Are We Really Ready?

“Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.” (Proverbs 27:1)


These are solid words of wisdom for anyone at anytime. But the sudden disaster in Oklahoma certainly brought this great truth to the surface in the most dramatic manner. The final toll, human and otherwise, is yet to be assessed and won’t be for some time. But one thing is certain. There were those who lost their lives and who never dreamed they would be in eternity when they awakened on that fateful morning.

In the light of that stark reality those who are in Jesus Christ, and therefore spiritually ready to face such an event, should reassess their true efforts to share their saving faith with those who are not. The same loving God who offered His own Son for the salvation of all, is also the judge of all who never turn to Him for redemption and forgiveness.. The writer of Hebrews summed it up quite candidly in chapter ten and verse 31. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

The destiny of those who lost their lives in the storm is now eternally set. But those who survived have been given a sacred second chance. They still have the priceless opportunity to act on God’s free offer of forgiveness and the security found only in Jesus Christ. But more often than not, that requires Christians to be involved in the process. Romans 10:17 states the expected and effective method. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Pray for those who are part of God’s family of faith in Oklahoma. Pray for their own spirits to be lifted and comforted by God’s indwelling Holy Spirit. And pray that, in the midst of unimaginable chaos, they can muster the spiritual strength and motivation to boldly share His supernatural peace and miraculous saving power!

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” (1 Peter 3:15)

Bill Breckenridge

A Presidential Legacy and Biblical Principles

Last week’s dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Library in Dallas, Texas was a stirring and perhaps once-in-a-lifetime event. Bush and the current U.S. president, three former presidents along with their wives were all together on one stage.

Politics was set aside as each man spoke about the 43^rd President of the United States. A theme for the occasion seemed to be Bush’s character and convictions.

President Barack Obama summed it up when he stated, “…what President Clinton said is absolutely true. To know the man is to like the man, because he’s comfortable in his own skin. He knows who he is. He doesn’t put on any pretenses. He takes his job seriously but he doesn’t take himself too seriously. He is a good man.”

When George W. Bush spoke, he continued the theme. “But in the end, leaders are defined by the convictions they hold. … As President, I tried to act on these principles everyday. It wasn’t always easy and it certainly wasn’t always popular.”

In an interview with Bush, his former press secretary Dana Perino also touched on character and principles. “You said something [on your last day in office] I thought maybe I could repeat. Coming into the office on the first day wanting to make sure that when you left you could look yourself in the mirror and say I stuck to my principles.” Bush followed up, “I think that’s important in life. And it’s definitely important for the president to have a set of principles that one is willing to defend. …the principles are still an important part of my life.”

Bush told Perino, “That’s important when you are running an organization so that the people who work with you know what you believe in and know those beliefs won’t change.” Perino replied, “It made it easier to be your press secretary.”

Most everyone knows who George W. Bush is and what he stands for. While not all agree with how he governed in the Oval Office, even those who differ with him politically readily acknowledge that he is consistent and his policies reflected his convictions and principles.

The comments and insights about America’s 43^rd president highlight some biblical principles.

What we believe is evident in what we say. Christ said, “For out of the abundance of the heart [a man’s] mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45b) When there is faith in Jesus Christ and hearts and minds are controlled by the Holy Spirit, what we say reflects what’s inside.

Christ also said, “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No, ‘No.’” (Matthew 5:37) If one is known as person of integrity, his word is good enough, and an oath is unnecessary.

When one’s faith in Christ is alive and well, it will also naturally evidence itself in actions, not just words. James wrote, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? … I will show you my faith by my works. … For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James  2:14, 18b, 26)

All of this doesn’t necessarily come easily; it requires our careful attention. Wise King Solomon wrote, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23) The Hebrew word translated as “keep” means to preserve or guard with faithfulness. “Heart” is the inner man, the mind, will, conscience, or moral character.

Bush claims to know Christ as his personal Savior, and he knows the importance of reading the Bible. Several have reported that he has read it cover to cover and reads a portion daily. That may account for his unwavering commitment to being a man of integrity.

The guide from which our principles and convictions should arise is the Word of God. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) God’s Word is a sure foundation for consistent belief and actions.

Bush knew his presidential policies weren’t always popular with his political opponents, but he told Perino that at the end of his presidency he could say, “I didn’t sell my soul.” After leaving the White House, he told a crowd back in Midland, Texas, “Through it all, I stayed true to those convictions. I’m coming home with my head held high….”

Words and actions that stem from biblical principles won’t always be popular either, but that shouldn’t deter believers. When we hold to what we believe and people know what we believe because it is evident in our lives, “...we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.” (Hebrews 13:19) In the end we can say, “I stayed true to those convictions,” or, as the Apostle Paul put it, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:9)

Gayle Virkler

Terror In The Streets of Boston

It has become another one of those select days that will “live in infamy” as the famous saying goes. And of course that is referring to the recent events at, and just following, the famed Boston Marathon.

 It was also a living, but painful, reminder of the words of the New Testament wisdom book record in James 4:14. “Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”

There have been other terrible events that have brought with them a greater death toll. But few things grip the mind, and disturb the soul, as does an intentional act of terror. Perhaps that is because it strips everyone down to their deepest fears of helplessness and proves that none are fully safe - no matter who they are or where they are. It brings the unique fear of being an innocent victim and unsuspecting target for instant evil.

