Head-dibs

A very practical man was known to confess: "I have too much religion or too little; I must either give up what I have or get more. I have too much religion to let me enjoy a worldly life, and too much worldliness to let me enjoy religion." He solved the dilemma triumphantly by a wholehearted acceptance of Christ as his living Lord. He put an end to divided loyalty and doubtful obedience.

" but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence ." (1 Peter 3:15) "The answer is probably that we look as if we hope in the same things they do. Our lives don't look like they are on the Calvary road, stripped down for sacrificial love, serving others with the sweet assurance that we don't ned to be rewarded in this life. Our reward is great in heaven (Matthew 5:12)! 'You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just' (Luke 14:14). If we believed this more deeply, others might see the worth of God and find in Him their gladness." John Piper, " Don't Waste Your Life ."

"Beneath this question is a fundamental failure to see what the universe is about. It is about the greatness of God, not the significance of man. God made man small and the universe big to say something about Himself. And He says it for us to learn and enjoy--namely, that He is infinitely great and powerful and wise and beautiful. The more the Hubble Telescope sends back to us about the unfathomable depths of space, the more we should stand in awe of God. The disproportion between us and the universe is a parable about the disporportion between us and God. And it is an understatement. But the point is not to nullify us but to glorify Him." John Piper, " Don't Waste Your Life ."

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: 'AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.'" Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him." After h...

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US." And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a v...

"Depressions of spirit, humiliating thoughts of one’s self, deep and grievous bondage—all these, the children of God are well aware of. With Paul we have, at times, to cry, “O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Beloved, it is well for us to know, as I am sure we do know experimentally, that in this matter of barrenness and desolation the creature can do but little. It is the Spirit that quickens—the flesh profits little. When we get into this state, we feel like a man who cannot swim. And the more we kick and struggle the more rapidly we sink. It seems as if all human energy were but the energy to sin and a power to make us yet more dead to true spiritual life. Well, what are we to do, then? Why, let us remember that the text is addressed to us in just such a state. ' Sing, O barren! Break forth and cry aloud you that did not travail with child .' But what can I sing about? I cannot sing about the present. I cannot even sing concerni...

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." So they ca...

Sherwood Wirt of Decision magazine (he went to be with the Lord in November 2008), once wrote of the mood of the day when Christ was born: "The people of that time where being heavily taxed, and faced every prospect of a sharp increase to cover expanding military expenses. The threat of world domination by a cruel, ungodly, power-intoxicated band of men was ever just belowe the threshold of consciousness. Moral deterioration had corrupted the upper levels of society and was moving rapidly into the broad base of the populace. Intense nationalistic feeling was clashing openly with new and sinister forms of imperialism. Conformity was the spirit of the age. Government handouts were being used with increasing lavishness to keep the population from rising up and throwing out the leaders. Interest rates were spiraling upward in the midst of an inflated economy. External religious observances were considered a political asset, and abnormal emphasis was being placed upon sports and athlet...

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David His servant--as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old--salvation FROM OUR ENEMIES, and FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US; to show mercy toward our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to Abraham our father, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS; to give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE...

The Magician Penn Fraser Jillette, of "Penn and Teller" is an athiest. Listen and watch what he has to say about the gift he received, and the giver:

by Daryl Wingerd Jesus once said, "No one can enter the strong man's house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man" (Mark 3:27). The "strong man" Jesus was alluding to was Satan, and his house was this world—Satan's realm of influence and power. The Old Testament speaks repeatedly of God's intention to enter Satan's house and plunder his goods, that is, to save many who were "being held captive by him to do his will" (2 Tim. 2:26). Satan knows the Scriptures (Matt. 4:5-6), and he is acutely aware of current events (consider, for example, his awareness of Job's prosperity). He is a highly intelligent being who hates God, has plenty of evil resources at his disposal, and would love to foil God's redemptive plan. Yet concerning this great redemptive "burglary," God gave him all the details in advance. He told Satan exactly when, where, and how He would enter his house to plunder his goods. He didn't ...

Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her. And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zacharias, after his father. But his mother answered and said, "No indeed; but he shall be called John." And they said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name." And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called. And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, "His name is John." And they were all astonished. And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God. Fear came on all those living around them; and all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea. All who heard them kept them in mind, saying, "What then will thi...

Anybody who reads this blog will note that I do not post on Sunday's but this is a double exception (another post will come later today). Here's a little "sump'n, sump'n" I got for my darling wife . . .

Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord." And Mary said: "My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; for behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name. 'AND HIS MERCY IS UPO...

Marcellus to Horatio and Bernardo, after seeing the Ghost, "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated, This bird of dawning singeth all night long; And then, they say, no spirit dare stir abroad, The nights are wholesome, then no planets strike, No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm, So hallow'd and so gracious is the time." (Shakespeare)

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end." Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; a...

Don't Waste Your Life . Click on cover for details:

Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And He will delight in the fear of the LORD, and He will not judge by what His eyes see, nor make a decision by what His ears hear; but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; and He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked. Also righteousness will be the belt about His loins, and faithfulness the belt about His waist. And the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little boy will lead them. Also the cow and the bear will graze, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like t...

What is Christmas? Strip off the date, the name, Santa Clause, the cards, the presents, the tree and the food, and what have you got? Nothing! Absolutely Nothing! It isn't biblical, it isn't Christian. It is nothing. So, why do it, if it is nothing? Christmas is important because it gives Christians the opportunity to catch the world barely aware of Jesus, and give them the gospel truth, that God loved the world so much He gave Himself in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ because of our sin: born in a manger, died on a cross and risen from the grave! Spurgeon said, "Look, Christmas is here. We might as well live with it and take the opportunity to exalt Christ."

8 And there were in the same country children keeping watch over their stockings by the fireplace. 9 And, Lo! Santa Clause came upon them; and they were sore afraid. 10 And Santa said unto them: "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people who can afford them; 11 for unto you this day will be given feasts of turkey, dressing and cake; and many presents; 12 and this shall be a sign unto you, ye shall find the presents, wrapped in bright paper, lying beneath a tree adorned with tinsel, colored balls and lights." 13 And suddenly, there appeared a multitude of relatives and friends, praising you and saying, 14 "Thank you so much, for it was just what I wanted!" 15 And it shall come to pass as the friends and relatives have gone away into their homes, that parents shall say to one another, "What a mess to clean up! I'm tired, let's go to bed and pick it up tomorrow. Thank goodness Christmas only comes onc...

The song says, "Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled." What Christmas traditions do you observe that can be used to communicate the gospel to a world barely aware of Jesus during this time of year? My family gives away Gospels of John to nearly everyone we meet when we go out during the month of December. We just walk up to people and say, "Merry Christmas! Here is a gift for you." One lady started to take a Gospel of John, then drew her hand back and asked, "Are you Jehovah's Witnesses? I won't take it if you are a Jehovah's Witness . . ." What a gospel opportunity!

Christmas is an excuse to get drunk, have a party, get something, give something, leave work, get out of schol, spend money, overeat . . . ; or, Christmas is an excuse for us to exalt Jesus Christ in the face of a world that is at least tuned in to His name.

"Humility is perfect quietness of heart. It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me, and when I am blamed or despised. It is to have a blessed home in the Lord, where I can go in and shut the door, and kneel to my Father in secret, and am at peace as in a deep sea of calmness, when all around and above is trouble." Andrew Murray (1828-1917)

Hello Lord, it's me your child I have a few things on my mind Right now I'm faced with big decisions And I'm wondering if you have a minute, cuz Right now I don't hear so well And I was wondering if you could speak up I know that you tore the veil So I could sit with you in person And hear what you're saying but Right now, I just can't hear you. I don't doubt your sovereignty I doubt my own ability to Hear what you're saying And to do the right thing And I desperately want to do the right thing But right now I don't hear so well And I was wondering if you could speak up I know that you tore the veil So I could sit with you in person And hear what you're saying but Right now, I just can't hear you. And somewhere in the back of my mind I think you are telling me to wait And though patience has never been mine Lord, I will wait to hear from you Oh Lord, I'm waiting on you Right now I don't hear so well And I was wondering if you could sp...

