Sunday, August 30, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Is the only way to the Father through Jesus?
Jesus said unto him, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. (John 14:6)
Repent and trust the gospel (Mark 1:15)
What would Ted Kennedy say to us now?
From Tony the Law Man
Do you profess to be a Christian, yet after hearing the news of Kennedy's death do you see it as an opportunity to celebrate, or to tell an off-colored joke, or to make a political statement? Well, if as a professing Christian you don't regularly share your faith with the lost, this would certainly explain why. After all, it's what comes out of the mouth that reveals the condition of the heart.
And for those Christians who are obedient to Christ's command to preach the gospel to the entire world, if you too are making light of Kennedy's death, don't you see the hypocrisy in the behavior?
While pundits and others from every political and spiritual persuasion will have much to say over the next several days about Ted Kennedy's life and legacy, if Ted Kennedy could say anything to us right now it would be this.
"Don't miss heaven."
Ted Kennedy's understanding of who God is and what God requires of every person is now perfect. No longer limited by the fallibility of a finite human mind as we are presently, Ted Kennedy's theology is now perfect. Regardless of where you believe Ted Kennedy is at this moment, I am confident that his plea to his fellow man would be, "Don't miss heaven."
My hope is that as he made the long and painful journey from life to death to eternity, Ted Kennedy came to genuine repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Although I saw Ted Kennedy as an enemy of the gospel of Jesus Christ, my hope is that I will one-day see Ted Kennedy in heaven.
Lord, help me to love my enemies.
What about you? Where will you spend eternity? Have you ever thought about it? Do you care?
You will one-day die and stand before the Creator, Almighty God, whom you've denied and mocked. He will judge you according to the perfect, moral standard of His Law. If He finds you guilty of so much as one lie, or one theft, or one greedy desire, or one selfish act, or one lustful look, or one hateful thought, or one blasphemous utterance; He will find you guilty of breaking His Law. The sentence you will receive will be just and good: eternity in Hell.
Your arguments against the righteous justice of Almighty God, my King, are irrelevant. My King is sovereign. You are not. And any man who tries to defend himself before the Great White Throne of the Creator and Judge of the Universe has a fool for a client.
God, who is rich in mercy, who is loving and kind, has provided only one way for you to escape His just and holy wrath. This is your only hope, whether you believe it or not.
Two thousand years ago, God the Father sent His Son to Earth in the person of Jesus Christ--fully-God and fully-Man, but without sin. Unlike you and me, He never once violated the Law of God in thought, word, or deed. He couldn't. He was God in the flesh--the sinless Lamb of God. He was born of a virgin, just as the prophet said He would be, 750 years before His birth.
Thirty to thirty-three years into that earthly existence He voluntarily went to the cross. He suffered, shed His innocent blood, and died a horrific death. The Bible says that he was so badly beaten and mutilated that He could barely be recognized as human. He suffered and died, taking upon Himself the punishment you and I rightly deserve for violating God's Law. Three days later He rose from the dead and forever defeated sin and death. Unlike the false gods of every other religion on the planet, Jesus Christ is alive and He will return at a time of the Father's choosing.
What He commands of you is that you repent--that you turn away from and forsake your sin; and that you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Jesus said that unless a person is born again he cannot enter the kingdom of God. If God causes you to be born again, then when you die and stand before Him, instead of receiving what you deserve for breaking God's Law (which is eternity in hell), you will receive what you don't deserve (which is grace, and mercy, and everlasting life in heaven, with Jesus Christ).
So, repent and believe the gospel while my King has given you time. Please, I beg of you, don't miss heaven.
I believe Ted Kennedy would agree.
Do you profess to be a Christian, yet after hearing the news of Kennedy's death do you see it as an opportunity to celebrate, or to tell an off-colored joke, or to make a political statement? Well, if as a professing Christian you don't regularly share your faith with the lost, this would certainly explain why. After all, it's what comes out of the mouth that reveals the condition of the heart.
