tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31764997761111887122024-03-14T14:17:18.801-04:00Rolling Fork Baptist ChurchA blog produced by Rolling Fork Baptist Church designed to help Christians live out their faith in their homes, their work places, their schools, and their communities.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger255125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-15204088105608953992016-04-07T00:26:00.000-04:002016-04-07T00:27:25.786-04:00BUILDING OUR FIGHT AGAINST TEMPTATION<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just a thought. We all give in to some type of temptations, right? Even though we know better, even though we know why we shouldn't do so and even though we know what might happen if we do so... Sometimes, for whatever reason, we give in... and too often, we give in way too easily. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not only that, sometimes we face continual pressure from the "bigger" temptations that often seem to overpower us. Can you relate to what I am describing? Has this been happening to you? </span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I have thought about this problem lately, I have come to a conclusion. One of the reasons that we don't do so well against the "bigger" temptations is because we allow the "smaller" temptations to win too easily. How can we expect to conquer "bigger" temptations like stealing or adultery if we can't even handle the temptations of the "smaller" ones like gluttony or gossip? Why do we give in so easily to temptations like eating too much, stretching the truth or saying something that we shouldn't?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I believe the answer is very simple. We often give in to the "smaller" temptations because we think they don't matter. "So what if I have another serving of that cake?" "It's not that big of a deal if I don't tell the whole story." "I know that wasn't nice to say but it is the truth!"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But think about this for a while. If we use the "smaller" temptations as practice for the "bigger" ones, how much can we grow in our ability to resist the temptation? If we can be firm in our faith and follow God's lead, then we will see the way of escape in each temptation as we grow in Christ. 1 Corinthians 10 says that God is faithful and with every temptation that we face, He will provide a way out. We just have to want to please Him more than ourselves. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So try this yourself. Next time you are tempted, ask yourself "Who would I rather please right now? God or myself?" </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-20176511021696882262016-02-05T10:28:00.000-05:002016-02-05T10:34:29.098-05:00ONE OF THE MOST MISUNDERSTOOD AND MISQUOTED VERSES IN THE BIBLE: 2 PETER 3:9<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here is how I often hear this verse quoted, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward,<b> <i>for it is not God's will</i></b> that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." and when I hear somebody say that, they will also say that it is God's will that every person in the world will be saved. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But here is how the verse is actually given to us in the King James Version. <i style="font-weight: bold;">2 Peter 3:9 (KJV) — 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, <u>not willing that any should perish</u>, but that all should come to repentance. </i>[Underlining added] Maybe you read the English Standard Version like we do. If so, your Bible says this, <b><i>2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) — 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, <u>not wishing that any should perish</u>, but that all should reach repentance.</i></b> And if you prefer the KJV over the ESV, you might even use this verse as one of the reasons by saying "The KJV talks about <i>God's will</i> but the ESV only talks about <i>wishing</i>." Or does it?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When you look at the original word for "will" in this verse, you will discover that Peter used the word "<b>βούλομαι</b> [boulomai /boo·lom·ahee/]" which means to have a purpose or to desire. So instead of the ESV saying "not <i>wishing</i> that any should perish", it could have said "not <i>desiring</i> that any should perish". And that is the same intent in the King James Version when it says "not willing that any should perish". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If this word meant "God's will", it would have been "<b>θέλημα</b> [thelema /thel·ay·mah/]" which deals with the purpose of God which is to bless mankind through Christ; what God commands or chooses as shown in <b><i>John 7:17 (ESV) — 17 If anyone’s will is to do <u>God’s will</u>, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.</i></b> [Underlining added]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So here is the next question. Does God wish or desire that all people will be saved? If you look at this passage by itself, you might think so but you must look at the context that surrounds this passage. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>2 Peter 3:1–7 (ESV) — 1 This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, 3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let me point you to a few phrases from the those seven verses...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Verse 3 "<b><i>...</i></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>t</b></i><i style="font-weight: bold;">hat scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.</i>"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Verse 4 "</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="font-style: italic;">4 They will say...</b>"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Verse 5 "</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="font-style: italic;">5 For they deliberately overlook this fact...</b>"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And all of verse </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.</i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the first section of chapter 3, we read about scoffers and the ungodly. We see the pronouns "they" and we see "</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="font-style: italic;">the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly</b>" at the end of that section of scripture. Before anyone was born, God knew who was going to heaven and who was going to hell. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But look at the change of direction in the next few verses...</span><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>2 Peter 3:8–10 (ESV) — 8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">God is not limited by time as we are. We live minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day and so on. We should always praise God with much gratitude because He is all-knowing, all-powerful and all-present. God does not make mistakes. Everything He does is perfect. He is the creator and sustainer of life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And then you see the section that answers our question about the meaning of "not willing that any should perish". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Look at the word "<b><i>promise</i></b>". Who are God's promises for? God's people, right? God keeps His promises no matter how long it takes for them to come to pass.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Look at the phrase "<b><i>patient toward you</i></b>" and you will recognize a difference in the use of pronouns. Peter used "<b><i>they</i></b>" in the first section to refer to the scoffers and the ungodly but here he used "<b><i>you</i></b>" which refers to those who are the elect, those chosen by God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. So when you see the phrase "<b><i>not wishing that any should perish</i></b>", Peter was saying "<b><i>not wishing that any</i></b> [of you] <b><i>should perish</i></b>".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Which means that "</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>all</i></b> [of you or all of the elect] <b><i>should reach repentance</i></b>".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. And then Peter finished that section with another statement concerning the end times when he wrote "</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed</i></b>."</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So hopefully this will help you see the intention of verses 8-10. Keep sharing your faith. Tell everyone about Jesus because we don't know who is and who is not part of the elect. And keep thanking God for your salvation. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-63526722801016361642015-12-23T12:22:00.002-05:002015-12-23T12:24:06.725-05:00THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christmas. "The most wonderful time of the year" or at least what it is supposed to be, isn't it? We may sing "Silent night, holy night, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All is calm, all is bright" but for so many families, this Christmas is anything but calm or bright. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Celebrating Christmas is supposed to be focused on the birth of Jesus Christ who came to the earth tell us the good news (the gospel) in order that we could be saved from our sins. Apart from Jesus Christ, we are all doomed to hell. But thanks be to God for this most amazing gift. Right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or are we totally missing the point of Christmas because we are too busy focusing on other things such as arguing about how much money to spend or where you need to be on what day, worried about how we are going to pay for all of the gifts that we bought or trying to make sure that you put up more decorations than anyone else in your neighborhood?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next time you are tempted to fight about decorations, how many gifts to buy or where to go on Christmas day, think about the many families in our community who are suffering the loss of a loved one this week. People who are wishing they had one more Christmas Day with someone that they love but now is gone. Be grateful that the "biggest problem" you are facing is money or travel arrangements. Be thankful that you get to see your loved ones again this Christmas. Pray for those who are hurting this Christmas because of an empty chair. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Too often, we are tempted to be selfish at Christmas. We think it is all about us when it's really all about Jesus. It's His birthday, not ours. So put away your selfishness and pride so that you can experience what Christmas is really all about. "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">O come, let us adore Him, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christ the Lord!"</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-41021641102954847802015-12-03T11:51:00.001-05:002015-12-03T11:52:26.239-05:00HOUSE OF PRAYER OR DEN OF ROBBERS?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Matthew 21:13 (ESV) — 13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you remember the context of this verse? When Jesus went into the temple and overturned the tables of the money changers... those who were selling the animals needed for sacrifices instead of treating the Lord's temple with respect and awe?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is it possible that Jesus is saying the same things about our churches today? Each week when we gather together, is Jesus saying "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="font-style: italic;">‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.</b>"? Sure we are not selling animals in the sanctuary to be used as sacrifices unto God but are we praying like we should be? Are we robbing God somehow?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are some of the ways that we may be robbing God? How about our motives when we gather? Are we gathering for His glory or for our wants? Are we stealing the attention that is due Him because we want people to notice us and give us what we want? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another way is rebelling against Him. If we are obedient to Him, not only are we blessed for doing so but so are those around us. For example,<b><i> </i></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Luke 5:3–4 (ESV) — 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”</i> Jesus taught the crowd while He was in Peter's boat. Notice that Jesus did not dismiss the crowd when He finished teaching. He just turned to Peter and said </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">“Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” </i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peter did as Jesus said and they caught so many fish that the boat began to sink. What a miraculous catch! But understand this... if Peter had disobeyed Jesus and not gone fishing, he would have robbed Jesus of the opportunity to show His power to all who were watching. Jesus wants to work through you. Don't rob Him of that opportunity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One more way that we may be robbing God is through our giving. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Malachi 3:8–12 (ESV) — 8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts.</i></b></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next time you gather with your church family, ask yourself "Am I really trying to communicate with God through prayer today? Am I doing anything that would rob God of anything that belongs to Him?"</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-84342027293980674132015-12-03T07:26:00.001-05:002015-12-03T07:27:30.017-05:00WHEN WE PRAY FOR YOU<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last night, I mentioned Colossians 1:3-14 in my last post. This morning, I would like to share with you that passage once again along with some notes showing how Paul was praying for this church. This will give you another example of how we should be praying for each other...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Colossians 1:3–14 (ESV) — 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>WHEN WE PRAY FOR YOU</u>, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WE THANK GOD FOR YOU <b><i>3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHY? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>BECAUSE OF YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS <b><i>4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>BECAUSE OF YOUR LOVE FOR ALL OF THE SAINTS <b><i>and of the love that you have for all the saints, </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>BECAUSE OF YOUR ETERNITY IN HEAVEN <b><i>5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>BECAUSE YOU HEARD THE GOSPEL <b><i>Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>BECAUSE THE GOSPEL IS BEARING FRUIT IN YOUR LIFE <b><i>it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>BECAUSE YOU HAVE HAD FAITHFUL TEACHING <b><i>7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf</i></b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>BECAUSE WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT YOUR LOVE IN THE SPIRIT <b><i>8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>BECAUSE GOD HAS SAVED YOU <b><i>12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>BECAUSE GOD HAS DELIVERED FROM THE DEVIL AND TO HIS SON, JESUS. <b><i>13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>BECAUSE YOUR SINS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN <b><i>14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>WE HAVE NOT CEASED TO PRAY FOR YOU</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>WE ASK THAT YOU WILL BE FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S WILL <b><i>asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,</i></b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>WE ASK THAT YOU WILL LIVE A LIFE THAT PLEASES GOD <b><i>10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>fully pleasing to him, </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>bearing fruit in every good work </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>increasing in the knowledge of God.</i></b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">13.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>WE ASK THAT YOU WILL BE STRENGTHENED BY GOD’S POWER <b><i>11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>WE ASK THAT YOU WILL HAVE ENDURANCE <b><i>for all endurance</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">B.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>WE ASK THAT YOU WILL HAVE PATIENCE <b><i>and patience</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">C.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>WE ASK THAT YOU WILL HAVE JOY <b><i>with joy,</i></b> </span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-40617583822453266102015-12-03T00:31:00.000-05:002015-12-03T07:05:27.875-05:00I QUIT, HOW ABOUT YOU?<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"That's it! I am done. I quit. I am tired of business as usual and just going through the motions. I want more. I need more. God wants to me have more."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's been my focus for the last few months. As a Christian and as a pastor of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I am so hungry for another mighty move of God... not just in my life, not just in my family or my church family, but however big God wants to make it. And not for my glory or our church's glory... but all for God's glory. I really feel a strong passion to focus on two things: God's Word and prayer. That may sound very elementary to you or too obvious but think about it for a moment. Are we really hungry for God? Is our hunger for God being shown in our Bible study and in our prayer lives?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I used to play the keyboard for a quartet called Greater Desire and tonight, I am reminded of a phrase that Kendall Bush, our tenor singer, used to say quite often. The phrase was "living beneath your privileges". If I remember the context of that saying, Kendall was referring to those who didn't know Jesus and was explaining that they are missing out on so much that God has to offer because they have not committed their lives to Christ yet. Tonight, I am thinking about the phrase in the next context which is focusing on those of who are Christians but are satisfied where we are spiritually instead of hungering for more of Him. When we pray, are we really praying to God or just mumbling some memorable phrases that we have rehearsed? When we read God's Word, do we really meditate on it or do we just rush through it so that we can get on with our busy schedules?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So what about the </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"That's it! I am done. I quit. I am tired of business as usual and just going through the motions. I want more. I need more. God wants to me have more."? Instead of flying on auto-pilot, I want to stop and focus more on connecting with God through reading His Word and through praying to Him. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Acts 6:4 (ESV) — 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” </i></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Instead of thinking "I have to read this much today", I want to focus on "What am I doing with what I read today? Have I applied His Word to my life? Have I meditated on His Word and have I prayed His Word instead of just praying the same things that I usually prayed for?" I want to experience more of God's presence in my life so that those around me will know God. What did Jesus say in </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Matthew 5:16 (ESV) — 1</i></b><i style="font-weight: bold;">6 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.</i> Do you see it? By letting our light shine before others (living the life that God wants us to live), they will see our good works and give all of the glory to God. Don't you want that to happen in your life too?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Will you join me in seeking for more of God's presence in our lives, in our families and in our churches? Think about the impact that our lives could have if we lived every day for His glory and asked God to make us more faithful and more fruitful. Before I close this post, I want to share with you the passage that we read tonight in our Bible study and I would encourage you to read through it slowly and pray these words for yourself and also for whoever God puts on your heart...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Colossians 1:3–14 (ESV) — 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. 9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.</i></b></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-44380183717040790382015-11-10T09:07:00.000-05:002015-11-10T09:07:02.654-05:00PASTORS, IT'S OUR FAULT TOO<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the trends that has had a negative effect in churches today is "consumerism". This refers to the "It's all about me" attitude that some people have when they gather with their church family. An attitude that says, "I want my kind of music" or "I want my kind of preaching". What happens in this type of situation is the disappearing of that person if he or she doesn't get what she wants when he or she attends our churches.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Researcher George Barna recently observed, “We are a designer society. We want everything customized to fit our personal needs — our clothing, our food, our education. Now its our religion.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">United Church of Christ minister and journalist G. Jeffrey MacDonald recently lamented the consumerization of faith in his book, “Thieves in the Temple: The Christian Church and the Selling of the American Soul,” (Basic Books, 2010). </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Faith has become a consumer commodity in America. People shop for congregations that make them feel comfortable rather than spiritually challenged. They steer clear of formal commitments to Christian communities. They flee when they are not quickly gratified or when they encounter interpersonal problems. Changing churches has become as routine as changing jobs. As a result, churches are no longer able to help people develop solid moral characters.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Titus Benton, who writes for a website called Relevant, said, "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many churches innovate, but innovation is based on trends. Innovations are fine, but they play to the consumer. Who is it we are trying to please? Could it be that we are obliging the very people that will cause our extinction? Could it be that the methodology we embrace will take us to a place where we are innovated-out and tired of selling?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While it is true that all of us have shown consumerism tendencies in our lives in various ways, what are pastors and other church leaders doing in order to be the churches that God wants us to be? Or should I ask, "What are we <i>supposed</i> to be doing?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In order to reach people for Jesus Christ (which is our calling as gospel churches), many of us who are pastors and other church leaders have been guilty of looking for that next big secret to powerful church growth. Some new book or conference. Maybe something we read on the internet or something that we saw another church do. Then we take it home to our local churches and say, "Here's the answer to all of our problems! We need to start _______________________ (you fill in the blank)."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Personally, I have been guilty of that at times as well. Thinking, "What can we do to reach more people and keep them connected to our church family?" but I am convinced now more than ever that the problem is the fact that we are focusing on what <i>we</i> can do instead of what <i>God</i> can do. We need to be more focused on what God can do when we are seeking to be faithful and fruitful as He leads us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what are we supposed to be doing? Faithfully preaching the Bible. Praying that God would be glorified in our personal lives as well as in His church. Singing songs in such a way that Jesus is the focus instead of our musical performance. Connecting with fellow believers in continual fellowship instead of only seeing each other occasionally at the church house. Telling others about Jesus in a way that is real and personal instead of sounding like an old infomercial. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's preach the Word and sow the seed of the gospel. Let's be faithful in what God has called us to do and stop trying to find the next big gimmick that will double the size of our church in 20 minutes or our money back. Let's depend upon God who will determine the when and how our churches grow as we continue to serve Him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe, just maybe, if our congregations stop seeing us shop around for those gimmicks so much, maybe they will stop some of the consumerism as well?</span><br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-59620166458110734972015-08-06T14:39:00.000-04:002015-08-06T14:40:56.579-04:00"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" by Jonathan Edwards<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last night in Bible study at our church, my sister-in-law reminded me of this sermon entitled "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" by Jonathan Edwards. In light of what is happening inside the body of Christ and all around the world, it seems very appropriate to post this today. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<span style="line-height: 1.1em; text-indent: 1.5em;">-</span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.1em; text-indent: 1.5em;">Their foot shall slide in due time</span><span style="line-height: 1.1em; text-indent: 1.5em;">- </span><a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Dt+32%3A35" style="line-height: 1.1em; text-indent: 1.5em;">Deut. 32:35</a></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In this verse is threatened the vengeance of God on the wicked unbelieving Israelites, who were God's visible people, and who lived under the means of grace; but who, notwithstanding all God's wonderful works towards them, remained (as ver. 28.) void of counsel, having no understanding in them. Under all the cultivations of heaven, they brought forth bitter and poisonous fruit; as in the two verses next preceding the text. The expression I have chosen for my text, Their foot shall slide in due time, seems to imply the following doings, relating to the punishment and destruction to which these wicked Israelites were exposed.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That they were always exposed to destruction; as one that stands or walks in slippery places is always exposed to fall. This is implied in the manner of their destruction coming upon them, being represented by their foot sliding. The same is expressed, <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ps+73%3A18">Psalm 73:18</a>. <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Surely thou didst set them in slippery places; thou castedst them down into destruction."</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. It implies, that they were always exposed to sudden unexpected destruction. As he that walks in slippery places is every moment liable to fall, he cannot foresee one moment whether he shall stand or fall the next; and when he does fall, he falls at once without warning: Which is also expressed in <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ps+73%3A18-19">Psalm 73:18-19</a>. <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Surely thou didst set them in slippery places; thou castedst them down into destruction: How are they brought into desolation as in a moment!"</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Another thing implied is, that they are liable to fall of themselves, without being thrown down by the hand of another; as he that stands or walks on slippery ground needs nothing but his own weight to throw him down.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. That the reason why they are not fallen already, and do not fall now, is only that God's appointed time is not come. For it is said, that when that due time, or appointed time comes, their foot shall slide. Then they shall be left to fall, as they are inclined by their own weight. God will not hold them up in these slippery places any longer, but will let them go; and then at that very instant, they shall fall into destruction; as he that stands on such slippery declining ground, on the edge of a pit, he cannot stand alone, when he is let go he immediately falls and is lost.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The observation from the words that I would now insist upon is this. "There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any one moment out of hell, but the mere pleasure of God." By the mere pleasure of God, I mean his sovereign pleasure, his arbitrary will, restrained by no obligation, hindered by no manner of difficulty, any more than if nothing else but God's mere will had in the least degree, or in any respect whatsoever, any hand in the preservation of wicked men one moment.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The truth of this observation may appear by the following considerations.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. There is no want of power in God to cast wicked men into hell at any moment. Men's hands cannot be strong when God rises up. The strongest have no power to resist him, nor can any deliver out of his hands.-He is not only able to cast wicked men into hell, but he can most easily do it. Sometimes an earthly prince meets with a great deal of difficulty to subdue a rebel, who has found means to fortify himself, and has made himself strong by the numbers of his followers. But it is not so with God. There is no fortress that is any defence from the power of God. Though hand join in hand, and vast multitudes of God's enemies combine and associate themselves, they are easily broken in pieces. They are as great heaps of light chaff before the whirlwind; or large quantities of dry stubble before devouring flames. We find it easy to tread on and crush a worm that we see crawling on the earth; so it is easy for us to cut or singe a slender thread that any thing hangs by: thus easy is it for God, when he pleases, to cast his enemies down to hell. What are we, that we should think to stand before him, at whose rebuke the earth trembles, and before whom the rocks are thrown down? </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. They deserve to be cast into hell; so that divine justice never stands in the way, it makes no objection against God's using his power at any moment to destroy them. Yea, on the contrary, justice calls aloud for an infinite punishment of their sins. Divine justice says of the tree that brings forth such grapes of Sodom, <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground?"</span> <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Lk+13%3A7">Luke 13:7</a>. The sword of divine justice is every moment brandished over their heads, and it is nothing but the hand of arbitrary mercy, and God's mere will, that holds it back.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. They are already under a sentence of condemnation to hell. They do not only justly deserve to be cast down thither, but the sentence of the law of God, that eternal and immutable rule of righteousness that God has fixed between him and mankind, is gone out against them, and stands against them; so that they are bound over already to hell. <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jn+3%3A18">John 3:18</a>. <span style="font-weight: bold;">"He that believeth not is condemned already."</span> So that every unconverted man properly belongs to hell; that is his place; from thence he is, <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jn+8%3A23">John 8:23</a>. <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Ye are from beneath."</span> And thither be is bound; it is the place that justice, and God's word, and the sentence of his unchangeable law assign to him.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. They are now the objects of that very same anger and wrath of God, that is expressed in the torments of hell. And the reason why they do not go down to hell at each moment, is not because God, in whose power they are, is not then very angry with them; as he is with many miserable creatures now tormented in hell, who there feel and bear the fierceness of his wrath. Yea, God is a great deal more angry with great numbers that are now on earth: yea, doubtless, with many that are now in this congregation, who it may be are at ease, than he is with many of those who are now in the flames of hell. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So that it is not because God is unmindful of their wickedness, and does not resent it, that he does not let loose his hand and cut them off. God is not altogether such an one as themselves, though they may imagine him to be so. The wrath of God burns against them, their damnation does not slumber; the pit is prepared, the fire is made ready, the furnace is now hot, ready to receive them; the flames do now rage and glow. The glittering sword is whet, and held over them, and the pit hath opened its mouth under them.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. The devil stands ready to fall upon them, and seize them as his own, at what moment God shall permit him. They belong to him; he has their souls in his possession, and under his dominion. The scripture represents them as his goods, <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Lk+11%3A12">Luke 11:12</a>. The devils watch them; they are ever by them at their right hand; they stand waiting for them, like greedy hungry lions that see their prey, and expect to have it, but are for the present kept back. If God should withdraw his hand, by which they are restrained, they would in one moment fly upon their poor souls. The old serpent is gaping for them; hell opens its mouth wide to receive them; and if God should perrnit it, they would be hastily swallowed up and lost.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. There are in the souls of wicked men those hellish principles reigning, that would presently kindle and flame out into hell fire, if it were not for God's restraints. There is laid in the very nature of carnal men, a foundation for the torments of hell. There are those corrupt principles, in reigning power in them, and in full possession of them, that are seeds of hell fire. These principles are active and powerful, exceeding violent in their nature, and if it were not for the restraining hand of God upon them, they would soon break out, they would flame out after the same manner as the same corruptions, the same enmity does in the hearts of damned souls, and would beget the same torments as they do in them. The souls of the wicked are in scripture compared to the troubled sea, <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Isa+57%3A20">Isa. 57:20</a>. For the present, God restrains their wickedness by his mighty power, as he does the raging waves of the troubled sea, saying, "Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further;" but if God should withdraw that restraining power, it would soon carry all before it. Sin is the ruin and misery of the soul; it is destructive in its nature; and if God should leave it without restraint, there would need nothing else to make the soul perfectly miserable. The corruption of the heart of man is immoderate and boundless in its fury; and while wicked men live here, it is like fire pent up by God's restraints, whereas if it were let loose, it would set on fire the course of nature; and as the heart is now a sink of sin, so if sin was not restrained, it would immediately turn the soul into a fiery oven, or a furnace of fire and brimstone.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. It is no security to wicked men for one moment, that there are no visible means of death at hand. It is no security to a natural man, that he is now in health, and that he does not see which way he should now immediately go out of the world by any accident, and that there is no visible danger in any respect in his circumstances. The manifold and continual experience of the world in all ages, shows this is no evidence, that a man is not on the very brink of eternity, and that the next step will not be into another world. The unseen, unthought-of ways and means of persons going suddenly out of the world are innumerable and inconceivable. Unconverted men walk over the pit of hell on a rotten covering, and there are innumerable places in this covering so weak that they will not bear their weight, and these places are not seen. The arrows of death fly unseen at noon-day; the sharpest sight cannot discern them. God has so many different unsearchable ways of taking wicked men out of the world and sending them to hell, that there is nothing to make it appear, that God had need to be at the expence of a miracle, or go out of the ordinary course of his providence, to destroy any wicked nian, at any moment. All the means that there are of sinners going out of the world, are so in God's hands, and so universally and absolutely subject to his power and determination, that it does not depend at all the less on the mere will of God, whether sinners shall at any moment go to hell, than if means were never made use of, or at all concerned in the case.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. Natural men's prudence and care to preserve their own lives, or the care of others to preserve them, do not secure them a moment. To this, divine providence and universal experience do also bear testimony. There is this clear evidence that men's own wisdom is no security to them from death; that if it were otherwise we should see some difference between the wise and politic men of the world, and others, with regard to their liableness to early and unexpected death: but how is it in fact? <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ecc+2%3A16">Eccles. 2:16</a>. <span style="font-weight: bold;">"How dieth the wise man? even as the fool."</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. All wicked men's pains and contrivance which they use to escape hell, while they continue to reject Christ, and so remain wicked men, do not secure them from hell one moment. Almost every natural man that hears of hell, flatters himself that he shall escape it; he depends upon himself for his own security; he flatters himself in what he has done, in what he is now doing, or what he intends to do. Every one lays out matters in his own mind how he shall avoid damnation, and flatters himself that he contrives well for himself, and that his schemes will not fail. They hear indeed that there are but few saved, and that the greater part of men that have died heretofore are gone to hell; but each one imagines that he lays out matters better for his own escape than others have done. He does not intend to come to that place of torment; he says within himself, that he intends to take effectual care, and to order matters so for himself as not to fail.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the foolish children of men miserably delude themselves in their own schemes, and in confidence in their own strength and wisdom; they trust to nothing but a shadow. The greater part of those who heretofore have lived under the same means of grace, and are now dead, are undoubtedly gone to hell; and it was not because they were not as wise as those who are now alive: it was not because they did not lay out matters as well for themselves to secure their own escape. If we could speak with them, and inquire of them, one by one, whether they expected, when alive, and when they used to hear about hell ever to be the subjects of that misery: we doubtless, should hear one and another reply, "No, I never intended to come here: I had laid out matters otherwise in my mind; I thought I should contrive well for myself: I thought my scheme good. I intended to take effectual care; but it came upon me unexpected; I did not look for it at that time, and in that manner; it came as a thief: Death outwitted me: God's wrath was too quick for me. Oh, my cursed foolishness! I was flattering myself, and pleasing myself with vain dreams of what I would do hereafter; and when I was saying, Peace and safety, then suddenly destruction came upon me."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. God has laid himself under no obligation, by any promise to keep any natural man out of hell one moment. God certainly has made no promises either of eternal life, or of any deliverance or preservation from eternal death, but what are contained in the covenant of grace, the promises that are given in Christ, in whom all the promises are yea and amen. But surely they have no interest in the promises of the covenant of grace who are not the children of the covenant, who do not believe in any of the promises, and have no interest in the Mediator of the covenant.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So that, whatever some have imagined and pretended about promises made to natural men's earnest seeking and knocking, it is plain and manifest, that whatever pains a natural man takes in religion, whatever prayers he makes, till he believes in Christ, God is under no manner of obligation to keep him a moment from eternal destruction.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So that, thus it is that natural men are held in the hand of God, over the pit of hell; they have deserved the fiery pit, and are already sentenced to it; and God is dreadfully provoked, his anger is as great towards them as to those that are actually suffering the executions of the fierceness of his wrath in hell, and they have done nothing in the least to appease or abate that anger, neither is God in the least bound by any promise to hold them up one moment; the devil is waiting for them, hell is gaping for them, the flames gather and flash about them, and would fain lay hold on them, and swallow them up; the fire pent up in their own hearts is struggling to break out: and they have no interest in any Mediator, there are no means within reach that can be any security to them. In short, they have no refuge, nothing to take hold of, all that preserves them every moment is the mere arbitrary will, and uncovenanted, unobliged forbearance of an incensed God.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 1.2em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">APPLICATION</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The use of this awful subject may be for awakening unconverted persons in this congregation. This that you have heard is the case of every one of you that are out of Christ.-That world of misery, that lake of burning brimstone, is extended abroad under you. There is the dreadful pit of the glowing flames of the wrath of God; there is hell's wide gaping mouth open; and you have nothing to stand upon, nor any thing to take hold of, there is nothing between you and hell but the air; it is only the power and mere pleasure of God that holds you up.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You probably are not sensible of this; you find you are kept out of hell, but do not see the hand of God in it; but look at other things, as the good state of your bodily constitution, your care of your own life, and the means you use for your own preservation. But indeed these things are nothing; if God should withdraw his band, they would avail no more to keep you from falling, than the thin air to hold up a person that is suspended in it.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your wickedness makes you as it were heavy as lead, and to tend downwards with great weight and pressure towards hell; and if God should let you go, you would immediately sink and swiftly descend and plunge into the bottomless gulf, and your healthy constitution, and your own care and prudence, and best contrivance, and all your righteousness, would have no more influence to uphold you and keep you out of hell, than a spider's web would have to stop a falling rock. Were it not for the sovereign pleasure of God, the earth would not bear you one moment; for you are a burden to it; the creation groans with you; the creature is made subject to the bondage of your corruption, not willingly; the sun does not willingly shine upon you to give you light to serve sin and Satan; the earth does not willingly yield her increase to satisfy your lusts; nor is it willingly a stage for your wickedness to be acted upon; the air does not willingly serve you for breath to maintain the flame of life in your vitals, while you spend your life in the service of God's enemies. God's creatures are good, and were made for men to serve God with, and do not willingly subserve to any other purpose, and groan when they are abused to purposes so directly contrary to their nature and end. And the world would spew you out, were it not for the sovereign hand of him who hath subjected it in hope. There are black clouds of God's wrath now hanging directly over your heads, full of the dreadful storm, and big with thunder; and were it not for the restraining hand of God, it would immediately burst forth upon you. The sovereign pleasure of God, for the present, stays his rough wind; otherwise it would come with fury, and your destruction would come like a whirlwind, and you would be like the chaff of the summer threshing floor.