It's NOT Too Late!!!!

If you haven't accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, it's not too late.  One day it will be and if you want to know more, listen to Dr. Graham's sermon on Revelation 6:9-17 here.

This is an excellent talk to send to any nonbeliever you might know.  Jesus will return soon - have we done all he asked us to do?  I know I haven't.

All Things New

Jack Graham

How to Live in the Last Days

by Jack Graham

How should a Christian view climate change?

Question: "How should a Christian view climate change? What does the Bible say about climate change?"  (from Gotquestions.org)


Answer: It is interesting to note how the phrase "climate change" is replacing "global warming" as the catch phrase of environmentalism. Some scientists/climatologists are certain that human activity, primarily greenhouse gas emissions, is impacting the environment. What they are not certain about is precisely what the impact will be. A couple of decades ago, "global cooling" was the fear, with warnings of a new ice age being the primary scare tactic. While most scientists/climatologists today believe that global warming is the primary risk, uncertainty has led to "climate change" being used as a less specific warning. Essentially, the climate change message is this: greenhouse gas emissions are damaging the environment, and, while we are not certain what the effect will be, we know it will be bad.

Climatologists, ecologists, geologists, etc., are unanimous in recognizing that the earth has gone through significant temperature/climate changes in the past. Despite the fact that these climate changes were obviously not caused by human activity, many of these same scientists are convinced that human activity is the primary cause of climate change today. Why? There seem to be three primary motivations.

First, some truly and fully believe the greenhouse gas emissions are causing climate change. They honestly examine the data and come to that conclusion. Second, some hold to the climate change mindset with an almost religious fervor. Many within the environmentalist movement are so obsessed with protecting "Mother Earth" that they will use any argument to accomplish that goal, no matter how biased and unbalanced it is. Third, some promote the climate change mentality for financial gain. Some of the strongest proponents of climate change legislation are those who stand to have the greatest financial gain from "green" laws and technologies. Before the climate change mindset is accepted, it should be recognized that not everyone who promotes climate change is doing so from an informed foundation and pure motives.

How, then, should a Christian view climate change? We should view it skeptically and critically, but at the same time honestly and respectfully. Most importantly, though, Christians should look at climate change biblically. What does the Bible say about climate change? Not much. Likely the closest biblical examples of what could be considered climate change would be the end times disasters prophesied in Revelation 6–18. Yet these prophecies have nothing to do with greenhouse gas emissions; rather, they are the result of the wrath of God, pouring out justice on an increasingly wicked world. Also, a Christian must remember that God is in control and that this world is not our home. God will one day erase this current universe (2 Peter 3:7-12) and replace it with the New Heavens and New Earth (Revelation 21–22). How much effort should be made "saving" a planet that God is eventually going to obliterate and replace with a planet so amazing and wonderful that the current earth pales in comparison?

Is there anything wrong with going green? No, of course not. Is trying to reduce your carbon footprint a good thing? Probably so. Are solar panels, wind mills, and other renewable energy sources worth pursuing? Of course. Are any of these things to be the primary focus of followers of Jesus Christ? Absolutely not! As Christians, our focus should be proclaiming the truth of the gospel, the message that has the power to save souls. Saving the planet is not within our power or responsibility. Climate change may or may not be real, and may or may not be human-caused. What we can know for certain is that God is good and sovereign, and that Planet Earth will be our habitat for as long as God desires it to be. Psalm 46:2-3, "Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."

Another Political Season

Another election season has begun and it's no surprise that it's as contentious and pugnacious as ever.  And it will continue to worsen until the day of the election (and maybe even after as we saw this past election).  

We call ourselves a Christian country - or at least a majority Christian - and yet the behavior on both sides is anything but Christian.  Accusations, name calling, screaming and even calls for violence are an everyday occurrence.  Somehow we feel justified doing all these things and more.  The division is increasing and turning into pure hatred.  While we used to respectfully disagree with the "other side," now each side feels so righteous in their beliefs that they feel the need to demonize the other side.  No longer is there a sharing of ideas or a healthy debate where debaters leave the room shaking hands and slapping backs. 

Brothers and sisters, stop.  Stop this behavior which is anything but Christ-like.  Stop acting like the world is going to end because the other side won the election.  Stop calling names, making unsubstantiated accusations, being disrespectful and worse.  We have a system in place and we work through the system to accomplish our goals in an orderly and lawful way.  And when the other side wins, we take a couple of days to lick our wounds but then we are supposed to be gracious (remember who showed us mercy and grace??) and respectful.  There will be another election to try and be persuasive - unless Jesus comes for His bride before the election and that's even better!!!

Perhaps we aren't opening our Bibles enough and remembering God's instructions. 

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.  The authorities that exist have been established by God. Romans 13:1

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. 1Peter 2:17

The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will. Proverbs 21:1

These are just a few scriptures that command us to not only be respectful, but to pray for our leaders. Our leaders have difficult jobs and need our prayers.  God has appointed them and will use them as He wills and yet He listens to our prayers and can be stirred by them. God doesn't care about politics - God cares about souls; about character; about people.  And His ways are not our ways. . . . . . .

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

Therefore we are arrogant when we believe we know better than God. We do not have His vantage point or His mind. We see things from our perspective only - our time in history, our color, our sex, our culture, etc. God is above all these things. God is wise, omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. He uses believers and nonbelievers alike. And so we are to trust Him and obey His commands. We would be far better off to be less concerned about politics and more concerned about sharing the good news with others.