Friday, March 21, 2014
MALNUTRITION ... IN A LAND OF PLENTY ... PART 2
So...Whats In Your Pantry ?
It might be that you have already performed this exercise, however once is not enough for what we are doing here. This must be something you eventually do continually. You will, in time, progress to a point where this exercise will become a 'preventative maintenance' type of work, instead of a 'spring cleaning'. Okay, let's all do this together. In keeping with the theme of this series, let's open our pantrys for inspection. No... I won't be looking, just you...& Him. Just so we all are on the same page...the PANTRY I am referring to is the variety of places you frequent (home [library, T.V. room, computers, etc.) work, recreational area/locales, church,...etc.) in which you are fed mentally/spiritually. This should include (for example) what you READ, what you VIEW, what (& who) you LISTEN to. At this point, some of you have already felt that old familiar rebellion rising up within you (yes, that is rebellion), that brings forth from your lips your favorite battle cry, "Judge not lest you be judged.."! If that isn't the first cry, it will only be because you have first sounded off about 'legalism'. But, that's alright, stay with us here and see that this is applicable to you just as it is to all of us. I could make this long and draw it out to be a long post, but I will not. I will get directly to the point.
How many of you would be appalled if you answered the knock at your door, and found a few people who said, "Hi, I hope you don't mind if we come in. We would like to curse and swear, make blatant inuendos of a sexual nature, show you some graphic violence and murders via this slide show. Don't worry, we brought our own projector. Now, for a little mood music, could you play some Eminem, Beastie Boys, Brittany Spears, Korn, Nicky Minaj, AC/DC, Michael Jackson, Blake Shelton, Reba, Garth, Carrie Underwood, Pit Bull, Rhiannon, Beyonce, Led Zeppelin, Eagles, Pink, Pink Floyd, etc....basically anything that glorifies illicit sex, violence and death, rebellion, you know, anything opposite of what God would approve of you consuming. Oh, c'mon, even if YOU don't have anything like that in the house, we know your children do. Speaking of them, have you seen the commercials for the sadistic (rated T for Team M for mature, and WORSE) games for their PlayStation or whatever that is that YOU bought them for Christmas, and then allowed it to be in their room w/their own TV?! WELL....it's been nice entertaining you for the evening...now, pay up! You surely didn't think this kind of entertainment would be free, did you?"
Where Did This Junk Food Come From ?
Just the thought of someone barging in your home with this filth and degradation is appalling to consider, isn't it? We might react, saying, "I wouldn't stand for that in my house, I would throw them out. NO, YOU WON'T.....instead, YOU call THEM up and INVITE them over, and PAY them to come into your home. Is it local cable you have, or is it satellite, transmitting all of this "junk food" into your home. No, I am not saying that the TV is Satan in a box. The TV is neither righteous nor evil. It is you & I...the humans. WE are the ones who choose the sexually suggestive programs we watch, the vanity promoting magazines we read, the suggestive (violence, sex, rebellion) lyrics we listen to, and repeatedly pound into our heads. Have you caught yourself laughing at the sexual inuendos (all outside of Gods intentions for sex) of your favorite sit-com, de-sensitized to the multitudes of brutal crimes (Assault, rape, murder, etc.) that we watch on the hour-long dramas, OR, the complete assault on your mind with the pooling together of these with the Names of our Saviour and God being continuously & flippantly taken in vain, in the Movies we watch?
Feast On These Things
Philippians 4:8-9....."(8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things (are) honest, whatsoever things (are) just, whatsoever things (are) pure, whatsoever things (are) lovely, whatsoever things (are) of good report, if (there be) any virtue, and if (there be) any praise, think on these things. (9) These things which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.One must be very selective in their consumption of the various media outlets of this world, if they intend on keeping their mind on the things we are urged to keep them on in Philippians. Personal Holiness is not a real popular thing today....but, it should be. tIt amazes me how Christians today lament the fact that they are worried (finances, children, job, etc.) so much, and seem to have 'no peace of mind'. As the aforementioned scripture stated, "...the God of peace shall be with you."...WHEN you put your mind on the things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, & praiseworthy...THEN the God of peace WILL be with you, and 'peace of mind' will be yours.We all know what GIGO stands for, right? Yeah, that's right, garbage in.....garbage out. That's right, what we feed on (whether physically, or spiritually/mentally WILL make up who we are. THEN, what is inside us, will come from us...in our actions. YES...unfortunately, when we feed on such trash, we will be a huge witness...but not for Christ! I urge you to think on these things. I am.....
