"In everything give thanks." Seriously?

It is sometimes called “The Thanksgiving Psalm”. And even a casual reading reveals exactly why. It begins by using the repeated phrase, ‘Bless the Lord’.  And it ends with those same words while declaring in between the numerous reasons for why this deserved to be done. It is Psalm 103.

It lists the Lord’s benefits of healing power, loving kindness, tender mercies, graciousness, strength, justice and forgiveness. It ends by again re-emphasizing that those who benefit from God personally, and know Him intimately, are to  “Bless the Lord”. That means to properly worship Him and to speak well of Him often concerning His great person, power, protection, promises! No doubt exists about what God expects of His people and why.

But in the New Testament  there is one passage in particular that confirms this spiritual duty both quickly and directly. The Apostle Paul shared it in his first letter to the Thessalonian church and in verse 18. “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

In this one brief sentence the whole concept of being thankful is narrowed down by just a few key words. He relates that we are to be thankful in ‘everything’. That aspect is fairly clear. And even more clear is exactly why this is to be done. It is simply 'God’s will' for His people – all of them! It really could not get much easier to grasp than that!

But sometimes God's people have questions about this verse and the idea of being thankful about ‘everything’, Would this then include even the most terrible and difficult of circumstances? Would it include sin? That seems very hard. That seems very unreasonable. And that seems almost impossible by most any standard.  And the answer to these legitimate concerns is summarized by one other key word at the outset of verse 18. It is the small word ‘in’. The passage does not say to be thankful ‘for’ terrible, unfair or evil things that enter your life or your world. That would be unnatural. But it does say to find things to be thankful for  ‘in’ the midst of negative and painful experiences. That is what is possible and expected according to author of Scripture.

For the Christian, there are always things to be greatly thankful for. Nothing that happens in this life can remove, negate or alter having a forgiving Savior, a loving heavenly Father, an earthly spiritual family, a heavenly destiny and the indwelling Holy Spirit. A person who is missing these blessings, although having a near problem-free life otherwise, has little to be really and ultimately thankful for.

In an article in ‘Time 100’ Rick Warren, the pastor of Saddleback Church in California, summed it up as well as can be done. I highly urge you to read his full remarks here.  He gave the following foundational reasons as to why he was thankful this year even after losing his youngest son to a tragic suicide. He wrote, “No matter how good things are in my life, there are always problems I must deal with, and no matter how bad things are in my life, there are always blessings I can be grateful for.”

He listed the follow areas for which he remains greatly thankful even when times become tough:

- I’m thankful that although life is not always good, God is always good. I know without a doubt that God sees all I go through, he cares, he grieves with me, he is close and his strength is available at all times.”

- I’m thankful that, even though I don’t have all the answers, God does. In tragedy we seek explanations, but explanations never comfort. It is God’s presence that eases our pain.

- I’m thankful that this life is not all there is. It’s not the end of the story. One day God will right all wrongs, even the odds and settle all accounts. Justice will be served. Evil will not win.

- I’m thankful for the hope of heaven. I won’t have to live with pain forever. In heaven, there are no broken relationships, broken minds, broken bodies, broken dreams or broken promises. The Bible tells us, “God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.”

- I’m thankful that God can bring good even out of the bad in my life, when I give him the pieces. It’s his specialty. God never wastes a hurt if we give it to him.

These are the words from one who owns true perspective on thanksgiving. These are the thoughts of a godly believer. And these are proofs of spiritual maturity. Not only so, these are evidence of someone who recognizes that thanksgiving 'in' all things is always ‘the will of God in Christ Jesus for you’

Have a blessed and very ‘thankful’ Thanksgiving!

Bill Breckenridge

Typhoon Haiyan - Untold Suffering

The numbers are still being tallied in what is perhaps the most powerful storm on record and the most powerful tropical cyclone to ever make landfall. The official name was Typhoon Haiyan, and the bulk of the devastation was centered in the Philippines. And while aid continues to pour into the battered area, getting that relief to scores of desperate victims has been extremely difficult and has worsened an already horrific and dreadful situation.

Some wonder what a typhoon is and how it compares to a hurricane. Hurricane and typhoon are different names for the same type of storm. A tropical cyclone is called a hurricane in the north Atlantic Ocean, south Pacific Ocean, or the northeast Pacific Ocean on the eastern side of the dateline. A typhoon occurs in the northwest Pacific Ocean west of the dateline. In other parts of the world, these storms are called severe tropical cyclones. In essence, these storms are basically the same although typhoons are usually more dangerous than a hurricane because they generate closer to the equator.

