Light Faced Off with Darkness in the Hole

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Chaplain Dan

Kenny* looks like the demon of your nightmares.  He has horns tattooed on his forehead , the faces of demons on his arms and a ghoulish thing on his neck.  He looked at me with a sadistic sneer that said, “I’m going to make you entertain me.”  As he showed me his fists, I read one letter off each finger to spell, F### You.  As the heavy door slammed and automatically locked behind him, his gangster friends formed a semicircle around me.  I looked at the thick concrete walls surrounding us.  There was nowhere to run.

Light faced off with utter darkness, as I smiled, handed them Gideon New Testaments and said, “This is for you, glad you are here.”  We were in “The Hole” of Supermax, a high security jail in Los Angeles.  These guys had nothing to lose.  They had already been sentenced for violent crimes, and they were resenting the day they would be chained up like dogs and hauled to prison.  They were full of anger and rage.  I was thrilled to be God’s tool in the fight.

We read about the fury of God’s wrath on those who oppose Jesus Christ.  I shared God’s love and mercy for those who accept God’s grace and forgiveness.  I told Kenny to repent, make Jesus the boss of his life and bring glory to God.  I told him, “Satan may have written his name all over your body, but God still wants to write His name on your heart.”  His attitude changed as the Word of God cut through his pride and pierced his soul.

He kept the Bible and began reading it on his own.  A month later we met again, and he shared how he was praying, and God was changing him.  He read to me from Psalm 19, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.“

Light and love can conquer the darkness …  Kenny had been committed to serving Satan and wanted the world to know it.  He had tattooed his vile ambitions all over his body.  But, now, God is changing his heart.  Kenny is being transformed, from a scoffer who despised the commands of God, into an obedient servant who treasures God’s Word.

Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 15:57)

*Name changed for security purposes.

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Are Conservatives Truly Conservative?

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Chaplain Dan

An election-year challenge by SaveCalifornia.com President Randy Thomasson
SaveCalifornia.com and our national arm, SaveAmerica.com, provides the following solely for educational purposes and does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

(This letter is a good discussion about the process of discerning who to vote for.)

Dear Daniel,

I was concerned earlier this year when Mitt Romney beat Newt Gingrich in Florida. No, it wasn’t because Romney won or Gingrich lost. It was because so-called conservatives were hypocrites about their “conservative” values.

In the January 31 Florida exit poll of 2,835 Republicans who had just voted, 33% of the respondents identified themselves as “very conservative” and an additional 36% identified as “somewhat conservative.” Yet only 14% said the most important candidate quality is that he is a “true conservative.” Do the math — only 1 of 5 self-proclaimed conservatives prioritized voting conservative!

And I’m concerned about another thing. Some self-proclaimed moral conservatives don’t like our evidence-based Report Card on the Natural Family because they are either already loyal to a candidate or don’t apparently have moral standards for public policies when they vote.

Let me challenge the naysayers with the words of Jesus Christ, who, in Mark 7, described a list of sins, including “pride/arrogance” and “foolishness”:

And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.” (Mark 7:20-23 NASB)

Note how Jesus listed pride (or arrogance) and foolishness as sins, not mistakes. How are these sinful behaviors expressed in our lives?

Arrogance is claiming you know something you don’t, or saying someone doesn’t know what they do.

Foolishness is just the opposite, claiming you don’t know something when you should know better.

I have been arrogant at times and foolish more times. And for that, I need to confess, repent, and ask forgiveness from God in Jesus’ name. How about you?

But please, don’t be prideful or arrogant – or foolish — in this year’s presidential race.

Don’t think you know how the candidate stands on moral and family values without first seeing our unbiased and documented Report Card on the Natural Family.

And don’t be foolish by claiming you didn’t know or didn’t have the time to know. Voting in the dark is like swinging a sword in a dark room full of people. Someone’s going to get hurt.

That’s why a principled Christian and former California assemblyman is glad we’re turning on the light:

“Randy Thomasson and his organizations SaveCalifornia.com and SaveAmerica.com are doing everyone in the nation a Godly service by providing the unadulterated and clear and documented evidence of the actual public policy positions of the Republican candidates on family values,” said Steve Baldwin, former California state assemblyman (1994-2000) and former executive director of the Council on National Policy (2001-2009).

“While not all candidates tell the truth, the Report Card on the Natural Family certainly does. Randy and his team are helping many people discern between truth and lies, between facts and hearsay on where the candidates really stand on these important issues for the future of our culture.”

TAKE ACTION: Please make humility and wisdom a priority for America’s sake. See and share our presidential Report Card on the Natural Family

“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
Jesus Christ in John 7:24 (NKJV)

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A Revival of Love for One Another

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Chaplain Dan

Our love for One Another lets the world know that we are Jesus’ disciples.

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (cf. John 15:12, 17; 1 Thess. 3:12; 4:9; 2 Thess. 1:3; 1 John 3:11; 3:23; 4:7, 11-12; 2 John 1:5)

Romans 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited.

Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

Romans 15:5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,

Romans 15:7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Romans 15:14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.

Romans 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. (cf. 1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Pet. 5:14)

1 Corinthians 6:7 To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?

1 Corinthians 12:25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.

2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Galatians 5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Galatians 5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Ephesians 4:2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 5:19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart,

Ephesians 5:21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Colossians 3:9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices

Colossians 3:13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (cf. 1 Thess. 4:18)

1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

2 Thessalonians 1:3-10 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.

Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

James 4:11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

1 Peter 1:22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

1 Peter 4:8-10 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

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How Do You Define Success?

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Chaplain Dan

God made us unique, so that we are motivated by different things in life. As a result, Christians define success differently. My encouragement is to reflect on the examples below and choose a verse that motivates you.

Wealth Accumulator – Matthew 6:19-21
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Truth Seeker – Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Loyal Friend – James 2:23
And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.

Network Builder – Titus 1:5
For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you–

Affirmation – Luke 19:17
And he said to him, “Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’

Manifestations of God’s Power– 2 Kings 1:10
So Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, “If I am a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.

Peace – Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The Rejected Wanderer – John 14:2
In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

The Warrior – Joshua 1:8-9
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

The Investor – Isaiah 48:17
Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer,
The Holy One of Israel:
“I am the LORD your God,
Who teaches you to profit,
Who leads you by the way you should go.

The Evangelist – II Corinthians 5:20
Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

The list goes on, because God made us unique and gives us different circumstances. What are the verses that you use to define success?

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