January 3, 2008 by Administrator.

“Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” ~  2 Corinthians 12:10 NASB

It’s so amazing how the Lord brings certain passages to your attention as if they were brand new! As I read this verse, I said to myself, “Wow. Can I say that? Can I say that I’m content in the Lord’s strength when things are hard and stressful?” When we are weak and times are rough, we seek out the Lord. I have the tendency to be most happy and content when things are well. But when our surroundings are peaceful, we tend to drift. However, my idea of difficulties and Paul’s description of distress and difficulties are much different. How do my hardships compare to being imprisoned, beaten beyond count, lashed, beat with rods, stoned, shipwrecked three times, and being stranded for a day in the sea? Could I be content in the Lord’s grace and sovereignty if I had to endure what Paul experienced? There is so much to be learned from this verse.

Posted in Biblical Thoughts, Christian Living, Biblical Study | 1 Comment »

December 24, 2007 by Administrator.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.” ~ Psalm 103 NASB 

A few nights ago I read Psalm 103, but really stopped to ponder the first verse. I think often times we overlook verses like these because they are so familiar. Maybe it’s because we have sung them so many times or recited them. Truly, what does it mean to bless the Lord with all your soul? How can we do this? How can we bless the most holy name of our Lord with our very being?  

No doubt the “bless” in this verse is referring to praising or honoring the name of the Lord. How can we bring Him honor with our soul? Perhaps it is the surrendering of our will to the Lord. Maybe our heart’s desire should be to bring Him all the honor and glory leaving none for ourselves. In what ways can we bring His holy name the most glory?

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October 25, 2007 by Administrator.

As Christians we should strive to live godly lives. Nearly all Christians would readily declare their willingness to die for Christ. I find this hard to believe since so many Christians struggle with living one day that honors the Lord. My focus turned to that yesterday: “How can I live just one day, TODAY, in a way that honors the Lord?” I tried to narrow my thoughts to the current moment rather than generalities such as “life”. Our lives as a whole should honor Christ, but are we honoring Him right here and now? If we cannot devote this day to Him, how are we going to give Jesus our lives unto death? Critique your lifestyle right now. Live the Christian life day by day. Take it slow and “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” ~ Philippians 2:12

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October 18, 2007 by Administrator.

Is self-esteem Scriptural? I have been rolling this question around in my head for the past few weeks. There is a difference in pride and self-esteem, but where is the line? I believe the media would explain these two terms in this manner:

Self-esteem is to be happy with who you are and be self-confident. We are to love ourselves and meet our intra-personal needs. Giving “time out” for yourself, centering your life, and having independence are steps towards self-esteem. However, being prideful is to be arrogant, narcissistic, egotistical, and vain.

Self-esteem seems to be a watered down version of pride. Should not Christians place their confidence in Christ? Should not our independence be lost in our slavery to Jesus? Should we be dependent on ourselves or live a life by faith? I’m not suggesting that we hate ourselves, but rather die daily. I welcome your thoughts on this topic. Is self-esteem Scriptural? If yes, where is the line between it and pride?

…and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance ~ 1 Peter 1:13b-14

Posted in Biblical Thoughts, Today's World | 3 Comments »

October 9, 2007 by Administrator.

The other day I was reading John 21, and the passage where Jesus questions Simon Peter really grabbed me. In verse 15 it says:

So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You ” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.”

John MacArthur says that “these” in verse 15 is most likely referring to the fish. My thoughts began reeling. It is very interesting that Peter in verse 3 had told the other disciples that he was going fishing and they decided to join him. Then Christ asks Him if he loved Him more than the fish (and altogether his trade of fishing). When Peter answers affirmatively, Jesus then commands him to serve Him in the ministry by saying, “tend my lambs”, “shepherd my sheep”, and “tend my sheep”. If Peter really did love Christ, then he had to be willing to give up his livelihood and follow Christ. Am I willing to give up the way I make a living and how I go about my life to follow Christ anywhere? If I love Him as I claim, then I need to be. Jesus very directly tells Peter to “follow Me” in verse 19 and 22. This was not the first time that Peter had been told to “follow” Christ. Perhaps Peter’s heart was not where it should have been.

The second point that really hit deep in my heart was the repeated phrase, “do you love Me?” I believe it is possible for people to be saved, but not in love with Jesus. Peter responded to Christ much like I would have to someone close to me. If your spouse or parent were to ask you, “do you love me”, how would you answer? I would most likely say, “What kind of a question is that? You know I love you. Why would you think otherwise?” If they were to ask again, I would become frustrated. Much like Peter, I believe I would have been grieved if they asked a third time. My thoughts would have been saying, “What have I done lately? Did I say something or did I do something?” I believe Peter wrote off Jesus’ first inquiry. By the third time, it probably grieved him because he knew that Jesus had some serious concern about his love and loyalty. I realize that I am like Peter as well. I have made mistakes. I have gotten into my little fishing boat, doing as I wished all the while claiming to love Jesus. But our call is outside of our what we have created for ourselves. Our call is wherever that “follow Me” leads.

