Tobacco Is A Food

Posted on June 26, 2011 by Dr. Mike Harmon

Tobacco is actually a food.  Though hazardous if smoked, it’s leaves contain a number of nutritional substances that can help sustain life for a time if no other food is available.

It is also true that many things which are potentially good can become harmful and bad.  Your speech has the potential for good, but through cursing and the use of vulgarities it can become bad.  Your children have the potential for good, but through spiritual and moral neglect they can become bad.  Your influence has the potential for good, but through a lack of discipline and ethics, it can become bad.

God created a good man, Adam.  Adam was created with the ability to choose to obey or disobey God.  He chose to sin and therefore he became bad.  This first man’s bad choice brought sin, suffering and sorrow into the world.  What a different world it would be if he had chosen good rather than bad.

Each of us are what we are now; what we can become for good; or, what we can become for evil.  The difficulty for the Christian is not choosing between good or bad, but choosing between what is good and what is best.

Sow a thought and reap a deed; sow a deed and reap a habit; sow a habit and reap a character; sow a character and reap a destiny; and, it all begins with a thought.

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A Funny Story: “Jesus is watching you!”

Posted on June 25, 2011 by Dr. Mike Harmon

JESUS IS WATCHING YOU

A burglar broke into a house one night. He shone his flashlight around, looking for valuables, and when he picked up a CD player to place in his sack, a strange, disembodied voice echoed from the dark, saying, “Jesus is watching you.”

He nearly jumped out of his skin, clicked his flashlight off and froze. When he heard nothing more after a bit, he shook his head, promised himself a vacation after the next big score, then clicked the light back on and began searching for more valuables. Just as he pulled the stereo out so he could disconnect the wires, clear as a bell he heard, “Jesus is watching you.” Totally rattled, he shone his light around frantically, looking for the source of the voice. Finally, in the corner of the room, his flashlight beam came to rest on a parrot.

“Did you say that?” he hissed at the parrot.

“Yes,” the parrot confessed, then squawked, “I’m just trying to warn you.”

The burglar relaxed. “Warn me, huh? Who do you think you are, anyway?”

“Moses,” replied the bird.

“Moses!” the burglar laughed. “What kind of stupid people would name a parrot ‘Moses’?”

The bird promptly answered, “The same kind of people who would name a Rottweiler ‘Jesus’!”

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Why I Am For Same Sex Divorce

Posted on June 24, 2011 by Dr. Mike Harmon

The legalization of same sex marriage continues to dominate the news.  In this politically correct climate that relinquishes morality to the relativistic whims of society, stating that homosexuals should not marry is now unpopular.  Should a woman be allowed to marry another woman?  Should a man be allowed to marry another man?  Should they be given legal protection and special rights to practice their homosexuality?  The Word of God condemns homosexuality.  There is no leap of logic to conclude that homosexual marriage is also condemned.

The Old Testament declares: “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. . .” (Leviticus 20:13; see also 18:22; Deut. 22:18)

The New Testament declares: “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.” (Romans 1:26-27; see also I Cor. 6:9-11; I Timothy 1:8-11)

The Bible is not ambiguous on this subject.  I am vexed to find liberal theologians attempt to explain away the crystal clear teaching of the Word of God on the subject of homosexuality.  Charles Darwin wrote The Destiny of the Species in 1859.  I do not agree with his theory of evolution, but I do not try to explain it away as if Darwin really did not mean what he said.  Because of journalistic integrity, I will not to attempt to use words by Darwin to negate the thesis of his book.  I have more respect for a homosexual who says that he knows the Bible teaches homosexuality is a sin, but  practices it anyway, than I do for the liberal preacher who convolutes the Bible to teach that it is acceptable with God.

Paul taught that God’s design for sexual relationships to exist exclusively between a husband and his wife.  (Eph. 5:31, 33)  Therefore premarital sex is out, adultery is out, orgies are out, adultery is out, homosexuality is out, bestiality is out, pedophilia is out.  The sin of homosexuality is in the news because they demand acceptance.

