I met a man that was an effective street evangelist for the Lord. He had a unusual holy boldness in witnessing. One of his leading questions was to ask, "Have you repented of your good works?" Many people believe that salvation is not so much a gift of God but a reward by God for living a good life. Most people believe they live a good life to the point where their good deeds will out-weigh their bad deeds and on that basis they will go to heaven. The biblical response to this line of thinking is that salvation is not based on works of righteousness which we have done but on the mercy of God.

Titus 3:5 [It is] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his [God’s] mercy he [Christ] saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The street evangelist was right to ask individuals, "Have you repented of your good works?" What he was getting at is this. Anyone who is ultimately depending on their good works to get them to heaven is building hope on a false foundation for the sad news is that no one is righteous.

Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

The Bible explains why no one is righteous in the sight of God.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Because God is holy and just He must punish sin which is why we read in Romans 6:23 about the wages of sin.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Wages is what an individual earns and deserves. The wages of sin is death. This death is not just a physical death, it is an eternal death called in Revelation 20, "the second death." What then must individuals do to be saved? Is there any hope? Indeed there is. Hope is found in the love of God. Hope is established in the death of Christ at Calvary.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

That is the good news. God loves us and Christ has died for us. But how do we appropriate the love of God and take advantage of the death of Christ? Romans 10:9-10 explains.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

It is when individuals reject all other basis of salvation, confess faith in Christ and believe the gospel that salvation comes to the soul. We ask again, "Have you repented of your good work?"

Without giving away too much of the plot of the movie Fireproof let me encourage everyone to go see this family-based film which tells of the power of authentic love in an attempt to save a failed marriage. The movie has humor, good dialogue, an excellent story line and quality acting. It is a movie the whole family will enjoy.

For me, the larger issue at stake in encouraging the Christian community to support this film and be blessed at the same time. Furthermore, this movie gives the Church a chance to reclaim a small part of the culture for Christ.

Historically, the Christian community has not supported the theater. This was true of the first century Christian society and it was especially true when Fundamentalism had a stronger influence on American culture during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Today, statistics reveal there is no discernable difference between what Christians watch on TV or what they view at the movies and what non-Christians watch. Because this is true there is no compelling reason for Christians to reclaim in a distinct way any part of the culture for Christ. Someone once said, “I sought for the church and found it in the world. I sought for the world and found it in the church.”

With the Seeker Sensitive movement even formal worship has been reshaped and redirected with the result being that blatant non-Christians have overtaken many church services.

With the worldly culture transforming or pressing its militant stand on everyone and targeting Christian principles in particular, prayer is no longer allowed in school, Creationism can no longer be taught in the same venue and the homosexual agenda is being advocated from the earliest years of public education on up. All of this ungodliness is being supported by tax dollars.

Only because of divine mercy can the voice of God be faintly heard again calling Christians back to the basics of Christian living. Only because of grace will some individuals boldly risk their financial resources and artistic gifts to remind the Christian community that what ever we do and say should be done for the glory of God. Therefore, let us reclaim our culture for Christ. Let us not continue to abandon education or values nor the arts and sciences to the ungodly. Let us redeem our culture for Christ. Go see the move Fireproof and you will understand what can be done by God’s grace.

In the year 1660 preaching was forbidden in England as an attempt to eliminate independent congregrations. John Bunyan refused to obey the King's order and continued to preach the gospel. Bunyan was seized in Samsell, tried, and ordered to be held in prison until he conformed. The next 12 years of imprisonment were spent in poor conditions but it did allow Bunyan to pen some inimitable works such as The Pilgrim's Progess. During his time spent there, he also produced numerous sermons and poems. One of the latter was written in 1665 in response to a letter of encouragement from a friend:

"Friend, I salute thee in the Lord,
And wish thou may'st abound
In faith, and have a good regard
To keep on holy ground.

Thou dost encourage me to hold
My head above the flood;
Thy counsel better is than gold:
In need thereof I stood.

Good counsel's good at any time;
The wise will it receive,
Tho' fools count he commits a crime
Who doth good counsel give.

I take it kindly at thy hand
Thou didst unto me write;
My feet upon Mount Zion stand,
In that take thou delight.

I am indeed in prison now
In body, but my mind
Is free to study Christ, and how
Unto me he is kind.

For tho' men keep my outward man
Within their locks and bars,
Yet by the faith of Christ I can
Mount higher than the stars.

Their fetters cannot spirits tame,
Nor tie up God from me;
My faith and hope they cannot lame;
Above them I shall be.

