The Battle For The Truth [Update 2]

My blogging friend Bill Muehlenberg who writes at the blog Culture Watch has a very thought provoking post up called The Attempted Eradication of Christianity.

Excerpt:

The secular jihadists have declared war against Christianity, and are working overtime to ensure that it is eradicated in the Western world. This site has documented many dozens of examples of this, and each new week provides further case studies in this.

The secular crusaders think all would be sweetness and light in this world if we could only get rid of those pesky Christians and their awful religion. They somehow expect us to believe that utopia will arrive on planet earth when Christianity is gone and secularism reigns supreme.

Yeah right. More people were killed last century in the name of secular humanism than all the world’s religious conflicts put together. The bloody side of secularism is unfortunately a historical reality. And the overwhelming good which Christianity has done for the world is also a matter of historical fact, as I discuss elsewhere: A Review of How Christianity Changed the World by Alvin Schmidt.

Personally, I think that the secular jihadists are hell-bent on attacking Christianity because deep down they know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the truth. Such people war against the truth because it hurts to face the facts contained within the truth of the Gospel. The rebellious nature of unrepentant, sinful men causes them to refuse to give up their soul-destroying error(s). This occurs mostly because they are entrenched in the pride of life and have faith only in themselves. No wonder the world is such a mess!

What I think is ironic is that secular jihadists who hate Christianity find themselves willing to compromise the truth of Christian faith, yet embrace false religions/teachers such as Islam. Thus, they form a kind of unholy alliance with them. Who would have thought that liberal leftist, atheistic progressives could compromise their secular beliefs with Islamists who want to impose Shariah law here in the U.S.? But it's happening! Why? Because both agree on at least one thing - the desire to be persistent viruses attacking Biblical Christianity. You know the old phrase, "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." But don't you wonder why they would submit to compromise in order to commit such dastardly deeds?

I think that it has to do with lies. The lies that atheists/agnostics/skeptics believe against the God of the Bible and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, can work in alliance with the lies of the Islamic religion; as long as they are in agreement about one or more humanistic ideas/principles.

For example, recall in a previous post where I shared that the secular atheist billionaire, George Soros, once approached Qaddafi (leader of Libya) regarding some sort of "deal" that Soros wanted done. I think that it had to do with a green Socialist initiative. When Qaddafi backed out, he became an enemy of Soros. As we know, Soros is the puppeteer (at least one of them) behind the puppet pResidency of Barack Hussein Obama. So it is likely that Soros was the one behind getting the U.S. and NATO involved with bombing Libya during the Arab Spring uprisings. (When I find links to previous blog posts about this I will add them here).

So you see, "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" can quickly devolve into a new kind of enemy.

In John MacArthur's book, The Truth War several of his quotes can easily be applied here:

Uncertainty is the new truth. Doubt and skepticism have been canonized as a form of humility. Right and wrong have been redefined in terms of subjective feelings and personal perspectives.

We have witnessed the appeasement of Islamists by the secularist New York mayor, Michael Bloomberg, who gave approval to a mosque being built near Ground Zero. Yet, at the same time, Bloomberg and others are fighting to refuse to allow the display of the cross at the almost completed memorial - which was formed by girders in the 9/11/01 terrorist attack wreckage. Why? Why was one religious request granted and the other denied? I think that it is because Islam and secular atheism are like two peas in a pod. Both are in error of what God's Word teaches and both are involved with evil.

John MacArthur writes:

The arrogant rationalism that dominated the modern era is already in its death throes. Most of the world is caught up in disillusionment and confusion. People are unsure about virtually everything and do not know where to turn for truth.

BINGO!! MacArthur hits the nail right on the head with that quote! In fact, he mentions Islamic jihad on page 29:

We live in an era when religious fanatics routinely blow themselves up, fly planes into buildings, or commit unthinkable evil acts of barbaric terrorism in the name of religion. The biblical strategy for spiritual warfare has nothing whatsoever in common with the tactics of Islamic jihad.

Scripture is clear that physical force is not a legitimate tool for the advancement of the kingdom of God.

You see, radical Islam is intent on warring against and conquering other religious faiths and nations in order to achieve their end times goals.

As far as Christianity goes, the Truth War has nothing to do with carnal warfare or physical violence. There are, however, times when evil makes warfare absolutely necessary.

John MacArthur notes:

Of course, believers who are policemen, soldiers, or otherwise agents duly authorized by the government must be willing to use deadly force when necessary as part of their duty to the civil government. Scripture nowhere endorses any kind of absolute pacifism.

In fact, Romans 13:1-4 expressly grants governments the authority to wield the sword in order to punish evildoers, defend their national security, and maintain civil peace.

Going to war against those who attacked us on 9/11/2001 was necessary in order to protect our nation and people from further attacks by radical Islam. Unfortunately, the creeping Sharia infiltrating our nation through liberal court judge decisions is making it easier for the false religion of Islam to take hold here in America. We would learn a good lesson if we would heed the warnings from Great Britain where unrestricted Muslim immigration created fierce cultural battles within their nation. They are now seeing that the multiculturalism they embraced over the last few decades is turning against them in cities where Muslim dominance reigns. But that's another subject for another blog post.

In conclusion, John MacArthur instructs us:

The Truth War is not a carnal war. It is not about territory and nations. It is not a battle for lands and cities. It is not a clan war or a personality conflict between individuals. It is not a fight for clout between religious denominations. It is not a skirmish over material possessions. It is a battle for the truth. (emphasis mine).

Paul makes this clear in 2 Corinthians 10:5, where he spells out the ultimate objective of the Truth War: "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." The battlefield is the mind; the goal is the absolute triumph of truth; the priceless spoils of conquest are souls won out of the bondage of sin; the outcome is our willing submission to Christ; the highest prize is the honor given to Him as Lord; and the ultimate victory is completely His.

Hat Tips:

Culture Watch

John MacArthur: The Truth War (Note: Excerpt of book at this link. Scroll down to "Read Excerpt PDF.")

*******
Update:

Bill Muehlenberg has written a new blog post about multiculturalism:

Force-Fed Multiculturalism

*******

9/4/11 Update

Be sure to read Noisy Room: The Hate That Never Ended.

Excerpt:

If you are a Jew, they kill you. If you are a Christian, you convert, pay the Jizya tax or they execute you. If you are gay, you will be put to death. Women are property and slaves. Sexual abuse is legal and rampant. Beheading is the preferred method of execution. And the list goes on and on… Imagine a worldwide Caliphate where this is the norm, where a fascist theocracy rules the day and freedom no longer exists. This is what these people bring. They bring evil, slavery, darkness and death.

We are at war with millions of Islamic radicals who believe this. These are the radical Islamists and their hate never ended after 9-11.
It has been going on since Islam began and we are fighting for our lives and our way of life. We better start acting like it if we don’t want something much worse than 9-11 to play out on the lawn of the White House or in some mall in middle America.

The Jihadists need to understand this… We will never submit. We will never forget. We will fight you and the other enemies America faces within and without and we will win. That’s what good does – it wins, it overcomes. We will put an end to your hatred that never ended one way or the other. Evil is stupid and cowardly and in the end – it always loses.

*******

Update 2:

Bloomberg isn't the only one promoting Islamic mosques and Sharia law in New York. Take a look at this blogpost, 2 videos, and startling article about the New York Times support for Sharia law!

We The People: New York Times is Now Promoting Shariah Law

Excerpt:

The NY Times puts for its drivel following the startling predictions of Avi Lipkin seen in the video below.  Take it for what it is worth my friends, but Sharia hasn’t been creeping through America, it’s been galloping.  Readers of this column are already aware that Sharia Law has been used in Court Cases in 23 States of our United States. 