The third area that really convicted me was when I asked myself, “When was the last time I sincerely and reverently told God… I… love… You?” I have very nonchalantly described what He has done for me on the cross many times. It’s easy to say, “I wouldn’t be here without Him” and not think anymore about it. No doubt we appreciate what He has done, but do we love Him dearly? I took some time to evaluate whether or not I was intimately in love with Jesus right now. As of this moment, do you truly love the Lord? Are you willing to leave that fishing boat forever? It was a joyous time for me to contritely tell Jesus… that I loved Him.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You.~ Psalm 51:12-13 NASB

Posted in Biblical Thoughts, Christian Living, Biblical Study, Christian Applications | 3 Comments »

September 20, 2007 by Administrator.

Day by day, I hear the phrase, “I love him”, “I love her”, or “I love you”. Yet, when I hear these sayings from various people and consider the situation, I begin to doubt the meaning of “love”. It appears to me that the word “love” has a very warped view from the meaning it is given in Scripture. The word is very abused. I think as Americans, we have a selfish meaning for it. It seems that we “love” someone when it benefits us in some way. We believe that some individual makes us happy. We desire the companionship of others for a number of reasons. A few of them are happiness, affection, and loneliness. For these three basic things, the motive behind each one is selfishness. We think that he/she will make us happy. We want their affection. We don’t want to be lonely. Did Christ love us because of what He could receive in return? If He had… no one would have been saved by His blood. Christ’s love was the purest act of unselfishness. He died for us when the masses hated Him and His disciples deserted, denied, and betrayed Him. Was Jesus getting anything in return for His love? Was He getting happiness, affection, and the satisfaction of not being alone? It says in 1 Corinthians, “love is not self-seeking.” As followers of Christ, we have the example of how to live a life with love. There is no greater love for one, than when someone lays down his life for his friends. I believe this verse is saying that unselfishness is the key. Would someone die for another if his or her ulterior motive was selfishness? I really don’t think so. The next time you go to say, “I love you”, are you meaning it the Biblical or American way? The meaning of love is found in Christ Jesus.

Posted in Biblical Thoughts, Today's World | 1 Comment »

September 11, 2007 by Administrator.

I still see Christians being plagued by the condmenation, “judge not”. Even though I posted on this several months ago, I feel the need to refresh this topic.

We are all quite familiar with the verse “Judge not, lest ye be judged” in Matthew 7. Sadly, this verse has become a modern secular tool against Christianity. Claiming Christians and non-Christians alike use this verse to quiet the voices of any who try to condemn sin. This verse has been completely distorted for the individual moral convictions of whoever uses it. People will deliberately overlook countless Scriptures where God makes declarations of His hate for certain sins. Instead, “Christians” and the unsaved use this verse to dismantle other Christians for condemning sins that they don’t feel should be judged. Of course, we are to show love. But Christ has not called us to be so loving to the world that we disregard anything they do. God loved the children of Israel, but He would not sit back and tolerate their sinful, rebellious acts. Am I expected by the Lord to be tolerant? Proverbs 8:13 says that the fear of the Lord is to hate evil. How do these conforming individuals explain verses like these? I understand that I should not judge others of their faults if I am too struggling hard with it myself. Yet, the fact of the matter is that we are not called, as followers of Christ, to make others feel comfortable in their sin. The Word of God is full of convicting messages. The Holy Spirit used those same convicting pages to draw me to Himself. If you don’t want people to feel convicted or guilty for their actions, then you are showing that you don’t want others to condemn you for your own actions. When people use this verse in defense of sin, they are really saying, “Tolerate, lest ye be not tolerated.” 

Posted in Church, Biblical Thoughts, Today's World, Christian Applications | 1 Comment »

September 7, 2007 by Administrator.

Let me present you with an interesting thought: “What is the biblical purpose of church choirs?” The word “choir” is not mentioned in the New Testament and very few times in the Old Testament. What is the current purpose for choirs in church? Countless times I have heard from people, “… you should hear the choir sing!” Over and over again I hear praise for the beauty of the choir and their songs. If they sing exceptionally well, they’ll get an “Amen!” Why? The attenders say “amen” because they are impressed by the choir or stirred emotionally.

