“Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also (his) coat: now the coat was without seem, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.” John 19:23,24

Modern-day America seems to be filled with the practice of gambling. The majority of the states have a lottery to entice people. Poker and other forms of gambling are promoted as sports on television and in other venues. People can gamble on line from the convenience of their own homes. Casinos, which are designed to get people to gamble, are available in so many places. What should a Christian do regarding gambling? What is God’s attitude about gambling?

The Plan of Gambling

First of all, we want to consider the plan of gambling. The purpose of gambling is to try to get something for us that belongs to others. Whether “others” includes individuals or “the house” in a gambling casino, the purpose is get something that belongs to someone else. In gambling, the gambler is attempting to win the prize. The prize in gambling consists of money (or possessions) others have risked. The prize might be lottery money, which has come from other gamblers, or it might be the pot in poker or other games that others have risked. Gambling promotes winning a prize at the expense of others.

There are a number of methods of gambling, but they all have the same type of purpose. A person can bet on almost anything. Usually this consists of placing money on the chance that something will occur when there is little chance that this will actually transpire. People gamble on sporting events, on the outcome of almost anything, on horse racing (the “sport of kings”), etc. Another method of gambling is the ever popular buying of lottery tickets. To buy a lottery ticket is to pay good money on a high-risk chance of winning more money. Sadly, many who win a lottery find that life really does not improve for them, on the contrary there is ample evidence that life gets worse for most of those who have won a large amount of money in a lottery. Another method of gambling is to buy chips, which represent a certain amount of money, and risk them in a game of cards, etc.

The Plan of God

Secondly, we want to consider the plan of God in contrast to the purpose of gambling. God has from the beginning established that working is His plan for people to get an increase. In II Thessalonians 3:8,10-12, the Scripture tells us, “Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.” God created man to work. In Genesis 2:15,16 before the fall of man into sin God tells us, “And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat.” As Genesis 2:16 shows us God blesses honest labor with increase. In Proverbs 14:23 we read, “In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.” In Proverbs 13:11 we read, “Wealth (gotten) by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labor shall increase.” God’s principle is that a person who does not work should not eat. As we saw in II Thessalonians 3:10, God was talking about a person who “would” not work. This is referring to a person who refuses to work. The word “would” has to do with the will of a person. This does not refer to someone who has a legitimate reason that prevents him from work, nor a person who has worked all his life and is now retired.

Also in God’s plan, He tells us that it is wicked to covet that which belongs to another. This is made clear in the 10th commandment of the ten in Exodus 20:17. Covetousness is equal to idolatry in the eyes of God. More than once in Scripture God states this fact (Colossians 3:5, etc.). Remember that the purpose of gambling is conniving to take the possessions of others.

However, wise investments of money to produce an increase are not the same thing as gambling. Many people are confused about this and do not understand the difference. Jesus Himself used a parable in Luke 19:11-28 in which He commends the practice of “gaining by trading.” It is clear that investments of money can produce an increase, Luke 19:15,16,18. It is also clear from this passage that the practice of placing money into a savings account that bears interest is a low, perhaps indirect, form of investment. The institution in which the money is placed into a savings account uses that money to invest in businesses, etc. to make a profit, produce an increase. It is also clear that investing money, like many areas of life, has a certain amount of risk. When we get into our automobiles and drive onto a road, or when we travel in an airplane, etc., there is a certain amount of risk that we might be involved in a wreck. I do not know what the percentages are, but there is a risk in traveling anywhere by any method. When a person begins his own business, which so many are doing these days, there is always a risk that this business will not be profitable, and therefore the business owner will lose what he used to start the business. Any business runs the risk of not turning a profit, and therefore of not being able to continue in business. Even when we leave our own homes or our vehicles unoccupied, there is a risk of someone stealing out of the house or the vehicle, or stealing the vehicle itself. Jesus warns us in Matthew 6:19 that thieves break through and steal our treasures on this earth. Therefore, there is a risk to many things in this life. A person cannot live in this world without any risk.

The Pay for Gambling

Thirdly, we want to consider the pay for gambling with our eternity. Romans 6:23 tells about the pay for sin and the gift of God, which is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Many people gamble with their soul’s eternity by living for pleasure and thinking that it will all work out in the end. As the famous statement that Bro. Bynum used to have on the Tabernacle Baptist Church sing read, “Many people who plan to repent at the 11th hour die at 10:30.” We need to follow the example of Moses who chose to suffer with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, Hebrews 11:24-26. Many people gamble with their soul’s eternity by thinking that they can get right with God any time they please. In doing this, some people let their opportunity of receiving Christ pass them by for more sin and pleasure. There is an example in the Scripture of a man who surely seemed to experience the conviction of God, and yet he chose to wait for his own convenient time to get right with God, Acts 24:25. Jesus makes it clear that we must come to Him when the Father is dealing with us, “No man can come to me, except the Father which sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:44. There are some people who think they have a chance for eternal life without Christ. Of course, this absolutely impossible. The gift of eternal life is “through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23. There is no way to come to the Father except through Jesus Christ according to John 14:6 and Acts 4:12. Without Christ, no one has any hope of eternal life, John 3:18,36. We have the choice of receiving Christ as our Lord and Savior when the Father is convicting us, but we have no chance of eternal life without Christ. What a foolish thing it is to gamble our soul’s eternity on some chance that is based on some human idea or some false religion and reject the only hope there is for eternal life.

