Fri, Nov 30th - 8:44AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! UNANSWERED PRAYER
The preacher's 5 year-old daughter noticed that her father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day, she asked him why. "Well, Honey," he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages. "I'm asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon." "How come He doesn't answer it?" she asked.
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Fri, Nov 30th - 8:26AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
THOUGHT FOR TODAY! "Worship is man's full reason for existence. Worship is why we are born and why we are born again."*
- A.W. Tozer
*Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name. Psalm 100:4 (NRSV) This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (NRSV)
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Thu, Nov 29th - 8:50AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
"God's gifts put man's best dreams to shame."* -- Elizabeth Barrett Browning Singer *"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—9not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life." Ephesians 2:8-10 (NRSV)
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Thu, Nov 29th - 8:40AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! SMARTELLIC
A cop pulls a young guy over:
"Hello officer" said the smart aleck kid.
"Young man did you see that stop sign?" asked the cop.
Yup, but I didn't see you!
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Wed, Nov 28th - 8:30AM
Christian Hope
Our Christian confidence
Christians are confident about the future, and our Christian 'hope' (which is a sure expectation) is both individual and cosmic. Individually, apart from Christ, the fear of personal death and dissolution is almost universal. For us in the West Woody Allen typifies this terror. It has become an obsession with him. True, he can still joke about it. 'It's not that I'm afraid to die,' he quips; 'I just don't want to be there when it happens.'(1) But mostly he is filled with dread. In a 1977 article in ""Esquire"" he said: 'The fundamental thing behind *all* motivation and *all* activity is the constant struggle against annihilation and against death. It's absolutely stupefying in its terror, and it renders anyone's accomplishments meaningless.' Jesus Christ, however, rescues his disciples from this horror. We will not only survive death, but be raised from it. We are to be given new bodies like his resurrection body, with new and undreamed-of powers. For he is called both the 'firstfruits' of the harvest and 'the firstborn from the dead'. Both metaphors give the same assurance. He was the first to rise; all his people will follow. We will have a body like his. 'Just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man (Adam) so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven (Christ)' (1 Cor. 15:49). Our hope for the future, however, is also cosmic. We believe that Jesus Christ is going to return in spectacular magnificence, in order to bring history to its fulfilment in eternity. He will not only raise the dead, but regenerate the universe; he will make all things new. We are persuaded that the whole creation is going to be set free from its present bondage to decay and death; that the groans of nature are the labour pains which promise the birth of a new world; and that there is going to be a new heaven and a new earth, which will be the home of righteousness. John Stott
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Wed, Nov 28th - 8:11AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! TRANSLATION PLEASE
A French guest, staying in a American hotel called room service for some pepper."Black pepper, or white pepper?" asked the concierge. "Toilette pepper!
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Wed, Nov 28th - 7:59AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
Ability is no guarantee of morality.* Jim Denison, Pastor Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas *Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks. 13For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man: Isaiah 10:12-13 (KJV)
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Tue, Nov 27th - 8:28AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
“....eternal obligation of Righteousness....Now that "the fullness of time has come" it is at once our duty and our blessedness to accept complete emancipation and to "stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free."* ....R. W. Dale *5:1For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 (NRSV) 22But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification. The end is eternal life. Romans 6:22 (NRSV)
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Tue, Nov 27th - 8:21AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! MELLOWING MOM
| I have five siblings, three sisters and two brothers. One night I was chatting with my Mom about how she had changed as a mother from the first child to the last. She told me she had mellowed a lot over the years: "When your oldest sister coughed or sneezed, I called the ambulance. When your youngest brother swallowed a dime, I just told him it was coming out of his allowance."
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Mon, Nov 26th - 8:40AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! NEXT BABY
After a young couple brought their new baby home, the wife suggested that her husband should try his hand at changing diapers.
"I'm busy," he said, "I'll do the next one."
The next time came around and she asked again.
The husband looked puzzled, "Oh! I didn't mean the next diaper. I meant the next baby!"
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Mon, Nov 26th - 8:30AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
When God turned us from sin, He did not leave us with nothing to do; empty, bored, to wait out our time; but we are left the privilege and responsibility of being co-laborers with God, ambassadors for Christ, participators in God’s redemptive program, plan, and purpose with His power, His enabling grace.* W. T. Conner *14how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God! Hebrews 9:14 (NRSV)
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Sun, Nov 25th - 7:55AM
The Already and the Not Yet
Already the kingdom of God has been inaugurated and is advancing; not yet has it been consummated. Already the new age (the age to come) has come, so that we have 'tasted ... the powers of the coming age'; not yet has the old age completely passed away. Already we are God's sons and daughters, and no longer slaves; not yet have we entered 'the glorious freedom of the children of God'. An overemphasis on the 'already' leads to triumphalism, the claim to perfection -- either moral (sinlessness) or physical (complete health) -- which belongs only to the consummated kingdom, the 'not yet'. An overemphasis on the 'not yet' leads to defeatism, an acquiescence in continuing evil which is incompatible with the 'already' of Christ's victory. John Stott
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Sun, Nov 25th - 7:47AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: The enabling grace of God not only forgave me of my sin, but Jesus paid the debt and set me free. The new birth not only results in forgiveness of sins, but Jesus paid the debt and set me free.* *17So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NRSV)
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Sun, Nov 25th - 7:35AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Bob had this problem of getting up late in the morning and was always late for work.
After a few weeks of this, his boss was mad and threatened to fire him if he didn't do something about it.
So Bob went to his doctor, who gave him a pill and told him to take it before he went to bed. He got a great night's sleep and actually beat the alarm in the morning. After a leisurely breakfast, he cheerfully drove to work.
"Boss," he said, "The pill my doctor subscribed me actually worked!"
"That's all fine," said the boss, "But where were you yesterday?"
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Sat, Nov 24th - 8:34AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! MURPHY'S LAW FOR PREACHERS
Murphy’s Law for Preachers:
Law #1: If the weather is bad, church attendance will be down.
Law #2: If the weather is good, church attendance will be down.
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Sat, Nov 24th - 8:24AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
Many live in the ivory tower called reality; they never venture on the open sea of thought.* -Francois Gautier, journalist (1950-
*Colossians 3:1 (NRSV) "So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
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Fri, Nov 23rd - 8:58AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
PROTECTION FROM THE HEAT: Two guys met in the middle of the desert. One was carrying a car door, the other an umbrella. The one with the car door said to the guy with the umbrella, "Why are you carrying that umbrella around, it isn't going to rain in the desert?" To which the guy with the umbrella replies, "Yeah”, but it keeps me out of the sun! By the way, why are you carrying around that car door, you don’t even have a car to go with it” The guy with the car door says, "yeah, well at least if I get too hot from the sun I can just roll down the window!"
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Fri, Nov 23rd - 8:49AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
When we discern that other people are not growing spiritually and allow that discernment to turn to criticism, we block our fellowship with God. God never gives us discernment so that we may criticize, but that we may intercede.* My Utmost for His Highest: An Updated Edition in Today's Language.
*16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. James 5:16 (NRSV)
37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; Luke 6:37 (NRSV)
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Thu, Nov 22nd - 11:38AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Until you are convinced that prayer is the most effective use of your time, you will not find time to pray!* Provided by Jerry Turner
*17pray without ceasing, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NRSV)
James 5:16 (NRSV) 16Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.
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Thu, Nov 22nd - 11:28AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
A University of Alabama football player was visiting a Yankee relative in Boston over the holidays. He went to a large party and met a pretty co-ed.
He was attempting to start up a conversation with the line, "Where does you go to school?"
The coed, of course, was not overly impressed with his grammar or southern drawl, but did answer his question.
"Yale," she replied.
The UA student took a big, deep breath and shouted, "WHERE DOES YOU GO TO SCHOOL?"
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Wed, Nov 21st - 7:06AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! AVOID ELEVATORS
"I usually take steps to avoid elevators."
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Wed, Nov 21st - 6:57AM
Thought For Today!
THOUGHT FOR TODAY! Faith and Love are measured by obedience to Jesus Christ as Lord*
*2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth,
Colossians 3:2 (NRSV)
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Tue, Nov 20th - 8:29AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! STOP THE COFFIN
One Halloween a man was walking down the street and heard a thumping noise behind him. Looking behind him he saw a coffin following him, upright. He was a bit nervous and began walking a little bit faster. The coffin continued, "thumpety thump, thumpety thump". He began running and the coffin kept up and began opening and closing, ""thumpety thump, thumpety thump clap, "thumpety thump, thumpety thump clap". Terrified he ran to his front door, and went inside, slamming the door and locking it. The coffin continued, "thumpety thump, thumpety thump - CRASH" it came right through the door, He ran up the stairs, and right behind him, "thumpety thump, thumpety thump clap, "thumpety thump, thumpety thump clap". He rushed into the bathroom and slammed the door, but the coffin broke through the door - "thumpety thump, thumpety thump crash". Terrified the man grabbed the first thing he could, a bottle of robutusin and threw it - and the coffin stopped!
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Tue, Nov 20th - 8:07AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
Compared with the miracle of the forgiveness of sin, the experience of sanctification is small. Sanctification is simply the wonderful expression or evidence of the forgiveness of sins in a human life. But the thing that awakens the deepest fountain of gratitude in a human being is that God has forgiven his sin. Paul never got away from this. Once you realize all that it cost God to forgive you, you will be held as in a vise, constrained by the love of God.* Oswald Chambers: My Utmost for His Highest: An Updated Edition in Today's Language. I often wondered why Paul, the strongest advocate for salvation by faith without works, worked like his life depended on it. He worked that hard because he was compelled by the love of God in Christ. (Doyle Purifoy)
*Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
9 The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet"; and any other commandment, are summed up in 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:8-10 (NRSV)
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Mon, Nov 19th - 11:16PM
Sanctity of Life
De La Torre speaking to Al Mohler concerning remarks he said about the victory of Obama: If you want to reach younger Americans and Latina/os, then you will need to change to make God’s word relevant to the America of the 21st century. You can begin by redefining the “sanctity of life.” As a believer in the imago Dei which resides in all humans, sanctity of life must influence all your political positions.
