Ray Comfort has raised the price trying to get famous atheist Richard Dawkins into the debate ring. Dawkins said he would do it for $100,000. I think Dawkins is just a poor debater and is running scared. Read about here...
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
People are Interesting
"It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would strongly be tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal."
C.S. Lewis
Monday, February 23, 2009
Biblical Evangelism
New short video from Living Waters on witnessing. It's only about 6 minutes long so watch it...
$10k up for Debate with Comfort vs. Dawkins
Ray Comfort has offered atheist Richard Dawkins $10,000 for a hour debate about the existence of God. You can read about it here...
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Finally Alive
I received John Piper's new book the other week and have almost finished it. The book is titled "Finally Alive" and deals with the biggest and in my opinion the most important issue we all face - Have we truly been born again?
Piper is doing a great job using Scripture to point out the new birth, what regeneration is and what becoming a child of God should look like. The first paragraph in the introduction will give you a feel for the rest of the book:
"The declaration of Jesus that we must be born again (John 3:7) is either deluded or devastating to the one who would be captain of his soul. Not many biblical realities are better designed by God to reveal our helplessness in sin. 'The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit' (John 3:8) It is the Wind, not we, who finally rules the soul."
This is a book I would highly recommend you pick up. Thinking you’re born again and finding out your not once standing in God's deep chambers will have eternal consequences. Read it and may God give grace...
Piper is doing a great job using Scripture to point out the new birth, what regeneration is and what becoming a child of God should look like. The first paragraph in the introduction will give you a feel for the rest of the book:
"The declaration of Jesus that we must be born again (John 3:7) is either deluded or devastating to the one who would be captain of his soul. Not many biblical realities are better designed by God to reveal our helplessness in sin. 'The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit' (John 3:8) It is the Wind, not we, who finally rules the soul."
This is a book I would highly recommend you pick up. Thinking you’re born again and finding out your not once standing in God's deep chambers will have eternal consequences. Read it and may God give grace...
Friday, February 20, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Kirk Cameron Talks with Gang Members
Kirk Cameron showing how Biblical evangelism is done in real life. Watch this 7 minute clip....
Monday, February 16, 2009
The Dangers Of Pragmatism (Part 3) - John MacArthur
See part one and two below. Each video is only about 10 minutes long. Enjoy!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Part 2 of John MacArthurs "The Dangers of Pragmatism"
See part one posted below from the other day. Both clips are only about 10 minutes long. I'll post up part three in a day or so. Enjoy!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
High Treason
I was listening to R.C. Sproul the other day and he made a comment similar to this, which by the way I completely agree with:
“Here in America we still have a few crimes that result in the death penalty. One of course is murder, but another is “High Treason.” Now think about this – High Treason here on earth is very similar to High Treason against God. God is the sovereign King over the entire universe and all things are under His authority and rule ship, and violating God’s law results in the death penalty for committing treason against Him and His kingdom.”
See what all humans deserve is fairness and justice. We want things to be fair and we want things to be just. But this creates a small problem when it comes to us and God because God is holy and just. For God to be completely fair and just would mean everyone who has ever violated His law would be sent to prison. God’s prison of course is hell. Everyone born violates His law at some point and we are all guilty before Him. So we are all in big trouble without grace and/or mercy.
Now since this world and all of creation is under God’s authority and kingship, He is free to give grace and/or mercy to whom He will. The only hope we really have is to fling ourselves in front of God and beg for grace, not based on any merit because then it would not be grace. No, no – We deserve justice and need grace. This is the Gospel. This is what Christ provides for those who will come.
The sole King of all creation commands all sinners-law breakers to do a few things to receive salvation. God commands all people everywhere to “REPENT” (turn from sins) and believe the “GOSPEL” of Jesus of Christ. If we do this God’s word says we have been born again. The sinner-law breaker is made a new creation. When this happens there should be some evidence of truly being born again. God has literally removed the God hating heart, and replaced it with a heart of flesh. This is a heart that should start longing for God and loving God, hating sin and wanting to grow in holiness.
Are you born again? If not, you cannot see the kingdom of heaven. (John 3:3) Pray for grace upon grace. I pled with you to beg the holy sovereign God of all things to not give what is deserved, justice - but to give grace and mercy, and to cause you to be born again which is life.
“Here in America we still have a few crimes that result in the death penalty. One of course is murder, but another is “High Treason.” Now think about this – High Treason here on earth is very similar to High Treason against God. God is the sovereign King over the entire universe and all things are under His authority and rule ship, and violating God’s law results in the death penalty for committing treason against Him and His kingdom.”