Obviously, God is opposed to the practice, the very foolish practice, of gambling. It is against His Word and His will. Therefore, Bible-believing Christians should not want to have any part of this sad human sin.

Modernism is not a new thing, but it is an old, old heresy. The present form of it originated with emergence of German Rationalism. From the continent of Europe it spread like a plague to England where it prevailed in most of the churches. This turned them into instruments of Satan, rather than churches of our Lord. Among Baptists in England it brought about the Downgrade Controversy. Charles H. Spurgeon, pastor of the largest Baptist Church in England (and indeed the world) mightily preached against this perversion of the truth. Relatively few of the Baptist Union pastors and churches actually saw the danger.

In his paper, The Sword and Trowel, he wrote often and eloquently showing the falsehood of the false doctrine and departure from the plain teaching of the Bible. He took his protest to the meetings of the Baptist Union with little success. After a difficult and painful struggle, he led his Church out of the Baptist Union. It was a heartbreaking experience which some say contributed to his early death.

The Curse Comes to America

By the last half of the 19th Century it was already spreading swiftly to the USA. The common language of both peoples made this relatively easy. Theologians were reading the books published in England, with no small number going there and to Germany to study. Many of these were teachers in Seminaries and Colleges, where they spread the evil infection into pliable young minds. These readily carried the infections to the churches they pastored.

Westcott & Hort were the men responsible for the debacle of the English Revised Version. This was in the late 1800’s. In the first decade of the 20th Century the American Standard Version hit the market in the USA. Thus began an avalanche of new Bibles based on the corrupt Westcott & Hort texts, which came mostly from a relatively small number of corrupt texts. It continues as a constant flow of new bibles, each one advertised as an improvement over the previous one. This reminds me of the Scripture which says, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:7). One thing for certain, English-speaking people do not need a new Bible, we have the only Bible we will ever need in the KJV.

The Modern Fundamentalist Movement

Many devout men began to hotly contest this influx of modernism. Since the majority would not listen in any of the major religious organizations, these brethren began to gather with those of like mind. This naturally crossed over into a number of denominations. This brought about the downplaying of other doctrines they could not all agree on. This has proven to be very harmful to Baptists, since they had to be silent on issues such as the church, baptism, the Lord’s Supper and a multitude of other important doctrines. Since modernism was the common enemy, they felt that it was important to unite on the fundamental doctrines they could agree on.

This resulted in fundamental Baptists who were sound on some of what were called the basic fundamentals. They became by nature weak on other important doctrines. This led many into interdenominationalism. Fundamental Baptists were instrumental in stirring up many people against liberalism. Only eternity will reveal the good that was done, as well as the harm that has been caused against other doctrines.

Unfortunately the early fundamentalists did not see the danger of the perverted Bible versions. After all, nearly everyone used the King James Version anyway. All this time the seeds of modernism were being sown in fundamental colleges and seminaries by the teaching of the Westcott & Hort Greek text underlying the perverted Bibles. It was not until the last half of the 20th Century that men began to wake up to the leaven of such teaching. The Revised Standard Version of 1952 was a wake up call when they found that “virgin” had been removed from Isaiah 7:14. They began to notice other important omissions.

It was not until the last 35 years that preachers realized that corrupt bibles were based upon corrupt texts from which they were translated. Thank God for that awakening even though it was too late for many.

Some of the early leaders of the fundamentalist movement were I. M. Haldeman, William Pettingill, J. Frank Norris, W. B. Riley, and T. T. Shields. There were many others that we have not the space nor time to name. Only eternity will reveal the good that they did in awakening Baptists and others to the danger. Of course the truth has always found itself in the minority, because most people will not listen and seriously study the issues.

Harry Emerson Fosdick

In the first half of the 20th Century Fosdick (1878–1969) was one of the leading liberals of his day. His books can still be found in many used book stores, but they are poison and not worth the reading. He was the pastor of The Riverside Church of New York City. It once carried the name Park Avenue Baptist Church. He built the new Church with the financial help of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., and it is still a citadel of modernism today.

One of my teachers in Seminary was Dr. Harry Hamilton, who had formerly pastored the First Baptist Church of Buffalo, New York. He was embroiled over the modernist controversy and was a fundamentalist. I remember him telling a story about Fosdick. It seems that Fosdick was not raised by his parents for whatever reasons. After he was converted to the cause of liberalism and began to publish his views, he went home to see the woman who raised him. She met him at the door and would not let him in her house because she was a devout Bible believer and resolute against the teaching of Fosdick.

The following material was copied from a tract years ago that was published by the Christian Tract Society of Phoenix, AZ. I do not know if it is still in existence or not. Here you will see the proof of the infidelity of Fosdick.

