Discerning the Times with Pastor Rusty - Family

Discerning the Times with Pastor Rusty

Parents Decry Islamization of Schools Across US

6/23/2017

Parents ought to be concerned about what their children are exposed to and here is another cause for concern. In light of the constant barrage against Christianity and Biblical thinking one wonders why Christian parents place their children in the public system.

Why not embrace the wisdom of Scripture and separate children from Christian homes unto the Lord? Why not place the total focus of education upon a growing knowledge of Christ and his word? Why not focus on building a fire in the hearts of Christian young people as opposed to always trying to "put out" fires ignited by exposure to dangerous trends in the world?

These are important questions and I hope many Christian parents will make it a priority to overcome the obstacles that hinder the pursuit of a godly education. As well, I hope those parents who see no urgency to place their children in a strong, Christian school culture will wake up to the spiritual dangers facing their children. In a word FIGHT FOR YOUR KIDS!

The spiritual battle for the heart and mind of your son or daughter is real. Apart from diligent effort focused on winning and training your child in the Faith it is not likely they will ever develop into disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Remember this as well: the use of private Christian education does NOT eliminate this battle. However, it gives parents the upper hand! Home field advantage is essential in this struggle. The use of homeschooling or the use of a strong Christian school takes ground away from our spiritual enemy--Satan.

In any battle it is strategic to hold the high ground. Unfortunately, spiritually Satan now holds too much ground in our public system and is freely assaulting our youth with false spirituality in various forms. He now has the ground to continually assault the sensibilities of our youth with constant attacks upon the conscience.

The wise parent should discern this and remove their children from arms way. In other words--TAKE THE GROUND BACK! As the Scripture says, "Neither give place to the devil" (Eph. 4:27). Said another way, don't give ground to the devil, or don't give him a vantage point from which he has the upper hand!

This verse has a number of applications for victorious Christian living and it certainly has an application to the important matter of education.

With that said, check out this article for another example of a lurking danger for our youth.

The Culture Police

6/16/2017

The Bible teaches believers to "resist the devil" (James 4:7). There are many applications of this admonition and I believe Bishop E. W. Jackson's observation in his timely article gives us another.

The pressure building in our culture to conform to the spirit of the left (ungodly) is very real. Check out Bishop Jackson's article and join the resistance!

Reading, Writing, and Ramadan

6/3/2017

It is amazing to me that Christian pastors, Christian parents, and other leaders in the Christian church are willing to put up with the onslaught against Christianity that is on-going in our government schools.

While we cannot teach our children the tenets of the Christian faith in our government schools, stories like this one are all too common across America. I challenge Christian parents to actually separate their children unto the Lord in an educational atmosphere where the Christian faith is taught diligently and the spirit of the world is exposed.

For the full scoop on this story from the Family Research Counsel click here.

NY Doctor: Sex ed harmful to kids' health

5/27/2017

Parents, grandparents, and responsible Christian leaders must take steps to protect our children from the ungodly!

Please take the time to read this article and then ask yourself if you are doing everything in your power to protect the children in your care from the influences of the ungodly.

Christians Warned to Pull Kids from Public Schools

5/20/2017

There are so many issues to talk about related to education that whole books are written on the subject. However, as a Pastor I am quite single minded when it comes to this issue.

Christian parents have one over riding priority when it comes to the education of their children. Jesus Christ and his Word (the Bible) are to form the "core" of their children's education.

I hear so much discussion about Common Core and its deficiencies. But when are Pastors, Christian laymen, and Christian parents going to wake up to the more weighty deficiencies prevalent in the system long before Common Core was even an issue?

What are those horrible deficiencies from a Biblical perspective? How about a whole system that leaves God, Christ, and his Word completely out of the daily education of our kids during the formative years of K-12 education?

How about a school culture that does not require its administrators or teachers to maintain a Christian testimony before the students?

How about a school culture that has no room for heart felt prayer and which never compels students to actively seek the will of God for their lives?

I could go on, but at its core education should be built around our Creator/Redeemer--the Lord Jesus Christ. Is this really controversial for professed Christians and Christian leaders?

Again, follow this link to a piece that is sure to make you think deeply about pressing issues that are not going away. For the long term spiritual well-being of every child in our Christian homes please think deeply about this issue.