Some feel the true facts regarding Typhoon Haiyan will never be really known due to a variety of factors. But most of what is known so far has come from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. And although the statistics are hard to verify, and may even include some contradictions, the followings numbers are being presented – at least for the moment:

- The width of Typhoon Haiyan was 370 miles.
- The sustained winds were 195 mph with gusts of 235.
- The height of the storm surge in Tacloban was 17 feet.
- The most rainfall recorded by NASA was some 27 inches.
- The number of people affected overall was 13 million.
- The number of children impacted was 4.9 million.
- The number of dead according to the U.N. is  4,200.
- The number the missing is around 1,186.
- The number of people displaced is about 3 million.
- The number in need of food assistance is 2.5 million.
- The number of homes damaged or destroyed is 494,611.
- The number of schools damaged is 628.
- The number of relief dollars given so far is $81 million.

As grim as these numbers are,  most are likely very low – especially concerning the total damage and the rising death toll!

It is extremely hard, if not impossible, to really understand the level of pain and suffering that is now a part of daily life in the Philippines. And many in other places around the world have faced similar fates or will. The Bible says of the human experience, “Yet man is born to trouble, As the sparks fly upward.” This accurate reality was penned by a man who knew suffering first-hand and on a catastrophic scale.

Job was a man who loved God and avoided all evil. He was the model of a godly father and husband. And yet his entire world was rocked when he suddenly lost literally everything but his life. Even his own wife pressed him to turn his back on God and simply die. (Job 2:8) His response to her showed his faith and character. “But he said to her, 'Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?’ In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” After some struggles over his seemingly unfair plight, Job came to this conclusion that His God was indeed sovereign, just and worthy of all his total trust – no matter what!

It is often hard to deal with the negative events of a fallen world. What has occurred since man’s demise in the Garden so long ago was never God’s intent. He wanted far better for man. He wanted the very best! But God remains sovereign and just. He works through even those gruesome events that plague His creation and beloved creatures. This divine ability is seen in Ephesians 1:11 where the writer speaks of God as, “Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.”

Countless souls are facing untold suffering in the Philippines. The destruction and horror there is epic! But God’s concern and great love for every individual there knows no limits. (Romans 5:8) His Son’s unspeakable suffering on the cross made possible, for all, an escape route from eternal suffering. The overriding need to be forgiven of sin, and prepared to face eternity, is far greater than any pressing need for daily material provisions.

Pray for relief efforts and for the dear people now dealing with unimaginable pain and loss. Financially support the organizations working to help. (One is Samaritan’s Purse: www.samaritanspurse.org) And pray also for the many hurting believers, who, while suffering themselves, have the unique ability to share God’s supernatural relief effort for a suffering world in dire need of His spiritual food and life!

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10)

Bill Breckenridge

The Gettysburg Address

Today marks the 150^th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. What is perhaps the most famous speech in U.S. history was given by President Abraham Lincoln at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery four months after the Battle of Gettysburg. Today’s post, contrasting Lincoln’s timeless eloquence with the empty words of another president, is the chapter entitled “Talk” from the book Presidential Profiles by David M. Virkler.*

William Henry Harrison established several “firsts” in the presidency and should be well remembered. But it is not so. He came to office at the age of 68, the oldest Chief Executive until Ronald Reagan. Previously, our presidents had walked into the White House on the strong political planks of a solid platform. But Harrison was borne in on the wings of song and catchy slogans. His supporters sang, “Tippecanoe and Tyler, Too” and coined the phrase “Keep the Ball Rolling,” an expression still used today to describe steady advance.

But perhaps he is most unremembered because of another inglorious “first”—he was the first president to say so much and do so little. His tenure lasted only one month, but no one could have predicted it listening to the torrent of golden oratory that fell from his lips during his inaugural address spoken from the Capitol steps on March 4, 1841.

Although he was old and tired, his many years and great plans expressed themselves for one hour and forty minutes. Thousands of words, cut and fit by the great Daniel Webster, deluged the people. The weather was cold and raw, blown in by a vicious northwest wind, but the President refused coat or hat. At the conclusion of this inaugural masterpiece and vocal marathon, Harrison chose to lead the Inaugural Parade to the White House in the biting wintry blast, still overbilled and underclothed.

Some historians believe he caught cold. Regardless, only one month later he lay dead of pneumonia. Even his wife was thoroughly shocked; she heard of his death on her way to residency in the White House.

Harrison gained significance through insignificance—he said the most and did the least. While his address flounders in obscurity, another speech of only ten sentences and two paragraphs is timeless.

Some predicted that the presence of Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg would prove a national embarrassment. What could the lanky, awkward Chief Executive add after the brilliant two-hour oratory of famed speech-maker Edward Everett?

Lincoln finished his few sentences before most listeners were aware that he had begun. Yet, the incisive address scratched on rough paper during a bumpy train ride had focused a thousand loose thoughts into a single conciliatory document. Incredibly, it would be immortalized at Gettysburg and in Washington, D.C.

