Dear Brethren and Friends:

We humans are the only part of God’s physical creation that form beliefs. The ability to form beliefs is one of humankind’s greatest glories. Glorious because our beliefs lead to FAITH. And it is through faith by God’s grace that we are saved. But, at the same time this ability to form beliefs is dangerous and even frightening. Why? Because beliefs can impel people to do the most dastardly and heinous acts against their fellow humans. The recent massacre in Colorado was done on the basis of beliefs. The two young men believed that others were worthy of death. They believed so strongly that they were willing to give their lives to take this evil stand.

Humans form beliefs about many things – life, God, people, the world, the universe, nature, governments, etc. These beliefs are generalizations about causation, meaning, and boundaries in the world around us.

Affecting us personally are the beliefs we form about ourselves -- our capabilities, our identity. These can be expansive or limiting. In addition these beliefs can lead to prejudice, judgment, hatred.

People seldom kill for food, clothing or shelter. In fact, when people hold a belief that it would be wrong to eat a certain food or to steal food, they might starve rather than take that food. But people will kill for beliefs! A predator type animal will kill for food. A cheetah will kill a gazelle. But it won’t kill the entire herd of gazelles out of hatred.

But what do we see all around us in the world of humans? The Serbs kill the Albanians because of beliefs. The Jews and Arabs have fought for centuries because of beliefs. The Crusades were conducted for beliefs. Heretics were burned at the stake! The Nazis wanted to exterminate the Jews!

Jesus said, "They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time comes that whosoever kills you will think (BELIEVE) that he does God service"(John 16:2). Imagine a set of beliefs that made killing others a service to God! Jesus, Himself, was not killed for any bad behavior or criminal acts. He was killed for His teachings and beliefs. He was killed because His beliefs contradicted and threatened those in power!

Many of us have read this passage in Deut. 12:30-32, but somehow got lost by applying it to rather minor behaviors when the really big issues were overlooked. Notice verse 31, "Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods." Can you grasp the significance of this statement? A belief can become so strong that people can behave in ways so as to burn their own children! Beliefs can change our natural perceptions and our natural affections. It is normal for parents to love and protect their children from harm and pain. But when a parent believes that burning alive his/her child would be pleasing to a god, that belief causes the parent to override natural affection.

When you understand the power of believing you will understand more of what Jesus meant when He said, "Your faith has made you whole."

As with all our teachings, please don’t just take my word for it. Check up. Use your mind. See if it doesn’t make sense (common sense), see if it doesn’t make Biblical sense and is in line with Scripture. Never are these messages presented as the final authority or last word. But I will tell you that they are well researched, thought out, and every effort is made to conform to the meaning and purpose of Scripture, because God’s Word is and must be our final authority.

There is no charge. Just fill out the enclosed "Order Response Form" to request your FREE copies of these important messages. Please don’t miss out on these sermons. Remember, once we offer a new series, the previously offered sermons are no longer sent out. So, please don’t put this off. While you have this in your hand take a moment to send in your request.

THE TRAVELING PULPIT: On the Sabbath of June 12^th, we will be visiting and speaking to a group in the Phoenix, AZ area called, "Building Bridges." Then, on the Sabbath of June 26, I will be speaking in both Houston and San Antonio, Texas area churches. If you would like more information about these meetings, just let me know or you can fax me at (626) 792-8028. On Sabbath of August 14 we plan to be in Akron, Ohio to visit with members there for the 40^th anniversary celebration of the Akron Church which I pastored from 1965-1969. The host there is Mr. Ted Johnston. There will be a picnic on Sunday in the Canton, Ohio area. Again if you wish for more details, please write or fax.

Thanks to so many of you for all the encouragement and help to make this ministry possible.