Thursday, September 27, 2012

Rules for Sharing Christ

image
Jesus made himself and his divine powers known to the world while he was in Jerusalem for the Passover (John 2:13-23). He soon returned home only to be rejected by his own brethren in Nazareth (Luke 4:16-30). From there, he traveled to Capernaum where he cast out devils and healed many of the sick (Luke 4:31-44). It was time for him to choose his first personal disciples.
Jesus had made disciples already. There was Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael (John 1:35-49). Not to mention, other disciples which remained unnamed or only alluded to by the gospel writers. However, while teaching by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus chose four men–two of which were already disciples–to literally follow him during his earthly ministry (Luke 5:1-11).
Jesus was calling these four men to eventually be apostles. On the day he called them away from their lives as fishermen, he said they would become fishers of men (Matthew 4:19). Whatever role we have in the harvest (John 4:35), the Bible provides us with certain principles to follow. Keep in mind, while we labor, it is the Lord who provides the increase (1 Corinthians 3:7).

The people had heard about Christ. Many of them had seen his miracles. They desired to know more about him. They wanted to hear him teach. So, as he stood by the sea, the crowd pressed him to teach and declare the word of God (Luke 5:1).
If we are to get anywhere in the harvest–leading people to Christ and to the church–we must begin with the truth. Paul encouraged the Ephesian elders to declare the whole counsel of God and leave nothing out (Acts 20:26-28). That doesn’t mean we all need to be deep theologians. My favorite testimony of all the Bible simply said, “I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25). It does mean we should not dumb down the truth or try to lure people with anything else.
Remember, the child of God, born of the Spirit, has the truth written in his heart (Romans 2:14-15). When he’s ready, he will crave the truth and we don’t need to offer anything but the truth (1 Timothy 3:15).

When Jesus approached Peter after Peter had spent the night unsuccessfully trying to catch fish, he tells him to go back out and drop the net again (Luke 5:2-4). Peter may have been apprehensive, but he proved himself to be willing (Luke 5:5).
Many disciples and many churches have failed in following the commandments of God. I don’t mean they’ve taken up idolatry or committed murder. I mean some have failed by doing things their own way and others have failed to do anything at all.
First of all, we should never add to what the Bible teaches us. Through the Bible, we’ve been given all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). There is often room for liberty, but our own ideas never trump the Lord’s (Proverbs 3:5). Peter might have thought it was better to wait until later to fish again, but he did as the Lord said anyway.
Second of all, we should always be very active in our harvest labors. We should be active in all of the duties the Lord has given us. However, there are times when our good works become stifled for many different reasons. We should not allow it (Galatians 6:9). Imagine if Peter has refused to go out fishing again.

Once Peter had went out to the sea and dropped his nets again, the multitude of fish was so abundant that the nets began to break. John and James were nearby and they were called over to help. The weight of fish actually caused the boats to begin sinking. Peter immediately fell at Jesus’ knees and declared his unworthiness (Luke 5:6-8).
The time to declare our thankfulness and recognize our dependence upon the Lord is always. However, the natural tendency to do so is diminished when we feel like we have everything we need (Revelation 3:17). If we remain steadfast in the pure truth God has given us and we follow his commandments and principles, we are bound for blessings and success (Galatians 6:8). We must remember to remain humble and thankful. We must always admit our successes are due to God’s grace (1 Corinthians 15:10).

Jesus told the four fishermen, “Fear not, from henceforth thou shalt catch men.” When they had seen what the Lord had done and heard his words, they brought their boats to shore, left everything behind, and followed him (Luke 5:10-11).
This is perhaps the most important lesson we could ever learn in life. It extends well beyond mere rules for leading others to Christ. Our faith, our hope, our religion, our lives–everything–it’s all about Jesus Christ.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Important Biblical Science References to Remember


§ Roundness of the earth (Isaiah 40:22)
§ Almost infinite extent of the sidereal universe (Isaiah 55:9)
§ Law of conservation of mass and energy (II Peter 3:7)
§ Hydrologic cycle (Ecclesiastes 1:7)
§ Vast number of stars (Jeremiah 33:22)
§ Law of increasing entropy (Psalm 102:25-27)
§ Paramount importance of blood in life processes (Leviticus 17:11)
§ Atmospheric circulation (Ecclesiastes 1:6)
§ Gravitational field (Job 26:7)


