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Are Aliens the Answer???

Filed under: Creation, Emergent, The Good News, Truth — Leave a comment
July 28, 2014

eagle-nebula[1]The closer we get to Jesus’ return, the more the discussion continues migrating to outer space. The more errors that continue being exposed from evolutionary philosophies focused on planet earth, i.e. geology, genetics, etc., the more the argument gets launched deep into space.

In all the arguments and discussions involving the so-called final frontier, aliens seem to be the new missing link. The problem, however, is that even if aliens were real, they could never bring salvation to the sinful soul. They could never solve the issue of evil. They would simply serve as one more missionary field to be evangelized.

“You are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and My servant whom I have chosen: that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He: before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside Me there is no Savior.” Isaiah 43:10-11

Below is an insightful and biblical Q&A regarding extraterrestrials from Dave Hunt (The Berean Call).
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Question: What’s your view of extraterrestrials?

Answer: “There are many biblical reasons for not accepting the idea of intelligent life beyond earth other than angels and demons.”

“First of all, it would be impossible for morally responsible humanoids anywhere in the universe to keep from sin. If they had the genuine right of choice, it must inevitably have been used to disobey God. Thus they would require salvation.”

“Secondly, Jesus Christ is the only Savior, and His death is the one and only perfect sacrifice for sins ever offered in the universe (Hb 9:23-28;10:12-14). If there are morally free agents on other planets, they would have to believe in Christ for salvation.”

“Thirdly, God has gone to great lengths to give us an historically verifiable record of His Son’s death and resurrection at the hands of eyewitnesses and this message is contained in a Bible which can be verified in many ways by the inhabitants of earth (geographically, archaeologically, etc.) and which would not be available to ETIs. It would seem both unfair and a violation of God’s way of dealing with mankind for beings elsewhere in space to be required to believe in a Savior who was crucified on a distant planet.”

“Fourthly, the Bible seems to indicate that this earth is the only such place in the universe. When Satan is cast out of heaven, he comes to earth; it is on this planet that the battle will be fought resulting in Satan’s defeat and imprisonment in the abyss; it is on this earth that Christ will reign for 1,000 years while Satan is locked up; it is to this planet that Satan will return when he is released; and it is on this planet that Satan will meet his final defeat and his eternal doom will be sealed.”

“Finally, if life happened by chance on this earth and evolved upward, then it could seemingly happen elsewhere in the universe. But if, as we believe, human life resulted from a purposeful act of God, and if sin is inevitable for such beings, and if the human soul is the prize for which Satan and God do battle, then it hardly makes sense to have this same process repeated on countless other planets throughout the cosmos.” ~Dave Hunt

 

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Eternity is Not a Movie

Filed under: Emergent, Truth — Leave a comment
July 7, 2014

kids-watching-tvAs a child, I remember watching movies with my parents, often waiting for the moment my dad would call out some part that made no sense to him.  “Why would that person really do that?” or “There’s no way that person could still be alive after falling that far!” and other like phrases were regularly interjected into the storyline courtesy of my dad’s critical mind.  His comments were not very helpful and definitely became a distraction throughout our family film nights.  A loving, but slightly irritated “Shhh…” was a common addition at the end of each remark.

When viewing a movie, it’s hopefully obvious to most that the scenes in the script often times don’t happen in real life. That, of course, is the point of many storylines. But to my dad, it was almost like a game to see if he could catch things that didn’t make sense.  In reality, does it really matter in a fictional story if a person makes an unrealistic choice to further the plot line?  To my dad it sure did, however to most people, probably not.  And although movies can be very powerful vehicles for teaching false beliefs, for a writer to have a character make a few illogical decisions that add a little extra drama or to move the storyline along is nothing more than what happens in a make believe story written by men.

I can’t help but wonder if there are those within the church who view those willing to point out the error running rampant throughout today’s professing Christianity the same way.  I wonder if many see those moved to lovingly warn and teach the truth of God’s Word as distractions from the unfolding story of today’s ecumenical enigma calling itself Christianity? Too often, I believe those willing to thoughtfully and biblically point out the dangers coming into the church are thought of somewhat like the peanut gallery, like movie critics talking about things that don’t quite matter. But is that really the case? There’s literally a plotline penned by the enemy for this dark and dying world and sadly many Christians are playing a part in the story.

The enemy of our souls desires to see the entire world reject the True and Living God, however those who are born again are kept by the power of God and are sealed by the Holy Spirit as a deposit guaranteeing their entrance into the Kingdom of God.  (2 Corinthians 1:22, 2 Corinthians 5:5, Ephesians 1:14, 1 Peter 1:5) So what is an enemy to do with those who he cannot keep from eternal life?  The answer is simple- make them as ineffective as possible. Confusion and subterfuge are both starring roles in his script.

