Thursday, April 7, 2011
Excellent Primer on Prayer
Praying is vital for the life of a Christian but many don't even comprehend how to pray or what prayer is . In this short video Dr.D.A Carson gives us an excellent and brief overview.
Verse Of The Day : [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
(Philippians 4:6 ESV)
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Too Bad , Too Sad , Get Over It
If animals aren’t suffering, somebody isn’t working hard enough in the business of gene survival. Richard Dawkins.
Read that sentence carefully and grasp what this high priest of Darwin dogma is saying. Remember since humans are nothing more than animals , driven by gene reproduction , then if we are not being subjected to suffering , then the gene survival mode is not working hard enough to produce the survival of the fittest.
So when a little boy , wonders away , drowns in a river because of a extreme disability ,its not tragic but nature getting rid of its garbage. Is that not what this is saying. What if my next door neighbor decides that his genetic material should be shared and decides he will impregnate as many women as possible through whatever means necessary , practices this . If we are animals, then why should we limit ourselves to moral norms that are nothing more than a deluded mind that thinks there is a God , and that He has revealed laws that we should abide by?
The one thing Dawkins is at least , consistent with his world view. He pulls no punches and at least you know what he thinks . Of course since our thinking is nothing more than chemical reactions in the brain , can he even be sure of his conclusions or observations.
Atheism as a world view will always be a hard sell. It leads down a very dark hole and cannot offer no light to suffering and evil in any real way. Pain,suffering are just what they are. If you get Cancer and die ,well it proves you have weak genetics and nature is trying to get rid of the junk. But our compassion steps in the way and tries to save and heal. Why? Because in our hearts of hearts we know that God exist , that He is our creator and that He has written eternity on our hearts.
An Atheist is one that is suppressing that truth in open defiance as Paul reminds us in the first few chapters of Romans.
A world view is the grid in which we all filter life. Those who think they don't have one do . It may be faulty but they carry one with them into each day. But when it comes to the bigger questions of life, purpose,suffering and the why's , only Christianity has the consistent answers to the big questions . But more importantly it has Jesus Christ that brings hope,light and truth to even the darkest of days . For only Jesus understands the pain,suffering and even the temptation of men and women.
Atheism is left wanting because it is a lie . Nuff said.
"If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found that it has no meaning: just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes, we should never know it was dark." CS Lewis
Verse Of The Day : [35] You have given me the shield of your salvation,
and your right hand supported me,
and your gentleness made me great.
(Psalm 18:35 ESV)
Read that sentence carefully and grasp what this high priest of Darwin dogma is saying. Remember since humans are nothing more than animals , driven by gene reproduction , then if we are not being subjected to suffering , then the gene survival mode is not working hard enough to produce the survival of the fittest.
So when a little boy , wonders away , drowns in a river because of a extreme disability ,its not tragic but nature getting rid of its garbage. Is that not what this is saying. What if my next door neighbor decides that his genetic material should be shared and decides he will impregnate as many women as possible through whatever means necessary , practices this . If we are animals, then why should we limit ourselves to moral norms that are nothing more than a deluded mind that thinks there is a God , and that He has revealed laws that we should abide by?
The one thing Dawkins is at least , consistent with his world view. He pulls no punches and at least you know what he thinks . Of course since our thinking is nothing more than chemical reactions in the brain , can he even be sure of his conclusions or observations.
Atheism as a world view will always be a hard sell. It leads down a very dark hole and cannot offer no light to suffering and evil in any real way. Pain,suffering are just what they are. If you get Cancer and die ,well it proves you have weak genetics and nature is trying to get rid of the junk. But our compassion steps in the way and tries to save and heal. Why? Because in our hearts of hearts we know that God exist , that He is our creator and that He has written eternity on our hearts.
An Atheist is one that is suppressing that truth in open defiance as Paul reminds us in the first few chapters of Romans.