.....gr8ful 4 grace,
Gregg
NEXT.....Pt.3, Manna From Heaven !
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Been Thinking About Widows
In honor of Caroline McIntosh
God's high view of the widow is borne out in both the Old and New Testament. Those serious warnings in the Old Testament (Exodus 22:23-24; Deut. 27:19) are strong statements of the significance of a widow in His eyes (Psalm 146:9). His eye is on the widow and His ear attuned to her. Widows are featured significantly in the Scripture. Ruth was a widow when she married Boaz and became the Great-Grandmother of David, the greatest King of Israel who was a type of the Ultimate Greatest King of Israel. The prophet Elijah survived a stretch of famine in Israel through the generosity of a widow. In the Jerusalem temple, Jesus pointed out a poor widow dropping her last coins into the treasury. She gave all she had, and became, not an object of sympathy, but an example for all to follow. Then there was Anna, who, after meeting with the infant Jesus, His mother Mary, and Joseph, "spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem" (Luke 2:38). She was one of the first to proclaim the reality of the arrived Messiah! Consider the parable that Jesus told about the persistent widow to teach us how we ought to pray (Luke 18:1-8).
The New Testament church at an early stage took seriously their responsibility to care for widows (Acts 6). However, these woman were not always receiving from the church. Paul describes some widows as being "well-known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble, and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds" (1 Timothy 5:10).
God doesn't expect widows to be exiled to the margins of church. In fact, it is clear that God uses widows as important assets in the continuing story of redemption. We must be careful not to define her exclusively in terms of lack or burden. We must be careful that we don't set her aside as insignificant. She has great value to the church. For example in many instances, she is an indispensable source of wisdom, especially to younger women (Titus 2:3-5). She also represents to us a vast number of people who are disadvantaged, therefore reminding us of our duty and privilege to care and provide for these. She is a test to measure how much theology we've taken in and how much is just talk.
Think about it!
God's high view of the widow is borne out in both the Old and New Testament. Those serious warnings in the Old Testament (Exodus 22:23-24; Deut. 27:19) are strong statements of the significance of a widow in His eyes (Psalm 146:9). His eye is on the widow and His ear attuned to her. Widows are featured significantly in the Scripture. Ruth was a widow when she married Boaz and became the Great-Grandmother of David, the greatest King of Israel who was a type of the Ultimate Greatest King of Israel. The prophet Elijah survived a stretch of famine in Israel through the generosity of a widow. In the Jerusalem temple, Jesus pointed out a poor widow dropping her last coins into the treasury. She gave all she had, and became, not an object of sympathy, but an example for all to follow. Then there was Anna, who, after meeting with the infant Jesus, His mother Mary, and Joseph, "spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem" (Luke 2:38). She was one of the first to proclaim the reality of the arrived Messiah! Consider the parable that Jesus told about the persistent widow to teach us how we ought to pray (Luke 18:1-8).
The New Testament church at an early stage took seriously their responsibility to care for widows (Acts 6). However, these woman were not always receiving from the church. Paul describes some widows as being "well-known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble, and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds" (1 Timothy 5:10).
God doesn't expect widows to be exiled to the margins of church. In fact, it is clear that God uses widows as important assets in the continuing story of redemption. We must be careful not to define her exclusively in terms of lack or burden. We must be careful that we don't set her aside as insignificant. She has great value to the church. For example in many instances, she is an indispensable source of wisdom, especially to younger women (Titus 2:3-5). She also represents to us a vast number of people who are disadvantaged, therefore reminding us of our duty and privilege to care and provide for these. She is a test to measure how much theology we've taken in and how much is just talk.