And for those Christians who are obedient to Christ's command to preach the gospel to the entire world, if you too are making light of Kennedy's death, don't you see the hypocrisy in the behavior?
While pundits and others from every political and spiritual persuasion will have much to say over the next several days about Ted Kennedy's life and legacy, if Ted Kennedy could say anything to us right now it would be this.
"Don't miss heaven."
Ted Kennedy's understanding of who God is and what God requires of every person is now perfect. No longer limited by the fallibility of a finite human mind as we are presently, Ted Kennedy's theology is now perfect. Regardless of where you believe Ted Kennedy is at this moment, I am confident that his plea to his fellow man would be, "Don't miss heaven."
My hope is that as he made the long and painful journey from life to death to eternity, Ted Kennedy came to genuine repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Although I saw Ted Kennedy as an enemy of the gospel of Jesus Christ, my hope is that I will one-day see Ted Kennedy in heaven.
Lord, help me to love my enemies.
What about you? Where will you spend eternity? Have you ever thought about it? Do you care?
You will one-day die and stand before the Creator, Almighty God, whom you've denied and mocked. He will judge you according to the perfect, moral standard of His Law. If He finds you guilty of so much as one lie, or one theft, or one greedy desire, or one selfish act, or one lustful look, or one hateful thought, or one blasphemous utterance; He will find you guilty of breaking His Law. The sentence you will receive will be just and good: eternity in Hell.
Your arguments against the righteous justice of Almighty God, my King, are irrelevant. My King is sovereign. You are not. And any man who tries to defend himself before the Great White Throne of the Creator and Judge of the Universe has a fool for a client.
God, who is rich in mercy, who is loving and kind, has provided only one way for you to escape His just and holy wrath. This is your only hope, whether you believe it or not.
Two thousand years ago, God the Father sent His Son to Earth in the person of Jesus Christ--fully-God and fully-Man, but without sin. Unlike you and me, He never once violated the Law of God in thought, word, or deed. He couldn't. He was God in the flesh--the sinless Lamb of God. He was born of a virgin, just as the prophet said He would be, 750 years before His birth.
Thirty to thirty-three years into that earthly existence He voluntarily went to the cross. He suffered, shed His innocent blood, and died a horrific death. The Bible says that he was so badly beaten and mutilated that He could barely be recognized as human. He suffered and died, taking upon Himself the punishment you and I rightly deserve for violating God's Law. Three days later He rose from the dead and forever defeated sin and death. Unlike the false gods of every other religion on the planet, Jesus Christ is alive and He will return at a time of the Father's choosing.
What He commands of you is that you repent--that you turn away from and forsake your sin; and that you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Jesus said that unless a person is born again he cannot enter the kingdom of God. If God causes you to be born again, then when you die and stand before Him, instead of receiving what you deserve for breaking God's Law (which is eternity in hell), you will receive what you don't deserve (which is grace, and mercy, and everlasting life in heaven, with Jesus Christ).
So, repent and believe the gospel while my King has given you time. Please, I beg of you, don't miss heaven.
I believe Ted Kennedy would agree.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Quote of the day
"On Christ, and what he has done, my soul hangs for time and eternity. And if your soul also hangs there, it will be saved as surely as mine shall be. And if you are lost trusting in Christ, I will be lost with you and will go to hell with you.
I must do so, for I have nothing else to rely upon but the fact that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lived, died, was buried, rose again, went to heaven, and still lives and pleads for sinners at the right hand of God."
C. H. Spurgeon
I must do so, for I have nothing else to rely upon but the fact that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lived, died, was buried, rose again, went to heaven, and still lives and pleads for sinners at the right hand of God."
C. H. Spurgeon
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Quote of the day
Sinners in hell are not the fools they were on earth; in hell they do not laugh at everlasting burnings; in the pit they do not despise the words, “eternal fire.” The worm that never dieth, when it is gnawing, gnaws out all joke and laughter; you may despise God now, and despise me now for what I say, but death will change your note.
