Philemon 1:6 says... I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
There are some gifts, blessings, and opportunities for empowerment that will only come as we fully obey the Lord.
God has no need to equip you for a task you are unwilling to perform, but settle in your heart and mind you will witness for Him, and He will supply you abundantly more than all you need for the task.
If we follow Jesus He says He will make us fishers of men, so don't just be seen swimming with them in casual conversation, actually cast out a line and mention Jesus.
Today was a good day, unfortunately the sharing of my faith is often quite sorry - but God forgives and then empowers us to press on.
Here's the report of the day...
1. I had the opportunity to make a phone call to someone the Lord has had on my heart. I simply told them I had a question for them, but now that I've done it, there will be an opportunity to talk.
2. I also had opportunity to talk and pray with someone at the thrift store who recently lost a loved one. I simply asked, "what do you think happens after this life", after their answer I was able to affirm the hope we have in Jesus.
3. I spoke with someone who is battling cancer - not having much time to talk I simply said that knowing that we will all leave this world someday, I just want to make sure that everyone I know has put their hope in Jesus so that we can be reunited with Him someday.
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
You'll never fully know how great God is, until you step out in faith and see Him move on your behalf, and who knows maybe lead someone to the Savior today.
Shoot back a comment and let me know how your witnessing is going.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
How's your persecution?
Isn't that a great question to ask - "How's your persecution".
2 Timothy 3:12 says - In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
John 15;18-20 Jesus said... "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.
1 John 3:13 Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.
1 peter 4:12-14, 16, 19 tells us... Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ... 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. ...19 So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
I believe it was John Wesley that said, "when you preach the gospel people will get mad or converted".
Let's preach the whole gospel and let God do the rest.
If we suffer or are insulted for Christ - the Spirit and glory of God rests on us.
We can't loose - Either we win souls to Jesus, we plant some seeds, or we are persecuted because we have boldly proclaimed the saving gospel of Jesus (and find God's blessing and empowerment through the persecution). Sounds like a win, win, win to me.
How's your persecution?
Live holy, preach Jesus!
2 Timothy 3:12 says - In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
John 15;18-20 Jesus said... "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.
1 John 3:13 Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.
1 peter 4:12-14, 16, 19 tells us... Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ... 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. ...19 So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
I believe it was John Wesley that said, "when you preach the gospel people will get mad or converted".
Let's preach the whole gospel and let God do the rest.
If we suffer or are insulted for Christ - the Spirit and glory of God rests on us.
We can't loose - Either we win souls to Jesus, we plant some seeds, or we are persecuted because we have boldly proclaimed the saving gospel of Jesus (and find God's blessing and empowerment through the persecution). Sounds like a win, win, win to me.
How's your persecution?
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Bryan Farrow's memorial service 4,25,09
This is an audio file of Bryan Farrow's memorial service in Homer Alaska.
The Captain's remarks are recorded, but the audio of words of remembrance, the song "I can only imagine" by Mercy Me, and the honor guard's reading we too poor to post.
You can hear the rifle volley and taps at the end of the service.
You can play the service from this "play arrow" or look up this service by title on the sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page and download it to your computer as a permanent record.
Life is short, make sure you are right with God through faith in Jesus Christ today.
The Captain's remarks are recorded, but the audio of words of remembrance, the song "I can only imagine" by Mercy Me, and the honor guard's reading we too poor to post.
You can hear the rifle volley and taps at the end of the service.
You can play the service from this "play arrow" or look up this service by title on the sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page and download it to your computer as a permanent record.
Life is short, make sure you are right with God through faith in Jesus Christ today.
May God bless Bryan's freinds, familiy, and loved ones.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sunday's sermon - No crossing over
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options.
Sorry, no sermon notes this week, but enjoy the audio file.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sorry, no sermon notes this week, but enjoy the audio file.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
True worship includes obedience.
Hello soldiers, friends, and fellow followers of Jesus.
Yesterday we held a memorial for a past corps (church) member. As always I don't know who makes it into heaven or not, anyone can call out and put their complete trust in Jesus alone for their salvation at any time, and many who call Jesus Lord will hear God say I never knew you, so I will never know who is in heaven - that is completely up to God Himself.
You might ask... What does this have to do with me, worship, or obedience?
Just remember today as you spend time in worship of your Lord...
Make sure He gets more than just music although it's right to praise Him in song...
Make sure He gets more than just words from your lips although it's right to praise His Name and give witness and testimony to who He is and everything He has done in your life...
Let's make sure He gets obedience to His command to go into all the world and preach His gospel that there is no other name under heaven by which men must be saved.
Let's move beyond "Sunday morning worship" although it's right to give Him, and let's obey His call to spread the news, so here it is...
Jesus is the only way to heaven.
Jesus made a way for us to be forgiven by His death and resurrection.
You must trust in Jesus alone for your salvation.
You must turn from your sin and sinning out of obedience to Him.
True worship includes obedience to share your faith. We're not responsible for the results, but we have to do our part to take the name of Jesus to the ends of the earth.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Yesterday we held a memorial for a past corps (church) member. As always I don't know who makes it into heaven or not, anyone can call out and put their complete trust in Jesus alone for their salvation at any time, and many who call Jesus Lord will hear God say I never knew you, so I will never know who is in heaven - that is completely up to God Himself.
You might ask... What does this have to do with me, worship, or obedience?
Just remember today as you spend time in worship of your Lord...
Make sure He gets more than just music although it's right to praise Him in song...
Make sure He gets more than just words from your lips although it's right to praise His Name and give witness and testimony to who He is and everything He has done in your life...
Let's make sure He gets obedience to His command to go into all the world and preach His gospel that there is no other name under heaven by which men must be saved.
Let's move beyond "Sunday morning worship" although it's right to give Him, and let's obey His call to spread the news, so here it is...
Jesus is the only way to heaven.
Jesus made a way for us to be forgiven by His death and resurrection.
You must trust in Jesus alone for your salvation.
You must turn from your sin and sinning out of obedience to Him.
True worship includes obedience to share your faith. We're not responsible for the results, but we have to do our part to take the name of Jesus to the ends of the earth.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Missionary Living
Are you sharing the saving truth about Jesus Christ alone as the only way of salvation?
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Friday, April 24, 2009
15 reasons why I should unplug my TV (11-15)
This was taken from a Keith Drury writing from 1994 -- http://www.indwes.edu/tuesday .
I'd love your comments on what He writes. He has 15 reasons, here are numbers 11-15. Keith Drury writes...
Fifteen Reasons Why I Should Unplug My TV
I've been thinking about watching TV. I ought to unplug my TVs—at least for a week. Even if just to see if I could do it. I can think of 15 reasons why I, personally, ought to unplug:
11. TV is the great "agenda setter."
It irritates me. It embarrasses me too. Part of the reason I watch TV is to "keep up." To make sure I am "current," up-to-date, and "in the know" concerning the latest. Television tells me what is important to talk about at coffee break, over lunch, with fellow travelers at the airport. The great sin in modern society is to be "out of touch." I want to be aware of my world, so I can talk intelligently about what is going on.The trouble is, what the TV tells me is important really isn't. It is trivial, silly, even idiotic. Last year it constantly instructed me to talk about Michael Jackson, the Bobbits, and Tonya Harding. Last fall, O.J. Simpson was the issue. Next year it will have a whole new agenda. Not one of these things is really important at all, let alone biblically important. TV-watching causes me to adopt a secular agenda in my discussions. I need to talk more about God, godliness, holiness, righteousness, and the eternal truths, not the passing trivia of the TV agenda. I resent being controlled by this one-eyed master in my family room. Don't you think I ought to just unplug the thing?
12. Even the news doesn't redeem TV.
I wish it did, because I'm one of those persons with a special affinity for CNN and C-SPAN. But, to be honest, most of the news is not about the eternal issues facing men and women today. Since local news shows generate significant income for local TV stations, they fall to the tremendous pressure to grab ratings by scandalous stories, titillating topics, and staged video. Murders, rapes, tragedy, and a host of stories reflecting a dangerous world are the constant fare. The more I watch, the more I'm taught that people are not to be trusted and the world is a dangerous place. National news is worse. I remember how I was glued to CNN during the Gulf War. It seemed like such an important thing at the time. But, now that I reflect on it, just what was I watching? I was watching the terror of war—thousands of people being killed, sent to eternity without God—and I sat in my living room, with a snack, watching it all as if it was an entertaining video game. Shame on me! Even the news hasn't redeemed the overall general negative effect of television. I really ought to quit fooling myself by saying otherwise. I ought to just unplug it.
13. TV is addictive.
Sixty-four percent of Americans say TV has a negative effect on family life, according to Gallup. A full two-thirds say that TV has a negative effect on children, and 62% argue that TV promotes negative values. Then why do we watch? Why to I watch? Because it is a habit. TV is the "plug-in drug." It is more addictive than tobacco or alcohol or pornography. How do you know you are addicted? You try to stop! You unplug all the TV sets in your home. You see how you feel. See what happens. See how long you can go without television. As for me, I'm addicted. I need it. But it's bad for me. Isn't this a perfect example of addiction? I ought to unplug it. I shouldn't be addicted to anything. Except God.
14. It's getting time to vote.
I don't mean in a political election. I mean vote for something bigger. Christians in North America are rapidly coming to the place where we are going to have to "vote"—either for the culture or against it. Many Christian leaders are increasingly convinced that the only Christians in the future will be those who have "come out" of the culture to live different lives, based on the values of the Bible, not the latest values of the Phil Donahue Show. Perhaps we do not yet live in "Sodom." But once we do, separation is the only option. When this time comes (and it may not be far off,) my hunch is that many Christians will vote to stay in Sodom. They will have been so seduced by the world that they will keep on trying to be "salt" until they eventually "lose all their savor." Yet a few—a "remnant"—will vote to reject the culture and will start to live their lives on Christian principles and behaviors. It has happened dozens of times through history. It may be about to happen again. When that time comes, how will I vote? Will I be so softened and seduced by Sodom that I'll try to stay with an anemic attempt to "be a witness"? Or will I have the guts to reject Sodom's culture and become "peculiar" or "separate"? If I can't make a little decision on something like unplugging our televisions, how will I be able to make a decision on the really big vote coming later? This could be a good test for me. I ought to unplug my TVs as a test of my ability to resist the evil culture. Even if I only did it for a week, it would show me something. Wouldn't it?
15. Because of where TV is going.
I've been studying the TV-media industry the last few months. I've got a feel for where it's headed. In the future, we will have 500 cable channels to watch, providing a vast array of "whatever you want." Since cable is not restrained by broadcast standards, it will be able to provide even more of "what people want." What do they want? They want sex. They want violence. They want nudity. They want blood. No, they don't say they want these things. In fact, they condemn them noisily in all surveys, acting as if they're the silent "moral majority." They condemn them, but they watch such shows. They consistently drive up the ratings of shows featuring sex and violence. Titillation sells. And TV is about selling. It is about ratings. When we only had three channels, the TV executives provided some restraint among themselves. But with 500 channels, the competition will drive all of the shows to feed the base desires of men and women. Will TV get worse? The answer is obvious.And what about interactive television? In the future, we will no longer just watch a couple go to bed or undress, we will be able to control their actions interactively. In the future, we will see a merger of the TV, the CD-ROM, the computer, and the phone line. It is a leap of significant moral consequences from watching to directing actions of sex or violence.And all this is just the beginning. In the next fifteen years, homosexual "love" will be normal. Total nudity will be common. The "seven deadly words" will be eliminated, and we will hear everything imaginable (and quite a bit we can't yet imagine). God will be openly mocked. There will be "artistic joking," picturing goats, women, or two lesbians hanging on a cross. There will be direct promotion of anti-Christ values and, just perhaps, even promotion of the Antichrist himself. Certainly, this is where it will go, won't it? All you have to do is continue the line on the graph—project the rate of past change into the future.But all of this will happen gradually. That's the terror of television. It seduces us. It tempts us a tiny bit at a time, never overtly, and always with our willing participation—we go along. So most of us will gradually accommodate all of these things, and worse. Why not? Most of us now watch things we never dreamed we'd watch ten years ago. How did we get here? Gradually.
So, what should we do? I wonder what it would be like if our church went together and just unplugged our televisions. Possible? OK, maybe not. How about trying a one-week "unplugged" experiment? Just one week? Are you up to it? Think you can go off TV cold-turkey ... even for a week? Just one week? Shall we try it? If we all went off the plug-in drug together maybe we could do it?What do you think? Wannna' try?
----------------------------------------
Let me know your thoughts?
Live holy, preach Jesus!
I'd love your comments on what He writes. He has 15 reasons, here are numbers 11-15. Keith Drury writes...
Fifteen Reasons Why I Should Unplug My TV
I've been thinking about watching TV. I ought to unplug my TVs—at least for a week. Even if just to see if I could do it. I can think of 15 reasons why I, personally, ought to unplug:
11. TV is the great "agenda setter."
It irritates me. It embarrasses me too. Part of the reason I watch TV is to "keep up." To make sure I am "current," up-to-date, and "in the know" concerning the latest. Television tells me what is important to talk about at coffee break, over lunch, with fellow travelers at the airport. The great sin in modern society is to be "out of touch." I want to be aware of my world, so I can talk intelligently about what is going on.The trouble is, what the TV tells me is important really isn't. It is trivial, silly, even idiotic. Last year it constantly instructed me to talk about Michael Jackson, the Bobbits, and Tonya Harding. Last fall, O.J. Simpson was the issue. Next year it will have a whole new agenda. Not one of these things is really important at all, let alone biblically important. TV-watching causes me to adopt a secular agenda in my discussions. I need to talk more about God, godliness, holiness, righteousness, and the eternal truths, not the passing trivia of the TV agenda. I resent being controlled by this one-eyed master in my family room. Don't you think I ought to just unplug the thing?
12. Even the news doesn't redeem TV.
I wish it did, because I'm one of those persons with a special affinity for CNN and C-SPAN. But, to be honest, most of the news is not about the eternal issues facing men and women today. Since local news shows generate significant income for local TV stations, they fall to the tremendous pressure to grab ratings by scandalous stories, titillating topics, and staged video. Murders, rapes, tragedy, and a host of stories reflecting a dangerous world are the constant fare. The more I watch, the more I'm taught that people are not to be trusted and the world is a dangerous place. National news is worse. I remember how I was glued to CNN during the Gulf War. It seemed like such an important thing at the time. But, now that I reflect on it, just what was I watching? I was watching the terror of war—thousands of people being killed, sent to eternity without God—and I sat in my living room, with a snack, watching it all as if it was an entertaining video game. Shame on me! Even the news hasn't redeemed the overall general negative effect of television. I really ought to quit fooling myself by saying otherwise. I ought to just unplug it.
13. TV is addictive.
Sixty-four percent of Americans say TV has a negative effect on family life, according to Gallup. A full two-thirds say that TV has a negative effect on children, and 62% argue that TV promotes negative values. Then why do we watch? Why to I watch? Because it is a habit. TV is the "plug-in drug." It is more addictive than tobacco or alcohol or pornography. How do you know you are addicted? You try to stop! You unplug all the TV sets in your home. You see how you feel. See what happens. See how long you can go without television. As for me, I'm addicted. I need it. But it's bad for me. Isn't this a perfect example of addiction? I ought to unplug it. I shouldn't be addicted to anything. Except God.
14. It's getting time to vote.
I don't mean in a political election. I mean vote for something bigger. Christians in North America are rapidly coming to the place where we are going to have to "vote"—either for the culture or against it. Many Christian leaders are increasingly convinced that the only Christians in the future will be those who have "come out" of the culture to live different lives, based on the values of the Bible, not the latest values of the Phil Donahue Show. Perhaps we do not yet live in "Sodom." But once we do, separation is the only option. When this time comes (and it may not be far off,) my hunch is that many Christians will vote to stay in Sodom. They will have been so seduced by the world that they will keep on trying to be "salt" until they eventually "lose all their savor." Yet a few—a "remnant"—will vote to reject the culture and will start to live their lives on Christian principles and behaviors. It has happened dozens of times through history. It may be about to happen again. When that time comes, how will I vote? Will I be so softened and seduced by Sodom that I'll try to stay with an anemic attempt to "be a witness"? Or will I have the guts to reject Sodom's culture and become "peculiar" or "separate"? If I can't make a little decision on something like unplugging our televisions, how will I be able to make a decision on the really big vote coming later? This could be a good test for me. I ought to unplug my TVs as a test of my ability to resist the evil culture. Even if I only did it for a week, it would show me something. Wouldn't it?
15. Because of where TV is going.
I've been studying the TV-media industry the last few months. I've got a feel for where it's headed. In the future, we will have 500 cable channels to watch, providing a vast array of "whatever you want." Since cable is not restrained by broadcast standards, it will be able to provide even more of "what people want." What do they want? They want sex. They want violence. They want nudity. They want blood. No, they don't say they want these things. In fact, they condemn them noisily in all surveys, acting as if they're the silent "moral majority." They condemn them, but they watch such shows. They consistently drive up the ratings of shows featuring sex and violence. Titillation sells. And TV is about selling. It is about ratings. When we only had three channels, the TV executives provided some restraint among themselves. But with 500 channels, the competition will drive all of the shows to feed the base desires of men and women. Will TV get worse? The answer is obvious.And what about interactive television? In the future, we will no longer just watch a couple go to bed or undress, we will be able to control their actions interactively. In the future, we will see a merger of the TV, the CD-ROM, the computer, and the phone line. It is a leap of significant moral consequences from watching to directing actions of sex or violence.And all this is just the beginning. In the next fifteen years, homosexual "love" will be normal. Total nudity will be common. The "seven deadly words" will be eliminated, and we will hear everything imaginable (and quite a bit we can't yet imagine). God will be openly mocked. There will be "artistic joking," picturing goats, women, or two lesbians hanging on a cross. There will be direct promotion of anti-Christ values and, just perhaps, even promotion of the Antichrist himself. Certainly, this is where it will go, won't it? All you have to do is continue the line on the graph—project the rate of past change into the future.But all of this will happen gradually. That's the terror of television. It seduces us. It tempts us a tiny bit at a time, never overtly, and always with our willing participation—we go along. So most of us will gradually accommodate all of these things, and worse. Why not? Most of us now watch things we never dreamed we'd watch ten years ago. How did we get here? Gradually.
So, what should we do? I wonder what it would be like if our church went together and just unplugged our televisions. Possible? OK, maybe not. How about trying a one-week "unplugged" experiment? Just one week? Are you up to it? Think you can go off TV cold-turkey ... even for a week? Just one week? Shall we try it? If we all went off the plug-in drug together maybe we could do it?What do you think? Wannna' try?
----------------------------------------
Let me know your thoughts?
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
15 reasons why I should unplug my TV (6-10)
This was taken from a Keith Drury writing from 1994 -- http://www.indwes.edu/tuesday .
I'd love your comments on what He writes. He has 15 reasons, here are numbers 6-10. Keith Drury writes...
Fifteen Reasons Why I Should Unplug My TV
I've been thinking about watching TV. I ought to unplug my TVs—at least for a week. Even if just to see if I could do it. I can think of 15 reasons why I, personally, ought to unplug:
6. TV affects my vocabulary.
I haven't started saying all the things I've heard on television, but I'm far less shocked when I hear them. And I wonder, how long will it be until I start saying the words I hear? For instance, in the last decade, I have noticed a significant increase in the use of God's name in a casual way by Christians. I wonder if this is somehow connected with the frequent use of God's name on TV. I remember when I first heard this, how I reacted. It was clear to me that this was a violation of God's third commandment. In fact it is the clearest violation of that commandment you can imagine. Using God's name in a casual way. Now God's name is finding it's way into the language of Christians. How long will it be before I allow myself to say "My Lord," or "Oh God," or "For God's sake"? But it's not just God's name. Television constantly tries to adjust all of my vocabulary. I hear it every day. TV is constantly correcting, constantly teaching, constantly "discipling" me. It tries to teach me to say "partner" instead of "wife." It wants me to say "in a relationship" instead of "married," and "gay" instead of "homosexual." It is so effective at teaching me what is right and wrong in speech, that gradually the vocabulary of the world seems "politically correct." But, along with this new vocabulary come the world's values. I don't like what the TV does to my vocabulary. And what this new vocabulary does to my values. Why don't I just unplug it?
7. TV constantly models put-down humor.
It's most evident in shows like The Simpsons, Rosanne, and Married...With Children. But it's everywhere else as well. The relational modeling of TV is to deride others and criticize and put down loved ones. All this is done for the sake of humor. And it works. It is humorous. No wonder these same kinds of critical put-downs show up at home, in schools and at church. TV is a bad model for interpersonal relationships. It makes it easier for me to use put-down humor. I ought to just unplug it, I suppose.
8. TV promotes the sin of materialism.
Why would advertisers spend millions of dollars if their advertisements did not cause me to want things? TV engenders coveting, materialism and idolatry—finding joy in things. How much has this "materialistic pornography" influenced me already? What has it already persuaded me to find happiness in—besides God? What has the TV taught me to want? To want so badly that I consider it a need? I should simply unplug it, shouldn't I?
9. TV is a social evil.
It's like alcohol, or tobacco, or gambling. The net result is socially negative. TV executives argue that there is no connection whatsoever between violence on television and crime in the streets, or between TV's sexual titillation and the behavior of the individuals watching these programs. Yet, the same TV executives will collect a million dollars for a 30-second advertisement during the Super Bowl. How do they collect money for these advertisements? Who pays for them? Why would advertisers pay such sums if the medium has no affect whatsoever on behavior? C'mon. Quit kidding us! TV does change the way we act. The average child sees 8000 killings on TV by the eighth grade. Is this in no way connected with the fact that violent crime is up 560% over the last 30 years? So, even if the TV had absolutely no affect on me personally, I ought to unplug it—simply as a social protest or boycott against the evil it promotes in society.
10. TV depresses educational achievement.
The studies are decisive. The more TV that children watch, the less studying they do, the later they will stay up at night, and the more tired they will be the next day at school. The more TV that students watch, the lower they score on achievement tests. Besides these proven facts, TV works against reading and discussion, two primary ways people learn. But what if I'm an empty-nester and all the kids are gone? What does it do to my educational achievement? Does it inspire me to read more? Discuss things more? Does it define the really deep issues? What issues does television raise which will be around in 100 years? Even ten years? I'm afraid TV even depresses my own learning, not just the children's learning. If I had the guts, I'd just unplug it.
So, what should we do? I wonder what it would be like if our church went together and just unplugged our televisions. Possible? OK, maybe not. How about trying a one-week "unplugged" experiment? Just one week? Are you up to it? Think you can go off TV cold-turkey ... even for a week? Just one week? Shall we try it? If we all went off the plug-in drug together maybe we could do it?What do you think? Wannna' try?
----------------------------------------
Let me know your thoughts?
Live holy, preach Jesus!
I'd love your comments on what He writes. He has 15 reasons, here are numbers 6-10. Keith Drury writes...
Fifteen Reasons Why I Should Unplug My TV
I've been thinking about watching TV. I ought to unplug my TVs—at least for a week. Even if just to see if I could do it. I can think of 15 reasons why I, personally, ought to unplug:
6. TV affects my vocabulary.
I haven't started saying all the things I've heard on television, but I'm far less shocked when I hear them. And I wonder, how long will it be until I start saying the words I hear? For instance, in the last decade, I have noticed a significant increase in the use of God's name in a casual way by Christians. I wonder if this is somehow connected with the frequent use of God's name on TV. I remember when I first heard this, how I reacted. It was clear to me that this was a violation of God's third commandment. In fact it is the clearest violation of that commandment you can imagine. Using God's name in a casual way. Now God's name is finding it's way into the language of Christians. How long will it be before I allow myself to say "My Lord," or "Oh God," or "For God's sake"? But it's not just God's name. Television constantly tries to adjust all of my vocabulary. I hear it every day. TV is constantly correcting, constantly teaching, constantly "discipling" me. It tries to teach me to say "partner" instead of "wife." It wants me to say "in a relationship" instead of "married," and "gay" instead of "homosexual." It is so effective at teaching me what is right and wrong in speech, that gradually the vocabulary of the world seems "politically correct." But, along with this new vocabulary come the world's values. I don't like what the TV does to my vocabulary. And what this new vocabulary does to my values. Why don't I just unplug it?
7. TV constantly models put-down humor.
It's most evident in shows like The Simpsons, Rosanne, and Married...With Children. But it's everywhere else as well. The relational modeling of TV is to deride others and criticize and put down loved ones. All this is done for the sake of humor. And it works. It is humorous. No wonder these same kinds of critical put-downs show up at home, in schools and at church. TV is a bad model for interpersonal relationships. It makes it easier for me to use put-down humor. I ought to just unplug it, I suppose.
8. TV promotes the sin of materialism.
Why would advertisers spend millions of dollars if their advertisements did not cause me to want things? TV engenders coveting, materialism and idolatry—finding joy in things. How much has this "materialistic pornography" influenced me already? What has it already persuaded me to find happiness in—besides God? What has the TV taught me to want? To want so badly that I consider it a need? I should simply unplug it, shouldn't I?
9. TV is a social evil.
It's like alcohol, or tobacco, or gambling. The net result is socially negative. TV executives argue that there is no connection whatsoever between violence on television and crime in the streets, or between TV's sexual titillation and the behavior of the individuals watching these programs. Yet, the same TV executives will collect a million dollars for a 30-second advertisement during the Super Bowl. How do they collect money for these advertisements? Who pays for them? Why would advertisers pay such sums if the medium has no affect whatsoever on behavior? C'mon. Quit kidding us! TV does change the way we act. The average child sees 8000 killings on TV by the eighth grade. Is this in no way connected with the fact that violent crime is up 560% over the last 30 years? So, even if the TV had absolutely no affect on me personally, I ought to unplug it—simply as a social protest or boycott against the evil it promotes in society.
10. TV depresses educational achievement.
The studies are decisive. The more TV that children watch, the less studying they do, the later they will stay up at night, and the more tired they will be the next day at school. The more TV that students watch, the lower they score on achievement tests. Besides these proven facts, TV works against reading and discussion, two primary ways people learn. But what if I'm an empty-nester and all the kids are gone? What does it do to my educational achievement? Does it inspire me to read more? Discuss things more? Does it define the really deep issues? What issues does television raise which will be around in 100 years? Even ten years? I'm afraid TV even depresses my own learning, not just the children's learning. If I had the guts, I'd just unplug it.
So, what should we do? I wonder what it would be like if our church went together and just unplugged our televisions. Possible? OK, maybe not. How about trying a one-week "unplugged" experiment? Just one week? Are you up to it? Think you can go off TV cold-turkey ... even for a week? Just one week? Shall we try it? If we all went off the plug-in drug together maybe we could do it?What do you think? Wannna' try?
----------------------------------------
Let me know your thoughts?
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
15 reasons why I should unplug my TV (1-5)
This was taken from a Keith Drury writing from 1994 -- http://www.indwes.edu/tuesday .
I'd love your comments on what He writes. He has 15 reasons, here are numbers 1-5. Keith Drury writes...
Fifteen Reasons Why I Should Unplug My TV
I've been thinking about watching TV. I ought to unplug my TVs—at least for a week. Even if just to see if I could do it. I can think of 15 reasons why I, personally, ought to unplug:
1. TV is the number one secularizing influence in my life.
The Devil has a million ways to get at me, but television is his best way of "getting into my head." TV is the most effective influence to make me a less-committed Christian. If I keep watching it, I'll become even more secular in my mind-set. I should unplug my TV.
2. TV is my biggest time robber.
I waste time on other things, but TV is the biggest black hole of all. Where does TV time come from? It is time which could be spent on better things. Working in my wood shop. Working in the garden. Spending time with my kids. Having a chat with my wife. Going for a walk. In fact, the average person logs more time in front of the TV than doing anything else, except sleeping. The average American adult spends 3½ hours per day watching TV. That is 52 complete 24-hour days every year. We adults spend a full 12 years of our life span watching TV (we spend four months in Sunday school).I sometimes complain, "I don't have enough time." But the truth is, I have the same amount of time Jesus Christ had—24 hours each day. It's not how much time I "have," but how I use my time that is my problem. I watch TV far less than the average adult, but it's still my single biggest time robber. I should unplug it.
3. TV softens me toward sin.
The television is highly effective at brainwashing. It seduces me into accepting sins the Bible clearly rejects. Its story-telling and interview formats raise feelings of sympathy, compassion and understanding for behaviors I know are wrong. TV has already made me softer on divorce. Right now it is trying to convince me that marital unfaithfulness is normal—even attractive. And, increasingly, TV will persuade me that homosexual behavior is simply an alternative lifestyle of people "born this way."If I keep watching TV on a regular basis, it will surely convince me to soften, then fully accept, these sins. I have watched how this happens to me. I am at first outraged by what I see. I angrily switch to another channel or turn it off completely. But, over time, the outrage dissipates. Eventually I allow the offense to pass by with only a verbal rejection like "that's not true" or "that doesn't fit with what the Bible says." Finally, I quit making verbal comments and hardly notice. Sin has lost its shock. The more I watch TV, the more "understanding" I become toward sin. I should unplug my TV, shouldn't I?
4. TV presents a false view of marriage.
Because it is an emotional medium, TV constantly focuses on falling in love, having sex, and breaking up. This is a false view of marriage. Most of marriage is, well...boring. It's not all stimulation and excitement, with wild and wonderful trips to Acapulco. Marriage is mostly routine, based on commitment—not the romantic ideal presented on TV.And beyond this false view of marriage, TV is constantly biased against the biblical pattern of marriage. While two-thirds of US adults are married, television constantly focuses on singleness and single parenting, and brainwashes us to believe married life is neither average nor normal. And even when it does feature married couples, these couples are awful examples of regular married life, let alone a Christian marriage. Marriage is tough enough work in today's world, without the influence of television dragging me away from the biblical model. I suppose I should simply unplug my TVs—all of them.
5. TV gives me a distorted view of religion.
Secular shows are constantly portraying ministers as corrupt, greedy, greasy hypocrites. I don't like that. I don't want my kids being brainwashed against preachers and the ministry. But while preachers do poorly, religion itself does little better. The media's anti-religion bias is deep. Researchers from Duke, Northwestern, and The University of Dayton studied 100 episodes of prime-time TV shows including 1,464 speaking characters and 70 hours of programming. Ninety-five percent of the people showed no discernible religious affiliation whatsoever. And of the 5% which made some reference to religion (mostly to prayer, such as "thank God" or something similar), a full half of these presented the religious message in a negative light. This shouldn't surprise me. Only 7% of TV executives attend church regularly, while 97% are pro-abortion and 80% pro-homosexual. It shouldn't shock me that the television constantly brainwashes me toward a negative and distorted view of religion. I suppose I might argue that my mind is made up. But what does this do to children? And religious programming is no better. Religious TV portrays such a sick view of true religion that viewing secular programming might be safer. I should just unplug the thing.
----------------------------------------
Let me know your thoughts?
Live holy, preach Jesus!
I'd love your comments on what He writes. He has 15 reasons, here are numbers 1-5. Keith Drury writes...
Fifteen Reasons Why I Should Unplug My TV
I've been thinking about watching TV. I ought to unplug my TVs—at least for a week. Even if just to see if I could do it. I can think of 15 reasons why I, personally, ought to unplug:
1. TV is the number one secularizing influence in my life.
The Devil has a million ways to get at me, but television is his best way of "getting into my head." TV is the most effective influence to make me a less-committed Christian. If I keep watching it, I'll become even more secular in my mind-set. I should unplug my TV.
2. TV is my biggest time robber.
I waste time on other things, but TV is the biggest black hole of all. Where does TV time come from? It is time which could be spent on better things. Working in my wood shop. Working in the garden. Spending time with my kids. Having a chat with my wife. Going for a walk. In fact, the average person logs more time in front of the TV than doing anything else, except sleeping. The average American adult spends 3½ hours per day watching TV. That is 52 complete 24-hour days every year. We adults spend a full 12 years of our life span watching TV (we spend four months in Sunday school).I sometimes complain, "I don't have enough time." But the truth is, I have the same amount of time Jesus Christ had—24 hours each day. It's not how much time I "have," but how I use my time that is my problem. I watch TV far less than the average adult, but it's still my single biggest time robber. I should unplug it.
3. TV softens me toward sin.
The television is highly effective at brainwashing. It seduces me into accepting sins the Bible clearly rejects. Its story-telling and interview formats raise feelings of sympathy, compassion and understanding for behaviors I know are wrong. TV has already made me softer on divorce. Right now it is trying to convince me that marital unfaithfulness is normal—even attractive. And, increasingly, TV will persuade me that homosexual behavior is simply an alternative lifestyle of people "born this way."If I keep watching TV on a regular basis, it will surely convince me to soften, then fully accept, these sins. I have watched how this happens to me. I am at first outraged by what I see. I angrily switch to another channel or turn it off completely. But, over time, the outrage dissipates. Eventually I allow the offense to pass by with only a verbal rejection like "that's not true" or "that doesn't fit with what the Bible says." Finally, I quit making verbal comments and hardly notice. Sin has lost its shock. The more I watch TV, the more "understanding" I become toward sin. I should unplug my TV, shouldn't I?
4. TV presents a false view of marriage.
Because it is an emotional medium, TV constantly focuses on falling in love, having sex, and breaking up. This is a false view of marriage. Most of marriage is, well...boring. It's not all stimulation and excitement, with wild and wonderful trips to Acapulco. Marriage is mostly routine, based on commitment—not the romantic ideal presented on TV.And beyond this false view of marriage, TV is constantly biased against the biblical pattern of marriage. While two-thirds of US adults are married, television constantly focuses on singleness and single parenting, and brainwashes us to believe married life is neither average nor normal. And even when it does feature married couples, these couples are awful examples of regular married life, let alone a Christian marriage. Marriage is tough enough work in today's world, without the influence of television dragging me away from the biblical model. I suppose I should simply unplug my TVs—all of them.
5. TV gives me a distorted view of religion.
Secular shows are constantly portraying ministers as corrupt, greedy, greasy hypocrites. I don't like that. I don't want my kids being brainwashed against preachers and the ministry. But while preachers do poorly, religion itself does little better. The media's anti-religion bias is deep. Researchers from Duke, Northwestern, and The University of Dayton studied 100 episodes of prime-time TV shows including 1,464 speaking characters and 70 hours of programming. Ninety-five percent of the people showed no discernible religious affiliation whatsoever. And of the 5% which made some reference to religion (mostly to prayer, such as "thank God" or something similar), a full half of these presented the religious message in a negative light. This shouldn't surprise me. Only 7% of TV executives attend church regularly, while 97% are pro-abortion and 80% pro-homosexual. It shouldn't shock me that the television constantly brainwashes me toward a negative and distorted view of religion. I suppose I might argue that my mind is made up. But what does this do to children? And religious programming is no better. Religious TV portrays such a sick view of true religion that viewing secular programming might be safer. I should just unplug the thing.
----------------------------------------
Let me know your thoughts?
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Psalm 23 Remix - the "anti-scriptural" version?
PSALM 23 REMIX - I found this at www.sendthefire.ca
The T.V. is my shepherd I shall always be in want.
It makes me to lie down on the sofa,
it leads me away from the faith,
it destroys my soul.
It leads me to the path of sex and violence for the advertiser’s sake.
Even though I walk in the shadow of Christian responsibilities,
there will be no interruption, for the T.V. is with me;
its cable and remote control, they comfort me.
It prepares a commercial for me every few minutes.
And anoints my head with secular humanism and consumerism;
My cup of ‘greed’ and ‘want’ runs over.
Surely ignorance and laziness shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall loaf around in the house of wretchedness watching T.V. forever.
Questons for consideration and meditation...
- How much T.V. do you watch?
- What affect do you think T.V. has on your life?
- How is it shaping your attitudes towards things? Actions? Mind? Relationships with others?
- How do you decide what to watch and what not to?
- Have you ever switched the channel because content wasn’t appropriate?
- Compare your time watching T.V. to prayer time. Which is greater? Why is that?
- Does God get your "prime time" or your leftovers?
Live holy, preach Jesus!
The T.V. is my shepherd I shall always be in want.
It makes me to lie down on the sofa,
it leads me away from the faith,
it destroys my soul.
It leads me to the path of sex and violence for the advertiser’s sake.
Even though I walk in the shadow of Christian responsibilities,
there will be no interruption, for the T.V. is with me;
its cable and remote control, they comfort me.
It prepares a commercial for me every few minutes.
And anoints my head with secular humanism and consumerism;
My cup of ‘greed’ and ‘want’ runs over.
Surely ignorance and laziness shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall loaf around in the house of wretchedness watching T.V. forever.
Questons for consideration and meditation...
- How much T.V. do you watch?
- What affect do you think T.V. has on your life?
- How is it shaping your attitudes towards things? Actions? Mind? Relationships with others?
- How do you decide what to watch and what not to?
- Have you ever switched the channel because content wasn’t appropriate?
- Compare your time watching T.V. to prayer time. Which is greater? Why is that?
- Does God get your "prime time" or your leftovers?
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Sunday's Sermon - What Jesus left behind
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options.
For sermon notes see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For sermon notes see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Spend some time with God, then have a rest.
I'm just getting back from the a seminar, so I admit this is a repost of my blog from Sunday, February 15, 2009. I know it still applies to me today, hopefully you will enjoy it again.
This is a reminder to spend some time in the presence of Jesus today. Make sure you take time not just to be blessed by God, but to worship in such a way that you will bless Him.
Receive the fact that God has made available everything you need for salvation, life, and godliness.
Recommit to living your life as a holy offering for the One who gave His life for you. Spend some time today keeping your repentance "up to date". Confess your every sin.
Resolve to walk in the enabling power of the Holy Spirit that you might have no "known sin".
Renew your desire to be a soldier of God, who will not be ashamed to boldly declare the Truth found in Jesus.
Rest in this word from God, spoken through the prophet Isaiah (30:15)... This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength,...
In case you don't know how this verse ended for the people of Isaiah's day, he concluded God's message this way...."In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength,... but you would have none of it."How about spending some time with God today, then have some rest.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
This is a reminder to spend some time in the presence of Jesus today. Make sure you take time not just to be blessed by God, but to worship in such a way that you will bless Him.
Receive the fact that God has made available everything you need for salvation, life, and godliness.
Recommit to living your life as a holy offering for the One who gave His life for you. Spend some time today keeping your repentance "up to date". Confess your every sin.
Resolve to walk in the enabling power of the Holy Spirit that you might have no "known sin".
Renew your desire to be a soldier of God, who will not be ashamed to boldly declare the Truth found in Jesus.
Rest in this word from God, spoken through the prophet Isaiah (30:15)... This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength,...
In case you don't know how this verse ended for the people of Isaiah's day, he concluded God's message this way...."In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength,... but you would have none of it."How about spending some time with God today, then have some rest.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Leadership Training Serminar in Anchorage
Sorry for the late post today...
My automatic post didn't work today and I just got back from a good time up in Anchorage.
I'm glad to report that I drove up from Homer with 4 of our Corps (church) members to attend a leadership training seminar. God is good and we enjoyed a time with other local leaders from Kodiak, Kenai, Anchorage Korean, the ARP (the rehab center), Wasilla, and Anchorage Corps.
DHQ (Divisional Head Quarters) did a great job with additional training for youth leadership and evangelism training.
Nothing life changing to post today other than God is good, He granted safe travels to all, He inspired us all to greater service out of love for Him, and might even be spurring those that went with me to greater acts of service (and maybe even leadership) in the Corps.
God bless your Corps and church meetings tomorrow. May God enjoy your worship and may you meet Him there.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
My automatic post didn't work today and I just got back from a good time up in Anchorage.
I'm glad to report that I drove up from Homer with 4 of our Corps (church) members to attend a leadership training seminar. God is good and we enjoyed a time with other local leaders from Kodiak, Kenai, Anchorage Korean, the ARP (the rehab center), Wasilla, and Anchorage Corps.
DHQ (Divisional Head Quarters) did a great job with additional training for youth leadership and evangelism training.
Nothing life changing to post today other than God is good, He granted safe travels to all, He inspired us all to greater service out of love for Him, and might even be spurring those that went with me to greater acts of service (and maybe even leadership) in the Corps.
God bless your Corps and church meetings tomorrow. May God enjoy your worship and may you meet Him there.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Captain's meditation on evangelism & Proverbs 21:11-12
William Booth (founder of The Salvation Army)…"Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear Him bid you 'go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin." Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father's house and bid their brothers and sisters and servants and masters not to come there."
William Booth also said... “I do not want another ecclesiastical corps cumbering the earth. When The Salvation Army ceases to be a militant body of red hot men and women whose supreme business is the saving of souls, I hope it will vanish utterly.”
Charles Spurgeon said… If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned or unprayed for.
Catherine Booth... "You are not here in the world for yourself. You have been sent here for others. The world is waiting for you!"
In Proverbs 24:11 – 12 we read... Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Live holy, preach Jesus!
William Booth also said... “I do not want another ecclesiastical corps cumbering the earth. When The Salvation Army ceases to be a militant body of red hot men and women whose supreme business is the saving of souls, I hope it will vanish utterly.”
Charles Spurgeon said… If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned or unprayed for.
Catherine Booth... "You are not here in the world for yourself. You have been sent here for others. The world is waiting for you!"
In Proverbs 24:11 – 12 we read... Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
The Shanty Remodel - great thought from an email
Source: A.B. Simpson, founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, in his book Wholly Sanctified. Contributor: Jim Luthy
In the upper portion of New York City, many citizens may often have noticed, especially in the past years, a great number of miserable shanties standing on the choicest sites. Though perhaps on the corner of a splendid new avenue or looking out on a magnificent prospect, the houses were utterly unworthy of their sites.
Suppose that a millionaire should want to purchase a site, and the owner should begin, before giving possession, to repair the old shanty for the new owner, putting fresh thatch on the miserable roof and a new coat of whitewash on the dirty walls. How the purchaser would laugh at him and say, "My friend, I do not want your miserable old wreck of a tenement fixed up like this. At the best, it will only be a shanty when you have done all you can to it, and I will never live in it. All I want is the ground, the site, and when I get it I will raze the old heap of rubbish to the foundations and dig deep down to the solid rock before I build my splendid mansion. I will then build from the base my own new house according to my own magnificent plan. I do not want a vestige of your house; all that I require is the location."
This is exactly what God wants of us and waits to do in us. Each of us has a splendid site for a heavenly temple. It looks out upon eternity and commands a view of all that is glorious in the possibilities of existence. The house that is built upon it now, however, is a worthless wreck; it is past improving. Our patching and repairing is worse than waste. What God wants of us is simply that we give him the possibilities of our lives and let him build upon them a temple of holiness which he will make his own abode and which he will let us dwell in with him as his happy guests in the house of the Lord forever.
------------------------
Salvationists & fellow followers of Jesus Christ - Live holy, preach Jesus!
In the upper portion of New York City, many citizens may often have noticed, especially in the past years, a great number of miserable shanties standing on the choicest sites. Though perhaps on the corner of a splendid new avenue or looking out on a magnificent prospect, the houses were utterly unworthy of their sites.
Suppose that a millionaire should want to purchase a site, and the owner should begin, before giving possession, to repair the old shanty for the new owner, putting fresh thatch on the miserable roof and a new coat of whitewash on the dirty walls. How the purchaser would laugh at him and say, "My friend, I do not want your miserable old wreck of a tenement fixed up like this. At the best, it will only be a shanty when you have done all you can to it, and I will never live in it. All I want is the ground, the site, and when I get it I will raze the old heap of rubbish to the foundations and dig deep down to the solid rock before I build my splendid mansion. I will then build from the base my own new house according to my own magnificent plan. I do not want a vestige of your house; all that I require is the location."
This is exactly what God wants of us and waits to do in us. Each of us has a splendid site for a heavenly temple. It looks out upon eternity and commands a view of all that is glorious in the possibilities of existence. The house that is built upon it now, however, is a worthless wreck; it is past improving. Our patching and repairing is worse than waste. What God wants of us is simply that we give him the possibilities of our lives and let him build upon them a temple of holiness which he will make his own abode and which he will let us dwell in with him as his happy guests in the house of the Lord forever.
------------------------
Salvationists & fellow followers of Jesus Christ - Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Lessons from my garage door?
Carrying on the thought from yesterday's post about Samson not knowing the Lord had left him...
Just a couple weeks ago our garage door motor died. Here in homer there's really only one place to get it repaired and that one man was out of town for two weeks, then another week to order parts. While I waited for the repair I kept habitually pushing the garage door button in my van only to find that the power was gone.
Can you imagine doing something habitually, that you have always done before, and not knowing the power was gone?
Unfortunately I believe that too many Salvation Army Corps, too many churches, and too many believers just slip into autopilot, just doing what we've always done, and we don't realize that God invited us to move on to new things.
Let's not be afraid to admit when God has called us to move on from old things that have served His purpose in the past, to new things, new "programs", new strategies, and a new fresh empowerment of His Spirit.
Let's not live out of habit, but daily empowered by the Lord.
To you my fellow soldiers, officers, and followers of Jesus, you are on my heart today and my prayers are with you.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Just a couple weeks ago our garage door motor died. Here in homer there's really only one place to get it repaired and that one man was out of town for two weeks, then another week to order parts. While I waited for the repair I kept habitually pushing the garage door button in my van only to find that the power was gone.
Can you imagine doing something habitually, that you have always done before, and not knowing the power was gone?
Unfortunately I believe that too many Salvation Army Corps, too many churches, and too many believers just slip into autopilot, just doing what we've always done, and we don't realize that God invited us to move on to new things.
Let's not be afraid to admit when God has called us to move on from old things that have served His purpose in the past, to new things, new "programs", new strategies, and a new fresh empowerment of His Spirit.
Let's not live out of habit, but daily empowered by the Lord.
To you my fellow soldiers, officers, and followers of Jesus, you are on my heart today and my prayers are with you.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Captain's meditation on Judges 16:20
In case you haven't read it lately, Judges chapter 16 has one of the most "famous" stories in the bible and also what may be among the most painful verses in God's Word.
Judges 16:20 after "toying" with giving away the secret to his strength, Samson eventually tells Delilah about his hair (of course his strength was from God, but Samson was under a vow to live a certain way, set apart, to be in a position to receive the power).
When Samson gave away the secret and allowed himself to be in a position to be compromised, his hair was cut, the enemy burst in, Delilah called out, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!" and then these words.... Judges 16:20 Samson - He awoke from his sleep and thought, "I'll go out as before and shake myself free." But he did not know that the LORD had left him.
How often do we miss out on the power from on high because we "toy with sin" and fail to live set apart for God.
Today is a new day - renew your vows to the Lord - flee from sin - live set apart, and find God's power sufficient for every task He has for you.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Judges 16:20 after "toying" with giving away the secret to his strength, Samson eventually tells Delilah about his hair (of course his strength was from God, but Samson was under a vow to live a certain way, set apart, to be in a position to receive the power).
When Samson gave away the secret and allowed himself to be in a position to be compromised, his hair was cut, the enemy burst in, Delilah called out, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!" and then these words.... Judges 16:20 Samson - He awoke from his sleep and thought, "I'll go out as before and shake myself free." But he did not know that the LORD had left him.
How often do we miss out on the power from on high because we "toy with sin" and fail to live set apart for God.
Today is a new day - renew your vows to the Lord - flee from sin - live set apart, and find God's power sufficient for every task He has for you.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Sunday's Sermon - Easter Resurrection Sunday!
He is risen! He is risen indeed!
To listen to this yesterday's Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options.
For sermon notes see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF for notes. Today's notes have a fill in section and then a full manuscript outline of my study for today's sermon.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
To listen to this yesterday's Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options.
For sermon notes see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF for notes. Today's notes have a fill in section and then a full manuscript outline of my study for today's sermon.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
It's Resurrection Sunday - He is Risen! He is Risen indeed!
In Kipling’s story, The Jungle Book, Mowgli, the man cub, asks the animals what’s the most feared thing in the jungle. He’s told that when two animals meet on a narrow path that one must step aside and let the other pass. The animal that steps aside for no one would then be the most feared. Mowgli wants to know what kind of animal would that be? One tells him it’s an elephant. Another tells him it’s a lion. Finally the wise old owl exclaims, “The most feared thing in the jungle is death. It steps aside for no one.”
Death is an absolute truth for all of us. No one is exempt from death.
Heb. 9:27 – It is appointed to all men once to die and after that the judgment.
Ecc. 7:2 – …for death is the destiny of every man.
But death was not the destiny of Jesus Christ. Jesus was God in the flesh and death had to step aside for him. Like a coward steps aside for the brave, death cowered in the presence of the power of Jesus Christ.
Rom. 6:9 – For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.
Today we celebrate Easter or what I prefer to call Resurrection Sunday and it’s the celebration that death could not keep Jesus down!
The resurrection is of supreme importance because it is what separates from all the other religious leaders of the world? Death stepped aside for Him and not them.
Death didn’t step aside for Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. Their religious teachings did make an impact on the world, but they died never to be seen alive again.
Jesus was more than a great teacher, more than just a man, He was God incarnate, and He proved His superiority over all religious teachers by conquering sin, death, and the grave.
The resurrection is important to our faith because it’s what guarantees the absolute validity about who Jesus was and the truth of His teachings. -If there was no resurrection of Christ, then our faith is based on the teachings of a mere man.
Dr. David Seamands tells of a Muslim who became a Christian in Africa: “Some of his friends asked him, ‘Why did you become a Christian?’ He answered, ‘Well, It’s like this. Suppose you were going down the road and suddenly the road forked in two directions and you didn’t know which way to go, and there at the fork in the road were two men, one dead and one alive. Which one would you ask which way to go?’”
Today there's no greater question than where you will spend eternity. Only through faith in Jesus Christ (trusting in Jesus alone), and by repenting of your sins (remorse for your sin and a promise to now turn from them to let God lead your lfie) can you be saved.
If you want more information on how to have a personal relationship with the Risen Savior Jesus Christ, contact your local Salvation Army or call me at 907.235.2609, or email mark.thielenhaus@usw.salvationarmy.org I would love to share more with you.
Jesus died to pay the penalty for your sins, and He rose again to prove He was God and that His teaching is true. Once you accept Him, GO AND TELL SOMEBODY RIGHT AWAY and don't ever stop, the free gift of eternal life is for anyone who will call on Him.
We aren't promised tomorrow, nor are those you come in contact with, let no one die in their sins, live holy, and preach Jesus.
HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!
Death is an absolute truth for all of us. No one is exempt from death.
Heb. 9:27 – It is appointed to all men once to die and after that the judgment.
Ecc. 7:2 – …for death is the destiny of every man.
But death was not the destiny of Jesus Christ. Jesus was God in the flesh and death had to step aside for him. Like a coward steps aside for the brave, death cowered in the presence of the power of Jesus Christ.
Rom. 6:9 – For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.
Today we celebrate Easter or what I prefer to call Resurrection Sunday and it’s the celebration that death could not keep Jesus down!
The resurrection is of supreme importance because it is what separates from all the other religious leaders of the world? Death stepped aside for Him and not them.
Death didn’t step aside for Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. Their religious teachings did make an impact on the world, but they died never to be seen alive again.
Jesus was more than a great teacher, more than just a man, He was God incarnate, and He proved His superiority over all religious teachers by conquering sin, death, and the grave.
The resurrection is important to our faith because it’s what guarantees the absolute validity about who Jesus was and the truth of His teachings. -If there was no resurrection of Christ, then our faith is based on the teachings of a mere man.
Dr. David Seamands tells of a Muslim who became a Christian in Africa: “Some of his friends asked him, ‘Why did you become a Christian?’ He answered, ‘Well, It’s like this. Suppose you were going down the road and suddenly the road forked in two directions and you didn’t know which way to go, and there at the fork in the road were two men, one dead and one alive. Which one would you ask which way to go?’”
Today there's no greater question than where you will spend eternity. Only through faith in Jesus Christ (trusting in Jesus alone), and by repenting of your sins (remorse for your sin and a promise to now turn from them to let God lead your lfie) can you be saved.
If you want more information on how to have a personal relationship with the Risen Savior Jesus Christ, contact your local Salvation Army or call me at 907.235.2609, or email mark.thielenhaus@usw.salvationarmy.org I would love to share more with you.
Jesus died to pay the penalty for your sins, and He rose again to prove He was God and that His teaching is true. Once you accept Him, GO AND TELL SOMEBODY RIGHT AWAY and don't ever stop, the free gift of eternal life is for anyone who will call on Him.
We aren't promised tomorrow, nor are those you come in contact with, let no one die in their sins, live holy, and preach Jesus.
HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The Walk of the Cross 2009
Our small town of about 5,000 will regularly meet on Good Friday for "The walk of the cross". During this event we have various churches come together as a united group of believers to carry a large cross through town to remind others about the point behind Good Friday and the true meaning of Resurrection Sunday.
This year we started at our Salvation Army Corps in Homer, stopped half-way through town at the 7th Day Adventist church and then ended at the Homer Assembly of God. At each location we had just a couple scriptures, prayer, and a couple songs.
It was a good time of fellowship and walking with about 60 others who claim Jesus as their Savior. Just press the "play arrow" to listen to a portion of the meeting (songs were edited out). Lord Jesus may we never forget what you did for us on the cross.
Pictures will be posted below
Live holy, preach Jesus!
This year we started at our Salvation Army Corps in Homer, stopped half-way through town at the 7th Day Adventist church and then ended at the Homer Assembly of God. At each location we had just a couple scriptures, prayer, and a couple songs.
It was a good time of fellowship and walking with about 60 others who claim Jesus as their Savior. Just press the "play arrow" to listen to a portion of the meeting (songs were edited out). Lord Jesus may we never forget what you did for us on the cross.
Pictures will be posted below
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Captain's Good Friday Meditations
1st read these powerful words of reflection on the cross of Christ and the proper response of love for a Savior who would sacrificially face the cross for us...
I walked one day along a country road (Song Book #357 Alfred Ackley)
1. I walked one day along a country road, and there a stranger journeyed too; bent low beneath the burden of his load; It was a cross, a cross I knew.
Chorus: Take up thy cross and follow me, I hear the blessed Savior call; How can I make a lesser sacrifice when Jesus gave his all?
2. I cried: Lord Jesus! and he spoke my name; I saw his hands all bruised and torn; I stooped to kiss away the marks of shame, The shame for me that he had borne.
3. O let me bear thy cross dear Lord, I cried, and lo, a cross for me appeared; the one, forgotten, I had cast aside, The one so long that I had feared.
-------------------
2nd take time to read this...
A medical doctor provides a physical description of "and they crucified Him":
The cross is placed on the ground and the exhausted man is quickly thrown backwards with his shoulders against the wood. The legionnaire feels for the depression at the front of the wrist. He drives a heavy, square wrought iron nail through the wrist deep into the wood. Quickly, he moves to the other side and repeats the action, being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flex and movement. The cross is then lifted into place. The left foot is pressed backward against the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail is driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees flexed.
The victim is now crucified. As he slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating fiery pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain - the nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the median nerves. As he pushes himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, he places the full weight on the nail through his feet. Again he feels the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the bones of his feet. As the arms fatigue, cramps sweep through his muscles, knotting them deep relentless, throbbing pain.
With these cramps comes the inability to push himself upward to breathe. Air can be drawn into the lungs but not exhaled. He fights to raise himself in order to get even one small breath. Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and in the blood stream, and the cramps partially subsided. Spasmodically, he is able to push himself upward to exhale and bring in life-giving oxygen.
Hours of limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint wrenching cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from his lacerated back as he moves up and down against rough timber.
Then another agony begins: a deep, crushing pain deep in the chest asthepericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart. It is now almost over. The loss of tissue fluids has reached a critical level-the compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues and the tortured lungs are making frantic effort to gasp in Small gulps of air. He can feel the chill of death creeping through his tissues...Finally, he can allow his body to die...
All of this the Bible records with the simple words, "and they crucified Him," (Mark 15:24).
What wondrous love is this? Many people don't know that pain and suffering our Lord, Jesus Christ went through for us...because of the brutality; crucifixion was given as sentence to only its worst offenders of the law.
Thieves, murderers, and rapists would be the types of creeps who got crucified. Yet, here Jesus is being crucified between two hardened criminals...What did Jesus do? Did he murder anyone? Did he steal anything? The answer as we all know is NO!! Jesus did nothing to deserve this type of death, yet he went willing to die, in between 2 thieves, so that we might be saved. And there, in between the sinners, was our slain savior for our sins.
----------------------
Today you can find a relationship with God the Father by accepting by faith (trust in Jesus alone) what Jesus did on the cross for you. Jesus paid the fine and penalty for your sins, so that God's justice could be served, yet you could be set free.
If you repent of your sins (feel remorse for what they cost Jesus, confess them, and turn away from them to now live for God) you can claim a new relationship as a child of God.
If you ever want more information on what it is to have a relationship with God through Jesus, don't hesitate to contact me at The Salvation Army in Homer Alaska, or your local Salvation Army.
My email is Mark.Thielenhaus@usw.salvationarmy.org
Live holy, preach Jesus!
I walked one day along a country road (Song Book #357 Alfred Ackley)
1. I walked one day along a country road, and there a stranger journeyed too; bent low beneath the burden of his load; It was a cross, a cross I knew.
Chorus: Take up thy cross and follow me, I hear the blessed Savior call; How can I make a lesser sacrifice when Jesus gave his all?
2. I cried: Lord Jesus! and he spoke my name; I saw his hands all bruised and torn; I stooped to kiss away the marks of shame, The shame for me that he had borne.