As the man in the Of Mosques and Men: Reflections of the Ground Zero Mosque video over at Answering Muslims says at the end of the Youtube video:

"Come out of the cave America - it's dark in there."

Spiritual Warfare

With all of the chaos, fear, economic crises, tornadoes, tsunamis, floods, illnesses, wars and rumors of wars happening around the world today (with all of such plights increasing at an alarming rate), it should be obvious to most people that there is a huge spiritual warfare going on in the midst of it all for the souls of men.

Dr. David Jeremiah is has a new television series called Spiritual Warfare - Terms of Engagement and he also recommends reading a new book written by Warren Wiersbe entitled, "The Strategy of Satan - How to Detect and Defeat Him" (scroll down at link for book).

At my sister blog, God's Creative Call there is a new post up entitled Ambivalent Confessions? which shares another subtle strategy of Satan that is often used in order to squelch the effectiveness of Christians sharing the Gospel.

Greg Koukl's Stand to Reason website is a library of resources to assist you in your knowledge and defense of God's Word and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You will be trained to become an ambassador for Christ, growing in knowledge, wisdom, and character through all of the resources available at Stand to Reason.

These days, we need all of the resources available to equip us with our Armor of God, and the websites that I have recommended today are two of the best!

~ Christine

The Mansion of Heaven

When someone we love passes on, we grieve for their absence from this earth. However, Jesus came to fulfill what couldn't be done by anyone else. Because of his sacrificial death on the cross for our sins, we have a bridge from sinful man back to Holy God.

Jesus told us in God's Word, the Bible:

Jhn 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

He also told us:

Jhn 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we can have the assurance of eternal life through God's provision of mercy and grace via the cross at Calvary. Christ's resurrection to life proves that He is who He said he is, the Son of God, Lord and Savior of mankind.

~ Christine

*******

The Mansion of Heaven

This world, however beautiful,

was never meant to be

The place that we would call our home

for all eternity.

And though we would not choose to leave,

a loving God knows best,

And in His time,

He lifts us to a place of peaceand rest.

For He has built a mansion

where His children will abide,

Free from pain and sorrw,

forever at His side.

He said He'd never leave us

to face our trals alone,

And though sometimes we fail Him,

He never fails His own.

And even when our choices

are less than He would ask,

He knows when human courage

is unequal to the task.

We cannot judge what happens,

though tears and questions start--

We only see what's visible--

God sees into the heart...

And though there may be many things

that we cannot explain,

We can be sure it breaks His heart

to see His children's pain.

In loving arms,

He bears us to a quiet place apart

Were He mends the wounded spirit

and heals the broken heart.

And though these ones we love so much

And passed into a better world

of majesty and light,

Someday we'll be together

in our Father's home above,

Where we'll thank Him for His mercy

and prase Him for His love.

- http://www.hallmark.com/

He Is Risen!

Just as he said!

I love the fact that Jesus told his disciples, in advance, that he would rise again three days later after being crucified. On the dreadful day when Jesus was beaten and nailed to the cross at Calvary, his followers must have been in deep grief. But even in this, he told them that their grief would turn to joy! And it did!! On that first Resurrection Day almost 2,000 years ago, the promises of Jesus came to fruition and we can have the ultimate confidence that all he has promised in the Scriptures regarding his second coming will also be fulfilled!

Today's message at church discussed 1 Corinthians 15:14-25, Within these verses is the fact that if Christ had not risen, then our faith is futile. But the fact of history is that Christ did rise from the dead, so our faith is secure and absolute truth. Whether a person believes this or not is up to him/her. Free will and all that.

1 Corinthians 15:20-28 - 20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27For he "has put everything under his feet." Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.

It's All For Him

Today is Good Friday. In previous years, I have written posts that have discussed
 What Was So Good About It?,
 Utter Darkness (or so they thought),
 Calvary,
 Good Friday and

 The Power of Christs' Cross.


Once again, I have found an intriguing devotional in the December-January-February 2003-04 "Our Daily Bread" booklet that gives us a glimpse of God's own interpretation of history. 

I love this phrase, "Jesus is the final and complete explanation of everything."

When we study the Bible and think about that phrase, we come to realize that "It's All For Him."

 I would like to share it with readers today.

~Christine

*******

It's All For Him

Read: Colossians 1:13-20

All things were created through Him and for Him. - Colossians 1:16

It's a little phrase of just two words at the end of Colossians 1:16 - "for Him." Yet that little phrase gives God's own interpretation of history. In those two words He affirms that Jesus is the final and complete explanation of everything.

All that has happened and ever will happen is moving through time toward that climactic hour when every tongue will confess the lordship of Jesus Christ. Every knee, whether in grateful adoration or under compulsion, will then bow to Him (Philippians 2:10-11).

British historian H.A.L. Fisher apparently did not share that view. He sadly confessed, "Men wiser and more learned than I have discovered in history a plot, a rhythm, a predetermined pattern. These harmonies are concealed from me. I can see only one emergency following upon another as wave follows upon wave...nothing but the play of the contingent and the unforeseeable." [Note from Christine: Isn't that an utterly sad way to think and live??]

What about you? Are you overwhelmed by what seems to be the aimless sequence of events? If so, look once more at Jesus--His life, death, resurrection, and promised return. Your troubled heart will be filled with hope and confidence as you realize that there's meaning and purpose for everything in the world--when you live "for Him." - Vernon Grounds

One life to live for Christ my Lord,
One life to do my part,'One life in which to give my all
With fervency of heart. - Brandt

Christ showed His love by dying for us; we show our love by living for Him.

Hat tip:

December-January-February 2003-04 "Our Daily Bread" booklet; Thursday, Dec. 6, 2003.

*******
As we fast, pray, and attend our Good Friday services around the nation remember this awesome portion of Scripture:

Jhn 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

*******
More Good Friday blog posts:

Thinking Christian: Death Defeated

*******

Through the Lens Of God's Word [Update]

Received the March issue of Coral Ridge Ministries' "Impact" newsletter in the mail yesterday. These newsletters are brief but often very informative.

This morning, there was a spam post in my comment box. It was an invitation to link my blog with someone who posts about astrology. I politely declined the invitation, but welcomed the spammer to continue reading here at this blog. It is my hope that she, perhaps, will be inclined to read the Bible and learn about Jesus Christ.

On the back of the Impact newsletter, there was a commentary that was adapted from Dr. James Kennedy's (who is now deceased) message entitled: "The Christian World and Life View." I would like to share that message with readers today.

In the center of the essay, there is a box that reads:

"A biblical worldview is one in which all of life is viewed through the lens of God's Word."

What a great quote! And you will most likely notice my title for this post came from that quote.

As you read Dr. Kennedy's message, I would like to challenge you to think about all of the turmoil that is now going on here in the United States as well as all around the world. Also, for those who have been following the Glenn Beck** program and conservative talk radio, see if you don't see a distinct repetition of a pattern emerging from what Dr. Kennedy mentions in history. Has communism suddenly become "cool" to our young people who have been brainwashed by liberal/progressive/socialist/communist "red diaper doper babies" of the sixties who became today's majority of professors in thousands of liberal colleges and universities around our nation? Can you recognize how being "divorced from God" has created a moral vacuum in the hearts and minds of many people today?

I can't even imagine living apart from God in today's world of chaos. The Bible has warned us of what is to come "at the end of the age" and we are witnessing an enormous amount of Bible prophecy coming to fruition over the past 60 years. Israel rising again as a nation was prophesied in the Bible hundreds of years before it happened. Almost all of the 300 or so prophecies which were given by the Old Testament saints in reference to the coming Messiah were fulfilled by Jesus Christ. The remainder of those prophecies will be fulfilled at His Second Coming.

The Bible tells us:

Mat 28:17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.