On June 20th of this year, Joel Osteen appeared on Larry King Live. Here was a chance in front of a large educated audience on international TV to spread the gospel of Christ. If you aren’t familiar with Joel Osteen, he is the pastor of Lakewood Church, the largest evangelical church in America with an average attendance of 28,000 people on a weekend. A church that brings in $55 million a year, and allows Joel to live in a $2 million mansion and drive a Lexus. He is also a best-selling author of Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential, a book full of feel good anecdotes from the Bible, with no real spiritual meat or any form of gospel message. It looks like God has been real good to Mr. Osteen. And why shouldn’t he think anything else? Joel Osteen is a Word Faith teacher and part of a new movement that is teaching prosperity gospel. Which teaches if you claim certain parts of the gospel, you can have health, wealth and happiness. Joel has been quoted in the Washington Post as saying “People respond when you tell them there is a great future in front of you, you can leave your past behind.” But what about repentance, the saving grace through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and the hope in eternal life. Doesn’t that play a part in our life? Shouldn’t that be our message to this world? The Beliefs of Lakewood Church state “WE BELIEVE…in one God who exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to this earth as Savior of the world. WE BELIEVE…Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood for our sins. We believe that salvation is found by placing our faith in what Jesus did for us on the cross.” Sounds like a pretty strong belief. How does their senior pastor Joel Osteen spread this message? I believe that the interview that Joel had with Larry King gives us good insight into what really drives Joel and his view of Christ and the gospel. Here is a short excerpt from the interview with Larry, you can see the whole interview transcript from Larry King’s web site (http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0506/20/lkl.01.html):

Excerpt One:

KING: Because we’ve had ministers on who said, your record doesn’t count. You either believe in Christ or you don’t. If you believe in Christ, you are, you are going to heaven. And if you don’t, no matter what you’ve done in your life, you ain’t.

OSTEEN: Yeah, I don’t know. There’s probably a balance between. I believe you have to know Christ. But I think that if you know Christ, if you’re a believer in God, you’re going to have some good works. I think it’s a cop-out to say I’m a Christian but I don’t ever do anything …

KING: What if you’re Jewish or Muslim, you don’t accept Christ at all?

OSTEEN: You know, I’m very careful about saying who would and wouldn’t go to heaven. I don’t know …

KING: If you believe you have to believe in Christ? They’re wrong, aren’t they?

OSTEEN: Well, I don’t know if I believe they’re wrong. I believe here’s what the Bible teaches and from the Christian faith this is what I believe. But I just think that only God will judge a person’s heart. I spent a lot of time in India with my father. I don’t know all about their religion. But I know they love God. And I don’t know. I’ve seen their sincerity. So I don’t know. I know for me, and what the Bible teaches, I want to have a relationship with Jesus.

Excerpt Two:

KING: You don’t call them sinners?

OSTEEN: I don’t.

KING: Is that a word you don’t use?

OSTEEN: I don’t use it. I never thought about it. But I probably don’t. But most people already know what they’re doing wrong. When I get them to church I want to tell them that you can change. There can be a difference in your life. So I don’t go down the road of condemning.

KING: You believe in the Bible literally?

OSTEEN: I do, I do.

KING: Noah had an ark and Adam and Eve?

OSTEEN: I do. I do. I believe that. I believe it all.

Here was an opportunity for Joel to share the gospel with millions of potentially unsaved souls and he fumbled it. He couldn’t even articulate the simple message that Jesus Saves. A simple message that most children in Bible believing Sunday Schools can articulate. If this was his attempt at sharing the gospel, it was in dire need of the Holy Ghost. There is one good reason why Joel couldn’t articulate any form of the gospel in his interview. It was because he has a seriously deficient view of the gospel. Paul wrote to another young pastor in I Timothy 1:7-8 “God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;” and John 14:6 states “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” The Bible is crystal clear on the gospel message. I guess Joel Osteen is more concerned about people “Living their Life to their Full Potential,” than saving them from eternal torment. I warn each and every one of you to be very wary of those teachers teaching another gospel than the Bible, regardless of what statements of faith they have produced. What is taught and preached is far more important than that which is written within obscure pages. Our mission is to save those who are lost, and to walk a holy life, separate from this world. Be very wary of false teachers. It is important that we examine these people against that which is in the Bible. I John 4:1 says “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”

Note from E. L. Bynum: As Editor of the Plains Baptist Challenger, I am happy to tell you that the author of the above article is my oldest grandson. David is married to a wonderful Christian lady who is the mother of all three of my grandsons. I had better stop here before I get to bragging. (Joel Osteen is the son of John Osteen, who was originally a Southern Baptist pastor, before he fell for the charismatic heresy that is deceiving many today.)

“The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.” (Psalm 12:8)

A simple exposition of this verse is that it reveals the area the wicked walk, and why they have freedom to do so. It concerns those who are, according to God’s inspired Word, morally wrong. Their walk, expressed activity stirred up within a depraved heart, is without moral limitation and surrounds or encircles all others, or on every side. The condition that brings this about is when morally corrupt persons are given exalted positions. This is true whether in government or religion. The more apathetic view of God a leader possesses, the more degenerate a society becomes. Churches are decidedly marked by the doctrinal soundness, or the lack thereof, of their pastors. This is true both civilly and morally.

