Dire Straits

It's a story right out of Michael Creighton's Jurassic Park. Scientists have recreated an extinct animal - the Dire Wolf. What could possibly go wrong?

A biotech company named Colossal Biosciences has "engineered" a pair of Dire Wolves (named Romulus and Remus) - an extinct species of wolf. They obtained its DNA from a tooth and skull fossil. And if that's not scary enough, they also created a female Dire wolf named Khaleesi. Soon they will be breeding them.

And scarier still (yes, it gets worse), the company's ultimate goal is to create an artificial "womb." For humans. 😳

This is Jurassic Park and The Matrix combined! It also reminds me of another story - in the Bible. The Tower of Babel.

"Then they said, 'Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves'." - Genesis 11:4

As a side note, the word 'babel' actually sounds like Hebrew for 'confused.' And we sure have become confused alright.

God is God, and we are not.

If we are God's temple, his Holy Spirit living in is, would an artificial womb qualify as an abomination to God? And would such an abomination lead to desolation?

"¹⁵So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), ¹⁶then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. ¹⁷Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, ¹⁸and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. ¹⁹And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! ²⁰Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. ²¹For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be." - Daniel 11:15-21

We have become Babylon.

"And the LORD God said, “The man has now become like one of us." - Genesis 3:22

The First Dire Wolf - Colossal Bioscience Video

The Red Pill

"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety." - Psalm 4:8

Peace seems like a hard thing to come by these days. Every time we turn on the news there are riots, protests, demonstrations and death. And that's just in our nation's capitol! What do we do to find some peace? Where can we find some actual truth?

Step one should be QUIT WATCHING THE NEWS!!

The news IS just opinion these days. Whether you are from the right or from the left, or somewhere in the middle, everybody has their own opinion about what the truth is.

I came across The Matrix yesterday while searching for something to watch on TV. It happened to be playing the very scene where Morpheus is talking to Neo about "the truth." His description was perfect for today. You see, Satan has created a real-life "matrix" for us to live in. It's called "The World."

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." - Romans 12:2

As Morpheus told Neo in the movie, "It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth."

Think about that for a minute. Isn't that true? Morpheus continues . . .

"You are a slave, Neo. Like everyone else, you were born into bondage. Born into a prison that you cannot smell or taste or touch. A prison for your mind."

Isn't that also true? For Christians it is EXACTLY true! We are no different than Neo! Born into bondage. Slaves to sin.

"When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in b Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 6:20-23

In The Matrix movie, Morpheus offers Neo a choice; just as you and I have been given a choice by God. We can take "the blue pill" and remain in this world, a slave to sin, or we can take "the red pill" (Jesus Christ) and discover what The Truth really is.

God's Word is the only place we can find truth these days. And in that truth we can find peace. The opening verse says it all - "You alone, LORD."

Morpheus has one final word for Neo. "Remember, all I am offering is the truth. Nothing more."

Watch the clip. 

Take the red pill.

Discover the truth.

His name is Jesus.

Blue Pill or Red Pill - The Matrix

The Residual Self

Have you ever felt kind of depressed but really weren't sure why? If you are a Christian I may have an answer for you. Sadly, the reason you feel the way you do - lonely, sad, and empty . . . may be you.

It didn't occur to me until this morning - one o'clock in the morning - that there is a battle going on. I guess I knew it was going on but I didn't think I was really part of it. Then I watched a movie called Paul, Apostle of Christ. The movie was about the early church, persecuted by Rome. They lived in hiding. Many were killed because of their faith in Jesus.

Are you experiencing a spiritual loneliness? Kind of like you are on a spiritual island? Separated from those you love?

Look at yourself as I did and ask, "Why do I feel so alone? Why do I feel this way?" Well, look at the world you live in. It is secular in nature. Who do you think runs this world? It's not God. God has allowed Satan to rule the world we live in. Satan is the reason we feel this way. Do you think I am kidding? Would you believe the Apostle Paul?

"4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God." - 2 Corinthians 4:4

Not everyone feels the same way we do about Jesus. Maybe it's a family member or a co-worker. It could even be your pastor. I don't trust anyone these days. I always examine what everyone tells me by comparing it with God's Word. Is it true?

Satan doesn't want us giving glory to God so when we give God praise for something, get ready. This is a spiritual battle, not a physical one.

We must be prepared for persecution but we should also never stop giving God our praise, honor, glory and devotion. We should rejoice in our suffering because then we know that we are being used by God in a world that desperately needs Him.

"Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

What Is Real - The Matrix
Paul, Apostle of Christ Trailer

"You've Been Living In A Dream World, Neo"

I can't help but think about the movie The Matrix these days. I watch all of the Facebook posts scrolling down the screen like all those green characters on Tank's monitor. I think about the world in which we live and how all the people in it are SO much like all of the "unplugged" people in that movie. And just like Neo, we've all been living in a dream world.

What Is Real - The Matrix

So what has happened to us? Why are we so worldly? What has caused us to think that WE are the most important person in our lives? We might as well change our names to Neo because we have been living in a dream world.