I here am very much refreshed
To think, when I was out
I preached life and peace and rest
To sinners round about.

My business then was souls to save
By preaching grace and faith,
Of which the comfort now I have,
And have it shall till death.

They were no fables that I taught,
Devis'd by cunning men,
But God's own word, by which were caught
Some sinners now and then.

Whose souls by it were made to see
The evil of their sin;
And need of Christ to make them free
From death, which they were in.

And now those very hearts that then
Were foes unto the Lord,
Embrace his Christ and truth, like men
Conquer'd by his word.

I hear them sigh, and groan, and cry
For grace to God above;
They loathe their sin, and to it die;
'Tis holiness they love.

This was the work I was about
When hands on me were laid;
'Twas this from which they pluck'd me out
And vilely to me said:

You heretic, deceiver, come,
To prison you must go;
You preach abroad, and keep not home,
You are the Church's foe.

But having peace within my soul,
And truth on every side,
I could with comfort them control,
And at their charge deride.

Wherefore to prison they me sent,
Where to this day I lie;
And can with very much content
For my profession die.

The prison very sweet to me
Hath been since I came here,
And so would also hanging be,
If God would there appear.

Here dwells good conscience, also peace;
Here be my garments white;
Here, though in bonds, I have release
From guilt, which else would bite.

When they do talk of banishment,
Of death, or such like things,
Then to me God send heart's content,
That like a fountain springs.

Alas! they little think what peace
They help me to, for by
Their rage my comforts do increase;
Bless God, therefore, do I.

If they do give me gall to drink,
Then God doth sweet'ning cast -
So much thereto that they can't think
How bravely it doth taste.

For as the devil sets before
Me heaviness and grief,
So God sets Christ and grace much more,
Whereby I take relief.

Though they say then that we are fools
Because we here do lie,
I answer, Jails are Christ his schools,
In them we learn to die.

'Tis not the baseness of this state
Doth hide us from God's face;
He frequently, both soon and late,
Doth visit us with grace.

Here come the angels, here come saints,
Here comes the Spirit of God,
To comfort us in our restraints
Under the wicked's rod.

God sometimes visits prisoners more
Than lordly palaces;
He often knocketh at the door
When he their houses miss.

The truth and life of heav'nly things
Lift up our hearts on high,
And carry us on eagles' wings
Beyond carnality.

It takes away those clogs that hold
The hearts of other men,
And makes us lively, strong and bold
Thus to oppose their sin.

By which means God doth frustrate
That which our foes expect -
Namely, our turning th' apostate,
Like those of Judas' sect.

Here comes to our remembrance
The troubles good men had
Of old, and for our furtherance
Their joys when they were sad.

To them that here for evil lie
The place is comfortless,
But not to me, because that I
Lie here for righteousness.

The truth and I were both here cast
Together, and we do
Lie arm in arm, and so hold fast
Each other; this is true.

This jail to us is as a hill,
From whence we plainly see
Beyond this world, and take our fill
Of things that lasting be.

From hence we see the emptiness
Of all the world contains;
And here we feel the blessedness
That for us yet remains.

Here we can see how all men play
Theirs parts, as on a stage -
How good men suffer for God's way,
And bad men at them rage.

Here we can see who holds that ground
Which they in Scripture find:
Here we see also who turns round
Like weathercocks with wind.

We can also from hence behold
How seeming friends appear
But hypocrites, as we are told
In Scripture everywhere.

When we did walk at liberty
We were deceiv'd by them,
Who we from hence do clearly see
Are vile, deceitful men.

These politicians that profess
For base and worldly ends,
Do not appear to us at best
But Machiavellian friends.

Though men do say we do disgrace
Ourselves by lying here
Among the rogues, yet Christ our face
From all such filth will clear.

We know there's neither flout nor frown
That we now for him bear,
But will add to our heavenly crown
When he comes in the air -

When he our righteousness forth brings
Bright shining as the day,
And wipeth off those sland'rous things
That scorners on us lay.

We sell our earthly happiness
For heavenly house and home;
We leave this world because 'tis less
And worse than that to come.

We change our drossy dust for gold,
From death to life we fly;
We let go shadows, and take hold
Of immortality.

We trade for that which lasting is,
And nothing for it give
But that which is already His
By whom we breathe and live.

That liberty we lose for him
Sickness might take away;
Our goods might also for our sin
By fire or thieves decay.

