July 28, 2015 Truth2Freedom Daily Christian Blog/Article Collection

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The Gospel-Centered Flow of Worship

“We begin the service with the Call to Worship—God calling His people out of the world into His presence. There is an intentional covenantal element to this act of being called forth and set apart. The following hymns/songs of praise reflect the nature and character of who God is and what He has done.”

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Under God — Since When?

“Most 19th-century and early-20th-century Americans would have affirmed that the United States was a “Christian nation,” even if they would have disagreed bitterly about the meaning of that phrase. Nor were public displays of generic (or even Christian) religiosity new, though they took on new forms during the Eisenhower administration.”

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From Liberal Judaism to Faith in Jesus

I went to Jonathan after the talk and said, “I’m Jewish, so I suppose this isn’t for me.” He had a good response: “Jesus himself was Jewish! He’s the Jewish Messiah, the one the Jews were waiting for. If you follow him, you’ll be following your own Messiah.”

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Perpetual Worship: The Discipline of Loving God in Creation

“Christianity has always had a stream of thought that regards creation with real suspicion. Many Christians have felt that creation, be it the body, or food, or wealth, is partly evil. Drawing from Greek Platonism, the body is seen to be inferior to the spirit, a kind of temporary vehicle that trips up our spirit, until we can finally shed it and be in the pure spirit world of Heaven.”

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The Christian Fraternity

“Those who are regenerated and growing in their adoration of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are to find their souls drawn towards like-minded worshipers. After all, they do have the same beliefs, interests, passion, and Holy Spirit dwelling within.”

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Rebuilding a Marriage Culture: A Fourfold Mission for the Church

“The church needs to present a case for biblical sexuality that is appealing and that engages the best of modern thought. The virtues of chastity and lifelong marriage are enriching, but after fifty years, the church has still not devised a compelling response to the sexual revolution.”

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Gay Marriage and the Future of Evangelical Colleges

“But as gay rights have gained wider acceptance over the past few years, many evangelical colleges have found themselves facing a predicament. Policies forbidding gay relationships have brought negative media attention and increasingly frustrated students, both of which could turn disastrous for religious colleges already struggling with tight budgets and uncertain futures.”

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Understanding Salvation by Grace

Understanding Salvation by Grace

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Start 2 Finish

Guest Author: Jonathan Jones II I am very passionate about the Biblical doctrine of grace because it lies at the heart of our salvation.  It has been my experience that this doctrine has been largely misunderstood by our brethren.  Likewise, a theology of “cheap grace” (to borrow Bonhoeffer’s famous statement) has permeated much of the …

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5 Stupid Things the Church Needs to Stop Doing to Make Progress

5 Stupid Things the Church Needs to Stop Doing to Make Progress

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Church Leaders

“Sometimes criticism aimed at the church is unfair. Other times, we shoot ourselves in the foot.”


Preparing the Way for the Antichrist

Jan Markell and Eric Barger talk to Gary Kah the hour. Kah has monitored the advance of global government for 30 years. He states that a perfect storm is now brewing for this and explains why. The world is heading towards collapse economically, politically, and more. What is the “convergence” happening this fall and could it play into this scenario? Even Pope Francis is pushing a “New World Order” and the three discuss that. The biggest globalist today is the Pope. A warning is given: Be ready for anything. Only the Antichrist can solve the growing problems. We use the mobile app found at http://www.oneplace.com.

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Detroit’s Baphomet statue and the coming Abomination of Desolation

The Bible speaks of idolatrous statues quite often. There is one particular statue to come which will outstrip the evilness of all the rest. For now, in Detroit, the 200-plus member Church of Satan unveiled a statue of a false and evil god known as Baphomet and I’ll speak of that down below. But first, a look at idolatrous statues in the Bible.

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Time is Running Out…….and the Devil Knows It!!!

Folks, when it’s all said and done we must come to this understanding that this is a fallen world; corruption is accumulative. Evil men get worse and worse. In this nation we are currently witnessing an aggressive expansion of sin.