"2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:2

Take a look at our school system for example. It has evolved into something "other-worldly" - teaching our children what The Establishment thinks is right rather than what our children's parents deem to be important. Is it any wonder our kids emerge from a dozen years of indoctrination with a slightly skewed point of view? And we send them into that pagan system willingly! Almost encouragingly.

The Importance Of A Christian Education In Discipleship - Voddie Baucham & R.C. Sproul

There was a time in this country when The Bible was read in school but we don't do that anymore. Why? Because God has been systematically removed from our schools . . . and our children. It may sound a little paranoid, like some grand conspiracy theory, but it IS real and this indoctrination IS happening.

Indoctrination - The Movie

I encourage you to take a step back and look at the world in which you live. What do you do in it? Do you have a job? Do you go to school? What do you do with your time off? What are you doing in your spare time? Make a list if you'd like. Now take a look at the items on your list and ask yourself, "How are each of these things honoring to God?" My guess is that not many will pass that test. Same with MY list. We are all living in a world made up of our own interests.

We must become more like Christ and less like the world in which we live. But how? "Take every thought captive" (2 Corinthians 10:5). We must eliminate the ungodly parts of our lives and "seek first His Kingdom" (Matthew 6:33). We must replace every sinful thought, every selfish action with God-honoring, sacrificial, pure, humble obedience.

A few years ago I checked my spiritual inventory and found myself lacking in several areas - prayer, reading . . . well, just about every area of my spiritual life to be honest. So I made some changes. I began eliminating things in my life that did not reflect the character of Christ. I turned off the TV and began to read instead. I began to pray each day with a friend at work. I began volunteering in the community. I am still nowhere near where I need to be but I have taken a few steps . . . and my relationship with Jesus has improved. So have my earthly relationships.

Most people I know are still living in "the world." Many have a secular world view. So how do we change that? We can't. But God can.  The only way out of The Matrix is is to get unplugged from this world by a saving faith in Christ. We need to keep praying, keep reading and studying, and keep loving all we encounter each time we venture back into the jungle.

"Live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God." - 1 Peter 4:2

Predestination

One of my favorite movies was on television this week – The Matrix. It's probably more of a guy movie than it is a chick flick. Probably not the ideal date movie on a Valentine’s Day, or any other day for that matter, but I watched it.

What I like about the movie is its many parallels to the Christian faith. It is not someplace we should be drawing upon for theology lessons but the streams of analogies and similarities is constant - as constant as the flow of those little green symbols on the computer monitors they watch.

The main character, Neo, for example, can easily be seen as a Christ figure. The leading lady’s name is "Trinity." There is a prophet in the film named Morpheus – a character whose names cries out “change.”

One theme that runs throughout the film is that of predestination. Neo, for example, was predestined to save the world. Morpheus seemed to always be referring to Neo as “The One” even when Neo himself didn’t believe it. Morpheus was “destined” to find “The One.” And Trinity was destined to fall in love with “The One.” Everyone, it seems, was predestined to do "something" in that movie.

Hmm. Predestination. What about you? Do you supposed that YOU have been predestined to do something? Ever thought about that? Do you think you have been created with a specific goal or quest in mind by God Himself?

"11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." - Jeremiah 29:11-13

"13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." - Psalm 139:13-16

God had plans for us and He had them before we were even born!

Think about that for a moment. Talk about predestination! Our lives have already been planned? Well, sort of. God had a plan for us to be sure, but He gave us a choice. We could either follow that plan, or not. It’s called “free will.” That’s usually where most of the things in this world get screwed up - when we start making decisions based on our own needs rather than considering and deciding things based on the will of GOD . . . or what we PERCEIVE to be God's will.

According to scripture, each of us is predestined to do something in God's plan. That much is true. But when we "try to find our purpose in life" that's exactly when we begin to wander.

Take a look through a "Christian" book store sometime (perhaps that's bad advice). There are many authors offering to help you find your purpose. Rick Warren would love to help you! Joel Osteen too! Save your money. They're leading you astray. Go back home an read your Bible. Everything God wants us to know has already been told to us. We just need to be obedient.

And that, my brothers and sisters, is our predestined purpose - to be obedient to God. Period.

Did you ever wonder what Gods plan for Himself is in all this? It's in the Bible, from beginning to end . . .

Where was God as Adam and Eve . . . in the beginning?

"8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day . . . " - Genesis 3:8

And where will God be with those who believe . . . in the end?

"3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God." - Revelation 21:3

God's desire, at least from what I read, has always been to dwell among His people. But we ruined all that. God knew we would. That's why he planned ahead of time for Jesus to be born of a virgin, and He was. God planned that Jesus would live a sinless life, and He did. And He also planned that Jesus would die on a cross, a spotless lamb, sacrificed for our sins, . . . and He did. God has always had a plan. And God's plan is all coming true. The only "option" is, do we want to join Him? I'll tell you what. This guy's in! But God knew that I would be, even though I ignored Him for years.

Now THAT's predestination!