Pride Goeth Before The Fall

Posted on October 6, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Christian Living

Over 100 years ago the Titanic set off on its maiden voyage from England to the United States. This marvel of modern manufacturing was touted as being unsinkable, due to its design and construction. It is rumored that one of the crewmen even went so far as to remark that even God could not sink the Titanic! Of course we all know what happened on the evening of April 14, 1912. The Titanic struck and iceberg and sank in the North Atlantic.

In the book of Obadiah, we see another group of proud people. The descendants of Esau, the Edomites, are said to trust in their high and lofty position in the cliffs. Obadiah says of them, “You who dwell in the clefts of the rock, Whose habitation is high; You who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’” (Obadiah 3b, NKJV). They thought that they were untouchable, and that no one could ever defeat them. God tells them, “The pride of your heart has deceived you. . . Though you ascend as high as the eagle, And though you set your nest among the stars, From there I will bring you down,” says the Lord” (Obadiah 3a, 4).

God was eventually going to punish the Edomites for their transgressions in helping the enemy of their brothers. While the Israelites (descendants of Esau’s brother Jacob) were being attacked by the Babylonians, the Edomites just sat by and watched. They even went so far as to give aid and comfort to the enemy (Obadiah 10-11; Amos 1:11).

Often we also think that we are untouchable, because of the economic and military strength of the country we live in. But, it is God who is in charge. Nations that practice sin and do what is against God’s desires will be brought low. Solomon wrote, “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). The answer for us is to be humble. Seek out God while we can. Do not be a victim of pride. Let us never think too highly of ourselves in the presence of the almighty Lord who is in control of it all.

A Day’s Journey Without Jesus

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Christian Living

Once upon a time there was a little girl who was left behind at the church building where she grew up. Both of her parents had driven to the worship service that morning, since her father had a meeting to attend early that morning. When they left, both assumed that the other had the child with them. Perhaps something like this has happened to you, and if so, you are in good company.

Joseph and Mary had traveled to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover when Jesus was just twelve years old (Luke 2:41-42). When they left, both of them made the assumption that Jesus was with their relatives in the caravan leading back home. However, after traveling for a day’s journey, they realized that Jesus was not with the company (Luke 2:43-45). They quickly backtracked and found Jesus three days later in the temple, where He was amazing the learned men with His questions and answers (Luke 2:46).

We can just imagine the horror of realizing that our child is missing. Searching high and low for a missing child causes us much anguish and worry for their safety, especially in our day and age. Both Mary and Joseph were concerned about being without Jesus, even for a day’s journey. “So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, ‘Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously’” (Luke 2:48, NKJV).

How many of us will journey for a day, or several days, or perhaps even months at a time without Jesus being with us? Do we become concerned? Are we anxious because we are not with Him? God has said that He will never abandon us or leave us, but we have the free will to travel away from Him (Hebrews 13:5; 2:1). All of the spiritual blessings that God has to offer are to be found in Christ/with Jesus (Ephesians 1:3). Are we with Him, or are we journeying without Jesus? If we are going through this life without Him, we need to come back and find Him. Come and see, and let us help you find Jesus!

Jesus Is Better

Posted on September 22, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Christian Living, Doctrine

In a good news article the four ‘W’s are usually brought out in the first paragraph. At least that’s what I remember from my very brief education on journalism from a long ago English course. Writers want to let the reader know who, did what, when, and where. In looking at the beginning of the book of Hebrews, we might call the writer a good journalist. “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:1-2, NKJV).

Notice with me some of what is in these two little verses of scripture. First, in verse one, God is the who. Spoke is what He did. The when is in times past, and the where was to the fathers. The verse also tells us how God did that. It was at various times and in various ways and through the mouth of the prophets that God spoke to mankind in times past. Second, in verse two, God is still the one speaking, so the who and the what are the same. However, now that speaking has been done in these last days, and it has been spoken to us by His Son, Jesus Christ.

There are many lessons that we can learn from the old law and the Old Testament (Romans 15:4). However, now we are told to hear God’s Son and pay the more earnest heed to His words (Matthew 17:5; Hebrews 2:1-4). Indeed the message that comes from the entire book of Hebrews is that Christ is better. He is better than the angels. He is better than Moses. He is better than the human high priests. He mediates a better covenant, established on better promises, with a better hope (Hebrews 7:19; 8:6).

It is Jesus Christ, the one and only unique Son of God, who has brought salvation to mankind. We need to hear what He has to say. We need to obey His commands. Otherwise, how shall we escape the punishment for our sins that we deserve? “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him” (Hebrews 2:3).

The Paths of the Sea

Posted on September 8, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Christian Evidences

Matthew Fontaine Maury

Have you ever taken a canoe trip? Perhaps you were put into the river at one point and were later picked up at another point downstream. If you want to take a leisurely trip, you do not even have to paddle other than to steer the canoe away from rocks or the bank. The current of the water will carry you along to your destination. If you have ever dropped anything out of your canoe, then you know how hard it can be to row against the current to go back upriver to retrieve it!

Matthew Fontaine Maury is credited with the discovery of ocean currents, which make shipping and travel upon the seas much more efficient than they would otherwise be. By using the paths of the sea, shipping vessels can use less energy and travel faster than they would if they had to struggle against the current. Just how did Maury discover these paths? How is it that he became known as the “Pathfinder of the Seas?”

Matthew Maury was a member of the United States Navy in the mid 1800’s. The story is told of how he was bed ridden with illness, and thus had one of his children read to him from the Psalms of the Old Testament. As he listened to the eighth Psalm, he was intrigued by the phrase “paths of the sea.” He was determined that if God’s word mentioned paths in the sea, then they must be there. Thus it was because of the Scriptures that Maury went in search of ocean currents.

In looking at the Psalm we find these words written about man, “You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen — Even the beasts of the field, The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas” (Psalm 8:6-8 NKJV). Just how is it that a shepherd, who became the King of Israel, could know about ocean currents? David never sailed the high seas. Yet David writes of the paths of the sea almost 3,000 years before man made this scientific discovery.

This is yet further proof of the inspiration of the scriptures. This shows us that the only way David could have had this information so long ago, was that God revealed it to him. Maury heard the phrase “paths of the seas,” he believed God’s word to be true, and he went out and discovered what God’s word already knew was there. Perhaps you would like to know more about other scientific knowledge that has been revealed in God’s word long before man discovered it. If so, come and see what God’s word has to say about this and many other subjects!

Ask, Seek, and Knock

Posted on August 18, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Christian Living

Imagine that you have a friend who comes knocking on your door at midnight tonight looking for three loaves of bread in order to feed his guests. How would you react? Would you direct them to the nearest Walmart? Jesus said, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves;for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’?” (Luke 11:5b-7 NKJV). Even though the two people are friends, Jesus points out that the one will not get out of bed to help the other because of their friendship, but because of persistence (Luke 11:8).

In looking at the context of the passage, it is quickly observed that Jesus is teaching them about prayer (Luke 11:1-4; 9-10). Therefore, when we look at the story of persistence, what we should get out of that is our need to be persistent in our prayers to God. Oftentimes we may feel that we are bothering God, or that we have already prayed about a certain issue and so we do not persist. But if we are praying for God’s will to be done, we should persist.

Notice that Jesus tells His disciples, “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Luke 11:9-10). Did you notice the first letter in each of the three things Jesus told them to do? They are to ask (A), seek (S), and knock (K). In other words, they are to continue to ASK God for what they need. As followers of Jesus, we are to be persistent in our prayer life and keep asking, seeking, and knocking! If you are seeking God, we would be happy to help. Come and see what God has done for us!

Show Me the Evidence!

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Christian Evidences

When it comes to matters of faith these days, it seems that many have determined that they are just going to believe in something whether there is any evidence for it or not. For instance, I could state that I believe that the world was created by the one eyed spaghetti monster, and that is who I am going to worship. When pressed for evidence of said creature, I could state that we just need to have faith and evidence is not necessary. It may be pointed out that belief without proof/evidence is irrational. It does not make logical sense to believe in a spaghetti monster without evidence.

Our faith and belief in God, who is not visible, must then be based upon the evidence that is visible. This is biblical faith. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1, NKJV emphasis added). There is evidence of God in the creation. “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). The fact that there is a cosmos proves that there has to be a God. Because there is something now, there must have been something before. We cannot get something from nothing. Something must then be eternal, but we know that matter is not eternal. Thus it had to come from somewhere. The design we see in the universe also shows us that there has to be a designer. Systems as complex as the human body could not have come about by chance. Those who place their faith in random chance and evolution have the same problem as those who believe in the spaghetti monster. The evidence does not support their claim.