It must have been a widespread acceptance in the city of Sodom for men to approach those who passed through their city demanding from them immoral favors. No one can successfully deny the sinful desire these men sought to fulfill. (Gen. 19) Claiming that “to know them” meant only to become acquainted is invalidated by Lot’s offer of his two virgin daughters to satisfy their hedonistic appetites. According to Gen. 18:32, there were less than ten righteous people in the entire city. Scarcely anyone lived there that could be counted righteous. The only one we are assured of being righteous is Lot. (2 Pet. 2:7,8) Surely those in politically high places in Sodom condoned such activity, or at least viewed it as being acceptable.

A similar happening is recorded in Judges chapter 19. This was at a time when Israel became guilty of forsaking the Lord. Diminished spirituality developed into appalling apostasy. After the death of Joshua and his generation, “…there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.” (Jud. 2:11b) Such is happening in our nation today. In that setting the Israelites found it easy to fall into the worship of the false god Baalim. A downward spiritual spiral was inevitable.

During such time of moral decay the true debauched nature of humanity blossomed. A certain Levite of mount Ephraim had obtained a concubine. No less than one who would join him in an illicit relationship. She left the Levite for obvious reasons. The Levite recovered her in a foreign area and on the way back an old man provided food and shelter for the Levite’s entire company. The men of that city, sons of Belial as in Sodom, surrounded the old man’s house with only one request. “Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him.” (Jud. 19:22b) Their intent was at least apparent to the old man. His answer to them is too revealing to miss their devotion to sensual pleasure. Rather than permit them to fulfill their unrestrained homosexual desire, the old man said, “Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto you….” (Jud. 19:24a) He also, as did Lot, called the men of the city brethren. His view of their desire was illustrated as well by these words: “…do not so wickedly.”

It cannot be successfully denied that the men in both instances were practicing homosexuals. If there was any leadership in this city it very likely was vile in nature. A condition that is cited twice in the Book of Judges must have been the prevailing condition: (17:6; 21:25) “…every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Moses’ heartfelt warning of Deut. 12:8 had fallen by the way. A government established on the oracles of God had fallen prey to the deceitfulness of depraved minds.

Acceptable Apostasy?

God warned Israel that toleration or empathy toward false religions around them would be their downfall. They were to make no covenant with them or with their gods. To neglect standing true to the God of creation would result in their sons marrying women of false religion. It seems an acceptable procedure today for society to be told that other gods are as legitimate as the God of Christianity. This lie invented by the devil is revealed in both the Old & New Testament and remains a lie of Satan. Islam is being lauded by some in exalted positions as being both ancient and amicable. This thinking is diminishing somewhat due to recent attacks by ‘Islamic radicals.’ Their Allah is not the Ancient of days nor is he the God of peace. (Dan. 7:9; Heb. 13:20,21) Allah is, however, the god of every terrorist who has attacked innocents in Christian nations, as well as Christians in dominantly Muslim nations. Vile men in exalted places are making it acceptable for the wicked to walk on every side.

It is a desecration to the name of God and His Son, Jesus Christ, to declare it illegal to post the Word of God in public places for fear of being offensive to other religions. Yet wickedness in high places seems to be winning the battle. There is nothing new about the Lord Jesus being an offense to those who deny Him. (Rom. 9:33) “As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” When the Lord God ceases to be a fear and a dread to any people, other gods will quickly take precedence. Vile persons in high place argue, often it seems successfully, that not only is Islam equal to any other religion but should be a required study for school children. Yet the same exalted personalities defy the freedom of the same children to pray before lunch or carry their Bible to school. Some atheist or anti-Christ might be offended if that were allowed. If those in high places continue to allow the dismissal of God from His place in our nation, He is sure to withdraw His presence and blessings. (Hosea 5:15) “I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.” It is rank hypocrisy to ask the blessing of God on our nation while denying Him public recognition.

Let the righteous step forward and declare that which they know to be true. God is God and that is the only acceptable position to occupy. Since there is no other God but the true God, all other religions are filled with perversity and fraudulence. (Prov. 10:32) “The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.” It is nothing short of spiritual fraud to ask God for blessings, while denying Him recognition, for the gain of godless recognition and support. There can be no fellowship with the works of darkness by those in Christ. The very fruit of the Holy Spirit is goodness, righteousness, and truth. This alone proves what is acceptable to the Lord. (Eph. 5:9-11)

Is Wickedness Winning?