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The wrath of God is like great waters that are dammed for the present; they increase more and more, and rise higher and higher, till an outlet is given; and the longer the stream is stopped, the more rapid and mighty is its course, when once it is let loose. It is true, that judgment against your evil works has not been executed hitherto; the floods of God's vengeance have been withheld; but your guilt in the mean time is constantly increasing, and you are every day treasuring up more wrath; the waters are constantly rising, and waxing more and more mighty; and there is nothing but the mere pleasure of God, that holds the waters back, that are unwilling to be stopped, and press hard to go forward. If God should only withdraw his hand from the flood-gate, it would immediately fly open, and the fiery floods of the fierceness and wrath of God, would rush forth with inconceivable fury, and would come upon you with omnipotent power; and if your strength were ten thousand times greater than it is, yea, ten thousand times greater than the strength of the stoutest, sturdiest devil in hell, it would be nothing to withstand or endure it.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bow of God's wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string, and justice bends the arrow at your heart, and strains the bow, and it is nothing but the mere pleasure of God, and that of an <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="essa" name="893x41"></a>angry <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="essa" name="893x42"></a>God, without any promise or obligatioti at all, that keeps the arrow one moment from being made drunk with your blood. Thus all you that never passed under a great change of heart, </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by the mighty power of the Spirit of God upon your souls; all you that were never born again, and made new creatures, and raised from being dead in sin, to a state of new, and before altogether unexperienced light and life, are in the hands of an <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="essa" name="894x48"></a>angry <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="essa" name="894x49"></a>God. However you may have reformed your life in many things, and may have had religious affections, and may keep up a form of religion in your families and closets, and in the house of God, it is nothing but his mere pleasure that keeps you from being this moment swallowed up in everlasting destruction. However unconvinced you may now be of the truth of what you hear, by and by you will be fully convinced of it. Those that are gone from being in the like circumstances with you, see that it was so with them; for destruction came suddenly upon most of them; when they expected nothing of it, and while they were saying, Peace and safety: now they see, that those things on which they depended for peace and safety, were nothing but thin air and empty shadows.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked: his wrath towards you burns like fire; he looks upon you as worthy of nothing else, but to be cast into the fire; he is of purer eyes than to bear to have you in his sight; you are ten thousand times more abominable in his eyes, than the most hateful venomous serpent is in ours. You have offended him infinitely more than ever a stubborn rebel did his prince; and yet it is nothing but his hand that holds you from falling into the fire every moment. It is to be ascribed to nothing else, that you did not go to hell the last night; that you was suffered to awake again in this world, after you closed your eyes to sleep. And there is no other reason to be given, why you have not dropped into hell since you arose in the morning, but that God's hand has held you up. There is no other reason to be given why you have not gone to hell, since you have sat here in the house of God, provoking his pure eyes by your sinful wicked manner of attending his solemn worship. Yea, there is nothing else that is to be given as a reason why you do not this very moment drop down into hell.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">O sinner! Consider the fearful danger you are in: it is a great furnace of wrath, a wide and bottomless pit, full of the fire of wrath, that you are held over in the hand of that God, whose wrath is provoked and incensed as much against you, as against many of the damned in hell. You hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about it, and ready every moment to singe it, and burn it asunder; and you have no interest in any Mediator, and nothing to lay hold of to save yourself, nothing to keep off the flames of wrath, nothing of your own, nothing that you ever have done, nothing that you can do, to induce God to spare you one moment. And consider here more particularly</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Whose wrath it is: it is the wrath of the infinite God. If it were only the wrath of man, though it were of the most potent prince, it would be comparatively little to be regarded. The wrath of kings is very much dreaded, especially of absolute monarchs, who have the possessions and lives of their subjects wholly in their power, to be disposed of at their mere will. <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Pr+20%3A2">Prov. 20:2</a>. <span style="font-weight: bold;">"The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: Whoso provoketh him to anger, sinneth against his own soul."</span> The subject that very much enrages an arbitrary prince, is liable to suffer the most extreme torments that human art can invent, or human power can inflict. But the greatest earthly potentates in their greatest majesty and strength, and when clothed in their greatest terrors, are but feeble, despicable worms of the dust, in comparison of the great and almighty Creator and King of heaven and earth. It is but little that they can do, when most enraged, and when they have exerted the utmost of their fury. All the kings of the earth, before God, are as grasshoppers; they are nothing, and less than nothing: both their love and their hatred is to be despised. The wrath of the great King of kings, is as much more terrible than theirs, as his majesty is greater. <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Lk+12%3A4-5">Luke 12:4-5</a>. <span style="font-weight: bold;">"And I say unto you, my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that, have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom you shall fear: fear him, which after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell: yea, I say unto you, Fear him."</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. It is the fierceness of his wrath that you are exposed to. We often read of the fury of God; as in <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Isa+59%3A18">Isaiah 59:18</a>. <span style="font-weight: bold;">"According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay fury to his adversaries."</span> So <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Isa+66%3A15">Isaiah 66:15</a>. <span style="font-weight: bold;">"For behold, the Lord will come with fire, and wifh his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire."</span> And in many other places. So, <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Rev+19%3A15">Rev. 19:15</a>, we read of <span style="font-weight: bold;">"the wine press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God."</span> The words are exceeding terrible. If it had only been said, "the wrath of God," the words would have implied that which is infinitely dreadful: but it is "the fierceness and wrath of God." The fury of God! the fierceness of Jehovah! Oh, how dreadful must that be! Who can utter or conceive what such expressions carry in them! But it is also "the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God." As though there would be a very great manifestation of his almighty power in what the fierceness of his wrath should inflict, as though omnipotence should be as it were enraged, and exerted, as men are wont to exert their strength in the fierceness of their wrath. Oh! then, what will be the consequence! What will become of the poor worms that shall suffer it! Whose hands can be strong? And whose heart can endure? To what a dreadful, inexpressible, inconceivable depth of misery must the poor creature be sunk who shall be the subject of this!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Consider this, you that are here present, that yet remain in an unregenerate state. That God will execute the fierceness of his anger, implies, that he will inflict wrath without any pity. When God beholds the ineffable extremity of your case, and sees your torment to be so vastly disproportioned to your strength, and sees how your poor soul is crushed, and sinks down, as it were, into an infinite gloom; he will have no compassion upon you, he will not forbear the executions of his wrath, or in the least lighten his hand; there shall be no moderation or mercy, nor will God then at all stay his rough wind; he will have no regard to your welfare, nor be at all careful lest you should suffer too much in any other sense, than only that you shall not suffer beyond what strict justice requires. Nothing shall be withheld, because it is so hard for you to bear. <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Eze+8%3A18">Ezek. 8:18</a>. <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity; and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet I will not hear them."</span> Now God stands ready to pity you; this is a day of mercy; you may cry now with some encouragement of obtaining mercy. But when once the day of mercy is past, your most lamentable and dolorous cries and shrieks will be in vain; you will be wholly lost and thrown away of God, as to any regard to your welfare. God will have no other use to put you to, but to suffer misery; you shall be continued in being to no other end; for you will be a vessel of wrath fitted to destruction; and there will be no other use of this vessel, but to be filled full of wrath. God will be so far from pitying you when you cry to him, that it is said he will only <span style="font-weight: bold;">"laugh and mock,"</span> <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Pr+1%3A25-33">Prov. 1:25-33</a>.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How awful are those words, <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Isa+63%3A3">Isa. 63:3</a>, which are the words of the great God. <span style="font-weight: bold;">"I will tread them in mine anger, and will trample them in my fury, and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment."</span> It is perhaps impossible to conceive of words that carry in them greater manifestations of these three things, vis. contempt, and hatred, and fierceness of indignation. If you cry to God to pity you, he will be so far from pitying you in your doleful case, or showing you the least regard or favour, that instead of that, he will only tread you under foot. And though he will know that you cannot bear the weight of omnipotence treading upon you, yet he will not regard that, but he will crush you under his feet without mercy; he will crush out your blood, and make it fly, and it shall be sprinkled on his garments, so as to stain all his raiment. He will not only hate you, but he will have you, in the utmost contempt: no place shall be thought fit for you, but under his feet to be trodden down as the mire of the streets.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The misery you are exposed to is that which God will inflict to that end, that he might show what that wrath of Jehovah is. God hath had it on his heart to show to angels and men, both how excellent his love is, and also how terrible his wrath is. Sometimes earthly kings have a mind to show how terrible their wrath is, by the extreme punishments they would execute on those that would provoke them. Nebuchadnezzar, that mighty and haughty monarch of the Chaldean empire, was willing to show his wrath when enraged with Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego; and accordingly gave orders that the burning fiery furnace should be heated seven times hotter than it was before; doubtless, it was raised to the utmost degree of fierceness that human art could raise it. But the great God is also willing to show his wrath, and magnify his awful majesty and mighty power in the extreme sufferings of his enemies. <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ro+9%3A22">Rom. 9:22</a>. <span style="font-weight: bold;">"What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endure with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction?"</span> And seeing this is his design, and what he has determined, even to show how terrible the unrestrained wrath, the fury and fierceness of Jehovah is, he will do it to effect. There will be something accomplished and brought to pass that will be dreadful with a witness. When the great and <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="essa" name="901x242"></a>angry <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="essa" name="901x243"></a>God hath risen up and executed his awful vengeance on the poor sinner, and the wretch is actually suffering the infinite weight and power of his indignation, then will God call upon the whole universe to behold that awful majesty and mighty power that is to be seen in it. <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Isa+33%3A12-14">Isa. 33:12-14</a>. <span style="font-weight: bold;">"And the people shall be as the burnings of lime, as thorns cut up shall they be burnt in the fire. Hear ye that are far off, what I have done; and ye that are near, acknowledge my might. The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites,"</span> &c.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thus it will be with you that are in an unconverted state, if you continue in it; the infinite might, and majesty, and terribleness of the omnipotent God shall be magnified upon you, in the ineffable strength of your torments. You shall be tormented in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb; and when you shall be in this state of suffering, the glorious inhabitants of heaven shall go forth and look on the awful spectacle, that they may see what the wrath and fierceness of the Almighty is; and when they have seen it, they will fall down and adore that great power and majesty. <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Isa+66%3A23-24">Isa. 66:23-24</a>. <span style="font-weight: bold;">"And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord. And they shall go forth and look upon the carcasses of the men that have transgressed against me; for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched, and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh."</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. It is everlasting wrath. It would be dreadful to suffer this fierceness and wrath of Almighty God one moment; but you must suffer it to all eternity. There will be no end to this exquisite horrible misery. When you look forward, you shall see a long for ever, a boundless duration before you, which will swallow up your thoughts, and amaze your soul; and you will absolutely despair of ever having any deliverance, any end, any mitigation, any rest at all. You will know certainly that you must wear out long ages, millions of millions of ages, in wrestling and conflicting with this almighty merciless vengeance; and then when you have so done, when so many ages have actually been spent by you in this manner, you will know that all is but a point to what remains. So that your punishment will indeed be infinite. Oh, who can express what the state of a soul in such circumstances is! All that we can possibly say about it, gives but a very feeble, faint representation of it; it is inexpressible and inconceivable: For "who knows the power of God's anger?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How dreadful is the state of those that are daily and hourly in the danger of this great wrath and infinite misery! But this is the dismal case of every soul in this congregation that has not been born again, however moral and strict, sober and religious, they may otherwise be. Oh that you would consider it, whether you be young or old! There is reason to think, that there are many in this congregation now hearing this discourse, that will actually be the subjects of this very misery to all eternity. We know not who they are, or in what seats they sit, or what thoughts they now have. It may be they are now at ease, and hear all these things without much disturbance, and are now flattering themselves that they are not the persons, promising themselves that they shall escape. If we knew that there was one person, and but one, in the whole congregation, that was to be the subject of this misery, what an awful thing would it be to think of! If we knew who it was, what an awful sight would it be to see such a person! How might all the rest of the congregation lift up a lamentable and bitter cry over him! But, alas! instead of one, how many is it likely will remember this discourse in hell? And it would be a wonder, if some that are now present should not be in hell in a very short time, even before this year is out. And it would be no wonder if some persons, that now sit here, in some seats of this meeting-house, in health, quiet and secure, should be there before to-morrow morning. Those of you that finally continue in a natural condition, that shall keep out of hell longest will be there in a little time! your damnation does not slumber; it will come swiftly, and, in all probability, very suddenly upon many of you. You have reason to wonder that you are not already in hell. It is doubtless the case of some whom you have seen and known, that never deserved hell more than you, and that heretofore appeared as likely to have been now alive as you. Their case is past all hope; they are crying in extreme misery and perfect despair; but here you are in the land of the living and in the house of God, and have an opportuniry to obtain salvation. What would not those poor damned hopeless souls give for one day's opportunity such as you now enjoy!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now you have an extraordinary opportunity, a day wherein Christ has thrown the door of mercy wide open, and stands in calling and crying with a loud voice to poor sinners; a day wherein many are flocking to him, and pressing into the kingdom of God. Many are daily coming from the east, west, north and south; many that were very lately in the same miserable condition that you are in, are now in a happy state, with their hearts filled with love to him who has loved them, and washed them from their sins in his own blood, and rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. How awful is it to be left behind at such a day! To see so many others feasting, while you are pining and perishing! To see so many rejoicing and singing for joy of heart, while you have cause to mourn for sorrow of heart, and howl for vexation of spirit! How can you rest one moment in such a condition? Are not your souls as precious as the souls of the people at Suffield*, where they are flocking from day to day to Christ?</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are there not many here who have lived long in the world, and are not to this day born again? and so are aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and have done nothing ever since they have lived, but treasure up wrath against the day of wrath? Oh, sirs, your case, in an especial manner, is extremely dangerous. Your guilt and hardness of heart is extremely great. Do you not see how generally persons of your years are passed over and left, in the present remarkable and wonderful dispensation of God's mercy? You had need to consider yourselves, and awake thoroughly out of sleep. You cannot bear the fierceness and wrath of the infinite God.-And you, young men, and young women, will you neglect this precious season which you now enjoy, when so many others of your age are renouncing all youthful vanities, and flocking to Christ? You especially have now an extraordinary opportunity; but if you neglect it, it will soon be with you as with those persons who spent all the precious days of youth in sin, and are now come to such a dreadful pass in blindness and hardness. And you, children, who are unconverted, do not you know that you are going down to hell, to bear the dreadful wrath of that God, who is now angry with you every day and every night? Will you be content to be the children of the devil, when so many other children in the land are converted, and are become the holy and happy children of the King of kings?</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And let every one that is yet out of Christ, and hanging over the pit of hell, whether they be old men and women, or middle aged, or young people, or little children, now harken to the loud calls of God's word and providence. This acceptable year of the Lord, a day of such great favours to some, will doubtless be a day of as remarkable vengeance to others. Men's hearts harden, and their guilt increases apace at such a day as this, if they neglect their souls; and never was there so great danger of such persons being given up to hardness of heart and blindness of mind. God seems now to be hastily gathering in his elect in all parts of the land; and probably the greater part of adult persons that ever shall be saved, will be brought in now in a little time, and that it will be as it was on the great out-pouring of the Spirit upon the Jews in the apostles' days; the election will obtain, and the rest will be blinded. If this should be the case with you, you will eternally curse this day, and will curse the day that ever you was born, to see such a season of the pouring out of God's Spirit, and will wish that you had died and gone to hell before you had seen it. Now undoubtedly it is, as it was in the days of John the Baptist, the axe is in an extraordinary manner laid at the root of the trees, that every tree which brings not forth good fruit, may be hewn down and cast into the fire.