The Hamilton Corner

Matthew 5:11-16; Jesus ordained His Church to be salt and light. In order to do so, we cannot lose focus on our primary objective.

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.”  1 Timothy 4:1 (ESV)

While receiving the lifetime achievement award at the Golden Globes Oprah Winfrey gave a speech that moved the Hollywood crowd so they stepped over one another to coronate her as the next U.S. President.

Though she is a powerful and talented media figure, I won’t join the chorus.

The Oprah is one of the chief evangelists of new age paganism and celebrity has been her means of transmission.

President…?  I say, "No, thank you."

Seg 1 - Psalm 139:13-16 All life is God given. Abortion is death.
Seg 2- Joyce Im Bartholomew Lives are being saved by providing ultrasounds
Seg 3- The trans-phobia claim is the "Golden Calf" of sexual deviancy run rampant in our day

“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them.”  Matthew 19:14 (ESV)

6th graders at Fox Chapel Middle School in Spring Hill, FL were surveyed concerning their comfort levels with the following scenarios:

“A friend invites you to a gay bar,”

“At the gay bar a person of the same sex invites you to dance,”

“You find your teen brother kissing a boy,”

“Your next door neighbors are lesbian”

“Your mother comes out to you.”

The teacher, Daryl Cox, instructed the students not to tell their parents about the survey.  Gratefully one student told.  But, what if they didn’t?

This isn’t education.  This is indoctrination.

0:00 - 0:20: John 18:1-8 In the garden the guards perceived Jesus as being in a weakened state. He demonstrated that they were wrong. He went willingly, not by human force
0:23 - 0:40: As a sovereign nation we have the right to set our own immigration policies. No nation has the right to try to shame us for doing so.
0:43 - 0:60: Social media giants censor Conservative viewpoints

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8 (ESV)

The power proclaimed by Jesus here was proscribed for a specific purpose… so His disciples would become His witnesses.

The greek word for “witnesses” here is martyreusu, which is where our English word martyr is derived.

Jesus has given us the blessing of the indwelling Spirit of God, not merely for personal consumption but for function.

As good as it feels to be filled with God’s Spirit, we were filled for function.

0:00 - 0:20: Luke 15:17-24 The Father stands ready to run to those who return to him.
0:23 - 0:40: One lone Federal District Court Judge blocks the President’s effort to end DACA
0:43 - 0:60: We are living with the very judiciary that Jefferson warned us about.

“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’”  2 Timothy 3:13 (KJV)

Here you a have mother languishing in terrible circumstances.  Times were so difficult she even considered her own son to be a burden.

Not only that, she named the boy “sorrowful" or “pain” because she saw his birth as another set back.

But the scripture shows us, though the boy was born into less than ideal circumstances he zoomed beyond predetermined expectations.

Regardless of the conditions you’re born into God can empower you to transcend your environment.  Though his mother called him “pain,” God called him honorable.

0:00 - 0:20:  2 Timothy 3:1-9 The Bible told us people would look like in the last days. Now look around.
0:23 - 0:40: Silicon Valley’s secret dark side. The lovers of pleasure and lovers of self see themselves as vanguards shaping our future
0:43 - 0:60: Google welcomes diversity of appearance while eliminating diversity of thought.  Now they’ve been sued for it. Callers weigh in

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:13 (KJV)

British doctors have been told not to use the word “mother” when referring to pregnant women in case it offends transgender people.

New guidelines issued by the doctors’ trade union, the British Medical Association, to its 160,000 members explained “a large majority of people that have been pregnant or have given birth identify as women.  However, there are some intersex men and trans men who may get pregnant.  We can be more inclusive by saying ‘pregnant people’ instead of ‘expectant mothers.’”

Once you untether from the LORD there’s no telling how far you may drift.

0:00 - 0:20: 1 Timothy 4:1 The infallible and immutable Word of God is not an opinion.
0:23 - 0:40: People laughed when Trump suggested he might pick Oprah for V.P. Now they want her as president. Oprah preaches “The Secret” - a book which the author admits was inspired by a demon guide.
0:43 - 0:60: Oprah calls herself a “Messenger” but her message is a direct attack on Christ and denies sin.

“I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling.”  1 Timothy 2:8 (ESV)

The Bible is replete with scriptures that instruct men to pray.

Unfortunately, however, prayer meetings across the country are largely populated by women.

If men are to function as the family coverings God ordained us to be we must lead our families in prayer.  Instead of waiting for our wives to set the spiritual tone in our homes, we men must lead the way.

As the father goes, so goes the family.  As the family goes, so goes the Church.  Godly husbands and fathers can turn our nation to Christ.

Seg 1- Romans 8:12-17 The mechanism that creates the "Family in Christ" is adoption
Seg 2- San Bernardino DA is livid that at the release of "Non-violent offender" that resulted in the death of 70 year old Deputy Sheriff
Seg 3- Baltimore beg for more police after severe murder increases since 2015, Not one lawsuit filed in Mississippi since HB 1523

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9 (ESV)

Often people refer to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speeches in excerpts and sound bites.  We’d do well, however, to remember these words from the “I Have a Dream” speech:

"In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred."

Our nation is more divided now than ever before in my lifetime.  We must be careful not to confuse hatred and bitterness with righteous indignation.  One leads toward God’s heart being revealed.  The other comes from the evil one.

0:00 - 0:20: 1 Samuel 7:15- 8:5, We are to be careful not to sacrifice our families on the altar of  ministry elsewhere.  

0:23 - 0:40: Kay Cole James, the new President of the Heritage Foundation.
0:43 - 0:60: What truly are the limitations of the Judiciary’s power?  Caller’s weigh in.

“Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.” Matthew 5:37 (ESV)

One company’s employees were absent from the fast food worker driven fight for a $15 dollar minimum wage.  That company: In-N-Out Burger.

In-N-Out starts their employees at $10.50 an hour and allows them to earn as much as $120,000 annually.  That’s the highest of any fast food chain in the country.  They also provide vision, medical dental benefits.  Needless to say they have very low turnover.

Merit based pay always produces a better product, greater service and more productive employees.

Did I mention this is a Christian based company?

Iranian Protest: Is There a Spiritual Connection?

Its not by chance that Jesus refers to his Church as “The Body.”  Just as it is with our physical bodies every member has a distinct role and function to fulfill.

Unfortunately, in the era of celebrity Christianity we’ve reduced the concept of ministry solely to what occurs in what is often little more than Sunday productions and performances.

Stacy Washington hosts and tackles the issues of the day