The ultimate test of any civilization is what we do with our children, and our children are not doing very well. From abortion to child pornography, atheistic philosophy is having its way with our children.
Ravi Zacharias
Thursday 26 February 2009
12-Year-Old Speaks Out on the Issue of Abortion
How to Win a Debate on Ethics
by Paul McDorman
Oprah Winfrey, TV talk show hostess, asked her audience why homosexuals should not be allowed to marry one another. One man said something to the effect that 'it wasn't natural'. A woman then rose and gave her lengthy opinion which boiled down to: 'I just don't think it's right!' Most people, however, gave comments like, 'If they want to, what difference does it make?' or, 'Who's to say that it's wrong?'
Then Oprah came to one man who said (à la Ken Ham), 'If God had wanted man to marry man, He would have created Adam and Steve, not Adam and Eve!' Most people in the audience booed, and Oprah responded incredulously, 'You don't believe that do you?' The man, apparently intimidated, shrugged his shoulders and never carried his reasoning any further. In doing so he missed a great opportunity to promote the creation message on national television.
Actually, the thought underlying this man's statement is the only legitimate reason why homosexual practices are wrong. When there is any question concerning morality, one needs to see who declared something to be wrong in the first place. In effect, this Bible-believer was claiming that the absolute authority on homosexuality was the Bible — in this particular case Genesis. The reasoning goes: If God laid down the rule, then that settles the argument once and for all. But if man made the rule, then man has the prerogative to change it.
LAWS FOR ALL TIME
Most people in the audience, however, were acting on the assumption that the rules on homosexuality were written by people — just like traffic laws are. And to keep up with modern times, these laws sometimes need to be changed. The concept of God making absolute laws for all time tends to go over some people's heads — especially when those laws are disliked.
This mindset is revealed in an Ohio State University-sponsored survey of 323 teenagers. More than 90 per cent of them thought that stealing was wrong, but they weren't sure why. The most common reason given was that they might get caught and be punished. Other reasons included, 'the other person might get even', and 'you might not need the item'.
Psychology professor John Gibbs, who conducted the study, said: 'A more mature perspective would be that stealing is wrong because it hurts other people and society as a whole by damaging the sense of communal trust.' Someone should ask this professor, 'Why is it inherently wrong to hurt other people and society?'
WHOSE RULES?
When Christians get into debates with unbelievers, they sometimes tend to play by the same rules they see their opponents playing by: 'Assume that man makes all the rules.' But when this is done, only popular opinion can be the winner.
Look at the abortion issue. Much of the rhetoric on both sides of the issue appears to be based on the working assumption that man makes the rules, and the winner is determined by the courts. Instead of playing into their hands however, Christians should stick to the absolute nature of these moral issues.
Christians can do well in such debates if they keep in mind the underlying thought patterns of these 'moral relativists': People who want to write their own rules like to think that their rules will be good for all time. They like to think of them as absolute, even though they most likely will be changed before long.
A homosexual doesn't want to concede that he is basing his viewpoint on fickle popular opinion. He wants his 'rights' etched in stone. The abortion advocate thinks that it is an absolute right that a woman has control over her own body, even when this involves taking another person's life. But in actuality they should know that it can't be an absolute right when it is merely people who are 'giving' women these rights in the first place.
Herein lies the weakness of the arguments of people who have no absolute authority for their moral beliefs:
1. Their rejection of God, who does pronounce absolute moral standards, is hypocritical in light of the fact that they want their own moral rules to be absolute.
2. When people secularize biblical laws by basing them on human opinions rather than the Bible, they are in effect setting up those laws to be easily brushed aside if opinion is swayed against them at some later date.
Consider this exchange between a member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and a creationist:
PETA member: I think it is wrong to eat meat.
Creationist: Why?
PETA member: Because: 1. Animals have feelings. 2. We shouldn't be cruel. 3. It is inhumane. 4. It isn't healthy. 5. Animals are living creatures. 6. Etc.
Creationist: God, who created all life, set the rules and said that man could eat animals (Genesis 9:3).
PETA member: Oh ... well, I don't think that God would ...
HUMAN OPINION OR GOD'S WORD?
From this point on, it is no longer their opinion against your opinion. It is now their opinion against God's final word on the matter. At this juncture they will usually say something to the effect that it is just your opinion that the Bible is God's Word. Then you reply: 'Since you reject God's authority on this matter, tell me on what basis should People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals decide what is right and wrong?'
'Why was it wrong for Hitler to do what he did? If God made no absolutes, Hitler or anyone else would have the right to set his own rules and his own agenda. He got most of Germany agreeing with his ethics, which he sincerely believed were good and right. Because of this, many people perished. Are you willing to say that he was right? If you think he was wrong, on what basis are you deciding that it is wrong? Why then should people believe your opinions concerning animals?'
Without too many words, you have pointed out the hypocrisy of his 'wannabe absolutist — but can't admit it' position, and the shifting-sand foundation of his ethics.
