HUNGARY – A SHEEP NATION BY GOD’S STANDARD

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Judgement of the nations

“Before Him (Jesus) will be gathered all the nations, and He will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And He will place the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left.” Matthew 25:32-33

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has won re-election, attributing his victory to the popularity of his “brand of Christian, conservative, patriotic politics. I am sure God was pleased with the stand for His values that Victor Orban took, and the fact that the majority of the people voted for him, puts Hungary in God’s sheep category from my viewpoint.

Hungarian Prime Minister celebrates election win

Orban addressed the influence of Hungarian-born billionaire George Soros and other forces in the election. “We had to fight the left at home, the Brussels bureaucrats, the international left, the Soros empire with all its money, and the international media” Orban stated. In the election, Hungarian voters also voted on several referendums related to LGBT issues. Voters overwhelmingly rejected ballot measures that would have allowed “sexual orientation sessions for minor children in public education without parental consent,” “the promotion of gender reassignment surgery for minors,”  “the unrestricted introduction of sexual media content to minors” and “the display of gender-sensitive media content to minors.” More than 90% of Hungarians voted against adopting each policy proposal. Orban’s re-election follows closely the election of Katalin Novak, an Orban ally, to become the country’s first female president.

In 2020, the government passed an amendment to the country’s equivalent of a constitution, that recognizes marriage as an institution between one man and woman and bans same-sex couples from adopting children. Under the new policy, only married couples in a heterosexual relationship can adopt children. Previously, the Hungarian Parliament passed a measure defining gender as “biological sex based on primary sex characteristics and chromosomes.”

 

CONTROLLING OUR THOUGHTS

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Since we cannot bear righteous fruit without God’s Spirit, how can we take captive thoughts that are unwholesome?

The Apostle Paul said “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” 2 Corinthians10:5. So how do we demolish such thoughts when they enter our minds? Again, without God’s Spirit, we have no hope of reforming our own thoughts.

Paul said that “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” 2 Corinthians 4:4

So, until we’re set free from the clutch of Satan and his minions, we remain blind, even though we think we can see. Only by trusting in Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit do we have the power to resist the Devil, and only then will he flee from us. David had a way of resisting evil thoughts and then having those thoughts bear sin. He wrote:

“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11

Along with the Spirit of God, we have the Word of God to help us avoid such evil thoughts, and only then are we able to “not sin against” God.

THE CASE FOR EASTER

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The Case for Easter invites participants to examine the evidence for themselves and consider whether the story of Jesus’ resurrection makes sense. It will point them to the inescapable conclusion that led New York Times bestselling author Lee Strobel from atheism to Christianity: Jesus was the Son of God who conquered the grave

In his bestselling book The Case for Christ, Lee Strobel retraced his spiritual journey from atheism to faith by showing how the evidence he obtained from experts in the field of history, archaeology, and ancient manuscripts led him to the verdict that Jesus truly was the Son of God. Now, in this four-week study for Easter (DVD/digital downloads sold separately), Lee investigates the story surrounding the resurrection of Jesus—and how we can know that it is true.

In each session, he explores the following aspects of the Easter story:

What the Gospel accounts actually say about Jesus’ death and resurrection, how we can reconcile the discrepancies between the accounts, and how we can know the biblical accounts are accurate

How we can use a technique known as “five minimal facts”—facts on which even skeptical scholars agree are true—and medical evidence to build a strong case for Jesus’ resurrection

What the evidence in the Gospels reveals about the Jesus’ tomb being empty, why the Gospel writers are credible when they make this claim, and what this evidence leads us to conclude

Who the Bible states witnessed Jesus being alive after the crucifixion, how early creeds emerged that stated Jesus was alive, and how it’s clear the early church carried on this teaching.

The Case for Easter invites participants to examine the evidence for themselves and consider whether the story of Jesus’ resurrection makes sense. It will point them to the inescapable conclusion that led Lee from atheism to Christianity: Jesus was the Son of God who conquered the grave.

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS

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This video is an excerpt from the feature-length documentary THE CASE FOR FAITH produced by LA MIRADA FILMS. It is a documentary I suggest you acquire.

Through the resurrection of Jesus, God transformed the worst event the world has ever known into the greatest possible good – the salvation of humanity. Featuring N.T. Wright, Peter Kreeft, Greg Koukl, J.P. Moreland and Lee Strobel this video is an excellent resource for you to use in evangelism and training disciples of Christ.

The resurrection of Jesus celebrated at Easter is a declaration of the transforming power of Christ to overcome darkness and bring hope.

We continue to see much darkness over the world. We have experienced the darkness of Covid-19. We see increasing darkness as the world rejects God and His values, lawlessness abounds. Jesus warns us that darkness will only increase as we approach the time of His return. He has given us many “end times” signs so that we will not be unprepared.

As Christians who are being transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are called to be lights into this darkness. We are called to share in the mission of the risen Jesus. The death and resurrection of Jesus are the reason we know that there is an answer to the darkness and brokenness of this world. There is hope and salvation. There is a light that cannot be overcome.

May you this Easter know the transforming power of the Risen Jesus, be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and so be a light to others to the glory of God our Father.

