Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Turning People Back from the Dangers of Hell, by Mark Driscoll
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Thoughts on Moses & the Exodus
This past weekend my daughters were reading from Exodus while driving home in the van from a season at camp. As they read the familiar story of the Exodus and Moses I "heard" it in a fresh way... Thank you Lord that Your Word has power in and of itself and that in its reading there is power.
No time for a deep theological breakdown, just passages that have had me meditating....
Exodus 3: 1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” 4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.”
Meditation #1 - it was when Moses when to look at what God was doing right before his eyes that God spoke to Him. Had Moses not been looking, he wouldn't have heard God speaking.
Exodus 3:11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” 13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
Meditation #2 - As God asked Moses to serve Him, Moses said, "who am I". God's response was "I AM, and I'll be with you". It doesn't matter who we are, or aren't, if the I AM is with us.
Exodus 4:1 Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you’?” 2 Then the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. 3 The LORD said, “Throw it on the ground.” Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. 4 Then the LORD said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. 5 “This,” said the LORD, “is so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you.”
Meditation #3- Moses asked for a sign, and when God gave him a sign, Moses' first response was to run - even from a sign that God was with him. Moses began to run from the very thing that would allow God to empower him because it looked scary.
Response-
1. Be looking into what God is already doing right in front of you, then be ready to hear from God.
2. Don't worry about who you are if you have God Himself with you.
3. Don't run from the signs God is giving you right now, they are meant to empower and affirm you.
Consider all of these while you share the gospel with someone today!
-------------------
Live holy, preach Jesus!
No time for a deep theological breakdown, just passages that have had me meditating....
Exodus 3: 1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” 4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.”
Meditation #1 - it was when Moses when to look at what God was doing right before his eyes that God spoke to Him. Had Moses not been looking, he wouldn't have heard God speaking.
Exodus 3:11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” 13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
Meditation #2 - As God asked Moses to serve Him, Moses said, "who am I". God's response was "I AM, and I'll be with you". It doesn't matter who we are, or aren't, if the I AM is with us.
Exodus 4:1 Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you’?” 2 Then the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. 3 The LORD said, “Throw it on the ground.” Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. 4 Then the LORD said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. 5 “This,” said the LORD, “is so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you.”
Meditation #3- Moses asked for a sign, and when God gave him a sign, Moses' first response was to run - even from a sign that God was with him. Moses began to run from the very thing that would allow God to empower him because it looked scary.
Response-
1. Be looking into what God is already doing right in front of you, then be ready to hear from God.
2. Don't worry about who you are if you have God Himself with you.
3. Don't run from the signs God is giving you right now, they are meant to empower and affirm you.
Consider all of these while you share the gospel with someone today!
-------------------
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Rick McKinley: The Flaw of Universalism
This taken from
http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/videos-for-pastors/153137-rick-mckinley-the-flaw-of-universalism.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily-Update
Universalism from :redux on Vimeo.
Lovingly warn people of the reality of hell and invite them to find Salvation through Jesus Christ alone. Repent of your sins, live for Jesus on His terms, share the gospel!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/videos-for-pastors/153137-rick-mckinley-the-flaw-of-universalism.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily-Update
Universalism from :redux on Vimeo.
Lovingly warn people of the reality of hell and invite them to find Salvation through Jesus Christ alone. Repent of your sins, live for Jesus on His terms, share the gospel!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Friday, August 5, 2011
Is Your Church A Movement or A Museum?
Reposted from churchleaders.com
http://www.churchleaders.com/outreach-missions/outreach-missions-videos/152982-is-your-church-a-movement-or-a-museum.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily-Update
"Church Planter" by Darrin Patrick from Crossway on Vimeo.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
http://www.churchleaders.com/outreach-missions/outreach-missions-videos/152982-is-your-church-a-movement-or-a-museum.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily-Update
"Church Planter" by Darrin Patrick from Crossway on Vimeo.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Angy "Atheists" - people of faith who know that there is a God
Have you ever been in a discussion with an "angry atheist" who wants proof of God or say they don't have faith? Or have you ever thought that "angry atheists" don't believe there is a God so why bother trying to convince them? Here are a couple thoughts today.
