God's Perspective of the Wicked

"In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises" (Psalm 10:2). We are aware that as believers, we are by action and resource to demonstrate to the weak and powerless that there is a God of love. James wrote about Religion that is "Pure and undefiled consisting of visiting the fatherless and widows and to keeping oneself unspotted from the world." This involves showing mercy and compassion to the weak and helpless. God hates violence, intimidation, or any means used by the powerful to control, manipulate, or hound those who are weak. He absolutely loathes wickedness that is based upon the strong and the mighty preying on the weak and powerless. We find in the Scriptures that the Lord will take action against such people. In God's good time He will judge all evil acts. However, God also loves sinners, no matter how they act. Jesus died for the sins of the world and His desire is that "All men should come to repentance." Here-in lies a paradox for the believer. Loving the sinner and hating the sin, takes the grace, power and wisdom of God. I remember listening to the testimony of a pastor whose ministry was rescuing teen age run away girls from the clutches of their pimps. One pimp walked up to him on the street and sneered in his face with the words "I sell flesh." He said at that point he was greatly conflicted with the love for the sinner and hate-ward for the sin concept. He said were he God, there would have been less than a gracious response to this despicable human being standing in front of him. He said that night "Hell would have gained one more resident." The above example reminds us that God is God and we are not. This evil flesh peddler should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Reality tells us that often times criminals roam free, at least for a while. God tells us there is a judgment coming for all whose reject Christ (Rev. 20:11-15). However for believers to use passionate words of judgment against evil people, will often do more harm than good. Should we speak of their evil deeds let it be when we cry out, on their behalf, to the Lord in prayer. He is the One who can change their heart and save their soul. The wicked do not seek after God, nor do they call upon His name. They live without God. The cause of this is spiritual blindness and human pride. However, we are called by God to "Love and pray for our enemies." When we pray for our enemies we are doing for them, what they cannot do for themselves, for they have no basis on which to pray. There are many stories related of abused prisoners praying for their captors. I have heard some wonderful testimonies of those abusive, vile prison guards coming to Christ. God saved a Christian killing Saul of Tarsus, He is able to save anyone who comes to Him in repentance. Is there someone in your life tormenting you? How is your prayer life being developed because of this person? Is your tormentor experiencing the love of Christ through you? Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Scars of Life

Some years ago, on a hot summer day in South Florida , a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His father, working in the yard, saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could. Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved. The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Dad wouldn't let go." You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go. Please pass this on to those you love. God has blessed you, so that you can be a blessing to others. You just never know where a person is in his/her life and what they are going through. Never judge another person's scars, because you don't know how they got them. Also, it is so important that we are not selfish, to receive the blessings of these messages, without forwarding them to someone else. Right now, someone needs to know that God loves them, and you love them, too - enough to not let them go.

Saved from Satan's Lie

We live in a day when many want the fruit of Christianity without its root, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The truth is religious people, self-righteous people and "good people" need a Savior. People are not saved by the light they have, they will be judged by the light they have. They are saved by placing their faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. In Romans 1:25 we read "Who changed the truth of God into a lie and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever." Every sin in anyone's life is the exchange of the truth of God for a lie. Consequently, the more truthful one becomes with himself the more he is delivered from the deceitfulness of sin. When one learns he cannot save himself by good works and religious acts, he is receiving truth. The Scriptures tell us "Not by works of righteousness that we have done, but by His mercy he has saved us." There are three common sins people commit. There is immorality-sin against others. Sensuality-sin against self. And Idolatry-sin against God. The light of the gospel has the power to penetrate the darkest mind and the hardest heart. "Rescue the perishing, Care for the dying,Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave; Weep O'er the erring ones, lift up the fallen, tell them of Jesus the Mighty to save." Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Are You a Threat to the Devil

"But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries" (1 Cor. 16:8-10). The Lord opens doors of opportunity to each of us, and with an open door often comes an attack from the evil one. The ministry of the gospel fulfills Jesus promise that the church would attack and overrun the gates of hell. "Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." The gates are where decisions are made. The church would attack the enemy's thinking. Why? Because the enemy's thinking leads to eternal damnation. The eternal future of every man, woman and child depends on their hearing and receiving the message of the gospel. Every time a person comes to Jesus in repentance, they are snatched out of the devil's kingdom and brought into the Kingdom of God. God's is preparing us for battle. Paul told Timothy to "Endure hardness as a good solider of Jesus Christ." In the battle we are told "Always to pray and not to faint." The Lord has entrusted His Church with the gospel and we must share it with everyone we can. Today let's thank God for the open door of opportunity we have. We must ask the Lord to make us hyper aware of every opportunity to share Christ. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.