3. O let me bear thy cross dear Lord, I cried, and lo, a cross for me appeared; the one, forgotten, I had cast aside, The one so long that I had feared.
-------------------
2nd take time to read this...
A medical doctor provides a physical description of "and they crucified Him":
The cross is placed on the ground and the exhausted man is quickly thrown backwards with his shoulders against the wood. The legionnaire feels for the depression at the front of the wrist. He drives a heavy, square wrought iron nail through the wrist deep into the wood. Quickly, he moves to the other side and repeats the action, being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flex and movement. The cross is then lifted into place. The left foot is pressed backward against the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail is driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees flexed.
The victim is now crucified. As he slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating fiery pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain - the nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the median nerves. As he pushes himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, he places the full weight on the nail through his feet. Again he feels the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the bones of his feet. As the arms fatigue, cramps sweep through his muscles, knotting them deep relentless, throbbing pain.
With these cramps comes the inability to push himself upward to breathe. Air can be drawn into the lungs but not exhaled. He fights to raise himself in order to get even one small breath. Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and in the blood stream, and the cramps partially subsided. Spasmodically, he is able to push himself upward to exhale and bring in life-giving oxygen.
Hours of limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint wrenching cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from his lacerated back as he moves up and down against rough timber.
Then another agony begins: a deep, crushing pain deep in the chest asthepericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart. It is now almost over. The loss of tissue fluids has reached a critical level-the compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues and the tortured lungs are making frantic effort to gasp in Small gulps of air. He can feel the chill of death creeping through his tissues...Finally, he can allow his body to die...
All of this the Bible records with the simple words, "and they crucified Him," (Mark 15:24).
What wondrous love is this? Many people don't know that pain and suffering our Lord, Jesus Christ went through for us...because of the brutality; crucifixion was given as sentence to only its worst offenders of the law.
Thieves, murderers, and rapists would be the types of creeps who got crucified. Yet, here Jesus is being crucified between two hardened criminals...What did Jesus do? Did he murder anyone? Did he steal anything? The answer as we all know is NO!! Jesus did nothing to deserve this type of death, yet he went willing to die, in between 2 thieves, so that we might be saved. And there, in between the sinners, was our slain savior for our sins.
----------------------
Today you can find a relationship with God the Father by accepting by faith (trust in Jesus alone) what Jesus did on the cross for you. Jesus paid the fine and penalty for your sins, so that God's justice could be served, yet you could be set free.
If you repent of your sins (feel remorse for what they cost Jesus, confess them, and turn away from them to now live for God) you can claim a new relationship as a child of God.
If you ever want more information on what it is to have a relationship with God through Jesus, don't hesitate to contact me at The Salvation Army in Homer Alaska, or your local Salvation Army.
My email is Mark.Thielenhaus@usw.salvationarmy.org
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
A blessed Holy Thursday to you (Maundy Thursday).
Hello Soldiers, Friends, and Family,
Today we remember Maundy Thursday (or Holy Thursday). We recall Jesus last supper with His disciples, His amazing example of love and servanthood as He Himself washed the disciple's feet (and yes even Judas). We then recall His prayer in the garden as He prayed "not my will by Thine be done", while those closest too Him couldn't stay awake an hour to support Him in prayer.
Luke 6:40 Jesus says... A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.
Let's follow Jesus' example today as we reflect on His example.
He spent time with those closest to Him telling them to remember His supreme sacrifice (that we know is in the cross and His resurrection) every time they broke bread together.
He modeled true servanthood and commanded us to do the same while washing the feet of His disciples.
He prayed for each of us, and chose to do His Father's will over His human desire to avoid the hardship that was ahead.
Salvationists, soldiers, and followers of Jesus, reflect on this Holy Thursday and recommit yourself to selfless service, prayer, whole-hearted obedience, and proclaiming the good news of Jesus.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Today we remember Maundy Thursday (or Holy Thursday). We recall Jesus last supper with His disciples, His amazing example of love and servanthood as He Himself washed the disciple's feet (and yes even Judas). We then recall His prayer in the garden as He prayed "not my will by Thine be done", while those closest too Him couldn't stay awake an hour to support Him in prayer.
Luke 6:40 Jesus says... A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.
Let's follow Jesus' example today as we reflect on His example.
He spent time with those closest to Him telling them to remember His supreme sacrifice (that we know is in the cross and His resurrection) every time they broke bread together.
He modeled true servanthood and commanded us to do the same while washing the feet of His disciples.
He prayed for each of us, and chose to do His Father's will over His human desire to avoid the hardship that was ahead.
Salvationists, soldiers, and followers of Jesus, reflect on this Holy Thursday and recommit yourself to selfless service, prayer, whole-hearted obedience, and proclaiming the good news of Jesus.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Can you become holy?
Over the past few weeks it has become obvious that some in my corps don't view holiness the same way I (or the Salvation Army) understand it so I thought I'd use this article to stir up some discussion.
This article was written by Chris Bounds and Keith Drury in a blog from September 2003, both professors at Indiana Wesleyan University. Please feel free to comment - I'd love your thoughts.
Can You Become a “Fully Devoted Follower of Christ?
John Wesley, like many of the early church fathers before him, preached that it is possible in this life to experience God’s power in such a way that we are actually able to live a love-filled obedient life. He taught that through God’s power we could be enabled to actually obey the two greatest commandments—loving God completely and loving neighbor as ourselves. The term for this experience has shifted through the years and has included Perfect love, the Upper Room Experience, being filled with the Spirit, baptism with the Holy Ghost, the deeper life, the higher way, Entire Sanctification, and Holiness. The current edition of this ageless notion is probably best represented in the term, “Fully devoted follower of Christ.” So what do you think? Can a person become a fully devoted follower of Christ? In this life? Is it possible? If so, how? The following are the seven answers most common in today’s church.
1. Seek now and receive by faith. Becoming a fully devoted follower of Christ is possible right now for you and you are urged to seek this life now by consecrating your all to God and receiving this second work of grace now by faith. (Historically, this has been the view of the Holiness Movement as associated with Pheobe Palmer and The Wesleyan Church.)
2. Keep seeking until you receive. a fully devoted follower of Christ is possible before death or old age, but you cannot experience it just by asking and believing—God can cleanse and fill you in His own good timing and thus you should keep on seeking until God responds with a second work of grace enabling this life of power and purity. (Although John Wesley’s teaching here is greatly debated, many scholars would contend this was Wesley’s view.)
3. Gradual growth process. While it is possible to become a fully devoted follower of Christ in this life, it can be achieved only after many years of a gradual process of spiritual growth—putting off sin and putting on deeds of righteousness through Christ’s power. By putting sins to death and moving gradually closer to Christ you can eventually—usually after many years—become a fully devoted follower of Christ. Your job now is to follow the Spirit’s leading in one area at a time. (This is the generally held position of The United Methodist Church, at least those who take seriously their Methodism, such as Thomas C. Oden.)
4. A sustainable experience with momentary lapses. Becoming a fully devoted follower of Christ can be the normative experience in a believer’s life. The Holy Spirit enables a believer to suppress the sin nature and live in sustained victory over it. However, because the root of sin remains until death, there will be moments in which sin will cloud or diminish victory. Sin or disobedience is seen as an exception, rather than the rule of Christian living. (This is the classic understanding of holiness in Keswick theology.)
5. A momentary but unsustainable experience. Becoming a fully devoted follower of Christ can be experienced in moments or short periods of life, but can’t be sustained for the long haul. There are times when a believer can truly act out of the complete love of God and the love of neighbor, untainted by selfishness and pride, but the “old man” is too strong to be completely vanquished in life. (This would represent a modern evangelical Lutheran perspective, as seen in the work of Gerhard Forde. Some scholars would argue this was Martin Luther’s position.)
6. Worthy goal but impossible dream. While it is clearly impossible in this life to ever actually become a fully devoted follower of Christ you should head that direction anyway, trusting God to deliver you increasingly from sinful thoughts, words and deeds, and gradually to empower you in love—but you will never get there: you will never become fully devoted. Holiness is a journey of devotion—not a destination you ever actually achieve. (This view represents well the position of Reformed theology and can be seen in the work of John Calvin, Reinhold Niebuhr, J. I. Packer, and Sinclair Ferguson.)
7. Holiness of Christ. All humans—including Christians—are so sinful at the core that even becoming a partially devoted follower to Christ can’t even be achieved in this life—rather true Christians should confess our sinfulness and realize that God has imputed Christ’s righteousness to us—God can’t see my sinfulness, but sees only the holiness of Christ; holiness is about Christ, not me. (While this view enjoys some degree of popularity in contemporary evangelicalism, it has not been held historically by credible and respected orthodox theologians. Some have placed Martin Luther and/or John Calvin in this camp by focusing on their understanding of imputed righteousness. It may be that because Luther, and to a much lesser degree Calvin, focused so much attention on our objective standing before God, and he was preoccupied with it, his understanding of imparted righteousness has been missed or inadvertently dismissed by his theological heirs, leading to this perspective today. Luther’s primary focus was on justification, but he does address sanctification.)
-----------------------------
Which do you believe? What you believe will affect how you live so think about.
I look forward to your comments.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
This article was written by Chris Bounds and Keith Drury in a blog from September 2003, both professors at Indiana Wesleyan University. Please feel free to comment - I'd love your thoughts.
Can You Become a “Fully Devoted Follower of Christ?
John Wesley, like many of the early church fathers before him, preached that it is possible in this life to experience God’s power in such a way that we are actually able to live a love-filled obedient life. He taught that through God’s power we could be enabled to actually obey the two greatest commandments—loving God completely and loving neighbor as ourselves. The term for this experience has shifted through the years and has included Perfect love, the Upper Room Experience, being filled with the Spirit, baptism with the Holy Ghost, the deeper life, the higher way, Entire Sanctification, and Holiness. The current edition of this ageless notion is probably best represented in the term, “Fully devoted follower of Christ.” So what do you think? Can a person become a fully devoted follower of Christ? In this life? Is it possible? If so, how? The following are the seven answers most common in today’s church.
1. Seek now and receive by faith. Becoming a fully devoted follower of Christ is possible right now for you and you are urged to seek this life now by consecrating your all to God and receiving this second work of grace now by faith. (Historically, this has been the view of the Holiness Movement as associated with Pheobe Palmer and The Wesleyan Church.)
2. Keep seeking until you receive. a fully devoted follower of Christ is possible before death or old age, but you cannot experience it just by asking and believing—God can cleanse and fill you in His own good timing and thus you should keep on seeking until God responds with a second work of grace enabling this life of power and purity. (Although John Wesley’s teaching here is greatly debated, many scholars would contend this was Wesley’s view.)
3. Gradual growth process. While it is possible to become a fully devoted follower of Christ in this life, it can be achieved only after many years of a gradual process of spiritual growth—putting off sin and putting on deeds of righteousness through Christ’s power. By putting sins to death and moving gradually closer to Christ you can eventually—usually after many years—become a fully devoted follower of Christ. Your job now is to follow the Spirit’s leading in one area at a time. (This is the generally held position of The United Methodist Church, at least those who take seriously their Methodism, such as Thomas C. Oden.)
4. A sustainable experience with momentary lapses. Becoming a fully devoted follower of Christ can be the normative experience in a believer’s life. The Holy Spirit enables a believer to suppress the sin nature and live in sustained victory over it. However, because the root of sin remains until death, there will be moments in which sin will cloud or diminish victory. Sin or disobedience is seen as an exception, rather than the rule of Christian living. (This is the classic understanding of holiness in Keswick theology.)