Although it may seem that wickedness is winning, the answer to this question is, “Absolutely not!” The God of all grace, peace, love, and comfort is greater than the god of this world. (1 John 4:4) “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” In the midst of a world full of evil and false religion there is peace through our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus made the position of His disciple clear. (John 16:33) “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Believers today can take heart that the Lord prayed for us even while He prayed for those who heard the above words. (John 17:20) “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word….” Jesus also ever lives to make intercession for us. (Rom. 8:34)

One asked the new presidential nominee, John Roberts, if his faith would play a part in his decision making should he be appointed to the Supreme Court. They obviously feared he would bring the devastating plague of union between church and state upon this nation. Separation of church and state is a lame argument against a nation’s recognition of God being Supreme. It is impossible for any national leader to make acceptable decisions apart from acknowledging the one and only God. The greatest encouragement Elisha could give his servant when the horses and chariots of Syria surrounded them was to point out that the forces of God were greater, and were for them. (2 Kings 6:16-23) Elisha’s statement in verse 16 should be an encouragement for any national leader who believes and trusts in God. “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.”

Political correctness may gain prestige among men but it won’t get the job done when a nation needs Divine intervention. It was too late for King Belshazzar to correct his dreadful mistake of denying that God was in control. The hand writing on the wall was a message from God that the king’s reign was coming to an end. Daniel reminded Belshazzar what the “the most high God” had given his father, Nebuchadnezzar. He had given him a kingdom, majesty, glory, and honor. (Dan. 5:18) In the next verse Daniel makes a statement that should awaken every politician to the fact that God alone, using men of faith, has made this nation a great nation because it worshiped the true and living God. “All people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him.” What spirituality left in America today is because of its people and leaders recognizing the God of creation as the only true God. However, vile men elected to high places are permitting the wicked to walk in defiance of God and His Word.

What Is Happening?

Diversity is being proclaimed as a damaging feature of any people. Acceptability is lauded as being the only adequate answer to any problem. Homosexuality now is hailed as being an acceptable lifestyle. Abortion is approved by supporters as being a woman’s right. Euthanasia is gradually sanctioned in one country after another as being merciful to those in poor health. How long will it be until those in high places will make that decision without consulting the so-called benefactor of euthanasia?

To be different in nationalities is a fact of creation. (Deut. 32:8) “When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.” God set a border, or landmark, on the area that some nations would inhabit. God separated the sons of Adam and divided them into nations and gave them their inheritance. This was especially true concerning His chosen people, Israel. God made a boundary between the nations that served Him and those who did not. God said this to Israel: (Deut. 5:9,10) “Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.”

Before someone exclaims loudly that the above was to Israel only, hear what the same God said about the church at Thessalonica. (1 Thess. 1:9) “For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God….” They had sounded out the word of their conviction. Every place knew about their faith in God. They were not ashamed that they were one of the Lord’s churches. What a difference it would make today if every church that claimed to be the Lord’s church would declare themselves separated from false religion.

It may be religiously incorrect in the mind of many for the above to be proclaimed. When the vilest (morally & doctrinally wrong) are exalted, wicked minded followers will walk irreverently before God. Some in high places have allowed homosexuals to be exalted to high religious positions. Famous televangelists have fallen morally without leaving much of a scar. Forgiveness is one thing, however, forgiveness should never be an acceptance of an immoral lifestyle.

This past July this writer viewed Larry King’s interview of Joel Osteen. King asked the pastor of the 30,000 member Lakewood Church in Houston, “What if you’re Jewish or Muslim, you don’t accept Christ at all?” To which pastor Osteen replied, “You know, I’m very careful about saying who would and wouldn’t go to heaven. I don’t know ….” The Apostle John didn’t beat around the bush about this subject. (1 John 5:12) “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” To quote correctly Jesus, John, or Paul very likely will not build a big church, but it will certainly build a better church. If practiced it will also keep the vilest of men from being exalted, thus closing the door through which the wicked walk on every side.

Homosexuality’s Inabilities — Two homosexual Nanaimo women were granted the first same-sex divorce by the province of British Columbia Wednesday. In order for B.C. Supreme Court Justice Laura Gerow to grant the divorce, she had to rewrite the law, which originally defined a married couple under the Divorce Act as a man and woman. Justice Gerow declared the Act unconstitutional, granting the divorce to the unnamed couple who were married in 2003. The new Divorce Act now refers to married couples as any two persons. (LifeSiteNews, 6/16/05) Sweden, a leader in allowing homosexual relationships, has gathered statistics that reveal lesbian marriages are “three times more likely to end in divorce” than a normal marriage between a man and woman. This act by Justice Gerow admits that homosexuality is not normal. The statistics that any homosexual couple can fulfill Gen. 1:27,28 are ZERO. Homosexuals often claim to be Christians and obey the Lord’s command. The above scripture is not the only one they cannot obey. (W.W. Mosley, hereafter WWM).