One of Satan’s many seductive strategies in keeping saints sedentary is promoting a plotline of Scripture synthesized with his own diabolical doctrines. The title might be something like “New and Improved Christianity-Joining Hands with the World”. Thankfully, some within the body of Christ do see the last days plan for an integrated and seductive move to ecumenism and are greatly saddened to watch some who are even part of the true body of Christ seeking after the enemy’s goals. For those who have become seduced by Satan’s synthesized storyline, it’s as if those warning the saints are simply viewed as antagonists interrupting their comfortable entertainment. May we instead return to the old paths, to the Word of God alone! May we diligently seek to understand the true direction of this world and the post-modern church.

When a person has been truly born again by the Spirit of God, passing from death to life through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, a new “story” is brought to light, one revealing a very real contrast between the True and Living God and the god of this world. In the script revealed in Scripture, one role that repeatedly enters the scene is the watchman always willing to warn when danger approaches. (Psalm 127:1, Isaiah 21:6, Ezekiel 3:17, Ezekiel 33:2,6,7)  The watchman should not be “cast” by only a select few. In fact, the heart of a watchman should, at some degree, be within every believer. After all, same Spirit of the Lord that came upon the watchmen of the Old Testament is the same Holy Spirit indwelling all New Testament saints. The Spirit Himself is the Spirit of Truth, and Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit without measure, often warned those around Him, especially those claiming to be the religious rulers.

Rather than being viewed as an annoying critic, always pointing out incidentals and nitpicking at gnats, the role of warning the flock is one that is central throughout Scripture. To love the truth of God’s Word means we are going to hate evil, lovingly exposing the doctrines and practices that have the potential to cause the body to remain anemic, unable to grow and be strong in the Lord.  In Ephesians 5, the Holy Spirit through Paul writes, “[H]ave no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” Eph. 5:11. Again in Colossians 1 it says, “[Jesus] we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” Colossians 1:28.IMG_12017981708482 May we never allow the spirit of the age, the prince of the power of the air, to dissuade us from the high calling we have in Christ Jesus!

Although we all have different roles within the body of Christ, we are all called to grow in every area. Sure, some may have the gift of helps, but we are all called to be helpful. Some are given the gift of evangelism, however we are all called to share the good news of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Do we not even train our children to recognize the signs of danger?  Why? So we can teach them to be nitpicky and critical of everything around them?  No. We teach them to understand the signs so they remain safe and healthy and can continue growing with a mind that can think critically, as well as carefully and discerningly navigate the world around them. We should always desire to allow the Holy Spirit to teach them how to utilize God’s Word, the Bible, as their compass, no matter where they go.  To do otherwise is really to hate a child, and so it is within the body of Christ.

Sometimes a script’s blunders and illogical actions may very well detract from a movie’s overall enjoyment level, however in the end the actions and characters are simply penned by writers. And although we must be on guard against many of today’s movie messages, regardless of what happens to the characters themselves, they are simply that, characters in a movie.  Even if someone pretends to get shot and die, that actor is not really dead.  At the end of the day, he will go home and live his life.  Here lies the difference between simply critiquing a movie and being a loving watchman in the Spirit!  In real life, men have eternal souls. We will all live forever! Eternity is not a fictional story written by some man, rather the truth revealed to every heart and written by the God who created the universe in six short days some 6,000 years ago.  How important is it that we be sure to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth both to those within and without the body of Christ? I would argue it is vitally important!  It’s not a matter of whether or not mankind will remain forever, but where we will spend eternity that is at stake.

There is nothing critical or nitpicky in lovingly warning and teaching those around us according to the whole counsel of God. Having a watchman’s heart is a crucial role to play, especially in the confusing times in which we live. May we all be willing to speak the truth in love, knowing our redemption draws near, knowing that this life is much more than a movie. May we never forget that eternity is the destiny of all who step onto this world’s stage. “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24

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Calvinism: Careful Considerations from Romans 3

Filed under: Calvinism ?s — Leave a comment
June 29, 2014

bible-verses-about-loveEvery born again believer who has been saved for any length of time is most likely familiar with Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” The question, especially for a person influenced by Calvinism, is why is Romans 3:23 where it is in the Bible? It might seem pretty obvious why a verse explaining that everyone has fallen short of God’s glory is both in the Bible and in Romans 3, however, as we know, every Scripture must be read and understood in context of the verses before and after it.

Let’s first consider verses 21-22. “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference…” All Christians, regardless of their Calvinistic predilections, would agree that the “all” in verse 23 means all. But as verses 21 and 22 explain, the whole reason verse 23 is where it is in the Bible is to support verse 22. Verse 23 deals with all having sinned which is the foundation for verse 22’s claim that all have the opportunity to at least believe the Gospel for there is NO DIFFERENCE for ALL have sinned. Again, the “all” in verse 23 means all to support the all in verse 22 meaning all. It might be just as well said, “If all had not sinned, then the righteousness of God would not be available to all who believe.”