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The Persecution Of Christians Is Intensifying As Anti-Christian Hatred Sweeps The Entire World

There is very little that the entire world seems to agree upon, but there is one very frightening trend that is now taking hold literally all over the globe. A passionate hatred of Christianity is sweeping across the planet, and very few global leaders have been willing to step forward and speak out against this rising persecution of Christians.

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Explaining the Evangelical Attraction to Donald Trump

You see folks; Donald Trump and evangelicals are breaking bread together because there is this common bond that I just laid out above. They like his boldness. They relate to him because when they’ve been bold about their faith they get blasted too. It’s a kinship in a strange sort of way. Don’t ask me to go deeper than that folks. If you want that portion, go call Dr. Phil.

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The Religious Origins of the Sanctuary Movement

Jul 27, 2015 03:39 pm | Marsha West

In this piece Cliff Kincaid of Accuracy In Media brings to light the Roman Catholic Church’s participation in the sanctuary movement for more than two decades.  Most Catholics may not be aware that the Catholic Campaign for Human Development funded Casa de Maryland, an illegal alien support group that works for “immigrant rights.” Following is Kincaid’s full report:   […]

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Is Social Liberalism Winning?

Jul 27, 2015 01:11 pm | Marsha West

Brent Bozell, president of the Media Research Center, offers some encouraging news in regards to social issues.   According to Bozell, a recent survey found less of a social revolution in America than the liberal media would have us believe. CNS News has the report: The end of the Supreme Court term was depressing for conservatives. The […]

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How the Media Are Promoting Polyamory. The New “Marriage Equality”?

Jul 27, 2015 11:50 am | Marsha West

Down, down, down the slippery slope America slides.  We’re traveling at warp speed and at the rate we’re going we’ll hit rock bottom sooner than we anticipated.  So brace yourselves, brethren.  You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.  In this piece, Ryan T. Anderson, columnist for The Daily Signal, tackles the subject of polyamory.   We knew that the High Court’s decision to legalize […]

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Planned Parenthood Pulls Names of Corporate Donors After Coca-Cola, Ford and Xerox Object

Jul 25, 2015 02:04 pm | Marsha West

(The Daily Signal) Representatives from Coca-Cola, Ford Motor Co. and Xerox say they’ve asked Planned Parenthood to remove their names as corporate donors to the embattled organization. The move follows a Daily Signal report revealing the names of 41 companies that Planned Parenthood listed as donors. That list, which was featured on Planned Parenthood’s website, has since […]

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Undercover Videomaker: “Even Worse” Planned Parenthood Videos Coming

Jul 23, 2015 11:14 am | Marsha West

(Newsmax)  Center for Medical Progress founder David Daleiden says his group has hundreds or thousands of hours of undercover video of abortion providers that will be released in the coming weeks and months, and that some of it is “even worse” than the two videos already aired to the public. Shot over the past two-and-a-half […]

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Ashley Madison adultery site hacked: adulterers upset

Jul 22, 2015 09:13 am | A. Spreeman

“Millions of users of the infidelity website may have good reason to be worried as cybercrime experts warn that ‘Impact Team’ may be focused on blackmail,” warns the secular news sites. Of course, the spiritual danger of unrepentant sin is never addressed, but hey, let’s just worry about being caught. Ashley Madison, the adultery website […]

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“I Want a Lamborghini”: Second Expose’ Released After Planned Parenthood Denies Selling Baby Organs

Jul 21, 2015 10:48 am | Marsha West

(Christian News Network)   Days after the president of Planned Parenthood released a video statement denying that the organization makes any profit from selling the organs of aborted babies, a second undercover video has been released showing another top director joking that she would like enough to buy a Lamborghini. Watch: “I want to be really […]

The post “I Want a Lamborghini”: Second Expose’ Released After Planned Parenthood Denies Selling Baby Organs appeared first on Berean Research.


 

It’s Time To Get Out of the Closet

It seems that every activist group in town is coming out of the closet – except one. Homosexuals are happy to go public, as, increasingly, are polyamorists, the incest brigade, and even paedophiles. All these groups – and more – are seizing the moment, publicly declaring themselves, coming out loud and proud, and demanding to be accepted and celebrated.

Yet there is one group that seems to be doing the exact opposite. One group is actually going back into the closet. Whether because of fear or whatever, more and more of these folks are retreating from the public arena where they belong, and they are going back into hiding.