Jesus informed us:

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.


Mat 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,


Mat 28:20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

What could be better than knowing that Jesus Christ, is "with you [us, me] always, even to the end of the age?"

In contrast, the non-believer, who lives apart from God often experiences what Dr. Kennedy describes here:

"...man finds himself in a state of morbid decay and despair. He becomes nihilistic as he becomes aware of the logical consequences of his view. He concludes that life is not worth living. There is a deep void in the pit of his soul."

But let's start at the beginning of Dr. Kennedy's essay:

The Christian World and Life View
Commentary from Dr. Kennedy

Weltanschauung--that is probably not a phrase one would be intimately familiar with, and yet everyone has a "Weltanschauung." It's a German term which means world and life view. Simply put, a world and life view, or worldview, is a set of assumptions or presuppositions that determine the way we look at the world and our place in it. It determines how we view reality and everything that comes down our path.

A biblical worldview is one in which all of life is viewed through the lens of God's Word. There are many worldviews arrayed against this Christian view.

Naturalism, for instance, is the idea that nature is all there is--that there is nothing in the universe but matter (materialism). This worldview was promoted by Carl Sagan, an evolutionist and naturalist. On his famous ten-part educational TV series entitled Cosmos, Sagan made this clear statement: "The cosmos is all there ever was, or is, or is to be." That worldview is purely naturalistic, materialistic, and atheistic.

Chuck Colson in his book, How Now Shall We live? says that many of the battles in our culture stem from a conflict between worldviews. He says, "The culture war is not just about abortion, homosexual rights, or the decline of public education. These are only skirmishes. The real war is a cosmic struggle between worldviews -- between the Christian worldview and the various secular and spiritual worldviews arrayed against it."

One worldview that rages against the Christian view, and which has arisen since the French Enlightenment of the 1780's, is rationalism*--the idea that reason is the only source of knowledge and understanding. It rules out entirely any faith in God or His Word.

Additionally, Charles Darwin's The Origin of Species, published in 1859, provided a comprehensive worldview in evolution that made atheism palatable for the first time. Darwin's evolutionary view has been promulgated in Western society in the last 150 years like few things have.

This Darwinian worldview helped set off World Wars I and II; gave rise to communism, which, according to The Black Book of Communism, put to death some 100 million people, and fueled Nazism and Fascism.

While the atheistic worldview says "down with God," humanism says, "up with man"--but the end is the same: man is elevated in place of God, and God is abased.

That counters what Christians have always believed--that God is the measure of all things; that God tells us what is good and bad, right and wrong. He directs the very course of our life. In humanism, man is divorced from God. And that has led to catastrophic consequences.

Because he lives apart from God, man finds himself in a state of morbid decay and despair. He becomes nihilistic as he becomes aware of the logical consequences of his view. He concludes that life is not worth living. There is a deep void in the pit of his soul.

How far removed that is from the Christian world and life view, which says God has made us in His image; that He has placed eternity in our hearts and has given His own Son to redeem us from our sin. We have a glorious calling "to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever," and to be co-workers of Christ in the redemption of the world. Life is filled with meaning and purpose. This Christian worldview is glorious beyond understanding. I pray it is yours.

- Adapted from Dr, Kennedy's message: "The Christian World and Life View."

Hat tip:

Coral Ridge Ministries

* Some thoughts to consider about "rationalism." Logical reasoning is not an absolute law which governs the universe. Logic is not a set of rules which govern behavior. When one's view only explains how to use logic, you must decide whether logic is the right tool for the job. There are other ways to communicate, discuss, and debate.

** Some of my Christian friends have expressed some concern about my interest in Glenn Beck's TV program. There is no need for this concern. I am well aware that Glenn is a Mormon (and as Brannon Howse in this video link states), could also be guilty of EMBRACING NEW AGE THEOLOGY and possibly be deemed as A UNIVERSALIST.

I see Glenn as a news analyst who has an uncanny ability to discover and share what is going on in our current political world. I DO NOT EMBRACE HIS RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.

But at the same time, Beck has given a voice (on several episodes of
his show) to some genuine biblical Christian leaders, pastors, and authors (for
example, promoted Dr. David Jeremiah's book "The Coming Economic Armaggeddon").
At least that is one good thing that is happening as a result of his large TV
audience.

However, the fact that he also embraces Ghandi and universalistic
ideas shows that he himself is probably not a biblical, born again Christian.

We can continue to pray for genuine salvation through Jesus Christ for Glenn. We can also appreciate what he contributes to our nation through sounding the alarm bells about Obama's dangerous socialist agenda and why we cannot let such terrible policies stand or continue past 2012.

I am grateful to Brannon Howse and his indepth analysis and warnings about Glenn's religious beliefs in the video he created at the above link.

Remember Who Holds You Today

I once heard a descriptive quote in the cartoon movie called "The Prince of Egypt" that described what God is building here on this earth can be seen as a beautiful tapestry, perfect in every way, from the perspective of heaven. Yet, here on earth we can only see the underside of jumbled threads, colors and knots that cannot reveal the finished product. I thought that was a great description of our imperfect, sinful, human struggles here on earth. Yet, in eternity, all of the "whys," "what ifs," "how comes," "why me," "why not me," "why him/her," "hows," "whens," "wheres" and "whats" that we encounter in this life that often become questions for God; will be finally revealed to us. We just have to remain patient, even when we do not comprehend or understand all of the "whys" of this world.

You can be sure that evil, sin, and death are the causes of much pain, grief, sadness, crying and suffering. Whatever we, as Christian believers, can do to alleviate such sufferings for the sakes of others, can be counted as good. But we can't expect to do it all. It would be way too overwhelming. What we can do within our sphere of influence, should be done for the sakes of those who are in our lives at the moment and those in need around us who need help.

In the chapter entitled, "Remember Who Holds You" in Max Lucado's book, Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make a Difference, Max writes:

Frightening thing, this pride. It would rather kill the truth than consider it.

Doesn't it sneak up on us? We begin spiritual journeys as small people. The act of conversion is a humbling one. We confess sins, beg for mercy, bend our knees. We let someone lower us into the waters of baptism. We begin as self-effacing souls. Timid children who extend muddy hands to our sinless God. We relate to the thief on the cross, identify with David's forgiven adultery, and find hope in Peter's forgiven betrayal. We challenge Paul's claim to the chief-of-sinners title, wondering if anyone could need or treasure grace as much as we do.

We come to God humbly, no swagger, no boasts, no "all by myself" declarations. We flex no muscles and claim no achievements. We cup sullied hearts in hands and offer them to God as we would a crushed, scentless flower: "Can you bring life to this?"

And he does. He does. We don't. He works the miracle of salvation. He immerses us in mercy. He stitches together our shredded souls. He deposits his Spirit and implants heavenly gifts. Our big God blesses our small faith.

[We] need a big God because we've made a big mess of our lives.

Boy...ain't that the truth! Who hasn't had to admit that they have "made a big mess" of something in their own lives? We all have had one or more experiences where we say, "I should have," "I could have," "I wish I did this, or that," or "I wish I DIDN'T DO THAT," haven't we? Some choices are much more profound than others and bother us for not having listened to the urging of the Holy Spirit guiding our lives. Been, there, done that. We suffer from guilty feelings.

Max Lucado goes on in that chapter to say that "gradually God changes us." It certainly doesn't happen in one felled swoop.

As God gradually changes us, we find that we don't want to do the sins that we used to do quite frequently in the past (and probably without guilt feelings before being saved.) But after being saved by Christ on the cross, His sacrifice for our sakes changes us forever. There is no turning back to that "old lifestyle." This isn't forced upon us, because we still have that sin nature and free will to carry it out if we want to. But our desire to please Him changes us and we look towards His righteousness to guide our lives. We look heavenward more.