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Therefore, let every one that is out of Christ, now awake and fly from the wrath to come. The wrath of Almighty God is now undoubtedly hanging over a great part of this congregation: Let every one fly out of Sodom: "Haste and escape for your lives, look not behind you, escape to the mountain, lest you be consumed."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0.4em auto; text-indent: 1.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*A town in the neighbourhood.</span></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[A Treasury of Great Preaching, (Austin, TX: WORDsearch, 2005), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God".]</span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-61863633789499535752015-04-02T12:07:00.000-04:002015-04-02T12:09:18.973-04:00WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE MIDDLE?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1g0_JxW0BywtIT37K-I4rmNiMr3PIqI0Ck5I5idDb68hEjnBzWfXfulVZ8v97_X6m_A6-piZ1gAluslTmimZGNijnwmV1pP_OX_R1l_bK2qBX71gYCAq8vMUo0THjzuO1WmIzZ40ldOQ/s1600/RFBC+DESIGN+JUNE+2014+gray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1g0_JxW0BywtIT37K-I4rmNiMr3PIqI0Ck5I5idDb68hEjnBzWfXfulVZ8v97_X6m_A6-piZ1gAluslTmimZGNijnwmV1pP_OX_R1l_bK2qBX71gYCAq8vMUo0THjzuO1WmIzZ40ldOQ/s1600/RFBC+DESIGN+JUNE+2014+gray.jpg" height="230" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last night, our Bible study group looked at the middle part of our motto which is “BRINGING IN, LIFTING UP AND SENDING OUT TO IMPACT OUR WORLD THROUGH THE POWER OF JESUS CHRIST” so the attention was on the phrase “LIFTING UP”. The purpose of this study was to remind all of us that we must make sure that what is happening in the middle of that motto is driven by love… the kind of love that God tells us to have.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First notice some key words in <i style="font-weight: bold;">Ephesians 4:1–3 (ESV) — 1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all <u>humility</u> and <u>gentleness</u>, with <u>patience</u>, <u>bearing with one another in love</u>, 3 <u>eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace</u>.</i> [underlining added]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are to humble towards each other which is the opposite of being arrogant. We are to have a spirit of gentleness towards each other as well. Adding to that, we are to be patient with each other and bear with one another in the spirit of love making sure that we are promoting unity and peace in the body of Christ.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next notice some key words in <b><i>Ephesians 4:4–6 (ESV) — 4 There is <u>one body</u> and <u>one Spirit</u>—just as you were called to the <u>one hope</u> that belongs to your call— 5 <u>one Lord</u>, <u>one faith</u>, <u>one baptism</u>, 6 <u>one</u> God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.</i></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> [underlining added]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One. One body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God. One. We are to think in terms of one. Thinking about the oneness in verses 4-6 and the key words in verses 1-3, we then </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">spent most of our time together looking at verses 11-16 and asking the following questions…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Ephesians 4:11 (ESV) — 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHO IS “HE”? God. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>1 Corinthians 12:18 (ESV) — 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.</i></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHO DID “HE” GIVE “the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers” TO? To the church, first the "universal church", which means all of those who are born again, and then more specifically to the "local church" which means each group of born-again believers that meet together to worship and become more like Christ. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHY DID “HE” GIVE “the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers” TO THEM? "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <b><i>to equip the saints for the work of ministry</i></b>" from verse 12</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Ephesians 4:12 (ESV) — 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “equip”? To train and prepare someone for something.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHO IS TO BE EQUIPPED? The "<b><i>saints</i></b>" which means the born-again believers of Jesus Christ. "Saints" does not mean perfect people. If you are a true Christian, you are a saint.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT ARE THEY TO BE EQUIPPED FOR? "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">the work of ministry</i>". Every Christian is to be busy serving God in addition to worshiping God. And yes, ministry is "work". It doesn't happen automatically. It takes prayer and hard work but what greater thing could we hear being said to us than "<b><i>Well done, My good and faithful servant</i></b>"?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHY ARE THEY TO BE EQUIPPED? "<b><i>for building up the body of Christ</i></b>"</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HOW ARE THEY TO BE EQUIPPED? VV.15-16 Through "<b><i>love</i></b>". By "<b><i>speaking the truth in love</i></b>" and by "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>build</i></b>[ing] <b><i>itself up in love</i></b>"</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Ephesians 4:13 (ESV) — 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHO ARE “we all”? All believers. Regardless of title or position or lack of either, we are all to growing up in Christ.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE SAINTS BEING EQUIPPED FOR MINISTRY? Unity, both in faith and in knowledge of Jesus. Spiritual maturity, "<i style="font-weight: bold;">to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ</i>" </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Ephesians 4:14 (ESV) — 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHY SHOULD WE SEEK “the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”? "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">so that we may no longer be children</i>" We are to be growing in our spiritual walk so that we don't chase after every fad that comes along. For example, some churches are always changing their identity to copy somebody else whether it be Rick Warren's "purpose-driven church", Bill Hybels' "seeker-sensitive church", etc. We are to pattern our church after God's Word and how He shapes us.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT CAN CAUSE US TO BE “tossed to and fro”? "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes</i>" Again, what does God's Word say? Anything we consider to be "<b><i>doctrine</i></b>" must be based upon the Bible and nothing else. We must not follow people's "<b><i>cunning</i></b>", "<b><i>craftiness</i></b>" or "<b><i>deceitful schemes</i></b>".</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HOW CAN WE KEEP OURSELVES FROM BEING “tossed to and fro”? By being grounded in God's Word so that we are seeking to "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ</i>"</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Ephesians 4:15 (ESV) — 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT IS THE “truth” THAT WE ARE TO SPEAK? God's Word</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HOW ARE WE TO SPEAK THAT “truth”? "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">in love</i>" Love that shows that we care for each other and not just for ourselves.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN IF WE SPEAK THAT TRUTH IN LOVE? We will be able to "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">grow up in <u>every way</u> into him who is the head, into Christ</i>". [Underlining added]</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look at the key words in <i style="font-weight: bold;">Ephesians 4:16 (ESV) — 16 from whom the <u>whole body</u>, <u>joined and held together</u> by <u>every joint</u> <u>with which it is equipped</u>, when <u>each part is working properly</u>, <u>makes the body grow</u> so that <u>it builds itself up in love</u>. </i>[underlining added]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The whole body, not just part of it, being joined and held together. Each part being equipped and working properly. The body growing up and building itself up in love. That is what is supposed to be happening in every church.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>WHAT COULD KEEP THIS PASSAGE FROM HAPPENING IN OUR CHURCH?</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT IF THE PREACHERS/TEACHERS WERE NOT EQUIPPING THE SAINTS FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY? Then the whole ministry load would be saved for or fall upon the preachers and teachers. That would keep the church from growing and it would keep the saints from being able to serve and develop their spiritual gifts.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHY WOULD THE PREACHERS/TEACHERS NOT WANT TO EQUIP THE SAINTS FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY? Pride (not wanting to share the ministry with anyone), not having confidence in the saints to be able to learn it or do it, not willing to take the time to train someone to minister, being burned too many times from training someone and then that person turned on you or left you, etc.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT IF THE SAINTS DIDN’T WANT TO BE EQUIPPED FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY? Then they would be disobedient and rebellious towards God and the church. They would act like "consumers" who only come to church to get what they want and then leave, etc.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHY WOULDN’T THE SAINTS WANT TO BE EQUIPPED FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY? They don't want the responsibility, they are too focused on themselves, they don't feel like they are qualified to minister, they think somebody else will do it, etc.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT IF THE CHURCH WASN’T SEEKING “the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”? It would be full of divisions and conflicts. It would have no appetite for God's Word and no desire to see any growth.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SIGNS THAT A CHURCH IS NOT SEEKING “the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”? Not reading your Bible, not attending Sunday School, the worship services and the Bible studies. Arrogance instead of humility. Being focused on self instead of the whole body. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SIGNS THAT A CHURCH IS ACTING LIKE “children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes”? Always chasing after the latest celebrity preacher or author. Not being serious about your commitment to God and to His church. Not being consistent with what you believe and why you believe it. Fighting for position, power and recognition.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT CAUSES A CHURCH TO ACT LIKE “children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes”? Not seeking "<i style="font-weight: bold;">the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ</i>"</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHY WOULD WE NOT WANT TO SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE? This quote is very powerful. “Truth without love is brutality, and love without truth is hypocrisy.” Warren W. Wiersbe Some people don't want to speak the truth in love because they feel better about themselves by pointing out the faults of others. Some people are more concerned about what they say than how it will affect whoever they are talking to.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON’T “speaking the truth in love”? We will cause more divisions and more folks to leave the church.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON’T WANT TO GROW UP? Disobedience to God. We are to be making disciples, not making divisions. We cannot please God if we refuse to grow up.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT HAPPENS IF WE THINK WE ARE GROWING UP BUT REALLY WE AREN’T? Then our talk won't match our walk. We will say that we are Christians but our lifestyles will scream the opposite. Jesus said in several places that we will be known by our fruit. If our fruit is not matching what we are saying, we are only deceiving ourselves.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THAT THE WHOLE BODY BE “joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped” AND “each part is working properly”? Simple, if we are not joined together, we are falling apart and that will happen if each part is not working properly.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ACCORDING TO VERSE 16, WHY MIGHT BE ONE REASON THAT THE BODY ISN’T “joined and held together” AND “working properly”? If there is no true love for each other.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let me close this post with verses from the King James and the New American Standard Bibles (because of the beautiful word "edify" which we should be doing...)</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Romans 14:19 (KJV) — 19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>1 Corinthians 8:1 (NASB95) — 1 …Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>1 Corinthians 14:12 (KJV) — 12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Ephesians 4:29 (KJV) — 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>1 Thessalonians 5:11 (KJV) — 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.</i></b></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-40032070616894911072015-03-30T22:36:00.002-04:002015-03-30T22:36:18.414-04:00WHAT IS A "CRUCIFISH"?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik74chLqLHYHL3o27kGwBF1lWMuoBSzOa78yigCaw6D9hHU7oR7WglNCjKUpFBI6k1LE6DzLxkIYrIgMqqDl7oQ0evzPspQN7ftrGkQkuWJHsde0XaGtF2WA1HApHlAueYdWbWYDs1udo/s1600/_MG_1224demo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik74chLqLHYHL3o27kGwBF1lWMuoBSzOa78yigCaw6D9hHU7oR7WglNCjKUpFBI6k1LE6DzLxkIYrIgMqqDl7oQ0evzPspQN7ftrGkQkuWJHsde0XaGtF2WA1HApHlAueYdWbWYDs1udo/s1600/_MG_1224demo.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The picture above is one of Rhonda's "crucifish" treasures, otherwise known as a "crucifix fish". What you see here is the top of a sailcat's skull. Rhonda found this on one of our trips to Florida. (Rhonda found several of these before I found my first one so I told her that it is sad that the pastor's wife could find Jesus so much easier than a pastor!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.seashellcity.com/sealife/legends.html" target="_blank"><b>actual legend</b></a> says, "Of all the fishes in the sea our lord chose the lowly sailcat to remind us of his misery. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His body on the cross is outlined, The hilt of the sword which was plunged into his side is clearly defined. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look at the back of the fishes bone where the Roman shield is shown. When you shake the cross you will hear the dice being tossed for our Lords blood stained dress, those who can hear them will be blessed."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOOrYeswneNuSmCqzKBfMimHf5aEmDKT_Nig34-Bmq_9wHRpTwYq_1-bgtUq6sEBuupAAHdk9dqpnN-tlSs_db8qcICAdKKux4hDZH4BOvXm4VRCMSW5IWhl29AZt8dkg4l1MLjEep64/s1600/_MG_1225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOOrYeswneNuSmCqzKBfMimHf5aEmDKT_Nig34-Bmq_9wHRpTwYq_1-bgtUq6sEBuupAAHdk9dqpnN-tlSs_db8qcICAdKKux4hDZH4BOvXm4VRCMSW5IWhl29AZt8dkg4l1MLjEep64/s1600/_MG_1225.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isn't it amazing that hidden inside the head of a sailcat fish is an incredible piece of art symbolizing the death of Jesus Christ on the cross? As we celebrate Easter this week, let this photo be a reminder to you that we are to have Christ's image in us as well. May we be Christ-like in all we do. Amen? </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-31431197017230683692015-03-26T13:55:00.001-04:002015-03-26T13:56:37.841-04:00CAN A TRULY BORN-AGAIN PERSON WALK AWAY FROM HIS SALVATION? Part 2<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Same question as the last post, but this time from a different series of verses. Can a person who has been truly saved by God walk away from his salvation? This time, let's search for the answer through a series of questions and Bible verses.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First of all, HOW DOES A PERSON BECOME SAVED IN THE FIRST PLACE?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the last post, you saw <b><i>2 Peter 1:10 (ESV) — 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.</i></b> and I want you to focus on the words "calling" and "election". Before you can be saved by God, you have to be "elected" by God. Paul says election is not based upon our works, but upon God Himself [</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Romans 9:11].</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before you can be saved by God, you have to be "called" by God as shown in the following verses:</span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Romans 1:7 (ESV) — 7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and <u>called to be saints</u>: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.</i></b></span></div>
<div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<b><i>Romans 8:30 (ESV) — 30 And those whom he predestined he also <u>called</u>, and those whom he <u>called</u> he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.</i></b></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>1 Corinthians 1:9 (ESV) — 9 God is faithful, by whom you were <u>called</u> into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.</i></b></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Bible is very clear that we must be called by God to be saved. We cannot and will not initiate the effective request to be saved apart from His calling. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Romans 3:10–11 (ESV) — 10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God.</i></b> God initiates the action. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Ephesians 2:1–10 (ESV) — 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.</i></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">QUESTIONS SO FAR:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Will all of the "elect" be saved by God and if so, how can a person "unelect" himself?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Will all of the "called" be saved by God and if so, how can a person "uncall" himself?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. If God takes a spiritually-dead person and makes him alive with Christ [v.5], how can a person become unalive? Does that mean that God's saving power is not eternal?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT ABOUT 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div>
<b><i>2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) — 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.</i></b></div>
<div>
MORE QUESTIONS:</div>
<div>
4. Can a person who is really in Christ be able to "come out" of Christ?</div>
<div>
5. If a person is truly a new creation, can he really become the old creation again?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
WHAT ABOUT JOHN 3:3?</div>
<div>
<div>
<b><i>John 3:3 (ESV) — 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”</i></b></div>
</div>
<div>
ANOTHER QUESTION:</div>
<div>
6. Can a person who has truly been "born again" become "unborn"?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
WHAT ABOUT MATTHEW 7:21-22?</div>
<div>
<div>
<b><i>Matthew 7:21–22 (ESV) — 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’</i></b></div>
</div>
<div>
ANOTHER QUESTION:</div>
<div>
7. Does this passage show that you can lose or walk away from your salvation? No because look at <b><i>Matthew 7:23 (ESV) — 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Why would Jesus send them away?</i></b> BECAUSE HE NEVER KNEW THEM.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope that these questions and Bible verses will help you to process your thoughts and help you know where you stand with the Lord. I leave you today with these words from Paul:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div>
<b><i>2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV) — 5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!</i></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-71482131385459339842015-03-26T12:32:00.000-04:002015-03-26T12:35:26.885-04:00CAN A TRULY BORN-AGAIN PERSON WALK AWAY FROM HIS SALVATION? Part 1<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Can a person who is truly saved by God's grace and mercy as described in God's Word walk away from his salvation?" Some say yes, some say no. What makes the question even more interesting are the discussions containing various Bible verses.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If the question was asked, "Can anything outside ourselves pull us away from Christ?", we would immediately refer to <b><i>Romans 8:31–39 (ESV) — 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But can a person take himself out of the equation? I recently had this discussion with some friends of mine and we were challenging each other to think through the scripture. I love our discussions because they cause us to think through the scriptures even more than normal. One of the verses that popped up was <i style="font-weight: bold;">2 Peter 2:22 (ESV) — 22 What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”</i> In fact, I have even heard all of the following section to be used in asking that question:<b><i> 2 Peter 2:20–22 (ESV) — 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was going to save this part for last but now I see that I should go ahead and point you towards the <b><u>pronouns</u></b> used in 2 Peter chapter 2. Answer these questions:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Who is Peter writing to?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Who is Peter talking about?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peter is writing to "<b><i>those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ</i></b>" [</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 Peter 1:1 (ESV)]</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and you will notice the second-person pronoun "you" in the following verses:</span><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>2 Peter 1:2 (ESV) — 2 May grace and peace be multiplied to <u>you</u>...</i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>2 Peter 1:4 (ESV) — 4 ... so that through them <u>you</u> may become partakers of the divine nature...</i></b><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>2 Peter 1:5 (ESV) — 5 ...make every effort to supplement <u>your</u> faith with virtue...</i></b><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>2 Peter 1:8 (ESV) — 8 For if these qualities are <u>yours</u> and are increasing, they keep <u>you</u> from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.</i></b><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>2 Peter 1:10 (ESV) — 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm <u>your</u> calling and election, for if <u>you</u> practice these qualities <u>you</u> will never fall.</i></b><br />
