January 2019 – Alan Sargent

Posted on January 17, 2019 January 17, 2019 by 40477641 — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 1-17-19 When Forward is Backward

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 1-17-19

When Forward is Backward

What’s Happening: “Acting Attorney General Matthew Whittaker, in a speech delivered at a celebration marking the 25th anniversary yesterday of the passing of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in 1993 under President Bill Clinton (sponsored by then Rep. Chuck Schumer, D-NY, and passed unanimously by the House and 97-3 by the Senate – both under Democrat control), remarked how things have changed since then (https://www.dailysignal.com/2019/01/16/marking-anniversary-of-religious-freedom-law-acting-ag-whitaker-laments-loss-of-support-from-left/?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTlRVMk9UVTJNVFF4TVROaSIsInQiOiJjNWNPcUMzUkx0cG1DWHlRYTBOallTTFR4elZMN3Y3NENINGZHSUZuK3JxazkwOUNVaERXM2RVbldDWFMrZU9QRmNtT01Ia1RoUGVOWGNhUnpTN0tPQThGczlESmowXC9WWng4RFdPaGNYbzlpQXBqMlJyWk9Tc0hNSzNpNzFBVnUifQ%3D%3D). ‘Today, many of [the Religious Freedom Restoration Act’s] original supporters, including the ACLU, have changed their mind,’ Whittaker was quoted at The Heritage Foundation event.”

Knee-Jerk Response: “We’ve come a long way, baby.”

Biblical Response: “Yeah…and not necessarily in a good direction. If we’re not careful, nuns will be forced to fund abortion, and baker’s artistic skills will be coerced into use on gay wedding cakes. Seriously, the resistance of the left may find itself wrapped up in bitterness rather than good policy. If so, they will lose in the long term (Matt. 16:18). Of course, there might be some short term collateral damage. Freedom isn’t free. ”

“Christians? What we have to keep in mind is that our struggle is not against flesh and blood (Eph. 6:12). The Good News? Although we have not been promised escape from wounds, we have been guaranteed victory (Rev. 12:11). Funny how few quote the last part of that verse.”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray: “Heavenly Father, help us obtain the courage to struggle against evil…wherever it’s found; 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 January 16, 2019 January 16, 2019 by 40477641 — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 1-16-19 Not Quite Secure

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 1-16-19

Not Quite Secure

What’s Happening: “Although local Nairobi, Kenyan authorities claimed everything was secure in the upscale hotel (close to Westgate Mall where 67 died in a terrorist attack in 2013) following the terrorist attack on Tuesday (which took at least 15 lives – responsibility for the attack was claimed by al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab), there was another explosion and more gunfire today (https://www.yahoo.com/news/latest-civilians-run-away-attack-nairobi-hotel-140256886.html). Quoting the latest Associated Press report: ‘Kenya’s Interior Ministry has said authorities are “mopping up” the scene but have not given details on the fate of the attackers. It is not known if any are still at large.’”

Knee-Jerk Response: “And I should care, why?”

Biblical Response: “As John Donne said; “…any man’s death diminishes me…” (from: “No Man is an Island’)…that is why. Besides, as long as terror is allowed to reign, people will make decisions based on fear. It’s true anywhere…including the good ol’e U.S.A. (9/11). ”

“Christians? As much as we tout ‘faith,’we are not exempt from fear and the torment it brings (1 John 4:18). What are we to do? The previous scripture hold the key. We must realize that a God Who loves us will ultimately protect us. Yeah, but you say tragedy still occurs. Yes, it does…and God’s hates it more than we do…this is a fallen world and justice may make hell necessary…but mercy makes heaven possible, too. Thank God, He loves us!”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray: “Heavenly Father, help us to realize that ultimately love and mercy triumphs over fear and death; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Posted on January 15, 2019 January 15, 2019 by 40477641 — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 1-15-19 Where There’s Smoke, There’s…Smoke

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 1-15-19

Where There’s Smoke, There’s…Smoke

What’s Happening: “Recently interviewed about the recent revelation that the FBI had begun an investigation into Donald Trump while still just a candidate, ABC News White House correspondent Jonathan Karl tried to downplay Bob Mueller’s upcoming report (https://www.westernjournal.com/ct/watch-worried-wh-correspondent-changes-mueller-narrative-sees-going-flames/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=newsletter-CT&utm_campaign=dailypm&utm_content=conservative-tribune). ‘But people closest to what Mueller has been doing. interacting with the Special Counsel, caution me that this report is almost certain to be anti-climactic,’ said Karl.”