Again we see what glory 'tis
Freely to bear our cross
For Him who for us took up his
When he our servant was.

I am most free that men should see
A hole cut through my ear;
If others will ascertain me,
They'll hang a jewel there.

Just thus it is: we suffer here
For Him a little pain,
Who when he doth again appear
Will with him let us reign.

If all must either die for sin
A death that's natural,
Or else for Christ, 'tis best with him
Who for the last doth fall.

Who now dare say we throw away
Our goods or liberty,
When God's most holy word doth say
We gain thus much thereby?

Hark yet again, you carnal men,
And hear what I shall say
In your own dialect, and then
I'll you no longer stay.

You talk sometimes of valour much,
And count such bravely mann'd
That will not stick to have a touch
With any in the land.

If these be worth commending, then,
That vainly show their might,
How dare you blame those holy men
That in God's quarrel fight?

Though you dare crack a coward's crown,
Or quarrel for a pin,
You dare not on the wicked frown,
Nor speak against their sin.

For all your spirits are so stout
For matters that are vain,
Yet sin besets you round about;
You are in Satan's chain.

You dare not for the truth engage,
You quake at 'prisonment;
You dare not make the tree your stage
For Christ, that King potent.

Know, then, true valour there doth dwell
Where men engage for God
Against the Devil, death and hell,
And bear the wicked's rod.

These be the men that God doth count
Of high and noble mind;
These be the men that do surmount
What you in nature find.

First, they do conquer their own hearts,
All worldly fears, and then
Also the devil's fiery darts,
And persecuting men.

They conquer when they thus do fall,
They kill when they do die;
They overcome then most of all,
And get the victory.

The worldling understands not this,
'Tis clear out of his sight;
Therefore he counts this world his bliss,
And doth our glory slight.

The lubber knows not how to spring
The nimble footman's stage;
Neither can owls or jackdaws sing
When they are in the cage.

The swine doth not the pearls regard,
But them doth slight for grains,
Though the wise merchant labours hard
For them with greatest pains.

Consider, man, what I have said,
And judge of things aright;
When all men's cards are fully play'd,
Whose will abide the light?

Will those who have us hither cast?
Or they who do us scorn?
Or those who do our houses waste?
Or us who this have borne?

And let us count those things the best
That best will prove at last;
And count such men the only blest
That do such things hold fast.

And what tho' they us dear do cost,
Yet let us buy them so;
We shall not count our labour lost
When we see others' woe.

And let saints be no longer blam'd
By carnal policy,
But let the wicked be asham'd
Of their malignity."

In our politically correct world some of the presidential candidates are skirting the abortion issue by saying they are personally opposed to the practice but do not want to impose their values on others. There is one exception of course. One of the presidential candidates takes a position against life that amounts to infanticide, that is if the news accurately reflects his position. What is of concern is the idea of an unwillingness to impose values on others. Those who engage in evil, which can be defined as injurious behavior to self and others, do not hesitate to impose moral values all the while demanding that others do not impose moral values on them. That is not only hypocritical it is nonsensical.

First, it must be remember that evil is an intrusion into the universe and will not last forever. That is the promise of God (2 Peter 3:13). Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for a new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. There will eventually be a new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Second, in grace, despite the Fall, God has given to His creation a sure word of prophecy. Despite the attack on the Moral Law, summarized in the Ten Commandments, by those without the Christian community and even within it, the provisions of the Moral Law remain in nature itself, in every culture and especially in the hearts of those who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Individuals may violate the provisions of the Moral Law but they can be known and they are.

The only question that remains is which set of values will a culture embrace and impose on others. In 1978 while in college I made this point with a liberal professor. She came into the classroom one day after a night of drinking with her buddies and wanted to teach social values not history. In the course of her monologue in which the issue of abortion was the main topic she declared, "You can’t legislate morality!" Her passion and her authoritative tone was impressive and for some young college students convincing. I made the mistaking of raising my hand to challenge such academic dribble. In my response I said, "Professor, every time a person is arrested for drunk driving, every time a man is stopped from beating his wife, every time a criminal is made to pay restitution, every time a person is executed for murder morality has been legislated and imposed. The only question on the table is which set of morality shall be legislated and which set of morality will be imposed." Needless to say, the professor was incredibly angry at such a rebuttal but she had no answer for there is no answer against true truth.