You can’t say you believe in the sanctity of life and oppose universal health care. You can’t say you believe in the sanctity of life and support war or torture. You can’t say you believe in the sanctity of life and remain silent as the undocumented die crossing the desert.
You can’t say you believe in the sanctity of life and support a tax structure or an economic system that contributes to an increasing gap between the rich and the poor. You can’t say you believe in the sanctity of life and support capital punishment. I invite you to come join us who believe in and follow the God of life.
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Mon, Nov 19th - 10:32PM
GATE KEEPERS
In ancient days, walled cities and fortresses had sentinels or watchmen posted around the fortress or city to watch the gates and report of visitors or warn of potential intruders. They were Gatekeepers.
Ezekiel 3:17 (NRSV) 17Mortal, I have made you a sentinel for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.
Ezekiel 33:7 (NRSV) 7So you, mortal, I have made a sentinel for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.
God’s people are to be sentinels, watchmen, and gatekeepers for the Kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (NRSV) 9I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral persons— 10not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since you would then need to go out of the world. 11But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother or sister who is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber. Do not even eat with such a one. 12For what have I to do with judging those outside? Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge? 13God will judge those outside. “Drive out the wicked person from among you.”
It is clear that Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthians that is not in our Bible because he says in the Book we call First Corinthians “9I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral persons—....” which are the only words we have of that letter.
The Holy Spirit led the people of God to recognize and choose the Books that make up our Bible. The Holy Spirit did not inspire the people to choose this lost letter of Paul.
However, the Corinthians had misunderstood what he meant in that letter. He had written to them “not to associate with sexually immoral persons—” The Corinthians thought he meant sexually immoral persons in the world. Paul corrected their understanding saying He did “10not at all mean the immoral of this world or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since you would then need to go out of the world.” He did not mean to say that we were not to associate with, eat with or have anything to do with sexually immoral persons in the world. How can we win lost people in the world if we shun them--if we have nothing to do with them?
Many Christians must overlook this admonition of Paul. Many Christians disobey Paul. They will not do business with anyone they know is sexually immoral. They will not hire anyone in their businesses that they know is sexually immoral. They will not rent to anyone who they know is sexually immoral. They think they represent God while showing such disdain for sinners when in fact God showed His love for them by associating with them—eating with them, and ultimately dying on the Cross for them. With this hate that comes from many in the Church, there is no way we can win these lost people to Christ.
This is not the way of Christ. The Pharisees criticized Jesus because He associated with sexually immoral persons. Just one of many examples is Luke 7:37-39 (NRSV)
37And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. 38She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. 39Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.”
Now remember Paul is talking to the Corinthians about associating with persons in the world, outside the Church. One of our favorite Scriptures is John 3:16 (NRSV) 16“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
What will we do as Christians to show our love to sinners, yes, sexually immoral or greedy, or idolaters, revilers, drunkards, or robbers? How does denying them a place to live or a job with which to make a living show the love of Christ?
It is not easy to manifest the love of God in relating to sinners especially sexually immoral persons.
When I was helping my wife put me through the Seminary by working as a Clerk Typist for the Federal Records Center in Ft Worth, I went back into the storage area during break time. There was a black worker sitting at a table drinking a coke. I bought a coke from the machine and sat down beside him. We chatted and sipped on our cokes. Suddenly, I realized I had picked up his coke and drank from it. I was able to maintain my composer but in my mind I realized that prejudice still lingered in my heart. If that had been one of my white friends, I would not have given it a second thought other than wipe a few germs away. I thought I had purged myself from racial prejudice, but sin lingers close to us.
So many of us claim to be sinners saved by grace. We often say, “But for the grace of God, that would be me, pointing to some alcoholic or other ’sinner’. Would we, like Christ, approach the alcoholic or other sinners, put our arm around one of them and make sure the person had a good hot meal--eat with them? Could we associate with them in love and maybe lead them to a program to help them with their problems? Maybe our love would lead them to Christ.
My wife and I know a couple who were traveling to their first Pastorate. It was cold, rainy and icy. The couple saw an old man standing along side the highway. His beard was covered with ice and an ice cycle dangling from his nose. The preacher stopped, put the man in the car and made sure he got warm and safe. Maybe the couple made a way for him to get a bus ticket to his destination.
Another example, a couple was going to a church where they worked. It was cold. Sitting in the middle of the road was an old man. They stopped. He was dirty and needed to be cleaned up. They took him to their own home and got him a bath and cleaned up. It is not known if either of these men ever were saved. But someway we need to show the love of Christ to those outside the Church. We are commanded to associate with sexually immoral or greedy, or idolaters, revilers, drunkards, or robbers that are in the world sharing the love of Christ with them.
Paul put it this way: “1For what have I to do with judging those outside? .... the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters,” He continues: “13God will judge those outside. What Paul is saying is “It not my business or the Church’s business to judge those outside the Church. God will judge those outside the Church.
So many of us have a scowl on our face toward the sexually immoral or greedy, or idolaters, revilers, drunkards, or robbers of this world. Is this how Jesus looked when He was approached by sinners, or rather, when He approached sinners? The only ones He looked upon with a scowl on His face were the hypocrites - the Pharisees and Sadducees and those who turn His Father’s House into a den of thieves.
Paul assured us that God will judge those on the outside of the Church. It is not our business to judge those on the outside of the Church. It is our job to love them as Jesus loved them and even be willing to die for them that they might be saved. Of course, only the Holy Spirit can give us the wisdom to know when death is necessary to win others to Christ.
But Jesus is concerned for His Bride, the Church. He wants His Bride to be pure and spotless. The Bible says in Ephesians 5:25-27 (NRSV) 25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, 27so as to present the church to himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind—yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish.
That is what Paul meant when He wrote the Corinthians. He said it is not your business to make the world pure. It is your business to make the Church pure. Paul writes: “I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother or sister who is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber. Do not even eat with such a one. 12For what have I to do with judging those outside? Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge? 13God will judge those outside. “Drive out the wicked person from among you.” God wants His children to live like Jesus lived.
When we drive the wicked from our church we put them where we can associate with the and eat with them and love them. We are to associate with, eat with, and love those outside the Church knowing that God will judge them. We are to share the Gospel with those outside the Church doing everything we can do to show them the love that God has for them.
However, Paul says we are “...not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother or sister who is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber. Do not even eat with such a one.” We are to judge those in the Church not those outside the Church. Paul says “Drive out the wicked person from among you.” God does not want wicked people in the Church. A sinner or wicked person must repent, turn from the practice of sin and wickedness before the Church can accept them as members of the Church.
But sometimes Church members ‘backslide’, as old time Baptists used to say. Church members begin to live sinful and wicked lives. Paul says we are to judge these people and if they don’t repent and stop practicing sin and wickedness, the Church is to drive the wicked person from her. We are gatekeepers.
Jesus gave us His plan for dealing with sinners in the Church in Matthew 18:15-20 (NRSV)
15“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. 16But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
I heard one of my best friends pray, “Lord, help me to pass up every opportunity to be offended today.” But if we are offended or if we offend some one, Jesus lays down the plan of reconciliation. (1) Go to the person with the purpose of restoring your fellowship. (2) If the first step fails, take a mature person or two with you with the purpose of restoring your fellowship (3) if the first two steps fail, take the matter before the Church, which is the membership of the Church. The Church’s decision is final. There is no appeal of the Church’s judgment. God tells the Church: “18Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” There is no greater authority on earth under Jesus Christ than His Church.
Ironically, Jesus tells the Church to “...let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” That is, we are to treat them as we do those outside the Church, love them, associate with them, eat with them share the gospel with them and receive them again if they repent. We don’t shun those outside the Church; we shun those wicked persons in the Church.
Paul gives an example of the Church dismissing a person for sin and later he admonished them to receive the person back again.
1 Corinthians 5:1-5 (NRSV)
1It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not found even among pagans; for a man is living with his father’s wife. 2And you are arrogant! Should you not rather have mourned, so that he who has done this would have been removed from among you? 3For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present I have already pronounced judgment 4in the name of the Lord Jesus on the man who has done such a thing. When you are assembled, and my spirit is present with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5you are to hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.
Notice that Church discipline is to be redemptive. Evidently this worked in the case of this sexually immoral person. We read in 2 Cor 2:6-11
6This punishment by the majority is enough for such a person; 7so now instead you should forgive and console him, so that he may not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8So I urge you to reaffirm your love for him. 9I wrote for this reason: to test you and to know whether you are obedient in everything. 10Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ. 11And we do this so that we may not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
What we have learned is that the Church is the Gatekeeper, not allowing sinners into the Church without repentance. We are not to allow Church members who do not live repentant lives stay in the Church.
Maybe we are getting to understand that we have been real good judges of those outside the Church which is none of our business and poor judges of those within the Church which is our business to judge and keep pure.
What we need to understand is that we are Gatekeepers. Jesus gave us the keys to the Kingdom. Listen to this event recorded in Matthew 16:13-20 (NRSV)
13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Jesus gave His disciples the Keys to the Kingdom. Having given us these Keys He commanded us in Matthew 28:19-20 (NRSV)
19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Are we willing to love lost people outside the Church, associate with them, eat with them, and, if necessary, die for them that they may be saved? Are we willing to go to that person in the Church who has offended us or by whom we have offended using the steps the Lord gave us and try to reconcile them? Are we willing to try to restore a fellow Christian who is not following the Lord? This is the Word of the Lord.
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Mon, Nov 19th - 10:28PM
Jesus Did Not Boycott Sinners
As of late, the great distance between my life and the Life of Jesus Christ, God’s Plumbline, God’s Standard, has been heavy on my heart. Maybe it’s because I am getting older and the day, either of His appearing or my departure to be with the Lord, is getting closer. I realize that but for the grace of God, I would certainly proceed to hell immediately after death. I certainly have concluded that I am not worthy of judging others and punishing others for their sins. Because I am a sinner, I am ineligible to join the ‘Christian(?) Vigilantes’. (Mat 7:1) Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” It is so easy for us to think we are not so great sinners since we have not broken ‘many’ of God’s laws. Yet, what do the Scriptures say? (James 2:9-1 (NIV) “But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.’ If we are guilty of all, how can we set our vengeance on others whose sins are different from ours?