I refer of course to spineless Christians. Far too many have absolutely abandoned the calling – and command – to be salt and light, and are retreating with their mouths fully shut. They refuse to speak out, whether about the vital social and moral issues of the day, or even about their own faith.

closet 4So intimidated and cowardly have they become, that they sit back and say nothing and do nothing when all around them their faith is under attack and sin is coming in like a flood. They have effectively decidedly to just sit all this out, pretending they can somehow remain neutral in a time of crisis.


 

Culpable Ignorance: You have no excuse for not knowing what abortion is.

One of Jesus’ last words from the cross also happens to be one that bears directly on our thinking about abortion and—in particular—about the videos exposing Planned Parenthood. Unfortunately, the connection is often missed because the text is widely misunderstood.

The words I have in mind are Jesus’ prayer from the cross: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). People often misread this statement to imply that there is no guilt when people are unaware that what they are doing is wrong. Because neither the Jews nor the Romans recognized Jesus as the Christ, they do not bear the weight of guilt for their part in killing the Son of God. At least that is how Jesus’ prayer is sometimes misunderstood. Read more of this post

 


Nothing In, Nothing Out

When I was in the UK last week, my family and I took an open-top bus tour of London. One of our guides was obsessed with telling us the value of properties. The week before, a parking space in London had sold for almost $350,000. A parking space!

He told us that many wealthy people bought multi-million dollar properties in Park Lane and Belgravia but never lived in them. They just wanted the prestigious address for the top of their notepaper. Then there were the luxury hotels with rows of Ferraris, Porsches, and Lamborghinis parked outside.

Finally we viewed the awesome landmark office buildings like the Gherkin, the Shard, and the Walkie-Talkie. My younger brother works in the Gherkin, so we were privileged to get a trip to the viewing gallery. We were quite the embarassing contrast to the power-dressing executives and supermodel secretaries. But we got a fantastic view of the modern financial district as well as the more ancient landmarks like the Tower of London.

I couldn’t help thinking of all that power and wealth when I was preparing a sermon on 1 Timothy 6 late last week. There, in verse 7, we come across a label that God puts on every car, every house, every office, every dollar, ever title, every position, everything: “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”

Nothing in, Nothing out

This is a label for all things, for all people, and for all times of life.

When you are having a baby: What does that baby come in with? Nothing. What shall it leave with? Nothing. As Job said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there” (Job 1:21). We all enter and exit the same way. Nothing in, nothing out.

When you are deciding on a career: Don’t make money, salary, and benefits the only consideration. Put this label at the top of every job offer.

When you want something too much: When covetousness and greed get a grip of your heart, loosen its deadly hands by putting this label on the object of your desire. “Nothing in, Nothing out.”

When you get something you’ve always wanted: Don’t make an idol of it. Don’t get too attached to it. It is certain we shall carry nothing out.

When you lose something valuable: It may be a well-paying job, an inheritance, a house, or many of your possessions are destroyed in a fire or taken in a robbery. It just got taken from us a few years earlier than expected. Nothing in, nothing out.

When you are tempted to do wrong to get more money: Is it worth it? For something you are going to have to leave in a few short years anyway?

When you are deciding what to give to the Lord’s cause: Why not give more of it to the Lord before it’s taken by the Lord?

When you are complaining about how little you have: We all leave with the same amount. Nothing.

When you are planning your latter years: When thinking about retirement, pensions, trust funds, inheritances, etc. think on this verse. Yes, it’s appropriate to plan, but if you stick “Nothing in, nothing out” on everything, it will make your decisions much easier and much better.

When you are thinking of the judgment:  We check everything at the grave. When the multi-billionaire John D. Rockefeller died, his assistant was asked, “How much did he leave?” “Everything,” he replied.

Why not print this verse and stick it on everything you have or want: “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”

And while you’re at it, maybe put another label beside it: “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”


A Right Theology of Fear (And Why You Need It)

I know that I’m not supposed to be. I’ve heard all of the lines about how God wins. I’ve sung the words plenty, “If our God is for us, then who can ever stop us.” I know that I’m supposed to “fear not” and yet, in these times, I have to wonder how it’s possible to feel no fear without assuming an ostrich position and ignoring all that is happening in our world.

