CSE Blogs

From:    Kent Hovind
Sent:    August 11, 2008
To:        Joseph
Subject:    God Is In Control
First Read:    “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” Acts 1:8.kh:    Good morning, Lord.

GOD:    Good morning, Son.

kh:    Lord, lots of times I read things in your Word that indicate that You know what’s going to happen in the future.

GOD:    That’s correct, Son. I know everything, past, present, and future.

kh:    Then why do you allow bad things to happen to people? Especially good people?

GOD:    Oh, Son, you are confusing “knowing” with “controlling.” You need to talk with Joe and then meet Bubba. Let’s go for a walk…

kh:    Is this old Egypt, Lord? It’s beautiful!

GOD:    Yes, Son. Joseph is in prison now, and doesn’t know how it will turn out yet, sort of like you. Go talk with him, Son. (It’s one year after Genesis 40:23.)

KH:    Hey, Joe, how are you doing?

Joseph (JOE):    Well, pretty good most days, but I have bad days too. I don’t understand why God allowed this to happen to me. I wonder if I sinned or He’s mad at me for something. I don’t know what it is though. I’m up and down.

KH:    I know how you feel. It’s like a rollercoaster.

JOE:    A what?

KH:    Never mind, that would take a while to explain and it won’t be invented for over three thousand years.

JOE:    Oh, I’ll never live that long! Anyway, I do spend some time wondering why God let this happen to me. I try to do right. I’m in prison now for not sinning against God (Genesis 39:9)! How can God allow that?

KH:    I wonder about those things myself.

JOE:    I tried to be a good son to my dad (Genesis 37), but my half brothers sold me into slavery. Why would God allow that? I didn’t ask to come to Egypt or prison.

KH:    Did God cause it or allow it?

JOE:    Hmmm…that’s a good question. My brothers caused it, but God allowed it. He could have stopped it though.

KH:    But God gave man freedom to choose (Genesis 3). Without that freedom, we would be mindless robots.

JOE:    What’s a robot?

KH:    Never mind, that would take a really long time to explain, too! Anyway, the point is that God lets man choose his own path. Your brothers sinned—not you and not God.

JOE:    About a year ago, I interpreted a dream for the chief butler and baker. I asked the butler to remember me and tell Pharaoh that I’m an innocent man (Genesis 40:14-15) locked up for no reason. It looks like he forgot me.

KH:    That’s sad. People in prison are often forgotten (Acts 25:14; Colossians 4:18). Jesus told us to remember those in prison (Matthew 25:35-45).  

JOE:    Who?

KH:    Wow, Jesus is the Messiah, but He won’t be born for seventeen hundred years. Anyway, people should help, pray for, visit, and encourage those in prison, but they seem to forget.

JOE:    Boy, that’s for sure. The butler forgot me (Genesis 40:23). I don’t like it here, but I love God and trust Him to know what He’s doing.

KH:    I don’t know if God is actually doing it. The evil Egyptian system is doing it to you. God knows and will use it for His glory (Genesis 50:20), but that doesn’t mean He is causing it. If God caused it, He would be guilty of sinning. He doesn’t do that.

JOE:    I know. I trust Him to overcome this evil system. He knows where I am and will get me out when He wants. Meanwhile, I’ll just serve Him here as best I can (Matthew 6:33; Romans 8:28).

KH:    Great plan, Joe. I’ll see you in Heaven.

GOD:    OK, Son, let’s go see Bubba. Just listen this time. He’s excited and talking with his friend Ray.

Bubba:    Hey, Ray, come sit down. I taped the Super Bowl game for you since you were working yesterday. Let’s watch it. I’ve seen it four times already!

Ray:    Thanks, Bubba, you’re a real friend…

Bubba:    OK, now watch this pass. The Patriots are ahead 14 to 10, and Eli Manning, quarterback for the Giants, is back to throw a Hail Mary to the tight end. I’ll pause it and go frame by frame. You won’t believe it!

