Friday, March 22, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Three quotes on Christian Unity
A quote from Charles Spurgeon found on facebook:
"If, then, I find taught in one place that everything is fore-ordained, that is true; and if I find in another place that man is responsible for all his actions, that is true; and it is my folly that leads me to imagine that two truths can ever contradict each other. These two truths, I do not believe, can ever be welded into one upon any human anvil, but one they shall be in eternity: they are two lines that are so nearly parallel, that the mind that shall pursue them farthest, will never discover that they converge; but they do converge, and they will meet somewhere in eternity, close to the throne of God, whence all truth doth spring." - Charles Spurgeon
When I began to follow Jesus one thing He impressed on me, was that there is but one true church which is the one body of Christ. Here is another gem of a quote by Phillip Schaff on reformed vs evangelical theology which boils away that doctrinal division beautifully.
"Calvinism emphasized divine sovereignty and free grace; Arminianism emphasized human responsibility. The one restricts the saving grace to the elect; the other extends it to all men on the condition of faith. Both are right in what they assert; both are wrong in what they deny. If one important truth is pressed to the exclusion of another truth of equal importance, it becomes an error, and loses its hold upon the conscience. The Bible gives us a theology which is more human than Calvinism and more divine that Arminianism, and more Christian than either of them." ~ Phillip Schaff
And finally this very special word from Jan Sjoerd Pasterkamp ~ seen in Furious Love, a documentary by Darren Wilson and Wanderlust Productions
“There was an interview with a Dutch church historian, and they asked him, these BBC people, about the Dutch church, and he made the most interesting remark, he said, ‘We have dozens of protestant denominations and Christian groups because to the Dutch person truth is more important than unity.’ And when I heard it, I thought, I’ve tried to say in a whole sermon what you said in one sentence. What he meant by truth and rightly analyzed, is my interpretation of the Bible, my dogmatic views, my doctrinal views. But Jesus said, ‘I am the truth.’ Truth is not a teaching; truth is a person. And if you have that person you have that truth, and in that person is always unity. But if we put our understanding of the scripture and our doctrinal views higher than the person of Jesus… and I’m going to say maybe something very sharp, and I want to say it respectfully and honorably… we worship idols. Anything we place above the Lord Jesus is an idol. Our unity is not in a teaching, it is in a person and in a person you always find one another." ~ Jan Sjoerd Pasterkamp
Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
"If, then, I find taught in one place that everything is fore-ordained, that is true; and if I find in another place that man is responsible for all his actions, that is true; and it is my folly that leads me to imagine that two truths can ever contradict each other. These two truths, I do not believe, can ever be welded into one upon any human anvil, but one they shall be in eternity: they are two lines that are so nearly parallel, that the mind that shall pursue them farthest, will never discover that they converge; but they do converge, and they will meet somewhere in eternity, close to the throne of God, whence all truth doth spring." - Charles Spurgeon
When I began to follow Jesus one thing He impressed on me, was that there is but one true church which is the one body of Christ. Here is another gem of a quote by Phillip Schaff on reformed vs evangelical theology which boils away that doctrinal division beautifully.
"Calvinism emphasized divine sovereignty and free grace; Arminianism emphasized human responsibility. The one restricts the saving grace to the elect; the other extends it to all men on the condition of faith. Both are right in what they assert; both are wrong in what they deny. If one important truth is pressed to the exclusion of another truth of equal importance, it becomes an error, and loses its hold upon the conscience. The Bible gives us a theology which is more human than Calvinism and more divine that Arminianism, and more Christian than either of them." ~ Phillip Schaff
And finally this very special word from Jan Sjoerd Pasterkamp ~ seen in Furious Love, a documentary by Darren Wilson and Wanderlust Productions
“There was an interview with a Dutch church historian, and they asked him, these BBC people, about the Dutch church, and he made the most interesting remark, he said, ‘We have dozens of protestant denominations and Christian groups because to the Dutch person truth is more important than unity.’ And when I heard it, I thought, I’ve tried to say in a whole sermon what you said in one sentence. What he meant by truth and rightly analyzed, is my interpretation of the Bible, my dogmatic views, my doctrinal views. But Jesus said, ‘I am the truth.’ Truth is not a teaching; truth is a person. And if you have that person you have that truth, and in that person is always unity. But if we put our understanding of the scripture and our doctrinal views higher than the person of Jesus… and I’m going to say maybe something very sharp, and I want to say it respectfully and honorably… we worship idols. Anything we place above the Lord Jesus is an idol. Our unity is not in a teaching, it is in a person and in a person you always find one another." ~ Jan Sjoerd Pasterkamp
Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Friday, March 15, 2013
A NOTE to American Patriots
A NOTE to American Patriots
by David B Severy (Notes) on Friday, March 15, 2013 at 5:04pm
"Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17
I plead with you now, you who are troubled about our nation, to hear what God is saying. Not me, not Obama and not Rush Limbaugh.
