Christian Family Services Ministry

1-31-2024 – A Word to the Wise – The Lord’s purpose for war is different from men’s or Satan’s.

Men wage war to avenge, kill, steal, and possess. War is Satan’s goal for mankind: to destroy, manipulate, and possess. But God wars to cleanse, protect, and serve. He uses war to inhibit the growth of evil. Men, in the end, align themselves with whom they wish.

Behavior on the battlefield is different from that on the Sunday-morning pew. The passage “as far as possible live in peace with all men” (Romans 12:18) does not apply to the battlefield. Turning the other cheek and “do unto others as you wish them do to you” are principles not practiced at the gates of hell (Matthew 5:39, 7:12). If one is to march into the very depth of Hades to rescue the perishing, then one best be armed with the finest fire protection available. One must be ready to use every weapon in God’s armory; ready to trade blow for blow with a fierce enemy who shows no quarter. Christian warriors need to understand God’s armory, strategies, and battle plans.

The reality of warfare and battlefields

Few understand the depth of the conflict between Christians and Satan. The Enemy’s chief tactic is to blind people to the reality of warfare and the battlefields on which it occurs. Blindness prevents believers from becoming effective warriors. It obscures the battlefield and limits full utilization of God’s armory, tactics, and intelligence-gathering techniques. Offensive and defensive strategies are impossible to prepare under these circumstances.

A strong correlation exists between what takes place in physical combat and spiritual warfare. An understanding of the military campaigns found in God’s Word—how the Lord trained His warriors and the tactics employed—provides much insight into how to approach the spiritual struggles of the present. Often the tactics and training taught for physical warfare by God to Israel apply to spiritual warfare in the present.

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1-29-2024 – A Word to the Wise – On the birth of Jesus

For some time, scholars have insisted that Jesus was born 4 B.C. This date will not allow any of the later dates of Jesus ministry. Jesus died April 3, 33 AD. No other date accounts for the Passover which Jesus prepared for at his death. So, what is the solution?

Most of these early dates for Jesus’ birth is based on the death of Herod and Josephus statements about an eclipse which occurred at Herod’s death.

However, that date and the eclipse Josephus refers to has to be the full eclipse which occurred in 1 B.C. not the partial eclipse that occurred in 4 B.C. Only this accounts for the birth and the attempts by Herod to kill the infant.

Does it make a difference? Yes, it does for the ministry of Jesus was about 3 ½ years in length. We must show the historical proof of his birth, life and death if we are to avoid denial about the historical Jesus.

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1-28-2024 – A Word to the Wise – The last couple of years I have taken up a hobby. My wife has been insisting on it for years, and so I finally paid attention. I took some woodworking classes at an Anabaptist community called Homestead Heritage in Waco, Texas. While attending a five-day session, I became aware of the noticeable effects of how the women dressed.

I live in a society (Dallas) where a lot of the women dress like hookers, (even so-called Christians). The women, in this Anabaptist community however were clothed from head to toe. I became aware of how much easier it was to concentrate without the constant distraction posed by scantily clad women.

Our society is constantly bombarded with all types of sexual prompts. They have become so second nature to us that we hardly recognize them. When one is identified for us, we tend to defend it as appropriate.

A couple of months ago I was teaching a class on sexual transmitted diseases to a junior and senior high class. Several of the teenage girls were dressed inappropriately, (this was a church related seminar!). When this topic was broached without exception, they defended the halter-tops, short shorts, and revealing attire. Amazingly, you could have transported them to Dallas somewhere on Harry Hines street and they would have been mistaken for street prostitutes.

The class did not like being told they dressed like prostitutes. Finally, they said if our dress is a problem then it is because of what is in the man’s mind, not our dress! I marvel at the aplomb so readily displayed for indecent exposure.

Scripture go to great length to warn the godly about the importance of moral behavior. But our society sniffs at it. After all what is a few wild oats? Surely, the scripture just wants to rob us of a little pleasure.

I would challenge you to examine for yourself the seriousness of what we say, how we dress, and attitudes displayed in light of the consequences one experiences for immoral behavior.

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1-26-2024 – A Word to the Wise – As I look back on my teaching over the years, other than the Sermon of the Mount most of my time has been focused on Jesus’s miracles and parables. This evening a sobering insight came to me. Jesus emphasis is on His teaching not His healing. Notice please:

Mark 1:14-15

“Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God”

Mark 1:21-22, 27

on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and was teaching

Mark 1:34

He would not permit the demons to speak

Mark 2:2

While this is another healing episode, Mark sets up the narrative in terms of teaching. “And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And He was preaching the word to them

Mark 2:13-14

“and all the crowd was coming to him, and He was teaching them”

Mark 4:1-2

Jesus is teaching such a packed crowd that He must get into a boat to teach the people on land.