“The Bible teaches that the ideal for sexual behavior is the marital union between husband and wife and that all other sexual relations-- whether premarital, extramarital, or homosexual -- are contrary to God’s purposes and thus sinful. Homosexual practice is therefore in conflict with the Bible.” (Book of reports 1996: Texas Baptist General Convention) I totally agree with that statement, but this sin has been selected by many Christians as being greater than other works of the flesh: (Gal 5:19-2 (NIV)) “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Cor 6:9-11NIV) “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God.” Jesus was harsh only with those who were blind to their own sin, the Scribes and Pharisees. The Scribes and Pharisees would not think of eating with publicans, and sinners. Yet, Jesus associated with publicans and sinners. If Jesus were here today, would He not seek to save the gays? What methods would He use to inspire them to follow Him? I see Jesus loving all sinners. He set His face toward them in love, even those who rejected Him. Jesus did not boycott sinners. Jesus showed anger, hostility, judgment, condemnation toward the Scribes and Pharisees who thought they were above sinners. They were unwilling to see themselves as sinners. (Luke 18:10-14) “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the publican, standing afar off would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, 'God be merciful to me a sinner.' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” This same condition exists today. We just have a hard time thinking that we are ‘chief of sinners’. Where are the boycotts of liars and those who are hateful, wrathful, striving, envious, etc. And what about hypocrisy? Jesus spoke to the Pharisees: (Mat 21:3 (NIV) “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.” And equally so, the homosexuals may enter the kingdom of God before some modern day hypocrites who have not discovered the Spirit of Christ Who said, (Mat 5:44NIV) “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Rom 12:2ONIV) “On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” See (Prov 25:21-22NIV), also. Many Christians do these things toward alcoholics, drug addicts, ex convicts, unwed mothers, the incarcerated and some other derelicts. But yet, there are Christians who would not only refuse to render aid to a homosexual, but would deny them a place to live and employment for self support. We simply do not get as judgmental toward church members who are openly hypocritical, that is, they are different on Sunday than they are on the rest of the week, as we get toward sinners outside the church: homosexuals, prostitutes, drug addicts, people living with HIV/AIDS, etc.
There are those who have taken God’s prerogative in judgment, condemnation, and vengeance on homosexuals. The Bible teaches that Christians are not to judge those outside the church. God will judge those outside the church: (1 Cor 5:9-13NIV)
“I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people -- not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
We are not to accept practicing homosexuals as church members or ordain them or use them as officers or teachers in the church. (2 Cor 6:1 7NIV) “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” But Paul taught that judging people outside the church is not his or the Christian’s business, but God’s business. Many Christians have a ‘Christian Vigilante’ mentality against certain kinds of sinners, especially gays. Jesus is the One Who built the wall of separation between church and state. He said in (Mat 22:21) “They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” Men today are trying to take that wall down.
When a church member is found guilty of sin, the church must “expel the wicked man from among” the church. But even here it must be remembered that this is for the purpose of redemption: (1 Cor 5:5) “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” There was a church member in Corinth that was guilty of adultery with his father’s wife. Paul said they must expel him, deliver him to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that is to put an end to this fleshly sin of adultery. But he said this is to be done so that the person may be saved in the day of the Lord.
So, excommunication is for the purpose of redemption. We must love that one that was expelled and try to win him/her back. Evidently this man in Corinth repented, and Paul had to admonish the church to take him back: (2 Cor 2:6-8) “Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.” Some Christians expect the secular world to live like Christians even though they are not born again. Some of these Christians want to discipline or punish non-believers if they don’t live like Christians even though they can’t live like Christians. As we quoted above we should expect from non Christians: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions {and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.” Paul says we have nothing to do with judging these people. God judges those without and vengeance belongs unto the Lord. (Rom 12: 19NIV)
“Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” But Christians are to expect other Christians to live like they are born again: (Gal 5:22-23NIV) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Many Christians want to use the government to seek the purposes of the church and the Kingdom of God. The devil offered the kingdoms of this world to Jesus as a quick way to achieve His ends, but Jesus rejected the kingdoms of this world. Likewise, Jesus told Pilate who had asked Him: (John 18:33,36) “, "'Art thou the King of the Jews?' ... Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.'” Jesus rejected the government as a means of accomplishing His purposes. Paul said in (Rom 1:16) “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” The church has the gospel, the power of God unto salvation, the keys to the kingdom. No amount of legislation can make America a Christian nation. It might be faster and easier to try to legislate morality and decree that America is a Christian nation. But, if as some desire, it comes to pass, it will only be a facade, a whited sepulcher.
Just as Jonah was afraid Nineveh might repent if He preached unto them, just so, many Christians are afraid that homosexuals might repent if we showed them the same kindness and understanding we show alcoholics and other sinners.
Listen to the Pharisees criticize Jesus: (Luke 7:39) “Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him:for she is a sinner." We need to search our hearts to see if they are the same as Jesus’ heart toward sinful gays. Is Jesus unwilling for them to perish? (2 Pet 3:9) “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.“ Jesus did not boycott sinners.
(Luke 5:30-32) “But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Jesus associated with sinners because they needed salvation. The only way we can save sinners is through contact and association. Any unsympathetic, judgmental, and condemning association with sinners will not win them to Jesus. In the book by John Drakeford: The Christian View of Homosexuality, the author pointed out that homosexuals can change, but they must want to change. But, a homosexual will not want to change without interaction with the love of God radiated through Christian people. Christian people must learn to love the homosexual while hating the sin. That simply means we have repented of sin and we don’t do those sins. But we do as Jesus did and as Paul taught: we must associate with “... the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters.” Otherwise, we must be removed from this world Jesus and Paul did not boycott sinners of this world”
How do we hate sin without hating the sinner? How do we hate sin and love the sinner? It is much easier to answer this question than it is to practice loving sinners while hating sin. This question has dogged Christians for centuries. I have been concerned about this question most of my Christian life. I do not believe many members of any denomination are practicing loving sinners while hating sin. The things that have made this question acute to me recently is the problem ‘gay bashing’ and of people living with HIV/AIDS. I have been doing intense soul searching of my failure to minister gays and to victims of HIV/AIDS. It makes no difference to many Christians and churches how a person is exposed to HI V/AIDS; many refuse to minister to these persons.
So, I am trying to study how Christians should relate to persons living with HIV/AIDS. In the process of this study, I believe I have found the road I must take and a principle by which I can take this road. In my study, I found the following assessments of four attitudes toward homosexuals that are being taken among those who call themselves Christians:
1. Rejection/Punitive: There are people who both hate homosexuals and take it upon themselves to punish them. I call these Christian Vigilantes. James Nelson, making this analysis(1), points out that no modern theologian supports this view. Certainly, I don’t. Jesus didn’t do this even though He is the only One in a position to look down on anyone.
I was about the sit down in my barber’s chair while the man who just got up was still bragging to my barber. He had caught a gay in a public park, beaten him unmercifully and threatened to kill him if he told anyone about what happened. While many have not taken this kind of physical action, they cherish this attitude in their heart which makes them guilty by the judgment of Christ.
2. Rejection/non-punitive: There are people who reject the sin of homosexuality but leave the condemnation, judgment, and punishment in God’s hands. James Nelson states that this is the view that most Christians take. It is the one I take. Karl Barth is the theologian who has represented this stance.
3. Oualified Acceptance: This approach recognizes sexual orientation as a constitutional given. We are born with our sexual orientation. Theologian Helmut Thielicke believes homosexuality is a distortion or perversion’ but falls under the grace of God. Accordingly, it is natural to be homosexual, but homosexual behavior should not be practiced. While I favor No. 2 above, as long as homosexuality is recognized as a ‘perversion' and believed that it should not be practiced, I would not reject those who hold this position. When Adam and Eve sinned, it was cosmic in its effect. The whole creation was cursed. I have no problem believing that when Adam and Eve sinned, our genes were scrambled and that there may very well be a genetic tendency toward sin, i.e., alcoholism, homosexuality, etc. But this does not mean we have no choice or responsibility to abstain from these tendencies.
4. Full Acceptance: Those who hold this belief understand homosexual orientation as a given and not just a free choice. Norman Pittenger is the theologian who has most clearly described this stance. I, of course, totally reject this position. In my opinion, Pittenger and his protégés simply do not rightly divide the word of truth. In reading a defender of this fourth position, I found that the Scriptures which deal with homosexuality were discounted by saying, “The Bible has only a few references to homosexuality.” The defender did not quote or deal with even one of the few references. How many times does God have to say something for us to believe and obey it? I cannot be a member of a church that practices this position. In my opinion, they are outside the church. Their judgment is not mine, but God’s. We can associate with them and share God’s love for them.
James Nelson states “. ..the majority would hold to the second or third stances.”
At any rate, accepting No 2 has helped me conceptualize my attitude toward sinners of all kinds including those who have been divorced, as well as people living with HI V/AIDS and homosexuals. I am not a Christian Vigilante. We are not here to punish sinners, to bash sinners, to be hostile toward, hate, reject sinners or refuse to associate with them or to eat with them. We are here to refuse to sin, but not to be aloof from sinners. We are to love sinners as Christ loved sinners...He laid down his Life for sinners. He certainly did not boycott sinners.
How do we hate sin while loving sinners? The best way to answer this is to observe Jesus’ hate for sin, while loving sinners.
Read John 4:5-42. The Samaritan Woman at the Well: Jesus never displayed any hostility or rejection of this woman or punishment. He violated all social custom by even talking to this woman in a public place. He violated the hate that Jews and Samaritans had for each other by talking with her. He showed trust in her by asking for a drink of water. He tenderly led her to repentance and stayed two days in Sycar, a Samaritan city. This woman was an adulteress.