A world view is the grid in which we all filter life. Those who think they don't have one do . It may be faulty but they carry one with them into each day. But when it comes to the bigger questions of life, purpose,suffering and the why's , only Christianity has the consistent answers to the big questions . But more importantly it has Jesus Christ that brings hope,light and truth to even the darkest of days . For only Jesus understands the pain,suffering and even the temptation of men and women.
Atheism is left wanting because it is a lie . Nuff said.
"If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found that it has no meaning: just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes, we should never know it was dark." CS Lewis
Verse Of The Day : [35] You have given me the shield of your salvation,
and your right hand supported me,
and your gentleness made me great.
(Psalm 18:35 ESV)
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
I'll Say It A Million Times
I have said it before and will say it over and over , a good wife is a blessing from God. I can still recall men sitting around complaining about being married , the old ball and chain etc.. I would be quiet or simply say , I love being married.
"There is no more lovely,friendly or charming relationship,communion or company , than a good marriage" Martin Luther.
To this quote for Luther , I say Amen .
Forgive and ....You Finish The Sentence
Last Sunday our Pastor preached on forgiveness and how it is not an option in a believers life. Taking his cue from the one of Jesus beatitudes , he focused on the need to forgive in order to be free from the burden and weight of holding onto a grudge or vendetta .
Is was clear that to forgive is not something we are left an out for. Now some hold that in order to forgive another , certain hoops must be jumped through. They put barriers up to find ways to withhold forgiveness. Yes , we need to encourage a life of repentance and going to another we have harmed and ask for forgiveness but we do not live in a perfect world. Sometimes we can be hurt without the other party realizing what they have done. We can guilty as well and if we think we are not , we are deluding ourselves.
Sometimes we must forgive one another purely to release the burden of animosity and anger we can easily harbor when we hold on the pain of being hurt. To allow it to fester and infest our souls will only lead to a soul in turmoil. Our Pastor used 2 illustrations . One that everywhere we go , the other person goes with us,like they are handcuffed to us and by not forgiving , the weight is like a burden we carry , that will only leave us weary and tired.
But lets be honest we can say forgive , but to truly forgive another is also to release the other of their debt to you. It must be put away , forgotten. If we say , I can forgive but not forget , then the truth is we have not forgiven . That wall of hostility will be clearly there.
The question is if we are to forgive one another then first we must grasp how great a forgiveness we have been given in Jesus. To grasp the depth of our own sin , that we were dead in sin , a vial cosmic rebel against a holy God. That it took the holy ,sinless Son of God to take our place to satisfy God's holy justice to be satisfied that we may be forgiven. If we get this , then forgiving no matter what the offense will come easier , not without its struggles , but it can be possible because of God's grace.When we understand how much we have been forgiven , we can forgive much as well.
[14] For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, [15] but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
(Matthew 6:14-15 ESV)
[25] And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
(Mark 11:25 ESV)
[4] and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
(Luke 17:4 ESV)
[13] bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
(Colossians 3:13 ESV)
[9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(1 John 1:9 ESV)
Well you get the picture . A forgiving attitude and heart is not an option if we follow Christ. Thanks Pastor Bob for really shaking my heart up .
Is was clear that to forgive is not something we are left an out for. Now some hold that in order to forgive another , certain hoops must be jumped through. They put barriers up to find ways to withhold forgiveness. Yes , we need to encourage a life of repentance and going to another we have harmed and ask for forgiveness but we do not live in a perfect world. Sometimes we can be hurt without the other party realizing what they have done. We can guilty as well and if we think we are not , we are deluding ourselves.
Sometimes we must forgive one another purely to release the burden of animosity and anger we can easily harbor when we hold on the pain of being hurt. To allow it to fester and infest our souls will only lead to a soul in turmoil. Our Pastor used 2 illustrations . One that everywhere we go , the other person goes with us,like they are handcuffed to us and by not forgiving , the weight is like a burden we carry , that will only leave us weary and tired.
But lets be honest we can say forgive , but to truly forgive another is also to release the other of their debt to you. It must be put away , forgotten. If we say , I can forgive but not forget , then the truth is we have not forgiven . That wall of hostility will be clearly there.
