Lighthouse Alliance Church

You know what you believe, but do you know why you believe what you believe? 

You know clever analogies to defend your faith, but do you know the substance behind those analogies?

This course will help you build a foundation that will help you defend your belief in the existence of God, the reliability of the Bible, the historicity of Jesus, as well as other issues often attacked by skeptics. 

Monday Nights

July 18th – August 29th
(No class on August 15th)

6:30 – 8:30 PM

There is no cost, but you must sign-up before June 22nd by calling 440.333.2755
or by e-mail at pray4rockyriver@yahoo.com

August 30th, 2010 | Tags: Apologetics | Category: Events, Great Commission | Leave a comment

Discipline is not a popular concept these days.  We are the culture of easy gain.  We want the promise of weight loss by merely taking a pill and never having to modify our diet or put in a minute of exercise.  We love the promises of “income at home” by making a year’s salary from 10 minutes on the computer in our PJ’s.  So, needless to say, American Christians are prone to approaching our walk with Christ in the same way.  We want revival, just not the prayer work in advance.  We want a move of God’s Spirit, but not the pursuit of holiness.

This morning, I was at the beach at a local park (a new place to pray and study for sermons away from the phone).  Every morning at this park, there is a fitness group that meets with a personal trainer.  A group like this has a lot of promise for several reasons:

1) The accountability and support that comes from going through this as a group.

2) The new friends that come from going through the pain of the workout together.

3) The discipline of a routine – doing the same thing at the same time at the same place every day.

Do we have these three pieces in place for our devotional lives?  Do we have someone or a group of people committed to the same pursuit who can support us and hold us accountable?  Do we experience the bond of fellowship that develops as we pursue Christ together?  Do we have a discipline in place of meeting with God every day at a certain time and a certain place?  I believe we will experience tremendous results as we put these pieces in place concerning our pursuit of Christ.

“Rather, train yourself for godliness” -1 Timothy 4:7

July 26th, 2010 | Tags: 1 Timothy, Devotions, Discipline | Category: Devotion | Leave a comment

Current episodes of ABIDE! Radio can be found at the ABIDE! Radio blog site here.

June 14th, 2010 | Tags: ABIDE! Radio | Category: ABIDE! Radio Podcast | Leave a comment

If you pay careful attention when you read through Leviticus, you will notice a few themes that present themselves over and over.  The first chapter of Leviticus starts off with a description of the burnt offering.  Now, at this point in reading that opening chapter your mind may have the overwhelming urge to “zone out.”  But to do so would be a mistake.  As you continue reading, you see a phrase that will repeat itself many times in Leviticus – “without blemish.”  Keep reading and you come across a word that you will see often in Leviticus – “blood.”  You may have also noticed “atonement.”  Yes, that word will also be repeated several times.  So, Leviticus really becomes an assault on the mind of “without blemish…atonement…blood…blood…blood…without blemish…blood…atonement…blood.”

One thing to note about offerings, specifically the burnt offering of chapter 1, is that they were a sacrifice.  The burnt offering was to be completely consumed on the altar.  It was an offering of praise unto the Lord.  Now, fast forward to Romans 12:1, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”  What is the motivation for this sacrifice of our bodies?  It says, “the mercies of God.”

Reading through Leviticus with all the blood, sacrifice, atonement and statements of “without blemish” leaves me turning my mind to the cross of Jesus Christ.  That is the mercy of God towards us.  So, how should we respond to the mercy of God made available through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross?  How do we respond to His body broken and His blood shed for our sins?  By offering ourselves as burnt offerings who yet live.  To be completely consumed for Jesus Christ so that He may now live in and through us (Galatians 2:20).

Have you been completely consumed for Christ?  Have you given over everything?  I cannot say that I have.  Yet isn’t this the end toward which we should strive?  Was more of your life consumed for Christ last week than before?  Or did you take more of your life back into your own control this week?