The Blessing of Godly Mothers

5/13/2017

Mother’s day and Father’s day are obviously important opportunities to expound upon God’s will for marriage and home life. In spite of the conditions existing in American culture today there really should be no confusion about the natural role of a father and a mother in the home.

From the beginning God established marriage between male and female—with the blessing of children to a dad and mom. Furthermore, the Lord has clearly delegated the care of children and the instruction of children to the parents. This basic template for home life is a settled matter by God’s design.

With that in mind, the simple thoughts I intend to share in this message will help any mother who desires to maintain a godly life and who desires to shape her family for Christ. As well, these thoughts should encourage young ladies who one day will have the honor of being called “mom.”

Let me begin my thoughts today with a poem I composed about twenty years ago. My wife actually inspired these thoughts as I watched her commitment to fight the inevitable battles that challenge the spiritual well-being of children. I am going to use these thoughts as my outline today. The poem is entitled, “Mothers Are.”

Mothers Are

Mothers are a happy grin
A smile, a hug when now and then
We fail in life and need a friend

Mothers are the encouragement
To rise to heights that God has meant
Her children to attain

Mothers are a weeping Hannah
Who know just how to pray
Whose tears the Lord sweetly sways

Mothers are faithful Jochebeds
Who fearing God are by Him led

Mothers are believing Sarahs
Who win victory over doubt
Whose faith brings God’s purposes about

Mothers are a special gift
Whose love and faith often lift
Her family nearer God.

Perhaps some of those simple words bring back memories about your own mother. Some of you are missing your mom today as she is now in heaven, but you know she was a special gift to you and your family.

There is something about a mother’s love. Children instinctively know to turn to mom when there is a problem. This is especially true when we are young, but in various ways it is true through-out life.

Mothers are a happy grin
A smile, a hug when now and then
We fail in life and need a friend

Do I need to remind you today that one of the best friends you will ever have in this life is your mother? One of the things I have noticed about authentic motherhood is the near impossibility of a mother disowning a child. In spite of all the failures of a child a mother’s heart compels her to seek the well being of a son or a daughter to the very end.

I wonder how many of us owe an eternal debt of gratitude to our mother for her prayers, her unconditional love, and her heart to lead us to Christ. Thank God for godly mothers who cover their families with the love of Christ!

Unfortunately in our day one of the great challenges facing many mothers is the task of raising a child without a father in the home. There are obviously more than one reason a mother may face such a challenge, but many mothers perform the herculean job of raising a child or several children alone.

Time would fail me to document the many testimonies of children who later rise to bless such mothers for all the encouragement poured upon them as they came to adulthood. Indeed most often:

Mothers are the encouragement
To rise to heights that God has meant
Her children to attain

Mom, don’t ever underestimate the powerful influence you have upon your children as they grow into adulthood. Make it your business to make that influence a godly one.

Now, in the remainder of this message I call your attention to four famous mothers in Scripture: Hannah, Jochebed, Sarah, and Mary the mother of our Lord.

Hannah

As most of you will recall, Hannah loved the Lord. She was a godly woman, but had no children. She desired a child and in the first book of Samuel the Bible records her earnest prayer before the Lord as she pleaded for a son. As you know, she promised the Lord if he would answer her prayer the child would be dedicated to the Lord.

The Scripture says: “And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore. And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head” (1 Sam. 1:10-11).

Ladies, Hannah’s example teaches us something about prayer. We can earnestly seek God and he will give us definite answers to prayer! Can prayer sway God? Can the mighty God of eternity be moved by believing prayer? Can a mother’s prayer move the hand of God? Hannah’s example says yes it can!

Mothers are a weeping Hannah
Who know just how to pray
Whose tears the Lord sweetly sways

Jochebed

Another famous mother in the Bible is the mother of Moses. I suppose many would not remember her name, but she was known as Jochebed.

You may recall the Pharaoh who rose to power following the death of Joseph proceeded to afflict the children of Israel. In order to suppress Israel and maintain control over them he killed all the baby boys born to the children of Israel.

At least he attempted to do so, but one mother hid her new born son and did everything she could to save her baby boy. However, as the child grew it was not possible for her to hide the little one anymore. So she made an ark of bulrushes and laid the young child inside and placed it a drift on the river so the daughter of Pharaoh would find the child.

The Scripture says: “And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along the river’s side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it. And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children” (Exodus 2:5-6).

The daughter of Pharaoh proceeded to adopt the child as her own. As well, she called for the mother of the child to come and nurse him until the little one could come to live with her. Pharaoh’s daughter named the baby—Moses.

