Hopefully the previous post gave you a clear understanding of how using a simple question can transform your witnessing into a more powerful personal communication between the potential believer and the Holy Spirit. Listed below, there are many verses that will help you share the gospel more powerfully. For the sake of space and time here, you can assume that I would have the person seeking Christ read each verse and tell me what God’s word is saying to them. Here I will bring out the other questions and direction that I would be ready to share with each verse, should the need arise. I hope this is helpful in developing your ability to witness boldly and with confidence in your beliefs. Print it out and keep it in your Bible. These verses will bring many to saving grace and following Christ daily. Many years ago, I was given basic training in witnessing by my Pastor Clyde Annandale, a Dallas Seminary graduate. In his new member’s class, Clyde took us through five verses which we memorized. Beginning with Romans 3:23, we would write the reference to the next verse in the margin of our Bible. This made it easy to go from one verse to the next in an organized way. Over the years that followed, many new verses were added to help further explain key scriptures. These verses have power, and have helped many seeking to understand God's Word and his plan clearly for the first time; and when reviewed by anyone with a desire to know the truth and to have a relationship with Christ and receive eternal life, I am convinced they will always pray to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Mark 8:27, 29 Jesus questioned His disciples, saying to them; “But who do you say that I am?” This is a good verse that begs for the question to Monique; “who do you think Jesus is? This is especially true for someone coming from France, and who was raised in an atheist home. If she says; “God” You know you have made progress. If she is not sure, or says a prophet or a teacher, then scriptures that should be discussed are: Jn 5:21-23; Jn 1:1-3,14. Jn 14:6,16-17; Jn 20:28; 1 Pet. 1:18-21; 1 Tim. 2:5-6
"Acts 17:11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." This verse is used to help a person to understand that all teachers and their teachings are to be considered in relation to God’s word to determine whether what you are hearing is truthful or false teaching. For Christians, the Word of God is the foundation of our belief system, not the teachings of the world or wise men. Ref: Jn 17:17; 2Tim. 2:16; 1Pet 1:24-25
Once you have determined that Monique believes Jesus is God and that Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit and the word of truth are one and the same. Now the questions are simple:
What is the problem?
What is the solution?
What does God want you to do?
Are you willing to do it?
"Romans 3:23-24 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus." This verse is quite clear and most will easily be able to tell you what it means. Some questions that need to be asked here are: Do you believe you have sinned? Do you believe you are a good person? How would you define Sin? Most will answer. Breaking the Ten Commandments, or doing wrong things.
The key question is: How would God define Sin? That is the only answer that matters. I would then take Monique through the scriptures that explain sin from God’s perspective. And the various ways Satan will use sin to separate us from God. Gen. 3: 1-6; Mat. 4:1-11; 1Jn 2:16
"Ephesians 2:8-10 for by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." The problem is sin and the solution to the problem is salvation by Grace. Not Grace plus good works. Grace is a free gift and as Romans 11:6 so clearly explains if salvation is a result of doing anything then grace is no longer grace and work is no longer work if it is of grace. Grace and work are like fire and water, and light and darkness, they all have great value, but they clearly do not go together. Our natural tendency is to think we need to be a better person so that we can somehow earn Gods favor but no human has ever accomplished salvation on the basis of their good deeds. We are born again to do good works, not as a result of our good works. Only Jesus lived a perfect life, and He was God in the body of a man. His death on the cross is the only work that was necessary for us to be forgiven and to receive eternal life. It is finished when we believe in him and trust in His finished work on the cross. Romans 11:6 and if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
John 3:14-17 “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." Believe and receive eternal life. Whoever believes … shall not perish. Jesus is all knowing and He died on the cross for all of our sins … past, present, and future. And he went to the cross ... full well knowing that none of us would measure up on our own merit. Jesus did not come to judge us but rather to save us all when we believe in His promised free gift of eternal life … we will not perish.
John 5:24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. If we hear and believe Him we have eternal life and do not come to judgment. This believer has passed (past tense) out of death into life.
1 Corinthians 2:14-16; 3:1-3 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ. … And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly.
Once we get to these final passages of scripture. I would explain that there are three types of people in the world. Natural or worldly Man: this is the person of the world who has not trusted Christ with their life. Spiritual or Christ-centered Man: this is the person who has trusted Christ for their eternal life, and is living for Christ Day by day. Self-centered or carnal man, this person has prayed for Christ’s to come into their life but continues to a large degree, to follow their old ways and to be sinful and self centered. I would then ask the questions: which person best describes your life at this point in time? And then if they answer: Worldly or Self-centered … I would ask; “which person would you like to be? When they say Christ-centered which is the most likely response, since that is why we are having the conversation, we then go to the last verse and I ask if they would like to pray to Jesus; asking for forgiveness, eternal life, and to be born again into the eternal family of God.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
After praying, I would advise Monique to join a Bible believing church, and to enter into a process of discipleship, prayer and Bible study.
1Peter 2:9-10 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.
1Peter1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
I pray this helps you all with your witnessing.
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
God Bless you my friends, Bob
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Who Do You Say I Am
John 1:1-3; 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
In my career, as a sales trainer, asking questions is one of my greatest tools. But this is not a new idea. In the Bible, leading questions are asked by both Satan for the purposes of evil: "Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” and Jesus. And He continued by questioning them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”
In witnessing; questions are the key that help you to learn what the person thinks. And their answers will help you to know where to focus your efforts. Also using: “The Question”; "WHAT DO YOU THINK GOD IS SAYING TO YOU?” is a most valuable tool in transitioning the conversation so that the person ends up first person personal with the Holy Spirit. Many Christians spend their whole lives never listening to the leading of the Holy Spirit. This also helps a seeker to discover that the Bible is not hard to understand, which is a common misconception. Downplaying your insights should be a primary goal. I will role play so that you can see how a typical conversation will often go.
BW: “Monique, read this verse and explain to me what you think God is saying to you;
MM: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
MM: “I don’t know what it means”
BW: “Okay let me help you. What does God mean when he says; "in the beginning?"
MM: “At the beginning of creation?”
BW: "Good, How about; “was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
MM: “In the beginning was the Bible?”
BW: “that’s a good start”
MM: “and the Bible was with God and the Bible was God?”
BW “good job, see how much more powerful it is when you are understanding what God is saying to you, rather than me just explaining it to you?
MM: “Yes I do, but I’m still not so sure I understand”
BW: “Well. That’s why I’m here to help. In this verse, God wants you to understand that He comes to us in a number of ways. It is clear that he wanted to get first things first with you. God’s word is the truth and he wants you to know the truth was the same truth you are reading now, was there in the beginning of time, it is never changing and inerrant and to understand that this same truth is in actuality God who is in reality the absolute truth.
MM: “How did you get all of that out of this one verse?”
BW: “I have studied God’s Word and when I listen to the leading from the Holy Spirit, the verses come to mind. “Jesus said; I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.” This is one of the most exciting promises of the Bible. when we become a Christian, God sends the Holy Spirit into our heart and mind to help and guide us to know His truth and righteous ways.
Now read the next verse.
MM: “He was in the beginning with God.” “Is God saying: Jesus was with Him at the beginning of the creation of the world?”
BW: "Excellent, if it is not clear to you, that just means that the Holy Spirit wants you to search out the answer to your questions in His Word, so that you can know the Truth."
MM: “No, that was fairly clear. I just wanted to see if you agreed.”
BW: “Gladly, but always remember that it is the scripture, and the leading of the Holy Spirit, combined with inspired Godly teachings that allows us to understand the truth.”
MM: “Let’s try the next one. ‘All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
MM: “Jesus created all things, there is nothing Jesus has not created, and the truth came to earth in the form of a man, Jesus and He walked with the disciples in Israel. I’m not sure I understand what His Glory or grace means.”
BW: That’s fine. When you are reading scripture, it is wise to write down those things you don’t understand as points that you need to study and pray about.”
As far as you did get was excellent, and obviously God is making things clear to you. The question I have for you is: “Do you believe what you have learned so far is true?”
MM: I want to believe it. But with my atheist upbringing and everything I have been taught at home and in school … most of what I have learned is the opposite. My mother says there is no god. I am not sure what I believe.
BW: Don’t worry. I know your mother told you there were no miracles also. But do you know what the biggest miracle I have ever seen is?
MM: “What?”
BW: God’s Word changes people’s hearts and minds. I have seen it over and over. First He changes the desires of their hearts, and then over a period of time, day by day, principle by principle, their lives are transformed. Would you like to have a transformed life?
MM: “I would, do you think that’s possible?”
BW: “Yes; I am confident … it is a promise from God” All you need to do is listen to Him verse by verse and “follow Jesus, His Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit, who will talk to you in your spirit, and through the Word. Remember what Jesus said; “He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of Truth” Jesus is Truth. He never lies. All of His promises to us can always be trusted.”
Okay friends, can you see how this works … when we become a helper rather than the Christian answer man … the power is in the Word, and the key is that they discover the truth, and that it becomes personal between them and God, rather than you and them. Be careful not to get in the way. Can you also see why it is so important to get the person on the phone, rather than messages on the internet? The net is great for making contacts, but much is gained in an actual conversation. The more you follow this plan, the less likely you are to not know what to say. The Word always has the answers. Your role is to anticipate what is on their heart, and look to God’s Word for verses that gives answers to the issues in front of you. If you are asked a question where you do not have the answer or a verse does not come to mind; just say, "let's write that down and pray about it, I'm sure God will provide the answer."
Why do you think I focused on John 1:1-3-14 in this first meeting? Obviously, Monique was raised in an atheist home. In the talk, I would also have probed what she believed and did not believe in depth. I would ask about her parents, and what caused their divorce, and how their beliefs may have contributed to their separation. My questions, would have these underlying purposes: to understand the answers to the questions: Where is she? and Where does she want to be? and What scriptures will provide the solutions to her dilemma? Once I am led to a verse, I simply ask her to read the verse and ask "WHAT DO YOU THINK GOD IS SAYING TO YOU?” and then, “Are you ready to do what God wants you to do?”
Next we will look at some basics with Monique, which was what she was originally was asking for. We will guide her through them one by one and watch as the Holy Spirit moves on her heart. I titled this post "Who Do You Say I Am" because I wanted you to note that there were probably a hundred questions in this post I did not ask Monique. I would have surely asked her this question. I have tried here to not make this a very long example. In an actual discussion, it is critical that you do not go in directions that lead away from the purpose of the discussion. But always keeping in mind that the primary purpose is to help this person enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ, answering their questions is a key to reaching this life changing result.
John 3:16-18 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God”
God Bless you my friends, Bob
In my career, as a sales trainer, asking questions is one of my greatest tools. But this is not a new idea. In the Bible, leading questions are asked by both Satan for the purposes of evil: "Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” and Jesus. And He continued by questioning them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”
In witnessing; questions are the key that help you to learn what the person thinks. And their answers will help you to know where to focus your efforts. Also using: “The Question”; "WHAT DO YOU THINK GOD IS SAYING TO YOU?” is a most valuable tool in transitioning the conversation so that the person ends up first person personal with the Holy Spirit. Many Christians spend their whole lives never listening to the leading of the Holy Spirit. This also helps a seeker to discover that the Bible is not hard to understand, which is a common misconception. Downplaying your insights should be a primary goal. I will role play so that you can see how a typical conversation will often go.
BW: “Monique, read this verse and explain to me what you think God is saying to you;
MM: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
MM: “I don’t know what it means”
BW: “Okay let me help you. What does God mean when he says; "in the beginning?"
MM: “At the beginning of creation?”
BW: "Good, How about; “was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
MM: “In the beginning was the Bible?”
BW: “that’s a good start”
MM: “and the Bible was with God and the Bible was God?”
BW “good job, see how much more powerful it is when you are understanding what God is saying to you, rather than me just explaining it to you?
MM: “Yes I do, but I’m still not so sure I understand”
BW: “Well. That’s why I’m here to help. In this verse, God wants you to understand that He comes to us in a number of ways. It is clear that he wanted to get first things first with you. God’s word is the truth and he wants you to know the truth was the same truth you are reading now, was there in the beginning of time, it is never changing and inerrant and to understand that this same truth is in actuality God who is in reality the absolute truth.
MM: “How did you get all of that out of this one verse?”
BW: “I have studied God’s Word and when I listen to the leading from the Holy Spirit, the verses come to mind. “Jesus said; I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.” This is one of the most exciting promises of the Bible. when we become a Christian, God sends the Holy Spirit into our heart and mind to help and guide us to know His truth and righteous ways.
