COM Newsletter - January 2020
Of the forty spies sent to spy out the land of Canaan, only Caleb and Joshua brought back good reports, declaring that with God Israel could take the land. Consequently, they were the only two of that entire generation who lived to go over Jordan into the Promised Land.
Once over the Jordan, 85-year-old Caleb “did not ask for himself a land already conquered, but the place which above all others the spies had thought it impossible to subdue. By the help of God he would wrest his stronghold from the very giants whose power had staggered the faith of Israel.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 512.2)
“The unbelieving had seen their fears fulfilled. Notwithstanding God’s promise, they had declared that it was impossible to inherit Canaan, and they did not possess it. But those who trusted in God, looking not so much to the difficulties to be encountered as to the strength of their Almighty Helper, entered the goodly land.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 513.2)
So it is with the temptations and opposing forces we face in life and in ministry. Lack of faith will lead to defeat. Victory comes to those of faith and fervor. In this age of political correctness regarding morality, let us, like Caleb of old, not withdraw from the battle. Let us go forward boldly, standing on the word of God and fearlessly contending for the faith of those champions who have gone before us. The Promised Land awaits those who go forward without compromise, putting their trust in God.
Q&A
Question: My son says he's gay. He was married, an academy teacher, an amazingly talented tenor soloist, has his master's degree [from a prominent Christian university], and has now quit it all saying he doesn't believe in a God who condones murder as stated in the Bible. Therefore, the Bible is not true, either. Now where's the argument for him?
Reply: I have not found any place in the Bible where God condones murder. But I have seen where God Himself, who is perfectly just as well as merciful, has ordered the carrying out of His judgments after much, much patient longsuffering toward the rebellious sinner. We do not have His perfect wisdom and understanding, and that's why He tells us not to judge one another. But He certainly is qualified to judge, for all His judgments are righteous. We find that 1 John 4:8 tells us that “God is love.” And we, as His children, must trust that all He does is through the heart and eyes of love. We may have many questions as to why He has executed His judgments toward some people, even races of people, but we have this assurance found in the second commandment that He visits “the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate [Him]” (Exodus 20:5). This is why he told Abraham that his children could not inherit the land of Canaan for 400 years, or four generations, because the cup of the Amorites was not yet full, the cup of their iniquity. But after Israel came out of Egypt, the patience of the Lord had reached its limit, four generations, and He ordered Israel to destroy the entire race of the Amorites. It's really no different than the lake of fire at the end of the millennium. When God acts, it is out of love and mercy as well as perfect justice. We must trust Him in all this. Thope that is helpful to you. But what I have found to be true in so many instances with gay people, having been one myself for many years, is that guilt will cause one to go to great lengths to justify and rationalize away his own bad behavior. The Bible refers to them as those who wrest the Scriptures (wrestle with them, twist them, distort them), to their own destruction. God's perfect justice toward the wicked does not justify for one instant our own bad choices and behavior. We are self-deluded and deceived if we go that route. As our Creator, God knows best what is good for His children when it comes to sexual behavior as with any other issue. He's the one who created us with the capacity to enjoy intimacy. But along with that gift came an instruction book. If the gift is abused, there will be consequences that will cause great grief for God as well as the disobedient child. God takes no delight in the wages or consequences of our sins. He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). But the natural result of disconnecting from God, the Source of life, is ultimately the loss of that life-death.
Again, I hope my insights prove to be helpful to you and your son.
Keep looking up.
Q&A text taken from:
TESTIMONY
I just want to praise the Lord for what He is doing through each of you in this ministry. I work at a small high school academy, and this week was our week of prayer. The pastor leading out has chosen the topic of finding our identity in an age of non-identities. Today he shared your documentary... I was so blessed! I am not homosexual, but I have many dear people in my life who are, or who are struggling with their identity in general. I myself have struggled as a Christian understanding my purpose and the simplicity of coming to Christ. This documentary has opened my eyes clearer and has confirmed all the things God has started to show me in regards to how to address, react, and understand this subject. Please pray for my friends, my sisters, and my school. This really is a battle. I pray that God will continue to keep you all faithful as you continue to trust in His strength. His grace is so sufficiently enough!
Sincerely, J….
APPEAL
Please consider making a donation to our ministry to help spread the message of God’s love and redemption! Kindly visit our website www.comingoutministries.org and select the Donate button, or you may send a check or money order directly to:
‘Coming Out’ Ministries at PO Box 227, Mount Vernon, OH 43050.
Happy New Year 2020 and may God bless you for your support!