The number one search term kids use on the Internet is “YouTube.” If you have a preteen or older child at home this should not be suprising. YouTube is a popular site for entertainment, news, and videos uploaded by millions. One expert says, “Kids use YouTube as a starting place for entertainment as well as education purposes.” Another popular search term is for “Fred.” This is a fictional character found on YouTube that is enormously popular among our youth. The social networking website, Facebook, came in third. This site is enormously popular and is a way for kids to connect with their friends. Something that should catch our attention however, is the fourth most popular search term – “sex.” The sixth most popular search term is “porn.” Did that raise your eyebrows? As a parent of preteens, it did for me.

The internet is a wonderful resource upon which the modern world depends. As each year goes by, it seems to move into our lives more and more. While this can be a wonderful benefit, the internet also poses some huge hazards. In a matter of seconds, our children can be exposed to the rauanchiest of explicit photographs and movies. Then there is the constant threat of predators who attempt to chat with our children online and a myriad of other potential dangers that parents must be aware of. The bottom line: We must be vigilant in monitoring the online activity of our children.

Where is the computer in your home? Do you know where your kids are going online? The responsibility of parenthood is God-given (Ephesians 6:4). Psalm 127:3-4 tells us, Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, and the wisdom of Solomon tells us in Proverbs 22:15, foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him. If children are a gift from the Lord, and discipline helps remove foolishness, then should not we be doing all we can do to guide our children down the straight and narrow? This would include overseeing where they go online.

Ignorance is not an excuse. Neither is computer illiteracy. These are your children and they need to be informed. Make a commitment to get connected with what your kids are doing on the Internet. You’ll be glad you did.

2 Chronicles 28 covers a very dark time in the history of Judah. Ahaz reigned over Judah and fully embraced the worship of idols. Much of Ahaz’s foreign policy was consumed with the ever-encroaching Assyria who was on the offensive against the northern ten tribes of Israel. The King of Judah was not the only one fearful of Assyria. Syria and the northern ten tribes of Israel recruited Judah to join forces and resist Assyria. Ahaz refused, which prompted Israel and Syria to invade Judah. Judah suffered extreme losses with many killed and more carried off into captivity. These captives were released at the preaching of the prophet Oded, 2 Chronicles 28:5-15. While Ahaz struggled with Israel and Syria, Philistia pressed Judah from the south and west. They overtook and oppressed a number of cities in Judah, 2 Chronicles 28:18. All this was allowed to happen because the LORD humbled Judah because of Ahaz…for he had brought about a lack of restraint in Judah and was very unfaithful to the Lord, 2 Chronicles 28:19.

A man’s character is revealed in crisis. As Rezin (king of Syria) and Pekah (king of Israel) press against him, Ahaz (king of Judah) turns to Assyria for help. Where should he have turned? We know the answer. Assyria responds by attacking Syria. They killed Rezin, 2 Kings 16:9, and afflicted Israel. But then the plan of Ahaz goes terribly wrong. So Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria came against him and afflicted him instead of strengthening him, 2 Chronicles 28:20.  To appease the Assyrians and get some relief, Ahaz raided the temple and his own house looking for valuables to give to the Assyrian King. All the gifts didn’t help. He closed the temple and erected altars to himself. In desperation, Ahaz ramps up his sacrifices to the gods of Damascus, based on the supposition that they would help him in his distress. The scripture says these idols became the downfall of him and all Israel, 2 Chronicles 28:23. Because of poor leadership, God’s people were headed down a very slippery slope. In fact, they were on an irreversible course, with an inevitable destruction looming in the distance. As the leadership goes, so go the people.

There are many powerful lessons from this Old Testament text. When crisis comes, where does the Christian turn? Draw near to God and He will draw near to you, James 4:8. Isaiah reveals to us another sad fact. Ahaz refused the help and assistance of the Lord. I will not ask, nor will I test the Lord, Isaiah 7:12. God offered. Ahaz refused. One can only imagine how the outcome would have turned had Ahaz humbled his heart, sought God’s help, and made a commitment to faithfully serve God. When we choose a path that leads away from God, we make a tragic mistake. This decision often leads to multiple consequences and could lead to unexpected difficulties that are almost impossible from which to recover. We must refrain from the kind of arrogance that leads us to move on our own without consulting God. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you, James 4:10.

When the pressure of life bears down on you, to whom do you turn? We serve a God who wants to hear from us, offers to help, and is willing to understand and sympathize with us. Our Mediator, Jesus, asks us to come to Him. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need, Hebrews 4:15-16. Praise God for the security and stability He provides as we face the turbulent waters of this life.

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 6:10-11

Many word pictures are used throughout scripture. These are intended to create vivid pictures in our mind in order to drive home important lessons. One such example is found in Ephesians 6:10-13. Here, Christians are reminded that they are involved in a spiritual battle for possession of their soul. In this passage, the struggle is likened to a military conflict. The conflict is real. Even though we may not see the devil and his forces in literal fashion, we know he exists and is determined to cause us to compromise our spiritual principles and lose our soul.

While acquainting us with the seriousness of this conflict, the writer does his best to encourage us that we can successfully wage our battles and have a victorious outcome. The key to our success is through God. Paul writes, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might, Ephesians 6:10. God is the sustainer. He will go to work in our lives and help us overcome. How?

He equips us with the armor of God, 6:11. For our spiritual battles, we can arm ourselves with the truth of His word, eternal principles communicated through the prophets, prayer, and the encouragement of those around us. The key to our success is seen in 6:11. In order to roll over our enemy, we must put on the armor God provides us with, 6:11. Don’t lose the next spiritual battle you engage in because you have not properly armed yourself with a capable defense.

