| “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,” - Romans 8:15-16 I often find myself in those “situations” where I’m compelled to make a comment on the graciousness of our Heavenly Father. Inevitably, I get “the look.” To be fair, I am seldom told by anyone, “I don’t believe in God.” So. I pursue it. Then I see the squirms and the uncomfortable glances until one of the group quietly remarks that, “Well . . . a person’s faith is . . . a very personal subject.” Read: not up for discussion! My acquaintances need to understand - it isn’t personal now, but it soon could be very personal. I don’t know what faith they are talking about but my faith - faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is not a forbidden subject due to it’s personal implications. "And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.'" - Mark 16:15. I don’t really know why these people don’t want to discuss - SHOUT- the grace of God through Jesus Christ at every opportunity, but I fear there may be a component of vacillation on their part - not a good idea! "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels." Luke 9:26. Or maybe they simply aren’t “believers.” For these people I continually pray that the Holy Spirit will one day illuminate their minds and hearts and souls. As for those who claim to believe, the excuses for not witnessing in the name of Jesus vary from fear of rejection to sheer ignorance of the Gospel. But Christ, Himself, has instructed us - “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” - Acts 1:8. As far as those who simply refuse to speak boldly of their faith in Jesus Christ goes ? “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” - Matthew 10:32-33. So you see; maybe, just maybe, it is personal. May God, by the Holy Spirit, always strengthen our voices to speak boldly of the grace we have received through Jesus Christ. |
Friday, March 28, 2014
It’s Nothing Personal . . . - Romans 8:15-16
Saturday, March 15, 2014
The Unbroken Chain of Evidence - Nehemiah 9:6
“You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.” - Nehemiah 9:6
Christians are constantly being regarded as “delusional.” But contrary to this popular secular opinion, evolutionists and “Big Bang” theorists represent the epitome of delusion. Nothing created something? Effects without causes? They are very quick to deny ‘design’ in the scheme of creation and life. In fact, they’re quick to deny design . . . period! Unless, of course, we were to receive a radio signal, ala the film, “Contact.” Then the hands go up and they immediately declare unanimously that someone or something had to have “sent” the signal! Suddenly intelligent design has a life of its own.
One of the most glaringly obvious realities of the universe is the fact that it has a creator.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.- Genesis 1:1. Honestly, how much more ridiculous does it sound when someone like Stephen Hawking suggests “bubble universes?” I’m not kidding - not a bubble universe but universes! Now there are millions of universes, according to these brainiacs.
So I ask you - which position demands the most unfounded delusional faith that the human mind can muster; the position of the Creationists or the position of the Evolutionists?
And before you think through your answer consider this: how would like to be convicted of a crime on the veracity of the evidence that evolutionists claims explains it all? How would you like to be convicted on “a theory?” I can hear the prosecutors arguing their case now - “Well, you see, the defendant is a living human being present in the universe and as such ‘could have been - might have been- possibly was’ perpetrator of the crime!” Really?
No thanks, I’ll stick with God, whose word hasn’t changed since it was given to us as opposed to science which apparently changes . . . daily! And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands;” - Hebrews 1:10.
Christians are constantly being regarded as “delusional.” But contrary to this popular secular opinion, evolutionists and “Big Bang” theorists represent the epitome of delusion. Nothing created something? Effects without causes? They are very quick to deny ‘design’ in the scheme of creation and life. In fact, they’re quick to deny design . . . period! Unless, of course, we were to receive a radio signal, ala the film, “Contact.” Then the hands go up and they immediately declare unanimously that someone or something had to have “sent” the signal! Suddenly intelligent design has a life of its own.
One of the most glaringly obvious realities of the universe is the fact that it has a creator.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.- Genesis 1:1. Honestly, how much more ridiculous does it sound when someone like Stephen Hawking suggests “bubble universes?” I’m not kidding - not a bubble universe but universes! Now there are millions of universes, according to these brainiacs.
So I ask you - which position demands the most unfounded delusional faith that the human mind can muster; the position of the Creationists or the position of the Evolutionists?
And before you think through your answer consider this: how would like to be convicted of a crime on the veracity of the evidence that evolutionists claims explains it all? How would you like to be convicted on “a theory?” I can hear the prosecutors arguing their case now - “Well, you see, the defendant is a living human being present in the universe and as such ‘could have been - might have been- possibly was’ perpetrator of the crime!” Really?
No thanks, I’ll stick with God, whose word hasn’t changed since it was given to us as opposed to science which apparently changes . . . daily! And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands;” - Hebrews 1:10.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
And the Winner Is . . . . - 2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. - 2 Timothy 4:2
Didn’t watch the Academy Awards - I never do. With all the anti-Christian rhetoric that represents the Hollywood heart. I don’t want to hear it. But I wish I had watched Matthew McConaughey’s acceptance speech for Best Actor. You see, he gave credit (glory) to God for his successful career! That’s right! You heard it right - he thanked GOD!
Naturally, all the pundits and rabble-rousers hated his speech. But guess what - Matt is now a Best Actor winner among Hollywood’s elite . . . and he credits God Almighty for his success! I just wonder how they’ll ever manage to “marginalize” Matthew now.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and suggest that he had this planned for many a year now. He was just waiting to win the big award. Then he could use that opportunity to preach! Praise God! He waited, knowing that if he’d “come out” earlier in his career, he may not have had a career! What can the Godless pantheon of Hollywood possibly do to him now?
Now some would suggest that Matthew was hardly ready to preach "out of season" and that is why he waited for an opportunity like the Academy Awards. But I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and suggest in opposition that perhaps he may have just recently felt the indwelling and conviction of the Holy Spirit.
I can only hope and pray that Matthew’s gutsy revelation that he attributes all his success to God will inspire others in “tinsel-town” to speak out! “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” - Act 4:31
Thank you for speaking out boldly, Matthew! May we all aspire to do the same.
Didn’t watch the Academy Awards - I never do. With all the anti-Christian rhetoric that represents the Hollywood heart. I don’t want to hear it. But I wish I had watched Matthew McConaughey’s acceptance speech for Best Actor. You see, he gave credit (glory) to God for his successful career! That’s right! You heard it right - he thanked GOD!
Naturally, all the pundits and rabble-rousers hated his speech. But guess what - Matt is now a Best Actor winner among Hollywood’s elite . . . and he credits God Almighty for his success! I just wonder how they’ll ever manage to “marginalize” Matthew now.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and suggest that he had this planned for many a year now. He was just waiting to win the big award. Then he could use that opportunity to preach! Praise God! He waited, knowing that if he’d “come out” earlier in his career, he may not have had a career! What can the Godless pantheon of Hollywood possibly do to him now?
Now some would suggest that Matthew was hardly ready to preach "out of season" and that is why he waited for an opportunity like the Academy Awards. But I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and suggest in opposition that perhaps he may have just recently felt the indwelling and conviction of the Holy Spirit.
I can only hope and pray that Matthew’s gutsy revelation that he attributes all his success to God will inspire others in “tinsel-town” to speak out! “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” - Act 4:31
Thank you for speaking out boldly, Matthew! May we all aspire to do the same.
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