As Unto The Lord

Bobservations Column
By Pastor Bob Lawrenz

Paul Writes at the end of 1 Corinthians 14 that all things are to be done decently and in order when it comes to the gifts of the Spirit.  Paul warns the Church there that if everyone is speaking in various tongues, a visitor might think they are all gone mad (14:23).  Jesus teaches of a Roman Centurion in Luke 7 who exhibited an understanding of the "chain of command" within the Holy Trinity.  In Matthew 19 and again in Mark 10, Jesus is quoted as saying that the first shall be last, and the last shall be first when it comes time to inherit everlasting life.  All these and more in scriptures tell us that God loves order.

Do you remember the Fire Drills that we all practiced in school when we were young?  It was to provide for an orderly exit from the building, so the most number of students could be saved in case of a fire.  Confusion and chaos breed pushing and shoving, and no one is saved when it's every man-for-himself.  An orderly exit provided for a steady stream of children safely coming out of the building.

God provides for order, and decency in all things, and He honors those that listen to Him.  Ephesians 6 takes us from the order of Chapter 5 within marriage, to an orderly and decent life in the broader household.  This is still part of our walk as the "new man in Christ."  It begins internally within, then to our most intimate relationships, and finally outward to the rest of the house.  Dare I say that it should then extend to the world around us as well?  Is the world in chaos?  The Gospel brings a central focus for all, and an orderly society in its wake.

Order tends to slow us down and cause us to think about priorities, about the greater good, about selfless acts and accomplishing the most with the least amount of effort, and all with impeccable timing.

Like our Fire Drills when young, we had them frequently to condition us to order, and to train us to accomodate one another.

"...For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of christ."  Ephesians 4:12

The Horsemen

Bobservations Column
By Pastor Bob Lawrenz

During the days of the Corona Virus shut-down, we’ve all seen and heard media coverage of long lines for free food supplies for those that have been furloughed from their jobs and are without an income. Indeed whole parking lots are lined with row after row of vehicles awaiting their turn at the food pick-up stations, as we view the media’s video clips. 

It is interesting to note, however, that the images are identical day after day, and it’s rather appalling to watch volunteers load bags and boxes of free groceries into the back of a late model Cadillac SUV. The mainstream media is playing us for fools. They don’t play those video clips daily, for many might just catch on, so they play them only a couple times each week, but it’s always the same clips.

I am not suggesting that the threat presented by the Corona virus is not real, for it surely is a serious health problem around the globe! Corona/COVID-19 is a deadly virus and the numbers of infected in just 6 weeks is staggering. 

But the mainstream media is doing its part to hype the virus and instill fear in the hearts of every viewer. This is the same media that has accused our President of impeachable crimes, and has relentlessly harangued his every move and decision since before he even took the oath of office. Yet no impeachable crimes or offenses could be proven after 3½ years of government investigation, and now, we are to believe their reporting?

In our days of the Wild West, there were snake oil salesmen and inventors of Health Elixirs that were unscrupulous; in the 1950’s and ‘60’s, it was used car salesmen from small independent sales lots whose ethics were questionable. Every decade there is someone to fill the gap of “shylock” as new inventions are introduced, or new social issues arise. This is the apparent decade for the news media, and it is evident by listening to the quality and substance of the questions they pose at Press Conferences. Trust is a commodity to be earned, and cherished. Breaking that trust breaks the relationship.
~ 1Thessalonians 5:21:

“Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good.”

 ~ Psalm 118:8, 9

 “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.”

The Days Of Noah

Bobservations Column
By Pastor Bob Lawrenz

We watch the News Broadcasts, and it’s like the rest of the world ceased to exist. Prior to the Corona virus, we heard only of continual attacks and charges against the US President by his political enemies. Whether one supports him or not, one thing has become clear: none of the accusations, not a single charge or allegation against the man was provable, and neither did any of his supposed crimes amount to an impeachable offense. I’m not here to defend the President, nor am I here to denigrate him. I’m only writing this as an observation: never before in the history of the United States have I ever heard of such a continual fusillade of criticisms, allegations, and character assassinations as the media has covered, and in many opinions, even furthered against a sitting President of the USA.

Even now in the midst of the Corona virus as a public health threat, some continue to criticize his handling of this crisis. Some have even called it “the Trump virus.”

If we listen only to the mainstream media outlets, everything is the President’s fault. If we stop to pay attention to other lesser known media outlets, we hear Paul Harvey’s voice echo, “And now, the other side of the story,” something that former broadcaster Harvey did regularly. After Harvey retired, and certainly after his death, no one picked up the banner to tell the other side of any story. ABC, CBS, NBC CNBC, CNN, The New York Times, Washington Post… all the major sources of public information have adopted and report the left-wing position, and when the right seeks to defend, it’s labeled propaganda.

These are the wealthiest and most powerful men and women in the world. Between politicians and the media, these are the people that mold western culture and shape the minds of our society’s youth. 

Who are we to believe?

Whom are they to follow? Continual debate just breeds confusion. Our nation and every nation are in turmoil, and unrest. Have Syria and Russia and Turkey ceased to be issues in the Middle East? Has North Korea ceased it’s aggression towards the US and the peace of the world? Have the drug cartels of Columbia stopped their drug shipments? Have physicians stopped prescribing opioids? Did Iran come to peaceful terms with Israel? Of course not. All things continue as they were, now though, hidden behind the Corona headlines.

Who are we to believe?

Many of the rich and powerful both in the headlines and behind them were acquaintances of Jeffery Epstein. Quite a few from the entertainment industry and from politics were invited to Epstein’s private island. They’ve been named, and their pictures have been shown broadcast in the media.

2 Timothy 3:13 says, “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.”

Genesis 6:5 says, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” 

Matthew 24:38 says, “For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,…”

Who shall we believe? Whom shall we follow?

Opinion contradicts opinion. Liberal? Conservative? Who is right? And who is left to believe?

The first quote above are Paul’s words to a young minister who was easily intimidated and doubted his own ability to teach others. His stomach was often in knots. Confusion reigned in him in spite of the teachings he’d received. Timothy was moving from being a babe in Christ to being a leader for the Ephesian Church.

Paul’s next words to Timothy give us hope and determination to let the confusion slip aside and see the real problem: a lack of the truth. Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father except by me”

2 Timothy 3:13-14 says this:

“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

Governors and Health “experts” are giving us conflicting statements. Conspiracy theories abound. Yes, the virus is real, and it’s deadly for some. Let Godly wisdom prevail in you instead of conflict.

In such confusing days as we are living through today, set the opinions and reports of mere men aside, and look to Jesus to reveal truth to you. Exercise the gift of discernment from the Holy Spirit. The fog will lift, and your mind will clear. Stay close to Jesus and know for sure that He will never leave us, nor forsake us.

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever;…” John 14:16