Lest We Forget
October 11, 2010
by John ImlerJohn is an RVchurchesUSA Ambassador and author of It’s Never Too Late Forget what, you might ask me. This phrase is often used to encourage us to remember the
various challenges our country has gone through and the accompanying resiliency that has resulted in its citizens. That is certainly a good thing to remember; however, it is not what I have in mind.
As believers in God there are several other things the Bible admonishes us not to forget. Of course, we should never forget about God, His Word, and His commandments (Deut. 4:9, 23).
In Psalms 78:4 we read “we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.”
I recall a story of an individual being shown around heaven. In one room he saw people as far as he could see who were working as fast as they could to handle prayer requests. In another room he saw one individual reading a book with their feet up on a desk. When he asked what this person was doing, the angel indicated this was where all thanks for answered prayers were received.
As I read through the Old Testament, I notice that the Children of Israel were derelict in their duty to do as the Psalms promised. They were quick to complain at every new circumstance failing to recall God’s faithfulness in delivering them (answering their prayers) when they turned to Him and failing to remember or thank Him for those past “praiseworthy deeds.”
It occurred to me that I am so often guilty of the same sin. When I receive an answer to my prayers, too often I say a quick Thank You and then go on my merry way. We may start our prayers with a short summary of things we are thankful for, but often we do not hold all of His “praiseworthy deeds” in our memory for long.
When I turned my back and walked away from God (www.faithrescued.com ), it was because I doubted His promises and forgot the many reasons I had to trust Him and to remember His “praiseworthy deeds.” While shortness of memory is often attributed to aging, it is one of Satan’s schemes that we are warned about in 2 Cor. 2:11.
As believers we are asked to walk by faith. That faith is not only based on God’s promises to us but also on His faithfulness in keeping those promises “to answer us when we call upon Him” (Jer. 33: 2-3).
So, let us not forget to be believers who are “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 5:20). Perhaps starting a journal of answers to prayer might be helpful.
John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at john@faithrescued.com
The Christian Vote
October 11, 2010
by Dountonia S. Slack as appeared on BellaOnline
a contributing author on RVchurchesUSA
Christian. Therefore, we are apart of a different culture; called to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16); and, value what Christ values as it is spelled out in the Word of God.
However, when it comes to exercising good citizenship, while we sojourn on this earth, we have a tendency to make decisions based upon standards other than the biblical standard we claim allegiance. In the voting booth, especially, we exercise our “rights,” follow familial voting patterns, or make our selections based upon media sound bytes without taking the time to research who the candidates are and what they represent.
Because almost every aspect of human life has found its way onto the governmental agenda, those we choose to govern over us – their personalities and beliefs, their virtues and vices – will affect what they do to and for us. “Now, more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature. . . . [I]f the next centennial does not find us a great nation . . . it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces,” (President James A. Garfield, 1876).
While we understand that only God is in control and no matter what happens at the polls, there are no mistakes and everything happens according to God’s purpose (Romans 13:1-7). Yet, when we have a sound theological basis for the campaigns/issues that we support, we send a clear message to the world that our faith, values, and beliefs will not be compromised. We will lift our voices in unison to say that the Christian culture is more important than my socio-economic status, ethnic group, or gender expectations. Now, this does not mean that we would politicize the church or impose our religion upon others, but this does mean that we have a responsibility to live godly and faithful lives using the Word of God as our guide in order to be the conscience of the nation and a witness of Christ no matter what the political climate is.
But the bottom line is that our vote should reflect what we believe. Sending mixed signals by being Christian but not Biblical confuses everyone and devalues the significance of making choices based upon a biblical worldview. Christ followers die to self daily, are becoming less concerned with self proclaimed rights, and seek to do the will of the Father – just like Jesus. Jesus was not concerned about political/religious/cultural agendas; He gave His life for the Kingdom Agenda so that you and I might have life. We live in a post-modern world where everything is subjective – the definition of life, the distinction between a male and a female, the difference between religion and worship – our Christian walk should not be one of them. We have a duty to cast a biblically educated ballot that leaves no question as to who and what we stand for – Christ.