Think about it!
Friday, January 17, 2014
Back to Blogging......Sort of!
It was June of 2013 when I last wrote anything on this blog! This can be credited to laziness, procrastination, obligations, over-commitment or any number of other "valid" reasons or "good" excuses, but now guilt and positive peer pressure have combined to push me to be active on the blog again......well, sort of. May I introduce Gregg Hall--friend, mentor, and guest blogger! Enjoy! He may be a guest more often than not until I get this doctorate completed!
Those Who Have, & Those Who Have Not--by Gregg Hall
You have all seen the pictures I am sure. A Child...with swollen belly and frail appendages. How can this happen, we ask. The answer is Malnutrition. Merriam Websters Collegiate Dictionary/10th Edition defines malnutrition as "faulty or inadequate nutrition". BOTH of these defining points play a part in these children we see in the aforementioned condition. An inadequate supply of food combined with the fact that there is not the right kinds of foods for balanced nutrition, and the contamination factor (water & food), ALL contribute to the malnutrition we see in these commercials...where they are asking us to help.....to help get the right foods for a balanced nutrition. We must get the PURE (uncontaminated) water & bread to these little ones, or they have NO HOPE !! Now...take the time to look around you. We live in a land of plenty. For most, there is an adequate supply of food here. For most it is clean & contamination free food & water. We have in this Country (for the most part) exactly what is needed for balanced nutrition. And yet, this Country is one of the most obese and out of shape in the world, not to mention the most wasteful. This is to our great shame.
From The Physical To The Spiritual
This country does have its malnourished. In this country (for the most part) there are no excuses. In a land where we have an abundance of food & water that is uncontaminated and is perfect for supplying the body with the needed nutrition for good health.....look at us. One has the accessability to the proper diet, but prefers to ingest the things that will slowly lead their body...their health, to physical ruin. Is this an example of insanity ? That IS a fair question. Those of you reading this who watch what you eat very closely, and have probably been in agreement with all I have written so far.....what's your excuse ? Yes, YOU! When it comes to physical food you have been wise, and have taken care of your body by regulating what your dietary intake will be. How much more should you regulate your spiritual/mental intake ? There are many types & brand names of food in the grocery store competing for your loyalty as a consumer. Yet, you resist an urge to buy 6 Twinkies & 3 Turtle Fudge Cheesecakes by the reasoning that this would not be good for your body. This is much the same as it is in the field of Religion. There are new marketing strategies every day it seems, to entice you to be a loyal consumer of their brand. However...this is something I will comment on later.
So.....You Think You're Sane Do You ?
Didn't someone once say that the definition of insanity was to do the same thing over and over, the exact same way.....and expect different results ? Oh, dear God, let us be transformed by the renewing of our minds, help us to put on the mind of the Christ. Then, we will be of sound mind & can get down to the issue at hand.
1 John 2: 15-17 says, "(15) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (17) And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides forever." OK...I will pause for those who wish to repent & clean house now...