Some homosexuals say, “God made me this way, with these desires, so he must have intended me to have and fulfill these desires.”  Many desires of man are of the flesh or Satan and not of God.  The person who has a desire to get involved with pedophilia does not get that desire from God.  Some men have a proclivity toward  violence; this does not justify his beating his wife.

Some homosexuals argue that homosexuality is natural since it occurs in the animal world.  It is true that this behavior occurs in the animal kingdom.  But, it is also true that we see animals eating their prey alive and even their own young.  We see savagery, cruelty, and extreme brutality.  Yet, we do not condone such behavior in our society.  Proponents of the natural order argument are not consistent. They should not pick-and-choose the situations that best fit their agendas.  They should be transparent and not compare us to animals.  We are not animals.  We are made in the image of God.

Those homosexuals and lesbians that have been legally married in the few States that permit it should get a divorce!  They were not united in “Holy Matrimony” ; they were bonded in “Unholy Mockery”!

“Sin that use to sneak down dark alleys, now struts down main-street.”   —  (Adrian Rogers)

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How To Turn An Atheist Into An Agnostic In Five Minutes

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Dr. Mike Harmon

An atheist says that there is no God.  An agnostic says that there may or may not be; he doesn’t know.  How may you turn an atheist into an agnostic in just five minutes?  It is important in that the person who says that there may be a God has taken the first step needed for salvation.  We should lead him further to a full acceptance of God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

I am amused at the attempt of an atheist to be condescending intellectually toward those who believe in God.  They are really not that smart.  In his best selling book, Philosophy For Dummies, Dr. Tom Morris lists his selection of the ten greatest philosophers of all time.  (Note: philosophy is the study of knowledge.)  First on the list is Socrates; last is Bertrand Russell.  Nine of the ten “greatest thinkers of all time” believed in God.  Only Bertrand Russell did not.

You may use this shallow intellectualism of the atheist to actually turn him into an agnostic.  Simply ask: “Do you know all there is to know about everything?”  Intellectually, he must respond by saying he does not.  You then ask:  “Is it possible that realities exists beyond your circle of knowledge?” Intellectually, he must respond by saying yes.  You then conclude by saying: “Is it correct to say, that beyond your circle of knowledge, realities may exist,  including God?”  Intellectually, he must answer in the affirmative.

At this point, you begin to gently lead him toward God and finally, the Son of God.

To believe that nothing times nobody equals everything takes a lot of blind faith!

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Did God Create The Devil?

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Dr. Mike Harmon

Our Sunday School teaches children about the righteousness of God and the wickedness of Satan.  We teach children that God is the loving, powerful, and all-knowing Creator who wants them to go to heaven.  We teach them that Satan is evil who is doing all he can to keep them out of heaven.  If children are not taught the truth about the origin of Satan, many begin to form an image in their minds of two “gods” that are at a tug of war with each other.  They see God pulling  their right hand toward Himself and Satan pulling their left hand trying to keep them from God.  Of course, if Satan had the power to keep one person from God, he would have the power to keep all people from God.  This is very convoluted theology:  A person that is saved would have to thank the Devil for allowing it to happen.

Although little is mentioned in the Bible about Satan’s beginning, we can know that Satan is a created being.  Unlike God, the Bible teaches that Satan is not omnipotent (I John 4:4). omnipresent (Job 1-2; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Luke 4:6; Revelation 20:1-10; or eternal (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 102:27).  Additionally, in speaking of Jesus, Paul wrote:  “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.  All things were created through Him and for Him.”  (Colossians 1:16)

God did not create an evil Satan.  Rather, God created him good, and then he chose to become evil.  The Bible indicates that Satan was one of the angels who lived in heaven, but he (along with other angels) rebelled against God and was cast out of Heaven.  The apostle Peter said that “God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment.” (2 Peter 2:4)  Since the Bible also refers to the devil as “the ruler of demon’s” (Matthew 12:24), and speaks of “the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:4), it is very likely that the devil is the leader of a group of rebellious angels that was expelled from heaven to eventually spend eternity in hell.

