Friday, June 30, 2006

Eternal Rewards


Eternal Rewards
Brad Reiches
Jun 30 2006 02:18AM

Please visit our website at www.willowspringchurch.org to download today's audio version of GodThougts Wired!, music, sermons, sermonettes, the Bible Says Series, and The Lifestyle of the Disciple Series...ALL FOR FREE.  You may also go to the Apple iTunes  Music Store on the web and search the podcast directory for Willow  Spring Church and/or GodThoughts. Subscri be there for automatic updates and download the daily GodThoughts podcast directly to your i-pod.



Friday, June 30, 2006
GodThoughts Wired!
"Eternal Rewards"
The concept of rewards and punishment is distinct and pervasive throughout scripture, which is not surprising in light of God’s universal law of sowing and reaping (see Galatians 6:7-9). During our brief (see James 4:13-17) stay on earth, there are inherent rewards and punishments in affect, determined by the way we choose to live our lives.

“The time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets
and the saints and those who fear Your name…”
Revelation 11:18


We know that the punishment for rejecting Christ is hell, eternal separation from God (see Matthew 25:46; see also The Bible Says Series, What Does the Bible Say About…Hell?), and the “reward” for accepting Him is eternal life with God in Heaven (see Matthew 25:41). But what about Heaven once we’re there? Are all things equal in Heaven?  Is it the same for everyone? Are there rewards in Heaven?

What does the Bible Say?



"The time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets
and the saints and those who fear Your name…”
Revelation 11:18
Part 2 on Monday

Thursday, June 29, 2006

Life at it's BEST!


Life at it's BEST!
Brad Reiches
Jun 29 2006 01:42AM

Please visit our website at www.willowspringchurch.org to download music, sermons, sermonettes, the Bible Says Series, The Lifestyle of the Disciple Series, and the audio version of  the current GodThoughts Wired! messages...ALL FOR FREE.  You may also go to the Apple iTunes  Music Store on the web and search the podcast directory for Willow  Spring Church and/or GodThoughts. Subscri be there for automatic updates and download the daily GodThoughts podcast directly to your i-pod.


Thursday, June 29,  2006         
GodThoughts Wired! 

"Life at it's BEST!"

"I came that they may have life
and have it abundantly (perisson)"
John 10:10

Perisson:  extraordinary, more than sufficient, over and above, profuse, beyond measure, abundant.

The "abundant life" is literally other-worldly.  It is from another world.  The world of Christ.  Only those in Christ have the potential to experience it.  It transcends circumstance.  Those who have it, know it.  If you're unsure...you don't have it.  You haven't experienced it...yet.  The "abundant life" that Jesus offers is literally and practically EXTRA-ORDINARY (see above definition).  The psalmist identified it as the "prosperity of the soul" (see Psalm 25:14).

So far, I've identified the following:  Peace independent of circumstance.  Internal joy.  Contentment.  Fulfillment.  Inherent zeal for life.

Do you have them?  Jesus came to give them to you.  Technically, they are His.  His joy (see John 15:11),  His peace (see John 16:33), etc.
“If anyone wishes to come after Me,
let him deny himself, take up his cross
daily, and follow me.”
Matthew 16:24ff
That’s where it starts…if you’re interested.


Wednesday, June 28, 2006

The Bible: Conclusion


The Bible: Conclusion
Brad Reiches
Jun 28 2006 02:46AM

Please visit our website at www.willowspringchurch.org to download music, sermons, sermonettes, the Bible Says Series, The Lifestyle of the Disciple Series, and the audio version of  the current GodThoughts Wired! messages...ALL FOR FREE.  You may also go to the Apple iTunes  Music Store on the web and search the podcast directory for Willow  Spring Church and/or GodThoughts. Subscri be there for automatic updates and download the daily GodThoughts podcast directly to your i-pod.


Wednesday, June 28,  2006         
GodThoughts Wired! 