What the country needs and what the hearts of millions long for is a champion to say, "This is the way of the Lord and let us walk therein." It is not enough to say, "This is the way I want to lead the country." Many of us long to hear someone say, "This is what I believe because it is right and this is what the Lord would have a nation to be like." I know that is not being politically correct. I know such a candidate might not be elected for such holy boldness of principled speech but at the very least let us stop pretending individuals do not impose moral values on others.

Between August 22 and September 1, 2008 I had the great privilege of ministering in the Philippines. For six years Leonardo F. Galanza Jr., a teacher at the Center for Biblical Studies in Antipolo City has been using my series on church history, The Most Glorious Institution. These works which include study guides for leaders and students are available through Mount Zion Ministries.

I was invited to present a modular course on church history. Speaking three hours each day on a topic of interest the story of the Christian church was explored over a five-day period.

Of particular concern to me at the end of my week was whether or not anything had been accomplished for the good of those I came to minister to and for the glory of God. When the question, "What can be accomplished in a week?" is asked without scorn or contempt, it is a valid inquiry. Is it worth all the time, expense, and months of preparation not to mention an exhaustive traveling schedule of twenty hours plus flight time? Perhaps the best people to answer that particular inquiry are those who sat under the teaching ministry. Here is what some of the attendees had to say. Their comments are presented as they were written. They are unedited.

• From: Adel Nemenio.

Dear Pastor Murrell, I thank the Lord for His great and wonderful love & mercy.  Once again He bestowed upon us through our Lord Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit through you the ministry of His word for the past week.  I have been blest in many ways.  I would like to mention some, first I was blest by the example of your life.  Serving Him with passion, patiently and joyfully even in the midst of difficulties (like your journey when you came here).  Furthermore I have been blest in the life of the people in the past how they suffered for the kingdom of God.  It is an encouragement for me as I am going through my life's journey in serving God.  I am especially blest with your sermons too especially the one about Forgiveness & Facing tomorrow without fear.  How dark maybe my lot it reminded me again that surely a Christian have a victory in Christ.  Thank you once again for your compassion.  May the Lord add more years to your life and that many will be blest for His glory and honor.  We pray that you can come again.  I am a 4th year student now.  In Christ, Adel

• From: Angelyn Entrata

Beloved Dr. Stanford Murrell, Indeed, God is gracious to us because He sent a marvelous humble person like you...God be glorified!  I would like to say 'Thanks be to God' for the precious words through you...I am so blessed with all the sermons and teachings that was centered in Christ.  I really love it.  God bless you richly, your family and ministry too.  Sincerely in Christ, Angelyn

• From: Jeralyn Gaspe

Dr. Stanford Murrell, We are so thankful for encouraging us & widen our knowledge.  We just want you to know that you are a blessing.  Your words of wisdom make us realize how important to know more about what we believe and what faith we defend.  Hope to see you again soon.  May God shower you a lot of blessing & may you continue to serve the Lord wholeheartedly.  God bless you! Jeralyn

• From: Aluna Paclibar

Pastor Stan, It is a great pleasure to have you, we are so thankful for learning what you shared to us.  We hope that you can come back here again to tell us more in order to enlarge our learning.  And we hope that you may proclaim or share all you have taught to us all around the world to make other people be inspired and blessed.  Thank you so much and God bless you.  I'm blest and I know that I am cause Jesus took control of my life...We will always remember you because of this song.  If you want more song just contact me.  Aluna! [Note. The student’s sang a special song one day for chapel that I found delightful and told them that – so they sang it again and again for me.]

• From: Carla Bautista

Dr. Stanford, Thank you for sharing what you have learned & for loving all of us that you came in our midst for the Lord.  May the Lord bless you more and your family and our brethren abroad.  I Thess. 5:18 In Christ, Carla

• From: Alexandria Entrata

Pastor Stan, Hope to see you again soon.  Take care God bless you richly together with your family continue to be a blessing!  Thank you so much for your encouraging lectures..you taught us to be faithful and to listen for God's perfect will for us.  Taught us to be patient and do/obey what God wants us to do.  God bless you!

On a personal level my journey to the Philippines resulted in the following observations.

First, the Filipinos are a generous people. I went to the islands to bring gifts of God for the people of God in the form of free literature and CD’s and ministering there without charge or collecting an offering. The people responded by giving me tokens of their love and affection and most importantly, their hearts.

Second, the Filipinos are a happy people. While not excessively rich in material resources they have a natural joy for living with a delightful sense of humor.