Knee-Jerk Response: “‘Everyone knows Trump’s guilty.”

Biblical Response: “Fortunately, we don’t live in some totalitarian state where mere allegation can end someone’s career…unless you’re Judge Roy Moore! Seriously, they’re just trying to manage expectations. For over two years the MSM (MainStream Media) has tried to say “where there’s smoke…there’s fire”…only to produce: no fire (no evidence of collusion). Now, just when pressure to release a clean report might just end Mueller’s Trump-described ‘witch hunt,’ expectations have got to be lowered…after all, we must think of 2020, the Dem’s say.”

“Christians? The right says there’s no collusion; the left says there is…why not wait for truth to be revealed (John 8:32)? Special Counsel Robert Mueller will issue the definitive report…and should be allowed to do so,”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray: “Heavenly Father, help us have enough patience not to run to judgement…either way; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Posted on January 14, 2019 January 14, 2019 by 40477641 — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 1-14-19 Sign of the Times

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 1-14-19

Sign of the Times

What’s Happening: “Presbyterian Pastor Justin Hoke of Weed, California lost his job as pastor when he posted the following message on the church’s lighted sign: ‘Bruce Jenner is still a man. Homosexuality is still a sin. The culture may change, the Bible does not’ (https://www.dailywire.com/news/42112/pastor-loses-job-after-church-sign-stating-frank-camp?utm_source=cnemail&utm_medium=email&utm_content=011419-news&utm_campaign=position1). Quoting pastor Hoke, Yahoo Lifestyle said: ‘We believe that Jesus commands all Christians to let their light shine. We also believe that salvation is only for sinners. Jesus said he came to call sinners, not the righteous. If we give in to cultural demands to stop calling sin ‘sin,’ then we are robbing people of opportunity to hear the truth.’”

Knee-Jerk Response: “‘Live and let live,’ that’s what I say.”

Biblical Response: “It would be great…only you are not the final arbiter of what should be said. If we fail to call sinners to repentance, are we not guilty of bending to the ‘political correctness’ winds of our culture? Sure, everybody sins (Is. 56:3; Rom. 3:23) and homosexuality is, in one sense, no worse than overeating. Both are sins. Both separate us from God. However, the collateral damage may be higher in homosexuality.”

“Christians? If the elders decided to let him go…well, that’s their decision…and right or wrong, they have that authority. Whether or not the pastor was right to call out homosexuals on the church’s sign, I’ll leave to the elders and God. As far as our culture is concerned, we should never allow a changing culture to dictate the tenets of an unchanging Gospel.”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray: “Heavenly Father, help us to be set free by the truth (John 8:32), and to set captives free, too; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Posted on January 12, 2019 January 12, 2019 by 40477641 — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 1-12-19 A Force for Good

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 1-12-19

A Force for Good

What’s Happening: “On a nine-nation tour of the Middle East designed to reassure its allies (and to denounce Iranian hegemony), U. S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, defined America’s regional objectives and countered a growing fear that America’s withdrawal from Syria signaled decreased interest in outcomes there (https://www.yahoo.com/news/pompeo-takes-us-anti-iran-message-gulf-arab-074102498.html). ‘A united GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) is the backbone for regional peace, prosperity, security, and stability, and is essential to countering the single greatest threat to regional stability: the Iranian regime,’ said the State Department.”

Knee-Jerk Response: “Did Trump leave too soon?”

Biblical Response: “Actually, not a single one of the 2,000 troops assigned to Syria have left…just some equipment no longer needed…and there is no schedule posted for a withdrawal, though with the decrease in ISIS it will soon occur. Trump is just wanting the other nations to assume more of the role of self-defense, as they are the ones who stand the most to benefit. Sounds reasonable to me.”

