tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069166266941702322024-03-14T05:08:27.021-05:00 Words MatterDifferent words mean different things to different people. It doesn't matter what we believe something means, the only thing that matters is if what we believe is true. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-71755599722646413382014-11-16T03:19:00.001-06:002014-11-16T03:19:10.990-06:0020 Questions<span style="font-size: large;">What is the Bible about? Jesus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What do all scriptures point to? Jesus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What is the purpose of life? Jesus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Who died to set men free? Jesus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Who can save you from your sin? Jesus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Who is the only Savior? Jesus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Who was nailed to the cross? Jesus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Who is God? Jesus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Who is talked about in the New and the Old Testament? Jesus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Who is your Master? Jesus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">To Whom will all knees bow? Jesus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Who's name do you need to call upon? Jesus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Who requires your repentance and faith? Jesus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Who can give you the gift of salvation? Jesus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Who do the Ten Commandments point to? Jesus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Who is the Creator of everything? Jesus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Who will return one day? Jesus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Who walked the Earth? Jesus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Who is the only object of Faith that matters? Jesus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What is the point of this post? Jesus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Do you know the Real Jesus Christ of the Bible?</span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-48859963535085910662014-11-16T03:04:00.002-06:002014-11-16T03:04:49.533-06:00Surgeon of the Day<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px; line-height: 24.6399993896484px;">It is not "The Lord is </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px; line-height: 24.6399993896484px;">partly</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px; line-height: 24.6399993896484px;"> my portion," nor "The Lord is </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px; line-height: 24.6399993896484px;">in</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px; line-height: 24.6399993896484px;"> my portion"; but He Himself makes up the sum total of my soul's inheritance. Within the circumference of that circle lies all that we possess or desire. The </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px; line-height: 24.6399993896484px;">Lord</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px; line-height: 24.6399993896484px;"> is my portion. Not His grace merely, nor His love, nor His covenant, but Jehovah Himself. He has chosen us for His portion, and we have chosen Him for ours. It is true that the Lord must first choose our inheritance for us, or else we shall never choose it for ourselves; but if we are really called according to the purpose of electing love, we can sing--</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px; line-height: 24.6399993896484px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px; line-height: 24.6399993896484px;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 24.6399993896484px;">"Loved of my God for Him again With love intense I burn; Chosen of Him ere time began, I choose Him in return."</span></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px; line-height: 24.6399993896484px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px; line-height: 24.6399993896484px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px; line-height: 24.6399993896484px;">The Lord is our </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px; line-height: 24.6399993896484px;">all-sufficient</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px; line-height: 24.6399993896484px;"> portion. God fills Himself; and if God is all-sufficient in Himself, He must be all-sufficient for us. It is not easy to satisfy man's desires. When he dreams that he is satisfied, anon he wakes to the perception that there is somewhat yet beyond, and straightway the horse-leech in his heart cries, "Give, give." But all that we can wish for is to be found in our divine portion, so that we ask, "Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee." Well may we "delight ourselves in the Lord" who makes us to drink of the river of His pleasures. Our faith stretches her wings and mounts like an eagle into the heaven of divine love as to her proper dwelling-place. "The lines have fallen to us in pleasant places; yea, we have a goodly heritage." Let us rejoice in the Lord always; let us show to the world that we are a happy and a blessed people, and thus induce them to exclaim, "We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-89311886535469889802014-08-20T02:22:00.001-05:002014-08-20T02:22:10.541-05:00Sweet Psalm<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 2px;"><span style="color: #123154; font-size: xx-small;"><strong>"The sweet psalmist of Israel."</strong></span></div>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Among all the saints whose lives are recorded in Holy Writ, David possesses an experience of the most striking, varied, and instructive character. In his history we meet with trials and temptations not to be discovered, as a whole, in other saints of ancient times, and hence he is all the more suggestive a type of our Lord. David knew the trials of all ranks and conditions of men. Kings have their troubles, and David wore a crown: the peasant has his cares, and David handled a shepherd's crook: the wanderer has many hardships, and David abode in the caves of Engedi: the captain has his difficulties, and David found the sons of Zeruiah too hard for him. The psalmist was also tried in his friends, his counsellor Ahithophel forsook him, "He that eateth bread with me, hath lifted up his heel against me." His worst foes were they of his own household: his children were his greatest affliction. The temptations of poverty and wealth, of honour and reproach, of health and weakness, all tried their power upon him. He had temptations from without to disturb his peace, and from within to mar his joy. David no sooner escaped from one trial than he fell into another; no sooner emerged from one season of despondency and alarm, than he was again brought into the lowest depths, and all God's waves and billows rolled over him. It is probably from this cause that David's psalms are so universally the delight of experienced Christians. Whatever our frame of mind, whether ecstasy or depression, David has exactly described our emotions. He was an able master of the human heart, because he had been tutored in the best of all schools--the school of heart-felt, personal experience. As we are instructed in the same school, as we grow matured in grace and in years, we increasingly appreciate David's psalms, and find them to be "green pastures." My soul, let David's experience cheer and counsel thee this day.</span></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-76023969950047125122014-05-21T02:03:00.001-05:002014-05-21T02:03:19.007-05:00Spurgeon of the Day: The Lord is Gracious<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Z_Vt0ygwCI/U0znRu04w8I/AAAAAAAAATU/H84VsPDK_s8/s1600/Spurgeon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Z_Vt0ygwCI/U0znRu04w8I/AAAAAAAAATU/H84VsPDK_s8/s1600/Spurgeon.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">If:--then, this is not a matter to be taken for granted concerning every one of the human race. "If:"--then there is a possibility and a probability that some may not have tasted that the Lord is gracious. "If:"--then this is not a general but a special mercy; and it is needful to enquire whether we know the grace of God by inward experience. There is no spiritual favour which may not be a matter for heart-searching.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">But while this should be a matter of earnest and prayerful inquiry, no one ought to be content whilst there is any such thing as an "if" about his having tasted that the Lord is gracious. A jealous and holy distrust of self may give rise to the question even in the believer's heart, but the </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">continuance</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"> of such a doubt would be an evil indeed. We must not rest without a desperate struggle to clasp the Saviour in the arms of faith, and say, "I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him." Do not rest, O believer, till thou hast a full assurance of thine interest in Jesus. Let nothing satisfy thee till, by the infallible witness of the Holy Spirit bearing witness with thy spirit, thou art certified that thou art a child of God. Oh, trifle not here; let no "perhaps" and "peradventure" and "if" and "maybe" satisfy thy soul. Build on eternal verities, and verily build upon them. Get the sure mercies of David, and surely get them. Let thine anchor be cast into that which is within the veil, and see to it that thy soul be linked to the anchor by a cable that will not break. Advance beyond these dreary "ifs;" abide no more in the wilderness of doubts and fears; cross the Jordan of distrust, and enter the Canaan of peace, where the Canaanite still lingers, but where the land ceaseth not to flow with milk and honey.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Do you know in whom you have believed? There are many misrepresentations of Jesus Christ in today's world. Read the Bible for yourself and pray that the Lord truly open your eyes. </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-38988894220560496652014-05-20T02:01:00.001-05:002014-05-20T02:13:48.866-05:00How Do You View the Gospel?<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EvF242-lnWA/U3sAnGxO_tI/AAAAAAAAAWE/Pzxd8pXODw0/s1600/800px-Cruzeiro_em_Bel%C3%A9m-PB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EvF242-lnWA/U3sAnGxO_tI/AAAAAAAAAWE/Pzxd8pXODw0/s1600/800px-Cruzeiro_em_Bel%C3%A9m-PB.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">When you hear the word gospel,
what comes to mind? Maybe it’s a conversation with someone you meet on the
streets or you think of a tract. Maybe even different forms of evangelism come
to mind, like Lifestyle, Friendship, or Open Air Preaching. But what actually
does the word gospel mean?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The word gospel means good news
but good news of what? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">According to Dictionary.com the
word carries these meanings; the teachings of Jesus and the apostles; the
Christian revelation. The story of Christ's life and teachings, especially as
contained in the first four books of the new testament, namely Matthew, Mark,
Luke, and John. Something regarded as true and implicitly believed: to take his
report for gospel. A doctrine regarded as of prime importance: political
gospel. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Further defined as; the story
of Christ's life and teachings as narrated in the Gospels</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let’s dig a little deeper now.
If you had to surmise the entire Bible how would you do it? This is how I would
describe it. The Bible is the progressive revelation of Jesus Christ and God’s
promise of salvation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beginning in the New Testament
this promise comes to life. Jesus Christ, God Himself in the flesh comes to
Earth to bring the hope and good news of salvation to all mankind no matter a
person’s race or nationality. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of
grace and truth.” John 1:14<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So Jesus Christ while on Earth
was the Gospel. He was the message of salvation. He provided the only way to Heaven,
then and now. There may be many paths to Christ, but once at the foot of the
cross, He is the only way to Heaven. The Gospels refer to the books of Matthew,
Mark, Luke and John. Why? It’s their accounts of the life, death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ, the only means of salvation for fallen mankind.
It’s not the stories of each of these Apostles, but the story of redemption of
man and God’s fulfillment of His promise. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In Romans 1:16 we read, “For I
am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to
everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Then in Hebrews
4:12 we learn, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any
two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and
of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” The gospel
is the only means God has gifted to us fallen wretched sinners to bring the
good news of salvation to all. The gospel is not only the Word of God, the
gospel was God in the flesh. The gospel was Jesus Christ as He was the Living
Word of God. This is not negated now that He rose Himself from the grave and
now sits at the right hand of God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the Third Commandment we are
told, ““You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord
will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” If to belittle the
name of God, use His name as a filthy cuss word, or use His name to express
excitement or surprise is a violation of this commandment, then what does it
mean when we do this with His Word. Consider this, applying the previous to any
part of the Bible, which is the written Word of God given to man, then that
would be taking His name in vain as well. To twist scripture or use any part of
the Bible or the gospel in a way that demeans the Creator’s Word, is blasphemy.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Word of God is to be looked
upon with reverence, holiness and awe. It is to be lifted up and treated with
more honor and respect than anything or anyone else on Earth. We are told to
love God with all of our hearts, souls, mind and strength. There is no
exception clause in this. This applies to all aspects of God and His Word. The
gospel is not only God’s way of salvation, but is the very Word of God, the
fulfillment of His promises, the essence and very reason God came to Earth in
the form of a man. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was Spurgeon, who uttered
these words. “Heart-work, carried out afterwards into life-work, —this is what
the Lord wants. You may perish as well with true doctrines as with false, if
you pervert the true doctrine into licentiousness. You may go to hell by the
cross as surely as you may by the theatre, or by the vilest of sin. You may
perish with the name of Jesus on your lips, and with a sound creed sealed on
your very bosom, for "except a man be born again, he cannot see the
kingdom of God." "Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever
a man soweth, that shall lie also reap." Now, if any of you belong to
either of these four classes, I think you cannot help knowing it, and, being
destitute of gospel holiness, you have good cause to bewail your character, and
tremble for your destiny. </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">But, to help you still further,
brethren, that man is destitute of true holiness who can look back upon his own
past sin without sorrow. Oh, to think of our past lives! There were some of us
who knew the Lord at fifteen years of age, but those fifteen years of
unregeneracy, —we can never forget them! Others may say, "We did not know
him till we were fifty or sixty." Ah, my dear brethren! You have much to
weep over, but so have those of us who knew the Lord in early life. I can look
back upon God's mercy with delight, but I hope I shall never be able to look
back upon my sins with complacency.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://carm.org/what-gospel">CARM.org</a> describes the gospel
this way: The gospel is the singularly most important communication of God to
man. In Jesus, who is God the Son, we have the revelation of God’s love and
sacrifice that saves us from God's righteous judgment upon sinners.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How Others Have Defined the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is why the New Testament
often defines the gospel as, simply, Christ. The gospel is the "gospel of
Christ" (Romans 15:19; 1 Corinthians 9:12; 2 Corinthians 2:12; 9:13;
10:14; Galatians 1:7; Philippians 1:27; etc.). Or, more specifically, the
gospel is "the gospel of the glory of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:4).
And even more wonderfully, perhaps, Paul says that the preaching of the gospel
is the preaching of "the unsearchable riches of Christ" (Ephesians
3:8). <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-is-the-christian-gospel">http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-is-the-christian-gospel</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Gospel of Jesus Christ, the
message from God to man delivered by the very Creator Himself come to Earth in
the form of a lowly man. If we can take shortcuts with the word gospel when
applied to the Word of God, we then are undermining and blaspheming the very
God we claim to be proclaiming. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“There is no greater message to
be heard than that which we call the Gospel. But as important as that is, it is
often given to massive distortions or over simplifications. People think
they’re preaching the Gospel to you when they tell you, ‘you can have a purpose
to your life’, or that ‘you can have meaning to your life’, or that ‘you can
have a personal relationship with Jesus.’ All of those things are true, and
they’re all important, but they don’t get to the heart of the Gospel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Gospel is called the ‘good
news’ because it addresses the most serious problem that you and I have as
human beings, and that problem is simply this: God is holy and He is just, and
I’m not. And at the end of my life, I’m going to stand before a just and holy
God, and I’ll be judged. And I’ll be judged either on the basis of my own
righteousness – or lack of it – or the righteousness of another. The good news
of the Gospel is that Jesus lived a life of perfect righteousness, of perfect
obedience to God, not for His own well-being but for His people. He has done
for me what I couldn’t possibly do for myself. But not only has He lived that
life of perfect obedience, He offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice to satisfy
the justice and the righteousness of God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The great misconception in our
day is this: that God isn’t concerned to protect His own integrity. He’s a kind
of wishy-washy deity, who just waves a wand of forgiveness over everybody. No.
For God to forgive you is a very costly matter. It cost the sacrifice of His
own Son. So valuable was that sacrifice that God pronounced it valuable by
raising Him from the dead – so that Christ died for us, He was raised for our
justification. So the Gospel is something objective. It is the message of who
Jesus is and what He did. And it also has a subjective dimension. How the
benefits of Jesus are subjectively appropriated to us? How do I get it? The
Bible makes it clear that we are justified not by our works, not by our
efforts, not by our deeds, but by faith – and by faith alone. The only way you
can receive the benefit of Christ’s life and death is by putting your trust in
Him – and in Him alone. You do that, you’re declared just by God, you’re
adopted into His family, you’re forgiven of all of your sins, and you have
begun your pilgrimage for eternity.” R.C. Sproul
<a href="http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-gospel/">http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-gospel/</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From John MacArthur: First of
all, the first key word in the divine vocabulary of the gospel of Christ is
that it is the power of God. The good news about Jesus Christ has power. The
word is dunamis, we get our word dynamite from it. And Paul has in mind the
fact that the gospel of Christ carries with it the omnipotence of God- The
all-powerful God is behind it, operative in regenerating a person.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now through the years, most
commentators have said what this means is that you have a symbolic call to
evangelism here. And they borrow it from that idea, from Romans 10:15. “Blessed
are the feet of those who preach the good news.” Which is a quote from Isaiah
52:7. But Romans 10:15, “And the feet of those who preach the good news,” is
not a verse to explain this. In the first place, that has nothing to do with
warfare. That has nothing to do with shoes. That’s just saying to the people
who hear the gospel will bless the people who brought it to them. Paul is not
talking about going anywhere. He’s not talking about traversing any place. He’s
not talking about taking the gospel to anyone. He’s talking about standing, not
going. The issue is not evangelism. The issue is taking a firm stand in a
battle against the devil as he assaults our lives. It’s like 1 Corinthians
16:13, “Stand fast in the faith.” The idea here is that our feet need to be
equipped to stand firmly when the attacking blows come. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What is it that can allow the
believer to stand unflinching, take his stand, never slip, never slide, never
fall under attack, what is it that gives us a firm footing? It is having your
feet prepared with the gospel of peace...The gospel of peace. What does that
mean? Well the gospel of peace is the gospel, sometimes called the gospel of
Christ, it’s sometimes called the gospel of God like in Romans 1. And here it’s
called the gospel of peace. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What is the gospel of peace? It
is the good news that you have made peace with God. That’s essentially the
theme of the opening verses of Romans 5. Look at this Romans 5 verse 1, “Having
been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. What does it mean to be
at peace with God? Simply it means that God is not our enemy, but God is our
strength. And it takes you right back to Ephesians 6:10, “Be ye strong in the
Lord and in the strength of His might.” It means He’s on our side. We stand
firm because we know that we are in reality invincible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">John MacArthur goes on to
explain, “He (Paul) refers to the gospel as the gospel of God. He calls it the
Gospel of the Blessed God. He calls it the gospel of His Son, the gospel of
Christ, the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. He calls it the gospel of grace.
He calls it the gospel of peace. He calls it the gospel of our salvation. But
most wonderfully he calls it “My Gospel.” And then he extends that, and calls
it “Our Gospel.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What was his gospel? What is
our gospel? What is the gospel of grace? The gospel of peace? The gospel of
salvation? The gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ? The Gospel of the blessed God?
What is it? We need to know what it is because it is that gospel which we
proclaim. In familiar words to all of us, Romans chapter 1, Paul says, “I am
eager to preach the gospel. I’m not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power
of God to salvation to everyone who believes, the Jew first, and then the
Greek,” that’s chronological.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So what is it that he preached?
What is it that he was eager to preach? What is it that he was obligated to
preach? What is this gospel?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Looking at it negatively for a
moment, you might open your Bible to Galatians chapter 1, and this is just by
way of a brief introduction here. Galatians chapter 1 and verse 6 gives us a
warning of the deadly danger of distorting the gospel. Galatians 1 verse 6,
“I’m amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace
of Christ for a different gospel… a different gospel.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He says, “I am amazed.” The
Greek verb there is thaumazo, it is used very often in the gospels of people
marveling over the inexplicable miracles of Jesus. Paul literally finds it
incredible that someone would abandon the gospel, or be drawn to a different
gospel. Paul uses that word thaumazo for two realities. One of them is here,
and the other one is in 2 Thessalonians 1:7 to 10, where he describes the
return of Jesus Christ and what a marvel and a wonder that’s going to be when
He comes in flaming fire and reeks vengeance on those who obey not the gospel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So he holds this word pretty
close to the vest, just letting it out twice. I’m amazed that you’re so quickly
deserting, defecting from Him who called you. Here we’re talking about an
effectual call, an internal call, a real call, and a call to salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So what we’re talking about
here is people who are called effectually, that is converted people who are
being pulled away and seduced by another gospel. They’re being enamored.
