Perry’s Scope: Christian sermons, lessons, and resources for teachers

In this election year I have been thinking and studying a lot about the early beginnings of our country. The Founders practiced Christianity and established a nation based on the Bible. They declared:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,” (Declaration of Independence, emphasis added).

As I read these words, I see a key biblical principle. Governments are to rule by the consent of the governed because God does.

God is the Creator and King of the Universe. However, He gives us free will. He wants us to choose his rule and thereby governs us by consent (Joshua 24:14-15). He does not force Himself on us and will allow us to walk away (John 6:66-67). Of course the real irony is that there is nowhere else to go (John 6:68; Matthew 7:13-14).

How have you enjoyed removing God from our classrooms and other public places? Has our education level risen or fallen without Him? He won’t force his way in, but will allow us to reap the consequences of our choices.

It is a shame to see how far we have gone from God in our country. No longer can we legally pray in public gatherings. We are not supposed to speak freely in our churches about governmental issues. This was not the intention of the Founders. We must work to put God back at the core of our nation.

When you vote Tuesday, vote your Christian values. Vote for the people who will uphold the words of God in our government. Consent to be governed – by God!

Keep The Light Burning!

Dr. Perry Greene

Thirty-three miners in Chile have been trapped for weeks hundreds of feet underground. At this writing, they are being rescued, one at a time. A rescuer descended into the mine to assist the miners. In turn, they are being lifted to the surface in a small basket. Local onlookers cheer when each one comes out of the basket.

The world is watching with anticipation as each is saved. This is a great “human interest” story. We each can put ourselves in their places. The world has also come to the aid of Chile and the miners and so we are anxious to see if our efforts have prevailed.

What a great picture of God’s rescue of mankind from the disaster of sin! Man has been trapped for generations below layers of sin. Yet, God broke through and sent “survival” items to us. No expense was spared because humans are valuable in the eyes of God (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). He sent rescuers, one in particular, to raise us individually to safety.

Imagine the scene in the heavens as the angelic host looks on as one, and then another is brought safely home. Imagine the rejoicing in the presence of God when even one is redeemed (Luke 15:7. 10). What joy! God has triumphed!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

Recently David and Tiffany Hartley found themselves in danger on Lake Falcon on the Texas-Mexico border. Mexican pirates attacked them and killed Michael. Tiffany was able to get away on her jet ski while being chased by three boats. The area is notorious for being a danger place and others have found themselves in “the wrong place at the wrong time.”

I have an overly simplistic solution. Stay home! If Americans stop traveling to Mexico and spending money there, do you think the Mexican government might try to clean up their country? Economics speaks volumes.

But wait; there is also a spiritual lesson here. How often do we put ourselves into situations that are dangerous to our souls? How often do we flirt with temptations that will ultimately harm us? We put ourselves in the “wrong place at the wrong time.” Then we wonder why we wind up in harsh circumstances and even try to blame God for it!

The overly simplistic solution is to “stay home.” Develop a strong spiritual life that keeps close to God and far from the trappings of temptation. The prodigal son (Luke 15) learned this lesson the hard way. What about us? Do we prefer to stay close to our heavenly Father or involved in things that would take us from Him?

Keep The Light Burning!

Dr. Perry Greene