I have attended various churches of different denominations, as well as non-denominational churches, all with various “ologies” and “isms”. At the heart of this experience I had come to the conclusion they are all parts of one body, the body of Christ.
My dilemma is that there has been a trend over the past decade or so for churches once stout in preaching the Gospel, to soften the message to become more relevant, more inclusive, and in so doing have become less effective. Messages abound about prosperity, self confidence, personal growth, etc., but there are fewer and fewer messages about sin and Gods salvation plan through his son Jesus Christ being preached. I rarely hear messages about evil anymore, or the existence of Satan as the adversary and how we should, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, put on the full armor of God on a daily basis. (Eph 6)
Let’s get back to basics. What could be more important than having a personal relationship with the God of the universe? I’m not talking about religion or any “ology” or “ism”. I’m talking about the provision God made for all of us to enjoy by simply putting our faith in the sacrifice of his son, Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of sin and by doing so walking in the newness of life.
So now I need to ask, what possibly could be more uplifting than knowing and believing the following:
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. "
Romans 6: 4
"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." NIV
Romans 8:1
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus", NIV
Eph 1:7
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace"
Walking in the will of God begins with believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and what he did for us. True prosperity, i.e. spiritual prosperity, begins when we are in the will of God. The truth will set you free and true freedom comes when we receive Christ as savior.
Let’s get back to basics.
Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Meekness vs Weakness
I think I may have covered the concept of biblical meekness before but I came upon a daily devotional from Pastor Greg Laurie that explains this better than I can.
I hope he doesn't mind my using it here.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
— Matthew 5:5
"Meekness is not weakness. Sometimes we confuse the two. But the difference between a meek person and weak person is this: a weak person can't do anything. A meek person, on the other hand, can do something but chooses not to.
Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). The word "meek" from the original language was used to describe reining in a stallion. It is the idea of a horse being controlled by a bit and bridle. The horse is choosing to submit to authority. That is meekness. It is power under constraint.
Although Jesus said, "Blessed [happy] are the meek," we don't celebrate meekness in our culture. Instead, we celebrate assertiveness. We celebrate getting things from other people, sometimes even taking advantage of other people. When is the last time you saw a movie that celebrated the virtue of meekness? When is the last time the big buildup for the movie was the moment when the good guy meekly restrains himself, even though he was wronged? We don't want to go to a movie like that. We want to see a payback movie in which the first half consists of bad things happening to the hero, and the last half consists of bad things that come to the people who did those things to the hero. That is what entertains us. That is what our culture celebrates.
How different this is from what the Bible teaches. The Bible celebrates meekness. The biblical worldview says last is first. Giving is receiving. Dying is living. Losing is finding. The least is the greatest. Meekness is strength. The idea is that we are living by God's truth—not by what our culture says should make us happy."
Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
I hope he doesn't mind my using it here.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
— Matthew 5:5
"Meekness is not weakness. Sometimes we confuse the two. But the difference between a meek person and weak person is this: a weak person can't do anything. A meek person, on the other hand, can do something but chooses not to.
Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). The word "meek" from the original language was used to describe reining in a stallion. It is the idea of a horse being controlled by a bit and bridle. The horse is choosing to submit to authority. That is meekness. It is power under constraint.
Although Jesus said, "Blessed [happy] are the meek," we don't celebrate meekness in our culture. Instead, we celebrate assertiveness. We celebrate getting things from other people, sometimes even taking advantage of other people. When is the last time you saw a movie that celebrated the virtue of meekness? When is the last time the big buildup for the movie was the moment when the good guy meekly restrains himself, even though he was wronged? We don't want to go to a movie like that. We want to see a payback movie in which the first half consists of bad things happening to the hero, and the last half consists of bad things that come to the people who did those things to the hero. That is what entertains us. That is what our culture celebrates.
How different this is from what the Bible teaches. The Bible celebrates meekness. The biblical worldview says last is first. Giving is receiving. Dying is living. Losing is finding. The least is the greatest. Meekness is strength. The idea is that we are living by God's truth—not by what our culture says should make us happy."
Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
Friday, September 10, 2010
“Be Content With What You Have”
To follow up on last weeks discussion on folks that are in the "Jesus Business" I want to discuss the concept of being content with what we have, something I have rarely heard from people who teach this peculiar “ology”.
Here are several verses that address contentment.
Phil 4: 10-12
10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. NIV
Paul through the tough times was content with his circumstances because his focus was on Christ and spreading the gospel. He always managed to do just that regardless of his circumstance because he learned to be content with what he had. Why? How?
Phil 4:13 "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." NIV
This concept is buttressed by this verse from Hebrews:
Heb 13:5
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
"Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you." NIV
There is a great admonition in the Old Testament. I thought I would go there since so many in the "Jesus Business" live in the Old Testament.
Ecc 5:10
10 "Whoever loves money never has money enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.
This too is meaningless." NIV
Lack of contentment leads to unhappy lives and in the long run it all means nothing since we came into the world naked, and will leave it the same way.
1Tim 6: 7,8 NIV
7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.NIV
WOW! There is that word again!
Think about these points, pray about them and when you do ask yourself what the accumulation of material wealth has to do with spreading the gospel if that wealth is not used to spread the gospel.
Until next time may the LORD bless us and keep us. In Jesus name I pray.
Here are several verses that address contentment.
Phil 4: 10-12
10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. NIV
Paul through the tough times was content with his circumstances because his focus was on Christ and spreading the gospel. He always managed to do just that regardless of his circumstance because he learned to be content with what he had. Why? How?
Phil 4:13 "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." NIV
This concept is buttressed by this verse from Hebrews:
Heb 13:5
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
"Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you." NIV
There is a great admonition in the Old Testament. I thought I would go there since so many in the "Jesus Business" live in the Old Testament.
Ecc 5:10
10 "Whoever loves money never has money enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.
This too is meaningless." NIV
Lack of contentment leads to unhappy lives and in the long run it all means nothing since we came into the world naked, and will leave it the same way.
1Tim 6: 7,8 NIV
7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.NIV
WOW! There is that word again!
Think about these points, pray about them and when you do ask yourself what the accumulation of material wealth has to do with spreading the gospel if that wealth is not used to spread the gospel.
Until next time may the LORD bless us and keep us. In Jesus name I pray.
Friday, September 3, 2010
The Business of Jesus vs The Jesus Business
There are many radio and TV teachers and preachers that are not so much going about doing the business of Jesus as he commanded, but are rather in the Jesus business, using the word for their own financial gain.
1Tim: 6: 3-5
3 If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our LORD Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. NIV
2 Peter 2:3
3 In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction is on the way. NLT
As believers we need to be able to discern incorrect teaching when we hear it. Sometimes we are given a gift of discernment when we are saved. I think though, in most cases, discernment is usually developed over time.
So, how do we develop our discernment?
By reading and studying the word daily. The more we become familiar with the word the less likely we are to be led astray by strange doctrine.
Please be alert, be aware, and test all teaching you hear against scripture so you won’t be trapped by false doctrine. You need to dust off the Bible and read it daily. It is your greatest asset, your best defense, and the best way to develop discernment. Read what GOD says in his word.
Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
1Tim: 6: 3-5
3 If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our LORD Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. NIV
2 Peter 2:3
3 In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction is on the way. NLT
As believers we need to be able to discern incorrect teaching when we hear it. Sometimes we are given a gift of discernment when we are saved. I think though, in most cases, discernment is usually developed over time.
So, how do we develop our discernment?
By reading and studying the word daily. The more we become familiar with the word the less likely we are to be led astray by strange doctrine.
Please be alert, be aware, and test all teaching you hear against scripture so you won’t be trapped by false doctrine. You need to dust off the Bible and read it daily. It is your greatest asset, your best defense, and the best way to develop discernment. Read what GOD says in his word.
Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Satan's Biggest Lie
The biggest lie that Christians are faced with is the lie that there are many paths to GOD.