; < ).... What kind of mental/spiritual "food" are you feeding on daily ? Have you 'counted the cost' of grazing at the feeding troughs of this world ? As you 'sip the wine of the wrath of her fornications' you are desensitized and deceived as to your spiritual state. Alright, let's get down to the crux of the matter. I believe that the majority of the "churches" these days are disobedient to God's Word & thus.....a stench in His nostrils. Oh, I know...not you & yours...it's those "others". My advice unto you (as unto myself) is to "examine yourself", and all that entails. Humble yourself before the Almighty, and ask Him to point out any wicked way in you (me). Do this (searching prayer) right after you have read 1 John 2: 15-17, and then read it again.No one that He loves will be exempt at this point from the chastising conviction of the Holy Spirit of God upon your heart/mind. Will you be found guilty of loving this present world more than the One who redeemed you ? Or will you be righteous in your own eyes ? Be careful Mr. Pride, & think this through.When you "feed" on the things of this world instead of His 'manna' from heaven, you will be the baby christian who is so pitiful & sad. With a bloated spiritual belly from the worlds contaminated food & drink that you are ingesting, you have no strength to stand when needed. You are weak in all areas, especially the mind. The church is full of this because THE CHURCH IS FULL OF THE WORLD!!! Remember, the passage says, "...if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
Accounting/Inventory Department
Do you love this One who died that you might have life ? It is time to take inventory. It is time for an accounting. When you rationalize the few sex scenes, and the nudity as a MUST for making a good movie (huh?), and the MANY times God's name is taken in vain (not just the times it is linked up with damn.), as well as the barrage of sexual innuendos, ask yourself, "Am I even remotely pleasing to God BY these actions, or is He displeased with my choice of entertainment ?" I assure you He will NEVER approve of your preference for the world over Him as a way to spend your time. That would be contradictory to His Word. Oh, you may hear a still small voice say, "it's okay, c'mon....it's not THAT bad". Guess what ? That wasn't God!! That was your wicked and deceitful heart (Jer. 17:9 ) trying to justify the sin you love so much. Well....THIS is the "Accounting/Inventory Department"....excuses and self righteous 'feelings' carry NO weight around here.
Final Thoughts On Part 1
So.....how are we doing out there ? There's only two types (and that is..INSIDE the Christian camp) that are reading this. One says (with bowed head), " search me dear God, and reveal to me my wrong ways, and help me to know you more, and my ways to be pleasing to you." Then there's the other type. I know him well. I used to be him. He already had a hundred thoughts of self-justification for his ways before half-way finishing the post. He is angry at such [legalistic] nonsense. I am free he says. I have Christian liberty. My friend, look around you...right now, in your own home/room/desk/bookshelves/magazine racks/cd-dvd changer/your mind.....ooh....see. THAT isn't freedom. THAT is displeasing to Almighty God.....It's sin!
Stay tuned for Part 2: SO.....WHAT'S IN YOUR PANTRY ?
Those Who Have, & Those Who Have Not--by Gregg Hall
You have all seen the pictures I am sure. A Child...with swollen belly and frail appendages. How can this happen, we ask. The answer is Malnutrition. Merriam Websters Collegiate Dictionary/10th Edition defines malnutrition as "faulty or inadequate nutrition". BOTH of these defining points play a part in these children we see in the aforementioned condition. An inadequate supply of food combined with the fact that there is not the right kinds of foods for balanced nutrition, and the contamination factor (water & food), ALL contribute to the malnutrition we see in these commercials...where they are asking us to help.....to help get the right foods for a balanced nutrition. We must get the PURE (uncontaminated) water & bread to these little ones, or they have NO HOPE !! Now...take the time to look around you. We live in a land of plenty. For most, there is an adequate supply of food here. For most it is clean & contamination free food & water. We have in this Country (for the most part) exactly what is needed for balanced nutrition. And yet, this Country is one of the most obese and out of shape in the world, not to mention the most wasteful. This is to our great shame.
From The Physical To The Spiritual
This country does have its malnourished. In this country (for the most part) there are no excuses. In a land where we have an abundance of food & water that is uncontaminated and is perfect for supplying the body with the needed nutrition for good health.....look at us. One has the accessability to the proper diet, but prefers to ingest the things that will slowly lead their body...their health, to physical ruin. Is this an example of insanity ? That IS a fair question. Those of you reading this who watch what you eat very closely, and have probably been in agreement with all I have written so far.....what's your excuse ? Yes, YOU! When it comes to physical food you have been wise, and have taken care of your body by regulating what your dietary intake will be. How much more should you regulate your spiritual/mental intake ? There are many types & brand names of food in the grocery store competing for your loyalty as a consumer. Yet, you resist an urge to buy 6 Twinkies & 3 Turtle Fudge Cheesecakes by the reasoning that this would not be good for your body. This is much the same as it is in the field of Religion. There are new marketing strategies every day it seems, to entice you to be a loyal consumer of their brand. However...this is something I will comment on later.
So.....You Think You're Sane Do You ?
Didn't someone once say that the definition of insanity was to do the same thing over and over, the exact same way.....and expect different results ? Oh, dear God, let us be transformed by the renewing of our minds, help us to put on the mind of the Christ. Then, we will be of sound mind & can get down to the issue at hand.
1 John 2: 15-17 says, "(15) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (17) And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides forever." OK...I will pause for those who wish to repent & clean house now...
; < ).... What kind of mental/spiritual "food" are you feeding on daily ? Have you 'counted the cost' of grazing at the feeding troughs of this world ? As you 'sip the wine of the wrath of her fornications' you are desensitized and deceived as to your spiritual state. Alright, let's get down to the crux of the matter. I believe that the majority of the "churches" these days are disobedient to God's Word & thus.....a stench in His nostrils. Oh, I know...not you & yours...it's those "others". My advice unto you (as unto myself) is to "examine yourself", and all that entails. Humble yourself before the Almighty, and ask Him to point out any wicked way in you (me). Do this (searching prayer) right after you have read 1 John 2: 15-17, and then read it again.No one that He loves will be exempt at this point from the chastising conviction of the Holy Spirit of God upon your heart/mind. Will you be found guilty of loving this present world more than the One who redeemed you ? Or will you be righteous in your own eyes ? Be careful Mr. Pride, & think this through.When you "feed" on the things of this world instead of His 'manna' from heaven, you will be the baby christian who is so pitiful & sad. With a bloated spiritual belly from the worlds contaminated food & drink that you are ingesting, you have no strength to stand when needed. You are weak in all areas, especially the mind. The church is full of this because THE CHURCH IS FULL OF THE WORLD!!! Remember, the passage says, "...if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
Accounting/Inventory Department
Do you love this One who died that you might have life ? It is time to take inventory. It is time for an accounting. When you rationalize the few sex scenes, and the nudity as a MUST for making a good movie (huh?), and the MANY times God's name is taken in vain (not just the times it is linked up with damn.), as well as the barrage of sexual innuendos, ask yourself, "Am I even remotely pleasing to God BY these actions, or is He displeased with my choice of entertainment ?" I assure you He will NEVER approve of your preference for the world over Him as a way to spend your time. That would be contradictory to His Word. Oh, you may hear a still small voice say, "it's okay, c'mon....it's not THAT bad". Guess what ? That wasn't God!! That was your wicked and deceitful heart (Jer. 17:9 ) trying to justify the sin you love so much. Well....THIS is the "Accounting/Inventory Department"....excuses and self righteous 'feelings' carry NO weight around here.
Final Thoughts On Part 1
So.....how are we doing out there ? There's only two types (and that is..INSIDE the Christian camp) that are reading this. One says (with bowed head), " search me dear God, and reveal to me my wrong ways, and help me to know you more, and my ways to be pleasing to you." Then there's the other type. I know him well. I used to be him. He already had a hundred thoughts of self-justification for his ways before half-way finishing the post. He is angry at such [legalistic] nonsense. I am free he says. I have Christian liberty. My friend, look around you...right now, in your own home/room/desk/bookshelves/magazine racks/cd-dvd changer/your mind.....ooh....see. THAT isn't freedom. THAT is displeasing to Almighty God.....It's sin!
Stay tuned for Part 2: SO.....WHAT'S IN YOUR PANTRY ?