They’re being sort of mentally titillated by another gospel. And then he says
in verse 7, which is really not another because there is no other gospel, only
there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
And then this warning, “Even if we… that plural pronoun that he likes to use
when he refers to himself because it’s a more humble way to refer to yourself… we
or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have
preached to you, he is to be anathema.” Damned, devoted to destruction. Used
also in 1 Corinthians 16:22, “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let
him be damned.” So the most important truth of all truth and all truth is
important, all truth matters, but the most important truth is the gospel… the
gospel matters most. So we’re looking at Paul’s gospel, which is the gospel of
the Lord Jesus Christ and the gospel of the blessed God, it is the gospel of
peace, it is the gospel of grace, it is the gospel of salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Consider This</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">“Worship of the living God is serious business. It is not something to be trifled with or taken lightly.” ~ R.C. Sproul</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While it’s true the Christian
has liberty in Christ, it doesn’t mean the Christian has the liberty to take
the Word of God or God’s gospel and abuse it, belittle it, make it relevant, or
use it in a play on words. The only God honoring thing a Christian can do with
the gospel is share it and look at it for what it is, The Holy Word of the
Living God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I hear the word gospel, I
think of God, His promise, salvation, hope, holiness, and His Son Jesus Christ
born in the flesh to bring the only means by which mankind could be saved from
their sin and Hell. I hear Heaven and the eternal blessing of worshipping God
our Creator in holiness set free from any sin or distractions, to spend
eternity in the presence of Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Christians look around and
wonder what is wrong in Christendom, it starts with how we look at the very
Word of God. God’s Word has never failed, it is those of us who profess Christ
that have failed the very Word we claim to hold dear. We have failed in that we
have not given the Word of God and His promises what it truly needs, unwavering
devotion and set above anything or anyone else. In short, we have failed to
keep his Word reverent instead of relevant. We have failed to keep His Word in
Awe and looked upon with the utmost reverence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">There is something a Christian
will never be guilty of, holding God’s Word in too much awe, reverence or
looked upon with too much holiness.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Belittle
the Word of God or the gospel in a way that does not honor and uplift His Word,
and you have profaned His name, His Word and the Gospel of God Almighty.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-86388367162293463402014-05-09T15:57:00.000-05:002014-05-09T15:57:42.459-05:00You Can Learn A Lot From a Tornado<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oXOyAwGhTdE/U2x9zSICDFI/AAAAAAAAAVU/2YtmqZv6nAo/s1600/tornado11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oXOyAwGhTdE/U2x9zSICDFI/AAAAAAAAAVU/2YtmqZv6nAo/s1600/tornado11.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Growing up in the South tornadoes and bad weather is a way of life. While this testimony is not unique as many go through the
same things, it’s my family’s story of the tornado outbreak on April 28, 2014. My hope is it will inform some that are not
familiar with living in tornado prone areas and be a source of encouragement to
others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">People living in our
area are still a bit jumpy. It was exactly three years ago, plus a day that a
tornado tore through about a mile from our home and small town. Our high school was destoyed during the mega-outbreak of 2011. If the tornado
had wobbled just a small amount it would have come straight through our house. This
was the same line of storms that brought about the tornadoes that destroyed
Smithville, MS and towns in North AL that <a href="http://www.tenfourministries.org/" target="_blank">Ten-Four Ministries</a> provided
relief aid to local First Responders. </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">Sunday night we got out
our emergency weather bag, checked the supplies in it; (i.e. first aid kit, weather radio,
gloves, flashlight, hatchet and short pry bar). We added a few bottles of water and emergency
blankets. Thanks to our own </span><a href="http://ktundergrace.blogspot.com/" style="line-height: 107%;" target="_blank">KT</a><span style="line-height: 107%;"> during Sunday’s Cross Encounters
Radio, she prompted me about using bike helmets. The kids rounded up what they had
and put them in the closet. My wife and son placed an old mattress and pillows in
the small room where we planned to take cover. During Sunday night we watched the
radar and listened for updates off and on, then started that over on Monday morning. </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">As Monday rolled along we
started getting reports of what was coming. At one point, to the west of us
reports of hail up to the size of softballs were coming in. Suzanne moved our
vehicle under the carport. At this point it was pretty much wait and see over the
next few hours. They declared a state of emergency in the area, let schools out, and the local news and emergency agencies were saying, “It's not a matter of if tornadoes were to hit but when and where they were going to hit.”</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bHnh5bZOmzg/U2x9xQNMw0I/AAAAAAAAAUw/FnGLb9txJHA/s1600/images+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bHnh5bZOmzg/U2x9xQNMw0I/AAAAAAAAAUw/FnGLb9txJHA/s1600/images+%25282%2529.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Later that Monday afternoon
it started. The Tornado Siren went off three or four different times. We maintained
a watchful eye on the radar. The first pair of warnings were in the extreme western
portion of the county, the last warning and siren </span><span style="line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">weren't</span><span style="line-height: 107%;">. The line was headed straight
for us. This time when the sirens went off Suzanne and the kids got in their spots,
I grabbed some tracts and my Bible, turned the volume up as loud as it would go
on the TV and got in the doorway. This small room is in the center of the home.
Suzanne sat in there and the kids were in the closet, she was at the opening of
the closet in the room and the pillows and mattress was piled around them. I was
in the doorway to the hallway as my wheelchair would not go. The television reception
kept coming in and out and I was getting tornado tracking information over Twitter.
We had several friends and family that could not be reached to be warned, so we
kept sending the warning information out over social media. You never know who you
know, that may have someone in need of warnings. So when extreme weather strikes,
do what you can to warn others. Even though the local news had been publishing warnings
about the coming storms, those traveling through the area may have no clue. Twitter
was big for this.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5UoffhdyLus/U2x9xMwJWjI/AAAAAAAAAU4/JIpQI7nYbQw/s1600/images+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5UoffhdyLus/U2x9xMwJWjI/AAAAAAAAAU4/JIpQI7nYbQw/s1600/images+%25281%2529.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">With the sirens still going
off, the sky grew dark. The wind was howling and branches and small items
from neighbors' yards began flying across our property. This was the line which
ended up hitting Tupelo. After a few minutes, we could smell burning in the air
and the sky became a strange red-orange color. We later learned a tornado touched
down about 12 miles west of our house as it made its track north. </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">Over the following few hours, a flood of warnings and damage reports came in from neighboring counties. A tornado hit the modest town of Louisville, MS which sent debris
raining about 30 miles away. Starkville, MS reported insulation
falling from the sky like snow. Debris of all types (i.e. boards, pieces of roofing, etc.) was also reported falling from the sky. Some cars were damaged by debris in areas not directly hit by a tornado. </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">The outside edge of this
line briefly brushed the county I live in, and another tornado touched downed about
8 miles to the east of us. After the damage assessment was done, we discovered roughly
11 tornadoes touched down within 30 miles of our home in every direction, ranging
from EF0 to EF4.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1xmkIeTKrJ8/U2x9xut7vfI/AAAAAAAAAU0/pG5pz7Q3ngo/s1600/images+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1xmkIeTKrJ8/U2x9xut7vfI/AAAAAAAAAU0/pG5pz7Q3ngo/s1600/images+%25283%2529.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Be aware of your physical
location and surrounding areas. When warnings and bad weather approach, you need
to know your proximity to other counties and basic information such as your proximity to the bad weather, North, South, East, and West. You would be surprised at the number of
people that don’t know such. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Not to diminish in any way
whatsoever the deaths from this outbreak, considering the damage and the number
of homes hit, it was only by God’s mercy more were not killed. </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; line-height: 107%;">The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency confirmed the death of a
child that had been missing in Winston County, which raised the last total to
14 in the state as a result of tornadoes and severe weather on Monday. Damage
was reported in 23 counties with at least 1,201 houses destroyed or that
sustained major damage with, a total of more than 2,459 families affected. In
addition, preliminary assessments have shown 87 businesses were destroyed or
had major damage.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p><br />
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; line-height: 107%;"><b>Some of the news reports from the area:</b></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 107%;">In Arkansas and Mississippi, the hardest hit of six states struck by the
storm, there have been 27 confirmed storm-related deaths and more than 200
people injured as tornadoes reduced homes to splinters, snapped trees like
twigs and sent trucks flying through the air like<span class="apple-converted-space"> toys.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8C-wuoS5fo8/U2x9uzylC7I/AAAAAAAAAUE/lkmKEaZoP5M/s1600/1509929_873904412625995_3138404520507304612_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8C-wuoS5fo8/U2x9uzylC7I/AAAAAAAAAUE/lkmKEaZoP5M/s1600/1509929_873904412625995_3138404520507304612_n.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 17.25pt; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 17.25pt;">"People were running around screaming, trying to find their
kids. There was nothing left," Melba Reed said as she described the
aftermath of a tornado in Louisville, Mississippi (a town of about 7,000 in the
central part of the state).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The tornado that ripped through Mississippi's Winston County on
Monday packed winds of up to 200 mph (322 kph), according to the Mississippi
Emergency Management Agency.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 17.25pt;">LOUISVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Ruth Bennett died clutching the last
child left at her day care center as a tornado wiped the building off its
foundation. A firefighter who came upon the body gently pulled the toddler from
her arms.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt;">"It makes you just take a
breath now," said next-door neighbor Kenneth Billingsley, who witnessed
the scene at what was left of Ruth's Child Care Center in this logging town of
6,600. "It makes you pay attention to life."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt;">Bennett,
53, was among at least 35 people killed in a two-day outbreak of twisters and
other violent weather that pulverized homes from the Midwest to the Deep South.
The child, whose name was not released, was alive when she was pulled from
Bennett's arms and was taken to a hospital. Her condition was not known.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Louisville was also one of the hardest-hit areas, with
officials reporting at least nine dead in and around town because of a powerful
tornado with a preliminary rating of EF4, just shy of the top of the scale.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">When WCBI asked Winston County Coroner, Scott Gregory if
he could determine the cause of deaths, he couldn’t say. He stated he’d never
seen anything like this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">“Some were found in the rubble. Under 2X4′s, under roofs,
under walls. Some were blown out into open areas or what used to be an open
area. Just a different location.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">WCBI also learned two of the victims were found
approximately 1/2 mile away from their residence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">On Eiland Avenue, a day care center is destroyed but not
before an infant and a toddler are snatched from the rubble to safety. </span><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“They
were in the bathroom in the tub and when the house shifted, the tub went up and
the caregiver lost the baby out of their arms. And when everything stopped, he
found the baby and he just figured out that the others were okay. And he left
walking with the baby after he found it to try to get to the doctor. Two babies
still alive caregiver still alive. God is good,” said daycare provider Deborah
Holmes</span><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Winston County’s recovery efforts are
being complicated by the loss of the County’s hospital. Temporary facilities
have been set up at one of the hospital’s clinics on Main Street in Louisville.
Medical personnel are still seeing all types of injuries. They are also helping
storm victims who are having to replace prescription medication.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">To read further news stories in regards to the
tornado outbreak you can visit </span><a href="http://www.wcbi.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">WCBI.com</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span><a href="http://www.wcbi.com/wordpress/?s=tornado" style="background-color: white;">http://www.wcbi.com/wordpress/?s=tornado</a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Area Tornadoes by the
numbers: </span><a href="http://www.wcbi.com/wordpress/tornado-outbreak-by-the-numbers" style="line-height: 107%;">http://www.wcbi.com/wordpress/tornado-outbreak-by-the-numbers</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">I would like to offer a
special thank you for WCBI News and their weather team. During the warning that
was issued for the area where the WCBI studio is located, the weather team in
their dedication, continued sending out tornado updates via phone and social
media from the studio’s basement.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y2vicXRAbQ&feature=youtu.be">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y2vicXRAbQ&feature=youtu.be</a></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Growing up in the South
and around tornadoes and hurricanes, </span><span style="line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">I've</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> seen many things. Pine needles stuck in
trees like darts, scrap pieces of homes wedged in trees, a school bus placed
atop a school, vehicles mangled as if they had been in a crusher. During
Hurricane Katrina I saw the depravity of man and from the 2011 Outbreak and
this tornado, God’s grace, mercy, love and the kindness and compassion of others.
The town I was in post Katrina, I witnessed a man pull a gun on someone else
for breaking into a gas line, National Guardsmen armed with M-16’s guarding bags
of ice and doing crowd control at the distribution trucks. They were there
because several people were robbed or stabbed over ice and gasoline. </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">During the 2011 Super
Tornado Outbreak, I saw a community put others first. People would go house to
house asking their neighbors if they needed anything, if trees were down in yards,
they were cleaned up by strangers donating their time and resources to helping
others. </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">In 40 plus years of
living in the South and hearing stories about tornadoes and hurricanes, there
is one thing I’ve never seen or heard. Someone climbing out from under rubble
saying, Thank you evolution, thank you atheists or thank you science for saving
me. They say thank you God, or it was a miracle we were saved or we were
blessed to be spared. Times like that, no matter how hardened or depraved, a
man knows he is nothing and that their survival is entirely by God’s mercy.