Now read John 7:53-8:11, The Woman taken in Adultery. Jesus showed absolutely no hostility toward this woman, only tender compassion. He said, “Neither do I condemn thee.” He also said, “Go, and sin no more.”
The following are verses that show Jesus’ attitude toward sinners of all kinds, eating, drinking, and entering their homes. The Scribes and Pharisee criticized Jesus for His openness toward sinners.
(Mark 2:15-17) “And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 6:32-34) “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.” So often Christians gather together, eat, drink, and are merry together, while there is a world of sinners outside their fellowship, lost and going to hell. Many would not think of eating, drinking, and being merry with these lost people. It is no sin to eat, drink, and be merry with sinners outside the church. It is only a sin to commit the sins that they commit.
The following is an entry in my journal:
“3/1/97 Reading D. S. Warner hymn: “I Ought To Love My Savior” these lines stood out:
He loved me long ago,
Looked on my soul with favor,
When deep in guilt and woe.
My mind was impressed with this thought that God loved, felt compassion toward me, acted with mercy toward me while I was “deep in guilt and woe.” Rom 5:8 came to mind “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died or us.”
What is my attitude, feeling, toward those who are even now deep in quilt and woe? Am I, like Christ, able to commend my love to sinners, even homosexuals, to the point of laying down my life for them even while they are yet sinners?”
_____________________
(1)James B. Nelson, Body Theology. Louisville: Westminister John Knox Press, 1992.
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Mon, Nov 19th - 2:37PM
Spiritual Awakening
there is a growing spiritual awakening in Israel and the Arab world. More Muslims have come to Christ in the last 15 years than the previous 15 centuries; more Jews have made Jesus their Messiah in the last 20 years than in the previous 20 centuries. Jim Denison Forum
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Mon, Nov 19th - 10:56AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
A morning-glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books.* -Walt Whitman, poet (1819-1892)
*"The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork." Psalm 19:1 (NRSV)
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Mon, Nov 19th - 10:41AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! BARBER COMPETITION
[[ woke up this morning and my clock was three hours ahead of me. I am huffin and puffin to catch up. Pray for me. Thanks]
Two barbershops were in red-hot competition. One put up a sign advertising haircuts for 7-dollars. His competitor put up one that read, “We repair 7-dollars hair cuts.”
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Sun, Nov 18th - 5:24PM
Newt Gingrich, "Romney Nuts!"
Like several other prominent Republicans, Newt Gingrich slammed Mitt Romney's assertion in a conference call with donors last week that he lost the 2012 presidential election because of "gifts" President Barack Obama gave to blacks, Hispanics and younger voters during his first term in the White House.
"It's nuts," Gingrich told guest host Martha Raddatz on ABC's "This Week" on Sunday. "First of all, it's insulting. This would be like Wal-Mart having a bad week and going, 'The customers have really been unruly.' I mean, the job of a political leader in part is to understand the people. If we can't offer a better future that is believable to more people, we're not going to win."
[Related: Bobby Jindal calls Romney's 'gifts' comments 'absolutely wrong'] Last week, the former House Speaker admitted he was "dumbfounded" by Obama's victory--and Romney's poor performance at the polls.
"The president won an extraordinary victory," Gingrich said on NBC's "Today" show. "And the fact is we owe him the respect of trying to understand what they did and how they did it. But if you had said to me three weeks ago, Mitt Romney would get fewer votes than John McCain and it looks like he'll be 2 million fewer, I would have been dumbfounded."
But the disbelief soon turned to disillusion over Romney's divisive comments.
"I'm very disappointed with Governor Romney's analysis, which I believe is insulting and profoundly wrong," Gingrich said in an interview with KLRU-TV in Austin. "First of all, we didn't lose Asian-Americans because they got any gifts. He did worse with Asian-Americans than he did with Latinos. This is the hardest-working and most successful ethnic group in America--they ain't into gifts.
"Second, it's an insult to all Americans," he continued. "It reduces us to economic entities. You have no passion, no idealism, no dreams, no philosophy. If it had been that simple, my question would be, 'Why didn't you outbid him?' He had enough billionaire supporters, if buying the electorate was the key, he could have got all his super PAC friends together and said, don't buy ads, give gifts. Be like the northwest Indians who have gift-giving ceremonies. We could have gone town-by-town and said, 'Come here, let me give you gifts. Here are Republican gifts.' An elephant coming in with gifts on it."
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Sun, Nov 18th - 8:13AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! FAVORITE COOKIES
A very old man lay dying in his bed. In death's doorway, he suddenly smelled the aroma of his favorite chocolate chip cookie wafting up the stairs. He gathered his remaining strength and lifted himself from the bed.
Leaning against the wall, he slowly made his way out of the bedroom, and with even greater effort forced himself down the stairs, gripping the railing with both hands. With labored breath, he leaned against the door frame, gazing into the kitchen.
Were it not for death's agony, he would have thought himself already in heaven. There, spread out on newspapers on the kitchen table were literally hundreds of his favorite chocolate chip cookies.
Was it heaven?
Or was it one final act of heroic love from his devoted wife, seeing to it that he left this world a happy man?
Mustering one great final effort, he threw himself toward the table. The aged and withered hand, shaking, made its way to a cookie at the edge of the table, when he was suddenly smacked with a spatula by his wife.
"Stay out of those!" she said. "They're for the funeral."
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Sun, Nov 18th - 8:09AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
Exercise Daily Walk with the Lord!*
*8for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8 (NRSV)
4I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4 (NRSV)
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Sat, Nov 17th - 5:28PM
IMPAIRED JUDGMENT
1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (NRSV)
9I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral person 10not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since you would then need to go out of the world. 11But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother or sister who is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber. Do not even eat with such a one. 12For what have I to do with judging those outside? Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge? 13God will judge those outside. “Drive out the wicked person from among you.”
1 Peter 4:17 (NRSV)
17For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
Many professed Christians, who also see themselves as patriotic Americans, have identified loyalty to Christ with loyalty to the United States of America. This is idolatry. They are attempting to serve two masters. Without meaning to, many of these professed Christians are, in fact, anti-American, anti-constitutional, and inadvertently hindering the Kingdom of God. Jesus made a clear distinction between Church and State in the KJV in Mark 12:17:
17And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marveled at him.
They are disobedient to the Scriptures; and they virtually, if not in reality, violate the Constitution of the United States of America.
The Church has a judgment responsibility. Much of the Church today is suffering from impaired judgment. In 1 Peter 4:17 we are told that it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God---the Church. The Bride of Christ, the Church, must be judged and prepared for the Groom, Jesus Christ.
However, instead of judging ourselves, as the Scripture commands, we are judging those outside the church in direct disobedience to Paul:
“I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral persons0not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters.”
Many of us have selected a certain type of sinners to condemn, judge, and take vengeance on over other types of sinners--for example, homosexuals. We don’t obey Paul and follow the example of Christ:
Matthew 11:18-19 (NRSV)
18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; 19the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”
Few of us associate with sexually immoral persons, “the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters.” We withhold the loving gospel of Jesus Christ from them. Even though homosexuals are citizens of the United States, some Christian citizens try to deny them access to their rights guaranteed by the Constitution. The civil rights of homosexuals have not been revoked by legislation or amendment to the Constitution.
Many states have sodomy laws on the books, but they are not being enforced because the Supreme Court declared them unconstitutional. Now, the United States is allowed by the U. S. Constitution to amend the Constitution:
Article V spells out two methods for amending the Constitution. Congress may, by a two-thirds vote in each house, propose a constitutional amendment. It must then be ratified by three-quarters of the state legislatures or special state conventions, whichever Congress specifies. State conventions have ratified a constitutional amendment only once, the 21st Amendment, which repealed Prohibition. In the other method of amending the Constitution, two-thirds of the states may call a special constitutional convention. Amendments proposed by such a convention must then be ratified by the legislatures in three-quarters of the states. This second method has never been used; all amendments to date have originated in Congress. The president has no legal role in amending the Constitution. © 1993-2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Some attempts have be made to amend the Constitution but have failed. Success does not appear to be soon. Until such time as the United States of America amends her Constitution, homosexuals are protected.
It is not the job of the Church to judge those outside the Church who do not obey the Gospel of God. The fact is, unbelievers are judged and condemned already because they have not believed on the Only Begotten Son:
John 3:18 (NRSV) 18Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
Instead of judging and condemning those who are lost, the church is commanded to love these persons; are to do good to these person, just as Christ gave His life for them on the cross, so we must be willing to demonstrate in our lives the love of Christ for them.
Some members of the Church are so hateful to those who are lost and who obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ, that the lost are being repelled from Christianity. “Jesus did not repel sinners. Jesus drew sinners to Himself like a magnet.” (Greg Boyd) Why doesn’t the Church draw sinners like Jesus did? It is because they do not follow the example of Christ Who associated and ate with sinners nor Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 5:9-10 (NRSV):
9I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral persons— 10not at all meaning the immoral of this world or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since you would then need to go out of the world.
Why are sinners not attracted? Could it be because we radiate hate, judgment, and condemnation rather than the love of God for sinners that Jesus radiated. There is no way to measure how many go to hell because of the hateful faces of many of us Christians.
For example, many of those who claim to be Pro-Life really mean Pro-Life only for the unborn. Many don’t give equal energy to the life of maturing human beings. I am Pro-Life from womb to the tomb. Was the man who shot the abortionist doctor, Pro-Life? I think not. Are those who rejoice at the doctor’s death Pro-Life? I think not. Are they not guilty of ‘murder’ in their heart? Didn’t that murderer rob God of vengeance. God said in Hebrews 10:30 (NRSV),
...“Vengeance is mine, I will repay.”
Many who identify with Pro-Life show no concern for the life of a mature woman whose life is being threatened by an unborn child. That mother may have other children who need her care. Frankly, if her unborn child were threatening my wife’s life, it would not take me five seconds to choose life for my wife. We could have another child either naturally or by adoption. The rights of the unborn ends when it threatens the right to life of the mother. We must be Pro-life for those reaching to end of their lives. That is Pro-Life from the womb to the tomb. Equal reverence and sanctity for life must be given from the womb to the tomb.
