The Pro-Life Psalm

 

(Redeemer Church, Monroe, dark outside, lights on in the sanctuary)

PSALM 139:13-18

For you created my inmost being;

    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
    How vast is the sum of them!

Were I to count them,
    they would outnumber the grains of sand—
    when I awake, I am still with you.

"Abortion": Defined

Yale U's Robert P. George on Defending Unborn Life

 

                                                                       (My home office)

(I am re-posting this for the unborn.)

Professor Robert P. George is one of the most influential scholars, for me and many others, on the abortion issue.

As an example of moral and rational clarity, see: "Defending Unborn Life in Political Action: We Must Continue the Struggle for the Soul of Our Nation." It's brilliant and compassionate.

Here's a quote from George.

"Are unborn babies persons? As a matter of moral fact, they are. That is because the offspring of human parents, from the earliest embryonic stage of their development forward, are — and are undeniably — distinct, complete, albeit dependent and developing, living members of the species Homo sapiens: human beings. And all human beings are persons — that is, creatures whose nature is a rational nature. Like human beings in the infant stage, human beings in the fetal and embryonic stages of development do not yet carry out characteristically human mental activities; yet embryonic, fetal and infant human beings are organized precisely to develop the immediately exercisable capacities for precisely such activities. That is their nature."

If anyone wonders why I am so concerned about this issue, please read George's article.

If you want to contact me and talk about this essay, please do so.  johnpiippo@msn.com 

And see here for more. 

Now Reading...

 

Does the Bible Affirm Same-Sex Relationships?: Examining 10 Claims about Scripture and Sexuality

Rebecca McLaughlin (PhD, Cambridge University)

My Christological Creed

 

                                                        (Pumpkin field, Monroe, MI)

From my book Deconstructing Progressive Christianity.

• I believe Christ died for our sins. 
• I believe all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 
• I believe sin makes a separation between us and God, and us and others. (The wages of sin is death.)
• I believe God hates sin. Sin is rejection of God’s lordship. I believe God’s holiness cannot be grasped without comprehending the nature of sin. The wrath of God flows from his holiness. God’s anger flows from his goodness. (See Kevin Kinghorn, But What About God's Wrath: The Compelling Love Story of Divine Anger.)
• I believe, “since all human beings have sinned, and God as the holy One judges retributively and does not merely overlook sin, sin must be atoned for by sacrifice. 
• I believe the fundamental reason for the sacrifices is atonement, so that sinners could be forgiven by the holy One. 
• I believe the suffering of the Messiah was clearly prophesied. (See Isaiah 53. See The Gospel According to Isaiah 53.) 
• I believe it was the will of God to die in the place of sinners. 
• I believe that the Cross was God’s idea.

• I believe it was God who died in our place. (Behind this belief is Trinitarian theology. Thomas Schreiner writes, “the doctrine of the Trinity forbids us from separating the persons of the Trinity too rigidly from one another.” [Atonement: Four Views, 95] At least we should agree that this man Jesus, hanging on the cross, was no ordinary human. He was the God-Man.)

Piippo, John. Deconstructing Progressive Christianity . Kindle Edition. 

One of my PhD comprehensive exams (Northwestern University) was on ancient Christology.

How to Pray for Our Leaders

 

                                                                (Cross, in our front yard)

FROM the BILLY GRAHAM ASSOCIATION https://static.billygraham.org/sites/billygrahamlibrary.org/uploads/pro/2017/01/How-to-pray-for-our-Leaders.pdf

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.” —1 Timothy 2:1–3, NKJV

We are to pray respectfully for leaders. “Honor all people. ... Fear God. Honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17).

We are to pray with the clear understanding that government authority is established by God. “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God” (Romans 13:1). We also pray knowing that God’s Word says, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Proverbs 21:1).

WHO TO PRAY FOR

President

Cabinet members

Senators

 Congressional representatives

 Supreme Court

 Military leaders 

Governor 

State legislators 

Mayor 

Police chief, sheriff 

First responders

PRAY THIS WAY

Open the heart of ______________ to hear and respond to the Gospel message if they do not know you. Acts 16:14

• Help ____________ to accept wise counsel. Proverbs 11:14; 15:22

• Teach _________ to trust in You. Psalm 21:7

• Protect __________ from the influence of the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

• Give __________ discretion, foresight, and understanding in making decisions. 1 Chronicles 22:12

• Deliver ________ from opinions contrary to Your Word. Psalm 119:105

• Protect _________ from harm, and bless and protect his/her family. Psalm 21:11; Ezra 6:10

• Enable __________ to carry out his/her duties with humility toward You and toward others. 1 Peter 5:5

• Give __________ the courage to do the right thing even when urged to do the wrong thing. Proverbs 2:11–15

• Give _________ a tender heart of compassion toward those he/she leads and serves. Colossians 3:12

***

For more detail on how Christians should respond to government leaders they disagree with, see, e.g., N. T. Wright and Michael Bird, Jesus and the Powers, Ch. 5, "The Church Between Submission and Subversion." 