GOD:    OK, Son, let’s go home. We’ll leave the game on pause.

kh:    But, God! I didn’t see if he made the pass. Who wins the game?

GOD:    It doesn’t matter, Son. I want you to learn something else.

kh:    What, Lord?

GOD:    While that pass is paused in the air, let me ask you a few questions.
    Does Bubba know who is going to win?

kh:    Yes, Lord.

GOD:    Does He have any control over who wins?

kh:    No, Lord. He has no control, but he knows. He already saw the game live and then watched it again four times. He knows, but has no control.

GOD:    Who is in control of the ball for the pass?

kh:    The men on the field are in complete control, Lord.

GOD:    Does Ray know or control the game?

kh:    Neither one, Lord. He doesn’t know or control the outcome of the pass or the game.

GOD:    Does Bubba know or control the game?

kh:    He knows, but does not control.

GOD:    Does Eli know or control the game?

kh:    He controls, but does not know the outcome yet.

GOD:    Eli and the players are locked in the game. They can’t fast forward or rewind yet. They are in complete control of the outcome. Bubba can rewind or fast forward and even knows the outcome but he has no control. He just knows, that’s all. You are locked in time, Son, not Me. I know all things (Isaiah 41:22; 46:10), but I let man control his own life. I knew Adam and Eve would sin, but I didn’t cause it. They did. I gave the orders not to eat of the tree. They disobeyed and caused the problems and pain in the world. Had they asked for My help or guidance I would have gladly given it, but they went off on their own and suffered the consequences.

    Joseph was hurt because of his brothers’ sin, Potiphar’s wife’s sin, and Egypt’s corrupt “justice system” that allowed it. I saw it all, including Joseph’s suffering, his reaction to it, the butler’s ungratefulness, and Joseph’s complete trust in Me. I try the hearts, Son (Psalm 7:9). I could step in and control everything, but I normally don’t. You people are in control of your own destiny. You can call on Me for guidance and even intervention (Psalm 25:9; 31:3; 32:8; 121:2; Isaiah 58:11; John 16:13; Hebrews 13:6). I love to help but I rarely override man’s free will.

    You asked Me why I allow bad things to happen to good people. When people are hurt by others, I don’t cause it, but I do watch everyone’s reactions. I didn’t harm Job, Satan did (Job 1-2). I will step in and settle all scores. If not in this life, I will in the next (Hebrews 9:27). I fixed Job’s in his life (Job 42) and really rewarded him up here. His reaction to the evil that came his way was nearly perfect. That’s why I had his story recorded in My Word.

kh:    I see, Lord. Thanks. How has my reaction been?

GOD:    That varies greatly, Son. Some days it is pretty good, and other days…well, let’s just say you can’t walk on water yet.

kh:    I’m sorry, Lord. I’m trying, but this has been a hard test.

GOD:    I know, Son. I’m watching the reactions of all those involved. I’ll fix it all in My time. You’ll see.

kh:    Lord, I believe my attorney and I have done all we can do for my appeal, so since You can turn the heart of kings (Psalm 22:28; Ezekial 38:4;) and can turn captivity around (Psalm 126:4; Lamentations 2:14; Zephaniah 3:20), I need You to intervene for me and reverse this case, please. I know that You know, and You know that I don’t know, but I trust You to do right. Please step in, Acts 12:5—24 style.

GOD:    Go do your Bible study with Carl and Jim, Son. That’s one reason I have you there. It will all be fine. I’ve got your back.      

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: August 7, 2008
To: Adoniram Judson
Subject: Discouragement in Serving the Savior
First Read: Galatians 6:9 — “Let us not be weary in welldoing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
2 Thessalonians 3:13 — “But ye, bretheren, be not weary in welldoing.”

KH: Excuse me, Mr. Judson. What are you doing in this little hut way out here in the jungle by yourself? You look awfully discouraged!

Adoniram Judson: I am very discouraged! I’m done with telling people about Jesus. I came here to Burma with my wife, Ann, and a dream of seeing souls saved. I’ve lost it all. My first two children died; then my wife died; and now my last child died. Nobody here wants to hear about Jesus. I’ve tried for years.