Sunday, September 23, 2012

Romans

I read Romans for the first time. Yes, the first time. It's now my favorite book. Definitely. I read it in my NKJV bible and used the online NLT version to help study it. I usually don't go for the NLT version, because it is a thought for thought translation, not word for word. BUT when used as a tool to study this book, it's great! It makes everything crystal clear! Some little tidbits from my study of Romans:
- It is Paul's letter to the Romans. To tell them of his plans to come there on his way to Spain. It is the chief book of the new testament, the purest gospel. Some say it is "a light and way into the whole scriptures."
- It is a comprehensive statement of Paul's mature thinking and reflection on the gospel, not only to benefit the church of Rome but for the greater Christian community. It was his Presentation of the Gospel.
- His theme was justification BY faith.
- Building an airtight case for the lostness of mankind and the necessity for God's intervention.
- He refers to himself as a "servant to Jesus Christ." Servant is translated from the Hebrew word "doulos"- for a Roman citizen at that time, it was unheard of to actual refer to oneself as a servant.
- Romans 2:4- Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?  Exactly! It is God's KINDNESS that leads us to Repentance!!
- Romans 2:11- For there is NO partiality with God.  ---- He loves us all equally!
- Romans 2:12-15- For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law. for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; For when Gentiles who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to the Gospel."--- People are condemned not for what they don't know but for what they do with what they KNOW. Those who know God's word and his law will be judged by them. Those who don't know the Bible STILL know right from wrong, and they will be judged because they did not keep even those standards that their own consciences dictated. People violate the very standards they create for themselves! If someone THINKS something is a sin and they still do it, IT IS A SIN.
- Romans Chapter 3- it's about God's Judgement being defended - Some say our sinfulness serves a good purpose, for it helps people see how righteous GOD is.
---We are ALL under the power of sin, since birth.
Romans 3:10-18 (NLT)

10 As the Scriptures say,
“No one is righteous—
    not even one.
11 No one is truly wise;
    no one is seeking God.
12 All have turned away;
    all have become useless.
No one does good,
    not a single one.”[a]
13 “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
    Their tongues are filled with lies.”
“Snake venom drips from their lips.”[b]
14     “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”[c]
15 “They rush to commit murder.
16     Destruction and misery always follow them.
17 They don’t know where to find peace.”[d]
18     “They have no fear of God at all.”[e]

Romans 3: 20 is basically saying that no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands, the law simply shows us how sinful we are.
Romans 3:27-28 - We Can't boast because it has nothing to do with obeying the law, it is JUST ON FAITH ALONE.
Romans 4:4- When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned.
Romans 4:7-8- Oh what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. Yes what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin.

Romans 4:14 - basically says that if God's promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith wouldn't be necessary and the promise would be pointless- Thank Goodness that's not so!
Romans 5:1-2- therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
We can rejoice too when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance and endurance strengthens character and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation, and this hope will not lead to disappointment.
Romans 5:8- But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 
We have to remember that when Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adams one sin brings condemnation for everyone but Christs one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.
Romans 5:20- Romans repeats several times that God's law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were.
Romans 6:4- Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.....We know our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might loose it's power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin! Jesus died ONCE to break the power of sin. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead.
Do not let sin control the way you live. Do not give in to sinful desires.
We must ".....present yourselves slaves to obey....." (Romans 6:16)
"......so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness." (Romans 6:19)
Romans 6:23- For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 7 starts discussing how "the law only applies while a person is living." You died to the power of the law when you died with Christ. Now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead.
Romans 7:4- Therefore my brethern, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another- to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should BEAR FRUIT TO GOD.
WE HAVE A CHOICE
Slave to sin = Death
Obey God= Righteous Living

Remember that because you are a human you were born a slave to sin.
Paul's words in NLT...."Sin used what was good to bring about my condemnation to death. It uses Gods good commands for it's own evil purposes.  In my mind I want to obey God but because of sinful nature, I am a slave to sin. I love God's law with all my heart, but there is another power within me that is at war with my mind, this power makes me a slave to sin that is still within me."

