Month: August 2009

Can you really be sure?

Can you really be sure that God is there and that you have found salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life in Christ? Or do you just have to go through your life hoping such things are true but not really knowing? Today’s message at the church from the book of 1 John looks at these questions. The message is in English and Romanian. You can listen to the audio recording here.
The message was being preached at 37 years to the hour from the time I was born; and it is the message I consider it my life’s purpose to proclaim. I hope you will listen to it and take God’s word to heart.

2morrow’s message, a brief preview

Preaching a special message tomorrow at the church, Lord-willing, on 1 John 1–the basis for our assurance of salvation in Christ. Many young disciples struggle with fear and doubt, and we pray that they will know that Christ is able to save completely those who trust and walk in fellowship with Him. Recording will probably be posted here tomorrow afternoon.

Back home

Briana is now safely back home from her vacation at her grandparents’ place in Slobozia. She had a good time, and she is happy to be back, as we are happy to have her. Tuesday, we’ll celebrate her fourth birthday.

The Gospel in your hands

Here’s a brief seed-planting presentation of the gospel that I think I will be using in conversations with people in the future when I only have a few minutes to illustrate for them the meaning of God’s message for them from the Bible.

This one says it

I’m not a big fan of poetry in general. In fact, I’m so much not a fan that when I read a book in which the author quotes some poetry, I’m most often apt to actually skip over it because of how much it feels to me a complete waste of my time to figure it out.
But every once in a while, someone actually says something deep and heartfelt in verse, that speaks words I want to say. Such is the case of the old worship hymn, “Come Thou Fount,” and this verse of it, that says things we usually wouldn’t dare share about ourselves, and yet they are all too true:

“Oh, to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be;
Let Your goodness, like a fetter, bind my wand’ring heart to Thee;
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it;
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it;
Seal it for Your courts above.”

A joke that makes a good point on atheism

An elementary school teacher explained to her class of young children that she was an “atheist.” She asked her class if they were atheists too. Not really knowing what “atheism” was but wanting to be like their teacher, their hands went flying into the air. There was, however, one exception. A girl named Lucy had not gone along with the crowd. The teacher asked her why she decided to be different. Lucy said, “Because I’m not an atheist.” The teacher then asked, “What are you?” Lucy said, “I’m a Christian.” She asked Lucy why she was a Christian. “Well, I was brought up knowing and loving Jesus. My mom is a Christian, and my dad is a Christian, so I am a Christian.” The teacher angrily said, “That’s no reason! What if your mom was a moron, and your dad was a moron? What would you be then?” Lucy paused, thought about it and said, “Then, I’d be an atheist.”

For what will I stand?

There are many things in this world a man could take a stand and fight for: a political party, a philosophy, his own rights and the rights of others to be free. The list goes on, and even contains wicked things, such as those who fight for false belief systems: atheism, islam, vaticanism and the teachings of various cults. Still others stand and fight for public acceptance of sin itself–homosexuality, abortion, pornography, and other immoralities. While others expend their energies fighting against those sins.
Every man who makes a difference, good or bad, in the world, is a man who takes a strong stand for something. And I’ve been asking myself lately how to choose my battles wisely so to be standing for what is really worthy of the fight.
My conclusion is this. I won’t fight for myself, for my rights, for my political philosophy, or for other temporal things anymore. When a battle rises up against me personally, I will, by the grace of God, let Him take up the fight in my place. I’ve learned that as long as I refuse to fight in my own defense, He does not refuse to do so; and He never knows defeat.
But what will I stand for?
“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe.”
That gospel and the word of God. That is what my energies will be spent fighting for; and false teachings that lead people away from salvation, even if they do so by leading them to religion, will be what I stand against. I’m withdrawing from now on from the political battles of this life that do not affect the spiritual battle.
But for the gospel, I do contend, and will contend to the very end–even if that end be hastened by my contention.
Then my life will have been worth living.

Thoughts for Preachers to Ponder

A few meaningful quotes on proclaiming the gospel, from the writings of Christmas Evans, an early 19th century Welsh preacher:
“Reading, prayer, and temptation are necessary to strengthen, and to purify the talents of a minister…. Remember this, that you cannot commit some loved sin in private, and perform the work of the ministry in public, with facility and acceptance.”
“The gospel, as a glass, should be kept clean and clear in the pulpit, that the hearers may see the glory of Christ and be changed to the same image…. Preach the gospel of the grace of God intelligently, affectionately, and without shame…. Let the preacher influence himself; let him reach his own heart, if he would reach the hearts of others; if he would have others feel, he must feel himself.”
And finally, the best one:
“Life is the only cure for death, not the prescriptions of duty, not the threats of punishment and damnation, not the arts and refinements of education, but new, spiritual, Divine Life.”