I realize that it has been quite some time since I have updated this blog. However, it has not been due to a lack of material, rather that the material I have is not resolving itself coherently. I have also been very busy, and this has lead to more sleeping than blogging. I do however have things that are in the works, and while they may take a while to appear, I am working on them. One recent item went from being a single post to the potential for several posts.
This is my update to correspond with my last post.
I did go to visit Bro. Epley's campmeeting back at the end of July. It was a truly great time with excellent preaching and teaching. Sadly due to the roads that I took to get there, I missed the first service. I have since enjoyed the cd containing Bro. Riggen's message "We Are Not In Egypt Anymore". As always, there was a lot of food and fellowship to be had.
I had planned on attending the WPF Summit and General Conference this year. However, my finances did not allow me to make that conference, although it was very good from the reports that I have received. I am going to make an attempt to make it there next year, the Lord willing.
I did attend the "Passing the Mantle" conference in Kansas City, hosted by Bro. Stan Gleason with Bro. Lee Stoneking as the the main preacher. All I can say is that there was a mighty move of God in the midst of the meeting. It is not to be missed. To see people renewing the dedication and consecration to God in tears is a wonderful sight to behold.
Of course, we are now in the midst of the 'Holiday Season' as it is known in the United States. These could be said to be the 'high holy days' of the American calender (the word holiday being derived from the term holy day). This of course begins at Halloween and continues through New Year's Day, although it is generally acknowledged as beginning with Thanksgiving.
I could, and might later, put some thoughts down concerning the celebration of Halloween (I do not and, will not, celebrate it) and the other holidays.
For Thanksgiving, I am going to be seeing a number of family members as we gather at my Aunt and Uncle's house this year. It will be the first time in more than a year I have seen my niece as well as a couple of my cousin's children. This is going to make from a grand celebration of Thanksgiving Day.
For Christmas, I am going to be traveling back to Kansas City, where we will gathering to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus (the timing of this celebration will be dealt with in another post). This will provide a lot of fun for us during the holiday. I just wish I knew what to get everyone this year.
New Year's Day is the only holiday that I have planned nothing for. If nothing else, I will celebrate this holiday by wrapping myself up in a blanket, and catching up on the sleep that I missed throughout the prior year!
Next year looks to be a better than the one that we are now concluding. Before the first half has passed, I should be free of all my credit card debts, and be getting ready to attend the fall conferences. There are also a number of other things that are going to be coming down that I will hopefully be able to discuss on here as they happen.
I will of course continue to post updates as they come available. Hopefully I can get some of these things posted before another four months have passed.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Taking Another Trip
I have at least three new items that I am in the process of developing, but it will be another few weeks before I am comfortable enough with the topics to make an entry here to them. However, I am going to revert to more lighthearted fare for the next few weeks.
It is the start of my travel season. This season kicks itself off at the end of July and will conclude at the beginning of January. This is the time of year that I take all my time off from work, and attend various conferences and family events.
My first event of the season is a quick trip to Bro. Epley's campmeeting in Racine, MO. This will be followed by a trip to Gatlinburg, TN for the WPF Summit and Campmeeting, and Passing the Mantle in Kansas City. I hope to have some pictures from each of these events to post either during or after my trips.
Hopefully, for some of you who read my blog regularly, I may get to meet you soon. God bless and keep you in the name of Jesus.
It is the start of my travel season. This season kicks itself off at the end of July and will conclude at the beginning of January. This is the time of year that I take all my time off from work, and attend various conferences and family events.
My first event of the season is a quick trip to Bro. Epley's campmeeting in Racine, MO. This will be followed by a trip to Gatlinburg, TN for the WPF Summit and Campmeeting, and Passing the Mantle in Kansas City. I hope to have some pictures from each of these events to post either during or after my trips.
Hopefully, for some of you who read my blog regularly, I may get to meet you soon. God bless and keep you in the name of Jesus.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
A Call To Die
John 12:24 reads, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."
While in church tonight, I felt the Spirit speak this thought to me, and He gave me a call saying, "Come and renew your dedication, and deepen your consecration." He then brought the above passage to my memory.
The verse is self explanatory, and we have all seen the pictures of the various stages that a seed passes through to become a mature plant. However, it is much the same for those of us who are called by the name of Jesus, as we begin to seek Him and the moving of His mighty power in our lives.
Jesus is using this example as a means to fortell His own death, burial, and resurrection. However, he also lets it be known that it is also for His church to die as well, so that they may produce fruit in their own turn. He is not meaning their physical death, although that will be looked at in a moment.
While in church tonight, I felt the Spirit speak this thought to me, and He gave me a call saying, "Come and renew your dedication, and deepen your consecration." He then brought the above passage to my memory.
The verse is self explanatory, and we have all seen the pictures of the various stages that a seed passes through to become a mature plant. However, it is much the same for those of us who are called by the name of Jesus, as we begin to seek Him and the moving of His mighty power in our lives.
Jesus is using this example as a means to fortell His own death, burial, and resurrection. However, he also lets it be known that it is also for His church to die as well, so that they may produce fruit in their own turn. He is not meaning their physical death, although that will be looked at in a moment.
Rather the first form of death that we are going to discuss is the death to ourselves and the things of this world. For we are told that we have died to this world, and left its desires and pleasures behind us. (Romans Chapter 6:1-11) Further, if we have been filled with the Holy Ghost, we have at some point died to sin, and ceased to walk in a sinful lifestyle. (Romans 8: 1:11) However, we must return to this point periodically to once again keep our lives separated from sin and dedicated to God. This is why Paul further states in Colossians chapter 3,
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: in the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
It is for these reasons that we are commanded to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. We have died to the flesh, sin, and the world, and baptism is a form of burying ourselves with our Lord. However, as can be seen in the passages that I have referenced, we must also be sure to keep that old man of sin dead. Thus we need to periodically examine ourselves to ensure that we are still living according to the Word of God.
This then leads to the next portion of our study tonight, for we are called to be willing to suffer and die for this very doctrine. In fact, it is my contention that unless one has truly died to the things of this life, we then can not be prepared to give our lives for this doctrine. Jesus stated in Luke 12 that we would be persecuted, tried, and killed for His name. (Luke 12:4-12) Further it stated that those who have overcome Satan did so through the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, the word of their testimony, and that they did not love their lives, even unto the death. (Rev. 12:11)
The Bible and Christian history is filled with the names of those men who followed these dictates with their whole heart, to the point that they were willing to have their own blood shed as the final seal of their testimony. Peter, James the brother of John, Steven, James the brother of Jesus, Paul, Priscilla and Aquila, Matthew, Timothy, Antipas, John, and innumerable others counted it nothing to give their lives even under the cruelest tortures devised by men at that time.
The question is now, are we going to be willing to dedicate our lives the the service of the Lord, to such an extent that no portion of ourselves is beyond His control? Are we going to fall into such a love with the truth of the Bible that we will count all suffering but a light affliction compared to the eternal weight of glory that we shall receive? In a day of instant and incessant gratification, will we deny ourselves, and be content, in order that we may receive the fullness of the power of God?
These are questions that must be answered individual by individual, and sadly there will be those who, when they have counted the cost, will turn and reject this blessed doctrine. Let us all be determined that we shall not falter or fail to do our duty, crucify our desires upon the cross of Christ, and earn ourselves the approval of our Lord when He states, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord."
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
A Bloody History
I am in debt to Bro. Epley as well as my parent for setting my mind in this direction. Without some of the things that I read and discussed today, this blog post would not exist.
It has been a recent development in churches that pastors, youth leaders, and song leaders do not wish to discuss the blood of Jesus. Further, they have started requesting that visiting preachers or singers not make any reference to the blood or the crucifixion. It seems as if this trend is beginning to be seen in some so-called Pentecostal/Apostolic churches.
However, the history of Christianity is steeped in blood (and I am not discussing the "Christians" who participated in the Crusades, the Inquisition, etc.). The first mention of blood being shed is God slaying an animal in Genesis 3:21. This was the first in a long line of sacrifices that would be made to atone for the sins of man.
In Genesis 4, we have the second recorded blood sacrifice, and the first martyr for doing what was right in the sight of God. This was the incident where Cain viciously attacked and killed Able out of spite and jealousy.
