I don’t know about you, but these days I find myself continually grieved by those whom I love that are fighting health problems and facing death - and those that are around me, whom I love, that are being affected by their loved ones facing these issues of life.  And although I realize we are all in that “valley of shadow of death” that Psalm 23 speaks of, somedays it still doesn’t make it any easier.   But too, I realize that life is about death too, they both go together unfortunately in this life.  The Apostle Paul was always facing death, but it didn’t keep him from living to the death, sharing the gospel of a living hope in Jesus Christ!  That is why Paul could boldly say, “for I have not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God” even as he was facing death.  You see, Paul knew that God’s word was the only thing that could truly equip you for abundant living now, and prepare you for eternal life.  Peter lived this way as well, as he expressed in his epistle, “for this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you may know and are established in the present truth.  Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent…moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.” (2 Peter 1:12-15)  Unfortunately we are living in a day, I believe, of being guilty of drifting away from God’s word.  I am determined, with God’s help, to be that watchman on the wall, sounding the trumpet of God’s word - in grace and truth.

For this reason, I feel compelled to address what I would call “The Great Delusions” of our present age.  We need a biblical perspective to setting the record straight.  This will be the first of a series of articles and messages that address what I believe to be the many delusions of our day.  This week looking at “The Great Delusion - Mankind.”  Genesis 5 sets the record straight, “…In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God.  He created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created.”  God never makes a mistake.  You are born into this world either male or female, no matter how you feel, no matter what the culture of our days says, no matter how you try to change your gender, God made you male or female -and that is a wonderful thing!  You are special.  You are fearfully and wonderfully made by your creator and He has blessed you as He has created you!

God loves you, don’t buy into this great delusion of our culture.  Church, hold your ground, in grace, but not at the expense of truth!  Heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s word will last forever!   Pastor Rodney