Max goes on to say that our good deeds then can often get recognized by more people and if we aren't careful, can result in pride. The Bible warns us, "pride comes before a fall." We should never forget who brought us here. Max describes it this way:

"We think we're shaking up the world when actually we're just along for the ride."

Take time to remember. "look at what you were when God called you" (1 Cor. 1:26 NCV). Remember who held you in the beginning. Remember who holds you today.

Outlive Our Earthly Lives

A brief post today, but one that I found especially important and inspiring. In the book of Acts, Peter was being asked by a crippled beggar for some silver or gold coins.

Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk" And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God. (Acts 3:4-8)

Max Lucado writes in his new book, Out Live Your Life:

What if Peter had said, "Since I don't have any silver or gold, I'll keep my mouth shut? But he didn't. He placed his mustard-seed-sized deed (a look and a touch) in the soil of God's love And look what happened.

It is interesting to note that the beggar didn't thank Peter for the healing - he at least knew enough to thank God for it!

Other beggars wanted healing. They watched the cripple dance and exclaimed, "I want my healing! Touch me!"

Lucado:

So Peter complied. He escorted them to the clinic of the Great Physician and invited them to take a seat. "His name,...faith in His name, has made this man strong...Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins my be blotted out, so that time of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord" (vv. 16,19)

Blotted out is a translation of a Greek term that means "to obliterate" or "erase completely." Faith in Christ, Peter explained, leads to a clean slate with God. What Jesus did for the legs of this cripple, he does for our souls. Brand-new!

The Bible verse that tells us that we all "fade as a leaf" in this world indicates that our time here is quite brief - especially compared to all of eternity.

Isa 64:6 But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousness's are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.

It is because of our iniquities that we needed a Savior, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in our place in order that we could repent and be reconciled back unto God.

The story from the book of Acts in the Bible demonstrates the absolute fact that salvation is something we take with us, while money, possessions, fame, education, clothing, food, and everything else that we could do, accomplish, earn and utilize on this earth are all temporary; just items that we leave behind at our death.

However, the love of God and our love for others we take with us into God's kingdom! That is why our own personal salvation and the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ for the sake of salvation for others is our daily duty as Christians.

The final commandment that Jesus gave his followers before he ascended back to God the Father was the Great Commission. (see Matthew 28 below).

Lucado:

An honest look led to a helping hand that led to a conversation about eternity. Works done in God's name long outlive our earthly lives. (bold mine)

Mat 28:1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.


Mat 28:2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.


Mat 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.


Mat 28:4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.


Mat 28:5 But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.


Mat 28:6 "He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.


Mat 28:7 "And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you."


Mat 28:8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.


Mat 28:9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!" So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.


Mat 28:10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me."


Mat 28:11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened.


Mat 28:12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,


Mat 28:13 saying, "Tell them, 'His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.'


Mat 28:14 "And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will appease him and make you secure."


Mat 28:15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.


Mat 28:16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.


Mat 28:17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.


Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.


Mat 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,


Mat 28:20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

NKJV Footnotes:
(28:2) NU-Text omits from the door.
(28:9) NU-Text omits the first clause of this verse.
(28:19) M-Text omits therefore.
(28:20) NU-Text omits Amen.

Hat Tips:

Max Lucado.com: Outlive Your Life book

Blue Letter Bible

Sharing The Bread Of Life

I just began reading Max Lucado's latest book, "Outlive Your Life - You Were Made to Make a Difference." It was one of the gifts that my son bought me for Christmas. Since I had two other books to read before getting to this one, it has taken me two months to start Lucado's book.

I really enjoy Lucado's writing style. He always places some humorous anecdotes in his books while revealing profound truth about living the Christian life that Jesus would have us live. Even though I am only on page 40, the book has already had a great impact on my life.

After reading several pages of Lucado's book, I decided to go online and read what has been published on some of my favorite blogs. However, I got that usual annoying message that my borrowed laptop was "in need of repair." I wanted to skip over that, so I clicked on the choice "start windows manually." Well, after looking at a blank dark screen (except for the tiny "Microsoft" trademark message at the bottom of the page) for fifteen minutes, I decided it might be a good idea to listen to the recommendation to start up using the repair mode. So, I shut the computer off, restarted it, and this time I clicked on the "start up repair (recommended)" icon.

After watching the repair message at work for what seemed like 15 more minutes, I clicked on the choice to "cancel repair." Well...I must have waited too long because the message I got said something like this:

"The current repair session cannot be cancelled."

Lucky for me, it only took about five more minutes for the repair to be completed. I still had a bit of trouble. My computer was supposed to restart on it's own, but nothing was happening so I shut it off myself and then restarted it.

I thought about the statement, "the current repair session cannot be cancelled" and thought of God's mercy and grace through the cross of Christ. It must have been because I was reading Max Lucado's book that I drew a parallel between the computer message and God's message to mankind.

I have often stated here at this blog that Mercy is God withholding what we do deserve, and Grace is God giving us what we don't deserve. The gospel of salvation through the cross of Christ is the world's "current repair session that cannot be cancelled."

In chapter four, Lucado shares a humorous story about going on an errand, at the request of his wife, to buy bread at the grocery store. When he gets there, he collects his favorite cereal, milk, Oreo cookies, barbecue chips (does this guy love junk food or what??) and some ice cream. He checked out and went home. His wife looks at the purchases and then asked, "where's the bread?"

Max had forgotten the big item.

"The one thing I went to get. The one essential product. I forgot the bread."

Lucado goes on to write:

Might we make the same mistake in a more critical arena? In an effort to do good, we can get distracted. We feed people. We encourage, heal, help, and serve. We address racial issues and poverty. Yet there is one duty we must fulfill. We can't forget the bread.

Peter didn't.

Now, listen to what I have to say about Jesus from Nazareth. God proved that he sent Jesus to you by having him work miracles, wonders, and signs. All of you now this. God had already planned and decided that Jesus would be handed over to you. So you took him and had evil men put him to death on a cross. But God set him free from death and raised him to life. Death could not hold him in its power. (Acts 2:22-24 CEV).

[Peter] would eventually speak about poverty. The church would soon address the issues of widows, disease, and bigotry. But not yet. The first order of the church's first sermon was this: pardon for all our sins. Peter delivered the bread.

[Would] you consider the offer of Jesus? "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again" (John 6:35 NLT).

Max Lucado gives us some insight into what it takes to make bread.

The grain-to-bread process is a demanding one. The seed must be planted before it can grow. When the grain is ripe, it must be cut down and ground into flour. Before it can become bread, it must pass through the oven. Bread is the end result of planting, harvesting, and heating.

Jesus endured an identical process. He was born into this world. He was cut down, bruised, and beaten on the threshing floor of Calvary. He passed through the fire of God's wrath, for our sake. He "suffered because of others' sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all--was put to death and then made alive--to bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18 MSG).

Bread of Life? Jesus lived up to the title. But an unopened loaf does a person no good. Have you received the bread? Have you received God's forgiveness?

What an awesome and powerful analogy!

Our God is a God of second chances! If we will simply believe that Jesus is who He said He is - the Son of God, Savior and Lord, and we confess our sins at the foot of the cross of Calvary and accept him as Lord and Savior of our lives, we will be forgiven and saved. People, make sure that you receive the Bread of Life of Christ Jesus. The ONLY Bread of Life that really matters now and will ultimately matter in eternity.

Someone very dear to me and my family passed away in January. I can't know for sure if this family member was saved, but I tried my best to witness to her over the course of 15 or more years.

