"We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified....I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain." (Galations 2:16,21)
If getting closer to God was based on the things we do, we may as well start building a ladder to heaven while we're at it! Many people think of the Old Testament as representing God in His mercy, while the New Testament represents His grace. That grace is what He has been aching to share all along! Mercy is what embraces that prodigal son when he is covered in filth, but grace is what throws the extravagant party that was perfectly unmerited. God wants to shower us with heavenly gifts with heaven constantly, but I think if we are asking from only our perspective, our gains are limited. Without faith it is impossible to please God, and faith is prayer in motion! Clean our hearts Father, and let Jesus reign supreme. I just got done watching a great Sid Roth video, something which may be hard for many of you to swallow, but if you are in the mood to 'stretch your spiritual boundaries', check this out!
http://www.sidroth.org/site/News2?abbr=tv_&page=NewsArticle&id=7173&security=1041&news_iv_ctrl=-1
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
We do not worship the same God!
"The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. This accords with what happened at Horeb in the day of the assembly. You asked the Lord your God: “Please do not make us hear the voice of the Lord our 24 God any more or see this great fire any more lest we die.” 18:17 The Lord then said to me, “What they have said is good. 18:18 I will raise up a prophet like you for them from among their fellow Israelites. I will put my words in his mouth and he will speak to them whatever I command. 18:19 I will personally hold responsible 25 anyone who then pays no attention to the words that prophet 26 speaks in my name.
18:20 “But if any prophet presumes to speak anything in my name that I have not authorized 27 him to speak, or speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die. 18:21 Now if you say to yourselves, 28 ‘How can we tell that a message is not from the Lord?’ 29 – 18:22 whenever a prophet speaks in my 30 name and the prediction 31 is not fulfilled, 32 then I have 33 not spoken it; 34 the prophet has presumed to speak it, so you need not fear him.”
(Deuteronomy 18:15-22)
I went to see a guest speaker yesterday about the relationship between Christianity and Islam, and Jesus and the prophets and Islam, in particular. As you can imagine, much of the time was spent explaining the validity of Islam and how strongly it contrasts with the media's image of what it represents. One of the bible verses that was referenced was this one. The speaker drew attention to the word 'brethren' (verse 15), which is to represent the 'brother lineage of Ishmael'. From this lineage the speaker stated that God is referring to Muhammed, not who we would of course believe to be Jesus. He then went on to cross reference Act 3:22:
Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must obey 63 him in everything he tells you. 64 3:23 Every person 65 who does not obey that prophet will be destroyed and thus removed 66 from the people.’
From this 'Arab' side of Abraham, Muhammed is purported to come, who of course is the end all-be all prophet to Muslims. The speaker also went on to say that earlier editions of the bible state that God never said 'His begotten', along with many other translational changes, all of which deserve further mention.
What was most important to realize for me is that Islam is no different than buddhism, hinduism, shinto, or even 'Christian' crusaders that killed thousands in the 11th and 12th centuries, as well as the Spanish Inquisition. Every one of them distorts the truth, some to a greater degree, but all take Christ out of the equation. And John tells us "Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?" (John 1:22). Muslims do not believe in the idea of original sin, reject completely the idea of the Holy Trinity, and do not believe crucifixion has the power to save. The speaker went on to say that more Muslims read the Quran in one day, then people read the bible in 1 year! I don't know if that is completely true, but one thing he said I definitely do believe: in 20-30 years Muslims will outnumber Christians in America. Unless we take the great Commission seriously, and pray for the love of the Lord to consume our lives, I'm afraid he may be right.
18:20 “But if any prophet presumes to speak anything in my name that I have not authorized 27 him to speak, or speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die. 18:21 Now if you say to yourselves, 28 ‘How can we tell that a message is not from the Lord?’ 29 – 18:22 whenever a prophet speaks in my 30 name and the prediction 31 is not fulfilled, 32 then I have 33 not spoken it; 34 the prophet has presumed to speak it, so you need not fear him.”
(Deuteronomy 18:15-22)
I went to see a guest speaker yesterday about the relationship between Christianity and Islam, and Jesus and the prophets and Islam, in particular. As you can imagine, much of the time was spent explaining the validity of Islam and how strongly it contrasts with the media's image of what it represents. One of the bible verses that was referenced was this one. The speaker drew attention to the word 'brethren' (verse 15), which is to represent the 'brother lineage of Ishmael'. From this lineage the speaker stated that God is referring to Muhammed, not who we would of course believe to be Jesus. He then went on to cross reference Act 3:22:
Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must obey 63 him in everything he tells you. 64 3:23 Every person 65 who does not obey that prophet will be destroyed and thus removed 66 from the people.’
From this 'Arab' side of Abraham, Muhammed is purported to come, who of course is the end all-be all prophet to Muslims. The speaker also went on to say that earlier editions of the bible state that God never said 'His begotten', along with many other translational changes, all of which deserve further mention.
What was most important to realize for me is that Islam is no different than buddhism, hinduism, shinto, or even 'Christian' crusaders that killed thousands in the 11th and 12th centuries, as well as the Spanish Inquisition. Every one of them distorts the truth, some to a greater degree, but all take Christ out of the equation. And John tells us "Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?" (John 1:22). Muslims do not believe in the idea of original sin, reject completely the idea of the Holy Trinity, and do not believe crucifixion has the power to save. The speaker went on to say that more Muslims read the Quran in one day, then people read the bible in 1 year! I don't know if that is completely true, but one thing he said I definitely do believe: in 20-30 years Muslims will outnumber Christians in America. Unless we take the great Commission seriously, and pray for the love of the Lord to consume our lives, I'm afraid he may be right.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Consider carefully what is before you
6:14 Now 17 King Herod 18 heard this, for Jesus’ 19 name had become known. Some 20 were saying, “John the baptizer 21 has been raised from the dead, and because of this, miraculous powers are at work in him.” 6:15 Others said, “He is Elijah.” Others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets from the past.” 6:16 But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised!” 6:17 For Herod himself had sent men, arrested John, and bound him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod 22 had married her. 6:18 For John had repeatedly told 23 Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 24 6:19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against him and wanted to kill him. But 25 she could not 6:20 because Herod stood in awe of 26 John and protected him, since he knew that John 27 was a righteous and holy man. When Herod 28 heard him, he was thoroughly baffled, 29 and yet 30 he liked to listen to John. 31
6:21 But 32 a suitable day 33 came, when Herod gave a banquet on his birthday for his court officials, military commanders, and leaders of Galilee. 6:22 When his daughter Herodias 34 came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you.” 6:23 He swore to her, 35 “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” 36 6:24 So 37 she went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” Her mother 38 said, “The head of John the baptizer.” 39 6:25 Immediately she hurried back to the king and made her request: 40 “I want the head of John the Baptist on a platter immediately.” 6:26 Although it grieved the king deeply, 41 he did not want to reject her request because of his oath and his guests.
You all know the rest of the story. John the Baptist lost his life because one king was too weak willed to do what he believed was right in his heart. Because of his 'oath and his guests', the king did what was wrong in the sight of the Lord.
This is why it is so important for us to daily make our hearts pledge allegiance to God; we never know when we may be put into situations that can compromise our faith. If we believe here and now that we need to listen only to the opinions of others, we will be very weak indeed, as Joe mentioned today. If the time came for us to make a major decision which could irrevocably affect our lives or others, we may make the wrong choice. God willing it may never come, and hopefully never be as major as beheading someone, but we should be prepared nontheless. Choose this day whom ye will serve, for we don't know what tomorrow will bring!
6:21 But 32 a suitable day 33 came, when Herod gave a banquet on his birthday for his court officials, military commanders, and leaders of Galilee. 6:22 When his daughter Herodias 34 came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you.” 6:23 He swore to her, 35 “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” 36 6:24 So 37 she went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” Her mother 38 said, “The head of John the baptizer.” 39 6:25 Immediately she hurried back to the king and made her request: 40 “I want the head of John the Baptist on a platter immediately.” 6:26 Although it grieved the king deeply, 41 he did not want to reject her request because of his oath and his guests.
You all know the rest of the story. John the Baptist lost his life because one king was too weak willed to do what he believed was right in his heart. Because of his 'oath and his guests', the king did what was wrong in the sight of the Lord.
