Thursday, August 19, 2010

Top Secrets! 1

GodThoughtsWired!                  Thursday, August 19, 2010
Evangelizing the Church in the Age of Delusion
top secrets!
1
"The secrets of the Lord
are for those that fear Him"

Psalm 25:14
SECRET #1.  Sin Destroys our ability to "understand."
It's an extremely exciting time to be a Christian* in the United States of America, here in the initial stages of the 21st century. Why?  Because the seeds of "last days persecution" are being sown...even as I write!
Whatever your point of reference, Hollywood , CNN, CNBC, lyrics to songs, topics of books,  subjects of movies, television sitcoms, pop-culture in general, Supreme Court decisions, or the words and attitudes and decisions of the president himself,  we are seeing a radical fulfillment of the prophetic words written 2000 years ago:
"In the last days there will be mockers,
following after their own ungodly lusts."

Jude 18
How is it possible?  And why is it happening?  Well, actually, it's a secret!  A secret that the word of God, the Bible, clearly reveals...
SIN TAKES AWAY THE UNDERSTANDING!

*By "Christian I am not referring to the multitudes of "professing christans" who "honor God with their lips but by their deeds they deny Him" (see Titus 1:15-16).  I'm talking about real, biblically defined followers of Jesus.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Jesus...IS GOD!

GodThoughtsWired!                     Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Evangelizing the Church in the Age of Delusion
jesus...is god!
As an "equipper of the saints," (see Ephesians 4:11-13), here's some helpful "equipment" in regard to the clear, biblical teaching that Jesus is God.
-Thomas knew that Jesus was God: "Thomas answered and said to Him (Jesus), 'My Lord and my God'" (John 20:28, bold mine).
-Peter knew that Jesus was God: "To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:1, bold mine).
-The apostle Paul knew that Jesus was God: "Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus" (Titus 2:13, bold mine).
-Jesus knows that He is God: "Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am...Now Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was" (John 8:58; 17:5).
-Those around Jesus knew that He claimed to be God. After Jesus told the crowd, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30), the bible tells us that they began to pick up stones to stone Him because, "You (Jesus) being a man, make Yourself out to be God" (John 10:33).
-Finally, God the Father* acknowledges that Jesus is God: "But of the Son He (the Father) says, 'Thy Throne O God, is forever and ever" (Hebrews 1:8).
 It is through this God alone,
Jesus Christ, the Jesus of the Bible,
that salvation is made available.
"And there is salvation in no one else..."
(see Acts 4:12)
Brothers and sisters, biblical Christianity acknowledges that Jesus is God. He is the Savior of the world (see John 3:16). There is NO OTHER way to get to heaven, accept through the Jesus of the Bible. I guess, the real question is whether or not you believe that the Bible is really God's word? Because the Bible teaches that there is no other way to get to heaven accept through Jesus. I
f you believe otherwise, according the the God of the Bible...you are deceived.
"I, even I, am the Lord, and there is no Savior besides Me...There is no God besides Me...Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me...I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God...There is no one besides Me, I am the Lord and there is no other..."
Isaiah 43:11; 44:6; 43:10b; 45:5; 45:6
Comprende?


ps. If you actually receive this, would you drop me a short note to let me know? Thanks. :)
 *For an in-depth discussion of The Trinity, click on, What Does the Bible Say About...The Trinity?

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

STUPID SHEPHERDS 1

GodThoughtsWired!    Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Evangelizing the Church in the Age of Delusion
stupid shepherds

1

"For the shepherds have become stupid
and have not sought the Lord."

Jeremiah 10:21
-57% of evangelical Christians say that multiple religions can lead to salvation.*
We live in a day much like the one that Jeremiah lived in. He declared, "Those who handle the law do not know Me (God)" (Jeremiah 2:8). Can you imagine? A pastor of a church? A minister who proclaims the Word of God each Sunday? Not even having a relationship with the One he/she supposedly represents?
 "An appalling and horrible thing has happened
in the land; the prophets prophesy falsely,
and the priests rule on their own authority;
and My people love it so!
But what will you do at the end of it?"

Jeremiah 5:30-31
Can you imagine? A pastor running his church based on the principles of a best selling book rather than the Word of God? A minister or Bible school professor replacing the innerant/infallible Scripture with his own ideas and calling them "The Bible?"
Well, it happened in Jeremiah's day...
And it's happening RIGHT NOW!

*Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life Survey (36,000 people), San Francisco Chronicle, "Americans Reshape Religion," p.1

Friday, August 6, 2010

The 5 Things to Seek! Conclusion

GodThoughtsWired!                      Friday, August 6, 2010
An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime!
the 5 things to seek!

CONCLUSION

"To this one I (God) will look; 
to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, 
and who trembles at my word."

Isaiah 66:2

#5. Seek humility. "Seek humility" (Zephaniah 2:3).
Humility: from the Hebrew, "anah" meaning, "to be bowed down."
Websters: "modest, lowly, unpretentious."
My own definition of Biblical "humility" is, "as opposed to pride; agreement with God." Godly humility is in contrast to "the boastful pride of life," from which the majority of all sin originates (see 1 John 2:15-17).
"Humble yourself in the presence of the Lord,
and He will exalt you."