C. H. Spurgeon
Saturday, August 22, 2009
The Lost Doctrine
A follow up video from the Voddie Baucham quote. Paul Washer expounds a little deeper than the Voddie quote in a 7 minute video called "The lost Doctrine".
Hat Tip to the Word Street Journal
Hat Tip to the Word Street Journal
Friday, August 21, 2009
Quote of the day -
"Most Christians in our culture live like everyone else. There is little distinction between our lives and the lives of the pagans down the street. We wear the same clothes, watch the same movies, read the same books, send our children to the same schools, and sign the same divorce decrees as everyone else. Furthermore, there ought to be a sign posted in every Christian bookstore that reads, “The views expressed in these books do not necessarily express the views of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” I’m not saying, don’t read Christian books. I’m just saying, read them with discernment."
Voddie Baucham
Voddie Baucham
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The False Gospel of Prosperity Theology
Latest column from Albert Mohler, Jr.
"God knows where the money is, and he knows how to get the money to you." That was the message of Gloria Copeland as she was speaking at the Southwest Believers' Convention recently held in Fort Worth, Texas. The event drew the attention of The New York Times and reporter Laurie Goodstein contributed a compelling report about the meeting and its message.
The Southwest Believers' Convention drew a crowd of more than 9,000 to hear an "all-star lineup" of preachers deliver the message of the prosperity gospel. One by one, the preachers and the speakers enticed the gathered thousands by offering them the assurance that God wants them rich -- even fabulously rich.
As Goodstein reports, the preachers were not shy about drawing attention to the luxurious lives they lead. "Private airplanes and boats. A motorcycle sent by an anonymous supporter. Vacations in Hawaii and cruises in Alaska. Designer handbags. A ring of emeralds and diamonds." According to the preachers of the prosperity gospel, these are merely examples of the riches and rewards that come to those who have sufficient faith -- and invest sufficient funds in the ministries of the prosperity preachers.
The New York Times took note of the fact that the current recession and financial distress did not keep the crowd from attending the Southwest Believers' Convention. The event is part of the ministry of Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, described by Laurie Goodstein as the "current patriarch and matriarch" of the prosperity gospel. The paper summarized their message as the promise that if an individual has sufficient faith in God and donates generously, God will reward that generosity by multiplying the offerings a hundredfold.
Those who might curtail their donations during the recession were warned of the spiritual consequences. "Fear will make you stingy," said Kenneth Copeland.
Goodstein's report included the story of Edwige Ndoudi, who attended the meeting with her husband and three children. Pointing to the prosperity experienced by the Copeland's, Ndoudi asserted: "If God did it for them, He will do it for us." Similarly, Stephen and Millie Biellier brought their family from Missouri with the confidence that 2009 could be their "overcoming year," even though they are $102,000 in debt. They credit the Copelands with rescuing them from a financial crisis two decades ago, and are now among the Copelands' "partners" in ministry. The Biellers spoke of their excitement as they participated in an effort to buy the Copeland ministry a Citation X airplane. They joined the "Elite CX Team" after Mrs. Biellier said she heard the Holy Spirit tell her, "You were born to support this man." The couple gave $2,000 toward the airplane and recently gave $1,800 toward the ministry's purchase of high-definition television equipment. She is proud that the Copelands fly on a private jet, explaining that "trashy people like Hugh Hefner" also have private airplanes.
Read rest of column here
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've always wondered why the prosperity gospel is not preached in places like Ethiopia, Malawi, Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and dozens more of the poorest places on Earth.
Of all the people groups on Earth, shouldn't these folks be among the first Copeland and the like visit that God might reward their 'generosity by multiplying the offerings a hundredfold'?
Maybe the prosperity preachers have already discerned that the faith of the people in these countries might not be sufficient enough.
