October 2018 – Alan Sargent

Posted on October 31, 2018 by 40477641 — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 10-31-18 Ultimate Justice

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 10-31-18

Ultimate Justice

What’s Happening: “James ‘Whitey’ Bulger is dead, apparently a homicide; someone probably beating him to death in his cell (and that ‘someone’ might be ‘Freddy’ Geas, notorious mafia hitman, also serving a life sentence in the prison). The 89-year-old Bulger, convicted of 11 homocides himself in 2013 and serving two life sentences, was wheelchair-bound and had just been transferred to the maximum security prison in West Virginia (https://www.boston.com/news/national-news/2018/10/30/whitey-bulger-death. ‘Freddy hated rats,’ said Ted McDonough, a private investigator. ‘Freddy hated guys who abused women. Whitey was a rat who killed women. It’s probably that simple.’”

Knee-Jerk Response: “I guess you can’t escape ultimate justice.”

Biblical Response: “No, you can’t…but we are probably talking about two separate things. Sure, he probably did deserve to die a horribly excruciating physical death…though I really don’t know. I wasn’t on the jury…I didn’t hear the evidence presented at trial. As far as ultimate justice is concerned, that’s way above my paygrade…I’m not copping out…I just think that needs to be decided by Someone Who knows our hearts (Luke 16:15). After all, he may have repented. Which, by the way, does not absolve him from physical retribution (Gal. 6:9).”

“Christians? We believe that He is the Final Judge because He is the only one who knows the heart (Pr. 24:12). Of course, we believe in ultimate justice, but mercy makes heaven possible and justice makes hell necessary.”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray: “Heavenly Father, help us to keep short accounts with You and to consider that Christ’s death was our payment-in-full; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like; just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link: http://subdeo.com/. He also tweets on Twitter.com every day @alanesargent

Posted on October 30, 2018 by 40477641 — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 10-30-18 In Sessions

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 10-30-18

In Sessions

What’s Happening: “Attorney General Jeff Sessions was interrupted at least three times during his speech on religious liberty to a Federalist Society event. Reading Bible verses, one on taking in strangers and the other on exercising freedom of religion, both holding themselves out to be ministers of the Methodist and Baptist faiths, respectively, they interrupted Sessions and were promptly removed. Another protester was removed when he shouted out, ‘We will not be erased,’ holding up a gay pride flag, probably referring to recent Trump remarks that said that genitalia at birth should be the crucial factor to determine sex, male or female (https://www.yahoo.com/news/religious-leaders-trans-advocate-interrupt-204932250.html). Calls from the crowd could be heard, ‘Go home!’ and, ‘What do you know?’”

Knee-Jerk Response: “They were just trying to express their opinion…which they have a right to do.”

Biblical Response: “I agree…and the security at the event had the right to remove them because speakers have the right to be heard. I’m all for free speech and all, but interrupters should not expect that their message is welcome. There is a time and place for all messages…even though I might disagree with their content (and I do).”

“Christians? Because our message is unpopular, (at least to the ‘world’), we should expect to be removed, and we should rejoice (James 1:2-4). Still, you attract a lot more bees with honey than you do with vinegar (Rom. 12:18). Interruption may grab headlines, but it’s impolite and un-glorifying.”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray: “Heavenly Father, help us to find the balance between getting attention and not being the center of it; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Posted on October 29, 2018 by 40477641 — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 10-29-18 Timing is Everything

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 10-29-18

Timing is Everything

What’s Happening: “Everyone has, sadly, heard about the mass shooting that occurred at Squirrel Hill Synagogue in Pittsburgh, the lives of 11 worshipers who died, and the injured four police officers who were also shot…even of 50-year-old suspect Robert Bowers, but have you heard about Rabbi Husbands-Hankin who was late to the service and narrowly escaped the shooting? (https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2018/10/28/squirrel-hill-sixth-presbyterian-church-synagogue-shooting-interfaith-service/). He was late because he was still at another service, but wanted to see his friend at Squirrel Hill. Asked by a reporter if his friend, who was injured, was going to be okay, he said. “God-willing.”,

Knee-Jerk Response: “Just at the right place at the right time.”