I usually do not share detailed personal information at this blog, but I will state that in the eulogy that I wrote for the funeral, I was led to share the gospel of Christ for the sake of the people attending. I do not know if what I said encouraged anyone there who is not yet saved to receive the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior. Perhaps a seed or two were planted. However, when someone dies we realize just how brief this life on earth truly is. The Bible tells us that "it is but a vapor" compared to eternity.

Once a Christian receives the Bread of Life, it is our duty to pass it on. Max Lucado writes:

After all, if we don't, who will? Governments don't feed the soul. The secular relief house can give a bed, a meal, and valuable counsel. But we can give much more. Not just help for this life but hope for the next.

[So] along with cups of water, plates of food, and vials of medicine, let there be the message of sins forgiven and death defeated.

Remember the bread.

The secular world climate these days reveals an open hostility towards Christianity in general, and Jesus Christ in particular. Despite the fact that believers are often ridiculed and hatred is constantly being hurled at us, we must turn our distress, sadness, and fears into boldness so that we continue to be faithful ambassadors for Christ.

For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!" For God made Christ, who never sinned to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:19-21 NLT).

Hat Tip:

Max Lucado: Out Live Your Life

Have A Merry and Blessed Christmas!

Dear Friends and Visitors,

Christmas Eve is almost here! This is often a busy day for most people. It certainly is for me so I just wanted to take a moment and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! May the blessings of Jesus Christ be upon you and your loved ones during the celebration of the miraculous occasion almost 2,000 years ago - the birth of the Savior of the world - JESUS CHRIST!

In the previous blog post entitled If Our Greatest Need Was... I wrote about the fact that the "politically correct" greetings around this time of year generally do not include the mention of the name of Jesus Christ or why he came to earth for our salvation.

Noooo!

Can't say that!

It's deemed "too religious" or a host of other excuses are used.

In the comment thread, Stevex09 shared:

Hey Christine;
I couldn't agree with you more. A person is very hard pressed to find anything about Jesus Christ or at least the mention of his name at this time of year. It saddens me immensely. Last week I took Sandy and went to a friend's home where about 7 others were gathered and we read the Christmas story from Luke and Matthew. What a great and edifying time I had. (Sandy is my Shi-Tzu). Take comfort that not all of us has forgotten what Christmas is all about.

I sincerely wish you and your family a wonderful and blessed Christmas day.

In my reply to Steve I wrote:


Hi Steve,

It warms my heart to hear about fellow Christians gathering and sharing the TRUE meaning of Christmas together - the Person Jesus Christ. He is the Light of the world!

Someone recently asked me, "why do people put Christmas lights up on their homes."

The answer is that it originally was meant to recognize that Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, is the Light of the World!

Of course, many people who do not know Him would probably have other reasons for putting the lights up. But how ironic it is to realize that they inadvertently are recognizing Jesus Christ through their actions.

I have a great post coming up that I can't wait to share with everyone!

As each busy day passes, I find that my time on the computer has been very limited! Right now, I only have about 10 minutes to spend online.

I am really looking forward to creating the new post! I'll give you a hint - it is about studying the word "power" in the Bible. It occurred to me that people probably wouldn't care less about other's belief in Jesus [and the outward expressions of the true meaning of Christmas] if they truly believed, in their heart of hearts, that there wasn't any power in His Holy Name!

I will be working on the essay over the next day or so until it gets done!

Anyway, have a Merry and Blessed Christmas! All the best to you and yours in the coming New Year!

Sincerely,
Christine

As Roy Lessin wrote in his wonderful piece of prose:

...But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Saviour.

If Our Greatest Need Was...

How sad it is to realize that certain magazines have to be so "politically correct" that their December issue does not even mention the true meaning for the celebration of Christmas?

In this example, I am referring to the fact that Prevention magazine (one that I consider as a good resource for health issues) could not see fit to mention the name of Jesus Christ anywhere in their publication!

Why is that?


The December issue is filled with "holiday" articles. However, the only time that the term "Christmas" is mentioned is within an article entitled "Why puppies make poor presents."

Not to be a Scrooge, but a Christmas canine can be a holiday hazard.

The article goes on to say:

Christmas litters may not be healthy...

Perhaps this is good advice, but is this the only article that warrants the use of the term "Christmas?"

The year that my daughter wanted a puggle puppy for Christmas ended up being fine. We bought the dog three months before Christmas so she was further along in the training schedule by the time Christmas Day was here. Of course, we were fortunate enough to be able to barricade the puppy in the kitchen when we were out and didn't have to leave her cooped up in the dog crate for hours.

Back to the topic.

Another interesting article was entitled,

"Everything you think you know about beating stress is wrong."*

*Read on for six smart new strategies to start now.

I had to laugh when I read that the authors wrote:

Yesterday's Wisdom: "OM" your way to calmness.

How ironic it was to read that some people find meditation as a "fast track to frayed nerves." According to a study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54% of participants reported feeling anxious while meditating!

In contrast to "yesterday's wisdom", the magazine claims that

Today's Smart Strategy says, "do something you love."

I'm surprised that reading or playing with your pets wasn't mentioned. They are great stress reduction activities. Our dogs are a great joy in our lives.

The article goes on to explain "anything that allows you to disengage from your thoughts can help you relax." They mention several activities, like jogging, swimming, knitting, etc. and surprisingly, the author wrote,

"or praying, will work just as well, he says."

I would have to say that praying, Bible and devotional reading are far more superior than the other suggestions. It is unfortunate that the author either doesn't know about how calming Bible reading can be, or he didn't want to get too "religious." At least he did mention "praying."

I suppose mentioning Bible reading would have been to "divisive" in this current age of anti-Christian bigotry. It's O.K. to mention other religions, but Christianity? At Christmastime? Apparently, that's off limits at Prevention.

I dislike having to complain here but what ticked me off the most was the "Give Yourself the Gift of Holiday Healing" pages that listed "putting happiness and health, joy and inspiration on your calendar every day of December" list.

Want to know what was listed for December 25, 2010?

Window-shop. The same brain chemicals that make sex so pleasurable rise sharply when you're window-shopping. (No wonder Sex and the City had such a winning formula!) To avoid overspending, peek through the glass when stores are closed or you've left your wallet home.

WHAT????? THIS IS WHAT THEY RECOMMEND TO DO ON CHRISTMAS DAY?

How utterly sad it is to realize that the Greatest Gift of all given to mankind was ignored on this calendar list!

In closing, I would like to share a copy of what is written on this year's Christmas cards that were sent out by our family:

God Sent Us a Saviour

If our greatest need had been information,
God would have sent us an educator.

If our greatest need had been technology,
God would have sent us a scientist.

If our greatest need had been money,
God would have sent us an economist.

If our greatest need had been pleasure,
God would have sent us an entertainer.

But our greatest need was forgiveness,
so God sent us a Saviour.

- Roy Lessin

Inside the card:

This Christmas may you see and know anew how great His love is toward you.

For unto you is born this day...a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11 KJV

The Question of Goodness

An "Anonymous" blogger has been quite bothered by the blog post of September 21, 2010 entitled: What Yes on CA Prop. 8 & Restore Honor Rally Have in Common

You can read the comments at the link to catch up on the controversy.

In Anonymous' latest comment, he/she wrote:

Anonymous said...
Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering ("without bending"-Vines); (for he [is] faithful that promised;)

"Without wavering" means "without bending". It is talking about picking up some other hope. Like picking up the hope of Glenn Beck instead of keeping Jesus.

1 Peter 1:3 ¶ Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

Our inheritance is incorruptible, undefiled and fadeth not away. Glenn Beck is not my hope.

September 30, 2010 9:47:00 PM PDT

My response:

Christinewjc said...
Anonymous @ September 30, 2010 9:47:00 PM PDT (That you, Sothenes?)