“Christians? Although we are to be concerned for others (Phil. 2:3), there is a place for concern for our families first (1 Tim. 5:8). Unity may be hard to achieve, but it has great strength (Eph. 4:11-15; Mark 3:24-25).”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray: “Heavenly Father, help us all come to the unity of Your purpose, realize progress is often incremental, and seek Your wisdom is the timing and specifics of actions taken; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Posted on January 11, 2019 January 11, 2019 by 40477641 — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 1-11-19 The Hard Part Begins

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 1-11-19

The Hard Part Begins

What’s Happening: “13-year-old kidnap victim, Jayme Closs, has been found…and she’s alive! This was the big news yesterday, as Jayme has been missing since the October 15 murder of her parents in their home near Barron, Wisconsin. She was found wandering the streets yesterday about 70 miles north of Barron in a small rural town there (https://www.yahoo.com/news/sheriff-jayme-closs-found-alive-suspect-custody-022922451.html). ‘Praise the Lord,’ said Allard, Jayme’s Aunt. “It’s the news we’ve been waiting on for three months. I can’t wait to get my arms around her. I just can’t wait.’”

Knee-Jerk Response: “I guess the rest of her family is relieved.”

Biblical Response: “Probably in shock…most of these stories don’t have so happy an ending…though the murder of her parents will still be something Jayme will have to deal with…to say nothing of her own kidnapping. I hope that her therapist – no doubt she will be assigned one – will help her realize God was not asleep at the switch.””

“Christians? How do we explain this (or any) tragedy? First, by saying God was just as sorrowful as Jayme’s family was (Rom. 12:15). Second, by explaining that Jayme’s parents and even Jayme herself were the victims of the evil unleashed in this world, against His will, and that things will not always be this way (Rom. 8:20-21). Listen to how the Living Bible puts it:

‘For on that day thorns and thistles, sin, death, and decay—the things that overcame the world against its will at God’s command—will all disappear, and the world around us will share in the glorious freedom from sin which God’s children enjoy.’”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray: “Heavenly Father, help us to understand that You didn’t want any of this, but to receive unforced love You had to give us free will…and sometimes we choose poorly; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Posted on January 10, 2019 January 10, 2019 by 40477641 — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 1-10-19 Supremes?

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 1-10-19

Supremes?

What’s Happening: “Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 85 and recovering from a recent surgery. This led her to being absent from oral arguments Monday, and there are certainly rumors that Trump may soon have another appointment to make. If he sticks with the list he put together on the campaign, he’ll be replacing a liberal (currently 4) with a conservative (https://www.yahoo.com/news/u-top-courts-ginsburg-misses-162121239.html). Quoting from the Reuters article; ‘Ginsburg, who joined the court in 1993, underwent a surgical procedure called a pulmonary lobectomy on Dec. 21 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York to remove two cancerous nodules in her left lung.’”

Knee-Jerk Response: “Three appointments! That’s a lot, huh?”

Biblical Response: “Actually, excluding George Washington, who had to appoint the beginning Justices (he appointed 11 during his two terms), there have been 11 other Presidents who appointed more. That does not diminish President Trump’s ability to influence the court for many years to come or exclude the possibility that even more than three appointments will be made by him. Of course, we should not assume that Justice Ginsburg will retire, either. In fact, Justice John Paul Stevens and Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes both served till they were 90.”

“Christians? As far as we are concerned, there is only one Supreme Judge and He is ageless. Nevertheless, U.S. Supreme Court Justices do serve a lifetime appointment. Perhaps that is why the Senate’s role of ‘advise and consent’ is so crucial. Maybe not as contentious as the hearing Brett Kavanaugh had to endure, but at least as prayerful.”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray: “Heavenly Father, we need Your wisdom in the selection of those who will adjudicate our laws; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Posted on January 9, 2019 January 9, 2019 by 40477641 — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 1-9-19 Father Knows Best

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 1-9-19

Father Knows Best

What’s Happening: “Outgoing Gov. Rick Scott, (or should I say Senator Elect Scott?) has appointed the Parkland, Florida shooting victim dad Andrew Pollack, 52 (father of 18 year-old victim Meadow) to the Florida State Board of Education. Mr. Pollack is an outspoken gun advocate that believes each teacher should be trained and armed (https://steadfastandloyal.com/politics/republican-rick-scott-adds-surprise-pick-to-florida-state-board-of-education/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=subscriber_id:1583395&utm_campaign=22-Year-Old%20Son%20of%20Fire%20Captain%20Killed%20by%20%E2%80%9CUndocumented%20Person%E2%80%9D). ‘Accountability for School Boards and Superintendents, increased teacher pay, and enacting and enforcing school safety initiatives are my priority,’ Pollack said.”