Paul made it clear that he did not mean that Christians were not to associate with sexually immoral people of the world that is those outside the church. It was Jesus’ association and friendship with sinners that brought many to the faith. Christ was known as a friend of sinners. He associated with them, ate with them. He loved them. He did good to them. He commanded us to do the same:
44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:44 (NRSV)
35But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Luke 6:35 (NRSV)
Toni Campolo told of two bumper stickers, “When Christ said, ‘Love your enemies’, he didn’t mean kill them.” When Christ said. “Turn the other cheek”, He didn’t mean moon them’” Yet, many professed Christians are busy doing what God has reserved for Himself. They are judging, condemning, and taking vengeance on those who know not God and are walking in debauchery. They are robbing God of His vengeance:
Hebrews 10:30 (NRSV)
30For we know the one who said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.”
As Paul said: 13God will judge those outside.
Many members in the Church need to leave judgment, condemnation, and vengeance of lost people to God. Many act surprised when lost people sin. Are we surprised when a snake bites? No, a snake bites because it is a snake. Are we surprised when a birds flies? No, a bird flies because it is a bird. Sinners sin because they are sinners. No surprise. Their judgment belongs to God who sent His Son to die so they might not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) We must follow God’s example in Christ. Befriend them, do good to them, eat with them. By our friendly, unobtrusive, inconspicuous abstinence from some of the things sinners do as we fellowship with them, we will bear witness to them.
And Paul wrote in another place:
2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 (NRSV)
7and to give relief to the afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9These will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10when he comes to be glorified by his saints and to be marveled at on that day among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.
Paul assures us that those who do not obey the gospel, who do not receive the love of Christ revealed by Christ on the cross, and in the lives of the disciples, will be destroyed by fire, when Jesus comes again.
Many professed Christians need to cease and desist from judging those outside the church and leave their judgment to God. We do not need to fear that those who persist in sin including homosexuality, will not get their just judgment of God to Whom judgment belongs. Christians are to love their enemies and do good to them that hate them.
But when it comes to persons inside the church, those who profess to be Christians, Paul admonishes us to purge the Church of those who ‘practice’ sin of any kind, not just homosexuality. And even this purging is God’s love for these sinners. They must be put outside the church for God to judge. The church must love those she puts out of the church, just as Christ loves them. When they are out of the church, members can associate with them. They could not do that while professing Christians were in the church practicing sin.
Paul gives us an example of expulsion and restoration in 1 and 2 Corinthians:
1. Expulsion:
1 Corinthians 5:1-5 (NRSV)
1It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not found even among pagans; for a man is living with his father’s wife. 2And you are arrogant! Should you not rather have mourned, so that he who has done this would have been removed from among you? 3For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present I have already pronounced judgment 4in the name of the Lord Jesus on the man who has done such a thing. When you are assembled, and my spirit is present with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5you are to hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.
2. Restoration:
2 Corinthians 2:6-8 (NRSV)
6This punishment by the majority is enough for such a person; 7so now instead you should forgive and console him, so that he may not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8So I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.
Notice that the expulsion was “...so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.”
Expulsion is redemptive.
There is no doubt that the Bible teaches that homosexuality is a sin. If a practicing homosexual is found in the local church, Paul says:
“Drive out the wicked person from among you.”
Clearly, it is the responsibility of the Church to purge out everyone who calls himself a brother who practices any sin, not only homosexuality. Listen these Scriptures:
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NRSV)
9Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, 10thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers—none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And this is what some of you used to be. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
If many professed Christians must judge and condemn and take vengeance on sinners, why do they select homosexuals to take the brunt of their vengeance. Why not adulterers or fornicators? Why not those who put away their spouses--divorce?
Paul is saying, “Leave all of the sinners outside the Church for God to judge. Leave them to God.” Preach John 3:16 to them. Love them; do good unto them; pray for them; associate with them; eat with them; befriend them. This is what Jesus did and what we should do. This is why Jesus drew sinners to Himself like a magnet.
But do not allow anyone who ‘practices’ these things in the Church to remain in the Church. If they are found in the church ‘....drive the wicked person outside...’ for God to judge and for you to associate with, eat with, be a friend to as Jesus was a friend to sinners.
Many Christians claim to promote ‘Family Values’. However, they choose to emphasize the threat of homosexuality on the family, rather than the greater threat of such things as divorce. What percentage of our population is homosexual? Very small compared to heterosexuals. However, 50 percent of our marriages end in divorce. Those who talk about ‘Family Values’ spend virtually no energy decrying divorce but a large percent of their energy decrying homosexuality. This is not meant to be ‘soft’ on homosexuality, rather, it is a call to turn from inconsistency, incongruity, and pure hypocrisy.
There is no doubt that Jesus believed that homosexuality is a sin even though there is no record of Jesus mentioning them. However, listen to what He said about divorce:
Matthew 5:31-32 (NRSV)
31“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastely, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Matthew 19:3-9 (NRSV)
3Some Pharisees came to him, and to test him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?” 4He answered, “Have you not read that the one who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 7They said to him, “Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her?” 8He said to them, “It was because you were so hard-hearted that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastely, and marries another commits adultery.”
Many professed Christians say that they are for family values. Yet, the divorce rate of church members is about the same as those outside the church.
Many professed Christians don’t seem to believe that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, but they must call upon the power of Government to legislate laws to make American citizens live like Christians. If we must legislate laws to insure family values, why not legislate laws prohibiting divorce along with many other sins?
Don’t misunderstand me, I am not suggesting that it is the Church’s business to use the power of government to make American citizens live like Christians, I simply said if this large group of Christians ‘must’ seek to use the power of government, let them not exclude any sins. And, I will add, if they must nail any religious plaque to the walls of our Courthouses (which is unconstitutional), why not the Sermon on the Mount, instead of the Ten Commandments?
The Bible says in Galatians 3:21 (NRSV):
21Is the law then opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could make alive, then righteousness would indeed come through the law.
Many professed Christians think that by legislation and even by the Constitution America can be a Christian nation. No way. Each citizen of the United States must be born again.
America is not by the Constitution or any law a Christian Nation nor can it be under our present constitution. Our forefathers did not ‘establish’ any religion in America and even made it a part of the Constitution that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” (First Amendment)
One must be born again and become a part of the Kingdom of God which is distinct from and not a part of the United States or any other country. Citizens of the Kingdom of God are in the USA, but are not of the world, which includes the USA. We must come out from among the kingdoms of this world and serve in the Kingdom of God, all the while giving “to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
While many professed Christians are busy judging and condemning Americans who practice fornication, idolatry, adultery, stealing, greed, drunkenness, revilers, robbers, and especially homosexuality, they seem to ignore the Scriptures we have talked about:
1 Corinthians 5:12-13 (NRSV)
12For what have I to do with judging those outside? Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge? 13God will judge those outside. “Drive out the wicked person from among you.”
We are commanded to preach the Gospel of salvation and redemption to those outside the Church, not judge, condemn, and punish them. They are the ‘world’ that God so loved and for whom He gave His only begotten Son. (John 3:16)
Paul says we are to judge those within the Church who are fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, 10thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers. These wicked persons we are to drive out of our Church.
Other Scriptures we have quoted are:
1 Peter 4:17 (NRSV)
17For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
Romans 12:19-20 (NRSV)
19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.”
Jesus, of course, knew that homosexuality is a sin, but it is interesting that He is not recorded as even mentioning homosexuality. Rather, there were at least two sins extremely high in His condemnation: divorce and hypocrisy.
Jesus said of the Pharisees: the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. Isn’t it just as true that fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers may enter the kingdom of heaven before modern day hypocrites? Of course, Jesus is not saying that thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers will go to heaven; He is saying that they are at the head of the line before hypocrites.
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Sat, Nov 17th - 5:19PM
DON'T EVEN THINK OF GIVING UP!
DON'T EVEN THINK OF GIVING UP: (My opening words to Purdon Baptist Church struggling to become a stable, growing church in a community that needs a witness very much) I struggled with what I wanted to share with you from the Word of God and didn't decide until early last evening what God wanted me to say.
I felt that maybe the experience of the people to whom the author of Hebrew wrote might be an encouragement to you.
Your experience is not exactly like them, but I believe there is something we can learn from their experience.
It is not certain who wrote the book of Hebrews. It is not certain to whom the book was written. A large number of Christians believe Paul wrote the Book to Hebrew people who were thinking about turning back to Judaism.
I am certain that God wrote the Book by the inspiration of some person to write it. And I know it is a great Book to use with people who are choosing between continuing in their present state and giving up. The people to whom the Book was written were being tempted to give up Christianity and turn to Judaism.
The author of Hebrews wanted to encourage these people to chose the best way which was Christ's way. The New Covenant that Jesus gave them is superior in every way to the Old Covenant that they are thinking about embracing again.
My wife and I were trying to find a convenient parking place around Baylor in Dallas. We so this attractive spot but there was a sign that read: “DON'T EVEN THINK OF PARKING HERE!” The author of Hebrews was saying in his Book: “DON'T EVEN THINK OF TURNING BACK TO JUDAISM.” Hebrew gives many ways in which the New Covenant is Superior to the Old Covenant:
1. He is superior to the Angels Chapter 1-2
2. He is superior to Moses Chapter 3-7
3. The New Covenant is Superior to the Old Covenant Chapter 8
4. Christ is Superior to the Earthly Temple and It's Sacrifices Chapter 9
Now, I would like to conclude this with some words I shared with the Men's Prayer Breakfast held every Wednesday morning from 6:45 to 7:45. You are welcome to come. I shared with these men an expository message on Hebrews
10:1-17 (NRSV)
It wouldn't surprise me if this meeting doesn't turn into a shouting meeting! What glorious thoughts Hebrews 10:1-17 brings to mind. I am going to deal with these verses verse.
The first part of verse one reads: 1 Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come...
