Well the internet is abuzz with the drama about Beauty and the Beast and it’s “GAY MOMENT.” Franklin Graham and about every Christian group out there are calling for a boycott. Most just of the movie but some of the entire corporation.

Some are pushing back and saying “NO, Christians shouldn’t boycott.” I have heard everything from the claim we are hypocrites, to the idea that the world will think we are fanatics if we boycott. Imagine that, we think being passive is a good PR move and will win disciples. As for the hypocrisy charge, the argument went like this. If you watch a movie with anything offensive in it to the Christian faith you can’t call for a boycott of this movie without being a hypocrite. Leave it to a millennial to use logic like that.

Well guess what I decided Christians shouldn’t boycott either. Now before you head off on your high-horse and shoot me down as a liberal at least hear me out. For those of you who agree that we shouldn’t boycott let me slow you down too. Don’t go buy that ticket just yet.

You see my position is we shouldn’t have to call for a boycott of a pro-homosexual movie aimed at children and families. People who are really Christians should know from the scriptures that we need to stay away from this movie. We shouldn’t have to call for a boycott, because Christians should already be staying away from these movies, but we’re not.

Now I know how hard it is to stay away from every evil influence in the world. I know I live in a glass house and I shouldn’t throw stones. I know that anyone who followed me around for a day or less would find some inconsistency in my life and could quickly shout “AH, HA I got you.” I am not saying I am perfect. Nor am I saying you should be excommunicated if you, as an adult, go to see it.

But honestly tell me why as Christians should we support this movie. Forget the comparison of this to another movie with a curse word. Let’s just say as my momma said, “Two wrongs don’t make a right.” Your argument that because I watch some other movie with something more or less offensive than this one has nothing to do with the reality of the question, “Should I as a Christian support this movie by buying a ticket and viewing it?”

Let’s look at the facts.

• This movie is clearly a movie focused on young people, although not exclusively.
• This movie is clearly not essential to your life. You won’t die if you miss it.
• It is clearly meant to support the homosexual movement, and push it into normalization.
• If it tanks at the box office because Christians don’t go, it will be a clear message to film makers. Although, honestly it is clear to me that many of them don’t care and would rather present their pro perversion message and lose at the box office.

All of us need to let God have the final word in our life. It doesn’t matter what you think of these movies, or what my opinion is. It matters what God says. So here are some verses we should consider.

We are to renounce ungodliness. “Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,” Titus 2:12 ESV. Renounce is to deny, or to disown.
We are to think about the pure and commendable parts of life. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Phil 4:8 ESV) Don’t let the debate bog down your mind about how impure, and un-commendable a movie has to be. Take it one issue at a time and try to do better every day.
We are not to partner or partake in the old things of the world. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.

Now there are a lot more verses we could look at. Let me share a serious and personal thought as I close. I seriously know that I have been as guilty as anyone of not always guarding the content of the movies, music, and entertainment I watch. So this is not an attack. I said some things in a strong way hoping it might wake us up.

I am disturbed that some Christians have seemingly thrown in the towel and said, “We are in the world and not of the world” all the while using that as a defense to participate in the world. I hope what we do is call each other to a higher standard, not just keep sinking to a lower one. The goal is not to reform or bankrupt Disney, but to keep the church pure. Most importantly I want to keep myself pure.

I pray every day for God to forgive me of my sins. My prayer for us all is that God would grant us what Paul prayed for the Philippians. “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Phil 1:9-11 ESV)

We need more discernment, but we have to use discernment. Solomon was the wisest man to ever live, blessed by God. Yet he didn’t use it and lead Israel into idolatry. I pray we all receive from the Lord more discernment and that we use it in a wise way to navigate this world.

Joe Palmer

Today is Martin Luther King day.  Mr. King is known for one thing, he fought for freedom for his race. His most famous quote is his “promised land” quote in Memphis TN.