God’s truth written on their hearts comes to reality for most. He is the
Creator and as such is in control of everything that transpires on Earth.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><b>How one Christian Family prepared</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">We prayed the night
before for protection for our family and friends, for God’s mercy and for
salvation to be granted to those around us. My co-labors in ministry,<a href="http://michaelcoughlin.net/blog/" target="_blank"> Michael Coughlin</a>,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://slavetotheking.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Chris Hohnholz</a> and <a href="http://crossencountersmin.com/about-us/meet-tony-miano/" target="_blank">Tony Miano </a>prayed for us as
well. My family is grateful to all those that kept us in their prayers. </span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> During that Monday with every touchdown
reported, it left us with mixed emotions and with mixed prayers. While being
thankful and grateful to the Lord for sparing us, we </span><span style="line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">couldn't</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> help but wonder
and pray for those that were struck by the tornado. It’s hard to put into words
the feeling of being so glad it </span><span style="line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">didn't</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> happen to us yet feelings of such
remorse and worry for those it did directly impact. Throughout the day we
continued to beg for mercy, blessing, redemption and protection for everyone in
the affected areas and that God would be lauded in the tornadoes. </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">That night after the
all clear was sounded by the local news, we read and gave thanks to the Lord
for His grace to our family and friends. We asked a special prayer to the Lord
for those that were hurting and suffering due to the touchdowns and gave a word
of thanks for the weather crew at WCBI. We ended by gathering together as a
family and read out loud Psalm 100:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Make a joyful noise to the</span></span><span class="MsoHyperlinkFollowed"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span style="font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 107%;">Lord</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="line-height: 107%;">, all the earth!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink">Serve the</span><span class="MsoHyperlinkFollowed"> </span><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><span class="MsoHyperlinkFollowed"> </span><span class="MsoHyperlink">with gladness!</span><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink">Come into his presence with singing!</span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Know that</span></span><span class="MsoHyperlinkFollowed"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="line-height: 107%;">the</span></span><span class="MsoHyperlinkFollowed"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span style="font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 107%;">Lord</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="line-height: 107%;">, he is God!</span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink">It is he who</span><span class="MsoHyperlinkFollowed"> </span><span class="MsoHyperlink">made us, and</span><span class="MsoHyperlinkFollowed"> </span><span class="MsoHyperlink">we are his;</span>
<br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink">we are his</span><span class="MsoHyperlinkFollowed"> </span><span class="MsoHyperlink">people, and</span><span class="MsoHyperlinkFollowed"> </span><span class="MsoHyperlink">the sheep of his pasture.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Enter his gates with thanksgiving,</span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink">and his</span><span class="MsoHyperlinkFollowed"> </span><span class="MsoHyperlink">courts with
praise!</span><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink">Give thanks to him;</span><span class="MsoHyperlinkFollowed"> </span><span class="MsoHyperlink">bless his name!</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="line-height: 107%;">For the</span></span><span class="MsoHyperlinkFollowed"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span style="font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 107%;">Lord</span><span class="MsoHyperlinkFollowed"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="line-height: 107%;">is good;</span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink">his steadfast love endures forever,</span><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink">and his</span><span class="MsoHyperlinkFollowed"> </span><span class="MsoHyperlink">faithfulness to
all generations.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">And Psalm 46: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="line-height: 107%;">God is our</span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> <span class="MsoHyperlink">refuge and
strength,</span><span class="MsoHyperlink">a very</span> <span class="MsoHyperlink">present</span></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><sup><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></sup></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="line-height: 107%;">help in</span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> <span class="MsoHyperlink">trouble.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Therefore we will not fear</span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> <span class="MsoHyperlink">though the earth
gives way,</span><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink">though the mountains be moved into</span> <span class="MsoHyperlink">the heart of the sea,</span><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink">though</span> <span class="MsoHyperlink">its waters roar
and foam,</span><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink">though the mountains tremble at its swelling.</span> Selah</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="line-height: 107%;">There is</span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> <span class="MsoHyperlink">a river whose
streams make glad</span> <span class="MsoHyperlink">the city of God,</span><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink">the holy</span> <span class="MsoHyperlink">habitation of the
Most High.</span><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink">God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;</span><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink">God will help her when morning dawns.</span><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink">The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;</span><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink">he</span> <span class="MsoHyperlink">utters his voice,
the earth</span> <span class="MsoHyperlink">melts.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="line-height: 107%;">The</span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> <span class="MsoHyperlink">of hosts is with us;</span><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink">the God of Jacob is our fortress.</span> Selah<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Come, behold the works of the</span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><span class="MsoHyperlink">,</span><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink">how he has brought desolations on the earth.</span><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink">He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;</span><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink">he</span> <span class="MsoHyperlink">breaks the bow and
shatters the spear;</span><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink">he burns the chariots with fire.</span><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink">“Be still, and know that I am God.</span><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink">I will be exalted among the nations,</span><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink">I will be exalted in the earth!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="line-height: 107%;">The</span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> <span class="MsoHyperlink">of hosts is with us;<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UnsuZ1FiI2I/U2yCA10aENI/AAAAAAAAAV0/8v167RuQDPI/s1600/Cross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UnsuZ1FiI2I/U2yCA10aENI/AAAAAAAAAV0/8v167RuQDPI/s1600/Cross.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="line-height: 107%;">When most people think of tornado
prone areas Mississippi is one of the least thought of states, but in fact,
historically it’s one of the most active in Tornado Alley. Please continue to
keep the relief efforts in your prayers. </span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;">There is one
thing that you need to take away from reading this. Tomorrow is guaranteed to
no one. You may not live where tornadoes are a common occurrence, but you would
be hard pressed to find any location on Earth that does not experience some
type of dangerous weather. You know God lives because He has written His truths
on your heart. If you were to be taken to Eternity 11 minutes after reading
this, where would you live? Heaven is real, Hell is real. It </span><span style="line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">doesn't</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> matter
whether you believe this or not, the only thing that matters is whether or not
what you believe is true. God's word is absolute truth. </span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><b>Jesus Christ is Lord!</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">He is the Alpha and
Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. He was with the
Father in and at Creation. All things—all things—were created by Him, and
through Him, and for Him. Nothing has ever been made that was not made by Jesus
Christ. He is the sinless Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the
world. He is also the Lion of the Tribe of Judah who will judge both the living
and the dead. He is King of kings and Lord of Lords. He alone is sovereign over
all things.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">He owns every person,
just as He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and it matters not if, at
present, the person is in wanton rebellion against Jesus Christ or one of His
born-again, beloved children. Jesus owns it all. Jesus owns us and all we have.
God is. God is one. God is Three in One—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—One God in
Three Persons—the Triune One—the Trinity—God. And this God, for there is only
one God, is the God before whom every person will one day stand to give an
account for their lives. Because God alone is truly and perfectly good, He will
judge each person according to the perfect moral standard He has written on
every human heart.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Every person reading
this knows that it is a sin to lie because they know God is Truth. You know it
is wrong to harbor bitterness, resentment, and hatred in their heart toward
another person because they know God is love. You know it is wrong to fornicate
(to engage sexually with a man or a woman outside the bonds of marriage between
one man and one woman). You know it is wrong to look and think with lust. You
know it is wrong to commit adultery. You know it is wrong to engage in
homosexuality, lesbianism, or whatever other kind of sexual depravity because
you recognize God is Faithful. You know it is wrong to take the name of the
Lord your God in vain, to bring his name down low and use it as an adjectival
term of excitement, anger, sorrow, or fear, because you know God is Holy.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">For the above reasons,
and others, everyone who stands before God to give an account will do so
without excuse. No one will be able to claim innocence or ignorance of breaking
God’s law—whether in thought, word, or deed. Because God is good, because He is
holy, righteous and just, He must punish sin. The punishment God has ascribed
for sin, all sin, is eternity in Hell. It matters not whether you, the reader,
believe this. What matters is that it is true. Truth is not determined by what
one believes. God is truth, though every soul is found to be a liar.