In addition to tasting the bile of fear in my stomach, I am wrestling with how to reconcile my fear and my faith.

  • What am I supposed to do with my fear?
  • Is fear the “gift” that psychologists tell me it is, or is it evidence that my faith is sick and useless?
  • I’ve been a Christian for nearly twenty years; should I have the fearlessness of Wonder Woman as a result?
  • Is my fear a sin?

Fear makes me suddenly and painfully aware of my total lack of control.

I may not have all of the answers, but I know where to run to find them. God’s Word has plenty to say about fear. In fact, there are well over 400 verses on the subject. I imagine that is because there is much to fear in our fallen and broken world and because I’m not the only one whose heart’s default posture is fear. Yes, the Bible says “fear not.” In fact that is the most consistent message about fear in the Bible, but it’s not all God has to say on the subject. If you’ve got questions about fear, the Bible has answers. Here’s an overview of the theology of fear found in God’s Word.

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Who Are We to Judge?

Chuck Colson used to say that to test a worldview, simply follow it to its logical conclusion. For the logical conclusion of relativism, just turn on the TV. Listen Now | Download

‘Science Supports Genesis’: Geneticist Says Evidence Confirms Biblical Adam and Eve

By Garrett Haley Christian News Network A respected molecular geneticist explores the historicity of Adam and Eve in a newly-released documentary, explaining that modern findings in the field of genetics confirm the Bible’s teachings that all humans descended from an original couple created by God. Dr. Georgia Purdom earned a Ph.D. in molecular genetics from Ohio […]

The New Age, Occultism, and Our Children in Public Schools

By Berit Kjos Kjos Ministries “Softening Up” For Occult Revival—Hermetic Magic & Hegel’s Dialectic Process Why would our country, so richly blessed by God, embrace the occult? What caused this drastic change in values? How could it have happened so seemingly fast?! Actually, the entire Western world had already been “softened up” by the 1960s […]

The Ultimate Purpose of the Universe

The Ultimate Purpose of the UniverseWhy would God prepare some people for wrath and destruction? It’s one of the biggest, weightiest questions in all the Bible. In this lab, John Piper uncovers the purpose above every other purpose in the universe, and points to the role wrath plays in God’s bigger design.Watch Now


Raising Real Kids Not Fakers | Nicholas Macdonald
I’m looking forward to reading Nicholas’s new book, Faker.

No Platform High Enough | Tim Challies
“When it is platform you crave, when it is the size or the popularity of your following that you use as the measure of your success, you will inevitably and eventually find that there is no platform high enough.”

When do you stop counseling?
Six factors to consider.

The Key to the Christian’s Joy
Well, I think for the first time I disagree with R C Sproul on a minor point admittedly! I don’t accept that because the culture has hijacked the word “happy” that we should give it up. Rather I think we should reclaim this biblical word and refill it with biblical content. Having said that, this is a fine article with many good points in it. And while we’re talking about it here’s the first in a new series of videos on Christian joy by John Piper.

We Will Not Bow
John Macarthur recently preached a sermon in which he said that “the two biggest acts of terror our country have faced are both from our Supreme Court: the legalization of abortion, and now the legalization of SSM. How are those two connected? Well, the first attacks mothers, and second attacks families. The first means moms without kids, and the second means kids without moms.” Also see The Bible and Same-Sex Marriage: 6 Common but Mistaken Claims.

Should we Pray for God to Punish our Enemies?
This is an excellent article discussing when it is appropriate to use the imprecatory psalms in our culture.

Interview with John Fesko on The Westminster Standards
John Fesko discusses his recent book on the Westminster Standards. An on the subject of interviews, here’s one with me on The Happy Christian.

Three reasons your group should break up

Brandon Hiltibidal:

Small groups have at least one thing in common with middle school daters and pints of Graeter’s in my freezer: they can’t be expected to last forever. Of course, commitment to your group is critical. Group members can’t sharpen one another without time and the willingness to deal with discomfort. However, it is unlikely and perhaps even unhealthy to assume you will “do life” with the same eight people until Jesus comes back. Sometimes some relationships lack the right fit for solid discipleship. We are called to love everyone in the church, but we can’t dig deep with everyone we meet. Let’s be willing to reset our group when it doesn’t make sense for shared spiritual growth.

So, here are three reasons your group might want to consider a cordial break-up, in order to build new relationships with other group members. Remember, this doesn’t mean you can’t all go to heaven together—just that maybe you should “see other people” until then.

15 Years and What Do You Get?

Joan Hartley:

It has occurred to me that fifteen years did indeed go by in a flash. Fifteen is not a very big number, and yet in that amount of time, I have observed tremendous change all about me. Of course, the home that was new a few years ago has begun to show its age and need for attention. Our parents have all died. Our children have gone from being pre-teens and teens (which once afforded us the luxury of resident slave labor) to adults in their upper 20s and early 30s – some with children of their own. Amazingly, my husband and I now both qualify for AARP discounts at participating hotels.

Don’t Pray About the Book of Mormon

I appreciated a lot about this post, particularly the point that some things we don’t need to pray about because they’re kind of obvious.

Why Encouragement is Not Optional

Dan Darling:

People closest to us need to hear words of affirmation from us. They need to hear them regularly, consistently, and sincerely. Not empty words of flattery, like something we’d type on Facebook on someone’s birthday (“best husband in the whole world!”), but genuine and heartfelt praise for the unique gifts and contribution of those closest to us.

8 Reasons Why Loving Money is so Dangerous

David Murray:

Having dealt with the roles and relationships of men and women, elders and deacons, employers and employees, in 1 Timothy 6v9-10 the Apostle Paul addresses with the Christian’s relationship with money and issues eight warnings about why we should not turn it into an idol.

SCOTUS: Too Much and Too Little – Rosaria Butterfield: “I have no right to complain. The blood is on my hands. For a decade, I lived as a lesbian who advanced the cause of gay rights. The world we see today is the one I helped create.”

God Doesn’t Need My Kid To Beat the Odds – This is a powerful and comforting article: “It was so definitive, those conclusive words of the neurologist: ‘He will never walk or talk. In many ways he is incompatible with life.’”

Does The Bible Say Anything About Sleep Habits? – Nothing is more mundane than sleep, but few things have a deeper impact on life.

Tim Tebow, Reinvented – Sports fans may appreciate this article about Tim Tebow’s ongoing attempts to prove that he can be an NFL quarterback.

How to Launch a Nuclear Missile – Well, it’s a little bit melodramatic, but you’ll still enjoy seeing how to launch a nuclear missile.

The Only Bad Word Left – Melissa talks about the only bad word that’s left in our vocabulary.

A Call to Teenagers To Be Free – John Piper puts out the call to teenagers. “Be wise and strong and free from the slavery of culture-conformity. To put it another way, I am calling teenagers to a radical, wartime lifestyle.”

Bible, gender, and sexuality

http://www.reformation21.org/articles/bible-gender-sexuality.php


Of Future Kings and Anti-Christs

What are pastors teaching their flocks about The AntiChrist, how kings are appointed and the ministry of Jesus Christ?

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The Daily Discovery (July 28, 2015)

The Loss of Infants: What is their Destiny? – “What comfort can we offer to parents whose infant dies in infancy? And what is the real tragedy of abortion?  Reformed Confessions have spoken to this issue, Charles Spurgeon has addressed the question, B.B. Warfield has as well, and many of us have some view on what happens to infants dying in infancy or babies that are mercilessly slaughtered in their mother’s womb. But there is no clear unanimity from Christian theologians over the centuries.”

One Simple Way to Encourage Your Pastor – “I’m not talking about stroking your pastor’s ego just to make him (or you) feel good. I’m not talking about perfunctory praise. And I’m not talking about idle flattery. Don’t tell your pastor anything you don’t really mean.  But if your pastor’s sermon helped you see more of Jesus, or helped you turn from sin, or helped you understand the Bible better, or helped you be a better spouse, or helped you trust God in the midst of suffering, or stirred your affections for the things of glory, tell him. It doesn’t have to be every week or even every month.”

