Tuesday, September 25, 2012

POLITICAL FUTURE--CHARLES WOODRUFF

                                                                 
                                                     
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;” (2Timothy 3:12-14).





Politics is an issue that I usually say little about. Why? Because there are so many opinions and so many variations. There are difficult questions that seemingly no one can solve. The way our political system started in America it was orderly and good. But it didn’t always stay that way. It actually began as a very good system, but, of course, still man made. Over time, much of it deteriorated and failed. Still, compared to the systems in this world, it has been relatively good. One of the missing keys today is that a desire for purity and godliness, which was in the early system, has practically disappeared. Man’s selfishness has come to the forefront, making political realities very tricky.

I will say that I am interested in government, and I am interested in good government. A good country must have that, or we will have anarchy. All we can really do, as my father taught me, is vote our honest convictions. Our choices may be tricky, and even painful, but we must pick the best available candidate. It is not my intention to tell anyone how to vote, but with only about six weeks or so left, I must tell you to study the issues; the moral problems; the candidates, and pray before you vote. America is in the most crucial time of many of our lives, and I want to say that no politician will be able to save us. We must be looking to God as never before for answers, as only He can really solve our problems. (But I do believe I have had enough of Barack Obama, whatever else happens.)

In the present Congress session of the USA, there is much talk about leadership and change. There is a lot of bragging going on about who is now in charge. I have lived long enough to see all this before. People in leadership get drunk with power as if the only reason they got in that position was their own effort, and they seem to feel, now that they have this power, they will keep it forever. Congressional leaders, senators, bureaucrats, and even presidents, prime ministers, kings and queens, popes, archbishops and all manner of preachers and religious leaders should read this scripture: “He changeth the times and the seasons: He removeth kings and setteth up kings: He giveth wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding” (Daniel 2:21). And as God told Pharaoh: “And in very deed for this cause I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power: and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth” (Exodus 9:16). So we can plainly see from scripture that it is really God that puts men in power, no matter what!

The position of power in both houses of Congress is precarious. In the Senate all it will take is one death, or incapacity, or even one defection of a Democrat to put the Republicans back in power. In the House, the new majority is much larger, but there are House elections for various states every two years, so that power doesn’t necessarily last long either. In my judgment, the Republicans would still have their power if those who vowed to be conservative had held their ground. But remember that all this is only on the surface.

Behind the scenes is God, setting history as He has decreed it. Could it be that the reason He has permitted the largely liberal, antichrist, immoral, anti-American, one world government crowd to prevail in America, is because the land is under the righteous judgment of God? Think about it; how long will the holy God Jehovah allow a country that professes “In God We Trust” and “One Nation Under God” to continue down the slippery slope of ungodliness? So many open sins-like open wounds! Must I name them for you? Ironically, many “heterosexuals” want to live together without marriage. This is not new, but is now a rampant epidemic. This is while “homosexuals” want to get “married” and have their marriages recognized by the states! Of course, the main reason is so they can get insurance benefits, and other privileges of marriage. The major TV networks, print media and advertisers in the marketplace are pushing the homosexual agenda, and these sodomites largely control Hollywood, so they also push it big time.

Then there is the abortion industry that continues unchecked in spite of much opposition by many people. Babies are murdered every day. Of what marriages there are, over half end in divorce. The murder rate is sky high. Robberies and violent crime are up. Every outward vestige of Christianity is under attack, yet because of “political correctness”, Muslim teaching is being allowed in many public schools. I don’t even need to talk about the added burden to taxpayers because illegal immigrants can come here and get as many, or more government benefits than can a US citizen, all because our politicians won’t enforce the laws we presently have! I never thought I would live to see such corruption and sin running rampant.