When the reader allows Scripture, not man’s teachings, to define Scripture, then he is left with only one conclusion here. The righteousness of God is not attainable through the works of the law, but is only accessible by placing his faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. The person who desires to be righteous must believe in Jesus Christ. Who qualifies for such an invitation? Sinners. How many sinners qualify? All sinners. Why? Because there is no difference for ALL HAVE SINNED.  At least that is what these verses say.

But then one might argue, “If men can actually believe, then they can boast in their work of belief.” Again, what does Romans 3 conclude?  Verses 27-28 say, “Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”

Side Note: These last verses speak of the law of faith, not grace. Why? Because this portion of Scripture is focused on mankind’s need to believe. We are not justified here by so-called “irresistible grace”, rather by Jesus, in Whom all sinners can at least direct their belief/faith, hence the law of faith. Interestingly, Calvinism’s T.U.L.I.P. has no room for the this crucial law.

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CALVINISM: CONCERNS AND CONSIDERATIONS

Filed under: Calvinism ?s, Edifying Quotes — Leave a comment

God-Write-the-Bible“Turn to your Bible and read for yourself in the only two chapters in which this word predestinate or predestinated is found. The first is Romans 8:29-30, the other chapter is Ephesians 1:5 and 11. You will note that there is no reference in these four verses to either heaven or hell but to Christ-likeness eventually. Nowhere are we told in scripture that God predestinated one man to be saved and another to be lost. Men are to be saved or lost eternally because of their attitude towards the Lord Jesus Christ. Predestination means that someday all the redeemed shall become just like the Lord Jesus”

“D.L. Moody used to put it very simply the elect are the ‘whosoever wills’ the non-elect ‘whosoever wont’s’. This is exactly what scripture teaches, the invitation is to all, those who accept it are the elect. Remember, we are never told that Christ died for the elect”.

“Whosoever means, whosoever.” Only a biased theologian, with an axe to grind, could ever think that it meant only the elect.”    ~H.A. Ironside

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What is Biblical Discernment?

Filed under: Emergent, Truth — 2 Comments
June 21, 2014

Bible Light Bulb ImageUnfortunately there are those within today’s Christianity who consider discernment as almost a “dirty word”. Often, discernment discussions are viewed as problem-causing and sometimes seen as divisive within a body of believers. It’s ironic, however, that whether we go to the doctor for a prognosis of a persistent problem or to the mechanic for an unfamiliar sound under the hood, one of the top requirements should be to find a professional with a high level of discernment. A good doctor is a discerning doctor. A qualified mechanic is one that can quickly and accurately discern and diagnose the problem at hand. Why then is it when it comes to the things of eternal life, the things that will endure forever, discernment is often not even on the radar?

Discernment is invaluable in the earthly sense. How much more so in the heavenly? It is this Christian’s conviction that it’s only to the enemy’s benefit that biblical discernment is rarely embraced or even correctly discussed within many churches. Sadly this leaves the flock vulnerable to every wind of doctrine, causing them to be tossed to and fro as they attempt to safely sail through the tempests of this world.

Generally speaking, what is discernment? 

The Merriam Webster dictionary defines discernment as “the ability to see and understand people, things, or situations clearly and intelligently.” In our generation, both Christians and non-Christians alike are being sold the incorrect idea that our “heart”, that is to say our feelings are our most crucial guide and rarely lead us astray. Many today have allowed the intellect to be governed by feelings, instead of the other way around. Contrarily, a discerning heart and mind will take into account ones feeling, but these feelings have been carefully trained through the intellect, not one’s previous emotional highs and lows. The mind, even within many Christian circles is not essential today, rather how one feels is key. Even meditating on God’s Word has been popularly redefined to embrace eastern non-thinking meditative practices instead of the biblical concept of careful consideration concerning God’s Word. Sadly, once emotions take center stage, true discernment becomes crippled, unable to navigate the soul.

Biblically speaking, what is discernment? 

The King James Version (KJV) often translates discernment as taste, judgment,understanding, reason, knowledge, and wisdom. The Greek use in Philippians 1:9 is aisthēsis and is translated “perception, not only by the senses but by the intellect”. The word “discern” is used 15 times in the KJV Bible. Discernment is used 4 times in the New King Javmes Version (NKJV) Bible and the word “discerning” is used 7 times in the NKJV. The KJV often uses the words knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and judgment in place of the NKJV’s use of the word discernment.

Regardless of whether the actual word “discernment” is used, the idea that Christians should be careful thinkers, desiring the understanding and wisdom of God to safely navigate one’s walk as well as rescue others, is prevalent throughout Scripture. “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” Proverbs 4:7.

Spiritually speaking, what is discernment? 

