FROM THE WEEK ENDING JANUARY 29, 2011

Immunized Against The Gospel by Ed Stetzer

When asked, 8 in 10 Americans will identify themselves as Christians.  I think it’s pretty obvious, however, that by taking a brief look around our nation, 80 percent of people are not living like followers of Christ.

It’s like “the god of the Grammys” who pops up every year during award season. Some singer or actor whose daily ungodliness is chronicled in every tabloid and entertainment website wins the statue and immediately, upon taking the microphone, begins to “thank God for this.” God gets a hat tip at the Grammys but not a holy life day by day.

There is little similarity between the Americanized version of Christianity and what most of us know the real deal is supposed to look like.

I think that many people have received this “Christianity vaccine,” casually or regularly attending churches each week that are presenting a weakened, broken down faith.  It’s the kind of religion that Mark Twain explained when he said, “Church is where good people stand in front of good people and tell them how to be good people.”

CLICK HERE TO READ: Immunized Against The Gospel

The Osteen Moment - Your Own Moment Will Come Soon Enough by Albert Mohler

Joel Osteen found himself forced to answer a question that every Christian — and certainly every Christian leader — will be forced to answer. When that moment comes, and come it will, those who express confidence in the Bible’s teaching that homosexuality is a sin will find themselves facing the same shock and censure from the very same quarters.

CLICK HERE TO READ: The Osteen Moment - Your Own Moment Will Come Soon Enough


How Should You Respond When Another Christian Disagrees With You?  An example from last week:

In an interview on January 16, 2011, John MacArthur made a comment about a book by Darrin Patrick. You can listen to the interview here: “Theology and Ministry: An Interview with John MacArthur.” His comment created quite a bit of buzz over the follwing days. 

Here’s what Dr. MacArthur had to say about his comments after the buzz started.

Radical Individualism - A Good Trait for Young Pastors? by Dr. John MacArthur

And here is a very mature and I think Christ honoring response from Darrin Patrick. I don't know Darrin Patrick but I respect how he responded to this matter. 

Not Radical Individualism - A Reply To Dr. John MacArthur by Darrin Patrick

Marks of a Family-Equipping Congregation by Jay Strother

The goal of equipping families is a church-wide emphasis, owned by all church ministries and leadership. Even though the emphasis is quite visible in the events and activities, family-equipping ministry must move beyond events and activities to become an integral part of a church’s culture.

CLICK TO READ: Marks of a Family-Equipping Congregation

The Turmoil In The Middle East by Michael Youssef

The Muslim Brotherhood has been thirsting for power in Egypt for many, many years. Founded back in the 1920s, the aim of the Muslim Brotherhood was to topple the British rule and its puppet Egyptian government. Their goal then was to draw Egypt back into their militant-Islam, Sharia-following, anti-western, anti-Christian fold.

CLICK TO READ: The Turmoil In The Middle East

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Soli Deo Gloria

ah

I Will Sing of My Redeemer

For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.  - 1 Corinthians 6:20

I Will Sing of My Redeemer

Philip P. Bliss

1876

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross He suffered,
From the curse to set me free.

I will tell the wondrous story,
How my lost estate to save,
In His boundless love and mercy,
He the ransom freely gave.

I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant power I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth
Over sin, and death, and hell.

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His heav’nly love to me;
He from death to life hath brought me,
Son of God with Him to be.

Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer,
With His blood, He purchased me.
On the cross, He sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt, and made me free.

This is per­haps the last hymn Philip P. Bliss wrote be­fore he died in a train wreck in 1876. He sur­vived the in­i­tial crash, but was killed try­ing (un­suc­cess­ful­ly) to res­cue his wife. The lyr­ics were found in his be­long­ings af­ter the ac­ci­dent.

This song is one of the first ever re­cord­ed on a phon­o­graph. George Steb­bins made the re­cord­ing dur­ing a dem­on­stra­tion of Thom­as Ed­i­son’s new in­ven­tion in New York C­ity. (taken from www.cyberhymnal.org)

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Soli Deo Gloria
ah

FROM THE WEEK ENDING JANUARY 22, 2011

Remember the sanctity of life:

Today is the 38th anniversary of the infamous Roe v. Wade decision that opened the floodgates for abortion in America. The U.S. Supreme Court handed down the decision, declaring that women have a constitutional right to an abortion on January 22, 1973.

Don't give up on the unborn. Support support crisis pregnancy centers, adoption  ministries, etc. and help end the slaughter of innocent babies!  Get involved!

You shall not murder.

Exodus 20:13 ESV

"For you formed my inward parts;
   you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works;
   my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,when I was being made in secret,
   intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;in your book were written, every one of them,
   the days that were formed for me,
   when as yet there was none of them."

Psalm 139:13-16 ESV

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
    the fruit of the womb a reward.

Psalm 127:3 ESV

Powerful speech from Representative James Lankford: "The Right To Life Is Self Evident"

Click on the following links to read more:  (WARNING - some of the videos are graphic but true!)

It's Time To Stop Pretending Abortion Is Anything But The Ruthless Killing Of An Innocent Human Being by Randy Alcorn

This Is Abortion by Justin Taylor

What About The Twins: The Deadly Logic Of Abortion by Albert Mohler

Remember our only hope if found in Christ alone!  Below is a video of my favorite modern hymn.

In Christ Alone - 10th Anniversary Arrangement by Keith and Kristen Getty

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Soli Deo Gloria

ah

FROM THE WEEK ENDING JANUARY 15, 2011

Can We See Jesus Better Than The Saints In The Bible?

Jesus speaks of three ways of seeing himself, each better than the one before.

CLICK HERE TO READ: Can We See Jesus Better Than The Saints In The Bible? by John Piper

Revival: Ways and Means

How do seasons of revival come?

CLICK HERE TO READ: Revival: Ways & Means by Tim Kellar

Cracks In The Crystal Cathedral

Why we a better off letting God make the gospel relevant.

CLICK HERE TO READ: Cracks In The Crystal Cathedral

Pray for Asia Bibi:

Asia Bibi is a Christian woman and mother of five, that has been sentenced to death for "blasphemy" in Pakistan.

Asia Bibi Facing Threat Of Suicide Attack


Muslim Million Man March In Support Of Executing A Christian Mom

New Podcast from Dr. Russell Moore:

      Introducing The Cross And The Jukebox

First episode discusses "I Saw The Light" by Hank Williams. It is worth taking the time to listen to.


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Soli Deo Gloria
ah

When God Ran

WHEN GOD RAN

words by Benny Hester

sung by Phillips, Craig & Dean

Almighty God, the great I am
Immovable rock, omnipotent, powerful, awesome Lord
Victorious warrior, commanding King of Kings
Mighty conqueror, and the only time
the only time I ever saw Him run

CHORUS:
Was when He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise when God ran

The day I left home I knew I’d broken His heart
And I wondered then if things could ever be the same
Then one night I remembered His love for me
And down that dusty road ahead I could see
It was the only time – it was the only time I ever saw Him run

And then He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise as He brought me to my knees
When God ran – I saw Him run to me

BRIDGE: I was so ashamed, all alone and so far away
But now I know He’s been waiting for this day

I saw Him run to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice I felt His love for me again

He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said, “Son”, He called me Son
He said, “Son do you know I still love you?”
He ran to me and then I ran to Him
When God ran

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Soli Deo Gloria
ah

Click here for more information on The Story of God's Love for You

God's Great Story of Salvation

 Enjoying the big snow in Northeast Georgia today. Close to 8 inches on the ground and some snow & sleet still falling.  Brings to mind Isaiah 1:18 where God tells us He will take our scarlet and crimson sins and make them white as snow! What a reminder of God's great story of salvation!!  Though your sins are like scarlet He wants to make them as white as snow.

"Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:

though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red like crimson,

they shall become like wool.

Isaiah 1:18 (ESV)

Watch this animated song presentation of the Gospel from Sovereign Grace Music:

The Gospel Song - An Animation

Holy God in love became
Perfect man to bear my blame
On the cross he took my sin
By his death I live again.

The Bible is most of all a Story. There are lots of stories in the Bible, but all the stories are telling one Big Story. The Story of how God loves His children and comes to rescue them.  It takes the whole Bible to tell this Story.  (from The Jesus Storybook Bible)

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE STORY

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Soli Deo Gloria
ah

FROM THE WEEK ENDING JANUARY 8, 2011

Remember the Duck

"Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:19, “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.” The good news of the gospel is that, for all of us who trust in the finished work of Jesus, God does not count our sins against us–he counts our sins against Christ!
Our own failure to grasp the gospel shows itself when we demand penance from those who have wronged us. Whatever offense I’ve received is infinitely smaller than the offense God has received from me. And since God has freely, fully, and unconditionally forgiven us in Christ (counting our sins against him) we should be quick and desirous to freely, fully, and unconditionally forgive." Tullian Tchividjian

CLICK HERE TO READ: Remember the Duck

No Buzzing Little Fly - Why the Creation-Evolution Debate is so Important

"A buzzing little fly is only a nuisance. The theory of evolution is no mere nuisance — it represents one of the greatest challenges to Christian faith and faithfulness in our times." Albert Mohler

CLCIK HERE TO READ: No Buzzing Little Fly

A Prayer From The First Continental Congress

 "... here is the prayer that opened the First Continental Congress on September 7, 1774.  May we be encouraged to pray that our leaders will have the same dependence upon God as these men did during very difficult times." Randy Alcorn

CLICK HERE TO READ: A Prayer from the 1st Continental Congress

An Open Letter To Steve Jobs

"I know that Apple has a policy prohibiting apps that contain “references or commentary about a religious, cultural or ethnic group that are defamatory, offensive, mean-spirited or likely to expose the targeted group to harm or violence.”
But I am shocked that Apple would consider the Manhattan Declaration “defamatory” or “mean-spirited.” Even a cursory reading of the declaration reveals numerous references to the fact that all people – including those adopt behaviors Christians consider immoral – are made in the image of God and deserve respect and care." Trevin Wax

CLICK HERE TO READ: An Open Letter To Steve Jobs

CLICK HERE TO READ THE MANHATTAN DECLARATION

Worth Loosing Everything

This is the picture of Jesus in the gospel. He is something — someone — worth losing everything for. And if we walk away from the Jesus of the gospel, we walk away from eternal riches. The cost of nondiscipleship is profoundly greater for us than the cost of discipleship. For when we abandon the trinkets of this world and respond to the radical invitation of Jesus, we discover the infinite treasure of knowing and experiencing him.

— David Platt
Radical
(Colorado Springs, Co.: Multnomah Books, 2010), 18

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Soli Deo Gloria
ah

Man A Nothing

O LORD,
I am a shell full of dust,
     but animated with an invisible rational soul
     and made anew by an unseen power of grace;
Yet l am no rare object of valuable price,
     but one that has nothing and is nothing,
     although chosen of thee from eternity,
          given to Christ, and born again;
I am deeply convinced of the evil and misery of a sinful state,
     of the vanity of creatures,
     but also of the sufficiency of Christ.
When thou wouldst guide me I control myself,
When thou wouldst be sovereign I rule myself.
When thou wouldst take care of me I suffice myself.
When I should depend on thy providings I supply myself,
When I should submit to thy providence I follow my will,
When I should study, love, honour, trust thee, I serve myself;
I fault and correct thy laws to suit myself,
Instead of thee I look to man's approbation,
     and am by nature an idolater.
Lord, it is my chief design to bring my heart back to thee.
Convince me that I cannot be my own god, or make myself happy,
     nor my own Christ to restore my joy,
     nor my own Spirit to teach, guide, and rule me.
Help me to see that grace does this by providential affliction,
     for when my credit is god thou dost cast me lower,
     when riches are my idol thou dost wing them away,
     when pleasure is my all thou dost turn it into bitterness.
Take away my roving eye, curious ear, greedy appetite, lustful heart;
Show me that none of these things
     can heal a wounded conscience,
     or support a tottering frame,
     or uphold a departing spirit.
Then take me to the cross and leave me there.

From The Valley of Vision page 91.

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Soli Deo Gloria
ah

FROM THE WEEKENDING JANUARY 1, 2011 (HAPPY NEW YEAR!)

Where We Should Find Our Joy

"God wants us to find our primary joy in our objectively declared justification, not in our subjectively perceived sanctification. "

— Jerry Bridges
"The Discomfort of the Justified Life" in Justified: Essays on the Doctrine of Justification, ed. Ryan Glomsrud & Michael Horton
(Modern Reformation, 2010), 94

Repentance and the Real Gospel

Let no man ever persuade you that any religion deserves to be called the Gospel, in which repentance toward God has not a most prominent place. That is no Gospel in which repentance is not a principal thing. It is the Gospel of man – not of God. It comes from earth – not from heaven. It is not the Gospel at all – it is rank antinomianism and nothing else. So long as you hug your sins, and cleave to your sins, and will have your sins – your sins are not forgiven.
So long as you do not repent of sin, the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is no Gospel to your soul. Christ is a Savior from sin – not a Savior for man in sin. If a man will have his sins, the day will come when that merciful Savior will say to him, “Depart from Me, you worker of iniquity! Depart into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matt. 25:41.)

~ J.C. Ryle

Old Paths, “Repentance”, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1999], 415, 416.

Mallard Fillmore Remembers the Persecuted Church

One Thing We Need In 2011

"What do we need to stay strong in 2011? I can summarize it in three words. We need . . . 
Tenacious winsome courage." 

Click on the link below to read the complete article from Ray Pritchard:

CLICK HERE TO READ: One Thing We Need In 2011

Trading One Dramatic Resoluion For 10,000 Little Ones

"Yes, you and I need to be committed to change, but not in a way that hopes for a big event of transformation, but in a way that finds joy in and is faithful to a day-by-day, step-by-step process of insight, confession, repentance and faith. And in those little moments we commit ourselves to remember the words of Paul in Romans 8:32—

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us, how will he not also with him freely give us all things.

So, we wake up each day committed to live in the small moments of our daily lives with open eyes and humbly expectant hearts." 

Click the link below to read the complete article from Paul David Tripp:

CLICK HERE TO READ: Trading One Dramatic Resolution For 10,000 Little Ones

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Soli Deo Gloria

ah

New Year

O Lord,
Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed

     in Thy presence, in Thy service, to Thy glory.
Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains,

     sanctifies, aids every hour,
that I may not be one moment apart from Thee,
but may rely on Thy Spirit
     to supply every thought,
     speak in every word,
     direct every step,
     prosper every work,
     build up every mote of faith,
     and give me a desire
               to show forth Thy praise;
               testify Thy love,
               advance Thy kingdom.

I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year,
     with Thee, O Father as my harbour,
             Thee, O Son, at my helm,
             Thee O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.
Guide me to heaven with my loins girt,
                    my lamp burning,
                    my ear open to Thy calls, 
                    my heart full of love,
                    my soul free.

Give me Thy grace to sanctify me,
     Thy comforts to cheer,
     Thy wisdom to teach,
     Thy right hand to guide,
     Thy counsel to instruct,
     Thy law to judge,
     Thy presence to stabilize.
May Thy fear by my awe,
     Thy triumphs my joy.

From The Valley of Vision page 112.

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Happy New Year, may God bless you and your family in 2011!

Soli Deo Gloria
ah