At this point, most people have to stop and think about the contradiction that exists in their assumptions. This is a step in the right direction. The next step is to introduce them to the foundation that Genesis provides. Hopefully, they will then begin to understand that they have transgressed God's absolutes and are in need of a Saviour.
First published:
Creation 18(3):50–51
June 1996
http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v18/i3/debate.asp
Oprah Winfrey, TV talk show hostess, asked her audience why homosexuals should not be allowed to marry one another. One man said something to the effect that 'it wasn't natural'. A woman then rose and gave her lengthy opinion which boiled down to: 'I just don't think it's right!' Most people, however, gave comments like, 'If they want to, what difference does it make?' or, 'Who's to say that it's wrong?'
Then Oprah came to one man who said (à la Ken Ham), 'If God had wanted man to marry man, He would have created Adam and Steve, not Adam and Eve!' Most people in the audience booed, and Oprah responded incredulously, 'You don't believe that do you?' The man, apparently intimidated, shrugged his shoulders and never carried his reasoning any further. In doing so he missed a great opportunity to promote the creation message on national television.
Actually, the thought underlying this man's statement is the only legitimate reason why homosexual practices are wrong. When there is any question concerning morality, one needs to see who declared something to be wrong in the first place. In effect, this Bible-believer was claiming that the absolute authority on homosexuality was the Bible — in this particular case Genesis. The reasoning goes: If God laid down the rule, then that settles the argument once and for all. But if man made the rule, then man has the prerogative to change it.
LAWS FOR ALL TIME
Most people in the audience, however, were acting on the assumption that the rules on homosexuality were written by people — just like traffic laws are. And to keep up with modern times, these laws sometimes need to be changed. The concept of God making absolute laws for all time tends to go over some people's heads — especially when those laws are disliked.
This mindset is revealed in an Ohio State University-sponsored survey of 323 teenagers. More than 90 per cent of them thought that stealing was wrong, but they weren't sure why. The most common reason given was that they might get caught and be punished. Other reasons included, 'the other person might get even', and 'you might not need the item'.
Psychology professor John Gibbs, who conducted the study, said: 'A more mature perspective would be that stealing is wrong because it hurts other people and society as a whole by damaging the sense of communal trust.' Someone should ask this professor, 'Why is it inherently wrong to hurt other people and society?'
WHOSE RULES?
When Christians get into debates with unbelievers, they sometimes tend to play by the same rules they see their opponents playing by: 'Assume that man makes all the rules.' But when this is done, only popular opinion can be the winner.
Look at the abortion issue. Much of the rhetoric on both sides of the issue appears to be based on the working assumption that man makes the rules, and the winner is determined by the courts. Instead of playing into their hands however, Christians should stick to the absolute nature of these moral issues.
Christians can do well in such debates if they keep in mind the underlying thought patterns of these 'moral relativists': People who want to write their own rules like to think that their rules will be good for all time. They like to think of them as absolute, even though they most likely will be changed before long.
A homosexual doesn't want to concede that he is basing his viewpoint on fickle popular opinion. He wants his 'rights' etched in stone. The abortion advocate thinks that it is an absolute right that a woman has control over her own body, even when this involves taking another person's life. But in actuality they should know that it can't be an absolute right when it is merely people who are 'giving' women these rights in the first place.
Herein lies the weakness of the arguments of people who have no absolute authority for their moral beliefs:
1. Their rejection of God, who does pronounce absolute moral standards, is hypocritical in light of the fact that they want their own moral rules to be absolute.
2. When people secularize biblical laws by basing them on human opinions rather than the Bible, they are in effect setting up those laws to be easily brushed aside if opinion is swayed against them at some later date.
Consider this exchange between a member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and a creationist:
PETA member: I think it is wrong to eat meat.
Creationist: Why?
PETA member: Because: 1. Animals have feelings. 2. We shouldn't be cruel. 3. It is inhumane. 4. It isn't healthy. 5. Animals are living creatures. 6. Etc.
Creationist: God, who created all life, set the rules and said that man could eat animals (Genesis 9:3).
PETA member: Oh ... well, I don't think that God would ...
HUMAN OPINION OR GOD'S WORD?
From this point on, it is no longer their opinion against your opinion. It is now their opinion against God's final word on the matter. At this juncture they will usually say something to the effect that it is just your opinion that the Bible is God's Word. Then you reply: 'Since you reject God's authority on this matter, tell me on what basis should People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals decide what is right and wrong?'
'Why was it wrong for Hitler to do what he did? If God made no absolutes, Hitler or anyone else would have the right to set his own rules and his own agenda. He got most of Germany agreeing with his ethics, which he sincerely believed were good and right. Because of this, many people perished. Are you willing to say that he was right? If you think he was wrong, on what basis are you deciding that it is wrong? Why then should people believe your opinions concerning animals?'
Without too many words, you have pointed out the hypocrisy of his 'wannabe absolutist — but can't admit it' position, and the shifting-sand foundation of his ethics.
At this point, most people have to stop and think about the contradiction that exists in their assumptions. This is a step in the right direction. The next step is to introduce them to the foundation that Genesis provides. Hopefully, they will then begin to understand that they have transgressed God's absolutes and are in need of a Saviour.
First published:
Creation 18(3):50–51
June 1996
http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v18/i3/debate.asp
Monday 23 February 2009
How to Know Your Saved
There are days I feel saved and there are days I feel lost.
Thank God my salvation doesn't depend on either one of those days.
It depends on what Jesus did on the Cross.
The Law of Moses was a curse for the Jewish people. There was no way to keep this law. And God planned this. This is why He said to Isaiah that the Messiah had to come; to abolish the Law and save us. It's not by works. We can't work our way to His mercy. God is not expedient to our aid when we think it's appropriate. It's by the grace of God that saved us on Calvary Cross over 2000 years ago.
All you have to do is repent and acknowledge that God came down in the 'flesh' in the Son Jesus Christ to take the penalty for your transgressions for hours of iniquity on the Cross to die and resurrect three days later to conquer death. Then read the Bible daily and once you understand this, and you have humility in your heart, and you're striving to know the Lord, you are saved.
Ten questions to know if you're saved:
Thank God my salvation doesn't depend on either one of those days.
It depends on what Jesus did on the Cross.
11 So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” 12 This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, “It is through obeying the law that a person has life.”
13 But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing...
Galatians 3:11-13
The Law of Moses was a curse for the Jewish people. There was no way to keep this law. And God planned this. This is why He said to Isaiah that the Messiah had to come; to abolish the Law and save us. It's not by works. We can't work our way to His mercy. God is not expedient to our aid when we think it's appropriate. It's by the grace of God that saved us on Calvary Cross over 2000 years ago.
All you have to do is repent and acknowledge that God came down in the 'flesh' in the Son Jesus Christ to take the penalty for your transgressions for hours of iniquity on the Cross to die and resurrect three days later to conquer death. Then read the Bible daily and once you understand this, and you have humility in your heart, and you're striving to know the Lord, you are saved.
Ten questions to know if you're saved:
Do you strive to please
yourself or God?
Do you pray for God's Will
instead of your own?
Do you have the passion to spread
the Good News to the lost?
Do you thank God for your freedom
through His Son Jesus Christ?
Do you seek fellowship with other Christians
and love to be around them?
Do you study the Bible every day and yearn to
know more about your Creator?
Do you love God first, and love all of His creation
including Man considering his sinful nature?
Do you acknowledge that you're wretched and not worthy of God's mercy, broke His rules, repent and put full trust in Christ Jesus as your Saviour who took the penalty on the Cross for your sins?
Did you make a decision or
did God open your eyes?
Did you accept Jesus or
did Jesus accept you?
yourself or God?
Do you pray for God's Will
instead of your own?
Do you have the passion to spread
the Good News to the lost?
Do you thank God for your freedom
through His Son Jesus Christ?
Do you seek fellowship with other Christians
and love to be around them?
Do you study the Bible every day and yearn to
know more about your Creator?
Do you love God first, and love all of His creation
including Man considering his sinful nature?
Do you acknowledge that you're wretched and not worthy of God's mercy, broke His rules, repent and put full trust in Christ Jesus as your Saviour who took the penalty on the Cross for your sins?
Did you make a decision or
did God open your eyes?
Did you accept Jesus or
did Jesus accept you?
"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or
whatever you do, do all to the glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31
Sunday 22 February 2009
Wise Men Vs. Religion
10 Those who are wise must finally die,
just like the foolish and senseless,
leaving all their wealth behind.
11 The grave is their eternal home,
where they will stay forever.
They may name their estates after themselves,
12 but their fame will not last.
They will die, just like animals.
13 This is the fate of fools,
though they are remembered as being wise.
Psalm 49:10-13
18 Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say,
“He traps the wise
in the snare of their own cleverness.”*
20 And again,
“The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise;
he knows they are worthless.”*
21 So don’t boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you— 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Peter,* or the world, or life and death, or the present and the future. Everything belongs to you, 23 and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
1 Corinthians 3:18-23
19 After all, you think you are so wise, but you enjoy putting up with fools!
2 Corinthians 11:19
Sometimes our feelings or the ideas from professing scholars can stray us away from our relationship and just focus on it as a religion. They can profess how wise they are, but in God's eyes they are useless. Just look at the book of Job. Religious works can make us blind in faith. We have to make sure we keep the relationship with God first and foremost.
Guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. Some people have wandered from the faith by following such foolishness.
May God’s grace be with you all.
1 Timothy 6:20,21
Friday 20 February 2009
How to Recognize True Love
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.
1 Peter 3:9
Love is not a competition. Love does not think evil things. Love suffers long. Love is kind. Love is not envious. Love is not proud. Love does not behave unseemly. Love is not selfish. Love is not easily provoked.
I wanted to share this with you so that you may take impart from this and benefit from it to prepare for the future. This is the key to a successful marriage.
"True love involves mutual enjoyment of each others company:
The physical expression is not constantly necessary.
And there should be more to share than just a body.
If you would take all the physical expression out of your relationship, what would you have left?"
Don't trust in strong romantic desires to guide you. My advice is to tend toward the intellectual and spiritual before the physical until marriage. A test of true love is to stop everything physical until marriage.
Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32
So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honour and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.
We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
Colossians 1:9-14
Thursday 19 February 2009
Israel in a Time of Terror
I'd just like to start this post with a Happy Birthday to baby Jarvinen. Christina and Tuomas gave birth to a healthy 6 lbs, 13 ounce baby boy at 3:44AM today.
My Dream for God's People of Israel:
I have this dream of going to Israel and helping out there. God's people need our help. I'd love to go there some day. It has been a place I'd like to see, but now I have a passion to go there. It would be nice to spend a year there. maybe for a mission trip or study Hebrew. God's people need our help. many of them have received Jesus as their Saviour but many still don't believe the Messiah came to earth in Jesus. This is probably why they are still oppressed by their enemies. Not just over the Palestine, but because God is testing them. Many need emotional support from the terrorist attacks. I want to go do what I can to help. Just the little things matter, buying a lunch at a restaurant. Anything to say, "you're not alone in this world."
We as Christians would not be here if it wasn't for Jesus. I believe that it's our duty to save God's people. We are here to give them the truth. Sure there is danger in Israel with threats of Arab suicide bombers. I am a little afraid to go but it's a risk worth taking to save God's people.
We would never face danger unless we put on our armour and march into battle to save the wicked.
My Dream for God's People of Israel:
I have this dream of going to Israel and helping out there. God's people need our help. I'd love to go there some day. It has been a place I'd like to see, but now I have a passion to go there. It would be nice to spend a year there. maybe for a mission trip or study Hebrew. God's people need our help. many of them have received Jesus as their Saviour but many still don't believe the Messiah came to earth in Jesus. This is probably why they are still oppressed by their enemies. Not just over the Palestine, but because God is testing them. Many need emotional support from the terrorist attacks. I want to go do what I can to help. Just the little things matter, buying a lunch at a restaurant. Anything to say, "you're not alone in this world."
We as Christians would not be here if it wasn't for Jesus. I believe that it's our duty to save God's people. We are here to give them the truth. Sure there is danger in Israel with threats of Arab suicide bombers. I am a little afraid to go but it's a risk worth taking to save God's people.
We would never face danger unless we put on our armour and march into battle to save the wicked.
Wednesday 18 February 2009
Our God-Given Gifts
I'm just gonna share with you from the book I'm reading called Discover Your God-Given Gifts.
"I remember in my teens how I would hear a different sermon each week and try so hard to do what the preacher said. One Sunday he would preach on the importance of prayer, and all the following week I would pray strenuously. The next week he would preach on having a servant's heart, and I'd set out to serve anyone and everyone. Next might come tithe Sunday, when I'd determine to increase my giving. Or there'd be a sermon on love and I would wipe my brow from exhaustion, take a deep breath, and walk out the church door determined to be loving even if it killed me.
It almost did. I was trying so hard to be all of these things that I was approaching burnout. I was aiming at some sort of "super-Christian" ideal that was impossible to achieve. I really believed I had to be outstanding in all these areas if I were going to please God. And when I failed, as I had to, I was a ripe target for guilt and self-condemnation.
I was so relieved, when I first discovered the variety of motivational gifts, to find that I did not have to be or do everything well, but that I could concentrate on those areas where I had been gifted by God. It also released me to appreciate the very different giftedness in others.
And third, Paul emphasizes our mutual dependence in the Body of Christ. We really need each other. No member of Christ's Body can go off on a desert island and be a victorious Christian all by himself. God has purposely made us so that we are incomplete without the interaction and ministry of our brothers and sisters."
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
Romans 12:4-5
It's good to know we don't all have to behave just alike. It's okay to be different. Second, we can see in the analogy that we don't have to "do it ourselves." We do our part. Others for their part. Together we get the job done. Together we do the work of the ministry of our Lord.
Saturday 14 February 2009
Happy Re-Birthday!
Valentine's Day is off my calender. Move over V-Day and say hello to B-day... wait a minute.... RB-Day(Re-birthday)
..do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...
Romans 12:2
1 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
2 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
3 He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
Psalms 103:1-3
Wednesday 11 February 2009
Allah & Satan are One
I know I'm getting lazy with posting my own material this week. But I think it is important to hear this from someone who studied Islam and can read the Qur'an with perfect comparison to the Bible.
Errors and Facts of the Koran(Qur'an):
Muhammed was the only prophet, and the Islamic Koran was compiled by and individual, Zaid ibn Thabit, under the guidance of Mohammed's father-in-law, Abu Bekr.
Walid Shoebat, former Islamic Terrorist, said, "In the Koran, the definition of God (Allah) is defined as the God of the World and the underworld."
He also calls himself the deceiver several times in the book of Surah.
Allah will give them 72 houses, with 72 beds, with 72 virgins in them.
Muhammed had a childwife.
In Islamic belief of salvation is that the first drop of blood will send them into paradise. "They offer their bodies, it's very prideful," says Shoebat. It is by death instead of life. They think that if they do this then they will be like the Messiah, shedding blood for their salvation.
Allah—God of dawn; the Koran.
Satan—the one of dawn; the Bible.
Tuesday 10 February 2009
Rekindling the Fire
InTouch Magazine, February 2009 Issue, Page 36
Read | John 10:10The Lord created us to live passionately for Him. In that way, we enjoy the blessings of an intimate relationship with our Creator. But there are other benefits as well. Just as the warmth and beauty of flames draw people toward the fireplace, God uses our passion to draw others to Himself.
So, not just for our sake but also for the sake of others, we must be careful not to let our fervor toward God fade. Thankfully, the indwelling Holy Spirit nudges believers who start to head in the wrong direction. If you sense this to be the case, you can take several steps to realign yourself with Him.
First, evaluate where you are spiritually—ask God whether your fire has grown cold. Second, acknowledge any distance you have allowed to separate you from your heavenly Father, and repent. Third, refocus your attention on Jesus; meditate on how He teaches His followers to live. Spend quality time in Scripture daily, asking the Lord to speak to you through His Word. Pray, not by using fancy words but by crying out earnestly and seeking God's face. Fourth, rely upon the Holy Spirit to guide you back to an intimate and exciting relationship with the Father. Finally, love and serve God by worshiping him and reaching out to others.
Early Light | What occupies your time and attention? do your thoughts and conversation tend to revolve around worldly topics or the things of God? If your fire for Christ has dwindled, take the necessary steps today to renew your passion. Living closely with Him is well worth the effort and discipline.
Do You Need Christ in Your Life?
The Lord has tried to demonstrate that he still cares about our relationship with him. He has taken our insults and our sarcasm. He continues to demonstrate that he still cares about us and values us, but we continue to reject him and spit in his face.
Consider this question,
How are you supposed to show love for somebody over and over and over who constantly rejects you?
The truth is God can't show us his love if we don't come to terms with who we are and what Christ's purpose is in our lives. God loves you even though you don't deserve it, even though you've rejected him, and spat in his face. God sent Jesus to die on the cross to take the punishment for your sin because he loves you. When you turn to the cross, Jesus Christ can change your life.
The truth is we can't love anyone until we know what love really is—the true love of Jesus Christ.
I love you too much not to take it to truth.
Consider this question,
How are you supposed to show love for somebody over and over and over who constantly rejects you?
The truth is God can't show us his love if we don't come to terms with who we are and what Christ's purpose is in our lives. God loves you even though you don't deserve it, even though you've rejected him, and spat in his face. God sent Jesus to die on the cross to take the punishment for your sin because he loves you. When you turn to the cross, Jesus Christ can change your life.
The truth is we can't love anyone until we know what love really is—the true love of Jesus Christ.
I love you too much not to take it to truth.
Can't you see you need him?
Can't you see you need his forgiveness?
Will you trust him with your life?
Can't you see you need his forgiveness?
Will you trust him with your life?
When Your Fire Grows Dim
InTouch Magazine, February 2009 Issue, Page 36
Read | 2 Timothy 1:1-11Do you feel yourself growing cold toward God? Though we, who are in His children, can never lose our salvation, it is possible for our spiritual passion to cool.
Today's passage reveals that even Timothy experienced a decrease in his excitement for God. That's why Paul wrote, encouraging the young pastor at Ephesus to fan the flame of his faith.
Spiritual "cooling can happen to any Christian. Often it starts when tragedy or disappointment diverts one's attention. Instead of crying out to the Lord and finding shelter in Him, the believer gradually ceases reading the Bible. The Word of God is like wood in a fireplace: the flames can be kept alive only when there are logs to burn. As less time is spent in Scripture, other aspects of the relationship with God are affected: church attendance diminishes, giving becomes sporadic, and prayer—which seems increasingly stale—is used only for emergencies.
No longer willing to stand up for what he once deemed important, the Christian soon starts to compromise. He may feel plagued by guilt and become defensive about the way he is living. Finally, the joy, contentment and peace from God are replaced by worry, doubt, and fear.
Early Light | A believer who allows himself to drift will miss out on the joy and fulfillment of a rich relationship with the Lord. Think back. Is your excitement about the things of God stronger than ever before? Or has it diminished over time? If your fire needs stoking, ask the Holy Spirit to show you how.
Friday 6 February 2009
My Conviction
The world didn't have the answers I was looking for. I needed assurance and direction in life. I wanted to know God. If He was really there I wanted Him to reveal Himself to me. I didn't turn to the Bible so I could live a happier life. I was happy but I still felt that there was something missing. I had transgressions that condemned me. There was no reason to live. There was no meaning. What's yours? Making you family happy? The only reason for me was to be happy and make others happy. But that didn't make sense. I started to think beyond that. Beyond life itself.
I was wasting my life in immoral living. Not immoral living standardized by society today, but by God's standards. His standards are so high Jesus said, even if you hate someone, you are a murderer at heart, and when you lust for a woman, you commit adultery with her in your heart.
I go to Church because I want to hear the Gospel spoken. I read the Bible because I yearn to learn more about our Creator and how to live better for His glory. I listen to Christian music because it glorifies Him. I seek to know more about God because He saved me through His Son our Lord Jesus.
I believe Jesus died on the Calvary cross for my sins and resurrected on the third day. He was conceived from a virgin born as a man, suffered as a man, died as a man, and resurrected as a man. He stepped onto Earth from Heaven, and back. The spiritual world to the physical with one step. He came to Earth to show us The Way. He made it clear he was the great I AM, suffered for us, and died for us to fulfill the purpose of the Law.
For our Creator to do that because He loved us so much is beyond words. How can I not praise Jesus! He sent His only son to suffer on Earth like a man, taking prosecution, hours of iniquity for our sins, the penalty we all deserved, and Jesus knew it was his purpose. Any man with a true heart would sacrifice himself for a brother. This is true love!
He was sent to rule over all nations in hope to redeem us to live for God and save us from our wicked ways. And he succeeded righteously! Just look all around the world. His Word has been spread over two thousand years. His kingdom is growing! And I want to help it grow! That is what a follower of Christ is supposed to do.
Honour our LORD!
Live every day for Jesus.
Amen!
I was wasting my life in immoral living. Not immoral living standardized by society today, but by God's standards. His standards are so high Jesus said, even if you hate someone, you are a murderer at heart, and when you lust for a woman, you commit adultery with her in your heart.
I go to Church because I want to hear the Gospel spoken. I read the Bible because I yearn to learn more about our Creator and how to live better for His glory. I listen to Christian music because it glorifies Him. I seek to know more about God because He saved me through His Son our Lord Jesus.
I believe Jesus died on the Calvary cross for my sins and resurrected on the third day. He was conceived from a virgin born as a man, suffered as a man, died as a man, and resurrected as a man. He stepped onto Earth from Heaven, and back. The spiritual world to the physical with one step. He came to Earth to show us The Way. He made it clear he was the great I AM, suffered for us, and died for us to fulfill the purpose of the Law.
For our Creator to do that because He loved us so much is beyond words. How can I not praise Jesus! He sent His only son to suffer on Earth like a man, taking prosecution, hours of iniquity for our sins, the penalty we all deserved, and Jesus knew it was his purpose. Any man with a true heart would sacrifice himself for a brother. This is true love!
He was sent to rule over all nations in hope to redeem us to live for God and save us from our wicked ways. And he succeeded righteously! Just look all around the world. His Word has been spread over two thousand years. His kingdom is growing! And I want to help it grow! That is what a follower of Christ is supposed to do.
Honour our LORD!
Live every day for Jesus.
Amen!
They Spoke in Tongues
I didn't want to bring up this subject until I studied it in depth with proper interpretation; comparing scripture with scripture. Now, I don't want to sound like I'm creating my own idea of what they meant by 'tongues,' but by comparing scripture with scripture this is what I understood.
In Mark 16:17 Jesus says,
Then in Acts 2:3 it says,
The first time I read the text about tongues in Romans I understood it as dialects. I don't believe that they were just babbling, but they were speaking a language that the other people didn't understand.
Tongues in Greek means dialect(Dialektos): the tongue or language peculiar to any people; an uncommon language belonging exclusively to a group or people.
This gets misinterpreted easily as someone babbling and not speaking a real language. A language must be interpreted, so it couldn't be just gibberish. To clarify, it was known to be a language, just not known to them. The Gentiles were speaking in another language. This refers back to Genesis 10:5; the division of the nations and division of languages, that's what God said he'd do, he has divide the nations. But he also brought together all tongues and nations. (Isaiah 66:18).
As it says in the text after tongues, it talks about different languages. In Acts 2:1-11 makes it clear it's just different languages. This is the difference when people don't look up the meanings of the words translated from Greek or Arabic and alter the meaning of the word, or just simply take the verse out of context. Without reading the whole passage it can be misinterpreted.
In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul speaks about spiritual gifts. Read verses 10-12. Then read verses 27-30.
In other parts of the Bible they use the word tongue for the actual tongue. So be careful on how this word is being used in text. It's sometimes confusing reading one verse such as 1 Corinthians 14:14. But if you continue reading it is explained.
Paul's esteem regarding the concern for tongues is clearly shown in 1 Corinthians 14. He makes it clear that 'Tongues Must Be Interpreted.' He said it's better if you can speak in a variety of tongues. He'd rather be able to utter just five words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language. (verse 19)
Be wise in understanding these matters. If believers and unbelievers come to your meetings and you are speaking in an unknown language, they will think you are crazy. But all of us who prophesy to unbelievers who don't understand should speak in their language, then they will understand this, and be convicted of sin and judged. When they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed and they will fall to their knees and worship God. (1 Cor 14:20-25)
Some people can speak in other tongues and some cannot. Don't be jealous. But if you can, don't try to speak to someone in other tongues. They will not understand you if it is not interpreted. (1 Corinthians 14:27-28)
In Mark 16:17 Jesus says,
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues.
Then in Acts 2:3 it says,
Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The first time I read the text about tongues in Romans I understood it as dialects. I don't believe that they were just babbling, but they were speaking a language that the other people didn't understand.
Tongues in Greek means dialect(Dialektos): the tongue or language peculiar to any people; an uncommon language belonging exclusively to a group or people.
This gets misinterpreted easily as someone babbling and not speaking a real language. A language must be interpreted, so it couldn't be just gibberish. To clarify, it was known to be a language, just not known to them. The Gentiles were speaking in another language. This refers back to Genesis 10:5; the division of the nations and division of languages, that's what God said he'd do, he has divide the nations. But he also brought together all tongues and nations. (Isaiah 66:18).
As it says in the text after tongues, it talks about different languages. In Acts 2:1-11 makes it clear it's just different languages. This is the difference when people don't look up the meanings of the words translated from Greek or Arabic and alter the meaning of the word, or just simply take the verse out of context. Without reading the whole passage it can be misinterpreted.
In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul speaks about spiritual gifts. Read verses 10-12. Then read verses 27-30.
Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not!
In other parts of the Bible they use the word tongue for the actual tongue. So be careful on how this word is being used in text. It's sometimes confusing reading one verse such as 1 Corinthians 14:14. But if you continue reading it is explained.
Paul's esteem regarding the concern for tongues is clearly shown in 1 Corinthians 14. He makes it clear that 'Tongues Must Be Interpreted.' He said it's better if you can speak in a variety of tongues. He'd rather be able to utter just five words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language. (verse 19)
Be wise in understanding these matters. If believers and unbelievers come to your meetings and you are speaking in an unknown language, they will think you are crazy. But all of us who prophesy to unbelievers who don't understand should speak in their language, then they will understand this, and be convicted of sin and judged. When they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed and they will fall to their knees and worship God. (1 Cor 14:20-25)
Some people can speak in other tongues and some cannot. Don't be jealous. But if you can, don't try to speak to someone in other tongues. They will not understand you if it is not interpreted. (1 Corinthians 14:27-28)
Thursday 5 February 2009
Charisma & Monologue
J. Lee Grady, the editor of Charisma Magazine
“My heart sank two weeks ago when I heard that Dr. D. James Kennedy had died at age 76 of complications from an earlier heart attack. Knowing that Jerry Falwell died in May, and considering that Billy Graham is not in good health, I wondered who could possibly replace these stalwart Christian statesmen.
The congenial Kennedy, who usually wore an austere clerical robe when he preached on his popular television broadcast, founded Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale 48 years ago. Yet his formal appearance was misleading—since his life’s mission was to train the average layperson to share the gospel.
Indeed, Kennedy’s most enduring legacy was Evangelism Explosion, a training course he started in 1970. Used in thousands of churches, it has helped Christians develop a confident approach to personal witnessing. Countless people have been trained to ask a simple question—“If God were to ask why He should allow you into heaven, what would you say?”— to jumpstart conversations with unbelievers.
It was that trick question, overheard on a radio broadcast, that led Kennedy to Christ in 1953. He gave the rest of his life to help people find the right answer. Now that he is dead, I pray his passion can be ignited in our hearts.
It seems as if personal evangelism is a dying art. Fewer of us are taking our faith beyond familiar circles of friends and family. Witnessing has become intrusive in a culture that demands tolerance and diversity. Knocking on doors is illegal in most neighborhoods. “Soul-winning” is an outdated term. Polls show that few Christians today have ever led a person to faith in Christ.
As our society has become more secular, our faith has become more timid. It is no longer cool to declare Jesus is the only way. So we don’t say it—we just hope people will figure out our message by listening to our music or by wandering into our churches at an odd hour on Sunday mornings.
I am especially disturbed that personal evangelism has lost its importance among those of us who call ourselves Pentecostal or charismatic. Many of our best evangelists have also passed into glory or are getting feeble. Yet when I look at the younger generation, it seems many leaders are focused on the inside of the church rather than the harvest fields.
Please don’t misunderstand me. I know we need prophecies, visions, dreams and spiritual experiences. We also need solid Bible teaching, powerful exhortation and the inspiration that comes from praise and worship. But it seems today our focus has turned totally inward. The church is ministering to the church. The pastor is preaching to the choir. And our message isn’t reaching beyond the vestibule.
When Jesus began His earthly ministry, He read from the book of Isaiah about the promise of the Holy Spirit. The passage in Isaiah 61:1 says: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted …” (NASB emphasis added).
This verse, which so dramatically captures the essence of Jesus’ ministry and ours, clearly lists evangelism as His priority. The Holy Spirit’s anointing does a lot of things—but we are told here that He clothes us with divine power so we can announce good news. In other words, we are not anointed simply to prophesy, receive revelations, experience spiritual goose bumps, shake, quake, rattle, roll, shout, raise hands, take offerings, receive offerings or obtain blessings and breakthroughs. All those things are great, but if we have them without evangelism then our faith becomes inverted and self-absorbed.
I’ve been in some great charismatic meetings where everyone falls on the floor at the altar. Some get up and go back for more anointing. In fact, we are known to pray: “More! Lord, give them more fire!” Then the people swoon again, roll around and act drunk. And they come back three more nights to have hands laid on them again.
We’ve become like actors in a perpetual dress rehearsal in which we repeat our lines over and over but never actually perform for an audience.What good is the anointing if we just wallow and splash in it like hungry hogs at a slop trough? I love the anointing as much as the next person. But when will we actually open our mouths and use it to preach to unbelievers? I want to stand up and scream, “Get off the floor and do something with this power!”
D. James Kennedy was an evangelical brother who did not preach about the baptism of the Holy Spirit, yet he taught people to pray for boldness and to look for every opportunity to share their faith. What would happen if churches that fully embrace the
Spirit’s anointing broke out of their self-imposed isolation and started preaching to everything that moves?”
It’s hard to address ourselves if we don’t PRACTICE! I know this by experience. I’m learning slowly but I’m listening to people’s reactions. It helps you understand how to preach properly and be concerned about the other person and hear them out. You should first understand the person, connect with them personally before sounding egotistical, and get critical to the point of exploding from nerves.
Take people’s reactions and their beliefs into consideration. It’s food for effective preaching!
Tuesday 3 February 2009
The Flood
Someone asks, why does God let bad things happen to good people?
As read in the Scripture, there are no good people only God is good. Man (Hebrew Adam) fell to sin in the garden of Eden.
Let's look at the story of Noah and the Ark. God flooded the whole earth to destroy all that He had created, and wipe out the existence of Man because of their disobedience and sin. But the Lord saw the goodness in Noah. So God asked Noah to build an Ark and take his wife, four sons and their wives into to the Ark and two of every species. The Lord wanted to save all creation afterall. He wanted to wipe out everything He created, but He saw hope in humanity.
O' America!
I would like to share a part of an e-mail forward by Ben Stein:
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'
In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'
Galatians 6:7-8
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
When we don't know the Lord and die, we not only die on earth, but spiritually. If you acknowledge your sins (fleshly desires) to God and accept the sacrifice of His flesh to you on Calvary Cross, repent (turn away from sin), and trust in Him. He will create you a new mind with new desires.
Fear of Death: Thought About Eternity Yet?
Fear of Death:
by Michael K. Lilley
Thought About Eternity Yet?
Fear of Death
Why does someone have to die for humanity to open it's heart to Jesus Christ?
If it's true that Jesus has abolished death and brought life and immortality through the gospel then you owe it to your good sense, your common sense and to your loved ones to see if there is an answer to your greatest dilemma—the power of death.
John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Self Righteousness
Everything you own, and everyone you love will be torn from you.
I knew I was gonna die and it didn't make sense. I found something so strong come up within my spirit. I wasn't interested in pleasures that would feed the cravings of my flesh(body). I found there was something within my heart that was stronger than the lustful pleasures or drunken escapades. Something came up inside me and I said, “I don't want to die!” That's the God given will to live. God placed eternity on my heart. And I pray that it will in you.
John 3:11-12
Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
Morality
It is equally “natural” for little children to lie, steal, slander, bash each other and break any commandment they have the strength to break. If morality were decided on the basis of what children do the moment they gain the ability to do it, life would be horrific. Morality is about choosing what is right above our natural inclinations.
Even adults can commence the practice without the slightest thought that moral issues might be involved. When the time comes to put aside childish things, it can be even harder to give up than our security blanket and thumb sucking.
Fear of Life
I had no control in my life. That was the biggest fear of mine—not being in control of my life. When I was 19, I finally gave up and asked God to give me a second chance. When I was 20, I asked God to show me how to live.
1 Corinthians 15:34
Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For your shame I say that some of you don't know God at all!
Conviction & Tribulation
Did you know that every word you say could be taken accountable for your salvation?
Jesus said, If you look at a woman with lust for her you commit adultery with her in your heart.
I found out that I had broken almost every one of the ten Commandments of God's Law. I knew I was going to Hell. There was no way out! When I was 22, I found the answer to life and it was in His Son Jesus Christ. It was God in the flesh! I understood what Jesus did on Calvary cross and I thank God that He hasn't killed me. I put my full trust in Him and control for my life.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57
O death, where is our victory? O death, where is your sting?
For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
God the Son, the Holy Spirit, and the Father
When we don't know the Lord and die, we not only die on earth, but spiritually. If you acknowledge your sins to God and accept the sacrifice of His Son to you on Calvary Cross, repent (turn away from sin), and trust in Him, He will create you a new mind with new desires. You will be a whole new creation.
Romans 12:2
And be not 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.
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