Spiritual discernment comes exclusively from the Holy Spirit of God, the Spirit of Truth, as born again believers humbly study and obey God’s Word. When the Lord Jesus enters the forgiven sinner, He illuminates our understanding and renews our minds, giving us a new heart now pumping with the power and love of Christ. Much like a seasoned ship’s captain’s dependence upon his compass, Biblical discernment is crucial to navigating the dark waters of this world.

 

The spiritual senses that are directly connected to discernment, i.e. Godly wisdom, understanding, knowledge, faith, etc. actually need continual exercise so we can safely grow in the direction of the Son. If, instead of choosing to walk (exercise) by faith, we embrace walking by sight, our fleshly senses will grow strong, causing our spiritual eyes to dim and our ears to grow dull. We must daily choose to walk in the Spirit, abiding in Christ, not the god of this world.What are Born Again Believers Called to Discern? Here are a few examples repeated throughout Scripture-

  • The righteous and the wicked, as well as those who serve God and those who don’t: “Then shall you return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serves God and him that serves him not” Malachi 3:18.
  • Good and evil: “But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” Hebrews 5:14.
  • The holy and the profane, the unclean and the clean: “And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean” Ezekiel 44:23.

Isn’t it obvious? 

How hard is it to tell the difference between good and evil? Well, if it were that simple, why has the Lord put so many warnings and exhortations in His Word, warnings to be on guard and exercise our senses in order to discern these things? It isn’t always that obvious to discern truth from error. After all, any good lie is mixed with much truth and the more truth a lie has, the more difficult it becomes to separate the two. Godly discernment is necessary especially in the times in which we live. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

Improving Our Spiritual Palates: 

“How sweet are Your words to my taste” Psalm 119:103. When talking about a top chef or food critic one thing is for sure, he must have a discerning palate. It is rightly said the number one tool for any chef is not his cutlery set, but his palate. This heightened sense of taste and texture is usually a trait he was born with and then later mixed with years of training and development. The same is true for the Christian.Psalm 34:8 instructs us,”O taste and see that the LORD is good.” We are to hunger and thirst for righteousness, not this unrighteous world. Job asked his so-called counseling friends, “Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern the unsavory?” Job 6:30.

The Gift of Discernment: 

God gives His body many gifts for the edification of the saints, to keep us pure and clean so His light can brightly shine forth in this dark and dying world. Some have taught that there is no gift of discernment revealed in the pages of Scripture, however I would argue that 1 Corinthians 12:10 tells a rather different story.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, reveals the role of spiritual gifts within the church. In the first part of verse 10 he says, “to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits.” Paul was very clear that false doctrines never have their origin in the hearts or minds of men, but rather originate from the devils. (1 Timothy 4:1) “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” 1John 4:1. The gift of discerning spirits is simply the spiritual wisdom and understanding to separate the truth from error, acknowledging the truth is from the Spirit of God and all lies, whether in word or in false signs and wonders are from the enemy of our souls. As with all the gifts, the gift of discernment is crucial to the body of Christ.

Note of warning- Just as in all gifts from the Lord, there is a danger in taking what God has given in the Spirit and using it in the flesh. The church at Corinth is a perfect example. 

God Gets the Glory! 

Discernment is the spiritually given ability to divide truth from error, to both see and help illuminate the many layers of lies that are spoon fed to the body of Christ. Being spiritually discerning means keeping in step with the Spirit both in word and in deed. No Christian, washed in the blood of the Lamb can claim that he has the ability to attain or grow in discernment apart from the mind and power of Christ.

God gives as He sees fit, not based on our worthiness, but according to His will. Just as the gift of healing, tongues, etc. are abused in the flesh, so it is with the gift of discernment. Some are quick to speak the truth, but are devoid of God’s mercy and love. Discernment by very definition assists the teacher to understand when, how, and where it is best to speak and act. Much more could be said on this. See below for a few excellent related articles.

The Discerning King: 

So often Christians will hold to the promise that our Heavenly Father has made us kings and priests, yet often we misunderstand the promise. We are not called to be kings who make our own rules, foolishly going where even angels fear to tread. Instead, let us consider one of the key roles of any good king. It’s the major duty of every king throughout time to lovingly protect his people both through having a good military and laws that benefit the people. To do both, the king must be discerning. Consider 2 Samuel 14:17, “Then your handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with you.”

King Solomon, honestly doubting his ability to correctly discern the Israelite people, prayed for gift of wisdom and discernment to rightly divide between good and evil. (1 Kings 3:9-10) His selfless desire was to receive from God the wisdom, judgment, and discernment for the edification of the people. If one of the key characteristics to an earthly king is discernment, how much greater for those who are spiritual kings entrusted with the eternal Word of God?”

Discernment and Understanding: 

To truly understanding something we must plumb the depths of its meaning and functionality. Understanding someone means taking time to listen and observe that person. Discernment both helps us reach the goal and itself grows as we patiently and persistently pursue understanding. When I consider discernment I can’t help but think of law enforcement. Detectives must discern truth from lies, dealing with many “professional” liars. They must learn to detect their lies by understanding the difference between someone telling the truth and someone spewing out lies.