In 1990, the president of Columbia International University (then called Columbia Bible College), Robertson McQuilkin resigned from his position to care for his wife Muriel who was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease. The words from his resignation letter still touches lives around the world. Most recently, those words were featured on a Christmas-themed radio program of Proverbs 31 Ministries. To hear the program go to: http://proverbs31radio.blogspot.com/2008/12/priceless-gift.html Today, McQuilkin serves as president emeritus of CIU. Posted on CIUNet by Bob Holmes

[by Charles Spurgeon, from sermon #1763 , delivered at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington] “ So that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful ”—Romans 1:20, 21. Now we come to consider the second sin. May the word which I may have to say about it, be blessed to many of my hearers by the power of the Holy Spirit! Have you ever thought of it in this light before—that men were without excuse because when they knew God they were not thankful? Unthankfulness is a sin for which there is no excuse if it be attended with knowledge. I fear there are thousands who call themselves Christians, who are not thankful, and yet they never thought themselves very guilty on that account. Yet you see these sinners were without excuse, because they were guilty of a great sin before God, and that sin was unthankfulness. I tremble both for myself and you when I see want of thankfulness thus set in the front rank of sins. How is it tha...

Have you checked the oil in your car? The air pressure in the tires? The weather? The news? Is everything in order? Ever run a check on your god? Has your god created man on the earth or done anything like that? Has any people heard the voice of your god from the midst of the fire and survived? Has your god tried to take for himself a nation from within another nation? Has your god shown his might and power as God did in Egypt before so many witnesses? Has your god been heard from heaven? Has your god disciplined you because he loves you, as a father loves his children? Has your god driven out nations before his people? Has your god given you an inheritance? Has your god given commandments, that it may go well with you and with your children, that you may live long? ( Deuteronomy 4:32-40 )

by Sinclair B. Ferguson I took the hand of my toddler son (it was several decades ago now) as we made our way into the local shop on the small and remote Scottish island where earlier that year I had been installed as minister. It was Christmas week. The store was brightly decorated and a general air of excitement was abroad. Without warning, the conversations of the customers were brought to a halt by a questioning voice from beside me. My son's upraised index finger pointed at a large cardboard Santa Claus. "Daddy, who is that funny-looking man?" he asked. (Go on over to Lingonier Ministries Blog for the rest of the article.)

"A depressed Christian is a contradiction in terms, and he is a very poor recommendation for the gospel . . . . Nothing is more important, therefore, than that we should be delivered froma condition which gives other people, looking at us, the impression that to be a Christian means to be unhappy, to be sad, to be morbid, and that the Christian is one who 'scorns delight and lives laborious days.'" (D. Martin Lloyd Jones) Click on cover for more details:

Ever stop by one of those sunglass places and try on different colored lenses? Those silver-grey tinted ones sort make everything look overcast. Some yellow lenses seem to liven, sharpen the scenery. Red-tinted lenses make everything look red, and blue-colored lenses make everything look cartoon-ish (to me, at least). "South Pacific" is considered to be one of the greatest musicals of all time; but, the 1958 film is the version everyone loves to hate. The musical sequences of the film already help lift the story out of the harsh realities of WWII, but the director thought he would assist the fantasy by filming the musical sequences through filtered lenses. When the studio got the film, they sharpened the lens colors so the entire musical sequences are presented in nearly other-worldly colors: brilliant yellows, soft oranges, deep blues, tense greens, etc. Yes, when you look through a colored glass, everything is awash in that color. When we stand before God, having broken His...

“We ought to be Christians in large type [font] so that it would not be necessary (for others) to be long in our society, or to regard us through spectacles, in order to detect our true discipleship. The message of our lives should resemble the big advertisements which can be read on the street-boardings by all who pass by.” (F.B. Meyer, 1847-1929)

A wireless device has been developed that can pick up and record a conversation taking place inside a building--three miles away. No microphones are in the room. This listening device is simply pointed at its target and "viola!" Eavesdropping! From the distance of three miles. Yet some people doubt that God can know everything about us . . .

A boat was wrecked in a storm on Lake Michigan at Evanston. Northwestern students formed themselves into rescue teams. One student, Edward Spencer, saved 17 people from that sinking ship. When he was carried exhausted to his room, he asked, "Did I do my best? Do you think I did my best?" Dr. R.A. Torrey related this incident many years later in a meeting in Los Angeles, California. A man in the audience called out that Edwards Spencer was present, in the room. Dr. Torrey invited Spencer the platform. An old man with white hair slowly climbed the steps as the applause rang out. Dr. Torrey asked him if anything in particular stood out in his memory about that shipwreck. "Only this, sir," he replied, "of the 17 people I saved, not one of them thanked me."