Another Deficiency — “75 percent of homosexuals are unable to maintain fidelity to their same-sex partner, with adultery and promiscuity rampant.” (LSN, 6/16/05) Longevity in homosexual relationships is one of the gay crowd’s pet claims. Apparently from the statistics above, their extended relationships must be multiple. Isn’t there something in the Bible, which they claim permits their lifestyle, about faithfulness? Or does that only apply to the marriage that God has approved of, between a man and woman? —WWM

Catholicism’s Web of Deceit — “We pray that in the years of Benedict XVI’s papacy, we in the United States will find deeper and richer ways to live out our common commitment to Christ’s own prayer that we ‘may all be one’ (John 17:21). Indeed, we note with great appreciation His Holiness’ statement that a central goal of his papacy will be the unity of all Christians.” (Episcopal News Service, 4/21/05) This statement made by Bishop Hoyt, president of the NCC, evidences the fact that the bishop has not read/believed much of church history. Neither of these churches were in existence at the time Jesus said the words referred to. Jesus’ prayer in John 17 was made over 3 centuries before the Catholic church drew its first breath. Even longer before others came to be known. Certainly many centuries before the NCC started it diabolical scheme of ecumenism. —WWM

Death In The Potter — Barnes & Noble, Inc. announced 6/20/05 that “pre-orders” for a new Harry Potter book have “topped 750,000 copies.” The title itself should alert every parent that there is death in the pot. (2 Kgs. 4:40) “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” has already lured grade school children. A TV ad revealed very young children plunging for a peek at the new volume from J. K. Rowlings’ pen. The pre-orders above indicate this will be the “most popular yet,” a B&N exec. said. This is the sixth stab of the author and publishers, along with all the hype from the media to expose young people to wicca & witchcraft. One seller of the new book has declared they alone have received 500,000 pre-orders. One who expresses concern for the influence of such reading material on our youth is often mocked. Be sure that God is not mocked, and He expresses His sensitivity to such in words of clear understanding. (Exo. 22:18) Paul declared witchcraft to be a work manifested in the flesh. (Gal. 5:19-20) —WWM

More Recent Potter News — 6.9 million copies of JKR’s latest book were sold in the first 24 hours after it reached the book shelves. That is more than pocket change for all involved in the publishing and selling of this book. Some argue this is not all profit for the author. If she only gets 50 cents a book that’s not bad for one day. After explaining to one rich man, that during the coming night his soul would be required of him, Jesus asked him this question: “then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” Such wealth pales into oblivion when eternity is seriously considered. —WWM

Feeding The Lottery — Oklahoma’s Gov. Henry was elected to his position, promising to push the lottery through as the balm for OK’s financial sores. The Lawton Constitution, 7/8/05 reports, “The Okla. Lottery Comm. … approved JP Morgan Chase as the lender for a $10 million line of credit it needs to start the state’s lottery.” That’s some feedbag for a creature you expect to ride to wealth. It is similar to receiving a dog as a gift. The pup must be fed. Soon the dog is no longer a gift but a liability. Like the dog, the lottery will cost more than it is worth. Sin always comes with a concealed price tag. It would be better to check out how God feels about both before trying to figure out how to feed the critter. —WWM

Sick Shoe Salesman — According to USA Today, Nike has become the first major corporation in America to publicly endorse homosexual “civil unions,” a back door move to legalize homosexual marriage. Nike endorsed a bill in their home state of Oregon which would legalize “civil unions.” Homosexual activists are using the “civil union” approach as a back door approach to the legalization of homosexual marriage. Once they get their “civil union” approved, they will then go to court to secure the right to marry. (Am. Family Asso., 7/8/05)

Sad Statistics — Out of Southern Baptist’s 16,287,494 members, only 6,024,289, or 37 percent, on average, show up for their church’s primary meeting, according to statistics from LifeWay Christian Resources. If your church is normal, and not brand new, your statistics are probably similar. In other words, if you have 200 in attendance on Sunday morning, you likely have 500–600 or even more on your roll. It gets worse when counting non-Sunday morning meetings. In 1996, the last time the SBC kept these statistics, the number of Sunday evening attendees was equal to only 12.3 percent of the membership (in churches that had evening meetings). The number of those attending includes many non-member children and guests, often making up a third of the attendance. (Baptist Press, 7/11/05) Some churches have ceased having mid-week services for this reason. These statistics could well be true among independent Baptist churches. (Heb. 10:25) —WWM

Bad Judgment or Blatant Ignorance? — CNSNews Online, 7/8/05 reported London’s mayor has supported a Muslim sheikh in the past. The mayor referred to Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi has “a man of peace.” Others have repeatedly referred to the Islamic religion as a “peaceful religion.” The Muslim cleric was even welcomed to “London’s City Hall last year as an honored guest.” Mayor Livingstone has somewhat altered his view. He should understand by now that Islamic religionists are only following their theological teaching, that all others are heretics, especially Christians. It is likely that more of the Islamic population will fall under the title, “Radical Muslims.” Much like the difference between those who take a stand for Christ and those who just go along for the ride. —WWM

Job Insecurity — “…a manager in Allstate’s Corporate Security Div.” was fired for writing an article in opposition to homosexuality and same-sex marriage. (WorldNetDaily, 6/24/05) The article stated that Allstate “financially supports homosexual advocacy groups (and) fired him solely because he wrote a column posted on several websites that was critical of same-sex marriages and espoused his Christian beliefs.” Paul lost his status with the Roman government when he followed Christ’s command. Christianity has always been in the minority. But don’t hold you breath until the ACLU comes to the defense of this former employee of Allstate. (John 15:18) “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” —WWM