This is why it is so important for us to daily make our hearts pledge allegiance to God; we never know when we may be put into situations that can compromise our faith. If we believe here and now that we need to listen only to the opinions of others, we will be very weak indeed, as Joe mentioned today. If the time came for us to make a major decision which could irrevocably affect our lives or others, we may make the wrong choice. God willing it may never come, and hopefully never be as major as beheading someone, but we should be prepared nontheless. Choose this day whom ye will serve, for we don't know what tomorrow will bring!
Friday, April 3, 2009
"Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed us to the word of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
When we think about it over and over in our carnal minds, and not guided by the Holy Spirit, we can begin to take for granted the cleanliness that comes from being washed of our sins. What I like about this verse is that it makes me put it into a more 'black and white' perspective. When we think about the most vile and abominable criminals in all of history, like Hitler, Vlad the Impaler, Gilles de Rais, Ivan the terrible (look 'em up), we can easily say, "wow, I'm nothing like them, I'm a good person". But imagine none of these men getting any punishment whatsoever, would not our hearts cry out injustice? That very thing happened to us on Golgotha, for we were forgiven something we just as strongly did not deserve. I really feel this is key to helping us see ourselves as no better or worse than any other person; if we stop viewing crime, murder, etc. as wrongs against man, but against God, we will be much more apt to show the forgiveness and love that God desires. When we hear about a child being murdered, we cringe in disgust that someone could defame such innocence; by the same token, Christ was crucified. He was blameless, spotless; a lamb. All innocence died that day, and was resurrected and manifested in our hearts, should we choose to believe.
When we think about it over and over in our carnal minds, and not guided by the Holy Spirit, we can begin to take for granted the cleanliness that comes from being washed of our sins. What I like about this verse is that it makes me put it into a more 'black and white' perspective. When we think about the most vile and abominable criminals in all of history, like Hitler, Vlad the Impaler, Gilles de Rais, Ivan the terrible (look 'em up), we can easily say, "wow, I'm nothing like them, I'm a good person". But imagine none of these men getting any punishment whatsoever, would not our hearts cry out injustice? That very thing happened to us on Golgotha, for we were forgiven something we just as strongly did not deserve. I really feel this is key to helping us see ourselves as no better or worse than any other person; if we stop viewing crime, murder, etc. as wrongs against man, but against God, we will be much more apt to show the forgiveness and love that God desires. When we hear about a child being murdered, we cringe in disgust that someone could defame such innocence; by the same token, Christ was crucified. He was blameless, spotless; a lamb. All innocence died that day, and was resurrected and manifested in our hearts, should we choose to believe.
Change your conduct, or change your name!
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing." (I Timothy 6:12-14)
A short story: In the time of Alexander the Great (230 BC?), there was a soldier, found guilty of deserting the Greek army. Brought before King Alexander, the king asked him, what his name was. As was customary, the man replied, "I...m a...soldier (trembling in fear)." The king replied "What?" Again the man told him. "No, no" the king said, "Either change your conduct...or change your name!"
When I read about this in a book not too long ago ("Led by the Carpenter" by James Kennedy-let me know if you want to borrow it!), it made me think about my own conduct as a Christian. It puts our own behavior in perspective, when we realize that everything we do represents God. Which is why false believer should do much to either change their conduct, or change their name! The name of God has been blasphemed for millennia, from 'christian' imperialists who wiped out native populations, to 'believers' so intolerant of other faiths they would massacre them (ie Henry VIII). Not that we should turn from God because we are not invincible--no we should desire Him all the more!
A short story: In the time of Alexander the Great (230 BC?), there was a soldier, found guilty of deserting the Greek army. Brought before King Alexander, the king asked him, what his name was. As was customary, the man replied, "I...m a...soldier (trembling in fear)." The king replied "What?" Again the man told him. "No, no" the king said, "Either change your conduct...or change your name!"