See what all humans deserve is fairness and justice. We want things to be fair and we want things to be just. But this creates a small problem when it comes to us and God because God is holy and just. For God to be completely fair and just would mean everyone who has ever violated His law would be sent to prison. God’s prison of course is hell. Everyone born violates His law at some point and we are all guilty before Him. So we are all in big trouble without grace and/or mercy.
Now since this world and all of creation is under God’s authority and kingship, He is free to give grace and/or mercy to whom He will. The only hope we really have is to fling ourselves in front of God and beg for grace, not based on any merit because then it would not be grace. No, no – We deserve justice and need grace. This is the Gospel. This is what Christ provides for those who will come.
The sole King of all creation commands all sinners-law breakers to do a few things to receive salvation. God commands all people everywhere to “REPENT” (turn from sins) and believe the “GOSPEL” of Jesus of Christ. If we do this God’s word says we have been born again. The sinner-law breaker is made a new creation. When this happens there should be some evidence of truly being born again. God has literally removed the God hating heart, and replaced it with a heart of flesh. This is a heart that should start longing for God and loving God, hating sin and wanting to grow in holiness.
Are you born again? If not, you cannot see the kingdom of heaven. (John 3:3) Pray for grace upon grace. I pled with you to beg the holy sovereign God of all things to not give what is deserved, justice - but to give grace and mercy, and to cause you to be born again which is life.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Acknowledge or Deny
Matthew 10:32-33
“32So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”
Acknowledging Him is more than just a fish magnet on the back of a vehicle. We need to speak up and allow Christ to be seen as the Lord of our lives. In like, denying Him is more than just denying with our mouths. Not obeying His commandments and the Gospel is denying Him in front of men-women.
“32So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”
Acknowledging Him is more than just a fish magnet on the back of a vehicle. We need to speak up and allow Christ to be seen as the Lord of our lives. In like, denying Him is more than just denying with our mouths. Not obeying His commandments and the Gospel is denying Him in front of men-women.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
The Sovereignty of God
"To bow before the sovereign will of God is one of the great secrets of peace and happiness. There can be no real submission with contentment until we are broken in spirit, that is, until we are willing and glad for the Lord to have His way with us. Not that we are insisting upon a spirit of fatalistic acquiescence; far from it. The saints are exhorted to 'prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God' (Rom. 12:2)"
A.W. Pink
Friday, February 6, 2009
So this is my Prayer
I feel like here lately I have been having to defend my theology more and more. It really is strange because basically my theology is this:
God is sovereign over all created things and can handle His creation anyway He sees fit.
I’m studying Scripture, praying daily for God to allow me to know Him better. I truly with all my desire want to understand correctly God as I believe this helps the creature give due praise to his Creator.
So this is my prayer:
I pray that the Lord will give me a correct understanding of Him, not what I think about Him or want Him to be, but a true picture of His Being from Scripture. I pray that my sinful flesh does not get in the way from a correct understanding of Him and that He gives me grace, even though I know I’m the least of men and by no means come close to deserving it. I pray as my understanding increases in Him, I decrease in worth in and of myself. Father as I humbly come and ask for true understanding I realize that without reverent fear of You this will never be possible. I come not of my own power but I come in Christ who lives. Please cause me to see clearly in this fallen, foggy world. In Christ I pray…
God is sovereign over all created things and can handle His creation anyway He sees fit.
I’m studying Scripture, praying daily for God to allow me to know Him better. I truly with all my desire want to understand correctly God as I believe this helps the creature give due praise to his Creator.
So this is my prayer:
I pray that the Lord will give me a correct understanding of Him, not what I think about Him or want Him to be, but a true picture of His Being from Scripture. I pray that my sinful flesh does not get in the way from a correct understanding of Him and that He gives me grace, even though I know I’m the least of men and by no means come close to deserving it. I pray as my understanding increases in Him, I decrease in worth in and of myself. Father as I humbly come and ask for true understanding I realize that without reverent fear of You this will never be possible. I come not of my own power but I come in Christ who lives. Please cause me to see clearly in this fallen, foggy world. In Christ I pray…
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Desiring God 2009 Conference for Pastors
Matt Chandler's topic was "A Shepherd and his Unregenerate Sheep" which I recommend listening to if you have time.
Hear his message here.
I'm about to listen to John Piper speak on his topic ""I Will Not Be a Velvet-Mouthed Preacher!” which is about George Whitefield. Whitefield is claimed to be the greatest Open Air preacher. He preached from 1739 to 1770 an estimated 18,000 sermons. His largest crowd, in open air mind you, is estimated to have been 20,000 people. Whitefield was used by God to help bring about the Great Awakening. I recommend listening.
Hear his message here.
Hear his message here.