If You Don't Control Your Mouth Your Religion Is Worthless

 

 

                                                      (Our back yard, in colder days)

When pressure is applied to a person's life, we see who they really are. 

In our current, pressure-packed, politicized culture, peoples' hearts are being revealed.

Sadly, in some who say they follow Jesus, the worst is coming out.

Gladly, other Jesus-followers are shining.

Some have succumbed to darkness. Others walk in the light.

This concerns what comes out of our mouths. This is about our words, our attitudes, our hearts.

If you are a follower of Jesus, listen to these words, and take them to heart.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

Those who guard their lips preserve their lives,
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. Proverbs 13:3

 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  Ephesians 4:2-3

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.  Ephesians 4:15

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

The words of the reckless pierce like swords,
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18

"The things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them." Matthew 15:18

"I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak." Matthew 12:36

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Colossians 3:8

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:9-12

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 19:20

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. James 1:26

I suggest: print these Scriptures out. Carry them with you for a season. Meditate on them.

Ask God to take them from your mind and grow them in your heart.

If one verse stands out to you, assume this is the Holy Spirit speaking to you. Carry this verse with you, repeating it often. 

Join me in asking God to teach how to speak truth... in love.

And, if your mouth has done harm rather than good, repent, before the Lord. Confess, to the ones you have hurt.

Do not embrace the false, demonic belief that you won't be able to express truth unless you hate.

DECLARATIONS from these VERSES

• When pressure is applied to my heart, the best of Jesus comes out.
• The only words that come out of my mouth are words that build people up, not tear people down.
• I have placed a guard over my mouth, so I don't speak rashly and ruin relationships.
• I am patient with others, because the Lord is patient with me.
• I bear with others, because the Lord puts up with me.
• My consuming goal is unity of the Spirit.
• I speak truth in love. I care for others as I speak truth.
• I prayerfully, while seeking God, guard my heart. There are thoughts I do not allow my heart to entertain.
• No unwholesome talk comes out of my mouth. 
• People come to me, because my words build them up.
• I speak no careless, thoughtless words.
• I am over hating people.
• I never slander people.
• No obscene, unholy talk comes out of my mouth.
• I cannot curse other people, because even if they don't know Jesus, they are made in the image of God.
• I pray and ponder things before I open my mouth.
• I have put a bridle on my mouth, and allow the Spirit to guide my words.

Michael Brown on the 2024 Elections - A Prophetic Message

 

A Prophetic Message Concerning the 2024 Elections.

By Michael Brown

Among many other things, Michael was one of our speakers at a recent Green Lake summer conference.

He also was an important part of the Brownsville Revival.

How to Pray for Our Government Leaders

 

                                                                   (Lake Erie sunrise)

The apostle Paul lived in a time and place where the existing political and religious powers were antagonistic and oppositional to his message of the Gospel, to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and to the message of the Kingdom of God that was not, as Jesus said, "of this world."

It's true that Paul gave thanks for the Pax Romana, and the brief historical window this provided for sharing the Gospel. But still his sufferings, at the hands of politicized Jews and Gentiles, were many. He lists some of them in 2 Corinthians 11:21-29.

Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

Given this atmosphere of anti-Christian persecution, it strikes me as amazing that Paul writes these words, in 1 Timothy 2:1-4:

     I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for             all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet         lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who             wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Let's add Jesus's command in Matthew 5:43-48.

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

What a challenge it is, at least for me, to follow this command of Jesus, and Paul's counsel to Timothy! This takes the agape love of Jesus to another level. I am old, and still learning this Jesus-way of praying.

If you want to take these things to heart, here are some resources that may help.

Blessings!

JP

***

From Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ), the ministry I got saved in. Prayer Guide: How to Pray for Our Country's Leaders.

From World Vision. How to Pray for Your Government Leaders.

From Kenneth Copeland Ministries. A Prayer for Our Government.

From the Navigators. Praying for Nations and Leaders in a Time of Difficulty.

From Logos.com. Five Bible Passages About Praying for Those in Authority.

From Focus on the Family. 30 Days of Prayer. (See especially days 21-30.)

From K-Love. Eight Prayers for Your Leaders. 

From Billy Graham Association. How to Pray for Our Leaders. 

Intro to Redeemer Church in Monroe