Friday, June 14, 2013
Seven Prayers of Spiritually Effective Fathers
The Bible teaches that fathers are accountable for the spiritual environment in which their children are raised (Deut.6:4-9; Eph. 6:1-4; Col. 3:18-21). Believing fathers know that they cannot do this alone. They understand that they must be dependent on God for wisdom, strength, and courage. Our Father invites all fathers to pray with confidence, drawing near to the throne of grace, so that we might receive mercy and find grace to help (Heb. 4:16; Phil. 4:6; Matt. 6:9-13). With this in mind, let me suggest seven prayers that fathers can pray:
1. Lord, I submit myself to you. I realize that parenting a child in the way that you would have me is beyond my human abilities. I know you to help help me. I need your wisdom, discernment, and guidance. I also need your patience and strength. I need your love to flow through me to my children. Teach me how to love the way you love. Cause me to walk in righteousness and integrity before you. Enable me to obey your Word and do what is pleasing in your sight.
2. Thank you Lord for the precious gift of this child because your Word says every good and perfect gift comes from you. I know that you have given him/her to me as a stewardship to you. Help me to raise him/her to fear you and walk in your ways. Help me to release him/her to your protection, guidance, and counsel. Help me not to live in fear of people, circumstances, ideas, and values that my child will experience and be exposed to. Help me to rest in your sovereign control. I'm grateful that I do not have to rely on the world's unreliable and everchanging methods for parenting, but I can get clear direction from your Word.
3. Lord, I pray that you will fill my child with your spirit of truth. Give him/her a heart that loves truth and follows after it, rejecting all lies of the enemy. Guide him/her into all truth. Guard him/her from ideas, entertainment, philosophies that are lies from the world. May he/she never give place to lies and lying, but be a person of truth and integrity.
4. Lord, I pray that my child will have a deep reverence for your ways. May he/she hide your Word in his/her heart like a treasure, and seek after understanding like silver and gold. Give him/her a teachable spirit and a desire to learn. Instill in him/her wisdom to study and apply your Word.
5. Lord, place in my child a desire for holiness that comes from a pure heart. May this desire be reflected in what he/she wears, where he/she goes, and who he/she has as friends. Where he/she strays from the path of holiness, quickly bring him/her to a place of confession and repentance. Give him/her an understanding that to live in purity brings wholeness and blessing into his/her life.
6. Lord, I pray that you would keep my child free from any ungodly, unhealthy addictions. Make him/her strong in you. Cause him/her to look for the way of escape from temptation. Put a fear of disobedience to you in his/her heart. Guard him/her from those who would offer and pressure him/her to the possibility of any addictions.
7. Lord, unless your plan is for my child to remain single, send the right mate for him/her in your time. Give him/her clear understanding of your leading. May the future mate be a person of godliness who walks in all your ways. May they come together in purity and remain that way until married.
Fathers, also remember 1 Peter 3:7: "Likewise husband, 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."
1. Lord, I submit myself to you. I realize that parenting a child in the way that you would have me is beyond my human abilities. I know you to help help me. I need your wisdom, discernment, and guidance. I also need your patience and strength. I need your love to flow through me to my children. Teach me how to love the way you love. Cause me to walk in righteousness and integrity before you. Enable me to obey your Word and do what is pleasing in your sight.
2. Thank you Lord for the precious gift of this child because your Word says every good and perfect gift comes from you. I know that you have given him/her to me as a stewardship to you. Help me to raise him/her to fear you and walk in your ways. Help me to release him/her to your protection, guidance, and counsel. Help me not to live in fear of people, circumstances, ideas, and values that my child will experience and be exposed to. Help me to rest in your sovereign control. I'm grateful that I do not have to rely on the world's unreliable and everchanging methods for parenting, but I can get clear direction from your Word.
3. Lord, I pray that you will fill my child with your spirit of truth. Give him/her a heart that loves truth and follows after it, rejecting all lies of the enemy. Guide him/her into all truth. Guard him/her from ideas, entertainment, philosophies that are lies from the world. May he/she never give place to lies and lying, but be a person of truth and integrity.
4. Lord, I pray that my child will have a deep reverence for your ways. May he/she hide your Word in his/her heart like a treasure, and seek after understanding like silver and gold. Give him/her a teachable spirit and a desire to learn. Instill in him/her wisdom to study and apply your Word.