10 Bible verses to help you through bereavement – “Losing a loved one is never easy, and grief can be an incredibly painful process. Here are 10 Bible verses to help you through bereavement, and remind you that God is good, and his promises are for us even in our darkest moments.”

Judgment at Christ’s return – “When Christians understand their proper role in their relationship with their Saviour as that of a δοῦλος (slave) of the Κύριον ᾿Ιησοῦν Χριστόν (Lord Jesus Christ) then this whole Lordship Salvation debate just looks silly. We do not make Jesus Lord, He is Lord. Those whom He saves are His δοῦλοί and their responsibility is to serve Him according to His will for the rest of their lives. However, as the passage above reads, this does not include everyone, far from it. There are enemies of the cross of Christ. While these δοῦλοι of the Κύριον ᾿Ιησοῦν Χριστόν will spend eternity with Him, these enemies ‘whose end is destruction.’”

Mark Driscoll Confirms Move to Phoenix – “Looks like a sweet deal on the mailing list. I wonder if this is the mailing list which caused Justin Dean so much trouble (link, link). In any case, I wonder where the independent auction was advertised. Who knew about it and participated? And what does ‘first access’ mean?”


SERMON:

Emeal Zwayne – Compelled by Compassion: Viewing homosexuals through the eyes of Jesus


VIDEOS:

GO!

James White on the Dr. Drew show 6/17/2015


“If you alter or obscure the Biblical portrait of God in order to attract converts, you don’t get converts to God, you get converts to an illusion. This is not evangelism but deception.” – John Piper

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Luis Palau: Advice for Young People

The post Luis Palau: Advice for Young People appeared first on ChurchLeaders.com.


07/28/15 Living in a Backwards Way

READING: 2 Kings 18:9-19:37; Psalm 46, 80, 135

TEXTS AND APPLICATION: What most catches my attention in these chapters (largely related to Hezekiah’s reign over Judah) are the words of the diplomat of the Assyrian king when he spoke to the Hebrews:

2 Kings 18:19  Then the Rabshakeh said to them, “Tell Hezekiah this is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: ‘What are you relying on?’”

The question was simple: On what are you depending as you battle against Assyria? The diplomat said that Egypt could not help the Hebrews — but nor would God, he said. The gods of the other nations could not save them from Assyria, and the God of the Hebrews would not protect them, either.

Here’s the question for me today: On what do I rely when life gets difficult? Do I rely on my educational training? On my speaking ability? On my ministry experience? On my friends? On myself?

If I’m honest, I rely on myself first too often, and then turn to God only after I’ve made a bigger mess.   The diplomat of Assyria got it wrong about God, but I sometimes get it wrong, too, when I rely on something other than God. If I try to fix things first and then turn to God, I’m relying on self. I’m living in a backwards way.

PRAYER: Pray that I would turn to God first in all matters today — that I would fundamentally depend on Him.


Why Didn’t Martha Tell Mary?

Re: John 11:17-44.  Since the narrative doesn’t state that Jesus asked Martha to find Mary for Him, did Martha simply lie to her sister Mary in this instance, or do you find evidence anywhere that Jesus did ask for Mary’s presence? If Martha lied to Mary, what was her reason or excuse?

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Has He “Out Sinned” God’s Grace?

I have a friend who thinks that he has out-sinned God’s Grace  because he no longer feels or hears the Spirit anymore. He has had a long walk with the Lord. Is there any way to explain what has happened to him?

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Is My Dream Catcher An Idol?

Recently I had a conversation with another Christian friend re dream catchers.  Several years ago  I worked on a Navajo Indian Reservation for one summer.  During that time I bought many souvenirs.  I found a beautiful dream catcher I liked so I bought it.   It ended up hanging off my mantle in my downstairs family room.  I really never gave it a lot of thought.  My friend feels it’s something evil, like an idol I suppose.  I never viewed it as such and certainly would never hang it over my bed hoping to filter out bad dreams. Did I use poor judgment in bringing it home?

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The Greatest Story Ever Told

Greatest StoryGod’s goal in all of His creative and redemptive work is to bring glory to Himself (Isa 43:7; cf. Eph 1:6, 12, 14).