This holiday season, ask the people around you about their lives — it could be your grandmother, a teacher, or someone from the neighborhood. By listening to their stories, you will be telling them that they matter and they won’t ever be forgotten. It may be the most meaningful time you spend this year. National Day of Listening .

[by John Gill (1697-1771): Baptist minister, theologian, and biblical scholar. Author of A Body of Divinity, The Cause of God and Truth, and his nine-volume Expositions of the Old and New Testaments. Visit the John Gill Archive .] Thankfulness follows contentment: a discontented man is not thankful for anything, but a contented man is thankful for everything. Thankfulness is a branch of godliness: none but a godly man is truly a thankful man. There are some things not to be named among saints and are not becoming them; but this is, and rather becoming them than many other things (Eph 5:3, 4). An unthankful saint is a very odd sound, if not a contradiction. “Unthankful, unholy,” are characters joined together and agree (2Ti 3:2) and [likewise] “unthankful” and “evil” (Luk 6:36). And particularly none but an holy man can give thanks “at the remembrance of the holiness of God” (Psa 97:12).

[by Thomas Manton (1620-1677): Non-Conformist Puritan preacher and Oxford graduate who preached until forbidden by the Act of Uniformity of 1662. From 1662 to 1670 he preached in his own house, but was arrested and imprisoned for six months. He later became the preacher for London merchants in Pinners’ Hall. James Ussher called him “one of the best preachers in England.”] “ At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee, because of thy righteous judgments ”—Psalm 119:62. ONE SPECIAL DUTY WHEREIN THE PEOPLE OF GOD SHOULD BE MUCH EXERCISED IS THANKSGIVING. This duty is often pressed upon us: “ Let us offer the sacrifice of praise continually, which is the fruit of our lips ” (Heb 13:15), giving thanks unto His name. There are two words there used, praise and thanksgiving. Generally taken, they are the same; strictly taken, thanksgiving differeth from praise. They agree that we use our voice in thanksgiving, as we do also in praise, for they are both said to be the fruit of...

[by Richard Sibbes (1577-1635): early Puritan preacher, who greatly influenced John Cotton, Thomas Goodwin, Richard Baxter, and others. Author of The Bruised Reed , The Soul’s Conflict, and numerous other works.] “ Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort ”—2 Corinthians 1:3. We see here the heart of the blessed apostle, being warmed with the sense and taste of the sweet mercy of God, stirs up his tongue to bless God; a full heart and a full tongue. We have here the [over-flowing fullness], the abundance of his thankfulness breaking forth in his speech. His heart had first tasted of the sweet mercies and comforts of God before he praiseth God. The first thing that we will observe hence is, that: It is the disposition of God’s children, after they have tasted the sweet mercy and comfort and love of God, to break forth into the praising of God and to thanksgiving. It is as natural for the new creature to do s...

The Chinese character (word) for "righteousness" (yi) is very interesting. The character is formed of two separate characters, on on top of the other. The top character (yang) means "lamb." The bottom character (wo) means "me," "self" or I." When they are put together, the "lamb" is placed directly above "me," the word "righteousness" (yi) is formed. This is no accident. Because of His shed blood on the cross, Jesus satisfied the wrath of God, making payment for sin. When we repent, turn from our sin and put our faith and trust in the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ, He receives me and I become righteous in His sight. Between me, the sinner, and God, the Holy One, there is interposed by faith, the Lamb of God. True righteousness is gained therefore by putting self under the lamb, our Lord Christ Jesus.

This is what grabbed me today from Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness : " for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live ." (Romans 8:13) "God's provision for [holiness] consists in delivering us from the reign of sin, uniting us with Christ, and giving us the indwelling Holy Spirit to reveal sin, to create a desire for holiness, and to strengthen us in our pursuit of holiness . . . . He makes provision for our holiness, but He given us the responsibility of using those provisions." "The Christian should never complain of want of ability and power. If we sin, it is because we choose to sin, not because we lack the ability to say no to temptation. It is time for us Christians to face up to our responsibility for holiness. Too often we say we are 'defeated' bu this or that sin. No, we are not defeated; we are simply disobedient! It might be well i...