I'm about to listen to John Piper speak on his topic ""I Will Not Be a Velvet-Mouthed Preacher!” which is about George Whitefield. Whitefield is claimed to be the greatest Open Air preacher. He preached from 1739 to 1770 an estimated 18,000 sermons. His largest crowd, in open air mind you, is estimated to have been 20,000 people. Whitefield was used by God to help bring about the Great Awakening. I recommend listening.
Hear his message here.
Scripture for the Day
I have started a new Bible reading program in which I read 10 chapters a day, each chapter from a different book. Using this program will allow me to move through the Bible at a very rapid speed, with repetion being the key. Supposedly moving through the Bible like this will allow you to complete entire books of the Bible multiple times a year and therefore allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture. So far I like the method.
This was my third morning using this method, so I was in chapter 3 of 10 different books. These 5 verses stood out today.
Matthew 3:2 (New American Standard Bible)
2"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Acts 3:19 (New American Standard Bible)
19"Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;
Proverbs 3:7 (New American Standard Bible)
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
Psalm 3:3-4 (New American Standard Bible)
But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. 4I was crying to the LORD with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Progress in Divine things
I'm about to wrap up A.W. Pink's book "The Sovereignty of God" in a day or so. This book has helped me see from Scripture God in a new and exciting light. The below comment from chapter 12 “The Value of This Doctrine” really stood out to me today. As I start a new journey of Bible reading (10 chapters a day) it will serve me well to keep Pink's comments in mind....
“There can be no progress in Divine things until there is the personal recognition that God is supreme, that He is to be feared and revered, that He is to be owned and served as Lord. We read the Scriptures in vain unless we come to them earnestly desiring a better knowledge of God’s will for us – any other motive is selfish and utterly inadequate and unworthy. Every prayer we send up to God is but carnal presumption unless it be offered “according to His will” – anything short of this is to ask ‘amiss,’ that we might consume upon our own lusts the thing requested. Every service we engage in is but a “dead work” unless it be done for the glory of God.”
- A.W. Pink
Monday, February 2, 2009
Witnessing at Passport Health
Tina and I are planning a short mission trip to India this coming March, and to get ready for the trip it was recommended I get some shots. I received four total shots for what my wife tells me is recommended for this part of the world. I guess if they recommend it, you better get them. Two shots in each arm left me sore for a few days.
The nurse working at the shot center (Passport Health) in Spartanburg was a very nice lady. Her name was Tiffany and I knew right away the Holy Spirit was leading me to witness to her. I decided to wait until after the shots just in case the Lord had some persecutions in mind for me. I didn’t want any needles stuck anywhere other than where they were supposed to go.
Once I was finished and after I had paid, I gave Tiffany a Living Waters million dollar bill Gospel tract. She loved it! This allowed me to strike up a conversation about spiritual things with her. Tiffany grew up in a Baptist church, currently attended a church in Lyman, and her husband had just been called into the ministry.
I established with Tiffany that we both believed in heaven and hell and then moved onto the big question. Where does she think she would end up when she died? Of course she said “heaven” like most everyone. When I asked Tiffany why she would end up in heaven she responded like this, “Well I have been a pretty good person, I’m not really selfish and I believe in God and that He is forgiving.”
I then went on to ask Tiffany if she had ever heard of being born again to which she said she did. When I asked her if she understood what that meant, to be born again, you would have thought I had just asked her if she wanted a brand new car - free! She quickly and in a very grateful tone said, “No I don’t, please tell me.”
Tiffany and I spent the next 30 minutes discussing God’s sovereignty and holiness, mans depraved state, what sin is (transgression of God’s law – 1 John 3:4), why hell is reasonable, why Christ had to come, repentance and faith in Christ. God was very good during this whole discussion in that I was the only customer and hers and my phone did not ring at all.
Tiffany said she was very grateful that I came in that day, and she was looking forward to speaking with her husband. We should never assume just because someone goes to church, grew up in church, says they believe in Christ, or is even involved in church that they are “born again.” Tiffany very well might have been saved, but I believe the Holy Spirit was working heavy on her heart and our paths met that day by Divine Providence. Please pray for her.
The nurse working at the shot center (Passport Health) in Spartanburg was a very nice lady. Her name was Tiffany and I knew right away the Holy Spirit was leading me to witness to her. I decided to wait until after the shots just in case the Lord had some persecutions in mind for me. I didn’t want any needles stuck anywhere other than where they were supposed to go.
Once I was finished and after I had paid, I gave Tiffany a Living Waters million dollar bill Gospel tract. She loved it! This allowed me to strike up a conversation about spiritual things with her. Tiffany grew up in a Baptist church, currently attended a church in Lyman, and her husband had just been called into the ministry.