Jesus said “I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me”. John 14:6 NIV
With the faith being watered down to be more “seeker sensitive”, to be all inclusive, the core of our belief is under attack. Keep in mind that Christianity IS already as inclusive as it gets. No, you say? You don’t believe me? Check this out.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” NIV
“God so loved the world”, that means everybody. “Whoever believes in him”, means everybody.
Romans 10:13 and Acts 2:21 – “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” NIV
Everyone means just that, everybody. What then is the name of the Lord to be called on so that anybody and everybody can be saved? His name is Jesus.
Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." NIV
Salvation is available to everybody who puts their faith in Jesus. The choice is yours! There is nothing more fair, more democratic, more all inclusive than this.
Until the next time may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
Jesus said “I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me”. John 14:6 NIV
With the faith being watered down to be more “seeker sensitive”, to be all inclusive, the core of our belief is under attack. Keep in mind that Christianity IS already as inclusive as it gets. No, you say? You don’t believe me? Check this out.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” NIV
“God so loved the world”, that means everybody. “Whoever believes in him”, means everybody.
Romans 10:13 and Acts 2:21 – “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” NIV
Everyone means just that, everybody. What then is the name of the Lord to be called on so that anybody and everybody can be saved? His name is Jesus.
Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." NIV
Salvation is available to everybody who puts their faith in Jesus. The choice is yours! There is nothing more fair, more democratic, more all inclusive than this.
Until the next time may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
Friday, August 20, 2010
“I Stand at the Door and Knock”
Rev 3: 20 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” NIV
This scripture is often used when witnessing, usually as one of the final texts before asking somebody to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior. Today I want to take this a step further.
I ask that you meditate on this scripture and ask yourself where you are in your relationship with Christ. Do you just hear him knocking and have your ear pressed up against the door listening, wondering if you should open it? Are you afraid to open it because you fear you are not ready or aren’t good enough to face your savior? Have you at one time opened the door gladly and embraced him on the threshold but yet are afraid to let him all the way into your house?
If you are a believer and have been for sometime, maybe, just maybe, you have only embraced HIM, or, just let him within the threshold but you are still holding back from letting him all the way in. Be rest assured he knows everything about you and saved you anyway so why are you holding back?
Meditate on these things and pray that the Holy Spirit gives you clarity. Be still, listen and grow.
Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
This scripture is often used when witnessing, usually as one of the final texts before asking somebody to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior. Today I want to take this a step further.
I ask that you meditate on this scripture and ask yourself where you are in your relationship with Christ. Do you just hear him knocking and have your ear pressed up against the door listening, wondering if you should open it? Are you afraid to open it because you fear you are not ready or aren’t good enough to face your savior? Have you at one time opened the door gladly and embraced him on the threshold but yet are afraid to let him all the way into your house?
If you are a believer and have been for sometime, maybe, just maybe, you have only embraced HIM, or, just let him within the threshold but you are still holding back from letting him all the way in. Be rest assured he knows everything about you and saved you anyway so why are you holding back?
Meditate on these things and pray that the Holy Spirit gives you clarity. Be still, listen and grow.
Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Diversity and Disagreement Without Disunity
In the past I have written about problems I have with various “ologies” and “isms” that some thought came off as heavy handed criticism. That was not my intent. At this point in time I feel led to point out that we can have diversity in the body of Christ without disunity and that we can disagree on secondary issues yet still be united as one in the body of Christ.
Here is the bottom line for me: If you believe the BIBLE is the inerrant word of GOD, believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, believe Jesus is the virgin born son of GOD, that he died for our sins, rose on the third day, and that by putting your faith and trust in him and all of these things, you are saved and are my brother or sister. Anything added to this is “people stuff”.
I could probably write a book on this subject but keeping things simple sometimes is best.
John 17: 20-23
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
Here is the bottom line for me: If you believe the BIBLE is the inerrant word of GOD, believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, believe Jesus is the virgin born son of GOD, that he died for our sins, rose on the third day, and that by putting your faith and trust in him and all of these things, you are saved and are my brother or sister. Anything added to this is “people stuff”.
I could probably write a book on this subject but keeping things simple sometimes is best.
John 17: 20-23
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
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