Romans 8 (Life in the Spirit)
talks about the fact that there is no condemnation for those who walk in the spirit, not in the flesh.
"....for to be carnally minded is DEATH, but to be spiritually minded is LIFE and peace." Romans 8:6
"...and if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." Romans 8:10
NOW we have no obligation to do what our sinful nature urges us to do.
".....for if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." Romans 8:13.... You see a trend here???
I like this verse----- "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:18
We must wait patiently and confidently.
"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Romans 8:26 - in other words, even when we cannot form the words to pray what we need to pray, God understands and translates even our groanings.
Romans 8:28-  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:31- "....If God is for us, who can be against us?!"
Romans 8:38- " For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." ----- IT'S FOREVER LOVE!!!!!
God chooses who he will show mercy to, we cannot choose it or work for it. (Romans 9:15-16)
Romans 10:10- For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  ---- WE CONFESS OUR SINS WITH OUR MOUTH, CONFESS THAT JESUS IS LORD and BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD-- YOU WILL BE SAVED. :-) What a GIFT!!

SALVATION
1. Everyone Has Sinned (Romans 3:23- For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.)
2. The penalty for our sin is death. (Romans 6:23)
3. Jesus Christ died for sin. (Romans 5:8)
4. To be forgiven for our sin, we must believe and confess that Jesus is Lord. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone. (Romans 10:8-10)

Romans 12:2- And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Give Yourself to God. 

Starting in Romans 12 Paul talks about our personal responsibilities and how to behave like a Christian. Some key points:
- God has given us all different gifts for doing certain things well- I never knew this was actually biblical!
- Use your gift WELL and WITH GLADNESS (Romans 12:8)
- Abhor what is evil, Cling to what is good (Romans 12:9)
- Be patient in tribulation (Romans 12:12)
- Never be lazy, work hard for the Lord
- Bless those who persecute you. (Romans 12:14)
- Don't just pretend to love others, REALLY love them. (Romans 12:9)
- Live in harmony with each other, Don't think you know it all. (NLT)
- Love each other with genuine affection, take delight in honoring each other (NLT Romans 12:10)
- When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. (NLT Romans 12:13)

Romans 12:17- Don't pay back evil with evil, Do things in such a way that everyone can SEE you are honorable.
Romans 12:18- "......live peaceably with all men."
Never take revenge, leave that to God.
Romans 12:21- Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing GOOD.
Romans 13 is about Respect for Authority
13:5-Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience sake."
from what i'm reading this chapter is about the fact that we must obey our earthly superiors/leaders/authority because they would not be in the position without God's assistance- Everyone must submit to governing authority.
Give to everyone what you owe them, give respect and honor to those who are in authority. Authority is meant to strike fear into those doing wrong. Sent for our good, but of course we should be afraid if we are doing wrong because they have the authority to punish us.
Romans 13:8- "....except to love one another....."
Romans 13:9- ".....are all summed up in this saying, namely, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' love does no harm to a neighbor, therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."
Romans 13:12- "....therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light (the shining armor of right living.".
Live decent lives for ALL to see. Don't participate in the darkness.
Romans 14- Accept other believers who are weak in faith and don't argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.
Romans 14: 8- "For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's."
Do not look down on other believers if they don't believe the same as you. If it's for the Lord, its for the Lord..
Romans 14:13- "Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brothers way."
We will all have to give our own personal account to God.
Romans 14:14- "that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person, it IS wrong. And if another believer is distressed by what YOU eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. "
Romans 14:17- "For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."
Let us aim for harmony and building each other up.
Romans 15 - If you do anything you do not believe is right, you ARE sinning. We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this, we should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. (Romans 15:1)
Romans 15:5- "Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another."
Romans 15:13- "now may the God of hope fill you with joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Personally, I LOVE the book of Romans. It states these basics OVER AND OVER AND OVER again. Beating it into my, and hopefully your, head. Read it, absorb it, Live it.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Belief Statement

This is the belief statement from GotQuestions.org. I absolutely LOVE their summary! And I wanna keep all these reference verses handy at all times! :)


Statement of Faith


MP3 AudioPrinter Friendly
Section 1: The Bible
We believe the Bible, comprised of the Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God (Matthew 5:182 Timothy 3:16-17). In faith we hold the Bible to be inerrant in the original writings, God-breathed, and the complete and final authority for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17). While still using the individual writing styles of the human authors, the Holy Spirit perfectly guided them to ensure they wrote precisely what He wanted written, without error or omission (2 Peter 1:21).