Now read the next verse.
MM: “He was in the beginning with God.” “Is God saying: Jesus was with Him at the beginning of the creation of the world?”
BW: "Excellent, if it is not clear to you, that just means that the Holy Spirit wants you to search out the answer to your questions in His Word, so that you can know the Truth."
MM: “No, that was fairly clear. I just wanted to see if you agreed.”
BW: “Gladly, but always remember that it is the scripture, and the leading of the Holy Spirit, combined with inspired Godly teachings that allows us to understand the truth.”
MM: “Let’s try the next one. ‘All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
MM: “Jesus created all things, there is nothing Jesus has not created, and the truth came to earth in the form of a man, Jesus and He walked with the disciples in Israel. I’m not sure I understand what His Glory or grace means.”
BW: That’s fine. When you are reading scripture, it is wise to write down those things you don’t understand as points that you need to study and pray about.”
As far as you did get was excellent, and obviously God is making things clear to you. The question I have for you is: “Do you believe what you have learned so far is true?”
MM: I want to believe it. But with my atheist upbringing and everything I have been taught at home and in school … most of what I have learned is the opposite. My mother says there is no god. I am not sure what I believe.
BW: Don’t worry. I know your mother told you there were no miracles also. But do you know what the biggest miracle I have ever seen is?
MM: “What?”
BW: God’s Word changes people’s hearts and minds. I have seen it over and over. First He changes the desires of their hearts, and then over a period of time, day by day, principle by principle, their lives are transformed. Would you like to have a transformed life?
MM: “I would, do you think that’s possible?”
BW: “Yes; I am confident … it is a promise from God” All you need to do is listen to Him verse by verse and “follow Jesus, His Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit, who will talk to you in your spirit, and through the Word. Remember what Jesus said; “He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of Truth” Jesus is Truth. He never lies. All of His promises to us can always be trusted.”
Okay friends, can you see how this works … when we become a helper rather than the Christian answer man … the power is in the Word, and the key is that they discover the truth, and that it becomes personal between them and God, rather than you and them. Be careful not to get in the way. Can you also see why it is so important to get the person on the phone, rather than messages on the internet? The net is great for making contacts, but much is gained in an actual conversation. The more you follow this plan, the less likely you are to not know what to say. The Word always has the answers. Your role is to anticipate what is on their heart, and look to God’s Word for verses that gives answers to the issues in front of you. If you are asked a question where you do not have the answer or a verse does not come to mind; just say, "let's write that down and pray about it, I'm sure God will provide the answer."
Why do you think I focused on John 1:1-3-14 in this first meeting? Obviously, Monique was raised in an atheist home. In the talk, I would also have probed what she believed and did not believe in depth. I would ask about her parents, and what caused their divorce, and how their beliefs may have contributed to their separation. My questions, would have these underlying purposes: to understand the answers to the questions: Where is she? and Where does she want to be? and What scriptures will provide the solutions to her dilemma? Once I am led to a verse, I simply ask her to read the verse and ask "WHAT DO YOU THINK GOD IS SAYING TO YOU?” and then, “Are you ready to do what God wants you to do?”
Next we will look at some basics with Monique, which was what she was originally was asking for. We will guide her through them one by one and watch as the Holy Spirit moves on her heart. I titled this post "Who Do You Say I Am" because I wanted you to note that there were probably a hundred questions in this post I did not ask Monique. I would have surely asked her this question. I have tried here to not make this a very long example. In an actual discussion, it is critical that you do not go in directions that lead away from the purpose of the discussion. But always keeping in mind that the primary purpose is to help this person enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ, answering their questions is a key to reaching this life changing result.
John 3:16-18 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God”
God Bless you my friends, Bob
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The Question
John 1:1-3; 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
In this post I will focus on the letter from Monique, and go into more detail as to how I would respond to her. Well first of all, her letter is filled with information and provides a great deal of information for points of conversation. That is where I would start. She appears very transparent and open to learning the truth. We would attempt to help her transition to a point where she comes to understand that when she reads scripture ... God is speaking directly to her. Our role as a minister of reconciliation is to direct, clarify, and help her stay on the proper path ... not tell her what she is supposed to believe or do. God's word is not hard to understand. The Holy Spirit and the Word will change hearts and minds if we will only allow the truth to speak for itself. The best witness asks the person to read a verse and asks: "The Question"; "WHAT DO YOU THINK GOD IS SAYING TO YOU?
If they clearly do not understand, you help clarify, but don't forget, the Holy Spirit guides you to the scripture that speaks to the issue at hand. He will make His Truth and His ways clear through the power of the Spirit. We must be patient, and she will discover the truth.
I would pray over the letter point by point, that the Holy Spirit would give me wisdom and guidance in each area as they come to mind. And that He would speak to Monique and her mother, brother, and father preparing their hearts for the truth. I would meditate on each issue and pray for the Lord to give me specific scripture that speaks to each issue that comes up. This is exciting, don’t you agree? We can turn everything over to God and He has promised to provide wisdom and solutions. I would appreciate it if you would follow along with these steps and share with me wherever the Lord leads you. That way we can all learn together and receive direction from the Holy Spirit.
Her Letter: “Hi! My name is Monique Melone and I am 23 years old. I'm originally from France, so my English is not so perfect. I live in Potomac, Maryland with my Mother and little brother. My parents are separated. My family was Atheist ever since I was born, so I never really gave religion any thought. Most of my friends in high school were Christian, and I would always go to their houses. When I first met their families, they seemed super nice and friendly; they would ask about my day and tell me to feel at home. They said their prayers before eating all the time, and little by little I would try and do that too. Sometimes I would even go to mass with them. Mom would always say that miracles didn't exist, and we shouldn't do any of that nonsense, but I thought I was ready for this. I wanted to be Christian. I just thought I would gather up some information before going for it, and I thought looking on the net was the best way to do it. I just want to learn the basics. Thank you! Hope to hear from you soon!”
Here are the things that came to mind in my prayer and meditation: Monique is 23 and from France. Lord, help Al to be able to understand the issues from the perspective of a 23 year old French girl, living in Potomac Md. She is quite likely from a highly educated and wealthy family. Speak to her mother and brother and father, Lord … open their hearts to the truth. She has been raised in an atheist home Lord; help her to see the difference between the truth and the lies. Help her to see the difference between religion and a born again relationship with Jesus Christ. Help her to understand that religion is an invention of man, but that Christianity is a relationship with: You, the Creator of all things, Lord of all, speaking to us all, and that You are reconciling Yourself to men through Jesus Christ who visited us in the form of a man and died on the cross so that we can be forgiven and have eternal life with You in heaven.
Help me to have that same spirit Lord that drew her to you through her friends and their families. Help her to understand that your word is truth, and that it is the foundation for all true knowledge and wisdom that is loving, pure, right, honorable and truthful. Encourage her in her heart Lord, to know the truth. Help her to understand the difference between a prayer that is a rote repetition and a prayer that is a direct communication with you, the source of all miracles. Help her to understand your meaning and purpose for the church … what it is and is not from the Creator’s viewpoint. Help her to understand that there are miracles happening around her everyday. Give me the ability to help her to understand, Lord, your attributes. And that to have a relationship with you and to be born into your family is the greatest miracle anyone could ever hope for. That what we are talking about here is absolute, irreversible, sacred, holy, supernatural, and eternal adoption into Your Royal Priesthood as an heir to the kingdoms of the world … unlike any and all other religions known to man. She doesn’t need to do anything. Jesus has done it all. He will live through her. Her faith in Him will sustain her. The love of Christ is different than any other form of love that she has ever experienced, imagined, or felt. It is never-ending, never judging, unconditional, always forgiving, always there for you, no matter how low you have fallen, or how foolish or sinful you have become. The God she is about to accept is without beginning or end, he is all knowing, all powerful, and ever present … no problem or challenge is too great for Him. To say; “I just thought I would gather up some information before going for it, and I thought looking on the net was the best way to do it, and I just want to learn the basics ” almost sounds like she’s looking to join a health club. Guide me to help her to understand the difference between information on the net, and the truth from God. This is about her eternal life, not a casual decision. The internet has both good and bad information, truth and error. Your Word Lord is absolute truth that can be trusted again and again, throughout your life, and for eternity. Men and their accomplishments come and go … but the Word of the Lord is the truth that abides forever.
Okay, now what are the basics? She has given lots of facts but the question is where do I begin? My prayer is a good outline to follow. Her letter does not explain why she is considering Christianity. So, I would begin with questions. The challenge is that at this point, she is only looking for information and the basics. The internet might seem like the best way to her, because it allows her to maintain control. If I could create the ideal scenario, I would much rather use the internet to establish an agenda that leads to a phone conversation. This would allow for a change of dynamics to a direct discussion that the internet just does not allow. We need to change the conversation, in order to make it more personal between her and Jesus, rather than her and a nameless face on the internet. My first reply would be to ask questions, and then I would attempt to establish guidelines for discussion. How would I do that? By simply responding to her letter like this:
Hello Monique:
Thank you for your letter. I look forward to helping you to understand the truth about Biblical Christianity. Becoming a Christian has improved my life in many ways, beyond anything I ever even imagined, and yes I have seen God’s miracles. After reading your letter, I have a few questions that will help us move forward to finding the answers to your spiritual goals. I am convinced that God’s Word has the solutions to all of the challenges in your life.
1. What do you presently believe?
2. Why do you believe it?
3. What are you struggling with in your life?
4. How do you hope Christianity will help you?
5. What are your thoughts about atheism?
6. What things have you learned about religion that turns you off?
7. Who do you think Jesus is?
9. What do you hope to learn about God?
The answers to these questions will help me to better help you. If you are not sure of an answer, just do the best you can. I look forward to hearing back from you soon. By the way don’t hesitate calling me direct at 949-632-5679
God Bless, Bob
Our next post will consider the Biblical solutions and questions God would have us ask Monique.
1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
God Bless you my friends, Bob
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Sharing The Truth
John 1:1-3, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. … And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Comment from “A Divine Appointment” “This is a challenging example, also, for me to be ready to show Scripture to another person, for you are so right: the Word of God is the most powerful thing for convincing someone--rather than man's opinions.”
Do you see my friends how important the story of creation is to a true and meaningful Christian witness? Paul’s witness to the Men of Athens clearly shows that accepting the theory of evolution is an insult to the Creator of the universe. Paul's sermon makes it clear that without the truth of who God is and what he has done; our Christian witness becomes empty and the power is diminished. Without the doctrine of inerrancy, the Bible loses it’s power, and Christianity becomes ... just another religion, more good ideas, or other men's opinions. It is no wonder Christians are afraid to share what they believe.
We are called as ambassadors for Christ with a ministry of reconciliation. So why are we not more focused on how to share our faith, and how to help people to be reconciled to God? I am convinced that too many people have accepted the idea that they need to be politically correct. And that they do not want to offend or alienate others who might think otherwise. So evolution gets a free pass and before you know it … the theory of evolution is taught to our children, and accepted as scientific fact. And as a result, we have a whole generation of adults who, to a large degree, have accepted evolution as truth. Well if evolution is truth, what does that say about the Paul’s talk to the Athenians, John 1:1-3, and Genesis 1-2? If evolution is true, the Bible is just another story. They both can’t be true. Do you see the problem? Christians don’t witness because they don’t know what they believe.
We are a nation that is to a large degree: Athenians. In a meeting I attended years ago, Dr. Bill Bright explained that Campus Crusade had interviewed millions of Christians around the world and that more than 90% of Christians interviewed identified themselves as carnal Christians. Read: Three types of people. The fact is that confused or carnal Christians do not witness. Most Christians in America are more concerned about being tolerant and politically correct, than they are about sharing their faith. Many have never even considered how they would share their faith. If one is admittedly self-centered, why would they even care what others believed, let alone care about convincing them otherwise?
So the key questions are: What does Jesus want you to do? Who has He put in you circle of interest that He wants to reconcile to Himself through you? And what would He have you say to them?
We all know the answer to the first question. Some are hiding from it but we all know it. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” The answer to “who” differs for each of us. But we each have a fairly large circle of influence. Some like the couple I mentioned yesterday, who came to me as a surprise, but the reason they inquired is that I was planting seeds, and I was prepared to share my faith, and they were open to the truth, and the Holy Spirit acted upon all of those facts. Once we got into the discussion, I never doubted what the outcome would be, and I certainly was never worried about what to say. If each of us were to pray that God would reveal to us those he wanted us to witness to most, who do you think he would say that you need to talk to tomorrow? Family, neighbors, friends, co-workers immediately come to mind. But you know; it takes courage to go against the grain, and to question the spiritual ignorance of others. Of course to reach out to the lost in our community would take deeper courage. That’s why most of us don’t do it. It takes courage for me to talk to all of you this way. Did you know that each week someone is offended here and un-follows this blog? There is a price for saying what you believe. The early Christians were horribly martyred for it. Losing a few friends for the cause of Christ is hardly a sacrifice. Well that leads me to the biggest group that most of us have; and that is our church body. Can you imagine what would happen if each of us somehow became the spark that lit the fire that moved their churches out of their chairs and they sharing the gospel with those God has put within their circle of influence. If 90% of Christians are self-centered as Dr. Bright said, then we have a massive mission field within the church. We’re talking about a huge revival. Maybe, that’s why America is poised for a big fall. Too many have become the God of their own world, regardless of their professed Christianity. Their “old self” is still leading the way.
Here is a message I got yesterday from a friend who has surely witnessed to far more people than I have. But, in his spiritual maturity, he is always looking for new directions that the Lord might provide.
“Hello Bob, Men of Athens was an excellent. How would you reply to this GMO response that I received?” Regards, Al”
“Hi! My name is Monique Melone and I am 23 years old. I'm originally from France, so my English is not so perfect. I live in Potomac, Maryland with my Mother and little brother. My parents are separated. My family was Atheist ever since I was born, so I never really gave religion any thought. Most of my friends in high school were Christian, and I would always go to their houses. When I first met their families, they seemed super nice and friendly; they would ask about my day and tell me to feel at home. They said their prayers before eating all the time, and little by little I would try and do that too. Sometimes I would even go to mass with them. Mom would always say that miracles didn't exist, and we shouldn't do any of that nonsense, but I thought I was ready for this. I wanted to be Christian. I just thought I would gather up some information before going for it, and I thought looking on the net was the best way to do it. I just want to learn the basics. Thank you! Hope to hear from you soon!”
BW reply ... Al: Monique provides a great opportunity for you. I would first try to establish an ongoing dialogue with her rather than just giving her information. She has given you some valuable facts.
1. Her mother is an atheist
2. Her mother has misguided her
3. No father figure in her life
4. She is quite likely promiscuous, and unchurched
5. Most of her friends in HS were Christian
6. She is searching for more information
7. She thinks she is ready for Christianity
8. She obviously has internet awareness
9. She just wants to learn the basics on net
So how would I reply to her? Basically three ways.
1. First I would ask her questions about the above facts in an attempt to befriend and perhaps establish a male role model friendship.
2. I would ask her questions in an attempt to learn what she already knows about Christianity. Also I would ask for specifics about her areas of struggle and where she thinks she needs the Lords help.
3. I would tell her that her mother is correct in that most religions are false, and when she says: "miracles don't exist." But, her mother is clearly not aware of the miracles that happen every day in the world of Biblical Christianity. Also I would mention that God is clearly moving on her life, and He wants her to have miracles in her life also. I would then give her specific basic scriptures that speak to the areas of struggle that she has mentioned. Rather than tell her what the verses mean, I would ask her what she thinks God is saying to her in the verse. Then I would help guide her in the truth. An area of scripture that I would give her early on that would lead to conversation is: 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:3. Hopefully she would enter into a dialogue here that will result in her conversion and ongoing discipleship. I would gladly help here in any way possible, and would love the opportunity to disciple her. I am convinced the Lord is clearly moving on her life. But I would NOT just send info.
Al has a great opportunity but also a big challenge. There are three souls here that need the Lord. Al has been invited in as the spiritual counselor. What he says or does not say may well impact the salvation of this young woman and her family. There has been the influence of the enemy of Christ in the atheistic upbringing and the absence of a Godly male role model. When God’s word says; this is: “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. “ How could anything be more important than witnessing to this girl, her mother and brother? Surely they qualify as widows and orphans spiritually.
I plan to focus on witnessing to this family in the next couple of posts, giving Al any ideas that I and the readers here might be willing to share. Pray for this family that the Holy Spirit would prepare their hearts for the words of truth that Al is about to share with them. Any scriptures or ideas you have, please email me at: talavera.bob@gmail.com
John 14:5-6 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
God Bless you my friends, Bob
Comment from “A Divine Appointment” “This is a challenging example, also, for me to be ready to show Scripture to another person, for you are so right: the Word of God is the most powerful thing for convincing someone--rather than man's opinions.”
Do you see my friends how important the story of creation is to a true and meaningful Christian witness? Paul’s witness to the Men of Athens clearly shows that accepting the theory of evolution is an insult to the Creator of the universe. Paul's sermon makes it clear that without the truth of who God is and what he has done; our Christian witness becomes empty and the power is diminished. Without the doctrine of inerrancy, the Bible loses it’s power, and Christianity becomes ... just another religion, more good ideas, or other men's opinions. It is no wonder Christians are afraid to share what they believe.
We are called as ambassadors for Christ with a ministry of reconciliation. So why are we not more focused on how to share our faith, and how to help people to be reconciled to God? I am convinced that too many people have accepted the idea that they need to be politically correct. And that they do not want to offend or alienate others who might think otherwise. So evolution gets a free pass and before you know it … the theory of evolution is taught to our children, and accepted as scientific fact. And as a result, we have a whole generation of adults who, to a large degree, have accepted evolution as truth. Well if evolution is truth, what does that say about the Paul’s talk to the Athenians, John 1:1-3, and Genesis 1-2? If evolution is true, the Bible is just another story. They both can’t be true. Do you see the problem? Christians don’t witness because they don’t know what they believe.
We are a nation that is to a large degree: Athenians. In a meeting I attended years ago, Dr. Bill Bright explained that Campus Crusade had interviewed millions of Christians around the world and that more than 90% of Christians interviewed identified themselves as carnal Christians. Read: Three types of people. The fact is that confused or carnal Christians do not witness. Most Christians in America are more concerned about being tolerant and politically correct, than they are about sharing their faith. Many have never even considered how they would share their faith. If one is admittedly self-centered, why would they even care what others believed, let alone care about convincing them otherwise?
So the key questions are: What does Jesus want you to do? Who has He put in you circle of interest that He wants to reconcile to Himself through you? And what would He have you say to them?
We all know the answer to the first question. Some are hiding from it but we all know it. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” The answer to “who” differs for each of us. But we each have a fairly large circle of influence. Some like the couple I mentioned yesterday, who came to me as a surprise, but the reason they inquired is that I was planting seeds, and I was prepared to share my faith, and they were open to the truth, and the Holy Spirit acted upon all of those facts. Once we got into the discussion, I never doubted what the outcome would be, and I certainly was never worried about what to say. If each of us were to pray that God would reveal to us those he wanted us to witness to most, who do you think he would say that you need to talk to tomorrow? Family, neighbors, friends, co-workers immediately come to mind. But you know; it takes courage to go against the grain, and to question the spiritual ignorance of others. Of course to reach out to the lost in our community would take deeper courage. That’s why most of us don’t do it. It takes courage for me to talk to all of you this way. Did you know that each week someone is offended here and un-follows this blog? There is a price for saying what you believe. The early Christians were horribly martyred for it. Losing a few friends for the cause of Christ is hardly a sacrifice. Well that leads me to the biggest group that most of us have; and that is our church body. Can you imagine what would happen if each of us somehow became the spark that lit the fire that moved their churches out of their chairs and they sharing the gospel with those God has put within their circle of influence. If 90% of Christians are self-centered as Dr. Bright said, then we have a massive mission field within the church. We’re talking about a huge revival. Maybe, that’s why America is poised for a big fall. Too many have become the God of their own world, regardless of their professed Christianity. Their “old self” is still leading the way.
Here is a message I got yesterday from a friend who has surely witnessed to far more people than I have. But, in his spiritual maturity, he is always looking for new directions that the Lord might provide.
“Hello Bob, Men of Athens was an excellent. How would you reply to this GMO response that I received?” Regards, Al”
“Hi! My name is Monique Melone and I am 23 years old. I'm originally from France, so my English is not so perfect. I live in Potomac, Maryland with my Mother and little brother. My parents are separated. My family was Atheist ever since I was born, so I never really gave religion any thought. Most of my friends in high school were Christian, and I would always go to their houses. When I first met their families, they seemed super nice and friendly; they would ask about my day and tell me to feel at home. They said their prayers before eating all the time, and little by little I would try and do that too. Sometimes I would even go to mass with them. Mom would always say that miracles didn't exist, and we shouldn't do any of that nonsense, but I thought I was ready for this. I wanted to be Christian. I just thought I would gather up some information before going for it, and I thought looking on the net was the best way to do it. I just want to learn the basics. Thank you! Hope to hear from you soon!”
BW reply ... Al: Monique provides a great opportunity for you. I would first try to establish an ongoing dialogue with her rather than just giving her information. She has given you some valuable facts.
1. Her mother is an atheist
2. Her mother has misguided her
3. No father figure in her life
4. She is quite likely promiscuous, and unchurched
5. Most of her friends in HS were Christian
6. She is searching for more information
7. She thinks she is ready for Christianity
8. She obviously has internet awareness
9. She just wants to learn the basics on net
So how would I reply to her? Basically three ways.
1. First I would ask her questions about the above facts in an attempt to befriend and perhaps establish a male role model friendship.
2. I would ask her questions in an attempt to learn what she already knows about Christianity. Also I would ask for specifics about her areas of struggle and where she thinks she needs the Lords help.
3. I would tell her that her mother is correct in that most religions are false, and when she says: "miracles don't exist." But, her mother is clearly not aware of the miracles that happen every day in the world of Biblical Christianity. Also I would mention that God is clearly moving on her life, and He wants her to have miracles in her life also. I would then give her specific basic scriptures that speak to the areas of struggle that she has mentioned. Rather than tell her what the verses mean, I would ask her what she thinks God is saying to her in the verse. Then I would help guide her in the truth. An area of scripture that I would give her early on that would lead to conversation is: 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:3. Hopefully she would enter into a dialogue here that will result in her conversion and ongoing discipleship. I would gladly help here in any way possible, and would love the opportunity to disciple her. I am convinced the Lord is clearly moving on her life. But I would NOT just send info.
Al has a great opportunity but also a big challenge. There are three souls here that need the Lord. Al has been invited in as the spiritual counselor. What he says or does not say may well impact the salvation of this young woman and her family. There has been the influence of the enemy of Christ in the atheistic upbringing and the absence of a Godly male role model. When God’s word says; this is: “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. “ How could anything be more important than witnessing to this girl, her mother and brother? Surely they qualify as widows and orphans spiritually.
I plan to focus on witnessing to this family in the next couple of posts, giving Al any ideas that I and the readers here might be willing to share. Pray for this family that the Holy Spirit would prepare their hearts for the words of truth that Al is about to share with them. Any scriptures or ideas you have, please email me at: talavera.bob@gmail.com
John 14:5-6 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
God Bless you my friends, Bob
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
A Divine Appointment
John 3:1-4 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. “Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
1 Peter 1:22-23 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
A number of years ago I was teaching one of my real estate sales agents named Terry how to get people to like her and trust her. I asked her to list the things that bothered her about sales people she had worked with. Two things she listed that upset her most were that: they made promises they did not keep, and that they often tried to get her to buy something that she did not want or need.
Would you like to understand how to not make those mistakes with your customers, I asked? I said the first principle is to go an extra mile. In other words, whatever you tell people you will do for them, do twice as much. The second principle is called the golden rule. The way you use it in business is before you actually meet with the customer, give them a call and ask a few important questions to help you prepare. What are your needs in a home? What’s most important to you? What don’t you like? What qualities do you look most for in an agent? What ways can I best serve you?
Now, when they arrive, you spend a few moments up front explaining how you plan to deliver all of these things that they have already told you they are looking for … and then you plan to deliver to them twice the service that you promise. And then you ask; Is there anything more I need to keep in mind? I then went on to explain that these sales principles were more than just good ideas from some seminar ... that they were taught by Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago. I then got out my Bible and opened to the specific verses. When you practice these truths I said, you will be bringing the power of God’s word to bear on the issues at hand, and your success will be greatly increased, I further explained.
