July 29, 2007 by Administrator.

I stood in a beautiful chapel last week with three hundred other professing Christians. There was a dome ceiling and the floors were made of marble. The chapel was shaped like a cross. These factors made the acoustics of the sanctuary unbelievable. The service began and we were led to sing, “Great Are You Lord”. This song’s musical arrangement has never been very impressive to me, but the lyrics are excellent. We sang and our voices carried throughout the chapel. Upon singing the chorus for a third time, the pianist stopped and we sang a cappella. When we sang, “Great are you Lord, Great are you Lord”, nothing could be heard but our voices. Our praise filled every crevice of the sanctuary and then expanded in decibels. I trembled as we sang. For a brief moment, I could imagine what it would sound like singing before God’s throne as He sits robed in majesty and honor. Multiplying this sound thousand upon thousands of times in my imagination was breathtaking. I imagined seeing hundreds of millions, perfectly sanctified children of God, and millions of angels, all singing in unison to our Lord. In that split second, I had just a faint idea of our praise to God in heaven. Then I longed, pined, yearned to be there… singing, “Great are you Lord”! 

Posted in Glory to God, Biblical Thoughts, Hope | 3 Comments »

July 25, 2007 by Administrator.

Yesterday morning I was listening to Bryan Chappell speak to a group of us men about the necessity of grace in preaching. A gentleman asked how pastors ought to preach to a legalistic congregation. Dr. Chappell described legalism as “human idolatry”. Indeed he was right. Man seeks to create laws that he can attain, accomplish, and pride himself in. Though none of these laws can be found in Scripture, man wants to better himself by being able to live, worship, and obey a strict set of guidelines. God has called us to be holy. King James might command us to use the KJV Bible, but Christ hasn’t. Man demands a certain haircut, a specific version, proper habits, and a code of attire. Man wants to be able to have God’s favor based on his own works. This is impossible! By grace we have been saved through faith. And by whose grace? By the grace of God, not of works that we should boast. Is God going to commend people for keeping up man-made, unscriptural rules? Is God going to commend people for adding to the commandments that He has already given us (Revlelation 22:18-19)? It is human idolatry to make up man-made rules. Why? Man is feeding his pride that he is able to keep these rules. Man can glory in himself for accomplishing these things. Even a lost man can keep his hair short, carry a black KJV Bible, wear the right clothes, and attend church faithfully. But the commandments of God are beyond our ability to keep on our own. Don’t legalize the Bible. Take what He has given us and give Him all the credit for any good that we might do. Our best is like filthy rags. 

Posted in Today's World, Christian Applications | 6 Comments »

July 18, 2007 by Administrator.

“But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.” ~ 1 Timothy 6:9-11 NASB    

This passage is powerful. Living in a materialistic culture feeds the desire for more of something that doesn’t bring happiness. It’s easy to become focused on the overtime you put in and how much money that will bring home. It’s easy to dream of getting rich quick. The pursuit of money is a root to all sorts of evil. Why do we lust after something that is lifeless and worthless? Should Christians pursue worldly success or spiritual advancement? Every Christian has two questions they can ask themselves that could be a turning point in their walk:    

1.       Do I want to live a routine life for God? We can get up every day, have a quick quiet time, go to work, balance our checkbooks, spend loads, and pay bills. This equates to a normal life in our society. We buy new things, save for new things, and look for new things. Our thoughts are focused on what we don’t have and what we plan to get.    

2.      Or do I want to pursue godliness? I have met godly people and not one of them was preoccupied with money. They worked hard and put in overtime, but it wasn’t for money. Should we seek new jobs for more money or because God wants us to? Temptations and snares infiltrate the lives of those who desire to be rich plunging them into destruction and ruin (possibly even financial ruin).    

My thought life has been enslaved in the past to the pursuit of money. Yet, I hear the voice of God asking me, “Is that what you want to live for?” We have so little time to serve God in this sinful world. Should we waste away our lives on earth for success among men? By seeking worldly gain, we are switching sides on God. We leave Him and join the opposing side. Don’t fill your life with grief over money. Seek the things that we Christians have been commanded to: godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. It is our honor, privilege, and duty as followers of Christ to pursue these things and flee from the love of money.

Posted in Christian Living, Today's World | 1 Comment »

July 14, 2007 by Administrator.

“Evangelism isn’t just the preacher’s job. It is yours. Nor is it completed simply by distributing tracts everywhere, however good that may be. Evangelism involves living a godly life in the face of an ungodly world. And that will bring persecution…” ~ John MacArthur from his book Found: God’s Will. 

Posted in Christian Living | No Comments »

July 10, 2007 by Administrator.

There is an excellent article on Dead Theologians which exposes the heresy in today’s world. The article is entitled, “The Arch-Heretic Speaks”, and is referring to Pope Benedict. Please read and see the current attacks that plague us Protestants from the Roman Catholic Church. For more information on the Roman Catholic Church, feel free to visit the very informative, truthfully-confrontational blog called Papal Bull.   

Posted in Today's World | No Comments »

July 6, 2007 by Administrator.

Is it right for the unwed, Christian couple to kiss? I could ask the same thing about premarital sex, but we all know that God forbids it. What about kissing? What benefit is there for the unwed couple to kiss? There are certain acts within a relationship that make people feel loved, special, and appreciated. The act of kissing stirs emotions and could lead people into temptation. You can avoid these temptations by avoiding physical touch. Temptations feed on our turbulent emotions (James 1:14-15). Temptations always use our feelings to its own evil benefit and advantage. Unmarried couples can protect their hearts and bodies for the glory of God by avoiding time alone together and kissing. It would be far more honorable for kissing and sex to be withheld in a relationship until marriage. Since breakups happen all the time, why throw your heart and body away when it is the living temple of our Lord God? If you are unsure about this, please consider: Would the Lord desire for you to kiss before marriage?

Posted in Christian Living, Christian Applications | 2 Comments »

July 3, 2007 by Administrator.

“But then there was the question how God could be just and yet justify me who had been so guilty.” ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

Innumerable times I have had people ask me how God could be loving or just if He allowed people to die and go to Hell. That question is entirely selfish. People seem to think that “fairness” is determined by the will of man. Man thinks that God loves a person of good deeds and only condemns the most evil. What they fail to understand is that we are all evil and condemned to eternal damnation. How amazing that even some should be called by His grace from their fully deserved condemnation! May we never call God unfair when it was unfair that Christ paid the wages of our sins. Should we not pay the penalty of our own sins? Yet Christ intervened for His elect and died for us. How astounding that even one be saved! What mercy and grace from our just God! As Christians, we have been unfairly justified by His wondrous grace. Be ever grateful for the calling of His grace. Think on Charles Spurgeon’s question and the following verse: 
“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace…” ~ Hebrews 4:16 NASB     

Posted in Biblical Thoughts, Today's World, Doctrine | No Comments »