Third, the Filipinos are a loving people. They open their homes and give their hearts in generous displays of affection. They are not temperamental and territorial. They do not unleash a spirit of terror by quiet but demanding ways and cruel comments made in secret that wound. The biblical counsel for Christians is to let the conversation always be seasoned with grace (Colossians 4:6).

Fourth, the Filipinos are humble people. At the Center for Biblical Studies the faculty works together. The people seek to co-operate and not compete with one another for power and positions. No one was found arguing who would get to do the bulletin or who should be asked for permission before the work of the ministry could move forward. God’s work was done God’s way according to gospel terms guided by the Holy Spirit. The Word of God is honored and submitted to for the people realize the danger of allowing secular books to guide the ministry. Oh to be a people of one Book – the Bible. What a change would come to all of Christendom if God’s people would learn to co-operate and not compete. Were that to happen, humility would replace pride and progress would replace unnecessary childish divisions. While it is flattering to gain a personal following of "friends" it is far better to seek to dwell together in unity and not bring division to any expression of the body of Christ.

Fifth, the Filipinos are an attentive people. They carefully watch over each other and their guests to make sure everyone is comfortable. Such attentiveness brings peace to the people of God in particular for the love of God is shed abroad in the hearts.

After speaking for 20 hours over a five day period I had a chance to go to the island of Corrigedor where so much history was made during World War II. If you are not familiar with the story of the Filipino’s during World War II and the importance of Corrigedor in their narrative I would encourage you to find out the "rest of the story" especially from 1939-1945.

On Sunday morning I had the joy of speaking at the church pastored by Bro Leonardo F. Galanza Jr. He and his wife Hannah are doing a wonderful job in ministering to the people. There was a fellowship meal provided following the morning worship service.

At 3 AM the next morning, Monday, September 1, the long journey home began. This time I would not be stranded at the airport in Hong Kong for fifteen hours as happened on the flight into the country. It had been a profitable week in the service of the Lord. In the will of God I hope to return to the Philippines in 2010.

For those who would like to know more about this particular work in the Philippines please contact me and I will share with you how to help for help is needed in the following areas:

• Sponsoring a student. You could help to educate someone not only for time but for eternity.

• Food. Rice is a main staple of the food the student’s eat. A large bag of rice sells for $20.00 US dollars but will help feed a lot of hungry students. You could buy a bag of rice and feed the hungry.

• Books. Good Christian literature is needed for the school’s library.

• Prayer. Pray for the staff and faculty.

If the Lord so leads, plan to go to the Philippines with me. There is much work to be done and the fields are still white unto harvest. As good as it is to support those on the mission fields financially Jesus compels some to go to other nations as well. Perhaps the Lord is calling you, even if only for a limited time. Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Nearly a decade ago TIME Magazine selected 100 most important people of the century. The selection process included “people who exemplify courage, selflessness, exuberance, superhuman ability and amazing grace”. Among those honored with such high esteem were Anne Frank, Billy Graham, Helen Keller, Mother Theresa, Rosa Parks—and Harvey Milk.

If you live in California or stay abreast of left-coast politics, you would already know that Harvey Milk is synonymous with the homosexual rights movement. He served on San Francisco’s board of supervisors as the ‘mayor of Castro (homosexual) district’ until he and the mayor were assassinated in November of 1978.

As a means of honoring Milk, the California Assembly and the Senate recently passed AB 2567 and is now awaiting Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s signature. If signed into law, this bill would set aside May 22 as a special day to commemorate the life of Harvey Milk in California public schools bestowing upon him the same honor we reserve for George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr.

TIME reporter John Cloud explained why we need Milk day. “Harvey Milk became the first openly gay man elected to any substantial political office in the history of the planet.” Sounds perfectly reasonable to me! Who wouldn’t want to honor a man who advocated homosexual rights as ardently as Milk? Cloud further explained in his article how Milk was more than the average homosexual – he was an “avowed homosexual,” meaning he flaunted his aberrant sexuality unabashedly even though, “Many psychiatrists still called homosexuality a mental illness”. What this means is that not only did Milk champion ‘gay rights’, he had to contend with society telling him he was mentally ill. (What courage!)

But I would submit to you that the psychiatrists were wrong on this issue. Homosexuality is not a mental illness, but rather, a spiritual one. The apostle Paul tells us in his epistle to the Churches at Rome how God gave individuals over to a reprobate mind to commit such unnatural acts with each other. The homosexual lifestyle is the clear demonstration of judgement from God.

“For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error,” (Rom 1:26-27).