KH: I’m so sorry to hear about your losses.

AJ: I’ve suffered more than you can imagine. I was captured as a spy when the war broke out between the English and the Burmese in 1824. I’m an American! I had nothing to do with the war and am certainly not a spy. They put me in prison for almost two years in Ava. It was full of disease and insects that bite. Plus, they were so worried we would escape that they shackled our ankles to a long pole every night and lifted the pole four feet off the ground. There is no way to describe the pain and misery! You try sleeping like that!

KH: Wow! That would be awful!

AJ: It was. I worked so hard to study Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Burmese, and even Pali. I spent years translating the Bible into Burmese and am even compiling an English/Burmese dictionary. Nobody cares! I’ve wasted my life over here. I was so fired up for Jesus when I attended Andover Theological Seminary in Massachusetts. I was a Congregationalist for years, but during my four-month voyage to India, my intensive study of the Bible led me to become a Baptist.

KH: That happens to everyone who really studies the Bible. ☺ (smile)

AJ: Well, I agree, but it made the Congregationalists drop my support. I’ve labored for years. I’ve lost everything. God has abandoned me. I burned all my correspondence that mentions Jesus and moved out here to this hut. I quit!

KH: I know you have had it rough. Your labor has not been in vain. I’ve got a letter here for you from your brother back in America. He has gotten saved!

AJ: My brother? The alcoholic? Saved?…Wow!

KH: Plus, have you seen those dark-skinned people from the hills that come to town once in a while?

AJ: Oh, yes. They are the Karen people. They are outcasts here in Burma.

KH: Did you know that they have a legend that one day a white man will bring them a book to help them find God?

AJ: I’ve heard a little about that.

KH: Did you know that those pagan people have an ancient tradition about the Creator making the first woman from a rib of the first man, and that they were tempted to do evil, but the Creator provided a way for them to be forgiven?

AJ: I didn’t know that.

KH: They say that their ancestors used to know the way to be forgiven but they lost the book that explained it. You need to get in your canoe and head up the Salween River with your Bible. Your work has not been in vain. You have come so far and are so close. Please don’t quit now. Before you die, you will see close to one hundred churches with eight thousand believers! That number will grow to millions before the Lord comes back!

I know the trials have been great and this mission work has cost you nearly everything dear to you, but God is not done with you. Don’t quit!

AJ: OK. I’ll give it one more try. How do you know all this?

KH: God never fails. He promises you will reap if you don’t faint (Galations 6:9; II Thessalonians 3:13).

AJ: Thanks.

GOD: Hey, Kent?

KH: Yes, Lord!

GOD: You hang on, too. It’s not over yet. I’ve got your back.

For more on this topic, read Eternity in Their Hearts

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: July 26, 2008
To: Andrew
Subject: Bearing Fruit
First Read: John 12:20-22 – And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.

KH: Hey, Andrew, where are you going in such a hurry?

Andrew (AN): Hey, Kent, I’m going to find Jesus. There are some Greeks over there that came to Jerusalem to worship God. They want to see Jesus, so I’m going to get Him (John 12:20-22).

KH: Wow, that’s great!

AN: I agree. I love to bring people to Jesus or bring Him to meet them. I know that they will be changed forever once they meet Him. It’s sad, but some Jews don’t think Greeks or other Gentiles should hear about God’s free gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23). I don’t see where they get that idea. Jesus taught us that salvation is of the Jews (John 4:23), but it’s for everyone (John 3:16).

KH: You seem to always be concerned about bringing people to Jesus. I read a lot about you in God’s Word.

AN: My story is in God’s Word?

KH: Oh, yes! You had only met Jesus for one day when you brought your brother Peter to Jesus (John 1:41).

AN: Yes, I remember that day! I had been a disciple of John the Baptist (John 1:35-40) until he pointed me to Jesus. I spent the day with Jesus and realized He was the promised Messiah. I couldn’t wait to tell my brother about Him.

