is currently involved with including opposition of the mosque at Ground Zero, litigation that could end Planned Parenthood, fighting for crisis pregnancy centers, and countering the dangers of “Obamacare.” He has also trained lawyers who are involved in the formation of the new nation of South Sudan. It was encouraging to know that there are people like those at the American Center for Law and Justice and other Christian legal aid organizations who are representing the cause of evangelical Christians and conservative values.

At the International Luncheon, broadcaster Paulus Wiratno told about his radio ministry in his home country of Indonesia where his ministry operates 40 FM stations, some in very dangerous places, reaching a potential audience of 46 million people. He estimates that one person is saved every day through each station’s broadcasts. He is striving to start up hundreds more stations because the time is short but the “door is wide open.” Through the outreach of radio, he has been able to plant 257 churches, and he is hoping for increased numbers of workers to plant at least 500 more.

Wiratno recounted other victories taking place in this “closed” country where Christians experience persecution and hardship. Abandoned infants are being rescued, radios are being given out in prison, and people are asking for more radio outreach. A Muslim imam even asked permission to use Wiratno’s daily broadcast of Scriptures from the Psalms and Proverbs.

Well known Christian apologist and evangelist Ravi Zacharias preached a moving message, which he closed by calling for Christian rededication. He also announced that he had recently seen 3,000 come to Christ in Egypt about the time the tragic unrest began.

The good news of Christian missions is that Christ is building His church through the good news of the Gospel. In all the overload of dreadful and unsettling current news flashes, Christian believers need healthy encouragement that all is not lost and, in fact, so much is being gained.

Let us never forget that the Gospel is, by definition, a “good message,” or, as we say, Good News. Even in the Apostle Paul’s pagan-influenced days of extreme problems and pressures, he wrote, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

An additional encouragement regarding evangelism outreach bringing many to Christ is the wondrous expectation of Christ’s return for His completed church. At the conclusion of that vital first church council in Jerusalem, James noted that God was first “calling out a people for His Name” and that after this Christ would return (Acts 14:14–16).

With all this good news, the time of His coming appears to be very soon.

Dave Virkler

High School Basketball Star Wins and Loses?

It was truly a storybook season – until just seconds after the last heroic play that led to a 20-0 season for the Fennville Blackhawks in Michigan.

Wes Leonard was a star player at age sixteen. The gifted young athlete helped his team to a perfect season and even scored the winning shot that brought that exciting dream to fruition. The crowd went wild as the team and fans celebrated the amazing accomplishment. But it would all be short lived. Very short!

Leonard sent the ball through the hoop from close range with less than 30 seconds left in overtime to secure the a 57-55 victory over Bridgman High. As the teams exchanged handshakes and began scrambling to organize a team photo to commemorate their undefeated record, the 6-foot-2 inch, 215-pound player collapsed before 1,400 stunned fans. The problem was apparently an undetected enlarged heart condition which caused cardiac arrest, Despite all medical intervention, the young boy’s life came to an abrupt end the very next day.

"Thirty seconds earlier, he was laying in the winning bucket," said Ryan Klingler, the basketball coach in Fennville. And then 10 seconds later... everything's pulled out from under you, from out of nowhere." The shocked and traumatized team has decided to go on to the state tournament in memory of their fallen comrade.

There are some things that are just not natural and not supposed to happen in life. A child is not expected to experience death before his or her parents. But we live in a fallen and sinful world, and as the coach said, “This came out of nowhere”. And it is exactly for these kinds of consequences that Proverbs 27:1 wisely declares, “Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.” And this truth is exactly why Paul wrote to young Timothy, “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8)

Physical death is a painful reality – one that stems from the spiritual death all enter into at the moment of birth. That is the sad news. But there is also good news – very good news! God has made it possible for fallen and sinful man to experience both peace ‘with’ Him through salvation in Christ and peace ‘from’ Him when life turns difficult, ugly, and even unthinkably tragic.

Peace with God and forgiveness of sin is related in passages like 2 Corinthians 5:21: “For He made Him (Christ) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him". And in 1 John 1:6-7 we read, “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Then for those who have trusted in Christ’s atoning sacrifice and finished work on the cross, there is made available through His indwelling Holt Spirit a special and unique peace only attainable for a true believer to tap into. Paul speaks of that in his letter to the Philippians in chapter four. He states there: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus". (Philippians 4:6-7)

Life can be hard, and sometimes very hard. It certainly is that today for the family and close friends of Wes Leonard. But for those who are ‘in Christ’ there are positive and life-altering promises of comfort, power and peace that the world cannot know or experience. This supernatural ability can make all the difference in this world and the life to follow. Jesus explained it this way prior to His departure as He spoke of His soon arriving replacement in the person of the Holy Spirit.

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever - the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:16-18)

Bill Breckenridge

Last WWI Soldier Survivor Dies

His name is Frank Buckles and he was the last living U.S. World War I veteran before dying at age 110. Plans are being made to allow his casket to be displayed at the Capitol Rotunda in Washington before moving his remains to Arlington National Cemetery. A family spokesman said that Buckles, who turned 110 on February 1, 2011, died peacefully in his home of natural causes.

Buckles served as a U.S. Army ambulance driver in Europe during what was then known as the "Great War," where he reached the rank of corporal before the war ended. His assignments included escorting German prisoners of war. And in a shocking turn of events he himself became a prisoner of war during World War II when a merchant vessel he was employed on was captured by the Japanese. He was held for three years before he was freed by U.S. troops.

The first World War saw 4,734,991 Americans serve in uniform. More than 116,000 were killed, and more than 204,000 wounded in the 19 months of U.S. involvement. The overall death toll of the 1914-18 conflict was more than 16.5 million, including nearly 7 million civilians, and more than 20 million who were wounded.

Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, a House sponsor of legislation to upgrade the DC War Memorial, stated, "We have come to the end of a chapter in history. Frank was the last ‘American Doughboy’ - a national treasure. His life was full and varied and an inspiration for his unbridled patriotism and enthusiasm for life."

The nation owes a deep debt of gratitude for the Frank Buckles of the world, and others like him, who sacrificed for the freedoms we and other nations still enjoy. A memorial in Washington is the least that should be done to honor them all – now including the very last of his breed from the so-called “Great War”.

The Bible indicates a general life span for the average man or woman. It is said to be in the area of seventy years, although today’s medical technology in advanced nations has helped increase that number somewhat. But if an average world-wide census were to be taken, including third-world nations, that number just might even out today according to the biblical pattern.

But the larger issue has never been when one dies – whether at age 10 or 110. What is truly critical is what happens in that very next second after one breathes his or her last and no longer reveals a pulse. It is at that most sobering of all moments that Hebrews 9:26-28 becomes very real and very important. The writer there declares, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”

Life is a gift from God. But the length of any life is highly insignificant when compared to the spiritual conditions of the heart – and not the one that pumps blood and keeps the physical body alive. The problem in a word, is sin, along with the above mentioned judgment and the unimaginable eternal penalty it can bring. That is why Scripture reveals that all men require a new spiritual heart - one that will guide them throughout this life and fully prepare them for the next! (Romans 3:23, 1John 5:11-13)

The source, capabilities, and procurement of this unique and optional heart is explained briefly but fully in Romans 10:8-10. “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Again we applaud and honor the Frank Buckles of the world. We also pray that his spiritual heart was ready for eternity when his physical one experienced its last beat. But for those who are alive today, there is still that precious, and perhaps limited, time to prepare for that ‘appointed day’ through trusting Jesus Christ as Savior here and now! (Acts 16:31)

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Bill Breckenridge