Biblically speaking, our greatest goal as Christians might arguably be to first and foremost grow in our understanding of Jesus Christ. 1 John 5:20 reminds us, “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.” In Jeremiah 9:24, the Lord says, “Let him that glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD…”

If understanding the Lord is our most important goal, then discernment should play a central role. God’s Word, illuminated by the Spirit of God, should produce discernment in every believer. This “spiritual sword” of discernment then helps us understand aright by teaching us how to divide truth from lies, good from evil, the holy from the profane, and the sheep in wolves clothing from the sheep speaking the truth. May we never forget that discernment and understanding are inextricably linked.

Discernment and Truth: 

Another area worth briefly examining is that of truth and discernment. In 2 Thessalonians it says that all those who have not received the love of the truth will receive a strong delusion to believe a lie. I’ve often wondered why some within the church seem so sorely lacking in discernment. Granted, as mentioned above, discernment is a gift from the Lord, however as with all gifts, every believer should desire to grow in each area of their Christian walk. Just because some have the gift of helps doesn’t mean the rest should not be helpful. Just because some are specifically given the gift of giving does not excuse the rest of the saints from being generous with their time and money. The same is true for the gift of discernment. We all should desire to abound in the knowledge and discernment of our Lord Jesus, both for our own sanctification and for the edification of the entire body.

So why is this area of Christianity so lacking today? Perhaps for the simple reason that the love for the truth has grown cold. May we never forget that although God’s love is amazing and His grace unmerited, Jesus teaches that it is His truth found exclusively in God’s Word that sets men free. (John 8:31-32) His truth not only sets us free, but it also sanctifies us day by day. (John 17:17)

Embracing God’s truth is essential if we are to grow in the knowledge and understanding of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Even earthly speaking, facts/created truth is essential for growing in knowledge of God’s creation. Could you imagine if when students entered fourth grade math, they started their year by being taught that nothing is true? How much could a student who embraced this lie actually learn? After all, if nothing is true then it doesn’t matter how she solves the problems presented before her. If the entire world actually lived this lie out consistently, we would most likely destroy ourselves in a day.

Without truth there is no thinking, and without thinking there is really no ability to discern anything. In fact, without truth, there is really no need to discern anything because nothing would be real. I personally believe that one’s level of spiritual discernment will be directly proportionate to his love for God’s truth.

“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-14

Abounding in Discernment: 


Finally, let’s not simply grow in some areas of our faith. Let’s abound in every area! So often we desire to grow in mercy and grace. However, as good as this is, may we never neglect our growth in biblical discernment. Without love all things are useless, but without discernment all things meaningless. “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ…” Phil 1:9-10 (NKJV).May we carefully consider our own hunger and thirst for God and His righteousness. May we sincerely taste and see that God is good, once and for all turning from the lusts and pride of this world. May we realize with a renewed mind and transformed heart that our citizenship is truly in Heaven. Be patient. The joy of the Lord is our strength. Abound more and more in knowledge and discernment, knowing our redemption draws nigh. Allow God to be the One who fights your battles. Give Him all the glory and seek His face continually. His transforming power to testify of His glorious Gospel will only come as we make Him our wholehearted pursuit both now and forever! Amen!  (Originally written for Once Lost Ministries’ Apologetics/ Q&A section: http://www.once-lost.com/ggapologetics/q-a-s/what-is-biblical-discernment)
A Few Discernment Articles for Further Study: 

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Planting Summer Seeds

Filed under: The Good News, Truth — Leave a comment
May 24, 2014

IMG_12017981708482GOOD EVANGELISM HABITS: Over the summer, it’s easy for children to forget they still have the exciting privilege of sharing God’s Word with others. Sharing is oftentimes a scary thing to think about for children (and even many adults). I mean, walking up to complete strangers and asking them if they believe in Jesus… how unnatural to our flesh!  That’s why it’s so important for children to learn good evangelism habits early on. Once they see that it’s really not that scary and that many people will at least respectfully listen, they’ll grow that much more lovingly bold at an early age. Never forget, we have the truth and the Lord on our side so we really have nothing to fear!    

Because talking to others doesn’t always come easily, comprehensive, biblical tracts can be a nice way to break the ice. With that in mind, I’ve put together a simple, black and white Bible tract that parents can print and children can cut, fold, and color.  (Reminder: Carefully read through tracts before purchasing or printing. Not all tracts are biblical. Sadly, many focus on man, not God.)

