Lessons from Ten Years

Posted on by josiahkagin

TEN

Sheila and I are celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary, and it is amazing to us how fast the time has flown. It literally seems like yesterday that we were getting to know each other, planning our wedding and honeymoon. Now we are looking back on a decade of marriage!

Today, as I reflect, I am reminded of the sweetness of a life following Jesus. I remember back to when marriage was a dream. God had to teach me a lot about waiting on Him. He taught me that if I would trust Him, He would intersect my life with the woman He created just for me. God did just that! I will never forget the day I first realized Sheila was the one for me. I saw a real, genuine, godly and fun loving young lady.  That was about twelve years ago now.  I have learned many lessons over these years. Here are a few of them.

  1. God is good all the time.
  2. God knows exactly what we need and can be trusted completely.
  3. Following God will always lead to the greatest blessing.
  4. Marriage is a journey—it keeps getting better as long as Jesus is the center.
  5. Any problem can be overcome with God’s help.
  6. Marriage is one of the greatest gifts God gives.
  7. God’s provisions are always on time and just enough.
  8. The Bible’s instructions can be trusted no matter what.
  9. Communication is one of the most essential keys to a harmonious marriage.
  10. Chocolate is always appropriate.

So…What about Disney?

Posted on by josiahkagin

Disney.jpg

Disney and the Gay Agenda

Disney has been in the center of some controversy over its decision to include a gay scene featuring Josh Gad as LeFou in the newly released Beauty and the Beast (released March 17th). The opposition was voiced especially via social media and petitions. One of the petitions created by Life Site News gave the message to Disney, “Children’s movies are no place for promoting a harmful sexual political agenda, one that offends the deeply-held beliefs of countless parents and families.” The New York Times responded to this opposition with the article, “‘Beauty and the Beast’: Disney’s $300 Million Gamble.” Even the New York Times saw such a move as a dangerous one for a company that claims to be family oriented.

If any people wonder if this is a casual move on Disney’s part, it is not.  Bill Condon, Beauty and the Beast’s director, is quoted as saying the movie includes “A nice exclusively gay moment.” He goes on to share that Disney deals with the opposition by ignoring it. The point is, Disney has no intention of changing. In an interview, Condon was asked about his feelings toward the Bible and what he would do when he finds one in a hotel, “I wish I could say I’m like Ian McKellen and immediately go rip pages out of the Bible, but there don’t seem to be Bibles in the hotel rooms I stay in these days.” The obvious fact is, Condon has no respect for God’s Word and defiantly chooses to promote agendas contrary to it. Furthermore, it is evident that Disney will continue to promote whatever agenda is in vogue even if it causes them to lose supporters for a time. 

Nothing New

We must realize that this is not new for Disney. Disney has been a kind of Trojan horse, seeming to uphold traditional, moral, family values, when in reality, they have been doing just the opposite. During 1994, Disney opted to begin granting health insurance benefits to homosexuals. This move was a declaration of approval for the gay lifestyle. Their annually hosted “gay days” at their theme parks further confirms this. Disney has well earned the public reputation as a promoter of the homosexual lifestyle. 

What Does the Bible Say?

God designed marriage to be between one woman and one man, and it is honorable. Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” Nature itself reveals that this is God’s design for companionship and procreation.  Man will give account for every distortion of this sacred institution. (Romans 1:26-27, 32)

Shock of Bible Believers

However, even with Disney’s blatant defiance of Biblical principles, I am often more amazed at the shock expressed by born-again believers concerning the decisions of this and other secular organizations to promote anti-biblical agendas. There is shock over Starbucks not promoting Christmas on their cups. There is shock that Target would want to publicly jump on the transgender bathroom bandwagon. Currently, there is shock that Disney would take an old story, reshape it, and use it to promote a sexual political agenda. The list could go on, but I think you get the idea. We sometimes are stunned at the fact that the lost act like the lost.

A Secular Company and Biblical Values

This is what is most astonishing about this issue–not that Disney is failing to uphold moral values, but that believers are surprised at it. You see, the Bible gives us several truths about the lost that show us that they simply do not have the ability to understand or uphold Biblical values. 

I Corinthians 2:14 says, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 

Those without Christ do not understand Biblical truth and do not make their decisions according to it. We are reminded in Ephesians 2:1 that before salvation, we “…were dead in tresspasses and sins.” 

