Hollywood and Heaven

“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31b

I am a big fan of the arts and entertainment, and I love to attend good movies. As I watched the 2009 Academy Awards, I could not help comparing what is admired and awarded in Hollywood to what is honored and celebrated in heaven. In case you don’t know it, there is a huge difference.

It is always fascinating to witness the creative abilities on display at the Academy Awards. Whether its visual effects, screenplays, sound mixing or acting, the talent to produce modern day movies is astounding. To me, it is a reminder of how human beings are created in the image and likeness of God, and given by Him unlimited potential to innovate new movies.

For example, the Bible reminds us that God placed every star in the sky and knows each one by name. Wow—that is a creative and intelligent mind. Think about that fact the next time you stand in awe as you gaze at the heavenlies during a clear starry night.

We will either recognize God, and thank Him for this creative ability, or we will take all the credit for ourselves. It is quite evident that Hollywood chooses to do the latter. As a result, Hollywood has created an environment that is much different from heaven.

Listed below are some major differences I notice while reading my Bible and watching the Academy Awards.

Hollywood draws attention to what people wear. Hollywood is all about the external and the material on a person. In other words, people are valued and praised for how they look in a tuxedo or dress. As you walk the red carpet, what matters most is the name of the designer on the tag of your outfit.

Heaven draws attention to the heart of a person. Heaven is all about the internal and the Spirit in a person. In other words, people are honored for how much they have been transformed to be like Christ. As you walk the streets of gold, what matters most is the name of Jesus you lived to obey. (1 Samuel 16:7)

Hollywood gives awards based upon the character you play in a movie. You can be an immoral person, but a great entertainer and get rewarded for your performance. In Hollywood it doesn’t matter how you live, just how you act.

Heaven gives awards based upon the character of a person. You can be a very gifted person with incredible talent, but this will not get you any favor with God. In heaven it doesn’t matter how you act, just how you live. God knows the difference. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Hollywood gives all the glory and praise to the people. Producers, actors and others in the entertainment industry are revered as gods for their work. The more fame and money they get on earth, the more they are worshipped in Hollywood.

Heaven gives all the glory and praise to Jesus. Everyone in heaven bows down, in awe and reverence, to the Almighty God. The more you sacrifice and serve others on earth, the more you are honored in Heaven. (Philippians 2:1-11, Revelation 7:9-12)

Let me clearly state that I am not anti-Hollywood. Again, I love the arts and entertainment. I just wish they were not so anti-heaven. It is obvious watching the Academy Awards that acknowledging God is a frowned upon practice. By removing God from this powerful cultural influence on our society, Hollywood has taken God’s creative abilities and produced an industry that doesn’t reflect heaven very well.

I wonder if this is what God intended when He gave us these special creative talents.

I don’t think so. What do you think?

Living the Dream!

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Dr. Martin Luther King

One man with one dream inspired multitudes to rally against the injustice demonstrated toward black people in our nation due to bigotry and prejudice. The “I have a dream” speech of Dr. Martin Luther King is one of the most significant events in the history of desegregation in the United States.

Did this powerful dream originate in the mind of Dr. Martin Luther King, or did it come from somewhere else? In order to answer this question, it would be wise to begin with the end in mind. The best place to do this is in the book of Revelation where God gives us a picture of what the consummation of His kingdom reign will display.

Revelation 7:9-10 says, “9After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."

The answer is no. The dream of Dr. King actually began in the heart and mind of God.

God’s ultimate plan is for every people group to worship Him in freedom. Galatians 5:1 says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."

Galatians 3:26-28 says, "You are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

God’s kingdom always works from the inside out. The freedom we experience in Christ is first and foremost an internal work. Jesus sets us free from our sins. Sin in the human heart is what leads to prejudice and bigotry. Only God can deliver us from this internal bondage.

As the human heart is set free from sin, freedom can then become an external manifestation. Christ in us illuminates us to the truth that every human being is equal in value and worth because they are made in the image and likeness of God. Only when we view people through the eyes of Christ can we truly be free.

Do you view people through the eyes of Christ?

Everything is Permissible—But Not Everything is Beneficial and Constructive!

With the assistance of modern medical technology, Nadya Suleman, became the mother of octuplets. As I watched the news I couldn’t help but think about Apostle Paul’s instructions to the church at Corinth. In 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 he writes, "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive. 24Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”

Possessing the ability, technology or liberty to do something does not mean we should do it. Is it wise for a single mother with six children to have eight more children all at once? Should the fertility specialist have provided in vitro fertilization for this many children? Will the children suffer because of inadequate care and provision? Most people, if not everyone, would not agree with the decision of Nadya and the fertility specialist.

Don’t get me wrong. I am a proponent of big families. In fact, America is in danger of not populating itself sufficiently if families don’t start to have more children. I just think it is crazy to raise six young children and octuplets all at once, especially as a single mother
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Yes, everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. When making decisions, I have found that there are two keys questions we should ask ourselves.

First, we should ask, “Does what I am about to do bring glory and honor to God?”

1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

In a culture that engaged in idol feasts, Apostle Paul reminded the Corinthian saints that even eating and drinking should be done to the glory of God. They were taught to be aware of the people they were eating with, what they were eating, and why they were eating the meal. If their food consumption did not bring glory to God, they were instructed to refrain from the meal. Everything we do should bring glory to God.

Second, we should ask, “Does what I am about to do benefit others?”

1 Corinthians 10:32-33 says, “Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—(33) even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.”

Apostle Paul made it a priority to live in such a way that others would never question the reality of his faith in God. It was more important for him to sacrifice or not participate in something if there was any question that activity would cause another person to stumble. In fact, by seeking the good of others, people in our sphere of influence should end up believing in Christ because of our lifestyle.

Everything is permissible—but not everything is constructive. Whether it is taking advantage of modern medical technology, eating, drinking, or any other activity, we should make sure our actions honor God and benefit others.

Do you ask these two questions before you make a decision?

Do We Really Want God to Help Us and Bless America? (Part 2)

How can we ask God to bless us when we participate in what He hates?

Proverbs 14:34 says, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”

The only way America will get out of it’s current troubles is by obeying God. Our only hope is to turn back to righteous living. Obedience to God brings blessings while disobedience results in curses (Deuteronomy 28).

Since we ask God to bless us as a nation, and since our President takes an oath on the Holy Bible, I thought it would be okay to state three ways we can get back to righteous living and once again receive God’s blessings. They are:

(1) Honor our marriage covenants and stop divorcing.

15 Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. [e] So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. 16 "I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel.” Malachi 2:15-16

(2) Give generously and stop robbing God.

8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty. Malachi 3:8-12

(3) Protect life and stop killing our babies.

16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood. Proverbs 6:16-17 (What is more innocent than the blood of a baby?)

If there is a God, we had better listen to what He communicates to us. If not, then no big deal and I should shut up. Boy, that seems like a big chance to take.

If there is a God, we must love what He loves and hate what he hates. If we turn our hearts back to him, then, maybe the words “God bless America” can become a reality instead of a political catchphrase! And, maybe we can witness the condition of America change for the better.

What do you think?