James 4:10
Peter put it a little differently, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time." (1 Peter 5:6). In both cases "humility" is to be pro-actively pursued. "Humble yourselves."
Ironically, the world elevates pride...the very thing that God hates (see Proverbs 6:16) and opposes (see James 4; 1 Peter 5). In contrast, the sincere seeker of God yearns for grace...the grace that comes from humility.
"God...gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5).

Thursday, August 5, 2010

The 5 Things to Seek! 4

GodThoughtsWired!                 Thursday, August 5, 2010
An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime!
the 5 things to seek!

4
#4. Seek wisdom*. "I (wisdom) love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me" (Proverbs 8:17).
"A wise man will hear and increase in learning" (Proverbs 1:5). Why? Because the wiser you become, the greater your ability to invest in eternity. The more knowledge you have, the better able you are to instruct others in the ways of the Lord. "Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding!" (Proverbs 4:5).
Seeking wisdom is something different than the pursuit of God's kingdom. Indeed, the kingdom of God can come without any increase in your level of "wisdom." To grow in wisdom you must pursue it. It must be a top priority in your life.
The commitment to "lifelong learning" is invaluable. Why? With it comes the potential for becoming a better spouse, parent, and representative of Christ - all of which carry the potential for eternal gain!
"Seek her (wisdom) as silver,
and search for her as for hidden treasure."

Proverbs 2:4
Few things are as important as the quest for wisdom. Why? Wisdom is one of the few things that can impact your eternity**. And sharing your wisdom has the potential to influence the eternity of others.
Grow in your knowledge of God's word and you become a resource of wisdom for others.
Hmmm...

*I am using the term "wisdom" here to include, "knowledge, wisdom, discernment and understanding."
**By "wisdom," I mean the wisdom of God. Being wise in the knowledge of God's way, will and word. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My word (wisdom) will not pass away" (Mark 13:31).

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

The 5 Things to Seek! 3

GodThoughtsWired!            Wednesday, August 4, 2010
An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime!
the 5 things to seek!
3

#3. Seek God's righteousness. "Seek...His (God) righteousness" Matthew 6:33).
As I instruct my daughters, in the simplest sense, to live righteously is to "live the right way." God's way, according to the Bible. "Seek righteousness" (Zephaniah 2:3).
"Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness" (Isaiah 51:1). Some basic and practical reasons for living the right way include, the strong support of the Lord (see 2 Chronicles 16:9), and "no good thing does God withhold" (see Psalm 84:11) from those who live the right way, and, of course, "the fruit of righteousness" (Philippians 1:11).

"Pursue righteousness"
1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22
The essence of the lifestyle of the disciple is the quest for righteousness. Trying to figure out how to live the right way. Technically, it's called "walking by the Spirit" (see Galatians 5:16-17). Why? Because, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20).
Do you see it? "Christ lives in me." It's not us trying harder to be more righteous, it's allowing the Righteous God, ("Jehovah Tsidkenu," the Lord our Righteousness; see Jeremiah 23:6) who lives inside of every believer via His Holy Spirit (see Ephesians 1:13), to live through us.
It's why, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).
Actually, it's a pretty good deal. He lives through us, and we reap the "fruit of righteousness."

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

The 5 Things to Seek! 2

GodThoughtsWired!                  Tuesday, August 3, 2010
An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime!
the 5 things to seek!

2
#2. Seek God's kingdom. "Seek first His (God) kingdom" (Matthew 6:33).
"And do not seek what you shall eat, and what you shall drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek first His kingdom, and these things shall be added to you."
Luke 12:29-31
I'd say, "That's a pretty good deal!" Wouldn't you? The Bible clearly teaches here that the "nations" have it all wrong. They have replaced God, Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Our Provider), with themselves and reap the harsh consequences.
Question: To whom does the Lord speak the following? "Consider your ways...You have sown much but harvest little...He who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with holes...Consider your ways...You look for much, but behold, it comes to little; when you bring it home, I blow it away...I called for a drought...on all the labor of your hands" (Haggai 1:5-11).
That's right! The one who prioritizes his own kingdom ahead of God's. "Because of My house which lies desolate, while each of you runs to his own house" (Haggai 1:9). There are only two options.
Live by God's design and reap the blessings, or
Hmmm...

Monday, August 2, 2010

The 5 Things to Seek! 1

GodThoughtsWired!                  Monday, August 2, 2010
An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime!
THE 5 THINGS TO SEEK!

#1. Seek God. "Seek the Lord while He may be found" (Isaiah 55:6).
 "Now set your heart and your soul
to seek the Lord your God."

1 Chronicles 22:19
There is nothing on this earth more important than seeking God. Nothing. "If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever" (1 Chronicles 28:9). Everything else in this life, and the life to come will be directly, and eternally impacted by the diligence, or lack thereof, with which we pursue God.
The only people who go to hell are those who willfully choose to not seek God wholeheartedly.
We know this because the Bible tells us so. "You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13). The seven greatest words ever spoken to mankind are those spoken by God Himself:
"And I will be found by you."
Jeremiah 29:14
Can anybody tell me what time it is? That's right!
"It is time to seek the Lord"
Hosea 10:12