"The Bible"
CONCLUSION

"The law of the Lord is perfect"
Psalm 19:7

Again, the Hebrew word (tamim) translated "perfect," literally means...perfect!

It is the foundation upon which all other doctrine, faith and practice is built.  The inerrancy of scripture as originally given  is, as Norman Geisler describes, "The fundamental of all fundamentals."  It is the cornerstone of Christianity.  The bedrock of our entire belief system.  We must fight to maintain the integrity and authority of scripture for to lose it...is to lose everything. 

"Every other fundamental of the Christian faith
is based on the Scripture-if it does not have divine
authority, then we have no divine authority for any
doctrine to which we adhere."
-Dr. Norman Geisler

Either the Bible is the inerrant, infallible word of the omniscient God or it is not.  If it is, then we indeed have "everything pertaining to life and godliness" (see 2 Peter 1:3-4).  If not, then all is relegated to personal opinion.


Tuesday, June 27, 2006

The Bible: 9


The Bible: 9
Brad Reiches
Jun 27 2006 12:09AM

Please visit our website at www.willowspringchurch.org to download music, sermons, sermonettes, the Bible Says Series, The Lifestyle of the Disciple Series, and the audio version of  the current GodThoughts Wired! messages...ALL FOR FREE.  You may also go to the Apple iTunes  Music Store on the web and search the podcast directory for Willow  Spring Church and/or GodThoughts. Subscri be there for automatic updates and download the daily GodThoughts podcast directly to your i-pod.




Tuesday, June 27,  2006         
GodThoughts Wired! 

"The Bible"
PART 9

The ninth and final essential component that give us a complete definition of the Bible is: 

9.  Ultimate Authority (life and practice).

"Everything pertaining to life and godliness."
2 Peter 1:3
 
The Bible does not speak to every issue in the universe, however it does speak to "Everything pertaining to life and godliness" (see above).  It is the ultimate authority regarding life and practice.  In this regard it is perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.


Monday, June 26, 2006

The Bible: 8


The Bible: 8
Brad Reiches
Jun 26 2006 12:55AM

Please visit our website at www.willowspringchurch.org to download music, sermons, sermonettes, the Bible Says Series, The Lifestyle of the Disciple Series, and the audio version of  the current GodThoughts Wired! messages...ALL FOR FREE.  You may also go to the Apple iTunes  Music Store on the web and search the podcast directory for Willow  Spring Church and/or GodThoughts. Subscribe there for automatic updates and download the daily GodThoughts podcast directly to your i-pod.


Monday, June 26,  2006           
GodThoughts Wired! 

"The Bible"
PART 8

The eighth of the nine essential components that give us a complete definition of the Bible is: 

8.  Inerrant (without errors). 

"The law of the Lord is perfect."
Psalm 19:7

The Bible is inerrant as originally given.  This means that the original manuscripts are/were perfect, errorless.  God is perfect, therfore what comes from God (see 2 Timothy 3:16) must be perfect as well.  To claim errors in the original Bible is to allege flaws in the nature of God.  The Bible we have today is "inerrant" insofar as it has been copied accurately. 

A further definition of inerrancy is as follows:  "The Bible is factually correct in whatever it affirms.  Whatever the Bible says is true; and whatever the Bible says is false, is false."*

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Nothing is impossible with God?"  Well, the intent is undoubtedly sincere, but it's absolutely incorrect.  There are many things God can't do.  He can't sin (see James 1:13).  He can't forget** (God is omniscient)  And, "It is impossible for God to lie" (Hebrews 6:18).  "God is not a man that He should lie" (Numbers 23:19).  "The Glory of Israel (God) will not lie" (1 Samuel 15:29).

"God, who cannot lie."
Titus 1:2

He is the Truth and His word is truth.  "Your word is truth" (John 17:17).  "The sum of Your word is truth" (Psalm 119:160b).  There is no falseness in God.  Indeed, the doctrine of "inerrancy" is the "fundamental of all fundamentals."

*Geisler, Norman.  Systematic Theology, Volume 1, p. 497.