"God knows where the money is, and he knows how to get the money to you." That was the message of Gloria Copeland as she was speaking at the Southwest Believers' Convention recently held in Fort Worth, Texas. The event drew the attention of The New York Times and reporter Laurie Goodstein contributed a compelling report about the meeting and its message.
The Southwest Believers' Convention drew a crowd of more than 9,000 to hear an "all-star lineup" of preachers deliver the message of the prosperity gospel. One by one, the preachers and the speakers enticed the gathered thousands by offering them the assurance that God wants them rich -- even fabulously rich.
As Goodstein reports, the preachers were not shy about drawing attention to the luxurious lives they lead. "Private airplanes and boats. A motorcycle sent by an anonymous supporter. Vacations in Hawaii and cruises in Alaska. Designer handbags. A ring of emeralds and diamonds." According to the preachers of the prosperity gospel, these are merely examples of the riches and rewards that come to those who have sufficient faith -- and invest sufficient funds in the ministries of the prosperity preachers.
The New York Times took note of the fact that the current recession and financial distress did not keep the crowd from attending the Southwest Believers' Convention. The event is part of the ministry of Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, described by Laurie Goodstein as the "current patriarch and matriarch" of the prosperity gospel. The paper summarized their message as the promise that if an individual has sufficient faith in God and donates generously, God will reward that generosity by multiplying the offerings a hundredfold.
Those who might curtail their donations during the recession were warned of the spiritual consequences. "Fear will make you stingy," said Kenneth Copeland.
Goodstein's report included the story of Edwige Ndoudi, who attended the meeting with her husband and three children. Pointing to the prosperity experienced by the Copeland's, Ndoudi asserted: "If God did it for them, He will do it for us." Similarly, Stephen and Millie Biellier brought their family from Missouri with the confidence that 2009 could be their "overcoming year," even though they are $102,000 in debt. They credit the Copelands with rescuing them from a financial crisis two decades ago, and are now among the Copelands' "partners" in ministry. The Biellers spoke of their excitement as they participated in an effort to buy the Copeland ministry a Citation X airplane. They joined the "Elite CX Team" after Mrs. Biellier said she heard the Holy Spirit tell her, "You were born to support this man." The couple gave $2,000 toward the airplane and recently gave $1,800 toward the ministry's purchase of high-definition television equipment. She is proud that the Copelands fly on a private jet, explaining that "trashy people like Hugh Hefner" also have private airplanes.
Read rest of column here
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've always wondered why the prosperity gospel is not preached in places like Ethiopia, Malawi, Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and dozens more of the poorest places on Earth.
Of all the people groups on Earth, shouldn't these folks be among the first Copeland and the like visit that God might reward their 'generosity by multiplying the offerings a hundredfold'?
Maybe the prosperity preachers have already discerned that the faith of the people in these countries might not be sufficient enough.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Quote of the day -
“A barracks is meant to be a place where real soldiers were to be fed
and equipped for war, not a place to settle down in or as a comfortable
snuggery in which to enjoy ourselves. I hope that if ever they, our
soldiers, do settle down God will burn their barracks over their heads!”
CATHERINE BOOTH
and equipped for war, not a place to settle down in or as a comfortable
snuggery in which to enjoy ourselves. I hope that if ever they, our
soldiers, do settle down God will burn their barracks over their heads!”
CATHERINE BOOTH
Monday, August 17, 2009
Living their best life now.....
4 Christian Orphanage Workers Beheaded in Somalia
Somali Islamic extremists beheaded four Christians recently after kidnapping them last month, according to eyewitness accounts reported to International Christian Concern (ICC).
Members of the Islamic extremist organization Al-Shabaab had kidnapped Fatima Sultan, Ali Ma'ow, Sheik Mohammed Abdi, and Maaddey Diil on July 27 from their coastal town of Merca, 56 miles from Mogadishu, and eventually beheaded the Christians after they refused to renounce their faith in Jesus Christ.
The four Christians had been working for a local NGO that helps orphans in southern Somalia.
"Al-Shabaab has once again demonstrated its utter disregard for the dignity of human life,” commented Jonathan Racho, ICC's Regional Manager for Africa and the Middle East, after receiving news of the beheadings. “It is high time for the international community to take robust measures to end the heinous crimes that Al-Shabaab and other extremist groups are committing against the people of Somalia."
According to one eye witness account, all four of the “apostates” were given an opportunity to return to Islam and to be released “but they all declined the generous offer."
When they refused, all four were beheaded for apostasy and news of their deaths was passed along to their families on Aug. 4 by a junior Al-Shabaab militant who called himself "Seiful Islam" ("the Sword of Islam").
Rest of story here
Please continue to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world.
Somali Islamic extremists beheaded four Christians recently after kidnapping them last month, according to eyewitness accounts reported to International Christian Concern (ICC).
Members of the Islamic extremist organization Al-Shabaab had kidnapped Fatima Sultan, Ali Ma'ow, Sheik Mohammed Abdi, and Maaddey Diil on July 27 from their coastal town of Merca, 56 miles from Mogadishu, and eventually beheaded the Christians after they refused to renounce their faith in Jesus Christ.
The four Christians had been working for a local NGO that helps orphans in southern Somalia.
"Al-Shabaab has once again demonstrated its utter disregard for the dignity of human life,” commented Jonathan Racho, ICC's Regional Manager for Africa and the Middle East, after receiving news of the beheadings. “It is high time for the international community to take robust measures to end the heinous crimes that Al-Shabaab and other extremist groups are committing against the people of Somalia."
According to one eye witness account, all four of the “apostates” were given an opportunity to return to Islam and to be released “but they all declined the generous offer."
When they refused, all four were beheaded for apostasy and news of their deaths was passed along to their families on Aug. 4 by a junior Al-Shabaab militant who called himself "Seiful Islam" ("the Sword of Islam").
Rest of story here
Please continue to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
The Gospel is everything
Paul Washer at the Moody Bible Institute during the Legacy Conference -
Hat Tip to Witnessing Encouragement
Hat Tip to Witnessing Encouragement
Monday, August 10, 2009
Seniors Left Behind?
From The Christian Post:
One of the most controversial issues of the current health care reform debate is the concept of health care rationing-allocating medical care according to predetermined criteria that dictate how much and what kind of care a given patient will receive under a government-run system. Setting aside the comparative merits of various reform proposals on the table in Congress, Americans-particularly the elderly-should be wary of any plan that would limit access to health care based on the arbitrary and discriminatory criteria of age.
Rest of story here
-------------------------------------------------------------------
It's Ok as long as the government does it.
No one in America today is denied health services. If you can't afford it, it can't be denied to you. But if the government run system takes hold, you can bet there will be people denied and/or rationed basic health services for the 'elderly'.
At what age one is considered elderly will be the new debate in time to come!
Friday, August 07, 2009
Spurgeon moment
A man is very far gone in guilt when he reads grace the wrong way upwards, and
infers, from the longsuffering of the Lord, that he may continue in sin.
Charles Spurgeon
infers, from the longsuffering of the Lord, that he may continue in sin.
Charles Spurgeon
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
In Jesus' name
Va. Senate Panel Kills Bill Allowing 'Jesus' Prayers
A Virginia Senate committee killed legislation that would have restored the rights of state police chaplains to pray publicly "in Jesus' name" at public events.
Although the legislation passed the Virginia House last month in a 66-30 vote, the bill died Monday in the Senate Courts of Justice committee in an 8-7 voice vote.
The measure would have reversed a policy, implemented last summer by State Police Col. Steven Flaherty, that required state troopers to offer only non-sectarian prayers at public events.
The state police had passed the policy after a federal appeals court upheld a Fredericksburg City Council ban on referring to Jesus Christ in public prayers at the beginning of council meetings. Democrat Gov. Tim Kaine supported the policy.
Six chaplains resigned last year in protest over the order, saying they should be allowed to pray according to their conscience.
Pa. Senate Allows Jesus Prayer
"I am painfully aware that there are many here today, who have embraced beliefs systems other than mine," Stoltzfoos, lead pastor at Freedom Valley Worship Center near Gettysburg, prayed. "I am not here to say that everyone ought to believe as I do. But I can only pray to my God. If you believe in some other power, I invite you to address yours as I address mine.
"For those of us who are Christians, we pray in Jesus' name."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh, that Name........
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
There's just something about that name
Master, Savior, Jesus
Like the fragrance after the rain
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
There's just something about that name
Master, Savior, Jesus
Like the fragrance after the rain
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Let all heaven and earth proclaim
Kings and kingdoms will all pass away
But there's just something about that name
A Virginia Senate committee killed legislation that would have restored the rights of state police chaplains to pray publicly "in Jesus' name" at public events.
Although the legislation passed the Virginia House last month in a 66-30 vote, the bill died Monday in the Senate Courts of Justice committee in an 8-7 voice vote.
The measure would have reversed a policy, implemented last summer by State Police Col. Steven Flaherty, that required state troopers to offer only non-sectarian prayers at public events.
The state police had passed the policy after a federal appeals court upheld a Fredericksburg City Council ban on referring to Jesus Christ in public prayers at the beginning of council meetings. Democrat Gov. Tim Kaine supported the policy.
Six chaplains resigned last year in protest over the order, saying they should be allowed to pray according to their conscience.
Pa. Senate Allows Jesus Prayer
"I am painfully aware that there are many here today, who have embraced beliefs systems other than mine," Stoltzfoos, lead pastor at Freedom Valley Worship Center near Gettysburg, prayed. "I am not here to say that everyone ought to believe as I do. But I can only pray to my God. If you believe in some other power, I invite you to address yours as I address mine.
"For those of us who are Christians, we pray in Jesus' name."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh, that Name........
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
There's just something about that name
Master, Savior, Jesus
Like the fragrance after the rain
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
There's just something about that name
Master, Savior, Jesus
Like the fragrance after the rain
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Let all heaven and earth proclaim
Kings and kingdoms will all pass away
But there's just something about that name
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Dose of Ravenhill
You can be a cantankerous, bitter, rough, edgy, stiff, resentful, almost cruel kind of Christian, work yourself to death, say, "I guess I give out more tracts than anybody around here. I labor harder than anybody else" ...and miss the bus!
Friend I've been round the world a few times, it doesn't give me any standing with God. I happen to write a best seller or two, it doesn't give me any prestige with God.
God seeks those who worship Him. And I say again, I like what Wesley said, "Let me kiss Thy bleeding feet and bath and wash them with my tears."
When did you last seize Him by His feet and say,
"Master, I can't go another inch without meeting You this morning."
Leonard Ravenhill
Friend I've been round the world a few times, it doesn't give me any standing with God. I happen to write a best seller or two, it doesn't give me any prestige with God.
God seeks those who worship Him. And I say again, I like what Wesley said, "Let me kiss Thy bleeding feet and bath and wash them with my tears."
When did you last seize Him by His feet and say,
"Master, I can't go another inch without meeting You this morning."
Leonard Ravenhill
Monday, August 03, 2009
False Conversions
But some, who do run well at first, have hardly breath enough to keep the pace up, and so turn aside for a little comfortable ease, and do not get into the road again.
Such are not genuine Christians; they are only men-made, self-made Christians; and these self-made Christians never hold on, and never can hold on, because time wears them out, and they turn back to their former state.
Charles Spurgeon
Such are not genuine Christians; they are only men-made, self-made Christians; and these self-made Christians never hold on, and never can hold on, because time wears them out, and they turn back to their former state.
Charles Spurgeon
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