5. Lord, place in my child a desire for holiness that comes from a pure heart. May this desire be reflected in what he/she wears, where he/she goes, and who he/she has as friends. Where he/she strays from the path of holiness, quickly bring him/her to a place of confession and repentance. Give him/her an understanding that to live in purity brings wholeness and blessing into his/her life.
6. Lord, I pray that you would keep my child free from any ungodly, unhealthy addictions. Make him/her strong in you. Cause him/her to look for the way of escape from temptation. Put a fear of disobedience to you in his/her heart. Guard him/her from those who would offer and pressure him/her to the possibility of any addictions.
7. Lord, unless your plan is for my child to remain single, send the right mate for him/her in your time. Give him/her clear understanding of your leading. May the future mate be a person of godliness who walks in all your ways. May they come together in purity and remain that way until married.
Fathers, also remember 1 Peter 3:7: "Likewise husband, 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."
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Salvation or Self-Deception?
In keeping with our current Sunday morning sermon series: Salvation or Self-Deception? I thought this paragraph from the book Follow Me by David Platt was fitting:
Sometimes I ask people, "How do you know that you are a Christian?" Or "How do you know you are saved from your sin?" The most common replies I hear from professing Christians are "Because I decided to trust in Jesus" or "Because I asked Jesus to save me however many years ago" or even "Because I have given my life to Jesus." Notice how each of these replies begin with the words, "Because I...." such responses are not wrong, and I assure you my aim is not to be the word police, but I do want to offer what I hope is a healthy reminder that you and I are not saved from our sin primarily because we decided to do something however many years ago. Instead, we are saved from our sin ultimately because Jesus decided to do something two thousand years ago. And based upon His grace, His mercy, and His love in coming to us, sinners totally unable to save ourselves, we have been invited to follow Him. The love of God in the life and death of Christ is the only foundation for authentic salvation.
Think about it.
Sometimes I ask people, "How do you know that you are a Christian?" Or "How do you know you are saved from your sin?" The most common replies I hear from professing Christians are "Because I decided to trust in Jesus" or "Because I asked Jesus to save me however many years ago" or even "Because I have given my life to Jesus." Notice how each of these replies begin with the words, "Because I...." such responses are not wrong, and I assure you my aim is not to be the word police, but I do want to offer what I hope is a healthy reminder that you and I are not saved from our sin primarily because we decided to do something however many years ago. Instead, we are saved from our sin ultimately because Jesus decided to do something two thousand years ago. And based upon His grace, His mercy, and His love in coming to us, sinners totally unable to save ourselves, we have been invited to follow Him. The love of God in the life and death of Christ is the only foundation for authentic salvation.
Think about it.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
The Truth About Satan
In the Christian classic by C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters, in which a senior demon from a highly organized, computerized Hell, instructs a junior demon in the art of winning over a young man's soul, there is this warning: "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about devils. One is disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them." As Dr. Jim Denison, writes; "Our culture seems to have found a way to commit both errors simultaneously."
Movies, books, cartoons, and social media seem to play both ends of the spectrum. There is a great interest in the demonic in our culture, yet, much of it is taken as Hollywood fantasy with no regard or consideration for the reality of Satan (and demons). The Bible teaches a real Satan (Gen. 3:1-6; Job 1; Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-17; Luke 4:1-13; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:1-6). Not that we must look for a demon under every rock, but we must be aware of his existence and deceit (Eph. 6:12).
Remember Satan is not like God. He is a created being. He is limited. Yes, he is supernatural. He has existed for centuries, therefore he knows human nature, is super intelligent, and is the master manipulator. He is a murderer and liar (John 8:44).
Therefore, we have specific instructions on what to do to combat Satan. In Ephesians 6:10-20, we are told to "put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil." Subsequently, the armor is listed as the belt of "truth," the "breastplate of righteousness," the shoes of "peace," the "shield of faith," the "helmet of salvation," and the "sword of the Spirit."