Mark 4: 24-25

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (v. 9); and, “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear” (v. 23).

Mark 4:39

And He awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’

Mark 6:1-6

Jesus enters a synagogue and begins “to teach them there (6:2). The people are “astonished.” While the people marveled at His authority in Mark 1,

Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:32

And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things”

Mark 8:38

Jesus does not speak of those who are “ashamed of me and of my deeds.” Rather, we are confronted once more with the significance of the of Jesus with his words and teaching that reflects our allegiance to him.

Mark 10:1

“Again, as was his custom, he taught them”

Mark 13:31

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

This is why people being healed was a side benefit, the main purpose was to hear his lessons. They would walk 200 miles and sit without food 3 days just to hear Him.

People wonder why churches are losing members. This is why. I would drive 500 miles in a blistering snow to hear, (an RVL, or Heiser (now deceased). Other “teachers” I would not walk across the street to listen too.

So pay close attention to the lessons Jesus presented.

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1-24-2024 – A Word to the Wise – Our values are mixed up.

Woe to one who can see no more sense in his life—no aim—no purpose in life and therefore no point in carrying on. What needs to be learned is: not what do I expect of life—but what life expects of me. I need to stop asking the meaning of life—and to see self as one being questioned by life—daily hourly.

Life means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to life’s problems and to fulfill the tasks set before me.

There is always just one right answer to the problem at hand. Most often those answers may be discovered in prayer and God’s word. These two tools the Lord has left for us: his spirit and his word.

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1-15-2024 – A Word to the Wise – I have never heard a church speaker, undergraduate Bible teacher, master’s degree, educator, or doctorate degree instructor teach or indicate that the Fear of the Lord was any more than reverential worship. Invariably I John 4:18 is quoted “There is no fear in love, but perfect cast out fear.” (RSV)

True these words are accurate but so are the following text regardless which version one is reading.

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, (ESV)

2 Corinthians 7:1 beloved, let cleanses ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit and make holiness perfect in the fear of God. (RSV)

Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; (NASB)

I Peter 1:17 And if you invoke as Father him who judges each one impartially according to his deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile.

Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (NIV)

I must give my mother credit for some of my strong conservative beliefs which contradict the teaching of many bible teachers.

The issue here is do these verses conflict with the I John 4 passage. No, they do not. The Lord does not want us scared of Him, that is and entirely different of fear. It is a matter of beholding the tremendous power, the eternal brightness of Him, the majesty. How we are going to act and think in His presence. Remembering we’re always in His presence, He knows our every thought, action, and our intent.

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1-12-2024 – A Word to the Wise – Several months ago, I posted material on prayer. I feel a need to repeat some of it. First, sixty-five years ago my mother warned me to never talk in the church about experiences with the Lord. They find it impossible to believe that he talks to us.

How ridiculous to believe that prayer is a one-way street. It makes no sense. For many years I took the advice to heart. Only in the last year or so I have said more than nothing.

Like she said many will reject it, and in this speaking engagement that is what happened.

Others have said they have a difficult time ‘hearing’. So, let me explain again. It is the Holy Spirit that is responding to our spirits. We approach the Holy Spirit with the same fear and awe we have of the Lord.

I John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirit. How do you test the spirit? “Every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ has come in the flesh” the only acceptable answer is that testimony.

Think about your mind for a moment the thoughts that you have where do they come from? The answer is that we think them based on our experiences. Or they come from the evil one who plants thoughts in our minds, or they come from the Holy Spirit. How do you tell the difference?

If the source is our own self, we experience doubt, we hesitate. We look at it

from different perspectives. That identifies the source. Us.

If from Satan there is doubt, fear, anxiety. If from the Lord, there is a sense of peace regardless how we feel about it.

To help it is best to journal in the following manner. The date, time, and a yes or no questi0n. When the answer comes to your mind then you ask the question; do you believe spirit that Jesus Christ came in the flesh? No answer to that question? Not the Holy Spirit or your heart is not right with the Lord. Get it right.

When you get an answer, write it down, date, time and the answer. That is how you begin.