The TIME article tells us that Harvey Milk is one of the world’s most important people of the last one hundred years solely because he thumbed his nose at societal norms and decent behavior. Perhaps by the end of the next century we will afford the same honor to polygamy, polyandry, incest and bestiality.

Now, some might suggest that the ‘slippery slope’ argument is a logical fallacy, but I say that in a nation that rejects the idea of a God and moral absolutes there is no rational basis upon which to oppose such degenerate lifestyles. If there is no such thing as morality, and every nation is allowed to define the latter according the dictates of the majority, then is stands to reason that anything can be justified if enough people agree.

And all of this brings us back to California politics once again. But all is not lost…You can make your voice heard in the Harvey Milk case even if you do not live in California. Simply call the Governor’s office at the number listed below and follow the directions:

1-916-445-2841

Press 1 for ‘English’ (hey, it’s California!)
Press 2 for ‘legislation’
Press 1 for ‘Harvey Milk AB 2567’
Press 2 for ‘No’

The next time you turn on your television or open your morning paper you will inevitably read a headline similar to the one I found online. "Physicists around the world…hope to unlock the secrets of the universe and its origins." Now in order to accomplish this magnificent feat, they have spent 11 billion dollars to create the Large Hadron Collider which essentially smashes particles together in a bid to recreate the conditions of the Big Bang of 13.7 billion years ago. The LHC sends beams of subatomic particles (protons) dancing around the 17 miles of tubing at or near the speed of light. The idea is for the protons to collide with one another and explode in a burst of new particles. The scientists are confident this will explain the origins of the universe.

But that is where the 11 billion dollar machine ends. It cannot tell us how life began (Perhaps another 11 billion might do the trick). Nevertheless, there is speculation about the origins of life. A brief summation from the evolutionary perspective is:

"Despite the uncertainty on how life began, it is clear that prokaryotes were the first organisms to inhabit Earth, approximately 3–4 billion years ago. No obvious changes in morphology or cellular organization occurred in these organisms over the next few billion years.

The eukaryotes were the next major innovation in evolution. These came from ancient bacteria being engulfed by the ancestors of eukaryotic cells, in a cooperative association called endosymbiosis. The engulfed bacteria and the host cell then underwent co-evolution, with the bacteria evolving into either mitochondria or hydrogenosomes. An independent second engulfment of cyanobacterial-like organisms led to the formation of chloroplasts in algae and plants.

The history of life was that of the unicellular eukaryotes, prokaryotes, and archaea until about a billion years ago when multicellular organisms began to appear in the oceans in the Ediacaran period. The evolution of multicellularity occurred in multiple independent events, in organisms as diverse as sponges, brown algae, cyanobacteria, slime moulds and myxobacteria.

Soon after the emergence of these first multicellular organisms, a remarkable amount of biological diversity appeared over approximately 10 million years, in an event called the Cambrian explosion. Here, the majority of types of modern animals appeared in the fossil record, as well as unique lineages that subsequently became extinct. Various triggers for the Cambrian explosion have been proposed, including the accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere from photosynthesis. About 500 million years ago, plants and fungi colonized the land, and were soon followed by arthropods and other animals. Amphibians first appeared around 300 million years ago, followed by early amniotes, then mammals around 200 million years ago and birds around 100 million years ago (both from "reptile"-like lineages). However, despite the evolution of these large animals, smaller organisms similar to the types that evolved early in this process continue to be highly successful and dominate the Earth, with the majority of both biomass and species being prokaryotes."

Hmmm…and we are told that is takes more faith to believe, "In the beginning, God…" Perhaps I could have saved the scientific community 11 billion dollars and have sent them my Bible.

In the wonderful book The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boon tells of her experiences in the Nazi death camps. Soon after going to one of the concentration camps Corrie was given a Bible, a sweater, and a bottle of liquid vitamins by her sister Nollie. That was the last time they saw her before she was deported. Amazingly, the Bible was never taken away.  It was as though the guards did not see it. In the providence of God, Corrie doled out the vitamins, a drop at the time, to her sister. As more women became ill from malnutrition, hard labor, and depravation, Corrie reluctantly began giving them drops of the vitamins from the small bottle. And just like in the Book of Kings where, after the widow of Zarephath gave Elijah the last of her food, her jar of meal stayed full and her cruse of oil never failed, the vitamins lasted, far beyond what that little bottle could hold. Another miracle.

What sustained Corrie and her sister Betsie and others through that terrible ordeal was faith. What allowed them to minister most effectively was faith.