When I read about this in a book not too long ago ("Led by the Carpenter" by James Kennedy-let me know if you want to borrow it!), it made me think about my own conduct as a Christian. It puts our own behavior in perspective, when we realize that everything we do represents God. Which is why false believer should do much to either change their conduct, or change their name! The name of God has been blasphemed for millennia, from 'christian' imperialists who wiped out native populations, to 'believers' so intolerant of other faiths they would massacre them (ie Henry VIII). Not that we should turn from God because we are not invincible--no we should desire Him all the more!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
We are too blessed to be depressed!
"If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the flooding of the Jordan?" (Jeremiah 12:5).
This is God's reply to Jeremiah, after his lamenting the ways of the wicked, which always seem to prosper. It makes me wonder how, if we feel that life is so hard now, what will we be like when and if it truly is? None of us have lived through a war or felt the true effects of a depression like our ancestors or parents, but perhaps one day we will. In this retort, God is reminding Jeremiah that what he has endured so far is small potatoes, so to speak. So too should we be when we grow complaintive of our everyday woes. That is not to say we should hide the fact that we are exhausted, tired, hungry etc.; God wants us to lay all our cares on Him. But a matter of perspective is in order, that we do not become too soft on ourselves, and become easily offended when things become more difficult. God always gives us a way out of the most seemingly unendurable circumstances (even if it's not the way we'd like!)!
This is God's reply to Jeremiah, after his lamenting the ways of the wicked, which always seem to prosper. It makes me wonder how, if we feel that life is so hard now, what will we be like when and if it truly is? None of us have lived through a war or felt the true effects of a depression like our ancestors or parents, but perhaps one day we will. In this retort, God is reminding Jeremiah that what he has endured so far is small potatoes, so to speak. So too should we be when we grow complaintive of our everyday woes. That is not to say we should hide the fact that we are exhausted, tired, hungry etc.; God wants us to lay all our cares on Him. But a matter of perspective is in order, that we do not become too soft on ourselves, and become easily offended when things become more difficult. God always gives us a way out of the most seemingly unendurable circumstances (even if it's not the way we'd like!)!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Let our confidence be founded in truth
For this gospel 18 I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher. 19 1:12 Because of this, in fact, I suffer as I do. 20 But I am not ashamed, because I know the one in whom my faith is set 21 and I am convinced that he is able to protect what has been entrusted to me 22 until that day. 23 1:13 Hold to the standard 24 of sound words that you heard from me and do so with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 25 1:14 Protect that good thing 26 entrusted to you, through the Holy Spirit who lives within us.
I wonder how many people we see daily, realize how much faith they put in the everday grind of social machinery that drives this world. We trust that the water we drink is not polluted, nor the food we eat filled with deadly chemicals, that the electronics we use do not cause cancer, nor the clothes we wear covered in mercury or many other toxic compounds. Imagine if we had that kind of faith (which is mostly blind) in following our savior Jesus! We gladly admit that he has the best things in store for us, which should go far in saying that our lives revolve around him, if only (from a 'selfish' standpoint) to receive those good things. Unlike the things of this world though, there is an unlimited supply of them. I often feel like any generosity I have is because I have so many blessings in my life; would I still have a giving heart if I lacked many things? Not so easy a question to answer, but I do know one thing: If I receive the 'renewing of my mind' (Romans 12:2), then I should give from Christ's perspective, that giving is receiving in itself. God is working in us; let us just be patient while the master crafts His finest!
I wonder how many people we see daily, realize how much faith they put in the everday grind of social machinery that drives this world. We trust that the water we drink is not polluted, nor the food we eat filled with deadly chemicals, that the electronics we use do not cause cancer, nor the clothes we wear covered in mercury or many other toxic compounds. Imagine if we had that kind of faith (which is mostly blind) in following our savior Jesus! We gladly admit that he has the best things in store for us, which should go far in saying that our lives revolve around him, if only (from a 'selfish' standpoint) to receive those good things. Unlike the things of this world though, there is an unlimited supply of them. I often feel like any generosity I have is because I have so many blessings in my life; would I still have a giving heart if I lacked many things? Not so easy a question to answer, but I do know one thing: If I receive the 'renewing of my mind' (Romans 12:2), then I should give from Christ's perspective, that giving is receiving in itself. God is working in us; let us just be patient while the master crafts His finest!
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