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>2 Peter 1:11 (ESV) — 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for <u>you</u> an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.</i></b></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>2 Peter 1:12–13 (ESV) — 12 Therefore I intend always to remind <u>you</u> of these qualities, though <u>you</u> know them and are established in the truth that <u>you</u> have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir <u>you</u> up by way of reminder,</i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[underlining added for you]</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So who is Peter talking about in chapter 2 when he changes from second-person pronouns to third-person pronouns such as "they" or "them"? Start at verse 22 and work backwards.</div>
<div>
<div>
<b><i>2 Peter 2:22 (ESV) — 22 What the true proverb says has happened to <u>them</u>...</i></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<b><i>2 Peter 2:21 (ESV) — 21 For it would have been better for <u>them</u> never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to <u>them</u>.</i></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<b><i>2 Peter 2:20 (ESV) — 20 For if, after <u>they</u> have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, <u>they</u> are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for <u>them</u> than the first.</i></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<b><i>2 Peter 2:19 (ESV) — 19 <u>They</u> promise them freedom, but <u>they</u> <u>themselves</u> are slaves of corruption...</i></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<b><i>2 Peter 2:18 (ESV) — 18 ...<u>they</u> entice by sensual passions of the flesh...</i></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<b><i>2 Peter 2:17 (ESV) — 17 ...For <u>them</u> the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved.</i></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<b><i>2 Peter 2:12–15 (ESV) — 12 But <u>these</u>, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which <u>they</u> are ignorant, will also be destroyed in <u>their</u> destruction, 13 suffering wrong as the wage for <u>their</u> wrongdoing. <u>They</u> count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. <u>They</u> are blots and blemishes, reveling in <u>their</u> deceptions, while <u>they</u> feast with you. 14 <u>They</u> have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. <u>They</u> entice unsteady souls. <u>They</u> have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! 15 Forsaking the right way,<u> they</u> have gone astray. <u>They</u> have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing,</i></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<b><i>2 Peter 2:2–3 (ESV) — 2 And many will follow <u>their</u> sensuality, and because of <u>them</u> the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in<u> their</u> greed <u>they</u> will exploit you with false words. <u>Their</u> condemnation from long ago is not idle, and <u>their</u> destruction is not asleep.</i></b></div>
</div>
<div>
[underlining added for you]</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So who are "they" that Peter is talking about? Who are "they" that are going to be like the dog going back to its vomit or the sow getting back into the mud in 2 Peter 2:22? The answer is in <b><i>2 Peter 2:1 (ESV) — 1 But <u>false prophets</u> also arose among the people, just as there will be <u>false teachers</u> among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. </i></b>[underlining added for you] Not the born-again Christians described in chapter 1, but the false teachers. If you read chapter 2 with the words "false teachers" replacing the third-person pronouns, it would read like this:</div>
<div>
<div>
<b><i>2 Peter 2:1–22 (ESV) — 1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon </i>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> swift destruction. 2 And many will follow </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> sensuality, and because of </i><u>[the false teachers]</u><i> the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> greed </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> will exploit you with false words. </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> condemnation from long ago is not idle, and </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> destruction is not asleep...12 But </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i>, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> are ignorant, will also be destroyed in </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> destruction, 13 suffering wrong as the wage for </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> wrongdoing. </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> are blots and blemishes, reveling in </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> deceptions, while </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> feast with you. 14 </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> entice unsteady souls. </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! 15 Forsaking the right way, </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> have gone astray. </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, 16 but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. 17 </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. 18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> promise them freedom, but </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 20 For if, after </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> than the first. 21 For it would have been better for </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i> never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i>. 22 What the true proverb says has happened to </i></b><b>[<u>the </u></b><b><u>false teachers</u>]</b><b><i>: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”</i></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are several other factors to look at here as well. For example, what about the idea of "</span><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">" followed by the phrase "</span><i style="font-weight: bold;">again entangled in them and overcome</i>"? That sounds like how Jesus described the 'thorny soil' in <b><i>Luke 8:</i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.</i></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And why would it have better for them "</span><b><i>never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered</i></b>"? Is it not because they believed that they were indeed saved by God when the fact is that they were not? And if they thought they were already saved by God, they would believe that they already live by the gospel when the truth is that they are distorting the gospel as shown in 2 Peter chapter 2?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Are you like the "you" in chapter 1 who is indeed a Christian or like "they" in chapter 2 who are false teachers that will be destroyed [v.12] and suffer for their wrong doings [v.13]?</div>
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-31402337108192867082015-03-05T14:25:00.001-05:002015-03-05T14:26:40.523-05:00TODAY'S SNOW REMINDS ME OF THE LOCAL CHURCH<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbpQswLmTJjj1rpnHGdehEMo4gC0z46pwJdV9ljF_c9wN8oYIn6-PlXeoZGj82dCDL-Ekf7YcUAclQZnb0uTs9L3USXHM4v6_ssvb9P_thiG9jXEuTmHJsvc75gCI2BfMVJzQLfzVUWY/s1600/IMG_6314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbpQswLmTJjj1rpnHGdehEMo4gC0z46pwJdV9ljF_c9wN8oYIn6-PlXeoZGj82dCDL-Ekf7YcUAclQZnb0uTs9L3USXHM4v6_ssvb9P_thiG9jXEuTmHJsvc75gCI2BfMVJzQLfzVUWY/s1600/IMG_6314.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How does this snow remind me of the local church? Think about the beauty you see each time it snows... before anyone has made any tracks in the snow... you see a huge blanket covering everything. Now think for a moment how big a snow flake is. Just one. One snow flake can easily fit on the tip of your finger but when it joins other snowflakes, you can have a large snowfall like today. Some folks are reporting 20 or more inches of snow in their yard.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what does that have to do with the local church? It is another great example that God has given us about the need for our church family. On our own, we are not able to do as much work. On our own, we are very vulnerable to temptation and destruction. On our own, we are very weak. But when the local church comes together, it is beautiful to see all of the relationships growing stronger, it's members working together to fulfill the Great Commission and the local church can accomplish so much more than any one individual.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Consider this passage of Scripture.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 (ESV) — 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.</i></b></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How is "two" better than "one"? Here are four reasons we need each other.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>9 ...because they have a good reward for their toil. </i></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Imagine a dump truck lost part of its load at the end of your driveway and now you have 1,000 pounds of rock keeping you from being able to go anywhere. Let's say that each rock weighs 50 pounds each and because of their size and shape, you can only carry one at a time. That would mean you would have to pick up 20 rocks before you could drive your car!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But what if your neighbor saw what happened and came over to help? Now you only have to pick up 10 rocks apiece. Just by adding one person. What if three other guys saw what you were doing and came to the rescue? Then you would only have to pick up 4 rocks each! THAT'S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 20 TRIPS AND 4 TRIPS.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being a pastor for the last 20 years, I have seen many people trying to pick up 20 rocks when all they had to do was ask their church family to help. If they had gotten 20 people to do the task, each one would only have to pick up ONE ROCK!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT IF THERE WAS ONLY ONE ROCK IN THE DRIVEWAY AND IT WEIGHED 1,000 POUNDS??? Using this example, one person couldn't do it by themselves but 20 people working together could do it.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! </i></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This verse alone speaks volumes why we need our church family! When we isolate ourselves, it is so much harder to get up when we fall into temptation or discouragement. We have no one to see us fall, we have no one to protect us and no one to encourage us. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But when we have our church family around us, they notice when we are down or hurting. They also notice when we start to drift away or fall back into some dangerous patterns in our lives. We can love and be loved. We can help each other remember that no matter what happens in our lives, we are not alone. We can remind each other of God's faithfulness and power. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speaking from experience, I can't tell you how many times somebody from our church family has encouraged me, challenged me to grow, reminded me of the big picture and so much more. Don't miss out on these benefits. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? </i></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes my wife speaks a few words that I am supposed to recognize as many words. For example, at a cinema, she may say, "I am cold." which is translated in Rhondaese as "I am cold so get closer and let me snuggle up to you and warm up." If I don't get that message, she will repeat herself and say, "Honey, I said I am cold." then a light bulb goes off above my head and I understand what she wanted me to do.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Think about what happens when you are alone (more than you want to be). Time drags on. No interaction with anyone. Your mind begins to run in every possible direction... "What if...", "I hope...", "I don't think I can...", etc. Mary Teresa once said, "Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I was writing this post, I searched Google for images under the title "loneliness". So many of those photos show sorrow, pain and suffering with no one around to help them. Just look at this pic I found and see what I mean...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUJQcW3TuTZEA8oRm9VrTFnqUwJzpvdxB-Qmqovh_rS-uNnbwLMTT0a99pJlCWbjpgzJifRU9mcg2iQuk1kkNBstuQU9eIYaKCIQSs2Yrs6D1E0XoXrN2g3RitFPmKdSKOg17QM6zJuw/s1600/loneliness11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUJQcW3TuTZEA8oRm9VrTFnqUwJzpvdxB-Qmqovh_rS-uNnbwLMTT0a99pJlCWbjpgzJifRU9mcg2iQuk1kkNBstuQU9eIYaKCIQSs2Yrs6D1E0XoXrN2g3RitFPmKdSKOg17QM6zJuw/s1600/loneliness11.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now contrast that photo with these photos...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJithBGIJgNsyz4BtyXraGGMn0QnZ8lATn3E-fIwk3ah_mnY1KzT86bfPvd9rw-mKWiuR-luPdtbMMUbBoe8lI6JXRzgU77MxMh441m0dx170GwnH8cYiGppysfZK6Z_UbEVOqVNBO3sA/s1600/IMG_6221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJithBGIJgNsyz4BtyXraGGMn0QnZ8lATn3E-fIwk3ah_mnY1KzT86bfPvd9rw-mKWiuR-luPdtbMMUbBoe8lI6JXRzgU77MxMh441m0dx170GwnH8cYiGppysfZK6Z_UbEVOqVNBO3sA/s1600/IMG_6221.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEe4aUwsGkWCh7lpMdRVVTmjJsT4R5m6Uf4R_kAmAF8IE4RriSLcfs1OEO2ku1UnmEg9pUgqYZ_Vs3ov7VVEKA0wPaBvzCtQW8PqeKIeUPM9-CRMYUEphuU-zOAKpEZdIMApsuzC5m-98/s1600/IMG_6251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEe4aUwsGkWCh7lpMdRVVTmjJsT4R5m6Uf4R_kAmAF8IE4RriSLcfs1OEO2ku1UnmEg9pUgqYZ_Vs3ov7VVEKA0wPaBvzCtQW8PqeKIeUPM9-CRMYUEphuU-zOAKpEZdIMApsuzC5m-98/s1600/IMG_6251.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXbCdu23lCc8ZmbHCj85KWN-vJY8rtZaLB-c0ok6c48r4XuglzQAXGoOoOlQgpC29-2DkdsETRbiwTsm0G746htN1DKP1UM4nMO1LQJHdkCUcWkw61QFgrC01Ql88yxbEu7decQwNlxc/s1600/IMG_6253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXbCdu23lCc8ZmbHCj85KWN-vJY8rtZaLB-c0ok6c48r4XuglzQAXGoOoOlQgpC29-2DkdsETRbiwTsm0G746htN1DKP1UM4nMO1LQJHdkCUcWkw61QFgrC01Ql88yxbEu7decQwNlxc/s1600/IMG_6253.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9AUnO4t1puFBU_lSbDiZPFiEdwLd8Ajq6dAu9HGOKuIFqnUq0unfnsPnYf8LqKaL-82XzqQQWxXN7cgvtPG7IUDVrKGTkQErgZFeOHkCRPty6L8e25wz4lH4MPfMUJIwLfZt4bSot6E/s1600/IMG_6262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9AUnO4t1puFBU_lSbDiZPFiEdwLd8Ajq6dAu9HGOKuIFqnUq0unfnsPnYf8LqKaL-82XzqQQWxXN7cgvtPG7IUDVrKGTkQErgZFeOHkCRPty6L8e25wz4lH4MPfMUJIwLfZt4bSot6E/s1600/IMG_6262.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UyUYqRPW7RhRj_-X9sEHcXECjBBbSuNu02_59yxzCWhrKVXfYqlH4VGyrhTIaJec9ANNly6_M70ySDSozHELU6XtXfjPvuM3gFZx1m7RjpOXnxrKRtAIBGftedj5OJYYWt_OVOZZcj4/s1600/IMG_6305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UyUYqRPW7RhRj_-X9sEHcXECjBBbSuNu02_59yxzCWhrKVXfYqlH4VGyrhTIaJec9ANNly6_M70ySDSozHELU6XtXfjPvuM3gFZx1m7RjpOXnxrKRtAIBGftedj5OJYYWt_OVOZZcj4/s1600/IMG_6305.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is what it is like to be a part of a local church. Enjoying each other. Celebrating each other. Helping each other in times of need. Loving others warms them up.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.</i></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When training for overseas mission trips, we were told to always pair up with someone in our group and never wander off from your group alone. So many news reports have shown where someone was abducted because they were an easy target. When somebody pulls away from the group, nobody is there to protect them from trouble.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The same is true in local church. We have each other to help protect us from trouble. Every one of us will be attacked by the evil one but thank God for our church family. We can pray for each other and hold each other accountable. We can protect each other from wandering away from the faith. We need each other. You can't make it on your own. God knows that and this is why He gave us this list of "one anothers" in scripture. I hope that you will take the time to look through this list and see why we need each other so much.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i></i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Be at peace with one another (Mk 9:50)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Love one another (Jn 13:34)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Be joined to one another (Ro 12:5)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Be devoted to one another (Ro 12:10)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>5.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Honor one another (Ro 12:10)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>6.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Rejoice with one another (Ro 12:15)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>7.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Weep with one another (Ro 12:15)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>8.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Live in harmony with one another (Ro 12:16)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>9.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Accept one another (Ro 15:7)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>10.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Counsel one another (Ro 15:14)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>11.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Greet one another (Ro 16:16)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>12.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Agree with each other (1 Co 1:10)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>13.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Wait for one another (1 Co 11:33)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>14.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Care for one another (1 Co 12:25)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>15.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Serve one another (Gal 5:13)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>16.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Carry one another’s burdens (Gal 6:2)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>17.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Be kind to one another (Eph 4:32)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>18.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Forgive one another (Eph 4:32)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>19.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Submit to one another (Eph 5:21)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>20.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Bear with one another (Col 3:13)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>21.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Teach, admonish each other (Col 3:16)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>22.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Encourage one another (1 Th 5:11)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>23.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Build up one another (1 Th 5:11)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>24.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Spur one another on (Heb 10:24)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>25.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Offer hospitality to one another (1 Pe 4:9)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>26.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Minister gifts to one another (1 Pe 4:10)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>27.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Be humble toward one another (1 Pe 5:5)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>28.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Confess your sins to one another (Jas 5:16)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>29.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Pray for one another (Jas 5:16)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>30.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Fellowship with one another (1 Jn 1:7)</b></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-86951750345406060062015-02-20T13:39:00.002-05:002015-02-20T13:40:20.251-05:00WHY WE SHOULD BE THANKFUL WHEN GOD SAYS "NO"<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Think about a time you were praying about something that you felt very strongly about and how you were sure that God was leading you that direction. If God said "No" to that prayer, how did you feel? Surprised? Discouraged? Confused?