She looked at me silently for a few moments, and then asked me a question that I loved to hear. “What religion are you; she asked?” I’m a Christian, I replied.” I know that, she said; but what religion are you?” "I don’t belong to any denomination. I have received Christ as my Savior and I follow the teachings in the Bible. Do you go to church; I asked?" "Yes, she said; for over forty years. I’ve never met anyone like you that actually takes the Bible and relates it to selling homes. Your not a born again Christian, are you?" Why do you ask, I said? “Well, because my husband Clint says, that they’re the ones who cheat him at work." Well I said, you know what, it does not matter what I say, or what your husband says, about being born again. You believe Jesus is God, and the Bible is His holy Word, right? Yes. Would you like to see what Jesus says about being born again, I asked? Why of course I’d like to hear. Did Jesus talk about born again; she asked?" I opened my Bible to John 3 and read her the story of Nicodemus. And then I asked Now, would you like to see what the Apostle Peter has to say about being born again? She said; what … he didn't, did he! I said yes, and opened to 1 Peter 1:22 and when I read; “for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God” she asked; why hasn’t my church taught me this? I have no idea, I replied. But the more important question is: what do you think Jesus wants you to do about it? I then told her, you know: Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” You can pray and have the peace he promises you. She said; I am going to go home and think about it. I said; that’s up to you, but if Jesus is speaking to you, here. I would not want to keep our Lord waiting, would you? She paused ... Can I say that prayer, she asked? Of course I said and we prayed together.
This is a true story and was certainly not planned, in any way, by myself, or Terry. Several others were supposed to be at that sales meeting, but their unexplained absence opened the door for this Divine Appointment. God orchestrated the circumstances and the many other verses that we discussed.
Two days later, Terry came into my office. "Clint wants to meet with you she said." Uh Oh ... I thought. But I said sure, how about tomorrow evening after work? Clint came in and he was clearly gruff. He was old enough to be my father. After introductions, I explained to Clint that I had prepared some discussion questions. “If you were to die today, are you certain you would go to heaven, I asked? Yes, he answered. On what basis can you make that claim, I asked. "Because Jesus is the Son of God, and he died on the cross for our sins, He answered. Now what do you believe, he asked me?" It doesn’t really matter what I believe; I said. Do you believe the Bible is God’s truth, I asked?” Yes, of course, he replied. I then asked him to read James 2:19 “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” He got a funny look on his face, as he finished and looked up at me. That’s right I said; the demons understand who God is, but knowing who he is, won’t get them in heaven.” After I repeated this exercise of responding with scripture a couple of times … Clint looked at me and said; "Okay, now let’s put the good book aside, and just talk man to man.” I explained to him, Clint I would gladly do that, but also that both of our opinions gained new power when they were consistent with God’s word. Of course that is why he wanted to put aside the Bible, he realized that he was no match for God’s truth. We parted friends and agreed to meet again in the near future.
A few days later, Terry came in with a big smile, and said to me; Bob, you are never going to believe it. Clint prayed that prayer." I moved away and have not seen or heard from Clint or Terry in years, but I imagine that at this point, the next time I see them will be in heaven. An interesting point is that when we first started talking, I am sure that both of them would have identified themselves as highly spiritual Christians with their forty years of consistent church attendance. I wanted to share this story with you because I wanted you to see the power that God’s word has to change hearts. Both Clint and Terry had spent a lifetime practicing their religion, but it was only when they simply read the clear truths in God’s word did they understand that there is more to Christianity than practicing religion. Please understand that I never implied that Terry or Clint were not Christians before they prayed to Christ. They were both led to make that decision by God’s Word. When witnessing God’s word, it is always best to get out of the way, and let the Holy Spirit speak to the person’s heart. Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit moved on both of their hearts. You would be surprised if I told you their religion. In their case, their religion had not taught them the gospel. The question for you is: are you practicing a religion or have you entered into a relationship with the Creator? “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, You must be born again.” Have you been born again in the Spirit, as Jesus requires?
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
God Bless you my friends, Bob
1 Peter 1:22-23 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
A number of years ago I was teaching one of my real estate sales agents named Terry how to get people to like her and trust her. I asked her to list the things that bothered her about sales people she had worked with. Two things she listed that upset her most were that: they made promises they did not keep, and that they often tried to get her to buy something that she did not want or need.
Would you like to understand how to not make those mistakes with your customers, I asked? I said the first principle is to go an extra mile. In other words, whatever you tell people you will do for them, do twice as much. The second principle is called the golden rule. The way you use it in business is before you actually meet with the customer, give them a call and ask a few important questions to help you prepare. What are your needs in a home? What’s most important to you? What don’t you like? What qualities do you look most for in an agent? What ways can I best serve you?
Now, when they arrive, you spend a few moments up front explaining how you plan to deliver all of these things that they have already told you they are looking for … and then you plan to deliver to them twice the service that you promise. And then you ask; Is there anything more I need to keep in mind? I then went on to explain that these sales principles were more than just good ideas from some seminar ... that they were taught by Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago. I then got out my Bible and opened to the specific verses. When you practice these truths I said, you will be bringing the power of God’s word to bear on the issues at hand, and your success will be greatly increased, I further explained.
She looked at me silently for a few moments, and then asked me a question that I loved to hear. “What religion are you; she asked?” I’m a Christian, I replied.” I know that, she said; but what religion are you?” "I don’t belong to any denomination. I have received Christ as my Savior and I follow the teachings in the Bible. Do you go to church; I asked?" "Yes, she said; for over forty years. I’ve never met anyone like you that actually takes the Bible and relates it to selling homes. Your not a born again Christian, are you?" Why do you ask, I said? “Well, because my husband Clint says, that they’re the ones who cheat him at work." Well I said, you know what, it does not matter what I say, or what your husband says, about being born again. You believe Jesus is God, and the Bible is His holy Word, right? Yes. Would you like to see what Jesus says about being born again, I asked? Why of course I’d like to hear. Did Jesus talk about born again; she asked?" I opened my Bible to John 3 and read her the story of Nicodemus. And then I asked Now, would you like to see what the Apostle Peter has to say about being born again? She said; what … he didn't, did he! I said yes, and opened to 1 Peter 1:22 and when I read; “for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God” she asked; why hasn’t my church taught me this? I have no idea, I replied. But the more important question is: what do you think Jesus wants you to do about it? I then told her, you know: Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” You can pray and have the peace he promises you. She said; I am going to go home and think about it. I said; that’s up to you, but if Jesus is speaking to you, here. I would not want to keep our Lord waiting, would you? She paused ... Can I say that prayer, she asked? Of course I said and we prayed together.
This is a true story and was certainly not planned, in any way, by myself, or Terry. Several others were supposed to be at that sales meeting, but their unexplained absence opened the door for this Divine Appointment. God orchestrated the circumstances and the many other verses that we discussed.
Two days later, Terry came into my office. "Clint wants to meet with you she said." Uh Oh ... I thought. But I said sure, how about tomorrow evening after work? Clint came in and he was clearly gruff. He was old enough to be my father. After introductions, I explained to Clint that I had prepared some discussion questions. “If you were to die today, are you certain you would go to heaven, I asked? Yes, he answered. On what basis can you make that claim, I asked. "Because Jesus is the Son of God, and he died on the cross for our sins, He answered. Now what do you believe, he asked me?" It doesn’t really matter what I believe; I said. Do you believe the Bible is God’s truth, I asked?” Yes, of course, he replied. I then asked him to read James 2:19 “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” He got a funny look on his face, as he finished and looked up at me. That’s right I said; the demons understand who God is, but knowing who he is, won’t get them in heaven.” After I repeated this exercise of responding with scripture a couple of times … Clint looked at me and said; "Okay, now let’s put the good book aside, and just talk man to man.” I explained to him, Clint I would gladly do that, but also that both of our opinions gained new power when they were consistent with God’s word. Of course that is why he wanted to put aside the Bible, he realized that he was no match for God’s truth. We parted friends and agreed to meet again in the near future.
A few days later, Terry came in with a big smile, and said to me; Bob, you are never going to believe it. Clint prayed that prayer." I moved away and have not seen or heard from Clint or Terry in years, but I imagine that at this point, the next time I see them will be in heaven. An interesting point is that when we first started talking, I am sure that both of them would have identified themselves as highly spiritual Christians with their forty years of consistent church attendance. I wanted to share this story with you because I wanted you to see the power that God’s word has to change hearts. Both Clint and Terry had spent a lifetime practicing their religion, but it was only when they simply read the clear truths in God’s word did they understand that there is more to Christianity than practicing religion. Please understand that I never implied that Terry or Clint were not Christians before they prayed to Christ. They were both led to make that decision by God’s Word. When witnessing God’s word, it is always best to get out of the way, and let the Holy Spirit speak to the person’s heart. Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit moved on both of their hearts. You would be surprised if I told you their religion. In their case, their religion had not taught them the gospel. The question for you is: are you practicing a religion or have you entered into a relationship with the Creator? “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, You must be born again.” Have you been born again in the Spirit, as Jesus requires?
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
God Bless you my friends, Bob
Sunday, July 4, 2010
God Bless America
In 1751, the Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly ordered a new bell for the State House. He asked that a Bible verse to be placed on the bell - "Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land unto all the inhabitants thereof" Leviticus 25:10.
NEVER FORGET!
WE ALL NEED TO READ THIS EVERY YEAR
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. --Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.
He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.
He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislature.
He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:
• For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
• For protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states:
• For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:
• For imposing taxes on us without our consent:
• For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury:
• For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses:
• For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule in these colonies:
• For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments:
• For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare, is undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.
We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.
New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton
Massachusetts: John Hancock, Samual Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery
Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott
New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris
New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark
Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross
Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean
Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton
North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn
South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton
Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton
God bless you my friends, Bob
NEVER FORGET!
WE ALL NEED TO READ THIS EVERY YEAR
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. --Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.
He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.
He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislature.
He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:
• For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
• For protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states:
• For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:
• For imposing taxes on us without our consent:
• For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury:
• For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses:
• For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule in these colonies:
• For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments:
• For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare, is undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.
We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.
New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton
Massachusetts: John Hancock, Samual Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery
Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott
New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris
New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark
Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross
Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean
Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton
North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn
South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton
Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton
God bless you my friends, Bob
Men of Athens
Acts 17: 22-31 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23“For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24“The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ 29“Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. 30“Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”
In a recent discussion regarding making the most of our opportunities to witness the gospel, this scripture came to mind. Since Paul is the Apostle that I look to most as the role model of how I should witness to others, I am convinced we can gain much wisdom here.
Paul was speaking to the men of Athens, the literary capital of the ancient world. Athens was the most cultured city on the earth, and every Roman who was seeking a finished education traveled to Athens to complete his studies. This was the home of philosophers, orators, sculptors, painters and poets, and the great university where many thousands of strangers gathered for study.
“The Gentiles in general, and the Athenians in particular, in their devotions were governed, not by their philosophers, many of whom spoke clearly and excellently well of one supreme God or Numen, of his infinite perfections and universal agency and dominion (witness the writings of Plato, and long after of Cicero); but by their poets, and their idle fictions. Homer's works were the Bible of the pagan theology, or demonology rather, not Plato's; and the philosophers tamely submitted to this, rested in their speculations, disputed them among themselves, and taught them to their scholars, but never made the use they ought to have made of them in opposition to idolatry; so little certainty were they at concerning them, and so little impression did these things make upon them! Now Paul here sets himself, in the first place, to reform the philosophy of the Athenians (he corrects the mistakes of that), and to give them right notions of the one only living and true God, and then to carry the matter further than they ever attempted for the reforming of their worship, and the bringing them off from their polytheism and idolatry.” Paul was a stranger in a proud and educated land, and so he was careful not to offend but at the same time bold as he proclaimed the one and only living God. How should we witness to our cultural elite? Paul shows us here.
Paul’s wisdom in recognizing and referring to their Unknown God clearly shows his message was inspired. It completely disarmed his audience and got them into a discussion about Jesus Christ, the Creator of the universe. This brings to my mind a conversation I witnessed between a pastor that I admire and a highly educated intellectual agnostic who was claiming to have biblical knowledge. Rather than point out his obvious shortcomings biblically, my pastor friend simply asked; “what is your view on redemption?” The intellectual’s response clearly showed he had very little Biblical knowledge at all, and clearly stopped his rhetoric.
