"Forever, O Lord, thy Word is settled in Heaven." (Psalm 119:89)
The following is a call to use common sense and turn the obvious liabilities into assets. I don't know who wrote it, but I like it:
Today we mourn the passing of an old friend by the name of Common Sense.
Common Sense lived a long life, but died from heart failure at the brink of the millennium. No one really knows how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes, factories, and offices, helping folks get jobs done without fanfair and foolishness.
For decades, petty rules, silly laws and frivilous lawsuits held no power over Common Sense. He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as to know when to come in out of the rain, the early bird gets the worm, and life isn't always fair.
Common sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in charge, not the kids), and it's okay to come in second.
A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, and the Technological Revolution, Common Sense survived cultural and educational trends including body piercing, whole language and "new math." But his health declined when he became infected with the "If-it-only-helps-one-person-it's-worth-it" virus. In recent decades, his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of overbearing federal regulations. He watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking lawyers and activists.
His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero tolerance policies, with reports of six year old boys charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, a teen suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student. It declined even further when schools had to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student but could not inform the parent when a female student was pregnant or wanted an abortion.
Finally, Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, criminals received better treatment than victims, and federal judges stuck their noses in everything from Boy Scouts to professional sports.
As the end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out of logic, but was kept informed of developments, regarding questionable regulations for asbestos, low flow toilets, smart guns, the nurturing of Prohibition Laws and mandatory air bags.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers: Rights, Tolerance, and Whiner. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. Happy Trails, Common Sense... let's hope we meet again!
Now let me explain why I just shared this. Understand prophecy and to do this understand Israel which is the key to understanding prophecy. God has made His plan for Israel extremely clear. Study Amos 9:14-15: "And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God."
Now, the terrorists have plans quite different. Hitler did also but Hitler lost World War II because he didn't believe a Bible verse, namely Genesis 12:3 - "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."
God said it - that settles it - I believe it! Make a list of the credentials for these great prophecies:
1. THE CHARACTER OF GOD - 1 Sam. 12:22 "For the Lord will not forsake His people for His great name's sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you His people."
2. THE PROMISES OF GOD - Psalm 89:31-37 "If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before me. It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven."
The people of God lost the blessing of God, but they never lost the promise of God.
3. THE NAME OF GOD - Ezekiel 36:21-24 "But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went. Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land."
The time has come to use common sense and realize what John the author said: "If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son." (1 John 5:9)
Let me say it again. Let's use common sense and realize that no terrorist threat can challenge the Promise of God, therefore, do the following:
1. Evangelize during these signs of the times, which according to Luke 21:25-26 are times when people will be impacted emotionally and physically. Give the cassette, "World Crisis Alert", to apathetic believers and unbelievers. Write to me personally for a copy: Songtime USA, Box 100, Barnstable, MA, 02630.
2. Sign up for the Bible Book-A-Month. Every month we'll send two cassettes plus outlines to give you an overview of an entire book of the Bible. In October we did Genesis, and during November we are doing Exodus. Dr. T. Leonard Lewis teaches the book against the backdrop of 7 declarations concerning God. 1 Peter 5:7 will be a natural to apply by the time this former President of Gordon College shares these great truths. Because of the significant prophetic signs, we are doing the book of Revelation with Dr. Charles Woodbridge during December and then back on to the regular schedule in January. We are taking this order change so you can immediately read your daily newspaper and explain the events Biblically. I heard Dr. Woodbridge give this phenomenal series when I attended Word of Life camp when I was in my twenties! I can hardly wait to relive those moments myself along with you. There is a sign up form on the back page of this newsletter or you can call to receive a brochure or sign up (508)362-7070.
Here's the idea: let's return to common sense and accept Divine viewpoint, and not let human viewpoint win! Let's use common sense and not doubt in the dark what we believed in the light!
Years ago, the one who wrote, "In times like these" (Ruth Caye Jones), sent it to a well-known publisher. The words and music were returned with the comment: "Too simple to market." George Beverly Shea visited the Jones family, saw the song, "In times like these," on the piano. He picked it up, took it with him and started to sing it at Billy Graham crusades. You know the results!
You see, it all depends who holds the script. The God who controls the galaxies of the Heavens is in control (Psalm 29). The God who parted the Red Sea is in control (Psalm 66). Let's use common sense, relax, and reach out. People will respond!