Hebrews 4:12 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
See, the Word of God is alive! It is at work and is sharper than any double-edged sword — it cuts right through to where soul meets spirit and joints meet marrow, and it is quick to judge the inner reflections and attitudes of the heart.
For 12 years now I have been disabled with nothing better to do than study God's word, seek out His prophets, and commune with Him. I have not done this in every waking moment, many too many hours and days have slipped away in lesser pursuits, and I have sinned much in them. Nevertheless, God has forgiven me and taught me. He can teach you too!
Hebrews 11:6 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
And without trusting, it is impossible to be well pleasing to God, because whoever approaches him must trust that he does exist and that he becomes a Rewarder to those who seek him out.
God did not send Jesus the first time to establish an earthly Kingdom. He came to seek and save that which was lost and begin to build His church.
If you dig into God's word and leave behind the presuppositions of those with political agendas for this mortal life, you will understand that Jesus came so that we would have peace from heaven, not from the barrel of a gun, not even from the success of a democratic republic or a national constitution! Swords are not the end! They outdated today, they are not presently God's Way for warring against His and His churches enemies!
The ultimate war is the war against the lie of satan which deceives people and keeps them from being saved in Jesus! God wants all men to be saved! Satan and his lie, and those who speak his lie are keeping those who believe his lie on a fast track to hell!
2 Peter 3:9Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some people think of slowness; on the contrary, he is patient with you; for it is not his purpose that anyone should be destroyed, but that everyone should turn from his sins.
Don't confuse the high emotion of patriotism for the will of God! Don't think God needs America to be free to accomplish His purposes. Don't think He needs America to be strong. God defeated satan for you who are saved (and you who will yet be saved) by sending His Son in weak and mortal HUMAN flesh to die an ignominious and UNDEFENDED death on the cross!
Luke 22
36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
Matthew 26
51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 New Living Translation (NLT) 3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 6 And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.
God does say through Joel :
Joel 3:10 Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.
But do you know to whom He is speaking ??????????
Isaiah 2:4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords intoplowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Micah 4:3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords intoplowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Ephesians 6 ~ New Living Translation (NLT)
The Whole Armor of God
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Sequestration? Put it on Steriods... PLEASE !!!!
Sequestration is now being used as an EXCUSE by the Commander in Chief to weaken our military. What a sad state of affairs. A nation once so free and able is being disabled by the most nearsighted legislative inflexibility... it make one shudder. If five nuclear warships are gathered in one Navy Yard, surely (100 +435+9+1=) 545 NUCLEAR NARCISSISTS are often found gathered in the ONE Politically Correct Yard inside the Wash. D.C. beltway. There may seem to be two sides in the US government, but the insane egotism of them all makes for ONE BIG INEFFECTIVE INEFFICIENT CORRUPT MESS.
Instead of each man and woman in DC doing what they want, why don't they simply try to find out what WORKS and do that? I'll tell you why. It is because or past and lingering prosperity has corrupted our sense of need. We all need very much to do the right thing as individuals and as a nation. But we are some intoxicated on (still cheap) oil ($10/gallon gas is not uncommon in many other nations), by still cheap food, by an abundance of cheap (and immoral) entertainments, cheap (and expensive) prescription drugs, cheap alcohol, readily available cheap (and expensive) street drugs... Modern living (or post modern or what ever kind of living you want) is easy in the USA. The poorest here have 20 to 30 times the income of those in real poverty, those living on one to two dollars a day.