We were spiritually separated from God in active lawlessness and defiance against God. Every lost person is in that exact position of defiance against God’s laws. I John 3:8 shows us that they continuously sin and side with the god of this world—Satan.

“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.” While we all mourn the declining morality of so many in our society, we must remember that they do not have the ability to uphold Biblical values—they are lost. That is the job of Bible believers. 

Christians point their fingers at the lost and expect them to act like believers and follow God’s Word. They won’t. That’s why we have been left here. God has told us to be salt and light. He has commanded us to go and preach the Gospel to every creature. They will not stop acting against God until they personally know God through a relationship with His Son Jesus. That’s where we come in.  

May we as Bible believers be ever ready to share Jesus Christ everywhere we go.

Think About It!

Posted on by josiahkagin

IMG_2410You have heard that humans are creatures of habit. What is habitual often takes place with little thought or at least fresh thought. It is very easy to allow this to happen in our church attendance. Whether it is the weekly services or a special set of revival meetings, we can go, sit and listen with little thought of preparing ourselves to receive with meekness the engrafted Word. Before you rush off to church this morning, would you take a moment to think about what you are doing. Think about what God wants to do in your heart. Think about what you want God to do in your heart. As you think about it, consider doing the following.

  1. Pray—give God permission to work in your heart by the power of His Word.
  2. Expect—anticipate that God will give you something awesome from His Word.
  3. Commit—resolve to respond in obedience to all that God shows you in His Word.
  4. Act—choose to immediately practice what you have been taught from His Word.

Remember, every time you walk into church and hear biblical preaching, it is a blessing and a gift from God. Don’t take it for granted. Think about it!

Let’s Seek God for Revival

Posted on by josiahkagin

Untitled designIf my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. —2 Chronicles 7:14

Nothing warms the heart of a parent more than to have their son or daughter come to them and talk openly; to come on their own and make a wrong right. So it is with God. When I read 2 Chronicles 7:14 I hear the heart of our Heavenly Father being poured out. I hear the earnest desire to bless and help. I also see what stands in the way of His blessing. Let’s think about it.

We live in a country that is running from God. From the highest office in the land to the lowest citizen, we see the marks and mindset of  lives lived in rejection of the one true God. However, believers cannot point all the fingers out at the people and leaders of our nation. The church is running from God. The evidences of this fact are seen in the instability of believers, the lack of unity, the forsaking of basic Christian doctrines and duties, the acceptance of many worldly philosophies and ideals, the casual approach to a daily relationship with Jesus and the fear to stand for His name. Many scoff at the desire and prayer revival. They say it is not possible, we are in the last days. I believe that there has never been a day in which we need to see the God of Heaven to revive His people. I believe He longs to do just that but we must humble ourselves and seek His face. This means we must turn from seeking many other things and seek Him.

Would you take sometime to pray, humble yourself and seek God’s face? Would you pause and give God your attention? Would you ask Him to revive your heart, to give you a fresh awareness of who He is and what He desires to in your life? Would you let God have control of your life? If you will God has promised in Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.“

Required Characteristics

Posted on by josiahkagin


Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? 

 God is graciously clear to us in His Word. He does not hide His will from us but shows us plainly. In this verse we are given three characteristics that God requires. Lets think about these for a moment.

  1. Do Justly—This simply means to do what is right. One man said, “Do right till the stars fall.” The disciple of Christ must always strive to do what is the acceptable will of God. Do what is right toward God, our families, our employers, our co-workers and other believers. Live each day purposing to do right in every situation. When we act unjustly, we must make it right as soon as possible in order to keep a clear conscience toward God and man.
  2. Love Mercy—The greatest act of mercy was displayed at Calvary. Jesus gave His life for hell bound sinners so that they could be heaven bound saints. Having been shown so much mercy, how can we not delight in showing mercy to others. It is easy to treat others with less grace than we have received. We hold out for full restitution to be made for wrongs committed rather than show mercy and forgive. As believers, we ought to be excited to show mercy just as Christ did toward us.
  3. Walk Humbly—Our daily prayer ought be for the enablement of God to live our lives before Him in humility. How we need a fresh daily realization of our absolute need of His guidance. When we walk humbly we will pray without ceasing, seek God’s will in His Word, treat others with respect and kindness and take the disappointments and trials of life as allowed by our loving Heavenly Father trusting His perfect plan. God will be first in our thoughts and actions. 

Micah 6:8 provides characteristics that are practical and ought be applied to our lives today. Take a moment and ask God to help you live accordingly.