Click “HERE” to go to the Kid’s Tract PDF. Simply download it and print.20140524_183434

A SUMMER FAMILY PROJECT: Let evangelism be a fun summer family project. First, look up a few Bible verses on evangelism such as Matthew 28:19, Acts 1:8, and Romans 1:15-16 during your family devotional time. Then pray about making a certain day each week designated as an evangelism day. Start out by going to familiar areas such as your neighborhood houses and grocery stores. It goes without says, but please, please, please… Safety First. Perhaps also bring a small notebook to write down names and prayer requests from people you talk with. Then consider designating another day each week to pray specifically as a family for those you’ve shared with.  Follow-up is always another great option.  Again, please us godly wisdom when following up. Some situations may warrant going with another adult instead and then sharing the story with your children later.

EVANGELISM AS A LIFESTYLE: It’s definitely beneficial to designate specific times to focus on outreach and evangelism, but it’s as much of a blessing to share the good news of Jesus as part of our daily worship unto Him. We so often have our plans, but the Lord directs our steps. Sometimes the Lord’s plans might be interwoven. For example, we all go to the grocery store, gas stations, restaurants, etc. Why not use those day-to-day trips as opportunities to tell others about Jesus? I personally make a habit of asking waiters and waitresses if they have any prayer requests. Many are happy to share a little about their children, schooling, etc. Often, it opens a door for further conversation which hopefully leads to the truth about the Lord.

These daily demonstrations of our love for the Lord and others is key, not only for our own growth, but the growth of our children. Kids are so keen to recognize hypocrisy. If we simply go to church on Sunday mornings and have no other avenues demonstrating our Christian walk, they will quickly see the dichotomy in our lives. When our daily walk is so shallow, whether we mean to or not, what we’re really telling them is that Jesus is only a microcosm of our lives. Yes, He died for our sins. Yes, He rose from the grave. And although we’re happy to have Him as our Savior, we really resist letting Him be our All in All. We often are sending the very clear message that Jesus is important, but not really that important compared to everything and everyone else.

Having daily Bible study, prayers, discussions, application, biblical consequences in discipline, biblical education, outreach, and evangelism are all excellent tools in growing in the grace of God. They are also such a blessing to everyone around us.

“I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of Your righteousness, even of Your’s only. O God, You have taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared Your wondrous works.” Psalm 71:16-17

“The living, the living, he shall praise You, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known Your truth.” Isaiah 38:19

ICE BREAKERS: Often we struggle with how to make that first connection. Here are some thoughts on helping break the ice:

  • Be genuine. Remember the person you’re talking with is a lost and eternal soul.  Most people will at least listen when they see you really care. One good quote to remember, “Evangelism is a conversations, not a presentation.” Take time to listen and care, but also be sure to take time to then swing the conversation to Jesus.
  • Handing someone a tract is a great ice breaker, but if you’re able, take the time to share the truth found in the tract.
  • Ask questions.  Ask questions. Ask questions. Many times, asking good questions helps open the door to good conversations.  Here are a few: “Could I ask you a quick question?”  “What are your thoughts about eternity?”  “Do you think the Bible is an important book?”  “We like to pray to Jesus. Do you have anything we could pray for?” Remember, if you’re going to ask questions, be ready to listen.
  • Don’t forget to pray for the Lord to direct your steps and conversations. We always want to be led by the Spirit! After all, God knows best.
  • Never forget to let the joy of the Lord be your strength. Although sharing is sometimes intimidating, it shouldn’t be daunting. Let the love of your Savior shine through. After all, He’s promised to never leave or forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)
  • The more we share, the easier it gets.
  • Don’t listen to your flesh. Although there will be times you just can’t stop and talk, we often make excuses that shouldn’t be listened to. Your flesh will stir up all kinds of fear and doubt, but take those steps of faith with confidence. Open your mouth and speak. The Lord will do the rest. (Matthew 5:2, Acts 8:35, Acts 10:34)
  • People are often willing to share their opinions about everything, so why not share in return?
  • When in doubt, share the Gospel. You will never be able to answer every question. If you get stuck, there’s nothing wrong with simply going back to what you believe and why you believe it.
  • Keep studying the Word. Although you’re not going to have all the answers, you want to keep studying the Word to prepare your heart and mind. It can also be helpful to do some research and watch others share with others. I often find helpful questions and answers by listening to other evangelizing. (2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Peter 3:15)

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings  glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7

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A Look Behind the Curtain- Targeting Today’s Youth

Filed under: Emergent, Truth — Leave a comment
April 26, 2014

acquire-the-fireSadly, there is a very real spiritual battle that many are too happy to gloss right over. Many Christian parents and teachers earnestly desire to see their children interested in the things of the Lord, but sometimes feel like they don’t have the right tools to keep their interest once children have reached a certain age. So the search begins.  It’s at this point that priorities shift in the criteria for resources and church fellowships that are sought after.  “We need a church and materials that will hold my child’s interest, ones that he will really like.”  Of course this isn’t in and of itself completely bad, but there is definitely more to the story.