This spiritual weaponry is not man-made (2 Cor. 10:3-5). There are many misunderstandings and false ideas about how to "stand firm." But our spiritual weapons can be summed up in one word: obedience. Obedience comes by having our minds controlled by the truth of God's Word. By obeying God's Word, you will stand firm "in the evil day" (Eph. 6:13). When is the evil day? Every day has been evil since Adam and Eve listened to Satan's temptation. So, in the words of the Apostle Paul;"Put on the full armor of God.."
Think about it.
Remember.....he is defeated (Rev. 20:10), though for now he is the "prince of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2).
Movies, books, cartoons, and social media seem to play both ends of the spectrum. There is a great interest in the demonic in our culture, yet, much of it is taken as Hollywood fantasy with no regard or consideration for the reality of Satan (and demons). The Bible teaches a real Satan (Gen. 3:1-6; Job 1; Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-17; Luke 4:1-13; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:1-6). Not that we must look for a demon under every rock, but we must be aware of his existence and deceit (Eph. 6:12).
Remember Satan is not like God. He is a created being. He is limited. Yes, he is supernatural. He has existed for centuries, therefore he knows human nature, is super intelligent, and is the master manipulator. He is a murderer and liar (John 8:44).
Therefore, we have specific instructions on what to do to combat Satan. In Ephesians 6:10-20, we are told to "put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil." Subsequently, the armor is listed as the belt of "truth," the "breastplate of righteousness," the shoes of "peace," the "shield of faith," the "helmet of salvation," and the "sword of the Spirit."
This spiritual weaponry is not man-made (2 Cor. 10:3-5). There are many misunderstandings and false ideas about how to "stand firm." But our spiritual weapons can be summed up in one word: obedience. Obedience comes by having our minds controlled by the truth of God's Word. By obeying God's Word, you will stand firm "in the evil day" (Eph. 6:13). When is the evil day? Every day has been evil since Adam and Eve listened to Satan's temptation. So, in the words of the Apostle Paul;"Put on the full armor of God.."
Think about it.
Remember.....he is defeated (Rev. 20:10), though for now he is the "prince of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2).
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Conversation Hearts
On this day in particular every year Sweetheart Conversation Hearts are bought, given, and eaten by the millions. Proving what we know: words are cheap!
Hundreds of times a day a judge's gavel drops to the desk and the dismal words are spoke: "Divorce granted." A marriage which began with delight has ended with disillusionment. What began with excitement and expectation has ended with bitterness and hostility.
Of all days, this might be the best day, to ask: How can I make my words more meaningful to my spouse or significant other? At the risk of sounding too simple....you have to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18) so that you will demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). You have to understand that love is really actions not words (1 Cor. 13:4-7). All the words used to describe love in these verses (1 Cor. 13:4-7) are actions that are manifested toward another. Certainly love is a feeling, an emotion, and even words, but more than these, it is an action (John 15:13-14). Therefore, it's not what you say, but what you do that demonstrates true love.
Too many times our words can be empty, flattery, superficial, even selfish. So beginning today, let your love be actions, and use words as needed.
Think about it!
Hundreds of times a day a judge's gavel drops to the desk and the dismal words are spoke: "Divorce granted." A marriage which began with delight has ended with disillusionment. What began with excitement and expectation has ended with bitterness and hostility.
Of all days, this might be the best day, to ask: How can I make my words more meaningful to my spouse or significant other? At the risk of sounding too simple....you have to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18) so that you will demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). You have to understand that love is really actions not words (1 Cor. 13:4-7). All the words used to describe love in these verses (1 Cor. 13:4-7) are actions that are manifested toward another. Certainly love is a feeling, an emotion, and even words, but more than these, it is an action (John 15:13-14). Therefore, it's not what you say, but what you do that demonstrates true love.
Too many times our words can be empty, flattery, superficial, even selfish. So beginning today, let your love be actions, and use words as needed.
Think about it!
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