The Old Testament is a wonderful Book. I have to confess that I have neglected it's study over the 65 years that I have been licensed as a Minister of the Gospel. I am not trying to excuse myself, but I had just rather walk in the Light than in the shadows. It is the purpose of the Book of Hebrews to prove the superiority of the New Covenant in every way to the Old Covenant.
I like to use the Old Testament for the assurance that Peter writes about in 2 Peter 1:19 (KJV)
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
When I read Roman that emphasizes that Christ died for our sins, that our sins were laid on him, there is a sure word of prophecy behind Paul's teaching and our faith: Isaiah 53:6
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
We must remember that we don't read the New Testament in the light of the Old Testament; we read the Old Testament in the Light of the New Testament. This is the great assurance that Peter was talking about in 2 Pet 1:19: We have also a more sure word of prophecy.
I use the Old Testament for illustrations of my New Testament Preaching. None the less, I would rather walk in the Light of the New Testament that stumble in the shadows of the Old Testament. Paul talks about the Israelites having a veil over their eyes as they read the Old Testament: 2 Corinthians 3:15-16 (KJV)
15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.
When we are born again and read the Old Testament our New Covenant takes away the veil and we understand the Old Testament in the Light of the New. The New Covenant removes the veil from our spiritual eyes. Back to Hebrews 10:1:
1 Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who approach.
The shadows of the Old Covenant can never make those who walk in them perfect. These shadows in the annual sacrifices have an expectation of seeing that which cast the shadow: the cross of Jesus Christ. Verses 2-3
2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased being offered, since the worshipers, cleansed once for all, would no longer have any consciousness of sin? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin year after year.
Those who walk in these shadows or with the veil over their eyes are reminded of their sins each time they offer these sacrifices. This ought to make us who walk in the new and better way ready to shout hallelujah! Verse 4
4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
When we consider the precious blood of Jesus it is shocking to even think of the blood of bulls and goats effecting even one sin. I can hardly describe my feeling when I read verse 4, but I know it magnifies the blood of Jesus Christ. There is no comparison of the blood of bulls and goats and the Blood of Jesus Christ in their effects. The blood of bulls and goats offered annually only brings remembrance of sins to the people. The Blood of Jesus removes guilt and shame and perfects forever those who offer it up to God and are born again. Verse 5
5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure.
If burnt offerings and sin offerings don't please God, what does please God? I believe the following verses have the answer to that question.
7 Then I said, 'See, God, I have come to do your will, O God' (in the scroll of the book it is written of me)." 8 When he said above, "You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, "See, I have come to do your will." He abolishes the first in order to establish the second.
Jesus came to do God's will. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus submitted to the will of God saying in Luke 22:42 (NRSV)
42 "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done."
Jesus said in John 6:29 (NRSV)
29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."
Doing the will of God pleases Him. John said in 3 John 1:4 (NRSV):
4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
How successful I have been only God knows but the guiding verse of my Christian life became John 7:17 (NRSV) Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own.
Anyone who is truly willing to do God's will is promised to know what God's will is. I commend this verse to you as you continue to seek God's will. Verse 10
10 And it is by God's will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Jesus came to do God's will to sanctify us through the offering of His Body one and for all. This bring to mind a popular hymn when I was growing up: Once For All also known as: Free from the Law, O Happy Condition.
Once for All Chorus:
Once for all, O sinner, receive it, Once for all, O brother believe it; Cling to the cross, the burden will fall, Christ hath redeemed us once for all.
Isn't that one the author of Hebrews is trying to tell us? Vers3 11
11 And every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins.
This is a good time to remind us of the object of the author of Hebrews. He is saying to them since the New Covenant is so much greater than the Old, how could you even think of returning to Judaism? The later part of this chapter is an appeal to these readers not to turn back to Judaism. Verse 12
12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, "he sat down at the right hand of God,"
This verse reminds me of the Words of Jesus on the cross: “It is finished.” It also anticipates words coming up in this chapter: Verse 18:
18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.
Verse 13
13 and since then has been waiting "until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet."
This verse shouts of the victory that has been guaranteed by what Christ has done. There's Victory in Jesus.
If you haven't felt like shouting yet surely you will now: Verses 14-17
14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,
16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds," 17 he also adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more."
We are so afraid to say, “I'm perfect.” and certainly there is good cause for that fear. I used to be conceited but I am perfect now.
But the fact is Hebrews states categorically: by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.
Our experience in Christ is perfect, not our experience in the flesh. Verse 18
18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.
There is no other effectual sacrifice for our sins. Nothing but the Blood of Jesus can atone for our sins. Don't go looking somewhere else for forgiveness.
And what I am saying to you is: “DON'T EVEN THINK OF GIVING UP!”
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Sat, Nov 17th - 8:15AM
SECESSION TALK
Comment in Ft Worth Star Telegram regarding the Secession Petition that expresses my feelings very well: "The suggestion that Texas should secede must be a joke. How would proponents of secession suggest we handle and/or fund: national defe
nse matters, mail service, freeway maintenance and repairs, military veterans' programs and border security?
Further, a passport would be needed to visit WinStar Casino; kiss protection of the environment goodbye; best pray that another hurricane never strikes the coast; workers' protection afforded by equal employment opportunity laws would be gone; and possible future access to northern rivers for water would be history.
Personally, I like my monthly Social Security check."
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Sat, Nov 17th - 8:09AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Over the years, my husband and I have usually managed to decode the cute but confusing gender signs sometimes put on restaurants' restroom doors (Buoys and Gulls, Laddies and Lassies, etc.), but every so often we get stumped.
Recently my husband Dave wandered off in search of the men's room and found himself confronted by two marked doors. One was labeled "Bronco," and the other was designated "Cactus." Completely baffled, he stopped a restaurant employee passing by. "Excuse me; I need to use the restroom," Dave said. Gesturing toward the doors, he asked, "Which one should I use?"
"Actually, we would prefer you to go there," the employee said, pointing to a door down the hall marked "Men."
"Bronco and Cactus are private dining rooms."
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Sat, Nov 17th - 8:03AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
Faith and love are measured by obedience.*
*Romans 13:8-10 (NRSV) Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet"; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, "Love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.
2 Thessalonians 1:8 (NRSV) in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
1 Peter 4:17 (NRSV) For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
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Fri, Nov 16th - 9:29AM
JUDGMENT NOW
Like eternal life, judgment begins now. As we respond to
Christ, so we are being judged. The final judgment will be
but the public declaration of a destiny already reaped. (John Stott)
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Fri, Nov 16th - 9:17AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! TRAVELING TOO LITE
A porter loaded down with suitcases followed the couple to the airline check-in counter.
As they approached the line, the husband glanced at the pile of luggage and said to the wife, "Why didn't you bring the piano, too?"
"Are you trying to be funny?" she replied.
"No, I really wish you had" he sighed. "I left the tickets on it."
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Fri, Nov 16th - 9:07AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man is without conflict of interest. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man is unselfish.*
*Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 (NRSV)
....The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16 (KJV)
Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4 (NRSV)
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Thu, Nov 15th - 8:41AM
POOR LOSERS
Republicans keep on putting down Obamacare as though the majority of people did not' want it. However, one of the main promises of Romney was, "The first day I am in office, I will repeal Obamacare." By electing Obama the people were saying, we don't want Obamacare repealed. Obama care has been tested in the heat ofr the Supreme Court and found to be constitutional. The majority of the people rejected Romney and his main promise to repeal Obamacare. So many are treating their wounds with the balm that 50 states have filed petitions of sessession. Only two states have the required number of signatures for a review by the White House. None of the petitions are by the official request of a state government. These petitions are initiated by individuals. They have not counted the cost of sessession. We all know we can do more together than we can alone. God bless America.
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Thu, Nov 15th - 8:31AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
I have found the paradox that if I Love until it hurts, there is no more hurt, but only Love.* Mother Teresa, Calcutta, India
*Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:8 (NRSV)
So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 1 John 4:16 (NRSV)
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Wed, Nov 14th - 6:42AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! CAUGHT DEACONS
Two rural church deacons who were having a sociable beer in the local tavern when they saw their minister drive by and take a good long look at their pickup trucks parked outside.
One deacon ducked down and said, "I hope the reverend didn't see us or recognize my pickup."
The other replied indifferently, "What difference does it make? God knows we're in here... and he's the only one who counts."
The first deacon answered, "Yeah, but God won't tell my wife."
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Wed, Nov 14th - 6:33AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
"Your net worth doesn't equal your personal worth." Remember the source of your personal worth. You are not what you do, or have, or how you look, or what people think of you. You are the child of God. You are on your way to heaven this morning. What matters is not so much what you have when you are alive, but what you have after you die. Today is the dot before the line, the moment before the eternal. If Jesus is your Lord, you will forever be the child of the King of Kings. Your net worth is far less than your personal worth to God.*
*36For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Mark 8:36 (NRSV)
19Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own?
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Tue, Nov 13th - 9:12AM
Complete In Chriat
Colossians 2:10
In Him you have been made complete
Colossians 2:6-10 reveals three levels in our relationship with Christ. If we are going to present every believer complete in Christ (Colossians 1:28), our discipleship must acknowledge the following order.
Level One ensures that our identity is firmly rooted in Him . This entails:
Leading individuals to Christ and directing them to their scriptural assurance of salvation; Guiding them to a true knowledge of God and who they are in Christ; Helping them see the ways they are still playing God or rebelling against God's authority; Breaking down their defenses against rejection by accepting and affirming them.
Level Two deals with the issue of maturity in Christ, which Paul alluded to as "being built up in Him" (verse 7). The second level of discipleship is to accept God's goal of sanctification and grow in Christlikeness. This entails:
Helping people learn to walk by the Spirit and by faith; Helping them get off the emotional roller coaster by focusing their thoughts on God instead of their circumstances; Encouraging them to develop self-control; Challenging them to resolve personal problems by forgiving others and seeking forgiveness.
Level Three reflects the issue of our daily walk in Christ, which is possible when our identity and maturity are in Christ. The third level of discipleship is to help believers live responsibly in Christ in their homes, on their jobs, and in society. The effective Christian walk involves the proper exercise of spiritual gifts, talents, and intellect in serving others and being a positive witness in the world.
Prayer: Lord, I desire to be firmly rooted and built up in Christ today so I may walk in Him. Neil Anderson
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Tue, Nov 13th - 8:51AM
A Dark Kingdom
We need to rid our minds of the medieval caricature of
Satan. Dispensing with the horns, the hooves and the tail,
we are left with the biblical portrait of a spiritual
being, highly intelligent, immensely powerful and utterly
unscrupulous. Jesus himself not only believed in his
existence, but warned us of his power. He called him 'the
prince of this world', much as Paul called him 'the ruler
of the kingdom of the air'. He has therefore a throne and
a kingdom, and under his command is an army of malignant
spirits who are described in Scripture as 'the powers of
this dark world', and 'the spiritual forces of evil in the
heavenly realms' (Jn. 12:31; Eph. 6:12). John Statt
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Tue, Nov 13th - 8:19AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! BUMPY LANDING
A pilot landed a plane with a rather bumpy landing. As part of his job he was required to stand by the terminal door and say goodbye to the passengers as they exited the airplane. He was afraid that someone might say something about his rather less than perfect landing, but everyone left without saying a word except for one passenger, an elderly lady, she slowly approached the pilot after most passengers had exited the plane and asked, "Did we land? Or were we shot down?"
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Tue, Nov 13th - 8:01AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
The treasure of Love is in our ability to share Love. Nothing in life means anything at all without Love.* Michael G. Maness
*31But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. 1If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. 9For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; 10but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. 11When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. 12For now we see in a mirror, dimly but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. 13And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13 (NRSV)
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Mon, Nov 12th - 2:51PM
The plain teaching of Jesus
It is unfashionable nowadays in the church (even while satanism flourishes outside it) to believe either in a personal devil or in personal demonic intelligences under his command. But there is no obvious reason why church fashion should be the director of theology, whereas the plain teaching of Jesus and his apostles (not to mention the church of the subsequent centuries) endorsed their malevolent existence. John Stott
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Mon, Nov 12th - 9:50AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! CHRISTMAS DAY!
A friend told the blonde man: "Christmas is on a Friday this year." The blonde man then said, "Let's hope it's not the 13th."
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Mon, Nov 12th - 9:38AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
"One who smiles rather than angers is always stronger"* -- Chinese wisdom Sent By David Schary
*"One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city." Proverbs 16:32 (NRSV)
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Sun, Nov 11th - 1:35AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! YES, OFFICER, ALWAYS
A lady who was speeding had an officer pulled her to the side of the road. She didn't have her seat belt on so as soon as she stopped, she quickly slipped it on before the officer got to her window.
After talking to her about speeding, the officer said, "I see you are wearing your seat belt. Do you believe in wearing it at all times?"
"Yes, I do, officer," she replied.
"Well," asked the officer, "do you always do it up with it looped through your steering wheel?"
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Sun, Nov 11th - 1:26AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
Since you became a disciple, you cannot be as independent as you used to be.* (Oswald Chambers May 22)
*"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NRSV)
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Sat, Nov 10th - 9:13AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Honoring God...We live overflowing lives because the Source of life brings us contentment, instead of the gifts (people, places, possessions, and position). How? By leading us to the well that never runs dry*.- From "It Takes Two to Tango" by Gary and Norma Smalley
*"and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:38 (NRSV)
"He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken." Psalm 62:2 (NRSV)
"For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him." Psalm 62:5 (NRSV)
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Sat, Nov 10th - 8:59AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! BIG GUY-SMALL GUY
There was this little guy sitting in a bar, drinking his beer, minding his own business when all of a sudden this great big dude comes in and -- WHACK!! -- knocks him off the bar stool and onto the floor. The big dude says, "That was a karate chop from Korea." The little guy thinks "GEEZ," but he gets back up on the stool and starts drinking again when all of a sudden -- WHACK!! -- the big dude knocks him down AGAIN and says, "That was a judo chop from Japan." So the little guy has had enough of this... He gets up, brushes himself off and quietly leaves. The little guy is gone for an hour or so when he returned. Without saying a word, he walks up behind the big dude and -- WHAM!!!" -- knocks the big dude off his stool, knocking him out cold!!! The little guy looks at the bartender and says, "When he gets up, tell him that's a crowbar from Sears.
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Fri, Nov 9th - 8:14AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! BIG HANDS!
The teacher asked little Peter; "If I have 5 mangoes in one hand and five mangoes in the other, what do I have?”
" Big Hands, " said Peter.
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Fri, Nov 9th - 8:02AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
Put Women In Their Place--Beside Men!* Audra and Joe Trull
*"There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28 (NRSV)
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Thu, Nov 8th - 8:12AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! DIETING DAD!
A husband took his young daughter to the grocery store with him. In addition to the healthy items on the carefully prepared shopping list, they returned with a box of sugar-laden cookies.
The man noticed the glare of his wife and said, "This box of cookies has one-third fewer calories than usual."
"Why is that?" the mother asked.
"We ate a third of the cookies on the way home," he replied.
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Thu, Nov 8th - 8:01AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
“One Person who's on your side always, no matter what you do or what the world does to you“... is Jesus Christ.* (Jim Denison, Park Cities Baptist Church)
*What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? Romans 8:31 (NRSV)
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Wed, Nov 7th - 8:41AM
FREE ELECTIONS!
"I recently read the autobiography of Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. When the group held its first vote for the leader of their order, Ignatius was the unanimous choice of the members, with a single exception—Ignatius voted for "whoever gets the most votes." That's who gets my vote this morning." JIM DENISON - FORUM
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Wed, Nov 7th - 8:17AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! DO IT YOURSELF!
When a guy's printer type began to grow faint, he called a local repair shop where a friendly man informed him that the printer probably needed only to be cleaned.
Because the store charged $50 for such cleanings, he told him he might be better off reading the printer's manual and trying the job himself.
Pleasantly surprised by his candor, he asked, "Does your boss know that you discourage business?"
"Actually, it's my boss's idea," the employee replied sheepishly.
"We usually make more money on repairs if we let people try to fix things themselves first."
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Wed, Nov 7th - 8:00AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
"The reason why many miracles are not now wrought is not so much because faith is established, as that unbelief reigns."* - Bengel.
*19Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a£ mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:19-20 (NRSV)
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Mon, Nov 5th - 9:23PM
CHOOSING THE WILL OF GOD AT THE POLLS. (Part 1)
I love my Republican friends in the Lord. I am filled with mixed emotions when I receive emails from Christian Republican friends who know I am a Democrat that are disparaging of Democrats. I feel compelled to provide this lengthy blog with the hope my Christian Republican friends will meditate on it and accept my love even though we differ on political philosophy. I pray and believe that my Christian Republican friends and I are mature enough in Christ to live together in love in spite of our political differences.
There is no such thing as a perfect political party even though there are several of them. The fact is the Democratic Party and the Republican Party are both evil. So when we choose a Party or go to vote we must discern which of these political parties is less evil than the other. All Parties are incompatible so we choose the one which is the least incompatible. I live in Texas which at the present time is a Red State (Republican). I spend some time in the following blog explaining that I do not doubt the relationship with Christ of my Republican Christian friends. I trust you will have the same trust in me.
CHOOSING THE WILL OF GOD AT THE POLLS
For twelve years I have met with a group of men. The purpose of our meeting was to obey God's command in the Scriptures: 1 Timothy 2:1-3 (NRSV) “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,” This is called Men's Prayer Breakfast. We meet at the College Cafeteria, eat, have Bible study and then break up into 4 groups to pray for (1) State and National Leaders (2) County Leaders (3) City Leaders and (4) Other Institutional Leaders. I am the lone Democrat in this group (that I know of).
One year instead of having Bible Study we had a member give his testimony. As I listened to the testimony, I came to know how Mary felt when she met Elizabeth and the Holy Spirit cause Elizabeth's baby in her womb to kick. As I listen the each of these Republicans give their Christian testimony the Holy Spirit identified them as a Christ loving Christian.
Just because I am a Democrat and disagree with the political philosophy of the Republicans does not raise the slightest doubt that my Republican friends are devout Christ loving Christians as sure as I am.
After Barack Obama was elected President, the group dwindled from as many as 30 men to about 8-12 now. I can't judge why each man left. I can only report what I observed in the prayer meetings.
Even though the Scriptures command: “... that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions”, I observed the difficulty that many of these men had in making supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for President Obama and his party.
In disobedience to the Scriptures that say: Romans 10:6-7 (NRSV)
But the righteousness that comes from faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) "or 'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).
...many of these men prayed for Obama's salvation even though all during his campaign he professed to be a Christian. Not only that, but Obama spoke in Cairo Egypt and stated categorically “I am a Christian.” before millions of Muslims about 5% of whom have vowed to kill Christians until killed themselves.
Again the Scriptures say: Romans 10:8-10 (NRSV)
But what does it say? "The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.
If confessing that “I am a Christian' before millions of hostile Muslims doesn't work for saving Obama, why should I believe it works for me who has confessed Christ before a must smaller crowd and much less hostile? Why should I believe that confessing Christ before men works for me and you but not for Obama?
I think Barack needs to be instructed more from God's word, but so do you and I. We are not fully grown when we are born again. We must grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. This is true of you and me and President Obama.
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Mon, Nov 5th - 9:07PM
CHOOSING THE WILL OF GOD AT THE POLLS.
For Scriptural foundation of the point I am making we quote 1 Samuel 8:1-7 (NRSV)
When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beer-sheba. Yet his sons did not follow in his ways, but turned aside after gain; they took bribes and perverted justice. Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, "You are old and your sons do not follow in your ways; appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations." But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to govern us." Samuel prayed to the LORD, and the LORD said to Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.
Even though it was not what Samuel or what God wanted, God said “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you.” God said, “Give the people what they want even though it is not what you or I want.” God established a nation called America with a Constitution best designed to follow God's instructions to Samuel. The Constitution says, “Give the people who they want for President”. We American citizens elect a President, it doesn't necessarily mean that they elected the man or woman that God wanted. It means they elected a person of their own choice and God allowed it. It is the person of God's choice because God chose to give us the person we choose. Of course, we must bear the consequences. It is morally imperative that Christian Citizens pray for the man of God's choice.