My prayer is that sequestration not end, but that in the future the military be excluded from it's reach. Let the entitlements and the pork be touched deeply. Entitlements are pork. Let them receive the same budgetary increases that Supplemental Security Insurance recipients receive, or better yet just cut all increases for 5, or even 10 years. Entitlements, the very thing designed to win the war on poverty have simply ballooned into the poverty of a 16 trillion dollar national debt. Unless some seriously concerted effort comes forth from Wash DC, our children will be in the poor house of debts for many generations.
And let it be taught in every classroom and preached from every pulpit, borrowing is not funding. Borrowing is the privilege of those who have good credit. The credit rating of the USA has never really taken the hit it should take. Reality says that we can in no way be 16 trillion dollars in debt, most of which is unfunded deficit spending, and borrowing simply to pay the interest on our debt and have any kind of "A" rating with any credit bureau. Frankly, if the Mafia held OUR national debt they would have broken Uncle Sam's legs some time ago.
And this is all from a secular point of view! When God is factored in, we ought to be on our knees before Him pleading for divine favor to extract ourselves from the prison of bankruptcy which may engulf us at any time!
Money is at best a tool, and the worst an idol. Will we use it as a tool for good? Or will we suffer from the insanity of the pursuit of more? But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 1 Timothy 6:9-11
Instead of each man and woman in DC doing what they want, why don't they simply try to find out what WORKS and do that? I'll tell you why. It is because or past and lingering prosperity has corrupted our sense of need. We all need very much to do the right thing as individuals and as a nation. But we are some intoxicated on (still cheap) oil ($10/gallon gas is not uncommon in many other nations), by still cheap food, by an abundance of cheap (and immoral) entertainments, cheap (and expensive) prescription drugs, cheap alcohol, readily available cheap (and expensive) street drugs... Modern living (or post modern or what ever kind of living you want) is easy in the USA. The poorest here have 20 to 30 times the income of those in real poverty, those living on one to two dollars a day.
My prayer is that sequestration not end, but that in the future the military be excluded from it's reach. Let the entitlements and the pork be touched deeply. Entitlements are pork. Let them receive the same budgetary increases that Supplemental Security Insurance recipients receive, or better yet just cut all increases for 5, or even 10 years. Entitlements, the very thing designed to win the war on poverty have simply ballooned into the poverty of a 16 trillion dollar national debt. Unless some seriously concerted effort comes forth from Wash DC, our children will be in the poor house of debts for many generations.
And let it be taught in every classroom and preached from every pulpit, borrowing is not funding. Borrowing is the privilege of those who have good credit. The credit rating of the USA has never really taken the hit it should take. Reality says that we can in no way be 16 trillion dollars in debt, most of which is unfunded deficit spending, and borrowing simply to pay the interest on our debt and have any kind of "A" rating with any credit bureau. Frankly, if the Mafia held OUR national debt they would have broken Uncle Sam's legs some time ago.
And this is all from a secular point of view! When God is factored in, we ought to be on our knees before Him pleading for divine favor to extract ourselves from the prison of bankruptcy which may engulf us at any time!
Money is at best a tool, and the worst an idol. Will we use it as a tool for good? Or will we suffer from the insanity of the pursuit of more? But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 1 Timothy 6:9-11
Friday, March 8, 2013
Sunday, March 3, 2013
22-YEAR-OLD WINS AWARD FOR FILM ON SAVING BABIES Stunning speech: 'I promise in the fear of God, I will steward this investment'
Stunning speech: 'I promise in the fear of God, I will steward this investment'
Ivie accepted the award, along with a check for $101,000 by demonstrating humility.
Ivie accepted the award, along with a check for $101,000 by demonstrating humility.
“I deified movies for 21 years of my life, and I made them my god, and it failed me,” he said. “I’m done with that story. I’m done with that idol. And I promise in the fear of God that I will steward this investment, because I would rather tell the plainest truth with $100,000 than the most sophisticated technological lie with 10 million dollars or 100 hundred million dollars.”
Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2013/03/22-year-old-wins-award-for-film-on-saving-babies/#sYWXbRGeDXWo5u0P.99
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