Dountonia is BellaOnline’s Baptist Editor
Feeling All Alone? (2)
August 30, 2010
by John ImlerJohn is an RVchurchesUSA Ambassador and author of It’s Never Too Late As I read through the Psalms, I see that I am not
the first or the last to have that depressing all alone feeling. David felt alone many times often crying out of his self imposed cave. In Psalms 43:2 he says “You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?”
The Bible is full of accounts of those who knew that all alone feeling. Jonah knew it as he rode in the belly of the whale (Jonah 1:17); Job knew it (Job 19); Naomi experienced it when she was alone in a strange land after the death of her husband and two son (Ruth 1:3-5); Sampson knew it after Delilah had his head shaved (Judges 16:20).
However, the most incomprehensible of all was that of a lonely Man hanging on a cross with His body bruised and bleeding when He cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:45).
This was not the first time Jesus felt this loneliness. He had experience it when He was first seized. In Matthew 26:56 we read, “Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.” He felt it when Peter denied Him and when the disciples chose to sleep rather than watch and pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Why did Jesus endure all of this? It was that we might take shelter and comfort in His promises, knowing that He experienced a feeling of all aloneness far greater than we will ever be called to endure. His promises are true to those who believe. We can take courage in the words of Hebrews 4:15: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in everyway, just as we are – yet without sin.”
So, if you are feeling all alone, look out of your cave and dare to look into the sunlight of God’s love and promises. No matter how fiercely the storm clouds are rolling, He has promised “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalms 23:4).
Join John next time when we seek to locate your “cave”.
John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at john@faithrescued.com
Feeling All Alone? (1)
August 28, 2010
by John ImlerJohn is an RVchurchesUSA Ambassador and author of It’s Never Too Late In I Kings 19:14 we read of Prophet Elijah’s conversation
with God about his plight. This was even after Elijah had performed several miracles at God’s instruction and after he had been fed by ravens in the desert.
Elijah tells God that he is the only righteous one left in all of Israel and charges God with trying to kill him. He was feeling alone and forsaken by God. What a pity party it must have been.
Have you ever felt that way? I have. I have experienced that ‘me against the world’ loneliness. I’ve been hiding in my own cave, and it has taken me a while to hear God say, as He said to Elijah, “Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel–all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him” (1 Kings 19:18).
And where did I hear God’s voice to me? It was in a book shared by a friend entitled Hope Rising (crystalpeaksyouthranch.org). She did not know of my need but God did.
My cave was dark and cold. The storms were howling in my world. However, Hope Rising was the opening God provided so I could see the opening of the cave. I caught a glimpse of just a few of those “who had not bowed a knee to Baal.” It was enough—just as the raven’s food had been enough to sustain Elijah.
So when you are tucked away in a cave of your own making—having a private pity party, feeling all alone in a lonely uncaring world, and perhaps feeling that even God has forsaken you—remember to look out from your cave into God’s promises which proclaim “surely I am with your always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).
Join John next week for part 2 of this series, when we will discover still others who felt all alone.
John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at john@faithrescued.com
How Does the Bible Define “Justice”?
August 26, 2010
by Andyblogger for Cospel.com Justice has been on my mind this morning since
I read about the conviction of Khmer Rouge torturer/executioner, Kaing Guek Eav.
Is a 19-year prison sentence “just”? Does the extent of his crimes merit a harsher sentence, or should his regret and guilty plea earn him a lighter one?
Those are questions that will be much discussed in Cambodia over the next few months, you can be sure. But today’s Words of Hope devotional, about the Christian understanding of justice, seems timely. What does justice look like through the Bible’s eyes, and should a Christian’s definition of justice differ from a non-Christian’s?
There is a great debate in legal and philosophical circles about the nature of justice. The ancients defined justice as giving others their due. Modern theories of justice often talk about fairness and equality.
In Micah 6:8, God calls us to be agents of his justice on earth. But doing this requires deep, prayerful humility. Christian justice has no place for vengeance, self-righteousness, or “getting even.” Instead, justice requires us to seek the good of others, even those who have wronged us. And though that may still require us to take legal action against wrong-doing, we are called to do it in a spirit of love and mercy.
Read the full devotional at Words of Hope.
This quiet and humble approach is a far cry from the “justice” regularly presented in our popular entertainment and in the day-to-day news cycle. What do you think? Does your Christian concept of justice ever conflict with your instincts, and if so, how do you resolve that tension?
Originally published at Gospel.com. Reprinted with permission
Doctrine of The Trinity? (1)
August 22, 2010
By Matt Perman The doctrine of the Trinity is foundational to the Christian faith. It is
crucial for properly understanding what God is like, how He relates to us, and how we should relate to Him. But it also raises many difficult questions. How can God be both one and three? Is the Trinity a contradiction? If Jesus is God, why do the Gospels record instances where He prayed to God?
While we cannot fully understand everything about the Trinity (or anything else), it is possible to answer questions like these and come to a solid grasp of what it means for God to be three in one.
What Does it Mean That God is a Trinity?
The doctrine of the Trinity means that there is one God who eternally exists as three distinct Persons–the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Stated differently, God is one in essence and three in person. These definitions express three crucial truths: (1) The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons, (2) each Person is fully God, (3) there is only one God.
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons. The Bible speaks of the Father as God (Phil. 1:2), Jesus as God (Titus 2:13), and the Holy Spirit as God (Acts 5:3-4). Are these just three different ways of looking at God, or simply ways of referring to three different roles that God plays?
The answer must be no, because the Bible also indicates that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons. For example, since the Father sent the Son into the world (John 3:16), He cannot be the same person as the Son. Likewise, after the Son returned to the Father (John 16:10), the Father and the Son sent the Holy Spirit into the world (John 14:26; Acts 2:33). Therefore, the Holy Spirit must be distinct from the Father and the Son.
In the baptism of Jesus, we see the Father speaking from heaven and the Spirit descending from heaven in the form of a dove as Jesus comes out of the water (Mark 1:10-11). In John 1:1 it is affirmed that Jesus is God and, at the same time, that He was “with God”-thereby indicating that Jesus is a distinct Person from God the Father (cf. also 1:18). And in John 16:13-15 we see that although there is a close unity between them all, the Holy Spirit is also distinct from the Father and the Son.
The fact that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons means, in other words, that the Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is not the Father. Jesus is God, but He is not the Father or the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God, but He is not the Son or the Father. They are different Persons, not three different ways of looking at God.
The personhood of each member of the Trinity means that each Person has a distinct center of consciousness. Thus, they relate to each other personally–the Father regards Himself as “I,” while He regards the Son and Holy Spirit as “You.” Likewise the Son regards Himself as “I,” but the Father and the Holy Spirit as “You.”
Often it is objected that “If Jesus is God, then he must have prayed to himself while he was on earth.” But the answer to this objection lies in simply applying what we have already seen. While Jesus and the Father are both God, they are different Persons. Thus, Jesus prayed to God the Father without praying to Himself. In fact, it is precisely the continuing dialog between the Father and the Son (Matthew 3:17; 17:5; John 5:19; 11:41-42; 17:1ff) which furnishes the best evidence that they are distinct Persons with distinct centers of consciousness.
Sometimes the Personhood of the Father and Son is appreciated, but the Personhood of the Holy Spirit is neglected. Sometimes the Spirit is treated more like a “force” than a Person. But the Holy Spirit is not an it, but a He (see John 14:26; 16:7-15; Acts 8:16). The fact that the Holy Spirit is a Person, not an impersonal force (like gravity), is also shown by the fact that He speaks (Hebrews 3:7), reasons (Acts 15:28), thinks and understands (1 Corinthians 2:10-11), wills (1 Corinthians 12:11), feels (Ephesians 4:30), and gives personal fellowship (2 Corinthians 13:14). These are all qualities of personhood. In addition to these texts, the others we mentioned above make clear that the Personhood of the Holy Spirit is distinct from the Personhood of the Son and the Father. They are three real persons, not three roles God plays.
Another serious error people have made is to think that the Father became the Son, who then became the Holy Spirit. Contrary to this, the passages we have seen imply that God always was and always will be three Persons. There was never a time when one of the Persons of the Godhead did not exist. They are all eternal.
While the three members of the Trinity are distinct, this does not mean that any is inferior to the other. Instead, they are all identical in attributes. They are equal in power, love, mercy, justice, holiness, knowledge, and all other qualities.
Each Person is fully God. If God is three Persons, does this mean that each Person is “one-third” of God? Does the Trinity mean that God is divided into three parts?
The Trinity does not divide God into three parts. The Bible is clear that all three Persons are each one hundred percent God. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all fully God. For example, it says of Christ that “in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9). We should not think of God as like a “pie” cut into three pieces, each piece representing a Person. This would make each Person less than fully God and thus not God at all. Rather, “the being of each Person is equal to the whole being of God.”[1] The divine essence is not something that is divided between the three persons, but is fully in all three persons without being divided into “parts.”
Thus, the Son is not one-third of the being of God, He is all of the being of God. The Father is not one-third of the being of God, He is all of the being of God. And likewise with the Holy Spirit. Thus, as Wayne Grudem writes, “When we speak of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together we are not speaking of any greater being than when we speak of the Father alone, the Son alone, or the Holy Spirit alone.”[2]
There is only one God. If each Person of the Trinity is distinct and yet fully God, then should we conclude that there is more than one God? Obviously we cannot, for Scripture is clear that there is only one God: “There is no other God besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me. Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:21-22; see also 44:6-8; Exodus 15:11; Deuteronomy 4:35; 6:4-5; 32:39; 1 Samuel 2:2; 1 Kings 8:60).
Having seen that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are distinct Persons, that they are each fully God, and that there is nonetheless only one God, we must conclude that all three Persons are the same God. In other words, there is one God who exists as three distinct Persons.
If there is one passage which most clearly brings all of this together, it is Matthew 28:19: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” First, notice that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinguished as distinct Persons. We baptize into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Second, notice that each Person must be deity because they are all placed on the same level. In fact, would Jesus have us baptize in the name of a mere creature? Surely not. Therefore each of the Persons into whose name we are to be baptized must be deity. Third, notice that although the three divine Persons are distinct, we are baptized into their name (singular), not names (plural). The three Persons are distinct, yet only constitute one name. This can only be if they share one essence.
…. read more in Part 2 of this series
John Piper. © Desiring God. www.desiringGod.org
Is It A sin To Swear or Cuss?
July 21, 2010
by Chrisblogger for Cospel.com The English language’s collection of four letter words are extraordinarily popular. They’re
peppered throughout our media and can be overheard just about anywhere you have someone upset or angry.
But is it alright for Christians to cuss or swear?
I’ve heard passionate appeals from Christians on either side of the issue (and heard from others who think we’re wasting our time making it an issue). What about you? Do you think that swearing is sinning?
Here’s a perspective on cussing/swearing from GotQuestions.org:
Question: “Is it a sin to cuss / swear / curse?”
It is definitely a sin to swear (curse, cuss, etc.). The Bible makes this abundantly clear. Ephesians 4:29 tells us, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” First Peter 3:10 declares, “For, whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.” James 3:9-12 summarizes the issue: “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”
James makes it clear that the lives of Christians—the “brothers”—should not be characterized by evil speech. By making the analogy of both salt water and fresh water coming from the same spring (which is uncharacteristic of springs), he makes the point that it is uncharacteristic for a believer to have both praise and cursing come from his/her mouth. Nor is it characteristic for us to praise God on one hand and curse our brothers on the other. This, too, is uncharacteristic of a true believer.
Jesus explained that what comes out of our mouths is that which fills our hearts. Sooner or later, the evil in the heart comes out through the mouth in curses and swearing. But when our hearts are filled with the goodness of God, praise for Him and love for others will pour forth. Our speech will always indicate what is in our hearts. “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45).
Why is it a sin to cuss / swear / curse? Sin is a condition of the heart, the mind, and “the inner man” (Romans 7:22), which is manifested in our thoughts, actions and words. When we swear and curse, we are giving evidence of the polluting sin in our hearts that must be confessed and repented of. Thankfully, our great God is “faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). When this happens, we receive a new nature from God (2 Corinthians 5:17), our hearts are transformed, and our speech reflects the new nature God has created within us.
Originally published at Gospel.com. Reprinted with permission
Yes God Loves Me – BUT
July 19, 2010
by John ImlerJohn is an RVchurchesUSA Ambassador and author of It’s Never Too Late Yes, I would trust Him for my salvation, but the storms of life
are raging all around me. I like Peter had reached out my hand to receive His gift of eternal life and was striving to follow Him. However, now the sea of life was raging with a tempest I had not known before.
I had been forced to close my business and with little other income been forced to go through bankruptcy. This was not what I had expected when I came back to my faith. I owned nothing, as it was all in the hands of the trustee.
My lovely wife Ruth was being drug along on this journey with me. It was highly probable that we would lose our home that she treasured so much. Where would we go? We had learned we could not rent an apartment until all this was over, some 18 months from now. She did not deserve this after 57 years together. I was embarrassed and humiliated. I was full of doubt, unbelief and stress.
Then I cried out, “Lord, if you are in this with us, save us.” I seemed to hear His words, “You of little faith, why have you doubted my words?” (Matt. 14: 22-32). As I reached out my hand, He took it and led me to the green pastures of His Word.
There I was reminded that I still had more than He ever had (Matt. 8:20); that what He had given me was of more value than any earthly possession (Matt. 6:19-21); that He would continue to supply my needs (Matt. 6: 25-34); and that I could take none of this stuff that now seemed so important with me upon leaving this world (I Tim. 6:7).
However, I must really believe Him rather than just read these words. Yes, He was willing to go with us through this storm if we invited Him to do so. He had promised “surely I am with you always” (Matt. 28: 20).
Finally, I called our mortgage company directly to discuss our dilemma. Now Jesus was in our boat and the storm was about to subside (Matt. 14:32). Although they would not send a statement or take the payment from our bank account, if we would mail the payments they would accept them and we could keep our house.
If you are in the middle of a storm in your life, I encourage you to take the hand of Jesus. Invite Him to go with you through your storm, climb into your boat, and calm the waves.
John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at john@faithrescued.com
Pastor Warns of Socialism & Departure from God
July 8, 2010
By Lillian Kwon – Christian Post Reporter America currently stands in a very dangerous position, said renowned pastor
and author Dr. Charles Stanley. Today more than ever, the country is turning away from God and moving closer toward socialism, he warned.
And the consequences will be grave.”We know the truth, we know the principles of God. In spite of all that, we find ourselves as a nation violating the laws of God, heading in a direction that is going to be disastrous for us, for our children and the generations that are to come unless there is a change,” he said.
Speaking to thousands at First Baptist Church of Atlanta and to a live Web audience on Friday, Stanley delivered a sobering 4th of July message about a dangerous spiritual tide that is engulfing the country and the crucial need for prayer.
“There is a tide that has touched the shores of our land and reached the heart of our nation,” he said against the backdrop of the U.S. flag. “It is a tide that is bringing with it ideas and philosophies, actions and attitudes that will ultimately destroy the way of life that you and I have.”
The influential pastor and founder of In Touch Ministries listed 12 things involved in the tide. Among them are the financial crisis and the move toward socialism.
With the national debt rising by the billions every day and increasing taxation, future generations will likely be left with a debt so heavy that they’ll never be able to spend most of what they make, he said.
Addressing the idea of spreading the wealth, Stanley emphasized, “It is not the government’s responsibility to take care of us. It is to protect us.
“We’re responsible for taking care of ourselves.”
Socialism, he pointed out, is opposed primarily to Christianity and Judaism.
“In Christianity, we’re taught to do our best because we’ve been gifted by God. So there’s motivation, willingness and we cooperate,” he explained. “We use our spiritual gifts for the good of everyone.”
But under a socialist society, in which the government controls all means of production and distribution, there is no motivation for diligence and creativity is stifled, he said.
When there is less reward, there is less to give. And as evidenced in the recent downturn, what suffers first is supporting missionary work.
“You see, it affects every single aspect of society,” Stanley warned.
He added, “Naturally, when the government takes control, do you think that freedom of speech is always going to be there?”
“The tide is bringing in a control that will indeed attempt to silence the truth and will attempt to squash the religious devotion and worship of the people of God.”
That tide began creeping in many years ago, he noted, when the government and the courts began banning prayer at schools and removing references to Jesus, God and the Ten Commandments from the public square, Stanley noted.
“It is an attempt to destroy the Christian spirit in America,” he said.
“There is a war going on against Jesus,” he declared. “It’s part of the strategy. The primary reason for this war against Him is He is interfering with the plan to make this a socialist nation. Mark it down. It is the truth.”
Among the other elements of the dangerous tide are: terrorism, turning our backs on Israel, the announcement that the United States is not a Christian nation, increasing national disasters, a departure from the biblical view of marriage, and support for killing the unborn, Stanley listed.
“Mark this down for socialism because these three groups of people who do not contribute to the state … are of no value: unborn babies, the elderly and those who are disabled,” said the Atlanta pastor.
With the tide moving fast, Stanley issued a charge to Christians to turn it around.
He called believers to join him in 140 days of humbling themselves, repenting of sins and praying to God.
“The Bible says judgment begins at the house of God. We’re not expecting lost people to do all this because this is the work of the people of God; it is our responsibility,” he stressed. “A lot of where we are is because of our apathy. We haven’t prayed for these men who are making decisions.”
“Do you want this nation to keep going where it’s going or do you want us to get back on track?” he posed.
Prayer, he said, is the one thing he knows that works.
“Do you believe God answers prayer?” he asked. “Pray for God to change the direction of this tide.”
He added that those prayers have to be backed up with righteousness and a godly life if they are to be effective and nation-altering.
“There has never been a nation like these United States. We do not want it to fail or to fall.”
To join Stanley in 140 days of prayer, visit: http://intouch.org/
Warnings Worth Noting
July 3, 2010
by John ImlerJohn is an RVchurchesUSA Ambassador and author of It’s Never Too Late As we travel in our automobiles we observe warning signs caution along the way.
We learn from the driver’s manuals that they are posted to warn us of unsafe curves, speed limits, and other dangers. If we pay attention to them, we are likely to arrive safely at our destination.
So too has God placed warning signs in our lives to help us arrive at our spiritual destination safely. However, if we do not consult the Bible, the manual He has provided, far worse tragedy may overtake us. That is why it is so important that we not just read the Bible but that we also hide it in our hearts (Psalms 119:11) so that we may recall the meaning of those warning signs.
My own experience in straying away from God (www.faithrescued.com) was the result of my not having His warning signs deeply rooted in my heart and mind in order to recognize those first temptations to partake of a forbidden fruit.
In 1 Peter 5:8 we are warned that Satan does not give up but that he “prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” Paul admonishes us: “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall” (I Cor. 10:12). History records many who started the race but failed to finish it.
That is why even Paul declared a consuming desire to “finish the race” and said “I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Cor. 9:27).
Paul warns us that in the last days “men will gather around them a great number of teachers” who will cause them “to turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths” (2 Tim.4:2-5).
God has placed warning signs so that we may avoid a spiritual wreck along our lifelong journey. The examples of others have been given “as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did” (1 Cor. 10:6) and “in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Cor. 2:11).
May each of us hide His word in our hearts and minds that we may recognize the schemes of Satan.
John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at john@faithrescued.com
Loose Weight
June 5, 2010
by John ImlerJohn is an RVchurchesUSA Ambassador and author of It’s Never Too Late Pick up most any publication and you will find one or more articles dealing with our nation’s and the world’s problem with obesity. Governments are spending tax dollars to educate us about the problem and to
assist us in living healthier and longer lives.
Every athlete is aware that excess weight is a deterrent to their success. While they know that muscle mass is important to their success, they also know that fat weight hinders their performance. This has been proven through research. It also proves that obesity can affect the quality and length of our lives. What we consume is important to our overall health.
While this growing concern about our diets is good, there is another aspect of our lives where our diets are even more important because they affect the quality of our spiritual lives. Just as we abuse our physical bodies with improper diets, so we as believers sometimes abuse our spiritual beings with improper diets. Paul seems to address both the physical and spiritual aspects of our lives in 1 Cor. 3:16-17 with the words, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple” and warns us not to destroy God’s temple.
For the spiritual side Hebrews 12:1 admonishes us: “let us lay aside every weight; and the sin that so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”
Spiritual diets, like physical diets, require the discontinuance of some things we have been consuming and adding others we have either not been consuming at all or enough of. I do not know what weights you need to lay aside. It may be what you are watching on TV or reading. It may be the people you are spending your time with. It may be habits that interfere with your spiritual growth. I do know that if you are sincere about knowing what weight you need to lay aside, the Holy Spirit will reveal it to you if you ask (John 14:26).
As to what you may need to add to your spiritual menu, Peter indicates that we need the spiritual milk of God’s Word (1 Peter 2:2). Psalms 119 is an excellent section of the Bible to consider what we should consume for our spiritual growth. Philippians 4:8 lists things we should consume for our spiritual growth.
John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at john@faithrescued.com
Whos Is This On The Cross?
June 1, 2010
by John ImlerJohn is an RVchurchesUSA Ambassador and author of It’s Never Too Late Is this a great teacher hanging there being mocked by soldiers and those who passed by?
Is this the miracle baby born to a virgin and laid in a manger? It this the one whose birth was announced to shepherds and wise men by voices and a chorus of angels from heaven? Is this the one who went about doing good? (Acts 10:38)
Yes, it is all of these, but more also. Hanging there on the cross that day was God’s only Son (John 3:16). However, He was not there by the force of Roman armies (Matthew 26:52-54). He was not there because Judas betrayed Him. He was not there because of those who unjustly accused Him before the high priest (Matthew 26:59-60; Luke 23:13-25). He was not there because Pilate handed him over to be crucified (Matthew 26:23, 26; Luke 23:24).
He was there fulfilling the Law (Matthew 5:17). He was there doing what He came to earth to do (Matthew 26:39-42). He was there of His own free will and choice (John 10:17-18; Matthew 20:28; Isaiah 53).
So often we forget this amazing fact. Yes, Jesus Christ was in a sense murdered by the mob. However, we must never forget that He was their willing victim. This was His greatest temptation: to save Himself in response to the taunts of the crowd who cried out, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One” (Luke 23:35).
Today’s world cries out the same taunts as they did that day, constantly asking for some scientific proof that there is a God who really loves them. The events of that infamous day are recorded in history. God has already provided the most vivid picture of His love for man through Christ’s willing sacrifice of Himself on the cross.
While many continue to reject Him to the end, two got it right: the centurion in Matthew 27:54 and the thief on the cross beside Him (Luke 23:39-43).
Who is this hanging on the cross? It is Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, becoming the sacrifice for the sins and disobedience of all mankind. He is willing to be the sacrifice for your sins as well. Will you accept Him now as Your Savior? (John 3:16). I would love to hear from you that you have accepted Him at john@faithrescued.com.
John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at john@faithrescued.com
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