May 18th, 2010 | Tags: Galatians, Leviticus, Offering, Romans | Category: Devotion | Leave a comment

These words, uttered more than a half-century ago serve as a sober reminder to us today:

“If the Christian and Missionary Alliance continues to imitate the worldly churches and the backslidden evangelical churches and the cheap youth movements, if the Christian and Missionary Alliance continues to imitate them and will not repent, in another few years, we’ll take our place along with the backslidden semi-liberals, and God will raise up somebody else to do what we’ve been sent to do.”

-A.W. Tozer, “How to Pray for Revival”

Lord, may we stay faithful to Your Word!

May 7th, 2010 | Tags: A.W. Tozer | Category: Points to Ponder | Leave a comment

Today was the first Thursday in May – the National Day of Prayer.  Yes, since 1952, the first Thursday of May every year has been set aside as a day for our nation to “turn to God in prayer and meditation.”  Although the official national observance as we know it now has been in effect since 1952, the practice goes back much further.  In fact, it goes back to the Continental Congress which called for a day of fasting and prayer on July 20, 1775.

It would seem that today was the final time we will have a National Day of Prayer.  On April 15, 2010, U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb ruled the National Day of Prayer to be unconstitutional.  An appeal to this ruling was filed on April 22, 2o1o.  We will see what happens.

Let’s break this down a little.  As of today, I have now been a Christian for 22 years.  For 22 years, I keep hearing people talk about the “separation of church and state.”  Let’s be clear about this, that phrase IS NOT IN THE CONSTITUTION. The phrase “separation of church and state” came from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson in response to the Danbury Baptists, who expressed concern that politicians would start dictating what religion people were allowed to practice.  You can read both letters here:

Letter to Thomas Jefferson from the Danbury Baptists (October 7, 1801)

Thomas Jefferson’s response letter (January 1, 1802)

So, what then, does the Constitution say?  The First Amendment states:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

Now, I am not a lawyer.  Judge Crabb clearly had reasons to rule the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional.  A main point of the case was the Freedom From Religion Foundation (an atheist organization) concerned about what a National Day of prayer could lead to if not stopped.  However, there are also lawyers and judges who disagree with her ruling.  So, let’s take a stab at walking through this.

The first part of the First Amendment forbids the Government from making a law that would establish a religion.  Let me ask: what religion is being mandated by the National Day of Prayer?  Many observances end up being ecumenical assemblies (of which I am not a fan).  Can Jewish people participate?  Yes.  Can Muslims participate?  Yes.  Can Christians participate?  Yes.  Can Hindus participate?  Yes.  Can atheists participate?  YES!  Remember, the National Day of Prayer calls for a day of prayer and meditation.  An atheist will not pray, but they can meditate.  So, exactly what religion is the Government forcing you to observe in the National Day of Prayer?  None.  In fact, they aren’t even forcing you to participate at all.  They are simply inviting any of the 90% of the population who pray to seek God, or whatever god they worship, on behalf of the nation’s well-being.

However, the Amendment then goes on to forbid the Government from making any laws that prohibit the free exercise of religion.  Now, if the National Day of Prayer is no longer acknowledged as a “national holiday,” what will happen if 20 people decide to gather in front of their local city hall next year on their lunch break to pray?  Will they be kicked off the property?  If so, has their free exercise of a religious practice been taken away?  Hmm… that may actually be unconstitutional.

America has been a free nation since its beginning.  The National Day of Prayer has been an invitation for praying folks to pray for the nation.  I have heard no reports of anyone being disciplined or harmed in any way for failure to acknowledge or participate in the National Day of Prayer.  Imagine that, you are free to take part or you are free to not take part.

What is the harm in keeping a National Day of Prayer?  Better yet, how is it that one woman has the power to make this choice?  This is the same issue with Christmas.  Should a city hall have a nativity?  Sure – I don’t think taxpayers should pay for it, but if someone else provides it – go for it.  And let’s allow other religious displays to be set out, as well.  Let everyone celebrate.  Locally, a nearby city hall had put a gay pride flag out on display to acknowledge the homosexual community.  OK, fine, now fly a Christian flag.  Oh, no – separation of church and state, right?  So, it’s OK for the Government to encourage people to celebrate anything, as long as it is not a religion?