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpgPYPL5-Z7R1TeLT6UVgpv4c4da1JhxpCCqGCdv0HwS8sqfKRfNn_8xm2BoK312VgGSvY5ekQW3HCwZuNavhPnWI9EZq6fTS7udZJDGQr7Mg6DLzn33PxK_1llDJs2JbSnloPeFlK2k/s1600/IMG_3020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpgPYPL5-Z7R1TeLT6UVgpv4c4da1JhxpCCqGCdv0HwS8sqfKRfNn_8xm2BoK312VgGSvY5ekQW3HCwZuNavhPnWI9EZq6fTS7udZJDGQr7Mg6DLzn33PxK_1llDJs2JbSnloPeFlK2k/s1600/IMG_3020.JPG" height="320" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Ron, Judy, Sue, Darlene, myself and Matthew</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had that happen to me earlier this year and it wasn't until this week that I found out why God said "No". I was making arrangements for us to go to the Philippines again this year and suddenly, the trip was cancelled. Our partner told us that he couldn't work with us again. I was very surprised, very discouraged and very confused because I had already been four times and was looking forward to working with more Filipino pastors and preaching more revivals, this time in Mati and other regions. But now, that plan was gone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFdbMNwngqnTwa0qWzmSZkl7-a0iQqpb1tlUXFc9a3kVt5hGuOMCKismcvwTTn5AThQtcr8brS515EAyfp_lehSTTVNVfae3GrRdH7pXOD3k-S76XPmjIQLRrk7QlHn9S8U8TGRlb5Z0/s1600/IMG_2585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFdbMNwngqnTwa0qWzmSZkl7-a0iQqpb1tlUXFc9a3kVt5hGuOMCKismcvwTTn5AThQtcr8brS515EAyfp_lehSTTVNVfae3GrRdH7pXOD3k-S76XPmjIQLRrk7QlHn9S8U8TGRlb5Z0/s1600/IMG_2585.JPG" height="320" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Pastor Joe, Juliet, Darlene, Sue, Richard and me on the way to Mati in 2014</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbxdRH5vWMdEhnXevyjtqB_IRGlDx9tcNLwZh74dCp1uOPEDD9wE0gzgPXTLQhQg3zl6o_QVseSvpgT8u8fkyf_guHaJ5kldR28baYeVofAMRSEDZ91yVL4ktGreyAK_vOHYRzg3DLfI/s1600/IMG_2485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbxdRH5vWMdEhnXevyjtqB_IRGlDx9tcNLwZh74dCp1uOPEDD9wE0gzgPXTLQhQg3zl6o_QVseSvpgT8u8fkyf_guHaJ5kldR28baYeVofAMRSEDZ91yVL4ktGreyAK_vOHYRzg3DLfI/s1600/IMG_2485.JPG" height="320" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Preaching a street revival in one of the compounds</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For several days, I really wondered what happened... why weren't we going to the Philippines again. But then after talking and praying with my wife, family and friends, I had peace with it knowing that everything happens for a reason.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week, I saw the reason in a new email from my partner, Pastor Joe. Here is part of what he said... </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I am sorry to inform you that Mati City Police Camp or Head Quarter was attacked last Sunday February 15 by the Communist New People's Army. A gun battle errupted. It is not very safe to travel now for American visitors. Also, and encounter with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and our Special Action Force last January 25 have resulted to 44 killed of our Policemen. Again, the Peace and Order situation in our island of Mindanao is not conducive for travels and visitors like Americans. I can not encourage you to come. It is very dangerous... Both the New People's Army and Muslim Rebels are very active and unpredictable in their struggles to achieve their goals. This means as far as I am concerned it is no longer safe to invite Americans to conduct ministries open to the public. this is the issue that we really worked wisely and with prudence when we tried to work with American preachers and missionaries." </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another American pastor and I would have been traveling to that area in less then four weeks had God not said "No". Matthew would have joined us a few days later. As soon as I read that email, I thought, "God, You are my deliverer!" </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Psalm 18:1 (ESV) I love you, O LORD, my strength. 2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.</i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next time God tells me "No", I hope I remember this lesson and thank Him for His guidance and protection instead wondering why. God is so good and His love endures forever!!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Psalm 100:5 (ESV) For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. </i></b></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-10432468373753781212015-02-18T22:52:00.000-05:002015-02-18T22:53:35.259-05:00WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO "KNOW" THE WILL OF GOD? by Chuck Fannin<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What does it mean t</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">o “know” the will of God?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Knowing the will of God isn't the impossible task that some like to describe. If we stop to think about it, we were given some specific ideas about this when Amos said "can two walk together except that they agree?" If we are to walk with God, we must mold our minds and thoughts into the same patterns of His. You must understand, God cannot change - we must. So, if we wish to change - to learn the will of God - we must do several things. Let's look at a few – six sounds like a ‘nice round number’.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1. You must be able to surrender your will to the Father.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When God specifically told the people that they could not have any idols, he meant exactly that (cf. Exo 20:4-60). Most people consider an idol as an image that you bow down to. This is not necessarily true. Webster's tells us that an idol can be anything that is we are devoted to or excessively admired. What this means is that anything that you put before God becomes an idol. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2. You cannot depend upon 'your feelings'.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Judges 17:6, we find that the Israelites did 'that which was right in his own eyes'. They decided what was correct and what was not without God. Deuteronomy 12:8 specifically forbids us to 'whatsoever is right in his own eyes'! Do you remember the very first sin? Adam partook of the tree of knowledge - the tree that would allow him to have the ability to 'know' right from wrong. He decided that God needed help in understanding right from wrong. He decided that he didn't need God anymore to decide right from wrong. Well, he was wrong!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Often, many people feel they have sufficient information to decide a course of action. Without the FULL story, we can never make a completely error free decision between what is right and what is wrong. It seems to me that only God has the "whole story"!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3. Study of the Word will often explain his will for you. </b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We find that the people favored of God actively pursued knowledge of Him and willingly suffered whatever was necessary in order to gain more understanding. Can we do any less? (2 Tim 2:15 & Acts 17:11)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>4. Take note of providential circumstances.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We find that God says the people will look for Him and not find Him. We, humans, 'demand' an empirical definition for everything. We seemingly cannot accept that God often works in our lives in a purely natural manner (i.e. storms, gifts, peace of mind, etc.).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>5. Ask God to reveal himself to you. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then accept the 'pruning' that comes from God (John 15:1-4). This principle is often overlooked. We are 'saints' of the most high because we are redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb - Jesus Christ! Being a saint requires that I be made holy unto God. God will not coexist with evil. He reconciled me to him. We are made a new creature (creation) through this rebirth. The old man is put away. We are part of the vine of Jesus Christ. God is the Husbandman. There are two types of branches on a vine; one that bears good fruit and one that does not. Those that do not bear good fruit "he takes away". More important is the one that bears good fruit. New growth on a limb that is pointed the WRONG DIRECTION is cut off - pruned! It is the same with us. Every time we exhibit new growth that is contrary to the will of God, he will prune that branch. If we persist in going in the direction that he cuts off, we get chastised (Hebrews 12:5-8). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>6. Wait on him with patience.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of David's psalms very plainly tells us to learn patience. Learn how to accept that God is going to answer all prayers in one of three ways. He will either answer 'yes', 'no', or 'wait'. Most of us can easily handle the yes answer. Many can handle the no answer. Most, however, cannot handle the 'wait' answer. The 'wait' answer always seems to be silence on God's part - thus we are left feeling like we have been forsaken, forgotten or not important enough for God to pay attention to us (Psalm 25:4 - 5).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bottom line? To "know" God until we must accept him and his guidance. As Jesus said, if you love me, you'll keep my commandments. So it is with our belief that we can "know" God. We must strive to be 'like' God to 'know' God!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[Chuck Fannin is the Young Adult's Sunday School teacher at Rolling Fork Baptist Church]</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-88435573741650466162015-02-18T15:44:00.000-05:002015-02-18T15:45:26.394-05:00DOES JESUS THINK YOU ARE DOING YOUR "SELFIES" WRONG?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have facebook, twitter or any other form of social media, you have seen selfies every day, haven't you? The "bathroom mirror" shot, the "duck-lips" shot, the "look-down-my-shirt" shot, the "I'm-laying-down-and-looking-sexy" shot, the "look-at-my-new-shirt" shot, the "look-how-long-my-tongue-is" shot, ...you know what I am talking about.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One website I saw described taking too many selfies as "selfitis" and here is how to tell how bad you have it...</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Borderline selfitis : taking photos of one’s self at least three times a day but not posting them on social media</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Acute selfitis: taking photos of one’s self at least three times a day and posting each of the photos on social media</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chronic selfitis: Uncontrollable urge to take photos of one’s self round the clock and posting the photos on social media more than six times a day</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why are people so obsessed with selfies? Is it because nobody else is taking their photos as often as they want them done? Is it because we are so obsessed with ourselves? As if selfies weren't popular enough, now you can use a "selfie stick" to get more angles of perspective in your photos! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Would Jesus Do A Selfie?</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At first, you may quickly respond with a "no" but think for a minute about how He lived here on earth. Yes, I agree that He wouldn't take photos of only Himself and post words like "Look at how great I am" or "Who can walk on water? THIS GUY!" But what if He used selfies for another reason? (I know, this is a stretch but hang with me for a minute.)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div>
<b><i>Matthew 19:13 (ESV) Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” </i></b></div>
<div>
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div>
When the people were bringing their children to Jesus, the disciples tried to stop them but Jesus said to leave them alone. In fact, look at what He said, "<i style="font-weight: bold;">Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them</i>. I can see Jesus reaching out to the kids and laughing at their excitement. I think Jesus would say to them, "Hey, let's take a selfie together!". Why? To show the kids how much He loved them and to show the disciples that He valued everyone, no matter how old they were. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
How about <b><i>Matthew 20:29 (ESV) And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. </i></b><b><i>30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” </i></b><b><i>31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” </i></b><b><i>32 And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” </i></b><b><i>33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” </i></b><b><i>34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him. </i></b></div>
<div>
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div>
The blind men were crying out to Jesus for help but the crowd rebuked them and told them to shut up. Jesus didn't treat harshly like the crowd did, He had pity on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they had recovered their sight! If you were one of the blind men, wouldn't you have been excited? Can't you just see them smiling and thanking Jesus for taking the time to help them? And can't you see Jesus smiling back at the two men who previously could not see anyone smiling at them? Maybe Jesus would say something like, "I am glad you two are so happy. I am excited for you. Hey, let's take a selfie together!" Why? To show the two men how much He cared about them and to show the crowd how you are supposed to treat people.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Let's do one more. <b><i>John 21:15 (ESV) When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. </i></b></div>
<div>
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div>
Here is the touching story of how Jesus had focused on Peter after Jesus had been raised from the dead. If you think back in the scripture, you will remember that Jesus had warned Peter about the fact that he would deny knowing Jesus in <b><i>Luke 22:31 (ESV) “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, </i></b><b><i>32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” </i></b><b><i>33 Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” </i></b><b><i>34 Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” </i></b></div>
<div>
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div>
Peter denied Jesus just like He said he would in <b><i>Luke 22:54 (ESV) Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. 55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly. </i></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So in the passage from John 15, Jesus is showing love to Peter even though Peter had denied knowing Him. Jesus asked Peter three times, "Do you love Me?" The scripture doesn't show Him asking the rest of the disciples questions like that. I can imagine Jesus saying, "Soon I will be leaving here and going back to My Father but before I go, I want you to know something. I am proud of you and I am glad you are back." Maybe Peter was having a hard time believing that Jesus could forgive him for doing such a thing. And then to reassure Peter, Jesus might say, "Let's do a selfie to be a reminder of My love for you."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now you may think that I am being sacrilegious but I promise that my intentions are pure. I am not trying to distort scripture, I am trying to emphasize to you how much Jesus loves us... even when others try to push us away. When we include others in our selfies, we are telling them "I love you".</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Before I end this post, I want to validate something to you. Even though I have never seen Jesus take a selfie with someone or heard about Him doing so, I know that when I have taken a selfie with someone, I can feel His love flowing through us. Keep smiling. Here are a few of those selfies. And yes, I love these folks.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxH6RiE4WRmHFmzEyWzX1sjRI2estrMBhZ1dL3VWXqInzOO10Ng8F19pGA3O2OmN-JNtkyQ2vgNU1qK4XA30knjAkZXz6gjvWXdq8GlTf-0Rm_iU7_gr0CPSN_W9YjY-xeC6Wr8hSQf4/s1600/rhonda+jane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxH6RiE4WRmHFmzEyWzX1sjRI2estrMBhZ1dL3VWXqInzOO10Ng8F19pGA3O2OmN-JNtkyQ2vgNU1qK4XA30knjAkZXz6gjvWXdq8GlTf-0Rm_iU7_gr0CPSN_W9YjY-xeC6Wr8hSQf4/s1600/rhonda+jane.jpg" height="398" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMbU8f7_SVy1E0yp_uYx30aVL9_vyyY_8qdBfgPOBrCiJc6p6qaPLa_u3xw3MolmwdYhbB3jZecCqGYmFv8N5fS7Z4JCKwDF1nJOa5HLjZWN5EzDVKc0UsKwboVvGXvIg9pUzg5I842Y/s1600/blake+and+kasie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMbU8f7_SVy1E0yp_uYx30aVL9_vyyY_8qdBfgPOBrCiJc6p6qaPLa_u3xw3MolmwdYhbB3jZecCqGYmFv8N5fS7Z4JCKwDF1nJOa5HLjZWN5EzDVKc0UsKwboVvGXvIg9pUzg5I842Y/s1600/blake+and+kasie.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeOguHw65XFqKsIscBsL6CeH-Cmpdl0w9iZnsgh5otfhDFjPX56VYe1suHinPMCniWZjourvHQE5vXtR3enAUvz7gKZ9VKLhw0TdcL-fvqaBxLjwT-Y10Zc8T9KCJZqj61qRUVXh_Jfg/s1600/10676123_10202331216913387_1250475305652278305_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeOguHw65XFqKsIscBsL6CeH-Cmpdl0w9iZnsgh5otfhDFjPX56VYe1suHinPMCniWZjourvHQE5vXtR3enAUvz7gKZ9VKLhw0TdcL-fvqaBxLjwT-Y10Zc8T9KCJZqj61qRUVXh_Jfg/s1600/10676123_10202331216913387_1250475305652278305_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2XtaNFLRRGewQo-iRzR-Im8Ro4d7yZfngVEjCfHWg-XdpivxBG9YBKnA7lDW6Rbczm8PPohPhdFfui7lK64mtas37053j0IXbznNyEAx2_z3viFw8CjuvWdCxeSy6PYc3hmFmVn1u08/s1600/gina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2XtaNFLRRGewQo-iRzR-Im8Ro4d7yZfngVEjCfHWg-XdpivxBG9YBKnA7lDW6Rbczm8PPohPhdFfui7lK64mtas37053j0IXbznNyEAx2_z3viFw8CjuvWdCxeSy6PYc3hmFmVn1u08/s1600/gina.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-71653787515495810472015-02-18T00:52:00.000-05:002015-02-18T00:54:45.742-05:00DO YOU WANT A CHURCH OR A WEDDING CHAPEL?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPBzAehdBIqmS6QGbX4X_cxr5RBpGgXjO8Olk00XOWq0FUrci_yHZKk2AXUrXt7wratvNUZ4_AThvYgfQKC7RlrrJWZDQoK_-bLlrdqQ3X0LHmm2uDs6BbB9KOzaqQtkWdPp4q3H9uq8/s1600/co+er+0143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPBzAehdBIqmS6QGbX4X_cxr5RBpGgXjO8Olk00XOWq0FUrci_yHZKk2AXUrXt7wratvNUZ4_AThvYgfQKC7RlrrJWZDQoK_-bLlrdqQ3X0LHmm2uDs6BbB9KOzaqQtkWdPp4q3H9uq8/s1600/co+er+0143.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every occupation has their stories. Doctors have them. Teachers have them. Office workers have them. And so do pastors. A few years ago, a pastor friend of mine was telling one of those stories and it went something like this... </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"One day, I was out in the yard when a car pulled up with a man and a woman in it. The man asked, "Are you the preacher?" So I replied, "Yes I am. How can I help you?" "Me and the woman here would like to get married this afternoon." he said."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As my friend tells that story, he explains to the man in the car that preachers meet with couples before they get married. We call them "pre-marital counseling sessions". The man in the car quickly replied, "We don't need any marriage counseling! We know all about it. In fact, we've both been married before so there ain't anything you can teach about marriage that we don't already know."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Needless to say, my friend didn't perform their wedding ceremony that afternoon. It is easy to see what is wrong in that story... that couple wanted to treat that church like it was a wedding chapel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is the difference between a church and a wedding chapel? First, let's look at what a wedding chapel is and then see how the church is so different from a wedding chapel.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How does <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding_chapel" target="_blank"><b>Wikipedia</b></a> describe a wedding chapel? "A wedding chapel is a place, other than a legal court, and usually also, other than a church, where couples can get legally married. A church may also be used as a wedding chapel, but churches are usually called that by the marrying couple when the ceremony only involves those contracting matrimony."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So far we see that a wedding at a wedding chapel is different than going to the courthouse. We also see that the wedding chapel is a different place than a church. There is an interesting phrase used in this description... "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">where couples can get legally married". So the wedding chapel is not a government office nor is it a local church, it's a business designed to help couples get <i>legally</i> married.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What requirements does a wedding chapel have for each couple who wants to get married there? The "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wedding chapels must usually require: a marriage license and proof of age of the couple."<b> <a href="http://vegas.com/">Vegas.com</a> </b>says "Easy peasy lemon squeezy. That's what it's like to get married in Vegas. No blood tests, no waiting period, no hassle. Just wham bam married ma'am."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How fast can you get married in a wedding chapel? "If you want to get MARRIED TODAY..... we can Help. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are available 24/7 to perform your Wedding (by appointment). </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are world famous for performing Same Day Wedding Ceremonies. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simply walk in to our office and we issue you a Marriage License. Next, we go in to the Wedding Chapel and a couple of " I Do's" later, you are officially hitched! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Walk in Single.......Walk out Married" says </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.greatofficiants.com/get-married-today/how-to-get-married-instantly" target="_blank"><b>Great Officiants</b></a> in Southern California.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>HOW DOES A CHURCH WEDDING DIFFER FROM A WEDDING AT A WEDDING CHAPEL?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByAzN7vNh9ViDxGVDUf2nM43RNmZi5avm_Ws_dOnlnjwPhDgDAN00DR4Ty1kZEFjFuNgWteX8kfGQWs8qEsP6Cz0qbYeMP-ICt-7pZU26WPm7u5WdeZffmcc3pOexGAB7CqJF9xAjRSw/s1600/kabrwed_180_08-10-18_4x6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByAzN7vNh9ViDxGVDUf2nM43RNmZi5avm_Ws_dOnlnjwPhDgDAN00DR4Ty1kZEFjFuNgWteX8kfGQWs8qEsP6Cz0qbYeMP-ICt-7pZU26WPm7u5WdeZffmcc3pOexGAB7CqJF9xAjRSw/s1600/kabrwed_180_08-10-18_4x6.