Two Minutes With The Bible ~ What's Behind Our Moral Decline?

What's Behind Our Moral Decline?

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Berean Bible Society
Printer Friendly Version

One does not have to be a prude to conclude that our country is suffering a serious moral decline. Our rulers and law enforcement agencies seem powerless to cope with it. Campaigns to check it seem vain. J. Edgar Hoover of the FBI warned us again and again that the alarming rate of this downward trend would spell ruin for America if not checked soon. But what most people fail to realize is that behind this moral decline there is a spiritual decline. America has departed from God and His Word.

Paul’s letter to the Romans tells us how the heathen got that way. Rom. 1:21,22 says: “When they knew God they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise they became fools,” and the verses that follow tell how God finally had to “give them up” to “uncleanness” and “vile affections”–all because “they did not like [wish] to retain God in their knowledge” (Ver. 28).

St. Paul further describes them in Eph. 4:17-19, as walking “in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who being past feeling [conscience] have given themselves over to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.” This, sad to say, is an accurate description of increasing numbers in America today. They are throwing off restraint and going after uncleanness “with greediness.”
But this is not liberty, it is enslavement. It is not a sign of strength, but of weakness. It does not indicate superior intelligence, but grossest ignorance, and is the result of alienation from God.

How much better off are those who have come to know God through Christ! Of these the Apostle says:

“And you, who were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled, in the body of His flesh, through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in His sight” (Col. 1:21,22).

---

To the Reader:

Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:

"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."

We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

Recipe: Simple Lemon Chicken Piccata

We had this one-dish wonder tonight. Hubby served it with a side dish of fresh, cooked spinach in garlic. Oh my gosh, it was heavenly! And there's no vampires in our home! [ha ha]

Enjoy.

CHICKEN PICCATA
Recipe by Fabio Viviani
Yield: 2 servings
[link]

Ingredients:
2 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1/2-3/4 cup flour
2 tablespoons butter, divided
2 teaspoons plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons minced garlic
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 large lemon
2 tablespoons drained capers
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method:

Cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally: With the blade of the knife horizontal to the work surface and with your free hand pressing down slightly on a chicken breast, slice horizontally through the breast so that you have 2 same-size pieces. Repeat with the remaining breasts, so that you have 4 pieces.

Place the 4 pieces of chicken between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pound them to about 1/3-inch thickness.

Beat the eggs and salt in a shallow bowl large enough to hold a piece of chicken. Place the flour in another bowl.

Coat the chicken first with the egg and then with the flour, tapping off the excess. Discard any unused egg and flour.

Over medium heat in a nonstick skillet large enough to hold all 4 pieces of chicken in a single layer, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter and add the 2 teaspoons of olive oil.

Add the chicken and saute until it is golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes on each side.

Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and the 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet.

Add the garlic and capers; saute for 15 seconds.

Add the chicken stock, white wine, and the juice of the lemon.

Boil the sauce to reduce it, about 3 minutes.

Return the chicken to the sauce, and simmer over medium-low heat until the sauce thickens a little more, about 10 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a serving plate.

Add the parsley and pepper to the sauce. Bring it to a boil, and remove it from the heat.

Spoon the sauce over the chicken, and serve.

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ The Wonders Of His Grace

The Wonders Of His Grace

by Pastor Paul M. Sadler

Berean Bible Society
Printer Friendly Version

Scripture Reading:

“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.”
– II Corinthians 8:9

Whether the occasion is a holiday, a birthday celebration, or a graduation, it is customary to give a gift. While some gifts are given out of necessity, for the most part, a gift is an expression of our love. We normally bestow these tokens of our affection on those whom we feel deserve the honor. But God’s ways are not our ways. He gave the gift of His beloved Son to His enemies. That’s a true love story! Oh, the wonder of His grace that God sent His only begotten Son, the Son of His love, to save sinners like you and me while we were fleeing from the glory of His presence. Little wonder the Apostle Paul says, “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” (II Cor. 9:15).

The word “unspeakable” here has the idea of “indescribable.” The gifts I’ve received through the years were all describable. Some may have been a little harder to describe than others, but describable nonetheless! But the gift of God’s dear Son is indescribable. Who can explain the incarnation, how the eternal Son of God left heaven’s glory and took upon Himself the form of human flesh, yet was not tainted with our sin. Who can explain how Christ was wholly God and wholly human in one person? These wonders can only be received through the eye of faith.

The manger and the Cross stand at the two extremes of our Lord’s life, but they are connected by the tapestry of redemption. Hence, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” A love story that ends with a death is tragic; in contrast, the death of Christ is the greatest demonstration of love this world has ever seen. How much does God love you? He gave His only begotten Son to die on your behalf. You see, Christ wasn’t dying for His sin, He knew no sin; He was dying for your sins and my sins at Calvary. He was made sin for us that we might receive the righteousness of God in Him. Have you trusted Him?

Surely you would never think of paying for a gift; why, the giver would be highly offended — how much more so with God. The payment for your sins has already been furnished by the Giver; simply receive Him as a gift from God. If you have, then why not thank Him today for His unspeakable gift? After all, this is the Gift that includes all others!