A Legal Church? — Police raided a large wedding ceremony in the Eritrean capital of Asmara on Saturday, May 28, arresting at least 250 guests present, including Benyam Gezae and his bride and their wedding party. Police authorities reportedly contacted the families of all the imprisoned Christians, and after detaining the wedding party over night at the Expo police station, released most of the prisoners found to be members of legally sanctioned churches. However, 70 individuals belonging to the outlawed Protestant churches still remain under arrest. The authorities have pressured these evangelical Christians to abandon their beliefs and return to one of the “legal” churches. (OpenDoorUSA, 6/16/05) Legal means ‘authorized, based upon, established by law.’ (Matt. 16:18) “…upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Col. 1:18) “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” (John 14:15) “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Some have forgotten and some never knew the Lord Jesus established His church and will never forsake it. Stand, therefore! —WWM

Where Is The Fear of God? — Last week, the Supreme Court issued a mixed decision concerning the display of the Ten Commandments on public property. Because of decisions like this in our society, more and more people are prohibited from viewing basic, vital biblical truths. (ReligionToday, 7/8/05) America’s founders didn’t stutter concerning their Christian beliefs. The second president stated his feeling of God’s writing on the tables of stone in this manner. “If ‘Thou shalt not covet’ and ‘Thou shalt not steal’ were not commandments of Heaven, they must be made inviolable precepts in every society before it can be civilized or made free.” — John Adams. There was no beating around the political bush for this former president. Pray that God will give us such statesmen to govern this land. (2 Sam. 23:3) “The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.” —WWM

What Children Are Facing — Often public eyes come to rest on bits here and there of the inroads of published trash in public libraries. Reports of Christian parents challenging the schools their children attend that all but force their children to read/study books promoting ‘alternate lifestyles.’ Liberal children’s books, advocating gay marriage, marijuana use, witchcraft are nothing short of anti-God propaganda. If Christians do not take note of what liabilities their children and grandchildren face, what they now read may someday become acceptable. Someone said, “What is permitted today, will be acceptable tomorrow, and will soon become doctrine.” (Psa. 119:133) “Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” —WWM

Perhaps Even Lower — Despite the impression given by the media, the actual number of homosexuals is quite small. Quoting statistics, the doctor’s group said, Essentially all surveys show the number of homosexuals to be only 1–3% of the population. The number of homosexuals living in common law partnerships is even less, only 0.5% of all couples. This contrasts with 70% of all households with a married couple. The pressure for introducing same-sex marriages comes from a very small section of society. (LifeSiteNews, 7/12/05) Homosexual rhetoric is boisterous, unrestrained sadism. It matters not who it hurts so long as their perverted sexual satisfaction is achieved. All sin has this trait … homosexuality has strengthened its effectiveness. —WWM

This Is Not A Person? — “[A] defenseless human individual, which at seven weeks has a heart beat and brain activity, and by 14 weeks is fully developed. By 20 to 24 weeks these babies become viable, as in rare cases they can survive outside the womb. About this time, before birth, they can have intrauterine surgery on the heart and other organs, at which point they become patients. Of course, they have no legal status until a miraculous passage through the birth canal, when it is recognized by everyone as a legal human being.” (LSN, 7/12/05) (Psa. 139:15,16) “My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” The God of the universe knew Jeremiah even before his mother conceived. (Jer. 1:5) —WWM

WOW Speaker — Rosemary Radford Ruether, a professor of Feminist Theology at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California, has announced that for feminists and so-called liberal Catholics, Pope Benedict XVI does not represent them as head of the Catholic Church. She says in a media release from an organization called, Women’s Ordination Worldwide that the Pope is not our Pope. (LSN, 7/12/05) This Catholic Feminist Theologian has been invited to be the keynote speaker at the WOW conference in Ottawa. The web reveals she has written many articles and books. Some of her theories are being taught to young women who are leaving home for college. Titus 2:3-5 would likely offend her. Especially the part that reads: “…that the word of God be not blasphemed.” —WWM

From One Baboon To Another — The Tulsa Zoo in Oklahoma is being accused of censoring an exhibit that explains the Genesis account of creation. A month after approving the display, the Tulsa Park and Recreation Board reversed course and voted 3–1 to disallow the proposed biblical creation exhibit. The board cited public outcry over the creation display as one reason for the reversal. Also, a Dallas Morning News report quoted one of the board members who changed his vote as saying that he and his colleagues had gained “much better perception” than they’d had at the time of the original vote, and it had become clear that their best option would be to “leave the zoo just as it is.” (AgapePress, 7/13/05) This board member’s perception didn’t get better, it got worse. Like begets like according to God’s law. God created the first animals and gave Adam the responsibility of naming them. How can this man get “better perception” when there is no better place to obtain knowledge? (Prov. 28:4) “They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.” —WWM