Imagine that you are on trial for your life. Now imagine that I am on the jury that will decide your fate. How would you want for me to proceed? Should I say that I think you are guilty because that is how I feel? Should I say that you are innocent because you have an innocent looking face? How about if I base my judgment in your case on the evidence? Looking at the evidence takes all of the emotion out of the issue. Looking at the evidence will help us to achieve a logical, rational, and correct viewpoint. This is how God wants us to proceed! That is why He invites us to come and reason together (Isaiah 1:18). Faith and reason are not enemies; they are joined hand in hand. Our faith must be based upon reason!

The evidence of God is all around us.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened (Romans 1:18-21).

The power and wrath of God has been revealed. Those who are unrighteous wish to suppress the truth. They do not want for there to be a God, so they ignore the evidence. The evidence is manifested within their own bodies. God has shown us the evidence, and true science indicates how complex the human body is (skeletal system, digestive system, nervous system, cardiovascular system). Each part of our body receives just what it needs when it needs it. If we were to look upon a manufacturing system with such complexity, we would certainly conclude that it did not happen by chance. Since the creation of the world, the workings and power of God have been clearly seen. So then, if we choose to ignore the evidence, God says we are without excuse. We cannot claim that we did not know. Ignorance is not an excuse.

Let us not run from evidence, reason, and science. All of these prove to us that there is a God. All of these indicate to us that there has to be a God. Since there is a God, how should we react? (Deuteronomy 6:5; Joshua 22:5; Mark 12:30; John 14:15). Because there is a Creator, we should seek Him out and find out what it is that He wants for us to do (Matthew 7:21ff). The answers are in His word. Let us continue to dig for the evidence, which will show us that our faith is true and not based on irrationality. Let us then show that evidence to those who are around us!

The Truth is Black and White

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Culture, Doctrine

Rachel Dolezal is not black. She was born to two white parents, but later bronzed her skin and changed her hairstyle. After claiming to be black, she was made a local leader in the NAACP. Recently, her parents have spoken out to say that Rachel is not black. Rachel responded by saying, “Nothing about being white describes who I am. So, you know, what’s the word for it? The closest thing that I can come to is if you’re black or white, I’m black. . . I’m more black than white. On a level of values, lived experience currently. In this moment, that’s the answer. That’s the accurate answer from my truth” (http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/rachel-dolezal-says-theres-no-biological-proof-of-who-her-parents-are/ar-AAbI12V?ocid=ansnewsap11).

Notice that she says “in this moment” she is black, as if we are able to change our heritage over the course of time. I can get a suntan, grow dreadlocks, and start to speak with an accent (Hey, mon, don’t ya know it), but that will not make me Jamaican. The truth is not something that is subject to change over time. Jesus prayed that God would sanctify or set His people apart by the truth, which is God’s word (John 17:17). The Bible tells us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NKJV). We are not to add to or take from God’s word (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32). Jesus said His words would endure forever (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31).

Rachel believes that her answers are according to “her truth,” but truth is not relative. I cannot have one truth that is different from your truth. I can have an opinion that is different than yours, but there is only one truth. If I were to say that the lights are on and you were to say that the lights are off, both of those statements cannot be true at the same time. The truth does not depend on our environment or our situation in life. Water is wet. Jesus is Lord. There is just one God. These things are true whether we believe and accept them or not. The truth is not gray. The truth is black and white.

“Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth” (Psalm 119:142). “You are near, O Lord, And all Your commandments are truth” (Psalm 119:151). “The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever” (Psalm 119:160). God’s word could not be clearer on this subject. Yet, there are those who will still ask the question that was on Pilate’s lips as Jesus stood before him, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). If you want to know more about the truth, read God’s word. If you want to find eternal life, you must believe it to be true (Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6). If we can help you on your journey, come and see what the Lord has done for us!