This is an amazing video. From Pinpoint Evangelism :

What do the following verses teach about our holy standing before God? Romans 5:19 : we are made righteous by the obedience of Christ. Hebrews 10:10 : we are made holy by the offering of the body of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 3:18 : our Lord Jesus Christ died for sins in order to bring us to God. What do the following verses teach about holy living? Ephesians 4:1 , 30 : walk in the manner consistent with our calling, holy; do not grieve the Holy Spirit through inconsistency, which is disobedience. 1 Thessalonians 4:7 : God did not call us to be impure, but holy. Titus 2:11-12 : salvation teaches us to deny ungodliness, worldly lusts and teaches us to live sensibly, righteously and godly. Why is holiness not optional for the Christian? Psalm 66:18 : Holding on to the sin from which He saved us shows how serious we are about our walk in holiness--God will not hear us when we pray! Romans 8:13-14 : Die if you want to live. Be led by the Spirit of God, as a child of God does. 2 Timothy...

More observations as I read my book : One cannot in himself merit salvation through personal holiness. Scripture repeatedly refers to the obedience and righteousness of Christ on our behalf ( Ro 5:19 ; 1 Peter 3:18 ) Two aspects of Christ's work on our behalf: 1. Active obedience--Christ's sinless life on earth, perfect obedience, absolute holiness; 2. Passive obedience--His death on the cross through which He fully paid the penalty for our sins and placated the wrath of God toward us. Conclusion: Our holiness before God depends entirely on the work of Jesus Christ for us, by God's will. Scripture speaks of both a holiness which we have in Christ before God, and a holiness which we are to strive after. The purpose of our salvation is that we be "holy and blameless in His sight" ( Eph 1:4 ). To continue to live in sin as a Christian is to go contrary to God's very own purpose for our salvation. [see "A Strange Kind of Salvation" post, 11/17/08] No one...

Louis XIV died September 1, 1715. This same Louis who called himself "the Great" is also the same monarch who declared, "I am the State!" His court was the most magnificent in Europe (he reigned for 72 years), and his funeral was said to be quite spectacular. During the funeral, as his body lay in a golden coffin, orders were given that the cathedral would remain dimly lighted, and a single special candle was set above the coffin. Thousands waited in hushed silence. Bishop Massilon began to speak: slowly reaching down, he snuffed out the single candle and said, "Only God is Great!" The dying words of "the Great" were, " Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina (O Lord, make haste to help me)."

" . . . just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him in love . . . " (Ephesians 1:4) "What a strange kind of salvation do they desire that care not for holiness . . . . They would be saved by Christ and yet be out of Christ in a fleshly state . . . . They would have their sins forgiven, not that they may walk with God in love, in time to come, but that they may practice their enmity against Him without any fear of punishment." --Walter Marshall (1692), quoted by A.W. Pink, "The Doctrine of Sanctification"

1 Samuel 13:13-14, "Samuel said to Saul, 'You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, for now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not endure. The LORD has sought out for Himself a man afer His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.'" God does not compromise and expects His commandments to be kept. He is light, and in HIm is no darkness at all ( 1 John 1:5 ). Keeping God's commands are closely knit with our love for Him ( John 14:15 ). Saul lost the kingdom because he did not seek after God's heart, which was evident by his failing to obey God's commands. There was no contrition on Saul's part after he lost the kingdom. Picture the child who when he cannot get his own way, storms off and says, "Fine! I didn't want to play anyway." I wonder...

The story is told of a man who was caught stealing a loaf of bread. When the judge investigated he found that the man had no job, could not get work and since his family was hungry, he felt he needed to steal the loaf of bread. The judge told the man, "I'm sorry, but the law can make no exceptions. You stole, therefore I have to punish you. I have to assess a fine of ten dollars." As he said this, the judge reached into his pocket, pulled out a ten dollar bill and handed it to the man. "I want to pay the fine myself," the judge said. As the man took the money, the judge added, "Now, I also want to remit the fine." This means the judge laid the fine aside. He released the man from the guilt or penalty of the fine, which means the man could keep the money. "Furthermore," the judge said, "I am going to instruct the bailiff to pass around a hat to everyone in this courtroom, and I am fining everybody in this courtroom fifty cents for ...