The spiritual war we find ourselves immersed in is of the utmost seriousness. The battle is real. It involves real consequences—spiritual life or death. The wording in 6:12 communicates this fact to us. The NASU uses the word “struggle” here. I really like the wording in the ESV as it uses the term “wrestle.” When we use that term, there is a clear picture painted in our mind. Imagine combat that is up close and personal—a battle to the death. Our very soul is on the line! It is that serious. While the devil and his forces are in the heavenly places, they can often work through physical means to attack us. Their ways are cunning—appearing as a “little” thing or even as an item of no consequence. Just as a soldier on military duty constantly guards himself against the enemy, so we must constantly take protective measures in our great spiritual war.

We must do all we can to stand. We must put on the full armor of God, 6:13. Covering self only partially will result in certain defeat. We cannot be passive, even for a moment. Times of entertainment, recreation, and idle time present themselves as prime opportunities for Satan to strike. When we begin to relax and not worry about our enemy, we find ourselves in the most vulnerable of positions. When we do all we can to stand, we will seek first the kingdom of God, Matthew 6:33.  We will set our mind on things above and not on things that are on earth, Colossians 3:2. We will constantly know the time,…because salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. We must put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh, Romans 13:11, 14.

How are you faring in this great spiritual conflict? Do you feel vulnerable and subject to the devil’s bidding? Have you suffered loss? If so, God has not given up on you. God can still use you in service to His kingdom. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you, James 4:8. Seek God afresh and allow Him to clean the wounds and heal the scars of the spiritual battles that have come before. Let Him reequip your spiritual arsenal. When the battle comes, lean on Him for strength. You will be amazed at how He will be there for you and get you through.

Scripture Reference: Proberbs 10:19

We are living in a unique time. It seems fashionable to be rude in public. If something is on your mind, by all means say it. It matters little if your thoughts are profanity laced, alcohol induced, or just out of impulse. It seems as if it is perfectly reasonable to act or speak without thinking – just “apologize” later. There have been a few of examples of this in pop culture over the last few days.  Last Saturday, tennis superstar Serena Williams launched a tirade filled with adult language and anger toward a call made against her. It took three separate statements to be issued before she got around to apologizing and taking responsibility for her actions. On Sunday, rapper Kanye West stole the moment as singer Taylor Swift accepted an award for best female music video on the MTV Video Music Awards. As Swift spoke, West appeared on stage, took the microphone out of her hand, and told the audience how another artist had the better video. Many tried to explain away West’s behavior because he was drunk. West later “apologized” on a late night comedy show. West’s behavior also stirred up our President, who referred to him with a word not suitable for a church bulletin article.

These events may not affect us directly, but I believe they are examples of where our culture is at the moment. We must live with constant awareness. In a very real fashion, our culture affects us subtlely. While we may not have the opportunity to make a mistake in such a public manner, every one of us occupies own own small stage that others see on a regular basis. What do they see? How do you react in pressure filled situations?

This is where scriptural principles come in. James said, be…slow to speak and slow to anger, James 1:19b. Putting this verse into practice is difficult to say the least, especially when we are prone to stress. Hardly anyone starts out their day planning to go out and say words that they will later regret. These things come on suddenly. This is why James wrote, no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison, James 3:8. So if we are going to have success in this area, we must take quick manuevers when we feel the urge to vent our emotions. Gaining the ability to be slow to speak or react in certain situations takes practice. Sometimes we will not get it right. But over time, we can find success. I don’t know about you, but I am still working on this ability. Solomon wrote, when there are many words, transgress is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise, Proverbs 10:19. Later we read, he who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered prudent, Proverbs 17:27-28. These are qualities we must all work on.

We are all players on our own individual stage. The world is watching. While it may not be fair, quick impressions can be lasting ones. When we allow the heat of the moment to get to us and we respond openly in words and emotion we can do lasting damage to our influence. Once spoken, words cannot be taken back. They reveal what is on the inside. They can do much harm. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire, James 3:5. It has been said, “speak in haste and you will make the best speech you have ever regretted.” Whatever impression you had of Serena Williams or Kanye West before last week, you will most likely recall these incidents the next time you hear their name. While their apologies may or may not be considered genuine, the damage has already been done and lasting impressions made. If you are like me, there may be some moments on the stage of life you would like to have back. But we cannot. Those moments are over. And while they may be over, we do have the present and can learn to be aware of the potential for danger in this area.

How are you performing on the stage of life? What do others see? What lasting impressions are being made? Make it your desire to represent our Lord in everything you do. You’ll be glad you did.

If someone were to ask you right now if you were going to heaven, what would your answer be? “I hope so,” might be your reply. How much better to feel comfortable saying, “Yes I am, won’t you come and go with me?” Personally, I have spent a lifetime worrying about my salvation. After studying “From Fear to Faith” by Matthew Allen, I now know what God has promised me. I am assured of my salvation—I AM going to heaven. Are you that confident? If not, then this workbook is a must-read for you.

The study is inspiring in the manner that Allen has written it. It reeks of hope, and after this study, it is hard to refute that our salvation is promised to us thru Scripture. After studying this workbook in a Bible class setting, the overall consensus of the group was that this study is way overdue. We all wished that we had been exposed to this material much earlier in our lives. It is filled with hope and a true sense of peace. Are you questioning your salvation? If so, do not miss this book. It will lift a load from your shoulders as you firmly come to understand that, yes, you too have the same assurance, if you wish it.

Ed Major
Brownsburg, IN
December, 2009