TRIP TO AFRICA

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This afternoon I am on a flight from Sydney to Nairobi, Kenya via Dubai. The prime reason for the trip is a three-day meeting with the 20 plus House Church leaders in Kenya. As followers of my post will know, I have been supporting the Kenya House Church Movement for nearly three years now. It has grown from six house churches to over twenty today. We would appreciate others joining us as well, both on Zoom and to help support mission trips to grow the movement. I have a Donations icon on the Home Page for this purpose.

Another important reason for the trip is to determine where the leaders are at in their Christian walk and to determine what training may be needed. Using Zoom, Creation Ministries Africa (CMI) will give a presentation to our meeting and I will also use Zoom to connect KHC leaders with other ministries I believe will assist the Movement.

I am also involved with the International Christian Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) and will be speaking at ICCC meetings in Kenya and Rwanda. The President of ICCC Kenya is also on the International Board of ICCC, Rene Kiamba. Rene is connected to KHC and has been involved in teaching them on at least one Zoom Meeting.

Each ICCC member attending the meetings will receive a copy of my book, Build a Kingdom Business – Empowered by the Holy Spirit.

I am also travelling to Arusha, Tanzania to meet up with a pastor friend, David Owens who is working with African Enterprise. I hope to connect him with the KHC Movement.

PROOF WE ARE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS

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Listen to Stephen Briggs of Hatikvah Films explain how Scripture provides us evidence that we are living in the day, the disciples wanted to live in when they asked Jesus about the restoration of Israel. “So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:6

The Bible tells us where are we in history so it is imperative we know what God is calling us to do at this amazing time – the time before Jesus’ Second Coming when He restores the Kingdom to Israel.

“Now the Scripture saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and told the good news ahead of time to Abraham, saying, All the nations will be blessed through you. So those who have faith are blessed with Abraham, who had faith.” Galatians 3:8

https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-fkzk3-11b246f

ENDURING THROUGH SUFFERING

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“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

You cannot view this verse in isolation you need to consider the previous verse first.

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” Philippians 4: 11

Philippians 4:13 is not about how one can literally do anything we put our minds to simply because we are in Christ. Paul has a specific context in mind here—and it is not about attaining your personal goals and aspirations, developing a healthy conception of self-worth, nor is it designed to be a coping mechanism to deal with the grit and grime of life. Truthfully, the passage isn’t even about finding the secret of contentment in all things, despite insistence from many that this is the focal point of this passage. This interpretation does have more validity to it due to the following passage.

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” Philippians 4:11-12

Paul undoubtedly affirms learning contentment in all circumstances. However, the overarching point of Paul to the Philippians in this passage is not contentment, but one of enduring through suffering, particularly, suffering brought on through no fault of our own.

Job a model of faithfulness in suffering

The Letter to the Philippians is one of Paul’s epistles written from prison, which means that as he pens this letter, he is chained to a Roman guard waiting for his trial before Caesar. In the midst of Paul’s expression of gratitude for their financial support, he takes the opportunity to encourage his people that Christ Himself is the source of all comfort, hope, and faith. The simple reason why Paul encourages them in this manner is they have been appointed, not only to eternal life but to suffer for the sake of Christ, which in particular for them means they will experience the same things Paul has (Philippians 1:29-30). Paul is not only referring to being jailed for Christ’s sake, but to enduring physical persecution (2 Corinthians 11:23-27).

It is in light of this that Paul then ministers to those in Philippi by highlighting the hope of the gospel, the resurrection, and the object of their faith: Jesus Christ. He is all-sufficient and provides for our every need by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Bible teaches us how to embrace suffering for the glory of Christ because it is the means by which we enter His Kingdom.

Adapted from articles by Grayson Gilbert on Suffering. Click on embrace suffering and you will connect to another great article by Grayson Gilbert.

MORE ON THE METAVERSE AND CHURCH

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On this podcast Christian Post reporter Leonardo Blair poses a fascinating question: Will the Metaverse end the megachurch? His answer is yes!

Blair joins Billy Hallowell on this podcast to discuss this issue. He explains what the metaverse is more broadly, how the churches are using it – and his prediction of what might happen to metaverse complexes amid the increasing turn to the use of technology by churches. They maintain that there are benefits for the metaverse as well as negatives.

https://player.edifi.app/embed/index.html#/episodes/What-Is-the-Metaverse-and-Is-It-Poised-to-Obliterate-Megachurches/4838533

FINNISH CHRISTIAN LEADERS NOT GUILTY OF HATE CRIME

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Dr. Päivi Räsänen, a medical doctor and member of parliament, and Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland who were put on trial for teaching what the Bible says about homosexuality were cleared of all charges. I have posted previously about this case and am delighted to be able to report a positive outcome. This is a big win for religious freedom.

The district court in Helsinki has announced its verdict in the trial.  All charges were dismissed. The unanimous, 28-page decision, stated that “it is not for the district court to interpret biblical concepts.”  Furthermore, the defendants had sought to “defend the concept of family and marriage between a man and a woman.” Though some people might find that offensive,  “there must be an overriding social reason for interfering with and restricting freedom of expression.”

“I am so grateful the court recognized the threat to free speech and ruled in our favour. I feel a weight has been lifted off my shoulders after being acquitted. Although I am grateful for having had this chance to stand up for freedom of speech, I hope that this ruling will help prevent others from having to go through the same ordeal,” said Päivi Räsänen after her victory.