The tract simply read, "Overwhelmingly The Greatest Life Insurance and Investment Plan Ever Concieved: A Contract Everyone Can Afford with Unlimited Assets, All Benefits (Free Health Care), Great Building Policy Underway." At the end it said, "Just sign here and you've got Jesus!" Another tract said, "Free! Beautiful Homes Given Away in the Perfect City! No Bills! Pure Water! Beautiful Music!" No wonder people are confused.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008 WASHINGTON, D.C. — You better watch out. There is a new combatant in the Christmas wars. Ads proclaiming, "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake," will appear on Washington, D.C., buses starting next week and running through December. The American Humanist Association unveiled the provocative $40,000 holiday ad campaign Tuesday. In lifting lyrics from "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," the Washington-based group is wading into what has become a perennial debate over commercialism, religion in the public square and the meaning of Christmas. Read the entire article on FoxNews .

It all started in 1829. A Philadelphia man by the name of George Wilson committed multiple acts of robbery against the U.S. Mail and jeopardizing the life another person during the act of robbery. Wilson and his accomplice was arrested, brought to trial, found to be guilty and was sentenced to be hanged. Some friends of Wilson's intervened on his behalf, and were finally able to obtain a pardon for him from President Jackson himself. When Wilson was informed of the pardon, he refused to accept it. The Sheriff had a problem. How could he hang a pardoned man? He sent an appeal to President Jackson, who equally perplexed, took the problem to the Supreme Court to decide the case. The Chief Justice gave this ruling : "There is nothing peculiar in a pardon which ought to distinguish it in this respect from other facts; no legal principle known to the court will sustain such a distinction. A pardon is a deed to the validity of which delivery is essential, and delivery is not complete...

1. Stubbornness The fool hates being told what to do: Proverbs 1:22 The fool is complacent: Proverbs 1:31 The fool rejectes wisdom: Proverbs 8:5 2. Arrogance The fool won't listen: Proverbs 12:15 The fool is right in his own eyes: Proverbs 12:15 The fool mocks at the consequences of his sin: Proverbs 14:9 3. Pride The fool talks for the sake of talking: Proverbs 17:7 The fool find sport in wickedness: Proverbs 10:23

Have you ever wondered what makes the difference between a light bulb and a laser? How can a medium power laser burn through steel in a matter of second while the most powerful spotlight can only make it warm? The difference is unity. A laser can be simply described as a medium of excited molecules with mirrors on each end. Some of the excited molecules naturally decay into a less excited state. In the decay process they release a photon, a particle of light. It is here that the most unique process of the laser begins. The photon moves along and "tickles" another molecule, inviting another photon to join him on his journey. Then, these two photons "tickle" two more molecules, and invite two more photons to join the parade. Soon there is a huge army marching in step with each other. It is this unity that gives power to the laser. A light bulb may have just as many photons, but each is going its own independent way, intereffing with the other photons. As a ...

Last night was a different night for us in Five Points. Tim and I went downtown early to see what night life is like earlier in the evening. We usually meet the later crowd. We made our way to Starbucks, where Bill sat playing chess with friend. Bill is the most unique person I've ever met. The last time we talked was nearly a year ago, and not only was it the strangest conversation I've ever had (I could not even BEGIN to reconstruct it much less explain it), but his beard and his baseball hat reminded me quickly who he was. When we walked through the door, he turned to see who was coming through the door and he greeted me as if we met yesterday. After exchanging some small talk, I told him, "Thank you for your kindness in remembering me." "Oh," he said, "It's not so much that I remember you, but it's easy to tell you are a Christian." "How so?" I wondered. "Bulging pockets. You give yourself away, carrying all that ...

Columbia International University and the U.S. Army have entered into a partnership that provides a CIU scholarship to a student enrolled in the Army’s Chaplaincy program. The student receiving the annual $4,500 scholarship must also be enrolled full time in CIU’s Seminary & School of Missions . For more information on the CIU Chaplain Candidate Scholarship visit http://www.ciu.edu/chaplaincy/

Some thoughts concerning Holiness as I read and work through the study guide : Exodus 15:11, "Who is like You among the gods, O LORD? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?" God has just delivered Israel (from the beginning of the plagues to the destruction of Pharoah's army through the closing of the Red Sea waters) whereby they saw the great power which the LORD had used against the Egyptians, resulting in their fearing and believing in the Lord (Ex. 14:31). Their jubilant song celebrating God's deliverance contains this declaration concerning the incomparible nature of God: He is not on the same level (to be worshipped as) a mere god of water, frogs, insects, cattle, health, weather, light or darkness, life or death. This God has no comparison. Any other god is an idol, competing against another, lacking in majesty, without awe or praise and working no wonders. The true and living God is separated out, far above and beyond. Lev...