Maxie's Tombstone Marker

We live way out in the country. There's very little commerce in our county except for pine tree harvesting, a grocery store or two and a pharmacy. So, Tuesday we drove 50 miles to The Big City of Brunswick to go to my favorite concrete statue store, Concrete Creations. I was looking for that special something that was 'just right' for Maxie's grave. Today, my sweet husband, painted the formerly all gray concrete marker in honor of our little puppy.

 

I know, I know. All this really is helping with the grieving process. And I am getting better. Really I am. I'm not crying as often and amazingly have started looking at different types of puppies on-line. The next dog will not be a miniature schnauzer. I do adore 'mini's' but they are way too much maintenance for an O.F. like me. [ha ha] I need something that doesn't require grooming and probably around 20-25 pounds. But a purchase of another dog is many months away, I'm sure. It's still too soon.

Anyway, didn't he do a splendid job!? Since there are other pet graves under our big oaks now (I can't believe we've been here over 20 years now!) he said he would also refurbish those.

He's such a wonderful man. I treasure him more every year.

Hope y'all are having a good week and looking forward to an equally happy weekend.

~ Ride Safe ~

Sparky

New Obamacare Revelation: Sex And Your Doctor

The fears about Obamacare and unconstitutional intrusions are true. Now we learn that all Doctors will be forced to ask patients irrelevant intrusive questions on our sex lives. That’s right, ALL DOCTORS. Whether it’s a Dermatologist, a Podiatrist, or a General Physician. All of them! Your sex partners, the frequency, etc. They will also be required to ask about the guns in your home and if you use any of them. However, according to Judge Andrew Napolitano (Fox News contributor) when we are asked these wicked questions we are not required to answer. The not so benevolent government will be issuing computers that the doctors have to use and complete. This data will be shared with more dimbulb government employees who are so stupid that they are known for losing our Social Security Numbers.

Much of this situation can be laid to blame at the Organized Crime Union’s feet. My husband’s former Union of CWA (Communications Workers of America) is trying to drop all us retirees! CWA can lay much of the blame at their own door, willing as they were to go to the mat for Obama and his insane health care plan that is going to drive the costs of health care to unsupportable levels. Not to mention the additional taxes that will be levied against "Cadillac" plans bargained by unions that will be passed on to active employees. Just as major cities face bankruptcy over unsustainable health care insurance for retired city workers, large corporations can see the writing on the wall and will do whatever is needed to reduce costs by passing the costs on to their active and retired workers. It's not fair but it's inevitable. All of us have created this mess and the chickens are coming home to roost. All of this was part of Obama's evil plans. He repeatedly said that he preferred a European style "single payer" plan. In other words, everyone is on the government plan. Forget company provided health insurance, a bargaining chip that held unions together and made membership advantageous. His plan is coming to fruit as our health care system crumbles and we will all be forced into what he envisioned at the start. It's all very depressing and I have no idea what we can do about it now that the camel has gotten his nose under the tent.

Does anyone still believe that Obama or his satan inspired Obamacare is a “good thing”??? Gosh, I hope not. Because if everyone is not outraged by this new revelation, they’re not human nor are they still above ground nor do they deserve to be.

"May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership." Psalm 109:8 NIV

~ Ride Safe ~

Sparky

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ Freedom's Light

Freedom's Light

by Pastor Paul M. Sadler

Berean Bible Society
Printer Friendly Version

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (I Thessalonians 5:18).

Some time ago I read the fascinating autobiography of Governor William Bradford, who courageously led the Pilgrims to the New World in 1620.  The Governor documents how their quest for “religious freedom” brought them face to face with many perils.  He describes how, en route to what we now know as Cape Cod, they nearly went to a watery grave when the supporting beam of the Mayflower’s mainmast snapped.  By the providence of God, one of the families on board had brought a jack, which was used to reinforce the beam.
But this was only the beginning of sorrows.  The arrival of the Pilgrims on the shores of liberty was also filled with many hazards, as nearly one-half of their number perished the first year due to disease.  Nevertheless, their faith in our Lord remained unmoveable.  Throughout it all, they found much for which to be thankful that “first” Thanksgiving.  And so do we, for our “freedom of worship” was originally conceived in their sacrifice.

Today, however, this freedom is being threatened on every hand, both here and abroad. Perhaps the greatest threat is Islam! Christians around the world are being persecuted for sharing Christ with those who are living in darkness.  Islam, of course, is a religion of hate, which is clearly seen in the riots and recent murders of innocent Americans in Muslim countries.  The hallmark of Christianity, on the other hand, is love.

As we gather with family and friends this Thanksgiving, may we be mindful of the great price that was paid to secure our liberty.

May we be mindful that Christ also died for Muslims; only He can deliver them from the brutality of their religion and set them free from a life of oppression.
May we be mindful of our troops overseas who are the guardians of our nation, preserving our freedom to worship here in America without fear of persecution.  Many of these defenders of our values will be sitting in a bunker this Thanksgiving in some faraway country.  There was a popular saying at the time of our country’s founding which is as true now as it was then: “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”

May we all give thanks for the salvation that we enjoy in Christ, even the forgiveness of our dreadful sins that would have condemned us.  “O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever” (Psa. 107:1).  AMEN!

Funny Friday ~ Earl Of Taint

 

Courtesy of EarlofTaint

He's kind of like The Music Man,

only it's tomahawk missiles,

not trombones.

~ Ride Safe ~

Sparky