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What is The Gospel?


“My Last Day” — the Jesus Anime

9 powerful minutes of animation that begins with a thief behind bars watching the scourging of Jesus, and it ends with the thief dying next to Jesus, and waking to see Him in a beautiful place.

The dying thief: What was so great about his faith?

There are many acts of extraordinary faith in the Bible. The one that has impressed me the most concerns the dying thief on the cross. We could take the approach that he had nothing to lose, so he decided to cast his lot with Jesus. But this makes absolutely no sense of the text and the context.
In this conversion we have a specific fulfillment of Christ’s first words on the cross. No sooner had Christ spoken the words, “Father, forgive them,” had the Father answered that prayer by turning a once-reviling criminal into a Christ-glorifying saint. While the soon-to-be converted criminal was not directly responsible for Christ’s death, he nevertheless joined with those who were and was thus indirectly addressed when Christ asked for God to forgive “them.”
Christ, the sinless one, was numbered with or counted among the transgressors (Isa. 53:12; Luke 22:37), all of whom have a bigger problem than the day-to-day sins they commit. They hate Christ, the God-man. Anyone who has a master other than the Lord Jesus hates him (Lk. 16:13; Gal. 4:8). That these two criminals loathed him is clearly manifested during the crucifixion: “And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way” (Matt. 27:44).
When the criminal who was converted was doing his worst against Christ, Christ was doing his best for this criminal.
The conversion of the one criminal was most extraordinary and testifies to the power of Christ’s prayer and the grace of God. Why?
This criminal’s faith did not come at a time such as when Christ turned water into wine; or performed miracles, such as walking on water, opening the eyes of a blind man, or raising Lazarus from the dead. No! The criminal believed on the Messiah while he was hanging as one cursed upon a tree. The criminal trusted in and boldly defended the one whose disciples had abandoned him. Jesus was at his lowest when this criminal asked to be remembered in Christ’s kingdom.
When he was on the cross, did anyone publicly cry out, as John the Baptist did, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn. 1:29)? But this is essentially what the dying thief did. Little wonder, then, that Christ should promise him a place in his kingdom: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Lk. 23:43).
The criminal acknowledged he was guilty; he acknowledged that Christ was not (“this man has done nothing wrong”); he feared God; but, and here is the key: the criminal did not merely want to be in a better place. He wanted to be with Christ in a better place: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Lk. 23:42). The criminal believed “against all hope”.
Heaven is a better place because that is where Christ is. Everyone wants to go to heaven, but not everyone wants to go to Christ’s heaven. Not so with this criminal: he saw, with his eyes, Christ at his worst; but with the eyes of faith, he believed that Christ would soon be at his best, and so put his faith in a dying king.
Christ is always – always! – willing to save even the most miserable of sinners. A recognition of guilt (Lk. 23:40) and a confidence in him and not ourselves (Lk. 23:42) will always lead to the most assuring truth a sinner can receive: the Savior welcomes such into his paradise!
“One is saved, and we may not despair; the other is lost, and we may not presume.” Spurgeon
Source


Our Time is Short

Read: Recommitting Your Life To God and Jesus Christ – Restoration and Forgiveness With God and Jesus Christ (Updated Version)


Ready to start your new life with God?

Who do you think that I am?

With that brief question Jesus Christ confronted His followers with the most important issue they would ever face. He had spent much time with them and made some bold claims about His identity and authority. Now the time had come for them either to believe or deny His teachings.

Who do you say Jesus is? Your response to Him will determine not only your values and lifestyle, but your eternal destiny as well.

Consider what the Bible says about Him: Read more


Look to Jesus
Have you ever felt a little lost and wished there was a quick-start guide to your relationship with God? This is it!

30 Day Next Steps
John Beckett, a leading Christian businessman, has written a series to read over 30 days for new believers.

New Believers Guide
The New Believer’s Guide is a series of articles designed to show you how to walk in the new life Christ has given you— a life of faith and freedom.

Jesus Booklet
Jesus is the Savior of the world. Discover who Jesus is today in this series.

About Christianity
Know Jesus Christ and your life will be transformed


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