If a young teenager has only been lightly trained in his understanding of God’s Word, what kind of youth group will he most likely be drawn to?  As parents of young children, we don’t turn and say to our children, “What would you prefer to eat first, dessert or the main meal?”  No, we hopefully train our children to understand that there are priorities in eating.  First we eat our main course, including the vegetables, then go from there.  Although, perhaps a simple example, the same can be said for training our children in their activities with the Lord.

When looking for a church, our first priority ought always be to pray for the Lord’s leading.  Then there should be an honest desire to find a fellowship that has a strong emphasis on teaching the Word of God in such a way that promotes discernment, building the youth’s understanding of the Lord Jesus Christ.  If this is done correctly, the rest should really work itself out.  Even if it means missing out on church once and a while, parents should also stop in to visit their children’s Sunday school and/or youth group meetings on a semi-regular basis.  Also, keep an open communication with your children and their teachers to see what they’re really learning from week to week. After all, you’re to ones the Lord has made most responsible for training your family. Don’t pass that privilege off to someone else!  Lastly, pray some more!  Never forget there is a very real battle to influence the hearts and minds of this upcoming generation.  Children are much easier to influence and once they are trained, it is difficult (albeit not impossible) to retrain them later.

While millions of young people around the world are staying busy week by week being entertained “in the name of Jesus”, there is a very real push to rewrite the messages they are hearing.  Regardless of what many of them profess, too many Sunday schools and youth groups rely much more on some company’s curriculum or training materials than the Word of God.  This is why it is important to know what your children are learning.  Many so-called Christian curriculum companies understand the money that can be made on selling their products to a large audience, so naturally in order to continue increasing their sales base, the message will have to appeal to as many as possible. And ever deeper than this, there is a very real desire to creatively and carefully move this generation off the firm foundation of the Word of God to the shifting sands of this world’s ecumenical doctrines.

We would be fools to believe the church is immune to the direction this world is headed.  It really is up to every parent and Godly teacher to become informed, exercising Christ-centered discernment in training the youth of today!  Below is a short, but very insightful article which gives a little background of one such group.  Youth Specialties has been around for 40 years and is involved in publishing books, organizing youth training and music events and camps around the world, as well as developing youth curriculum for churches and youth groups. Please take a few minutes to prayerfully read over this article.

Article:   SHAPING THE MINDS OF YOUTH   by Roger Oakland

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4

“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. ” 1 John 5:20-21

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

“Then the little children were brought to [Jesus] that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:13-14

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This is THE Day (of Hope)!

Filed under: The Good News, Truth — Leave a comment
April 20, 2014

emptytomb

For those who’ve had loved ones go on ahead of them to their home in glory, today (Resurrection Sunday) truly is THE DAY that brings eternal hope that we’ll soon meet again.

“If the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; you are yet in your sins.  Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead…” 1 Corinthians 15:17-20

The resurrection of Jesus is not wishful thinking to make loved ones feel better.  Jesus not only historically died, but historically raised Himself from the dead. Praise God, He is the alive forevermore!  (For several excellent articles on the historical evidence of Jesus’ resurrection, go to: Resurrection of Christ.)

In Revelation 1:18, Jesus reminds us, “I am He that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”  

“For You are my hope, O Lord GOD: You are my trust from my youth.” Psalm 71:5

“You are  my hiding place and my shield: I hope in Your word.” Psalm 119:114

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Romans 15:13

 

 

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Intentional Opportunities — (Resurrection Day Activities for the Whole Family)

Filed under: The Good News, Truth — Leave a comment
April 18, 2014

Boy Reading the holy bible“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 

As parents and teachers, we have so many balls in the air at any given time, losing track of what’s most important can happen quickly. With all the business of our days, it’s easy to let too many opportunities slip by. With the eternal destinies of this next generation at stake, it’s this author’s opinion that we, as Christians, should not only make good use of the many teachable moments, but we should also be THE most intentional in actually making opportunities to biblically train those we’ve been entrusted with by the Lord.  Before entering their land, the Lord through Joshua commanded the priests to set up stones. Why? These stones would be used as an opportunity to generate discussion and training for the next generation of Israel. “That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?” Joshua 4:6.  If the Lord can use stones to remind Israel’s children and fathers of His greatness and glory, how much more so His Word!

With this in mind and Resurrection Sunday literally right around the corner, there are several activity ideas included below that might serve as intentional and biblical teaching opportunities for years to come. Perhaps some of these family ideas could even replace those traditional “Easter” children’s activities, too many of which have really nothing to do with Resurrection Day.

1. Clue Hunt- Choose several key Resurrection prophecies, print them out, fold and place them in little plastic tupperware containers and hide them around the house or yard. Have children search for them, then put the verses in Bible book order. Later look them up and even find the New Testament fulfillment verses. Talk about why true clues (prophecies) are so important in trusting God’s Word.