You seem highly bothered by this post. I thought that I explained WHY I included Dr. Garlow's article very well. It is NOT because I agree with his conclusion about Beck being a born again Christian. It is because the CAUSES that evangelical Christians, and Mormons, and Jews etc. see as important (e.g. the Prop. 8 issue and the need to restore out nation back to the Constitutional Republic that our Founders intended) are political/social/moral issues that we can all agree on.

You ended your comment with two sentences that I agree with - and I would guess most people who genuinely follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior would also agree with:

Quote: "Our inheritance is incorruptible, undefiled and fadeth not away."

Absolutely true.

Quote: "Glenn Beck is not my hope."

Beck isn't my hope, either! Jesus Christ is the only true hope in this world and in eternity.

October 1, 2010 9:57:00 AM PDT

*******

One of the reasons why I cannot personally support Dr. Garlow's conclusion that Glenn Beck is genuinely saved is because:

1. Only God knows for certain - but we can "know them by their fruits."
2. Beck continually says that "most people are good."

But then again, I could be wrong.

Now, this post will not be an extensive expose' on "the question of goodness." That would take many pages. However, what I want to share here may help explain why what man regards as "goodness" within himself, may not be in line with what God describes as Good in His Word.

I realize that Beck's claim of people being good may be more of a socially acceptable, politically correct motivated comment which is meant to bring people together in a positive way. I mean, people DO good things in this life. However, the Bible says something very different about our "goodness."

Please see The Good Test in order to understand the details about our spiritual condition without Christ.

This week, I started reading Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God written by Francis Chan. I have only completed reading chapter one, but the message fits with this post.

Chan encourages us to stop talking at God for a while and instead, take a long, hard look at Him before you speak another word.

I read that section on Wednesday night. By Thursday evening, I was on my way, in traffic and in the rain, to pick up something that I would much rather have picked up on another day. The situation was such that I was told that I must get these items today. [Grrr....!]

During the drive, I said to myself, "If the person asks me 'how are you today?' I thought about saying, 'Do you want a typical response of fine or the truth about how I'm really feeling?'" I had a complete diatribe ready to be unleashed towards the unfortunate person who would be handing me the items that I really didn't want to pick up in the first place.

My trip already started out bad. First, the road to the freeway was jammed and backed up. Who leaves their house at 5:00 p.m. during rush hour traffic and expects not to hit traffic? Then, it started to rain again on the way there. Next, the sun started to break through the clouds and the glare into the car and on the wet pavement as I was driving west on a side road made it difficult to see. I proceeded to turn left again and traveled the speed limit of 25 mph around a park playground area. My final turn approached and I headed up the hill to my destination. I had just about completed what I was going to say in my mind, but became absolutely awestruck when I witnessed one of the most beautiful (and complete!) rainbows I have ever seen! I chuckled to myself. My heart melted my pride, anger, and annoyance that had built up over the 35 minute ride to my destination. I got out of my car and tried to take a picture of the rainbow with my old and crappy cell phone camera (small voice: complaining again, Chris?) Of course, I could not capture the beauty in a photograph that I was witnessing! A man approached and was saying how awesome the rainbow looked! He asked me my name and went inside to get the items that I came to pick up.

When he and an assistant came back out to the car to put the items in my trunk, he asked, "so how are you today?" "How is your family?" My planned diatribe turned into a confession that some individuals in my family were experiencing difficulty, but God is so good! Look at that rainbow! It is a symbol of His eternal promises for us."

God -- He's something isn't He??? He keeps teaching me every single day. That rainbow was a gentle reminder that I am slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to become angry.

Francis Chan writes:

The wise man comes to God without saying a word and stands in awe of Him. It may seem a hopeless endeavor, to gaze at the invisible God. But Romans 1:20 tells us that through creation, we see His "invisible qualities" and "divine nature."

I realize that how a rainbow forms can be explained scientifically. But can its beauty be explained? Or, is it a representation of God's "invisible qualities" and "divine nature?"

Chan goes on to describe how God is holy, God is eternal, God is all-knowing, God is all-powerful and God is fair and just. He quotes Colossians 1:16 - which tells us that everything was created for God: "For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him."

Chan asks:

Can you worship a God who isn't obligated to explain His actions to you? Could it be your arrogance that makes you think God owes you an explanation?

Wow. That gives each of us a verbal whoopin' - doesn't it?!

But the Bible takes it even further:

All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?" - Daniel 4:35

Chan asks:

Do you really believe that compared to God, "all the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing," including you?

These are hard sayings. But some might wonder, can it get any worse?

Answer: yes. Just take a look at Chan's section about God is fair and just:

One definition of justice is "reward and/or penalty as deserved." If what we truly deserved were up to us, we would end up with as many different answers as people who responded. But it isn't up to us, mostly because none of us are good.

Let's hold up here for just a moment. Going back to Anonymous' concern over my post about Glenn Beck, we can see here that Chan disagrees with Beck's claim that "most people are good." Again, it is possible that Beck was simply using the term "good" as a political term and not in the moral or spiritual sense. We all want to perceive ourselves as good, but compared to Holy God, we are not good.

Chan:

God is the only Being who is good, and the standards are set by Him. Because God hates sin, He has to punish those guilty of sin. Maybe that's not an appealing standard. But to put it bluntly, when you get your own universe, you can make your own standards. When we disagree, let's not assume it's His reasoning that needs correction.

It takes a lot for us to comprehend God's total hatred for sin. We make excuses like, "Yes, I am prideful at times, but everyone struggles with pride." However, God says in Proverbs 8:13, "I hate pride and arrogance." You and I are not allowed to tell Him how much He can hate it. He can hate and punish it as severely as His justice demands.

God never excuses sin. And He is always consistent with that ethic. Whenever we start to question whether God really hates sin, we have only to think of the cross, where His Son was tortured, mocked, and beaten because of sin. Our sin.

No question about it: God hates and must punish sin. And He is totally just and fair in doing so.

In the final segment of Chapter One, Chan describes the reactions of both John in the book of Revelation and Isaiah who saw God on His throne. We learn that there are many facets of God that expand beyond our comprehension. God cannot be contained in this world, explained by our vocabulary, or grasped by our understanding.

I would imagine that each and every one of us will be speechless at first - admiring the King of the Universe with awestruck silence when we see Him! Both John and Isaiah found it difficult to describe seeing God in mere words. They tried to describe Him and the experience in ways that they, and we, could relate to and understand. For example - in Revelation, John describes the One seated on the throne with two gems, "jasper and carnelian," and the area around the throne as a rainbow that looked like an emerald.

Isaiah describes the seraphim appearing above and said they called out to one another saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."

Yes! It certainly is! And we only get just a glimpse of His glory in all that He has created!

Recall that Isaiah's reaction was, "Woe is me...I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."

Isaiah didn't feel worthy. But as the Scriptures report, one of the seraphim touches Isaiah's mouth with a hot coal and tells him that his guilt is taken away.

Mercy is God withholding what you (we, I) deserve.

Grace is God giving you (us, me) what you don't deserve.

As Isaiah believed in God the Father and was waiting expectantly for the Savior of the world, he reminds us of what our only response to God's provision for our salvation - Jesus Christ should be!

Not Of This World

Scripture informs us that we are to be in the world - but not of the world. These verses help explain the difference:

1Jo 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1Jo 2:16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

In a previous comment thread, a commentator wrote objections about Glenn Beck "leading" Christians because he is a Mormon. First, I don't think that he has the power to lead any Christian either to or away from true faith in Christ. Second, I do think that Beck is correct about being very wary of the "social justice" religious movement. I think that they are far more dangerous to the gospel of Jesus Christ than Mormonism. Why? Because they are disguised as a "Christian" group. At least with Mormonism, we know that the addition of the book of Mormon has been forbidden as genuine Scripture (via what is written in the Book of Revelation) because it was added after the canon of God's Word was final. We are not to add or subtract from the original Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.

