Blank Check

Blog 1309

BLANK CHECK

I make no apology for being a follower-believer in Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior of the world. I am a born again new creation redeemed in transcendental hope.

What is it about the teachings of Jesus Christ that make some men totally devoted and others have such a hatred for His very name?

This writer has traveled the world, seen men's transcendental dedication to a power greater than themselves, Christian and otherwise.

In other articles I have described my visit to Banyian Afghanistan, the great standing Buddhas in the mountain sides before they were dismembered and destroyed by the Taliban, Islamic fanatics.

Now, another of my marvelous visits being destroyed by the same fanatics. The 14^th century mausoleum (1325), some of the world's most unique architecture, in Timbuktu, Mali, Africa. We can only imagine the work and time so many spent producing these marvels of art. I have stood outside so many great religious shrines, including the great cathedrals of Europe and marveled at the devotion.

Recently, a Catholic priest was put to death by Chinese Communists, the lawyer who defended him received a 9 year prison sentence.

We remember the horrors involved in King Henry VIII break with the Catholic church. He wanted to marry Anne Boleyn, the Catholic bishop as well as Sir Thomas More , Lord Chancellor of England,would not give him permission. So, King Henry took over the church, put all of those who opposed him to death, including 9 Contution Monks. These monks had signed a blank check to God. Here is the price God put on that check. They were dragged naked by horses through the streets of London, then hanged until almost dead, then eviscerated. Then their gutless bodies were tied to horses that tore them apart. Sir Thomas More and Catholic Bishop Fisher were beheaded. Such is the blank check they signed and gave to God. Such was the checks signed by martyrs described in Hebrews 12. But, these were the pace setters. At a time of convenience, technology, I honestly believe that God expects more of us. Surely, the blank check I signed included a lifetime of sightlessness.

I think about this when I see the comfort of today's churches, country clubs with steeples, Christianity at war with Satan from air conditioned fox holes. I thought about this when my son described the plush life of Benny Hinn, his private plane, hotel suites with his own swimming pool...trips to Europe for special designer clothing. I thought about this with Oral and Evelyn Roberts, from prayer cloths under tents to hotel suites where their meals were served in their own private dining room. Need I mention Jim and Tammy, the Osteens, the Schulers, or even one of my most recent pastors (1^st Baptist, Wilmington, NC) who left town, left his family, left his job, with a girl about the age of his daughter. He did marry her and another Southern Baptist Church hired him as pastor, (Charlotte, NC).

This writer could never be a saint, could be a martyr if they killed me real quick. I cannot sit in judgment on anyone. I only know about myself. I know that nothing makes Satan any happier than for the Christian to have doubts and fears about his salvation. When we sign a blank check which we give to God, he has the right to expect nothing but trust from us and that is all he wants. To be chosen, elected by God before the foundation of the world, as one of his own, is blessing beyond compare. The tragedy, so many of the sophisticated, perfumed, comfortable pew warmers in church houses around the world have no idea of what we are talking about. They just think that God is a “bellhop”, available when they need him...that God needs them instead of them needing God. Modern Christianity has made the church a beggar, begging people to attend, to give. The martyrs, saints did what they did because they knew what they knew. You do not give time and talents year after year, without regard for personal comfort, for life. When you know the truth, the truth will make you free (John 8:32.) You have the liberty of putting everything on the altar of service to God... not sliding around on the altar.

In a world of political correctness, entitlements, the largesse of government, who needs God? There is $240 billion in the California State retirement system. Wall Street is just one big cauldron of deceit. As Bernie Madoff said, ”The game is fixed”. Those who have smartly saved and prepared for the future may find that their retirement funds, the government's “protection racket” (Social Security, socialized health care, pensions, and welfare) has disappeared along with their freedom. God only had to say it one time, “The love of money is the root of all evil”. (I Tim. 6:10) No one ever had a nervous breakdown from what happened in the past , what is happening today, our neurosis is about the future. When you give a blank check to God, your future is under control by the very one who created you, who threw the stars into space. God's word is forever settled in heaven (PS 119:89). He has told us that he will never leave us or forsake us. “Keep you lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said “I will never leave you nor will I forsake you.””

I have stood in that great cemetery, Manila, Philippines where 18,000 of our finest are buried. I have stood in the great national cemeteries in Europe and Washington where our finest are buried. Have we as Americans forgotten that these men and women gave life and limb believing in the greatness of our nation? Would they be proud of what goes on today, the lying, cheating, stealing in American government-politics? One of my ancestors, Robert Morris,wrote the Preamble to the Constitution, served as Ambassador to France and was there during the French Revolution,where he saw French soldiers dragged through the streets. He said it made him feel less than a human being. How did we feel when American streets were dragged through the streets of Mogadishu, Somalia? You heard little about it. We do what we do because we believe what we believe. It is evident that the secular news media, typical politicians, the present federal administration does not believe in the wrath of a Holy God. Only those who are his signed a blank check. We know what we paid for. To the rest of you, good luck.