The Freedom From Religion Foundation was concerned that the National Day of Prayer could result in some type of persecution against those who do not participate.  OK, now that you have won this battle, what will your victory lead to?  What will happen to a group of Christians, for example, who want to gather at the most important landmark in their city to pray for their city on the first Thursday of May next year?  Will that activity be considered illegal?  Congrats!  You defeated something that was Constitutional and have ushered in something that is actually unconstitutional.  But I don’t think they really care about the Constitution, I think what they care about is waging war on religion in general.

Why is it that smoke pours out of their ears at the thought of Christians praying at city hall?  What would I do if a group of atheists gathered at city hall to… not pray?  I’d offer to bring some donuts so they could fellowship afterwards.  Go for it!  That’s the key to the freedom of speech – it’s equal freedom, even for those who disagree with your fundamental core values.

When I was in high school, this plow was used to discourage me from conducting an after school Bible study.  After the school realized it would be a violation to keep me from doing it, they said, “But if we let you have your Bible study, we would have to let the Satanists have a meeting, as well.”  They were taken back when I responded by saying, “Yes, you would.”  But that’s the way it works.

This is a little snippy, but here goes – taking prayer out of school has really seemed to work well.  Violence, drug use, etc. have all skyrocketed since then.  Are we sure we want to take this strategy to a national level?

May 6th, 2010 | Category: Points to Ponder | Leave a comment

Somebody asked me if their pet dog will be in heaven – what does the Bible say?

The short answer is – not much.  With that, I want to proceed with caution in offering my answer to this question.  In addition to lack of Biblical teaching, I understand that there is probably a great deal of emotion behind this question.

To try and come to an answer, let us backtrack to the beginning.  Genesis makes an important distinction in the creation of living beings.  It is only humans who are said to be created “in the image of God.”  It is only humans who are given the “breath of the life” from God.  Animals – whether dogs, cats, kangaroos, or elephants are not given those important “stamps.”  Scripture is clear that every human being has an eternal soul that will live forever either in a place called heaven or a place called hell.  We have no teaching to indicate that animals are given such an eternal soul.

So, IF animals do not have an eternal soul, what purpose do they serve?  Romans 1:18-20 tell us that the things that have been created (which would include animals) exist to reveal the Creator, God, and His attributes to humanity so that they would respond to Him.  Clearly, that purpose will not be needed in heaven, as God Himself will reveal Himself in person.

Based on this, as well as the absence of Biblical teaching on the existence of animals in heaven, I tend to assume that they will not be there, although I am open to the alternative, if a solid case can be made for animals in heaven.

I know that this is a difficult issue because many people dearly love their pets and even count them family.  Animals are wonderful and Scripture clearly teaches that we are treat them with respect.  And I see nothing wrong with someone having a love for their pets.  However, there is a more important issue that I feel lies beneath the surface.  The question is this: do your thoughts of heaven change based on the answer to the question of whether or not animals will be there?

If the thought of Fido not being with us in heaven gives us any sense of a letdown with heaven, there is a problem.  Jesus Christ is the One we should long to see there, as well as people who have repented of their sins and trusted in Jesus Christ for their salvation.

Many times, we think of heaven from very earthly perspectives.  An 8-year old recently asked me, with concern, whether or not you will be able to have a Nintendo DS in heaven.  For adults, that question turns to a favorite pet.  We think that our happiness in heaven will in some way be determined by the presence of the things that gave us joy in this world.  We can do this with marriage – wanting to believe that we will still be “married” to our spouse in heaven.  In Matthew 22:30, Jesus addresses the issue of marriage in heaven, essentially saying it no longer exists there.  The point is, there are many things that serve a purpose in this world, and are even extraordinary blessings in this life.  However, they would be of no purpose in heaven.