The men of Athens, in spite of their superior knowledge in many fields, had erected an altar to an unknown god, thus drawing Paul’s attention to their point of ignorance spiritually. Paul was preaching the gospel to heathens here, very religious men, but men who worshipped false gods, and who were without the only true God of the world. Why is this important in America today? Because, America is the Athens of our modern world. Intellectual America has fallen for the same false religions that Athens fell for. Next, America has allow atheistic secularism to control our society in the name of "separation of church and state." When God is silenced, Satan wins. It is perfectly fine to teach atheistic philosophies and theories (ie: evolution, abortion, and naturalism) in our public schools. Additionally, America has accepted many false forms of Christianity … many that do not teach Jesus is God, or that the Bible is the inspired word of God. Some offer the false teachings that Jesus was only a good man and teacher, and that we only need to follow his teachings to gain God’s promise of eternal life. All in the spirit of freedom of religion, tolerance and political correctness. Was Paul concerned about offending these other pagan false religions? Did he give them any validity whatsoever? Not hardly. By today's standards in America the apostle Paul would be totally politically incorrect. He did not insult the people. In fact, he made an effort to befriend them, but His One God and only One God gospel surely offended many. The modern teaching that all religions are valid, that whatever is true for you is your truth, and that good deeds are enough to get into heaven are an affront to our Lord and Savior, as well as the apostle Paul. All of these well intentioned ideas are actually leading people away from God. Paul begins by commending their diligence, rather than putting them down. Paul simply proclaims to them that the God which they have previously noted and worshipped as the unknown god is the one who created the world, and who came in the form of a man to save all men from their sins, and that although they do not know Him, He is the God that Paul has come to proclaim to them.
The clear goal of Paul’s sermon is to bring them to the knowledge of the only living and true God, as the single and only object of their worship. He is careful to lay the foundation, there is only one God and that is Jesus the Christ, who was raised from the dead. He is the God who made the world and all things in it, and that since He is Lord of heaven and earth, and He does not dwell in temples made with human hands. He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things. And He made from one man ... every nation of mankind ... to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lives. Do you see my friends how important the story of creation is to a true and meaningful Christian witness? This scripture alone should make it clear that accepting the theory of evolution is an insult to the Creator of the universe. Paul's sermon makes it clear that without the truth of who God is and what he has done our witness becomes empty. And Christianity becomes ... just another religion.
If you have been misled by a sincere but misguided teacher or pastor, it is not too late. Reject that false teaching. Accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord. Study the word of God, not the ideas of false religions or mere men. Repent … turn away from the ways of the world.
“Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”
God Bless you my friends, Bob
In a recent discussion regarding making the most of our opportunities to witness the gospel, this scripture came to mind. Since Paul is the Apostle that I look to most as the role model of how I should witness to others, I am convinced we can gain much wisdom here.
Paul was speaking to the men of Athens, the literary capital of the ancient world. Athens was the most cultured city on the earth, and every Roman who was seeking a finished education traveled to Athens to complete his studies. This was the home of philosophers, orators, sculptors, painters and poets, and the great university where many thousands of strangers gathered for study.
“The Gentiles in general, and the Athenians in particular, in their devotions were governed, not by their philosophers, many of whom spoke clearly and excellently well of one supreme God or Numen, of his infinite perfections and universal agency and dominion (witness the writings of Plato, and long after of Cicero); but by their poets, and their idle fictions. Homer's works were the Bible of the pagan theology, or demonology rather, not Plato's; and the philosophers tamely submitted to this, rested in their speculations, disputed them among themselves, and taught them to their scholars, but never made the use they ought to have made of them in opposition to idolatry; so little certainty were they at concerning them, and so little impression did these things make upon them! Now Paul here sets himself, in the first place, to reform the philosophy of the Athenians (he corrects the mistakes of that), and to give them right notions of the one only living and true God, and then to carry the matter further than they ever attempted for the reforming of their worship, and the bringing them off from their polytheism and idolatry.” Paul was a stranger in a proud and educated land, and so he was careful not to offend but at the same time bold as he proclaimed the one and only living God. How should we witness to our cultural elite? Paul shows us here.
Paul’s wisdom in recognizing and referring to their Unknown God clearly shows his message was inspired. It completely disarmed his audience and got them into a discussion about Jesus Christ, the Creator of the universe. This brings to my mind a conversation I witnessed between a pastor that I admire and a highly educated intellectual agnostic who was claiming to have biblical knowledge. Rather than point out his obvious shortcomings biblically, my pastor friend simply asked; “what is your view on redemption?” The intellectual’s response clearly showed he had very little Biblical knowledge at all, and clearly stopped his rhetoric.
The men of Athens, in spite of their superior knowledge in many fields, had erected an altar to an unknown god, thus drawing Paul’s attention to their point of ignorance spiritually. Paul was preaching the gospel to heathens here, very religious men, but men who worshipped false gods, and who were without the only true God of the world. Why is this important in America today? Because, America is the Athens of our modern world. Intellectual America has fallen for the same false religions that Athens fell for. Next, America has allow atheistic secularism to control our society in the name of "separation of church and state." When God is silenced, Satan wins. It is perfectly fine to teach atheistic philosophies and theories (ie: evolution, abortion, and naturalism) in our public schools. Additionally, America has accepted many false forms of Christianity … many that do not teach Jesus is God, or that the Bible is the inspired word of God. Some offer the false teachings that Jesus was only a good man and teacher, and that we only need to follow his teachings to gain God’s promise of eternal life. All in the spirit of freedom of religion, tolerance and political correctness. Was Paul concerned about offending these other pagan false religions? Did he give them any validity whatsoever? Not hardly. By today's standards in America the apostle Paul would be totally politically incorrect. He did not insult the people. In fact, he made an effort to befriend them, but His One God and only One God gospel surely offended many. The modern teaching that all religions are valid, that whatever is true for you is your truth, and that good deeds are enough to get into heaven are an affront to our Lord and Savior, as well as the apostle Paul. All of these well intentioned ideas are actually leading people away from God. Paul begins by commending their diligence, rather than putting them down. Paul simply proclaims to them that the God which they have previously noted and worshipped as the unknown god is the one who created the world, and who came in the form of a man to save all men from their sins, and that although they do not know Him, He is the God that Paul has come to proclaim to them.
The clear goal of Paul’s sermon is to bring them to the knowledge of the only living and true God, as the single and only object of their worship. He is careful to lay the foundation, there is only one God and that is Jesus the Christ, who was raised from the dead. He is the God who made the world and all things in it, and that since He is Lord of heaven and earth, and He does not dwell in temples made with human hands. He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things. And He made from one man ... every nation of mankind ... to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lives. Do you see my friends how important the story of creation is to a true and meaningful Christian witness? This scripture alone should make it clear that accepting the theory of evolution is an insult to the Creator of the universe. Paul's sermon makes it clear that without the truth of who God is and what he has done our witness becomes empty. And Christianity becomes ... just another religion.
If you have been misled by a sincere but misguided teacher or pastor, it is not too late. Reject that false teaching. Accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord. Study the word of God, not the ideas of false religions or mere men. Repent … turn away from the ways of the world.
“Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”
God Bless you my friends, Bob
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Pure and Undefiled
James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
The Future of Evangelicals: A Conversation with Pastor Rick Warren (my review)
PEW Intro: The evangelical Christian movement historically has been defined by its members' distinctive doctrinal standards and practices. Yet in recent years many Americans have come to understand evangelicals more by their political, rather than religious, identity. The Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life invited Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., to discuss how this political association has affected the evangelical movement, what evangelicals' most important concerns are today, and how the movement is evolving.
BW note: The above introduction clearly identifies the mentality of the biased liberal media, as well as the failings of our church mission when it states: “in recent years many Americans have come to understand evangelicals more by their political, rather than religious, identity.” As you read the full discussion, it is important to note that many of the journalists are not evangelical believers, but at the same time, might call themselves Christians. I have linked the entire discussion here, but I wanted to speak to a few points:
WARREN: A key issue - and I won't talk a lot about this - is what we call our Civil Society Initiative. I believe that civilization is losing its civility. I don't know if you've noticed it or not but the world is getting ruder. We're getting more crass. You may not demonize a person just because they're different, and differences do not demonize. Somehow we've got to follow that great theologian, Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?" You don't have to agree with someone [not] to be disagreeable. You can walk hand in hand without seeing eye to eye. And the fact is, America is a democracy. In a democracy nobody wins all the time. I don't. You don't. Nobody does. That's called a democracy. It doesn't mean we pack up and leave the country because we don't win. We are Americans, and we must -
I believe in the "good news." I'm a Christian, I'm an evangelical, and I'm a pastor. I believe in Jesus Christ. But I also believe in the common good and that there are some issues that have to be dealt with everybody on the common good. I don't win all the time and neither do you, and so we have to learn to be civil. That's why I spend most of my time not speaking to Christian groups. In the last year I've spoken to atheist groups, secularist groups. I've spoken to the two largest Muslim conventions. I was the keynote speaker at the Reform convention of Judaism. I spend most of my time actually speaking to people who disagree with me, but I'm trying to build bridges because we're on this planet together promoting civility and the common good.
BW note: "But" … is where the pastor drifts off track. I don’t want to be critical but … I believe in Jesus Christ, BUT … raises a big red flag for me. I say: but … nothing. When Christianity attempts to be politically correct or inclusive, it becomes lukewarm and we all know what Jesus says to do with lukewarm. There is a big difference between witnessing the good news of Christ to atheists, secularists, journalists and Muslims; and making politically correct talk at their conventions. Speaking at their conventions gives them a measure of credibility, which is counterproductive to the cause of Christ. I doubt that Pastor Warren was able to explain the good news of Christ at a Muslim convention. Jesus Christ is all that matters. Islam is not about civility and the common good. Islam is about forcing an evil doctrine on the free world. We cannot un-demonize Islam. It is worse than Nazism. We are called to be loving to all and live peacefully together ... but we should never in any way give credibility or validation to an evil religion. We must identify Islam for what it is: The enemy of Judaism and Christianity.
Warren: The P.E.A.C.E. Plan began in 2003. It's a global humanitarian effort to take on the five biggest problems on the planet: poverty, disease, illiteracy, corruption and conflict. P.E.A.C.E. stands for Promote reconciliation, Equip ethical leaders, "A" is assist the poor, "C" is care for the sick and "E" is educate the next generation. We believe that these problems are so big government can't do it alone; business can't do it alone; churches can't do it alone. Some problems are so big you have to team tackle them.
BW note: The PEACE Plan is great, but the problem here is that the number one biggest problem on the planet is not included: Where is the reconciliation between God and the lost world? And the conversion to Christianity of the unbelieving world? How can Pastor Warren leave this truth out of the plan? We are called as Ambassadors of Christ with a ministry of reconciliation. Our ministry is about reconciling the lost to Christ … not bringing the world’s false religions, atheists, and secularists together with Christians to present a convoluted message to these poor lost souls. That is like giving the sick … medicine mixed with cyanide.
Warren: Orphan care is a key issue. As I said, there are 146 million orphans in the world. Whoever gets to those people first is going to get their hearts and minds - either madrassas or radicals or fundamentalists or whatever. And whoever loves them - that's anarchy waiting to happen, 146 million orphans growing up without moms and dads. We have to do that. I have been trying to convince both the Bush administration and the Obama administration - it's the only thing I actually have ever talked to - I don't talk policy ever with politicians - never. Never. And let me just say it again: never. But I do care about orphans. And the one issue that I have talked to them about is: it's just good foreign policy to help the sick and help orphans.
BW note: Pastor Warren is on point here. I wholeheartedly agree!
Warren: If you ever see me with a politician, it's - I have no political aspirations and I have no aspirations to even influence public policy. That's not my role as a pastor. My role as a pastor is I counsel leaders about stress, about family, about integrity, about generosity. It's all personal. I never, never, never counsel government leaders about policy.
BW note: As an ambassador for Christ, our mission is to represent Christ and to be used by Christ to reconcile the world to God. If that is not influencing public policy, I don't know what it is. What about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Without Christ, there is no lasting solution to the issues of stress, family, integrity, or generosity. Are you beginning to see the problem here? Barack Obama's religious and philosophical training includes heavy doses of Islam, Mengaji, Unitarian Universalist, Communism, Socialism, Radical professors, Liberation theology, Marxism, Maoism and Saul Alinsky. Nowhere do I find any training in Biblical Christianity. I cannot imagine Pastor Warren meeting with Obama, and not witnessing the good news of Christ to him. If not politics or Jesus Christ, what else would there be to talk about? On the core issue of ministering to orphans, Jesus Christ must be the foundation for the work to have eternal meaning. Pastor Warren had the opportunity to witness to these journalists as well, but he missed it.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. BW note: Pastor Warren is right on in reaching out to widows and orphans. The challenge is to not become polluted by the world in the process. We must all be praying for Rick Warren that he will keep his mind focused on Christ and His purpose in all of this. Christianity is: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you. That does not include the blending of Christianity in with false religions and secular atheistic beliefs. TO BE CONTINUED.