Later, we read of the faithful prophets of God who were slain for not telling the people, kings, and priests what they wished to hear. This is recorded in the rest of the old Testament. It was well known that Jezebel had any who openly followed the ways of God slain. Naboth was righteous, but was killed because of Ahab's covetousness and Jezebel's conniving.
John the Baptist was beheaded for daring to tell the king Herod Antipas and Herodias that they were in an illicit relationship. This statement caused him to be imprisoned and then killed by Herod at the request of his daughter, who received this order from Herodias, her mother.
Jesus was crucified for the sins of all people, of all places and times. His blood purchases healing and salvation from sin. His resurrection confirmed the words of the prophets. Further, He ascended into Heaven, with a promise to return for His people. He then poured His Spirit out upon all men, and has yet to cease giving this precious gift to those who ask in faith.
However, it was not long after this, and we see that both Stephen and James were killed for preaching the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that He was God made manifest in the flesh. These were the first two Christian martyrs.
Following after, the Apostles and their disciples, and those who followed after them, were imprisoned and killed for their obedience to the call of Christ. After the rise of the Catholic Church, those who opposed it and held to the truths of the Bible were killed in many tortuous ways. There have been martyrs in every land, in every age, for the truths that we now have today.
All who wish to deny the blood of Jesus for the sake of convenience, deny also the history of the blood shed by the Apostles, prophets, and innumerable sacrifices that brought us to this point. There is a reason that Revelation records that when Jesus returns at the end of time, He will be wearing a vesture dipped in blood.
It has been a recent development in churches that pastors, youth leaders, and song leaders do not wish to discuss the blood of Jesus. Further, they have started requesting that visiting preachers or singers not make any reference to the blood or the crucifixion. It seems as if this trend is beginning to be seen in some so-called Pentecostal/Apostolic churches.
However, the history of Christianity is steeped in blood (and I am not discussing the "Christians" who participated in the Crusades, the Inquisition, etc.). The first mention of blood being shed is God slaying an animal in Genesis 3:21. This was the first in a long line of sacrifices that would be made to atone for the sins of man.
In Genesis 4, we have the second recorded blood sacrifice, and the first martyr for doing what was right in the sight of God. This was the incident where Cain viciously attacked and killed Able out of spite and jealousy.
Later, we read of the faithful prophets of God who were slain for not telling the people, kings, and priests what they wished to hear. This is recorded in the rest of the old Testament. It was well known that Jezebel had any who openly followed the ways of God slain. Naboth was righteous, but was killed because of Ahab's covetousness and Jezebel's conniving.
John the Baptist was beheaded for daring to tell the king Herod Antipas and Herodias that they were in an illicit relationship. This statement caused him to be imprisoned and then killed by Herod at the request of his daughter, who received this order from Herodias, her mother.
Jesus was crucified for the sins of all people, of all places and times. His blood purchases healing and salvation from sin. His resurrection confirmed the words of the prophets. Further, He ascended into Heaven, with a promise to return for His people. He then poured His Spirit out upon all men, and has yet to cease giving this precious gift to those who ask in faith.
However, it was not long after this, and we see that both Stephen and James were killed for preaching the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that He was God made manifest in the flesh. These were the first two Christian martyrs.
Following after, the Apostles and their disciples, and those who followed after them, were imprisoned and killed for their obedience to the call of Christ. After the rise of the Catholic Church, those who opposed it and held to the truths of the Bible were killed in many tortuous ways. There have been martyrs in every land, in every age, for the truths that we now have today.
All who wish to deny the blood of Jesus for the sake of convenience, deny also the history of the blood shed by the Apostles, prophets, and innumerable sacrifices that brought us to this point. There is a reason that Revelation records that when Jesus returns at the end of time, He will be wearing a vesture dipped in blood.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Preparation for Persecution
"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Mat 5:10-12)
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, "Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." (Luke 6:20-38)
These two passages are the conclusion of the Beatitudes. However, it is well worth the time to study these portions of Scripture with greater diligence, especially as it concerns certain trends in our political, societal, and religious structures.
It is commonly taught that there are special blessings to be attached to each portion of the Beatitudes, and that is true enough. However, the key to these passages lies in the statements: "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Matt 5:10-12). And from Luke 6, "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets."
