Getting the word out

I have added a link to the voice of the martyrs website. This is a site I think Christians should visit frequently. Sometimes we do not realize there is persecution going on, this website will fill you in. Please visit so you can help in some way. These people need prayer more than anything.

http://www.prisoneralert.com/

Victim or Victor?

EVERYONE WHO believes (adheres to, trusts, and relies on the fact) that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah) is a born-again child of God; and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of Him (His offspring).
By this we come to know (recognize and understand) that we love the children of God: when we love God and obey His commands (orders, charges)--[when we keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and His teaching].
For the [true] love of God is this: that we do His commands [keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and teaching]. And these orders of His are not irksome (burdensome, oppressive, or grievous).
For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.
Who is it that is victorious over [that conquers] the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on that fact]?

1 John 5: 1-5

Amplified Bible

We have been given a choice in life, victim or victor. As I look around this world, I see so many people who have decided to choose victim. It saddens my heart to see people literally give up on life. One factor that has contributed to this victimhood is the rise of the psychology world. Psychology has allowed people to accept their victimhood and be content with being "stuck in a rut".

No matter what you have done in life, you can choose to be victorious in Christ Jesus. You can be a conqueror not simply conquered. Yes, I mean anything you have done, just choose Jesus. You must keep your feet moving forward without dwelling on the past. Remember what Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life..." (John 14:6a).

As I write this, I'm reminded of the song, "Give me Jesus". It sums it all up saying, "you can have all this world, but give me Jesus".

Hell-Yes!!!

It is said that an overwhelming majority of people believe there is a Heaven, yet less than half that number believe in an eternal Hell. Even today, you will find Christians (even some church leaders) saying their not sure if Hell really exists. I think, as with most of life's issues, the Bible has the answer.

"everlasting fire" (Matthew 25:41)

"unquenchable fire" (Matthew 3:12)

"shame and everlasting contempt" (Daniel 12:2)

a place where "their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:44-49)

a place of "torments" and "flame" (Luke 16:23,24)

"everlasting destruction" (2 Thessalonians 1:9)

a place of torment with "fire and brimstone" where "the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever" (Revelation 14:10,11)

and a "lake of fire and brimstone" where the wicked are "tormented day and night forever and ever" (Revelation 20:10)

Jesus Himself indicates that the punishment in hell itself is everlasting - not merely the smoke and flames (Matthew 25:46)

For me, the Bible makes this debate an "open and shut case". I'm looking forward to my eternal life...in Heaven.

The Four Pillars of the Church

In a day when people are trying to "rediscover" church, or as I say reinvent church, we really need to turn back to the teachings of the book of Acts.

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)

You see it all around, the emerging church, the emergent church, the growth movement, the purpose driven movement. What is a Christian to do, let alone someone exploring Christianity. I think we need to revisit the book of Acts. This passage of Acts gives us insight to what the church should look like, even today. I like to refer to them as the four pillars of the church, the Word, prayer, communion, and fellowship. With these four pillars in place, I feel a church cannot deviate from the paths God has outlined for us. We must mature at Christians, and that can be accomplished when we make sure these four pillars are secure.

In addition, to the church, this is true for our own lives. We must stay in the Word daily as the early church did. Even if it is to meditate on a few verses a day. We must pray daily if not hourly seeking God and his will for our lives. We must fellowship by interacting with other Christians so that we can develop relationships that hold us accountable. Finally, we must participate in communion so we never forget the sacrifice Jesus made for us on that rugged cross.

Please take time to meditate on these four pillars and how they are in your own life and the life of your church.

Wait...

On one occasion, while he [Jesus] was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

Acts 1: 4-5


Before Jesus went into heaven, he told the disciples to go back to Jerusalem and "wait". They were to wait for the Holy Spirit. Could you imagine waiting the roughly ten days for the Holy Spirit to arrive? They had no idea what that really meant. Wow, the conversations that must have gone on.

We can take a lot from this concept of waiting. Have you ever prayed for something and it never went the way you wanted? Well, God asks us to wait, just as he asked the disciples to wait. I don't think I buy into the "God didn't answer my prayer" syndrome. What happens is, God knows the best timing for things to occur in our lives, not to mention God knows what we can really handle.

In a world where everything is fast-paced, let us strive to become people who wait on the Lord. God knows us better than we think. Next time you really want something to go a certain way, take time to be extra patient. Like the disciples, the wait just might change your world and the world in general.

Absolute Truth?

There is a "Christian" movement sweeping America called the emerging/emergent movement. In a nutshell, it is a work in progress. What I have gathered so far, one of their major issues is they reject the concept of absolute truth.

Here is a fun game you can play. If you ever encounter an emerging cultist-sorry I mean emerging believer, ask them a simple question. Do you believe in absolute truth? Most of them will say beyond a shadow of a doubt, "no, absolutely not!" Thus contradicting their "belief" of no absolute truth.

If you have a hard time wrapping your mine around that, either the short bus will be there soon to pick you up or that is why you are a believer in the emerging movement.

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth to disrepute.

2 Peter 2:1-2

Another favorite...

Here is a link to another favorite site of mine. This is another Scott, and not me. As you will see, this Scott, Scott Richards, has a radio show and a blog of his own on this site. He tackles many issues from a biblical perspective.

Enjoy...

www.scottrichardslive.com

Preach it Mrs. Rodham-Clinton

You guessed it. Hillary in full force. She is out selling herself as the most Southern and Christian of the current candidates. This is just a hint of much more to come...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaDQ1vIuvZI

A Favorite of mine

Every once in a while I will share websites and other things that I highly recommend. One of my favorite preachers is Greg Laurie. Greg is the pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California. Please check out this man of God who presents the Word boldly. You can watch their services online, which I do frequently.

http://www.harvest.org/church/index.php/10.html

Did he say "sin"?

I heard a preacher on the radio recently promise his congregation, from that day forward, he would never use the word "sin" in his sermons. In this day of "seeker-sensitive" churches, this unfortunately is becoming the norm.

It seems to me it would be nearly impossible to preach the Word of God and not use the word "sin". Some of my favorite verses contain the word "sin".

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God".
Romans 3: 23 (NIV)

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ dies for us".
Romans 5:8 (NIV)

"Then Jesus said to her, Your sins are forgiven".
Luke 7:48 (NIV)

These are just a few of my favorites. As a matter of fact, it's difficult to open the Word of God without running in to the word "sin". I don't know about you, but I need to be reminded that I am a sinner. Without the word sin, Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection was all for no reason.

It is my prayer that preachers all over the world make it a point to remind us frequently we are sinners and we desperately need Jesus in our lives. More specifically, preachers need to preach the entire Word of God including those "touchy" areas where specific sins were dealt with.

In a future series of blogs, I plan to tackle Colossians chapter 3, known by some as "rules for Holy living". In this series, I will address these "touchy" areas, sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed. I will look at the apostle Paul's advice in how to deal with these issues.

But now I leave you with this, never forget you are a sinner but the blood of Jesus can cover those sins. If you've never asked Jesus into your heart and taken Him as your personal savior, do it today. Pray to Jesus letting Him know you are a sinner and ask Him into your life. But make sure you don't do it alone. Seek the wisdom of a good Bible teaching church to help you through this life changing journey.

Lost Sheep?

I heard a pastor recently make a "preaching boo-boo". In referring to the story of the lost sheep in Luke 15, this pastor stated, "think about leaving the ninety-nine sheep in their pin to rescue the one lost sheep". I know this seems like a small thing but for some reason it bothered me. "Their pin", I thought. Here are the verses in the message version from Luke 15: 1-7:

"Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and saying, 'Celebrate with me! I've found my sheep!' Count on it-there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue."

Wow, this has a much bigger impact. Leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, not in a pin? I have seen pictures of the landscape in this area, it's not a perfectly manicured lush green grassy landscape. No, it is rather rocky with small cliffs scattered about. Not a place you'd want to leave your ninety-nine. Also, there is the potential for predators and thieves who could find your ninety-nine extremely appealing. Bottom line is, the risk is so much greater leaving them in the wilderness then in a pin.

Please don't miss the essence of these verses. Jesus wants us to know that there is a party in Heaven when a "sinner's life is rescued". This happened when I was saved and it happened when you were saved. Unless, of course, you are not saved. But Heaven is ready to have a party in your name. I heard a pastor many years ago say it this way, "when you accept Jesus as your personal savior, a huge banner is hung in Heaven with your name on it, and all of Heaven celebrates for you".