Words without deeds are hollow and impotent. That is why no school child has ever memorized a single word of the president who said the most and did the least. But, almost without exception, Americans respond to the cadence of “Fourscore and seven years ago….”

The Lord Jesus Christ declared that words are cheap, but deeds will keep. “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46) “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Today, the choice is often between Harrison and Lincoln, between promise and performance. Do we wish to say the most and do the least, or do we choose to say the least and do the most? Remember, history is an accurate and cruel judge.


* Presidential Profiles shares intriguing stories and facts about many U.S. presidents to illustrate important truths from God’s Word. It is available as a 2-CD audio book. Twenty-three chapters feature a number of U.S. presidents including Washington, Lincoln, Coolidge, Eisenhower, Nixon, Clinton, and George W. Bush. Also included is God & Faith in Presidential Inaugurals, a print compilation of all references to God, faith, prayer and Scripture in presidential inaugural addresses. Presidential Profiles is available for a suggested tax-deductible contribution of $15. Send a check or money order to: Dedication Evangelism, PO Box 10, Towaco, NJ 07082.

Nice, Nasty or Neutral?

It comes each October and has steadily gained popularity in recent years. And it is by far the strangest of all days in the calendar year. Of course, it is none other than Halloween.

It always has been a favorite day, especially with kids, who try to stock up on candy and other teeth-rotting goodies to hopefully last them until Christmas. The bizarre fall event has seen related revenue climb to almost obscene levels over the last few decades becoming more of a month-long seasonal celebration than just a one-day deal. Then, too, overall participation has also increased dramatically among adults who now dress up and party in growing numbers each year

As most everyone knows, the main theme of this now rather lengthy celebration is the occult and the supernatural. Assorted ghosts, witches, vampires and demons seem almost omnipresent. This is indeed interesting considering that the word Halloween means “hallowed evening” or “holy evening” and that October 31 is the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows or All Saints Day. That certainly seems ironic and about as far away from the current concept as possible.

The typical Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, costume parties, carving jack-o-lanterns, lighting bonfires, visiting haunted attractions, playing pranks, telling scary stories, and watching graphic horror films. To many this is just harmless fun for the kids and yet another reason to attend a party. Few seem to really care much about its origins or any negative aspects that may accompany it. Maybe this is because those who see no problems don’t place much stock in the reality of supernatural evil in the world.

But for those who believe in the teachings of Scripture, a passage like Ephesians 6:11-13 comes into play and may shape their views on the subject. The Bible says, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God.” The Bible also records repeated encounters of Christ who had regular dealings with literal demons like the one recorded in Matthew 17:14-21.

The bottom line is that everyone must consider what to think and do about Halloween. Each must decide for themselves whether it is good, bad, or neutral and to what level they will participate in it. Some will view it as a happy, harmless and fun event. Others perhaps feel it to be a twisted or dangerous one. And there are still those who just don’t care one way or another. But there is no getting around certain basic facts regarding this huge yearly event. It does glorify and promote the occult, evil, violence and horror. And it does, in recent years, increasingly promote sexual themes in graphic ways.

But most importantly, there is a real and undeniable link to a literal existence and influence of supernatural darkness and the literal living enemy of God. It has been said that one of the devil’s greatest tricks is convincing people that he is only a make-believe religious myth and, therefore, not really working to destroy a vulnerable human race. This is why God has provided numerous warnings concerning his existence and his tactics in passages like 1 Peter 5:8. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” Because this is tragically true and real, God has countered him through the life and death of His Son who came to deal with Satan’s destructive treachery. 1 John 3:8 sums it up simply like this. “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”

Halloween is often viewed as just a fun harmless celebration – give or take the ensuing dentist bills down the road. And yet it must be remembered that evil is every bit as real as a cavity, and so is the one who helped cause mankind’s fall in the garden so long ago.

But with man’s great fall into sin came God’s greater forgiveness found in His Son! The Apostle Paul wrote, “But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:20-21)

The supernatural realm is real on both sides of the fence. And likewise real is the One who bravely “destroyed the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8) through His sacrifice on the cross and His literal resurrection from the dead. He purchased redemption and a heavenly home someday for all who would believe and trust Him as the real Son of God and the literal Savior of men!

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

Bill Breckenridge

"Killing Jesus" - Missing the Big Picture?

The title is beyond intriguing and the contents compelling. It is destined for success and the best-seller list because the author is already famous. But is it all it could be, or more importantly, what it should have been?

It is the new book by Billy O’Reilly - long-time TV commentator on the Fox News network and author of other recent literary works as well. But this new book, even though using a similar title to his last two, is somehow unique. It is entitled ‘Killing Jesus’ – a phrase that will draw the attention of some who did not have any interest in Mr. O’Reilly’s last to titles, ‘Killing Lincoln’ and ‘Killing Kennedy’.