God bless you my friends, Bob
Pray to receive Christ as Savior
The Future of Evangelicals: A Conversation with Pastor Rick Warren (my review)
PEW Intro: The evangelical Christian movement historically has been defined by its members' distinctive doctrinal standards and practices. Yet in recent years many Americans have come to understand evangelicals more by their political, rather than religious, identity. The Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life invited Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., to discuss how this political association has affected the evangelical movement, what evangelicals' most important concerns are today, and how the movement is evolving.
BW note: The above introduction clearly identifies the mentality of the biased liberal media, as well as the failings of our church mission when it states: “in recent years many Americans have come to understand evangelicals more by their political, rather than religious, identity.” As you read the full discussion, it is important to note that many of the journalists are not evangelical believers, but at the same time, might call themselves Christians. I have linked the entire discussion here, but I wanted to speak to a few points:
WARREN: A key issue - and I won't talk a lot about this - is what we call our Civil Society Initiative. I believe that civilization is losing its civility. I don't know if you've noticed it or not but the world is getting ruder. We're getting more crass. You may not demonize a person just because they're different, and differences do not demonize. Somehow we've got to follow that great theologian, Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?" You don't have to agree with someone [not] to be disagreeable. You can walk hand in hand without seeing eye to eye. And the fact is, America is a democracy. In a democracy nobody wins all the time. I don't. You don't. Nobody does. That's called a democracy. It doesn't mean we pack up and leave the country because we don't win. We are Americans, and we must -
I believe in the "good news." I'm a Christian, I'm an evangelical, and I'm a pastor. I believe in Jesus Christ. But I also believe in the common good and that there are some issues that have to be dealt with everybody on the common good. I don't win all the time and neither do you, and so we have to learn to be civil. That's why I spend most of my time not speaking to Christian groups. In the last year I've spoken to atheist groups, secularist groups. I've spoken to the two largest Muslim conventions. I was the keynote speaker at the Reform convention of Judaism. I spend most of my time actually speaking to people who disagree with me, but I'm trying to build bridges because we're on this planet together promoting civility and the common good.
BW note: "But" … is where the pastor drifts off track. I don’t want to be critical but … I believe in Jesus Christ, BUT … raises a big red flag for me. I say: but … nothing. When Christianity attempts to be politically correct or inclusive, it becomes lukewarm and we all know what Jesus says to do with lukewarm. There is a big difference between witnessing the good news of Christ to atheists, secularists, journalists and Muslims; and making politically correct talk at their conventions. Speaking at their conventions gives them a measure of credibility, which is counterproductive to the cause of Christ. I doubt that Pastor Warren was able to explain the good news of Christ at a Muslim convention. Jesus Christ is all that matters. Islam is not about civility and the common good. Islam is about forcing an evil doctrine on the free world. We cannot un-demonize Islam. It is worse than Nazism. We are called to be loving to all and live peacefully together ... but we should never in any way give credibility or validation to an evil religion. We must identify Islam for what it is: The enemy of Judaism and Christianity.
Warren: The P.E.A.C.E. Plan began in 2003. It's a global humanitarian effort to take on the five biggest problems on the planet: poverty, disease, illiteracy, corruption and conflict. P.E.A.C.E. stands for Promote reconciliation, Equip ethical leaders, "A" is assist the poor, "C" is care for the sick and "E" is educate the next generation. We believe that these problems are so big government can't do it alone; business can't do it alone; churches can't do it alone. Some problems are so big you have to team tackle them.
BW note: The PEACE Plan is great, but the problem here is that the number one biggest problem on the planet is not included: Where is the reconciliation between God and the lost world? And the conversion to Christianity of the unbelieving world? How can Pastor Warren leave this truth out of the plan? We are called as Ambassadors of Christ with a ministry of reconciliation. Our ministry is about reconciling the lost to Christ … not bringing the world’s false religions, atheists, and secularists together with Christians to present a convoluted message to these poor lost souls. That is like giving the sick … medicine mixed with cyanide.
Warren: Orphan care is a key issue. As I said, there are 146 million orphans in the world. Whoever gets to those people first is going to get their hearts and minds - either madrassas or radicals or fundamentalists or whatever. And whoever loves them - that's anarchy waiting to happen, 146 million orphans growing up without moms and dads. We have to do that. I have been trying to convince both the Bush administration and the Obama administration - it's the only thing I actually have ever talked to - I don't talk policy ever with politicians - never. Never. And let me just say it again: never. But I do care about orphans. And the one issue that I have talked to them about is: it's just good foreign policy to help the sick and help orphans.
BW note: Pastor Warren is on point here. I wholeheartedly agree!
Warren: If you ever see me with a politician, it's - I have no political aspirations and I have no aspirations to even influence public policy. That's not my role as a pastor. My role as a pastor is I counsel leaders about stress, about family, about integrity, about generosity. It's all personal. I never, never, never counsel government leaders about policy.
BW note: As an ambassador for Christ, our mission is to represent Christ and to be used by Christ to reconcile the world to God. If that is not influencing public policy, I don't know what it is. What about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Without Christ, there is no lasting solution to the issues of stress, family, integrity, or generosity. Are you beginning to see the problem here? Barack Obama's religious and philosophical training includes heavy doses of Islam, Mengaji, Unitarian Universalist, Communism, Socialism, Radical professors, Liberation theology, Marxism, Maoism and Saul Alinsky. Nowhere do I find any training in Biblical Christianity. I cannot imagine Pastor Warren meeting with Obama, and not witnessing the good news of Christ to him. If not politics or Jesus Christ, what else would there be to talk about? On the core issue of ministering to orphans, Jesus Christ must be the foundation for the work to have eternal meaning. Pastor Warren had the opportunity to witness to these journalists as well, but he missed it.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. BW note: Pastor Warren is right on in reaching out to widows and orphans. The challenge is to not become polluted by the world in the process. We must all be praying for Rick Warren that he will keep his mind focused on Christ and His purpose in all of this. Christianity is: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you. That does not include the blending of Christianity in with false religions and secular atheistic beliefs. TO BE CONTINUED.
God bless you my friends, Bob
Pray to receive Christ as Savior
Monday, June 21, 2010
Don't ... "Just do It"
John 16:12-15 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. “He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. “All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.
Romans 8:1-8 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Earlier today, a Christian friend asked about the Holy Spirit and what role the Holy Spirit should play in the church. His concern was that too much emphasis on gifts of the Spirit might take over his local church. "We need 91% more emphasis on the Holy Spirit, I replied." "What do you mean; he asked?" I then quoted the research study I refer to in my post “A Hypocrite Under Every Rock” where 91% of Christians define themselves as self-centered. I am convinced that a primary problem in Bible believing churches is an over-emphasis (although critically important) on living a Christ-like daily life, and an under-emphasis on our position in Christ, abiding above, and the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding us moment by moment as we rest in Him.
I am convinced that all Christians are living their lives: ... one way or the other. The question is: where are you? Over 90% have received Christ as their Savior but have never been effectively guided to rest in the position that Christ has established for them at Calvary. Instead, they have followed the formula that has worked for them throughout their entire lives: education plus work or self effort. No criticism intended, but obviously, church leadership is often lacking here, also. From conversion on, we try the best we know how, to be the person that we believe Christ wants us to be, but unfortunately the teaching of the leadership of the Holy Spirit is for the most part left out. It is only natural for us to believe that we need to change and that we need to do it. “That’s how I’ve always done it” … so the joke goes. But in this case, doing it the way I’ve always done it, leads to frustration, increased sin, doubt, failure, a guilty conscience, separation from God, no peace, no assurance of salvation, and a Christian walk that is not leading others to Christ, but actually going in the wrong direction.
The truth teaches us: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9. Do you really think that you, or I, or anyone else for that matter, are capable of being transformed by the renewing of your mind, by your self effort? No, of course not … it is beyond our comprehension or our human ability. And of course, without the Holy Spirit guiding us, step by step, our old self is easy prey for our enemy. Have you even considered your perfect position before God? That is his way. You are positioned with Christ, the perfect redeemer, and your sins are forgiven past, present and future.
You are perfected in Him, here and now … for eternity.
When we abide above, we are resting in our position in Christ. There is no such thing as a guilty conscience when we are resting in Christ. That is because you are resting in the fact that your sins have been paid for by Christ once for all and as a result your conscience is cleansed. “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” The natural thing for us to do is to pray for forgiveness, but not stand on the promises we have in Christ, but rather allow our guilt to convert our faith to doubt which leads to a downward spiral of more sin, guilt, and doubt. We become hopeless in our own ability against lust, pride and Satan. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth.
When you rest in your position, you are following God’s word, you are thinking His thoughts, and you are following His ways. You are walking under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. You are living the reality of who you are in Christ. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on your behalf, so that you might become the righteousness of God in Him. You are still capable of sin in your flesh, but Satan’s power has been replaced by the power of the Holy Spirit, and your sin was forgiven on Calvary … and all of your sin was in the future. Jesus was fully aware of your failings when he chose to go to the cross for your sins. Therefore if you are in Christ, you are a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come … for the love of Christ controls you … so that you might no longer live for yourself but rather for Him who died and rose again on your behalf … so that you might become the righteousness of God in Him. Don’t misunderstand me; you obviously need to do your part in growing in the Lord. But, the advertising slogan “Just Do It” is NOT biblical, and although often effective in human achievement, God’s way is to follow the Holy Spirit and the Word and to humble all that you have learned in the world, all that you know, and all that you do, to Jesus and His truth. Your part is to listen to the Holy Spirit and to destroy speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and you are to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5.
I know you have heard it a million times, but “Just Do It” is a big lie of the world that leads you back to the worldly unconscious auto-pilot, that often results in bad decisions, and later on ... you are shaking your head, and asking yourself questions like: why did I do that, and how could I be so stupid? This is not a silly game of basketball. This is learning to live perfectly. The transformation of your mind and the moment by moment Christ-like walk that results in the promise of “His righteousness in you” becoming reality comes by way of the Holy Spirit … not good works, or just doing it better than the other guy. Transformation of your mind must precede good works in order for your works to be good in God’s eyes.
So … here is the key question for you: are you continually resting in your Christ-centered position, or are you striving in your self-centered condition? The first step towards never-ending peace and freedom in Christ is coming to the realization that you have a problem. Okay, now … how can you move from your conditions in your flesh to your position in Christ … from self centered to Christ-centered? Pray for guidance, peace, and rest. Turn everything over to Christ ... out loud. Thank Him for all He has done for you, and for your forgiveness. Meditate on His word, especially on the positional truths, and all of His promises for you. Claim them as your reality, here and now. Pray for His power in overcoming your weaknesses. Claim His righteousness in you. Make note of all of the character qualities of Christ that are yours. Claim them here and now, in your daily walk. Declare victory over Satan and specific areas of sin in your flesh. Your role is to diligently catch yourself when your unconscious mind takes over, and you just do it the old way without thinking … instead, rest in your position … listen to the Spirit of Truth. Pray for His victory over your enemies. If your enemies win a momentary battle over you, have you somehow lost your salvation? Never … never … never! At every instant … Christ is interceding for you in the heavenlies, you have rest, peace, joy and grace in your position … from here to eternity.
Here is a Spiritual translation for you: Just Rest It!
I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. Psalm 18:3
God bless you my friends, Bob
Pray to Receive Christ as Savior
Romans 8:1-8 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Earlier today, a Christian friend asked about the Holy Spirit and what role the Holy Spirit should play in the church. His concern was that too much emphasis on gifts of the Spirit might take over his local church. "We need 91% more emphasis on the Holy Spirit, I replied." "What do you mean; he asked?" I then quoted the research study I refer to in my post “A Hypocrite Under Every Rock” where 91% of Christians define themselves as self-centered. I am convinced that a primary problem in Bible believing churches is an over-emphasis (although critically important) on living a Christ-like daily life, and an under-emphasis on our position in Christ, abiding above, and the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding us moment by moment as we rest in Him.
