Who are the real skeptics?

The belief that this universe and all that is in it came about by an unplanned, unguided, unintended explosion of absolutely nothing is the most irrational of superstitions out there. And those who believe it, despite the lack of a scintilla of evidence that it could have happened, have no right to don the label of “skeptic,” as today’s agnostics and atheists are so fond of doing. They are the most gullible of people.
If I were to tell my 5-year-old that everything in the world came out of nothing at all, and that no one made it happen, even she would have enough skepticism in her innocent little mind to not only doubt my words, but completely disbelieve them. Atheists aren’t skeptics. They are people who put their skepticism to death on the altar of desire to be free from sensing any accountability to God.

The god atheists worship

Atheists today, lacking a god, often like to worship Richard Dawkins. (In the sense that they take his words as truth and accept them with the blindest of faiths.) Take a look at what that guy believes. Hard to believe he can even manage to dress himself, walk, and talk.

What’s new in the new year?

For most people, despite all the celebration of a year ending and another beginning, the turning of the calendar doesn’t really bring anything new. After the champagne buzz fades, they find themselves still facing the same problems, struggles, and difficulties they did last week. Even if they’ve resolved to change for the better (I’ll stop smoking, stop yelling at the kids, eat better, and exercise more), they soon find that nothing in them has changed. And if left to themselves and dependent on their own willpower and best effort, nothing ever will. The desire for a fresh, new start, and the peace and relief it should bring is universal in the human experience—that’s why there was such boisterous celebration around the world Friday night. But almost as universal is the letdown of realizing that peace and newness eluded you for yet another holiday season.
Is there anything that can give us the fresh start and deliverance from past aches, mistakes, and broken hearts that we all seek? Is there anything that can truly change us from the inside out, while also improving the circumstances of our life and surroundings?
There is one and only one. And thankfully, it is not dependent on the time of the year. Coming into a right relationship with God is something He offers to you every day, every moment, including now. You may have heard that being saved or born again will let you go to heaven instead of hell. That’s true, but that isn’t all of the benefit you’ll get from trusting Christ as your Savior. When you become a follower of Christ, you immediately receive a right relationship with the God who made you. All of your sins are erased forever. And the complete healing of every pain the sins of others have caused you begins. A new life of blessing begins. Your prayers will from then on be heard, so that you’re not just talking to a God who doesn’t really seem to be there. And He begins to guide your life, so that everything in the here and now goes better than it did before. Trials and tragedies decrease; and when they do come, you have a strength within you from God’s presence there that helps you endure and thrive in spite of the hardships that previously would have destroyed you. See for yourself—He makes all things new. And your celebration won’t just last for an evening, but for an eternity.
Christ died for your sins, and rose from the dead. That means the debt you owe God for your rebellion against Him has already been paid. And trusting in Him now, you can receive complete forgiveness and newness of life that will never be taken away. The all-powerful Creator and Controller of the universe will be your father, your friend, your provider, your guide, your protector, and your helper, from now on and forever.
Happy New Year? Not merely that. Happy New Always!

Video Christmas greeting/devotional from Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Here’s the video of my Christmas devotional greeting for the Dec 19 2010 viewing at Dallas Sunday at Five and churches.

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O Noapte Sfanta (O Holy Night in Romanian)

Here’s the video of our singing of the popular Christmas carol O Holy Night in the Romanian language during the worship service at our church in Cluj this morning.

Why Christmas?

About 2010 years ago our Creator made Himself one of us. Do you know what that means for you?
Matthew 1 quoted the prophecy of Christmas: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and they shall call Him Immanuel, which means God with us.” The baby Jesus was born of a virgin, with no human father, because He was God with us. The same Bible chapter says “She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” The name Immanuel tells us Jesus is God. The name Jesus, which means “God saves,” tells us why He came.
He came to save us from our sins, so that He would not have to eternally punish us for them. God is holy, and He must punish every wrong word you’ve ever spoken and every wrong act you’ve ever done. But God loves you, so Jesus came to save you by being punished in your place. Jesus was born and lived a perfect life without sin. Then He was sacrificed on the cross to save you from your sins. He took all of the punishment you deserve, and died in your place. Three days later, He was raised to life again. He still lives today, and saves everyone who believes and calls upon Him for salvation.
You can receive the Christmas gift of God’s forgiveness and eternal life today. Just speak to Jesus from your heart, believing He died for you and rose again. Confess your sinfulness to Him, admitting that you deserve punishment. Tell Him you believe He died in your place to give you eternal life in heaven. And ask Him to save you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness, just as He promised. If you believe these things and trust Christ to save you, He will. That’s why God came to us. And that’s why Christmas is something for you to celebrate.

The above article is the text of a new Christmas gospel tract I wrote for our church to distribute (in Romanian) this year. Please pray for the Lord to use it and bring the message of the gospel to prepared hearts.