Truth is that which comports to reality, and any attempt to live life apart
from the reality of God is to live a life of chaos, absurdity, arrogant denial,
and sin. This same God—again, for there is only one God—who is angry with the wicked
every day, whose wrath abides upon the ungodly, who will judge the world in
righteousness, is the same God who is loving, merciful, gracious, and kind. And
He showed His great love for mankind when He sent His Son to earth in the
Person of Jesus Christ—fully God and fully Man, yet without sin.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Jesus of Nazareth, born
of a virgin just as the prophet Isaiah declared more than 700 years before
Jesus’s literal, physical birth, lived the perfect, sinless life you cannot
live. For approximately 33 years, Jesus lived a life in complete obedience to
the law of God—in sentiment, word, and deed—a life you and I could not hope to
hold out for a mere 33 minutes. And then He voluntarily went to the cross. Yes,
it was the Jewish people who hatefully and viciously demanded Jesus’s
execution.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Yes, it was the Roman
government that carried out the despicable act. But they were all merely
instruments in the hands of another. For it pleased God the Father to crush God
the Son under the full weight and fury of His wrath against sin. God the Father
made God the Son, who knew no sin, to become sin on behalf of those who repent
and believe the gospel so that through the sacrifice of His Son many would be
made righteous in the eyes of Almighty God. In other words, on that great and
terrible day God the Father looked upon God the Son as if He had lived the
depraved life of a sinner and in exchange—a great exchange—God the Father looks
upon those whom He has caused to be born again, to repent and believe the
gospel, as if they had lived His Son’s perfect, precious, and priceless life.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Jesus shed His innocent
blood on the cross. He died a literal, physical death on the cross. And He was
buried in a tomb not His own. Three days later, Jesus forever defeated sin and
death when He physically, bodily rose from the grave. And unlike every false
god created in the imaginations of men—whether the false gods of Islam,
Catholicism, Mormonism, Hinduism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Oprah-ism, or Atheism (a
religion like every other spiritual “ism.”)—Jesus<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Christ is alive today
and He will return at a time of the Father’s choosing.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">What God commands of
you, the reader, is the same thing He commands of me and all people everywhere,
and that’s that you repent—turn from your sin and turn toward God—and by faith
alone receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">You must come to God on
His terms. God does not negotiate with sinners. God will not be bribed by your
religious practices or what you may perceive as “sound works” acceptable to
God. God will not weigh your “good” against your “bad,” for God does not see
you or anyone else as good—good in keeping with His standard of moral
perfection. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">If you do not read the
gospel of Jesus Christ and see it for what it is, good news, it is because you
love your sin more than you love God. It is because you love yourself more than
you love God. It is because the love of God and the Truth of His Word is not in
you. But if God causes you to be born again and extends to you the gifts of
repentance and faith, which only He can give, then He will take your heart of
stone and give you a heart of flesh. You will begin to love the things God
loves and hate the things God hates. You will stop presuming upon God’s
forgiveness as if it is something you have earned or deserved. Instead, you
will have the confidence, assurance He has forgiven you—not on the basis of any
deeds you have done in righteousness, but based entirely upon God’s mercy,
grace, and love. And why would God allow His one and only Son to die a sinner’s death He did not
deserve in order to take upon Himself the punishment sinners rightly deserve
for their sins against God, so that sinners could be forgiven and saved? “For
God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him
should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">May all who read this
who do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior repent and believe the
gospel while God has given them time.</span><a href="http://crossencountersmin.com/message/" style="line-height: 107%;" target="_blank"> www.AreYouSure.us</a></span></div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Hfm0OcCsR4U%2FU2x9vtNFaLI%2FAAAAAAAAAUA%2FbgMxvNQxcyE%2Fs1600%2FDSC_0087.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hfm0OcCsR4U/U2x9vtNFaLI/AAAAAAAAAUA/bgMxvNQxcyE/s1600/DSC_0087.jpg" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-2011958993234119142014-04-24T19:49:00.001-05:002014-04-24T19:49:51.032-05:00Spurgeon of the Day: Spring of Hope<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Sweet is the season of spring: the long and dreary winter helps us to appreciate its genial warmth, and its promise of summer enhances its present delights. After periods of depression of spirit, it is delightful to behold again the light of the Sun of Righteousness; then our slumbering graces rise from their lethargy, like the crocus and the daffodil from their beds of earth; then is our heart made merry with delicious notes of gratitude, far more melodious than the warbling of birds--and the comforting assurance of peace, infinitely more delightful than the turtle's note, is heard within the soul. Now is the time for the soul to seek communion with her Beloved; now must she rise from her native sordidness, and come away from her old associations. If we do not hoist the sail when the breeze is favourable, we shall be blameworthy: times of refreshing ought not to pass over us unimproved. When Jesus Himself visits us in tenderness, and entreats us to arise, can we be so base as to refuse His request? He has Himself risen that He may draw us after Him: He now by His Holy Spirit has revived us, that we may, in newness of life, ascend into the heavenlies, and hold communion with Himself. Let our wintry state suffice us for coldness and indifference; when the Lord creates a spring within, let our sap flow with vigour, and our branch blossom with high resolve. O Lord, if it be not spring time in my chilly heart, I pray Thee make it so, for I am heartily weary of living at a distance from Thee. Oh! the long and dreary winter, when wilt Thou bring it to an end? Come, Holy Spirit, and renew my soul! quicken Thou me! restore me, and have mercy on me! This very night I would earnestly implore the Lord to take pity upon His servant, and send me a happy revival of spiritual life! ~ Spurgeon</span></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-66362466111214969002014-04-15T02:51:00.001-05:002014-04-15T03:14:43.821-05:00Do You Feel Forsaken?<h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="color: #29aae1; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; position: relative;">
Spurgeon of the Day</h3>
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<strong style="color: #123154; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">"My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?"</strong></div>
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<span style="color: #996600; font-size: 12px;">Psalm 22:1 | Tuesday, April 15, 2014 Morning</span>
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We here behold the Saviour in the depth of His sorrows.
No other place so well shows the griefs of Christ as Calvary, and no other
moment at Calvary is so full of agony as that in which His cry rends the
air--"My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?" At this moment
physical weakness was united with acute mental torture from the shame and
ignominy through which He had to pass; and to make His grief culminate with
emphasis, He suffered spiritual agony surpassing all expression, resulting from
the departure of His Father's presence. This was the black midnight of His
horror; then it was that He descended the abyss of suffering. No man can enter
into the full meaning of these words. Some of us think at times that <em>we</em> could
cry, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?" There are seasons
when the brightness of our Father's smile is eclipsed by clouds and darkness;
but let us remember that God never does really forsake us. It is only a seeming
forsaking with us, but in Christ's case it was a real forsaking. We grieve at a
little withdrawal of our Father's love; but the real turning away of God's face
from His Son, who shall calculate how deep the agony which it caused Him?<o:p></o:p></div>
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In our case, our cry is often dictated by unbelief: in
His case, it was the utterance of a dreadful fact, for God had really turned
away from Him for a season. O thou poor, distressed soul, who once lived in the
sunshine of God's face, but art now in darkness, remember that He has not
really forsaken thee. God in the clouds is as much our God as when He shines
forth in all the lustre of His grace; but since even the <em>thought</em> that
He has forsaken us gives us agony, what must the woe of the Saviour have been
when He exclaimed, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?"<o:p></o:p></div>
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Friends, let these words from Spurgeon ring through to
your heart and soul. Remember the promises of Christ. God cannot and does not
lie. While your friends and even your family may let you down from time to
time, put your complete trust in the Lord for He promises to never leave those
that are truly His.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Remember a few of the promises of God: </div>
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<span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="outline: 0px;">So do not fear, for I
am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and
help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.</span><i><span style="outline: 0px;"> </span></i></span><i><span style="background: white;"> </span></i><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="outline: 0px;">Isaiah 41:10</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="outline: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; line-height: 13.65pt; padding: 0in;">Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the
peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus. </span><span style="line-height: 13.65pt;">Philippians 4:6-7</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 13.65pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="outline: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; line-height: 13.65pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="outline: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; line-height: 13.65pt; padding: 0in;">So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting
away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary
affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all
comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that
are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are
unseen are eternal. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 13.65pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 13.65pt; outline: 0px;">Corinthians
4:16-18</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Lusitana, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Lusitana, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So when your souls faints and you feel the pressures and concerns of this world pressing down on you like an anvil from above, let your thoughts dwell upon our Lord and His Everlasting promises. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-49425370410472241592014-04-12T03:21:00.004-05:002014-04-12T03:21:56.436-05:00When Your Soul Faints<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; color: #29aae1; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; position: relative;">
Spurgeon of the Day</h3>
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<span style="color: #123154;"><b>"My heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels."</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #996600; font-size: 12px;">Psalm 22:14 | Saturday, April 12, 2014 Morning</span><div style="padding-top: 14px;">
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Our blessed Lord experienced a terrible sinking and melting of soul. "The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity, but a wounded spirit who can bear?" Deep depression of spirit is the most grievous of all trials; all besides is as nothing.</div>
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Well might the suffering Saviour cry to His God, "Be not far from me," for above all other seasons a man needs his God when his heart is melted within him because of heaviness.</div>
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Believer, come near the cross this morning, and humbly adore the King of glory as having once been brought far lower, in mental distress and inward anguish, than any one among us; and mark His fitness to become a faithful High Priest, who can be touched with a feeling of our infirmities. Especially let those of us whose sadness springs directly from the withdrawal of a present sense of our Father's love, enter into near and intimate communion with Jesus. Let us not give way to despair, since through this dark room the Master has passed before us. </div>
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Our souls may sometimes long and faint, and thirst even to anguish, to behold the light of the Lord's countenance: at such times let us stay ourselves with the sweet fact of the sympathy of our great High Priest. Our drops of sorrow may well be forgotten in the ocean of His griefs; but how high ought our love to rise! Come in, O strong and deep love of Jesus, like the sea at the flood in spring tides, cover all my powers, drown all my sins, wash out all my cares, lift up my earth-bound soul, and float it right up to my Lord's feet, and there let me lie, a poor broken shell, washed up by His love, having no virtue or value; and only venturing to whisper to Him that if He will put His ear to me, He will hear within my heart faint echoes of the vast waves of His own love which have brought me where it is my delight to lie, even at His feet for ever.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-34039272775609464642014-04-08T16:02:00.001-05:002014-04-08T16:02:01.673-05:00Fear Not, Sorrow Not, For He is With You!<h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin: 0px; position: relative; font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; color: #29aae1;">Spurgeon of the Day</h3>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 2px;"><span style="color: #123154; font-size: xx-small;"><strong>"I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me."</strong></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12px; color: #996600;">Psalm 23:4 | Tuesday, April 08, 2014 Evening</span>
<div style="padding-top: 14px;">This one touched my heart today. I think it's a great reminder for all of us. No matter what the circumstances are that we each face in our daily live, do not let the sorrows in the world, rob us of our joy in Christ.</div>
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Behold, how independent of outward circumstances the Holy Ghost can make the Christian! What a bright light may shine within us when it is all dark without! How firm, how happy, how calm, how peaceful we may be, when the world shakes to and fro, and the pillars of the earth are removed! Even death itself, with all its terrible influences, has no power to suspend the music of a Christian's heart, but rather makes that music become more sweet, more clear, more heavenly, till the last kind act which death can do is to let the earthly strain melt into the heavenly chorus, the temporal joy into the eternal bliss! Let us have confidence, then, in the blessed Spirit's power to comfort us. Dear reader, are you looking forward to poverty? Fear not; the divine Spirit can give you, in your want, a greater plenty than the rich have in their abundance. You know not what joys may be stored up for you in the cottage around which grace will plant the roses of content. Are you conscious of a growing failure of your bodily powers? Do you expect to suffer long nights of languishing and days of pain? O be not sad! That bed may become a throne to you. You little know how every pang that shoots through your body may be a refining fire to consume your dross--a beam of glory to light up the secret parts of your soul. Are the eyes growing dim? Jesus will be your light. Do the ears fail you? Jesus' name will be your soul's best music, and His person your dear delight. Socrates used to say, "Philosophers can be happy without music;" and Christians can be happier than philosophers when all outward causes of rejoicing are withdrawn. In Thee, my God, my heart shall triumph, come what may of ills without! By thy power, O blessed Spirit, my heart shall be exceeding glad, though all things should fail me here below.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-35430594288858369202014-04-02T16:50:00.001-05:002014-04-02T16:50:38.200-05:00Laboring to Promote the Lord's Glory<p>Spurgeon's Word of the Day</p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">I found this writing a call for many in today's world. I hope it edifies you in some way.</span></p>
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<p>Plead for the speedy fulfillment of this promise, all ye who love the Lord. It is easy work to pray when we are grounded and bottomed, as to our desires, upon God's own promise. How can He that gave the word refuse to keep it? Immutable veracity cannot demean itself by a lie, and eternal faithfulness cannot degrade itself by neglect. God must bless His Son, His covenant binds Him to it. That which the Spirit prompts us to ask for Jesus, is that which God decrees to give Him. Whenever you are praying for the kingdom of Christ, let your eyes behold the dawning of the blessed day which draweth near, when the Crucified shall receive His coronation in the place where men rejected Him. Courage, you that prayerfully work and toil for Christ with success of the very smallest kind, it shall not be so always; better times are before you. Your eyes cannot see the blissful future: borrow the telescope of faith; wipe the misty breath of your doubts from the glass; look through it and behold the coming glory. Reader, let us ask, <em>do you</em> make this your constant prayer? Remember that the same Christ who tells us to say, "Give us this day our daily bread," had first given us this petition, "Hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven." Let not your prayers be all concerning your own sins, your own wants, your own imperfections, your own trials, but let them climb the starry ladder, and get up to Christ Himself, and then, as you draw nigh to the blood-sprinkled mercy-seat, offer this prayer continually, "Lord, extend the kingdom of Thy dear Son." Such a petition, fervently presented, will elevate the spirit of all your devotions. Mind that you prove the sincerity of your prayer by labouring to promote the Lord's glory.</p>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-35819153075051977492014-03-17T00:42:00.001-05:002014-03-18T00:50:49.317-05:00Sanctified in Their Suffering There is nothing like watching someone you love suffering in pain. The feeling of being left helpless to do anything to remove the torment so evident upon a face drives the helplessness even deeper. But helplessness does not mean hopelessness. The depths of helplessness is where we as Christians should find the most hope. These are the times we realize we are truly helpless to do anything apart from Jesus Christ.<br />
If you face a time of despair, pain, and longing to help someone you love, if there is absolutely nothing you can do to ease their pain or bring comfort to their torment, remember the One that can. Share the gospel with the one you love. Perhaps the Lord is using this time of trial and pain to open their heart to the gospel. But their suffering may actually edify you. For while we weep at the pain, what do we do? As a Christian, not being able to physically or emotionally bring consolation, we do have a better way. God may be using your feelings of worthlessness and helplessness to drive you to your knees at His feet. The prayer and supplications you make to God on behalf of the one you love for ease of pain, bring God glory. Through any and all circumstances God is glorified!<br />
Through times of family turmoil, sickness and pain, remember God is in control. Perhaps your spouse is suffering from a disease or sickness, and there is nothing you can do to take away their pain and suffering. Perhaps you have a wayward child that has fallen into the wiles of worldliness. Perhaps this child even once made a profession of faith but now the fruit that shows, seems of wax, a worldly copy of the original. Remember brethren these times leave us helpless for a reason: they remind us that we are not in control but God is. These are the times for deep trust and deep faith and a realization that no matter what befalls us, God has ordained the outcome. Nothing within our lives is beyond His control. So, when the times of helplessness come, count it as a blessing. If not for those times would we be reminded of our great and desperate need for our Master and be reminded of His promises?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-11312305313431628262014-03-05T01:08:00.001-06:002014-03-05T01:08:54.786-06:00Spurgeon of the DaySpurgeon of the Day
"Let us not sleep, as do others."