The Bible says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (I Peter 5:8)

Although Satan is not to be taken lightly, it is good to know that he cannot snatch us from the love of the God (Romans 8:37-38), nor can he tempt us beyond what we are able to bear (1 Corinthians 10:13).  God alone is deity.  God alone is eternal.  He alone deserves our worship and adoration.  Do not flatter Satan by equating him with God!

God did not create the evil Devil; He created the good Lucifer (the shinning one), who became the Devil because of the sin of pride.

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FOR PREACHERS ONLY: Three Things Not Learned in School

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Dr. Mike Harmon

Text:  John 16:7-11

INTRODUCTION:  A man may be brilliant in the academic world, but ignorant in the spiritual world.  If you could choose between having Jesus live with you in person (like the apostles enjoyed) or having Him live within you as you do now; which would you choose?  Many would want Him in the flesh.  This would be a mistake.  Jesus said,  “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” (vs. 7)  Jesus was saying that it is better to have the Holy Spirit inside you than Himself beside you.

Why is it so important that we have the Holy Spirit?  Jesus said, “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of (1) sin, and of (2) righteousness, and of (3) judgment.” (vs.8)  Only the Holy Spirit can teach the truth concerning these three things.

1. THE TRUTH ABOUT SIN (vs. 8-a)
(The world will teach that a man is a sinner because he sins.  The Holy Spirit will teach
that  a man is not a sinner because he sins; he sins because he is a sinner.)

A man is not a murderer because he murders; he murders because he is a murderer.

“...we are by nature the children of wrath.” (Eph. 2:3)

    “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Ps. 55:1)

You do not have to teach a baby to lie, lying comes naturally; you have to teach him to
tell the truth.

The corresponding verse says, “Of sin, because they believe not on me.” (vs.9)  The sin
of  unbelief is the mother of all sins.  “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life:
and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
(John 3:36)
If a person believes in Christ and the Word of God, they will not want to murder because
they   know that vengeance is God’s; they will not want to steal because they know that
all of their  needs will be provided; etc.

2  THE TRUTH ABOUT RIGHTEOUSNESS (vs. 8-b)
(The world will teach that righteousness is simply doing things that are right; and, if you
do   enough right things, God will let you come to haven when you die.  They picture God
as  a cosmic Santa who has a list and is checking it twice, he’s gonna find out who is
naughty and nice.)

The Holy Spirit will teach the truth about righteousness:  Only the imputed
righteousness of Christ will make us acceptable in God’s sight.  (Romans 10:1-4)

Salvation is not a reward for the righteousness; it is a gift for the guilty.

If our being good could get us to heaven, why did Jesus die on the cross?

The corresponding verse says, “Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye
     see me no more.” (vs.10)

Why link going back to the Father with righteousness?  He was going back to the Father
to present our sin-debt stamped “paid in full”. (Hebrews 1:3)

Righteousness is not what you do, but what Christ has already done for you.

3  THE TRUTH ABOUT JUDGEMENT  (vs. 8-c)
(The world will teach that God is love and is too good to judge sin.)

The Holy Spirit will teach the truth about judgement:  God is too good not to judge sin.  If
God let ½ of one sin slip by without being judged; God would lose His holiness.

It is said in legal circles: “When a judge lets a criminal go free, the judge becomes a
criminal.
The corresponding verse says, “Of judgment, because the prince of this world is 
     judged.”(vs.11)

Satan has already been defeated by Christ on the cross.  He is like a chicken whose head
has been chopped off, but the body flutters around stirring up all manner of dust.

At times it seems like Satan is winning.  He is not going to win in that he has already
been defeated.  President Roosevelt said, “I had rather temporarily lose with a cause
that will ultimately win; than  temporarily win with a cause that will ultimately lose.”

All sin must be judged; either on Calvary as you accept Christ’s payment for your sin; or,
you must be judged and pay for the sin yourself.  (Matt. 25:41)

:    CONCLUSION:  A few years ago an article was published in a Newspaper in South
Carolina.  A 17 year old boy was driving his father’s automobile; speeding, and hit a gray-
headed man.  He quickly stopped as the man was getting up.  He said, “I’m so sorry sir.
It was my fault.”  The man brushed his clothing off and responded, “Son, I’m not hurt.  I
am not going to call the police, just promise me that you will stop speeding when you
drive.  The boy gave his word.

Six months later the same boy was driving the same automobile and was speeding again.
A young girl ran in front of him.  He hit the girl and killed her.  As he walked into court
to stand trial for his crime, he looked up to the judge and was amazed.  He said, “I know
you sir, I had an accident with you about six months ago.”

The judge looked at the boy, and with all of the sternness he could muster proclaimed,
“That is correct young man.  The difference is: That day I was your savior; but, today I
am your judge.”

 Today Christ will be your Savior: Tomorrow He will be your judge.

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Are women inferior to men?

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Dr. Mike Harmon

Some teach that according to the Bible, women are inferior to men.  The Word of God does say, “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives.”  (I Peter 3:1)

The first word in that verse is, “Likewise.”  Like what?  It is referring to the previous chapter.  I Peter 2 teaches submission to laws and rulers (vs. 13-14); servants to masters (vs. 18); Christians to Christ (vs.25).

The word translated “submission” is a military term that means “to place under rank.”  God has a place for everything; He has ordained various levels of authority.  He has ordained that the husband be the head of the home. (Eph. 5:21), and that, as he submits to Christ, his wife should submit to him.  Headship is not dictatorship, but the loving exercise of divine authority under the lordship of Jesus Christ.

Does this mean that the wife is inferior to her husband?  Absolutely not!  A private in the army may be superior to the Captain, but he still must salute and be in submission to him.  When a police officer stands in the street and holds up his hand for you to stop your car, you should submit to him.  This does not mean that he is superior to you.

Jesus was not inferior to God, but He submitted Himself to the Father.  He prayed before His crucifixion, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me:  nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”  (Matthew 26:39)

When a women is referred to as “the weaker vessel” (I Peter 3:7), this does not mean she is less valuable, but, physically weaker than her husband.  Which is stronger, blue-denim or silk?  Which is more valuable?

I think women are superior to men in many areas…I know they are at being a women!

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A Funny Story About Hymns and Praise Choruses

Posted on June 19, 2011 by Dr. Mike Harmon

A Funny Story About Hymns and Praise Choruses

(By Author Unknown)

An old farmer went to the city one weekend and attended the big city church. He came home and his wife asked him how it was

“Well,” said the farmer. “It was good. They did something different, however. They sang praise choruses instead of hymns.”

“Praise choruses?” asked the wife. “What are those?

“Oh, they’re okay. They’re sort of like hymns, only different,” said the farmer.

“Well, what’s the difference?” asked the wife.

The farmer said, “Well it’s like this … If I were to say to you, ‘Martha, the cows are in the corn,’ well that would be a hymn. If, on the other hand, I were to say to you, ‘Martha, Martha, Martha, Oh, Martha, MARTHA, MARTHA, the cows, the big cows, the brown cows, the black cows, the white cows, the black and white cows, the COWS, COWS, COWS are in the corn, are in the corn, are in the corn, in the CORN, CORN, CORN, COOOOORRRRRNNNNN,’ then, if I were to repeat the whole thing two or three times, well that would be a praise chorus.”

As luck would have it, the exact same Sunday a young, new Christian from the city church attended the small town church. He came home and his wife asked him how it was.

“Well,” said the young man, “It was good. They did something different, however. They sang hymns instead of regular songs.”

“Hymns?” asked the wife. “What are those?”

“They’re okay. They’re sort of like regular songs, only different,” said the young man.

“Well, what’s the difference?” asked the wife.

The young man said, “Well it’s like this … If I were to say to you, ‘Martha, the cows are in the corn,’ well that would be a regular song. If on the other hand, I were to say to you,

Oh Martha, dear Martha, hear thou my cry

Inclinest thine ear to the words of my mouth.

Turn thou thy whole wondrous ear by and by

To the righteous, glorious truth.

For the way of the animals who can explain

There in their heads is no shadow of sense,

Hearkenest they in God’s sun or his rain

Unless from the mild, tempting corn they are fenced.

Yea those cows in glad bovine, rebellious delight,

Have broke free their shackles, their warm pens eschewed.

Then goaded by minions of darkness and night

They all my mild Chilliwack sweet corn chewed.

So look to that bright shining day by and by,

Where all foul corruptions of earth are reborn

Where no vicious animal makes my soul cry

And I no longer see those foul cows in the corn,

then, if I were to do only verses one, three and four, and change keys on the last verse, well that would be a hymn.”
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Have you committed the sin which can never be forgiven?

Posted on June 18, 2011 by Dr. Mike Harmon

There is a sin that will never be forgiven.  Not in this life or the next.  Some call it “The Unpardonable Sin.”

Jesus cast out a demon from a man and the Pharisees said that He did this using the power of Satan.  (Matt. 12:22-24)  Jesus declared, “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men:  but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.  And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”  (Matt. 12:31-32)

What is this “unpardonable sin”?  Jesus made it clear that all sins can be forgiven (Matt.12:31).  Adultery, murder, blasphemy and other sins can all be forgiven; they are not unpardonable. The sin that God cannot forgive is the blasphemy/rejection of the Holy Spirit’s drawing one to Christ.  It is the Holy Spirit who bears witness to Christ (John 15:26) and who convicts the lost sinner (John 16:7-11).

The Bible says, “And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man.”  (Genesis 6:3)  A person can reject the conviction of the Holy Spirit so many times that the Holy Spirit is offended and never convicts that person again.  They will never be saved.

When Moses told Pharaoh that God wanted him to let His people go free, at first Pharaoh hardened his own heart.  Finally, God hardened Pharaoh’s heart.  (Exodus 5-14)

The Bible teaches in 2 Thessalonians chapter two that some would not accept the truth and be saved (vs.10) and finally they could not be saved. (vs. 11-12)  The pattern is consistent:  First “they would not”, and finally, “they could not.”

The unpardonable sin is refusing to accept Christ while being drawn by the Holy Spirit until the Holy Spirit refuses to ever convict you again.

There is a time, I know not when, a place I know not where, that marks the destiny of men to heaven or despair.  There is a line by us unseen that crosses every path, to cross that line is to separate one from God’s patience and His wrath.

A Word From The BVM Team:  We ask for your help.  We do not need money, God has supplied all of our financial needs.  We need you to help us spread the Word.  This particular post is of extreme importance.  People who hear the gospel need to respond to it immediately by accepting Christ.  Please share this by clicking on “Share with Facebook”.  This will allow your friends  the opportunity to read this message.  Thanks.

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How old will we be in heaven?

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Dr. Mike Harmon

I believe that we will be 33 years old in heaven forever.  This is based upon my interpretation of Scripture.

The Bible says, “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.” ( I Cor. 15:45)  Who is the last Adam?  “The first man is of the earth, earthly: the second man is the Lord from heaven.”  (1 Cor. 15:47)  We now look like the first man (Adam), but we will have a glorified body like that of Jesus after He was raised from the dead.  “And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.”  (1 Cor. 15:49)

Jesus was 33 years old when He was raised from the dead and received His glorified body.  The Bible says, “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body . . .”  (Philippians 3:21)  The Bible also says, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”  (I John 3:2)

Some parents that have lost a baby want to see their baby in heaven as an infant.  There is no aging in heaven.  It is the land where we never grow old.  That precious baby would have to remain a toddler for all eternity and  never be able to praise God with maturity.  While I think all babies that die go to heaven; I also think they will be 33 years old.

We would not want a family member that died at 90 with a broken crippled body to be that age and in that condition in heaven.  I think they will be 33 years old.

I look forward to the time when my body will be like that of our Lord Jesus Christ after He was raised from the dead.

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