Saturday, April 7, 2018
Paul, Silas and Timothy always pray for them and thanks God for their faith and their love and patience. The love of the Thessalonians had for each other was known throughout the land. However, the writers urged them to show more love in (1 Thessalonians 4:10). They asked the Lord to cause the love of the Thessalonians to increase (1 Thessalonians 3:12). As a result, the love of these Christians there was more than it was. God answered the prayer. That is why Paul and his friends thanked God. Many Christians miss aspects of God's love for them. This is probably the reason for the prayer.
Salvation
Since the fall of man, the basis of salvation has always been the death of Christ. No one, either prior to the cross or since the cross, would ever be saved without that one pivotal event in the history of the world. Christ's death paid the penalty for past sins of Old Testament saints and future sins of New Testament saints. The requirement for salvation has always been faith. The object of one's faith for salvation has always been God. The psalmist wrote, “Blessed are all who take refuge in him” (Psalm 2:12). Genesis 15:6 tells us that Abraham believed God and that was enough for God to credit it to him for righteousness (see also Romans 4:3-8). The Old Testament sacrificial system did not take away sin, as Hebrews 10:1-10 clearly teaches. It did, however, point to the day when the Son of God would shed His blood for the sinful human race. What has changed through the ages is the content of a believer's faith. God's requirement of what must be believed is based on the amount of revelation He has given mankind up to that time. This is called progressive revelation. Adam believed the promise God gave in Genesis 3:15 that the Seed of the woman would conquer Satan. Adam believed Him, demonstrated by the name he gave Eve (v. 20) and the Lord indicated His acceptance immediately by covering them with coats of skin (v. 21). At that point that is all Adam knew, but he believed it. Abraham believed God according to the promises and new revelation God gave him in Genesis 12 and 15. Prior to Moses, no Scripture was written, but mankind was responsible for what God had revealed. Throughout the Old Testament, believers came to salvation because they believed that God would someday take care of their sin problem. Today, we look back, believing that He has already taken care of our sins on the cross (John 3:16; Hebrews 9:28). What about believers in Christ's day, prior to the cross and resurrection? What did they believe? Did they understand the full picture of Christ dying on a cross for their sins? Late in His ministry, “Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life” (Matthew 16:21-22). What was the reaction of His disciples to this message? “Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ‘Never, Lord!’ he said. ‘This shall never happen to you!’” Peter and the other disciples did not know the full truth, yet they were saved because they believed that God would take care of their sin problem. They didn't exactly know how He would accomplish that, any more than Adam, Abraham, Moses, or David knew how, but they believed God. Today, we have more revelation than the people living before the resurrection of Christ; we know the full picture. “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe” (Hebrews 1:1-2). Our salvation is still based on the death of Christ, our faith is still the requirement for salvation, and the object of our faith is still God. Today, for us, the content of our faith is that Jesus Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Friday, April 6, 2018
Worship
The purpose of going to church is to learn sound biblical doctrine. The Catholic says grace is to be earned, in doing such a thing they have pretty much destroyed the foundation of the Bible. The Bible says grace is not earned (Ephesians 2:8-9). The Roman Catholic church teaches many different doctrines that aren't in the Bible. These are apostolic succession, worship, and prayer to the saints and Mary, infant baptism, pope/papacy, transubstantiation, plenary indulgences, purgatory and the sacramental system. None of these teachings a solid foundation in the scriptures. These concepts are based on Catholic tradition and contradict the Bible.
Another reason for attending church is for fellowship. Being devoted to and to honor each other (Romans 12:10), and teach each other (Romans 15:14), to be kind and to be compassionate (Ephesians 4:32), encouragement (1 Thessalonians 5:11), and, love each other (1 John 3:11). This might be possible if there are other born-again believers there.
The church is a place to take part in the Lords supper. A non-Catholic is not allowed to take part. The reason for communion is to remember the death of Jesus (Matthew 26:28; Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:26. When taking communion in a Catholic church means that the person agrees and believes in transubstantiation. Most Protestants disagree with the Catholic communion.