Again, that awful reality saturated the American psyche on April 15th and dredged up memories and fears perhaps not thought about since 9/11. Yes, the shooting of 20 young children in Connecticut last year was too much to even fathom or accept. It was simply unthinkable and beyond any description. But when there is a public display of violence perpetrated against innocent people, and it is caught on camera, it strikes an additional cord of horror.

But with this cruel day now in the rear-view mirror, even while its stunning brutality is still in the headlights, what do we take from such a life-altering and troubling experience? And what are the unique biblical lessons can be learned or confirmed through it all? Here are just a few from a Christian perspective - the one that matters most!

First: there is great evil in the world and everyone is capable of even the most vile of sins. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)

Second: we are again reassured of the reality that anything can happen on any given day. “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” (Proverbs 27:1)

Third: without the inner influence of the life of God, man often turns to a life of godlessness. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” (Romans 1:18)

Fourth: human sin results in eventual judgement and a Christ-less eternity in a literal hell. “It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched — where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.” (Mark 9:43-44)

Fifth: the forgiveness of sin, all sin for all men, is available through one source and one only. “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all.” (1Timothy 2:4-6)

Sixth: the offer of God’s salvation is to be seriously addressed when an opportunity is there. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Seventh: those who are in God’s family, through faith, have great and real hope now and forever. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Eighth: do not allow the cares of life, or the evil in the world, to rob you of God’s gift of peace. “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)

The event in Boston will forever be remembered as one of the nations most unexpected and brutal crimes. It was a supreme example of the depths and results of human depravity. And it has left many Americans in shock, in fear, and having more questions than they do answers. But for those who are also citizens of Heaven, God’s Word provides the many vital answers. It reveals why such things are done, how to avoid doing them, and most importantly, what to do to prepare for them and be forgiven of them!

  

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered;  Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.” (Romans 4:7-8)


Click here to listen to “The Word and The World” broadcast on the Boston Marathon Attack.

Bill Breckenridge

On April 12,  our ministry radio program, The Word and The World, will officially enter its 50th consecutive year on the air. That is a half-century of sharing the word of God! The weekly broadcast, begun by the ministry founder and director Rev. David Virkler, has covered countless world and current events and in a Biblical perspective.

To hear a selection of the current the programs you may simply click here on our ministry website. You will also have access to many other fine resources there and can learn the extent of the overall ministry umbrella of Dedication Evangelism founded just prior to the radio show's start.

But this unique broadcast had a very special beginning. The seed of using radio to reach more people than could ever be done in person, began in Dave as a young teen. It originated through the influence of his own father. If you would like to read the story of how this outreach took root and began to grow, simply go to this link.

But we thank God for this extended opportunity to impact lives and for the many who have supported this eternal effort. All we can say to these faithful and committed believers is thank you and to remind you of the words and promise found in 1 Corinthians 3:8.

"Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor."

Thank you again and may God bless your service for His glory!

Bill Breckenridge

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The Greatest Day Ever!

Sometimes we are asked, or just try to remember on our own, what the single greatest day of our lives was. It may be that day when we graduated, bought a first home, got married or experienced the birth of a first child. Or it may be something else like the beginning of a prized career or arriving at long-awaited retirement.

But for any true Christian these things, and anything else like them, should come far behind the moment the Bible describes in Colossians 1:13-14. “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Nothing can, or ever will, compare to this greatest of all blessings and miracles!

But in order for this to be even possible, there had to first come the greatest event in all of human history. It came in the long ago when God’s Son willingly became the sacrifice for the sins of the world. (Ephesians 2:8) Christ paid the full penalty for the transgressions of an entire lost race when He cried out from the cross, “It is finished!” (John 19:30) It would be an infinite understatement to say that this was a great and unparalleled moment for mankind -- and all at His expense.

But an even greater and connected moment soon followed. And interestingly, this had to occur in order to complete the transaction that would allow God’s forgiveness to be fully implemented. That equally great -- and perhaps even greater -- day and moment is described below:

“Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead He is not here, but is risen!’” (Luke 24:1-6)

Why did the events of this amazing morning also have to take place to complete God's redemptive process? Why was this necessary if it was truly “finished” a few days earlier on the cross? Simply stated, this was also a part of God’s overall plan and a therefore a vital link and ingredient. The proof of how crucial Christ’s rising from the dead is can be seen in 1 Corinthians 15:17-18. Paul records there, “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.”

Somehow, in eternity past, the Creator intertwined the events of Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday into the greatest single event on the timeline of planet Earth. It was His great solution for man’s greatest problem. These two events are inseparable and incomparable and alone provided the only hope for man’s salvation and eternal destiny.

But with that said, there also needs to be another great day to make them matter – to you. I had such a day at age 26. It was the day that I called out to God and trusted Christ to save me. It was on the basis of faith in the Savior who died in my place some 2,000 years ago. The writer of Hebrews asked in chapter two, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” Had I neglected God’s free offer, I would not have escaped a future and final judgement and would have spent an inconceivable eternity separated from God. Instead, His great love allowed me to experience a great salvation complete with great blessings, peace, hope and rewards!

In your mind today, what is the greatest day that ever occurred in human history? And what is the greatest event that ever took place in your personal life? If the two things just mentioned above do not top the list, then they desperately need to! And it is past the time to personally apply the great and life-altering pattern spelled out clearly Romans 10:13. “For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” What an amazing Easter it would be by doing that right now! It would be, without question, your ‘greatest day ever.’

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

Bill Breckenridge