The question is if we are to forgive one another then first we must grasp how great a forgiveness we have been given in Jesus. To grasp the depth of our own sin , that we were dead in sin , a vial cosmic rebel against a holy God. That it took the holy ,sinless Son of God to take our place to satisfy God's holy justice to be satisfied that we may be forgiven. If we get this , then forgiving no matter what the offense will come easier , not without its struggles , but it can be possible because of God's grace.When we understand how much we have been forgiven , we can forgive much as well.
[14] For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, [15] but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
(Matthew 6:14-15 ESV)
[25] And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
(Mark 11:25 ESV)
[4] and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
(Luke 17:4 ESV)
[13] bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
(Colossians 3:13 ESV)
[9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(1 John 1:9 ESV)
Well you get the picture . A forgiving attitude and heart is not an option if we follow Christ. Thanks Pastor Bob for really shaking my heart up .
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Jesus Draw Me-May this Be Our Prayer
Nothing like a little of Keith and Kristyn Getty to prepare our hearts for worship this Lord's day.
Verse Of The Day : [17] I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness,
and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.
(Psalm 7:17 ESV)
Friday, April 1, 2011
Catechism Friday
Heidelberg Catechism (1576 A.D.)
48. Q. But are the two natures in Christ not separated from each other if His human nature is not present wherever His divinity is?
A. Not at all, for His divinity has no limits and is present everywhere.[1] So it must follow that His divinity is indeed beyond the human nature which He has taken on and nevertheless is within this human nature and remains personally united with it.[2]
49. Q. How does Christ's ascension into heaven benefit us?
A. First, He is our Advocate in heaven before His Father.[1] Second, we have our flesh in heaven as a sure pledge that He, our Head, will also take us, His members, up to Himself.[2] Third, He sends us His Spirit as a counter-pledge,[3] by whose power we seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God, and not the things that are on earth.[4]
[1] Rom. 8:34; I John 2:1. [2] John 14:2; 17:24; Eph. 2:4-6. [3] John 14:16; Acts 2:33; II Cor. 1:21, 22; 5:5. [4] Col. 3:1-4.
50. Q. Why is it added, And sits at the right hand of God?
A. Christ ascended into heaven to manifest Himself there as Head of His Church,[1] through whom the Father governs all things.[2]
51. Q. How does the glory of Christ, our Head, benefit us?
A. First, by His Holy Spirit He pours out heavenly gifts upon us, His members.[1] Second, by His power He defends and preserves us against all enemies.[2]
52. Q. What comfort is it to you that Christ will come to judge the living and the dead?
A. In all my sorrow and persecution I lift up my head and eagerly await as judge from heaven the very same person who before has submitted Himself to the judgment of God for my sake, and has removed all the curse from me.[1] He will cast all His and my enemies into everlasting condemnation, but He will take me and all His chosen ones to Himself into heavenly joy and glory.[2]
[1] Luke 21:28; Rom. 8:22-25; Phil. 3:20,21; Tit. 2:13, 14. [2] Matt. 25:31-46; I Thess. 4:16, 17; II Thess. 1:6-10.
53. Q. What do you believe concerning the Holy Spirit?
A. First, He is, together with the Father and the Son, true and eternal God.[1] Second, He is also given to me,[2] to make me by true faith share in Christ and all His benefits,[3] to comfort me,[4] and to remain with me forever.[5]
[1] Gen. 1:1, 2; Matt. 28:19; Acts 5:3, 4; I Cor. 3:16. [2] I Cor. 6:19; II Cor. 1:21, 22; Gal. 4:6; Eph. 1:13. [3] Gal. 3:14; I Pet. 1:2. [4] John 15:26; Acts 9:31. [5] John 14:16, 17; I Pet. 4:14.
Love This Song
Awesome song , awesome band , awesome message and we indeed have an awesome God who has adopted us ,sinners, through the Son ,Jesus Christ.
Verse Of The Day : [12] But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, [13] who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
(John 1:12-13 ESV)
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