Another purpose is prayer (Acts 2:42). Catholics pray to Mary and the saints. The Catholics believe that doing this is more effective than praying to God directly. This not biblical (Hebrews 4:16). All of us are saints and priests (Romans 1:7; 1 Peter 2:5). Jesus is our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14) and that He is our only mediator (1 Timothy 2:5).
Why would a true Christian take part in these false teachings? It would be difficult if not impossible to worship God in a Catholic church.
Thursday, April 5, 2018
What is a prayer warrior? How can I become one?
What is a prayer warrior? How can I become one?: What is a prayer warrior? How can I become one? Why do people refer to prayer as if it is a battle? Can anyone be a prayer warrior?
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
What is a Christian view of sports / athletics?
What is a Christian view of sports / athletics?: What is a Christian view of sports / athletics? Does the Bible talk about sports? Can sports / athletics be beneficial for Christians?
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Monday, April 2, 2018
Sunday, April 1, 2018
Friday, March 30, 2018
Thursday, March 29, 2018
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
What does the Bible teach about anger?
What does the Bible teach about anger?: What does the Bible teach about anger? Is anger always sinful? Is it okay for Christians to be angry? What is a biblical view of anger?
Monday, March 26, 2018
Saturday, March 24, 2018
Are prayer and fasting connected?
Are prayer and fasting connected?: Are prayer and fasting connected? What is the relationship between prayer and fasting? Does the Bible talk about fasting in connection with prayer?
Friday, March 23, 2018
Thursday, March 22, 2018
What does the Bible teach about discernment?
What does the Bible teach about discernment?: What does the Bible teach about discernment? What is discernment? Does the Bible talk about the need to be discerning?
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
Free Moral Agency
While the precise expression "free moral agency" is not found in
the scriptures as such, the concept is present. By "free" is meant the
enjoyment of certain rights, "moral" suggests right principles or conduct,
and "agency" refers to the state or being of exerting power or choice.
God has endowed man with freedom of choice. The scriptures urge man to
"choose," "come unto me," and "open the door" (Josh. 24: 15; Matt. 11: 28;
Rev. 3: 20). Adam and Eve were given the choice to obey or disobey God (Gen.
2: 17; 3: 1-6). The famous "curses" of the Hebrew scriptures were based on
the Jew's free moral agency: "But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not
hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God...that all these curses shall
come upon thee..." (Deut. 28: 15-20, 45). Jesus said to those who were
spiritually doomed, "ye would not!" (Matt. 23: 37).
Man is responsible for his own actions. Since man has the freedom to obey
or disobey and God does not overpower the will of man, man is responsible
for his own actions. "The soul that sinneth, it shall die," declared the
prophet (Ezek. 18: 20). Sin, as such, is not inherited. "The son shall not
bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity
of the son." The prophet further states, "...the righteousness of the
righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon
him" (Ezek. 18: 20, cf. Matt. 18: 3-6; 19: 13-15).
In view of the freedom of choice belonging to man, the book of Acts
abounds with examples of the sinner being urged to come to God. At the very
outset we read, "And with many other words did he testify and exhort,
saying, save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly
received his word were baptized..." (Acts 2: 40, 41, KJV).
the scriptures as such, the concept is present. By "free" is meant the
enjoyment of certain rights, "moral" suggests right principles or conduct,
and "agency" refers to the state or being of exerting power or choice.
God has endowed man with freedom of choice. The scriptures urge man to
"choose," "come unto me," and "open the door" (Josh. 24: 15; Matt. 11: 28;
Rev. 3: 20). Adam and Eve were given the choice to obey or disobey God (Gen.
2: 17; 3: 1-6). The famous "curses" of the Hebrew scriptures were based on
the Jew's free moral agency: "But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not
hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God...that all these curses shall
come upon thee..." (Deut. 28: 15-20, 45). Jesus said to those who were
spiritually doomed, "ye would not!" (Matt. 23: 37).
Man is responsible for his own actions. Since man has the freedom to obey
or disobey and God does not overpower the will of man, man is responsible
for his own actions. "The soul that sinneth, it shall die," declared the
prophet (Ezek. 18: 20). Sin, as such, is not inherited. "The son shall not
bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity
of the son." The prophet further states, "...the righteousness of the
righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon
him" (Ezek. 18: 20, cf. Matt. 18: 3-6; 19: 13-15).