Even the terms "social justice" sound like they could be deemed as "biblical." But the fact that the social justice leftists use the term in a completely different way and want to create a kind of "utopia" here on earth gives their motives away; at least to those who are discerning. Rather than preach the true Gospel of Jesus Christ to the brokenhearted - sinners who are in desperate need of repentance, forgiveness, and salvation through the Savior - their focus on social justice demonstrates exactly what we are warned about in Scripture.

What the utopia "social justice" crowd wants is the exact opposite of what Christ preached:

Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Christ could not be clearer than when He made the claim that He "is not of this world" in the following verses:

Jhn 8:23 And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.

Jhn 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."

Those who would place their own minds, wisdom and knowledge above God's written Word - the Bible; or, above God's Living Word - Jesus Christ (usually done through rejection of his sacrificial death on the cross at Calvary), are typically guilty of a myriad of errors. Whether the error they have involves a false religion, skeptism, agnosticism, atheism, heresy, apostasy, or spreading a false gospel; each and every one prevents individual souls from bridging the huge gulf between their sinful condition and the Creator - our Holy and Righteous God.

1Cr 1:20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

The "social justice" crowd is deeply embedded with the "foolish wisdom of this world." They display their own kind of false gospel through utilizing a kind of "fleshly wisdom":

2Cr 1:12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.

When determining whether or not someones spirit is confessing the truth of the Spirit of God - the Bible tells us that "every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God," and "every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God."

Furthermore, we find that "he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."

What's more, a true believer's testimony would always include: "And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world."

If a religious movement of any kind does not recognize Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of the world, then he/she is in error.

Note what the following verse tells us:

1Jo 4:15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

The following is the entire chapter of 1 John 4. Take heed of all that is written!

1Jo 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.


1Jo 4:2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,


1Jo 4:3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.


1Jo 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.


1Jo 4:5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.


1Jo 4:6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.


1Jo 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.


1Jo 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.


1Jo 4:9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.


1Jo 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.


1Jo 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.


1Jo 4:12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.


1Jo 4:13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.


1Jo 4:14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.


1Jo 4:15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.


1Jo 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.


1Jo 4:17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.


1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.


1Jo 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us.


1Jo 4:20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?


1Jo 4:21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

NKJV Footnotes:
(4:3) NU-Text omits that and Christ has come in the flesh.
(4:19) NU-Text omits Him.
(4:20) NU-Text reads he cannot.

Hat Tip:

Blue Letter Bible

Why Humankind Needs the Savior

Way back in May of 2005, I created a post over at my Talk Wisdom Forum entitled, De-homosexualization of the Catholic Church. Ever since, GMpilot has been obsessed with the subject matter. Read through the thread and you will know what I mean.

The thread began with the following observation (plus a copy of an essay at WorldNetDaily - go to link above to read WND essay):

I have to admit that prior to reading this article, I did not know the genuine reason why Pope John Paul II was not more condemning of the homosexual pedophile priests and the Cardinals who shuffled them around to other churches where such priests, unfortunately, were enabled to molest more and more young boys. This scandal absolutely sickened most of the public and the suffering of the victims was just horrendous!

I just couldn't understand, for the life of me, why Pope John II acted indifferent towards the scandal. I wasn't aware of the genuine reason he refused to believe that it was actually going on. The following certainly explains a lot and helped clear up the mystery:


Quote:

"Whenever Vatican investigators brought the results of their vetting process regarding an individual's candidacy for bishop, cardinal or other office, and they revealed he was a homosexual, John Paul II would refuse to believe it," he writes.


"He did so because accusing someone of homosexuality was a standard practice of the Communist government in his native Poland regarding anyone it regarded as an enemy of the state. From his ordination as a Catholic priest in 1946 to elevation to Archbishop of Krakow in 1963 and Cardinal in 1967, the then Karol Wojtyla witnessed this personal destruction repeatedly. So traumatized, he summarily dismissed such accusations as pope, and would approve the elevation of anyone so accused."

Christine

*******

Since GM was continually talking to himself within the thread, five years and six pages later, I posted the following:

Satan's grip on souls through sexual perversion



Sexual sin/perversion is one of the most difficult sins to overcome. No doubt about it.
__________________
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8

The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth to show Himself strong to those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9

Then, GMpilot had this to say in reply:

So who needs Satan?

Quote:
admin: Sexual sin/perversion is one of the most difficult sins to overcome. No doubt about it.

But it's all part of The Plan™, isn't it?

God will make it all turn out in the end, won't he?

All that social turmoil, all those disgraced clergymen, all those shattered lives...God will use it all for good, yeah? Isn't that what you always say?

Yet after five years and fifty posts where I point out how widely and deeply and how many decades this has been going on, all you can say is how difficult sexual sin is to overcome? (I wasn't aware that any sin was easy to overcome!)
Your original posts were so full of fire and vinegar, and now they've dwindled to two little sentences that say nothing. Both the Catholic God and yours make it clear, and you've repeated it on this site often enough; they should die. After all, civil laws were broken, too.

When sex is not permitted to express itself in its proper way, it will always eventually express itself in an improper way. The more it's suppressed, the nastier it blooms. No Satan necessary.

I must admit, "So, who needs Satan?" is an interesting question. In reality, an entire book could be written in reply to such a question. Readers, feel free to share your thoughts about that.

Rather than addressing that particular question [mostly because Satan is, unfortunately, often used as an excuse by those who repeatedly choose to sin. You know - the ole' "the devil made me do it" syndrome], I chose to reply utilizing the Gospel message:

GM,

If the priests were after normal sexual relations, they wouldn't be performing homosexual acts with male children or young teenage and pre-teen boys. Why weren't they going after the beautiful women - who were of the age of consent - from the pews of the churches? Answer: because they were in homosexual/pederasty/pedophile lust for teens and boys.

Those priests who went after pre-pubescent girls were also pedophiles.

But all of this is pointless to discuss with you. You seem to think that because there are priests who are fakes - all must be fakes as well. During my childhood, I learned about a pedophile priest in our church. I only knew that he went after pre-pubescent girls, but perhaps he attacked some boys too. It was all hushed up and they named a street after him in town after he had died.

I also knew of a wonderful priest who kept his celibate vows and was wonderful (in an appropriate manner and way) to all parishioners - especially the children. He died 10 years ago and had a monument placed in a small existing park that was later named after him. There were benches there that were donated by members of the church. He was deeply loved.

There are people who try to live good lives, and there are people who don't. We all fall short of the glory of God. Recall the "good" test I told you to take? No one passes that test. If anyone ever claims that they did pass it - then you know that they lied.

This is why humankind needs the Savior. Jesus Christ was the only sinless God-Man who died on the cross for the forgiveness of sins of all who repent of their sins and believe in him.

Jesus Christ is the living example of mercy and grace through God.

Mercy is God withholding what you (we all) deserve.

Grace is God giving you (all) what you (we all) don't deserve.

There is evidence of grace being bestowed upon unbelievers and even the wicked in this temporal world. Some repent and turn to Christ, others don't. However, the choice to reject Christ (and his mercy and grace) prior to dying negates the chance for salvation after death.

Despite the fact that some who don't believe in Christ seem to have success in this life, it is an entirely different story [according to the Bible] when such individuals die without Christ. Why? Because they have chosen to reject God's mercy and grace for salvation. Therefore, they choose to leave this world to live in eternity separated from God forever.

God has done all that is necessary for salvation. Our job here on this earth is to either accept or reject His provision.
__________________
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8

The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth to show Himself strong to those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9

To Him That Overcometh

The accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their
testimony.--Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? [It is] God
that justifieth. Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea
rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also
maketh intercession for us.