Jochebed feared God more than Pharaoh and saved her son. Little did she know her baby would one day be used of God to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage!

Ladies, fear God and do what is right by your children! God has a plan for your children and the Pharaohs of this world cannot frustrate that purpose if you choose to walk in the fear of the Lord!

Mothers are faithful Jochebeds
Who fearing God are by Him led

Sarah

The next mother I briefly call your attention to is Sarah. Sarah was Abraham’s wife and like Hannah, she could not have children.

It was in her old age the Lord appeared to Abraham and assured him that he and his wife Sarah would have a child. Upon over hearing the Lord’s pronouncement Sarah laughed within herself. Her initial thought was one laced with doubt. She said, “After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also” (Genesis 18:12).

But her doubts faded and Sarah embraced God’s plan by faith. The Scripture says, “Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.”

Again, we all can learn a lesson from Sarah who took hold of God’s promise and won a victory over doubt! Her example should motivate all of us and she certainly can motivate each mom to take hold of God’s promises.

When the Lord calls you to do something it may be impossible for you, but cast your eyes upon the Lord. Judge him faithful who has promised.

Mothers are believing Sarahs
Who win victory over doubt
Whose faith brings God’s purposes about

Mary

I conclude today with the experience of one more mother—the mother of our Lord.
Mary was a young lady when Gabriel appeared to her and revealed God’s awesome plan to use her in a unique way. Mary would give birth to the Son of God.

As documented in Scripture soon after the birth of Jesus, Joseph and Mary proceeded to take the young child to the temple in Jerusalem.

As they arrived in the temple a man by the name of Simeon met them. Simeon was a just and devout man. The Bible says the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he saw the Lord’s Christ. Imagine that!

Simeon, who served in the temple, saw many Israelite couples present their firstborn sons before the Lord. But following this revelation from the Lord can you imagine the anticipation Simeon experienced as he entered the temple day by day. He knew one day he would hold the promised Messiah in his arms.

And so it was the day Joseph and Mary arrived with the baby Jesus, Simeon was led by the Spirit into the temple.

And the Scripture says: “When the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel” (Luke 2:27-32).

Simeon proceeded to bless both Joseph and Mary, but then turned his full attention to Mary with these startling words:

“Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” Luke 2:34-35.

With these words Simeon prophesied to Mary speaking metaphorically of a future time when her heart would be broken. No doubt Mary took note of these words and pondered them also.

In time Mary would watch her firstborn son grow up in the town of Nazareth. She would know the joys of raising Jesus and watching him come to maturity. Her heart would be bound to him with a mother’s love.

But along that journey the words she pondered in her heart slowly came to light. Jesus must fulfill his destiny. The day finally came when she saw him leave home for the last time. Nothing would ever be the same. It was time for him to be revealed to the nation by a mighty prophet named John the Baptist.

She watched him closely as his public ministry unfolded. She interacted with him as often as possible. She was at the wedding in Cana when he performed his first miracle. And at times she had to compete with the multitudes for his attention. But a mother she was. This would always be her son and his well being was always upon her heart.

Mary was in Jerusalem for Passover when he rode into the city with great honor. But the worship of the multitude that day would soon fade as his enemies plotted behind the scenes for his death.

As the Passover celebration of that season commenced Jesus gathered with his disciples for the Last Supper. Just hours later, he was betrayed by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane. The authorities proceeded with a mockery of a trial and condemned him to death.

No doubt the news of his arrest reached his mother Mary. But she could do nothing. Perhaps as his trial moved on to Pilate, the Roman Governor, she drew close enough to hear the jeers of the crowd who cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!”

Suddenly the impulses of a mother’s heart pulled at her soul. The hour of which Simeon spoke was unfolding.

Shamefully, Pilate bent to the will of the crowd that day and consented to the death of a just man in whom he could find no fault. Upon his word the Roman soldiers led Jesus away to be crucified. They laid a cross upon his back and compelled him to carry it to a hill outside of Jerusalem.

Already in a weakened condition from a severe scourging at the hands of the Roman soldiers, Jesus stumbled beneath the weight of his cross. The Roman soldiers compelled a bystander, Simon the Cyrenian, to help him carry his cross to the place of the crucifixion.

As he struggled to carry the cross on the road that led to Calvary a great crowd followed him. The Scripture says, “And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him” (Luke 23:27).

