October 24, 2012

Higher Percentage of Homosexuals Among Young Adults Than Seniors: What Does This Mean?

Rainbow flags

As time goes on, homosexuality is increasingly becoming more accepted in our society. As it becomes more accepted, it will become more common. A recent Gallup survey found that 3.4% of adults in the United States identified themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

The survey also found an interesting statistic regarding the percentage of homosexuals among various age groups. The numbers are very difficult for those who wish to argue that homosexuality is a matter of inherent sexual orientation, rather than choice.

Younger Americans are more likely to identify as LGBT: Adults ages 18-29 (6.4 percent) were more than three times as likely as seniors ages 65 and older (1.9 percent) to identify as LGBT. Gallup found that LGBT identity declines with age – at 3.2 percent for ages 30-49; and 2.6 percent for ages 50-64.

How do we explain the number of homosexuals being more than three times higher among young adults as it is among seniors? How do we account for the percentage of homosexuals declining with age? There are two possibilities:
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October 22, 2012

If Your Brother Sins Against You (10/22)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Matthew 18.

“If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector” (Matthew 18:15-17).

The New King James Version starts with the phrase, “If your brother sins against you.” Though the New American Standard Bible (quoted above) does not contain a similar phrase, the context certainly implies that private sins that one brother commits against another are the type of sins under consideration. Others were not aware of the sin until after the guilty brother had been approached by the brother whom he had sinned against.
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October 19, 2012

"Experts at Setting Aside the Commandment of God" (10/19)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Matthew 15; Mark 7.

After condemning the Pharisees for worshiping God in vain and elevating the commandments of men to the same status as the commandments of God, Jesus told them they were experts. Unfortunately, they were not experts in an area that was any good.

“He was also saying to them, ‘You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition’” (Mark 7:9).

Jesus was certainly not praising them for their expertise here. They had become highly adept at violating the commandment of God while still appearing to be religious. Sadly, many people today do the same thing. But notice how the Pharisees did this.
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October 11, 2012

The Rise and Fall of the United States: A Biblical Perspective

“Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales; behold, He lifts up the islands like fine dust” (Isaiah 40:15).

U.S. FlagThe United States is a relatively young country. It had its beginning when thirteen colonies declared their independence and defeated the mighty British army. From its beginning, its citizens have enjoyed liberty. This liberty led to prosperity, which led to the United States becoming the most powerful nation in the world.

However, the United States is still just “a speck of dust on the scales” of Almighty God. Lately this country has seemed to be in decline – morally, economically, and in terms of personal liberty. Will this decline result in the inevitable fall of the United States? No one knows. But it does have people asking questions:

  • Does the United States hold a special place in God’s plan?
  • Has God blessed the United States because of its founding upon Biblical principles? (Not that it is a “Christian nation” – there is no such thing.)
  • Is the United States in danger of divine punishment for the growing tolerance and practice of sins like abortion and homosexuality?

In this article, we are going to examine certain passages of Scripture that will help give us some perspective as we consider the rise and eventual fall of the United States.
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October 10, 2012

“First Take the Log Out of Your Own Eye” (10/10)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Matthew 5-7.

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:1-5).

The beginning part of the first verse is a favorite among many. When you ignore both the immediate and remote contexts, it appears to teach that it is wrong to judge others. In our “politically correct” culture, judging others is an intolerable act so such an interpretation would fit right in line with what people want the Bible to say.
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October 5, 2012

Those Who Need a Physician (10/5)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Matthew 4; Luke 4-5; John 1:15-51.

After Jesus called Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him (Luke 5:27), Levi held a reception for Him, inviting his fellow tax collectors and others. This drew the scrutiny of the  Pharisees and the scribes.

“And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd  of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?’ And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance’” (Luke 5:29-32).

There was a simple reason why Jesus associated with “tax collectors and sinners.” He was not encouraging or condoning sin, but as “a physician” He was trying to heal them of their sin sickness.
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September 24, 2012

"They Did Not Lay Their Hands on the Plunder" (9/24)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Esther 6-10.

After Esther revealed Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews to the king, letters were issued in the king’s name that would allow the Jews to defend themselves against those who would seek to do them harm.

“In them the king granted the Jews who were in each and every city the right to assemble and to defend their lives, to destroy, to kill and to annihilate the entire army of any people or province which might attack them, including children and women, and to plunder their spoil” (Esther 8:11).

The provision that allowed them to defend themselves was understandable. But the decree went a step further and explicitly permitted the Jews to plunder the spoil of their enemies. However, while the Jews certainly defended themselves, they did not take the spoil.
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