It is now apparent that Jesus' topic is the disposition of the church during times of trial, persecution, and suffering. In the book of James we are told that we should not be laying up riches and treasures for ourselves hear on earth, because they are temporary and will eventually pass away. Further, He makes us the promise that if we as Christians suffer and have sorrows here on earth, we will gain peace, joy, laughter, and eternal wealth beyond measure in the Kingdom.
However, Jesus also gives a warning to those who have all of the comforts that this life can afford. There will be a day when they will not avail their owners anything. This is especially addressed to those who deceive people into believing that all is well, as is seen by the last statement Jesus makes comparing to those who were false prophets.
The issue then can be seen that Jesus is truly saying that we are to be even as He was at His trial and crucifixion. We are told in Isaiah 53:7, "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth." Further, He commands us to not judge or condemn, but to rather forgive and pray for those who our persecutors. Again, His own example is our guide for He cried from the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)
We have seen an increasing opposition to those who desire to claim Jesus Christ as their God and King here in the United States. From private companies being required to pay for abortions via insurance even against their conscience to the recent ban on religious conversations between soldiers with the aim of conversion, even at the instigation of the one seeking additional information, from schools singling out crosses to the legal harassment of businesses and individuals opposing gay marriage, there has a been a steady rise in Anti-Christian sentiment. Further, there are those who such at the Southern Poverty Law Center who declare those with firm Biblical beliefs to be "hate groups". How many times have we Christians heard the educational elite refer to us as 'ignorant', 'stupid', and any number of other derogatory descriptions.
It should be obvious that such attacks are waxing and not on the wane. This is why Jesus told us to rejoice, leap for joy, and be exceeding glad. It is because if we are suffering persecution for His name, then we are in the same conditions as the prophets of old who stood against the tide and prophesied the eminent destruction of their nation. However, we are warning people to turn to Jesus Christ for their salvation, because the time is coming when He will return and judge every nation and all people.
Let us prepare ourselves for the oncoming wave of persecution, for it will intensify from now until the coming of our Lord. Let us show our light by being ever more gracious in the face of persistent hostility, holding no grudges, and helping those who have and maybe will hurt us. This is the command that was given in these passages. My friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, let us now practice obedience to our Lord's commands while it is easy to do so, rather than build anger and resentment concerning our treatment, and then attempting to follow the order when it is much more difficult.
May God help and keep us all during the days, weeks, months, and years ahead.
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, "Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." (Luke 6:20-38)
These two passages are the conclusion of the Beatitudes. However, it is well worth the time to study these portions of Scripture with greater diligence, especially as it concerns certain trends in our political, societal, and religious structures.
It is commonly taught that there are special blessings to be attached to each portion of the Beatitudes, and that is true enough. However, the key to these passages lies in the statements: "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Matt 5:10-12). And from Luke 6, "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets."
It is now apparent that Jesus' topic is the disposition of the church during times of trial, persecution, and suffering. In the book of James we are told that we should not be laying up riches and treasures for ourselves hear on earth, because they are temporary and will eventually pass away. Further, He makes us the promise that if we as Christians suffer and have sorrows here on earth, we will gain peace, joy, laughter, and eternal wealth beyond measure in the Kingdom.
However, Jesus also gives a warning to those who have all of the comforts that this life can afford. There will be a day when they will not avail their owners anything. This is especially addressed to those who deceive people into believing that all is well, as is seen by the last statement Jesus makes comparing to those who were false prophets.
The issue then can be seen that Jesus is truly saying that we are to be even as He was at His trial and crucifixion. We are told in Isaiah 53:7, "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth." Further, He commands us to not judge or condemn, but to rather forgive and pray for those who our persecutors. Again, His own example is our guide for He cried from the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)
We have seen an increasing opposition to those who desire to claim Jesus Christ as their God and King here in the United States. From private companies being required to pay for abortions via insurance even against their conscience to the recent ban on religious conversations between soldiers with the aim of conversion, even at the instigation of the one seeking additional information, from schools singling out crosses to the legal harassment of businesses and individuals opposing gay marriage, there has a been a steady rise in Anti-Christian sentiment. Further, there are those who such at the Southern Poverty Law Center who declare those with firm Biblical beliefs to be "hate groups". How many times have we Christians heard the educational elite refer to us as 'ignorant', 'stupid', and any number of other derogatory descriptions.
It should be obvious that such attacks are waxing and not on the wane. This is why Jesus told us to rejoice, leap for joy, and be exceeding glad. It is because if we are suffering persecution for His name, then we are in the same conditions as the prophets of old who stood against the tide and prophesied the eminent destruction of their nation. However, we are warning people to turn to Jesus Christ for their salvation, because the time is coming when He will return and judge every nation and all people.
Let us prepare ourselves for the oncoming wave of persecution, for it will intensify from now until the coming of our Lord. Let us show our light by being ever more gracious in the face of persistent hostility, holding no grudges, and helping those who have and maybe will hurt us. This is the command that was given in these passages. My friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, let us now practice obedience to our Lord's commands while it is easy to do so, rather than build anger and resentment concerning our treatment, and then attempting to follow the order when it is much more difficult.
May God help and keep us all during the days, weeks, months, and years ahead.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Praying for God's Mercy for our Enemies
I am far from being a squishy bleeding hearted liberal, but God has dealt with me in a rather unusual way concerning the proper Christian response to the Boston Marathon bomber that is being held. Further, He also dealt with me concerning a proper response to all terrorist activities, as well as our conflicts with other nations.
Last week, I was as shocked and horrified as anyone to hear about the bombing of the Boston Marathon. In the course of the next few days, I prayed that the terrorists who were responsible would be brought to justice, but my heart was very heavy with mourning. This did not change even as the dragnet brought both men into the light and to justice.
I began to seek the Lord concerning the heaviness of my spirit, especially as opposed to the fury and rage that I heard from other quarters. Then the Lord began to speak to me saying, "You feel the call of My Spirit calling you to pray for your enemies. I commanded that you love and pray for those who are your enemies. This young man is one of many that you have, and so I have given you a burden to pray for him."
Then Jesus took me to Matt. 5:44-45 and Luke 6:27-28, 35-36. Further, He instructed me to not pray for judgment upon this terrorist, but rather that he be shown the love and mercies of God. He told me of His desire to see this young Muslim brought into the full light of the truth. Then He continued to take me through His Word.
"How many people revere the Apostle Paul for his actions in spreading the Gospel throughout the world, writing letters to the churches, and providing crucial leadership to the Gentile churches? Yet, he was just such a man as this. He was present at the stoning of Stephen, and terrorized the saint in the churches of Israel and the surrounding lands. But look what My mercy wrought in him. I can take the darkest life, and make it clean. But who will stand in prayer to see that My mercy is brought forth?"
I know that this will not be a popular concept, nor will it even be accepted even by most who claim to be Christian, but God has said that we should not be angry with the terrorists, for they are in bondage to the deceptions of Satan, which is a fate far worse than death. We should rather then mourn for them as those who perish if they are not reached in time.
As Christians, we are called to be a light, and to reach with the Gospel to every sin stained soul. This is whether or not they deserve the mercy that we request for them. Are we not all guilty too often of the shedding of blood in the privacy of our own hearts? Are we then not under the same Divine penalty as Dzhakhar Tsarnaer and his brother? Have we not often been guilty of anger with another without cause, and had to repent? Have we not been guilty of hundreds of infractions of the Law as this young man?
"As I have shown great mercy toward you, so you should be willing to show great mercy to those who have hurt you, and are your enemy," was also told me by Jesus.
I now ask, will you join with me in asking for the mercies of God to be extended to this terrorist, no matter what the final outcome of his prosecution by the government. He will have to pay his debt to the society that he flagrantly attacked, but this is not a legitimate cause to hate him. Let us then pray that the Lord will open his eyes to the full truth of both his great crimes, but also to his need for Jesus Christ to become the Savior that He died on the cross to be for all of us.
Let us become more like the Christ we claim and say with Him as He hung upon the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:24)
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Where is your heart?
"Do you love me, or do you simply like me?"
While driving, I felt the Spirit ask me this question. I had to stop and very seriously consider this question, and all that it by nature entails. If I like Him, then I will visit Him on regularly at His house, tell others about His greatness, and encourage others to make His acquaintance. That is very easily done. But to actually love Him?
That would mean that I would mean that I would need to change everything in my life that He is not happy with, because I wish to please Him. I would want to be more like Him, desire to be more acceptable in His eyes. I would have to talk to Him, and study the Book that He has asked me to read.
How many times do we as Christians claim that we love Jesus, but then only wish to spend only a few hours in His presence, reading His Word, or having anything to do with Him? Do we love Him or do we merely like Him?
I have heard 'Christians' say that they do not wish to have a deeper walk with God because of what they would have to surrender. I have heard them say, "I do not believe that it is necessary to do all of that extra stuff. I go to church on Sunday morning and am a good Christian. More than that is not required." How can you truly love someone that you only wish to spend a couple of hours a week with?
The problem is truly one of a misplaced heart. When one truly falls in love with Jesus, all of the things that one must change becomes a bit easier, because He is the one that is asking. You will desire to do anything to please Him and make Him happy. Thus, the line of the song is fulfilled that says, "The things of this world will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."
I had a couple of songs come to mind recently, and they each seemed to reflect the attitudes that we can take towards our Lord. The first is the new song, 'I am a Friend of God.' It is fast with an upbeat feel to it. It stirs the blood and encourages a lot of excitement. However, while all of these things are good, they are still shallow emotions that are swiftly replaced.
The second song is older and says:
Are you going to learn to love Him more than anything else this world can offer? That is the true question. What will you do with a King who loved His rebellious subjects so much that He laid aside His crown, became like one of them, died in the place of those rebels, and then offered pardon to any who would ask?
The question is simple, but the answer to that will make all the difference in the world.
While driving, I felt the Spirit ask me this question. I had to stop and very seriously consider this question, and all that it by nature entails. If I like Him, then I will visit Him on regularly at His house, tell others about His greatness, and encourage others to make His acquaintance. That is very easily done. But to actually love Him?
That would mean that I would mean that I would need to change everything in my life that He is not happy with, because I wish to please Him. I would want to be more like Him, desire to be more acceptable in His eyes. I would have to talk to Him, and study the Book that He has asked me to read.
How many times do we as Christians claim that we love Jesus, but then only wish to spend only a few hours in His presence, reading His Word, or having anything to do with Him? Do we love Him or do we merely like Him?
I have heard 'Christians' say that they do not wish to have a deeper walk with God because of what they would have to surrender. I have heard them say, "I do not believe that it is necessary to do all of that extra stuff. I go to church on Sunday morning and am a good Christian. More than that is not required." How can you truly love someone that you only wish to spend a couple of hours a week with?
The problem is truly one of a misplaced heart. When one truly falls in love with Jesus, all of the things that one must change becomes a bit easier, because He is the one that is asking. You will desire to do anything to please Him and make Him happy. Thus, the line of the song is fulfilled that says, "The things of this world will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."
I had a couple of songs come to mind recently, and they each seemed to reflect the attitudes that we can take towards our Lord. The first is the new song, 'I am a Friend of God.' It is fast with an upbeat feel to it. It stirs the blood and encourages a lot of excitement. However, while all of these things are good, they are still shallow emotions that are swiftly replaced.
The second song is older and says:
More than anything,
More than anything,
I love You, Jesus,
More than anything.
More than worldly wealth,
More than life itself,
I love You, Jesus,
More than anything.
Are you going to learn to love Him more than anything else this world can offer? That is the true question. What will you do with a King who loved His rebellious subjects so much that He laid aside His crown, became like one of them, died in the place of those rebels, and then offered pardon to any who would ask?
The question is simple, but the answer to that will make all the difference in the world.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Does the Church Need to Be Culturally Relevant?
Is it possible for the Church to be culturally relevant? Should it be attempting to redeem the culture? Or are these questions a symptom of deeper problems in the lives of Christians?
I have been hearing that we must 'engage the culture', 'redeem the culture', be 'culturally relevant', along with many other catch phrases. These are common both in conservative and liberal elements of Christianity. Often, this is followed by encouraging people to become active in the entertainment industry, politics, and other similar areas. However, is this truly effective?
There are many problems with Christians and the church attempting to stay culturally relevant. These include the introduction of non-biblical elements into teaching and preaching, the drawing of analogies that have nothing to do with Scripture or the Christian life from strange sources, the dilution of doctrine, and the erosion of Christian values.
Most Christian denominations have been attempting to remain 'relevant' for more than 100 years. It started when the certain theologians started to embrace a skeptical outlook on Scripture and embracing the principles of German philosophical criticisms of Christianity. These lead many to start questioning the inspiration of Scripture, the allegorical interpretation of most passages, and the critique that the Bible was not scientifically or rationally acceptable.
This liberalizing trend continued into the late 1800s with the advent of the "Social Gospel" which stated that the Gospel was to bring about concern for all mankind, the advancement of the social welfare, aiding the poor, and many other things. While these are good, those who promoted this new "Gospel" chose to ignore the doctrines of sin and the redemption from that sad state. This lead to many becoming involved in 'Christian Socialism' in Europe and America. This used Christian principles to attempt to eliminate poverty, inequality, and other 'social sins'.
We have the adherents of these teachings with us today. Many of them are located in the Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopal/Anglican, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches. They are easily seen by their emphasis on poverty, inequality, ecumenicalism, little emphasis on redemption from sin, and a lack of interest in Biblical doctrine or condemnations of sin. Churches, preachers, and minsters that promote same-sex unions, do not condemn abortion, question the authority of the Bible, and wish to make the Bible gender-neutral (and some Methodist and Presbyterian organizations the trinitarian understanding of the Godhead as well).
On the Evangelical/Fundamentalist side of the equation, the questions were not concerning authority of Scripture, but rather as the world began to change their modes of dress and entertainment, they changed their standards to match that of the culture, thus in the early 1900s television, movies, cut hair, immodest apparel, and make-up were all preached against. During the 1920s, as young women began to shorten sleeves, hem-lines, cut their hair, wear make-up, attend movies, and eventually embraced the television as well.
During the 1940s, this began to affect the Holiness/Pentecostal denominations/organizations that were formed during the late 1800s and early 1900s and which were not involved in the fundamentalist/progressive controversies. The church of the Nazarene suffered a split in 1958 over these very issues among others. The Pentecostal Assemblies of the World and the Assemblies of God both began to change during this time, and the Church of God followed in the 1970s. Many of these no longer believe that there is a necessity to look any different from the world.
This has lead to the trends with televangelists becoming a laughing stock in society, and preachers being concerned solely with financial wealth and material gain. Some of those who were involved with these scandals were the Bakkers, Swaggert, Roberts, Robertson, among others.
This has also lead to them trying to find celebrities, actors/actresses, singers, and musicians in the popular culture to be role models for their children. They attempt to find 'Christian themes' in various movies and television shows (regardless of the dubious moral content), and popular secular music. Further, this pursuit of cultural significance has lead them to 'modernize' the church services for young people to include, moving lights, video clips, themes from popular songs, books, television, and movies.
The end result is that rather than being more relevant, they make themselves of less relevance. Why should people attend a church service that sounds, and looks like a rock concert when they can simply attend the real thing? Thus, these churches give their children a taste for the world while inoculating them to the truths and principles of Scripture.
This leads to the question, should the Apostolic/Pentecostal churches pursue this course of cultural relevance?
The answer must be a firm and solid, "NO!!"
Rather than attempting to be more relevant and culturally accommodating, we must rather be confrontational. I am not meaning that we should be mean, hateful, argumentative, cruel, vengeful, and intentionally abrasive. We must remain kind, gentle, yet firm when taking opposing the ungodly culture. Jesus and Paul did not attempt to be culturally relevant, nor did they attempt to directly change the culture of their day. Rather they sought to draw men, women, and children away from the culture. This is the only way to be relevant and change the culture.
Romans 12:1-2 says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." John said that we are not to love the world or the things that are therein, because that is enmity against God.
Let us then put aside the desire to be relevant and conformist. Let us rather aspire to pull souls from the culture and see them transformed to be into the image of Christ.
I have been hearing that we must 'engage the culture', 'redeem the culture', be 'culturally relevant', along with many other catch phrases. These are common both in conservative and liberal elements of Christianity. Often, this is followed by encouraging people to become active in the entertainment industry, politics, and other similar areas. However, is this truly effective?
There are many problems with Christians and the church attempting to stay culturally relevant. These include the introduction of non-biblical elements into teaching and preaching, the drawing of analogies that have nothing to do with Scripture or the Christian life from strange sources, the dilution of doctrine, and the erosion of Christian values.
Most Christian denominations have been attempting to remain 'relevant' for more than 100 years. It started when the certain theologians started to embrace a skeptical outlook on Scripture and embracing the principles of German philosophical criticisms of Christianity. These lead many to start questioning the inspiration of Scripture, the allegorical interpretation of most passages, and the critique that the Bible was not scientifically or rationally acceptable.
This liberalizing trend continued into the late 1800s with the advent of the "Social Gospel" which stated that the Gospel was to bring about concern for all mankind, the advancement of the social welfare, aiding the poor, and many other things. While these are good, those who promoted this new "Gospel" chose to ignore the doctrines of sin and the redemption from that sad state. This lead to many becoming involved in 'Christian Socialism' in Europe and America. This used Christian principles to attempt to eliminate poverty, inequality, and other 'social sins'.
We have the adherents of these teachings with us today. Many of them are located in the Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopal/Anglican, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches. They are easily seen by their emphasis on poverty, inequality, ecumenicalism, little emphasis on redemption from sin, and a lack of interest in Biblical doctrine or condemnations of sin. Churches, preachers, and minsters that promote same-sex unions, do not condemn abortion, question the authority of the Bible, and wish to make the Bible gender-neutral (and some Methodist and Presbyterian organizations the trinitarian understanding of the Godhead as well).
On the Evangelical/Fundamentalist side of the equation, the questions were not concerning authority of Scripture, but rather as the world began to change their modes of dress and entertainment, they changed their standards to match that of the culture, thus in the early 1900s television, movies, cut hair, immodest apparel, and make-up were all preached against. During the 1920s, as young women began to shorten sleeves, hem-lines, cut their hair, wear make-up, attend movies, and eventually embraced the television as well.
During the 1940s, this began to affect the Holiness/Pentecostal denominations/organizations that were formed during the late 1800s and early 1900s and which were not involved in the fundamentalist/progressive controversies. The church of the Nazarene suffered a split in 1958 over these very issues among others. The Pentecostal Assemblies of the World and the Assemblies of God both began to change during this time, and the Church of God followed in the 1970s. Many of these no longer believe that there is a necessity to look any different from the world.
This has lead to the trends with televangelists becoming a laughing stock in society, and preachers being concerned solely with financial wealth and material gain. Some of those who were involved with these scandals were the Bakkers, Swaggert, Roberts, Robertson, among others.
This has also lead to them trying to find celebrities, actors/actresses, singers, and musicians in the popular culture to be role models for their children. They attempt to find 'Christian themes' in various movies and television shows (regardless of the dubious moral content), and popular secular music. Further, this pursuit of cultural significance has lead them to 'modernize' the church services for young people to include, moving lights, video clips, themes from popular songs, books, television, and movies.
The end result is that rather than being more relevant, they make themselves of less relevance. Why should people attend a church service that sounds, and looks like a rock concert when they can simply attend the real thing? Thus, these churches give their children a taste for the world while inoculating them to the truths and principles of Scripture.
This leads to the question, should the Apostolic/Pentecostal churches pursue this course of cultural relevance?
The answer must be a firm and solid, "NO!!"
Rather than attempting to be more relevant and culturally accommodating, we must rather be confrontational. I am not meaning that we should be mean, hateful, argumentative, cruel, vengeful, and intentionally abrasive. We must remain kind, gentle, yet firm when taking opposing the ungodly culture. Jesus and Paul did not attempt to be culturally relevant, nor did they attempt to directly change the culture of their day. Rather they sought to draw men, women, and children away from the culture. This is the only way to be relevant and change the culture.
Romans 12:1-2 says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." John said that we are not to love the world or the things that are therein, because that is enmity against God.
Let us then put aside the desire to be relevant and conformist. Let us rather aspire to pull souls from the culture and see them transformed to be into the image of Christ.
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