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I opened a pocket Bible this morning as I had coffee, to Jude, so I read it.
If I talked like that, I wonder if I would be considered to be some kind of wacko by many today.
I wonder what Jude would think of us today if he were walking around as he did back then.
LOF,
I must say that this was a very discouraging program to say the least – both hours!
Mr. Noble’s topic of “Fat Pastors” missed the essence of the kingdom gospel altogether. He did not appeal to one passage of Scripture to validate his point of criticism at all, only polls. I did appreciate one caller noting the variables involved in a pastor’s life. But I would ask, just as Brother Mike has noted with the Strange Fire dialogue, “Where does it explicitly say in the bible that being fat is a sin?”
I could understand if the topic was on gluttony, but that is definitely not the case with all people; hence to outright deem it bad and a hindrance to the gospel is a bit contrary to Scripture, of which Jesus said to the carnal religious leaders, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment (John 7:24). Elsewhere, the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature… For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
Steve’s fleshly judgmental opinion of fat pastors demonstrates how far we are from the kingdom. In point of fact, let’s disqualify both D.L. Moody and Charles Spurgeon, who were both fat. Also, who is the judge to determine who is fat or not, and what is the biblical criteria that would disqualify one based upon size alone, and who said all of the disciples were not fat?….. (sigh*)
As far as the right-winged program on the Affordable Care Act, gosh… especially with the mention of Rush Limbaugh. This was nothing more than a bash Obama show, right out of the FOX platform. G-d help America – Oh no, G-d help the church!!!!
About Obama care, I had wondered about the constitutionality of requiring a military vet (who was told that if he ever needed health care that any VA hospital would do something for him to treat him, free of charge) to buy health insurance.
Phil 3:19
I only caught a little of the second hour?
Did anyone call in with a good story about “Obamacare”
Obamacare has been a tremendous blessing for me, personally. This is not some “what if” scenario. This really happened to me.
Not long after Obamacare abolished lifetime caps in March 2010, I came down with a very expensive illness.
Without Obamacare, I would hit the lifetime cap and an insurance companey “death panel” would have ended my medical treatment.
There is no possibly way we could have afforded my treatment. No middle class person could. My family would have been economically ruined and we’d be a charity case. That’s for certain.
It’s hard to know, for sure, but I might not even be alive. That’s very possible.
Since then, I’ve recovered and am back to work and a taxpayer again.
So, thank you Obama! (and Praise the Lord!)
So, when you hear people nay-say about health care reform or whine about a slow web site, remember that there are thousands and thousands of your fellow Americans who have already been saved from financial ruin or even death by “Obamacare.”
Good show yesterday Steve,
And great posts Ray, specially your third 😉
Steve gave fair analysis of the topic “Fat Pastors”, rejecting both “magazine cover physique” while at the same time rightfully showing compassion by acknowledging rather than accepting weight problems in the Church. And these are problems since they lead to increased risk of heart disease and other ailments.
I thought Steve handled it rather well. Thanks Steve.
http://www.gotquestions.org/gluttony-sin.html
This is pretty much how I feel about it. I used to be heavy. I asked God for help in my weight loss and self control. He definitely came through, because I’m free of those old eating habits.
Greg, I want to take you on politically, however, I will refrain. You are a brother in the Lord and I am happy that you are here even though I disagree with you completely.
jon,
This is a Christian forum, do you really want to suggest a political debate when Greg gave a testimony of how much he was blessed. It almost sounds like the religious Jews confronting the man who was healed of his blindness, and ignoring the results.
I just want to know how much credit went to Obamacare and how much was a testimony to YHWH’s faithfulness. If the government steals from you and pays my medical bills, is that really a testimony for YHWH’s provision? We are glad when someone has a good thing happen to them, but we should be sad when someone else has a bad thing happen to them. Any type of forced socialism is against scripture. Voluntarily helping others is a virtue. Stealing is not.