Redeeming Grace Ministries has enjoyed a moment of such amazing graze based upon faith. In 2003 in order not to mingle any local church funds with a desire to have funds for special acts of ministry to include going on short term mission projects a box was set up in the back of the church. We had agreed that whatever came into that box I would use for the work of special ministries as the Lord directed. This would include short term missions, underwriting of printing of my books for free distribution and whatever else the Spirit of the Living God directed should be done with the resources. No one thought much money would come into that little box, including me. Yet, it was a small step of faith.

However, the Lord was gracious and the resources came in. And as they did, I went to various countries to preach, to distributed free Christian literature and to search out individuals in need of help. Much good was done to bless others - by faith.

I have never confessed this publically before but I did not keep personal track of how much money came into that little box even though the amount was faithfully reported each week to the congregation after it was requested that it be so reported. My ministry has always encouraged accountability and openness so that was done. But I never knew how much total resources were coming in. I just took the money each week and ministered to others as the Spirit led. Like the pills in the vitamin bottle the money was there. Like the cruse of oil the financial resources for the work of the ministry flowed. And then, just like the pills stopped coming out of the bottle and the cruse of oil stopped flowing the time came when the Lord used private opposition to the resources coming into that little box to move myself and Redeeming Grace Ministries in a new direction. 

I have never forgotten my own initial amazement when it was reported to me just how much money had come into the little chest box and how much I had spent to help others and advance the gospel. I can appreciate Corrie’s response to the pills in the vitamin bottle. I can understand the amazement and gratitude of the widow of Zarephath. The amount the Lord entrusted to me for special acts of ministry was substantial. The Lord's servants had placed nearly $20,000 over a three year period into that little box. And it all happened according to gospel obedience and a step of faith.

Since the starting of Redeeming Grace Ministries I have encouraged others to minister by faith. It is not an easy concept to comprehend or implement but a ministry that appeals primarily to God through earnest prayer and not to commercial enterprises really is the most biblical. The challenge is to stay as close to the ideal as possible even when other legitimate principles want to encroach upon that guiding principle. A miracle working God supplying needs in such a way as to amaze the heart and give Him the most glory really is a precious memory. The memories of Corrie ten Boon produced, The Hiding Place.

One of my favorite anecdotes used to illustrate the true meaning of faith as used in the Bible involves a tightwalker, a wheelbarrow, Niagra Falls and a challenge. I’m sure you have heard it more times than you can remember especially if you attended Sunday school or youth group throughout your childhood. But despite its frequent usage, I believe it ranks among the best analogies to demonstrate the lack of faith many possess despite their claims to the contrary. In case you are not familiar with the story it goes like this:

There was a tightrope walker that used to demonstrate his bravery and audacity by walking across Niagara Falls on nothing more than a taut rope. People would come from all around to see this remarkable feat. They watched in amazement as he made his way across the tumultuous water waiting for that one misstep that would send him plummeting to his demise. But it never came. The more he crossed successfully the more the crowd believed in his ability. 

"Who believes I can carry this wheelbarrow across the water?" he asked confidently one day. The crowd had only seen him cross by himself but they were gaining confidence in his ability. They replied energetically, "Of course you can!" And so the man demonstrated his masterful skills over fear and did just as he said he would. Next, he asked, "Who thinks I can push a human in the wheelbarrow?" Again, the crowd cheered. They were ecstatic. There was a pause. The man looked around and asked, "Then someone please voluntary." Each countenance turned solemn. A deafening silence came over the throng. No one volunteered. No one wanted to take the chance. 

The point of this story is telling. The crowd professed to have faith in the tightrope walker, yet when given the chance to demonstrate it they came short. Their "faith" was not followed by action. It was an unfinished faith. There are many today that profess faith in Jesus Christ but they fail to demonstrate their faith by actively living out their profession. Pi’stis (faith) in the New Testament context is a physical action, with assent of the mind and an entire confidence in God’s character and declarations. Failure to achieve this is not faith. It is not enough to say ‘I believe’ in God because "the demons also believe, and shudder." (Jas 2:9). Rather, pi’stis leads to a firm belief in God’s testimony and influences the will, "and leads to an entire reliance on Christ for salvation". It allows us to place our assurance in the bosom of Jesus Christ while He wheels us across the raging waters below. That is faith. That is the pi’stis for which we all should pray.

