Within the last couple of months, Christianity has been under attack. Not necessarily by bombs and terrorists, but by agnostics and psuedo christians. As a bible believing and thumping person, this distresses me greatly. Not because non-believers are adhering to the teachings of these so called gospel truths, but that christians are believing these teachings to be true. As it is written in Galatians "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ." (Gal 1:6,7 NIV) It is time for Christians to get a backbone, stand up, stop making excuses and start evangelizing the Truth.
I know some of you reading this is thinking, "Wow, something has gotten Daniels dandruff all a twitter, he's not being funny like he usually is" When it comes to "perverting" the Truth, I get all shades of miffed. (And that's using nice terminology)
What is the Gospel Truth? At the end of the first four books of the New Testament, Christians are given the great commision, in one form or another. (Matt 28:19,20 Mark 16:15 Luke24:47 John20:21) We are commanded to preach the Gospel (or good news) What then is the Gospel Truth?
"Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to Gentiles" (1 Cor 1 :22,23 NIV) In essence the Gospel Truth is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Anything that does not recognize this basic truth is FALSE. Any writing, speech, or hand gestures that teaches Jesus was not resurrected or died for mankind is false. And the thing I learned in school (something actually stuck with me aren't you proud Ms. Cowen) about true false questions is this: If any part of the statement is false, then the whole thing is false. Do not be persuaded by false teachings, just because it's packaged neatly and sounds cool.
Some of you might ask "But, what I have read in this book doesn't dispute that, it just says other things that the bible doesn't say. Can you explain that?" Thanks for asking, I will do my best.
Other false teachings especially found the "Gnostic Gospels" can be found and disputed by using the bible and facts throughout history. Currently right now, there is a big to do about the "Gospel of Judas" One of the most glaring false teachings is that Jesus conspired with Judas to have Judas betray him. Let's look at what the bible says about the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. First, Judas stood before the pharisees and conspired with them to turn Jesus in. Second, Jesus knew what was on Judas' heart and knew what was going on. Third, at the last supper, Jesus announced to all that someone was going to betray him and when he pointed out Judas, all Jesus said to him was "What you are about to do, do quickly" (John 13:27b) That is not conspiring with Judas, that is similar to when you are at work and someone says they will inform the boss of your misdeeds and you say, "Fine, do what you have to do" Does that mean you have conspired with him to turn you into the boss? No. It just means, you know what's going to happen, so get it done with.
What about that other book, the one about the painter that are making a movie about. That my dear brothers and sisters is another time. As they say in TV "Stay Tuned"
Know the truth and preach the truth. Stand firm and do not waver. "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Gal 1:10 NIV)
Have a blessed week
Daniel
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Monday, May 29, 2006
Busyness of Life
On the TV (not on it literally, just being shown by it) is a car commercial featuring a little "demonic" thing named "My Fast". Every commercial I've seen has put the emphasis on the speed of the vehicle and everything else is secondary. One commercial has a male and female duo (I'm not sure if they're married or dating) but the "beast" wants the male to hear the roar of the engine and the wind whipping through the vehicle. At one point of the commercial the male , not so delicately, tells the woman to be quiet. Why? Because "My Fast" has to be heard. The point of the commercial is life is fast and you have to be fast to enjoy it.
Society has taught us we must always be busy for life to be meaningful. We have to do many things and accomplish a lot. I am reminded of 2 sisters who were exact opposites. One rushed around trying to get preparations made for a visitor. The other sister just relaxed, sat there, and at one point, washed the guests feet. The two sisters; Martha and Mary, the guest; Jesus.
Martha was busy with preparations for a banquet. Mary was content with sitting at Jesus' feet enjoying the time with Him. At one point Martha exploded and wanted Jesus to reprimand Mary for being lazy and to send her to the kitchen. Jesus did the opposite, He reprimanded Martha for concerning herself with other less important things, while Mary focused on Jesus needs at that moment.
How many times have we done that? Knowing that what we are doing, we are doing for the Lord, but we are going about it all wrong. Martha was focused on pleasing Jesus, but was doing it in a manner that wasn't needed. She was remaining busy, but forgetting the important things. Mary was focused on Jesus, but in a spiritual way. A way that was pleasing unto the Lord.
A lot of times we need to get away from a works mentality and get into a faith mentality. We should remain focused on Jesus and what He wants from us. How do we make Jesus the central part of our lives? First get into the word. Study the bible daily. No matter how busy you claim to be, always find time to study the bible. If you think you don't have time, look at this story
Society has taught us we must always be busy for life to be meaningful. We have to do many things and accomplish a lot. I am reminded of 2 sisters who were exact opposites. One rushed around trying to get preparations made for a visitor. The other sister just relaxed, sat there, and at one point, washed the guests feet. The two sisters; Martha and Mary, the guest; Jesus.