I would conclude by saying that the mentality that we want to have is one that is eager for heaven simply because Jesus is there.  If there is anything that would make being with Jesus less than perfect for us reveals that our hearts are clinging a little too tightly to that thing, or that person.  That being said, since Scripture does not make it clear whether there will be animals in heaven, I would encourage someone to assume that they will not be there.  However, if they are, then great.  I do not know that we have the authority to say anything else.  It is not honest to just tell someone what they want to hear just to make them feel good.  To tell them the truth is to tell them that Scripture just doesn’t talk about animals being there, so maybe they are and maybe they aren’t.  Our concern is that Jesus is there.  And our concern now is to desire to see people saved so that more people will be in heaven with Jesus.

May 6th, 2010 | Tags: Heaven | Category: Ask God | Comments (2)

I will never know her name.  All I know is that she walked to church every Sunday, without fail.  For about seven years, our church met in an elementary school located across the street from a fairly large Catholic Church.  Each Sunday morning, I would load up my small Corolla with equipment and “stuff” to take over to the school gym to begin the set-up process for Sunday morning.  And every Sunday I would pass her.  She would walk to the Catholic Church.  Raining?  She had her umbrella.  Snowing?  She wore her boots.  She wasn’t the only one.  People coming to this Catholic Church would park several blocks away and walk over to the church.  Interesting. 

As the weather continually warms up here in northeast Ohio, you will see them out more and more frequently.  You’ve seen them.  Perhaps you’ve even tried to “hide” from them.  The two young men walking down your street, going from house to house, in black pants, white shirt, black tie, and name badge perfectly in place.  The young Mormon missionaries.  I’ve been out on the streets in the summer sharing the Gospel in shorts and a t-shirt.  I know how hot it can get.  I cannot imagine being out there for several hours in a shirt and tie.  But they will be out there.  Interesting. 

Why do I find these people, and others like them, so interesting?  These are people who are willing to do whatever their legalism requires them to do.  In other words, they do these things in order to try and earn standing with God.  Legalism is a powerful motivator. 

But what I find most interesting is the comparison between these individuals and born-again Christians.  As born-again Christians, we have experienced the grace of God through Jesus Christ.  And what impact does God’s grace have on us?  Do we walk to church every Sunday, regardless of the elements?  No.  Certainly not walk – unless, of course, we lived right by the church.  We may drive to church if we are not too tired, too busy, or if it’s not too gloomy outside. 

Will we park several blocks away to come to church?  Oftentimes, we won’t even park in the parking lot unless we can park in the half of the lot closest to the building.  Certainly we’d break a sweat for the sake of Christ – OK, that would be uncomfortable and we can’t have that!

Am I trying to be scathing or cynical?  Not at all.  I am simply asking the question – does grace raise or lower the bar of devotion to Christ?  Those living under legalism will do whatever they need to do, no matter what.  However, many who live under grace seem to want to lower the bar.  They need to be able to park at just the right distance from the church building, or else they won’t come in.  Someone needs to greet them at the door, but not too many people, or else they will be offended.  The bulletin needs to have enough information, but not too much.  The temperature needs to be just right in the sanctuary.  The sermon needs to be affirming to us, but challenging to the person in front of us.  Daily devotions are a nice idea, but not “realistic.”  The Great Commission is a great thing, but only if done within my comfort zone. 

It seems to me that the grace of God should raise the bar of our devotion to Christ.  However, much of American Christianity uses the grace of God as a license to sin or at least lower the bar of expectations. 

A.W. Tozer once lamented that people with a zeal for Christ have become the rare exception in Christianity while mediocrity has become the “norm.”  He argues that people with a burning zeal for Jesus should be the norm, while those living in apathy and mediocrity should be the rare exception.  It’s interesting  how words uttered more than 50 years ago still ring so true today!  And how sad that we have paid so little attention to this warning for these past decades. 

May the grace of God cause us to burn with zeal and passion for Jesus Christ!

April 14th, 2010 | Tags: Grace, Legalism | Category: Devotion, Points to Ponder | Leave a comment

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April 14th, 2010 | Tags: ABIDE! Radio, Bible, Ecclesiastes, Evangelism, Open Air Preaching, Shroud of Turin | Category: ABIDE! Radio Podcast | Leave a comment