AMERICA TOMORROW (Article) by Abidan Paul Shah
“What’s going on in this world?! What’re we gonna do?!” I was greeted with those words as I made my way to the church office. I knew this person was referring to the recent headlines – “police officers murdered,” “terrorist attack in France,” “military coup in Turkey,” etc. I casually responded – “It seems like people have gone crazy…I guess we just need to pray more…” As I closed my office door behind me, those words began to ring louder and louder in my mind – “What’re we gonna do? What’re we gonna do?!” Just then a quote popped into my head that I read years ago – “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”
Salt and Light: The Myth of a Secular Nation
In our series on the life of Christ we come now to the Beatitudes. This passage has been interpreted in various ways throughout the history of the church. There have been numerous debates about whether or not it is applicable to the believers today. The titles range from “The Secret to the Blessed Life” to “The Blessings of the Christian Life.”
Could it be that we are missing the very essence and purpose of this passage? When we read it carefully we notice that the blessing passages are leading towards Matthew 5:13-14 “You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world.” The Beatitudes were not given to help us in our own personal lives as much as to live a life impacting the world around us.
This is one message that you cannot afford to miss! It will not only challenge us to live a life of blessing but also help us transform the world around us.
TORTURED FOR THE NAME OF JESUS
In Matthew 2 we read the account of Joseph returning back from Egypt to Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling in Judea, he was afraid and went to Galilee to the town of Nazareth. Matthew reminds us that all this happened as part of the fulfillment that Jesus was to be called a Nazarene.
Not only was the name Nazarene significant in the ministry of Jesus but it also became the designation of Christians in the Middle East to this day. In the past few months, Christians were persecuted in Iraq and the Arabic alphabet “N” was spray painted on their front doors. What a stark reminder that the word Nazarene is hated 2000 years later!
HIGH NOON (ARTICLE)
Just like the movie High Noon, we need to stand up and fight against the immorality that keeps taking over our world. With Godly conviction and courage we can. Sometimes we will have to stand all by ourselves. Let’s remember that one plus God is a majority.
CHANGE OR DIE: A HUMBLE PLEA TO FELLOW CHURCHES (Article)
CHANGE OR DIE: A HUMBLE PLEA TO FELLOW CHURCHES (Article) by Pastor Shah, Clearview Church (Published in the Daily Dispatch, Henderson on January 18, 2014) I’ve never been more conflicted about writing an article than this one. After much prayer and consultation with my lovely wife, I felt that I must write what God has laid on my […]
THE CHRISTIAN CITIZEN (PART 2)
THE CHRISTIAN CITIZEN – 2 by Pastor Shah, Clearview, Henderson This morning is our second message in our miniseries through Romans 13, titled, “The Christian Citizen.” Sadly, most Americans are ignorant and naïve on matters concerning government, politics, and economy. More sadly, these subjects are never addressed from the pulpit. But praise God – the […]
THE CHRISTIAN CITIZEN
THE CHRISTIAN CITIZEN by Pastor Shah, Clearview, Henderson For the next couple of weeks we will be in Romans 13 for a miniseries, titled, “The Christian Citizen.” Sometime back I was riding with a couple of guys and we began to discuss the role of Christians in government and politics. I was not prepared for […]
THANKSGIVING – AN AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE
THANKSGIVING – AN AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE by Pastor Shah, Clearview, Henderson This is Thanksgiving week and so this morning I am preaching a message from Romans 1, titled – “THANKSGIVING – AN AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE.” Recently, I asked some people, “What things are uniquely American?” I got all kinds of answers – baseball, […]