Romans 1:20

I gave a gospel tract to a man coming out of Wal-mart. The tract told him that the public office is a high position, but there is a higher position we must attain. We must: 1) Accept the fact there is none righteous ( Romans 3:10 ); 2) See self as God sees: all have sinned ( Romans 3:23 ); 3) Sin hinders the race ( Romans 5:12 ); 4) The race is more costly than any campaign funds could cover ( Titus 3:5 ; Isaiah 64:6 ); 5) Someone has paid the price and the race is won ( Romans 5:6 ); 6) The debt is paid ( Romans 10:9-11 ); 7) Satan votes against you ( 1 Peter 5:8 ); The office of Christian is not one taken lightly. One must count the cost and either serve the true and living God, starting with repentance; or, one may receive the due penalty for his sin by rejecting what God has done through the cross. The vote is yours. Will you cast you vote away, like this man did?

The Issues: There is a God. He is holy, just, righteous, true, all-powerful, all-knowing, full of love, light, mercy, and compassion ( Psalm 22:3; 116:5; Genesis 17:1; 1 John 1:5; 4:16 ). Everyone must personally deal with Him ( Romans 14:11,12 ). You have a never-dying soul which is going to be either eternally saved in heaven or eternally lost in hell ( Matthew 25:46 ). You are a sinner. " For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God " ( Romans 3:23 ). God, being holy, cannot allow you into heaven until your sins are removed. You cannot work enough, give enough, or be good enough to remove even one sin from yourself ( Ephesians 2:8,9 ). But God, in His great love, has reached out to you--" For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved " ( John 3:16,17 )...

Fueled by unfulfilled promises, unrealized hopes and mounting difficulties, "It's time for a change" is frequently heard from both politicians and the general public. There Have Been Changes in the Past Within the recent past, changes have occurred with surprising suddenness. Governments once thought to be stable have been toppled. Financial institutions have failed. Once-successful businesses have collapsed. More serious than all, the moral fabric of society has been shattered by turning away from God and the principles of His Word, the Bible. The "Do what feels good" philosophy--casting off restraint and the rejection of authority which is really lawlessness, the essence of sin--has broken up families, ruined lives and brought the disillusion, disease, death and destruction we see all around us. There Will Be More Changes When Jesus Christ was asked what the signs of His second coming would be, He replied, " Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars ... an...

I stood near the fountain in Five Points watching the crowd drunkenly sway to the band playing though Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon." Joe and Tim and I were milling around, trying to talk to people who were a little less drunk in order to give them the good news of God's love through the cross. While I had a number of good tracts, Joe had a pocket full of Trick or Treat Million Dollar Bills--I took a few from him and went conversation-hunting. No sooner had I gotten the tracts in my hand, I saw a young lady approach the fountain from one of the side streets, admiring the work of the pumpkin-carvers who left their creations along the fountain wall. I approached, held out the Trick or Treat Million Dollar Bill to her. "Did you get one of these?" I asked as she lit her cigarette. "Oh, cool!" she said, taking it from me. "Happy Halloween!" I wished her, as she admired the bill, folded it and stuck it in her pocket. The bandana around he...

Last Saturday I had the opportunity to host an "evangelism table" at a local festival. Check out the short vid and the photos. I actually was not able to stay for as long as I wanted to, because I had to leave on a family emergency; but, many MANY people got some good tracts and literature in their hands. Pray for the harvest!

( click box to find out)

It was voting day in Jerusalem. An enormous crowd had gathered, and what excitement there was! There had never been a day like it before, and there has not been a day like it since. Pilate, the governor, was presiding over the gathering, and took the vote of the people as to whether they were for Barabbas--a murderer, or for Christ Jesus the Lord--the Saviour of lost sinners. The governor asked, "Are you for Christ?" "No," they cried out all at once. "Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas." Their choice was made. Their vote was recorded. They had rejected Christ, and instead chosen the murderer Barabbas. "What then shall I do with Jesus?" asked Pilate. "Away with Him: crucify Him," they all shouted. So Christ, the rejected Son of God, was taken out and nailed to a cross on Golgotha's hill. There He hung between heaven and earth as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world. The same question that was posed that fat...