The author appeared on ‘60 Minutes’ recently to discuss the reason and purpose behind his latest piece of literature. He shared how he, and his co-author, offered the historical side of what happened to Christ and how everything surrounding His death really occurred back in that day. He used various external sources along with the Bible accounts. And it appears that what he did cover in that realm was quite well done.

Despite many good reviewers regarding the stated purpose of  “Killing Jesus, problems linger in two other key areas. First, the subject of this new book is not like writing about anyone else who ever lived. Presenting Christ in only a historical light only, no matter how well done, is incomplete at best. Jesus Christ is God in the flesh (Colossians 2:9) and His cross was the instrument that allowed the price of sin to be paid and for lost sinners to be saved! So to not talk about Jesus’ ministry, purpose and accomplishments, while referring in detail to His death, is a major omission - whether intentional or not.

But the other issue has to do with something equally serious. Mr. O’Reilly has said something staggering and for some quite troubling. He states that Jesus never actually cried out from the cross some of the words that Scripture records. In particular he says that the well-know phrase, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”, was not literally uttered by a dying Savior. When asked the reason O’Reilly said, “We don’t put in things we think did not happen”. He believes that no one could have spoken out at all due to the special physical complications of suffocation during crucifixion. When further questioned about the biblical account he said, “You can believe what you want. If you want to take the Bible literally that is your right. We believe that the oral history in the Bible is largely accurate but we are not taking it literally.”

So a very influential Catholic, who stated that the Holy Spirit ‘directed’ him to write this book, concludes the same Holy Spirit is in error and that the Bible writers did not really hear what they recorded in the Scriptures. Further, he believes that the people were not allowed close enough to the cross to hear even if anyone could speak under those gruesome circumstances. And yet one would think that this would have been picked up on and questioned by the many who were alive in those days from day one. But they did not seem to question the written Gospel records. But it is also interesting that, in addition to Mark’s account, that Matthew, Luke and John all recorded phrases that Jesus said from the cross. All three state that, “He cried out with a LOUD VOICE”. And all three recorded words that were spoken at the end, or near the end, of Christ’s physical death when he would have been the very weakest.

But is this really any big deal? And if it is, then why? Who really cares as long as the majority of what is in the biblical text is true and and accurate?

If you are in this camp, consider this. It is a very big deal because the biblical writers were inspired of the Holy Spirit as they penned every word of the Old and New Testaments. 2 Timothy 3:16 says “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. Other passages like 2 Peter 1:21 declare likewise. So the issue at hand is all about the authority, reliability and accuracy of  God’s word – all of it. In Theological terms it is called “verbal plenary inspiration”. This means that the precise words of the original manuscripts were directly inspired by God, although He did not change the author's intelligence or understanding while doing so. This means that God choose, inspired and sovereignty guided the biblical authors who were equipped by Him to write the very words of scripture - each and every one. This is the foundation of the evangelical view of the inerrancy of scripture.

Again, some may argue that a few verses being recorded in error, or even missing in the overall Biblical record,  is no big deal as long as the bulk of the writings are there. That concept seems to be acceptable on the surface – but for one major and critical  exception.

When it is suggested in John’s gospel should not include the above phrase uttered by Jesus from the cross, then what is to prevent this same view applying to other words in the Bible narratives? And what if the words under scrutiny this time happen to be a passage the caliber of a John 3:16?  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Or what about the veracity of foundational passage like that of the Apostle Paul in Romans 10:9? “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.” When there is a skeptical approach to Scriptural truth itself, then the question arises as to whether or not the Bible is reliable enough to base one’s eternal destiny upon.

Simply stated, there is far more at stake here than meets the average reader’s eye. Many have complimented this new title as being fine historical research including Christians. And on that level, Mr. O’Reilly and his partner did their job just as they sought to. An it is the author’s prerogative to, as he stated, to not take everything literally on the pages of  Scripture. But the real harm is to hose who may be on the fence about the Bible being fully trustworthy. Some will wonder what parts really are of the Holy Spirit, which Holy Spirit or even if there is a Holy Spirit if the entire book is not 100% true? This can then easily  impact whether or not readers see biblical claims as reliable enough to act upon for their salvation.

“Killing Jesus” is a well done, historical and enjoyable book – but one that is an incomplete one. Even when the stated purpose has been met, Christ’s life and his death on the cross can’t be logically or practically separated from why he came and what He accomplished.  Only God could pay the price for sin and cry out loudly from the cross the three most important words ever stated - “It is finished”.  Was this too perhaps never uttered or heard?  Irregardless of what anyone says or believes, the Jesus who walked on water, healed the sick and rose from the dead could easily have mustered the power to ‘shout out’ from the cross the victory over sin and death forever?   I choose to take that ‘literally’ and the salvation it provides for miraculously!

To hear the full Word and The World broadcast from 10/13/13 on this story click here.

Bill Breckenridge