“…And I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land. So I’m happy tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man.” Martin Luther King Jr., Speech in Memphis, April 3, 1968, the day before King was assassinated

You would think everyone would want freedom, but they don’t.  In fact King talked about the Biblical promised land that Moses was to lead the people to.  Moses was sent by God to release the people from the Egyptians who had enslaved them.  God had intended to take them all to the promised land.  Do you know how many of them made it?  TWO!  Only Joshua and Caleb.

The people rebelled numerous times against God.  Once they said,

““Oh, that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”” (Exodus 16:3 NKJV)

They preferred slavery to freedom.  Slavery had certainty, freedom uncertainty.  Freedom meant independence, they were used to being dependent on their master for food.   Freedom meant risk, slavery felt safe.

Read the book of Exodus as I am and you will find an amazing story of God trying to give an entire nation freedom but eventually they rejected it. There are so many lessons in this amazing book.  I can understand why Mr. King drew on its imagery in that speech.

God still wants to lead people to freedom but not everyone is willing to pay the price. Mr. King was.

Joe Palmer

Joe Palmer

Right now I am studying about the church.  I am learning lots of things but I got to thinking about something last night that I want to throw off you the readers and let you share your feelings as we look at the Bible together.

The church is the “Called out” of Christ.  That is the meaning of the word Ekklesia, the Greek word we translate church.

The church is the saved of the Lord.  The saved are added to the church by the Lord. (Acts 2:47)   Thus in the most precise sense the church refers to the people.  Some of my friends chide me because sometimes I say, “I am going to church.” referring to the assembly on Sunday. They would respond, “You can’t go to church, you are the church.” As I studied I wondered if any scriptures would back up that usage. I have thus far found a few scriptures that I think give credence to calling the assembly, the church.

“For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.”  (1 Corinthians 11:18 NKJV)

Paul here refers to their coming together or assembling as when they are the church.  I am part of the church but when we assemble we are the church. Thus to go to the assembly is to go to “THE CHURCH.”  I cannot call myself the church individually because I am only a member of the church.  That would be like a finger saying I am the body.  It is only one part of the body.

“Likewise greet the church that is in their house.” (Romans 16:5 NKJV)

Paul here greeted the church that was in the house of Priscilla and Aquila.  Where they in the house as he wrote?  That isn’t what he meant.  He was greeting the Christians.  Which ones? The ones who meet in that location.  He calls them the church that is in their house.  So when they assembled they were the church.

I know this is a little issue but studying is fun and I just wanted to throw this off my readers to see what you think about these two verses in regards to this particular usage of the the church.

“I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.”  (1 Corinthians 14:18–19 NKJV)

Paul is discussing tongues. Here he says, “In the church i would rather…”  What does he mean in the church?  He means the assembly.  So when Paul goes to the assembly would he accurately say he is going to the church?  I think it makes sense.  See verses 23 and 28 as the same usage is continued.

As far as I am concerned this is enough study on this topic.  I think to say I am going “To  Church” is okay.  Of course you still need to understand that isn’t the building but the saints assembled that make it “The church.”

One thing we need to keep in mind in regards to such matters.  There are two issues that need to be balanced.

• The need to be accurate in our speech.  I get it. The building isn’t the church.  We don’t want people to think that way. That can lead to people thinking the building is a holy place when God doesn’t say it is.
• The need to understand what people are saying, without being contentious.  I get called “Pastor” a lot.  Sometimes I correct people, sometimes I don’t. If it is a teachable moment like working with a new Christian I do.  If it a stranger who says, “You must love being a pastor.” I don’t.  Why?  Because I think to correct the second person would like just create more tension than it would do good. It wouldn’t help me build a relationship with them.

If someone tells you they are going to church tomorrow, do you know what they mean?  Would picking their words apart do any good?  Would they really be better off, or more Godly if we trained them to say, “I am going to the assembly of the church tomorrow.”

Here is what Paul says about such debates.  “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.”  (1 Timothy 6:3–5 NKJV)

Joe Palmer

This is the Gospel as presented in an illustrated way by evangelist Reggie Gardner.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Joe Palmer

90 Day Challenge

By Joe Palmer

Many of you know that I am on the “Body By Vi 90 day Challenge.” www.leannapalmer.bodybyvi.com   Recently I picked up a book recommended by someone in my organization called the “10X Rule” by Grant Cardone. Grant talks about taking thing to a higher level of commitment.  That our goals are too small.  