Biblical Response: “You think?! Kind of makes you want to swallow that curse at traffic…maybe there’s a reason for your delay. We go about our days randomly frustrated at first this obstacle to our progress and that… who knows? As Amy Grant (song actually written by Richard Smallwood) once sang: “Through danger seen and unseen

There’s protection all around

Under the refuge of God’s wings

Security is found

For there are angels watchin’ you to keep you in all of your ways

Keeping you from stumbling so don’t be afraid

God’s appointed angels watching over me, angels watchin’ over me.”

“Christians? Oh, we believe in timing. As the Scriptures say, Jesus came ‘at just the right time’ (2 Cor. 6:2 NLT). Sometimes we just have to be patient to allow circumstances and events to take place…but we have this confidence:

‘We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.’ (Rom. 8:28 NASU).”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray: “Heavenly Father, help us to patiently wait for you to move…it sure beats the stress of frustration that comes from You ‘failing’ to meet our agenda; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Posted on October 27, 2018 by 40477641 — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 10-27-18 The Plot Sickens

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 10-27-18

The Plot Sickens

What’s Happening: “The link below was written by the New York Post and reflects their political biases, but everyone agrees that Cesar Sayoc, the 56-year-old former male stripper captured yesterday for allegedly being behind the mail bombs was a sick man. His van, towed yesterday by authorities, had its windows covered with anti-democrat stickers (https://nypost.com/2018/10/26/florida-man-arrested-in-connection-to-mail-bombs/). His cousin called him a ‘loose cannon’ and a ‘lost soul,’ but nothing can excuse his behavior, He will be arraigned Monday.”,

Knee-Jerk Response: “I think he was motivated by Trump.”

Biblical Response: “Possibly. As the old saying goes, you are entitled to your opinion…just not you facts. There’s enough vitriol to go around on both sides…remarks and tweets made by Trump could be offset by remarks made by Maxine Waters or Hillary Clinton or Nancy Pelosi or Eric Holder, etc….still,, the only ones wounded physically were Steve Scalise and the others shot that day on the ballfield…all Republicans. Whatever happened to self-control? ”

“Christians? Partisanship is natural (Gal. 5:19-21), but we are supposed to be supernatural (Rom. 12:18). Sure, we have to allow the Holy Spirit to calm us, especially concerning those things that stir us up. Nowhere does He ask us to be less passionate, just less reactionary (Gal. 5:22). ”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray: “Heavenly Father, help us to take every thought captive (2 Cor. 10:5), not letting ourselves to be controlled by our lower natures; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Posted on October 26, 2018 by 40477641 — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 10-26-18 Confidence?

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 10-26-18

Confidence?

What’s Happening: “Eleven days out from the midterms and the rallies seem to exude confidence…at least more than was present in 2016. What’s at stake? Not just the fates of the over 450 legislators who are running; who is in control – who runs the House and Senate, whether or not impeachment proceedings begin, whether or not we have a porous southern border, etc. – these are the true realities. But the Republicans seem to be confident (https://www.politico.com/story/2018/10/26/trump-midterm-campaign-rallies-941584). We’ll see. ‘Who believes the polls? I have not been part of a poll in 40 years,’ said Bruce Troutwine, 62, an attendee at a Trump rally in Montana last week.”

Knee-Jerk Response: “Blue Wave or Red Wave, who cares?”

Biblical Response: “Obviously you’re not voting. It’s mysterious to me when the election determines how we shall live at least for the next two years, that anyone having to live by that decision would voluntarily not be a part of it! Few people in this world get to have the level of control we do – you don’t see a caravan storming the Chinese or Russian border – yet the complacency is huge…and mind-boggling!”

“Christians? Trusting anyone with the right to choose their own leadership may assume too much (Rom. 3:23; Is. 55:8-9). As John Adams once said:

‘Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.’”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray: “Heavenly Father, let us never be so confident as a people that our assumptions become the foundation of our demise; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Posted on October 25, 2018 by 40477641 — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 10-25-18 A Rock and a Hard Spot

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 10-25-18

A Rock and a Hard Spot

What’s Happening: “The recent (last Tuesday – 2 days ago) discovery of Jamal Khashoggi’s body in the Consul General’s garden and the initial denial of knowledge by Crown Prince Salman, then that a ‘choke hold’ during an interrogation gone bad was responsible and then the announcement of the arrest of 18 Saudis involved in the event, has put Trump in an awkward position. His deal (http://time.com/4787797/donald-trump-yemen-saudi-arabia-arms-deal/) with the Saudis means a lot of jobs for Americans, yet Turkey is trying to vie with Saudi Arabia and Iran for hegemony in the region….and is using the Khashoggi incident as leverage. It’s complicated.”