Having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly,
triumphing over them in it.

--That through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

--In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.--Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. . . . And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.--But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Re 12:10,11 Ro 8:33,34 Col 2:15 Heb 2:14,15 Ro 8:37 Eph 6:11,17 1Co 15:57



Evening

The tree of life.

God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.--He gave his
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.--As the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth [them];
even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. . . . As the Father hath life in
himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.

To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the
midst of the paradise of God.--In the midst of the street of it, and on either
side of the river, [was there] the tree of life, which bare twelve [manner of]
fruits, [and] yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree [were]
for the healing of the nations.

Happy [is] the man [that] findeth wisdom. . . . Length of days [is] in her right
hand. . . . She [is] a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy
[is every one] that retaineth her.--Christ Jesus . . . is made unto us wisdom.

Ge 2:9 1Jo 5:11 Joh 3:16 5:21,26 Re 2:7 22:2 Pr 3:13,16,18 1Co 1:30

==================================================================
Daily Light on the Daily Path Devotional
Saturday August 28, 2010
http://bible.christiansunite.com/devotionals.shtml
==================================================================

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

When I was a child and I was being impatient about something, my mom used to say, "good things come to those who wait." When I was seven, a week often felt like an eternity! Today, a week rushes by in a flash!

Today, when I see things going horribly wrong in this nation, I find my comfort comes through renewed strength via prayer. Prayer is so powerful! Oftentimes, we run to God as a last resort when in times of trouble. What we should be doing is praying ever so fervently when it appears that the darkness is attempting to hide the Light of the World.

You can pray at any time. Not just on your knees at bedtime. Pray throughout the day - sending up little prayers asking for mercy and grace upon yourself, your family and this entire nation.

I have been deeply troubled over the proposed mosque being built near where the horrific World Trade Center attack by radical Islamic terrorists happened on 9/11. Last night, I read a blog post that gave me renewed hope that the mosque at Ground Zero will not be built.

JammieWearingFool: 'I Wonder What Else They Are Hiding.'

Excerpt:

'I Wonder What Else They Are Hiding'

Congressman Peter King better watch it. Lil' Mikey Bloomberg might call him a bigot for uttering such a statement.

Not so fast.

The developers of the controversial mosque proposed near Ground Zero own only half the site where they want to construct the $100 million building, The Post has learned.

One of the two buildings on Park Place is owned by Con Edison, even though Soho Properties told officials and the public that it owns the entire parcel. And any potential sale by Con Ed faces a review by the state Public Service Commission.

“We never heard anything about Con Ed whatsoever,” said a stunned Julie Menin, the chairwoman of Community Board 1, which passed a May resolution supporting the mosque.

Daisy Khan, one of the mosque’s organizers, told The Post last week that both buildings on Park Place are needed to house the worship and cultural center. But she claimed ignorance about the Con Ed ownership of 49-51 Park Place and referred questions to Soho Properties, which bought the building at 45-47 Park Place in 2009.

Rep. Peter King, who opposes the mosque, said the developers seemed to be “operating under false pretenses.”

“I wonder what else they are hiding,” said King (R-LI). “If we can’t have the full truth on this, what can we believe?”

Continue reading HERE.

Nice Deb reports on the story, too.

Not So Fast…Ground Zero Mosque Developers Only Own Half Of The Site
posted by nicedeb at Nice Deb » Monday Menagerie - 11 hours ago
Pic of Sharif El Gamal, head of Soho Properties via Islamization Watch The New York Post has the exclusive: The developers of the controversial mosque proposed near Ground Zero own only half the site wher...

While driving home from a visit with my daughter this morning I was thinking about how all of the ineligibility lawsuits against Obama have been dismissed due to "lack of standing" and how fortunate such developments have been for Obama. If we got just one hearing on this in a court of law - I'm sure that Obama would be found out. He is either a lying usurper (if his father is, in fact, Barack Obama Sr.) because Obama Jr. would never qualify as a natural born citizen according to the clause for POTUS in our U.S. Constitution. Or, if his biological father was someone else, then he misrepresented his entire life to the American people! It would mean that he lied in his two books and during many (if not all) of his speeches. Would either revelation horribly disappoint the entire black community? I would think so.

That is when it hit me.

I recall hearing that 88% of African-Americans still support Obama. That is a HUGE amount. Are some of them lying to cover up their real thoughts about him? Did they vote that way in the poll because of political correctness? Do they all agree with his awful policies? Do they think that eventually he will create jobs with his out- of-control spending? Are they just not paying attention? What is the reason why such a disproportionate amount of blacks still support him? Many Hispanics and Independents have left the approval-rating bandwagon in droves.

Well, whatever the reason(s) may be that blacks still approve of Obama in the polls, I realized that God, for whatever reason, has granted Obama mercy (withholding what he deserves), and grace (giving him what he doesn't deserve).

But it may be more than that.

God's thoughts and plans are higher than my thoughts and desires. With all that our country is suffering from, our sin is so great in this nation that we can't ignore that God has demonstrated enormous mercy towards us. He has been withholding what we, sinners all, truly deserve. God has afforded us grace at this chaotic, uncertain, and scary time. He continues to hold us together - giving us a kind of grace that we don't deserve.

I thought long and hard about all of this. I know, in my heart and soul that trusting God is really all that we have in this world. Jesus Christ is the one and only constant that I can be assured to trust and to absolutely lean on - in good times, in bad times, and even in the horrible and ugly times.

The racial tensions and small incidences of outbreak around our country that are unfortunately happening today would pale in comparison to what would happen if (or when) Obama was indicted, tried, possibly convicted of corruption (or on the ineligibility issue) and removed from office. The outcry from the black communities around our entire country would cause another civil war!

Perhaps this is why God is holding back from allowing any of the current cases from succeeding. I don't know for sure - I can only guess, of course. But the concepts of mercy and grace are played out time and time again here on this earth. Sometimes justice is served, and other times it is not. Life is not always fair and we should not expect it to be. Jesus told us that "in this life you will have trouble. But take heart! For I have overcome the world."

That is what we, as Christian believers can always trust! The very words and promises of Jesus Christ!

Although we walk by faith and not by sight, the fact that God's permissive will allows us to be held by His patient Mercy, and affords us his long suffering Grace, gives us the confidence to go forth in our lives no matter what happens here on this earth.

We all suffer pain and suffering in this life, but one day we will be in a place where such terrible things will not exist! It will be a whole new way of life and existence that is hard for us to fathom right now. But God's Word spells it out quite clearly. Let all who have ears to hear - let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

The book of Revelation quotes, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" seven times!"

Rev 2:7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."'

Rev 2:11 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."'

Rev 2:17 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."'

Rev 2:29 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'

Rev 3:6 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'

Rev 3:13 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'

Rev 3:22 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'"

In the Bible, the number seven is representative of perfection.

Who are you heeding?

Who has your ear?

Are you listening to what the Spirit says to you and the churches?

God's Word encourages us to wait for the return of Jesus Christ. We are to "call upon the Lord."

2Sa 22:4 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.

2Sa 22:7 In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry entered His ears.

Psa 18:3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.

Psa 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry came before Him, even to His ears.

Psa 99:6 Moses and Aaron were among His priests, And Samuel was among those who called upon His name; They called upon the LORD, and He answered them.

Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Scriptures:

Luk 4:18 "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;


Luk 4:19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD."

The fruit of the Spirit teaches us:

Eph 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.


Eph 5:7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.


Eph 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light


Eph 5:9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),


Eph 5:10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.



Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,


Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.


Gal 5:24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.


Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Hat tips:

JammieWearingFool Blog

Nice Deb

Blue Letter Bible