Science verses Morals-Stem Cell Research

Deuteronomy 28:1-48

I am not a scientist but I believe I am a rational thinker. Our government is now making decisions based on falling behind other countries.

Obama warned of the risks of falling behind other countries in scientific research by keeping in place government restrictions on funding.

"When government fails to make these investments, opportunities are missed. Promising avenues go unexplored. Some of our best scientists leave for other countries that will sponsor their work. And those countries may surge ahead of ours in the advances that transform our lives," Obama said. "But in recent years, when it comes to stem cell research, rather than furthering discovery, our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values. In this case, I believe the two are not inconsistent."

We are setting aside the moral influence for the argument of staying a leader. I say we were world leaders because we chose in the past to put right above short cuts. As I watch the evening news now I see our government daily making decisions based on short sided views that will cost future generations. If you were to read Deuteronomy 28 above you will see a sad commentary of where we are as a nation. The Lord has blessed our nation because of our obedience but Americans seem to think we are above failing. We are treading on dangerous ground right now. We are surrendering our convictions and we can see where this will lead in the later verses of chapter 28. I pray that we as a nation will realize the destructive path we are headed down.

A Look at Circumstances-Vision 2

Ex 3:4-8 Num 13:17-33 Num 14:1-9

We have looked at what distorted vision does when looking at people (see: A Look at People-Vision I). Let's now take a journey down a different road called circumstance. The people of Israel looked this square in the eye as they approached for the first time the Promise Land. Moses was told by God in Ex 3:8 of a great land that he was going lead the children of Israel too and give them in spite of who occupied the land. God told Moses in great detail who would be there so they would not be surprised. Let's pickup the story again in Number 13 with Moses sending out the spies. These twelve men were told to go and report what they find. Caleb & Joshua came back and reported a true report with details about the enemy. The other ten were afraid and this fear distorted their view of the circumstances. These men in Num 13:33 said that the Children of Israel were like grasshoppers in the sight of their enemies. They were looking through their own eyes and seeing the circumstance. Think about what they were saying they could have said we look like children to these men and maybe that would have a more accurate view but no they said grasshoppers. Caleb stilled the crowd and told them let's go now and possess it. He knew even through seeing the circumstance that God had made a promise. Caleb & Joshua begged the people of Israel not to rebel against God and allow their circumstance to defeat them. The Lord rewarded Caleb for his great clear vision by giving him and his ancestors that very land. See Num 14:24! Caleb loved God which allowed him to see what God saw there in that land. Our circumstances in life can overwhelm us without clear vision. Here's the key to clear vision! Always Always remember that even when we don't know what God is doing we can trust He knows what he is doing! Praise God that Moses was told there will be enemies in the valley! This reassures me God was not taken by surprise. God knew where, who & what he was sending his people into! All he wanted was for them to trust him. Caleb did....

Tithing & The Stimulus Package

Matt 22:15-22 & Mal 3:8-12

Well our new President has put his own stamp on our economy with his new stimulus bill. The details are slowing leaking out about this bill. One of the details that catches my attention is the tax deduction of charitable giving. The reports are that this deduction will be removed for people making over certain amounts. The reporter said this will hurt charities all across the country including Churches. The passages listed above make it clear that the Lord wants us to pay our taxes and give our Tithe. The difference in the two is seen in the words "pay & give". Don't get me wrong the Lord is clear in Mal 3:8 that we are robbing God when we don't give but he wants us to be cheerful givers II Cor 9:7. We should not give to get a tax deduction this means we are giving for the wrong reason. The Lord makes it clear in Matt 22 he does not connect the two identities together. He said give each its due. When the government calculates taxes its off the top that's the least we can do for the Lord. I guess if the tax deduction was removed all together we might find our motives & faith tested even more. We are being encouraged even taught more and more to trust our government to take care of us. It all most seems like they are trying to take away the very thing that can take care of us as a nation. I want to remind myself and everyone else our trust is in the Lord so when or if the government decides to take away the deduction for charities we don't flinch and give in to fear. You see many people will begin to think in their minds if I am giving $100 and this change raises my taxes by $25 I will reduce my giving by $25 no big deal. It is a big deal because we are telling the Lord the government is bigger than you. I say pay the extra $25 and keep giving your $100 and trust the Lord.

A Look at People -Vision Part 1

Let’s start by saying if we want to know God’s view on man then we need to open his Word.

People say that Love is Blind but God’s Word I believe teaches just the opposite.

Let’s start with blurred vision by searching the passage found in Luke 10:25-37.

The story of the Good Samaritan is known around the world by many even by those that are not Christians.

• Let’s look at three examples of Blurred Vision

Luke 10:30-Thieves- saw robbed, beat and left for dead
Root Problem-Lack of Love
Symptom-Vision Problem- Blind
Result- Saw no value in man’s life

Luke 10:31-Priest- Saw and went out of his way to avoid
Root Problem-Lack of Love
Symptom -Vision Problem- Distorted Vision
Result-Could not see the need in man’s life

Luke 10:32-Levite-saw,looked and still ignored
Root Problem-Lack of Love
Symptom-Vision Problem- Near Sighted
Result-Could not see any hope for this life


• God’s View is found in the Samaritan

Luke 10:33-Saw and had compassion
Vision-Saw the need
Result- Moved to action

Luke 10:34-Went to him and helped with the need
Vision- Saw he had to go to him
Result- healing began

Luke 10:35-He took care of the immediate need and made promise of future needs being met.
Vision- He saw the needs in the future
Result- The need was met completely


It is clear the Samaritan is a type of Christ himself.

Christ sees us as that man in the ditch (our righteousness are as filthy rags, we can’t get out of the ditch on our own, if left to ourselves we are certainly doomed). Christ came to get us out of the ditch but that was not enough for Christ. He picked us up, cleaned us up and provides for us each and every day. Take a closer look at this Samaritan and you will see that he promises to come back and pay off the final debt.

Praise the Lord our Savior is not finished yet. He has only made the down payment on what he intends to finish one day soon.

You see the little verse we all learned when we were kids is really true.

John 3:16-For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

This is why I know that real Love is not blind! He saw our real need and came to us when we could not go to him.