I established with Tiffany that we both believed in heaven and hell and then moved onto the big question. Where does she think she would end up when she died? Of course she said “heaven” like most everyone. When I asked Tiffany why she would end up in heaven she responded like this, “Well I have been a pretty good person, I’m not really selfish and I believe in God and that He is forgiving.”
I then went on to ask Tiffany if she had ever heard of being born again to which she said she did. When I asked her if she understood what that meant, to be born again, you would have thought I had just asked her if she wanted a brand new car - free! She quickly and in a very grateful tone said, “No I don’t, please tell me.”
Tiffany and I spent the next 30 minutes discussing God’s sovereignty and holiness, mans depraved state, what sin is (transgression of God’s law – 1 John 3:4), why hell is reasonable, why Christ had to come, repentance and faith in Christ. God was very good during this whole discussion in that I was the only customer and hers and my phone did not ring at all.
Tiffany said she was very grateful that I came in that day, and she was looking forward to speaking with her husband. We should never assume just because someone goes to church, grew up in church, says they believe in Christ, or is even involved in church that they are “born again.” Tiffany very well might have been saved, but I believe the Holy Spirit was working heavy on her heart and our paths met that day by Divine Providence. Please pray for her.
Free or Slave
To my “Free Will” friends I want to quickly look at a text my Pastor referenced yesterday at Church. John 8:32 “and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
Jesus is speaking to a group of people who have just come to believe in Him (vrs.30). Jesus goes on in verse 31 to say, “if you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;” and then leads into the above verse 32 about being free.
Now the first thing that pops out to me is obviously Christ is the Truth. So that would indicate that everything outside Christ is deception (lies). The second thing, which deals with the free will issue, is that “the truth will make you free.” Free from what? Also if you are not free what are you?
Well let’s first establish that people who are not free are slaves. You cannot be a slave and be free. It just does not work. Second if we are not free but slaves, what are we slaves to? Well Scripture tells us just a couple of verses down.
John 8:34 “Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.”
So if humans are not free but slaves to sin and only Christ can set them free, then it follows, at least to me, that we do not have “free will” to make ourselves free from sin. We are free in our nature which is “slaves to sin” to move, think and exist, but not free to make ourselves free and alive. Only something truly free has the power to make something else “slaves” truly free. This something is of course Christ.
No more can a dead man give himself CPR than a dead man in sin cause himself to come to alive.
So humans do not have complete free will, just meaning they are free to will themselves alive, but have free will within their nature “slaves to sin” to continue to exist – dead in sin. Without the voice of God breathing on them, they will not come alive “born again.”
Jesus is speaking to a group of people who have just come to believe in Him (vrs.30). Jesus goes on in verse 31 to say, “if you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;” and then leads into the above verse 32 about being free.
Now the first thing that pops out to me is obviously Christ is the Truth. So that would indicate that everything outside Christ is deception (lies). The second thing, which deals with the free will issue, is that “the truth will make you free.” Free from what? Also if you are not free what are you?
Well let’s first establish that people who are not free are slaves. You cannot be a slave and be free. It just does not work. Second if we are not free but slaves, what are we slaves to? Well Scripture tells us just a couple of verses down.
John 8:34 “Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.”
So if humans are not free but slaves to sin and only Christ can set them free, then it follows, at least to me, that we do not have “free will” to make ourselves free from sin. We are free in our nature which is “slaves to sin” to move, think and exist, but not free to make ourselves free and alive. Only something truly free has the power to make something else “slaves” truly free. This something is of course Christ.
No more can a dead man give himself CPR than a dead man in sin cause himself to come to alive.
So humans do not have complete free will, just meaning they are free to will themselves alive, but have free will within their nature “slaves to sin” to continue to exist – dead in sin. Without the voice of God breathing on them, they will not come alive “born again.”
The question is, are you alive or still dead in your sins? Verse 30 of John 8 says, that Christ' true disciples “continue in His word.” Are you not sure? I would pled with you to heed Scriptures call to “repent” turn from all sin and place all your “faith” in Christ. The evidence of salvation is not the sincerity of a prayer, but the fruit God starts producing in your life. Is there any desire to grow in holiness with God, concern about the lost, fellowship with other believers, a new outlook on sin, and getting into Scripture? If there is no desire for these things above please examine yourself in light of the Holy Scriptures. Read the Gospel of John and pray for grace.
I pray Christ who is Lord over all lords will call you and allow you to have grace and not justice. Who can stand the fierce wrath of God’s justice, for we “all have sinned” and broken His laws (lying, stealing, blaspheming, lust, etc…). May you receive grace upon grace and taste the freedom of life in Christ.
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