What can we do about this situation? Can we do anything that will be effective? One thing we can do is pray for Almighty God to send revival. We really can do nothing, but He has all power. He can turn it around if it pleases Him. God has in days past sent an outpouring to change men and women and put them in His kingdom. Yes, I know that most people do not believe that He will, or even that He can. But I will tell you, He can. How do I know, because He has told us in His unchanging word that He can. Read the history of revivals in our world. Read of the revival in the world in the centuries since the first. I won’t go into much detail, but read about the moving of God in lands where the gospel had never been heard. Read how God turned people to Himself. Even if you begin with the Middle Ages you can read of people like John Wycliffe, John Hus, and William Tyndale. Then there was Martin Luther. Luther was the firebrand of the Reformation. Many others came after Luther. The Protestant Reformation was itself a great revival. It was a world changing revival. Throughout Europe, and the world there was a great change.

Many places in the world were touched. Churches began everywhere. The iron grip of Catholicism was greatly smashed, and never to be the same. Revival came to Germany, and later to England, Scotland and many other places. Men were raised up like the Puritans, and John Bunyan. Later there was Spurgeon and his great influence. I can’t begin to cover in this short article all that God has done over the centuries. I can only give you a sketch. We should never give up hope in God, but in ourselves. We are weak, He is strong.

The point is, this is a sick nation. A sin-sick nation! If you were God what would you do? I am thankful that neither you nor I are on that High throne of heaven! “How long O Lord”? Remember the sermon I wrote She Hath Done What She Could? What can we do? All we can do, is humble ourselves, pray, and cast ourselves on the mercy of a just God. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14 can, and must be applied!

Published by Charles Woodruff- email: oursong2000@yahoo.com

Friday, September 14, 2012

SOME THOUGHTS FROM CHARLES

I thought I would share with you four small articles that hopefully will cause you to think about your relation with Christ. Our need of Christ is not believed by most, but truthfully God told us in His word how it would be in the last days. So many go their own sinful ways and hear little we say in opposition to their ways. You must know how it is going to end. God will be in triumph, and His enemies will be slaughtered. He is going to be victorious. You had best be looking to Him now before it is too late. " For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew  16:26)

THE TRUE CHRIST IS STILL THE ONLY WAY
Jesus warned us there would be false prophets and false Christs. “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:23,24). Regardless of what new agers such as Oprah and Eckhart Tolle may say; regardless of what postmodern “organizer” preachers like Rick Warren and Bill Hybels may say; regardless of what hatemonger preachers like Jeremiah Wright and company may say; no matter how apparently successful, and extremely wealthy some of them are. As Chuck Norris, quoting from another, reminded us; “Christ is either who He claimed to be, or He is the most notorious liar who ever lived!” Remember Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto to the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). (cw)

ABSOLUTES: BIBLE TRUTHS VERSUS HUMAN LIES
The world says: There are no absolutes, no moral black and white, but shades of grey.
The Bible says: “For ever O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119: 89); it also says: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall never pass away” (Matthew 24:35).
The world says: That is your truth, mine is different. The Bible says: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). The world says: There are many roads to heaven.” Many have said it, including Martin Luther King Jr. in Strength to Love; Pocket Books; 1963. But The Bible says: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Christ alone is the only way the Bible declares to us. Don’t look elsewhere. Christ alone is the answer. Satan will tell you anything but the truth. We know that the last days are here. After all John said they were in his time, so we know our time is short. We had best be about the Father’s business while there is time, because soon there will be none. (cw)

THE AUTHOR OF SALVATION
"For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings" (Hebrews 2:10).
A Captain in today's U.S. military is a high ranking officer. In the U.S. Navy the rank of Captain is equivalent to U.S. Army Colonel, which is higher up the ladder than the Air Force, Army or Marines’ Captain. So when we see the King James phrase "captain of their salvation" we realize it is an officer of high rank in the military. But, actually the same Greek word is translated "author" in Hebrews 12:2. "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Some versions say "leader", "originator", "founder", "author", etc... Jesus Christ is all that. He is the author, leader, originator of this life changing event, this thing, this joy, which we call salvation. Our following of this leader is not to simply be going forward in a congregation one time to make a confession of faith, but is a lifetime of endeavoring to follow Him who is the Good Shepherd. The sheep do follow Him. I remember well the hymn we sung so often in my Southern Baptist childhood "Where He Leads me I will Follow"
(See link: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/w/h/e/wherehlm.htm ). To sum it up, a captain is a leader. There is much more we could say, but that is beyond the purpose of this short meditation. As His sheep, we should be prepared to do as the old hymn says, and follow Him today wherever He leads and "Go with Him, with Him, all the way". (cw) 