IF THE FOUNDATIONS ARE DESTROYED (Article)
IF THE FOUNDATIONS ARE DESTROYED (Article in the Local Newspaper) by Abidan Paul Shah “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” – Psalm 11:3 We are living in a time when old values and beliefs are under attack. We are being told that there is a new world coming, whether we like it […]
IF THE FOUNDATIONS ARE DESTROYED
IF THE FOUNDATIONS ARE DESTROYED by Pastor Shah, Clearview, Henderson We are living in a time when old values and beliefs are under attack. We are being told that there is a new world coming, whether we like it or not. We are being advised to abandon all hope of ever returning to the old. In […]
FASTING AND PRAYER
FASTING AND PRAYER by Pastor Shah, Clearview, Henderson Are you facing a hopeless situation? Maybe it’s a difficult marriage; maybe it’s a wayward child or grandchild; maybe it’s finances or employment; maybe it’s a frustrating habit; maybe it’s something in your past; maybe it’s a dream that’s too big and too risky; it keeps you […]
WOULD JESUS CARRY? SOME THOUGHTS ON GUN CONTROL
WOULD JESUS CARRY? Some thoughts on Gun Control by Pastor Shah (Clearview Baptist Church) The horrible tragedy in Newtown Connecticut has brought back the question—“Is it right for private citizens to own some or all kinds of guns?” Those in favor of gun control have argued that guns are the problem—“Remove the guns and you […]
WHAT’S NEXT FOR AMERICA? (Article)
WHAT’S NEXT FOR AMERICA? (Article) Every day I run into people who are afraid, discouraged, and hopeless about the future of our nation. They seem to have one or more of the following three attitudes: REMINISCE, RESIGN, and RETREAT. REMINISCE – Some say, “America’s best days are over. We are just like the Roman Empire […]
WHAT’S NEXT FOR AMERICA?
WHAT’S NEXT FOR AMERICA? by Pastor Shah, Clearview, Henderson With all that has happened in our nation in the past week, many people are afraid, discouraged, and hopeless about the future of our nation. So this morning I want to preach a message titled “WHAT’S NEXT FOR AMERICA?” Judges 21:25 In those days there was […]
STOP. THINK. VOTE.
STOP. THINK. VOTE. Winston Churchill supposedly said, “The strongest argument against democracy is a five-minute discussion with the average voter.” True or not—it seems that way more and more. People seem to be voting more by assumption rather than information, feelings rather than facts, and rhetoric rather than results. Oops….Let me leave the rhetoric behind and share with you […]
STOP. THINK. VOTE. (Sermon)
STOP. THINK. VOTE. (Sermon by Pastor Shah, Clearview, Henderson) In ten days, our nation will be going to the polls. In fact, the early voting has already begun. With that in mind, I want to preach a message this morning titled, “STOP. THINK. VOTE.” Turn in your Bibles to Deuteronomy 1:5-13. Winston Churchill supposedly said, “The strongest […]
WHILE THE CHURCH SLEEPS
“That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the lessons that history has to teach.” – Aldous Huxley (writer and thinker)
HOW ABOUT THOSE POOR CHICKEN?
HOW ABOUT THOSE POOR CHICKEN? Americans showed up in record numbers last Wednesday, showing their support for Chick-fil-A, setting a record. It all began when Dan Cathy, president of the fast-food chain, affirmed the company’s support for traditional marriage. Even though there was nothing anti-gay in his comments, some called it hate-speech and told people […]
DIVIDED…..WE ARE FALLING
DIVIDED…..WE ARE FALLING “United We Stand, Divided We Fall.” The slogan first appeared in the fourth verse of “The Liberty Song”—a patriotic song written by John Dickinson in protest of the Townshend Acts of 1767. The laws were meant to show the colonists that the mother country was still in charge and could levy taxes as […]
GAY RIGHTS VS RIGHTS OF THE FAMILY
“GAY RIGHTS VS RIGHTS OF THE FAMILY” As May 8th approaches, more and more North Carolinians are making their way early to the polling booths. Unlike earlier primaries, the main issue on their minds is not the various candidates running for office but the referendum on the Marriage Protection Amendment. Those who support the amendment repeatedly warn […]