Looking For Christian Reviews On This Essay!

When I read the title of the latest post over at Herescope: Restoring the Gospel of Salvation, I was excited to read it. The title of the article, however, was a bit different from the title of the post, which asks, "Does not the salvation of sinners trump national restoration?"



Without revealing my reaction after reading the editorial, I present it here - in its entirety - so that readers can write their own thoughts, comments, positive and/or critical reviews about what was written in the essay. I am especially interested in what other Christians think about the article, though all are invited to share their opinions as well. I plan to reveal my thoughts, comments and reactions to the post sometime over the next two days.

Happy reading! I encourage each Christian reading here to put on your apologetics hat and take some time to comment about what you have read!

In Christ,

Christine

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Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Restoring the Gospel of Salvation

Does not the salvation of sinners trump national restoration?




An Editorial by Rev. Dr. Orrel Steinkamp



There is a new virus going around. Its called Christian political war gaming. Once the virus strikes it becomes a near obsession. I know a number of people who don’t get enough sleep because they are at their computers doing political war games. Once they lived healthy Christian lives. Their passion was the Gospel of saving individual sinners. Now they rarely have the time or energy for their former passion. Their affections have been alienated. They need a Gospel intervention.

Former websites that defended the Gospel of salvation now are mostly devoted to restoring an illusive American past and proving our present president is a stealth Muslim attempting to make America a Muslim caliphate. Joseph Farah, World Net Daily Christian conspiracy expert, is sure Obama has specific plans for Christian concentration camps.

Even if all this is true, why should this divert us from our mandate of preaching the Gospel to every creature? Why should we be attempting to infiltrate and dominate every political entity before the time of God's vengeance?

Paul wasn't worried about imperial palace intrigue in Rome. Obama is just being a politician from the Left. Like all politicians before him he has an agenda. We do not have to accept these principles and we can vote our conscience and financially support the campaigns of our choice. In the current political stalemate this could qualify me as a liberal. Well! I didn’t vote for Obama and I didn’t vote for McCain. I was comfortable with making a write-in choice, one I know my every reader would support. I don't like Obama's stance on many things personally, and I deeply resent his reference to two fathers on fathers day. But neither did I appreciate "born-again" President Bush's statement to Muslim leaders that we both pray to the same God.

Nevertheless, Romans 13 states with clarity that God puts up rulers of His choice for His purposes. I may not agree with God's choice and can't always see His purpose, but I am commanded to pray for the rulers our Sovereign God raises up.

Is it for Christian evangelists to suffer near frenetic emotional exhaustion in the political war games arcade? Is the eternal purpose of God hanging on such a thin thread? Is the biblical Jehovah really such a wimp deity, and a weak onlooker to the affairs of men, hoping Christians will overcome politically and take back dominion our God supposedly lost in the Garden of Eden and a establish the kingdom of God in the earth?

America survived Clinton, Hoover, and a corrupt Ulysses Grant, and it will continue to survive if it is God’s will. My God is a sovereign who could overcome Egyptian Pharaohs (after Israel was in bondage for 300 years) and could even raise up Cyrus, a pagan ruler, to accommodate Israel’s return to Jerusalem. Paul never ever looked to Rome except to use his Roman citizenship for the furtherance of the Gospel.

How must we look to the persecuted church? Are we by example suggesting they become political terrorists for the Kingdom of God and unnecessary martyrs? Janet Porter, in her June 8, 2010 WorldNetDaily column, suggested that some of us were like the pious Germans who held high their hymnbooks so they wouldn’t see the cattle cars on their way to exterminate Jews. (A classic false dichotomy.) What could they have done? Lay themselves on the tracks? The German Christians were culpable, not because of their hymn singing but because they made common cause with the goals and destiny of the Third Reich, as did the Vatican in Rome.

Jesus, whom we say is our example, shunned (not a strong enough word) political pursuits in the name of the Kingdom of God. Recall the story of when Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane. Peter rushed to action and struck off the soldiers ear. Jesus was so perturbed that He instantly restored it and said to Peter "put your sward [sic] in its sheath" (John 18:11).

The Jerusalem that Jesus entered was a political hotbed. The people were involved in every possible action to drive out the pagan Romans from the holy city. When Jesus entered on Palm Sunday He purposefully fulfilled an Old Testament prophesy of the coming messiah by riding into the city on a young donkey. "Hosanna in the Highest" the crowd cried. Hosanna means “save us now." They treated Him as political messiah who would use his supernatural powers to drive out the Romans and RESTORE JERUSALEM. Did they look for a suffering savior who would bear the sins of the people? Hardly! By the time Jesus went to the cross they were all long gone.

Even the Romans saw Jesus as political threat. The quisling Jewish leaders, in collaboration with the Romans, were afraid of a political uprising. But the Messiah came for the redemption of sinners, not a political restoration of the Jewish State. It is safe to say the reason Jesus died nearly alone is because it was not "His Hour" to Judge the nations. It was only "His hour" to go to the cross. Why did He die nearly alone?

The Jews, and even His disciples, expected Jesus "to save now, hosanna." The Dominionists today are crying "hosanna now." They claim we can restore what Jesus failed to do in His first advent. But the resurrected Jesus had to tell His disciples that it was not for them to know the times and the season that the Father has fixed, by His own authority," to restore the Kingdom to Israel.

On the cross Jesus could have called 10,000 angels for His rescue. But this would have totally contravened the plan of redemption from sin decreed by God (not "decreed" by a fake apostle!) from the foundation of the world. Redemption from sin remains to this day the focus of the kingdom of God. Jerusalem was filled with zealots (we would call them undercover militia). They were called the sicarii (Latin for dagger), for they hid daggers in their robes to assassinate Romans and collaborators. Even the Essene community at the Dead Sea was calling for a final battle between the Sons of God (Israel) and the Sons of Darkness.

Into this political milieu Jesus never uttered a solitary political word. He made it plain that “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). He, however, looked forward to when the Son of Man would RETURN and when He then would judge the nations. But until that great and awesome Day of the Lord, when the Savior would return on the clouds of glory, He was not striving for an earthly kingdom. He was content with establishing a church, His body upon the earth. Many in His day were offended by Him because He apparently had not political ambitions. Judas is speculated to be among them. Jesus asserted with force that His day to rule the nations awaited His second return, when He would judge the nations like a shepherd divides His sheep from the goats.

G. Peter Wagner, chief apostle of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), made a tactical decision to see Dominionism as temporarily consistent with democracy. I have not been able to locate when and where Wagner made such an "apostolic decree." But, indeed, the Kingdom of God cannot ultimately be a democracy. For Wagner and any other Dominionist, the democratic process can only be a way station on the road to their "kingdom of God on the earth," which is prior to the real Parousia.

Wagner's tactical decision (as opposed to strategic decision) was a major change. It opened the way for the false apostles and prophets to enter the political arena. So now "apostle" Lou Engle is free to lay apostolic hands of blessing on 3-time divorcee Newt Gingrich. Now the NAR apostles and prophets, thanks to Janet Porter and WorldNetDaily, can take their equal places in politics. Now they have the blessing of James Dobson, who endorsed Janet Porter’s May Day event at the Lincoln Memorial. Now Cindy Jacobs, prophetess extraordinaire, who had a visit of the Seraphim in her room that caught it on fire, can share the stage with Newt Gingrich. Now Rick Joyner, who has his own political action organization which he calls the Oak Initiative -- and who reportedly made a trip to heaven and heard Martin Luther repent of the Reformation -- can rub shoulders with James Dobson.

So now these self-anointed, self-appointed apostles of the NAR, laden down with false signs and wonders, false apostolic decrees, and false prophets -- who compete with each other in imaginary "can you top this" fraudulent oracles supposed to be from God -- have been given the kiss of acceptance by Christian Right politicians, including James Dobson. The apostles and prophets see this as a match made in heaven, a giant step toward appointing apostles as governors of every state and province in the world, complete with in-house prophetic seers to make supernatural decisions.

But I for one see it as blip in church history (like the Montanists of the 1st century), a match made in the pit of political desire for power before our King returns in His glory.

Just How Committed Are We?

Read a great political opinion piece in the Good News Etc. April edition that asks the question, Just how committed are we?

Author Frank Kacer writes:

Over the years I've called many to task for not being engaged in the cultural battles, and in particular the political realm that's failed us at virtually every level of government. I've shown a particular concern over pastoral leadership that is more concerned about church growth and not offending than openly proclaiming righteousness and equipping their flocks to influence our society -- whether our neighborhood, cities, state, nation, or beyond.

In some sense, the opposite has occurred. Instead of us being the salty antiseptic and preservative, we're called to be for the common good -- the rotting culture has invaded our personal lives, families, and even our worship. Instead of being thoroughly equipped to share God's truths and light, in many ways we've settled for a designer faith suited to our individual, compromised tastes. Instead of fulfilling our mandate to love our neighbor, the government and a myriad number of secular organizations have co-opted our role, seeing our Christian witness as irrelevant to the decay around us.

Are there exceptions? Of course there are. But far too few compared to the number that claim the name of Christ. In some sense, the culture is a reflection of us. As our community of faith has become compromised (drug abuse, divorce, abortion, immorality, etc.) the society has just taken it further with no accountability.

Where has this slide into a weak, unengaged Christendom brought us?

The recent battle over passage of Health Care legislation shows how unrestrained and out of touch our government has become. We share responsibility for this through a long term pattern of apathy and inward, not outward focus. This fiasco has shown the incredible power and arrogance of politicians unmoved by any understanding of the need for limited government, the baseness of man's nature, and the destructiveness of fiscal irresponsibility.

The impact of total government control of health on the sanctity of life, and the treatment of the elderly and the frail will be devastating as it takes over life and death decisions from conception to death, and removes any allowance for conscience by health practitioners and distributors. The cascade of legislation we can now expect will be dizzying: amnesty of illegal aliens, overturning of the federal DOMA, silencing of conservative talk radio, direct confrontation of biblical preaching as hate speech, and on and on.

If the "Christian" community doesn't wake up, if it thinks government will leave it alone -- if it just wants to be comfortable while virtually all major media, entertainment and government power is being arrayed against it -- then the time will come, rather quickly, that it will be forced to face persecution unseen in our nation's history. As this begins to happen, how committed will you be? How much have you weighed the cost, thought through whether you'll hide or take up your cross each day and fight for righteousness and the glory of God?

Like it or not, recognize it or not, we are in a war for life itself. Our generation has seen the tipping point and it will only get worse if we ignore the warning signs. Bear in mind, the rest of this year is crucial in many ways. Christians as well as non-Christians are finally upset with the failure of government to show any restraint. Primaries and mid-term elections in the fall can send a powerful message that enough is enough. I'll ask again, how committed are we? Are we willing to do everything we can to elect those that represent our values? Are we willing to remove from government those with an ideological blindness trying to create an environment corrosive to the gospel and our fulfilling our cultural mandate? Are we willing to research candidates, encourage good one, walk precincts, fund campaigns, call friends and neighbors and encourage them to become actively involved? Are we willing to tithe our time, talents, treasures, and prayers to turn the tide in removing elitists and replacing them with men and women that respect and support our values, our freedoms and our faith?

If the last year has not brought you to the point of doing something, what will? If not this year, when?

Frank Kacer is director of the Christian Citizenship council of San Diego. He can be reached at frankkacer@hotmail.com.

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When I read that essay, it seemed like Kacer was reading my mind!! I have been very disappointed in some fellow Christian friends and acquaintances who have sat on their rears and not spoken out against this gangster government that is robbing us blind of our wealth, our freedoms, our moral, values, and ethics, and are running up a tab of debt that will be impossible for our children and grandchildren to ever pay back!

Despite all of these facts, there are people who just choose to keep their heads in the sand. Case in point.

Many months ago, a fellow Christian friend encouraged me to join Facebook. I must have received three email invitations from her over the course of several months. I also received invitations from two other blogging friends. Finally, I decided to join and my daughter set me up. I linked my Talk Wisdom blog via Networkedblogs, and my postings appear on my home page and the pages of my friends. The following is a description of an incident that recently happened. The names have been changed for privacy purposes.

I went to my Facebook email system and attempted to invite four friends to a new Bible study on the topic of Heaven. One of the four friend links wasn't showing up and I wondered what had happened. We had been friends for several months now. I come to find out that "Terry" deleted me from her friends list! I thought that maybe some kind of error occurred, so I sent an new friend request message to her.

Meanwhile, another friend told me that she was told by "Terry" that she had deleted me because she thought that her other friends might be offended by what I post.

Oh my....how controlling can a person get?

As soon as I found this out, I rescinded my "friend request." She gave me some lame excuse about not wanting "anything political" on her page. I wrote back:

Did you know that there is an icon to the right of each post on the Newsfeed that says "hide"?

Did you know that there is an icon to the right of each post on your profile page that says "remove"?

All you need to do is run your cursor over there and the words will appear so that you can either hide or remove any "objectionable" post.

I always knew that you were a very controlling type of person, but I never dreamed that you would be THIS controlling! Free speech and all that - you know - the rights that our Constitution guarantees all of us.

Sorry, but I think that your excuse that some of my posts might "offend" your other friends is quite lame.

When I told my daughter what you did she said, "A real friend would never do that."

I think I agree.

*******

I also wrote back to my other friend "Karen" and said:

Look. I know that there are people in my husband's family who are raging liberals and probably don't like what I write. But even THEY never thought to delete me!

If she apologizes to me then I will reconsider. If she doesn't, then forget it! This incident will always be in the back of my mind as quite the insult.

What I write about at my blog are important things about what is happening in our country today. Heck! Her own brother moved to another country because of Obama's policies! What does that tell us?

I know that much of what I write at my blog doesn't interest you either. So be it! But you didn't delete me.

I think that she is a coward if she has to be so "frightened" about what her other friends may think about my postings. I would really like to know just who complained?

On the other hand, I write a LOT of good blog posts that are Christian and encouraging in nature. Therefore, she and her friends are missing out on them.

Because of the error of the Obama election, I have been reading, reporting, observing, writing and protesting (at local TEA Parties) over the past two years. We are in danger of losing many of the freedoms that most Americans have taken for granted!

I hope to God that I am wrong and that our nation will survive as the Constitutional Republic that the Founders began when the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were written.

Ben Franklin once said (to a lady who asked "what kind of government have you given us, sir?) "A Republic - if you can keep it." Ronald Reagan once stated that if we aren't careful and diligent, we are only one generation away from losing our Republic. He also stated:

“Are you willing to spend time studying the issues, making yourself aware, and then conveying that information to family and friends? Will you resist the temptation to get a government handout for your community? Realize that the doctor’s fight against socialized medicine is your fight. We can’t socialize the doctors without socializing the patients.

Recognize that government invasion of public power is eventually an assault upon your own business. If some among you fear taking a stand because you are afraid of reprisals from customers, clients, or even government, recognize that you are just feeding the crocodile hoping he’ll eat you last.” - Ronald Reagan

If informing people about the dangers of this current terrible gangster government is something that "Terry" wants suppressed from her friends, then I REALLY feel sorry for her!

Now that "Terry" knows that she can hide any objectionable posts that she sees posted by me, she has NO EXCUSE for not adding me back to her friend list. It is the height of insult to do what she did and if she doesn't apologize and admit that she was wrong, then I have no choice but to believe that she just could care less about our friendship.

It's really ironic! "Terry" was one of the first people to email me (months before I decided to join) and invite me to join Facebook. I had accumulated about 5 invitations from people before I took the "plunge" and joined. I thought that since I was too busy blogging, I wouldn't have time to attend to the Facebook page. Then, my daughter told me that lots of people connect their blogs to their Facebook pages. That convinced me to join.

I am so sorry that you are in the middle of all of this. But it just couldn't be helped. It's not your fault and I don't blame you one bit. I blame "Terry." I know that you think that she "didn't mean anything by it," and "didn't mean to hurt me." If those are true and genuine statements, then she should take the necessary actions to repair the situation.

*******

Everyone reading this will have their own opinion about this particular incident. So be it. But my opinion isn't any less valid.

In fact, I think that sounding the alarm bells is greatly needed amongst those who would lay down and let the Marxists set up a tyranny right before our very own eyes here in America!

I am used to rejection. I have gone through it in the sales industry and while attempting to witness about the Gospel of Jesus Christ to nonbelievers. But when a friend is willing to turn a blind eye from the current government takeover of our Constitutional Republic and let radicals in power turn it into a repressed socialist country like that Commie Hugo Chavez did in Venezuela, then I think that it is THEY who need to wake up from their stupor and do all that they can to help spread the word and work to save the nation for our children and grandchildren!

Letting this horrible regime run roughshod over our Constitution, Declaration of Independence, freedoms, liberty and inalienable rights guaranteed by God our Creator; while not doing anything within our power to turn the tide back for the sake of our country's future, is a terrible sin!

There are examples in the Bible where women faced possible death for confronting kings! Did they shrink away from their responsibility? NO!

I don't think that we should shrink away from our current responsibility to change the direction of this country from the evil track it is on today. We desperately need to get America back to a sane, conservative morals, values, ethics, and limited government!

This is no time for apathy!! We all need to become Christian culture warriors in this current war against our liberty and freedom!

These clowns in Congress are supposed to serve US! WE THE PEOPLE surround THEM - NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND!

November will be a huge wake up call. VOTE OUT ALL THE BUMS THAT DIDN'T LISTEN TO WE THE PEOPLE!

I continue to listen, report, work, and pray that our nation survives this national nightmare.

I hope and pray that readers here will wake up and do the same!






Hat Tip:

Good News Etc. online edition

Congrats Charlie!

I'd like to take this opportunity to share with readers here how very proud I am of my son! He has been named "Trainer of the Month" at Fitness Together!

The following is a portion of the newsletter announcement:


Charlie works very hard around the studio and helps out in many ways, but mostly his clients think he is motivating, fun and gets them to their fitness goals. Here is a quote from Charlie's client Linnea Goodrich.

"I can honestly say that Charlie is the main reason I am so committed right now. Having started with him before my accident, he is aware of my potential and has been able to tailor my workouts specifically to me. It has been challenging for both of us to keep our sessions interesting since I was so physically limited in what I could do. He has been my biggest fan in cheering me on every step of the way, knowing exactly when to push me to do more and understanding what I can not do. He really knows how to motivate me and has done a great job with playful competitions between my Dad and Mikael and me. (since he trains all three of us)"

Another client, Ken Coley, has this to say about Charlie:

In July of 2008 I came to Fitness Together with some very specific goals. I wanted to loose about 17-18 pounds, 2 inches on my waist, to gain flexibility and strength, and generally wanted to improve my overall health. Charlie did a fitness and diet evaluation. He then designed a workout program and a healthy diet for me. I was working out 2-3 times a week and also exercising on my own. Within 6-8 weeks I was at my desired weight and I went from a 36" to a 34"trouser size. Charlie was great at working with my special needs. With tendinitis in my right shoulder and sciatica in my right hip, he made sure I worked those areas in a way that gained strength but did not further any injury or pain. I traveled extensively during that time, so Charlie would recommend workout programs for me when out of town. Charlie then changed my workouts to focus more on strength training. I have maintained my desired weight while gaining strength and flexibility. Charlie did a great job of working with my personal needs and goals, while making the entire process fun and challenging. Thanks Charlie and Congratulations on being named Trainer of the Month.

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Charlie has been with Fitness Together for about one and a half years. The studio where he works just started the "Trainer of the Month" award and Charlie is the first recipient getting such recognition.

Congratulations Charlie! Our entire family is SO VERY PROUD OF YOU!

Glenn Beck's "We Surround Them"

I am a big fan of Glenn Beck's radio show and his new television show on the Fox News Channel. With all of the craziness that surrounds Resident Obama and his neo-Marxist policies, it is a breath of fresh air to discover that there are many people across America who profoundly reject what this new administration is trying to do to America.

Read all about We Surround Them at Glenn Beck's website. Take special note of the nine principles and 12 values.

The Nine Principles

1. America is good.

2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.

3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.

4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.

5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.

6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.

7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.

8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.

9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.

12 Values

Honesty
Reverence
Hope
Thrift
Humility
Charity
Sincerity
Moderation
Hard Work
Courage
Personal Responsibility
Friendship

You Are Not Alone

Now THAT'S a very comforting statement in the midst of all the turmoil and liberal left lies that we are experiencing on a daily basis today!

Glenn's site states:

If you agree with at least seven of those principles, then you are not alone. Please send a digital version of your picture to: wesurroundthem@foxnews.com and then stay tuned to the radio and television shows over the coming weeks to see how we intend to pull back the curtain.

We Surround Them-The Unveiling
March 13th on FOX News 5pm ET

HT: Glenn Beck.com

Also see article about this at WorldNetDaily:

OBAMA WATCH CENTRAL
Will 'We Surround Them' launch revolution?
Glenn Beck warns about falling for 'Wizard of Oz lie'

His Country's Man

I found John McCain's speech very patriotic, genuine, and filled with America's greatness. This is quite a contrast from the constant negativity being spewed during the DNC convention last week. Obama's speech "among the Greek pillars" was a show - not very genuine IMO.

McCain shared many great points. I think that the best statement was when he stated that after his captivity for five years in a cell in Vietnam, he was no longer "his own man - he was his country's man."

What a contrast between Cindy McCain's life and love of country vs. Michele Obama's statements in the past like when she said, "for the first time in my adult life - I am proud of my country."

Michele must have been coached to change her image at the DNC convention. She certainly wasn't "herself" there. She tried to re-make herself and hide her previously nasty tones. The coaches helped her to put on a new wardrobe and a new hairdo - all with the goal of putting forth a kinder, gentler image. For me? It didn't work. I already knew the real Michele Obama - all too well.

While watching the video of Cindy McCain and all that she has done to help others, I couldn't help but think about one of Michele Obama's most disturbing lines during the campaign. It was when she was "encouraging" a crowd of supporters to get out and work. She also told them, 'Barack will NEVER let you go back to the way you used to live' - or something like that. How arrogant a statement is that?? Does she think that she and her husband will get into office and create some kind of Marxist-type utopia complete with their minions of "worker bees" at their beck and call?

What a HUGE contrast there is between the two would-be First Ladies.

Back to McCain's speech.

Our choice couldn't be more stark, or more clear. Either the country will elect an inexperienced candidate - who is known for his corrupt associates and was was "selected" by the DNC, the MSM, the Soros millionaire types, the Hollywood crowd, and the Obamabot followers - or, they will be wise enough to see through that charade and elect a true patriot, America lover and defender who will work for YOU, protect and defend our nation, and put country first - rather than get into office for the purpose of his own glory.

I continue to pray for the election of John McCain.

More tomorrow. Goodnight!

Transcript link: 'I'm running for president to keep the country I love safe'

Excerpt:

I was in solitary confinement when my captors offered to release me. I knew why. If I went home, they would use it as propaganda to demoralize my fellow prisoners. Our Code said we could only go home in the order of our capture, and there were men who had been shot down before me. I thought about it, though. I wasn't in great shape, and I missed everything about America. But I turned it down.

A lot of prisoners had it worse than I did. I'd been mistreated before, but not as badly as others. I always liked to strut a little after I'd been roughed up to show the other guys I was tough enough to take it. But after I turned down their offer, they worked me over harder than they ever had before. For a long time. And they broke me.

When they brought me back to my cell, I was hurt and ashamed, and I didn't know how I could face my fellow prisoners. The good man in the cell next door, my friend, Bob Craner, saved me. Through taps on a wall he told me I had fought as hard as I could. No man can always stand alone. And then he told me to get back up and fight again for our country and for the men I had the honor to serve with. Because every day they fought for me.

I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else's. I loved it not just for the many comforts of life here. I loved it for its decency; for its faith in the wisdom, justice and goodness of its people. I loved it because it was not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for. I was never the same again. I wasn't my own man anymore. I was my country's.

I'm not running for president because I think I'm blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need. My country saved me. My country saved me, and I cannot forget it. And I will fight for her for as long as I draw breath, so help me God.

HT: Politico

For The Cause Of Jesus Christ

A young African martyr wrote these words in his prison cell before he died:

"I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed, the die has been cast, I have stepped over the line, the decision has been made--I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ--I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure--I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I won't give up, shut up, let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up for the cause of Jesus Christ.

I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till everyone knows, work till He stops me and when He comes for His own, He will have no trouble recognizing me because my banner will have been clear."

Some awesome, inspirational truth written by a man who was truly dedicated to Jesus Christ!

Source: Erwin Lutzer, Where Do we Go From Here? (Chicago: Moody Press), p. 47.

The Blacksmith's Shop

After reading just a few of the short articles in Max Lucado's first book, On the Anvil, I can certainly see why he has become one of the most read and beloved inspirational Christian authors over the past two decades!

The introduction of the book sets the stage for everything else that follows. His presentation is an awesome allegory that explains what harm sin has done to our souls and how our Master, Jesus Christ, calls us out of that "junk pile." Lucado demonstrates that Jesus uses certain tools to shape us towards our calling in life.

The Blacksmith's Shop

In the shop of a blacksmith, there are three types of tools.

Outdated,

Broken,

Dull,

Rusty.

They sit in the cobwebbed corner, useless to their master, oblivious to their calling.

There are tools on the anvil:

melted down,

molten hot,

moldable,

changeable.

They lie on the anvil, being shaped by their master, accepting their calling.

There are tools of usefulness:

sharpened,

primed,

defined,

mobile.

They lie ready in the blacksmith's tool chest, available to their master, fulfilling their calling.

Some people lie useless:

lives broken,

talents wasting,

fires quenched,

dreams dashed.

They are tossed in with the scrap iron, in desperate need of repair, with no notion of purpose.

Other lie on the anvil:

hearts open,

hungry to change,

wounds healing,

visions clearing.

They welcome the painful pounding of the blacksmith's hammer, longing to be rebuilt, begging to be called.

Others lie in their Master's hands:

well tuned,

uncompromising,

polished,

productive.

They respond to their Master's forearm, demanding nothing, surrendering all.

Wow! What a metaphor for describing one's journey towards salvation in Jesus Christ! Can you relate to this in your own life? I sure can!

I thought long and hard about where I am on that "tool" list. I think that I am halfway between still "lying on the anvil" and "lying in the Master's hands." The Holy Spirit's leading has helped me to be well tuned to God's Word, and uncompromising in it's application to life today. However, I need to confess and admit that the Lord is still working on me to be "polished" and "productive."

There are people whom I know who are definitely well tuned, uncompromising, polished, productive. People like John MacArthur, Dr. David Jeremiah, various Christian authors like Max Lucado, Pastor Miles McPherson...to name a few. I see them preach from the pulpit. I hear about their missionary work. I read their awesome books. Yes. They are polished and productive and able to reach out and encourage other Christians to do the same.

In Chapter One, Lucado shares what it is like to be in "the pile of broken tools."

To find me, look over in the corner of the shop,

over here,

behind the cobwebs,

beneath the dust,

in the darkness.

There are scores of us,

broken handles,

dulled blades,

cracked iron.

Some of us were useful once, and then...many of us never were.

But, listen, don't feel sorry for me.

Life ain't so bad here in the pile...

no work,

no anvils,

no pain,

no sharpening,

And yet, the days are very long.

Are you broken too?

Do you think God might be calling you "off the pile"? What would that require of you?

When I first read that, I though that Lucado was speaking about the unsaved. Then, I realized that he was speaking about Christians!!

"Some of us were useful once, and then...many of us never were."

Ouch!! Convicting words...Amen?? The rest of the article includes the portion that I had included in a previous post.

We are all somewhere in the blacksmith's shop.

We are either on the scrap pile,
IN THE MASTER'S HANDS ON THE ANVIL,
Or in the tool chest.

Some of us have been in all three.

In this classic collection of inspirational reading, best-selling author Max Lucado takes us on a tour of the blacksmith's shop - examining every tool and looking in every corner, from the shelves to the workbench, from the water to the fire...

And I'm sure that somewhere you'll see yourself.

Yes. I have seen myself as all three kinds of tools - useless, longing to be rebuilt and called, and responding to the Master's forearm.

Perhaps the "polished" and "productive" part is included in the process of sanctification? It is a lifetime journey...is it not?

I think that Christians can have their moments of being polished and productive. However, attaining true excellence in such an area is something to continually strive for. We don't want to rest upon any "laurels" now do we?

I used to feel guilty when I felt like I wasn't doing as much as I have witnessed my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ were doing for the Lord. I would think to myself, 'am I too lazy'? What else should I be doing? As Pastor Miles often says, "Do Something!"

Reading Lucado's next paragraph helped me.

We'll discover what Paul meant when he spoke of becoming "an instrument for noble purposes." And what a becoming it is! The rubbish pile of broken tools, the anvil of recasting, the hands of the Master--it's a simultaneously joyful and painful voyage.

I realized that to be an instrument of noble purposes requires constant "becoming." We have never "arrived," so to speak.

I have felt both the pain of Christian evangelism, as well as the simultaneous joyfulness along the way of this voyage. Of course, I am so blessed to live in the U.S. where pain and suffering is minimal compared to the persecution that Christians endure in much of the rest of the world. Therefore, to whom much is given, much is required.

For those who make the journey -- who leave the heap, enter the fire, and dare to be pounded on God's anvil--a grand privilege awaits: to be called one of God's chosen instruments.

SEE YOU IN THE SHOP

I'm willing...are you?

Be A Light Where God Asks You to Go

Weekend, October 13 & 14

Beyond the Gates: Surrender in Thailand

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

Recommended Reading

Exodus 3:1-4:17

Ash and Anji Barker, and their little daughter, Amy, moved from Melbourne, Australia, to the Klong Toey slum community in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2002. No strangers to the challenges of ministering to the urban poor, they were met with initial challenges in Bangkok that seemed overwhelming. Within six months, Ash contracted an illness the local doctors couldn't identify; and while taking care of him, Anji began suffering with the early stages of dengue fever. Two deathly ill parents watched their daughter entertain herself trying to understand Thai cartoons on the television. The words to the hymn "I Surrender All" kept ringing in Ash's ears: "All to thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all."

Ash reflected on the decision they had made to minister to Bangkok's urban poor. "Who am I to do such a task?" he had prayed. "I know I am lots of things, Lord, but I am no [Saint] Francis or [Saint] Patrick." And he seemed to hear the Lord say, "You don't have to be someone else. Just light the candles I give you to light."

When you consider going beyond your own gates for the sake of others, you're only responsible to be a light where God asks you to go.

The greatness of a man's power is the measure of his surrender.

William Booth

Read-Thru-the-Bible

Luke 19:1 - 20:47 ;

Luke 21:1 - 22:71

HT: Turning Point Online

This Ideological Battle

GCM Watch kindly, graciously, and most importantly, truthfully, responds to my previous post at their blog with We Will Not Neglect to Do Good.

Sometimes I read comments at other blogs (usually the liberal gay "christian" ones) that make outrageous claims about Bible believing, born-again followers of Christ.

Here's a brief list of some claims I have read in the past (about me and other bloggers listed in my previous post):

1. She (they) must be closeted gays.
2. She (they) have an unnatural "obsession" about gays and/or lesbians.
3. She (they) are haters, bigots, intolerant, unloving...yada...yada...yada.
4. She (they) must not have a life.
5. She (they) are Bible "idolators." (Now THATS a new one!)
6. She (they) are too rigid in their beliefs (the "love thy neighbor" defense for approval of homosexual behavior).
7. She (they) _______________________. (Your turn to fill in the blank!)

The fact is, in this day and age, countering the homosexual agenda is front and center in not only the social issues of our day, but also the religious issues confronting us at this time in history.

Regarding the social/society end of the spectrum, I recently received a newsletter from the Alliance Defense Fund (notice the new banner at top of blog) which points out all the ways and methods that the ACLU and their allies (including the NEA and GLSEN) are hell bent on forcing all students to undergo homosexual indoctrination in the public schools - with or without parental permission - and are determined to take away parents' rights IN ORDER FOR GROUPS LIKE THE ACLU, NEA, AND GLSEN to promote their evil agenda.

Don't believe me?

Here's a quote from a health textbook for high school freshmen:

"You may come to the conclusion that growing up means rejecting the values of your parents."

Have you ever read anything so completely brazen and hypocritical as that??

It gets worse; far worse.

I am currently awaiting permission (and, hoping to receive an emailed copy so I don't have to type it all!) to post the ADF newsletter about the homosexual onslaught that is being dumped upon our children in public schools.

Despite this bad news, we can still take heart! The leading Christian legal alliance (ADF) is standing up to them - and winning. More on the details in an upcoming post.

For now, I want to share the letter I wrote to ADF today:

Dear Mr. Alan Sears,

First, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation for all that you and ADF are doing to defend our religious rights and freedoms in America.

I am also writing to request permission to post the letter that I recently received in the mail entitled "Homosexual Agenda: Taking Away Parents' Rights."

I have a blog called TalkWisdom which is dedicated to to defending the tenets and values of Biblical Christian faith. I include many of the social issues of our day to my readers with the hope that some will rise up as Christian Culture Warriors who are willing to share our worldview and stand up for Jesus Christ in our present circumstances.

When I read the mailed ADF newsletter, I was particularly upset to read that liberal clergy are now being allowed into the schools to help with the homosexual indoctrination of our children. Yet, several years ago when my son and daughter were in high school, the GSA advisor and assistant principal would not allow an ex-gay speaker (who happens to be a born-again Christian) into the school to speak to the students. We even told them that his message would not be overtly Christian nor proselytizing in nature; just about how his HIV status had led him through his own journey out of homosexuality. He was flatly denied a chance to speak to the group.

Now, years later, I read that a liberal-left "clergy" member is welcomed into these indoctrination assemblies just because he agrees with the radical pro-homosexual agenda.

I have blogged about the dangers of the gay "christian" movement and the "clergy" who have absolutely turned their backs on the truth of the Bible and have allowed sin, evil, and homosexual proclivities into their invented heretical doctrines.

Why do such "clergy" get access to our children in the public schools, but born-again evangelical Christians and/or ex-gays are not allowed to speak because of "religious reasons?" This is so hypocritical, it's astounding!

I have recently mailed a donation to ADF, placed your organization's banner at my blog (http://talkwisdom.blogspot.com/), signed the "My Religious Freedom: Add Your Voice" pledge, and would also like to post the entire letter that I received from ADF at my blog.

If permission is granted, would you be kind enough to send an email copy so I can cut and paste it to my blog?

Thank you for your consideration in this matter. May God continue to bless the great work that you are doing throughout our nation. I am certainly with you in this effort to stand up stand up for Jesus Christ and our Judeo-Christian morals, values and rights in our present circumstances. I agree that we need to share the truth in love, for Jesus is our Savior, Lord, and King, and His love needs to be shed abroad in our hearts and in our world - now.

Sincerely,

Christine

Hopefully, I will get an emailed copy to post. If you haven't heard all of the horrible details of what is happening in our schools regarding homosexual indoctrination, you will most likely be shocked by what I will share in my next post.

For now, I want to share one paragraph that led me to write to Alan Sears:

* Mandatory "diversity" assemblies that often include presentations by advocates of homosexual behavior and even clergy, who claim that the bible strongly supports same-sex relationships.

Unless I have missed something along the way in this ideological battle, that is the first time that I have heard that any public school has allowed clergy in to promote the homosexual indoctrination agenda. Of course, these are gay christian movement advocates; not Bible believing evangelical Christians.

Can you now see why exposing the gay christian movement is so very important at this time in history?

Now, lest many of my detractors who read here call me an alarmist, I must tell you that I do what I do for the sake of the children, and all future generations that will be subjected to such lies being brought forth by the evil, sinful, homosexual agenda in schools.

My next post will include many of the victories that the ADF has enjoyed because, as Alan stated in his newletter:

Sears emphatically believes that "with God's grace, we can and will win against this onslaught."

It is because the ADF organization is truly biblically Christ-centered that so many victories have been brought about through them.

Lastly, I want to share a comment that I had posted to gcmwatch's article (link above):

Thank you for recognizing TalkWisdom in this post. We certainly need to work together to counter that unspoken goal of the gcm: to kill, steal, and destroy.

This portion (from GCM WATCH) is the truth and so very powerful:

This type of struggle is uniquely Christian because our faith is only one held to an uncompromising standard of truth. Therefore, those who hate that truth will stop at nothing to dismantle it…even if they have to do so from the inside! And no wonder for satan himself is transformed into an “angel of light”. This costume affords him stealth access to the church and its pulpits. And his “ministers” pretend to be ministers of righteousness, but secretly have one goal: to kill, steal and destroy.

I am reminded of what Jesus said in his prayer to God the Father in John 17:13-19

And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

Despite this onslaught of error being promulgated by the gcm, we can still have Christs’ “joy fulfilled in themselves (ourselves!).”

Why?

Because despite what evil may come our way, we are being “sanctified through the truth.”

Our fellowship in this effort is spoken about through the words of Christ:

Jhn 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

Jhn 17:10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

Jhn 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we [are].

No matter what transpires on this earth, we have the total assurance of life eternal with our wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ! What a celebration all believers will have when we are with him!

Jhn 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

Jhn 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Christ is so awesome. I have Holy Spirit happy chills…

Committing to Growth

It seems that whenever a fellow Christian challenges me in my "approach" to sharing the Gospel of Christ, I get a message either in the form of an email, or, the Holy Spirit's leading in prayer in the early morning hours as I awake from the night, or, through another Christian and what he or she shares with me that day, or, through a sermon by a pastor.

A while back, Dr. David Jeremiah of Turning Point Ministries shared the importance of Committing to Growth in our Christian walk with the Lord. In that sermon, I got the answer from God's Word in how to counter what a few fellow Christians (usually the liberal ones) always use in order to show disapproval of what I write at this blog.

What is it, exactly, that they disapprove of? The fact that I am committed to sharing passionately the entire gospel of Christ which includes our need for confession and repentance in order to be born-again in Jesus Christ.

It is the current "fad" of the emergent church movement (and the numerous heretical off-shoots) that appears to want to "skip over" the crucifixion of Christ at the cross for sin and just emphasize the love, mercy and grace portion of the gospel. Trouble is, you can't have the Good News of the Gospel without first sharing the bad news of our sinful natures that separate us from God!!

Of course, there needs to be balance. But balancing doesn't mean elimination of the Law and the Prophets! The Law and the Prophets points to our need for reconciliation unto God through humbling ourselves at the foot of the cross of Christ, confessing and repenting of our sin in order to be restored, reconciled and re-born spiritually through the Man (Jesus Christ) who is the Bridge to redemption and spiritual reconnection to God the Father, our Creator and Righteous Judge of the Universe!

On to Dr. Jeremiah's sermon.

READY! SET! GROWTH!
Dr. David Jeremiah
"Committing to Growth"
December 10, 2006

Colossians 3:23-24
Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do [it] heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;


Col 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.


Deu 33:27 The eternal God [is thy] refuge, and underneath [are] the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy [them].

If you lean on the arms of God, you can find yourself leaning either forward or backward! When we combine the messages of these two verses, we find that we aren't supposed to just sit there, leaning back on His arms, but we are to live out what Colossians 3:23-24 tells us...through serving and doing all we do heartily to the Lord! Claim this verse as your own! We are to have goals and standards, giving it all we've got and doing whatever we do with passion! Passionate living is energy to live for God!

Unfortunately, some Christians just want to sit back in a more lackluster "comfort zone." Sometimes churches are wary of, and worry about, burn-out. [The fact that only 20% of congregations often do 100% of the work at the church can cause this. But more likely, congregants can use this as an excuse to "cop-out." This is an unfortunate trend, today.]

Do you see anyone in your midst "on fire for God?" This is the Passion Principle. We have many examples of passionate people who were on fire for God in the Bible. And note that many made mistakes along the way in their lives. But their ultimate worldview was to work for an "audience of One;" that being God!

Moses was on fire for God.

Before Moses became a prophet of God, he did murder an Egyptian.

Exodus 2:12 - And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that [there was] no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.

God can turn even a murderer into a passionate prophet!

Even when God told him to "speak to the rock" and Moses incorrectly struck the rock with his rod, at least he showed passion in his error!

David was known for killing lions and bears as a shepard, but then was called to face the mighty warrior, Goliath with just a sling and a stone. He did this while a bunch of chicken warriors around him were probably shaking in their armor!

1Sa 17:31 And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed [them] before Saul: and he sent for him.


1Sa 17:32 And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.


1Sa 17:33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou [art but] a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.


1Sa 17:34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:


1Sa 17:35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered [it] out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught [him] by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.


1Sa 17:36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.


1Sa 17:37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

God wants us to serve with our whole heart!

Psalm 138:1 - [[[A Psalm] of David.]] I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.

In this classic Psalm of praise to the LORD, David commits to praising God with his whole heart!

Let's look at the entire NKJV of Psalm 138

Psa 138:1 PSALM 138
A Psalm of David.
I WILL praise You with my whole heart;


Before the gods I will sing praises to You.
Psa 138:2 I will worship toward Your holy temple,
And praise Your name
For Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.

Psa 138:3 In the day when I cried out, You answered me,
And made me bold with strength in my soul.

Psa 138:4 All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O LORD,
When they hear the words of Your mouth.

Psa 138:5 Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the LORD,
For great is the glory of the LORD.

Psa 138:6 Though the LORD is on high,
Yet He regards the lowly;
But the proud He knows from afar.

Psa 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will stretch out Your hand
Against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me.

Psa 138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

Wow! So powerful! No doubt that David had the Passion Principle towards God in his life!

Yet, we know that David made several mistakes in his life. Why did God label him "a man after my own heart?" I think it is because David knew the need for confession and repentance or sin before the grace, mercy and salvation of God could be bestowed upon him.

Although Moses was a great prophet, he made mistakes too:

Numbers 20:11

And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts [also].

Moses paid for that error by not being allowed into the promised land.

Numbers 20:12 - And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.

So we see how important it is to strictly adhere to God's Word!

Why?

Because we may miss out on God's rewards that He has in store for us, both here, and in eternity.

Moses was so passionate about living for God, that when the people were found guilty of sin by worshiping the golden calf idol they had made, he asked the LORD to blot his name out of the Book of Life for their sakes!

Exodus 32:32
Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

And the LORD responded with:

Exodus 32:33
And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. (bold mine)

Each individual soul will be held accountable for their own sin against God.

You can read about Elijah who boldly confronted the people of Baal in 1 Kings 18:24-38.

In Nehemiah 6:15-19, we read how others were intend on discouraging Nehemiah in his work for the LORD. Nehemiah is here finishing the wall of Jerusalem, and yet still has trouble created for him by his enemies.

Matthew Henry commentary:

Those that forsake the law praise the wicked, Prov. 28:4. 4.

They were so false as to betray Nehemiah’s counsels to him; they uttered Nehemiah’s words to him, perverting them, no doubt, and putting false constructions upon them, which furnished Tobiah with matter for letters by others false counsels to put him in fear and so drive him from his work and discourage him in it. Thus were all their thoughts against him for evil, yet God thought upon him for good.

But Nehemiah kept on keepin on! Despite those who wanted to create trouble and cause him to stop his work for the LORD! What an apt picture of what many Christian people and groups have to deal with today! The opposition against us is pursued relentlessly by the enemies of God and Jesus Christ.

Jeremiah was trying to retire from ministry because the pressure against his preaching was so great! But in Jeremiah 20:8-9, we read:


Jer 20:8
For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.

Jeremiah was derided daily by his adversaries. Today, Christian persecution is rampant! It can make a person want to give up sharing the gospel.

Jer 20:9 - Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But [his word] was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not [stay].

Jeremiah recognized what was at work in the people...namely fear!

Jer 20:10 For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, [say they], and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, [saying], Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.

But Jeremiah comes back to his senses (and realizes that the LORD is with him through it all, no matter what):

Jer 20:11 ¶ But the LORD [is] with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: [their] everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.


Jer 20:12 But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, [and] seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.


Jer 20:13 ¶ Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.

When we commit to growth in Jesus Christ through God's Word, we will face opposition. It is inevitable. But God's promises are greater than any "hand of evildoers." When we "open our cause," to the LORD as Jeremiah stated in verse 12, we allow God to work through us; not relying only on our own strength!

Additional Scripture readings:

Daniel 6:10; 5:26
Jonah 1:2-3; 3:1-10
Mark 3:17
Matthew 14:29; John 21:7; 18:10; Luke 9:33; 22:33, 61-62


Acts 8:3; 1 Corinthians 9:22; Romans 9:3
Revelation 3:15-16
Luke 24:32
Matthew 24:12
Ecclesiastes 9:10

Want to be more passionate for God? Then read:

I. The Scope of Your Passion Matthew 22:37

II. The Strength of Your Passion Psalm 103:1

III. The Secret of Your Passion Romans 14:7-8 Colossians 3:17 1 Corinthians 10:31 Galatians 6:9

IV. The Source of Your Passion Romans 12 1 Corinthians 12