Each year when I was a school administrator I held a Teacher’s Orientation for new teachers and for those returning on staff. During one phase of the orientation I would stress the need for classroom preparation. "If you do not have a daily plan of what to do in class for each hour," I would tell the teachers, "the students will have a plan and it will be chaos." Planning is not something which is contrary to the Christian faith or to the work of the Holy Spirit. In fact, planning is the known will of God for planning is a reflection of one of God’s attributes. In the matter of worship the apostle Paul wrote under the direction of the Holy Spirit, "Let all things be done decently and in order" (1 Cor. 14:40). Obviously God the Holy Spirit Himself does not want events to wait for the last moment. He wants "all things" to be done decently and in order not just some things.

Jesus Christ also placed great emphasis on planning for His whole life was given to a predetermined end, the cross. The Lord’s thoughts on the importance of planning is found in part by way of an illustration of another point, the cost of discipleship. Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

The value of planning of God the Holy Spirit and God the Son is a reflection of God the Father who is a God of order and design. The universe which displays God’s glory and handiwork is a universe of marvelous and orderly design. Imagine not knowing if the sun was going to rise tomorrow.

A casual reading of the Bible reveals God the Father’s insistence on order reflected by the number of times the phrase "in order" is used (30 x). There is always order in anything God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy is involved with be it creation, the building of the Tabernacle, the giving of the Law, the movement of the nation of Israel in the desert or worship. 

God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit knows the future. Through thought and prayer and meditation the needs of His people will be met and planning will take nothing away from meeting those needs. The most flexibility is found in those who are most disciplined and organized. This fact is reflected in the ballerina and the athletes. Planning, discipline, order provides a basis for improvising and innovation. But the exception must not be the rule. Deviation from form is an exception not the rule.

I have noticed in visiting a plethora of homes how well ordered most seem to be. Great care and thought and preparation has gone into the yard, the furniture, the flower arrangements and every detail. Surely the work of God deserves as much forethought and planning as our homes.

There is spiritual and practical value in planning but in order to receive this blessing of God the mind of the Lord in this matter must be adjusted to. Those who plan are always glad they did. 

Plan your work and work your plan. Plan ahead—it wasn't raining when Noah built the ark!

Tomorrow marks the celebration of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. This annual event is celebrated by more than one billion Muslims worldwide. It is seen as a time for spiritual purification, self-reflection, self-sacrifice, prayers, and reading the Koran. Every Muslim that is able to do so fasts from sunrise to sunset for this 30 day period in which he is to draw closer to Allah and to reflect upon that which Allah has revealed.

[Surah 2:185] Ramadan is the month during which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book…

One might naturally ask what is revealed in the Koran and what are the "clear teachings" that Muslims are studying? That was the question I had today so I decided to pull my copy of the Koran from the many boxes of books that still await my attention (the grace period with my wife is about to end). What I found written in the pages of the Koran is a poignant example of the depths to which the fall has brought mankind. Words of hatred and violence filled the pages – and all of this was found in less than five minutes of skimming through the book. Here, then, are just a few of the passages that I found that the Muslim world will meditate upon over the next 30 days:

[Surah 2:191] Kill them [non-Muslims] wherever you find them. Drive them out of the places from which they drove you…

[Surah 8:38-39] Tell the unbelievers that if they mend their ways their past shall be forgiven; but if they persist in sin, let them reflect upon the fate of their forefathers. Make war on them until idolatry is no more and Allah’s religion reigns supreme.

[Surah 9:5] When the sacred months are over slay the idolaters wherever you find them. Arrest them, besiege them, and lie in ambush everywhere for them. If they repent and take to prayer and pay the alms-tax, let them go their way. Allah is forgiving and merciful.

[Surah 9:73] Prophet, make war on the unbelievers and the hypocrites and deal rigorously with them. Hell shall be their eternal home: an evil fate.

[Surah 9:121] Believers, make war on the infidels who dwell around you.

[Surah 47:4] When you meet the unbelievers in the battlefield strike off their heads and, when you have laid them low, bind your captives firmly.

[Surah 66:9] Prophet, make war on the unbelievers and the hypocrites and deal sternly with them. Hell shall be their home, evil their fate.

It is probably a fair statement to say that most Christians have never prayed for the Muslim world or have not done so more than once or twice. Now is our time to pray to God that He would rescue the many from the seduction of Islam. We know God has His elect even in the Muslim nations. That alone should encourage us to pray that He would draw out His own even this very day and bring them to repentance. With that said, for the next 30 days during the month of Ramadan I would encourage you to remember the Muslims in your prayers.