Knee-Jerk Response: “Erdogan, Salman, Rouhani, Trump…the players in a huge Monopoly game!”

Biblical Response: “Actually, not an inaccurate depiction, but it’s even more complicated than that. It involves sovereignty, conspiracy, power, and, of course, money. They’re not just competing for control of the region, but also its resources. Remember, most of the area powers are not democracies. America might just be trying to bring some sanity to the table. One thing is for sure, the light of truth will change everything…which may be why Khashoggi’s murder cover-up is being so hotly pursued…and leveraged.”

“Christians? The light of truth is revealing…sometimes it exposes what we thought was hidden…sometimes we’re ‘shocked’ when we learn what we’ve really known all along…always it is the last word. What really happened to Khashoggi? Who’s really responsible? We may never know all the truth…at least on this side of eternity. Justice makes hell necessary, mercy makes heaven possible (Heb. 9:27).”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray: “Heavenly Father, I am glad Your light of truth will ultimately prevail; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Posted on October 24, 2018 by 40477641 — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 10-24-18 Bridge to Somewhere

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 10-24-18

Bridge to Somewhere

What’s Happening: “China opened the world’s longest sea-bridge…from mainland China to Hong Kong…a 34-mile-long marvel that took a decade to build, cost several lives, is opposed by some environmentalists, features many electronic monitoring technologies, and was partially paid for by Hong Kong taxpayer dollars (https://www.yahoo.com/news/world-apos-longest-sea-bridge-101352761.html). It turns out that few mainland China vehicles may be allowed on the bridge as a customs queue and shuttle busses may be required,”

Knee-Jerk Response: “Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for the Chinese and the citizens of Hong Kong, but what does this have to do with me?”

Biblical Response: “Maybe little…especially if you aren’t traveling to either China or Hong Kong, but it is another feat of engineering that proves that there are few things impossible to man…at least so he thinks. We may send people to Mars this year…or discover the cure to cancer…or do some other heretofore unimaginable feat, but building a huge bridge is no more laudable than building an unsinkable vessel (so the Titanic was heralded). What am I saying? I’m saying man is really puny in his attempts at being the self-sufficient master of the universe. His attempts at playing God are ultimately futile.”

“Christians? There is only one bridge that IS laudable (1 Tim. 2:5), the Bridge that spans the gap between a holy God and an unholy Man. That gap is immeasurable, not a mere 34 miles long. Man’s engineering and technical feats need to be taken in the context of all that is never going to be possible for him (Matt. 19:26).”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray: “Heavenly Father, while we should praise those who accomplish great things, let us never forget the tremendous things You have done – things we could never do; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Posted on October 23, 2018 by 40477641 — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 10-23-18 Timing is Everything

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 10-23-18

Timing is Everything

What’s Happening: “The migrant caravans traveling through Mexico (primarily from the Central American countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras – though Mexicans have swelled ranks and Trump claims there may be some Middle Easterners and MS-13 gang members, too) have 1,300 miles to go and only 14 days to the midterm elections – too late for Democrats (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6307043/SECOND-migrant-caravan-1-000-heading-following-first.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490). ‘Every time you see a Caravan, or people illegally coming, or attempting to come, into our Country illegally, think of and blame the Democrats for not giving us the votes to change our pathetic Immigration Laws! Remember the Midterms! So unfair to those who come in legally,’ Trump said.”

Knee-Jerk Response: “I thought Soros and other Democrats were funding the caravans.”

Biblical Response: “Perhaps. Since no one could possibly arrive before the midterms, that seems unlikely…they are probably just trying to travel before it gets too cold. But a ‘Catch and Release’ policy is probably pretty attractive to them. I’ve heard figures above 99% that don’t make assigned court dates. They just melt into the 11,000,000 already here.”

“Christians? We should be grateful that missionary efforts have been made easier – told to ‘go’ (Matt, 28:18-20), it’s great to have your audience come to you. Still, we can’t encourage aliens to enter our country illegally. I mean, I feel bad that they have violence, drugs, and unemployment in their own countries; some genuinely are seeking asylum. Still, don’t Americans have a prior obligation to their own families? If we need to amend our immigration systems let’s get about that. After all, God controls much of that doesn’t He?”

