Glorifying having a baby out of wedlock. Sadly, the church, para-church
ministries, men and women of God, have done a very poor job of getting the
message of God to those who need it most...this lost and hurting world in
which we live in. Sadly, one 30 minute episode of Friends has more impact
on our overall culture then all of the Christian media combined does in a
month! That is why from time to time, I feel compelled to respond to
messages that are being put forth by the secular media as wholesome and
acceptable. Friends is one of television's most popular programs. Last
Thursday, the character played by Jennifer Aniston had a baby out of
wedlock. While this is a FAR too common occurrence in our society, it was
the 'GLORIFICATION' of that event that I want to address today.

God, through His Word, is very specific about HIS plan for family. One man,
one woman, for one lifetime. The man and women having separate, but equal
roles in the marriage. A by-product of that marriage are children that they
train up in the admonition of the Lord. All other models are perversions of
God's perfect, intended plan. PLEASE HEAR ME CLEARLY. THERE ARE MANY
REASONS FOR A PERVERSION OF GOD'S INTENDED PLAN, AND OUR GOD IS STILL ABLE
TO BLESS THOSE NOT IN "PERFECT" SITUATIONS WHEN THE HEARTS OF THOSE INVOLVED
ARE TENDER TOWARDS HIM! But my main point today is that to intentionally go
outside of God's intended plan for a family, like a woman CHOOSING to have a
child out of wedlock, is a horrible choice to make for both the mother, and
the innocent child involved!

Let me take this opportunity to say to all of those who read this that got
caught up in sin, made a poor choice to have sex without being married, and
became pregnant. God is a God of grace and mercy. Even in our sinfulness,
God loves us, and can turn our sin into HIS blessings. However, that ONLY
happens when we acknowledge our sin, ask God to forgive us, and begin from
that point forward to do it HIS way. When you make that choice, God can,
and will bless you, no matter what your circumstances may be.

A special note to those young women who may have sinned and are pregnant.
You have two, TWO, options. Keep the baby, or give the baby up for
adoption. These are the ONLY two choices. Abortion is murder. To have an
abortion is simply compounding your initial sin. Trust me, as LONG AS YOU
LIVE, the choice to kill your baby will be with you. Having counseled
thousands of women who have had an abortion, the FACT the women's movements,
the pro-death (choice) movement conveniently forget to tell you, is that you
will never.....EVER....forget this incident in your life. Thankfully, we
serve a loving and merciful God. Like ALL sin, when we repent, turn from
our sin, and live for God, He can extend the grace necessary to continue a
productive life. But a consequence of the sin of abortion is that you will
never forget it happened!

Another common sin that I deal with daily, is the incredible desire by a
woman who becomes pregnant to "marry the father of the baby". Again, in
almost ALL cases, you are simply compounding your sin. Getting married
because you are pregnant is one of the absolute WORST reasons there is to
get married! I can almost insure you that the man who got you pregnant, is
NOT the man God wants you to spend the rest of your life with. NO MAN OF
GOD, WHO IS WALKING WITH THE LORD, WHO IS THE SPIRITUAL HEAD OF YOUR
RELATIONSHIP AS GOD CALLS THE MAN TO BE, WOULD HAVE EVER SLEPT WITH YOU IN
THE FIRST PLACE!!!!! I am not making a blanket condemnation of all men who sin
in this way, but in most every case, a man who is willing to sleep with a
woman out of the bonds of marriage, is NOT the man God wants you to spend
the rest of your life with.

I love you and care about you so much. GOD LOVES YOU EVEN MORE! If you are
currently pregnant out of the bonds of marriage, your first need is to get
right with God. Go to God's promise in 1 John 1:9, and get right with God.
DON'T EVEN CONSIDER MARRIAGE UNTIL YOU CAN BE ASSURED IT IS GOD'S WILL FOR
YOUR LIFE. It may be a situation where putting your baby up for adoption is
the best alternative. Pray, get lots of wise counsel, and God will guide
you and direct you. For those single mom's out there who have already lived
through the birth of your child, again, getting right with God is your first
step. Know that God can, and will bless you and your child in incredible
ways if you are willing to submit to Him. For those young adults who have
not had this experience.....LISTEN!!!!!! God is speaking to you today.
There are CONSEQUENCES when you sin. LIFE CHANGING CONSEQUENCES!!! Do it
God's way. Let God bring the right mate into your life, get married, then
have children in accordance with God's perfect plan.

In closing, never forget that secular television has NO CONSCIENCE. It
simply portrays the message our modern culture finds appealing, regardless
of how God feels. Having a baby out of wedlock is NOT a glamorous
experience!!! It takes sin to accomplish, and those who are unrepentant,
face incredible challenges that ultimately harm the child involved. As I
say so often, when you do it your way, it NEVER works. When you do it God's
way...it ALWAYS WORKS!!!! I will be praying today, that you choose to do it
God's way!!!!

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller