Monday, November 17, 2008
Re-Group
Today I'm trying to figure out why I'm failing. Just to get the process started, I chose to review some older journal entries. In my "travels" I came across an entry regarding storing up treasures in heaven. I find myself challenged by my own comments: "Good I do in other's lives cannot be lost or stolen like earthly treasures." In addition to this, I'm struck by the realization that I must pray that people would see God in those deeds because if that doesn't happen, what's the point?
The sad part of all this is that I've been able to reasonably define what to do (the journal entry is from December 31, 2007), but, by my actions, it appears that this is a mere "between-the-ears" concept that I've not adopted.
The good part is this: "For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him (Philippians 2:13)."
God's exhortation is this: "... put into action God's saving work in your lives, obeying God with deep reverence and fear (Philippians 2:12)."
Lord, may it be so.
The sad part of all this is that I've been able to reasonably define what to do (the journal entry is from December 31, 2007), but, by my actions, it appears that this is a mere "between-the-ears" concept that I've not adopted.
The good part is this: "For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him (Philippians 2:13)."
God's exhortation is this: "... put into action God's saving work in your lives, obeying God with deep reverence and fear (Philippians 2:12)."
Lord, may it be so.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Fictional Collection
For those who claim Christ, disregarding the Bible as merely a collection of fictional stories most certainly facilitates a shallow "faith" characterized, at best, as merely ceremonial. This position allows the individual to embrace stories that support their brand of self-righteousness while discarding those that offer challenges to that position. Their motive is highly selfish in that personal image is of highest concern, not realizing (or caring) that their brand of Christianity turns non-believers further from God and prepares the way for believers to stumble, or even fall away. They have an appearance of righteousness, but deny the power of Christ that could produce true holiness in their lives.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Worldview Misalignment
From Newsmax.com:
"Exit polls showed Obama winning big with black Protestants (94 percent backed him), Hispanic Catholics (72 percent), and Hispanic Protestants and other Christians (67 percent). Obama won the election handily even though white Catholics and white Protestants backed Republican John McCain."
By this report, most church-people have a skewed understanding (or no understanding at all) of Biblical worldview. Maybe it has to do with what's been stated about American Christianity --- 1" deep, 4 miles wide. Or maybe this indicates that the majority of people who attend Christian church services do so when it somehow benefits them or assuages their conscience.
Why am I surprised ...........
2 Timothy 3
1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
>>> With God's help, let's be doers of the Word --- letting it influence how we live!!
"Exit polls showed Obama winning big with black Protestants (94 percent backed him), Hispanic Catholics (72 percent), and Hispanic Protestants and other Christians (67 percent). Obama won the election handily even though white Catholics and white Protestants backed Republican John McCain."
By this report, most church-people have a skewed understanding (or no understanding at all) of Biblical worldview. Maybe it has to do with what's been stated about American Christianity --- 1" deep, 4 miles wide. Or maybe this indicates that the majority of people who attend Christian church services do so when it somehow benefits them or assuages their conscience.
Why am I surprised ...........
2 Timothy 3
1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
>>> With God's help, let's be doers of the Word --- letting it influence how we live!!