ACLU Contentions Are Contagious — At least some federal judges have caught the anti-God/American disease. “…a federal district court has sided with the American Civil Liberties Union in a lawsuit involving the U.S. military’s assistance to the scouting organization in presenting its national jamboree at an Army facility in Virginia.” (AP, 7/13/05) A spokesman for Boy Scouts of America said it was “totally ridiculous for the federal judge to side with the ACLU in its contention that the military’s assistance of the Scouts violates the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution.” The ACLU argues that the Boy Scouts are “a religious organization.” No doubt the ACLU, who oppose anything spiritual or patriotic, will one day change their tune. These men may well one day say, “…to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb….” (Rev. 6:16) —WWM

“The Heritage of the Lord” — One expert feels a new study linking the use of pornography and the abuse of children, while not surprising, should serve as a wake-up call to the American public and to law enforcement officials. …the results of the recent survey found a definite link between the use of kiddie porn and those who molest children. …[this comes] as no surprise…. The study found that the vast majority of child molesters are involved in Internet porn consumption, and that 36 percent of them gave their victims pornography. (AP, 7/13/05) The heritage of the Lord are open prey to child molesters. (Psa. 127:3) Those sick in soul and mind are not only transgressing the moral law of God, they are inflicting pain on others to their own sadistic satisfaction. Such are completely void of natural affection. (Rom. 1:31; 2 Tim. 3:3) —WWM

The Way Of The Wicked — Federal jurist sides with homosexuals seeking [to place] 49 rainbow banners on a bridge. A federal judge is siding with homosexual activists in America’s oldest city, ordering St. Augustine, Fla., to fly 49 “gay-pride” flags on its Bridge of Lions. The ruling from U.S. District Judge Henry Lee Adams, Jr. says the rainbow banners are to be flown for six days [in June]. (Berean Call, 7/8/05) The article stated that a “Rev.” woman and her ‘helper,’ of the St. Augustine Pride Committee, sued the city for this right…and won. No Christian I know would sue the city to place KJV scriptures references on this bridge. However, be sure of this….this judge and most others would not permit it. It might be offensive to some atheist, abortionist, homosexual, cross dresser, liberal, or a myriad of other God defiers. (Prov. 15:9) “The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD….” —WWM

True To Islam Law — Three Christian Sunday school teachers (all female) are on trial, arrested under Indonesia’s “Child Protection” laws for using so-called deception to entice children to convert to Christianity. According to International Christian Concern (ICC), the children denied being given any money to convert to Christianity. Each Muslim child who attended the Sunday school classes had their parents’ permission. As the trial was about to begin, a group of radical Islamists went to the courthouse; and when the three women arrived, ICC reported police officers had to hold back the mob from attacking the women. As the trial began, protesters took over the seats in the courtroom and reacted loudly to everything said. All the children who were called to testify along with their parents were frightened and had to be taken outside to recover. The charges were not brought by the Muslim parents, but by the principal of the local elementary school after he heard his students singing Christian songs in the hallways. (The Voice of Martyrs, 7/19/05)

Where Islam Dominates — An Islamic government in a Pakistani province bordering Afghanistan has just passed legislation enforcing strict adherence to Islamic teachings. Islamist MP’s shouted “Allah-o-Akbar” (God is greatest), when the result of the vote was announced… Under the new law, an Islamic watchdog will monitor the observance of Islamic values in public places…. Under the new law, according to APMA, the main duty of the cleric, called “mohtasib” — one who holds others accountable — will be to ensure people respect the call to prayers, pray on time and not do any business during Friday prayers…. Another one of the cleric’s functions, APMA reported, will be to monitor the media to ensure “publications are useful for the promotion of Islamic values.” (ASSIST News Service, 7/14/05) The liberal media in the USA could well be forced to change their thinking concerning separation of church and state if Islam becomes the predominate religion. Second thought: maybe there would not have to be that much change! —WWM

Abortion Drug Company Boast — “More than 460,000 US women have used the abortion drug, RU-486, to kill their unborn children since the US Food and Drug Administration approved sale of the drug in 2000, the abortifacient’s manufacturer, Danco Laboratories, boasted in a press release Monday.” (LSN, 7/19/05) The manufacturer has decided to include a warning on the label indicating there are potentially fatal side effects. If this was potentially fatal to the would be mother, this drug would be banned by the FDA much quicker than it was approved. The manufacturer has admitted five women have died as a result of using a drug to kill their unborn child. —WWM

Warren & Global Peace — Rick Warren has been invited by Rwanda’s Pres. Paul Kagame to launch the ‘Global Peace Plan’ from there. “Warren said the objective of Global Peace Plan was to help bring smiles on many miserable faces the world over. ‘The objective of the Plan is to help the poor, the sick and those who need education.’” “The cleric said he was confident the Global Peace Plan would spread from Rwanda to all parts of the world, caring about those in need…… Rwandan Anglican Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini pledged the church’s support to national reconstruction efforts.” (The New Times [Kigali], 7/17/05) It would be interesting to hear a conversation between Warren and this Anglican bishop. If the two can work together they must be in agreement. Ecumenism will never bring peace on earth. It is admirable that anyone would desire peace on earth. That will only happen, however, when the Prince of Peace appears. Only then will the lion and the lamb lay side by side. (Isa. 11:6) —WWM