There are many ways of promoting Christian wakefulness. Among the rest, let me strongly advise Christians to converse together concerning the ways of the Lord. Christian and Hopeful, as they journeyed towards the Celestial City, said to themselves, "To prevent drowsiness in this place, let us fall into good discourse." Christian enquired, "Brother, where shall we begin?" And Hopeful answered, "Where God began with us." Then Christian sang this song--
"When saints do sleepy grow, let them come hither, And hear how these two pilgrims talk together; Yea, let them learn of them, in any wise, Thus to keep open their drowsy slumb'ring eyes. Saints' fellowship, if it be managed well, Keeps them awake, and that in spite of hell."
Christians who isolate themselves and walk alone, are very liable to grow drowsy. Hold Christian company, and you will be kept wakeful by it, and refreshed and encouraged to make quicker progress in the road to heaven. But as you thus take "sweet counsel" with others in the ways of God, take care that the theme of your converse is the Lord Jesus. Let the eye of faith be constantly looking unto Him; let your heart be full of Him; let your lips speak of His worth. Friend, live near to the cross, and thou wilt not sleep. Labour to impress thyself with a deep sense of the value of the place to which thou art going. If thou rememberest that thou art going to heaven, thou wilt not sleep on the road. If thou thinkest that hell is behind thee, and the devil pursuing thee, thou wilt not loiter. Would the manslayer sleep with the avenger of blood behind him, and the city of refuge before him? Christian, wilt thou sleep whilst the pearly gates are open--the songs of angels waiting for thee to join them--a crown of gold ready for thy brow? Ah! no; in holy fellowship continue to watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation.
So much truth in these words by Spurgeon.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-73044893970265125822014-03-02T03:55:00.001-06:002014-03-02T03:55:35.883-06:00Spurgeon of the Day<h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin: 0px; position: relative; font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; color: #29aae1;"><strong style="color: #123154; font-size: large; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">"But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his ax, and his mattock."</strong></h3>
<div id="post-body-641014967623773871" class="post-body entry-content" style="width: 736px; position: relative; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 12px; color: #996600;">1 Samuel 13:20 | Sunday, March 02, 2014 Morning</span>
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We are engaged in a great war with the Philistines of evil. <em>Every weapon within our reach must be used</em>. Preaching, teaching, praying, giving, all must be brought into action, and talents which have been thought too mean for service, must now be employed. Coulter, and axe, and mattock, may all be useful in slaying Philistines; rough tools may deal hard blows, and killing need not be elegantly done, so long as it is done effectually. Each moment of time, in season or out of season; each fragment of ability, educated or untutored; each opportunity, favourable or unfavourable, must be used, for our foes are many and our force but slender.<br /><br /><em>Most of our tools want sharpening</em>; we need quickness of perception, tact, energy, promptness, in a word, complete adaptation for the Lord's work. Practical common sense is a very scarce thing among the conductors of Christian enterprises. We might learn from our enemies if we would, and so <em>make the Philistines sharpen our weapons</em>. This morning let us note enough to sharpen our zeal during this day by the aid of the Holy Spirit. See the energy of the Papists, how they compass sea and land to make one proselyte, are they to monopolize all the earnestness? Mark the heathen devotees, what tortures they endure in the service of their idols! are they alone to exhibit patience and self-sacrifice? Observe the prince of darkness, how persevering in his endeavours, how unabashed in his attempts, how daring in his plans, how thoughtful in his plots, how energetic in all! The devils are united as one man in their infamous rebellion, while we believers in Jesus are divided in our service of God, and scarcely ever work with unanimity. O that from Satan's infernal industry we may learn to go about like good Samaritans, seeking whom we may bless!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-55240301573008565802014-02-24T08:00:00.000-06:002014-02-24T14:49:37.416-06:00What is Apocity?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fM8W5lW_dKE/UwsCz7N_RoI/AAAAAAAAARw/JrsnmdX5hlU/s1600/A-Crime-Without-a-Name-Apocity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fM8W5lW_dKE/UwsCz7N_RoI/AAAAAAAAARw/JrsnmdX5hlU/s1600/A-Crime-Without-a-Name-Apocity.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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A new book has been released by George Alvarado titled,
“Apocity: The Greatest Omission.” This 170 page paperback released in the fall
of 2013, addresses what the author believes to be the greatest pandemic within
western Christianity. From the back cover, “In this book, George has not only
coined a new word to identify a once nameless sin, but he also examines and
boldly exposes the greatest pandemic within western Christianity. Packed with
biblical references, lively illustrations, and candid refutations, Apocity: The
Greatest Omission is a much needed admonition for the modern church.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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This book is written by a Christian to other Christians and
addresses one of the key commands given by Jesus Christ to those that profess
salvation, the verses known as “The Great Commission.” While non-Christians
will not understand the unique perspective the book takes from an evangelistic
view on the referenced scriptures, I think these views through the lens of
evangelism will be most edifying to the Saints. The book is not a theological
treatise on evangelism but a hard hitting, no nonsense; take no prisoner call
to examine yourself in the light of the command of Christ to share your faith.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The book gives concise and detailed definitions of what the
author defines as Apocity, The Great Omission, and Deceptive Doctrines of
Apocity. Besides the author’s pointed explanation of what he defines as one of
the greatest sins for Christians, you also leave the book with a feel for the
author’s love of Christ, evangelism and the lost.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One portion of the book seemed to stand out to me. The
author stated, “When was the last time you heard someone being hated because
they were a Christian, but no one heard them profess their faith in some way?
Do people just pick someone and say, “Yea, he looks like a Christian, kill’em!”