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First of all, a church is not a business and a church is concerned about more than just getting you "legally married". The man performing the wedding ceremony is a minister, usually ordained by a church, who will give you marriage counseling, not just someone legally qualified to get you "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">officially hitched". The counseling sessions are designed to help you prepare for your marriage. But there is so much more to consider here. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The wedding ceremony is not viewed as an entertaining event, it represents Jesus Christ and His bride. Weddings are very serious and not to be taken lightly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHERE DID MARRIAGE COME FROM? </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marriage is designed by and empowered by God Himself. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Genesis 2:18–24 (ESV) — 18 Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” 19 Now out of the ground the LORD God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. 21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HOW SERIOUSLY DOES GOD VIEW MARRIAGE? </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God honors the union of man and woman in the covenant of marriage but punishes those who are sexually immoral and unfaithful. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Hebrews 13:4 (ESV) — 4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. </i></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God says that our prayer lives are directly affected by how we relate to our spouse. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>1 Peter 3: 7 (ESV) —7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. </i></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God does not want you matched up with the wrong person. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>2 Corinthians 6:14 (ESV) — 14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HOW SERIOUS IS THE COMMITMENT BETWEEN THE HUSBAND AND THE WIFE? </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The relationship between the husband and the wife is to reflect the relationship between Jesus and His bride which is the church. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Ephesians 5:21–33 (ESV) — 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. </i></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By meeting the sexual needs of each other, the husband and the wife are to protect each other from being disobedient to God because of sexual immorality. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>1 Corinthians 7:3–5 (ESV) — 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NJz-zGYHNKZVBxTZFA-ZX3L5xRpNd6k2vNJz_LswIdDeRRI4nNgsYKpZ9lNdpf3sXOuuVicBnDlgh-SCUzpuw_ZX-fLtCilMl8DG9FsEEvN-CFYawwA_9Tc4alFu_tspiJVFeDb2LWY/s1600/co+er+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NJz-zGYHNKZVBxTZFA-ZX3L5xRpNd6k2vNJz_LswIdDeRRI4nNgsYKpZ9lNdpf3sXOuuVicBnDlgh-SCUzpuw_ZX-fLtCilMl8DG9FsEEvN-CFYawwA_9Tc4alFu_tspiJVFeDb2LWY/s1600/co+er+01.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a preacher of the gospel, it is my goal to share these Bible verses and more with you to help you see the importance of a Biblical wedding. We will discuss what it takes to honor God in your ceremony and in your marriage. In order for your wedding to be blessed by God, you have to do things according His Word. A wedding ceremony is not a show, it is a time of worship and devotion. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope this post will help you understand the difference.</span></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-67795635034109273202015-02-09T17:23:00.001-05:002015-02-09T17:24:34.739-05:00WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LOVE OUR ENEMIES?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Luke 6:27 (ESV) “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. </b></i></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Very few of us have taken the time to really understand the depth of this passage. Aren't we tempted to just skim through the passage and recognize the fact that we need to love everyone even if they are not nice to us? If we look closer at the wording, we will find this passage even more challenging to obey and also have a better understanding of how much we need Jesus Christ.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>TRUE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS ARE SUPPOSED TO SET THE EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div>
Looking at the phrases one at a time, we will see what kind of example we are supposed to be setting for others.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<b><i>"Love your enemies,"</i></b> </div>
<div>
The word used for "love" here is the Greek word, agapao [ag-ap-ah'-o], which means "to seek the highest good in the one loved." [The Bible Knowledge Commentary] Perhaps you are more familiar with the noun form of this word which is agape. Some people explain agape as a "God-kind of love". Agape is a much higher form of love than the Greek word, "phileō" which means to "to be a friend to, have affection for". Now contrast agape to the Greek word used here, "echthros" for enemies and you will discover that it means "to hate, to be hostile, an adversary". <b>JESUS IS SAYING THAT WE ARE TO SEEK THE HIGHEST GOOD IN THOSE WHO ARE HATEFUL AND HOSTILE TO US.</b> Let that sink in for a minute. That person who is hateful to you and acts hostile towards you is the very person that Jesus is telling you to love.</div>
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><i>"do good to those who hate you"</i></b></div>
<div>
Now we have the "kalōs" which means "well (usually morally)…honestly" and "miseō" which means "to detest (especially to persecute)". <b>JESUS IS SAYING THAT WE ARE TO TREAT PEOPLE WELL EVEN IF THEY DETEST US AND TRY TO PERSECUTE US. </b>Look at what Jesus said in <i style="font-weight: bold;">Matthew 10:22 (ESV) and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.</i> If we are true followers of Jesus and we living like Jesus, then we are going to rejected and hated like Jesus was.</div>
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><i>"b</i></b><i style="font-weight: bold;">less those who curse you"</i> </div>
<div>
The original word for “bless” as it is used here is "eulogeō" which means "to speak well of... to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper)". The word "curse" is from "kataraomai" and means "to curse, doom, imprecate [OR CALL FORTH] evil upon". <b>JESUS IS SAYING THAT WE ARE TO SPEAK WELL OF PEOPLE AND PRAY FOR THEM EVEN IF THEY ARE ASKING FOR EVIL TO FALL DOWN UPON US.</b></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><i>"pray for those who abuse you." </i></b></div>
<div>
"Proseuchomai" is the Greek word used for pray in this passage and it means to "pray earnestly for". The "epēreazō" is the Greek word for "abuse" and it means "to insult, slander:— use despitefully, falsely accuse" <b>JESUS IS SAYING THAT WE ARE TO PRAY EARNESTLY FOR THOSE WHO ARE INSULTING US AND FALSELY ACCUSING US.</b></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><i>"To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also" </i></b></div>
<div>
<b>JESUS IS SAYING THAT WE ARE NOT TO SEEK RETALIATION OR REVENGE. </b>Read these next passages and see what you discover. </div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b><i>Romans 12:17 (ESV) Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>1 Peter 2:19 (ESV) For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.</i></b></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><i>"and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back."</i></b></div>
<div>
<b>JESUS IS ALSO SAYING THAT WE ARE TO GIVE GENEROUSLY EVEN WHEN WE FEEL THAT WE ARE BEING RIPPED OFF.</b> Why would Jesus say that? Because when we give, we are following God's example and we are to focus on pleasing Him instead of trying to keep score with those around us.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><i>"And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them." </i></b></div>
<div>
<b>JESUS IS SAYING THAT WE ARE TO TREAT OTHERS AS WE WOULD HAVE THEM TREAT US. </b>Many people call this the Golden Rule. But let's be really honest here. How many of us are really doing a great job with the Golden Rule? How many of us are loving our enemies the way that Jesus was describing? How many of us are truly blessing those who are trying to curse us?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>SO HOW CAN WE LIVE OUT THIS PASSAGE?</b></div>
<div>
Before we answer that question, read two more passages of scripture.</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b><i>Romans 5:1 (ESV) Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>Galatians 5:22 (ESV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. </i></b></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
How do these passages answer the question "How do we love our enemies?" and the other phrases we looked at earlier?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><b>BY REMEMBERING THE GRACE THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED.</b> <b style="font-style: italic;">Romans 5:2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand--</b>I have sinned, you have sinned, everyone of us have sinned. We need to remember that before we start to look down on somebody else. What if God was only as merciful to us as we are to other folks? What is He was only as forgiving to us as we are to others? Remember that grace that God has shown you and then show that kind of grace to others.</li>
<li><b>BY REJOICING IN ALL SITUATIONS. </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Romans 5:2-3 and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings-- </i>This doesn't mean that we are glad that someone hates us or that we are having a problem with someone but it does mean that even during our hard times, we are rejoicing in the fact that God is with us and will take care of us.</li>
<li><b>BY RECOGNIZING THE BENEFITS OF SUFFERING WHICH ARE ENDURANCE, CHARACTER AND HOPE.</b><i style="font-weight: bold;"> Romans 5:3-4 knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope--</i> Though we do not want to have trials and stressful situations, we need to remember that we grow stronger through them. We have more endurance, stronger character and brighter hope to help us get through the next battle.</li>
<li><b>BY DESIRING MORE OF THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT TO BE EVIDENT IN OUR LIVES. </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.-- </i>This is what God is looking for in each one of us. These qualities enable us to love those who are hateful towards us and wish the worst for us. As we focus on God instead our "enemies", we will please God more through our thoughts, words and deeds.</li>
<li><b>BY LIVING IN THE SPIRIT AND NOT OF THE FLESH. </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Galatians 5:24-25 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.-- </i>Romans chapter 8 is a great passage to give more explanation to this section of scripture. Look at <b>Romans 8:1-11</b>. </li>
<li><b>BY NOT BEING CONCEITED, AGITATING OR ENVIOUS. </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Galatians 5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.--</i> Isn't it easier to get upset with someone who is arrogant towards you and agitating you than it is with someone who is humble and giving you some privacy? Sure. This verse tells us not to be arrogant, agitating or envious towards anyone else because it only leads to problems. </li>
</ol>
<div>
Loving our enemies is obviously not easy but Jesus commanded us to do so. Who are you having a hard time loving right now? Would you pray about that situation and ask God to help you reconcile it? Would you pray for that person who has offended you and ask God to bless them? Remember, if we don't forgive others, God won't forgive us.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-6869940608799298822015-02-05T12:04:00.000-05:002015-02-05T12:05:15.358-05:00DIFFERENT COLOR SKIN, SAME COLOR BLOOD<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just read Russell Moore's post about racial reconciliation where he says "Tragically much of our nation’s history is stained with the ugliness of racial discrimination and prejudice and, even more distressing, there was a day when many condoned these attitudes from church pulpits, twisting Scripture to justify their bigoted behavior and thought, rationalizing it was perfectly all right to own and/or abuse another human being.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yet racist thought and behavior denies the reality that each of us are created in the image of God. It empties Scripture of its power in our lives when we accept some of its teachings and reject other biblical instruction because it conflicts with our idea of what is right and what is wrong. And as much as we want to believe otherwise, racism has not been erased from society. It sin–pure and simple.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While we have made progress in our country in this area, we have not yet arrived." [</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See more at: http://erlc.com/race#sthash.bYCfCoGP.dpuf]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would encourage you to visit </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://erlc.com/race">http://erlc.com/race</a> and watch the short video of Russell Moore of the The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission describe why we need racial reconciliation in America.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is one area of concern that I have felt very strongly about from the time I was in elementary school. It has always bothered me that so many people want to focus on a person's skin color instead his character. <b>Skin color does not define who you are. Your character defines who you are. Just because your skin is a certain color, that doesn't mean that you are a "good" person or a "bad" person.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxzkS9kbqxyl5XHdwJaYN3j-w3UdScmxgmvy2hfYLQ95AWU0Crvn4NcJqcwetYOMKfXkQymnjToe3hiT7kmqsghOG1Vq2brg8sDk4wmNwgr1OiXZjK0uDT0x4qwjaYsyTg4d3hDr1pc8/s1600/SDC12645a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxzkS9kbqxyl5XHdwJaYN3j-w3UdScmxgmvy2hfYLQ95AWU0Crvn4NcJqcwetYOMKfXkQymnjToe3hiT7kmqsghOG1Vq2brg8sDk4wmNwgr1OiXZjK0uDT0x4qwjaYsyTg4d3hDr1pc8/s1600/SDC12645a.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some of the kids I got to meet in Alabama when we took a van full of clothes down after a tornado had wiped out so many homes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Revelation 5:9 (ESV) And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from <u>every tribe and language and people and nation</u>, </i></b></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” </i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[underlining added]</span><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></b>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every tribe, every nation, every dialect, every skin color. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV) But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. <u>For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.</u>” </i>[underlining added]</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-lpA0Xk-o02hrE9MxgAGMS1A8eakcENMowPvnHD82IyWzRJBZFuMjAP5YmWBR96siWqbQJA66601TIEMcGr4FnXRjkH2ebKWnyHwkkC5tXoRzq3ehD0njOZcSK7W9F4Fzlq4nT3g_uM/s1600/9marks+0048+20140517a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-lpA0Xk-o02hrE9MxgAGMS1A8eakcENMowPvnHD82IyWzRJBZFuMjAP5YmWBR96siWqbQJA66601TIEMcGr4FnXRjkH2ebKWnyHwkkC5tXoRzq3ehD0njOZcSK7W9F4Fzlq4nT3g_uM/s1600/9marks+0048+20140517a.jpg" height="266" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really enjoyed getting to talk with Thabiti Anyabwile at the 9Marks conference last year. Such a passion for Jesus Christ.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>"</i></b></span><u style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><b>For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.</b></u><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;">”</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Skin color is not a valid reason to lift one person up and knock another person down. We should seek to see people the way that God sees them... what does their hearts reveal? Not how light or how dark their flesh is. To catch people off guard, I used to say, "I used to be prejudiced but now I like<b> white</b> people!".</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8NgNoLWtnQQOwsySa68wvGe4udK_0LNsk9o9FxWp21CURE46ltGBl1SF_V6Ash2XzX6qaqZN0-yJxcYG4_qXjTvULof153qA6UuXLVDHtGNxqzoSwKW9Nn9lhEI2jI6mSDgSHEgAygI/s1600/pilipinnes_207_12-07-13a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8NgNoLWtnQQOwsySa68wvGe4udK_0LNsk9o9FxWp21CURE46ltGBl1SF_V6Ash2XzX6qaqZN0-yJxcYG4_qXjTvULof153qA6UuXLVDHtGNxqzoSwKW9Nn9lhEI2jI6mSDgSHEgAygI/s1600/pilipinnes_207_12-07-13a.jpg" height="259" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the Filipino pastors I got to worship with </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09x2Ydcegrxt_rkX-3gXNOUnjZwuI6BDm4KRWnl6vrzHSK-q_CZa2PcGP-bLWwipR-c8HsQCAkUBDKnTYwtJO88I8c6ypPwvFZhi3zYnxgaMmKLvnjufLVFL-xD3XX_2auoEjTbKDV-M/s1600/china_039_12-07-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09x2Ydcegrxt_rkX-3gXNOUnjZwuI6BDm4KRWnl6vrzHSK-q_CZa2PcGP-bLWwipR-c8HsQCAkUBDKnTYwtJO88I8c6ypPwvFZhi3zYnxgaMmKLvnjufLVFL-xD3XX_2auoEjTbKDV-M/s1600/china_039_12-07-18.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everybody likes to take pictures, right? This group in China liked the idea.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are prejudiced in any way, please pray about it and ask God to remove that sin from your life. Let me say it one more time... </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Skin color does not define who you are. Your character defines who you are. We may have different-colored skin, the same color blood. Amen?</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-81315462678794487552015-01-30T01:31:00.000-05:002015-01-30T01:31:27.098-05:00THE VINE AND THE TRELLIS: A VERY HELPFUL BOOK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpuzLH4V-VizA-twA1TbGD7GpPf5LoNHHz0mbeii74Z8-RZ5-Wh69HY3mtXjq9U3jeSKmvUNpt9teJESQCZzl2lG3839K_1I2yU1dyTXRqyHJP3PsoeQI8qTb651MdyCJ1ZYQPaA9_b5P/s1600/TRELLIS+AND+THE+VINE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpuzLH4V-VizA-twA1TbGD7GpPf5LoNHHz0mbeii74Z8-RZ5-Wh69HY3mtXjq9U3jeSKmvUNpt9teJESQCZzl2lG3839K_1I2yU1dyTXRqyHJP3PsoeQI8qTb651MdyCJ1ZYQPaA9_b5P/s1600/TRELLIS+AND+THE+VINE.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Trellis-Vine-Tony-Payne-ebook/dp/B007R0P4LG" target="_blank"><b>THE TRELLIS AND THE VINE</b></a>" by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The concept of the book is discipleship as explained by the book's description: "All Christian ministry is a mixture of trellis and vine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is vine work: the prayerful preaching and teaching of the word of God to see people converted and grow to maturity as disciples of Christ. Vine work is the Great Commission.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And there is trellis work: creating and maintaining the physical and organizational structures and programs that support vine work and its growth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What’s the state of the trellis and the vine in your part of the world? Has trellis work taken over, as it has a habit of doing? Is the vine work being done by very few (perhaps only the pastor and only on Sundays)? And is the vine starting to wilt as a result?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The image of the trellis and the vine raises all the fundamental questions of Christian ministry:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* What is the vine for?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* How does the vine grow?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* How does the vine relate to my church?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* What is vine work and what is trellis work, and how can we tell the difference?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* What part do different people play in growing the vine?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* How can we get more people involved in vine work? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In The Trellis and the Vine, Colin Marshall and Tony Payne answer these urgent questions afresh. They dig back into the Bible’s view of Christian ministry, and argue that a major mind-shift is required if we are to fulfill the Great Commission of Christ, and see the vine flourish again."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What does this book teach? "Ministry mind-shifts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. From running programs to building people</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. From running events to training people</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. From using people to growing people</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. From filling gaps to training new workers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. From solving problems to helping people make progress</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. From clinging to ordained ministry to developing team leadership</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. From focusing on church polity to forging ministry partnerships</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. From relying on training institutions to establishing local training</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. From focusing on immediate pressures to aiming for long-term expansion</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. From engaging in management to engaging in ministry</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11. From seeking church growth to desiring gospel growth"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This book is a great help for pastors and other church leaders who wish to improve the level of discipleship in their churches.