Knee-Jerk Response: “What can one father do?”

Biblical Response: “Plenty! Especially if he’s motivated…and he certainly has every right to be. Will he (or any State School Board) solve the shooting problem? Not until you remove the mentally ill or the evil of every human will that be the case…but he may be able to provide the impetus that will enact sufficient measures to decrease the collateral damage of insanity or evil…at least in the Florida public school system.”

“Christians? More guns and more training might be the short-term fix, but nothing short of universal transformation (Rom. 12:2) will ever be the long-term solution (and that may not happen this side of heaven).”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray: “Heavenly Father, help us to enact reasonable safety measures in our public institutions, while we seek the long-term solution only Your nature in us will provide; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Posted on January 8, 2019 January 8, 2019 by 40477641 — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 1-8-19 “…He is There…”

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 1-8-19

“…He is There…”

What’s Happening: “‘Buddha Boy,’ as he’s been labeled by devotees (because they believe he’s the reincarnation of Buddha), is being investigated on allegations of sexual abuse and the disappearances of many attendees at his ashrams (https://www.yahoo.com/news/nepal-probes-buddha-boy-over-devotee-disappearances-001928933.html). ‘The police have started investigating these complaints against Bomjan.’ said Uma Prasad Chaturbedi, a spokesman for Nepal’s Central Investigation Bureau.”

Knee-Jerk Response: “He’s probably charging an exorbitant ‘fee’ for his ashram experiences.”

Biblical Response: “Maybe….I would know nothing about that…and one shouldn’t project the warped material motivations of other religious hucksters on this guy…besides, he may even believe the hype. Of course, the allegations, if true, may represent an ‘out of body’ aberration to his otherwise ‘devout’ behavior. ”

“Christians? Two things. 1) Sincerity is not the measure of truth…otherwise there are 19 terrorists each enjoying the attentions of 72 virgins in paradise for their actions on 9/11. 2) We’ve been warned against such claims (Mark 13:21). May the truth of his actions be discovered and the false claims of his ‘deity’ be exposed for the delusions they are.”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray: “Heavenly Father, it is easy to believe what is said about us, especially when it hides the true darkness of our hearts. Save us from such delusion; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Posted on January 7, 2019 January 7, 2019 by 40477641 — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 1-7-19 Morality…Who Decides

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 1-7-19

Morality…Who Decides

What’s Happening: “In an interview with Fox News anchor, Jedediah Bila yesterday, Father Jonathan Morris, a Catholic priest, and Rev. Robert Jeffress, a Protestant pastor, found unity in defining a statement made by Speaker Pelosi labeling the border wall ‘immoral.’ (https://www.yahoo.com/news/pelosi-says-wall-immoral-two-133645503.html). ‘It’s absolutely absurd. The primary responsibility of government is to keep its people safe…’ said Rev. Jeffress, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas.”

Knee-Jerk Response: “Isn’t it immoral to keep people from freedom?”

Biblical Response: “Perhaps…it’s complicated. Lots of people can make an argument that they were fleeing drugs, lawlessness, or violence (or a combination of them) in their home country…that’s why they are trying to make it to America. While I’m sympathetic to their plight, there may not be any place to which to make an asylum claim if we don’t have border security. Sure, we need immigration reform (a faster means by which legal legitimate asylum claims can be adjudicated, an effective e-verify system for employers, etc.), but let’s move on with it, not shutdown government over it. Besides, doesn’t God define morality?”

“Christians? Everybody wants to talk inclusiveness…but doesn’t God’s opinion matter? Pastor Jeffress spoke about Nehemiah building a wall around Jerusalem (Neh. 2:20- 3:16) and that even heaven was not universally inclusive (Rev. 21:25-27).”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray: “Heavenly Father, give our elected leaders the courage to do what’s right, even if the political wind is in opposition; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”