“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.