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-19595885785110581442015-01-28T13:48:00.000-05:002015-01-28T13:53:40.668-05:00WHAT'S NEW IN 2015? "BRANCH SHAPERS"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrysKOvJk_IZoxPpojQZSaCwdTAHIyiSFxQPSzvfhBWcm7Sis847trLd9PxZoI9oC1hQiMeiCNV8ATaxF2_t5QbQEaUbXMvUiv6j52WXSmeVWUahQlmDobAx_ONQ5RVJde_hJ8j_OCMYn/s1600/branch+shapers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrysKOvJk_IZoxPpojQZSaCwdTAHIyiSFxQPSzvfhBWcm7Sis847trLd9PxZoI9oC1hQiMeiCNV8ATaxF2_t5QbQEaUbXMvUiv6j52WXSmeVWUahQlmDobAx_ONQ5RVJde_hJ8j_OCMYn/s1600/branch+shapers.jpg" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is one of the passages from John 15 that we reference quite frequently at Rolling Fork Baptist Church: <b><i><a href="http://www.esvbible.org/John+15/" target="_blank">John 15:1</a> (ESV) “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. </i></b></span><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></b>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is so much in that text but for now, focus on the phrase "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit</i>". Even the branches that are being fruitful are being pruned so that they will be more fruitful. As the branches being connected to Jesus (the Vine), how are we pruned or shaped? By God's Word.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One book that has really impacted me is "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Trellis-Vine-Colin-Marshall/dp/1921441631" target="_blank"><b>The Trellis And The Vine</b></a>" by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne. Here is Colin and Tony describe this <a href="http://www.matthiasmedia.com/the-trellis-and-the-vine" target="_blank">book</a>: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All Christian ministry is a mixture of trellis and vine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is vine work: the prayerful preaching and teaching of the word of God to see people converted and grow to maturity as disciples of Christ. Vine work is the Great Commission. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And there is trellis work: creating and maintaining the physical and organizational structures and programs that support vine work and its growth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What’s the state of the trellis and the vine in your part of the world? Has trellis work taken over, as it has a habit of doing? Is the vine work being done by very few (perhaps only the pastor and only on Sundays)? And is the vine starting to wilt as a result?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The image of the trellis and the vine raises all the fundamental questions of Christian ministry:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is the vine for?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How does the vine grow?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How does the vine relate to my church?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is vine work and what is trellis work, and how can we tell the difference?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What part do different people play in growing the vine?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How can we get more people involved in vine work?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The essence of the book teaches the importance of true discipleship, something that hasn't been happening in most churches if we are honest about it. Here is a short video describing this book. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pastor Mark Dever of <b><a href="http://www.capitolhillbaptist.org/" target="_blank">Capital Hill Baptist Church</a></b> in Washington and <b><a href="http://9marks.org/" target="_blank">9Marks</a></b> which focuses on building healthy churches</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/Yfg9z7jsbKw/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Yfg9z7jsbKw?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am also working through two other books: <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1615215603/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687582&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=161521559X&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0QV8R61VFE1Y678YR0Q7" target="_blank">Real-Life Discipleship: Building Churches That Make Disciples</a> </b>and<b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Real-Life-Discipleship-Training-Manual-Equipping/dp/161521559X" target="_blank">Real-Life Discipleship Training Manual: Equipping Disciples Who Make Disciples</a></b> by Jim Putman and others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what does those books have to do with 'Branch Shapers'? One of the many things that I am truly convinced of right now is that we need to do a better job of discipling one another. Too many Christians are not familiar with the Bible and so they are not certain what it means to be a Christian. We need to become better equipped as disciple-makers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Branch Shapers is a new tool for us to use in discipling others. Remember what you just read in <b><a href="http://www.esvbible.org/John+15/" target="_blank">John 15:2</a></b> "...</span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"? This new format of notes can be used in many different ways and will be easy to keep up with. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each issue will be a half sheet of paper, printed on both sides, that will be based on one of our sermons at Rolling Fork Baptist Church. Instead of just having an outline in the bulletin, Branch Shapers will put much more information in your hands dealing with that message and you can save your notes without having to save the whole bulletin. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why would you want to save your 'Branch Shapers'?</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for discussion with members of your church family </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for future reference when studying your Bible</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for sharing with others in order to help them mature as believers in Christ</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for starting a Bible study with a group of your friends once a week </span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is another purpose for 'Branch Shapers'? G</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ive to any churches, especially rural churches with limited resources, who wish to use it for some free Sunday School literature or for their small groups. This year Rolling Fork Baptist Church will be reaching out to churches in areas like Eastern Kentucky with the desire to encourage them and help them grow as Biblically-healthy churches. This will give us more resources to help them.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please pray for us as we seek God's guidance in all that we do. Let us bear much fruit!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-26337363103541229282014-12-31T23:07:00.000-05:002014-12-31T23:07:06.669-05:00VIDEO: PREPARE THE WAY IN 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/oY2LsOqhWFY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1.</b> <b>COMING TO GOD WITH THE WRONG MOTIVES IS LIKE NOT COMING TO GOD AT ALL. </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THEY WERE COMING OUT TO BE BAPTIZED BY JOHN BUT WHY?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SOME OF THEIR MOTIVES WERE NOT RIGHT BECAUSE:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LOOK WHAT HE CALLED THEM—“You brood of vipers!”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LOOK AT THE QUESTION HE ASKED THEM—“Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LOOK AT WHAT WAS MISSING—“Bear fruits in keeping with repentance.” </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT DOES “Bear fruits in keeping with repentance.” MEAN? SIMPLY PUT, IT IS A “lifestyle change to give evidence of a true change of heart (repentance).”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LOOK AT THEIR WRONG ASSUMPTIONS—“And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LOOK AT THE WARNING JOHN GIVES THEM—“9 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” [MORE IN VERSE 17FF]</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO ASK GOD FOR DIRECTIONS AND FOLLOW THEM, YOU WILL NEVER CHANGE. </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="font-weight: bold;">
3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>AND IF YOU NEVER CHANGE, THEN YOU WILL FACE HIS JUDGMENT OF WRATH.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
THERE ARE THREE PICTURES OF BAPTISM IN VERSE 16 THAT YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF:</div>
<div>
1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>WATER—“AN EXTERNAL SIGN OF AN INTERNAL CHANGE” </div>
<div>
2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>HOLY SPIRIT—“INCLUSION AND EMPOWERMENT” 1 Corinthians 12:13; Acts 4:31 </div>
<div>
3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>FIRE—“PURIFICATION” 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 </div>
<div style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>THE “GOOD NEWS” ISN’T GOOD NEWS IF YOU REJECT THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST!</b></div>
</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-14310965208393267412014-12-31T17:17:00.002-05:002014-12-31T17:17:39.163-05:00I AM NOT GOING TO WISH YOU A "HAPPY" NEW YEAR.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, you read that right. I am not going to wish you a "happy" new year and the reason is I believe there is something much better, much more important, than a "happy" new year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Think about how we use the word "happy".</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I would be happy if..."</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I deserve to be happy."</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Whatever makes you happy."</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are several things wrong with that kind of thinking such as...</span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The focus is on yourself when all you are worried about is being "happy".</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The method of being "happy" is dependent upon getting to be or do what you want or think you deserve.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being "happy" is only temporary.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Think of it this way, you may be happy this week or you may be sad, hurt or worried. People who are hurting don't feel too "happy" right now because of what they are going through. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what is better than "happy" new year? Having a BLESSED NEW YEAR. [By the way, these two words, "happy" and "blessed" are often in translating verses such as Psalm 1:1 but the word "happy" does not have the same focus as the examples above. To be "happy" in the Lord is to be content in the Lord.] </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So why is "blessed" better than "happy"? Notice the contrast of these three statements compared to the ones above.</span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The focus is on God from Whom all blessings flow. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The method of being "blessed" is being content in the Lord regardless of your circumstances. [Philippians 4:11-12]</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being "blessed" is eternal.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I am wishing you a "Blessed New Year"... one that will be filled with days of God's blessings upon you regardless of what your current circumstances are. Focus on God. Live for God through His Son, Jesus Christ and then see what happens.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-55602965382241898972014-12-26T10:17:00.002-05:002014-12-26T10:17:37.296-05:00ARE WE GOING TO KEEP WASHING OUR NETS OR LET THEM DOWN?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7IDQUgmKlQYljmcdok_6MaU3pDnSuEHDH6B8KkcAOiBxBt5YA1RE8CEdnVCpwt1gIEM1U0UlhwBj8DaOO358au1JG49Rs5E0GhOWW6n-5dC1_IIsNaj85zm84odhxMfg8dXk039UqiRD/s1600/LET+DOWN+YOUR+NETS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7IDQUgmKlQYljmcdok_6MaU3pDnSuEHDH6B8KkcAOiBxBt5YA1RE8CEdnVCpwt1gIEM1U0UlhwBj8DaOO358au1JG49Rs5E0GhOWW6n-5dC1_IIsNaj85zm84odhxMfg8dXk039UqiRD/s1600/LET+DOWN+YOUR+NETS.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just saw this pic from Logos Bible Software and I had to share it. Why? Several reasons...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>One, because one of the themes in that passage is RECOGNITION.</b> Peter recognized that there was something about Jesus that got his attention. This passage begins in <b><i>Luke 5:1 (ESV) On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, </i></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>2 and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. </i></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat.</i></b> Peter and the other fishermen were washing their nets after an unsuccessful night of fishing. Jesus was teaching a large crowd and as the crowd gathered in, Jesus wound up on the shore and was running out of room so He got into Peter's boat and asked him to move out into the water enough that He could still teach the crowd. And Peter did what Jesus asked him to.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Has Jesus gotten your attention yet? Do you realize how different He is from everyone else?</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two, because one of the themes in that passage is SUBMISSION. </b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look what happens in verse 4. Jesus said "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.</i></b>” Imagine that you are Peter and you are washing your nets and are disappointed in the fact that you didn't catch anything and now a teacher is going to tell you, the professional fisherman, how to catch some fish. Many of us would have said something like, "Look, man, you are a teacher and i am a fisherman. You take care of your stuff and I will take care of mine." but Peter didn't do that. Look at what Peter said to Jesus. <b><i>Luke 5:5 (ESV) And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” </i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Master"? Peter had heard enough of His teachings to realize that they weren't on the same level, didn't he? He gave Jesus a quick report of the fishing conditions from the night before ("</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">we toiled all night and took nothing</i>"), but then says "Because You say so, I will let down the nets." Wow! Can you imagine how much that took for a man like Peter to say that? We find several places in the Bible where Peter says some things that get him into trouble with Jesus but not this time. He submitted himself to Jesus. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What about you? Have you submitted to Jesus yet or are you still trying to do things your way? Peter didn't catch any fish the night before. Maybe things in your life are not going so well either. Submit your life to Him and watch what happens.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">because one of the themes in that passage is</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>OBEDIENCE. </b>Now we see that Peter did what Jesus told him to and Jesus was absolutely right about catching some fish! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Luke 5:6 (ESV) And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. </i>They not only caught some fish, but they caught so many that their nets were breaking! Think about that for a moment. These men are not just some guys who fish occasionally as a hobby, they are professional fisherman who do this for a living. They must have had the type of nets that professional fishermen would use and yet these nets were breaking because of the number of fish being caught. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They caught nothing the night before but because they obeyed Jesus, they caught so many fish that they needed the other boats to help them bring the fish into shore. As if that wasn't dramatic enough, verse 7 says that the boats were so full of fish that they were beginning to sink! I can' help but smile at that one. When you obey Jesus, BIG things happen!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you obeying Jesus? If not, what's keeping you from doing what you are supposed to be doing? Excuses like </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">we toiled all night and took nothing</i>"? Rebelling by saying "but we have already cleaned the nets for today"? Or maybe "What do you know about my life? I know what I am doing."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fourth, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">because one of the themes in that passage is</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> CONFIRMATION. </b>How do you respond when something like that happens? What should you say? What should you do? Look what Peter did. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Luke 5:8 (ESV) But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”</i></b> Peter recognized the power of Jesus and acknowledged his sins. He knew that he was not worthy to be in His presence but remember? Jesus came to him. Jesus sat down in his boat. Jesus asked him to pull away from the shore Jesus told him to let down his nets. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luke 5:9 (ESV) For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” </span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.</i></b> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> These men were so amazed at what had just happened that when Jesus said "Follow Me", they left it all. They didn't say, "Wait, can we sell these fish first?" They just walked away from it all and followed Jesus.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That is why that picture is so powerful to me. As we prepare for this new year, we need to ask ourselves if we recognize His holiness and power? Are we willing to submit to Him as we should? Will we obey Him with all of our lives like never before? I hope so. What about you?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Would you pray right now and ask God to forgive you of any unconfessed sins that you may have? Then would you commit to serving Him this year, even if it means "letting your nets down again"?</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3176499776111188712.post-70626029411972041232014-12-26T09:04:00.002-05:002014-12-26T09:05:29.584-05:00WE CAN'T WAIT ANY LONGER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPVBSvC_tpCJr-VxWaHrVENKIUoHdeDqbCxxK5Acl5EKbCak0i-RkexVVuZVECCsrRMTGANkWVpstF-irWSgIsG2XxsGmiRKSEW_08vcyS_C2BK2JoBPkjeyyWVQBYJqAoeu0VkG2_djR/s1600/bible+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPVBSvC_tpCJr-VxWaHrVENKIUoHdeDqbCxxK5Acl5EKbCak0i-RkexVVuZVECCsrRMTGANkWVpstF-irWSgIsG2XxsGmiRKSEW_08vcyS_C2BK2JoBPkjeyyWVQBYJqAoeu0VkG2_djR/s1600/bible+3.jpg" height="125" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The time is now. We can't wait any longer. We must begin at this very moment. We must seek the Lord while He may be found.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div>
<b><i>Isaiah 55:6 (ESV) “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; </i></b><b><i>7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. </i></b></div>
<div>
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div>
We need to decide today to wholeheartedly seek after God, not waiting until New Year's Day to make resolutions that we don't keep. Now. If there is anything in our lives that is not pleasing to God, let us repent (reject that sin and turn around to God) which is shown in verse 7 "<i style="font-weight: bold;">let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD,</i>". </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We must ask God to forgive us. We must seek His compassion and His pardon (forgiveness). If we don't, we will still be in our sins and our prayers will not be heard. <b><i>Psalm 66:18 (ESV) If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. </i></b>"Cherished" means "loved" and "iniquity" means "sin". So that verse is saying if we love our sin, then God would not listen to us. Why? Because we chose that sin over God.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
BUT we must realize what our sins will cost us. Judgment. Punishment. Eternity in hell. Every time we sin, we EARN something. <b><i>Romans 6:23 (ESV) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.</i></b> "Wages" are what you earn or deserve for your work. Your sin and my sin have earned us death BUT God has given us an opportunity to have eternal life instead. Not by being "good" or being "nice". Not by some rituals or routines. God will give us eternal life if, and only if, we have received it through Jesus Christ.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This opportunity is a "<i style="font-weight: bold;">free gift</i>". You and I don't deserve it. We can't earn it. We can't achieve it on our own. We must ask God to give us that eternal life through Jesus.<b><i>Ephesians 2:8 (ESV) For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them</i></b>. We can only receive this eternal life by putting our faith in Jesus.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
How do we put our faith in Jesus? Great question. It is not easy and it is not a quick-fix to our problems. Putting our faith in Jesus requires our total commitment and our lifetimes to develop. </div>
<div>
First, we must recognize that we are sinners and apart from God's gift, we are headed for hell. Not because He doesn't love us but because we REJECTED Him. </div>
<div>
Second, we must ask God to forgive us of all our sins and to rescue us from the penalty of our sins by giving us eternal life through Jesus Christ. </div>
<div>
And third, we must commit our lives to Jesus and live our lives in accordance with His Word, the Bible.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Again, it's not easy and that is why we are blessed with other believers to help us and teach us and warn us when we are off track. We find these other believers in our churches. When we gather together, we are to seek God as we saw earlier in Isaiah 55. We are to focus on God and not ourselves. We are to ask Him to teach us, guide us and make us more like Jesus everyday. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Have you put your faith in Jesus yet? If not, we would like to help you. You can reach us at brucenichols@rollingforkbaptistchurch.com Please don't begin this new year without God. </div>
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0