Section 2: God
We believe in one God, who is Creator of all (Deuteronomy 6:4Colossians 1:16), who has revealed Himself in three distinct Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14), yet who is one in being, essence, and glory (John 10:30). God is eternal (Psalm 90:2), infinite (1 Timothy 1:17), and sovereign (Psalm 93:1). God is omniscient (Psalm 139:1-6), omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-13), omnipotent (Revelation 19:6), and unchanging (Malachi 3:6). God is holy (Isaiah 6:3), just (Deuteronomy 32:4), and righteous (Exodus 9:27). God is love (1 John 4:8), gracious (Ephesians 2:8), merciful (1 Peter 1:3), and good (Romans 8:28).

Section 3: Jesus Christ
We believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is God incarnate, God in human form, the expressed image of the Father, who, without ceasing to be God, became man in order that He might demonstrate who God is and provide the means of salvation for humanity (Matthew 1:21John 1:18Colossians 1:15).

We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and was born of the virgin Mary; that He is truly fully God and truly fully man; that He lived a perfect, sinless life; that all His teachings are true (Isaiah 14; Matthew 1:23). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for all humanity (1 John 2:2) as a substitutionary sacrifice (Isaiah 53:5-6). We hold that His death is sufficient to provide salvation for all who receive Him as Savior (John 1:12Acts 16:31); that our justification is grounded in the shedding of His blood (Romans 5:9Ephesians 1:17); and that it is attested by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:61 Peter 1:3).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven in His glorified body (Acts 1:9-10) and is now seated at the right hand of God as our High Priest and Advocate (Romans 8:34Hebrews 7:25).

Section 4: The Holy Spirit
We believe in the deity and personality of the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4). He regenerates sinners (Titus 3:5) and indwells believers (Romans 8:9). He is the agent by whom Christ baptizes all believers into His body (1 Corinthians 12:12-14). He is the seal by whom the Father guarantees the salvation of believers unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14). He is the Divine Teacher who illumines believers’ hearts and minds as they study the Word of God (1 Corinthians 2:9-12).

We believe that the Holy Spirit is ultimately sovereign in the distribution of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11). We believe that the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, while by no means outside of the Spirit’s ability to empower, no longer function to the same degree they did in the early development of the church (1 Corinthians 12:4-112 Corinthians 12:12Ephesians 2:204:7-12).

Section 5: Angels and Demons
We believe in the reality and personality of angels. We believe that God created the angels to be His servants and messengers (Nehemiah 9:6Psalm 148:2Hebrews 1:14).

We believe in the existence and personality of Satan and demons. Satan is a fallen angel who led a group of angels in rebellion against God (Isaiah 14:12-17Ezekiel 28:12-15). He is the great enemy of God and man, and the demons are his servants in evil. He and his demons will be eternally punished in the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41Revelation 20:10).

Section 6: Humanity
We believe that humanity came into existence by direct creation of God and that humanity is uniquely made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). We believe that all humanity, because of Adam's fall, has inherited a sinful nature, that all human beings choose to sin (Romans 3:23), and that all sin is exceedingly offensive to God (Romans 6:23). Humanity is utterly unable to remedy this fallen state (Ephesians 2:1-5,12).

Section 7: Salvation
We believe that salvation is a gift of God’s grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9). Christ’s death fully accomplished justification through faith and redemption from sin. Christ died in our place (Romans 5:8-9) and bore our sins in His own body (1 Peter 2:24).