“And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;” (Acts 17:26 KJV)

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray: “Heavenly Father, let our elected representatives know Your plan and enact laws that work alongside You; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Posted on October 22, 2018 by 40477641 — 6 Comments

CLARITY – 10-22-18 Not-nicety

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 10-22-18

Not-nicety

What’s Happening: “Everybody’s heard the non-specific accusations of incivility underscored by the “Jobs Not Mobs” sloganeering, but here’s something specific that alternately makes you sick, then makes you proud. When a heckler decided to verbally accost Sen. Mitch McConnell and his wife in a Cuban restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky several patrons came to his aid (https://www.westernjournal.com/ct/punk-mcconnell-diners-plans/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=newsletter-CT&utm_campaign=dailypm&utm_content=conservative-tribune). ‘Oh yeah,’ the heckler said, ‘Why don’t you get out of here? Why don’t you leave the entire country?’”

Knee-Jerk Response: “Alright, so the heckler gets no ‘nicety’ points. So what?”

Biblical Response: “So what?! There was a time in America when most parents taught their kids growing up how to be civil, even if you disagreed. Today, people can’t even spell incivility…they have to resort to something that has less syllables “not-nicety’…which may not even be a word. What happened to manners? Instead of increasing our volume, let’s increase our sense…making a logical defense of our position. Perhaps we might even learn our position is indefensible (another 5-syllable word).”

“Christians? We are told to be civil (Rom. 12:18). We are also told to be ready to give a defense (1 Pet. 3:15). Thankfully, in this country we can do the best expressing of our opinions at the ballot box…and we’ll get that opportunity soon.”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray: “Heavenly Father, help us sow more sugar…and reap a crop much more palatable; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Posted on October 20, 2018 by 40477641 — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 10-20-18 Fish or Cut Bait Time

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 10-20-18

Fish or Cut Bait Time

What’s Happening: “Do you know what is supposed to happen in Washington, D.C. tonight at 7pm ET? A group of witches is supposed to hold an event where they will put a hex on Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and his family! They are charging $10 for the tickets to this event and pledge to give 25% of this fee to Planned Parenthood. It is not being reported by any of the mainstream media and I only got word of it through my sources who heavily referred to a Tucker Carlson report of weeks ago…hopefully, you’ll find it as troubling as I did (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qbhX5VUrgY&feature=share) Either we take what is said seriously or we relegate Christendom to the heap of superstition that much of the world does today.”

Knee-Jerk Response: “Oh, you’re just being an alarmist. I think it’s just too close to halloween and you are taking too much, way too seriously!”

Biblical Response: “Am I? Perhaps most of the world thinks what Jesus spent much of His ministry fighting (1 John 3:8) is just so much historical mumbo jumbo.

“Christians? Let me share a story: There was this fisherman who came in about the same time everyone else was going out…and he always had a boatload of fish. Well, this game warden was curious, so he spent the night at the dock. Sure enough, the successful fisherman showed up about 3AM and began loading up to motor off into the mist. “Mind if I join you?” Asked the Officer.

“Suit yourself,” came the gruff reply. And with the game officer in the bow, they left the dock. Shortly, they arrived at a cove, the game warden could just make out the outlines of the shore. “Are we gonna fish here?” the warden asked. The fisherman just puffed on his cigar and pulled a stick of dynamite from his tackle box, lit it and threw it into the water. KABOOM! Fish began coming up everywhere and the fisherman began scooping them up, covering the bottom of his boat.

The game warden was in shock. He couldn’t believe anyone would be so brazen as to do something so illegal with him right in the boat! When he could finally regain his composure, he managed to sputter, “Don’t you know that’s illegal?!

Without saying a word, the fisherman took another drag on his cigar, lit a stick of dynamite, threw it in the warden’s lap and said, “Are you gonna fish, or cut bait?”.

I share that story to say it’s time to get serious about prayer…are you going to fish or cut bait. Me? I’ll be praying tonight about 5:30pm CT . I believe satan is mighty…but God is almighty.”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray: “Heavenly Father, help us to take seriously the threats of the enemy…or not…and suffer the consequences; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”