April 27
2 Samuel 12:26-31; 1 Chronicles 20:2-3; 2 Samuel 13:1-14:33
Anger is no replacement for discipline. For society to thrive, God gets to call what is right and what is wrong, and there must be consequences to wrong actions. This must begin in the home, and in the home it must be directed by the Bible. Society, the community, the schools, etc. are godless and are in no position to direct our children's behaviors. People like to point to a specific issue, but we are looking at a society which is imploded, because wrong is called right, and right is called wrong. Wrong is not just being called right, it is being celebrated. Right is not just called wrong, it is being labeled and hated. Though stealing breaks one of the commandments, you can now steal openly in most large cities without fear of consequences. Criminals are released, while those who stand up for those being persecuted are being prosecuted. God created us male and female, yet transgenderism is now celebrated, while those who speak out against this are labeled as transphobe. Many parents have supported the mutilation of their children under this banner, while those trying to protect their children from the schools and legal system who are feeding on their innocent children, are prosecuted and restrained. Fix your eyes on Scripture. Just take a glance at history. This does not end well for our nation, or our world, if it is this world that you have placed your hope in. We must be in the world, but not of this world, citizens of heaven, only ambassadors for God on this earth.
David sinned mightily with his adulterous relationship with Bathsheeba, followed by the murder of her husband, Uriah. Now, David's family begins to unravel. In 2 Samuel 13, we read of the rape of David's daughter, Tamar, by her step-brother Amnon, followed by the murder of Amnon, by his step-brother, Absalom. So, when David hears about the rape among his children, we read of his reaction in 2 Samuel 13:21, "But when King David heard of all these things, he was very angry." There is no indication that his son, Amnon, was disciplined at all for raping Tamar, only that he was angry. Real discipline and real consequences are necessary in response to our children's rebellion and sin. This lack of action probably cost Amnon, his life at the hands of Absalom. If we are waiting for society to make it right, we are making a serious mistake. We are not of this world, as we read the words of our beautiful Savior, Jesus, in His high holy prayer in John 17:14-18, "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world."
Please decide, are you of the world or of God. You really can't be both, this is an either/or response. If you are of God, why are you so shocked at the world that you live in. We are simply seeing the consequences of a godless world at the hands of godless leaders both in political positions and in positions of authorities such as CEO's of companies and school leadership. They did not get to these positions by their Christian beliefs, but by being in the world and fitting into the world. So, we make decisions daily. Will you bring your kids to the ballpark when they are celebrating pride month? Is it a problem for you that your beloved Los Angeles Dodgers will be honoring the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, who openly blaspheme God in the name of pride. Will you frequent stores that openly defy the things of God. Will you continue to allow your children to be indoctrinated in public schools that are dismantling everything you instilled in them step by step. We are not victims. We make decisions. We were never meant to fit in. Jesus did not fit in, neither should we.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: