Posts

Image
  There is only one gospel. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ - which He came to proclaim to the world. (Mark 1:1). We read where Jesus came ‘preaching the gospel of the kingdom’ in Matt. 4:23 and 9:35. Jesus Himself specified “THIS gospel ...of the kingdom will be preached in all the world” (Matt. 24:14). But make no mistake about it: it is the ‘gospel of Christ’ (2 Cor. 2:12). It can also be said that not only was this gospel intended to be ‘believed’ in (Mark 1:15), but it was also written down and delivered to us to be ‘obeyed’ (Rom. 10:16; 2 Thess.1:8; 1 Pet. 4:17). I know; lots of people have a problem with that ‘obey’ part and it takes some time and effort to work through a lot of diluted teachings (Heb. 5:9; Acts 6:7; Luke 6:46; Matt. 7:21). But we were warned that there would be plenty of counterfeit ‘gospels’ that would arise over time, to which Paul instructed that anyone who did bring such corrupt or perverted versions... were to be ‘accursed’ (Gal. 1:6-9) Paul expressed...
Post a Comment
Read more
Image
  If you were to ask the average church member today...(anyone who might claim or profess to be a ‘Christian’) to share or explain the ‘gospel’ with you, I would imagine it would include the following verbiage... John 3:16 might be a starting point, followed up by the ‘4 spiritual laws’ and then a quick tour of the ‘Romans Road to Salvation’. A short summary would include how we are all sinners, in need of a Savior and God loved His fallen creation so much that He offered up His only Son to die on a cross as a form of ‘payment’ for our sins. Then after Jesus was buried ...three days later God raised Him up from the dead. He then sent His disciples out to proclaim this news that whoever ‘believed in Him’, and ‘accepted Christ as their personal Savior’, they too could go to heaven and live for eternity after they died. In the meantime, join a local church and hang out with likeminded people because God has a wonderful plan for your life and wants to use you to do great things for ...
Post a Comment
Read more
Image
  When God starts asking the questions, it’s not because He is looking for answers. He doesn’t need answers because He IS...the answer. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6) There is nothing that God does not know, as He is omniscient, or ‘all knowing’ (1 John 3:20) So when God does start asking questions, they are usually directed at us, and it’s not because He needs our advice or input either. God’s questions tend to be rhetorical in nature. The very definition of a ‘rhetorical question’ is a ‘question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer’. Over the past several years, I have begun to notice more of those questions that God asked, and continues to ask of us today. Let’s examine some of those, and why not begin with the very first two questions we have recorded that God directed at His creation back in the opening pages of Genesis. Interestingly, He asked these two questions AFTER...Adam and Eve 'sinned'...and...
Post a Comment
Read more
Image
  Resist him. Give him no place. Having done all to stand against him...stand therefore. We are not ignorant of his schemes and devices. He desires to ‘sift you as wheat’ in order to test you, and devour you, ‘as a lion would’. And it’s not as if you have yet resisted to the point of shedding blood. (like Jesus did) And let’s be clear here: There are serious consequences if you don’t...do as instructed here. Things could get bad quickly...if not worse for you.  The struggle is real; But so is God. It should also be pointed out here that by no means should we be afraid of him. God alone is to be feared. Nor should we be preoccupied with him; on the contrary...set your mind on things above. We’ve been given the necessary tools, or weapons...to successfully stand against and overcome him. We were made to be ‘more than conquerors’ Yes, the struggle is real; But again...so is God. And it is only by the power of His grace can you stand and do all things. And you better make use of...
Post a Comment
Read more
Image
  Abiding in Jesus is not something one ‘works at, trying to be better at doing...over time’. Either you are abiding in Christ, or you aren’t. And let’s not confuse the issue by either oversimplifying it or complicating ...what it means to abide in Him. If your 16-year old who just acquired their new drivers license tells you they are having a hard time keeping the car in their lane and tend to swerve into oncoming traffic frequently, or find themselves drifting onto the shoulder and even off the road...is your response going to be a simple: “Don’t worry....you will get better over time!”? I don’t think any state in the union will issue a DL to a new driver if they can’t keep the car in their lane. Something is wrong here, I'm guessing? The illustration I used yesterday, about ‘remaining’ in one’s seat after the pilot instructed the passengers to do as they flew through rough turbulence...if you get up to stretch your legs and the flight attendant asks why you are disregarding th...
Post a Comment
Read more
Image
  You say you were ‘saved’ at a youth revival when you were 12? Hallelujah! You tell us that you are a deacon at your church where you’ve been a ‘faithful member’ for 15+ years? Impressive. You mean you really teach a young adult Sunday School class AND...sing in the choir, not to mention take part in annual mission trips every summer? That is commendable. So let me ask you this: Are you abiding in Jesus? (not a ‘trick or gotcha’ question, I promise) I’m not sure how you personally want to answer that question, as it’s really directed for you to ask yourself (2 Cor. 13:5). But chances are that you may just assume you’ve been abiding in Jesus given those three opening statements might possibly have been made by you. But I would hope by now, we have enough understanding that one can be quite busy going ‘great things in the name of the Lord’...and still...not be ‘abiding in Christ’ (Matt. 7:22-23; 1 Cor. 13:1-3) Perhaps you are inclined to respond in this manner by saying: “I try.....
Post a Comment
Read more
Image
  As many of you probably know (friends from back in Texas) I taught school for a good number of years in the Prairiland district. I actually taught 9th grade algebra my first two years (If A = B...) before moving down to JRH where I taught Reading and English until I retired. So imagine with me here for a moment, this scenario: You are a parent and want to sit in and observe my class the first week of school; maybe because your precious child is a student of mine and you want to make sure I won’t ruin them. So those first five days of school have begun, and you hear me greet the class each day with glowing smiles and words of affirmation as I welcome them to a new year and grade level. Then, I begin to tell the students there will be weekly tests, like spelling and vocabulary words for example. I then go on to inform them that even though they might study beforehand and try really hard, it is unlikely that any of them will pass many of the tests, let alone ‘ace’ them with a perfe...
Post a Comment
Read more