The following link serves as a great resource containing many of Jesus’ Old Testament prophecies and their New Testament fulfillment — https://unityinthetruth.com/2017/04/22/old-testament-prophecies-of-jesus-christ-prophecy-as-proof/.

2. Find the Lamb- Purchase a small stuffed lamb or print a picture of a lamb. Look up several of the main Old Testament and New Testament verses referring to The Lamb. Starting on Palm Sunday, put the Lamb in different rooms of your house. Do not hide it. Remember, starting on what we call Palm Sunday (Nisan 10), the Jewish people were bringing lambs to Jerusalem to be observed until they were killed on the 14th. Jesus was coming not to hide, but to be observed and found sinless.Lamb on Rock

For each location you move the lamb, include one of the Lamb verses. Once someone finds the Lamb, he/she will get to read the verse at breakfast or dinner, then discuss it further as the Lord leads. (Some of the main “Lamb” verses in the Bible- John 1:36, Genesis 3:21( Possibly a lamb was killed to cloth Adam and Eve), Genesis 22:7-8, Exodus 12:5-6, Psalm 23:1-6, Isaiah 53:7, 1 Peter 1:19, Revelation 5:11-13, Revelation 7:10, Revelation 12:11, Revelation 15:3, Revelation 19:9, Revelation 21:22-23,27, Revelation 22:3, John 3:16)

Also consider playing the following song- “You are My All in All“. It’s a great reminder of  Jesus being the Lamb of God and our All in All.

Author’s Note: When showing cartoon or live action movies portraying Bible accounts, please use wisdom and discernment. Many Bible movies claim to be about Jesus, however actors of Jesus are not Jesus. We do not know what Jesus looked like, plus He no longer looks like He did while He was here. We definitely don’t want to unintentionally put a false image in place of the true Jesus revealed to us by His Holy Spirit as we read His Word. Also, we must be careful to explain to children that there are always subjective dialog and events in Bible movies that are additions to Scripture in order to make a Bible account make sense as a film. Ultimately, make sure your children understand what is actually in God’s Word.

3. Set it Straight- Choose small sections of the last few weeks of Jesus’ life prior to His crucifixion. Print them out and cut each part, then put them in a bag. Shake the bag to mix them up and then dump out the verses. Have one person or a group put the events in order. Time each group to see how quickly they can do it.(Possible reference chapters to choose events from: Matthew 19-28, Mark 13-16, Luke 18-24, John 12, 18-21.)

4. Match ‘Em Up- To keep from getting lost we need to know our addresses. Print out several New Testament fulfillment verses and their addresses surrounding Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, betrayal, arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection. See the link for Activity 1- Clue Hunt.  Print and then cut out each of the verses and addresses separately. Mix them up in a shoe box or bag. Work in groups to match up the verses and addresses. Time each person or group to see who can do it the fastest.

5. Focusing on Passover– Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was paralleled with the Jewish Passover. He entered Jerusalem on the same day as the lambs for Passover, Nisan 10. He was crucified on the same day as the sacrifices on Nisan 14. (For one audio article touching on some of this information, go to: Was Palm Sunday a Fulfillment of Prophecy?)

6. Greatest Prophecies! With older kids, take time to explore two of the Bible’s most amazing prophecies- Isaiah 53 and Daniel 9. To begin further study on these two chapters, go to- The Doctrine of Salvation in the Book of Isaiah and Daniel 9:25 Q & A

7. The Last Adam Video by: Answers in Genesis/The Creation Museum. This excellent 15 minute video focuses on Jesus being the Last Adam. It is definitely worth watching as a family.  It is both tastefully and biblically done. You may want to watch ahead of time to determine if it’s appropriate for your younger children.  Go to: The Last Adam video OldRuggedCross_B&W(15:00)

Interestingly, the children involved in these activities won’t be the only ones growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we, as adults, read through the Scriptures, prayerfully planning the activities in hopes of training young people, it is inevitable that we will grow as well.

“And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” 1 John 5:20 


A couple other articles on biblical prophecy to encourage and bolster our own understanding: 

 

 

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The Land of the Living!

Filed under: The Good News, Truth — Leave a comment
March 29, 2014

“Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee. For Thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.” Psalm 116:5,7-9

What a blessed moment in time yesterday (March 27, 2014), worshiping and feasting on the Word together during Cherrie’s “HOMECOMING” Celebration. Enjoying the love and truth expressed through the Body of Christ, I had to remind myself often that I was attending a funeral.  God is so good! Thank you all for blessing our family! Stay close to Jesus!  Below are all four parts of the video from Cherrie’s “HOMECOMING” Celebration Service. “Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee. For Thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.” Psalm 116:7-9

The Holy Spirit, speaking prophetically of  Jesus, wrote, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.” Isaiah 63:1-3

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116:15 “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12

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