The Scripture does not say, but I believe it is reasonable to assume that his mother was among those women who bewailed and lamented him that day. This seems to be a reasonable conclusion in light of the fact that Mary did indeed stand at the foot of the cross.

We read in the gospel of John that Jesus spoke to his mother as he hung on the cross. The Scripture says:

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home” (John 19:25-27).

As Mary stood there gazing upon the broken body of her son she experienced something unique to her own soul. This was her boy. This was the baby she held in her arms in Bethlehem. This is the child she dedicated in the temple the day Simeon rejoiced over him.

Now the sword of which Simeon spoke pierced her soul. Only mothers who have experienced the loss of a child can begin to understand the grief that overflowed the heart of Mary that day. She wept and kept watch over her firstborn son until the very end.

I believe she heard every word he spoke from the cross that day. I believe she sensed the agony of her son when he cried out in the darkness, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

And I believe she also heard his cry, “It is finished!”
It is finished! Jesus, the Lamb of God, our sin bearer, has fully satisfied the Divine wrath against our sin.

It is finished! Jesus, the Lamb of God, has shed his own blood for our souls.

It is finished! Satan is rendered powerless and has no authority to hold us in spiritual bondage to death. The serpent’s head is now crushed beneath the death blow of the cross.

Jesus, the conquering Seed of the Woman, endured the cross and has secured eternal life for all who will believe upon him! Amen and amen!

Conclusion

Where would we be without the faith of godly mothers? We can learn much from their examples in Scripture. May the Word of God encourage every mother in the great work of influencing her family for Christ!

Ladies, never under estimate your labor of love. It will impact our world and further the cause of Christ like perhaps nothing else will.

Sign the Boycott Target Pledge

5/6/2017

I am participating in the boycott of Target and so is my wife. I have not been in a Target store for over one year and neither has my wife!

I believe this is a common sense way for Christians to cast a "vote" in the culture war that clearly exists in America today. I am free to spend my money where I want to, and so are you. Why should I spend money at a store that is allowing men to go into women's restrooms and changing areas?!

Here is some info from the American Family Association (AFA):

The Target boycott, launched in April 2016, is causing a significant drop in foot traffic to the store. Effects of the boycott are clear in Target’s financial report released February 28. The report indicated a dramatic drop in Target’s sales and earningsduring October, November, and December. This bad news for Target resulted in the company’s stock value dropping 13 percenton the day of the report.
Target, however, remains willfully blind to the link between the boycott and financial loss, but this blindness should not persist. Investors will hardly allow a politically correct bathroom policy based on a minority opinion to sink Target’s profits further. Target investors must be aware that a strong majority of Americans believe the use of restrooms and dressing rooms should be linked to a person's biological sex We must keep the pressure on Target.

Visit there site to join the boycott. Personally I hold nothing against Target, but I'm not shopping there until they change this policy. Perhaps they will one day like to have over 1.5 million shoppers back in their stores!

College is Troubling Many of our Young Adults

4/29/2017

The college and university campuses of America are harming many young adults in an alarming fashion. I really urge you to read this article on the subject.

If you are contemplating a four year experience on the campus of a state run school I would advise you to drop the idea completely. I would urge you to attend a Christian college if at all possible, especially if you are only 18. Perhaps an older adult (23 or older) could manage if they are NOT living on campus.

However, under any circumstance the current culture of our universities and colleges will chew you up and spit you out spiritually if there is no real substance to your faith. My advice is to focus on training in the Christian faith first with as much career preparation as possible at a Christian college, then with a bit more maturity under your belt if additional training is necessary at a state school you will be prepared.

This is a serious matter. Inviting the ungodly to "train" our Christian youth in philosophy is NOT biblical! Education that does not honor the Lord, that does not teach the fear of the Lord, and which is not centered upon the Lord Jesus Christ is NOT acceptable for Christian youth of any age.

When we couple together a godless K-12 experience with four or more years of additional godless instruction that at the college level makes no pretense of hiding animosity toward Christianity the fruit is exactly what we find discussed in this eye opening article.

How to Develop a Biblical Worldview in the Heart and Mind of Your Children

4/8/2017

All the research coming across my desk indicates that the church in America has a unique problem that other generations did not face in the same way.

While the necessity of evangelism has always existed past generations of Americans generally possessed a basic biblical worldview formed by their common Christian experiences at home, church, and in the schools.

