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B.B...

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Thought I was About to Die

Well that may be a little over board. But I really did have a scare last night while sleeping. Let me try and explain.

Right before dozing off last night I noticed it was raining slightly. Around 1am to 3am (I don’t have a clock) I was awaken from a deep sleep by thunder. Now when it thundered the storm seemed to be a little to my left, which would be the left side of my home. Now normally when I’m awakened by a storm (which is not often) I just go right back to sleep however, last night was little different because about 15 seconds after the first thunder that woke me another much louder and much, much more powerful blast thundered.

The storm had been moving from my left to right because the second thunder blast went off right over my head. And let me say it seemed the storm was only about 100 to 200 feet up. I thought my life, family and home was about to be destroyed. It was so, so loud - like an insanely loud bomb which caused my heart to faint and sink in fear. You know what I’m talking about right? I know I’m showing my weak scared little boy side. I don’t care it was a loud thunder even if my wife and 2 year old slept through it…

Anyway I remember thinking right when the thunder crashed something like this – Oh Lord, are You in this storm, and are You about to crush me – Then my mind wandered to God being full of powerful glory and He always does what is right and good, even in the midst and results of storms.

Well I’m still here so God did not destroy me but let me say one last thing. Yesterday I noticed a theme in my daily life which centered on this statement – Fear the Lord. That thunder crash which left me breathless is only a small, small glimpse of the overwhelming power, strength, and sheer force of the great I AM. HE is worthy to be feared and praised whether you’re under His grace or dead in your sins

Christ alone saves…

Connected

Once your connected is there ever any turning back and becoming unconnected? How can being connected full time (facebook, twitter, blogs, email, txt msgs, etc) bring glorify to Jesus Christ? These are just a few things I've been thinking about as I've been syncing my life to the internet. If being connected mainly and primarily brings glory to God then it must be a good thing.

Christ is King.

Sprugeon on being Born Again

Jesus Loves You

One thing that really bothers me is people who run around telling people “Jesus Loves You” and that’s all they say. Let me try and open this thought up a little so there is no confusion about what I mean her.

The Bible teaches the preaching (witnessing) of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing (1Cor.1:18). The sinner does not fear God nor love God (Romans 1:18-25). The Bible tells us people are dead, slaves, foolish and disobedient in their sins (Eph. 2:1-3 - Titus 3:3).

Therefore, if all a person does is use the “Jesus Loves You” quote, it does no good. Again sinners could careless if Jesus loves them. They do not understand Christ, His death, why He had to die, the glory of the cross, etc…

Now I do not mean we should never tell people Jesus loves them. But when we start speaking of Christ’ love it must be in direct contrast to the cross and what happened on the cross. If a person does not understand the cross, the love of Christ is going to be foolishness to them. Let’s quickly look at what the Bible says about God’s love towards sinners. I’ve bolded some keys words that really cannot be left out when speaking of God’s love.

(Romans 5:6-11)
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Ray Comfort uses a great anagoly on his HBKS teaching. If you want to wake someone from a deep, deep sleep - you are not going to shine a FLASHLIGHT in their face. That would offend them and cause the person to be mad, grumpy and unwilling to here what you have to say. No, to wake someone from a deep, deep sleep you would be better served to slowly start turning the light on like a light dimmer.

First use the law (10 commandments) to bring the knowledge of sin (in a loving way), and then turn on the Light of the gospel.

Jesus does love sinners (Romans 5:8), but if the sinner does not understand his sin, they will not understand His love.