Shalom
The government stealing???? Sure, it began with the ACA, and I guess social security and medicare are stealing as well. Again, you missed the forest for the trees. G-d always gets the glory when one is blessed. Your implication of one ignoring G-d using instruments to bring good things to pass is a bit extreme. For example: If a dr. operates on you and you were cured of a disease, is it wrong to thank the dr. and assume that the Christian is not thankful to G-d?
It is understandable that the ACA may be bad for some, but can we be honest and rejoice if others are blessed by it rather than attempt to discredit one’s testimony by throwing the baby out with the bathwater. This is not spoken in defense of the ACA, as I am not for or against it; however, I find myself amazed that so many professed followers of Yeshua lay down clear discernment, and fair and equal judgment when it comes to politics. This is a product of social engineering at its best.
Shalom
Brain,
Where in scripture do you find forced socialism to be right?
Pr 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn…
4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it…
7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
When we expect the government to take care of the poor, we are shirking responsibility and in many ways regarding not to know the cause of the poor. We are expecting to be insulated from the nitty gritty details. There is a reason that the people are mourning. And do you think that there has been no payoff that is overthrowing our land?
Ro 3:5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)
6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?
7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.
Why is forced socialism not saying “Let us do evil that good may come? Why will Elohim not judge us for our unrighteousness that is supposedly for a righteous cause? The judgment on this nations economy is already obvious. Obamacare is only going to make it worse. The cause and effect of foolishness is upon us. YHWH is righteous to judge our covetousness and carelessness.
Our unjust weights and measures are an abomination. Is the workman worthy of his hire or is his nonworking neighbor more worthy of it?
Shalom
Brian, Did i suggest a political debate?
No, i refrained – politically speaking your platform would collapse on itself, as we can see it happening right before us.
Brian,
You sarcastically wrote:
“The government stealing???? Sure, it began with the ACA, and I guess social security and medicare are stealing as well.”
Actually it is extortion. Worse than stealing. Stealing with an ongoing threat involved.
When Social Security was begun the card said, “Not for identification purposes.” The original rate was 1% each on the employer and the employee, on the first $3,000 of earnings. That was bad enough.
In 2014 it will be 6.2% by employer and employee on the first $117,000 + 1.45% for each on all income for medicare. Also, beginning in 2014, as part of ObamaCare, wages and self-employment income above $250,000 for a couple or $200,000 for a single is also subject to a 0.9% Medicare surcharge.
So that is in actuality a change from %2 to 15.8% of most people’s income. If you do not pay, you go to jail and are fined excruciatingly. Add to this, these people are going to be forced to obtain health insurance. What percentage of a person’s income is that going to cost? Before Obamacare, the average for American families was about 15% of their income for those that wished to have it. But it will be going up and those that do not wish to have it must now have it. There are anecdotal reports of premiums going up 300%.
Obamacare will reduce some people’s premiums via subsidies and increase others premiums…these will actually be paying the subsidies. Why should it be mandated that you pay for my healthcare. If you want to help me financially, great! If not, it is your hard earned money. Spend it the way you like.
I say all of this knowing that I will qualify for the highest rate of subsidy. It will cost me virtually nothing under Obamacare to have health insurance. And I still say that it is not right or righteous. Forced socialism is from the pits of hell. Helping the poor is to be done voluntarily/cheerfully from a compassionate heart…and the Father who sees in secret will reward us openly. With forced socialism, we have our reward…a ruined economy and no eternal rewards. Do you like the trade-off?
You are right, it is not exactly stealing. It is extortion. No other word for it. Stealing is to mild of a word.
And there is no real blessing from YHWH in extortion. We are blessing ourselves…coveting…ignoring the commandments of YHWH and living by the commandments and traditions of men instead of by every word that has proceeded out of YHWH’s mouth.
And then, when we are subsidized, we have extra money to help others with or to put in the offering plate. But we are in actuality sacrificing that which costs us nothing in the long run, and that at the expense of another. At least one man after YHWH’s heart knew better than this.