In view of the freedom of choice belonging to man, the book of Acts
abounds with examples of the sinner being urged to come to God. At the very
outset we read, "And with many other words did he testify and exhort,
saying, save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly
received his word were baptized..." (Acts 2: 40, 41, KJV).
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Poison,
A man went to his father and said:
‘Father, I can't take it anymore, my wife is driving me insane!!! I want to kill her, but I'm afraid someone might find out I did it. Please help me?!
The Father replied:
‘Yes I can help you, but there's a but... you're going to have to make amends with her so no one would suspect that it was you, when she dies… You'll have to take very good care of her, be kind, grateful, patient, caring, less selfish, listen more and help her with chores... you see this powder here? Every day you have to put a little in her food. So, she dies slowly.
Thirty days had passed and the son came back and said to his father:
‘I don't want her to die! I have come to love her. And now… how do I cut the effect of the poison?’
Then the father said:
‘Don't worry! What I gave you was rice powder. She's not going to die, because the poison was in you!’
‘When we feed grudges, our love slowly dies. When we make peace with ourselves and with those who offended us, then we can deal with the other, as we would like to be treated.’
Then, we will have the initiative to love, to give, to offer, to serve, to care for... and not just have the need to win, to be served, or to take advantage of and exploit the other.
We all need to stop, pray and ask for that antidote called forgiveness.
‘Father, I can't take it anymore, my wife is driving me insane!!! I want to kill her, but I'm afraid someone might find out I did it. Please help me?!
The Father replied:
‘Yes I can help you, but there's a but... you're going to have to make amends with her so no one would suspect that it was you, when she dies… You'll have to take very good care of her, be kind, grateful, patient, caring, less selfish, listen more and help her with chores... you see this powder here? Every day you have to put a little in her food. So, she dies slowly.
Thirty days had passed and the son came back and said to his father:
‘I don't want her to die! I have come to love her. And now… how do I cut the effect of the poison?’
Then the father said:
‘Don't worry! What I gave you was rice powder. She's not going to die, because the poison was in you!’
‘When we feed grudges, our love slowly dies. When we make peace with ourselves and with those who offended us, then we can deal with the other, as we would like to be treated.’
Then, we will have the initiative to love, to give, to offer, to serve, to care for... and not just have the need to win, to be served, or to take advantage of and exploit the other.
We all need to stop, pray and ask for that antidote called forgiveness.
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
Monday, March 12, 2018
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Definition of cult - “a pyramid-shaped authoritarian regime with a person or group of people that have dictatorial control. It uses deception in recruiting new members (e.g. people are NOT told up front what the group is, what the group actually believes and what will be expected of them if they become members).”
Characteristics of destructive cults: Destructive cults are characterized by:
- Behavior Control: An individual’s associations, living arrangements, food, clothing, sleeping habits, finances, etc., are strictly controlled.
- Information Control: Cult leaders deliberately withhold or distort information, lie, propagandize, and limit access to other sources of information.
- Thought Control: Cult leaders use loaded words and language, discourage critical thinking, bar any speech critical of cult leaders or policies, and teach an “us vs. them” doctrine.
- Emotional Control: Leaders manipulate their followers via fear (including the fear of losing salvation, fear of shunning, etc.), guilt, and indoctrination.
Characteristics of destructive cults: Destructive cults are characterized by:
- Behavior Control: An individual’s associations, living arrangements, food, clothing, sleeping habits, finances, etc., are strictly controlled.
- Information Control: Cult leaders deliberately withhold or distort information, lie, propagandize, and limit access to other sources of information.
- Thought Control: Cult leaders use loaded words and language, discourage critical thinking, bar any speech critical of cult leaders or policies, and teach an “us vs. them” doctrine.
- Emotional Control: Leaders manipulate their followers via fear (including the fear of losing salvation, fear of shunning, etc.), guilt, and indoctrination.
Saturday, March 10, 2018
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