5. A momentary but unsustainable experience. Becoming a fully devoted follower of Christ can be experienced in moments or short periods of life, but can’t be sustained for the long haul. There are times when a believer can truly act out of the complete love of God and the love of neighbor, untainted by selfishness and pride, but the “old man” is too strong to be completely vanquished in life. (This would represent a modern evangelical Lutheran perspective, as seen in the work of Gerhard Forde. Some scholars would argue this was Martin Luther’s position.)
6. Worthy goal but impossible dream. While it is clearly impossible in this life to ever actually become a fully devoted follower of Christ you should head that direction anyway, trusting God to deliver you increasingly from sinful thoughts, words and deeds, and gradually to empower you in love—but you will never get there: you will never become fully devoted. Holiness is a journey of devotion—not a destination you ever actually achieve. (This view represents well the position of Reformed theology and can be seen in the work of John Calvin, Reinhold Niebuhr, J. I. Packer, and Sinclair Ferguson.)
7. Holiness of Christ. All humans—including Christians—are so sinful at the core that even becoming a partially devoted follower to Christ can’t even be achieved in this life—rather true Christians should confess our sinfulness and realize that God has imputed Christ’s righteousness to us—God can’t see my sinfulness, but sees only the holiness of Christ; holiness is about Christ, not me. (While this view enjoys some degree of popularity in contemporary evangelicalism, it has not been held historically by credible and respected orthodox theologians. Some have placed Martin Luther and/or John Calvin in this camp by focusing on their understanding of imputed righteousness. It may be that because Luther, and to a much lesser degree Calvin, focused so much attention on our objective standing before God, and he was preoccupied with it, his understanding of imparted righteousness has been missed or inadvertently dismissed by his theological heirs, leading to this perspective today. Luther’s primary focus was on justification, but he does address sanctification.)
-----------------------------
Which do you believe? What you believe will affect how you live so think about.
I look forward to your comments.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Straight talk from Proverbs 21:3
Hello soldiers & friends,
Mark Twain said something like, "it's not the parts of the bible I don't understand that I have a problem with... it's the parts I do"
So here is just a quick word from Proverbs 21:3 which reads, "To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
More than all the "stuff" you could give God (like He needs our stuff?), God would most appreciate you simply doing what is right, just, and obedient to His Word.
Have you done everything you know God has asked you to? If not, give God the gift of your obedience today.
Live holy, Preach Jesus!
Mark Twain said something like, "it's not the parts of the bible I don't understand that I have a problem with... it's the parts I do"
So here is just a quick word from Proverbs 21:3 which reads, "To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
More than all the "stuff" you could give God (like He needs our stuff?), God would most appreciate you simply doing what is right, just, and obedient to His Word.
Have you done everything you know God has asked you to? If not, give God the gift of your obedience today.
Live holy, Preach Jesus!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Sunday's Sermon - Preparing for Resurrection Sunday
Hello all & and blessed Palm Sunday to all of you in the "salvosphere",
Due to a recording error my sermon wasn't recorded. For a manuscript of the teaching and a notes page simply go to the sermonplayer at the far bottom of this blog site. Next to the sermon title you will find a button for a downloadable pdf.
I ought to have an audio of my sermon working again next week.
----
Here are just some thoughts on my heart today...
Make sure you prepare your hearts and minds for this Holy week as we remember all that Christ did on our behalf so that we might have abundant life.
One praise from the church today was a young person testifying, "I praise God I am extremely saved!" - May we who have been touched by the Holy Spirit not only testify to our salvation, but to our sanctification. We serve a God who died and rose again to save us to the uttermost.
As Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, some "religious leaders" told Jesus to have His disciples be quiet. Jesus' response was that if they were quiet, the rocks would cry out. God has designed us as the vessels by which the good news of Jesus is proclaimed, so be about your duty this week... tell someone that Jesus lived, died, and rose again as to make a way for us to be forgiven, only by faith (trusting in Jesus alone) can we know God, be acceptable for heaven, and be equipped to live Holy NOW.
Make sure you don't prepare to just see an "easter bunny bringing colored eggs and chocolate". Instead let's prepare to meet our Lord and Savior. If you really expected God Himself to show up at your Corps (or church) this next Sunday morning would it effect how you went to church? Here is the truth, God Himself does plan to meet you at church next Sunday, He is Risen, until we see Him physically we have His Holy Spirit to meet with us in a real and personal way. Prepare to meet with Jesus every day this week.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Due to a recording error my sermon wasn't recorded. For a manuscript of the teaching and a notes page simply go to the sermonplayer at the far bottom of this blog site. Next to the sermon title you will find a button for a downloadable pdf.
I ought to have an audio of my sermon working again next week.
----
Here are just some thoughts on my heart today...
Make sure you prepare your hearts and minds for this Holy week as we remember all that Christ did on our behalf so that we might have abundant life.
One praise from the church today was a young person testifying, "I praise God I am extremely saved!" - May we who have been touched by the Holy Spirit not only testify to our salvation, but to our sanctification. We serve a God who died and rose again to save us to the uttermost.
As Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, some "religious leaders" told Jesus to have His disciples be quiet. Jesus' response was that if they were quiet, the rocks would cry out. God has designed us as the vessels by which the good news of Jesus is proclaimed, so be about your duty this week... tell someone that Jesus lived, died, and rose again as to make a way for us to be forgiven, only by faith (trusting in Jesus alone) can we know God, be acceptable for heaven, and be equipped to live Holy NOW.
Make sure you don't prepare to just see an "easter bunny bringing colored eggs and chocolate". Instead let's prepare to meet our Lord and Savior. If you really expected God Himself to show up at your Corps (or church) this next Sunday morning would it effect how you went to church? Here is the truth, God Himself does plan to meet you at church next Sunday, He is Risen, until we see Him physically we have His Holy Spirit to meet with us in a real and personal way. Prepare to meet with Jesus every day this week.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Palm Sunday - If you're a donkey, Jesus makes all the difference.
Hello sodiers and friends,
Just in case you missed church today "Palm Sunday", for whatever reason from your health to the volcanic ash, here is a Palm Sunday thought from a few years back. (don't forget to check out today's sermon posted tomorrow)
Today we celebrate Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday is such an important event in the life of Jesus, and for us as believers, that it is recorded in all 4 of the Gospels, but today to look at Luke 19:28-40 (take time to read it).
Let's think about the donkey a minute.
Donkeys play an important part in Scripture. A donkey that taught Balaam a valuable lesson. A donkey carried Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem. A donkey that carried the baby Jesus into Egypt to escape the wrath of Herod. Now in the last part of Jesus life we see a donkey carrying Him in His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Horses are beautiful animals with coats that shine in the sun. They have flowing manes that ripple in the breeze, and long graceful legs that eat up the miles. They have soft eyes, and even their breath make a sound that radiates power & strength. They walk with a dignity and are a picture of power, but not a donkey…
A donkey’s hair looks like ours does when we get up in the morning, their tail is unkempt and the mane is nothing beautiful to behold. Donkey ears are big and floppy and his braying sound is more like laughing than a huff of power, yet on the road to Jerusalem this little donkey hears the people shouting, "Hosanna!" and sees the crowds of people spreading their cloaks on the road before him.
I read someone’s writing that said, “I wonder if the donkey thought the parade was for him.”
Donkey’s aren’t supposed to be in parades…, even today in parades we see people on horseback, not donkeys. Here though this donkey appears to be the focal point of attention. Why? Because he is carrying the King of Kings, & the Lord of Lords.
Tomorrow the donkey will be in the corral again. But today he is the head of a parade of vicotory, because of Jesus. Today he is where the horse would usually be. Today he is the prancing stallion carrying the victor to his throne. Jesus made all the difference!
Jesus does make all the difference.
Do you ever have any donkey like attributes? (yes you do) Most of us aren’t the most amazing looking symbols of power and dignity. More often than not I feel smaller, less significant, and sometimes even more stubborn than others around me. If you feel like me then you should get this point.... Jesus makes all the difference.
Just like the donkey, we don’t deserve a parade for how great we are, when you let Jesus come into your life and rule the throne of your heart, He makes all the difference.
Today as you spend some time in worship of Jesus, and as you reflect on the upcoming rememberance of Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, remember that we don't live our lives to have crowds cheer for us, we must live to walk with Jesus, ever pointing others to the fact that He is our Lord and Savior.
Don't just be a donkey today, use every opportunity to show Jesus to the world.
Only Jesus saves from sin, sinning, and hell TO holiness, abundant life, and heaven. Don't be a donkey, give your life to Jesus and live every moment for His glory. Jesus makes all the difference.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Just in case you missed church today "Palm Sunday", for whatever reason from your health to the volcanic ash, here is a Palm Sunday thought from a few years back. (don't forget to check out today's sermon posted tomorrow)
Today we celebrate Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday is such an important event in the life of Jesus, and for us as believers, that it is recorded in all 4 of the Gospels, but today to look at Luke 19:28-40 (take time to read it).
Let's think about the donkey a minute.
Donkeys play an important part in Scripture. A donkey that taught Balaam a valuable lesson. A donkey carried Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem. A donkey that carried the baby Jesus into Egypt to escape the wrath of Herod. Now in the last part of Jesus life we see a donkey carrying Him in His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Horses are beautiful animals with coats that shine in the sun. They have flowing manes that ripple in the breeze, and long graceful legs that eat up the miles. They have soft eyes, and even their breath make a sound that radiates power & strength. They walk with a dignity and are a picture of power, but not a donkey…
A donkey’s hair looks like ours does when we get up in the morning, their tail is unkempt and the mane is nothing beautiful to behold. Donkey ears are big and floppy and his braying sound is more like laughing than a huff of power, yet on the road to Jerusalem this little donkey hears the people shouting, "Hosanna!" and sees the crowds of people spreading their cloaks on the road before him.
I read someone’s writing that said, “I wonder if the donkey thought the parade was for him.”
Donkey’s aren’t supposed to be in parades…, even today in parades we see people on horseback, not donkeys. Here though this donkey appears to be the focal point of attention. Why? Because he is carrying the King of Kings, & the Lord of Lords.
Tomorrow the donkey will be in the corral again. But today he is the head of a parade of vicotory, because of Jesus. Today he is where the horse would usually be. Today he is the prancing stallion carrying the victor to his throne. Jesus made all the difference!
Jesus does make all the difference.
Do you ever have any donkey like attributes? (yes you do) Most of us aren’t the most amazing looking symbols of power and dignity. More often than not I feel smaller, less significant, and sometimes even more stubborn than others around me. If you feel like me then you should get this point.... Jesus makes all the difference.
Just like the donkey, we don’t deserve a parade for how great we are, when you let Jesus come into your life and rule the throne of your heart, He makes all the difference.
Today as you spend some time in worship of Jesus, and as you reflect on the upcoming rememberance of Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, remember that we don't live our lives to have crowds cheer for us, we must live to walk with Jesus, ever pointing others to the fact that He is our Lord and Savior.
Don't just be a donkey today, use every opportunity to show Jesus to the world.
Only Jesus saves from sin, sinning, and hell TO holiness, abundant life, and heaven. Don't be a donkey, give your life to Jesus and live every moment for His glory. Jesus makes all the difference.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Volcanic Ash Warning for Homer
Hello Soldiers, friends, and family,Just an update on this morning's volcanic ash from the last erruption. We have closed the thrift store (most likely for the entire day).
As always we will have church to celebrate Palm Sunday - NO MATTER WHAT. Do remember that if you must drive you should cover your vehicles air intake with panty hose, clean your wipers with water and a cloth befor you use them or you will scratch your windshield, and if you must be out in the ash like it is, even with this small amount so far, make sure you wear your mask to keep from inhaling the particles.
For the latest official ash and weather warnings go to this link and make sure to scroll through the entire page as they are sometimes out of order.
http://pafc.arh.noaa.gov/volcano.php
Live holy, preach Jesus!