Martha was busy with preparations for a banquet. Mary was content with sitting at Jesus' feet enjoying the time with Him. At one point Martha exploded and wanted Jesus to reprimand Mary for being lazy and to send her to the kitchen. Jesus did the opposite, He reprimanded Martha for concerning herself with other less important things, while Mary focused on Jesus needs at that moment.
How many times have we done that? Knowing that what we are doing, we are doing for the Lord, but we are going about it all wrong. Martha was focused on pleasing Jesus, but was doing it in a manner that wasn't needed. She was remaining busy, but forgetting the important things. Mary was focused on Jesus, but in a spiritual way. A way that was pleasing unto the Lord.
A lot of times we need to get away from a works mentality and get into a faith mentality. We should remain focused on Jesus and what He wants from us. How do we make Jesus the central part of our lives? First get into the word. Study the bible daily. No matter how busy you claim to be, always find time to study the bible. If you think you don't have time, look at this story
George Mueller Read The Bible 100 Times
Is reading the Bible a necessary part of your day or does it have a low priority in your life? George Mueller, after having read the Bible through one hundred times with increasing delight, made this statement: "I look upon it as a lost day when I have not had a good time over the Word of God. Friends often say, 'I have so much to do, so many people to see, I cannot find time for Scripture study.' Perhaps there are not many who have more to do than I.
For more than half a century I have never known one day when I had not more business than I could get through. For 4 years I have had annually about 30,000 letters, and most of these have passed through my own hands.
Then, as pastor of a church with 1,200 believers, great has been my care. Besides, I have had charge of five immense orphanages; also, at my publishing depot, the printing and circulating of millions of tracts, books, and Bibles; but I have always made it a rule never to begin work until I have had a good season with God and His Word. The blessing I have received has been wonderful."
Counter Attack, Jay Carty, Multnomah Press, 1988, pp. 155ff
Is reading the Bible a necessary part of your day or does it have a low priority in your life? George Mueller, after having read the Bible through one hundred times with increasing delight, made this statement: "I look upon it as a lost day when I have not had a good time over the Word of God. Friends often say, 'I have so much to do, so many people to see, I cannot find time for Scripture study.' Perhaps there are not many who have more to do than I.
For more than half a century I have never known one day when I had not more business than I could get through. For 4 years I have had annually about 30,000 letters, and most of these have passed through my own hands.
Then, as pastor of a church with 1,200 believers, great has been my care. Besides, I have had charge of five immense orphanages; also, at my publishing depot, the printing and circulating of millions of tracts, books, and Bibles; but I have always made it a rule never to begin work until I have had a good season with God and His Word. The blessing I have received has been wonderful."
Counter Attack, Jay Carty, Multnomah Press, 1988, pp. 155ff
Second pray daily. I pray five times a day. I'm not boasting about that, I'm almost ashamed of it. I pray when I wake up, breakfast, dinner, supper, and bedtime. That's five times. I need to increase it. How? When I have free time, I can pause and thank God for the blessings I have. So can you. Scripture says to pray continuously, always be in the frame of mindful prayer. Prayer is a conversation with God. Since He is your Father in heaven, talk to Him like you would your father on earth. Prayer does not solely consist of asking God to do things for you, but it consists of asking God what He wants you to do. To paraphrase a President, "Ask not what God can do for you, but ask what you can do for God."
Third witness daily. Tell others about Christ. Tell others what Jesus means to you. Tell others what Jesus has done for you. Don't get into an exegisis of scripture with them, (unless they ask). Just tell them what Jesus means to you and how He has changed your life.
Fourth prioritize. What is the most important thing to you? Is it your family, work, Star Wars? The most important thing to you should be God. God is above all things, then comes your family, then Star Wars, then your job. If God is your focus everything else will fall into place. "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well," (Matt 6:33 NIV)
God Bless
Daniel
Third witness daily. Tell others about Christ. Tell others what Jesus means to you. Tell others what Jesus has done for you. Don't get into an exegisis of scripture with them, (unless they ask). Just tell them what Jesus means to you and how He has changed your life.
Fourth prioritize. What is the most important thing to you? Is it your family, work, Star Wars? The most important thing to you should be God. God is above all things, then comes your family, then Star Wars, then your job. If God is your focus everything else will fall into place. "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well," (Matt 6:33 NIV)
God Bless
Daniel
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