We read in 1 Timothy 3:15 that the church is the pillar and bulwark of the truth. Jude verse 3 states that the faith has been delivered once for all to the saints, and must be defended. What God has spoken to us through His word is truth. It may offend some, it may not be politically correct, it may not be popular, but it is TRUTH.
The trend today is to water things down, to make things less offensive. We want our churches full, we do not want to see people leave because of a hard message. This is accomplished at a cost to the truth. Timothy 4 goes on to say that in later days many will be deceived by false teachers. False teachers with false doctrines will creep into the very church that is to be built on, and defending the truth.
The church is meant to be a place where true believers are edified, encouraged, built up in the faith, and equipped to go out and advance the kingdom of God. It is not meant to be a place of entertainment, a place of soft, feel good messages and new catchy doctrines. It is the church of the living God!
Be on guard! Know the word, and do not be afraid to stand up for the truth in this generation!
To earnestly contend for the faith, that was once for all entrusted to the saints, to promote the full gospel of Jesus Christ, who gave Himself to deliver us from this wicked generation.
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Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
The word of God is still true.
Last night I read an interview where one of Harold Camping's adherants stated that they were surprised, disapointed, but the word of God was still true.
While they were all wrong concerning the date set for the rapture of the church, this individual was right about the trustworthiness of God.
Jesus stated several times in Matthew 24, that no one knows the day or hour, I will come at a time you think not, if the owner of the house knew when the thief was coming he would be ready, etc.
There always has been, and always will be those who work around these clear statements given to us by the unchanging God, who cannot lie. We need to be careful that we judge everything by His word. We are warned that false prophets will come and try to deceive. If someone says here He is, or there He is, DO NOT LISTEN!
I also read that now they think the end will come in October. I hope that people will not give them all the undeserved hype that they got the last time. This group has now been wrong twice.
While they were all wrong concerning the date set for the rapture of the church, this individual was right about the trustworthiness of God.
Jesus stated several times in Matthew 24, that no one knows the day or hour, I will come at a time you think not, if the owner of the house knew when the thief was coming he would be ready, etc.
There always has been, and always will be those who work around these clear statements given to us by the unchanging God, who cannot lie. We need to be careful that we judge everything by His word. We are warned that false prophets will come and try to deceive. If someone says here He is, or there He is, DO NOT LISTEN!
I also read that now they think the end will come in October. I hope that people will not give them all the undeserved hype that they got the last time. This group has now been wrong twice.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Undefiled Religion.
The federal government of the United States runs many programs that provide care for individuals with various needs. They provide food, shelter, medical care,etc. Through The taxpayers, many opportunities exist for needy individuals. These programs are not perfect, and individuals can fall through the cracks, while others can abuse the system, but this is not the point of this post.
It seems that there is much concern that we as a nation are stretched too thin. Money is also sent overseas for various reasons as well. Some no doubt is for humanitarian efforts, such as was sent to help in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. This has concerned many. A common thought among many, even those within the church is that we should not be sending money to aid other countries when we have so many needs within our own. On the surface, this would seem right and fair. However it is not scriptural!
The Bible lays the responsibility for the care of the needy upon the church, not the federal government! When I say needy, I mean needy. It is also unscriptural to be an enabler. Many individuals can care for themselves but won't if someone else will. Paul's motto was "If you won't work, you won't eat!" (2 Thess 3:10).
We as the church are called to look out for the needs of one another within the church. The early church made sure that no one lacked. The first deacons were chosen, not to run a corporate business, but to ensure that everyone who had need was taken care of. Throughout the Bible, old as well as new testament, God's people were to look out for the needy among them. Widows, orphans, beggars, had no one. Unable to care for themselves, they were overlooked by society, and had no hope. This is where the love of God, that fills the hearts of His children was to be made manifest. Look at what John had to say, "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?" (1John 3:17).
The biblical command to love your neighbor as yourself requires us to not only look out for one another within the church, but also those without. Jesus told a story to show that a neighbor can be anyone who we come upon with a need. True christian love is not restricted by economic, social, or ethnic status. It is extended to any and all as the need arises.While it is true that we all have a sphere of influence around us, where we as individuals, and individual congregations can do the most good, it is also true that we can help others elswhere as well. Paul collected money from gentile congregations to help needy saints in Jerusalem, much like we may donate to a charity who helps others overseas, like relief efforts in Haiti, or Japan, or famine stricken areas in Africa.
There are countless numbers of truly needy people all around us. The homeless, abused, addicts, etc. The greatest need of all is to be reconciled to God. While we can be grateful that many are helped by government programs, we as christians need to be ready to come to the aid of those around us, meeting the spiritual needs as well as the physical. We are called to love others with the love of Christ. Our God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, He never calls us to do something that is impossible, but will provide as we seek Him and His kingdom first. This is how the early christians lived, with no help from the Roman government, yet in the power of the Holy Spirit, they lived out the gospel.
It seems that there is much concern that we as a nation are stretched too thin. Money is also sent overseas for various reasons as well. Some no doubt is for humanitarian efforts, such as was sent to help in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. This has concerned many. A common thought among many, even those within the church is that we should not be sending money to aid other countries when we have so many needs within our own. On the surface, this would seem right and fair. However it is not scriptural!
The Bible lays the responsibility for the care of the needy upon the church, not the federal government! When I say needy, I mean needy. It is also unscriptural to be an enabler. Many individuals can care for themselves but won't if someone else will. Paul's motto was "If you won't work, you won't eat!" (2 Thess 3:10).
We as the church are called to look out for the needs of one another within the church. The early church made sure that no one lacked. The first deacons were chosen, not to run a corporate business, but to ensure that everyone who had need was taken care of. Throughout the Bible, old as well as new testament, God's people were to look out for the needy among them. Widows, orphans, beggars, had no one. Unable to care for themselves, they were overlooked by society, and had no hope. This is where the love of God, that fills the hearts of His children was to be made manifest. Look at what John had to say, "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?" (1John 3:17).
The biblical command to love your neighbor as yourself requires us to not only look out for one another within the church, but also those without. Jesus told a story to show that a neighbor can be anyone who we come upon with a need. True christian love is not restricted by economic, social, or ethnic status. It is extended to any and all as the need arises.While it is true that we all have a sphere of influence around us, where we as individuals, and individual congregations can do the most good, it is also true that we can help others elswhere as well. Paul collected money from gentile congregations to help needy saints in Jerusalem, much like we may donate to a charity who helps others overseas, like relief efforts in Haiti, or Japan, or famine stricken areas in Africa.
There are countless numbers of truly needy people all around us. The homeless, abused, addicts, etc. The greatest need of all is to be reconciled to God. While we can be grateful that many are helped by government programs, we as christians need to be ready to come to the aid of those around us, meeting the spiritual needs as well as the physical. We are called to love others with the love of Christ. Our God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, He never calls us to do something that is impossible, but will provide as we seek Him and His kingdom first. This is how the early christians lived, with no help from the Roman government, yet in the power of the Holy Spirit, they lived out the gospel.