I like big goals.  I like taking on the impossible dream.  So I decided to apply this not just to my business, but to my spiritual life as well.  I decided to start a 90 Day Challenge to read the Bible.    A lot people this time of the year decide to read the Bible in a year.  So I wanted to challenge myself to read the Bible in 90 days.  Get your schedule here.  Schedule 

This year I am preaching on “Better Every Day”.  The first quarter of the year I am peaching on “A Better Me.”  I wanted to challenge myself to grow spiritually. I want my spiritual goals to meet and exceed my personal goals, or business goals.  I want to be a success, but I want my success to be founded on God.  

I wanted to invite you to join me on a 90 day spiritual challenge.  You can make yours the same as mine or anything different. Maybe you want to pray for a set amount of time every day. Maybe you want to lead 10 souls to Jesus.  Maybe you want to start a Bible study group.  I’d love to here your spiritual challenge goals.  Please join me and share them below.

Joe Palmer

 

We live in a world of uncertainty.  People have lost their confidence that they can trust anyone.  Politicians lie, marriages fail, and corporations close their doors and leave town in the darkness of night.  In the midst of all of this there is a God who is loving, consistent and faithful. I want the world to know about this God, my God.  Here are some things I want the world to know.

 

• I just want the world to know that no matter who wins the election God will still reign in heaven. 

 

• I just want the world to know that you may never be an olympic champion but, all who die faithful to Christ will be given a crown of life.

 

• I just want the world to know that no matter who wins the wars of this world, Christ will destroy all our enemies on judgment day.

 

• I just want the world to know that no matter how they define morality, God will be the final judge of what is right and wrong. 

 

• I just want the world to know that no matter what happens on Wall Street, God has streets paved with Gold clear as glass in heaven.

 

• I just want the world to know that peace of mind comes not through acquiring riches that will last through our golden years, but in finding the riches of Christ that last for eternity.

 

• I just want the world to know that God created real love, Hollywood just created new ways to make love look sleazy.

 

Joe Palmer

Cafe Risque and A Beauty Pageant

As I was checking out of the Rosen Centre a group of girls were checking into some sort of a program for girls in beauty pageants.  Then as we were driving down the road toward Gainesville I saw several billboards for a club called “Cafe Risque.”  Now you may be wondering what is the connection between the two.

One advertised “We Bare All” the other stops just short of baring all.   Both teach the value of a woman is how they look.  They also send the message either overtly, or covertly that sexuality reigns.

Now I am not against beauty, sex, or women.  But as a man I can tell you that our women are getting the wrong message, and they are also sending the wrong message.  Moms wether you know it or not you are helping your little girls send that message by entering them in these beauty pageants. I know the little girls ones seem innocent and I will admit there is nothing directly offensive about most of them.  I am not saying that any mom, or little girl who has been in a beauty pageant is going to hell. But I want the little girls out there to know they are beautiful when they shine with the beauty of a woman professing Godliness, not because they fit some human definition of beauty.

Women you don’t have to be in a strip club or in a beauty pageant to be advertising your sexuality.  As a man I can tell you that we have a hard enough time keeping our focus on your heart without you advertising all the fringe benefits before it is time.  My wife is beautiful, but she is far more beautiful on the inside than on the outside.   She truly displays what Peter wrote about: “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”  (1 Peter 3:3–4 NKJV)

So many women end up heartbroken because they advertised their outward beauty and then find out that is what their man fell for.  Wake up ladies.  Get rid of your bikinis, short shorts, cleavage revealing tops and anything which screams “Look at me.”  If you don’t know what your clothes communicates ask a Godly man you trust to share his opinion of a few outfits.  You might be surprised what a honest man would tell you.

Wake up Dads, and husbands.  Tell your wives and daughter that their beauty is on the inside, not just the outside. Encourage your wife to dress Godly. In fact insist on it.  If they don’t understand why explain to them clearly that you don’t want them to be viewed as an object.