2Sa 24:24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
David bought land from a rich man that could have and would have given it up for the public good. He did not confiscate it and pass it out to those that needed help…help against a plague (these people needed health care immediately)…a plague that he (the government) caused.
Shalom
Bo, Instead of young couples living the American dream and buying a first home, we now can pay $1200.00 a month to the medical establishment and be secure in the government burning all our money.
Good bye American dream, everyone has had the dream transferred to relying on Government care for health, food, housing. Oh, what would we ever do if all our money was not given to the IRS? We do not need to give to charities? Our checks can be auto deducted and all can be cared for. Capitalism is making a comeback in Europe, Honduras. The dream of freedom is, and has been voted down. Oh well, we will learn the hard way.
We get the rulers we deserve. What difference is the pride of America from the pride of Egypt, Rome, Babylon, Greece, Russia, and some others. Where are these great civilizations now? Have they not been humbled by God? Don’t we deserve a terrible and oppressive government that may lead us to ruin? Personally, I think we do.
Josh,
Amein!
Shalom
OOPS! I forgot the scripture:
Jer 5:31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
Bo,
You said,
When we expect the government to take care of the poor, we are shirking responsibility and in many ways regarding not to know the cause of the poor. We are expecting to be insulated from the nitty gritty details. There is a reason that the people are mourning. And do you think that there has been no payoff that is overthrowing our land?… Forced socialism is from the pits of hell. Helping the poor is to be done voluntarily/cheerfully from a compassionate heart…and the Father who sees in secret will reward us openly. With forced socialism, we have our reward…a ruined economy and no eternal rewards. Do you like the trade-off?”
Once again, you missed the forest for the trees… I made it clear in stating, ” It is understandable that the ACA may be bad for some, but can we be honest and rejoice if others are blessed by it rather than attempt to discredit one’s testimony by throwing the baby out with the bathwater. This is not spoken in defense of the ACA, as I am not for or against it.”
In response to your statements above, I’d say that the morning of the people has not just begun because of ACA, but because of the sins of America from its past. Let’s not pretend that we have previously been on a right path prior to this. This government has oppressed the poor and minorities from its inception. We went through 250 years of slavery, then another 100 years of segregation – roughly 9 generations of government sanctioned extortion at its best. A few short years after segregation ended, we then sanctioned abortion. The injustice continues to roll down hill. Today, we still find additional ways to exploit the poor with billion dollar corporations intentionally hiring part time workers so that they can avoid providing hard working adults health care. Unjust indeed! It has been out greed and the exploitation of the poor that we have come to this place, and because the Church as done very little to help, we now have the government stepping in.
The fact of the matter is, we have more professing Christians who are more political than prophetic. How is it so that we can hold hands when it comes to abortion, homosexuality and anti-Semitism, but turn a blind eye at some of the blatant tactics of voter suppression, the waving the Confederate flag in political rallies, and open racism? Please explain how professing Christians make religion a great concern with Rev. Wright; but ignore Mormonism – even going so far to remove it from the list of cults – when it comes to Mitt Romney? Open hypocrisy at its best!
As far as caring for the poor, G-d made His heart very clear on the matter:
As a cage is full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become great and grown rich. They have grown fat, they are sleek; yes, they surpass the deeds of the wicked; they do not plead the cause, the cause of the fatherless; yet they prosper, and the right of the needy they do not defend. Shall I not punish them for these things?’ says the LORD. ‘Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?’ (Jer 5:27-29)
Elsewhere Scripture says,
Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit. (Ezk 16:49-50)
And,
Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor,
who crush the needy, who say to your husbands, “Bring wine, let us drink!” The Lord GOD has sworn by His holiness: “Behold, the days shall come upon you when He will take you away with fishhooks, and your posterity with fishhooks. (Amos 4:1-2)
Shalom