SET FREE !!

We have witnessed this week, what many in the media are declaring a "miracle".  Millions of us have watched as 33 miners from Chile were one-by-one brought to the surface of the earth, from a depth of 1/2 mile, where they have been entombed for 69 days.  It's been a media frenzy - a reality-TV spectacle - the President of Chile hugging each miner - "live" TV coverage both 1/2 mile in the earth, and on top as each man was reunited with family and friends.

Many in the media have said that this coverage is "welcome relief" from all the hard, cold, bad news of the day.  I would have to agree!  The 24-hour-a-day cable news channels did just that --- gave us around the clock "live" coverage, since the first miner was lifted to safety, in his space-age capsule, wearing his special green suit......kind of reminds us of the space journeys we've grown up to watch.

I've heard comments this week that these men have been "born again" -- one of the miners actually said that there was a contest between the Devil and God -- and God won!  Esteban Rojas (the 18th miner to resurface) actually knelt to pray in front of the whole world.

Before we get overcome by the euphoria -- I wonder if anyone realizes that there are 15 million humans who are alcohol-abusing or alcohol-dependent in this land.  Have we forgotten the 1.5 million babies that are aborted each year in his country -- that's 1.5 million mothers hurting too.  What about the report from the Mayo Clinic that 19.5 million people, over the age of 12, are using illegal drugs, with 19,000 deaths occurring due to drug addiction. 

While we will never forget this "fall classic" -- the televised rescue of 33 Chilean miners.  Please do not forget the millions of people, who are entombed in a darkness far worse than a cave or a mine -- but are bound by alcohol, drugs, and are imprisoned by grief, guilt, and sin.

Jesus Christ took his cross up to Golgotha's hill for every one of us ..... not just Americans... everyone in the world.  He died that day -- there were no TV cameras and a cheering crowd.  To most, he lost that day.  BUT, three days later, he arose from death and the grave, to give us the freedom and liberty that only a personal relationship with God can bring.  All any one of us has to do is to "believe" and "receive".

Are you still trapped in a cold, dark world of sin?  There's a rescue plan in place for you.  "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you can be saved" -- TODAY!  Right now!

Head and Heart Issues

SCANDALS OF THE PULPIT.

Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church

      

A familiar face .... a man of power and might.... a prominent pastor and leader in the charismatic church world .... now another scandal .... another media frenzy .... four young former church members have filed lawsuits, accusing their pastor of 'abusing his power' to lure them ... to abuse them....  I was sitting in the overflow section a few weeks ago at this man's church (the crowd was so large), numbering in the thousands, when he said to the congregation and the world, "I am not the man" that the TV and media was making him out to be.

The Sanctuary of New Birth Missionary Baptist.

Oh, how I hope so.... how I pray that there is no truth to any of the charges ... that this man will be vindicated.  We don't need another scandal!  On that same Sunday, the local newspaper listed all the recent "fallen preachers".  How sad.

I'm reminded of the words of the prophet Isaiah, when in the first chapter of his sermon he quotes "the Lord has spoken" -- the accusation can be summarized in the fifth verse:  "...the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint."

Two problems:  Head and Heart.  Isn't that the problem in the church world today?  We have HEAD problems.  We are so enamored by the 'popularity' contest in the church.  Who has the best suit? Who has the best car? Which preacher has the bigger crowd?  Which one has the biggest TV audience?  We are guilty of worshipping IDOLS!  We've made our pastors idols.  Where's the humility of Jesus?  We have elevated men to the status of 'gods'.  And from this lofty position, they will ALL fall!  The old adage is true:  "power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely"  Remember this:  JESUS CHRIST IS THE HEAD (THE ONLY HEAD) OF THE CHURCH!  It's time to re-focus our attention to our Lord. 

We have also HEART problems.  We've become "faint".  Our affections are not on Jesus as they should be.  We are trying to get rich -- trying to be successful -- trying to have significance in this world -- at the expense of our love for God.  Jesus summarized all the Law and the Prophets, when he said there are really only 2 commandments:  1. Love God, and 2. Love your Neighbor.  Our hearts become 'faint' and we stumble when we get our affections on other things, other than HIM.

Head and Heart.  That's the problem.  The solution?  The same solution as always -- Jesus Christ has the cure for our sickness.  God forgive us!  God save us!  God help us, NOW !

CHECK OUT THIS CLIP LIVE FROM NEW BIRTH!