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Mon, Nov 5th - 11:45AM
Abortion of Demand is a Sin
I do not believe in abortion on demand. I believe that is a sin. I also believe that it it is wrong to sacrifice the life of a mother if aborting a pregnancy would save the mother's life. That mother has many responsibilities, maybe children to care for and who love her dearly. Yes, I will stand against abortion. But I also stand against shortening the life-span of people by repealing Obamacare. Why do we hold the life of an unborn more sacred than the lives of the born? It is hypocritical to worship 'sanctity of life' for the unborn and failing to show the same sanctity of life for the lives of the living.
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Mon, Nov 5th - 9:01AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! MATERIALISTIC LAWYER
A lawyer opened the door of his BMW, when suddenly a car came along and hit the door, ripping it off completely. When the police arrived at the scene, the lawyer was complaining bitterly about the damage to his precious BMW.
"Officer, look what they've done to my Beemer!" he whined.
"You lawyers are so materialistic, you make me sick!" retorted the officer, "You're so worried about your stupid BMW, that you didn't even notice that your left arm was ripped off!"
"Oh my god", replied the lawyer, finally noticing the bloody left shoulder where his arm once was, "Where's my Rolex!"
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Mon, Nov 5th - 8:50AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
"Your net worth doesn't equal your personal worth." Remember the source of your personal worth. You are not what you do, or have, or how you look, or what people think of you. You are the child of God. You are on your way to heaven this morning. What matters is not so much what you have when you are alive, but what you have after you die. Today is the dot before the line, the moment before the eternal. If Jesus is your Lord, you will forever be the child of the King of Kings. Your net worth is far less than your personal worth to God.*
*36For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Mark 8:36 (NRSV)
19Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own?
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Mon, Nov 5th - 8:45AM
Nothingness and Death
Nothingness and death
Nothing baffles us human beings more than nothingness and
death. The 'angst' of twentieth-century existentialists,
is, at its most acute, their dread of the abyss of
nothingness. And death is the one event over which (in the
end) we have no control, and from which we cannot escape ...
But nothingness and death are no problem for God. On the
contrary, it is out of nothing, that he created the
universe, and out of death that he raised Jesus. The
creation and the resurrection were and remain the two major
manifestations of the power of God. John Stott
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Mon, Nov 5th - 8:36AM
Personal Disclaimer
...I... '...claim a right to retract any opinion which improvement in reasoning and knowledge may at any time show me is groundless.' (Hey's 'Lectures On the Article?) Lightfoot, Gal. p. xi. Then, if I err in some things, which by the grace of God I hope Is not the case, I pray everyone for the Lord's take, lest I be put to shame, that If anyone hath stronger and more convincing truth, he, through brotherly love, exhortation', and instruction might assist me. I desire with my heart to accept it, If he be right. Deal with me according to the intention of the Spirit and the Word of Christ. (Menno) We do not need to fear being found wrong; we need to fear that our errors will not be found out or that we will be too obstinate to correct our errors when they are exposed.
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Sun, Nov 4th - 5:54AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! EVERYTHING A MAN SHOULD WANT
An old man walks into a bar, sits down, and starts crying. The bartender asks, “What’s wrong?” The old man looks at the bartender through Teary eyes and between sobs says, “I married a beautiful woman two days ago. She’s a natural blonde, twenty-five, intelligent, a marvelous cook, a meticulous housekeeper, Extremely sensitive to my wants and needs, very giving, and my best friend..” The bartender stares at the old man for a brief moment and says, “But that sounds great! You have what every man wants in a woman, so why are crying?” The old man looks at the bartender and says, “I can’t remember where I live!”
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Sun, Nov 4th - 5:40AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest men of past centuries.* -Rene Descartes, philosopher and mathematician (1596-1650)
*2 Timothy 2:15 (NRSV) "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth."
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Sat, Nov 3rd - 8:30PM
Good News Bad News
A minister stood before his congregation and said, "I have good news and I have bad news. The good news is that we have enough to pay for our new building project. The bad news is that it is still in your pockets." the most basic cause of hunger is not an inadequate divine provision, but an inequitable human distribution. The truth is that God has provided ample resources in earth and sea. The earth brings forth plants yielding seed and trees bearing fruit. The animals, birds and fish he has made are fruitful and multiply. But men hoard or spoil or waste these resources, and do not share them out. It seems significant that in the same gospel of Matthew the Jesus who here says that our heavenly Father feeds and clothes his children, later says that *we* must ourselves feed the hungry and clothe the naked, and will be judged accordingly. It is always important to allow Scripture to interpret Scripture. The fact that God feeds and clothes his children does not exempt us from the responsibility of being the agents through whom he does it.John Stott
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Sat, Nov 3rd - 5:13PM
It's My Life
Deuteronomy 30:19 (NRSV)
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live,
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NRSV)
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.
You have heard someone say, “It’s my life!” The fact is that most of us have said that in one way or another. In those very words or in other words, we have declared, “It’s my life!”
The life that we have is a gift of God. Each breath we take is a gift of God’s grace. But, if we save our life, if we keep our life to our self, we will lose it.
Matthew 16:25 (NRSV)
For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
To have eternal life, we must give our life to Jesus. We cannot keep our life for our self.
Listen to this encounter of Jesus with the Rich Young Ruler in Luke 18:18-30
A certain ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 20You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother.’” 21He replied, “I have kept all these since my youth.” 22When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 23But when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich. 24Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27He replied, “What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.” 28Then Peter said, “Look, we have left our homes and followed you.” 29And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30who will not get back very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”
This does not mean that every disciple of Christ must sell everything they own and give the proceeds to the poor. But, it does mean that every disciple of Christ must put himself or herself and all that he or she has at the disposal of Christ. As we read a moment ago, We (and all we have) is not our own. Jesus bought us and all that we have with the price of His life.
We and all we have belong to Jesus. Jesus redeemed us from the slavery to Satan, sin, and self. We are free from Satan, sin, and self. Satan, sin, and self are no longer our master. Jesus is our Lord and Master because He bought our freedom from Satan, sin, and self with His own blood.
As the song goes:
Now I Belong To Jesus
Chorus:
Now I belong to Jesus,
Jesus belongs to me,
Not for the years of time alone,
But for eternity.
We belong to Jesus because He created us.
Revelation 4:11 (NRSV)
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
Colossians 1:16 (NRSV)
for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him.
Is keeping your life and all that you have to yourself only to lose your life and all that you have in the end worth it?
Mark 8:36 (NRSV)
For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?
Is there still a little bit of ourselves left in us. Do we ask, “What’s in it for me to put myself and all that I have at Jesus’ disposal?” What’s in for me if I give my life and all I have to Him?
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (NRSV)
But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him”— 10these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.
Paul’s attitude is expressed in Philippians 3:8 (NRSV)
More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
The hymn It Will Be Worth It All puts it this way:
Chorus:
It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face All sorrow will erase.
So bravely run the race Till we see Christ.
Consider the value of the price that was paid for us:
1 Peter 1:18-19 (NRSV)
You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish.
Hebrews 9:13-14 (NRSV)
13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, with the sprinkling of the ashes of a heifer, sanctifies those who have been defiled so that their flesh is purified,
14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God!
Hebrews 10:4 (NRSV)
For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
Is the price that Jesus paid not enough to buy yourself and all that you have?
Consider the alternative.
Hebrews 10:29 (NRSV)
How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by those who have spurned the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant by which they were sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace?
Hebrews 10:31 (NRSV)
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
There was an evangelist at the time of invitation for people to give their life to Jesus may this offer. He held up a shiny half dollar and said, “I will give this half dollar to the first person who comes up here and receives it.” Several jumped out of their seat, but one young man was faster than the rest and received the half dollar.
Then the evangelist said, “I have here another half dollar. If any one comes down and receives it, they can have it on this condition. Whoever takes this half dollar belongs to me with all he or she possess for the rest of their lives. Now who will come and give himself or herself to me for this half dollar?
No one came to receive the half dollar.
But Jesus is not a half dollar. Jesus is God’s Son. You can have God’s Son, if you give yourself and all that you have to Him.
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Sat, Nov 3rd - 4:19PM
OSWALD CHAMBERS NOVEMBER 3RD A BONDSERVENT OF JESUS
November 3.
A Bondservant of Jesus
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me... " (Galatians 2:20).
These words mean the breaking and collapse of my independence brought about by my own hands, and the surrendering of my life to the supremacy of the Lord Jesus. No one can do this for me, I must do it myself. God may bring me up to this point three hundred and sixty-five times a year, but He cannot push me through it. It means breaking the hard outer layer of my individual independence from God, and the liberating of myself and my nature into oneness with Him; not following my own ideas, but choosing absolute loyalty to Jesus. Once I am at that point, there is no possibility of misunderstanding. Very few of us know anything about loyalty to Christ or understand what He meant when He said, "... for My sake" (Matthew 5:11). That is what makes a strong saint.
Has that breaking of my independence come? All the rest is religious fraud. The one point to decide is—will I give up? Will I surrender to Jesus Christ, placing no conditions whatsoever as to how the brokenness will come? I must be broken from my own understanding of myself. When I reach that point, immediately the reality of the supernatural identification with Jesus Christ takes place. And the witness of the Spirit of God is unmistakable—"I have been crucified with Christ... "
The passion of Christianity comes from deliberately signing away my own rights and becoming a bondservant of Jesus Christ. Until I do that, I will not begin to be a saint.
One student a year who hears God's call would be sufficient for God to have called the Bible Training College into existence. This college has no value as an organization, not even academically. Its sole value for existence is for God to help Himself to lives. Will we allow Him to help Himself to us, or are we more concerned with our own ideas of what we are going to be?
My Utmost for His Highest: An Updated Edition in Today's Language.
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Name: Doyle Purifoy