KH: Boy, I wish everyone felt that way. I also read where you went out two by two (Matthew 10:2; Mark 6:7) to tell people about the Lord.

AN: Yes, Jesus often sent us out two by two. It was great training for us and we got to see God work through us.

KH: And then when that huge crowd was listening to Jesus preach by the Sea of Galilee (John 6:5, 8-9), you are the one who brought the lad with the bread and fish to Jesus.

AN: Yes, I did. That boy was so excited not only to meet Jesus and see Him work that miracle, but when each of us disciples carried a basket of leftover fish sandwiches to his house, you should have seen his smile. His mom nearly fainted! Only Jesus could take one boy’s lunch and feed five thousand men (John 6:10-12) plus women and children (Matthew 14:21). That boy’s life was changed forever!

KH: And today, you are bringing these Greeks to Jesus. It seems to me that bringing people to Jesus is about all you do.

AN: Well, it’s not all I do, but I guess I do love to do that more than just about anything else. Solomon told us that the one who wins souls is wise (Proverbs 11:30) and Daniel said the wise who turn people to righteousness will shine like the stars (Daniel 12:3). I can’t think of any job on earth that is more fun or more important.

KH: Neither can I, Andrew. Neither can I. Why don’t others see that?

AN: I guess the cares of this world choke out their ability to bear fruit (Luke 8:14). I want to bear much fruit (John 15:1-8) for God’s kingdom. That means I have to be pruned quite often.

KH: I want to bear fruit too, Andrew. I don’t like the pruning much, but I thank you for being a good example. I named my son after you. He loves to bring people to Jesus as well. You are a hero to me.

AN: I didn’t know I was, but thanks. Hey, I hate to run, but I need to go now. I need to get Jesus and these Greeks together. We’ll talk later.

KH: Thanks for your time, Andrew.

kh: Lord?

GOD: Yes, Son.

kh: Can I go home soon and preach again? I want to bring people to you.

GOD: You are doing that now, Son. I’ve got your case under control. Go walk a few laps and finish reading that book. I’ve got your back.

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: July 19, 2008
To: John
Subject: Scriptural Doctrine
First Read: “Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein” (Hebrews 13:9).

KH: Hey, John, thanks for helping me today. Say, what kind of church do you go to?

John: I go to Centerville Community Church. We call it “3C” for short. It’s a non-denominational church. I don’t like all those denominational labels like Methodist, Catholic, Baptist, and Lutheran. I’m just a Christian. That’s all the label I need.

KH: Oh, then you will love my pantry. Let’s go inside. My wife is gone, but I can fix us a quick lunch.

John: That sounds great. I’m starving. What do you know how to cook?

KH: I’ll just pick out a couple of cans of something quick to fix and we’ll get back to work. Here, I’ll open the pantry and you can help me pick out something for lunch.

John: Ah…your pantry is full of cans with no labels. How will you know what you are getting?

KH: I don’t believe in labels—so I took them all off. I just wrote “food” on all of them. That’s all the label I need. Here, I’ll pick out a couple for lunch. Have a seat.

John: But wait. This is crazy! What are we having to eat?

KH: That’s the joy of it. We won’t know until we open it up. Here, I’ve got two. Let’s see what we get for lunch today. It looks like black olives and red raspberries. Now that will taste unusual together! Do you want your separately or mixed?

John: I can’t believe you are serious!

KH: Do you think it would be better to have labels on all the cans?

John: Of course it would!

KH: Why?

John: So you could know what’s on the inside.

KH: But I do know. It’s food. It says so right on the can.

John: But there are many different kinds of food.

KH: I agree. It’s the same with churches, John. The Bible has 31,101 verses that discuss hundreds of different topics. Each one is called a Bible doctrine or teaching (Proverbs 4:2). Labels on churches help us know their beliefs on some key doctrines (Ephesians 4:14). The more information on the label, the better in my book.

I like green beans, but some are better than others; so the label should say more than just “green beans.” For example, if I know that Smith’s Garden Company used radioactive water from a nuclear cooling tower to grow their green beans, I will probably avoid buying green beans with that label. The labels should state when it was canned, where it was grown, nutritional information, and other helpful stuff.

It’s the same with churches. Let’s just look at a few of the hundreds of Bible doctrines. The jailer asked, “What must I do to be saved? (Acts 16:30). Some church denominations teach that you must work and earn your way to Heaven. They, like Cain, think God will accept us for our good works. God hates this false doctrine (Genesis 4:3-7; Hebrews 11:4; I John 3:12; Jude 11) because it gives people a false hope of Heaven that won’t work.

So, since that false doctrine will send people to Hell, it’s good that churches that teach that false doctrine have a label.

John: I see. Can you give me a few more examples?

KH: Well, it’s a long list and most people I know in those churches are sincere, dedicated, intelligent people. I don’t question those things. I’m sure Cain was all of that and more, but he was wrong about how to please God. Most Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran, Jehovah Witness, Mormon, Church of Christ, and Seventh Day Adventist’s leaders (as well as many others) teach that their works will save them—or help save them.

Now the individual members may not all believe that, and many, many may truly be saved. But the official church doctrine of these churches mixes man’s works as part of being saved. When I see their label, I know what to watch for. I might agree with them on some doctrines, but disagree on some as well. I wouldn’t compromise what I know to be true from Scripture for the sake of unity. Divisions over doctrines are good (1 Timothy 1:3, 10; 4:13, 16; 6:1, 3; 2 Timothy 3:10, 16; 4:2–3; Titus 1:9; 2:1, 10; 1 John 2:18–19). Even Jesus said sound doctrine was important (Matthew 15:8–9; 16:12).

John: Wow! Good doctrine is important to God, isn’t it?!

KH: Another major doctrine is, “Who is Jesus?” He claimed to be God in the flesh (Isaiah 9:6; Luke 11:20; John 8:58; Acts 20:28; Revelation 1:8). When Jehovah Witnesses say “Jesus was a god”; or Mormons say “Jesus is a god and we will be a god as well”; or Muslims say “he is just a prophet”—I’m glad that they have labels so I can avoid their false doctrine!

What does your “3C church” believe about how to be saved, or the deity of Christ, or the virgin birth, or eternal security?

John: I don’t know.

KH: You shouldn’t have to open the can to find out those important doctrines. A label would really make it easier, I think. Do you want sugar or salt with your olives and raspberries?

John: Ah…how about let’s go to Burger King. They label their food!

KH: Sounds good!

God has been so good to me during this trial! The ministry continues under the able leadership of my son, Eric. Our appeal is in, and we await the judge’s decision about my release pending appeal.

In the meantime, I live in a large, clean, open one-hundred-twenty man dorm with two-man “cubes.” I share a cube with a sweet, simple godly forty-six-year-old “South Carolina farm boy” named Ricky Lambert #88592-071.

We read the Bible and pray together several times each day. Lots of men stop in our cube to talk about the Lord. Ricky is a joy to have as a friend and a brother! He has been saved for three and a half years now, and reads his Bible constantly. Since he has been locked up, his wife and nineteen-year-old son left him and his father died. He gets no outside support.

He has had no visits in four years and only two letters since I’ve known him. One was last week from a ten-year-old daughter of a fellow inmate. She traced her hand and made a “turkey” for him. All it said was “Happy Thanksgiving. That was it. Ricky cried for joy that he got a letter!

Please read Proverbs 25:25 and Matthew 25:35-46. Then write Ricky a letter or send him a card. You can’t know how much it will mean to him! What do you say to him? Tell him you are praying for him. Thank him for putting up with me! (My wife of thirty-five years will tell you how hard that can be!) Send pictures, stories, or prayer requests. Ricky loves to pray!

Ricky’s address is:
Ricky Lambert #88592-071
Edgefield Satelite Camp
Box 725
Edgefield, SC 29824

Please help me flood Ricky with mail. Let’s show the men in here that Christians care.

In Christ,

Kent Hovind