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1-6-2024 – On Addiction

Why I can speak with authority on addiction. I was a social worker supervisor on the Substance Abuse Unit of a state hospital here in Texas, for over 12 years. During this period, I was involved in the treatment, treatment plans, and psychological testing with over 5,000 clients. I wrote articles published in the State of Texas publications, taught a multitude of classes and seminars dealing with addiction and evaluated treatment programs around the state.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), serve as the humanistic standards by which addiction is diagnosed. Humanly speaking, these references serve as excellent descriptors of the behavioral and mental features of addiction. Therein also lies their weakness. The chief focus of treatment of any addiction, be it substance, or behavioral, is rooted and evaluated upon the basis of abstinence. That is, the degree of wellness is founded upon the degree of abstinence.

Thus, addiction is best determined by what happens when the behavior or substance is removed. Withdrawal is the decisive test for addiction. How does the person feel or behave when the center of his or her focus is removed? Universally, the withdrawal outcome is the same regardless of the substance being used. These withdrawal symptoms include psychological and physiological distress. Eventually, it concludes that addiction is an illness. Herein scripture and the bible part ways with human interpretation of cause and treatment.

Jesus sums up the spiritual view in His Sermon on the Mount found in Matther 5-8. Here we are being reminded to take seriously whom our Master is and to realize that we cannot serve God and riches, or alcohol, or drugs, or sex, or food. The keeping of this fundamental principle results in the return of order to the disordered life of the addictive person.

But if there is anything we are out to pile up for ourselves, it is the material, the perishable to gain by whatever name and by whatever means the temporal. Jesus says though, that we cannot have it both ways. We cannot go on pleasing ourselves and have a relationship with Him. So, we are warned against attaching our hearts to things of a material nature; simply we are warned against entangling our emotions with the temporary or searching for immediate pleasures, pleasures which are going to be very short lived.

Major research on addiction has been conducted, particularly in the areas of eating disorders, alcohol, and drug abuse. One of the significant findings is how such a simple task like abstinence turns loose powerful forces in our body and soul, which wreak havoc at all levels of our existence: the soul, the spirit, the mind, and the heart. We will look at some of these forces in future lessons. Suffice it to say at this point that our attempts to cope with self-indulgence by abstinence usually end up in failure. In fact, failure turns one away from God.

Let us turn now to the cure for addiction. It should be noted that man has been working desperately to find a cure. For some, the belief is that education is the answer. So, an example is drug abuse advertisements aimed at teens. The result though there has been a dramatic increase in the advertisements aimed at this segment of society, it has had no positive effect. Does education work? The reality is that there has been a tremendous increase in the use of both alcohol and drugs among young people.

Rehabilitation centers are popping up all over the country with magical cures (if you have money or insurance) the chief aim of which is to soothe the panic ridden family that has reached its “wits end.”

The ultimate failure of rehabilitation lies in its failure to recognize the basic biblical principle that abstinence is no cure for addiction. The concept is difficult to comprehend because it goes against our natural inclinations. Say one has a smoking problem, then just stop smoking, either by cutting down or laying the cigarettes aside. If that does not work, try aversive therapy, or psychotherapy. The therapies are endless, and the success rate is small. For instance, over 90% of cigarette smokers return to smoking in the first year. Even if abstinence works, nothing has been done about the underlying causes. A new object eventually replaces the present object of addiction.

Take Alcoholics Anonymous. This organization is up-front with addiction; one is always an addict, and one can never drink again. The support groups replace the alcohol, or the drugs, or the overeating.

In contrast to these humanistic philosophies, and all of the anonymous groups are founded on humanistic principles, God’s word offers hope. Hope that also not only can one be released from the symptoms—chemical, objects whatever– but that this whole nature can be washed away. But it is not achieved through abstinence.

The Apostle Paul introduces the subject of abstinence and its failures in Colossians 2:20-23. He states that severity to the body such as do not taste, do not touch, while seemingly wise, is actually of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh. So, this is not the solution. We will look at solution from a biblical view later.

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1-5-2024 – A Word to the Wise – November 2, Element 311

As is the standard practice, in detail we are assigned our elements and beats for the shift along with who we will be working with. In addition, if there are crimes or criminals of noteworthy then descriptions are given in roll call as well as any information available like vehicles or other information.

Tonight, we are reminded of an aggravated robbery suspect who has been hitting a variety of establishments in South Dallas. Tag information is not available, however an excellent description of the vehicle along with damage on the vehicle is given. The information though brief has a way of sticking in the brain.

I checked out our equipment (hot sheet right off the computer arranged in numerical order, a shotgun, a 10 cell D flashlight made of hardened aluminum) and now we put ourselves in service.

‘311 in service, 2 man.’ “Received 311, 2 man.’ About an hour later we were patrolling going South on Lamar Street when we see the vehicle given out in detail. Adrenaline starts pumping.

There is no question this is the suspect. The damage to the vehicle is obvious. “311 start us some cover 5600 S. Lamar no tag, occupied 2 times, suspect is wanted for aggravated robberies.”

“346 we will cover 311”. We get behind the vehicle and he turns up onto the service ramp of I 45 southbound, his speed immediately increases, he is running. We roll up our windows.

‘311 we are southbound on I 45 at a high rate of speed.’ ‘Get the helicopter up.’ My vision narrows as we weave between vehicles. My partner calls out the information on the radio, it takes too much concentration at these speeds, and I have no intention of losing the suspect.

Our speed increases to 90, then 100 miles per hour. The suspect is weaving between cars at a high rate of speed. The helicopter comes up. ‘1515, what do you have? ‘An aggravated robbery suspect wanted for multiple robberies; ’Inbound be there is 15 seconds. ‘1515 I now have your vehicle in sight.’

My partner is calling out the street locations and clearing traffic from each direction. The screaming siren and lights seem to balance off the houses and other vehicles.

It is a long chase. ‘311 suspect is now Westbound on Simpson Stuart Ave’. The suspect momentarily loses control, bounces off the curb and straightens out running again.

We are right behind.

“362, 363, 311 is in chase see if you can cover him”. ‘362 we are close.’ The suspect breaks two more stop signs and a red light barely missing another vehicle brakes screeching, smoke pouring from the tires. Once again, he steps on the gas. Block by block we are close behind.

Suddenly the suspect turns right on to a dead-end street braking hard, seeing no way out he jumps from the vehicle while it is still moving.

Bad idea just so happens my partner was a track star in high school. He jumps from the car and starts after him.

“311 suspect has stopped and is running Northbound from this location’ My partner is on the ground in foot pursuit.’ ‘1515 I have my light on him.’

I go to the passenger door and jerk it open. Pull a female passenger from the vehicle, she is shaking uncontrollably, mumbling something I do not understand. I handcuff her for the time being and go back to check the vehicle.

In the back seat is an 11-year-old retarded child, no seatbelt having seizures. ‘’’311 start me ambulance.’ ‘Officer needs assistance.’

I return to the passenger it is apparent that she is not involved. It turns out she is a terrified kidnap victim. I remove the handcuffs while she tells me what happened.

The suspect had just robbed and beaten his own mother leaving her bleeding and unconscious on the floor. Then the suspect attacks the stepfather, hitting him in the head, arms, stomach with a hammer, taking $230 from him.

He had also, just that evening, burglarized a department store at Red Bird Mall. Turns out there are warrants for a multitude of armed robberies, and a parole violation out of TDC, 3 other burglaries, 3 armed robberies, 2 Burglary of Habitations, 3 forgeries, and a host of other charges. Now we add kidnapping, aggravated assault, aggravated assault on a police officer and a host of vehicle charges.

Thank you, Lord, for keeping us, and this woman and child safe, and taking this monster off the streets.

I consider how the Lord has delivered this suspect into my hands as well as the rescue of two of his victims. I am also reminded in a different world the number of other victims I work with daily which the Lord intervenes within as well. Let those who read believe.

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1-2-2024 – A Word to the Wise – Exploring scripture often leads to surprising interpretation particularly when the language is an euphemism. One of the more popular examples come in Genesis 4: “Adam knew his wife…” in other words he had sexual relations with her. Sometimes the euphemism is unusual, difficult to see and rare. But once understood it changes the whole meaning. This example comes from 2 Samuel 10.

After this the king of the Ammonites died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place. 2 And David said, “I will deal loyally[a] with Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father dealt loyally with me.” So David sent by his servants to console him concerning his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the Ammonites. 3 But the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, “Do you think, because David has sent comforters to you, that he is honoring your father? Has not David sent his servants to you to search the city and to spy it out and to overthrow it?” 4 So Hanun took David’s servants and shaved off half the beard of each and cut off their garments in the middle, at their hips, and sent them away. 5 When it was told David, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, “Remain at Jericho until your beards have grown and then return.”

Now it is that little phrase “4 So Hanun took David’s servants and shaved off half the beard of each and cut off their garments in the middle, at their hips, and sent them away. 5 When it was told David, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, “Remain at Jericho until your beards have grown and then return.”

What does that mean? All of the versions use similar wording however they miss the point because it’s a euphemism. The two Hebrew words being translated beard and hip mean something different. Knowing tells you why what Hanun does is so contemptible, for it is pubic hair, and cutting off their garments above the hip so they were completely exposed. Knowing this greatly impacts the whole situation.

Digging deeper into OT and NT Testament language reveals and paints deeply colored pictures of what is being talked about. Consider making the new year one of intense biblical study.

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