THE PRACTICALITY OF THE BOOK OF JAMES
James tells us: “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22). In other words he says “Don’t just be an experienced Bible reader, be an experienced Bible heeder!”
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26). In other words, don’t say you have faith (that you are alive), and do no works, which is evidence of life, for then you are as a dead body whose spirit has departed.
“Thou believest that there is one God: thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble” (James 2:19). Many religions are monotheistic, i.e., express a belief in one god -- that is good, but the demons also believe and tremble, because they know who the one God is; Jesus Christ. See Mark 5:1-20.  (cw) 
Published by Charles Woodruff- email: oursong2000@yahoo.com

Wednesday, September 05, 2012

THE STORMS OF LIFE-CHARLES WOODRUFF



                    

In the midst of Tropical Storm/Hurricane Isaac last week, I was reminded of the fragileness of our lives. The news reports said several people were killed in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Tornadoes wrought much destruction and injury as well. There was much damage from rain, and wind. Even today the remainder of Isaac is dropping rain, and some wind in Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. I’m sure most of us saw the news videos.


It reminds me of an incident over 30 years ago in Florida. It was May 1980. I was in the Tampa Bay area for some meetings around the time that a ship hit the Sunshine Skyway Bridge south of St. Petersburg, killing 35 people, including all who were aboard a Greyhound bus, bound for Miami, which was crossing the bridge at the time. I went over the bridge soon after that, going south using the only remaining side, now handling both lanes (the northbound side). My friend Don Martin was with me, and we were both rather awestruck to look at the sudden end of the southbound side now just hanging over the water 150 feet below and realize that those cars and that bus that went over took most of those people to their deaths.

What makes the Tampa Bay incident more horrible is that it was at almost this exact spot that the Coast Guard cutter, Blackthorn had been rammed four months earlier by the tanker Capricorn. The Blackthorn sank. Twenty-three men died.

      I went over that bridge again recently, which is now rebuilt. Some other friends were with me, and again was the remembrance of that sad day when that tragedy happened. It makes one wonder; how many were in Christ? How many were ready to go? In all these incidents I have mentioned, and countless others each year, as a Christian I can’t help but wonder how many really knew Christ that were in those incidents. We are all going to die; it is just a matter of time. God’s time. Is everything settled with your soul? Do you belong to Christ? Is He your Lord?

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14).
“Boast not thyself of  to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1).

             An article and pictures about the Skyway Bridge:  (first click away the ad) http://www.francesfarmersrevenge.com/stuff/bridges/skyway.htm
                       
                      

                               PRESENT DAY CHRISTIANITY

Present day Christianity has largely rejected the teaching of God's grace in its biblical fullness. Instead, we have on all sides a largely man-centered religion. "Media Event Christianity" is the norm in so many churches. The manipulation of souls and "decisionism" has given us a watered-down gospel that couldn't save a flea. It has been taught that God can only do what man "lets" Him do! But this is a far cry from the God of the Bible. He is the Sovereign of the universe! He does not need our help, we need His!

Naturally to declare God as God Almighty is going to ruffle some feathers. The Baptists of today forget the London Confession, the Philadelphia Confession, and the New Hampshire Confession of Faith, which all contain clear and strong statements regarding the Sovereign God.

The Baptists are not alone in forgetting. The Presbyterians of today often fail to take note of the old landmark Westminster Confession of Faith (which differs from the Philadelphia Confession very little). The heritage of the church is largely discarded today, and the “emerging church”, “wealth and health gospel” along with “new evangelicalism” and most of today's fundamentalism cannot shape up when compared to the faith of our fathers. Truth has fallen in the streets! (I originally wrote the majority of these words in 1983. Some things have changed for the better, but it is evident that many things are worse). We desperately need revival. I pray for it. I believe that reformation must come before true revival will come (cw).

Published by Charles Woodruff- email: oursong2000@yahoo.com