Back to the first question: “What is the biblical purpose of church choirs?” I have thrown this question around in some church circles. Of course the answer is, “to praise God”. That may be true. Typically choirs will consist of members who believe that they to have pleasant voices. This collection of trained voices is intended to give God praise with their skilled voices before the congregation. Choir members seem to have better singing voices than those in the congregation. Therefore they lift up their pleasant voices to God by singing a long, powerful song in their shiny robes. However, does this not redirect the praise from God to the choir? Selecting particular voices to sing unique songs before an audience does not necessarily give all the glory to God. A large portion of glory is going to the accomplished choir. One could even say that solos point more to man than to God.  Christians should agree that all glory and honor needs to belong to our Lord Jesus. Would it not be beneficial to start observing all things that take away from the glory of our Lord and point to man? Would it not be just as honoring-if not more so-to have congregational singing to God? This would hinder man-centered praise or potential man-centered praise. We would all agree that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is not giving praise to God. Is it because they are lost or because the emphasis is on them? This topic may be petty to some, but I have seen many choirs that make a show of their performance and the church is thrilled. I wonder, “Where is God’s glory in this?” Tell me your thoughts on the biblical purpose of choirs. As a former choir member, I look back and see more man-glorification than God-glorification.

Posted in Church, Biblical Thoughts | 9 Comments »

August 22, 2007 by Administrator.

There is a interesting post at Dead Theologians. The post, Tattoos-Part 1, looks into tattooing in light of Scripture and its roots. The comments on this post have created a very lively discussion that has boiled down to the Law, living under grace, the New Testament, and Christ. I recommend you visit the action.

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August 16, 2007 by Administrator.

Saying that man chose Christ is very grievous. Just from a logical standpoint, does it not make more sense to give Christ all the glory for our salvation and say that we did absolutely nothing? Christ should receive more honor and praise. Isn’t that what we want? Give Christ all the honor (which we should be striving to do daily) and say that we did nothing of our own. Instead, man passionately lusts to have some credit in his salvation so that he can use the pronoun “I”.  Our flesh wants to be able to say that, “I chose Christ. I found Jesus.” How awful. I am thrilled every time I am reminded that I did nothing of my own to receive His salvation. It’s so amazing when that realization hits time and time again. If every Christian wants to give Him all the credit and glory, why do so many hold back some credit for their salvation? Why does man so desperately want some credit for choosing Christ by his own will? It’s a glorious thought as one thinks about being totally helpless in the hands of an all-powerful God. My lifeless, cold, clammy soul was pulled out of the sinful grave by the warm, almighty hands of the living God. He opened my eyes to sin. He washed me in His blood. He clothed me in His righteousness. He gave me life eternal. Now, I’m alive! All praise is to be given to Jesus Christ who pulled every dead man out his trespasses and gave him new life. There has never been a dead man that chose life… and there never will be. But Christ, He convicted, He gave the faith to believe, He brought the sinner to repentance, and He saved him from his sins. Never should man receive an ounce of credit for something that he was totally incapable of orchestrating. Man is the incapable composer. So put down the baton and let the audience give the standing ovation to Christ the Lord.

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August 9, 2007 by Administrator.

A few weeks ago I read in a book the common evangelical term “soul-winner”. I put the book down and thought, “soul-winner… that is really unbiblical”. We are not the winner of souls nor are we slot machines that jackpot converts. The majority of “evangelists” I have met keep up with the number of converts they have “won” to Christ. Many pastors keep up with the number of baptisms during the time of their ministry. How ungodly! Our lives are to be devoted to the service of Christ, not the upkeep of our supposed spiritual efficiency. Every man and woman that has ever been saved was saved by the hand of God; not by soul-winning Reverend Joe. Do you think the apostles tallied up the number of repenting sinners during their preaching? God wrote about the growth of the church, but I’m sure His apostles weren’t keeping up with it for their own reputation. I think Paul would have been ashamed if he was introduced before his audience as the winner of over 5,000 souls. Glory in God, not man.

Posted in Church, Biblical Thoughts, Doctrine | 9 Comments »

August 3, 2007 by Administrator.

Praying for the unsaved. – “We can invite the Holy Spirit to work in a person’s life so as to make them more receptive and responsive to the Gospel.” ~ Elmer Towns
 
“There are two kinds of means requisite to promote a revival: the one to influence God, the other to influence men.” ~ Charles G. Finney
 
I was horrified when I read these two quotes in the same article by Elmer Towns. The implications of these quotes are stating that we serve a God who needs man’s support, influence, invitation, wooing, and free will in order for Him to act.  God doesn’t need man to say, “Ok God, we are ready for You here. Charge on!” Our sovereign Lord is not dependent on man. People seem to forget that man is a created, inferior being. On top of that, we are depraved. We are a little lower than the angels. And not even the angels try to influence God to action. If I serve a God that I must encourage and invite to work in someone’s life, then I serve a weak God. I pray that He will, but my prayers do not open the door for God to move in. My prayers are stating, “Lord, I can’t soften their hearts to Your Word, but You can. Please, convict them.” Instead, Towns and Finney are saying, “Lord, I’ve planted the seed and tilled the ground for You. Now hop to it.” Don’t mentally make God subjective to your will. Realize Who is in control and Who is sovereign. It’s Christ the Lord, not us. Beg for His action. A lost man has a spiritual door with a knob on only one side. God is on the side with the knob. 

Posted in Biblical Thoughts, Doctrine | 3 Comments »