“There is something wrong with a person who gets along with everybody.”—–Adrian Rogers
IF IT WORKS, DO IT ?
February 2, 2019 By Leave a Comment
If it’s working, it must be right—right?
Try these combinations of what’s right—AND—what looks like it’s working.
Americans—AND—money?
American Christians—AND—money?
Finances for Christians around the world—AND—“Financial Planning” for Christians in America?
The Bible—AND—retirement?
Jesus—AND—portfolios?
Serving God—AND—serving mammon? (“Have your cake—AND—eat it too?”)
Repentance—AND—thriving economy of Noah’s day?
“Straight and Narrow”—AND—“successful” churches?
Capitalism—AND—socialism?
Christian compassion—AND—government “welfare?”
Lot—AND—Sodom?
Lot—“TOWARD—Sodom”?
Lot—IN—Sodom?
Sodom—IN—Lot?
Leaving Sodom—AND—looking back?
“Do we really trust in God, or just say we do?”—–Larry Burkett
SAFE ONLY ON YOUR . . .
February 2, 2019 By Leave a Comment
David Jeremiah told a story of a Bible scholar climbing a famous mountain in Switzerland.
The weather was good on their side of the mountain—with a severe storm on the other side, unknown to the two climbers.
When they got close to the summit, the man ran ahead the last few yards with the exhilaration of reaching the mountaintop.
The surprise blast from the storm on the other side nearly blew him off the edge.
His guide grabbed him, saved his life, and yelled, “On your knees, on your knees, you are safe only on your knees here on top of the mountain.”
Don’t need to explain the lesson for life learned by the Bible scholar.
I can say I’ve applied that many times since I heard it, when I’ve been on a mountaintop and when I thought I was on a mountaintop.
“IF” I OBEY . . .
February 2, 2019 By Leave a Comment
There is no room for the word “if” or the words “what if” when we decide to obey God.
Obedience has consequences—all in God’s hands.
THE PROBLEM WITH THEOLOGIANS
February 2, 2019 By Leave a Comment
The problem with ‘most’ theologians is this:
They usually start with statements (“doctrines”) that they write, and THEN they write a whole bunch more trying to explain and prove their statements, including Bible “proof ” texts.
The problem, and the answer:
The perennial problem with most man-written theological positions—they never come to agreement (except within their brand), and there are always proof texts for opposing views.
The solution—just start with the Bible, instead of man-worded conclusions.
Take all the Bible verses on a topic, including those that seem to be on “both sides.”
Let God’s Spirit speak, to you (personal), fresh through all the verses, including those that make you uncomfortable or seem to contradict your “position.”
AND CEASE FROM CRAMMING THE BIBLE INTO THE BOX OF YOUR THEOLOGY ! ! !
The hardest thing for theologians of every era (OT, NT, modern times, and in between) is to let things rest that they don’t understand.
Education creates competition to prove we know more than others, indeed that we know it all, and that makes us better and more right.
So, “My brand has got it right—a corner on the theology market.”
And somehow church leaders throughout history have capitalized on people’s willingness to follow man-made structure, and endorse and defend systems of belief they don’t really understand—but the endorsement gives people the church’s stamp of approval and inferred right standing with God.
We are in need of REFORMATION AGAIN, to get the Bible straight to the people, not watered down by “learned” theologians.
PROSPERITY = GOD’S BLESSINGS ?
January 30, 2019 By Leave a Comment
In God We Trusted.
God Blessed America.
So what happened?
In the last fifty years we made it official what changed.
God, get out of our schools.
God, we will no longer let our children pray to you in our schools (unless there is a tornado or terrorist).
God, we will no longer teach (or even expose our children to) your ten commandments in our schools because “they might read them and obey them” (Supreme Court words).
God, we will no longer protect our children’s lives.
God, we will not stop this through our churches because we have “separation of church and state.”
But, America still prospers. (Or Not ?)
But, I’ve got a good retirement. (You Sure ?)
But, the American system is still working, and getting better lately. (Say What Parts ?)
If we can’t say In God We Trust and live like we mean it, then . . .
How can we say God Bless America when we get in a bind, and expect things to work like they used to?
Thank God many Americans are turning to God now, and many American leaders are boldly and publicly turning to God now, and God hears our prayers, and we see answered prayer.
At the same time many Americans are ignoring God now, and many American leaders are boldly and publicly shaking their fists at God now, blaspheming His gift of life and family, and God hears those cheers and jeers also, and He hears the final cries of the murdered, innocent millions.
“Be not deceived, God is not mocked. Whatever man sows, that shall he also reap.”—–His Book
What is really a sign of God’s Blessings?
What is really a sign of Trusting God?
PROSPERITY = GOD’S BLESSINGS ?
A BRAIN POWER STRIP
January 30, 2019 By Leave a Comment
I need a power strip for my brain—can’t plug two things in at one time.
And, memory upgrades are not available either.
Faster and faster my be fine for computers, but not so for raising children and for getting older.
SMOOTH SAILING – – – OR TURBULENCE
January 30, 2019 By Leave a Comment
(inspired by Allister Begg on American Family Radio)
When you fasten your seat belt on an airplane, after takeoff you expect to loosen it and relax for the rest of the flight.
Not so in the Christian life—get both parts of the belt very secure for a guaranteed turbulent flight, as promised in His Book.
“Smooth Sailing” may be desirable, may be promised by many, but then you may be on the wrong flight.
The Christian flight will be rough—need much courage, encouraging, comforting, reminding of guaranteed destination.
All other flights—saved up a lifetime for this flight, so for sure enjoy the retirement ‘cruise’—“eat, drink, and be merry.”
CAN’T PROGRAM THE WIND
January 23, 2019 By Leave a Comment
No one can influence the wind in any way whatsoever.
“The wind blows where it wills . . .”
“So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Efforts by the church to create and promote formulas for salvation, fall short and mislead millions of members to think they are okay with God, if they obeyed the church.
Meeting church requirements, usually for the benefit and continuation of the church, often bypasses the Spirit’s prerogative to move in individuals’ lives, in ways that give God all the credit.
OUR FATHER WHO ART IN WASHINGTON . . .
January 23, 2019 By Leave a Comment
If we say, “Our father who art in Washington, give us this day our daily bread,” now, how can we pray, “Deliver us from evil,” when needed?
If Washington is our provider-god now, we can’t expect to switch gods at the moment of crisis, for the true God to deliver us.
“We Trust In God” is a long-term commitment—personally and nationally—in order to experience “God Blessing America” in the long term as well.
Indeed, “God is a very present help in time of trouble,” but He is not manipulated into an emergency-only god.
The first part of that Bible promise says, “God is our Refuge and Strength, . . .”
That, my fellow Americans, is a daily, ongoing relationship of dependence on the One Who runs the universe—and our beloved country, founded on Him.