I am convinced that all Christians are living their lives: ... one way or the other. The question is: where are you? Over 90% have received Christ as their Savior but have never been effectively guided to rest in the position that Christ has established for them at Calvary. Instead, they have followed the formula that has worked for them throughout their entire lives: education plus work or self effort. No criticism intended, but obviously, church leadership is often lacking here, also. From conversion on, we try the best we know how, to be the person that we believe Christ wants us to be, but unfortunately the teaching of the leadership of the Holy Spirit is for the most part left out. It is only natural for us to believe that we need to change and that we need to do it. “That’s how I’ve always done it” … so the joke goes. But in this case, doing it the way I’ve always done it, leads to frustration, increased sin, doubt, failure, a guilty conscience, separation from God, no peace, no assurance of salvation, and a Christian walk that is not leading others to Christ, but actually going in the wrong direction.
The truth teaches us: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9. Do you really think that you, or I, or anyone else for that matter, are capable of being transformed by the renewing of your mind, by your self effort? No, of course not … it is beyond our comprehension or our human ability. And of course, without the Holy Spirit guiding us, step by step, our old self is easy prey for our enemy. Have you even considered your perfect position before God? That is his way. You are positioned with Christ, the perfect redeemer, and your sins are forgiven past, present and future.
You are perfected in Him, here and now … for eternity.
When we abide above, we are resting in our position in Christ. There is no such thing as a guilty conscience when we are resting in Christ. That is because you are resting in the fact that your sins have been paid for by Christ once for all and as a result your conscience is cleansed. “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” The natural thing for us to do is to pray for forgiveness, but not stand on the promises we have in Christ, but rather allow our guilt to convert our faith to doubt which leads to a downward spiral of more sin, guilt, and doubt. We become hopeless in our own ability against lust, pride and Satan. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth.
When you rest in your position, you are following God’s word, you are thinking His thoughts, and you are following His ways. You are walking under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. You are living the reality of who you are in Christ. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on your behalf, so that you might become the righteousness of God in Him. You are still capable of sin in your flesh, but Satan’s power has been replaced by the power of the Holy Spirit, and your sin was forgiven on Calvary … and all of your sin was in the future. Jesus was fully aware of your failings when he chose to go to the cross for your sins. Therefore if you are in Christ, you are a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come … for the love of Christ controls you … so that you might no longer live for yourself but rather for Him who died and rose again on your behalf … so that you might become the righteousness of God in Him. Don’t misunderstand me; you obviously need to do your part in growing in the Lord. But, the advertising slogan “Just Do It” is NOT biblical, and although often effective in human achievement, God’s way is to follow the Holy Spirit and the Word and to humble all that you have learned in the world, all that you know, and all that you do, to Jesus and His truth. Your part is to listen to the Holy Spirit and to destroy speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and you are to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5.
I know you have heard it a million times, but “Just Do It” is a big lie of the world that leads you back to the worldly unconscious auto-pilot, that often results in bad decisions, and later on ... you are shaking your head, and asking yourself questions like: why did I do that, and how could I be so stupid? This is not a silly game of basketball. This is learning to live perfectly. The transformation of your mind and the moment by moment Christ-like walk that results in the promise of “His righteousness in you” becoming reality comes by way of the Holy Spirit … not good works, or just doing it better than the other guy. Transformation of your mind must precede good works in order for your works to be good in God’s eyes.
So … here is the key question for you: are you continually resting in your Christ-centered position, or are you striving in your self-centered condition? The first step towards never-ending peace and freedom in Christ is coming to the realization that you have a problem. Okay, now … how can you move from your conditions in your flesh to your position in Christ … from self centered to Christ-centered? Pray for guidance, peace, and rest. Turn everything over to Christ ... out loud. Thank Him for all He has done for you, and for your forgiveness. Meditate on His word, especially on the positional truths, and all of His promises for you. Claim them as your reality, here and now. Pray for His power in overcoming your weaknesses. Claim His righteousness in you. Make note of all of the character qualities of Christ that are yours. Claim them here and now, in your daily walk. Declare victory over Satan and specific areas of sin in your flesh. Your role is to diligently catch yourself when your unconscious mind takes over, and you just do it the old way without thinking … instead, rest in your position … listen to the Spirit of Truth. Pray for His victory over your enemies. If your enemies win a momentary battle over you, have you somehow lost your salvation? Never … never … never! At every instant … Christ is interceding for you in the heavenlies, you have rest, peace, joy and grace in your position … from here to eternity.
Here is a Spiritual translation for you: Just Rest It!
I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. Psalm 18:3
God bless you my friends, Bob
Pray to Receive Christ as Savior
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Indescribable Peace
John14:25-27 “These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Here’s a question for you? Do you have this peace that Jesus talks about? Now I’m not talking about the peace that some have managed to achieve because they have figured out a routine, or been fortunate enough to find a peace of sorts in troubled times by achieving financial independence. Some have said jogging in the early hours settles their mind. Others read a book, play sports or practice a hobby. I'm not talking about any of these. We all have a different set of circumstances and different skills and ways and habits that we have developed to help us find peace throughout our day. I was listening to a very rich and successful man yesterday who said that he gets up at 5:30 every morning and reads for two hours. He also likes to listen to beautiful music. This has become his habit. He then went on to say he only put things into his mind that uplift him. I question if that is possible … with all of the noise in the world, that we are continually confronted with every day.
Paul gave similar advice when He said; “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. There is a big difference in Paul’s instruction, and the world’s method of having a positive attitude. The world would teach to think positive thoughts, to fill your mind with uplifting, encouraging and motivating ideas and information … basically anything that lifts your spirit. Paul on the other hand prefaces the above scripture with “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men.” Do you see the difference? The world’s solution has taken out the power. The power is in the Lord and His word. The more men talk and focus on themselves, and the less scripture that is referenced, the more the power is diminished. It is all about the Lord. the peace they are able to conjure up is counterfeit. I once had an associate that worked for me who told me about a book he read that had helped him greatly, so I went out and bought it. The premise was that the power is in your belief … that if we believed strongly enough, whatever we believed would become reality. I quickly realized that the teaching was absurd and defied reality and logic. A short while later the poor guy was hospitalized for serious mental problems. We do not have the ability to alter reality … only God can do that. Does that mean that I am saying that positive thinking does not work? No way … not at all. It is a proven fact that whatever we dwell on, positive or negative input, it somehow translates into our daily reality. Whatever we feed our mind will transform our thinking. That can be either good or bad. This principle is where the phrase garbage in … garbage out comes from also. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” Proverbs 23:7. But our thought life won't alter gravity. Give a student enough Darwinian Evolutionary training, and the next thing you know, Darwin has become a religious dogma for millions of people. And today's Darwinian Theory is Global Warming.
Okay so what’s the problem? What keeps you from having the peace that your Lord and Savior promises you? The problem is multi-faceted. But in the online world, all of the stuff that you are bombarded with … that diverts your attention from your priorities is referred to as noise. This could translate into a hundred different things. So for the sake of this discussion, lets just for a moment, take all of the things that are diverting you focus off of Christ, and isolate these things and call them noise, and focus your thinking on Christ. Consider all of your diversions: noise. Take all of your problems, the world’s problems, your job, relationship issues, health issues, money problems, your worries, your fears, your sin, your failings, your guilty conscience, all of it … anything and everything; pray it all over to Christ. Now, meditate on your position in Christ. Consider yourself one with him in the heavenlies, a fellow heir with Christ. Memorize scripture, Read it. Ask the Lord to reveal himself to you. Meditate, read the word out loud to yourself in a silent place. Sit in silence. Do it again, over and, over. Look deeply for His voice. The Lord will speak to you … Maybe His voice will be silence but He will give you peace, not as the world gives. Peace that transcends all understanding.
This is the problem: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8. We habitually and unconsciously revert to our old ways. We decide to become disciplined and then we meditate on positive books and stuff written by unbelievers and then we wonder why we don’t have the peace that surpasses all understanding that the Lord has promised us. This is why ninety percent of Christians admit that they are carnal or self centered Christians. They pray to Christ, and then they rely upon themselves and then in their old ways they sin which results in a guilty conscience and separation from Christ. Not much abiding above there, is there? Not much peace there either. The bad news is that sin is still in your old body, and its bad habits and its sinful ways are still able to throw you off track, and cause you to do or say or think things that result in a guilty conscience. You will come under attack and will lose some battles. Satan is very powerful and can easily win if he is able to choose the battlegrounds of lust and pride, and fight you without Christ and His word to defend and protect you. But the good news is, that although sin is IN you, you can be fully assured that there is no sin ON you. All of your sin past, present, and future, has been LAID ON the Lord Jesus. His sacrifice at Calvary sanctified you through eternity. Rest in your position. You are a co-heir with Christ … adopted into the family of the creator of the universe.
Jesus speaks of his time here, abiding with us, and sending us the spirit to abide with us, and teach us all things. This is the doorway to the peace that He then speaks about. Rest in His peace … your position. You are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all. Hebrews 10:10. You are not guilty, ever again … anymore. The savior paid the penalty, once for all. You are an heir with Christ in heaven, here and now. Experience the peace that transcends all understanding. Abide above the cares of the world. Rest in your position. This is the peace that he promises you. We are talking about peace that only God’s grace can insure, not your works or good deeds. They are never enough. Jesus Christ is your sufficiency. He will never forget you or forsake you. To Christ and Christ alone is the glory, forever more.
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
God Bless you my friends, Bob
Pray to receive Christ as Savior
2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Here’s a question for you? Do you have this peace that Jesus talks about? Now I’m not talking about the peace that some have managed to achieve because they have figured out a routine, or been fortunate enough to find a peace of sorts in troubled times by achieving financial independence. Some have said jogging in the early hours settles their mind. Others read a book, play sports or practice a hobby. I'm not talking about any of these. We all have a different set of circumstances and different skills and ways and habits that we have developed to help us find peace throughout our day. I was listening to a very rich and successful man yesterday who said that he gets up at 5:30 every morning and reads for two hours. He also likes to listen to beautiful music. This has become his habit. He then went on to say he only put things into his mind that uplift him. I question if that is possible … with all of the noise in the world, that we are continually confronted with every day.
Paul gave similar advice when He said; “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. There is a big difference in Paul’s instruction, and the world’s method of having a positive attitude. The world would teach to think positive thoughts, to fill your mind with uplifting, encouraging and motivating ideas and information … basically anything that lifts your spirit. Paul on the other hand prefaces the above scripture with “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men.” Do you see the difference? The world’s solution has taken out the power. The power is in the Lord and His word. The more men talk and focus on themselves, and the less scripture that is referenced, the more the power is diminished. It is all about the Lord. the peace they are able to conjure up is counterfeit. I once had an associate that worked for me who told me about a book he read that had helped him greatly, so I went out and bought it. The premise was that the power is in your belief … that if we believed strongly enough, whatever we believed would become reality. I quickly realized that the teaching was absurd and defied reality and logic. A short while later the poor guy was hospitalized for serious mental problems. We do not have the ability to alter reality … only God can do that. Does that mean that I am saying that positive thinking does not work? No way … not at all. It is a proven fact that whatever we dwell on, positive or negative input, it somehow translates into our daily reality. Whatever we feed our mind will transform our thinking. That can be either good or bad. This principle is where the phrase garbage in … garbage out comes from also. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” Proverbs 23:7. But our thought life won't alter gravity. Give a student enough Darwinian Evolutionary training, and the next thing you know, Darwin has become a religious dogma for millions of people. And today's Darwinian Theory is Global Warming.
Okay so what’s the problem? What keeps you from having the peace that your Lord and Savior promises you? The problem is multi-faceted. But in the online world, all of the stuff that you are bombarded with … that diverts your attention from your priorities is referred to as noise. This could translate into a hundred different things. So for the sake of this discussion, lets just for a moment, take all of the things that are diverting you focus off of Christ, and isolate these things and call them noise, and focus your thinking on Christ. Consider all of your diversions: noise. Take all of your problems, the world’s problems, your job, relationship issues, health issues, money problems, your worries, your fears, your sin, your failings, your guilty conscience, all of it … anything and everything; pray it all over to Christ. Now, meditate on your position in Christ. Consider yourself one with him in the heavenlies, a fellow heir with Christ. Memorize scripture, Read it. Ask the Lord to reveal himself to you. Meditate, read the word out loud to yourself in a silent place. Sit in silence. Do it again, over and, over. Look deeply for His voice. The Lord will speak to you … Maybe His voice will be silence but He will give you peace, not as the world gives. Peace that transcends all understanding.