In this reviewer’s opinion, this should give every Christian a moment to pause
and ask themselves, “Would anyone know I’m a Christian?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you answer no or I don’t know, then the chapter on
excuses and the gift of evangelism should be of interest to you. If you
answered yes, then these chapters will better equip you to teach other
Christians. This is one aspect of the book “Apocity” I found the most helpful
and most encouraging. There are many books written on evangelism, but this one
goes to great length to help the reader by providing solutions and suggestions
to get those in their church family involved in reaching the lost. <o:p></o:p></div>
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While we can’t earn our way to Heaven or ever be good enough
or do enough, the book breaks down the specifics of the Fruits of Salvation and
how they apply to evangelism for a Christian. It will make you examine yourself
if you’re involved in evangelism and ask some hard pointed questions. If you’re
a Christian not sharing your faith it will have the effect of making you ask yourself,
“Why am I not?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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So the question remains to which I leave to you the reader,
is failure to share the gospel a sin? Based on the evidence presented in this
book, I would have to say yes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Apocity can be purchased at <a href="http://www.tractplanet.com/Book--Apocity-The-Greatest-Omission_p_274.html">http://www.tractplanet.com/Book--Apocity-The-Greatest-Omission_p_274.html</a>
Gospel Tract Planet<o:p></o:p></div>
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A free copy of the book was supplied to write this review.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-59163946580318028592014-02-21T00:43:00.001-06:002014-02-21T00:43:03.354-06:00Spurgeon of the Day: He Hath Said<p>If we can only grasp these words by faith, we have an all-conquering weapon in our hand. What doubt will not be slain by this two-edged sword? What fear is there which shall not fall smitten with a deadly wound before this arrow from the bow of God's covenant? Will not the distresses of life and the pangs of death; will not the corruptions within, and the snares without; will not the trials from above, and the temptations from beneath, all seem but light afflictions, when we can hide ourselves beneath the bulwark of "He hath said"? Yes; whether for delight in our quietude, or for strength in our conflict, "He hath said" must be our daily resort. And this may teach us the extreme value of searching the Scriptures. There may be a promise in the Word which would exactly fit your case, but you may not know of it, and therefore you miss its comfort. You are like prisoners in a dungeon, and there may be one key in the bunch which would unlock the door, and you might be free; but if you will not look for it, you may remain a prisoner still, though liberty is so near at hand. There may be a potent medicine in the great pharmacopoeia of Scripture, and you may yet continue sick unless you will examine and search the Scriptures to discover what "He hath said." Should you not, besides reading the Bible, store your memories richly with the promises of God? You can recollect the sayings of great men; you treasure up the verses of renowned poets; ought you not to be profound in your knowledge of the words of God, so that you may be able to quote them readily when you would solve a difficulty, or overthrow a doubt? Since "He hath said" is the source of all wisdom, and the fountain of all comfort, let it dwell in you richly, as "A well of water, springing up unto everlasting life." So shall you grow healthy, strong, and happy in the divine life.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-70297807687241898142013-11-29T02:42:00.001-06:002013-11-29T02:42:59.614-06:00An Affectionate Warning<p>Tale-bearing emits a threefold poison; for it injures the teller, the hearer, and the person concerning whom the tale is told. Whether the report be true or false, we are by this precept of God's Word forbidden to spread it. The reputations of the Lord's people should be very precious in our sight, and we should count it shame to help the devil to dishonour the Church and the name of the Lord. Some tongues need a bridle rather than a spur. Many glory in pulling down their brethren, as if thereby they raised themselves. Noah's wise sons cast a mantle over their father, and he who exposed him earned a fearful curse. We may ourselves one of these dark days need forbearance and silence from our brethren, let us render it cheerfully to those who require it now. Be this our family rule, and our personal bond--SPEAK EVIL OF NO MAN.<br /><br /> The Holy Spirit, however, permits us to censure sin, and prescribes the way in which we are to do it. It must be done by rebuking our brother to his face, not by railing behind his back. This course is manly, brotherly, Christlike, and under God's blessing will be useful. Does the flesh shrink from it? Then we must lay the greater stress upon our conscience, and keep ourselves to the work, lest by suffering sin upon our friend we become ourselves partakers of it. Hundreds have been saved from gross sins by the timely, wise, affectionate warnings of faithful ministers and brethren. Our Lord Jesus has set us a gracious example of how to deal with erring friends in His warning given to Peter, the prayer with which He preceded it, and the gentle way in which He bore with Peter's boastful denial that he needed such a caution. ~ C.H. Spurgeon</p>
<p>The key thing to remember in this is the Lord's people. Not all who profess Christ are true Christians. The Bible makes it clear to expose the heretics and wolves, which are running rampant within our society today. What about you? Are you sure of your salvation? When a Christian points out the Bible teaches to examine yourself daily, do you become defensive or offended? If you do, then that is a sure sign you truly need to. The path is narrow, the way is filled with trials and persecution but He is greater than who is in the world.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-30399979146630779772013-11-13T18:25:00.001-06:002013-11-13T18:25:45.499-06:00The Neglected Blessing of Prayer<p>If <em>men</em> ought always to pray and not to faint, much more Christian men.</p>
<p>Jesus has sent His church into the world on the same errand upon which He Himself came, and this mission includes intercession. What if I say that the church is the world's priest? Creation is dumb, but the church is to find a mouth for it. It is the church's high privilege to pray with acceptance. The door of grace is always open for her petitions, and they never return empty-handed. The veil was rent <em>for her</em>, the blood was sprinkled upon the altar <em>for her</em>, God constantly invites her to ask what she wills. Will she refuse the privilege which angels might envy her? Is she not the bride of Christ? May she not go in unto her King at every hour? Shall she allow the precious privilege to be unused?</p>
<p>The church always has need for prayer. There are always some in her midst who are declining, or falling into open sin. There are lambs to be prayed for, that they may be carried in Christ's bosom? the strong, lest they grow presumptuous; and the weak, lest they become despairing. If we kept up prayer-meetings four-and-twenty hours in the day, all the days in the year, we might never be without a special subject for supplication. Are we ever without the sick and the poor, the afflicted and the wavering? Are we ever without those who seek the conversion of relatives, the reclaiming of back-sliders, or the salvation of the depraved? Nay, with congregations constantly gathering, with ministers always preaching, with millions of sinners lying dead in trespasses and sins; in a country over which the darkness of Romanism is certainly descending; in a world full of idols, cruelties, devilries, if the church doth not pray, how shall she excuse her base neglect of the commission of her loving Lord?</p>
<p>Let the church be constant in supplication, let every private believer cast his mite of prayer into the treasury. From C.H. Spurgeon</p>
<p>Have you reached out and taken hold of this most valued blessing given to Christians by Christ this day?</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-62719645380351226272013-10-29T04:15:00.001-05:002013-10-29T04:15:41.682-05:00Confess Christ With Your Mouth<p>What it really means to confess Christ with your mouth.<br /> <br />Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary: 10. For with the heart man believeth unto—justifying righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation—This confession of Christ's name, especially in times of persecution, and whenever obloquy is attached to the Christian profession, is an indispensable test of discipleship.<br />Keep in mind what it would have meant to confess Christ as Lord and Savior during His time on Earth and what happened to the Apostles. All but one were executed for their faith. Saying I believe, walking an aisle, repeating a prayer, or raising your hand is meaningless. Salvation is a gift from God, not something you do or earn. In fact in the time of Jesus if you did any of those in His name, it could have meant your death.<br /><br />How many today would do such if they thought it meant their being beheaded, ran through with a spear or nailed to a wooden cross?</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-62474360375498009292013-10-29T03:36:00.001-05:002013-10-29T03:36:58.230-05:00Where True Prayer Begins: Spurgeon of the Day<p>This prayer begins where all true prayer must commence, with the spirit of <em>adoption</em>, "Our Father." There is no acceptable prayer until we can say, "I will arise, and go unto my Father."</p>
<p>This child-like spirit soon perceives the grandeur of the Father "in heaven," and ascends to <em>devout adoration</em>, "Hallowed be Thy name." The child lisping, "Abba, Father," grows into the cherub crying, "Holy, Holy, Holy." There is but a step from rapturous worship to the <em>glowing missionary spirit</em>, which is a sure outgrowth of filial love and reverent adoration--"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Next follows the heartfelt <em>expression of dependence</em> upon God--"Give us this day our daily bread."</p>
<p>Being further illuminated by the Spirit, he discovers that he is not only dependent, but sinful, hence he <em>entreats for mercy</em>, "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors:" and being pardoned, having the righteousness of Christ imputed, and knowing his acceptance with God, he humbly <em>supplicates for holy perseverance</em>, "Lead us not into temptation." The man who is really forgiven, is anxious not to offend again; the possession of justification leads to an anxious desire for sanctification. "Forgive us our debts," that is justification; "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil," that is sanctification in its negative and positive forms.</p>
<p>As the result of all this, there follows a <em>triumphant ascription of praise</em>, "Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever, Amen." We rejoice that <em>our</em> King reigns in providence and shall reign in grace, from the river even to the ends of the earth, and of His dominion there shall be no end. Thus from a sense of adoption, up to fellowship with our reigning Lord, this short model of prayer conducts the soul. Lord, teach us thus to pray. ~ Spurgeon</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-32605991479331911762013-10-23T01:33:00.001-05:002013-10-23T01:33:56.954-05:00To Whom Shall We Go?<p>Many have forsaken Christ, and have walked no more with Him; but what reason have YOU <em>to make a change</em>? Has there been any reason for it in the <em>past</em>? Has not Jesus proved Himself all-sufficient? He appeals to you this morning--"Have I been a wilderness unto you?"</p>
<p>When your soul has simply trusted Jesus, have you ever been confounded? Have you not up till now found your Lord to be a compassionate and generous friend to you, and has not simple faith in Him given you all the peace your spirit could desire? Can you so much as dream of a better friend than He has been to you? Then change not the old and tried for new and false.</p>
<p>As for <em>the present</em>, can that compel you to leave Christ? When we are hard beset with this world, or with the severer trials within the Church, we find it a most blessed thing to pillow our head upon the bosom of our Savior. This is the joy we have to-day that we are saved in Him; and if this joy be satisfying, wherefore should we think of changing? Who barters gold for dross? We will not forswear the sun till we find a better light, nor leave our Lord until a brighter lover shall appear; and, since this can never be, we will hold Him with a grasp immortal, and bind His name as a seal upon our arm. As for <em>the future</em>, can you suggest anything which can arise that shall render it necessary for you to mutiny, or desert the old flag to serve under another captain? We think not. If life be long--He changes not. If we are poor, what better than to have Christ who can make us rich? When we are sick, what more do we want than Jesus to make our bed in our sickness?</p>
<p>When we die, is it not written that "neither death, nor life, nor things present, nor things to come, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord!" We say with Peter, "Lord, to whom shall we go?" ~ C.H. Spurgeon</p>
<p>I ask you this day, examine yourself to be sure you are both walking in the faith and truly are saved. Many think they are saved but on that day may be one of the ones told by Jesus, "Depart from me I never knew you."</p>
<p>The gospel is the power unto salvation. It's not the gospel plus _____. The gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-33187506814400690412013-10-11T02:49:00.001-05:002013-10-11T02:49:37.125-05:00Lift Up Our Heart<p>The act of prayer teaches us our unworthiness, which is a very salutary lesson for such proud beings as we are.</p>
<p>If God gave us favours without constraining us to pray for them we should never know how poor we are, but a true prayer is an inventory of wants, a catalog of necessities, a revelation of hidden poverty. While it is an application to divine wealth, it is a confession of human emptiness. The most healthy state of a Christian is to be always empty in self and constantly depending upon the Lord for supplies; to be always poor in self and rich in Jesus; weak as water personally, but mighty through God to do great exploits; and hence the use of prayer, because, while it adores God, it lays the creature where it should be, in the very dust. Prayer is in itself, apart from the answer which it brings, a great benefit to the Christian.</p>
<p>As the runner gains strength for the race by daily exercise, so for the great race of life we acquire energy by the hallowed labour of prayer. Prayer plumes the wings of God's young eaglets, that they may learn to mount above the clouds. Prayer girds the loins of God's warriors, and sends them forth to combat with their sinews braced and their muscles firm. An earnest pleader cometh out of his closet, even as the sun ariseth from the chambers of the east, rejoicing like a strong man to run his race. Prayer is that uplifted hand of Moses which routs the Amalekites more than the sword of Joshua; it is the arrow shot from the chamber of the prophet foreboding defeat to the Syrians. Prayer girds human weakness with divine strength, turns human folly into heavenly wisdom, and gives to troubled mortals the peace of God.</p>
<p>We know not what prayer cannot do! We thank thee, great God, for the mercy-seat, a choice proof of thy marvellous lovingkindness. Help us to use it aright throughout this day! ~ Spurgeon</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-46680732757120591822013-09-17T02:51:00.000-05:002013-09-17T02:51:19.340-05:00I Am Not Ashamed of Christ or Anything, in His Word<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I will not sit idle and silent while the Word of my Lord and Savior
is desecrated or blasphemed by anyone, I care not the who or gender. Many commit
this perhaps out of ignorance but that still does not justify or excuse the
offenses. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2 Timothy 3:16-17 <span class="text 2Tim-3-16" id="en-ESV-29853">All
Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, and for training in righteousness, </span><span class="text 2Tim-3-17" id="en-ESV-29854">that the
man of God may be complete, equipped
for
every good work.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When the very foundational message that is taught from scripture is
belittled by those that seek something that is not theirs or latitude is given
by weak men with a cultural influence or a domineering wife, I say repent for
you are in sin. For to preach is to expound upon and be the audible voice of
God. The Word of God is to be held in reverence and awe, not to be clanged like
a noisy gong. As a Herald of the gospel, you are to represent Christ in ever
aspect, manner and thinking in your life. This is not confined to inside the
walls of a building you call church, for the church is the assembly of
believers, the saved ones from past, present and future. Or do you not think
those that have departed and went on ahead are not still members of the church,
which is the body of Christ. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Do you know that many an abandoned building that once was a place of sin is
now called a church by an assembly of believers. Many an empty tomb littered
throughout the United Kingdom are now museums or mosque that once held the label
church.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Do you still consider these as Holy ground. Is it not the Roman Catholics
that consecrate buildings and objects instead of considering the very Word of
God the thing which should be considered sacred above all else.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I will not argue with those that disagree but will teach from scripture,
about scripture, to point to the truths in scripture. If you don't agree with my
findings, please only respond with what scripture says. I could care less about
your opinion, or my own for that matter. I only care what scripture truly
teaches.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I can no longer be concerned whether the truths in the Bible are areas that
anyone or any culture are not ready to face or admit. I am not ashamed of Christ
or anything in His Word. There have been far too many compromises and velvet
mouthed coatings of truth by today's evangelicals already. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-50620461160150173152013-09-16T08:00:00.000-05:002014-02-24T02:45:50.966-06:00A Look at 1 Timothy 2:8<div>
A look and understanding of the wording every place (everywhere) in 1
Timothy 2:8 needs to be given consideration. Given the uses of the word church or assembly that could have been
used, Paul chose this. Some have stated he was referring to the churches in the
region but that doesn't align in the context. Many places he refers to
regional churches and he states to the churches of. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Bible makes over 100 uses of the word <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div>
Then if everwhere means in all places, wouldn't the use of (likewise)
starting in verse 9 be a carry over linking the remainder of the text, also
the (but) in vs 10 would be a continuation of vs 8, then vs 11 would be a
summary of what Paul was stating in the previous verses. All of these would thus
be linked to Paul's address in vs 8 and all the verses would mean everywhere.