A “non-Salvationists” message on "silly putty & soldiership". 8 minutes
The video link is not posting right, to see the video just follow the link. Sorry for the extra step.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Teaching/Default.aspx?id=121080
Live holy, preach Jesus!
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Teaching/Default.aspx?id=121080
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Did the devil invent my video game?
Just a thought...
I just wasted a bit of time with a simple video game. A simple "breakout" style, bounce the ball with a paddle game. It was free and nothing gross or impure, but a couple thoughts bounced into my mind as I played and I thought how much the devil did some of the same tricks.
1. I wasted too much time on something that was meaningless - don't get me wrong there is a time for "down time" and rest (I think even some mindless activitiy is o.k.), but I did spend too much time when you stop and think there is a battle waging in my town with eternal consequences.
2. The game kept offering changes to catch falling coins (of course you often lost your life "the ball" while off in their pursuit not keeping your eye on the ball). What good is it to gain the whole world chasing after material things and loose your soul?
3. At times the game surprised me with multiple "balls", of course I could clear my screen faster, but the most likely result was that in my trying to juggle too many "balls in the air" I would again loose sight of all of them quickly and again loose my life in the midst of all the busyness.
Perhaps in the midst of "playing the game" I am reminded that I, like many believers, face some of the devils favorite schemes...
*living for Jesus is not a game - let's soldier up and get fighting.
*there are times to rest and refresh, but don't be lazy, or waste time on things unimportant to your Commanders orders.
*don't get caught up in the pursuit of chasing things, in the chasing after falling coins you may loose your very life.
*don't juggle too many things and loose sight of what's really important to your mission - don't get lost in the "busyness" or the "business" - our job is to live holy and preach the saving gospel of Jesus Christ to all creation.
If you have fallen into any of these areas (like I confess I have before) confess, repent and turn from them, and jump back into the fray.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
I just wasted a bit of time with a simple video game. A simple "breakout" style, bounce the ball with a paddle game. It was free and nothing gross or impure, but a couple thoughts bounced into my mind as I played and I thought how much the devil did some of the same tricks.
1. I wasted too much time on something that was meaningless - don't get me wrong there is a time for "down time" and rest (I think even some mindless activitiy is o.k.), but I did spend too much time when you stop and think there is a battle waging in my town with eternal consequences.
2. The game kept offering changes to catch falling coins (of course you often lost your life "the ball" while off in their pursuit not keeping your eye on the ball). What good is it to gain the whole world chasing after material things and loose your soul?
3. At times the game surprised me with multiple "balls", of course I could clear my screen faster, but the most likely result was that in my trying to juggle too many "balls in the air" I would again loose sight of all of them quickly and again loose my life in the midst of all the busyness.
Perhaps in the midst of "playing the game" I am reminded that I, like many believers, face some of the devils favorite schemes...
*living for Jesus is not a game - let's soldier up and get fighting.
*there are times to rest and refresh, but don't be lazy, or waste time on things unimportant to your Commanders orders.
*don't get caught up in the pursuit of chasing things, in the chasing after falling coins you may loose your very life.
*don't juggle too many things and loose sight of what's really important to your mission - don't get lost in the "busyness" or the "business" - our job is to live holy and preach the saving gospel of Jesus Christ to all creation.
If you have fallen into any of these areas (like I confess I have before) confess, repent and turn from them, and jump back into the fray.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
A letter from General Willaim Booth April 1, 1869
To the Brethren and Sisters Labouring for JESUS - by General William Booth
letter, published in The East London Evangelist , 1 April 1869
in connection with the Dunedin Hall Christian Mission, Edinburgh
BELOVED FRIENDS Though I have not been privileged to see you in the flesh, yet I have heard with great thankfulness from time to time of your work of faith and labour of love: and I rejoice greatly in the abundant blessing granted to your labours, and bless God for every brand plucked from the everlasting through your instrumentality. I earnestly pray that you may be made a hundredfold more useful in the future than you have been in the past. The work in which you are engaged is the most important that can engage the attention or call forth the energies of any being...
Success in soulwinning, like all other work, both human and divine, depends on certain conditions...
If you want to succeed you must be careful to comply with these conditions...
I desire to give a few brief practical hints...And, first and foremost, I commend one qualification which seems to involve all others. That is, the Pentecostal baptism of the Holy Ghost. I would have you settle it in your souls for ever this one great immutable principle in the economy of grace, that spiritual work can only be done by those who possess spiritual power. No matter what else you may lack, or what may be against you, with the Holy Ghost you will succeed; but without the Holy Spirit, no matter what else you may possess, you will utterly and eternally fail.
Many make mistakes here. Aroused by the inward urgings of the Holy Spirit, they endeavour to comply with the call which comes from the word and the necessities of their fellow men; but being destitute of this power, they fail, and instead of going to the Strong for strength, they give up in despair. Again aroused, again they resolve and venture forth, but having no more power than before, they are as impotent as ever. And fail they must, until baptised with power from on high.
This I am convinced, is the one great need of the Church. We want no new truths, agencies, means, or appliances. We only want more of the fire of the Holy Ghost. ...
O what zeal, what selfdenial, what meekness, what boldness, what holiness, what love, would there not be? And with all this, what power for your great work? The whole city would feel it. God's people in every direction would catch the fire, and sinners would fall on every side. Difficulties would vanish, devils be conquered, infidels believe, and the glory of God be displayed...
You do desire to see signs and wonders wrought in the name of Jesus. To see a great awakening among the careless crowds around you....
This baptism then, is your first great need. If you think with me, will you not tarry for it? Offer yourselves to God for the fullness. Lay aside every weight...
Hold on! Though your feelings are barren, your way dark, and your difficulties be multiplied,steadily hang on the word of God.
Expect the baptism every hour; wait if he tarry. 'This kind goeth not forth but by prayer and fasting'; and the Lord whom you seek shall suddenly come to his temple.
I have more to say to you, but must wait another opportunity. Yours in the fellowship of the Gospel. WILLIAM BOOTH
Live holy, preach Jesus!
letter, published in The East London Evangelist , 1 April 1869
in connection with the Dunedin Hall Christian Mission, Edinburgh
BELOVED FRIENDS Though I have not been privileged to see you in the flesh, yet I have heard with great thankfulness from time to time of your work of faith and labour of love: and I rejoice greatly in the abundant blessing granted to your labours, and bless God for every brand plucked from the everlasting through your instrumentality. I earnestly pray that you may be made a hundredfold more useful in the future than you have been in the past. The work in which you are engaged is the most important that can engage the attention or call forth the energies of any being...
Success in soulwinning, like all other work, both human and divine, depends on certain conditions...
If you want to succeed you must be careful to comply with these conditions...
I desire to give a few brief practical hints...And, first and foremost, I commend one qualification which seems to involve all others. That is, the Pentecostal baptism of the Holy Ghost. I would have you settle it in your souls for ever this one great immutable principle in the economy of grace, that spiritual work can only be done by those who possess spiritual power. No matter what else you may lack, or what may be against you, with the Holy Ghost you will succeed; but without the Holy Spirit, no matter what else you may possess, you will utterly and eternally fail.
Many make mistakes here. Aroused by the inward urgings of the Holy Spirit, they endeavour to comply with the call which comes from the word and the necessities of their fellow men; but being destitute of this power, they fail, and instead of going to the Strong for strength, they give up in despair. Again aroused, again they resolve and venture forth, but having no more power than before, they are as impotent as ever. And fail they must, until baptised with power from on high.
This I am convinced, is the one great need of the Church. We want no new truths, agencies, means, or appliances. We only want more of the fire of the Holy Ghost. ...
O what zeal, what selfdenial, what meekness, what boldness, what holiness, what love, would there not be? And with all this, what power for your great work? The whole city would feel it. God's people in every direction would catch the fire, and sinners would fall on every side. Difficulties would vanish, devils be conquered, infidels believe, and the glory of God be displayed...
You do desire to see signs and wonders wrought in the name of Jesus. To see a great awakening among the careless crowds around you....
This baptism then, is your first great need. If you think with me, will you not tarry for it? Offer yourselves to God for the fullness. Lay aside every weight...
Hold on! Though your feelings are barren, your way dark, and your difficulties be multiplied,steadily hang on the word of God.
Expect the baptism every hour; wait if he tarry. 'This kind goeth not forth but by prayer and fasting'; and the Lord whom you seek shall suddenly come to his temple.
I have more to say to you, but must wait another opportunity. Yours in the fellowship of the Gospel. WILLIAM BOOTH
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Captain's meditation on Joshua 5, who is on the Lord's side?
If you read Joshua chapter 5:13-15 you will read the story of Joshua just prior to the battle of Jericho. Before the famous march around the city and the victory given by God we read Joshau finding "a man" (actually an angel) with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?" "Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?" The commander of the LORD's army replied, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.
If you have something to face in your life for God, whether it be a holiness issue, a habit, sin, addiction, or an actual physical enemy - the question isn't is God for us or against us, the question is "are we on the Lord's side". Let's make sure before we go off to battle today, that we have met with God, bowinging in humble obedience and reverence, ready to hear the battle strategy from our Lord. It is no little matter that before hearing the word of God for a specific victory, first Joshua was told to approach in a manner of holiness.
Let's make sure in our prayers and planning today, we aren't telling God what we are doing and inviting His blessings on our plans, but rather that we have positioned ourselves for His plans.
As I mentioned in my sermon this past week - my 5 year old (soon to be 6 year old daughter) sang these words in the van on the way to school, and I pray that it is our honest proclamation today…
707 Who is on the Lord's side? Who will
1. Who is on the Lord's side? Who will serve the King? Who will be His helpers other lives to bring? Who will leave the world's side? Who will face the foe? Who is on the Lord's side? Who for Him will go?
By thy grand redemption, By thy grace divine, We are on the Lord's side; Savior, we are thine.
3. Jesus, thou hast bought us, Not with gold or gem, But with thine own life-blood for thy diadem. With thy blessing filling each who comes to thee, Thou hast made us willing, Thou hast made us free.
4. Fierce may be the conflict, Strong may be the foe, But the King's own army none can overthrow. Round His standard ranging, victory is secure, For His truth unchanging Makes the triumph sure.
Master, thou wilt keep us, By thy grace divine. Always on the Lord's side, Savior, always thine.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
If you have something to face in your life for God, whether it be a holiness issue, a habit, sin, addiction, or an actual physical enemy - the question isn't is God for us or against us, the question is "are we on the Lord's side". Let's make sure before we go off to battle today, that we have met with God, bowinging in humble obedience and reverence, ready to hear the battle strategy from our Lord. It is no little matter that before hearing the word of God for a specific victory, first Joshua was told to approach in a manner of holiness.
Let's make sure in our prayers and planning today, we aren't telling God what we are doing and inviting His blessings on our plans, but rather that we have positioned ourselves for His plans.
As I mentioned in my sermon this past week - my 5 year old (soon to be 6 year old daughter) sang these words in the van on the way to school, and I pray that it is our honest proclamation today…
707 Who is on the Lord's side? Who will
1. Who is on the Lord's side? Who will serve the King? Who will be His helpers other lives to bring? Who will leave the world's side? Who will face the foe? Who is on the Lord's side? Who for Him will go?
By thy grand redemption, By thy grace divine, We are on the Lord's side; Savior, we are thine.
3. Jesus, thou hast bought us, Not with gold or gem, But with thine own life-blood for thy diadem. With thy blessing filling each who comes to thee, Thou hast made us willing, Thou hast made us free.
4. Fierce may be the conflict, Strong may be the foe, But the King's own army none can overthrow. Round His standard ranging, victory is secure, For His truth unchanging Makes the triumph sure.
Master, thou wilt keep us, By thy grace divine. Always on the Lord's side, Savior, always thine.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
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