We believe salvation is received by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Good works and obedience are results of salvation, not requirements for salvation. Due to the greatness, sufficiency, and perfection of Christ’s sacrifice, all those who have truly received Christ as Savior are eternally secure in salvation, kept by God’s power, secured and sealed in Christ forever (John 6:37-4010:27-30Romans 8:138-39Ephesians 1:13-141 Peter 1:5Jude 24). Just as salvation cannot be earned by good works, neither does it need good works to be maintained or sustained. Good works and changed lives are the inevitable results of salvation (James 2).

Section 8: The Church
We believe that the Church, the Body of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all believers of this present age (1 Corinthians 12:12-142 Corinthians 11:2Ephesians 1:22-235:25-27). We believe in the ordinances of believer’s water baptism by immersion as a testimony to Christ and identification with Him, and the Lord’s Supper as a remembrance of Christ’s death and shed blood (Matthew 28:19-20Acts 2:41-4218:81 Corinthians 11:23-26). Through the church, believers are to be taught to obey the Lord and to testify concerning their faith in Christ as Savior and to honor Him by holy living. We believe in the Great Commission as the primary mission of the Church. It is the obligation of all believers to witness, by word and life, to the truths of God’s Word. The gospel of the grace of God is to be preached to all the world (Matthew 28:19-20Acts 1:82 Corinthians 5:19-20).

Section 9: Things to Come
We believe in the blessed hope (Titus 2:13), the personal and imminent coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to rapture His saints (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). We believe in the visible and bodily return of Christ to the earth with His saints to establish His promised millennial kingdom (Zechariah 14:4-111 Thessalonians 1:10Revelation 3:1019:11-1620:1-6). We believe in the physical resurrection of all men—the saints to everlasting joy and bliss on the New Earth, and the wicked to eternal punishment in the lake of fire (Matthew 25:46;John 5:28-29Revelation 20:5-612-13).

We believe that the souls of believers are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where they await their resurrection when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord (Luke 23:432 Corinthians 5:8Philippians 1:233:21;1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious misery until their resurrection when, with soul and body reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne judgment and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire to suffer everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:41-46Mark 9:43-48Luke 16:19-262 Thessalonians 1:7-9Revelation 20:11-15).


Sunday, September 9, 2012

STeaDy My HeaRT

by Kari Jobe

Wish it could be easy
Why is life so messy
Why is pain a part of us
There are days I feel like
Nothing ever goes right
Sometimes it just hurts so much


But You're here
You're real
I know I can trust You

Even when it hurts
Even when it's hard
Even when it all just falls apart
I will run to You
Cause I know that You are
Lover of my soul
Healer of my scars
You steady my heart (x2)

I'm not gonna worry
I know that You got me
Right inside the palm of your hand
Each and every moment
What's good and what gets broken
Happens just the way that You plan


And I will run to You
You're my refuge in Your arms
And I will sing to You
Cause of everything You are

You steady my heart (x2)

WeeKenD


Weekends are too brief. This one has been flying by. The boys and I spent alot of time playing and watching movies yesterday while Daddy was at work. Then family nap time. Last night Michelle K. and I went to do a little shopping, dining and LOTS of talking. It was great to see her, I hadn't seen her in awhile, so there was tons to talk about. Today we got up early and went as a family to do our grocery shopping. Kids didn't really nap at all today, agh, so little do they know it's going to be early bedtime tonight!  Now we are just relaxing a little bit before dinner, making tea, showering, etc.

Gavin is about to turn 5! I can't believe how fast he is growing. He is all about Spiderman and Power Rangers right now. He is very ornery, he is a stubborn rambunctious fully opinionated individual. He is a very trying child for sure. He can push me to the limit of my patience and understanding on a daily basis. Reminds me of the "Strong-Willed Child" book. Sometimes I can talk to him before we do something and he will be good, but for the most part he is wild rambunctious banshee child. He gets all worked up inside when we are in public, which makes him bounce off the walls like a ping pong ball. We are trying to work on his school work but he doesn't like doing it with ME. He can write his name well at school, but at home, nope. He does do his short vowel sounds pretty good. I guess it'll just take time and patience. I'm trying I swear!