#1 The other day I saw a rock on an upstairs porch railing, immediately I knew there was know way that rock could have gotten there by itself and thought, "who would have put that rock up here", or I've seen two identical rows of rock making a path leading to a door way and known it was campers (someone) who must have done it (of course). To believe that "chance" allowed one large rock to end up on an upstairs railing, perfectly, without help, requires too much faith when common sense evidence tells me otherwise. To see 20 rocks making a perfect design with a purpose (a path to the cabin) is too plainly obvious that someone created it for me to believe it was chance that allowed the rocks to get that way by chance.
As a common illustration says, to see a building, painting, creation, is proof there must be a builder, painter, creator. To believe that a "big bang" caused and explosion that by chance lead to every other chance for everything in existence requires too much faith to not bring up in your conversation.
#2 If someone ever asks "what proof do you have there is a God", why not ask them, "what proof have you found that there is absolutely no god". Let them defend their faith for a bit and get a chance to share what they believe and have put their hope and faith in.
#3 If "atheists" didn't believe in God (and on some level the God of the Bible) then why would they spend so much time, energy, and money trying to proof He doesn't exist or remove all trace of Him from our society.
I read this article today and it just reinforced what I believe.http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=1400038
Here are some quotes to consider.
- Atheists have no problem with Muslims who want to erect a mega-mosque near the Ground Zero site, but they don't want a cross.
- "[Their complaining is] not about Islam. It's not about eastern religions. They don't attack the Buddhist monks who spend their life in solitude. They don't attack Hindus praying to different gods in the caste system," notes Sekulow. "They attack Christianity and really the heritage of our country that they would hope to erase."
Angry atheists will spend time, energy, and money to advertise their belief that there is no God (of the Bible) and will spend time, energy, and money to fight in court, petition, and protest, that we as believers in God should not "advertise" our beliefs.
Here is one way I know that "angry atheists" believe there is a God. Those same people spending time, money, energy, and forming united groups (congregations of similar faith) to study their beliefs (their church) and work to plan next how to deliver their message and come against God (discipleship of their faith) - those same people will spend no time time, energy, and money coming against anything else from the Easter Bunny, to Santa Clause, or the belief in aliens from another planet.
WHY? Because if something is make believe, fantasy, or won't cause you to question how you live your life in the light of eternity, you would consider people who lived their lives for those things to be "odd" and just ignore them.
Angry atheists won't spend time, money, and energy fighting against other religions, Muslims, Buddhists, Wiccans, New Age, Reincarnationists, etc. WHY? Because they have no instilled fear of facing those "gods" that they "believe" to be imaginary. They would simply say those believers are "odd" and just ignore them.
BUT - The God of the Bible, the True God of Christianity. The God who we are told created us, and instilled in us a knowledge of Him in us, and who left us without excuse to recognize there is proof of God everywhere we look. The God who placed eternity in our hearts and who said in His Word that only a fool would say in his heart that there is no god (Psalm 14 & Psalm 53).
My point in all this ranting today... I guess, simply, that everyone, even atheists, have put faith and hope in something. Everyone has an instilled system that moves them to believe there is more to this life (and even one to come). Everyone believes there is a point to being moral and good (whatever good they believe). Everyone has an instilled conscience (con- "with" science - "knowledge") that there is right and wrong and even that the God of our Holy Bible will require an account someday and it moves people to get angry or saved.
Don't get "angry" and "attack" back at the "atheists" you know or encounter. Notice that they are 1st people of faith who, without Jesus, will end up in endless punishment.
Lovingly share the good news of the True God who gave us His Word and sent His Son Jesus Christ to make a way for them to find eternal happiness in Heaven with Him and an abundant life of knowing Him in the here and now.
Jude 1:17-22 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21 Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
Who do you know that is need of news that there is a God who loves them and wants them saved from hell to heaven today? Boldly to and preach the good news today.
