Making An Impact For Christ in This World

In the comment section of a previous post, I happened to mention that this blog appeared on Technorati's "Top 100 World Blogs" list.  However, our notorious nemesis,  GMpilot,  seemed to object to this because it is also labeled as a political world blog list.

He wrote:

"Oh, congratulations on making Technorati's list...although I find it funny that a blog whose primary goal is “to defend the tenets and values of Biblical Christian faith” has made it onto a list of political blogs!"

My reply regarding that particular point:

About Technorati. They choose to list my blog in several categories. When certain stories get picked up by other sites and traffic increases, my ranking goes up under the particular category that the aggregate site chooses.


Part of defending the tenets and values of Biblical Christian faith involves engaging within the culture. You left out the next sentence in my blog goals:

"We defend our Constitutional Republic and Charters of Freedom, especially when speaking out against destructive social and political issues."

Keeping this brief conversation in mind, I would like to first share a great message, and then a not-so-coincidental encounter.

I ran across a letter that I had received a few months ago from the Truth in Action Ministries.  In that letter, they told of a story about a former Oklahoma County District Attorney named Wes Lane, who saw one of Dr. D. James Kennedy's videos where he pointed into the camera and said, "You can know the purpose of God for your life."  It caught Wes's attention and dramatically changed his world.

The letter continues with Wes Lane quoted:

"Even though I had been walking with God for probably a dozen years or so at that point in time,"  Wes said, "that had not registered with me.  I was assistant district attorney in Oklahoma City, and until then I didn't understand the concept that all of our work is holy."

God used Dr. Kennedy's teaching to help Wes understand that he was not a leader who happened to be a Christian, but a Christian leader assigned by God to a specific sphere of influence --to be, as Jesus commanded, the "salt of the earth"  (Matthew 5:13).

*  Salt is a preservative that keeps food from getting rotten, just as a Christian's influence should preserve decency and morality in the world;

*  Salt stings in a wound, just as a Christian's loving influence should make sin feel uncomfortable;

*  Salt is a source of purification and healing, just as Christians should be a source of comfort and healing for those in distress;

*  Salt makes things taste better, just as the life lived for Christ brings joy to the soul;

*  Salt causes thirst, just as the life of a Christian lived out in the world should make others thirst for the living water that is found only in Christ.

Salt has incredible properties, but none of them are of use if the salt never gets out of the salt shaker!

Christians are to take advantage of the position of influence that God has given us as parents, employees, church leaders, etc. in order to make an impact for Christ in this world!

THAT is precisely why this blog exists.  Without the desire to make an impact for Christ in this world, all that I share regarding religious beliefs, or when applying God's Word to the current cultural and political issues of our time would be futile.  People NEED to see the hope that is in Christ Jesus - for there is no other Name under heaven by which we may be saved!

Act 4:12

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

I would like to share a story about an encounter that my friend Donna N. and I had after our 2 mile walk on Tuesday afternoon.

I was walking with Donna back to her car when an elderly gentleman rode up on his bike.  He was about 3 parking spaces from where we were.  He yelled out, "Hello."  We waved back and said hi.  He then asked, "Are you two Christian ladies?"  Donna and I looked at each other in amazement, then replied, "yes we are."  The reason that we had this reaction was because Donna was just sharing information about a documentary that she saw on the Discovery Channel that made the claim that all major religions (except Islam) have some sort of triune god in their traditions.  She stated that the number 3 has much significance in the eternal realm as well as here on earth.  Back in 2005 (during the days where I was studying Intelligent Design vs. Evolution), I shared a blog post called The Trinity All Around You.  It is fascinating to see how science reflects the concept of "3's" just as Donna stated in her discussion with me!

Back to the man on the bike.

 As the gentleman got off of his bike and then started lifting it onto the back of his car, he asked us if we would like a copy of his artwork.   Donna and I walked up to him to try and help him with his bike, but he did it on his own.  He told us his name is Phillip.  We introduced ourselves to him.  While he went into his car to get the artwork, we helped strap the bike in place.  He had a folder filled with copies!  He stated that he drew the first drawing (a beautiful portrait of Jesus!) in a college art class. 



The obviously liberal, anti-Christian professor chastised him for choosing something "so religious."  I was not a bit surprised to hear about the professor's reaction.  So typical of the lunatic leftist fringe that wreaks of anti-religious bigotry in colleges these days. 

*Sigh*

The assignment was to draw a picture of something or someone important in your life.  Phillip stated that Jesus IS the most important person in his life!  [Amen!!]

We stood there and chatted for quite a while, learning more about Phillip and his ministry.  He told us that he is 82 years old and has been in ministry for 52 years!  He currently ministers at a church nearby and also to patients in wheelchairs (as well as those suffering from Alzheimers disease) in a nursing home. 

Phillip is fulfilling his calling!  He is being salt and light in this world through his preaching and his artwork! 

He had another picture which showed a mother holding a baby with Jesus "spiritually" behind her.  The paper asks, "Pregnant?  Jesus loves you mother!  He loves your baby very much!  Save his life!"  Of course this is his pro-life message to those who might be considering abortion.  He has this message taped to the inside of the back windshield of his car.

 

There are MANY ways in which Christians can make a positive impact; even when there is chaos and turmoil all around us.  I would encourage all readers to see how God can put your gifts and talents to work, to be both salt and light in this world!

~  Christine

Comparisons Between Isaac and Jesus Christ

In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed because thou hast obeyed my voice.  Genesis 22:18

Jhn 14:6

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

So much of the Old Testament points towards Jesus Christ that upon discovery of this fact, believers and non-believers alike should find it astounding!  In this post, I am going to share just one story.  However, it is a very important factual story that begins with Abraham's obedience to God.  Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son; "his only son" as it is recorded in Scripture.  It is a huge test of Abraham's faith, but also a foreshadowing of God's Son, "His only Son," -  Jesus Christ -  and His willingness to be sacrificed for our sins on the cross!

This fantastic message is based on the book of Hebrews.  You can view the entire sermon online at the following link:

http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/television_player.aspx?id=

[Note:  There is also an outline of the Scriptures used in the video message at
this link:  http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/uploadedfiles/080413_Abraham.pdf]

If readers are pressed for time, I recommend watching the introduction (about 2 minutes into the video) and then push the cursor at the bottom of the video over to about 15:30 to start the beginning of the message.

What hit me most was the comparisons shared near the end of the video message.   Pastor Jeremiah shares a list of the comparisons between Isaac and Jesus Christ.  He states that we can look back at this through our "New Testament eyes" and find the ultimate purpose of this story as it is recorded in Genesis.

1.    Both Isaac and Jesus Christ were miraculously born.  [Recall that Abraham was over 100 years old and Sarah his wife in her 90's!]

2.    Both Isaac and Christ brought joy to their Father.

3.    Both Isaac and Christ were born at a set time.

4.    Both Isaac and Christ were persecuted by their brothers.  [Ishmael who was born of the maidservant Hagar, and Christ's half brothers...like James (who later became a believer after Christ's resurrection from the dead)  who later wrote the book of James in the NT.]

5.    Both Isaac and Christ were obedient unto death.

6.    Two young men went with Isaac; Christ was crucified between two thieves.

7.    Isaac carried the wood, Christ carried the cross.

8.    Isaac questioned his father [by asking where is the sacrificial ram?] and Christ said, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"

9.    Christ was obedient unto death; Isaac was raised from death in a figure.  [This means that a sacrificial ram was caught in the thicket to take Isaac's place for the sacrifice.]

10.   Abraham returns but Isaac is not heard from (in the Bible) until he is introduced to his bride; and that is exactly the way it is with the Lord Jesus Christ himself!  The Bible tells us that Christ will return for His Bride (all believers) and the dead shall rise first, then all who are alive in Christ shall
meet the Lord in the air.

We can ask, are these all just a bunch of coincidences? 

Answer:  No! 

Every story of the Old Testament is somehow related to THE story of the New Testament - that being the gospel of Jesus Christ!

This is the greatest picture of the love of the Father that you will ever find in the Bible! 

One last point.  Romans 8:32 tells us of one difference between father Abraham and Father God.


Rom 8:32

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?


Almighty God allowed Abraham to spare his son from death.  But God the Father loved us SO MUCH that he would not spare His own Son, Jesus, from taking the penalty for all of humanity's sins.  Father God delivered Him up to save us from our sins, and raised him up via the Resurrection to life in order for us to be reconciled back unto God.  If Jesus didn't do this, he would have re-entered heaven alone.

The wages of sin is death and the wages have to be paid.  If we tried to pay those wages, we could never be with God.  And so God sent His Son, Jesus Christ into this world.  And the story of Isaac is very much like it until you get to the very end. 

That's how much God loves you.  That's how much God loves me.  For even His own Son was not too high a price to pay that you and I might be saved from our sins, be forgiven, and go to heaven.

[Previous paragraphs paraphrased from end of sermon.]

Isn't this realization absolutely fascinating?

I hope that readers here have found it to be as encouraging and enlightening as it was for me!

~  Christine

By Your Side - Tenth Avenue North

Listened to a WOW Christian Hits CD today while driving back from the store and became re-acquainted with this great song!  This song so beautifully shares the love, grace, sacrifice, mercy and redemption of Jesus Christ! The lyrics contain the gospel message that so many lost souls desperately need to hear today!

I love to memorize the lyrics to great Christian songs because sometimes, it can be a wonderful way to share the message of salvation with others.  I enjoy driving in my car, and singing along with the lyrics.  The song and meaning of the message stays on my mind for the rest of the day. It is a sweet way to worship!

When I think of Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?"** ... the following portion of this song reminds me of why he asks us that question.  How one answers it will determine where we each will  ultimately exist eternally.  Each person's eternal destiny rests in accepting or rejecting Christ.

Look at these hands at my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life...

Love and God bless,

~  Christine


Lyrics:

"By Your Side"

Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching
As if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run

'Cause I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands at my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

And I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Here at my side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

'Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, yeah I'll love you
I'll never let you go, no, no

And I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Here at my side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you
Here at my side, my hands are holding you
Ohhh...

**

Mat 16:15  He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Mar 8:29  He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”

Luk 9:20     He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”

Dear reader...what is your answer?

Why Did God Allow Obama to be Re-elected?

A Christian writer over at News In Faith asks, and then answers the question, "why did God allow Obama to be re-elected?"

Excerpt:

Most conservatives have been scratching their heads over this question since  the November elections. Christians have wondered why God would allow such a  traitorous and tyrannical administration to continue. I, myself, have put a lot  of thought into this and asked “why” so many times. Here are some of the answers  I have come up with.

When one looks at history we can see how God has turned rebellious nations  and people over to the enemy to chastise. In the Old Testament we see how after  Israel rebelled against God and began worshipping false gods they were captured  by the Babylonians. There are many examples like this in the Bible.

Now in America we see Christians being persecuted through various means.  Christian businesses are forced to either go against their consciences to buy  insurance that pays for abortificants or be fined. So they face either complying  with evil or risk their businesses. Recently we have discovered the IRS has  targeted Christian, Jewish, and conservative groups and businesses to either  audit them or make it extremely difficult for them to apply for or receive 501C  tax exempt forms. It has resulted in many of them being unable to raise enough  money to help Conservative candidates run effective campaigns. Many believe this  may have been the reason for our losses in the 2012 elections. Whether this is  the case or not, it isn’t difficult to see that we have been in a huge battle  for our nation. So what am I saying here?

Sometimes God allows things to get so bad that people start to seek the  truth. Would they have discovered it had Romney been elected and the Republicans  taken over the Senate? I sincerely doubt it and this is why I say that. If you  put a frog in cold water and gradually turn up the heat it will cook to death. I  believe this is what has been happening all along even when the Republicans  controlled the White House and Congress. Did they solve the problems we faced  back then? I have to say a resounding “NO” to that question. The only difference  is that things didn’t digress as rapidly then. This is why I believe God is  working in a way that will cause people to wake up and see that the government  isn’t the answer to their problems. He wants them to see that He is the only  solution to everything.

Because of people’s blindness, God did the only thing He could to wake people  up. He allowed Obama to get re-elected. He knew that this administration’s  radical attempts to change the nation would begin to shock people. You see,  people’s basic desires, whether conservative or liberal, is to maintain their  liberties. The way it was before nobody even noticed that they were losing their  freedoms because it was so gradual. Then suddenly things began to happen. People  began to see huge hikes in their health insurance because of Obamacare. The  Catholic Church and Christian businesses were being threatened with massive  fines if they didn’t buy health insurance that paid for abortificants. They saw  people being harassed and threatened by the IRS. Even liberals hate threats to  liberty even when it is happening to conservatives. There is an intrinsic  built-in mechanism in every person’s nature that causes them to feel intimidated  when they see people’s freedoms being taken away. They begin to fear that they  will be next. This is why we are seeing these three things starting to take  place today.

Read it all HERE

*******

I found this article via the TEA Party Community.

My comment:

Just think about all of the places (public schools, most colleges and universities, public buildings, media, government, military etc.) where progressive/socialist/communist radicals achieved kicking God out of the culture.  Next,  add in the liberal apostate churches that kicked Jesus (and Him crucified as the Gospel truth) out of their messages and replaced it with moral relativism that advocates abortion and homosexuality as "normal, natural and desirable"; and we shall realize just how easy it was for them to eliminate Him and His absolute truth, wisdom, knowledge, morals,  and values; thus taking out the grace and mercy for salvation through Jesus Christ from the public square. 

Of course, that is what they THINK they have done.  God is still in control!   However in this life, we reap what we sow.

Hsa 4:6

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
 Because you have rejected knowledge,
 I also will reject you from being priest for Me;
 Because you have forgotten the law of your God,
 I also will forget your children.

Jesus wins in the end!

Jhn 16:33

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will[fn] have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”


And so do the faithful!


1Jo 5:4

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our[fn] faith.

Hat tip:

News In Faith

Holy Thursday: Remember Christ's Sacrifice

Today is Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday. It is the day where Christians commemorate the Last Supper when Jesus shared the Passover meal with his disciples on the night before he was crucified.

What Does "Maundy" Mean?
Derived from the Latin word mandatum, meaning "commandment," Maundy refers to the commands Jesus gave his disciples at the Last Supper: to love with humility by serving one another and to remember his sacrifice. [Quote from About.com:  Christianity.]

Tomorrow is Good Friday, which is the day we remember and commemorate when Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross to save mankind from their sins. Upon confession and repentance of sin and belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives because of what he did for us on the cross of Calvary, we can be united to our Savior and ask for the Holy Spirit of God to indwell our hearts. The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth, helping us to read and study the Bible, do good works because we love God, and have the desire to please and serve him. The Holy Spirit helps us to discern good vs. evil.

I am currently reading a newly published book called The LORD is My Shepherd, Resting in the Peace and Power of Psalm 23, written by Robert J. Morgan. 

Chapter 7 is entitled, "His Presence in Life's Valleys."  The author examines the following portion of Psalm 23:

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

The author discusses the times that he has stood on railroad platforms.  He mentioned being on such a platform as a train came by at the speed of ten or fifteen miles an hour.  The shadow which overcame him didn't hurt him.  One time, when an express train shadow roared by at one hundred miles per hour, the shadow of the train and air rushed by him like a windstorm.  Admittedly, the platform tremble and the roar was unnerving, yet he didn't suffer any injuries.  While traveling in Japan, he experienced the shadow of a bullet train, traveling at the high speed of three hundred miles per hour.   The author stated that it felt like "an intense five-second horizontal thunder and lightening storm that left him trembling a bit afterwards, but he didn't suffer any cuts, bruises or broken bones.

The author writes:

That's remarkable to think about.  A human being--even a child--can be hit head-on by a shadow going hundreds of miles an hour without suffering the slightest bruise.

Of course, it's another thing to be hit by the actual train.

Here's the point of the word shadow in Psalm 23:4.  The locomotive force of the wrath of a holy God hit Jesus Christ as He hung on Calvary's cross on Good Friday.  He collided with our sins.  The guilt of the ages bore down upon Him.  The sky turned dark; the earth quaked; the angels recoiled in horror.  The Good Shepherd laid down His life for His sheep and bore our death full force.

As a result, we're hit only by the shadow of death.  There is no such thing as real death for the Christian.  God's children never travel through Death Valley.  Jesus took that route in our place.  For us, there is only the valley of the shadow of death.  And since Jesus rose from the dead three days after His crucifixion, He's an excellent tour guide (or shepherd) for us when we're in any kind of valley throughout or at the end of our earthly lives.

Jesus said, "Because I live, you will live also"  (John 14:19).  He said, "I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in Me, though He may die, he shall live.  And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die" (John 11:25-26).

This wonderful truth turns our perspective upside down.  It makes all the difference.

Hat tips:

About.com: Christianity
David Jeremiah.org

Quote Reference:

The LORD is My Shepherd; Resting in the Peace and Power of Psalm 23 by Robert J. Morgan, 2013,  Howard Books, A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.  New York, NY 10020  pp. 118-119.


Previous posts:

Talk Wisdom: Looking Back, Looking Forward
Talk Wisdom: Good Friday posts

About That "Second Coming" Reference

Yesterday, I watched C-Span's pre-inaugural call-in show for about 15 minutes.  It was all I could stand.  The "pro-BHO" calls, newspaper articles, tweets etc. were running about 4-1 in favor of BHO compared to those presented in opposition.   I shouldn't be surprised.  Just like the rest of the media of mass corruption,  C-Span had long ago been taken over by the Commies!

One Republican caller stated that he would be cleaning out his attic instead of watching the spectacle of Marxist blathering that would be going on at the event.  Ha!  Time well spent!

I didn't listen to BHO's speech, but this morning, Fox News had a few clips and there was so much divisiveness in it!  It shows that the masquerade that BHO presented to the OBorgBots is no longer needed.  He can reveal his true evil self now.  Once again, it made me grieve for our nation.

Newsweek had a cover of a profile of BHO with "the second coming" written underneath. 

Know what?

 The BHO admiration society lemmings may not realize it now; but they just don't get how much more awful their destiny is about to become under the coming tyranny.

Believing that BHO is a "messiah" is so laughable. It is also very creepy! Most thinking people who haven't been hypnotized by this fraud already know what a communist and radical Islamist sympathizer he is!!

I haven't read the article that accompanies the Newsweek cover with BHO on it. However, I do think that the reference to the "second coming" of BHO (if compared to Jesus Christ) contains a not-so-hidden message from the far left lunatics that could be considered to be quite scary.

While reading a devotional this morning, a connection was made by me.

As Christian believers we "groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body" (See Romans 8:23)

This place is not our home.

Jesus told us that "in this world we will have trouble." We are strangers in a strange land, and the closer we get to the end times the more evident this becomes.

When we go back into the Old Testament, prophets had the pieces to the prophetic puzzle but they didn't always see the completed picture like Bible believing and studying Christians can, and do.

For example, when Jesus quoted from the book of Isaiah 61:1-2 in the synagogue in Nazareth (Luke 4:16-19), He quoted all the passage except the part about "the day of vengeance of our God" since that would be fulfilled at His Second Coming, not His first. Isaiah saw both parts of the Messiah's ministry--good news and judgment--but didn't see the separation between the two.

Fortunately, we have the advantage of hindsight of both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible that gives us the completed picture. The full circle, if you will, of Jesus Christ is that He was first  born into this world to give us a life that's forgiven, and raised to give us a life that's forever.

His body was sown perishable, but was raised imperishable.

It was sown in dishonor, but was raised in glory.

It was sown in weakness but raised in power.

I would venture to say that BHO's first political "coming" as pResident in 2008 was the complete opposite.

He was born to eventually be ushered in as a tyrannical leader and give America a life that's divisive between white vs. black, rich vs. poor, Christian vs. Muslim, Jewish vs. Muslim, liberal vs. conservative, moral vs. immoral, and ultimately extremely harmful towards what our Founders envisioned.  His political "second coming" will be more of the same, but even worse!  The vengeance of BHO (which was a favorite topic in his campaign speeches) against Americans he disagrees with has not even begun!

BHO is virulently destructive to our U.S. Constitution. He tramples upon it and disregards the fact that our nation was born as a Judeo/Christian one; and our Declaration of Independence was written as a result of the Founders desire to follow the Ten Commandments in the Bible.

If the left wants to think of BHO as their "messiah," how terribly disappointed they will be when they finally realize that BHO's body, mind, soul, and spirit was sown perishable (and remains that way unless he repents of his sins and turns from his reprobate mindset) and his ideology is "nothing new under the sun" but a throw-back to tyrants of death from history.   He will use them, then dispose of them when their useful-idiot status is no longer needed.

BHO was raised into the political world in secular humanistic "glory" (which never lasts) but will one day be sown in eternal dishonor.

BHO appears to have been raised into the political world of secular humanism in power, but will one day be sown into an ultimate, never-ending hell of weakness.

BHO will inevitably one day be raised imperishable in order to face judgment. The trouble is, without genuine belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, BHO will join all of those who out rightly reject Jesus Christ and will appear at the White Throne Judgment. It is a judgment where each sinner who has died has done so with their own sins on their soul. Spending eternity in separation from God leaves a person vulnerable to the pain of experiencing death that never ends. Recall the story of Lazarus and the rich king.

 Only the born again believers in Christ will face the Judgment Seat of Christ and be able to say that belief in Christ's sacrificial death and His forgiveness for their sins has saved them from the judgment of eternal hell fire. Because of Christ's sacrifice, we can claim the words of the hymnist as our own:

 "Living, He loved me; dying He saved me; buried He carried my sins far away; rising He justified freely forever; one day He's coming--O glorious day" (Wilber Chapman, 1908).

In another prophetic portion of Scripture from the Old Testament, we read in Numbers 24:17 -

I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; a Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel...

Dr. David Jeremiah writes:

Jesus is called a "Star" three times in Scripture. In Numbers 24, Balaam predicted a Messiah in the far future, rising like a star from the descendants of Jacob. Second Peter 1:19 talks about the Morning Star rising in our hearts. And in Revelation 22:16, Jesus called Himself "the Bright and Morning Star."

In astronomy, the bright and morning star is not literally a star, but the planet Venus that appears in the eastern sky just before dawn and is one of the brightest objects in the sky.  The sight of this "star" is a sign that night is nearly over.

It's symbolic of Christ.  The dark epoch of earth's history is nearly past.  Soon the Lord will rise from His throne like the Star of Morning, ushering in an eternal day for His children.  Just as He came the first time, so He will come again.  And we "do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your heart"  (2 Peter 1:19).
 

*******

Hat tips:

Moral Matters.org
Liberty News.com
Nice Deb
Blue Letter Bible

*******

As I was writing this post, I heard about this:

Most brilliant speech writer ever uses “peace in our time” in his historic world-changing speech

William A. Jacobson at Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion - 30 minutes ago

I missed this when reading Obama’s inaugural speech (still haven’t listened to it). I just heard Jonah Goldberg make reference to it on Special Report with Bret Baier. Via Tom Ricks at Foreign Policy Blog, Obama’s 2nd inaugural address: ‘Peace in our time’? Really, Mr. President? The WTF moment for me in Obama’s second inaugural address, [...]

 

Neville Chamberlain???  Anyone???

*******

Also see:

Obama reads the Constitution like a Chinese menu

Joel Engel at Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion - 2 hours ago

As soon as the president began his inaugural address yesterday with a nod to the Constitution, I actually said aloud, “Uh-oh.” Each time we gather to inaugurate a President we bear witness to the enduring strength of our Constitution…. As feared, the speech devolved into a laundry list of leftist initiatives disguised as Constitutional obligations [...]

The Chick-fil-A Controversy Is A Spiritual Battle

The blogosphere is filled with posts, photos, and commentary about the support that many Americans gave to the Christian-based company, Chick-fil-A for their support of traditional marriage.  A majority of Americans  believe that God's original definition of marriage should still stand.   After all, it was His idea and invention in the first place!


Good for Chick-fil-A!!  Good for their supporters!!  Huge turnouts at Chick-fil-A restaurants today  because conservative, Christian, and TEA Party patriots wanted to stand up for the belief that freedom of speech and freedom of religion give all of us the right to proclaim (as God in the Bible has) that marriage is the union of one man and one woman!


Note to all of those who would want to call all of these people "bigots," "haters," "homophobes," "anti-gay," or any other derogatory name "_______________" (you fill in the blank) you could think of - support for traditional marriage does not  equate to "hatred" of gays.  Unfortunately, that is a misnomer being spread by those who want to spread such ridiculous propaganda.

While doing errands today, I was listening to Hannity's radio show.  A man called into the show to tell Sean that he is "a great American."  The caller went on to say that he is "gay" and "wishes that the marriage debate wasn't out there" but he understands that Christians have the right to their beliefs - even if he doesn't necessarily agree.  He also stated that Sean was instrumental in convincing him NOT to vote for Obama in 2008.  For the first time in his life, he voted for the Republican ticket.


Why?


Because he stated that, "Obama's policies scare him."


Now...does that make him "anti-Obama" (the person) or just someone who happens to be against Obama's policies??  Doesn't he have the freedom of speech right to say that?


Unfortunately, most of the radical homosexual activists believe that freedom of speech and freedom of religion should take a back seat to their particular favored ideology.  Actually, the intolerance these days is often so severe that they would do anything to hurt those with whom they disagree.  For them, tolerance is a one way street.  It is not something that they would ever consider offering towards the other side.  Therefore, that man who called into Sean Hannity's radio show is probably a rarity in this day and age.

There once was a time when homosexual activists claimed that they "just wanted tolerance."  Then, they demanded acceptance.  Now, they want to do harm to those with whom they disagree.  The question is...why?

I think that it is a spiritual problem.  Deep down, they know that they are willingly breaking God's laws through their sexual behavior, but they want acceptance more than anything else in this world so they are willing to do anything to get it.  But, just like any other sinner in need of the Savior, Jesus Christ, the more secular "acceptance" they get, the more they demand.  They can't be satisfied with the progress that they perceive they have reached (i.e. gay rights, gays serving openly in the military, civil unions in some states etc.).  Why?  I think that it is because they instinctively know that they will never gain God's approval of the aberrant sexual behavior that they engage in.

Look at it this way.  A heterosexual person who fornicates may want God's acceptance of such a lifestyle too.  But God's Word tells him/her that he/she must repent of such behavior.  I'm sure we all know couples involved in fornication.  Does that mean that we hate them too...just because we tell the truth of the matter??

Radical homosexual activists do NOT want to hear that.  In fact, they HATE Christian believers because they don't want to know about God's Word regarding their behavior.  Homosexual behavior happened in biblical times.  As Solomon so wisely stated, "there is nothing new under the sun."  Dozens of Bible verses state God's views on the matter.


 Jesus told us that non-believers would "hate us" because they "hated Him first."  Telling the truth about evil, sin and death isn't politically correct.  The hatred against Christians and Jews continues to grow.


However, there is even more hatred spewed at former homosexuals who become Christians.  How do I know this?  Because I have heard the stories and experiences of several men and women who have gone through it.

When a sinner (any kind - which includes all of us!) is released from the former bondage to any type of sinful behavior (through the power of the Holy Spirit when they believe on the Lord Jesus Christ) the act of confession and repentance at the foot of the cross of Christ brings them into reconciliation with God.  They receive, instead, the love, mercy and grace given at the moment of conversion!!  This is the greatest gift in the world!  It is the gift of eternal life!   Of course, sanctification is a lifelong process, but once converted, no one can "snatch the believer" out of the hands of Christ!


Non-believers reject Christ.  Therefore, they reject the need to repent and turn to the only Savior that can reconcile them back unto God!  This often infuriates them!  How do I know?  Because I used to be one of them!

In another comment thread, I had a brief discussion with blogger Susan who experienced release from the bondage of lesbian behavior and identity through the power of Jesus Christ.  I will share her comment here:

Christine shared “The Truth Gap” by Bill Muehlenberg:

“They may profess to be believers, but they live, think and act just like pagans . . . That is because they have never learned to think biblically and they have never developed a biblical worldview . . . As such, they are breaking the greatest commandment which Jesus gave: to love God with all your heart, all your strength, and all your mind.”

I lived, thought and acted like a pagan during more than 20 years acting out as a lesbian and more than 30 years acting out as a drunk trying to deal with my inner emotional pain that I did not understand.

I was hurting and did not know I was in pain for many years, because I numbed myself with sex, alcohol and other drugs. There is a better way. It is the truth that sets one free. The truth about myself set me free. It was not the truth about other people.

The Messiah said, “I am the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6). There is a better way to live. We all have a choice to obey the voice we hear. Everyone is a slave to the voice one obeys. One can obey sin that leads to death, or obedience that leads to righteousness (Romans 6:16).

The most amazing thing about the written Word of God is that it is absolutely ONE Truth. Why? There is only ONE Word of God, the Holy ONE of ISRAEL.

Much love to you, Christine and all your readers who hunger for truth and righteousness. They shall be filled (Matthew 5:6). ~ ss

July 31, 2012 1:56:00 PM PDT

My response:

Dear Susan,

The August, 2012 Turning Points devotional focuses on the "scraps of life." Dr. Jeremiah draws an analogy between the scraps of fabric (that are often discarded) and the scraps of our lives that we often wish we could do over. But those scraps can also be used to create a gorgeous quilt! They CAN be useful!

This brief synopsis doesn't do it justice, but one section was quite encouraging.

Despite the fact that we all sin and fall short of the glory of God, we can be encouraged by Psalm 51 which recounts David's psalm of repentance and confession following his disastrous episode with Bathsheba and the killing of Uriah.

Dr. Jeremiah writes:

"Have you ever prayed, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (verse 10)? If so, you are praying words that were forged on the anvil of David's guilt and remorse over his choices. We wish he had never made those bad choices, but that time in his life produced words of instruction and encouragement for us.

Psalm 32, another of David's psalms, may have been written in the wake of the same affair. If not the Bathsheba episode, it is David's recounting of how miserable his life became when he concealed some sin from God. And how blessed it became when he made things right."

Dr. Jeremiah goes on to explain that Psalm 139 discusses God's omnipresence and how he sees and knows everything. David realized that God knew about his sin because there is no escaping God's presence!

Dr. J: "In any case, the scraps from David's life have become a comfort and inspiration to millions of people as they look for value in their own wrong turns in life."

Isn't that awesome?? Dr. J goes on to write, "save your scraps for the Master Tailor!" We are to regret and render them useless! There is a "godly sorrow [that] produces repentance" (2 Corinthians 7:10) --which is what we should do: repent or revive and be useful!"

Dr. J: "If we have sinned, we need to repent. If we are discouraged over a foolish mistake or a broken dream, we need to revive. In either case, the scrap we thought represented a wasted moment in our life will become something God can use to make us wiser, more disciplined, and more appreciative of His grace, mercy, and forgiveness--and make us more willing to extend the same to others (Ephesians 4:32).

God the Master Tailor, wants to use every moment in our life for His glory. If you will pick up the pieces and save our scraps for Him, the garment He fashions will be more beautiful than you can imagine."

See Susan? God thinks you are beautiful!! It is a spiritual beauty that can NEVER be taken away from you! And why are you spiritually beautiful? Because you said YES! to Jesus Christ! You chose to shed the sin that leads to death and obey God's Truth that leads to righteousness!!

Why anyone would not want to accept Jesus' gift of salvation is truly a mystery! Like you wrote, Susan, "it is for those who hunger for truth and righteousness. They shall be filled (Matthew 5:6)."

All we can do is continue to spread the seeds of the Gospel. God does the saving! And sharing those "scraps of life" may jolt a person away from the clutches of sin, evil and death so that they are no longer a slave (like you stated) to it!

God bless you today and always Susan! Love you!

In Jesus,
Christine

July 31, 2012 2:27:00 PM PDT

1Jo 4:9

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

*******

Before closing my browser for the night, I ran across a blog post with some really funny cartoons!

Patriot Post: Who Knew Chicken Sandwiches Could Be So Funny?


*******

Good Night and God Bless!!

~ Christine

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Nothing Compares to You - Jesus!

While clearing out a book shelf today, I ran across a typewritten copy of two "letters to the editor" that I wrote back in the late 1990's for the "faith and values" section of our local newspaper.  It was my little "hobby" to write two letters per month for that weekly page.  You see, writers were only allowed two letters per month in order to give other writers a chance to see their letters in print.  This was prior to my Talk Wisdom blogging days (which began back in 2004).

There was a constant battle between the non-believers and Christians on that page.  Many of the non-believers identified themselves as atheists, agnostics, humanists or just plain ole' die-hard evolutionists.  One individual (whom I will identify with the initials "TS") wrote the following question:

"Does one require faith to recognize truth and facts or can common sense prevail?"

Now, isn't that an interesting way to pose a question?  The guy didn't even try to hide his contempt for people of faith.  The question is worded as though common sense and faith cannot exist together!  I recall being tempted to ask him "where did the ability for common sense come from?"  How about a reply that states "from dust we have come and to dust we shall return?" 

Well, since I was limited to 250 words, I wrote:

Yes, faith is required to understand truth. Whether or not real truth is discovered depends on whom or what we put our faith in.  Faith applied only to common sense, facts, and what can be seen prevails for the humanist because this is what he trusts.  For Christians, faith in God is required because we must believe that He exists in order to discover the revealed truth of his written Word, the Bible, and His redemptive plan (the Gospel) for humanity of his living Word, Jesus Christ (see John 5:24).

Hebrews 11:6 tells us, "and without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."  Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

God will not settle for mere acknowledgment of His existence.  He wants a personal, dynamic relationship with you that will transform your life.  That is why he sent his Son, Jesus Christ.  Those who seek Christ will find that they are rewarded with his intimate presence in their lives.  Those who hear the gospel are responsible for what they have heard (see 2 Corinthians 6:1,2).

This same individual, "T.S.", wrote a second letter asking, "Who are true Christians?"

True Christians are believers who have been spiritually born again (see John 3:3) by the power of God's grace through Christ's redemptive work at the cross of Calvary and his subsequent resurrection from the dead (see John 3:16).  They have accepted Christ as Savior and Lord of their lives by repenting of their sins, asking Christ into their hearts and by faith, receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (see John 14:15-17) who continually strengthens each believer's faith and guides us towards God's will for our lives. 

In John 14:6, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except by me."  We can either accept or reject Christ (see John 12:48-50).  There is no in-between position to take on this issue.

In Romans 1:16-17, Paul speaks of saving faith and ties it closely to salvation.  Our relationship with God is made right by trusting Christ.  Even though our bodies deteriorate and die, in the promised resurrection, even death will be defeated and Christ's victory will be made complete.  The Book of Revelation unveils Christ's full identity and God's plan for the end of the world, and it focuses on Jesus Christ, his second coming, his victory over evil, and the establishment of his kingdom.  However, the book's main message is the infinite love, power and justice of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Humanists desire to "see before they will believe." Christians "believe, and then they will see." I can't even describe all of the times in my life where my belief in the Lord Jesus Christ has enabled me to see so much more than before I was born again!  It is as if God rewards believers with spiritual sight when we trust in Him unconditionally! There is nothing on this earth that compares to the love, hope, mercy and grace afforded to us through the power of believing in Jesus Christ!

Have a blessed Sunday!

~ Christine

Owning It... I Am Responsible

Many of the stories in the news of late have something in common.  Whether it be a politician, an accused criminal, a group of kids on a bus mercilessly disparaging an elderly bus monitor; or even our current Attorney General and pResident in the White House - they all refuse to admit that they are responsible for the trouble they have caused and the sins that they have committed.

There is a right way to own our sins, misdeeds, and failures.  Only sin that is owned can be overcome.

Dr. David Jeremiah shares the story of a well-known attorney in Pennsylvania who pleaded guilty to corruption charges back in 2009.  All of the details of his case, trial, and eventual sentencing were covered extensively in the media.  Dr. Jeremiah chose not to name the individual because it wasn't his goal to focus on the person's failure.  However, he recently highlighted a letter that the man submitted to the judge just prior to his sentencing:

"Your Honor, I take full responsibility  for my actions and in actions.  When I [got involved with the other guilty parties] I knew instantly that was wrong.  I had the responsibility to say no and not to assist them in any way...I knew better and I lacked the courage to say no...  I had the responsibility to refuse them...  I had the ability to do the right thing and say no.  I was wrong for giving in...  I was also wrong not to report this to the authorities...  I was both scared and selfish and I will forever regret that decision.

"...I apologize to my family for the hell I have put them through...

"Second, I apologize to my partners, my employees and my friends.  I am truly sorry...

"Third, my sincere apologies to [my] clients...

"To the Court, I apologize for the damage I caused...

"Last but not least, I apologize to the people of [our] County and ask for their forgiveness...The people of [our] County did not deserve this long nightmare.  For that I am truly sorry...

"I completely respect this Court and I am prepared to accept your decision.  I am confident your decision will be just.  Thank you.  Respectfully submitted, [Name]."

Dr. Jeremiah goes on to say that he can't make a judgment as to whether or not the accused meant what he said. That's between him and God. Only God truly knows the content of any one's heart, of course. Words can be cheap and often are in court cases when a person suddenly has a "courtroom conversion" experience in order to escape the judgment about to be rendered. In this man's case, he didn't mention God at all.

It is important to recognize that the man did not ask for letters from others who could have spoken on his behalf. His own admission of guilt and subsequent apology (it was a 1,400 letter of penance) was the only one submitted to the judge.

 The man ended up getting the maximum sentence in prison. The judge cited that he could have said "no" and walked away without becoming involved.

"Only sin that is owned can be overcome."

That is an important concept in Christianity. However, there are some Christian writers who (unfortunately) skip over the need for confession and repentance before asking God's forgiveness at the foot of the cross of Christ. Let me explain.

Two days ago, I was in a Christian book store looking for extra copies of the famous "Bible Promise" book. The two store clerks were busy with other customers when I arrived, so I started looking for the book on my own. I came across one book that intrigued me. The cover mention Jesus and the words he shared in the gospels. It was categorized by subject, ( e.g. "faith," "love," "giving," "mercy," "grace," etc.).   I was hopeful that I had found a good substitute in case I could not find the Bible Promise book. As I read the table of contents, I noticed that there was nothing in there that called for confession of sin, repentance, or ASKING for forgiveness. There was mention of God's forgiveness, but the act of man's part in all of this was missing! I was saddened. I thought that I had found a book that would share the gospel message accurately, but I was wrong! I often refer to such "Christianity" as the cross less gospel.

When Jesus came to John for water baptism at the time he was about to start his ministry, John the Baptist stated emphatically what the people needed to do:

Mar 1:3 "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.' " [fn] Mar 1:4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Jesus himself stated the need for individuals to repent:

Mar 1:14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom [fn] of God,

Mar 1:15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

Every sin by an individual is FIRST a sin against God.  Therefore, every person needs to own his/her sin before God.

We can learn a hard lesson from King David.  In his psalm of confession for the sins of murder, deceit, and adultery, he said to God, "Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight."  (Psalm 51:4)

David could not make things right with the dead man, and he did sin against other people.  But what was meant by the term "only" was "ultimately."  Ultimately, every sin ever done by all people across time unto eternity, is done against God.

David Jeremiah explains:

Eugene Peterson captures the sense of David's words to God in The Message:    "You're the One I've violated, and you've seen it all, seen the full extent of my evil."

How "politically incorrect" is THAT statement translation in today's world!  Oooohhh!  You can't call anyone "evil" or accuse them of doing "evil" these days.  That's a BIG NO-NO! But Jesus called people and their deeds evil:


Mat 12:34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

Mat 7:11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

  Luke 11:13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"


Dr. Jeremiah emphasized that we all must admit, "I have sinned." He writes:

We can't say, "I was forced to sin," "I was influenced to sin," "I was taught to sin," or " accidentally sinned." Those kinds of blame-shifting words are used when we have not yet arrived at the point of accepting full responsibility for our actions. There is no more contrite record of confession in the bible than that of King David following the revelation of his sins in Psalm 51. The only thing he didn't ask God to forgive him for was not coming forward on his own to confess his sins. It was only after Nathan the prophet confronted David, nearly a year after his sins, that David confessed (2 Samuel 12:1-14). The Anglican/Episcopal Church's Book of Common Prayer contains a General Confession that beautifully highlights both kinds of sin--commission and omission: "We have left undone those things which we ought to have done [omission]; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done [commission]; and there is no health in us." David confessed his sins of commission (murder, adultery), but should also have confessed his failure to come forward on his own (deceit) without having to be called out by God's prophet. But we get the sense from the depth of his anguish in Psalm 51 that he is confessing everything to God. He confesses not as the King of Israel who might have made excuses or asked for allowances. He confessed as a guilty sinner who was finally willing to own his sin.

If we paused here, I could name dozens, if not hundreds of sins that have been committed by our current excuse-making government. It is a sad but true fact that those who think they will "get away with it" in this life, certainly will not in eternity. There is but ONE WAY to overcome our sin. His name is Jesus Christ and his work was at the Cross at Calvary!

Dr. Jeremiah continues:

Only sin that is owned can be overcome. And I don't mean overcome only in the sense of a recurring sin. I also mean overcome in the sense of putting right that which sin has tainted. Sometimes the results of sin cannot be reversed. We all have learned that grievous lesson. But to the extent that relationships can be repaired, reparations made, and reconciliation enjoyed, owning and overcoming are prerequisites. First, we have to repent of our sin. Like Christ told the church at Ephesus, we must "repent and do the first works" -- the works of righteousness (Revelation 2:5). Repent means to change your mind; it means to turn and go the opposite way; it means to stop sinning. Second, we have to acknowledge (confess) our sin to God and to any against whom we have sinned, and ask their forgiveness: "I have sinned. Would you please forgive me?" (1 John 1:9) Third, we need to make reparations where we can. If our actions have caused loss to others, we must restore what they have lost to the best of our ability (Proverbs 6:30-31, where "sevenfold" suggests "payment in full"). Fourth, we must covenant with God to seek His power to avoid repeating the sin (Job 31:1). Regardless of how often we sin, we must purpose not to sin again. May God grant you and me the grace to be responsible--to own and overcome every sin!

It is only after the act of confession and repentance of sin that God with grant us mercy and grace through our Lord Jesus Christ. Mercy is God withholding what we deserve. Grace is God giving us what we don't deserve!

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for dying on the cross and taking my own sin upon your body so that I could be cleansed from all unrighteousness and have the Holy Spirit indwelling in my heart! You left my sin, and all the sins of the world behind in that grave when you rose again on Resurrection Sunday!  You're AMAZING LORD!  What an awesome Savior you are!!




Hat Tip:

Dr. David Jeremiah's Turning Points Magazine and Devotional:  The Faultline - Living on the Edge of Irresponsibility, May, 2012 pp. 21-23.

Faith Is the Realization of Things Hoped For

Today, I am combining two blog posts into one.  The first topic of discussion involves Dr. David Jeremiah's television broadcast that answers the question, What is Faith?

From Hebrews chapter 11, Dr. Jeremiah discusses the foundations of faith and what it means to be a follower of Christ. This unique message was presented at the live event at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

As usual, Dr. Jeremiah does an excellent job of explaining what it means to have faith by utilizing the God's Word.

  Here is the outline:

TURNING POINT LIVE

Dr. David Jeremiah

“What Is Faith?”
Dallas Rally
Hebrews 11:1-3
May 20, 2012

Hebrews 10:38 James 2:19

I. The Description of Faith – Hebrews 11:1

A. Faith Is the Realization of Things Hoped For

B. Faith Is the Reality of Things Not Seen 1 Peter 1:8-9

1.  Step One: Perception – The Mind

2. Step Two: Persuasion – The Emotion

3. Step Three: Performance – The Will

II. The Demonstration of Faith – Hebrews 11:2

A.  By Faith We Commend Ourselves to the Creator

B. By Faith We Comprehend Creation
Hebrews 11:3
Psalm 33:6, 9

III. The Demands of Faith
Isaiah 55:6
Jeremiah 29:13
Amos 5:4

The entire broadcast is excellent!  I especially enjoyed the account of a man who placed his faith in the evolutionary fossil "Piltdown Man," only to find out decades later that it was all a hoax.

It matters Who (or what) we place our faith in. Those who place their faith in earthly things will be highly disappointed after they die. Such things will not matter in eternity.

It is better to place one's faith in the Person of Jesus Christ - the Lord and Savior of our lives! He does not disappoint! His promises can be relied upon because he has kept all of the ones he had made in his first visit to planet earth.  We can be confident that Christ will keep the remaining promises at the culmination of history.

The second part of my post are some thoughts that I'd like to share about my Bible Study Fellowship experience of the course of study entitled, "The Acts of the Apostles."

During this study, one of the most significant lessons I learned was that the reality of the nature of false teachers instructs us towards the need to continually read and study the Bible.  This is one of the best ways to hold strong in the faith so that we won't be led away from the true gospel of Christ by "empty, boastful words."

False teachers often profess moral liberation from the dictates of the Bible. What many individual do not realize is that such moral liberation is actually slavery to depravity.

The true gospel - which has once been delivered to the saints - frees believers from immoral behavior.

Why?

Because our love for Jesus causes us to WANT to avoid sinning. This doesn't mean that we are perfect. The ability to sin doesn't just disappear forever. But the closer we get to Jesus, the less desirable previous sinful acts are to us. I know because it has happened in my own life!  I look back on what I did in the past, who I was at the time, and how sinful desires could have ruined my life.  But the grace of God that surpasses all understanding has set me free through the cross of Christ from the desire to sin and from the punishment that I deserved.

False teachers can't save.  False teachers often (and subtly) try to drag people away from the truth and back into sinful lifestyles. That is how you can recognize them. If a religion teacher is leading people away from the truth of the Bible, then we know that he/she is not leading by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit who indwells within a born-again believer would NEVER lead him/her astray from God's Holy Word!

If you are experiencing being led away from what the Bible teaches, then it is not the Holy Spirit that is guiding your life.

It is someone else.

The closer we get to the end times, the more ratcheted up and emboldened false teachers become.

Millions of people who do not know Christ yet and haven't studied the Bible (in order to have the ability to discern the truth from error)  are very vulnerable to falsehood.  Unfortunately, they can be easily fooled into any type of religiosity, cult or false spirituality; simply because they do not know the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

Staying in the Scriptures helps believers to understand God's character, His plan for the world, and His will for our lives.

When I am deep in the Word, I find myself not worrying so much about the politics of the day, the criminality that so-called leaders in our government are getting away with, the immorality that is being called "good" when it is obviously evil (e.g. approval of "gay" marriage; the continued holocaust of aborted babies in the womb) or what the future may hold next year.  I know that God is in control. He will turn every evil towards good.  I know that past evil in my life has been ultimately turned for good.  This does not mean that Christians don't suffer in this fallen world.  It means that no matter what happens, I know for a fact that I belong to God and no one can snatch me out of the hands of Christ!

Back to the issues described above.  The ability to not worry about the political, economic, foreign policies, or social misconduct going on in this chaotic world does not mean that I shouldn't speak out against the things that are not of God.  Jesus told us that in this world we will have trouble.  But we are to take heart because He has overcome the world!  The book of Revelation teaches us that knowing about what kinds of things are prophesied to happen (and increase)  the closer we get to the end times helps believers to recognize why they are occurring.

God's plan for the world is for all to come to the mercy and saving grace through confession and repentance at the foot of the cross of Christ, and for all souls to be saved.  There are people who will refuse.  But there are others who will respond.  My job, as a follower of Christ, is to spread seeds about the gospel and share the path of salvation with those who are genuinely searching and are willing to listen. 

This study has helped my understanding of the Scriptures, as most Bible studies do.  There will always be many lessons to be learned.  We have never "arrived" when it comes to studying the Bible!There is always something new to learn each time we study it. 

However, the gospel is central to our belief and salvation.  Just like Paul stated during his missionary journeys, no matter what happens to us here on this earth, our hope is in the resurrection of  the dead.  Jesus Christ is the only God-man who ever achieved being resurrected from the dead.  He showed us who His is, why he came to earth to save us, and what is required in order to be saved and reconciled back unto God the Father.  As Christ has instructed us in John 3:3 - We must be born again!

I find that studying the Bible brings me closer in relationship with Christ.  I think about Him more throughout each and every day.  I am more grateful for everything that He has blessed me with.  I am comforted by his presence in my life when bad or sad events happen.

I don't allow minor physical ailments to bother me as much.  I can cope with the sin, immorality, corruption, and evil that exists in the world simply because it is a temporary state of being while in this world.  Jesus told us, "in this world you will have trouble (tribulation).  But take heart!  For I have overcome the world."  Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords!  No one can take those who are his own away!  That is our eternal security!  Why would anyone in their right mind reject that?

The sad answer to that question is that some people do, deliberately choose to reject Christ.  More on that later. 

In Acts 26:16-18, Paul's aim when he gave the gospel to the Gentiles was revealed:

1.  Appointed as a servant and witness
2.  To open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God
3.  so that they may receive forgiveness of sin
4.  An a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Christ.

I want to memorize that portion of Scripture because I think it succinctly answer the call to "give people the reason for the hope that is in us" as believers.  It gives a great starting point for witnessing to those who have little knowledge of the Bible and do not know Christ as Savior and Lord.

The reactions of people towards Paul's witnessing efforts as they are recorded in the Bible reminds me of the fact that it is the Holy Spirit who saves.  All that I, or any other Christian can do, is spread the seeds of the gospel.

For example, when Paul gave his speeches before Felix and Agrippa (leaders at that time), they both rejected it for different reasons.  Felix was well acquainted with The Way (gospel of Christ before the term "Christianity" was used), but his admitted fear of God's call to righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come prevented him from being a believer.  Agrippa listened to the gospel but said to Paul that he shouldn't think that he (Agrippa) would be converted to Christianity so quickly.

This teaches me to be patient, continue to pray for the salvation of those who (so far) refuse to believe, and to ask God to give me the right words to help each individual who needs Christ.  That list includes all of us!

Because I started this study so late at lesson 27, I hope to go back and do the lessons that I missed over the BSF summertime break.  This will motivate me to share more from Bible study instead of  just politics and the election race here at this blog.  During my reading at other blogs and other online communities, I have noticed that people often grow weary of all the "bad news" out there.    But I also think that it is highly important for Christians to be aware of what is going on in the secular world so that they can counter what is being said out there with the truth.

There is a trend these days to be politically correct in the world which means that we should accept every kind of religion/cult/apostate belief that can be found as "equal" and "true".  It is actually impossible to do that because they cannot all be true at the same time.  "Diversity" is the liberal word often used to make anything and everything acceptable; without considering God's call in the Bible to be discerning.  If you don't toe the line of their liberal mindset, then you are labeled a "bigot," "intolerant," "divisive," and "discriminatory."  Well, Jesus taught us to discriminate between what is good and what is evil; otherwise we would fall for any thought in the imaginations of men that runs counter to God's Word and His will for our lives!

Have any readers here at Talk Wisdom ever seen the bumper sticker that utilizes several religious symbols and spells out the word "COEXIST"?  We must discern what the message really is in that declaration.  Is it simply for everyone to "just get along" or is it a more sinister message to claim that all religions are equal?

Paul overcame the superstitions of the Malta islanders.  He laid hands on Publius' father so that he would be healed from fever and dysentery.  Paul preached at Rome and some believed; but others didn't.  The verse from Isaiah 6:8-9 applies today just as it did in Paul's day: 

8Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?"  And I said, "Here am I.  Send me!"

9He said, "go and tell this people:  Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing but never perceiving.

So we see that not all will accept the message of the gospel.  But we are called to share the gospel boldly - as we should -  and know that it is God who does the saving!

Dr. Jeremiah's message in his sermon included the reiterating of Hebrews 11:1 and 11:3:

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:3 - Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

The next time someone tells you that you are ignorant to believe in Creation or Intelligent Design because it is a faith issue, remind them that the Theory of Evolution (Big Bang and Macro-Evolution, specifically) must be taken on faith too.  You weren't there.  I wasn't there.  No human being was there to claim what is true about the origin of the universe.  Therefore, such a theory can only be based on the faith that a person puts into it.

Recall in Dr. Jeremiah's sermon how heartily the man wanted to believe in the Piltdown man fossil.  He lived for decades "preaching" the evolutionary theory that the fossil was the "missing link" between apes and man.  But when it was revealed that it was a complete fabrication and hoax (especially the details about how the bones were made to look old and the teeth were filed down) we could only imagine the disappointment of that man who had placed blind faith in an object found on the ground; which was manipulated to look like a true fossil.

Instead, put your faith in the truth!  Jesus is the truth!  Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father but by Him!!

Don't invest your life in a lie.  Don't allow others to sway your thoughts into "exchanging the truth for a lie."  Once you belong to Jesus, he will never leave nor forsake you! 

What Could Be Better Than This?

Tonight I am studying an awesome portion of Scripture. It is 1 Peter 1:1-16. The gospel of Jesus Christ is revealed through these verses and reiterates why our Lord Jesus Christ faced the horrible death on the cross for the joy that was to come after His subsequent resurrection from the dead.

Why?

For our sakes!

  These verses help us, as Christians, to endure the trials and tribulations that we face in this world; for they are temporary and this world is finite. The joy of the Lord that we will share in as we praise Him in heaven will be ours for all eternity! What could be better than that?

~ Christine

1Pe 1:1   Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,


1Pe 1:2   who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.


1Pe 1:3   Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,


1Pe 1:4   and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you,


1Pe 1:5   who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.


1Pe 1:6  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.


1Pe 1:7   These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.


1Pe 1:8   Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,


1Pe 1:9   for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.


1Pe 1:10   Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care,


1Pe 1:11   trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.


1Pe 1:12   It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.


1Pe 1:13   Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.


1Pe 1:14   As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.


1Pe 1:15   But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;


1Pe 1:16   for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." [fn]

  Footnote: (1:16) Lev. 11:44,45; 19:2; 20:7

  The holiness of God is claimed throughout Scripture. We are admonished to be holy because He (God) is holy. That is certainly a tall order! We can't even dream of being as holy as God! But we can strive for it each and every day of our lives. We will never "arrive" at the kind of holiness that God requires, so that is why Jesus Christ came to the earth to suffer and die for our sins on the cross at Calvary. It is because of His mercy, grace, forgiveness and love that we are cleansed of our sins and re-united with God.

The sanctification process never ends this side of heaven. However, we can see by the definition of "holy" what we are to strive for through obedience to God's written Word, the Bible, God's Living Word, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit's leading in our lives!

Definition: ho·ly    [hoh-lee] Show IPA adjective, ho·li·er, ho·li·est, noun, plural ho·lies. adjective


1. specially recognized as or declared sacred by religious use or authority; consecrated: holy ground

2. dedicated or devoted to the service of God, the church, or religion: a holy man.

3. saintly; godly; pious; devout: a holy life.

4. having a spiritually pure quality: a holy love.
. entitled to worship or veneration as or as if sacred: a holy relic.

6. religious: holy rites.

World English Dictionary holy (ˈhəʊlɪ) — adj , holier , holiest

1. of, relating to, or associated with God or a deity; sacred
 
2. endowed or invested with extreme purity or sublimity

3. devout, godly, or virtuous


Word Origin & History holy O.E. halig "holy," from P.Gmc.

 *khailagas (cf. O.N. heilagr, Ger. heilig, Goth. hailags "holy"), adopted at conversion for L. sanctus. Primary (pre-Christian) meaning is not impossible to determine, but it was probably "that must be preserved whole or intact, that cannot be transgressed or violated,"

Hat tip: Blue Letter Bible

What Does The Lord Require Of You?

I was out all day yesterday so I wasn't online to release comments on my previous post until around 8:30 p.m. (PT). I didn't even know that Rick Santorum suspended his campaign until I got home and heard a news report about it. I am wondering why he did that? Was it because of his ill daughter Bella? Was it because the polls may have shown him losing to Romney in his home state? Was he or a family member threatened? All of the above? Will we ever know the truth?

I read my blogging friend Steve's recent blog post and the headline links in the email copy I receive. I need to check out all of those links. It's quite depressing to realize that our once free country is no longer a land of liberty, freedom , and justice for all. Obama changed all of that in his nightmarish Chicago thuggery methods and I believe that they would stop at NOTHING to stay in office indefinitely.

I met with two friends (both strong Christians) who can't even look at or listen to Obama anymore. Neither one of them read my blog regularly, so they probably don't even know about half of criminality that is going on and the evil that is being unleashed upon America through Obamafraud's handlers.

I see people on Face book paying absolutely NO ATTENTION to the destruction of our nation that is going on right before our very eyes! They are involved in a kind of tunnel vision - too into their stupid Face book games, or their dogs, or hobbies - to even care about the cesspool our nation is swirling into. It really grieves me so much - so I know how friends like Steve, who keeps up with the latest Obamafraud machinations intent on destroying our Republic, feel.

I really think that the only way to get Obama out of the White House is for him to be arrested, charged with treason against America, and led away in handcuffs to prison. It will take a very brave officer of the law, who would know that he/she will probably stare death in the face, to accomplish such a feat.

I don't know whether we are in the end times, or whether this period of history is just the "birth pangs" heading towards Christ's return for His own. Time will tell.

I re-joined BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) yesterday. [MUCH THANKS to my friend Mary Ann for inviting me!] It was so good to be back studying the Bible with 300 other Christian women. There are just five more weeks in the study of  Acts.  This week we are in the book of James.  What is studied, learned, lectured about and done in our homework sessions is calming to the soul and uplifting to the spirit when so much turmoil, fear, war, economic uncertainty, and all the rest of the crises happening in our nation surround us. I realized yesterday that I needed to get back to an inductive type of Bible study that will challenge me and help me to continue to praise, worship, learn about, and apply God's Word in my life.

Well, I want to give a special God bless to Steve today! Keep alerting the blogosphere with your excellent posts and links so that people will finally be awakened to what is actually going on in our nation and the world.

Too many live with blinders on.

Too many ignore God's Word and Jesus Christ's invitation to follow Him.

 Too many will die without being saved by mercy and grace through the cross of Christ!

 All that we can do is share the truth of the evil, sin and death in this world while continuing to share the message of the Gospel of Christ; praying for those who don't yet know Jesus as their personal Savior to finally learn the TRUTH and turn to Him.


What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8)

<><><> John 3:3 - "Believe me," returned Jesus, "a man cannot even see the kingdom of God without being born again."<><>

John
3:5-8 - "I assure you," said Jesus, "that unless a man is born from water and from spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Flesh gives birth to flesh and spirit gives birth to spirit: you must not be surprised that I told you that all of you must be born again. The wind blows where it likes, you can hear the sound of it but you have no idea where it comes from and where it goes. Nor can you tell how a man is born by the wind of the Spirit."

Jhn 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Jhn 10:30   "I and [my] Father are one."
 
Jhn 8:32  "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Jhn 15:26  "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.

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

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

Hat tips to all links.