Wake up men, especially young men.  We need to do more than just get rid of porn in our lives. We need to boycott movies with strong sexual content.  We need ban “The Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue from our presence.  We need to rid our surroundings of things the promote women based on their sexuality. Things which you and I know create lust in our hearts.

I know attraction is important but don’t sell you soul, your family, and your children by looking for a girl with the right measurements, but who doesn’t measure up spiritually.  I know lots of men and women who say they want a Godly spouse but they are still looking at the outside and ignoring the inside.

The way we dress outwardly says a lot about us.  It says how we view ourselves. It tells us who we are trying to attract.  It signifies what image we want to project.  Dressing modestly is not gender neutral, and it is not just about how much skin is showing.  It is really a sign of our spiritual values.

Joe Palmer

Breaking Down the Issue of Gay Marriage

By Joe Palmer

Gay Marriage is a complex issue in regards to why one would or would not support it.  If we take the issue outside of morality you still have legal and financial implications to deal with. However, if that was the only barrier, then I would be for Gay marriage. I don’t see any reason why we would let something like social security benefits, or insurance stand in the way of something harmless, especially if we are celebrating love.

The issue of Gay marriage is not, however, really a legal or a financial issue.  It is at the end a moral issue.  I oppose it morally.  A friend recently tried to contend that it was an issue of equality not morality.  So lets break down the issue of gay marriage 

Gay marriage is not about sex. Homosexuals are designed to have sex, just not with one another.  Yes, I know that people can have orgasms alone, or in groups of any size or number.  The normal way to have coitus or copulation is heterosexual by design.  Even if you reject God, and believe in evolution you can’t argue this fact.  

Gay marriage is not about procreation.  Gay people can’t do that. It is biologically impossible.  What more can be said.  

Gay marriage is not about a ceremony.  Homosexuals can have a ceremony, make vows, and have a party.  Some churches will even allow them to use their building since they have no morale objection to homosexuality.

Gay marriage is not about friendship. I know gay people are friends with their partners, but their relationship is not just about friendship.  I have lots of male friends.  We aren’t intimate.  I have lots of female friends too.  We aren’t intimate. My relationship with my wife is a friendship, that became a partnership, based on a promise to be faithful to one another.  Our goal as a couple is the nurturing of family.

 Gay marriage is not about cohabitation.  By cohabitation I simply mean living in the same house not necessarily with sex included.  People live with other people for all types of reasons: financial, caregiver needs, and friendship. Two gay people could live together.

Gay marriage is not about economics.  Most of the research I have read says that homosexuals are as prosperous or more prosperous than heterosexuals.  Yes, economics come into play when it comes to whom can one leave pension survivor benefits and social security survivor benefits, but we could redefine that by the contracts to read anything we want it to say. Now that would affect the cost and benefits of the contract.  But I don’t really want to get into that.  Lets just say it could be done.

If you look back over the above issues our society, laws, and government have given homosexual all of the above.  No one has prosecuted homosexuals for sex in decades. Gays now can have civil unions. Gays are more socially accepted than ever.  The right of homosexuals to cohabitate, and to rent or buy a house is now the law.  Homosexuals are protected in the work place from discrimination.

So what is all the fuss about really.  It is about putting a societal stamp of approval on what someone is doing. Yes it would impact a few areas financially but most of us who object to it really aren’t concerned deeply about those issues.  Homosexuals want society to validate their lifestyle as being as normal as any other.  There is simply no other reason for this debate.  Our society is on a slippery slope and has essentially reached the bottom of the hill. There is no more ground to fight over in the arena of marriage.  But then again, perhaps there is, because if you can redefine what marriage is once, you can do it again.  What do people next want to legalize, and normalize?

Joe Palmer

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 

Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”

(Romans 1:18–32 NKJV)

 

We begin our study of Jesus definition of Discipleship by looking at Jesus first statement that a “Disciple is like his Master. This is the foundation of what it means to be a Christian, Christ like, or a disciple.