Failure To Warn

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Current Events

Recently a story was in the news that the German government may have had a warning about commercial airlines flying over Ukraine and Russia, prior to an airliner being shot down in that region. If proved to be true, it would mean that the Germans did not sound the alarm and warn others of impending doom. Many become upset when they hear news such as this, and rightfully so. We do not tend to think much of others when they know of potential disaster, but refuse to warn others.

God’s word has something to say about this principle as well. God instructed His prophet Ezekiel,

Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul (Ezekiel 3:17-19 NKJV).

Ezekiel was God’s watchman. He was to point out wickedness when he saw it. He was to warn others of their impending doom. If he did not give the warning, then he would be held responsible by God.

Today, we no longer have prophets, but we do have the completed word of God that we can read and study and use as our standard. When we see things that are morally wrong according to that standard, we have an obligation and a duty to point those things out to others in order to give them fair warning. If we do not give the warning, God will hold us responsible. It is not an easy thing to tell others that they are wrong. For most it is a no win situation.

However, it is not by our own rules or desires that we are to call someone’s actions wicked. We are to make the comparison and issue the warning in accordance with God’s holy standard, the Bible. Therefore, let us be good students of His word and continue to sound the alarm and show others the way God would have them go.

Independence

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Christian Living

Independence is something that most Americans desire. We want to be our own boss. We do not like being told what to do. We want to be the ones in charge of our life and our decisions. When we go to 7-11, we want the 44 ounce Mountain Dew, and we do not want someone telling us we cannot have it.

In the time of Jesus there were a good many Jews who also longed for their independence. They did not like it that Rome was in charge and they had no say over their political affairs. A faction of the Jews known as the Zealots tried to make things difficult on the Romans. They assassinated leaders and revolted against Rome, which led to the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and the Zealot’s last stand at Masada (Josephus, Wars of the Jews).

While political independence is something to be desired, we need to realize that we will never be totally independent. We cannot create our own food out of nothing. We cannot create the air we breathe in by speaking it into existence. We cannot make our hearts stop and start beating. We need to recognize our dependence upon God.

God, through the pen of Paul, lets us know that we are all slaves to someone. We are either slaves/servants of God, or we are slaves of the evil one. “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16 NKJV). We may think that we are being independent when we choose to walk away from God, but we are only making ourselves slaves to someone/something else.

If we want true freedom from sin, if we want a reward in heaven when this life is over, then we need to realize our total dependence upon God. We need to learn of His will, and we need to obey Him (Matthew 7:21ff; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). Jesus said that we could know the truth, and that the truth would make us free from sin (John 8:32). Thus, we can have independence from the evil one, but only by being dependent upon God! God will not force us to choose Him. That is our independent choice. Who will you choose to depend upon?

I Know Whom I Have Believed

Posted on May 12, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Article

As Paul is giving his final instructions to the young evangelist, Timothy, he writes, “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Tim. 1:12 NKJV). Let us notice a few things about this particular verse.

First, Paul says that he knows whom he has believed. Paul does not have any doubt about the God that he serves. From the time that Paul first saw the light on the road to Damascus and spoke to our Lord and Savior, he never turned away. Paul was steadfast in his faith, even with all of the trials he had to endure (2 Cor. 11:23-28). Paul knows God, and we can know God too. He has left us sufficient evidence (Rom. 1:20).

Second, Paul is convinced that God is able to do anything He desires. God is all powerful. He is the God who spoke all of creation into existence (Gen. 1). He is the God who parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross on dry ground (Ex. 14:21-22). He is the God who was gracious to Paul by giving him a second chance, when he was persecuting God in his pursuit of Christians (Acts 9:1-5). God wants to give us a second chance also. He is able to cleanse our sins in the precious blood of His Son. He is able to make us whole.

Third, Paul has committed something to God. Like Jesus on the cross, Paul has committed his spirit, his soul, his very existence into God’s hands. Paul trusts that God is able to keep his soul well guarded. Peter also spoke of God’s ability to keep our inheritance in heaven under guard (1 Pet. 1:3-5). For those who follow God, their inheritance is reserved. No thief will break in and steal it, and rust will not corrupt it. It is ours, if we will obey and remain faithful to God.

We, like Paul, can have confidence in God. We can believe. We can know that He is able. We can trust Him with our very souls. If you would like to know more about God, please come and see us at the South Stokes church of Chirst.

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