Month: May 2010

What did they die for? Memorial Day tribute

A video Memorial Day tribute to help us soberly remember, with a song from Twila Paris that looks at the men, and the Man, who died for us and our freedom in this life, and the next.

Guardians of the Gospel

At last night’s home fellowship, we looked at a very important topic from Philippians 3–the necessity of church leaders guarding the purity of the true gospel against the invasion of false teachers who try to do the impossible: blend faith and works as the basis of salvation. You can hear the study, which is one of the most necessary topics I’ve taught on this year, at this link.

Upcoming attractions

Coming soon — a devotional message on this parable from Matthew 13:

24 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”

Answers for Jews awaiting Messiah

The Messiah’s people, who have come to know Him, present to you the way to also come to know Him, and receive God’s forgiveness of sins in His name. You can read it here, as well as find an opportunity to correspond with them and ask questions. The founder of this ministry, Jews for Jesus, this week went to be with Jesus. He surely wants you, be you a fellow Jew or a Gentile, to be there one day too.

Thought for the day

John 3:17–“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that through Him the world might be saved.” We deserve condemnation; we need salvation. In Christ, we escape what we deserve and find what we need: Forgiveness, cleansing, and eternal joy in His presence.

JW’s convenient misquotation of Scriptures

Just had a meeting with JW cult members. They misquoted a scripture, changing the words to make them match their theology. I asked them to show me where the Bible says that. They deferred, so I asked again. They didn’t again. Then finally I demanded they show me where the Bible says what they claimed, and they read a verse from the OT that they VERY loosely interpreted to be making the claim they had made with their fake quote. I asked them why they lied to us about what the Bible says to support their theology. They said they say what they do because the Holy Spirit guides them in their talk. Which made me angry. I said, “Don’t tell me that. The Holy Spirit did not make you lie to me about what the Bible says.” They were here a few minutes more, but the discussion was effectively over at that point.

Defending the gospel


Dangerous false teachers that deceive people into relying on their flesh’s self-righteous efforts to bring them into God’s favor are prevalent worldwide, including the “evangelical church.” If you are in ministry and not engaged in the battle for sound doctrine that holds firm to the gospel of grace, then you are building a ministry that will not outlive you. A minister of the gospel must also be a courageous defender of it in the presence of wolves, for the sake of the sheep whose blood they crave and whose souls you’ve been given watchcare over. Keep in mind that those wolves always look like sheep on the outside, to every man’s eyes, including your own. And be very clear in your teaching, ceaselessly reminding the sheep that their eternal salvation is both obtained and maintained by God’s grace alone, received by faith alone in Christ alone. Nothing more. Nothing less. Nothing else.

“Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh….” –Philippians 3:2-3

TLC’s “Chilli” discusses her abortion


A video of Rozanda Thomas, better known as “Chilli” from the hip-hop trio TLC, in an interview where she talks frankly about the effect an abortion had on her life, when she was pressured into one. –“the biggest mistake” is how she describes it, before weeping and saying that she “cried almost every day for almost nine years.”

God doesn’t have bad breath


Everything You Need

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
–2 Timothy 3:16-17
Paul’s time on earth is coming to an end, and he is writing the last words that the Holy Spirit will pen through him. The words are addressed to his beloved brother in Christ, the younger Timothy, whom he has mentored and continues to mentor in ministry. His last instruction reminds Timothy of what will be most important to his ministry after Paul is gone: proclaiming the word of God. The exhortation is preceded by the two verses here, which you may have committed to memory. The words of those two verses are worthy of a closer look.
“All Scripture” — Every part of the written word of God is included in this statement. Even the parts that differ with the traditions we have been taught by men. Even the parts that we would rather not agree with because they convict us in areas we want God to leave alone. Even the parts that exhort us to do things we’re afraid or unwilling to do. All of the written words of God are included, and all are to be revered and obeyed.
“is God-breathed” or “given by God’s inspiration” — These words are not merely the sanctified words of men. Not a single verse of the Bible originated in the mind of a human. The Scriptures are the Word of the Lord Most High.
“and is useful” or “profitable” — You’re not wasting your time when you’re getting to know God’s word. Every passage is valuable and will be put to good use in your life for the glory of the Author in heaven.
“for teaching” or “doctrine” — These words are the source of truth that will teach you, so that no falsehood can mislead you.
“rebuking” or “reproof” — The Scriptures will show you the error of your ways, thoughts, words, and deeds. The only way a Christian can persist in willful sin is to ignore the Word, because the Word reproves us.
“correcting” — The Word doesn’t stop at telling us what’s wrong, but redirects us to what is right, setting our feet back on the right path when we have strayed.
“and training (or instruction) in righteousness” — These beautiful, living, powerful words don’t just teach us the right and wrong way to live, but teach us and train us in HOW to achieve and live holy lives.
“so that” — All of the above valuable traits of the Bible are intended for a reason. God had a plan in mind when He authored His word. A purpose it would fulfill in our lives after we trust Jesus and are indwelled by His Spirit:
“the man of God may be thoroughly equipped” — Fully, completely equipped. Nothing is lacking in the equipping power of the Bible for any task in the Christian life. Everything necessary for successful Christianity, evangelism, and church life and growth is in the Book. (But how often we make the mistake of turning to other sources, people, seminars, tapes, and books, when we should just open God’s Word and search it diligently until an answer to our dilemma is found.) “for every” — That’s all-inclusive; God will not call you to accomplish any task for which the Word is not a sufficient source of strength, enlightenment, and guidance.
“good” — These works done by the man of God in response to the Word are not bad and not useless, and not worthless or temporal, and not pointless or in vain; they are good, productive, fruitful, lasting.
“work” — Our response as children of God to the word of God is not to remain passive, but to work in accordance with His will. There is a job to do. His glory and His salvation are to be proclaimed before all the peoples of the earth. The end result of our reading the Word and being equipped is that we will no longer sit back and leave the work to others, but engage in it ourselves, joining Him in accomplishing the works He has foreordained for us.
Brothers and sisters, He has provided everything we need in that Book of books that sits too-frequently-unopened on the shelf or desk or the seat of a car. We don’t have to live the fruitless life that results from remaining busy with lesser things than hearing the voice of God. Go right now, and pick up your Bible. Open it, and start reading. Make that a habit that you unconditionally require yourself to practice in your daily life. Learn God’s word well and obey it. Then you will prosper in everything He has called you and equipped you to do.

Fear & Trembling, then Sigh of Relief

Tonight’s home fellowship, at which we were blessed with our biggest group ever, was a time of worship and study of Philippians 2:12-18, where we learned what it means to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” as God does a work in us and through us. The study audio is here for your listening. Hope it blesses you.