This is the problem: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8. We habitually and unconsciously revert to our old ways. We decide to become disciplined and then we meditate on positive books and stuff written by unbelievers and then we wonder why we don’t have the peace that surpasses all understanding that the Lord has promised us. This is why ninety percent of Christians admit that they are carnal or self centered Christians. They pray to Christ, and then they rely upon themselves and then in their old ways they sin which results in a guilty conscience and separation from Christ. Not much abiding above there, is there? Not much peace there either. The bad news is that sin is still in your old body, and its bad habits and its sinful ways are still able to throw you off track, and cause you to do or say or think things that result in a guilty conscience. You will come under attack and will lose some battles. Satan is very powerful and can easily win if he is able to choose the battlegrounds of lust and pride, and fight you without Christ and His word to defend and protect you. But the good news is, that although sin is IN you, you can be fully assured that there is no sin ON you. All of your sin past, present, and future, has been LAID ON the Lord Jesus. His sacrifice at Calvary sanctified you through eternity. Rest in your position. You are a co-heir with Christ … adopted into the family of the creator of the universe.
Jesus speaks of his time here, abiding with us, and sending us the spirit to abide with us, and teach us all things. This is the doorway to the peace that He then speaks about. Rest in His peace … your position. You are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all. Hebrews 10:10. You are not guilty, ever again … anymore. The savior paid the penalty, once for all. You are an heir with Christ in heaven, here and now. Experience the peace that transcends all understanding. Abide above the cares of the world. Rest in your position. This is the peace that he promises you. We are talking about peace that only God’s grace can insure, not your works or good deeds. They are never enough. Jesus Christ is your sufficiency. He will never forget you or forsake you. To Christ and Christ alone is the glory, forever more.
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
God Bless you my friends, Bob
Pray to receive Christ as Savior
Friday, June 11, 2010
Not of This World
John 15:18-19 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you;
Earlier this week, a liberal Christian friend emailed me the following article posted on CNN health; “Kids of lesbians have fewer behavioral problems, study suggests” I responded with the following question: “what do you think this tells us?” He replied; “Is raising a child in a gay household ideal? Of course not, for a number of reasons … it is not unlike raising a child with interracial parents. The child or children can be subject to teasing at school, etc., etc. It is just not a societal "norm." With that being said, Would it be better for the child to be raised by two parents who actually planned to have the child, have the money to properly provide for the child and provide a loving environment for the child by parents who happen to be gay or would it be better to have a child grow up with heterosexual parents but the household was abusive, the children were not planned (or even wanted), etc., etc. I think the study was saying that, lesbianism (I think that is a word) aside, in the households that were studied, the parents were more likely to have planned for the children, been able to provide for the children, etc., etc., and that was a more contributory factor to their well adjusted behavior than the sexuality of the parents. Hope that answers your question.”
I responded with: "I have clients that are lesbians that appear to be very exceptional parents, exceptional citizens, and are good friends. And I have asked myself this question many times. So anything is possible. But I would think the question for you and I, as Christians should be: Would raising a child in a gay home most likely lead the child towards or away from the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and towards amorality? In most cases, I am convinced it would lead away from Christ. So therefore, I would not advise it. Conditions could be better with the first group obviously, if the only consideration is raising a healthy child, but when the belief system of the child is considered, some things become more important than others. Should we promote the immigration of one group of people over another, is also a good question? It is never desirable for children to be with abusive or amoral parents, gay or straight. Unfortunately, we have little control over the second group in your comparison and society suffers the consequences. The comparison to an interracial marriage is not even a valid comparison, contrary to what gays would contend. Amoral = there is no right or wrong. A big problem in America today is that this idea of neutral morality (there is no right or wrong) has been pushed and validated by modern athiestic secular society."
My friend answered: I am not convinced that being raised by gay parents would lead a child away from Christ and toward amorality. I believe there are several references to homosexuality throughout the New Testament. They were referenced as Eunuchs as opposed to gay and lesbian. The subject is talked about extensively in Matthew 19:11-12 But He said to them, “Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given. “For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it.” God made us all and simply because you were born gay or lesbian does not automatically make you amoral.
To that I replied: This definition does not even come close to defining homosexuals. If this actually even remotely described the lifestyle as we know it, or the context of the verse you quoted was referring to gays, I would have to agree with you, since it is Jesus speaking."
But neither the dictionary or the Bible supports your conclusions:
WIKI: A eunuch is a castrated man; usually one castrated early enough to have major hormonal consequences. The term usually refers to those castrated (without their consent) in order to perform a specific social function, as was common historically in many societies. The earliest records for intentional castration to produce eunuchs are from the Sumerian city of Lagash in the twenty-first century BC. Over the millennia since, they have performed a wide variety of functions in many different cultures such as: courtiers or equivalent domestics, treble singers, religious specialists, government officials, military commanders, and guardians of women or harem servants. In some translations of ancient texts, individuals identified as eunuchs sometimes historically included men who were impotent with women, as well as those who were celibate.
On the other hand, the Bible can't get any clearer than this:
ROMANS: 1:18-26 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. 24Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.
(Be sure to note there is a huge difference between the terms amoral and immoral) To be amoral does not mean one is immoral. Amoral basically means there is no right or wrong morality ... each person must decide those things for themselves. Those who adopt this view usually have chosen to reject God and the Bible. At least verses like the one I have listed above and anything else that does not go along with what they decide they want to do. But unfortunately, many pick and choose and create their own belief system which includes the Bible when they agree with it, and discard what they don't like. In essence, they become the god of their own false religion and call it Christianity. Please make note, that I am not referring to my friend who sent me the above email, in this description.
My friend ended the conversation with: “This verse in Romans is pretty specific. Let me look a little more into it.”
So why do I bring this exchange to you? Because I think it clearly illustrates the challenges Christians face daily in today’s world. Some Christians, have chosen to ignore the verse above in Romans; and in a similar way, many have chosen to believe in the false religion of Darwinian Evolution, and many other false beliefs such as it doesn't matter which religion you follow as long as it teaches to love your fellow man. To stand with the clear truth of the Bible on this issue and many others, will often lead to you being branded a hateful bigot, and an ignorant fool. But in reality, it has nothing to do with hate, bigotry, or ignorance. It simply has to do with following the teaching of the inerrant Holy Truth of our Lord and Savior. I believe these conflicts we face are what Jesus was referring to when He said; ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ I am convinced that I can love people even though I do not agree with their lifestyle. The hate and bigotry typically is directed towards Christians ... from the same group that labels Christians, and turns their secular form of reverse discrimination towards the alienated traditional majority. Many who have been educated in our public school system would say that I am narrow, close-minded, legalistic, judgmental, not inclusive, and politically incorrect. For sure I have no desire to be politically correct. More recently I was told that I was brainwashed as a child, by my parents. When I explained to the person that my parents were not particularly religious, did not attend church regularly, or read the Bible; and that I became a Christian through my own study, twenty-nine years ago. He did not know what to say.
So my question is: … What do you say about these issues? Gays adopting? Gay marriage legalized? Is it possible to be a Christian homosexual? Should we be teaching our kids about homosexuality in our public schools?
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
God Bless you my friends, Bob
Pray to receive Christ as Savior
Earlier this week, a liberal Christian friend emailed me the following article posted on CNN health; “Kids of lesbians have fewer behavioral problems, study suggests” I responded with the following question: “what do you think this tells us?” He replied; “Is raising a child in a gay household ideal? Of course not, for a number of reasons … it is not unlike raising a child with interracial parents. The child or children can be subject to teasing at school, etc., etc. It is just not a societal "norm." With that being said, Would it be better for the child to be raised by two parents who actually planned to have the child, have the money to properly provide for the child and provide a loving environment for the child by parents who happen to be gay or would it be better to have a child grow up with heterosexual parents but the household was abusive, the children were not planned (or even wanted), etc., etc. I think the study was saying that, lesbianism (I think that is a word) aside, in the households that were studied, the parents were more likely to have planned for the children, been able to provide for the children, etc., etc., and that was a more contributory factor to their well adjusted behavior than the sexuality of the parents. Hope that answers your question.”
I responded with: "I have clients that are lesbians that appear to be very exceptional parents, exceptional citizens, and are good friends. And I have asked myself this question many times. So anything is possible. But I would think the question for you and I, as Christians should be: Would raising a child in a gay home most likely lead the child towards or away from the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and towards amorality? In most cases, I am convinced it would lead away from Christ. So therefore, I would not advise it. Conditions could be better with the first group obviously, if the only consideration is raising a healthy child, but when the belief system of the child is considered, some things become more important than others. Should we promote the immigration of one group of people over another, is also a good question? It is never desirable for children to be with abusive or amoral parents, gay or straight. Unfortunately, we have little control over the second group in your comparison and society suffers the consequences. The comparison to an interracial marriage is not even a valid comparison, contrary to what gays would contend. Amoral = there is no right or wrong. A big problem in America today is that this idea of neutral morality (there is no right or wrong) has been pushed and validated by modern athiestic secular society."
My friend answered: I am not convinced that being raised by gay parents would lead a child away from Christ and toward amorality. I believe there are several references to homosexuality throughout the New Testament. They were referenced as Eunuchs as opposed to gay and lesbian. The subject is talked about extensively in Matthew 19:11-12 But He said to them, “Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given. “For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it.” God made us all and simply because you were born gay or lesbian does not automatically make you amoral.
To that I replied: This definition does not even come close to defining homosexuals. If this actually even remotely described the lifestyle as we know it, or the context of the verse you quoted was referring to gays, I would have to agree with you, since it is Jesus speaking."
But neither the dictionary or the Bible supports your conclusions:
WIKI: A eunuch is a castrated man; usually one castrated early enough to have major hormonal consequences. The term usually refers to those castrated (without their consent) in order to perform a specific social function, as was common historically in many societies. The earliest records for intentional castration to produce eunuchs are from the Sumerian city of Lagash in the twenty-first century BC. Over the millennia since, they have performed a wide variety of functions in many different cultures such as: courtiers or equivalent domestics, treble singers, religious specialists, government officials, military commanders, and guardians of women or harem servants. In some translations of ancient texts, individuals identified as eunuchs sometimes historically included men who were impotent with women, as well as those who were celibate.
On the other hand, the Bible can't get any clearer than this:
ROMANS: 1:18-26 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. 24Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.
(Be sure to note there is a huge difference between the terms amoral and immoral) To be amoral does not mean one is immoral. Amoral basically means there is no right or wrong morality ... each person must decide those things for themselves. Those who adopt this view usually have chosen to reject God and the Bible. At least verses like the one I have listed above and anything else that does not go along with what they decide they want to do. But unfortunately, many pick and choose and create their own belief system which includes the Bible when they agree with it, and discard what they don't like. In essence, they become the god of their own false religion and call it Christianity. Please make note, that I am not referring to my friend who sent me the above email, in this description.
My friend ended the conversation with: “This verse in Romans is pretty specific. Let me look a little more into it.”
So why do I bring this exchange to you? Because I think it clearly illustrates the challenges Christians face daily in today’s world. Some Christians, have chosen to ignore the verse above in Romans; and in a similar way, many have chosen to believe in the false religion of Darwinian Evolution, and many other false beliefs such as it doesn't matter which religion you follow as long as it teaches to love your fellow man. To stand with the clear truth of the Bible on this issue and many others, will often lead to you being branded a hateful bigot, and an ignorant fool. But in reality, it has nothing to do with hate, bigotry, or ignorance. It simply has to do with following the teaching of the inerrant Holy Truth of our Lord and Savior. I believe these conflicts we face are what Jesus was referring to when He said; ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ I am convinced that I can love people even though I do not agree with their lifestyle. The hate and bigotry typically is directed towards Christians ... from the same group that labels Christians, and turns their secular form of reverse discrimination towards the alienated traditional majority. Many who have been educated in our public school system would say that I am narrow, close-minded, legalistic, judgmental, not inclusive, and politically incorrect. For sure I have no desire to be politically correct. More recently I was told that I was brainwashed as a child, by my parents. When I explained to the person that my parents were not particularly religious, did not attend church regularly, or read the Bible; and that I became a Christian through my own study, twenty-nine years ago. He did not know what to say.
So my question is: … What do you say about these issues? Gays adopting? Gay marriage legalized? Is it possible to be a Christian homosexual? Should we be teaching our kids about homosexuality in our public schools?
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
God Bless you my friends, Bob
Pray to receive Christ as Savior
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