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Many try to apply this to only a gathering of corporate worship but they
are all linked and can't be segregated to mean different things. Then in 1
Timothy 3:15 Paul clarifies to whom the previous verses were being addressed. To
the household of God. According to the John MacArthur Study Bible, <span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">1 Timothy 3:15 Believers are members of
God's household ( Gal 6:10; Eph 2:19; Heb 3:6; 1 Peter 4: 17) and must act
accordingly. This is not a reference to any building but to the people that make
up the true church.</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">In verse 3:5 Paul states to
those who would be overseers care for "God's Church" Paul is giving instruction
to would be overseers and deacons as to how to live their lives, which is not
confined to a building or gathering. This is also a continuation of the first chapter of Timothy. An Epistle is a letter. The line breaks or the verse references were not in the original. To understand a verse or many times a chapter, you have to read the previous verses and or chapters as well as the subsequent ones. </span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">The directives by Paul in this
Epistle would not be confined but would apply to all aspects of a Christian's
life. You can't segregate certain scriptures to mean one thing in one context and then something else in another. Well you can but is that really true biblical hermeneutics? </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306916626694170232.post-49354869330546872782013-09-13T02:42:00.001-05:002013-09-13T03:19:15.197-05:00Should She Preach, A Personal Reflection<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Right out of the gate I will warn you what I write will not
be received very openly by many. While I make the following statement here, my
hope is you will read further to understand the why. “<a href="http://tmiano.com/should-she-preach/" target="_blank">Should She Preach</a>”
is written primarily for those in the biblical street ministry circles, it
carries far greater implications for all Christians. While the research, study
and writing is not only extremely meticulously done and shows a tremendous
amount of biblical scholastic precision, it reflects a tremendous amount of
love staking work. You can almost feel the heart of the writer being poured out
as he writes to those he truly loves. My only objection is the content didn’t
delve deeper into the far greater implications of how all Christians should not
only approach church and ministry, but all aspects of life as to a woman’s true
biblical role.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I will cover this more later.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Before I address the topic of the day, the new book by Tony
Miano, I’d like to direct your attention to a previous post. On June 7, 2013 I wrote an
article titled "<a href="http://truewordsmatter.blogspot.com/2013/06/tony-miano-and-women-open-air-preaching.html" target="_blank">Tony Miano and Women Open-Air Preaching</a>" about the soon to be written "Should She Preach." I
share this so you the reader may see how my thinking has changed since my
participation with the book. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Tony had only mentioned the thought of writing this book and
turmoil erupted by many at the mere thought. People took many different
approaches to the subject, some applauded, some criticized and some took a wait
and see approach. I was in the camp of the latter. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It was a subject I’d never considered. I had never seen a
woman open air preach in person. I couldn’t see why there was such a big deal
over the matter. It wasn’t like there were droves of women lining up to speak
up. I couldn’t think of a single brother that opened air preached whose wife
did so as well. I knew of maybe one or two whose wives read from the Bible in
the open air but that was it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In fact, at the start I tried everything under the sun to
prove from the Bible that it should be okay for a woman to open air preach. The
reason was simple and personal. I had hoped to see my wife and daughter get up
on the box and proclaim Christ. I encouraged them to do so, even if it was to
only read the back of a gospel tract. I wanted to see them proclaim Christ
loudly and boldly like all “good” Christians should. This post is much more
than a simple book review to me, because the Truth of God’s Word is so much
more and so much deeper than we can ever reach this side of Heaven.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Over the course of time the book came together, I was
blessed to be part of not only the peer review team but in some aspects of the
research itself. During this point of the book being written, I was searching
for answers to my own questions as well as answers to questions by those that were sending in theirs.
Many emails that came through would cause me to think, “That’s it.” That is the
verse that will justify what "I am wanting." That will give me something to show my
wife she should and could OAP. She had already known all along she shouldn’t
and wouldn’t. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I would take the verse, compare it to what Tony had written
and compare it to the study notes he provided and look to scripture. Time after
time the same conclusion would form as much as I may not have liked it. Tony is
right, women should not be open air preaching. All of this transpired
unbeknownst to him. I was still at a point where I wasn’t sure, but was sure of
what I hoped to find.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The book came together a little more each day and Tony would
share verses and what he had gleaned in his studies. With each passing moment I
came to the hard realization. His findings are correct. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So here I’m at a point of what do I do? I know what the
Bible truly says about this and I don’t like it. I don't want to agree or see it. It doesn’t fit into what "I
want." Do I submit to the Word of God or try to make yet further excuses for not
submitting to scripture. I did the only thing I knew to do. I prayed and asked
God to reveal His Truth in the scriptures and then read through it all again.
My eyes opened to the reality I didn’t want to confess. The Bible makes it
abundantly clear as to the God given roles of men and women. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">All of this cumulated into my final decision, “I could care
less whether women open air preached or not.” Because any thing I thought or
wanted in regards to the subject didn’t mean a hill of beans. The only thing
that mattered was what the Word of God said on the subject. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Dear friends you have to realize during the time of the New
Testament there wasn’t indoor and outdoor preaching, there was just preaching,
period.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This led to searching my mind, soul and heart to the deeper
meaning of all of this. Who has taught us women can do everything that men can
do. Who has pushed so hard to convince us that we’re equal in all ways. Well
the sad and disturbing answer is; the same ones that have taught for decades,
abortion was healthcare, that homosexuality was okay and that evolution was
truth. Yes, this same secular ungodly mindset has been at work in attempting to
undermine the very pivotal foundation of Christianity, the home.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Was it not Satan himself that said, “Truly God didn’t say
that” Is it not Satan that says today, “Truly God did mean for men and women to
be equal” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The startling reality is this folks. You’ve been programmed
for the last 60 years to think in a feministic one for all, where anything goes
for men and women. First, strip away all the secular preconceived notions in
your mind, and let the Word of God truly teach you. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The truth that many will not want to admit is this; not only
should women not preach in a pulpit or on a box but Christian women should not
hold a place of authority over any man, in any setting. The norm of today was
not so a 100 years ago. You didn’t see women in male-ship roles of law
enforcement, judges, lawyers, professors, combat soldiers or politicians. In
fact not a single woman signed any declaration in the founding of this country.
Women leading men and having authority over men is not biblical. Christian
women should not be in roles of authority over men in any setting. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I encourage you to listen to the following sermon by Paul
Washer which will provide greater clarity to what has been written here. While
the sermon is titled, "What a Man is Not" much of the content has application in
this discussion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="97" scrolling="no" src="http://www.sermonaudio.com/code_sourcefeatured.asp?iframe=TRUE&reversecolor=FALSE&showoverview=FALSE&eventtype=EVENTID&flashplayer=TRUE&tiny=FALSE&video=FALSE&minimal=TRUE&sermonid=4181195404" width="450"></iframe></span><!--Begin SermonAudio Embed--><!--End SermonAudio Embed--> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To my dear and beloved brethren reading this, put your pride
aside, put your opinions aside and realize it’s time to fight against the false
teachings of the culture. It’s time to stand for all of the Truths in the
Bible, it’s time to return to “Biblical Christianhood” in every aspect of your
life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I will be happy to reply to any and all comments, given the
one leaving the comment has listened to this audio by Paul Washer, specifically
the first 25 minutes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If you’re reading this and you’re not a Christian I ask you,
have you considered what happens when a person dies? Are you ready to stand
before God and give an account of your life? Please, I beg you watch and deeply
consider the following, "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3cuVQYVNZY" target="_blank">Are You Ready?</a>"
</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417886497124203848noreply@blogger.com1