But all of that has changed radically the past 50 years in America. The sore neglect of Christian education in our homes, churches, and especially our schools is now becoming quite apparent.

Please review this article to get a taste of exactly what is going on in our younger generations. It is alarming. If these trends continue in America this nation will be just as secularized as Great Britain in not more than the next 50 years!

Just exactly what can be done about it? I make no apology for this statement: the only thing that can be done about it is for millions of professed Christians to separate their children unto the Lord and see to it that they actually develop a Biblical worldview!

To counter this trend the Christian community must make it their business to evangelize their own children! Millions of Christian youth CAN be raised to fear the Lord and they CAN develop a Biblical worldview that will function as a counter cultural influence that stops America's downward spiral into a tyrannical secular state.

But it must be done one family at a time. Here is a brief outline on how you can develop a Biblical worldview in the heart and mind of your own children:

- Put Christ in your home life! How? Home life should include a meaningful church life. Raise them in a Bible believing church which you actually attend faithfully. Next, conduct actual family devotions and READ the Bible aloud together. Next, pray together as a family. Next, strive for consistency on each of these points.

- Separate your children from the world! How? This does not mean isolation from interaction, but it does mean separation from undo influence. Control the outside influences that come into your home like entertainment and technology. Pursue godly standards in what your children consume.

Next, guide your children into good books and good music. Godliness in both must be pursued.

Next, immerse your children in a godly educational atmosphere by home schooling or in a private, Christian school assuming one is available. Remember, your school choice is a 15,000 hour decision! Instructional time at a government school dwarfs both the home and the church combined. Shall we continue to hand off the formative years of our child's heart and mind to an ungodly system? Why lose the opportunity to develop a Christian mindset?

The battle for the hearts and minds of our youth is real and always has been. Certainly, America has never seen 100% of its citizens embrace Christianity. However, at one time America was definitely governed by those possessing a Biblical worldview. That was back in the day when the Christian community would not stand for no prayer, no Bible reading, and no Christianity in the school room.

Perhaps we will yet see a revival in the professing church that is deep enough to compel those flying under the banner of Christianity to actually live like Christians. In the mean time, take care of your own house! Come out from among the world and focus on the only thing that really matters--the salvation of our own children.

Pastor to Parent: Music Matters

4/1/2017

Music has power.

It has the power to teach. It has the power to shape. It has the power to communicate the values of an entire subculture that exists within a nation.

Do you allow the world's music to teach, shape, and communicate an ungodly worldview to the heart and mind of your children?

This is an important question. I believe strongly that parents should raise their children exclusively on Christian music. Make it your business to develop in them the habit of listening to Christian music and simply do not allow them to listen to secular artists.

Now for sure your children are going to know plenty about pop artists pretty much by default. They see news in one way or the other. However, they do not need to be familiar with the world's music by virtue of buying it, downloading it, or consuming videos of it on a consistent, regular basis.

Here are a few things to keep in mind from Scripture:

Evil companionship corrupts good manners (1 Cor. 15:33). Music has the power to "undo" the spiritual training you are investing in your children. See to it that they have the right influences in their life. Ungodly artists will not lead our children in the right direction.

Music should contain pure themes (Phil. 4:8). Teach your children this principle and maintain the expectation that they conform to it in their music choices. GUIDE THEM PLEASE!

Music should glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31). The lyrics and content of various songs should focus on the love of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, Biblical love between a man and woman, etc. This principle should serve as guidance for both adults and youth in the selection of music.

Purchase, promote, and use Christian music in your home life. Parents have the power to absolutely set the tone and direction of their family life. So fill your home with music that exalts the Lord and raise your children on it.

Simultaneously, guard your home and resist the temptation to allow the influence of ungodly music to drift into the life of your children. Diligence on this point will reward you with one of the great resources that can help you win and train your children in the Christian faith.

I must say that the body of Christ is quite gifted and is truly exalting the Lord in a variety of music genres. God's people are creating music that is second to none and it is speaking to the issues of life from the power of God's Word. There is really no excuse for Christians young or old to have their mind and heart buried in the world's music.

So I leave you with this thought connected to the subject of music: "Come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you, And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (2 Cor. 6:17-18).

For one powerful example of new music that can bless your family check out Selah's newest song by clicking here:: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9UdI0CXbm0

Keep directing the heart toward the Lord through the power of Christian/gospel music!