Somewhere today an "angry atheist" is sharing his or her belief. Somewhere today someone believes something that won't save their soul. Share your faith in the True God of the Bible today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
#1 The other day I saw a rock on an upstairs porch railing, immediately I knew there was know way that rock could have gotten there by itself and thought, "who would have put that rock up here", or I've seen two identical rows of rock making a path leading to a door way and known it was campers (someone) who must have done it (of course). To believe that "chance" allowed one large rock to end up on an upstairs railing, perfectly, without help, requires too much faith when common sense evidence tells me otherwise. To see 20 rocks making a perfect design with a purpose (a path to the cabin) is too plainly obvious that someone created it for me to believe it was chance that allowed the rocks to get that way by chance.
As a common illustration says, to see a building, painting, creation, is proof there must be a builder, painter, creator. To believe that a "big bang" caused and explosion that by chance lead to every other chance for everything in existence requires too much faith to not bring up in your conversation.
#2 If someone ever asks "what proof do you have there is a God", why not ask them, "what proof have you found that there is absolutely no god". Let them defend their faith for a bit and get a chance to share what they believe and have put their hope and faith in.
#3 If "atheists" didn't believe in God (and on some level the God of the Bible) then why would they spend so much time, energy, and money trying to proof He doesn't exist or remove all trace of Him from our society.
I read this article today and it just reinforced what I believe.http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=1400038
Here are some quotes to consider.
- Atheists have no problem with Muslims who want to erect a mega-mosque near the Ground Zero site, but they don't want a cross.
- "[Their complaining is] not about Islam. It's not about eastern religions. They don't attack the Buddhist monks who spend their life in solitude. They don't attack Hindus praying to different gods in the caste system," notes Sekulow. "They attack Christianity and really the heritage of our country that they would hope to erase."
Angry atheists will spend time, energy, and money to advertise their belief that there is no God (of the Bible) and will spend time, energy, and money to fight in court, petition, and protest, that we as believers in God should not "advertise" our beliefs.
Here is one way I know that "angry atheists" believe there is a God. Those same people spending time, money, energy, and forming united groups (congregations of similar faith) to study their beliefs (their church) and work to plan next how to deliver their message and come against God (discipleship of their faith) - those same people will spend no time time, energy, and money coming against anything else from the Easter Bunny, to Santa Clause, or the belief in aliens from another planet.
WHY? Because if something is make believe, fantasy, or won't cause you to question how you live your life in the light of eternity, you would consider people who lived their lives for those things to be "odd" and just ignore them.
Angry atheists won't spend time, money, and energy fighting against other religions, Muslims, Buddhists, Wiccans, New Age, Reincarnationists, etc. WHY? Because they have no instilled fear of facing those "gods" that they "believe" to be imaginary. They would simply say those believers are "odd" and just ignore them.
BUT - The God of the Bible, the True God of Christianity. The God who we are told created us, and instilled in us a knowledge of Him in us, and who left us without excuse to recognize there is proof of God everywhere we look. The God who placed eternity in our hearts and who said in His Word that only a fool would say in his heart that there is no god (Psalm 14 & Psalm 53).
My point in all this ranting today... I guess, simply, that everyone, even atheists, have put faith and hope in something. Everyone has an instilled system that moves them to believe there is more to this life (and even one to come). Everyone believes there is a point to being moral and good (whatever good they believe). Everyone has an instilled conscience (con- "with" science - "knowledge") that there is right and wrong and even that the God of our Holy Bible will require an account someday and it moves people to get angry or saved.
Don't get "angry" and "attack" back at the "atheists" you know or encounter. Notice that they are 1st people of faith who, without Jesus, will end up in endless punishment.
Lovingly share the good news of the True God who gave us His Word and sent His Son Jesus Christ to make a way for them to find eternal happiness in Heaven with Him and an abundant life of knowing Him in the here and now.
Jude 1:17-22 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21 Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
Who do you know that is need of news that there is a God who loves them and wants them saved from hell to heaven today? Boldly to and preach the good news today.
Somewhere today an "angry atheist" is sharing his or her belief. Somewhere today someone believes something that won't save their soul. Share your faith in the True God of the Bible today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
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